JP2006106778A - Manufacturing equipment for multifiber polarization maintaining fiber assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate manufacturing of a multifiber polarization maintaining fiber assembly. <P>SOLUTION: The direction of polarization maintaining optical fibers 11, 12, in a state held on a holding device 100, is automatically adjusted by a direction adjuster 200, with the thermosetting resin thereafter heated by a heater 105 and hardened. As a result, direction adjustment and adhesive hardening can be automated to reduce the manufacturing time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically, a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly in which a polarization maintaining fiber having directionality is fixed to a multi-core ferrule can be easily manufactured. The present invention relates to a core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus.

Conventionally, a two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly in which two polarization maintaining fibers are fixed to one ferrule is manufactured as follows.
(1) The coatings at the ends of the two polarization maintaining fiber strands are each peeled to a length of several centimeters.
(2) A thermosetting resin is injected into the wire hole of the multi-core ferrule.
(3) Two polarization-maintaining fiber strands are inserted into the strand holes of the multi-core ferrule, and the polarization-maintaining fibers exposed by peeling off the coating are inserted into the fiber holes of the multi-core ferrule.
(4) The multi-core ferrule is held so as not to rotate, and each polarization maintaining fiber is axially rotated to adjust the direction of each polarization maintaining fiber.
(5) The multi-core ferrule is heated to cure the thermosetting resin.
JP-A-9-127390 JP-A-62-100711

The manufacturing method of the conventional two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly has the following problems.
(1) The work of adjusting the direction of each polarization maintaining fiber is complicated.
(2) The work of curing the thermosetting resin is complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus that can easily manufacture a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly in which a plurality of polarization maintaining fibers are fixed to a multi-core ferrule. is there.

In a first aspect, the present invention comprises a holding jig and a direction adjusting device, and the holding jig includes a ferrule holding means for holding the multi-core ferrule so as not to rotate the shaft, and a polarization holding fiber. An optical fiber holding means for holding the shaft so that the shaft can be rotated, and the direction adjusting device is configured to take an image of a front end face of the polarization maintaining fiber inserted in the multi-core ferrule held by the holding jig. Means, an image processing means for recognizing the direction of the polarization-maintaining fiber from the image of the front end surface of the polarization-maintaining fiber, and controlling the optical fiber holding means to rotate the polarization-maintaining fiber and rotate each polarization-maintaining fiber. There is provided a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus characterized by having direction adjustment control means for automatically adjusting the direction.
If the multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect is used, the direction of each polarization maintaining fiber is automatically adjusted, so that the working time can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the operator adjusts.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides the multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus having the above-described configuration, wherein the direction adjustment control unit has a stable time of 3 seconds or more after rotating the polarization maintaining fiber. An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly is provided, wherein the direction is checked after waiting to be performed.
The stabilization time is, for example, 3 seconds to 30 seconds.
Due to the viscosity of the thermosetting resin, twisting of the polarization-maintaining fiber, and its return, the polarization-maintaining fiber strand is The shaft rotation does not stop immediately, but stops after a time delay.
If the multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the second aspect is used, after the polarization-maintaining fiber is axially rotated, the thermosetting property is checked after waiting for a stable time to elapse. Adjustment is possible in consideration of the direction shift that occurs after the shaft rotation drive stops due to the viscosity of the resin.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides the multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus configured as described above, wherein the holding jig includes a heating unit that applies heat to the multi-core ferrule held by the ferrule holding unit. The direction adjusting device includes a heating control unit that controls the heating unit to heat and cure the thermosetting resin after the direction is adjusted.
If the multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the third aspect is used, the direction of each polarization maintaining fiber is automatically adjusted, and then the thermosetting resin is automatically heated and cured.・ Working time can be greatly reduced compared to heating.

According to the multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the direction of each polarization-maintaining fiber is automatically adjusted, the working time can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the operator adjusts the direction.
(2) Adjustment that takes into account the direction deviation of the polarization-maintaining fiber strand that occurs after the shaft rotation drive is stopped becomes possible.
(3) Since the thermosetting resin is automatically heated and cured following the automatic adjustment of the direction of each polarization-maintaining fiber, the working time can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the operator adjusts and heats.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

  FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing process of a two-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly using the multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus (300) according to the first embodiment.

