EP1917551A1

EP1917551A1 - Device for positioning optical waveguides

Info

Publication number: EP1917551A1
Application number: EP06775870A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Heidler; Bert Zamzow; Rainer Kossat
Original assignee: CCS Technology Inc
Current assignee: Corning Research and Development Corp
Priority date: 2005-08-17
Filing date: 2006-08-17
Publication date: 2008-05-07
Also published as: DE102005038937A1; JP2009505144A; CN101243343A; US20090208174A1; WO2007019843A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for splicing optical waveguides (1, 2), which is arranged on a carrier plate (10) which is embodied as a circuit board. Said device comprises a first optical wave guide lead (20a), which is arranged on a spring steel sheet (80a), in order to displace a first optical waveguide (1) in the longitudinal direction, and a second optical waveguide lead (20b) which is arranged on an additional spring steel sheet (80b) in order to displace a second optical waveguide (2) in the longitudinal direction. The spring steel sheets (80a, 80b) are arranged on a flexible lever arm (60a, 60b). The optical waveguides, which are inserted into the optical waveguide leads (20a, 20b), can be displaced in the transversal direction (Sx, Sy) by bending the lever arm (60a, 60b). Precision required for aligning the optical waveguides is produced by the forces which engage on the flexible devices (60a, 60b, 80a, 80b).

Description

description

Device for positioning optical waveguides

The invention relates to a device for positioning of optical waveguides, can be aligned with the optical waveguide, for example, before a splicing process to each other.

A connection of at least two optical waveguides takes place with the aid of a splicing device, in which the ends of the two optical waveguides are heated and melt together. The heating generally takes place by means of a glow discharge between two electrode tips. The splice attenuation at the connection point of the two optical waveguides depends inter alia on a precise alignment of the two optical waveguides with each other before the actual heating process. For aligning the ends of the two optical fibers, they are inserted into two opposing optical fiber guides. As a result, the two optical fibers to be spliced are roughly aligned with each other.

The fine alignment of the two fibers takes place for example via piezo components which are arranged under the two optical waveguide guides. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric components, the optical waveguide guides connected to them can be displaced relative to one another. In this case, temperature fluctuations can cause a shift of the two optical fiber guides to each other. Since only a small displacement of the optical waveguides can be achieved with the aid of the piezo components, the positional changes of the optical waveguide must be be compensated due to temperature fluctuations.

If the piezo component is to compensate for shifts in the optical waveguide guides due to temperature fluctuations, a piezo component must be used for this, with which large path changes can be achieved. However, such Piezo components are very expensive. Further high costs are also incurred by control circuits for supplying the piezo components with a high voltage and by complex DC / DC converters.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for positioning optical waveguides, in which the optical waveguides can be aligned with each other in a simple and reliable manner.

The object is achieved by a device for positioning optical waveguides with a carrier plate, with a first optical waveguide guide into which at least one first optical waveguide can be inserted, with a second optical waveguide guide, into which at least one second optical waveguide can be inserted, and with a first path diverter device for displacement the first optical waveguide in a transverse direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the first optical waveguide having a first end and a second end. The first optical waveguide guide is disposed on a portion of the first path reducer closely adjacent to the first end of the first path reducer. The apparatus further comprises a first drive means coupled to the carrier plate and causing a path change at the second end of the first path reducer leaves. The first path reduction device is arranged such that the path change caused by the first drive device at the second end of the first path reduction device is converted into a smaller path change at the region of the first path reduction device close to the first end of the first path reduction device.

In a development of the device, a second path reduction device is provided for displacing the second light waveguide in a transverse direction transversely to a longitudinal direction of the second optical waveguide, which has a first end and a second end. The second optical fiber guide is disposed on a portion of the second path reducer closely adjacent to the first end of the second path reducer. Furthermore, the device comprises a second drive device, which is coupled to the carrier plate and with which can be at the second end of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung cause a path change. The second path reducer is arranged to translate the path change caused by the second drive means at the second end of the second path reducer into a smaller path change at the portion of the second path reducer closely adjacent to the first end of the second path reducer.

Another embodiment of the device comprises a first displacement device for displacing the first optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the first optical waveguide, on which the first optical waveguide guide is arranged, and a third drive device, which is coupled to the carrier plate and by a force on the first displacement device causes a displacement of the first optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the first optical waveguide. The first displacement device is adapted to oppose a restoring force to the force exerted by the third drive means. The first displacement device is coupled to the portion of the first displacement reduction device adjacent to the first end of the first displacement reduction device.

According to another embodiment, the device comprises a second displacement device for displacing the second optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the second optical waveguide, on which the second optical waveguide guide is arranged. Furthermore, a fourth drive device is provided, which is coupled to the carrier plate and which causes a displacement of the second optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the second optical waveguide by a force acting on the second displacement device. The second displacement device is arranged to oppose a restoring force to the force exerted by the fourth drive means. The second displacement device is coupled to the portion of the second displacement reduction device adjacent to the first end of the second displacement reduction device.

