JP2004177647A - Metal ferrule, metal ferrule component and method for manufacturing metal ferrule - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease the manufacture cost and to improve the yield by making a member as a conventional metal core wire unnecessary. <P>SOLUTION: The core wire 13 is produced by depositing a conductive layer 13b on the peripheral face of an optical fiber 13a, and an electrodeposition metal 29 is deposited around the conductive layer 13b by electrocasting to complete a metal ferrule 31. Thus, the metal ferrule 31 with an optical fiber attached, in which the optical fiber 13a is coated with the electrodeposition metal 29, is completed without using a conventional metal core wire. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a metal ferrule on which an optical fiber is mounted, a metal ferrule part, and a method for manufacturing a metal ferrule part, which is used for a connection part between an optical fiber and an optical fiber or a connection part between an optical fiber and an optical device. It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ferrule 1, which is an important component in optical communication, has a shape as illustrated in FIG. 11, and has a length L of about 10 mm, an outer diameter D of 1.25 to 2.5 mm, and an inner diameter d. Is a hollow shape defined to be 0.126 mm corresponding to the optical fiber standard (outer diameter 0.125 mm), and the optical fiber 3 is inserted into the center hole 2.
[0003]
Conventionally, ferrules were mainly made of zirconia, but the manufacturing process was complicated and it was not possible to efficiently manufacture ferrules having good dimensional accuracy. It has been proposed to manufacture ferrules.
[0004]
For example, as described in Patent Document 1, in the related art, a thin metal wire (core wire) made of an iron alloy, stainless steel, or the like is subjected to electroforming, and the outer periphery of the wire is made of, for example, nickel, aluminum, or the like. After depositing metal to form an electroformed body, only the core wire is removed from this electroformed body by pulling out or extruding, and a fine hole having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the core wire is formed by fine hole processing. Thus, a metal member is obtained, and the metal member is cut into a predetermined length to obtain a hollow metal member that becomes a ferrule 1 as shown in FIG.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3308266
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
One of the problems in the above-described conventional technique of manufacturing a ferrule by electroforming is that a core wire is required in the ferrule manufacturing process, and that the core wire needs to be removed. Particularly, as described in Patent Document 1, only a thin metal core wire having an outer diameter of 0.125 mm made of an iron alloy, stainless steel, or the like is melted with a solution or heated to be pulled out or extruded. Therefore, it is practically difficult to remove it, and it can be said that commercialization is impossible.
[0007]
If it is not necessary to use the above-described core wire, it is possible to reduce material costs and improve workability, and it is possible to significantly reduce manufacturing costs.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and eliminates the need for a member having the concept of a conventional metal core wire, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the yield. , And a metal ferrule part, and a method of manufacturing a metal ferrule.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 relates to a metal ferrule with an optical fiber mounted thereon, wherein the optical fiber is used as a center wire, and the outside of the optical fiber is electroplated with a metal member via a conductive layer. With this configuration, the ferrule is completed in a state where the optical fiber functions as a core wire and is directly covered with the electrodeposited metal without using a metal core wire as in the related art.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the metal ferrule having the optical fiber mounted thereon according to the first aspect, the conductive layer is excellent in adhesion or bonding with an electrodeposited metal member, With this configuration, the optical fiber and the electrodeposited metal member can be firmly integrated.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the metal ferrule according to the first or second aspect, the conductive layer is an electroless plating layer.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the metal ferrule having the optical fiber mounted thereon according to the first or second aspect, the conductive layer is a conductive adhesive.
[0013]
The invention related to the metal ferrule part according to claim 5 is a metal ferrule member with an optical fiber, wherein an optical fiber is used as a center wire and the outside of the optical fiber is covered with an electrodeposited metal member via a conductive layer. The ferrule holder portion is integrally formed at one end of the electrodeposited metal member.With this configuration, the optical fiber functions as a core wire without using a metal core wire as in the related art, and the electrodeposited metal is formed. Since the ferrule is completed in a state of being integrally covered with the ferrule, a process of attaching a ferrule holder or the like can be easily performed.
