JPH1090554A - Optical fiber block assembling jig and assembling device as well as optical fiber block polishing jig - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the productivity of an optical fiber block and to reduce a production cost by executing the assembly of the optical fiber block by an automatic transporting machine and easily inserting the exposed parts of the optical fiber block into the grooves of a substrate. SOLUTION: The exposed parts 1b of an optical fiber 1 are inserted into a grooved substrate 5 formed with groove parts 5b. A guide member 17 formed with guide grooves 17b for guiding the exposed parts 1b is arranged at the flank of the grooved substrate 5 so as to position the guide grooves 17b and the groove parts 5b in the same straight state. When the exposed parts 1b of the optical fiber 1 are brought near to the substrate 5 in the direction perpendicular to the forming surfaces of the groove part 5b of the substrate 5, the exposed parts 1b are guided by the guide grooves 17b and are fatten so as to naturally enter the groove parts 5b of the substrate 5 of itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber block used for connection between an optical fiber and an optical waveguide, which is indispensable for construction of an optical transmission line in the field of optical communication or computer network, or for connection between optical fibers. The present invention relates to an assembling jig, an optical fiber block assembling apparatus for automatically assembling the same, and an optical fiber block polishing jig used for polishing an optical fiber block.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In optical communication, it is essential to connect an optical transmission line such as an optical fiber to an optical waveguide or an optical fiber to an optical fiber. 10A and 10B show an example in which an optical waveguide chip used as an optical transmitting / receiving circuit and an optical fiber are connected, FIG. 10A is a plan view, and FIG. 10B is a side view. As shown in FIG. 10, an optical fiber exposed portion 1b in which two optical fibers are arranged in parallel and in a plane and covered with a coating to unify and expose the tip of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 which is integrated is a predetermined one. It is fixed to the optical fiber block 2 at a pitch. The optical fiber block 2 is fixed to the optical waveguide 3 with an adhesive 7. An optical waveguide chip 3 having a core 3b therein has a photodiode 4a for converting an optical signal from the optical fiber 1 into an electric signal, and a photodiode 4b for converting an electric signal into an optical signal and sending it to the optical fiber 1. Is provided.

In connection between the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 and the optical waveguide chip 3, it is extremely important to minimize the connection loss. For this purpose, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b and the core 3b of the optical waveguide chip 3 are required to have high precision. Need to be aligned. For example, the alignment accuracy is required to be 1 μm or less in the single mode. In order to perform positioning with high precision, both the arrangement accuracy of the optical fiber exposed portion 1b on the connection end face of the optical fiber block 2 and the arrangement accuracy of the core 3b of the optical waveguide chip 3 must be sufficiently high. In the manufacture of the optical waveguide chip 3, since the core 3b is generally formed by photolithography, the positional accuracy is extremely good. Therefore, forming the optical fiber block 2 with high accuracy is the first important point. In addition, since the optical fiber block 2 is required in large quantities corresponding to each terminal with the development of optical communication, it is essential that mass production can be performed at low cost.

FIG. 11 shows the procedure for assembling an optical fiber block. The optical fiber block includes a tape-shaped optical fiber 1 in which two fibers are integrated, and a tape-shaped optical fiber 1.
A grooved substrate 5 having a V-shaped groove 5b into which an optical fiber exposed portion 1b, which is formed by peeling off and exposing the coating, is inserted, and a holding plate 6 for fixing the optical fiber exposed portion 1b to the grooved substrate 5 is constituted. Is done. As shown in FIG.
The tape-shaped optical fiber 1 is placed on the grooved substrate 5 so that the groove b enters the groove 5b, and the holding plate 6 is moved to the optical fiber exposed portion 1b.
Press it up. Next, an ultraviolet-curing adhesive is permeated into the gap between the grooved substrate 5 and the holding plate 6 and irradiated with ultraviolet light, so that the grooved substrate 5, the optical fiber exposed portion 1 b and the holding plate 6
Are cured and bonded to form an optical fiber block. Next, the end face of the integrated optical fiber block is polished at an angle of 8 ° in order to cut off the reflected light from the joint surface, thereby completing the optical fiber block.