A development of the device provides a first holding device, on which the first optical waveguide guide is arranged. The first holding device is coupled to the first displacement device. Furthermore, a second holding device is provided, on which the second optical waveguide guide is arranged. The second holding device is coupled to the second displacement device. In one embodiment of the device, the first path reduction device has a lever arm with a first end and a second end. The first end of the lever arm of the first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung is connected to the carrier plate. The second end of the lever arm of the first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung is movable by the first drive means. The second path reducer comprises a lever arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the lever arm of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung is connected to the support plate. The second end of the lever arm of the second path reduction device is movable by the second drive means.

A further embodiment of the device comprises a further first path reduction device for ^" displacing the first optical fiber in the transverse direction for the first optical fiber having a first end and a second end." The further first path reduction device is arranged to have one at the second end of the other The device further comprises a further first displacement device for displacing the first optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the first optical waveguide as a result of the first path reduction device The other first displacement device is arranged to be that caused by the third drive means Force counteracts a restoring force. The further first displacement device is connected to the first end of the further The first path reducer is coupled near the adjacent region of the further first path reducer. The first holding device is arranged on the further first displacement device.

In addition, in the device according to the invention, a further second path reduction device for displacement of the second optical waveguide in the transverse direction for the second optical waveguide, which has a first end and a second end, may be provided. The further second path reduction device is arranged to convert a path change caused at the second end of the further second path reduction device into a smaller path change at the area of the further second distance reduction device closely adjacent to the first end of the further second distance reduction device. Furthermore, a further second displacement device is provided for displacing the second optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the second optical waveguide as a result of an action of force caused by the fourth drive device. The further second displacement device is set up in such a way that it opposes a restoring force of the force effect caused by the fourth drive device. The further second displacement device is coupled to the region of the further second displacement reduction device closely adjacent to the first end of the further second displacement reduction device. The holding device, on which the second optical waveguide guide is arranged, is arranged on the further second displacement device.

In a further embodiment of the device, the first holding device is connected via a bending hinge with the first displacement device. The first holding device is connected via a bending hinge with the other first displacement device. The second holding device is connected via a bending hinge with the second displacement device. The second holding device is connected via a bending hinge with the further second displacement device.

In another embodiment of the device, the further first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung on a lever arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the lever arm of the further first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung is connected to the carrier plate. The second end of the lever arm of the further first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung is movable. The further second diverter device comprises a lever arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the lever arm of the further second way down ^" " setting device is connected to the carrier plate. The second end of the lever arm of the second path reducer is movable.

According to a further development of the device, a path change can be caused at the second end of the lever arm of the further first path reduction device by the first drive device. At the second end of the lever arm of the further second path reduction device, the second drive device can cause a path change.

A further embodiment provides that the lever arms are formed as part of the carrier plate with the same material as the carrier plate. In a preferred embodiment, a respective region of the lever arms remote from their respective first end ^• is punched from the support plate.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the lever arms are connected at their respective first ends via a respective web with the support plate.

In another embodiment of the device, the first and second drive means each comprise a lifting device for deflecting the respective second ends of the lever arms from a plane formed by the carrier plate and each having a motor for driving the respective lifting device.

According to another embodiment, the respective lifting devices of the first and second drive means each have a rotatable eccentric, which is moved by one of the motors of the first and second drive means in each case.

A further embodiment of the device provides that the third and fourth drive means for displacing the displacement devices each have a motor and a rotatable eccentric. By the respective motor of the third and fourth drive means a rotational movement of the respective eccentric of the third and fourth drive means is effected. The rotational movement of the respective eccentric of the third and fourth drive means causes a displacement of the displacement devices in the longitudinal direction of the first and second optical waveguides. According to a preferred embodiment, the displacement devices each comprise a spring plate.

A preferred embodiment provides that the carrier plate is designed as a printed circuit board on which electrical lines are guided. The circuit board may be formed, for example, as a glass fiber reinforced circuit board. It is also possible that the carrier plate is formed from a plastic, or that it is formed as a metallic plate. In this case, a printed circuit board is preferably arranged under the support plate, are guided on the electrical lines.

The use of a printed circuit board has the advantage that components such as electrode holders, lighting units for illuminating the optical waveguide guides and the splicing area or also monitoring units, such as image processing units, can be arranged on the printed circuit board with a placement machine. In addition, supply lines for supplying such components can also be integrated on the printed circuit board. A complicated wiring is therefore eliminated.

A further embodiment of a device for positioning optical waveguides, in which the optical waveguides are moved toward one another only in a longitudinal direction, comprises a carrier plate, a first optical waveguide guide into which at least one first optical waveguide can be inserted, a second optical waveguide guide into which at least one second optical waveguide can be inserted, a first displacement device for displacing the first optical waveguide in a longitudinal direction of the first optical waveguide, on which the first optical waveguide guide is ordered, and a first drive means which is coupled to the carrier plate and which causes a displacement of the first optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the first optical waveguide by a force on the first displacement device. The first displacement device is adapted to oppose a restoring force to the force exerted by the first drive means.

In a development of the device, a second displacement device is provided for displacement of the second optical waveguide in a longitudinal direction of the second optical waveguide, on which the second optical waveguide guide is arranged. Furthermore, a second drive device is provided, which is coupled to the carrier plate and which causes a displacement of the second optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction of the second optical waveguide by a force acting on the second displacement device. The second displacement device is adapted to oppose a restoring force to the force exerted by the second drive means.

