JP2001228359A - Optical connector assembling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of assembling an optical connector in a short time with good workability. SOLUTION: Oppositely to a ferrule set stage 6 for setting a ferrule 8 equipped with optical fiber arraying grooves, an optical fiber set stage 11 is arranged which sets, toward the ferrule set stage 6, the connecting end face of an optical fiber tape 12 composed of plural parallelly laid out optical fibers. The ferrule set stage 6 is designed to be freely tiltable in the θ direction using as a shaft the arraying direction of the optical fiber arraying groove of the ferrule 8 to be set in the ferrule set stage 6, sliding a seat part 2 in the Z direction as in the Fig. through the oscillating operation of a lever 30, varying the supporting condition of a stage supporting pin 5 by the stage part 2, and tilting the face, which is formed with the optical fiber arraying grooves of the ferrule to be set on the ferrule set stage 6, obliquely to the inserting direction of the optical fiber into the ferrule.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector assembling apparatus used to assemble an optical connector by inserting and fixing, for example, an optical fiber tape having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel to a ferrule. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, MT (Mech) has been used for optical communication.
2. Description of the Related Art An optical connector called an "analytical transferable" connector is generally used. The MT connector is, as shown in FIG. 6, an optical fiber tape (optical fiber tape core) having a plurality of optical fibers 9 arranged in parallel.
12 is formed by being inserted into and fixed to the ferrule 8.
A plurality of (four in the figure) optical fiber insertion holes 13 through which the optical fibers 9 are inserted are formed on the connection end face 15 side of the ferrule 8, and the inner diameter of the optical fiber insertion holes 13 is substantially equal to the diameter of the optical fiber 9. It is formed in the same size. The connection end face (tip face) of the optical fiber 9 inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 13 is polished to be substantially the same as the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8.

FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c) show a process of assembling a conventional general MT connector by a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 (d). 6 shows a sectional view when the ferrule 8 is cut in the BB direction in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7D, the ferrule 8 communicates with the optical fiber insertion hole 13,
The optical fiber array groove 7 corresponding to the optical fiber insertion hole 13
Are formed. The optical fiber array groove 7 has a U-shape or a V-shape.
The optical fiber arrangement groove 7 shown in (c) indicates the bottom surface of the optical fiber arrangement groove 7.

A tape insertion portion 17 is formed through a step 16 so as to communicate with a portion where the optical fiber array groove 7 is formed. Further, a boot insertion portion 18 having a diameter larger than that of the tape insertion portion 17 is formed in communication with the tape insertion portion 17, and an adhesive injection hole 19 is formed on the upper surface side of the ferrule 8.

When assembling the MT connector, FIG.
(A), the coating of the optical fiber tape 12 is removed, and an optical fiber (bare optical fiber) 9 of an appropriate length is removed.
Is exposed, and the boot 2 is
5 is attached. Then, the optical fiber tape 12 is manually inserted from the boot insertion portion 18 side of the ferrule 8, and the optical fiber 9 is inserted along the bottom surface of the optical fiber array groove 7. Then, the optical fiber 9 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 13 communicating with the optical fiber array groove 7 as shown in FIG.
Is projected from the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8.

At this time, the covering portion of the optical fiber tape 12 is inserted into the tape
Is inserted into the boot insertion portion 18. In this state, the optical fiber tape 12 is fixed to the ferrule 8 by injecting an adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive from the adhesive injection hole 19 of the ferrule 8 and curing the adhesive.
Thereafter, the optical fiber 9 protruding from the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8 is polished, and the tip end face of the optical fiber 9 and the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8 are substantially flush as shown in FIG. To do.

[0007] The assembly work of the optical connector as described above requires M
The operation of assembling the T-connector is generally performed, and the operation of assembling the optical connector may be performed in a factory or in an imaginary work place. When the optical connector is assembled as described above, the polishing operation as shown in FIG. 7C takes time. Therefore, in recent years, an operation of inserting the optical fiber tape 12 into the ferrule 8 and bonding the optical fiber tape 12 after the exposed length of the optical fiber 9 is trimmed in advance has been performed.

[0008]

However, in the conventional optical connector assembling work, when the optical fiber 9 is inserted into the ferrule 8, the tip of the optical fiber 9 collides with the step 16 of the ferrule 8, and the optical fiber 9 9 may be damaged and the optical connector assembling work is complicated.

