JP2003165041A - Ferrule grinding device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ferrule grinding device capable of end-face grinding and chamfering/grinding singly, with its structure simplified and machining precision improved. <P>SOLUTION: The device has an end-face grinding tool 12 for performing surface grinding for the end-faces of a ferrule 16 and a chamfering/grinding tool 23 for performing chamfering/grinding for the ends of the same. The tool 12 comprises a pair of end-face grinding wheels 12 facing each other with a gap in between them for their sides to grind both end-faces of the ferrule 16. The chamfering/grinding tool 23 comprises a pair of chamfering/grinding wheels 23 arranged facing both ends of the ferrule 16 and rotating on an axis inclined relative to the shaft center of the ferrule 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ferrule grinding apparatus for grinding an end surface of a ferrule used as a component part of an optical fiber and chamfering an end portion of the ferrule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of grinding the end surface of a ferrule and chamfering the end portion, both end surfaces of the ferrule are ground by an end surface grinding device, and then another chamfering dedicated device is used. Was chamfered and ground.

[0003]

Therefore, in this conventional method, it is necessary to separately equip the end surface grinding device and the chamfering dedicated device and to provide the carrying mechanism for carrying the ferrule between the both devices. There is a problem that the configuration of the device becomes complicated. Further, since the end surface grinding and the chamfering grinding of the ferrule are performed by different devices, there is a problem that the processing accuracy is likely to be lowered.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in such conventional techniques. An object thereof is to provide a ferrule grinding device capable of performing end face grinding and chamfering grinding of a ferrule with a single device, simplifying the configuration, and improving processing accuracy. Especially.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides an end face grinding tool for performing surface grinding on the end face of a ferrule and an end portion of the ferrule. On the other hand, a chamfering grinding tool for performing a chamfering grinding process is provided.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the end face grinding and the chamfering grinding of the ferrule can be easily performed by a single device. Therefore, as compared with the conventional device in which the end face grinding and the chamfering grinding of the ferrule are performed by different devices, the configuration can be simplified and the processing accuracy can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the end surface grinding tools are arranged to face each other with a space therebetween, and a pair of end surfaces for grinding both end surfaces of the ferrule on their side surfaces. It is characterized by comprising a grinding wheel for grinding.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, both end faces of the ferrule can be ground simultaneously by the pair of end face grinding wheels. A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect of the invention, holding means for holding the ferrule and moving the ferrule between the grinding wheels for end face grinding is provided.

Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the ferrule can be automatically supplied and moved between the grinding wheels for end face grinding, and both end faces of the ferrule can be ground efficiently and highly accurately.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the holding means has a wheel-shaped carrier having a plurality of accommodation grooves for accommodating the ferrule on the outer periphery, and the outer periphery of the carrier. It is extended along the surface,
And a holding belt for holding the ferrule in the housing groove.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 4, a plurality of ferrules are continuously supplied and moved between the grinding wheels for end face grinding by the rotation of the carrier, and both end faces of the ferrules are ground more efficiently. can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the chamfering grinding tool is arranged on the ferrule outlet side of the carrier.

Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, after grinding the end surface of the ferrule with the rotation of the carrier, chamfering grinding of the end portion can be continuously and efficiently performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the holding means is composed of a rotating lever having a ferrule holding portion at its tip.

Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the ferrule is automatically supplied and moved between the grinding wheels for end face grinding by the rotation of the rotating lever to efficiently grind both end faces of the ferrule. You can

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the chamfering grinding tool is arranged on a turning locus of a ferrule holding portion of a turning lever. Is.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 7, after the end face of the ferrule is ground in accordance with the turning of the turning lever, the chamfering grinding of the end can be continuously and efficiently performed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the chamfering grinding tool is centered on an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the ferrule. It is characterized by comprising a grinding wheel for chamfering grinding that rotates in the direction of.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 8, the chamfering grinding wheel can chamfer the end portion of the ferrule with high precision. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the chamfering grinding tool is a chamfering full-form grinding wheel that rotates concentrically with the axis of the ferrule. It is a feature.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 9,
Since the chamfering grinding tool is a chamfering grinding wheel, chamfering grinding can be performed in a short time. According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, a pair of the grinding wheel for chamfering grinding is arranged so as to chamfer both ends of the ferrule.

Therefore, according to the tenth aspect of the invention, both ends of the ferrule can be simultaneously chamfered and ground by the pair of grinding wheels for chamfering and grinding.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of end face grinding wheels 12 as end face grinding tools are provided on a bed 11.
Are rotatably opposed to each other on the same axis line via the grindstone holding member 13, and are rotated in the same direction by the grindstone rotating motor 14. A holding mechanism 15 as a holding means is arranged on the bed 11, and a plurality of ferrules 16 are held by the holding mechanism 15 on the outer peripheral surface thereof and moved between the end face grinding wheels 12 to both the wheel wheels 12. Both end surfaces of the ferrule 16 are ground on the side surfaces of the.