Further embodiments of the device for positioning optical waveguides can be found in the subclaims.

Show it:

1 shows an upper side of a carrier plate with a device for splicing optical waveguides, FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a lower side of a carrier plate with a device for splicing optical waveguides, FIG. 3 shows a carrier plate for arranging a device for splicing optical waveguides,

FIG. 4 shows a displacement of optical waveguides in a transverse direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of an optical waveguide,

FIG. 5 shows arrangements of components in a region in a region of a splice, FIG.

FIG. 6 shows two fiber ribbons to be aligned with one another for a splicing operation,

FIG. 7 shows a carrier plate for arranging a device for splicing two fiber ribbons,

8 shows an upper side of a carrier plate with a device for splicing two fiber ribbons, FIG.

9 shows an underside of a carrier plate for arranging a device for splicing two fiber ribbons, FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of the displacement of two fiber ribbons with a device,

FIG. 11 spring sheets for displacement of two fiber ribbons to be spliced in the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbons, FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a carrier plate in conjunction with a printed circuit board.

FIG. 1 shows an upper side of a carrier plate on which different components of a device for splicing two he optical fiber are arranged. To splice an optical waveguide 1 and an optical waveguide 2, the ends of the two optical waveguides are heated, brought into contact and fuse together. The heating of the two ends of the optical fibers required for the melting process is generated by a glow discharge. For this purpose, an electrode holder 40a and an electrode holder 40b are arranged on the carrier plate. The arc generated in the glow discharge is generated by an electrode 41a disposed on the upper surface of the electrode holder 40a and an electrode 41b disposed on the upper surface of the electrode holder 40b.

The optical waveguides 1 and 2 are each in a groove of an optical waveguide guide 20a and an optical waveguide 20b ^~ submitted. The optical waveguide guides 20a and 20b are respectively arranged in a holding device 21a and a holding device 21b. The holding device 21a is mounted on a displacement device 8a for displacing the optical waveguide 1 in a longitudinal direction Z of the optical waveguide. The displacement device 8a for displacing the optical waveguide 1 in the longitudinal direction Z of the optical waveguide is designed, for example, as a spring plate 80a. To shift the optical waveguide guide 20a or the optical waveguide 1 in its longitudinal direction in the direction of the end of the optical waveguide 2, the spring plate 80a is bent by a lever 51a in the direction Z shown. The bending of the spring plate 80a takes place with a drive device A3. At one end of the lever 51a is a recess in which an eccentric 50a engages. By a rotational movement of the eccentric, the lever 51 a shifts in the Z direction and pushes the spring plate 80a with the optical waveguide guide 20a in the direction of the optical waveguide second

Likewise, the optical waveguide guide 20b of the optical waveguide 2 is arranged in a holding device 21b. The holding device 21b is mounted on a displacement device 8b for displacing the optical waveguide 2 in its longitudinal direction Z in the direction of the optical waveguide 1. The displacement device 8b for displacing the optical waveguide 2 in its longitudinal direction is preferably designed as a spring plate 80b. The spring plate 80b can be bent by a force by means of a drive means A4 via a lever 51b such that the optical waveguide guide 20b and the Lichtwellenieiter 2 is moved in the direction of the optical waveguide 1. The displacement of the lever ^'51b is effected by rotation of an eccentric ^"50b which engages in a recess at the end of the lever 51b. By bending the two spring plates 80a and 80b can thus be the optical waveguide in a negative move Z-direction, so that their ends for a Splicing can be brought into contact with each other.

So that the two ends of the optical waveguides 1 and 2 can be aligned exactly with one another, the optical waveguides must also be displaceable transversely to their respective longitudinal direction in a transverse direction. For displacement of the optical waveguide 1, the spring plate 80a and thus the optical waveguide guide 20a is arranged on a path reduction device 6a for displacing the optical waveguide 1 in its transverse direction. The path reducer 6a comprises a lever arm 60a, which is bendable about a bending axis 70a. The lever arm 60a is punched out of the printed circuit board 10 as part of the printed circuit board and only at one end 61a connected via two narrow webs 63a with the remaining circuit board. Upon a force acting on the end 62a, the lever arm 60a can be bent about the bending axis 70a, whereby the optical waveguide 1 in the optical waveguide guide 20a is also displaced in a transverse direction.

For displacing the optical waveguide 2 in a transverse direction transversely to its longitudinal direction, the spring plate 80b is also arranged on a path reduction device 6b for displacing the optical waveguide 2 in a transverse direction. The path reducer 6b includes a lever arm 60b which is connected to the rest of the circuit board 10 at one end 61b via narrow lands similar to the lever arm 60a. Otherwise, the lever arm 60b is punched out of the printed circuit board. By bending a free end 62b, the optical waveguide 2 in the optical waveguide guide 20b can be displaced transversely.

The displacement of the optical waveguides or of the optical waveguide guides 20a and 20b in the longitudinal direction of the respective optical waveguides thus takes place according to the invention by bending two spring plates 80a and 80b. The displacement of the two optical fibers in the transverse direction is effected by bending two lever arms 60a and 60b. The spring plates 80a and 80b and the lever arms 60a and 60b thus replace the usual precision guides such as ball-bearing linear guides. The spring plates and the two lever arms allow a reduction of the forces acting on them adjusting forces. For the movement of the two eccentrics 50a and 50b, for example, a conventional stepping motor can be used. A large force on the spring plates is due to the restoring force of the spring plates in a slight displacement of the optical fibers in their longitudinal direction.