FIG. 12 shows a conventional optical fiber block assembling apparatus for assembling such an optical fiber block. A method of assembling an optical fiber block using this assembling apparatus will be described. First, the grooved substrate 5 is moved to the vertical
b, and fixed to the upper surface of the fine rotary table 8a by vacuum suction or the like,
Next, the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 is fixed to the upper surface on which the vertical fine moving table 9c, the Y fine moving table 9b, and the X fine moving table 9a are stacked by the fixing bracket 12. Next, while visually confirming with the microscope 13, the fine movement table 9a, 9b, 9c is manually operated to bring the optical fiber exposed portion 1b at the tip of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 close to the groove 5b, and the groove 5b is turned on by the rotary fine movement table 8a. Fiber exposed part 1b
And the fine adjustment table 9 again.
The exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber is aligned with the groove 5b by using a and 9b. Then, the grooved substrate 5 is formed using the vertical fine movement table 8b.
Is raised, and the optical fiber exposed portion 1b is inserted into the groove 5b. After visually confirming the insertion, the pressing mechanism 6 presses the pressing plate 6.
1, holding mechanism 11 above grooved substrate 5
To move. The posture and position of the holding plate 6 are adjusted to the grooved substrate 5 by using the fine moving tables 10a, 10b, and 10c while visually confirming with the microscope 13, and when they match, the pressing mechanism 11 is pressed down by the vertical fine moving table 10c, and the pressing plate is pressed. 6 presses the fiber 1b. At this time, press mechanism 1
The predetermined pressing force is applied by the spring force of 1 to the optical fiber exposed portion 1b.
The position of the vertical fine moving table 10c is adjusted so that Finally, an ultraviolet-curable adhesive is permeated between the holding plate 6 and the groove 5b, and the adhesive is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays to complete the optical fiber block.

[0006]

As described above,
In the prior art, the assembly of the optical fiber block is manually performed. In order to perform the alignment between the optical fiber exposed portion 1b and the groove portion 5b and the alignment between the holding plate 6 and the groove portion 5b, the operation of the eight-axis fine moving table is performed. Had to be done manually. For this reason, the operation was complicated, and the work efficiency was extremely poor.

The diameter of the optical fiber exposed portion 1b is usually 125 μm. In order to insert the optical fiber into the groove portion 5b of the grooved substrate 5 without fail, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b and the groove portion have an accuracy within 30 μm. It is necessary to adjust the relative position of 5b. Conventionally, this operation was performed by visual inspection using the microscope 13, so that skill was required to keep the relative position within the required accuracy range, and it was not suitable for long-time continuous operation. Due to these problems, the prior art has the disadvantages of remarkably low productivity and high cost.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an optical fiber block assembling jig and an optical fiber block assembling apparatus which can assemble an optical fiber block by an automatic transfer machine such as an assembling robot, thereby dramatically improving productivity and reducing costs. It is an object to provide an apparatus and an optical fiber block polishing jig.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical fiber block assembling jig according to the present invention comprises: An optical fiber block assembling jig for forming an optical fiber block by fixing a guide member having a guide groove for guiding an exposed portion of an optical fiber, wherein the guide member is provided with a guide groove of the guide member and a groove of a grooved substrate. Are arranged on at least one surface of the grooved substrate so as to be located on the same straight line, and the exposed portion of the optical fiber is brought closer to the grooved substrate from the vertical direction with respect to the surface of the grooved substrate where the groove is formed. The exposed part is inserted into the groove of the grooved substrate by guiding the exposed part to the guide groove of the guide member.

The optical fiber block assembling jig may further include an optical fiber holding member having a tapered groove for guiding a coated portion of the optical fiber.
Positioning the grooved substrate between the optical fiber holding member and the guide member so that the guide groove of the guide member, the groove of the grooved substrate and the tapered groove of the optical fiber holding member are located on the same straight line, The exposed portion of the optical fiber is approached to the grooved substrate from the vertical direction with respect to the surface of the substrate with the groove, and the exposed portion is guided to the guide groove of the guide member, and the optical fiber is inserted into the tapered groove. Guide the covering part.

Further, the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention comprises a plurality of substrate holding portions for projecting and holding a tip portion of a grooved substrate by a predetermined length for polishing, and a taper for inserting a coating portion of an optical fiber. A plurality of optical fiber holding members having a plurality of guide grooves, a plurality of guide members having a guide groove for guiding the exposed portion of the optical fiber, the guide groove of the plurality of guide members and the groove portion of the plurality of grooved substrate, The substrate holding portion may be arranged between the optical fiber holding member and the guide member such that the tapered grooves of the plurality of optical fiber holding members are located on the same straight line.