That is, in the holding mechanism 15,
A wheel-shaped carrier 17 is rotatably supported on the bed 11 via a carrier holding member 18, and is rotated by a carrier rotation motor 19 in the arrow directions of FIGS. 1 and 2. Along with the rotation of the carrier 17, a part of the outer periphery of the carrier 17 is sequentially moved between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding. A plurality of V-shaped accommodating grooves 17a are formed on the outer periphery of the carrier 17 at predetermined equal intervals, and each accommodating groove 1 is provided at the supply position P1.
The ferrule 16 is accommodated in the 7a, and the ferrule 16 is continuously ejected from the accommodation groove 17a at the ejection position P2.

In the vicinity of the outer periphery of the carrier 17, the holding belt 20 is stretched and arranged on the bed 11 via a plurality of pulleys 21 and a belt tensioning pulley (not shown).
A part of it extends circumferentially along the outer peripheral surface of the carrier 17 and is in contact with the ferrule 16 in each accommodation groove 17a. Then, when the carrier 17 is rotated, the holding belt 20 is rotated by contact with the ferrules 16 in the housing grooves 17a, and the ferrules 16 are housed in a region passing between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding. The groove 17a is pressed and held.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carrier 1
On the ferrule exit side of No. 7, a pair of grindstone rotating motors 22 are arranged on the bed 11 on the axis L1. A chamfering grinding wheel 23 as a chamfering grinding tool is provided on the motor shaft of each grindstone rotating motor 22 in the ferrule 1.
It is attached to both edges of 6 so as to be contactable. Then, the grinding wheel for double-sided grinding 23 is rotated by the grinding wheel rotating motor 22.
As shown in FIG. 4, both ends of the ferrule 16 are chamfered by being in contact with both edges of the ferrule 16 in an inclined state while being rotated.

At a position corresponding to the grinding wheel for chamfering grinding 23, an operating belt 24 is stretched on the bed 11 via a pair of pulleys 25, and a part of the operating belt 24 circulates along the outer peripheral surface of the carrier 17. Each storage groove 17a is extended.
It is in contact with the ferrule 16 inside. A belt rotation motor 26 is connected to one of the pulleys 25, and the operation belt 2 is driven by the motor 26 via the pulley 25.
4 is rotated in the same direction as the carrier 17 or in the opposite direction so that the speed of the carrier 4 is different from the peripheral speed of the carrier 17.
Due to the rotation of the operating belt 24 having different peripheral velocities, the carrier 17 and the operating belt are pressed and held in the accommodation grooves 17a of the carrier 17 in the region where the ferrules 16 pass between the chamfering grinding wheels 23. It is designed to rotate on the basis of the difference in rotation with 24.

Next, the operation of the ferrule grinding device configured as described above will be described. Now, when the grinding device for this ferrule is activated, a pair of grinding wheels for end face grinding 1
2, the pair of chamfering grinding wheels 23, the carrier 17, and the operating belt 24 are motors 14, 22, 19, 2 of these wheels.
It is rotated by 6. In this state, when the ferrule 16 is supplied from the supply position P1 to each accommodation groove 17a of the carrier 17, the ferrule 16 is pressed and held in the accommodation groove 17a by the holding belt 20, and the ferrule 16 is rotated along with the rotation of the carrier 17. It is inserted and moved between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding. Due to this insertion movement, both end surfaces of the ferrule 16 are simultaneously ground by the side surfaces of both grinding wheels 12.

Thereafter, the ferrule 16 is moved to a position corresponding to the operating belt 24 with the rotation of the carrier 17, and the operating belt 24 presses and holds it in the accommodating groove 17a while the speed of the carrier 17 and the operating belt 24. It is rotated based on the difference. In this state, ferrule 16
Passes between the pair of chamfering grinding wheels 23, the both ends of the ferrule 16 are simultaneously chamfered and ground, as shown in FIG. Then, the ferrule 16 that has finished the end face grinding and the chamfering grinding is ejected from the accommodation groove 17a of the carrier 17 at the ejection position P2.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In this ferrule grinding device, an end face grinding tool 12 for performing surface grinding on the end face of the ferrule 16 and a chamfering grinding tool 23 for performing chamfering grinding on the end of the ferrule 16. And are equipped with. Therefore, the end surface grinding and the chamfering grinding of the ferrule 16 can be easily performed by a single device. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and the processing accuracy can be improved as compared with the conventional device in which the end face grinding and the chamfering grinding of the ferrule 16 are performed by separate devices.