Likewise, also cause the lever arms 60a and 60b for displacement of the optical fibers in the transverse direction, a reduction of the forces acting at their ends 62a and 62b forces. By a large movement due to a large force on the ends 62a and 62b of the lever arms, a much smaller displacement of the optical waveguide guides 20a and 20b, which are arranged in the vicinity of the bending axes 70a and 70b at the ends 61a and 61b of the lever arms achieve. The optical fibers can thus be slightly displaced in their transverse direction due to a large force on the ends 62a and 62b of the lever arms. The reduction ratio is dependent on the length of the lever arms and can be selected in a wide range.

At the ends 60a and 60b Wegaktoren, such as cost-effective stepper motors, but also thermal expansion Eleraente or solenoids, arrange. These cause bending of the lever arms 60a and 60b about their bending axes 70a and 70b. Nonlinear path changes to the Wegaktoren, which are caused for example by the surface roughness of the eccentrics of the adjusting motors, are here advantageously supported by the reduction of the lever arms with. This reduction is reinforced by the deflection of the lever arms and the resulting geometric deviation from a straight lever arm.

According to the invention, the necessary precision positioning of the optical waveguides for the splicing process is thus achieved by means of a cost-effective coarser movement mechanism, by bending and corresponding reduction. This can cost intensive elements such as precision guides, precision mechanical parts or even expensive piezo components are replaced by simpler mechanical parts and drive components. The required precision for aligning the optical fibers is restored by a reduction by means of a bending device.

The carrier plate 10 is preferably formed as a printed circuit board. This makes it possible to solder numerous components, such as the electrode holders with their glow discharge electrics on the circuit board. Printed circuit traces L40a and L40b on the printed circuit board eliminate the hitherto necessary cabling work for the electrode holders. Likewise, the use of a printed circuit board makes it possible to precisely place numerous components, such as, for example, the electrode holders, on the printed circuit board by means of automatic assembly of the printed circuit board with the aid of the automatic assembly machines customary for printed circuit board construction.

Figure 2 shows an underside of the support plate 10. Under the support plate drive means Al, A2, A3 and A4 are arranged. The drive means each comprise a motor which is connected via a rod with a lifting device. Underneath the loose end 62a of the lever arm 60a is disposed a lifting device HIa driven by a motor MIa. The lifting device HIa can for example be designed as an eccentric. Below a loose end 62b of the lever arm 60b is disposed a lifting device HIb driven by a motor MIb. Again, the lifting device HIb is preferably designed as an eccentric. The motors are each connected via brackets to the underside of the support plate 10. The spring plates 80a and 80b are connected to the lever arms 60a and 60b via fastening elements S, for example screws or rivets. Under the eccentric 50a, a motor M2a is mounted in a holder. Under the eccentric 50b, another motor M2b is mounted. The motors allow rotational movement of the eccentrics 50a and 50b to deflect the spring plates 80a and 80b in the Z direction.

As motors can be used, for example, inexpensive stepper motors. In addition to the motors and lifting devices shown in Figure 2 by means of eccentric other Wegaktoren, such as thermal expansion elements or solenoids can be used. When a printed circuit board is used as a carrier plate, the Wegaktoren can advantageously be mounted under the circuit board by automatic placement with a pick and place machine. Since the supply lines for the power supply of Wegaktoren can be integrated in or on the circuit board, eliminates a complex wiring of Wegaktoren.

Furthermore, image processing devices C1 and C2, for example CCD cameras, are arranged on the underside. The beam path of this optics is shown as a cylinder and ends, as can be seen in Figure 1, directly below the ends of the optical waveguide to be spliced.

FIG. 3 shows the carrier plate 10 without the optical waveguide guides 20a and 20b and without the displacement devices 8a and 8b for displacing the optical waveguides in the longitudinal direction. From the support plate 10, the bendable lever arm 60a is punched out and connected via webs 63a to the rest of the carrier. plate connected. The lever arm 60b is punched out of the printed circuit board 10 and connected only to the carrier plate via the webs 63b. The webs 63a and 63b allow the bending of the respective lever arms about the bending axes 70a and 70b. The Pederbleche can, as shown in Figure 2, for example, be connected by a screw or rivet connection with the lever arms. For this purpose, bores B are provided on the lever arms.

FIG. 4 shows the electrode holder 40a with the electrode 41a arranged thereon, and the electrode holder 40b with the electrode 41b arranged thereon. The optical waveguide 1 can be displaced by bending the lever arm 60a about the bending axis 70a along the transverse direction Sx. The optical waveguide 2 can be displaced by bending the lever arm 60b along the transverse direction Sy. Thus, in the case of bending, two motion vectors Sx and Sy standing approximately perpendicular to one another arise.

Figure 5 shows the components on the carrier plate 10 in close ^'proximity of the waveguides 1 and 2. The optical waveguide 1 is arranged to be spliced light in the optical fiber guide 20a of a splice. The optical waveguide 2 is arranged in the optical waveguide guide 20b. The ends of the two optical fibers are heated after being aligned with each other by the two electrodes 41a and 41b disposed on the electrode supports 40a and 40b.