Step P1 is a film peeling process.
As shown in FIG. 2, the coating 11b at the end of the first polarization maintaining fiber 11 is peeled off by, for example, 5 cm to expose the first polarization maintaining fiber 11a. The tip of the first polarization maintaining fiber 11a is cut vertically.
Similarly, the coating 12b at the end of the second polarization maintaining fiber 12 is peeled off by, for example, 4.5 cm to expose the first polarization maintaining fiber 12a. The tip of the second polarization maintaining fiber 12a is cut vertically.
Thereby, for example, a difference of 5 mm is attached to the lengths of the peeling portions 11c and 12c.

Step P2 is an integration process.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first polarization-maintaining fiber strand 11 and the second polarization-maintaining fiber strand 12 are inserted into the insertion holes 10a and 10b of the nylon holding tube 10, respectively, and the peeling portion base end 11d, 12d is aligned and held integrally. Accordingly, a step of, for example, 5 mm is provided between the first polarization maintaining fiber tip 11e and the second polarization maintaining fiber tip 12e. 3A is a view seen from the tip, and FIG. 3B is a view seen from the side.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the front end side of the insertion holes 10a and 10b is sealed with a thermosetting resin 4A having a relatively high viscosity. The thermosetting resin 4A is, for example, a trade name “High Super” (Cemedine), and has a viscosity of 38000 cps. 4A is a view seen from the tip, and FIG. 4B is a view seen from the side.

Step P3 is an adhesive injection process.
As shown in FIG. 5, a thermosetting resin 4 </ b> B having a relatively low viscosity is injected into the wire hole 1 a of the two-core ferrule 1 formed by fixing the ceramic body 3 to the tip side of the stainless steel tube 2. The thermosetting resin 4B is, for example, a trade name “3BND” (Epotech) and has a viscosity of 2000 cps. At this time, air is sucked by the vacuum pump from the tip side of the first fiber hole 31 and the second fiber hole 32, and the first fiber hole 31 and the second fiber hole 32 are also filled with the thermosetting resin 4B.

Step P4 is an optical fiber insertion step.
As shown in FIG. 6, the polarization-maintaining fiber strands 11 and 12 integrated with the holding tube 10 are inserted into the strand hole 1a of the two-core ferrule 1 into which the second thermosetting resin 4B is injected. The first polarization maintaining fiber tip 11 e is inserted into the first fiber hole 31. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the second polarization maintaining fiber tip 12 e is inserted into the second fiber hole 32. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8, the polarization maintaining fibers 11a and 12a are inserted into the fiber holes 31 and 32 until the polarization maintaining fiber tips 11e and 12e protrude.
Thereafter, the second thermosetting resin 4B attached to the first polarization maintaining fiber tip 11e and the second polarization maintaining fiber tip 12e is removed.

Step P5 is a direction adjustment process.
As shown in FIG. 9, the two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a holding jig 100 and a direction adjusting device 200.
First, the two-core ferrule 1 is held in the ferrule holding portion 103 of the holding jig 100. The two-core ferrule 1 is sandwiched and held from above and below so as not to rotate. Moreover, the illumination light 106 is provided so that illumination light may strike the coatings 11b and 12b of the polarization-maintaining fiber strands 11 and 12 immediately before entering the two-core ferrule 1.

  Next, the first polarization maintaining fiber strand 11 and the second polarization maintaining fiber 12 strand are held in the optical fiber holding portions 101 and 102 of the holding jig 100, respectively. The polarization maintaining fiber strands 11 and 12 are held between rollers from above and below. When the lower roller is rotated by the servo motors 101m and 102m, the polarization-maintaining fiber strands 11 and 12 can be axially rotated.

Next, the direction adjusting device 200 is operated.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the direction adjusting device 200.
In step Q1, the information processing unit 203 adjusts the focus of the microscope 201 and focuses on the first polarization maintaining fiber distal end surface 11e protruding from the two-core ferrule 1. An image of the first polarization maintaining fiber distal end surface 11e photographed by the microscope 201 is displayed on a half of the screen of the display 202 as shown in FIG.
In step Q2, the information processing unit 203 identifies the stress applying portions 11f and 11f of the first polarization maintaining fiber distal end surface 11e by image recognition, and as shown in FIG. The first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 are positioned.