[0014]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a metal ferrule part, wherein a conductive layer forming step of forming a conductive layer outside the optical fiber, and an electroforming process is performed on the outside of the optical fiber based on the conductive layer by electroforming. An electroforming step of forming a metal ferrule body containing an optical fiber by attaching a metal to be deposited, a cutting step of cutting the metal ferrule to a predetermined length, and a surface processing step of performing surface processing on a cut part By this method, the optical fiber functions as a core wire without using a metal core wire as in the past, and the ferrule is completed in a state directly covered with electroformed metal by electroforming. It is possible to reduce the cost by eliminating the need to pull out or extrude a metal core wire as in the past, and to facilitate post-processing for accuracy. It can be, and is further improved yield.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0016]
9 is a front sectional view of an electroforming apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 9, and 11 is an electrolytic tank filled with an electrolytic solution 12, As shown in FIG. 9, in this example, the configuration is such that four electrolytic cells 11 are installed close to each other.
[0017]
Each electrolytic cell 11 is provided with a passage portion 14 in which only one core wire (to be described later) 13 is erected, and is provided so as to communicate with a lower portion of the passage portion 14, and is provided with a metal to be electrodeposited or an electrodeposited metal storage net. The electrodeposited metal storage chamber 16 in which the basket 15 is installed is installed so as to communicate with a lower portion of the electrodeposited metal storage chamber 16, and the electrolytic solution 12 is supplied from a supply port 17, and the electrolytic solution is It comprises an electrodeposited metal storage chamber section 16 and an electrolyte supply chamber section 18 for sending to the passage section 14. The passage section 14, the electrodeposited metal storage chamber section 16, and the electrolyte supply chamber section 18 are each made of a plate material made of a resin material that has insulating properties and does not deteriorate with the electrolyte 12.
[0018]
The passage portion 14 has a structure in which two plate-like portions 14a are opposed to each other. The upper portion is open to allow the core wire 13 to enter, and the electrolyte 12 overflows. The electrodeposited metal storage chamber 16 has a box shape with a rectangular cross section, and has a tapered opening 16 a communicating with the passage 14 at the upper part. Further, the electrolytic solution supply chamber 18 is similarly box-shaped with a rectangular cross section, and an opening 18a communicating with the electrodeposited metal storage chamber 16 is formed in the upper part, and a fresh electrolytic solution 12 is supplied in the lower part. A supply port 17 is provided.
[0019]
Each of the electrolytic cells 11 is accommodated in an outer frame 19 so that the overflowed electrolytic solution 12 does not flow out. On one side of the outer frame 19, as shown in FIG. 9, a recovery chamber 20 forming a part of an electrolyte circulation system for sending the overflowed electrolyte 12 to an electrolyte recovery unit (not shown). Is provided.
[0020]
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a core 13 which is a material to be electrodeposited and which has a conductive layer 13b formed by applying electroless metal plating to the surface of an optical fiber 13a is used. Further, as the electrodeposited metal storage mesh basket 15, a mesh net made of titanium containing a metal material (eg, nickel) to be electrodeposited on the conductive layer 13 b and having a cylindrical or square shape is used. In each of the electrolytic cells 11, the core wire 13 and the electrodeposited metal cage 15 are placed so as to face each other and to be in a parallel state.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 10, the power supply 21 has an anode electrically connected to both ends and a substantially central portion of the electrodeposited metal storage net basket 15, and a cathode electrically connected to both ends of the core wire 13. Holder members 22 (which can hold four core wires in this example) that hold both ends of the core wire 13 are disposed so as to cover the upper part of each electrolytic cell 11, and face the holder member 22. , The end of the core wire 13 is rotatably supported. The hanging portion 23 is provided with a chucking member 24 for fastening the core wire 13 and a driving body 25 including a gear receiving a driving force from a driving source for rotating the core wire 13.
[0022]
Next, the electroforming process in the present embodiment will be described.
[0023]
The electrolytic solution 12 is supplied from the supply port 17 of each electrolytic cell 11, the holder member 22 is set at a predetermined position, and the four core wires 13 laid on the hanging portion 23 of the holder member 22 are respectively connected to the electrolytic cells. 11 are installed in the passage section 14. When the power source 21 is turned on, the anode of the power source 21 is electrically connected to both ends and the approximate center of the electrodeposited metal storage basket 15, and the cathode is electrically connected to both ends of the core wire 13. It is rotated in the circumferential direction by the driving body 25.