In the region of the electrode holder 20a is located on the support plate 10 is a lighting device 90a for illuminating an insertion region of the optical waveguide guide 20a. In addition to the electrode holder 20b is a lighting processing device 90b for illuminating an insertion region of the optical waveguide guide 20b. The insertion areas are formed, for example, as grooves. Below the two ends of the optical waveguides to be spliced is a further illumination device 90c for illuminating the splice point. For example, LEDs can be used as lighting devices for illuminating the insert areas and the actual splice point.

If the carrier plate 10 is formed as a printed circuit board also accounts for the lighting devices consuming wiring. Voltage feeders L90a for the illumination device 90a, L90b for the illumination device 90b and L90c for the illumination device 90c can in this case preferably be integrated directly on the printed circuit board. ^'''"'"

For video surveillance of a splicing operation, a camera chip 30a and a camera chip 30b are preferably arranged on the support plate 10. When using a printed circuit board as a carrier plate, the supplying power supply lines L30a and L30b can also be arranged on the printed circuit board.

The arrangement of the illumination devices 90a, 90b, 90c and the camera chips 30a and 30b can also be done here by automatic placement by means of a placement machine when using a circuit board as a support plate. It is also possible, instead of using different illumination devices on the printed circuit board 10, to provide a lighting device, for example an LED, whose light beam is directed via different deflection mirrors onto the insertion regions of the optical waveguide guides and the splice point. In the following, a modified arrangement of the device for splicing optical waveguides is specified, which is particularly suitable for aligning a plurality of optical waveguides, a so-called fiber ribbon, for a splicing process.

FIG. 6 shows a fiber ribbon 1 'and a fiber ribbon 2' for this purpose. The individual fiber ribbons comprise a plurality of juxtaposed optical waveguides. The devices for shifting the fiber ribbons in a transverse direction Sx and a transverse direction Sy should in this case preferably be designed such that a rotation of the ribbons around their center axis is avoided, since otherwise different offsets would arise between the individual optical waveguides to be spliced.

FIG. 7 shows the carrier plate 10, which now additionally comprises the lever arms 60c and 60d in addition to the two lever arms 60a and 60b. The lever arms 60c and 60d are formed identically to the lever arms 60a and 60b. They are each punched out of the printed circuit board 10 and connected via narrow webs 63 c and 63 d to the rest of the carrier plate 10. By applying force to a loose end 62c of the lever arm 60c, this lever arm bends about a bending axis 70c. By applying force to a loose end 62d of the lever arm 6Od this lever arm bends around the bending axis 7Od.

FIG. 8 shows an upper side of the carrier plate 10, on which further components for aligning the fiber ribbons 1 'and 2' and the electrode holders for splicing the fiber ribbons are arranged. The optical waveguide guide 20a is arranged on a holding device 21a. The holding Direction 21a is connected via a joint G both with the spring plate 80a and with a spring plate 80c. By uniformly bending the loose ends 62a and 62c of the lever arms 60a and 60c, the holding device can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbons 1 'in a transverse direction. Since the spring plate 80a and the spring plate 80c is connected via a hinge to the holding device 21a, it is ensured that there is no twisting of the individual fibers of the fiber ribbon 1 'in the bending of the lever arms 60a and 60c.

Similarly, the optical fiber guide 20b is disposed on a holding device 21b which is connected via a hinge G to the spring plate 80b disposed on the lever arm 60b and to a spring plate 8Od disposed on the lever arm 60d. With a simultaneous bending of the loose ends 62b of the lever arm 60b and the loose end 62d of the lever arm 6Od, the holding device 21b and thus also the entire fiber ribbon 2 'can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbon 2' in a transverse direction Sy. Since the spring plates 80b and 8Od are connected via hinges G to the holding device 21b, it is also ensured here that a rotation of the individual optical fibers of the fiber ribbon 2 'is avoided.

FIG. 9 shows an underside of the carrier plate 10. The rotational movement of the eccentric 50a for bending the spring plates 80a and 80c in the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbon 1 'is effected by the motor M2a. The motor M2a is connected to the eccentric 50a, which displaces the spring plates 80a and 80c in the longitudinal direction of the fiber ribbon 1 'via a lever 51a. Similarly, by rotation of the eccentric 50b, a displacement of the spring plates 80b and 8Od in the longitudinal direction of The eccentric 50b is driven by the motor M2b, which is arranged under the carrier plate.

The bending of the lever arms 60a and 60c via a lifting device HIa and a lifting device HIC. The lifting devices HIa and HIc are preferably designed as eccentric, which are connected via a common connecting axis with the motor MIa. The bending of the lever arms 60b and 6Od is effected by a rotational movement of two lifting devices HIb and HId designed as eccentrics. The eccentrics HIb and HId are connected via a common connecting axis with the motor MIb. If a targeted rotation for fine positioning of the ribbon transverse axes to each other should be required, so instead of a motor for simultaneous bending of the lever arms 60a and 60c and the lever arms 60b and 60d, two motors are used. In this case, for example, the lifting device HIc is not connected to the motor MIa via the common axis. The lifting device HIc is driven in this case by its own motor. Likewise, the lifting device HIb is not on the common axis with the motor MIb. In this case, too, we are driven by our own engine.