Further, the optical fiber block polishing jig of the present invention also serves as an optical fiber block assembling jig, and inserts the exposed portion, from which the coating of the optical fiber has been peeled, into the groove of the grooved substrate, and uses a holding component. A polishing jig for a fixed optical fiber block, a plurality of optical fiber block holding portions for holding a tip of the optical fiber block by projecting a predetermined length for polishing, and a taper for inserting a coating portion of an optical fiber. A plurality of optical fiber holding members each having a groove in the shape thereof, wherein the groove portions of the grooved substrate of the optical fiber block held by the plurality of optical fiber block holding portions and the grooves of the plurality of optical fiber holding members are on the same straight line. The plurality of optical fiber block holding portions and the optical fiber holding members are arranged so as to be located at the positions.

Further, in the optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention using the above-mentioned optical fiber block assembling jig, the exposed portion from which the coating of the optical fiber has been peeled is inserted into the groove of the grooved substrate, and is fixed with a holding component. In an optical fiber block assembling apparatus that forms an optical fiber block, a supply unit that supplies components of the optical fiber block, a transport mechanism that transports the components, and a guide member that has a guide groove that guides an exposed portion of the optical fiber, An optical fiber holding member having a tapered groove for guiding the coated portion of the optical fiber is provided with a guide line of the guide member and a tapered groove of the optical fiber holding member having the same straight line through a gap for disposing the grooved substrate. An assembling part arranged to be positioned above, a turntable for disposing at least one set of assembling parts, and an adhesive for solidifying and integrating components It comprises a adhesive supply unit for applying a glue hardening section for curing the adhesive, and a control unit for controlling the entire optical fiber block assembly apparatus.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

An optical fiber block assembling apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A series of processes required for assembling the optical fiber block such as grooved substrate, optical fiber, holding plate, etc. This is a configuration in which a matching mechanism is combined. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus for assembling an optical fiber block according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
The assembling apparatus includes an assembling robot 14 for automatically assembling an optical fiber block, an assembling section 15 for assembling the optical fiber block, a grooved substrate supply tray 16a and an optical fiber supply tray 16b for arranging components used for assembly. And a component tray such as a holding plate supply tray 16c. A chucking tool 30 for holding components by suction or clamping is attached to the hand tip 14b of the assembly robot 14.

The operation is firstly performed by the assembling robot 14.
Is operated, the groove substrate 5 is grasped from the grooved substrate supply tray 16a by the chucking tool 30 and transported to the assembling section 15, and is installed at a predetermined position by suction or the like. Next, the assembling robot 14 is similarly operated, the fiber 1 is picked up from the optical fiber supply tray 16b by the chucking tool 30 and carried to the assembling section 15, and the exposed optical fiber exposed section 1b of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 is grooved. It is aligned with the groove 5b of the substrate 5, inserted, and fixed to the assembly section 15 in that state. Next, the assembling robot 14 is again operated to grasp the holding plate 6 from the holding plate supply tray 16c, convey it to the assembling unit 15, align it with the groove 5b of the grooved substrate 5, and press it from above. To fix it to the assembly part 15. Subsequently, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is permeated into the gap between the holding plate 6 and the grooved substrate 5 and irradiated with ultraviolet light to be cured, whereby the assembly of the optical fiber block is completed.

Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which the tip of the optical fiber applied to such an apparatus is surely inserted into the groove of the grooved substrate. FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention. The grooved substrate 5 has a groove portion 5b into which the optical fiber exposed portion 1b in which the coating of the tape-shaped optical fiber 1 in which the two fibers are integrated is peeled off and exposed is inserted. The guide member 17 provided with the guide groove 17b for guiding the optical fiber exposed portion 1b
The groove 7b and the groove 5b are arranged on the side surface of the grooved substrate 5 so as to be located on the same straight line.

