EP0231397B1 - Schleifvorrichtung für die seele einer optischen kupplung und verfahren zum schleifen dieser seele - Google Patents

Schleifvorrichtung für die seele einer optischen kupplung und verfahren zum schleifen dieser seele Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0231397B1
EP0231397B1 EP86904925A EP86904925A EP0231397B1 EP 0231397 B1 EP0231397 B1 EP 0231397B1 EP 86904925 A EP86904925 A EP 86904925A EP 86904925 A EP86904925 A EP 86904925A EP 0231397 B1 EP0231397 B1 EP 0231397B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
grinder
ferrule
layer
low
grinding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP86904925A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0231397A4 (de
EP0231397A1 (de
Inventor
Toshihiro Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. Ochiai
Akihiro Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. Ohtake
Izumi Nippon Telegram & Telephone Co. Ltd Sankawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
Original Assignee
Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Furukawa Electric Co Ltd, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp filed Critical Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP0231397A1 publication Critical patent/EP0231397A1/de
Publication of EP0231397A4 publication Critical patent/EP0231397A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0231397B1 publication Critical patent/EP0231397B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B19/00—Single-purpose machines or devices for particular grinding operations not covered by any other main group
    • B24B19/22—Single-purpose machines or devices for particular grinding operations not covered by any other main group characterised by a special design with respect to properties of the material of non-metallic articles to be ground
    • B24B19/226—Single-purpose machines or devices for particular grinding operations not covered by any other main group characterised by a special design with respect to properties of the material of non-metallic articles to be ground of the ends of optical fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B11/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding spherical surfaces or parts of spherical surfaces on work; Accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B7/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding plane surfaces on work, including polishing plane glass surfaces; Accessories therefor
    • B24B7/10—Single-purpose machines or devices
    • B24B7/16—Single-purpose machines or devices for grinding end-faces, e.g. of gauges, rollers, nuts, piston rings