[0024]
By performing the electroforming in the above state, the electrodeposited metal deposited from inside the electrodeposited metal storage net basket 15 is guided to the tapered opening 16a of the electrodeposited metal storage chamber portion 16, The fresh electrolytic solution 12 moves together with the fresh electrolytic solution 12 to the passage portion 14 where one core wire 13 is provided.
[0025]
That is, in the electrodeposited metal storage chamber 16, the movement (current flow) of the deposited electrodeposited metal is restricted by the peripheral wall of the electrodeposited metal storage chamber 16, and flows out only from the tapered opening 16 a to the outside. become. Further, the flow of the electrodeposited metal reaches the core wire 13 provided in the passage portion 14 while being regulated by the narrow passage portion 14, and the electrodeposited metal adheres to the core wire 13.
[0026]
During the electroforming process, the electrolytic solution 12 is supplied from the supply port 17 of each electrolytic cell 11, overflows from the upper opening of the passage section 14, is collected in the collection chamber 20, and is processed in the electrolytic solution circulation system. As a result, fresh electrolytic solution 12 is always supplied to each electrolytic cell 11.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the gap between the two plate members 14a of the passage portion 14, the applied voltage and the current of the power source 21, and the like are adjusted by the diameter of the core wire 13 to be electrodeposited, the thickness of the electrodeposited metal, and the like. Perform electroforming while controlling.
[0028]
Because the electrodeposited metal deposited as described above in the present embodiment is regulated, the electrodeposited metal is concentrated while being regulated on one core wire 13 and is electrodeposited. Compared with this type of apparatus, an electrodeposited metal having a uniform thickness is surely formed over the entire length and the entire circumference of the core wire 13. I was able to.
[0029]
Further, in the electroformed product obtained in the present embodiment, since the core wire 13 is the optical fiber 13a, it is not necessary to perform a process for removing the metal core wire portion as in the related art. You can leave it as it is. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the electroformed product 30 having the electrodeposited metal 29 formed on the outer periphery is cut to a predetermined size as shown by a two-dot chain line, and as shown in FIG. The metal ferrule 31 with high precision is completed by performing polishing, grinding, or the like so as to obtain the surface accuracy of the tip portion (the surface including the exposed end of the optical fiber 13a) 30a.
[0030]
In the metal ferrule 31 with an optical fiber manufactured in this way, a good result can be obtained with high precision roundness, same cylinder, and coaxiality. It could be about 1-3 μm.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the metal ferrule part 33 according to the present invention. The metal ferrule part 33 is formed by integrally forming the ferrule holder 32 with the metal ferrule 31. By doing so, it can be provided as a product in an actual use form.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a side view showing another example of the metal ferrule according to the present invention. The metal ferrule part 34 has the core 13, that is, the optical fiber 13 a penetrated at the center as described above, and the center is expanded. The small-diameter portion 34a and the small-diameter portions 34b on both sides are formed in the shape of the small-diameter portion 34a. The workability and the mounting accuracy can be greatly improved as compared with the connection operation using a ferrule having a conventional structure, such as the connection of the optical fiber from the side.
[0033]
As described above, in the present metal ferrule 31, by using the optical fiber 13a as a core wire, it is not necessary to use a metal core wire for ferrule manufacture as in the related art, and therefore, there is no need to remove the metal core wire, Further, there is no need to insert / attach the optical fiber to the removed portion. Also, on the processing surface, after the core wire is removed, the tip of the ferrule is polished and ground, and the optical fiber is attached. This eliminates the need for polishing and grinding (PC processing: physical contact processing) again.