In order to insert the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber into the groove 5b by using the guide member 17, first, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is vertically inserted with respect to the surface of the grooved substrate 5 where the groove 5b is formed. It is made to approach the grooved substrate 5. As a result, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber is
b and descends, and naturally the groove 5b of the grooved substrate 5
to go into. In general, the exposed portion of the optical fiber 1b coincides with the pitch of the regular groove 5b at the coating end. However, due to heating and pressing at the time of peeling the coating, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b spreads toward the tip and the pitch error increases. For this reason, conventionally, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b is displaced from the groove position and insertion is difficult, but by using a guide member with a guide groove, the optical fiber can be easily and reliably inserted.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the optical fiber block assembly jig of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that a holding member that guides the coating portion of the optical fiber 1 in addition to the guide member 17 that guides the optical fiber exposed portion 1b of the first embodiment. 18 is used. 3A is a plan view of the optical fiber block assembling jig, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 3D shows a line C.
It is sectional drawing of -C. As shown, the holding member 18 of the coated optical fiber 1 has a tapered groove 18b for holding the optical fiber 1. The guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 are arranged so that the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 and the tapered groove 18b of the optical fiber holding member 18 are located on the same straight line via a gap for disposing the grooved substrate 5. Are located.

The operation will be described. First, the grooved substrate 5 is transported by the above-described transport mechanism and disposed between the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18, and the groove 5b, the guide groove 17b, and the tapered groove 18b are the same. Install so that they are on a straight line. Next, the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is again brought closer to the grooved substrate 5 from the vertical direction with respect to the groove 5b forming surface of the grooved substrate 5 by the transport mechanism. As a result, the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 guides the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1, and the tapered groove 18b of the optical fiber holding member 18 guides the coated portion of the optical fiber 1, so that light is emitted before and after the groove 5b. The position of the fiber 1 is determined, and the optical fiber exposed portion 1 can be reliably inserted into the groove 5b.

In the first and second embodiments described above, V
Although the guide member 17 and the grooved substrate 5 in which a U-shaped groove is formed are used, the groove is not limited to the V-shape, and has a curvature that is optimal for guiding or holding an optical fiber. Should be fine. In the above-described embodiment,
Although one set of grooves is provided on the grooved substrate 5 to form one set of optical fiber blocks, a plurality of sets of grooves may be provided on the substrate 5 to form a plurality of sets of optical fiber blocks. In this case, a plurality of sets of grooves may be provided in the guide member 17 and the optical fiber holding member 18 corresponding to the substrate 5.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an example of assembling an optical fiber block using the above-described guide member and optical fiber holding member will be described.

In this optical fiber block assembling apparatus, the assembling units 20 are arranged at equal intervals on the turntable 19 at points A and B.
There are four points, point C, and point D. Then, the optical fiber block assembling apparatus transports the grooved substrate 5 to the point A of the assembling section 20, removes the completed optical fiber block from the turntable 19, and the drum 27 around which the optical fiber 1 is wound. , A pinch roller 28 for feeding the optical fiber 1, a cutter 29 for cutting the optical fiber to a required length, and a holder 30 for holding the optical fiber
A stripped portion 31 at the tip of the optical fiber 1;
A cleaning section 32 for cleaning the exposed section 1b, an automatic transporter 14a for transporting the optical fiber 1 having the exposed end to the point B of the assembly section 20, and a pressing plate feeder 22 for supplying the pressing plate 6.
A holding plate fixing jig 21 for pressing the holding plate 6, a detachable portion 26 for attaching and detaching the holding plate fixing jig 21, an application head 23 for applying an ultraviolet curing adhesive to the optical fiber block, and an ultraviolet curing adhesive A dispenser 24 for dispensing an agent and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 25 for irradiating the optical fiber block to cure the applied ultraviolet curing adhesive.

The assembling section 20 includes the guide member 1 such that the guide groove 17b and the tapered groove 18b are located on the same straight line.
The optical fiber holding member 7 and the optical fiber holding member 18 are arranged via a gap in which the substrate 5 is arranged. A holding plate fixing jig 21 is placed, and a detachable portion 26 of the holding plate jig 21 is provided at the center of the turntable 19.

Next, the operation of the optical fiber block assembling apparatus will be described. The optical fiber 1 is supplied from a drum 27 by a pinch roller 28, cut into a predetermined length by a cutter 29, the optical fiber 1 is gripped by a holder 30 and inserted into a stripping portion 31, and the coating at the tip is peeled off. The optical fiber exposed part 1b is formed. Then, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b
Is washed by a washing unit 32 to remove foreign matter.