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a grinder for grinding to a convex spherical shape the end face of a ferrule of an optical connector which is used to connect one optical fiber to another or to connect an optical connector to another optical component.
  • the invention also relates to a method for grinding the end face of the ferrule to convex spherical shape.
  • Optical connectors have been used to connect, in a reproducible manner, one optical fiber to another or an optical fiber to another optical component.
  • an optical connector has a ferrule and another component in combination.
  • this optical connector is attached to an optical fiber, the ferrule is attached to the end of the optical fiber, the end face of the ferrule is then ground together with the end of the optical fiber, and they are then mounted to the other connector component.
  • the end face of the ferrule and the end of the optical fiber are ground to reduce coupling losses.
  • a method which has recently been noted includes the step of directly physically contacting only the ferrules of the optical fibers when connecting the optical fibers using an optical connector, to reduce the coupling losses to a minimum value.
  • Figure 7 shows a representative example of apparatus for grinding the end face of the ferrule of an optical connector to a convex spherical shape.
  • a grinder 1 having a recessed grinding surface 1A is rotated by a grinder rotating unit (not shown)
  • the ferrule 2 of the optical connector is rotated by a ferrule rotating unit (not shown)
  • the ferrule is rocked (in a pendulum motion) by a ferrule rocking unit (not shown)
  • the end face of the ferrule 2 is then ground to a convex spherical shape as it is pressed against the grinding surface 1A of the grinder 1.
  • EP-A-0 147633 discloses a grinder which comprises a layer of low-elasticity material and grinding material laminated on the surface of the low-elasticity material layer: in particular, hard blocks of abrasive material are embedded into the surface of an elastomer substrate with gaps between adjacent blocks, the blocks of abrasive material being thick (8 to 15 mm).
  • a grinder which comprises a layer (4) of low-elasticity material and grinding material (5) laminated on the surface of the low-elasticity material layer (4), characterised in that , for grinding the end face of a ferrule of an optical connector, the grinding material (5) is formed as a flexibly deformable layer laminated in the surface of the low-elasticity layer (4), and the hardness of the low-elasticity layer (4) is equal to or greater than 18° of Shore hardness and equal to or less than 60° of Shore hardness.
  • the grinding material layer and the low-elasticity material layer are flexibly deformed into a recess of spherical shape, at the location of the end face of the ferrule, this end face of the ferrule is ground to a complementary shape i.e. of convex spherical form.
  • the radius of the convex spherical surface, to which the end face of the ferrule is formed, is determined mainly according to the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer and the force by which the end face of the ferrule is pressed against the surface of the grinder, and since the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer is chosen within the range defined above, the convex spherical surface can be formed reliably as will be described in more detail.
  • a hard layer may be laminated to the rear of the low-elasticity material layer. This gives strength to the grinder, such that it can be readily attached to or detached from a grinder rotating unit.
  • a grinder in accordance with this invention is used in a method of grinding the end face of a ferrule of an optical connector to a convex spherical shape, comprising the steps of: rotating the grinder (3) and the ferrule (2) about the respective axes, the ferrule (2) being held perpendicular to the grinding material layer (5) of the grinder, and pressing the end face of the ferrule (2) against the grinding material layer (5) to flexibly deform the latter and so form a concave recess therein.
  • the surface of the rotating grinder may be contacted under a suitable contacting pressure by the end face of the ferrule, and it is not necessary to move the ferrule in any special manner while grinding, but the contact pressure of the ferrule against the rotating grinder may be controlled in simple manner to grind the end of the ferrule to a predetermined convex spherical shape.
  • a grinder 3 shown in Figure 1 comprises a low-elasticity material layer 4 and a layer 5 of grinding material laminated integrally on the surface of the low-elasticity material layer 4, and being flexibly deformable.
  • the layer 4 is formed of a low-elasticity material such as a soft rubber, a soft plastic or a composite material thereof, and has a hardness equal to or greater than 50° of JIS-A hardness (18° Shore hardness) and equal to or less than 60°of Shore hardness.
  • the grinding layer 5 comprises, for example, a diamond lapping film.
  • the low-elasticity material layer 4 and the grinding material layer 5 are integrally laminated by suitable means, including for example, bonding using a bonding agent, thermal fusion-bonding using a hot press or hot melt, clamping means using a clamp such as a bolt and a nut, or a clip e.g. spring clip or a calking clip.
  • suitable means including for example, bonding using a bonding agent, thermal fusion-bonding using a hot press or hot melt, clamping means using a clamp such as a bolt and a nut, or a clip e.g. spring clip or a calking clip.
  • the bonding method and the thermal fusion-bonding method suitably employ known techniques.
  • the clamping means employs the bolt and the nut
  • the low-elasticity material layer 4 and the grinding material layer 5 are integrally laminated by passing the bolt through the layers 4 and 5 and the nut which is threaded onto the bolt: when the clip is used, both layers 4 and 5 are engaged at the edges thereof by the clip.
  • a plate-like layer of hard material may be detachably laminated to the lower surface of the low-elasticity material layer 4 in the grinder 3.
  • the grinder 3 shown in Figure 2 not only comprises a low-elasticity material layer 4 and a grinding material layer 5 integrally laminated together, but also comprises a hard layer 20 integrally laminated to the back surface of the low-elasticity material layer 4.
  • the low-elasticity material layer 4 and the grinding material layer 5 in Figure 2 correspond with the layers 4,5 of Figure 1: in particular the hardness of the low-elasticity material of layer 4 is equal to or higher than 50° of JIS-A (18° of Shore) and equal to or less than 60° of Shore.
  • the hard layer 20 comprises for example metal, hard rubber, hard plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, reinforced glass, ceramics, or a composite of such materials.