In particular, since the work of assembling the optical connector in a work place where it is difficult to work, such as an imaginary work, involves a great deal of difficulty, it has been required to assemble the optical connector in a short time with good workability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the workability in a short time without requiring a long time for polishing an optical fiber when assembling an optical connector. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector assembling apparatus capable of accurately assembling an optical connector such as an MT connector.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has the following structure to solve the problem. That is, the first invention has an optical fiber tape having a ferrule set stage for setting a ferrule provided with an optical fiber array groove, and one or more optical fibers arranged in parallel to the ferrule set stage. An optical fiber set stage for setting the connection end face side of the ferrule set stage toward the ferrule set stage is provided, and the ferrule set stage is arranged in the direction of the arrangement of the optical fiber array grooves of the ferrule set in the ferrule set stage. As a means for solving the problem, a configuration is provided that can be tilted freely.

In the first invention, as described above, the ferrule set stage is provided so as to be tiltable.
An optical fiber arrangement groove forming surface of the ferrule set on the ferrule set stage is provided with a swing mechanism for inclining obliquely with respect to a direction in which the optical fiber tape set on the optical fiber set stage is inserted into the ferrule. You.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the ferrule set stage is disposed on a base, and a swing fulcrum is pivotally supported on the base to allow the swing. A tilt operation unit that tilts the ferrule set stage by a swing operation about a fulcrum and a pedestal unit that is linked to the tilt operation unit and supports the ferrule set stage are provided, and the pedestal unit performs the tilt operation. The swinging operation of the section is provided so as to be slidable in the optical fiber array groove longitudinal direction of the ferrule set on the ferrule set stage, and the ferrule set stage has an engaging portion supported by the pedestal portion. Are provided on at least one side of the engaging portion and the pedestal portion,
The object is achieved by a configuration in which a tilt cam surface for tilting the ferrule set stage by sliding the pedestal portion by a swing operation of the tilt operation portion is formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the tilt operation portion is configured to swing and move along a slide guide surface. A lower tilt guide section for swinging the tilt operation unit is provided so that the ferrule set stage tilts obliquely downward from a horizontal position in a non-tilt state, and the ferrule set is provided at the other end of the slide guide surface. An upper tilt guide section for swinging the tilt operation section is provided so that the stage tilts obliquely upward from the horizontal position, and the upper tilt guide section and the lower tilt guide section are provided between the upper tilt guide section and the lower tilt guide section. Means for solving the problem with a configuration in which a step portion that gives a click feeling of switching between the upward tilt position and the downward tilt position of the ferrule set stage is provided. To have.

In the present invention having the above-described structure, the ferrule set stage for setting a ferrule having an optical fiber array groove and the optical fiber set stage for setting the connection end face side of the optical fiber tape toward the ferrule set stage side. The ferrule set stage is disposed so as to be tiltable about the arrangement direction of the optical fiber array grooves of the ferrule set in the ferrule set stage, so that, for example, the light of the ferrule set in the ferrule set stage is provided. The fiber array groove forming surface is inclined obliquely with respect to the direction in which the optical fiber tape set on the optical fiber set stage is inserted into the ferrule.

Therefore, the ferrule is set on the ferrule set stage, and the ferrule set stage is tilted obliquely downward from the horizontal position where the ferrule set stage is not tilted, so that the optical fiber array groove forming surface of the ferrule is ferruled. Can be tilted obliquely downward with respect to the insertion direction of the optical fiber to be inserted. Then, when the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule in this state, the optical fiber arrangement groove is disposed below the optical fiber. In this state, when the ferrule set stage is tilted obliquely upward from the horizontal position, the optical fiber With the arrangement groove approaching the optical fiber from below the optical fiber, the optical fiber can be inserted into the optical fiber arrangement groove.

According to the above arrangement, the optical fiber can be accurately inserted into the optical fiber array groove of the ferrule without damaging the optical fiber end. It is possible to form an exposed length of the optical fiber in advance so that the surface and the connection end surface of the ferrule almost coincide with each other, and insert and fix the optical fiber tape into the ferrule, for example, which is generally performed in a conventional optical connector assembly. In addition, the work of polishing the end surface of the optical fiber can be omitted.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the conventional example, and the overlapping description will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an optical connector assembling apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a plan view of the optical connector assembling apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows a side view thereof.