On the other hand, at the point A of the assembling section 20 of the turntable 19, the grooved substrate 5 is placed between the guide member 17 installed on the assembling section 20 and the optical fiber holding member 18 using the automatic transporter 14b. It is set so that the groove 5b is located on the same straight line as the guide groove 17b and the tapered groove 18b. Next, the turntable 19 is rotated by 90 ° to move the assembly unit 20 to the point B. The coated and peeled and washed optical fiber 1 is transported to the assembly portion 20 at the point B by the automatic transporter 14a, and the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 is
To the groove 5b forming surface from the vertical direction. Thus, the guide groove 17b of the guide member 17 guides the exposed portion 1b, and the tapered groove 1b of the optical fiber holding member 18
8b guides the coated portion of the optical fiber 1, so that the groove 5
The position of the optical fiber 1 is determined before and after b, and the optical fiber exposed portion 1 can be reliably inserted into the groove 5b. In this example, a plurality of sets of grooves 5b are formed in the grooved substrate 5, and a plurality of sets of optical fiber blocks can be formed at the same time. Insert After all the insertions have been completed, the turntable 19 is rotated by 90 ° and
Is moved to the point C.

In the assembly section 20 at the point C, the dispenser 24
Then, the application head 23 is driven to apply the ultraviolet curable adhesive to the groove 5b and the optical fiber exposed portion 1b, and the holding plate 6 is disposed thereon by the holding plate feeder 22.
Next, the holding plate fixing jig 21 is placed on the holding plate 6 by the attaching / detaching portion 26 and the holding plate 6 is pressed, so that the optical fiber exposed portion 1b is firmly fixed to the groove 5b. Next, the turntable 19 is rotated by 90 ° to move the assembly unit 20 to the point D. At the point D, the ultraviolet light is irradiated on the groove 5b and the holding plate 6 by the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 25 to cure the applied adhesive. After the adhesive is cured, the turntable 19 is rotated to move the assembly section 20 to the point A, and the automatic transporter 14
Remove the optical fiber block assembled in b.

As described above, since the optical fiber block assembling apparatus uses the turntable 19, the operation scale can be extremely reduced, and the A,
Since a series of operations at points B, C, and D can be performed in parallel, a large number of optical fiber blocks can be efficiently assembled.

In the embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling apparatus, the assembling sections are provided at 90 ° intervals on the turntable and the predetermined assembling steps are performed at four places. However, the assembling steps are performed at different positions. The installation location of the assembly unit can be changed correspondingly. Further, in this embodiment, the assembling of the optical fiber block by the optical fiber block assembling jig using the guide member and the optical fiber holding member has been described. The present invention can also be applied to assembly by an optical fiber block assembling jig according to a third embodiment described later.

Next, a third embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention will be described. The optical fiber block assembling jig according to the present embodiment is different from the optical fiber blocks according to the first and second embodiments in that the optical fiber block assembling jig used in polishing the optical fiber of the completed optical fiber block is also used. Different from assembly jig. FIG. 5 shows a jig for both assembly and polishing of the optical fiber block according to the third embodiment,
FIG. 5A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a side view thereof. FIG. 6 is a development view of the jig for assembling and polishing the optical fiber block of FIG.

The holding member 38 is a holding member for holding the optical fiber 1, and is formed of, for example, a material having rigidity and flexibility capable of maintaining its shape without adhering an adhesive such as Teflon. . Similarly to the optical fiber holding member 18 according to the second embodiment, the holding member 38 has a tapered groove 38.
b, and this tapered groove 38b is
By accurately positioning the coating outer shape, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b can be inserted into the groove 35b of the grooved substrate 35. The holding member 38 is formed in a U-shape, and a fixing portion 41 for fixing the coating portion of the optical fiber 1 is fitted into the gap.

The fixing portion 41 is formed of, for example, a thin plate of a permanent magnet. The fixing portion 41 is provided with the same number of fixing grooves 41b as the taper grooves 38b of the holding member 38 at the same pitch. When the fixing grooves 41 are fitted into the holding member 38, the fixing grooves 41b are continuous with the taper grooves 38b. Be placed. Then, an adsorber 42 for fixing the covering portion of the optical fiber 1 inserted into the fixing groove 41b of the fixing portion 41.
Is formed from an iron-based magnetic material. By covering the adsorber 42 from above the fixing groove 41b in which the optical fiber 1 is inserted, the optical fiber 1 can be fixed by magnetically attracting the fixing groove 41b.