(2) In this ferrule grinding device, the end face grinding tools are arranged facing each other with a space, and a pair of end face grinding wheels 12 grind both end faces of the ferrule 16 on their side faces. Has become. Therefore, the ferrule 1 is moved by the pair of end face grinding wheels 12
Both end surfaces of 6 can be ground simultaneously.

(3) In this ferrule grinding apparatus, a holding mechanism 15 for holding the ferrule 16 and moving it between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding is provided. Therefore, while the ferrule 16 is held by the holding mechanism 15, the supply and movement between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding can be performed automatically, and both end faces of the ferrule 16 can be efficiently ground.

(4) In this ferrule grinding apparatus, the holding mechanism 15 has a wheel-shaped carrier 17 having a plurality of accommodation grooves 17a for accommodating the ferrule 16 on the outer periphery, and an outer peripheral surface of the carrier 17. The holding belt 20 extends along the holding groove 20 and holds the ferrule 16 in the housing groove 17a. For this reason,
By rotating the carrier 17, the plurality of ferrules 16 can be continuously supplied and moved between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding, and both end faces of the ferrules 16 can be ground more efficiently.

(5) In this ferrule grinding device, the chamfering grinding tool 23 is arranged on the ferrule exit side of the carrier 17. Therefore, carrier 1
After grinding the end face of the ferrule 16 with the rotation of 7,
The chamfering grinding of the edges can be continuously and efficiently performed.

(6) In this ferrule grinding apparatus, the chamfering grinding tool comprises a chamfering grinding wheel 23 that rotates around an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the ferrule 16. Therefore, by holding the grinding wheel 23 for chamfering grinding and the housing groove 17a, the end portion of the ferrule 16 can be chamfered and ground with high accuracy.

(7) In this ferrule grinding device, the chamfering grinding wheel 23 is the ferrule 16
A pair is arranged so as to chamfer both ends.
Therefore, both ends of the ferrule 16 can be chamfered simultaneously by the pair of chamfering grinding wheels 23.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the points different from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, as a holding mechanism 15 for holding the ferrule 16, a rotating lever 31 is provided on the bed 11.
Is rotatably disposed and is reciprocally rotated by a lever rotation motor 32. A ferrule holding portion 33 is provided at the tip of the rotating lever 31, and the holding portion 3
3, the ferrule 16 is detachably held by a holding cylinder 34. Then, with the ferrule 16 held, the ferrule 16 is inserted and moved between the pair of grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding by reciprocally turning the turning lever 31, and both end faces of the ferrule 16 are ground at the same time. It is supposed to be done. Further, the rotating lever 31 is adapted to temporarily stop at a predetermined point immediately after it has come out from between the grinding wheels 12 for end face grinding when returning.

Ferrule holding portion 3 of the rotating lever 31
On the bed 11, a pair of chamfering grinding wheels 35 as chamfering grinding tools are arranged so as to be able to come in contact with and separate from each other on both sides of the temporary stop point on the rotation locus of 3. That is, a pair of support bases 36 are provided on the bed 11 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the rotation locus of the ferrule holding portion 33, and are moved by a moving cylinder or the like (not shown). A grindstone rotating motor 37 is disposed on each of the supports 36, and the chamfered general grinding wheel 35 is attached to the motor shafts thereof.

Then, the rotating lever 31 is moved forward, and the ferrule 16 held by the ferrule holding portion 33 is held.
6 is inserted and moved between the pair of end-face grinding wheels 12, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
Have been moved to the outer spaced position. Further, when the turning lever 31 is returned to the temporary stop point at the time of returning the turning lever 31 due to the completion of the grinding of both end surfaces of the ferrule 16, as shown by the chain line in the figure,
The double-sided chamfering grinding wheel 35 is moved to the inner approaching position while being rotated by the grinding wheel rotation motor 37. By this approaching movement, the conical concave grinding surfaces 35a formed on the side surfaces of both grinding wheels 35 are brought into contact with the peripheral edges of both ends of the ferrule 16, and both ends of the ferrule 16 are simultaneously chamfered and ground. After that, the rotary lever 31 returns to the movement start position, and the ferrule 16 after the end surface grinding is moved to the grinding wheel 1 for end surface grinding.
It is discharged and moved from between two.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in (1) to (3) and (7) in the first embodiment. (8) In this ferrule grinding device, the holding mechanism 15 is composed of a rotating lever 31 having a ferrule holding portion 33 at its tip. Therefore, the rotation lever 3
By rotating the ferrule 16, the ferrule 16 is moved to the grinding wheel 12 for end face grinding.
By supplying and moving automatically in the meantime, both end faces of the ferrule 16 can be efficiently ground.