In the optical connector assembling apparatus of this embodiment, one or more (usually plural) optical fibers 9 are juxtaposed to a ferrule 8 having an optical fiber array groove 7 as shown in FIG. Optical fiber tape (optical fiber ribbon)
12 is used to assemble the optical connector by inserting and fixing the ferrule 8 as shown in FIG.
It is arranged above. Further, an optical fiber set stage 11 for setting the connection end face side of the optical fiber tape 12 toward the ferrule set stage 6 so as to face the ferrule set stage 6 is disposed and fixed on the base 1.

At one end of the ferrule set stage 6, a ferrule set section 1 for setting a ferrule 8 is provided.
0 is provided. The features of this embodiment are as follows.
The ferrule set stage 6 is provided so as to be tiltable in the θ direction in the figure with the arrangement direction (X direction in the figure) of the optical fiber arrangement grooves 7 of the ferrule 8 set in the ferrule set stage 6 as an axis. is there. In particular,
The tilting of the ferrule set stage 6 causes the formation surface of the optical fiber array groove 7 of the ferrule 8 set on the ferrule set stage 6 to be inserted into the ferrule 8 of the optical fiber tape 12 set on the optical fiber set stage. There is provided a swing mechanism for inclining obliquely with respect to.

As shown in FIG. 2, a swing fulcrum 31 is fixed to the base 1. A swing shaft 32 swinging around a swing fulcrum 31 is pivotally supported on the base 1, and an operation lever 30 is provided at an end of the swing shaft 32. The operation lever 30 functions as a tilt operation unit that tilts the ferrule set stage 6 by a swing operation centered on the swing fulcrum 31. The operation lever 30 swings along a slide guide surface 33 provided on the base 1 and slides in the longitudinal direction (Z direction in the drawing) of the optical fiber array groove 7 of the ferrule 8 set on the ferrule set stage 6. Configuration.

The oscillating shaft 32 is provided with a pedestal portion 2 via a pedestal support pin 39, and the pedestal portion 2 is linked to the operation lever 30. The pedestal portion 2 is slidably fitted in a pedestal portion slide guide 38, and the pedestal portion 2 is rotated by the operation lever 30 so that the optical fiber array groove 7 of the ferrule 8 is set on the ferrule set stage 6. It is provided slidably in the longitudinal direction (Z direction in the figure).

As shown in FIG. 1B, the pedestal 2 supports the ferrule set stage 6,
The pedestal portion 2 has two tapered surfaces 3, 4 and tapered surfaces 3, 4
And a flat surface 23 sandwiched therebetween. The ferrule set stage 6 is provided with a stage support pin 5 as an engaging portion supported by the pedestal portion 2 and protruding toward the pedestal portion 2.
The ferrule set stage 6 is configured to be supported by the pedestal portion 2 in a state in which the ferrule set stage 6 is in contact with any one of the tapered surfaces 3 and 4 of the pedestal portion 2 and the flat surface 23.

In the present embodiment, the inclination of the ferrule set stage 6 differs depending on which of the tapered surfaces 3 and 4 of the pedestal portion 2 and the flat surface 23 supports the stage support pin 5. The tapered surfaces 3 and 4 and the flat surface 23 of the pedestal portion 2 are tilted cam surfaces for tilting the ferrule set stage 6 by sliding the pedestal portion 2 by swinging the operation lever 30. And

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the stage support pin 5 is supported on the tapered surface 4 of the pedestal 2, the state shown in FIG. Then, the ferrule set stage 6 tilts obliquely downward from the horizontal position in the non-tilt state shown in FIG.

When the stage support pin 5 is supported on the tapered surface 3 of the pedestal portion 2 as shown in FIG. 2B, the ferrule set stage 6 is moved as shown in FIG. Tilts obliquely downward from the horizontal position. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the stage support pin 5 is supported on the flat surface 23 of the pedestal 2, as shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. The ferrule set stage 6 is at the horizontal position.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pedestal 2 is swung in accordance with the swing operation of the operation lever 30, and the engagement between the pedestal 2 and the stage support pin 5 (stage support pin 5 The ferrule set stage 6 is tilted in the θ direction in the figure by changing which of the tapered surfaces 3, 4 and the flat surface 23 of the pedestal portion 2 is supported. In the present embodiment, the swing mechanism includes the operation lever 30, the pedestal 2, and the stage support pin 5.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the ferrule set stage 6 is tilted obliquely downward at one end of the slide guide surface 33 from a horizontal position where the ferrule is not tilted. Is provided on the other end of the slide guide surface 33 so that the ferrule set stage 6 is tilted obliquely upward from the horizontal position. Upward tilt guide section 34 for swinging lever 30
Is provided.