Substrate holder 40 for holding grooved substrate 35
In this example, the grooved substrate 35 is used to simplify the structure.
Is formed by cutting out a part of the holding member 38 so that a part of the holding member protrudes and comes into the area. The entrance of the substrate holder 40 is tapered so that the grooved substrate 35 can be easily set in the substrate holder 40. The dual-purpose jig frame 39 is a frame on which the holding member 38 and the fixing portion 41 are placed and used for assembling and polishing the optical fiber block. And the surface is coated with Teflon to prevent the adhesive from sticking.
Reference numerals 43a and 43b in the figure are screw holes for fixing the optical fiber block to the jig frame 39 during polishing. The shapes of the grooved substrate 35 and the substrate holding portion 40 are precisely processed so that the amount of protrusion of the substrate holding portion 40 from the combined jig frame 39 is constant only by inserting the grooved substrate 35.

The substrate holding portion 40 and the tapered groove 38b
The positional relationship between the optical fiber 1 and the fixing groove 41b is such that when the optical fiber 1 is inserted, the optical fiber exposed portion 1b and the groove 35b are arranged on the same straight line. Ten sets are provided on the jig. FIG. 5 shows a state of the grooved substrate 35 set in a state where the front end protrudes from the second substrate holding portion 40 from the left. First, the grooved substrates 35 are set in all the substrate holding portions 40 in such a state. Substrate holding part 4 at the left end in FIG.
At 0, the grooved substrate 35 and the optical fiber 1 are set, and the relationship is such that the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1 matches the groove 35b of the grooved substrate 35.

Here, the difference between the tapered groove 38b and the fixed groove 41b is that the former is for accurately positioning the coating outer shape of the optical fiber 1 for accurately inserting the optical fiber exposed portion 1b into the groove 35b. It is formed accurately with respect to the position of the substrate holding part 40 and the outer shape of the coating of the optical fiber 1. The latter is for holding the optical fiber 1 in cooperation with the adsorber 42 so as not to be displaced, so that the size error may be large.

As shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 38 is formed from a single resin sheet such as Teflon, and is inserted on the combined jig frame 39 with high precision without any gap between the holding member 38 and the fixing portion 41. The ten optical fiber blocks can be easily removed by peeling off the holding member 38 when the polishing is completed. Even if the adhesive for fixing the components of the optical fiber block leaks and exudes to the periphery of the substrate holding portion 40 and hardens, the surfaces of the holding member 38 and the dual-purpose jig frame 39 are not fixed because they are Teflon, and Since the holding member 38 can be peeled off, it can easily cope with seepage of the adhesive. In addition, the fixing portion 41
It goes without saying that the material of the adsorber 42 may be reversed.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which an optical fiber block assembling jig used together with the assembling / polishing jig of the third embodiment when assembling the optical fiber block is installed, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the assembly / polishing jig is removed from FIG. Similarly to the optical fiber block assembling jig of the first embodiment, the guide member 37 for guiding the exposed portion of the optical fiber 1 has guide grooves at the same pitch as the substrate holding portion 40 on the assembling / polishing jig. 37b are provided, and are arranged in a positional relationship so as to be continuous with the groove 35b of the grooved substrate 35 set in the substrate holding unit 40. Stoppers 45a and 45b for abutting and positioning the jig frame 39 are provided on the assembly plate 44, and the guide member 37 is disposed on the stopper 45b. Using a position fine adjustment screw 46 for adjusting the position of the guide member 37 and a guide member fixing screw 47 for fixing the guide member 37, the groove 35 of the grooved substrate 35 set in the substrate holding part 40.
b and the guide groove 37b of the guide member 37 are adjusted and fixed so that they are located on the same straight line.

Next, the assembling of the optical fiber block using the assembling / polishing jig and the assembling jig will be described. First, the grooved substrates 35 are inserted into all the substrate holders 40 placed on the combined jig frame 39.
Next, the combined jig frame 39 is positioned against the stoppers 45a and 45b on the assembly plate 44. Thereby, the tapered groove 38b, the fixed groove 41b, and the grooved substrate 3
5. The groove 35b on 5 and the guide groove 37 on the guide member 37
b is positioned on the same straight line. Here the guide groove 37b
If the position is shifted, it is necessary to adjust the position of the guide member 37 with the position fine adjustment screw 46, but usually only the initial adjustment at the start of the apparatus is required. In this state, the dual-purpose jig frame 39 is fixed by suction using a vacuum suction hole (not shown) provided in the assembly plate 44 to fix the same.