(9) In this ferrule grinding device, the chamfering grinding tool 23 is arranged on the rotation locus of the ferrule holding portion 33 of the rotation lever 31. For this reason, after the end face of the ferrule 16 is ground in accordance with the rotation of the rotary lever 31, chamfering grinding of the end portion can be continuously and efficiently performed.

(Modification) This embodiment can be modified and embodied as follows. As shown in FIG. 7, in the first embodiment, the pair of chamfering grinding wheels 23 are provided with an axis L2 inclined toward the center side of the carrier 17 with respect to the axis of the ferrule 16.
Must be rotatably mounted above. In this case as well, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

As shown by the chain line in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, a pair of chamfered grindstone wheels 35 are provided on the turning locus of the ferrule holding portion 33 of the turning lever 31 for grinding the end faces. It should be arranged so as to be located on the side opposite to the support portion of the turning lever 31 with respect to the vehicle 12. Also in this case, it is necessary to temporarily stop the rotating lever 31 for the chamfering grinding at a position facing the chamfering grinding wheel 35. Therefore, the same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained.

In the second embodiment, a plurality of ferrule holding portions 33 are provided at the tip of the rotating lever 31, and a plurality of ferrules 16 are held at the same time to perform end face grinding and chamfering grinding. By doing so, the grinding efficiency can be improved. However, it is necessary to provide a plurality of pairs of chamfered grinding wheel 35 corresponding to a plurality of ferrules 16.

[0046]

As described above in the embodiment, in the present invention, the end face grinding and the chamfering grinding of the ferrule can be performed by a single device, and the structure can be simplified. The effect that the processing accuracy can be improved is exhibited.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ferrule grinding device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a main part of the grinding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing an enlarged ferrule after grinding.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an essential part showing a ferrule grinding device of a second embodiment.

6 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the embodiment of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Bed, 12 ... Grinding wheel for end grinding as an end grinding tool, 14 ... Motor for rotating grinding wheel, 15 ... Holding mechanism as holding means, 16 ... Ferrule, 17 ... Carrier,
17a ... Storage groove, 19 ... Carrier rotation motor, 20 ...
Holding belt, 22 ... Grinding wheel rotating motor, 23 ... Chamfering grinding wheel as chamfering grinding tool, 24 ... Actuating belt, 26 ... Belt rotating motor, 31 ... Rotating lever, 3
2 ... Lever rotation motor, 33 ... Ferrule holder, 3
5 ... Forming chamfering grinding wheel as chamfering grinding tool, 37 ...
Wheel rotation motor.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Ichiro Yamaguchi             No. 1 Shinmeicho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Nippira Toyama Technical Center (72) Inventor Kenichiro Nishi             No. 1 Shinmeicho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Nippira Toyama Technical Center F-term (reference) 3C043 BC06 CC04 CC11 DD06                 3C049 AA04 AA18 AB04 CA01 CB03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule comprising an end surface grinding tool for performing a surface grinding process on an end surface of a ferrule, and a chamfering grinding tool for performing a chamfering grinding process on an end portion of the ferrule. Grinding equipment. 2. The end face grinding tool comprises a pair of grinding wheels for end face grinding, which are arranged to face each other with a gap and grind both end faces of the ferrule on their side faces. Ferrule grinding equipment. 3. The ferrule grinding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising holding means for holding the ferrule and moving the ferrule between grinding wheels for end face grinding. 4. The holding means is a wheel-shaped carrier having a plurality of accommodation grooves for accommodating the ferrule on the outer periphery, and is extended along the outer peripheral surface of the carrier to retain the ferrule in the accommodation groove. The ferrule grinding device according to claim 3, wherein the grinding device comprises a holding belt. 5. The ferrule grinding device according to claim 4, wherein the chamfering grinding tool is arranged on a ferrule outlet side of a carrier. 6. The ferrule grinding device according to claim 3, wherein the holding means is a rotary lever having a ferrule holding portion at a tip thereof. 7. The ferrule grinding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the chamfering grinding tool is arranged on a turning locus of a ferrule holding portion of a turning lever. 8. The chamfering grinding tool comprises a chamfering grinding wheel that rotates around an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the ferrule. The ferrule grinding device according to the above 1. 9. The chamfering grinding tool comprises a chamfering grinding wheel that rotates concentrically with the axis of the ferrule, according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Ferrule grinding device. 10. The ferrule grinding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a pair of the grinding wheels for chamfering grinding are arranged so as to chamfer both ends of the ferrule.