JP2006119293A - Optical connector assembling tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector assembling tool, wherein it can be checked whether or not dust or the like is stuck to the tip end face of an optical fiber before the optical fiber is adhered/fixed to a connector ferrule. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector assembling tool 1 is equipped with: a ferrule holder 6 which is positioned on a base 5 and holds a connector ferrule 4; a slider 8 which is positioned movably toward the ferrule holder 6 on the base 5 and has a positioning member holder 10 for holding a positioning member 9; a coated optical fiber holder 11 which is mounted on the ferrule holder 6 on the side opposite to the slider 8 relative to the ferrule holder 6 and holds a coated optical fiber ribbon 2; and a fiber tester 39 which is mounted freely attachably/detachably on the base 5, for observing and inspecting the tip end face of each optical fiber 3 inserted into each fiber hole of the connector ferrule 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector assembly tool for assembling an optical connector by fixing an optical fiber exposed from a tip portion of an optical fiber core wire to a connector ferrule.

As a conventional optical connector assembly tool, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 is known. The optical connector assembling tool described in this document has a positioning block and a connector housing housed in a groove of a base, and the end surface of the bare fiber exposed from the tape core inserted in the connector housing is pushed into the positioning block. In this state, the bare fiber and the connector housing are fixed with an adhesive or the like.
JP-A-9-197190

  By the way, when assembling an optical connector with the optical connector assembling tool as described above, dust or scratches may be attached to the tip surface of the optical fiber. However, conventionally, after an optical fiber is bonded and fixed to a connector housing (connector ferrule) to complete the optical connector, the connection end surface of the connector ferrule is merely checked for the presence of dust or the like. For this reason, the problem that the defective product of the optical connector by the defect of an optical fiber will increase arises.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector assembling tool capable of confirming whether dust or the like is attached to the tip surface of an optical fiber before fixing the optical fiber to a connector ferrule.

  The present invention inserts the optical fiber exposed from the tip of the optical fiber core wire into the fiber hole of the connector ferrule, positions the optical fiber and the positioning member so that the tip of the optical fiber is positioned, and the optical fiber is in that state. An optical connector assembling tool for fixing to a connector ferrule, provided on a base, a ferrule holding part for holding the connector ferrule, and a positioning member provided on the base so as to be movable toward the ferrule holding part and holding a positioning member An optical fiber that is disposed on the opposite side of the positioning member holding portion with respect to the holding portion and the ferrule holding portion, holds the optical fiber core wire, and is detachably attached to the base and inserted into the fiber hole And a fiber inspector for observing and inspecting the front end surface.

  When assembling the optical fiber core wire to the connector ferrule using such an optical connector assembling tool, the connector ferrule is first held by the ferrule holding portion and the positioning member is held by the positioning member holding portion. And after inserting the optical fiber exposed from the front-end | tip part of an optical fiber core wire in the fiber hole of a connector ferrule, an optical fiber core wire is hold | maintained with a core wire holding part. Subsequently, the fiber inspection device is attached to the base, and the tip surface of the optical fiber is observed and inspected by the fiber inspection device. Subsequently, the fiber tester is removed from the base. Then, the positioning member holding portion is moved toward the ferrule holding portion, the positioning member and the optical fiber are brought into contact with each other, and the tip position of the optical fiber is positioned. In this state, the optical fiber is fixed to the connector ferrule with an adhesive, for example. Thereafter, the positioning member holding portion is returned to the original position, and the connector ferrule with the optical fiber core wire assembled is removed from the ferrule holding portion.

  Since the optical fiber is inserted into the fiber hole of the connector ferrule in this way and the front end surface of the optical fiber is observed by a fiber inspection device, dust and dirt are collected on the front end surface of the optical fiber before fixing the optical fiber to the connector ferrule. It is possible to check whether there are any scratches. In addition, when the tip of the optical fiber is positioned by moving the positioning member holding part toward the ferrule holding part, the fiber tester is removed from the base, so that the fiber tester becomes an obstacle to the subsequent work. There is nothing.

  Preferably, the fiber inspection device is a base that is detachable from the base, a microscope that is attached to the base and that magnifies the tip surface of the optical fiber, is supported by the base, and is reflected by the tip surface of the optical fiber. And a reflecting mirror that reflects the reflected light toward the microscope.

  In such a configuration, when light is applied to the tip surface of the optical fiber, the light reflected by the tip surface is reflected by the reflection mirror, and the reflected light is incident on the microscope. Therefore, the distal end surface of the optical fiber can be easily and reliably enlarged and observed with a microscope.