Further, between the upper tilt guide section 34 and the lower tilt guide section 35, a sense of switching between the upper tilt position and the lower tilt position of the ferrule set stage 6 (that is, the ferrule set stage 6 has A concave portion 36 is provided as a step provided by a click feeling (a feeling of being in a horizontal position). A line 37 is formed at the center of each of the upper tilt guide section 34 and the lower tilt guide section 35.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ferrule set stage 6 is provided with a dummy ferrule mounting portion 22 opposed to the ferrule set portion 10 with an interval therebetween. A dummy ferrule moving operation unit 26 is provided in association with the dummy ferrule attachment unit 22, and
The dummy ferrule attaching section 22 and the dummy ferrule moving operation section 26 are slidable in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule set stage 6.

The dummy ferrule 20 is attached to the dummy ferrule attachment portion 22, and the dummy ferrule 2
The two positioning pins 21 are provided on the 0 connection end surface 27 side so as to protrude toward the front side. The dummy ferrule 20 is provided with the optical fiber 9 inserted in the ferrule 8.
Function as an optical fiber position adjusting jig for aligning the tips of the optical fibers.

That is, in the present embodiment, the dummy ferrule 20 is slid and moved by the operation of the dummy ferrule moving operation section 26, and is set in the ferrule set section 10 as shown by a chain line in FIG. Dummy ferrule 20 is attached to connection end face 15 of ferrule 8
Of the dummy ferrule 20
A plurality of dummy optical fibers (not shown) provided on the connection end surface 27 side of the optical fiber 9 inserted into the ferrule 8
Is pressed so that the ends of the optical fibers 9 are aligned.

The dummy optical fiber is provided so as to correspond to the position where the optical fiber insertion hole 13 of the ferrule 8 is formed. The distal end face of the dummy optical fiber is, for example, about 2 μm larger than the connection end face 27 of the dummy ferrule 20. It is provided so as to protrude. The positioning pin 21 provided on the dummy ferrule 20 is
When it is abutted against the ferrule 8, it is inserted and fitted into a positioning pin fitting hole (not shown) provided in the ferrule 8.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, an optical connector assembling operation using the optical connector assembling apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the ferrule set stage 6 is provided so as to be tiltable in the θ direction in FIG. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2C, the operation lever 30 is fitted into the concave portion 36 of the slide guide surface 33, and the stage support pin 5 is supported on the flat surface 23 of the base 2. In the state where the ferrule is set, the ferrule set stage 6 is in a non-tilted state.
The ferrule 8 is attached to the ferrule attachment section 10 of the ferrule set stage in this state, for example.

The optical fiber set stage 11
For example, the optical fiber tape 12 held by the holder 40 as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D is set as shown in FIG. 1B. Before setting the optical fiber tape 12 on the optical fiber setting stage 11, first, for example, the optical fiber tape 12 is held in a holder 40 as shown in FIG. The coating on the distal end side of the fiber tape 12 is removed by an appropriate length to expose the optical fiber 9 of an appropriate length.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the optical fiber tape 12 is inserted into the ferrule 8 by cutting the tip end of the optical fiber 9 using a fiber cutter or the like, the optical fiber 9 is cut. Length of which the tip of is substantially the same as the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8 (length shown in A of the figure)
Then, the exposed length of the optical fiber 9 is formed. In addition, the tip of the optical fiber 9 is cut into a mirror surface by cutting the tip of the optical fiber 9 using a fiber cutter.

The optical fiber tape 12 formed as described above is set on the optical fiber set stage 11 while being held by the holder 40, and the ferrule 8 is connected to the ferrule set section 10 of the ferrule set stage 6 as described above.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the operation lever 30 is swung rightward in the figure.