Next, the optical fiber 1 is conveyed and descends from the upper surface of the grooved substrate 35 to the groove 35b. Thus, the guide groove 37b of the guide member 37 is exposed to the exposed portion 1b of the optical fiber 1.
And the tapered groove 38b of the holding member 38 guides the coated portion of the optical fiber 1, so that the position of the optical fiber 1 is determined before and after the groove 35b, and the exposed portion 1 of the optical fiber 1 is securely inserted into the groove 35b. Can be inserted. Then, the adsorbent 42 is placed on the fixing portion 41 of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber 1 is fixed so as not to move. Next, an ultraviolet-curing adhesive is applied to the groove 35b and the optical fiber exposed portion 1b, the holding plate 36 is placed and held under a load, and ultraviolet light is applied to the groove 35b and the holding plate 36 to cure the adhesive. . After the adhesive is cured, the process proceeds to the optical fiber block polishing step without removing the optical fiber block. A fixing plate for the optical fiber block is passed between the screw holes 43a and 43b, and the optical fiber block is fastened to the combined jig frame 39 by screws 43c so as not to move during polishing.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a case where polishing is performed using a jig for both assembly and polishing. As shown, the optical fiber block fixing plate 48 is passed between the screws 43c, and all the optical fiber blocks are fastened to the combined jig frame 39 so as not to move during polishing. Then, the combined jig frame 39 is attached to the rotary jig 49, and the mounting surface of the rotary jig 49 has an angle (8 in this example) necessary for processing.
°), it is only necessary to fix the combined jig frame 39 to the mounting surface. In FIG. 9, two sets of dual-purpose jig frames are attached to one rotating jig 19. Then, the rotating jig plate 49 to which the combined jig frame 39 is attached is placed on the polishing plate 50, and the polishing plate 50
Is rotated to polish the optical fiber block. Here, the rotating jig 49 can be processed so that two or more sets of the dual-purpose jig frame 39 are attached, and more optical fiber blocks can be simultaneously polished.

As described above, since a plurality of optical fiber blocks can be polished at a time without detaching the optical fiber blocks from the jig used in the assembling, a large number of optical fiber blocks can be efficiently assembled. .

[0042]

As described above, according to the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention, since the guide member with the guide groove is used, the pitch error increases toward the tip due to heating and pressing at the time of stripping the coating. Even an optical fiber having an increased size can be easily and reliably inserted into the groove of the substrate.

In an optical fiber block assembly jig using an optical fiber fixing member having a tapered groove together with a guide member having a guide groove, the guide groove of the guide member guides the exposed portion of the optical fiber, and the tapered groove forms the optical fiber. The position of the fiber is accurately determined before and after the groove, and the optical fiber can be more easily and reliably inserted into the groove.

Further, according to the optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of assembling parts are installed on the turntable, and the assembling process of all the optical fiber blocks is performed on the turntable, thereby assembling automatically. , The apparatus can be made extremely compact and economical, and a series of operations can be performed in parallel, so that a large number of optical fiber blocks can be efficiently assembled.

According to the assembling / polishing jig provided with the guide member having the guide groove and the optical fiber fixing member having the tapered groove according to the present invention, assembling and polishing a plurality of optical fiber blocks on the same jig. Processing can be performed. Therefore, it is easy to automate the assembly of the optical fiber block, and a plurality of optical fiber blocks can be polished by one setting, so that the polishing process becomes extremely efficient. Therefore, according to the optical fiber block assembling jig and the assembling apparatus and the optical fiber block assembling / polishing jig of the present invention, it is possible to produce a large amount of optical fiber blocks at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the concept of an optical fiber block assembling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the optical fiber block assembling jig of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber block assembling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view and a sectional view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber block assembling / polishing jig according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a development view showing the optical fiber block assembling / polishing jig of FIG. 5;

7 is a plan view showing a state where an optical fiber block assembling jig used together with the optical fiber block assembling / polishing jig of FIG. 5 is installed.