[0034]
Further, since the present metal ferrule 31 secures the perfect circle and the coaxial accuracy, it is not necessary to care much about the joining accuracy with the parts connected to the metal ferrule 31. The effect is great.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, the electroless metal plating film is formed by electroless plating in order to form the conductive layer 13b for attaching the electrodeposited metal 29 to the optical fiber 13a by electroforming. In order to make the optical fiber 13a and the electrodeposited metal 29 firmly integrated without separation or separation, it is desirable that the conductive layer 13b has excellent adhesiveness and bondability to the electrodeposited metal 29. For example, it is conceivable to apply a conductive adhesive (for example, an adhesive containing a conductive member such as carbon fiber) as the conductive layer 13b, or to make the surface of the conductive layer 13b uneven.
[0036]
Further, according to the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an optical fiber mounting having a configuration in which a plurality of core wires 13 composed of an optical fiber 13a and a conductive layer 13b are embedded in a cylindrical outer shape. 8, a metal ferrule 35 with an optical fiber mounted thereon, in which a plurality of core wires 13 are embedded in a non-circular outer shape as shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. As shown in the figure, it is possible to manufacture various shapes such as a metal ferrule 35 having a configuration in which a plurality of core wires 13 are embedded in a flat shape and having an optical fiber mounted thereon.
[0037]
The metal ferrule 36 shown in FIG. 7 has a shape in which a flat surface 36a is formed (defined at a fixed position) on one side of a columnar shape, and as a result, as shown in FIG. When the connecting members 36 are connected, a flat surface 37a is similarly formed on the connecting sleeve 37, so that the connecting member can be provided with directivity. In particular, in the case of connection with a metal ferrule 36 containing a plurality of optical fibers 13a, the mounting accuracy (positioning accuracy of the optical fibers 13) can be easily obtained. Even if the two metal ferrules 36 to be connected have different outer diameters, they can be connected by a sleeve.
[0038]
In the flat metal ferrule 38 shown in FIG. 8, a groove 38a used for fitting guide or positioning is extended to the side surface for connecting the connector or the metal ferrules. The number of the grooves 38a to be formed is not limited to the illustrated four.
[0039]
As described above, the metal ferrule with the optical fiber mounted thereon according to the present invention can have various shapes and optical fiber built-in configurations other than those described above, and the practicable range is wide.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the metal ferrule, the metal ferrule part, and the method for manufacturing a metal ferrule according to the present invention, an optical fiber is attached using an optical fiber as a core without using a conventional metal core. Manufacturing of metal ferrules that have already been used can reduce the cost associated with cores, and also reduce manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for conventional metal cores to be drawn or extruded. As a whole, the cost is greatly reduced as a whole, the manufacturing is facilitated, and the yield is dramatically improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an optical fiber before an electroforming process for explaining a metal ferrule in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an electroformed product after an electroforming process in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a metal ferrule in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a completed state of a metal ferrule part in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows another example of a metal ferrule in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the metal ferrule in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining another example of the metal ferrule in the present embodiment and the connection thereof. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the metal ferrule in the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of an electroforming apparatus for explaining the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Figure [Figure 11] Conventional Sectional view for explaining a general ferrule EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
13 core wire 13a optical fiber 13b conductive layer 29 electrodeposited metal 30 electroformed product 31, 34, 35, 36, 38 metal ferrule 32 ferrule holder 33 metal ferrule part

Claims (6)

A metal ferrule on which an optical fiber is mounted, wherein an optical fiber is used as a center wire, and the outside of the optical fiber is electrodeposited with an electrodeposited metal member via a conductive layer. 2. The metal ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer has excellent adhesiveness or bondability with the electrodeposited metal member. 3. The metal ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is an electroless plating layer. 3. The metal ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is a conductive adhesive. An optical fiber is used as a center wire, and a ferrule holder portion is integrally formed at one end of the electrodeposited metal member in a metal ferrule member in which the outside of the optical fiber is covered with an electrodeposited metal member via a conductive layer. A metal ferrule part having an optical fiber mounted thereon. A conductive layer forming step of forming a conductive layer on the outside of the optical fiber, and, based on the conductive layer, a metal ferrule body in which the optical fiber is embedded by attaching an electrodeposited metal to the outside of the optical fiber by electroforming. Forming an electroforming step, a cutting step of cutting the metal ferrule into a predetermined length, and an outer processing step of performing outer processing on the cut part. Manufacturing method.

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