Then, the operation lever 30 slides to the right in the drawing along the downward tilt guide section 35 of the slide guide surface 33, and the pedestal portion 2 is moved to the pedestal slide guide 38 by the swing of the operation lever 30. Slide to the right side of the figure along with the stage support pin 5
Are supported on the tapered surface 4 of the pedestal portion 2.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ferrule set stage 6 is moved to the horizontal position (FIG. 1B).
4), the surface of the ferrule 8 set in the ferrule set section 10 on which the optical fiber array groove 7 is formed is inclined in the insertion direction of the optical fiber 9 as shown in FIG. To the lower side. Then, since the optical fiber arrangement groove 7 of the ferrule 8 is disposed below the optical fiber 9 inserted into the ferrule 8, the optical fiber 9 is inserted above the formation portion of the optical fiber arrangement groove 7 in this state. .

Next, in this state, as shown in FIG. 2B, the operation lever 30 is swung to the left side in the figure, and moves along the upward tilt guide section 34 past the concave portion 36. Then, the swing of the operation lever 30 causes the pedestal portion 2 to slide to the left in the drawing along the pedestal slide guide 38, and the stage support pin 5
Are supported on the tapered surface 3 of the pedestal portion 2.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the ferrule set stage 6 is tilted obliquely upward from the horizontal position, and as shown by the arrow A in FIG. The groove 7 extends from the lower side of the optical fiber 9
, The optical fiber 9 is inserted into the optical fiber array groove 7. At this time, since a force (force in the direction of arrow A) from the optical fiber array groove 7 side toward the optical fiber 9 side is applied to the optical fiber 9, the optical fiber 9 may come off from the optical fiber array groove 7. When the optical fiber 9 is moved toward the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8 in this state, the optical fiber 9 is smoothly inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 13 communicating with the optical fiber array groove 7.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the operation lever 30 is moved to the concave portion 36 of the slide guide surface 33.
The stage support pin 5 is supported on the flat surface 23 of the pedestal 2, and the surface of the ferrule 8 on which the optical fiber array groove 7 is formed is horizontal with respect to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 9. . In order to make the above operation easy to understand, FIGS. 4A and 4B show the inclination of the ferrule 8 larger than the actual inclination.

As described above, the optical fiber tape 12 is inserted into the ferrule 8, the optical fiber 9 of the optical fiber tape 12 is inserted into the optical fiber array groove 7 and the optical fiber insertion hole 13 of the ferrule 8, and the ferrule 8 is horizontally moved. Then, the dummy ferrule 20 is operated to operate the dummy ferrule moving operation unit 26 so that the dummy ferrule 20 is brought into contact with the ferrule 8 as shown by a chain line in FIG. Then, the distal end face of the optical fiber 9 inserted into the ferrule 8 is pushed by the dummy optical fiber of the dummy ferrule 20 and enters a state about 2 μm inside the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8.

In this state, when the instant adhesive is injected from the adhesive injection hole 19 of the ferrule 8 and hardened, the optical fiber tape 12 is instantly fixed to the ferrule 8, and the optical connector is assembled.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the ferrule set stage 6 which is tilted by the swing operation of the operation lever 30 is provided to constitute an optical connector assembling apparatus.
When the optical fiber 9 is inserted into the ferrule 8, the surface of the ferrule 8 on which the optical fiber array groove 7 is formed is inclined obliquely downward with respect to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 9, so that the optical fiber array groove 7 is inserted into the optical fiber 9. 9, and thereafter, the surface on which the optical fiber array groove 7 is formed is inclined obliquely upward with respect to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 9, so that the optical fiber array groove 7 And the optical fiber 9 can be smoothly inserted into the optical fiber arrangement groove 7.

Therefore, by applying the optical connector assembling apparatus of this embodiment, the above operation allows the optical fiber 9 to be inserted into the ferrule 8 without damaging the distal end surface of the optical fiber 9. Therefore, when the optical fiber 9 is inserted into the ferrule 8, the optical fiber 9
The optical fiber 9 is cut by a fiber cutter or the like to a length (the length shown in FIG. 5A) at which the tip of the optical fiber 9 substantially coincides with the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8, and the tip of the optical fiber 9 is made a mirror surface. The optical fiber 9 is connected to the ferrule 8 as described above by applying the optical connector assembling apparatus of this embodiment.
The optical connector can be assembled without performing the polishing work of the optical fiber 9 which is essential for the conventional optical connector assembly.