  At this time, preferably, the base is configured to be attached to the base even in a state of being directed to the opposite side with respect to the base.

  When the base is attached to the base with the base facing 180 ° opposite to the base from the state where the base is attached to the base so that the reflection mirror faces the ferrule holding part, the reflection mirror and the positioning member holding part Come to face each other. In this case, when light is applied to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber of the positioning member, the light reflected by the distal end surface is reflected by the reflection mirror, and the reflected light enters the microscope. Accordingly, since the distal end surface of the positioning fiber can be enlarged and observed with a microscope, it is possible to easily check whether dust is attached to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber. Thereby, when the optical fiber and the positioning fiber of the positioning member are abutted with each other, it is possible to prevent dust attached to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber from moving to the distal end surface of the optical fiber.

  Further, the reflection mirror may be configured to be supported by the base so as to be rotatable around the axis of the base.

  When the base is attached to the base so that the reflection mirror faces the ferrule holding part, when the reflection mirror is rotated 180 ° around the axis of the base, the reflection mirror faces the positioning member holding part. Become. Accordingly, in this case as well, since the distal end surface of the positioning fiber can be enlarged and observed with a microscope as described above, it is possible to easily confirm whether dust is attached to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber. Thereby, when the optical fiber and the positioning fiber of the positioning member are abutted with each other, it is possible to prevent dust attached to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber from moving to the distal end surface of the optical fiber.

  Preferably, the fiber inspection device is supported by the base, a base that is detachable from the base, a microscope that is attached to the base, and that magnifies and observes the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the positioning fiber. A first reflecting mirror that reflects the light reflected by the tip surface of the optical fiber toward the microscope, and a second reflecting mirror that is supported by the substrate and reflects the light reflected by the tip surface of the positioning fiber toward the microscope And have.

  In such a configuration, when light is applied to the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the positioning fiber, the light reflected by the tip surface of the optical fiber is reflected by the first reflecting mirror, and the reflected light enters the microscope. At the same time, the light reflected by the distal end surface of the positioning fiber is reflected by the second reflecting mirror, and the reflected light is incident on the microscope. Therefore, the front end surface of the optical fiber and the front end surface of the positioning fiber can be magnified and observed simultaneously with a microscope. Thereby, it is possible to simultaneously check whether dust or the like is attached to the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the positioning fiber.

  Further, preferably, an adhesive container which is detachably attached to the base instead of the fiber tester and contains an adhesive for fixing the optical fiber to the connector ferrule is positioned above the window hole portion of the connector ferrule. And a container holding member for holding the container.

  In such a configuration, when the optical fiber is bonded and fixed to the connector ferrule with an adhesive, the container holding member is attached to the base, and the adhesive container containing the adhesive is positioned above the window hole of the connector ferrule. So that the container holding member holds it. In this state, the adhesive in the adhesive container is dropped toward the window hole portion of the connector ferrule, and the connector ferrule is filled with the adhesive. This makes it possible to easily apply the adhesive to the window hole of the connector ferrule even in a poor working environment, so that the adhesive is accidentally dropped on the connector ferrule other than the window hole. Can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, since the fiber tester that is detachably attached to the base is provided, the optical fiber tip surface is fixed before fixing the optical fiber exposed from the tip portion of the optical fiber core wire to the connector ferrule. It is possible to check whether or not there is any trash on it. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective optical connectors due to optical fiber defects.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an optical connector assembling tool according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an optical connector assembly tool according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when a part of the optical connector assembly tool shown in FIG. These are top views except a part of optical connector assembly tool shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. In each figure, the optical connector assembling tool 1 of the present embodiment is such that the tip end surfaces of a plurality of optical fibers 3 exposed by removing the coating of the tip end portion of the optical fiber ribbon 2 are used as the connection end surfaces of the connector ferrule 4. It is a handy type tool for positioning with respect to the wire and connecting with an instantaneous adhesive.

  The optical connector assembling tool 1 includes a base 5, and the base 5 is provided with a ferrule holding portion 6 that holds the connector ferrule 4. Further, the base 5 has a groove portion 7 opened on the upper surface, and the lower portion of the slider 8 is accommodated in the groove portion 7. The slider 8 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the base 5 along the groove portion 7 so as to approach and separate from the ferrule holding portion 6. The slider 8 is provided with a positioning member holding portion 10 that holds the positioning member 9.