In step Q <b> 3, the information processing unit 203 adjusts the focus of the microscope 201 and focuses on the second polarization maintaining fiber distal end surface 12 e protruding from the two-core ferrule 1. An image of the second polarization maintaining fiber distal end surface 12e photographed by the microscope 201 is displayed on half of the screen of the display 202 as shown in FIG.
In step Q4, the information processing unit 203 identifies the stress applying portions 12f and 12f of the second polarization maintaining fiber distal end surface 12e by image recognition, and as shown in FIG. The third pattern P3 and the fourth pattern P4 are positioned.

  In step Q5, the image processing unit 203 generates a first reference line L1 connecting the centers of the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2, as shown in FIG. In addition, a second reference line L2 connecting the centers of the third pattern P3 and the fourth pattern P4 is generated. Further, a third reference line L3 connecting the centers of the first reference line L1 and the second reference line L2 is generated.

In step Q6, as shown in FIG. 16, the image processing unit 203 performs the third rotation clockwise from the first reference line L1 and the first angle θ1 viewed from the third reference line L3 and the second reference line L2. A second angle θ2 viewed from the reference line L3 is calculated.
In step Q7, the image processing unit 203 determines whether the first angle difference (θ1−ψ1) between the first angle θ1 and the first target angle ψ1 set in advance by the operator is within an allowable range. Further, it is determined whether the second angle difference (θ2−ψ2) between the second angle θ2 and the second target angle ψ2 set in advance by the operator is within an allowable range. If both the first angle difference (θ1−ψ1) and the second angle difference (θ2−ψ2) are within the allowable range, the process proceeds to step Q11, and if not, the process proceeds to step Q8.

In step Q8, the image processing unit 203 determines the rotation angles φ1, φ2 of the servo motors 101m, 102m so that both the first angle difference (θ1-ψ1) and the second angle difference (θ2-ψ2) are within the allowable range. Calculate
In step Q9, the image processing unit 203 rotates the servo motors 101m and 102m by rotation angles φ1 and φ2 via the motor control unit 204.

In step Q10, the image processing unit 203 waits for a stable time (for example, 6 seconds) to elapse, and then returns to step Q6. Since this stabilization time is provided, after the servo motors 101m and 102m are stopped, it is possible to adjust the angle by taking into account the angular deviation of the polarization-maintaining fiber strands 11 and 12 caused by the viscosity of the thermosetting resin, and the stabilization time is provided. Convergence within the allowable range is faster than in the case of no.
For example, when the first target angle ψ1 = 90 ° and the second target angle ψ2 = 0 °, the directions of the polarization-maintaining fiber tip faces 11e and 12e are adjusted to the state shown in FIG.

  In step Q11, the image processing unit 203 waits for the confirmation time (for example, 30 seconds) to elapse before proceeding to step Q12. Since this confirmation time is provided, both the first angle difference (θ1−ψ1) and the second angle difference (θ2−ψ2) are within the allowable range by chance, and the steps Q8 to Q10 have never been performed. Even in this case, it can be confirmed whether both the first angle difference (θ1−ψ1) and the second angle difference (θ2−ψ2) are within the allowable range.

In step Q12, the image processing unit 203 calculates the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2.
In step Q13, the image processing unit 203 proceeds to step Q14 if both the first angle difference (θ1−ψ1) and the second angle difference (θ2−ψ2) are within the allowable range, and returns to step Q8 if not. .

In steps Q14 to Q16, the image processing unit 203 supplies power to the heater 105 through the heater control unit 205 while monitoring the temperature sensor 104, and heats and cures the thermosetting resins 4A and 4B. Turn off.
The heating condition by the heater 105 is, for example, 1 hour at 60 ° C. to 2 hours at 80 ° C. If the temperature is lower than 1 hour at 60 ° C. for a short time, curing becomes insufficient. On the other hand, if the temperature is set at 80 ° C. for a longer time and longer than 2 hours, the characteristics of the optical fibers 11 and 12 may be affected.

  After the step Q16, the two-core ferrule 1 and the polarization maintaining fibers 11 and 12 are removed from the holding jig 100, and the tip surface of the two-core ferrule 1 is polished.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the front end face of a symmetrical two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly 501 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 90 ° and ψ2 = 0 °.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the front end face of a symmetrical two-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly 502 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 0 ° and ψ2 = 0 °.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the front end face of a symmetric two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly 503 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 90 ° and ψ2 = 90 °.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a front end surface of an asymmetric type dual-polarization-maintaining fiber assembly 504 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 90 ° and ψ2 = 0 °.
FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing a front end surface of an asymmetric type dual-polarization-maintaining fiber assembly 505 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 0 ° and ψ2 = 0 °.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a front end surface of an asymmetric type dual-polarization-maintaining fiber assembly 506 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 90 ° and ψ2 = 90 °.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the distal end surface of an asymmetric type dual-polarization-maintaining fiber assembly 507 that can be manufactured when ψ1 = 0 ° and ψ2 = 90 °.