Therefore, if the optical connector assembling apparatus of this embodiment is applied, the optical connector can be assembled in a short time with good workability, and the assembly yield of the optical connector can be remarkably improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the tilting of the ferrule set stage 6 can be performed very easily with a single touch by the swinging operation of the operation lever 30, so that the ferrule 8 of the optical fiber 9 by the above-mentioned operation is used. The operation of inserting into the device can be performed very easily.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the operation of the operation lever 30 is performed along the slide guide surface 33, and the slide guide surface 33 is provided between the upper tilt position and the lower tilt position of the ferrule set stage 6. Since the concave portion 36 provided by the click feeling by the switching feeling is provided, even if the optical connector assembling work place is dim, the operation lever 30 determines whether the ferrule set stage 6 is in the horizontal position or in the inclined state. Can be felt by the click feeling when the operation is performed, and the tilting operation of the ferrule set stage 6 by the swing operation of the operation lever 30 can be performed with further improved workability.

Further, according to this embodiment, a line 37 is formed in the upper tilt guide section 34 and the lower tilt guide section 35 of the slide guide surface 33, and a line 37 is formed in the recess 36. Therefore, whether the ferrule set stage 6 is in the horizontal position or in the tilted state can be visually confirmed when the operation lever 30 is operated, and the ferrule set stage 6 can be visually checked when the operation lever 30 is swung. Can be performed even more with good workability.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can adopt various embodiments. For example,
In the above embodiment, the operation lever 30 is configured to swing and move along the slide guide surface 33, and the slide guide surface 33 is provided with the upper tilt guide section 34, the lower tilt guide section 35, and the concave portion 36. Slide guide surface 33
Is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set. For example, a convex portion is provided instead of the concave portion 36,
This convex portion may be a step portion that gives a click feeling of switching between the upper tilt position and the lower tilt position of the ferrule set stage with a click.

The operating lever 30 is not necessarily configured to swing along the slide guide surface 33, but may be swingable with respect to the base 1 using the swing fulcrum 31 as a fulcrum.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pedestal 2
In addition, two tapered surfaces 3, 4 and one flat surface 23 are provided as tilt cam surfaces for tilting the ferrule set stage 6 by sliding the pedestal portion 2 by swinging the operation lever 30. Instead of providing the tilt cam surface on the pedestal portion 2, a tilt cam surface may be provided on an engaging portion side such as the stage support pin 5 that engages with the pedestal portion 2. Both may be provided with a tilt cam surface.

Further, in the above embodiment, the dummy ferrule 20 is provided as an optical fiber position adjusting jig, and the tip of the optical fiber 9 inserted into the ferrule 8 is pushed by the dummy optical fiber provided in the dummy ferrule 20.
Although the distal end face of the optical fiber 9 is located inside (concave) the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8, the optical fiber position adjusting jig is not always a dummy ferrule 20. Any jig that can be aligned may be used.

Further, when aligning the distal end surfaces of the optical fibers 9 with the optical fiber position adjusting jig, the distal end surfaces of the optical fibers 9 are located inside the connection end surfaces 15 of the ferrule 8 as in the above embodiment. This is not always the case. That is, the distal end face of the optical fiber 9 may be flush with the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8 or may protrude slightly from the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 8. Is appropriately set in accordance with.

Further, in the above description, an example is described in which the optical connector assembling apparatus of the above embodiment is applied to assembling of an MT connector. However, the optical connector assembling apparatus of the present invention has one optical fiber. The present invention can also be applied when assembling an optical connector by inserting and fixing an optical fiber tape to a ferrule, and the present invention provides various types of optical connectors formed by inserting and fixing an optical fiber tape to a ferrule having an optical fiber array groove. It can be applied for assembly.

[0057]

According to the present invention, since the ferrule set stage for setting the ferrule is provided to be tiltable, for example, the optical fiber array groove forming surface of the ferrule set on the ferrule set stage may be replaced with a ferrule. Since the optical fiber tape inserted into the ferrule can be inclined obliquely with respect to the direction of insertion into the ferrule, the ferrule can be inclined and the optical fiber array groove can be arranged obliquely below the optical fiber inserted into the ferrule. it can.

Then, in this state, the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule by inserting the optical fiber into the upper side of the optical fiber array groove, and then the ferrule is tilted in the opposite direction to the above to tilt obliquely upward. The optical fiber can be inserted into the optical fiber array groove without damaging the tip of the optical fiber by bringing the groove close to the optical fiber from below the optical fiber.