  Furthermore, a core wire holding portion 11 that holds the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is attached to the base 5. The core wire holding portion 11 is disposed on the opposite side of the slider 8 with respect to the ferrule holding portion 6 and is inclined in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2) with respect to the ferrule holding portion 6. The ferrule holding part 6 is rotatably supported via a vertical rotation shaft 12.

  The connector ferrule 4 held by the ferrule holding unit 6 is an MT ferrule here. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connector ferrule 4 has a plurality of fiber holes 13 extending rearward from the connection end face (front end face) 4 a. Each optical fiber 3 exposed from the tip end portion of the optical fiber ribbon 2 is inserted into each fiber hole 13 from behind. The connector ferrule 4 is provided with a plurality of guide grooves 15 for guiding each optical fiber 3 introduced from the fiber introduction port 14 to each fiber hole 13. Further, an adhesive filling window hole 16 for pouring the instantaneous adhesive into the connector ferrule 4 is formed on the upper surface of the connector ferrule 4.

  A pair of guide holes 17 into which guide pins 21 (described later) of the positioning member 9 are inserted are provided on both sides of the plurality of fiber holes 13 in the connector ferrule 4. Each guide hole 17 is formed so as to penetrate from the front end face 4 a to the rear end face 4 b of the connector ferrule 4. Further, a flange 18 is provided on the rear end side of the connector ferrule 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning member 9 held by the positioning member holding unit 10 includes a dummy ferrule 19 having the same structure as the connector ferrule 4 and a plurality of positioning fibers inserted into the fiber holes of the dummy ferrule 19. 20 and a pair of guide pins 21 inserted into the guide holes of the dummy ferrule 19. The positioning fiber 20 is fixed to the dummy ferrule 19 with an adhesive while protruding slightly from the front end surface 19a of the dummy ferrule 19 (for example, about 5 μm).

  Returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, the ferrule holding part 6 has a holding part main body 23 having a ferrule housing recess 22 for placing the connector ferrule 4. When the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is assembled to the connector ferrule 4, the rubber boot 24 is fitted into the fiber introduction port 14 of the connector ferrule 4. For this reason, the ferrule accommodation recessed part 22 has a level | step difference corresponding to the shape of the connector ferrule 4 with which the rubber boot 24 is attached.

  The ferrule holding part 6 has a clamp lever 25 that clamps the connector ferrule 4 placed in the ferrule housing recess 22. The clamp lever 25 can move in the lateral direction of the base 5 via a connecting member (not shown) by pressing the operation button 26. The clamp lever 25 clamps the connector ferrule 4 by locking the flange portion 18 of the connector ferrule 4 at the tip. This prevents the connector ferrule 4 from coming out of the ferrule housing recess 22.

  The slider 8 that can move so as to be close to and away from the ferrule holding part 6 is arranged in the above-mentioned positioning member holding part 10 and the front and rear of the base 5 via a spring 27 with respect to the positioning member holding part 10. And a moving frame 28 provided so as to be freely displaceable in the direction.

  The positioning member holding part 10 has a mounting table 29 on which the positioning member 9 is placed. The positioning member 9 is placed on the mounting table 29 so that the connection end surface 19a of the dummy ferrule 19 faces the connection end surface 4a of the connector ferrule 4 attached to the ferrule holding portion 6 at the same height position. The mounting table 29 has a floating function (not shown). Accordingly, even if there is a slight misalignment between the connector ferrule 4 and the positioning member 9, the guide pin 21 of the positioning member 9 can be inserted into the guide hole 17 of the connector ferrule 4.

  Further, the slider 8 moves toward the ferrule holding part 6 to lock the position of the moving frame 28 (not shown) when the dummy ferrule 19 of the positioning member 9 is brought into contact with the connector ferrule 4. )have. The base 5 is provided with a release button 30 for unlocking the moving frame 28.

  The core wire holding part 11 disposed on the opposite side of the slider 8 with respect to the ferrule holding part 6 has a holding part main body 31. A fiber guide groove 32 that extends in the front-rear direction of the base 5 and accommodates the optical fiber ribbon 2 is provided on the upper surface of the holding portion main body 31. An attachment rod 33 extending along the fiber guide groove 32 is disposed on one side of the fiber guide groove 32 on the upper surface of the holding body 31. The attachment rod 33 has a core feeding lid 34 for pressing the optical fiber ribbon 2 accommodated in the fiber guide groove 32 from above, and a core for clamping the optical fiber ribbon 2 accommodated in the fiber guide groove 32. A wire fixing lid 35 is attached.