  • the low elasticity material layer 4, the grinding material layer 5 and the hard layer 20 may be integrally laminated by bonding thermal fusion-bonding means, or clamping, for example.
  • FIGs 3 and 4 show a modified grinding machine in which the grinder 3 of Figure 1 is used.
  • the grinding machine comprises a rotary disc 6 which is disposed in a horizontal plane and is rotated on a vertical shaft 7 by a motor (not shown) and its transmission system (not shown).
  • the grinder 3 is mounted to the upper surface of the rotary disc 6.
  • a supporting plate 9 extends over the grinder 3 and reciprocates in an arc in a horizontal plane.
  • the supporting plate 9 is mounted on a vertical stand 8 disposed adjacent the disc 6.
  • the plate 9 rotatably supports a ferrule holder 10 and a mechanism 12 for rotating the ferrule holder 10 around its vertical axis on the plate 9.
  • the ferrule rotating mechanism 12 has a motor 14 supported by a bracket 13 on the plate 9, a pulley 16 mounted to the output shaft 15 of the motor 14, and an endless belt 17 engaged over the pulley 16 and a pulley 10A of the holder 10.
  • the ferrule 2 of the optical connector is mounted on the end of the optical fiber 11, and pressed against the surface of the grinder 3 once it has been detachably attached to the center of the ferrule holder 10.
  • the end face of the ferrule 2 to be ground is pressed to the surface of the grinder 3, and the surface of the grinder 3 is flexibly deformed into a depression under the end face of the ferrule, owing to the pressing force.
  • the ferrule 2, held by the ferrule holder 10 as described above, is rotatably reciprocated through an angle of 360° or more by the ferrule rotating mechanism 12, and at the same time the grinder 3 is rotated in a selected direction, e.g. the counterclockwise direction.
  • the end face of the ferrule is ground while partly depressing the surface of the grinder 3, so that the edge of the end face of the ferrule 2 is not ground by the recessed surface, and the depression in the surface gradually changes in shape, and the end face of the ferrule 2 is eventually ground to a convex spherical shape.
  • the radius R of the end face (convex spherical surface) of the ferrule is determined by the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer 4 and the pressing force of the ferrule 2 against the grinder.
  • Figure 4 shows the relationship between the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer 4 made of urethane of 1mm thick and the radius R of the convex spherical surface which is formed on the ferrule.
  • the range of the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer 4 can be expressed reliably on the JIS-A hardness and Shore hardness scales. Accordingly, in the example of Figure 5, the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer 4 is indicated according to both hardness scales.
  • Figure 6 shows the relationship between the radius R of the convex spherical surface formed on the ferrule, and the coupling or contact losses of the connector.
  • the preferred values of the radius R for the convex spherical surface on the end face of the ferrule are achieved when the low-elasticity material layer 4 has a hardness equal to or greater than 50° of JIS-A (18° Shore) and equal to or less than 60° Shore.
  • the hardness of the low-elasticity material layer 4 is less than 50° of JIS-A (18° Shore), it was found that the end face of the optical fiber was not ground to a sufficient radius.
  • grinder 3 is held at a predetermined position and the end face of the ferrule 2 is pressed against the surface of the grinder 3 whilst the latter is disposed at a predetermined position.
  • the surface of the grinder 3 may be pressed against the end face of the ferrule 2 whilst the latter is disposed at a predetermined position, or pressing forces may be applied to both the ferrule 2 and the grinder 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Grinding And Polishing Of Tertiary Curved Surfaces And Surfaces With Complex Shapes (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Schleifmittel, das eine Schicht (4) aus Material niedriger Elastizität und Schleifmaterial (5) aufweist, das auf die Oberfläche der Schicht (4) aus Material niedriger Elastizität laminiert ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zum Schleifen der Endfläche einer Buchse eines optischen Verbindungselements das Schleifmaterial (5) als eine nachgiebig verformbare Schicht ausgebildet ist, die auf die Schicht (4) niedriger Elastizität laminiert ist, und daß die Härte der Schicht (4) niedriger Elastizität gleich oder größer als 18° Shore-Härte und gleich oder kleiner als 60° Shore-Härte ist.
  2. Schleifmittel nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schicht (4) aus Material niedriger Elastizität und die nachgiebig verformbare Schleifschicht (5) einstückig durch ein Bindemittel laminiert sind.
  3. Schleifmittel nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schicht (4) aus Material niedriger Elastizität und die nachgiebig verformbare Schleifschicht (5) einstückig durch thermische Schmelzbindung laminiert sind.
  4. Schleifmittel nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schicht (4) aus Material niedriger Elastizität und die nachgiebig verformbare Schleifschicht (5) durch einen Bügel, einen Halter, eine Klammer, eine Klemme, eine Krampe, ein Spannblech, eine Zange oder eine Zwinge zusammengehalten sind.
  5. Schleifmittel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Material niedriger Elastizität Kautschuk, Gummi, Kunststoff oder ein daraus zusammengesetztes Material aufweist.
  6. Schleifmittel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine harte Schicht (20) auf eine rückseitige Oberfläche der Schicht (4) aus Material niedriger Elastizität laminiert ist.
  7. Schleifmittel nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Material der harten Schicht (20) Metall, hartes Gummi, harten Kunststoff, faserverstärkten Kunststoff, verstärktes Glas, Keramik oder ein daraus zusammengesetztes Material aufweist.
  8. Verfahren zum Schleifen der Endfläche einer Buchse eines optischen Verbindungselements in eine konvexe sphärische Form unter Benutzung eines Schleifmittels nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, das die Schritte aufweist: das Schleifmittel (3) und die Buchse (2) um die entsprechenden Achsen zu drehen, wobei die Buchse (2) senkrecht zur Schleifmaterialschicht (5) des Schleifmittels gehalten wird, und die Endfläche der Buchse (2) gegen die Schleifmaterialschicht (5) zu drücken, um dieselbe nachgiebig zu verformen und so darin eine konkave Ausnehmung zu bilden.
EP86904925A 1985-08-07 1986-08-07 Schleifvorrichtung für die seele einer optischen kupplung und verfahren zum schleifen dieser seele Expired - Lifetime EP0231397B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP60173476A JPS6234762A (ja) 1985-08-07 1985-08-07 光コネクタ中子端面凸球面状研磨用研磨盤
JP173476/85 1985-08-07