Therefore, by applying the optical connector assembling apparatus of the present invention, the optical fiber can be inserted into the ferrule without damaging the distal end surface of the optical fiber to be inserted into the ferrule. The exposed length of the optical fiber is formed in advance so that the end face of the optical fiber and the connection end face of the ferrule substantially match, and the optical fiber tape can be inserted into the ferrule without any trouble. Therefore, by applying the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to omit the polishing of the end surface of the optical fiber after the insertion of the optical fiber tape into the ferrule, and it is possible to perform the optical connector assembly with good workability in a short time. Therefore, the optical connector can be easily assembled with a high yield even in a place such as an imaginary place where work is difficult.

Further, in the case of a configuration in which a swing operation section for tilting the ferrule set stage by a swing operation and a pedestal section linked to the swing operation section are provided, the operation of the swing operation section causes an emergency operation. The ferrule set stage can be easily tilted with good workability, and the optical connector can be assembled with good workability.

Further, the swing operation portion is configured to swing and move along the slide guide surface.
In the case of a configuration in which a step portion that gives a click feeling of switching between the upward tilt position and the downward tilt position of the ferrule set stage is provided, a click feeling of switching between the upward tilt position and the downward tilt position of the ferrule set stage is clicked. Since the tilting operation of the ferrule set stage can be performed with further improved workability, even when the optical connector assembling work is performed in a dim place, the optical connector can be easily assembled. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an optical connector assembling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a peripheral structure and a swing operation of an operation lever 30 and a pedestal portion 2 in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a tilting operation of a ferrule set stage 6 accompanying a swinging operation of an operation lever 30 and a pedestal portion 2 in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the tilting state of the ferrule 8 and the operation of inserting the optical fiber 9 with the tilting operation of the ferrule set stage 6 in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an optical fiber tape used when assembling an optical connector using the device of the embodiment.
It is explanatory drawing shown by the top view (a)-(c) and side view (d) with the holder for tape holding.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an MT connector in a perspective view.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a conventional MT connector assembling method and a cross-sectional configuration of a ferrule.

[Description of Signs] 1 Base 2 Pedestal 3, 4 Tapered surface 5 Stage support pin 6 Ferrule set stage 7 Optical fiber array groove 8 Ferrule 9 Optical fiber 10 Ferrule set section 11 Optical fiber set stage 12 Optical fiber tape (optical fiber tape Core wire) 13 optical fiber insertion hole 15 connection end face 16 stepped portion 30 operation lever 31 swing fulcrum 33 slide guide surface 36 recess

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Ogawa 2-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Masaaki Takaya 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan Within Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Nagasawa 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term within Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. 2H036 JA02 KA01 KA02 KA04 LA03 MA02 NA01 QA31 QA53 2H037 AA01 BA05 BA14 BA35 DA04 DA06 DA12 DA31

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A connection end face of an optical fiber tape having a ferrule set stage for setting a ferrule provided with an optical fiber array groove, wherein one or more optical fibers are juxtaposed to face the ferrule set stage. An optical fiber set stage for setting the ferrule set stage toward the ferrule set stage is disposed, and the ferrule set stage is tiltable about an arrangement direction of an optical fiber array groove of the ferrule set on the ferrule set stage as an axis. An optical connector assembling apparatus provided in the optical connector. 2. A ferrule set stage is provided on a base, and a swing fulcrum is pivotally supported on the base, and the ferrule set stage is tilted by a swing operation centered on the swing fulcrum. A tilt operation unit and a pedestal unit that supports the ferrule set stage in association with the tilt operation unit are provided, and the pedestal unit is a ferrule set on the ferrule set stage by a swing operation of the tilt operation unit. The ferrule set stage is provided slidably in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber array groove, and the ferrule set stage is provided with an engaging portion supported by the pedestal portion, and at least one of the engaging portion and the pedestal portion. In
2. The optical connector assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tilt cam surface for tilting the ferrule set stage by sliding the pedestal portion by a swing operation of the tilt operating portion is formed. 3. The tilting operation part is configured to swing and move along a slide guide surface, and one end of the slide guide surface is obliquely lower than a horizontal position where the ferrule set stage is not tilted. A downward tilt guide section for swinging the tilt operation unit so as to tilt is provided, and the other end of the slide guide surface is tilted so that the ferrule set stage tilts obliquely upward from the horizontal position. An upper tilt guide section for swinging the operation unit is provided, and a switching feeling between the upper tilt position and the lower tilt position of the ferrule set stage is clicked between the upper tilt guide section and the lower tilt guide section. 3. The optical connector assembling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a step portion provided by feeling.