  The core wire feed lid 34 is movable along the attachment rod 33 in the front-rear direction of the core wire holding part 11 (extending direction of the fiber guide groove 32). Thereby, the optical fiber ribbon 2 accommodated in the fiber guide groove 32 can be moved in the front-rear direction of the core holder 11 while being pressed by the core feed lid 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the core wire feed lid 34 has a shaft hole 36 through which the attachment rod 33 passes, and is rotatably supported by the attachment rod 33.

  The core wire fixing lid 35 is rotatably supported by the mounting rod 33 on the rear side of the core wire feeding lid 34 (on the side opposite to the ferrule holding portion 6 with respect to the core wire feeding lid 34). The core wire fixing lid 35 is spaced apart from the core wire feed lid 34, and the core wire pressing portion 37 that presses the optical fiber tape core wire 2 accommodated in the fiber guide groove 32 from above, and the core wire pressing portion 37. And a feed lid pressing portion 38 that extends along the fiber guide groove 32 and presses the core wire feeding lid 34 from above. The feed lid pressing portion 38 is configured to extend on the side of the fiber guide groove 32 when the core wire fixing lid 35 is closed.

  The optical connector assembly tool 1 includes a fiber inspection device 39 that is detachably attached to the base 5, and a container holding member 40 that is detachably attached to the base 5 in place of the fiber inspection device 39.

  The fiber inspection device 39 is for observing and inspecting the front end surface of each optical fiber 3 inserted into each fiber hole 13 of the connector ferrule 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the fiber inspection device has a base body 41 having a cylindrical shape. A pair of iron pieces 42 (see FIG. 15) that can be attached to and detached from the base 5 are provided at the lower end of the base body 41. The outer surface of each iron piece 42 has a curved cross section.

  On the front surface side of the ferrule holding portion 6 in the base 5, fixing concave portions 43 for receiving and fixing the iron pieces 42 of the base body 41 are formed in the side wall portions 5 a on both sides of the base 5. Each fixing recess 43 has a shape corresponding to each iron piece 42. Magnets 44 having a strong magnetic force for attracting each iron piece 42 are provided at the bottom of each fixing recess 43. The magnet 44 is embedded in the side wall portion 5a. With such a configuration, when the iron pieces 42 of the base body 41 are accommodated in the fixing recesses 43, the base body 41 can be fixed so as not to move.

  Inside the base body 41, a microscope 45 for magnifying and observing the tip surface of each optical fiber 3 is arranged. For example, the microscope 45 can observe an object by magnifying the object 100 to 200 times. The microscope 45 is fixed to the base body 41 with bolts, lifting levers or the like. The base body 41 is provided with a vertical adjustment lever 46 for shifting the microscope 45 in the height direction of the base body 41.

  Further, the fiber inspection device 39 includes a light source 47 that irradiates light on the tip surface of each optical fiber 3 and a mirror including a reflection mirror 48 that reflects the light reflected by the tip surface of each optical fiber 3 toward the microscope 45. Member 49.

  The mirror member 49 is made of, for example, a material that transmits light. The reflective mirror 48 is formed by depositing a reflective film only on the portion of the mirror member 49 where the reflected light from the connector ferrule 4 strikes. The light source 47 is disposed inside the mirror member 49. In addition, the arrangement | positioning location of the light source 47 may be the base | substrate 41, if the front end surface of each optical fiber 3 can be illuminated. Further, without providing the light source 47 in the fiber inspection device 39, an operator may prepare a separate light source.

  The mirror member 49 is fixed to a mirror mounting plate 50 extending in a bent shape toward the lower side of the base body 41. The mirror mounting plate 50 is fixed to a mirror moving ring 51 provided rotatably with respect to the base body 41 by a fixing tool 52 such as a bolt. Accordingly, when the mirror moving ring 51 is rotated with respect to the base body 41, the mirror member 49 (reflection mirror 48) rotates about the axis of the base body 41 with respect to the base body 41. Therefore, by rotating the mirror moving ring 51 with respect to the base body 41, the reflection mirror 48 can be made to face the ferrule holding part 6 in a state where the fiber inspection device 39 is attached to the base 5 (see FIG. 14). ), And the reflecting mirror 48 can be opposed to the positioning member holding portion 10 (see FIG. 16).