In the first embodiment, the two-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus 300 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a three-core or more polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus in the same manner as described above.
In the first embodiment, the panda type polarization maintaining fiber has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to other types of polarization maintaining fibers in the same manner as described above.

  The multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can be used for manufacturing a polarization maintaining fiber assembly having two or more cores.

It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the 2 core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly using the multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus concerning Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the polarization maintaining fiber strand for demonstrating a film peeling process. It is the front end view and side view of a holding tube for explaining the 1st step of an integration process. It is the front end view and side view of a holding tube for explaining the 2nd step of an integration process. It is sectional drawing of the 2 core ferrule for demonstrating an adhesive agent injection | pouring process. It is sectional drawing of the 2 core ferrule for demonstrating the 1st step of an optical fiber insertion process. It is sectional drawing of the 2 core ferrule for demonstrating the 2nd step of an optical fiber insertion process. It is sectional drawing of the 2 core ferrule for demonstrating the 3rd step of an optical fiber insertion process. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image of a 1st polarization maintaining fiber front end surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image recognition of the stress provision part of the 1st polarization maintaining fiber front end surface. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image of the 2nd polarization maintaining fiber front end surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image recognition of the stress provision part of the 2nd polarization-maintaining fiber front end surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the production | generation of the reference line for the direction adjustment of a polarization-maintaining fiber strand. It is explanatory drawing which shows the angle between reference lines for the direction adjustment of a polarization-maintaining fiber strand. It is a schematic diagram which shows the screen after the direction adjustment of a polarization maintaining fiber strand. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 1st example of the symmetrical type | mold 2-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 2nd example of the symmetrical type | mold 2-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 3rd example of the symmetrical 2 core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 1st example of the asymmetric type 2 core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 2nd example of the asymmetric type 2 core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 3rd example of the asymmetric type 2 core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front end surface of the 4th example of the asymmetric type 2 core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufactured by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 2 core ferrule 2 Stainless steel tube 3 Ceramic body 4A 1st thermosetting resin 4B 2nd thermosetting resin 10 Holding tube 11 1st polarization-maintaining fiber strand 11a 1st polarization-maintaining fiber 11b Coating 11e Tip surface 12 1st Two-polarization-maintaining fiber strand 12a Second polarization-maintaining fiber 12b Coating 12e Front end surface 31 First fiber hole 32 Second fiber hole 100 Holding jig 101, 102 Optical fiber holding part 101m, 102m Servo motor 103 Ferrule holding part 104 Temperature sensor 105 Heater 200 Direction adjusting device 201 Microscope 202 Display 203 Information processing unit 204 Motor control unit 205 Heater control unit 300 Two-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus

Claims (3)

A holding jig and a direction adjusting device are provided, and the holding jig includes a ferrule holding unit that holds the multi-core ferrule so as not to rotate about the axis, and an optical fiber that holds the polarization holding fiber so that the axis can be rotated. Holding means, and the direction adjusting device includes a photographing means for photographing a tip surface of the polarization maintaining fiber inserted in the multi-core ferrule held by the holding jig, and a tip surface of the polarization maintaining fiber. Image processing means for recognizing the direction of the polarization maintaining fiber from the image of the image, and direction adjustment control means for automatically adjusting the direction of each polarization maintaining fiber by controlling the optical fiber holding means to axially rotate the polarization maintaining fiber. An apparatus for producing a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly. The multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction adjustment control unit waits for a stable time of 3 seconds or more to pass after rotating the polarization-maintaining fiber to rotate the direction. An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-core polarization maintaining fiber assembly, wherein: 3. The multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding jig includes a heating unit that applies heat to the multi-core ferrule held by the ferrule holding unit, and the direction The adjustment device has a heating control means for controlling the heating means after the direction adjustment to heat and cure the thermosetting resin, and a multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber assembly manufacturing apparatus.

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