FIG. 8 shows an assembly of an optical fiber block from the installation state of FIG.
It is a perspective view showing the state where a polishing and jig was removed.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the optical fiber block is polished by using an optical fiber block assembling / polishing jig.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of an optical fiber block.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an optical fiber block.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical fiber block assembling apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber 6, 36 ... Holding plate 14 ... Assembly robot 15 ... Assembly part 16 ... Supply tray 17, 37 ... Guide member 18, 38 ... Holding member 19 ... Turntable 20 ... Assembly part 21 ... Holding plate fixing jig 22 ... Holding plate feeder 23... Coating head 24... Dispenser 25. Holding part 41 ... Fixing part 42 ... Adsorber 49 ... Rotating jig 50 ... Polishing plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuki Kudo 3-19-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber block assembling jig for forming an optical fiber block by inserting an exposed portion from which a coating of an optical fiber is peeled off into a groove of a grooved substrate and fixing the exposed portion with a pressing component. A guide member having a guide groove for guiding a portion, wherein the guide member has at least one of the grooved substrates such that the guide groove of the guide member and the groove of the grooved substrate are located on the same straight line. The exposed portion of the optical fiber is brought closer to the grooved substrate from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the grooved substrate where the groove is formed, and the exposed portion is exposed to the guide groove of the guide member. An optical fiber block assembling jig, wherein the exposed portion is inserted into the groove portion of the grooved substrate by guiding the portion. 2. The optical fiber holding member further comprising an optical fiber holding member formed with a tapered groove for guiding a coating portion of the optical fiber, wherein the guide groove of the guide member, the groove of the grooved substrate, and the optical fiber holding member. The grooved substrate is disposed between the optical fiber holding member and the guide member so that the tapered groove is positioned on the same straight line, and the grooved substrate is formed on the surface of the grooved substrate where the groove is formed. In contrast, the exposed portion of the optical fiber approaches the grooved substrate from a vertical direction, the exposed portion is guided by the guide groove of the guide member, and the coating of the optical fiber is performed by the tapered groove. The optical fiber block assembly jig according to claim 1, wherein the exposed portion is inserted into the groove of the grooved substrate by guiding the portion. 3. An optical fiber block assembling apparatus for forming an optical fiber block by inserting an exposed portion from which a coating of an optical fiber is peeled into a groove of a grooved substrate and fixing the optical fiber with a pressing component. A feeding mechanism for feeding the component parts, a guide member having a guide groove for guiding the exposed portion of the optical fiber, and a light having a tapered groove for guiding a coating portion of the optical fiber. An assembly in which a fiber holding member is arranged such that the guide groove of the guide member and the tapered groove of the optical fiber holding member are located on the same straight line via a gap for disposing the grooved substrate. A turntable on which at least one set of the assembly parts is arranged; an adhesive supply unit for applying an adhesive for solidifying and integrating the components; An optical fiber block assembling apparatus comprising: an adhesive curing unit that cures an adhesive; and a control unit that controls the entire optical fiber block assembling apparatus. 4. A polishing jig for an optical fiber block, wherein an exposed portion of the optical fiber whose coating has been peeled off is inserted into a groove of a grooved substrate and fixed with a holding component, wherein a tip of the optical fiber block is used for polishing. A plurality of optical fiber block holding portions that protrude and hold a predetermined length, and a plurality of optical fiber holding members having a tapered groove into which the coating portion of the optical fiber is inserted. Holding the plurality of optical fiber blocks so that the groove portions of the grooved substrate of the optical fiber block and the tapered grooves of the plurality of optical fiber holding members are respectively located on the same straight line. An optical fiber block polishing jig, wherein a part and the optical fiber holding member are arranged. 5. An optical fiber block assembling jig for forming an optical fiber block by inserting an exposed portion from which a coating of an optical fiber is peeled into a groove of a grooved substrate and fixing the exposed portion with a holding component. A plurality of substrate holding portions that protrude and hold the portion for a predetermined length for polishing, a plurality of optical fiber holding members having a tapered groove into which the coating portion of the optical fiber is inserted, and the exposed portion of the optical fiber A plurality of guide members having guide grooves for guiding the guide grooves, wherein the guide grooves of the plurality of guide members, the groove portions of the plurality of grooved substrates, and the tapered grooves of the plurality of optical fiber holding members are respectively provided. The optical fiber block assembling jig, wherein the substrate holding portion is disposed between the optical fiber holding member and the guide member so as to be located on the same straight line.