  Further, the pair of fixing recesses 43 formed in the base 5 are symmetrical with respect to the front-rear direction of the base 5. For this reason, even if the base 41 is turned 180 ° in the front-rear direction with respect to the base 5 from the state in which the reflection mirror 48 faces the ferrule holder 6 as shown in FIG. 42 can be accommodated in each fixing recess 43. That is, the reflecting mirror 48 can be made to face the positioning member holding part 10 by rotating the direction of the fiber inspector 39 itself 180 ° without rotating the mirror moving ring 51.

  When the fiber inspection device 39 is attached to the base 5 so that the reflection mirror 48 faces the ferrule holding unit 6, the light emitted from the light source 47 is reflected by the tip surface of each optical fiber 3. Then, the reflected light is further reflected by the reflecting mirror 48 and is incident on the microscope 45 positioned above (see FIG. 14). On the other hand, when the fiber inspection device 39 is attached to the base 5 so that the reflection mirror 48 faces the positioning member holding portion 10, the light emitted from the light source 47 is reflected by the tip surface of each positioning fiber 20. . The reflected light is further reflected by the reflecting mirror 48 and enters the microscope 45 (see FIG. 16).

  At this time, the sum of the distance between the optical fiber 3 and the positioning fiber 20 and the reflection mirror 48 and the distance between the reflection mirror 48 and the microscope 45 is designed to be equal to the working distance of the microscope 45. Yes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, only by looking through the observation surface 45a of the microscope 45, the tip surface of each optical fiber 3 or the tip surface of each positioning fiber 20 can be accurately observed. Note that when the optical fiber 3 is actually inserted into the fiber hole 13 of the connector ferrule 4, the tip position of the optical fiber 3 may be slightly shifted (for example, about ± 0.5 mm). The height position of the microscope 45 is adjusted by the vertical adjustment lever 46 according to the amount.

  A container holding member 40 detachably attached to the base 5 in place of the fiber inspection device 39 holds an adhesive container 53 containing an instantaneous adhesive for bonding and fixing the optical fiber 3 to the connector ferrule 4. Is. As shown in FIG. 2, the container holding member 40 includes a U-shaped main body 54 and a holding arm 55 that is fixed to the main body 54 and holds the adhesive container 53 in a suspended state. .

  The lower end portion of the main body portion 54 is housed and fixed in a portion on the ferrule holding portion 6 side in a pair of fixing recesses 43 provided on the base 5. The main body 54 is made of a magnetic material such as iron. As a result, the main body 54 is sufficiently attracted to the magnet 44 provided at the bottom of the fixing recess 43, so that the container holding member 40 can be firmly fixed to the base 5. The holding arm 55 extends toward the core wire holding portion 11 and suspends the adhesive container 53 at a position above the window hole portion 16 of the connector ferrule 4 in a state where the main body portion 54 is accommodated in the fixing concave portion 43. It is configured as follows.

  Next, a procedure for assembling an optical connector by assembling the optical fiber ribbon 2 to the connector ferrule 4 using the optical connector assembly tool 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the connector ferrule 4 is attached to the ferrule holding part 6 and the positioning member 9 is attached to the positioning member holding part 10 of the slider 8, as shown in FIG. Each of the optical fibers 3 exposed from the tip of each is inserted into each fiber hole 13 of the connector ferrule 4.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is accommodated in the fiber guide groove 32 with the core wire feed lid 34 and the core wire fixing lid 35 opened in the core wire holding portion 11. . Thereafter, the core wire feeding lid 34 is rotated and closed, and the optical fiber tape core wire 2 is pressed by the core wire feeding lid 34.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the core wire feed lid 34 is moved toward the ferrule holding unit 6 while pressing the core wire feed lid 34 with a finger and holding the optical fiber ribbon 2. Then, the optical fiber ribbon 2 is advanced, and each optical fiber 3 is inserted into each fiber hole 13 of the connector ferrule 4. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, each optical fiber 3 is inserted into the connector ferrule 4 from a rubber boot 24 incorporated in the fiber introduction port 14 of the connector ferrule 4, and the tip portion of each optical fiber 3 is a connector ferrule by a predetermined length. 4 through each fiber hole 13 so as to protrude from the front end face 4a.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the core wire fixing lid 35 is rotated and closed, and a part of the optical fiber ribbon 2 is pressed and clamped by the core wire pressing portion 37 of the core wire fixing lid 35. At the same time, the core wire feed lid 34 is pressed and clamped by the feed lid pressing portion 38 of the core wire fixing lid 35.