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0231397A1 EP0231397A1 (de) 1987-08-12
EP0231397A4 EP0231397A4 (de) 1989-03-13
EP0231397B1 true EP0231397B1 (de) 1992-03-04

Family

ID=15961193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86904925A Expired - Lifetime EP0231397B1 (de) 1985-08-07 1986-08-07 Schleifvorrichtung für die seele einer optischen kupplung und verfahren zum schleifen dieser seele

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0231397B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS6234762A (de)
KR (1) KR930007108B1 (de)
AU (1) AU6200086A (de)
CA (1) CA1322457C (de)
DE (1) DE3684135D1 (de)
NZ (1) NZ217135A (de)
WO (1) WO1987000785A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2566757B2 (ja) * 1986-05-19 1996-12-25 ヤマハ発動機株式会社 燃料電池
JPS63278759A (ja) * 1987-05-08 1988-11-16 Toyo Shinku Kako Kk 円柱部材の曲面研磨装置
JPS63300852A (ja) * 1987-05-29 1988-12-08 Seiko Giken:Kk 光ファイバの端面研磨装置
JPH01183355A (ja) * 1988-01-14 1989-07-21 Sankyo Seiki Mfg Co Ltd 光ファイバコネクタの研磨装置
US5185966A (en) * 1990-09-04 1993-02-16 At&T Bell Laboratories Methods of and apparatus for polishing an article
US5107627A (en) * 1990-09-04 1992-04-28 At&T Bell Laboratories Methods of and apparatus for polishing an article
JP3116124B2 (ja) * 1991-08-23 2000-12-11 東京特殊電線株式会社 光ファイバ接続体
JPH05157940A (ja) * 1991-12-06 1993-06-25 Fujikura Ltd 光コネクターの自動研磨機
JPH0727754U (ja) * 1993-10-22 1995-05-23 鐘紡株式会社 研磨加工用装置
JP5921790B1 (ja) * 2014-07-07 2016-05-24 バンドー化学株式会社 研磨フィルム
US10866368B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2020-12-15 Corning Incorporated Apparatus for processing a ferrule and associated method

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0147633A2 (de) * 1983-12-24 1985-07-10 Dr. Elbel Schleifmittel GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung von elastischen Schleifkörpern

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS56139872A (en) * 1980-04-03 1981-10-31 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Machining method of semispherical face

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0147633A2 (de) * 1983-12-24 1985-07-10 Dr. Elbel Schleifmittel GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung von elastischen Schleifkörpern

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1987000785A1 (en) 1987-02-12
DE3684135D1 (de) 1992-04-09
AU6200086A (en) 1987-03-05
KR930007108B1 (ko) 1993-07-30
KR870700454A (ko) 1987-12-29
NZ217135A (en) 1989-01-06
JPS6234762A (ja) 1987-02-14
EP0231397A4 (de) 1989-03-13
CA1322457C (en) 1993-09-28
EP0231397A1 (de) 1987-08-12

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