Figure 10 shows in an illustrative manner the principle of the positioning mechanism for shifting the fiber ribbons 1 'and 2' in the transverse direction Sx and the transverse direction Sy. The lever arms 60a and 60c are bent at their loose ends by a force component K about their bending axes 70a and 70c. The lever arms 60a and 60c are connected in the region of their bending axes 70a and 70c via an elevation, which is formed for example by a leg of the spring plates 80a and 80c, with the holder 21a for the optical waveguide guide 20a. When force is applied to the loose ends of the lever arms 60a and 60c, the holding device 21a shifts in the transverse direction Sx.

The lever arms 60b and 60d serve to displace the holding device 21b for the optical waveguide guide 20b in the transverse direction Sy of the fiber ribbon 2 '. For this purpose, the holding device 21b is connected to the lever arms 60b and 60d by means of elevations formed by the legs of the spring plates 80b and 80d. By a force of a force K at the free end of the lever arms 60b and 6Od, the holding device 21b shifts in the transverse direction Sy.

At the point at which the legs of the spring plates are connected to the holding device 21a and the holding device 21b, there is a bending hinge, for example the joint G shown in FIG. 8. The bending bar prevents a bending of the lever arms to a voltage the junction of spring plate and holding device comes.

FIG. 11 shows the spring plates 80a and 80c for displacing the fiber ribbon 1 'in the longitudinal direction, and the spring plates 80b and 8Od for displacing the fiber ribbon 2' in the longitudinal direction. The lever arms engage in respective tabs 81 of the spring plates. The spring plates 80a and 80c are each connected via a joint G to the holding device 21a. The spring plates 80b and 8d are also connected to the holding device 21b via a joint G, respectively. By avoiding a rigid connection between the spring plate and holding device tensions between the holders and connected to them legs of the spring plates are prevented when bending the lever arms. FIG. 12 shows a two-layered design of the carrier plate. The carrier plate 10 'is formed for example of a plastic material or a metal. Under the plastic or metal plate, a circuit board 11 is arranged. If the carrier plate 10 'is formed as a metallic plate, for example of a flexible sheet material, the lever arms are arranged, for example, as flexible sheet metal parts on the carrier plate 10'. In the area of the electrode holders 40 and in the area of the camera chips 30 and the illumination devices 90, recesses A40, A30 and A90 are located on the metallic carrier plate 10 'or the plastic carrier plate 10'. The recesses allow the electrode holders 40, the camera chips 30 and the illumination devices 90 to be soldered directly onto the printed circuit board 11. They can be connected to supply lines, which are integrated in the printed circuit board 11, with a power supply.

Claims

claims

1. Device for positioning of optical waveguides

- With a support plate (10),

- With a first optical waveguide guide (20 a), in which at least a first optical waveguide (1) can be inserted,

- With a second optical waveguide guide (20b), in which at least a second optical waveguide (2) can be inserted,

a first path reduction device (6a) for displacing the first optical waveguide (1) in a transverse direction (Sx) transversely to a longitudinal direction (Z) of the first optical waveguide, which has a first end (61a) and a second end (62a),

in which the first light-path guide (20a) is arranged on a region of the first path-reduction device close to the first end (61a) of the first path-reduction device (6a),

- With a first drive means (Al) which is coupled to the carrier plate (10) and with which at the second end (62 a) of the first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung (6 a) cause a path change,

in which the first path reduction device (6a) is arranged such that the path change caused by the first drive device (A1) at the second end (62a) of the first path reduction device results in a smaller path change at the first end (61a) of the first one Displacement device is implemented near the adjacent area of the first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1,

- With a second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung (6b) for displacement of the second optical waveguide (2) in a transverse direction (Sy) transverse to a longitudinal direction (Z) of the second Optical waveguide having a first end (61b) and a second end (62b),

in which the second optical waveguide guide (20b) is arranged on a region of the second pathfinding device close to the first end (61b) of the second path reduction device (6b),

with a second drive device (A2) which is coupled to the carrier plate (10) and with which a path change can be caused at the second end (62b) of the second path reduction device (6b),

in which the second path reduction device (6b) is arranged such that the path change caused by the second drive device (A2) at the second end (62b) of the second path reduction device results in a smaller path change at the first end (61b) of the second path reduction device. is placed close to the adjoining portion of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2,

- With a first displacement device (8 a) for displacement of the first optical waveguide (1) in the longitudinal direction

(Z) of the first optical waveguide on which the first optical waveguide guide (20a) is arranged,

- With a third drive means (A3) which is coupled to the carrier plate (10) and which causes a displacement of the first optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the first optical waveguide by a force on the first displacement device (8a),

in which the first displacement device (8a) is arranged to oppose a restoring force to the force exerted by the third drive device (A3), - wherein the first displacement device (8a) to the to the first end (61 a) of the first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung closely adjacent portion of the first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung

(6a) is coupled.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3,

- With a second displacement device (8b) for displacement of the second optical waveguide (2) in the longitudinal direction

(Z) of the second optical waveguide, on which the second optical waveguide guide (20b) is arranged,

- With a fourth drive means (A4) which is coupled to the carrier plate (10) and by a force on the second displacement device (8b) causes a displacement of the second optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the second optical waveguide,

in which the second displacement device (8b) is arranged to oppose a restoring force to the force exerted by the fourth drive device (A4),

- wherein the second displacement device (8b) to the adjacent to the first end (61b) of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung area of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung

(6b) is coupled.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4,

- With a first holding device (21 a) on which the first optical waveguide guide (20 a) is arranged,

- In which the first holding device (21 a) to the first displacement device (8 a) is coupled.

with a second holding device (21b), on which the second optical waveguide guide (20b) is arranged,

- In which the second holding device (21b) to the second displacement device (8b) is coupled.