  Next, the fiber inspection device 39 is attached to the base 5, and the front end surface of each optical fiber 3 of the connector ferrule 4 and the front end surface of each positioning fiber 20 of the positioning member holding portion 10 are inspected by the fiber inspection device 39. Specifically, first, each iron piece 42 of the base body 41 is accommodated in each fixing recess 43 of the base 5 so that the reflection mirror 48 of the fiber inspection device 39 faces the connector ferrule 4 attached to the ferrule holding unit 6. . Then, the light source 47 is turned on, and the distal end surface of the optical fiber 3 is enlarged and observed by the microscope 45.

  At this time, if dust adheres to the tip surface of the optical fiber 3 or a scratch or chip is generated, the optical fiber ribbon 2 is replaced. That is, the optical fiber tape core wire 2 currently attached to the connector ferrule 4 is removed, and another optical fiber tape core wire 2 is accommodated in the fiber guide groove 32 in the same manner as described above. The optical fiber 3 is inserted into each fiber hole 13 of the connector ferrule 4.

  Subsequently, each iron piece 42 of the base body 41 is accommodated in each fixing recess 43 of the base 5 so that the reflection mirror 48 is opposed to the positioning member 9 mounted on the positioning member holding portion 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the mirror moving ring 51 is rotated, and the mirror member 49 is rotated by 180 ° around the axis of the base body 41 with respect to the base body 41, whereby the reflecting mirror 48 is positioned. Alternatively, the reflecting mirror 48 may be opposed to the positioning member 9 by directing the fiber inspection device 39 itself to the opposite side by 180 °.

  Then, the light source 47 is turned on, and the distal end surface of the positioning fiber 20 is magnified and observed with the microscope 45. At this time, if dust adheres to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber 20 or a scratch or chip is generated, the positioning member 9 itself is replaced.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the connection end surface 19 a of the dummy ferrule 19 of the positioning member 9 is pressed against the connection end surface 4 a of the connector ferrule 4 to position the tip position of each optical fiber 3.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the fiber inspection device 39 is first removed from the base 5. The guide pin 21 of the positioning member 9 is fitted into the guide hole 17 of the connector ferrule 4 by advancing the slider 8 toward the ferrule holding part 6 by hand, and the dummy ferrule 19 and the connector ferrule 4 are brought into contact with each other. Let

  Then, the distal end surface of each positioning fiber 20 slightly protruding from the connection end surface 19 a of the dummy ferrule 19 abuts with the distal end surface of each optical fiber 3 inserted into the connector ferrule 4. For this reason, although each optical fiber 3 moves backward, since the optical fiber ribbon 2 is pressed by the core feeding lid 34 and the core fixing lid 35, the core feeding lid 34 and the core fixing lid 35 The optical fiber tape core wire 2 bends upward between the core wire pressing portion 37. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the tip position of each optical fiber 3 is retracted into the connector ferrule 4 from the connection end face 4 a of the connector ferrule 4 by the same length as the protruding amount of the positioning fiber 20.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, an adhesive container 53 containing the adhesive S is prepared, and the adhesive S is applied into the connector ferrule 4 from the window hole portion 16 of the connector ferrule 4 and cured.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the container holding member 40 is attached to the fixing recess 43 of the base 5, and the adhesive container 53 is held by the holding arm 55 of the container holding member 40. Then, the adhesive S is dropped from the nozzle of the adhesive container 53 into the window hole portion 16 of the connector ferrule 4 to fill the connector ferrule 4 with the adhesive S. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, each optical fiber 3 is bonded and fixed to the connector ferrule 4, and the optical connector 56 is completed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10 (d), the slider 8 is moved to the rear of the base 5 so as to be away from the ferrule holder 6, and the positioning member 9 is released from the optical connector 56. Then, in a state where the operation button 26 of the ferrule holding part 6 is pushed and the locking of the flange 18 of the connector ferrule 4 by the clamp lever 25 is released, for example, the optical fiber ribbon 2 is lifted to hold the optical connector 56 with the ferrule. Remove from part 6.

  In the above assembly procedure, after each optical fiber 3 of the optical fiber ribbon 2 is inserted into the connector ferrule 4 and the optical fiber ribbon 2 is clamped by the core holder 37 of the core fixing lid 35. Although the fiber inspection device 39 is attached to the base 5, the fiber inspection device 39 may be attached to the base 5 from the beginning.

  In the optical connector assembling tool 1 as described above, the fiber tester 39 that is detachably attached to the base 5 is provided, and after inserting each optical fiber 3 into the connector ferrule 4, each optical fiber 3 is inserted by the fiber tester 39. Since the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 3 are observed, it is possible to know whether dust or the like is attached to the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 3 before the optical fibers 3 are bonded and fixed to the connector ferrule 4. At this time, if dust or the like is attached to the front end surface of the optical fiber 3, the optical fiber 3 attached with the dust or the like is directly attached to the connector ferrule 4 by replacing the optical fiber ribbon 2 assembled to the connector ferrule 4. It is possible to prevent adhesion and fixing. Thereby, it is possible to avoid that the completed optical connector 56 is wasted as a defective product due to a defect in the optical fiber 3.

  Further, since the tip surface of each positioning fiber 20 is also observed by the fiber inspection device 39, dust or the like is attached to the tip surface of each positioning fiber 20 before each optical fiber 3 is bonded and fixed to the connector ferrule 4. You can also know. At this time, when dust or the like is attached to the distal end surface of the positioning fiber 20, the distal end of the positioning fiber 20 is replaced when each optical fiber 3 and each positioning fiber 20 are abutted by replacing the positioning member 9 itself. It is possible to prevent dust adhering to the surface from adhering to the tip surface of the optical fiber 3.

  Furthermore, since the container holding member 40 that is detachably attached to the base 5 is provided instead of the fiber inspection device 39, the adhesive S is applied to the connector ferrule 4 with the adhesive container 53 in hand. The application operation of the adhesive S is facilitated. For this reason, it is possible to easily and reliably apply the adhesive S to the window hole portion 16 of the connector ferrule 4 even in a place with a poor working environment such as a cold place or a dark place. As a result, it is possible to prevent the adhesive S from being accidentally dropped around the window hole 16 on the outer surface of the connector ferrule 4 or leaking the adhesive S from the window hole 16. It is possible to avoid being wasted as a good product.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, a defective product of the optical connector 56 due to a defect in the optical fiber 3 or the positioning member 9 and a defective product of the optical connector 56 due to a failure in applying the adhesive S are generated. It becomes possible to prevent.

  Further, since the fiber inspection device 39 and the container holding member 40 can be attached to and detached from the base 5, the fiber inspection device 39 and the container holding member 40 interfere with the operation during the assembly operation of the optical connector 56. There is no. Thereby, the assembly work of the optical connector 56 can be smoothly performed without taking much time.

  FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the optical connector assembly tool according to the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent members as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, an optical connector assembly tool 60 of this embodiment includes a fiber inspection device 61 instead of the fiber inspection device 39 in the above-described embodiment. The fiber inspection device 61 has a base body 62 having a cylindrical shape, and a pair of iron pieces 63 (only one is shown in the figure) having the same structure as the iron piece 42 in the above-described embodiment is provided at the lower end portion of the base body 62. Is provided.

  These iron pieces 63 are connected to a mirror mounting plate 64, and a mirror member 65 is fixed to the mirror mounting plate 64. A light source 47 is arranged inside the mirror member 65. The mirror member 65 includes a reflection mirror 66A that reflects light reflected from the distal end surface of the optical fiber 3 toward the microscope 45, and a reflection mirror that reflects light reflected from the distal end surface of the positioning fiber 20 toward the microscope 45. 66B. The material of the mirror member 65 and the method of forming the reflection mirrors 66A and 66B are the same as, for example, the mirror member 49 and the reflection mirror 48 in the above-described embodiment.

  In a state in which such a fiber inspection device 61 is attached to the base 5, as shown in FIG. 23, by looking into the observation surface 45 a of the microscope 45, the tip surface of each optical fiber 3 and the tip surface of each positioning fiber 20 Can be observed simultaneously. Thereby, it can be confirmed simultaneously whether the front end surface of each optical fiber 3 and the front end surface of each positioning fiber 20 have dust. Therefore, it is possible to save the labor of changing the direction of the reflecting mirror.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the fiber testers 39 and 61 and the container holding member 40 are fixed to the base 5 with the magnet 44. However, the fiber testers 39 and 61 and the container holding member 40 are detachable from the base 5. The means for attaching may be screwing or the like.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the positioning member 9 shall have the dummy ferrule 19 of the same structure as the connector ferrule 4, as the positioning member 9, what has a structure different from the connector ferrule 4 may be used. . Further, the member to be abutted with the optical fiber 3 inserted into the connector ferrule 4 is not limited to the positioning fiber 20 described above, and may be a metal rod or a plastic rod having the same diameter as the optical fiber 3.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the optical fiber 3 is bonded and fixed to the connector ferrule 4 in a state where the distal end surface of the optical fiber 3 is retracted into the connector ferrule 4, but the distal end surface of the optical fiber 3 is the connector ferrule 4. The connection end face 4 a may be flush with the connection end face 4 a, or the optical fiber 3 may protrude from the connection end face 4 a of the connector ferrule 4.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multi-fiber optical fiber ribbon 2 is assembled to the connector ferrule 4. However, the optical connector assembly tool of the present invention can be used to assemble a single-fiber optical fiber to the connector ferrule. Applicable.