6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5,

in which the first path reduction device (6a) has a lever arm (60a) with a first end (61a) and a second end (62a),

in which the first end (61a) of the lever arm (60a) of the first path reduction device is connected to the carrier plate (10),

in which the second end (62a) of the lever arm (60a) of the first path reduction device is movable by the first drive device (A1),

in which the second path reduction device (6b) has a lever arm (60b) with a first end (61b) and a second end (62b),

in which the first end (61b) of the lever arm (60b) of the second path reduction device (6b) is connected to the carrier plate (10),

- Wherein the second end (62b) of the lever arm (60b) of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung of the second drive means (A2) is movable.

7. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6,

- with a further first path reduction device (6c) for displacing the first optical waveguide (1) in the transverse direction (Sx) for the first optical waveguide, which has a first end (61c) and a second end (62c),

in which the further first path reducer (6c) is arranged to change a path at the second end (62c) of the further first path reducer to a smaller path change at the portion adjacent to the first end (61c) of the other first path reducer implements another first path reduction device, - With a further first displacement device (8c) for displacement of the first optical waveguide (1) in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the first optical waveguide as a result of a third drive means (A3) induced force,

in which the further first displacement device (8c) is set up such that it opposes a restoring force of the force effect produced by the third drive device (A3),

in which the further first displacement device (8c) is coupled to the region of the further first displacement reduction device (6c) close to the first end (61c) of the further first displacement reduction device,

- In which the first Haitevorrichtung (21 a) on the further first displacement device (8 c) is arranged.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7,

- with a further second path reduction device (6d) for displacing the second optical waveguide (2) in the transverse direction (Sy) for the second optical waveguide, which has a first end (6Id) and a second end (62d),

in which the further second path reduction device (6d) is adapted to change a path at the second end (62d) of the further second path reduction device into a smaller path change at the area close to the first end (6Id) of the further second distance reduction device implements another second path reduction device,

with a further second displacement device (8d) for displacing the second optical waveguide (2) in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the second optical waveguide as a result of a force action produced by the fourth drive device (A4), in which the further second displacement device (8d) is arranged to oppose a restoring force to the force effect produced by the fourth drive device (A4),

in which the further second displacement device (8d) is coupled to the region of the further second displacement reduction device (6d) close to the first end (6Id) of the further second displacement reduction device,

- In which the holding device (21b) on which the second optical waveguide guide (20b) is arranged, on the further second displacement device (Sd) is arranged.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8,

in which the first holding device (21a) is connected to the first displacement device (8a) via a bending hinge (G),

in which the first holding device (21a) is connected to the further first displacement device (8c) via a bending hinge (G),

in which the second holding device (21b) is connected to the second displacement device (8b) via a bending hinge (G),

- In which the second holding device (21b) via a bending hinge (G) with the further second displacement device (8d) is connected.

10. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9,

in which the further first path reduction device (6c) has a lever arm (60c) with a first end (61c) and a second end (62c),

in which the first end (61c) of the lever arm (60c) of the further first path reduction device is connected to the carrier plate (10), in which the second end (62c) of the lever arm (60c) of the further first path reduction device is movable,

in which the further second path reduction device (6d) has a lever arm (6Od) with a first end (6Id) and a second end (62d),

in which the first end (6Id) of the lever arm ¹ (6Od) of the further second diverter device is connected to the carrier plate (10),

- Wherein the second end (62d) of the lever arm (6Od) of the second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung is movable.

11. The device according to claim 10,

- Wherein at the second end (62c) of the lever arm (60c) of the other first Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung (6c) of the first drive means (Al) cause a path change,

- Wherein at the second end (62d) of the lever arm (6Od) of the further second Weguntersetzungsvorrichtung (6d) of the second drive means (A2) cause a change in the path.

12. Device according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the lever arms (60a, 60b, 60c, 6Od) are formed as part of the carrier plate (10) with the same material as the carrier plate.

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of a portion (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) of the lever arms (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) extends from its respective first end

(61a, 61b, 61c, 6Id) is removed from the carrier plate

(10) is punched out.

14. Device according to one of claims 12 or 13, in which the lever arms (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) are connected at their respective first ends (61a, 61b, 61c, 6Id) to the carrier plate (10) via a respective web (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first and second drive means (Al, A2) each have a lifting device (HIa, HIb, HIc, HId) for deflecting the respective second ends (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) the lever arms from a plane formed by the support plate and each having a motor (MIa, MIb) for driving the respective lifting device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the respective lifting devices (HIa, HIb, HIc, HId) of the first and second drive means in an area under the respective second ends (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) of the lever arms are arranged.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the respective lifting devices of the first and second drive means each having a rotatable eccentric (HIa, HIb, HIc, HId) which is in each case moved by one of the motors (MIa, MIb) of the first and second drive means ,

18. Device according to one of claims 4 to 17, wherein the third and fourth drive means (A3, A4) for displacing the displacement devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) each have a motor (M2a, M2b) and a rotatable eccentric (50a , 50b),

- Wherein by the respective motor (M2a) of the third and fourth drive means a rotational movement of the respective Exzenters (50a) of the third and fourth drive means is effected

- By the rotational movement of the respective eccentric (50 a) of the third and fourth drive means, a displacement of the displacement devices (8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d) in the longitudinal direction

(Z) of the first and second optical waveguides (1, 2) is effected.

19. Device according to one of claims 4 to 18, wherein the displacement devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) each comprise a spring plate (80a, 80b).

20. Device according to one of claims 18 or 19, wherein the motors (MIa, MIb, M2a, M2b) of the drive means are each arranged below the support plate (10).

21. Device according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the motors (MIa, MIb, M2a, M2b) of the drive means are each formed as a stepping motor.

22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the carrier plate as a circuit board (10), are guided on the electrical lines formed.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the circuit board is formed as a glass fiber reinforced circuit board (10).

24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the carrier plate (10 ') is formed of a plastic.

25. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, in which the support plate, 9.1s a metallic plate (10 ') is formed.

26. Device according to one of claims 24 or 25, wherein under the support plate (10 '), a printed circuit board (11), are guided on the electrical lines.

27. Device according to one of claims 22, 23 or 26,

with a first electrode holder (40a) and a second electrode holder (40b) for generating a glow discharge for splicing the first and second optical waveguides (1, 2),

in which the electrode holders (40a, 40b) are arranged on the printed circuit board (10, 11),

- In the supply lines (L40a, L40b) for supplying power to the electrode holders on the circuit board (10, 11) are arranged.

28. Device according to one of claims 22, 23 or 26,

with a first illumination unit (90a) for illuminating the first optical waveguide guide (20a),

with a second illumination unit (90b) for illuminating the second optical waveguide guide (20b),

in which the first and second illumination units (90a, 90b) are arranged on the printed circuit board (10, 11),

- In the supply lines (L90a, L90b) for supplying power to the first and second illumination unit on the circuit board (10, 11) are arranged.

29. Device according to one of claims 22, 23 or 26,

- With a third illumination unit (90c) for illuminating a splice of the first and second optical waveguide

(1, 2), in which the third illumination unit (90c) is arranged on the printed circuit board (10, 11),

- In the supply lines (L90c) for supplying power to the third illumination unit on the circuit board (10, 11) are arranged.

30. Device according to one of claims 22, 23 or 26,

with an image processing unit (30a, 30b) arranged on the printed circuit board (10, 11),

- In the supply lines (L30a, L30b) for supplying power to the image processing unit (30a, 30b) on the circuit board (10, 11) are arranged.

31. Apparatus for positioning optical waveguides

- With a support plate (10),

- With a first displacement device (8 a) for displacement of the first optical waveguide (1) in a longitudinal direction

- With a first drive means (A3) which is coupled to the carrier plate (10) and by a force on the first displacement device (8a) causes a displacement of the first optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the first optical waveguide,

- In which the first displacement device (8a) is arranged to set the force caused by the first drive means (A3) counteracting a restoring force.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31,

- With a second displacement device (8b) for displacement of the second optical waveguide (2) in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the second optical waveguide, on which the second optical waveguide guide (20b) is arranged,

- With a second drive means (A4) which is coupled to the carrier plate (10) and by a force on the second displacement device (8b) causes a displacement of the second optical waveguide in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the second optical waveguide,

- In which the second displacement device (8b) is arranged to set the force of the second drive means (A4) caused by a restoring force.

33. Device according to one of claims 31 or 32, wherein the displacement devices (8a, 8b) each comprise a spring plate (80a, 80b).

34. Device according to one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the first and second drive means (A3, A4) for displacing the displacement devices (8a, 8b) each have a motor (M2a, M2b) and a rotatable eccentric (50a, 50b) .

- Wherein by the respective motor (M2a) of the first and second drive means a rotational movement of the respective eccentric (50a) of the first and second drive means is effected,

- Wherein by the rotational movement of the respective eccentric (50a) of the first and second drive means, a displacement of the displacement devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) in the longitudinal direction (Z) of the first and second optical waveguides (1, 2) is effected.

35. Device according to one of claim 34, wherein the motors (M2a, M2b) of the drive means are each arranged below the carrier plate (10).

36. Device according to one of claims 34 or 35, wherein the motors (M2a, M2b) of the drive means are each formed as a stepping motor.

37. Device according to one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the carrier plate as a circuit board (10) on which electrical lines are guided, is formed.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the circuit board is formed as a glass fiber reinforced circuit board (10).

39. Device according to one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the carrier plate (10 ') is formed from a plastic.

40. Device according to one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the carrier plate is formed as a metallic plate (10 ').

41. Device according to one of claims 39 or 40, in which under the support plate (10 '), a printed circuit board (11), are guided on the electrical lines