It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the optical connector assembly tool concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing when a part of optical connector assembly tool shown in FIG. 1 is replaced. It is a top view except a part of optical connector assembly tool shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is a perspective view of the connector ferrule shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is sectional drawing of the connector ferrule shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the positioning member shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the observation surface of the microscope shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the procedure of assembling an optical connector using the optical connector assembly tool shown in FIGS. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which accommodated the optical fiber tape core wire in the fiber guide groove shown in FIG. 1, and closed the core wire sending lid. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which moved the core wire sending cover shown in FIG. 11, and inserted the optical fiber in the connector ferrule. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which inserted the optical fiber in the connector ferrule shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the fiber tester shown in FIG. 1 to the base so that a reflective mirror might oppose a ferrule holding | maintenance part. It is a top view including the partial cross section which shows the state which attached the fiber tester shown in FIG. 1 to the base so that a reflective mirror might oppose a ferrule holding | maintenance part. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached to the base so that a reflection mirror might oppose a positioning member holding | maintenance part with the fiber tester shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which removed the fiber tester shown in FIG. 16 from the base, moved the slider, and pressed the positioning member against the connector ferrule. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which prescribed | regulated the front-end | tip position of the optical fiber shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the container holding member shown in FIG. 2 to the base. It is a top view including the partial cross section which shows the state which attached the container holding member shown in FIG. 2 to the base. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which bonded and fixed the optical fiber to the connector ferrule shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the optical connector assembly tool concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the observation surface of the microscope shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector assembly tool, 2 ... Optical fiber ribbon (optical fiber core), 3 ... Optical fiber, 4 ... Connector ferrule, 5 ... Base, 6 ... Ferrule holding part, 8 ... Slider, 9 ... Positioning member, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Positioning member holding part, 11 ... Core wire holding part, 13 ... Fiber hole, 20 ... Positioning fiber, 39 ... Fiber tester, 40 ... Container holding member, 41 ... Base | substrate, 42 ... Iron piece, 43 ... Recessed recessed part, 44 ... Magnet, 45 ... Microscope, 48 ... Reflecting mirror, 49 ... Mirror member, 50 ... Mirror mounting plate, 51 ... Mirror moving ring, 52 ... Fixing tool, 53 ... Adhesive container, 54 ... Body part, 55 ... Holding arm , 60 ... Optical connector assembly tool, 61 ... Fiber inspection device, 62 ... Base, 63 ... Iron piece, 64 ... Mirror mounting plate, 65 ... Mirror member, 66A ... Reflection mirror (first reflection mirror), 66 ... reflection mirror (the second reflection mirror).

Claims (6)

The optical fiber exposed from the tip portion of the optical fiber core wire is inserted into the fiber hole of the connector ferrule, the optical fiber and the positioning member are abutted to position the tip of the optical fiber, and in this state, the optical fiber is An optical connector assembly tool for fixing to a connector ferrule,
A ferrule holding part that is provided on the base and holds the connector ferrule;
A positioning member holding portion that is provided on the base so as to be movable toward the ferrule holding portion and holds the positioning member;
A core wire holding portion which is disposed on the opposite side of the positioning member holding portion with respect to the ferrule holding portion and holds the optical fiber core wire;
An optical connector assembling tool, comprising: a fiber inspection device that is detachably attached to the base and that inspects and inspects the tip end surface of the optical fiber inserted into the fiber hole.   The fiber inspection device includes a base that is detachable from the base, a microscope that is attached to the base and for magnifying the tip surface of the optical fiber, and is supported by the base, and the tip surface of the optical fiber. The optical connector assembling tool according to claim 1, further comprising a reflection mirror that reflects the light reflected by the microscope toward the microscope.   3. The optical connector assembling tool according to claim 2, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the base even when facing toward the opposite side with respect to the base.   3. The optical connector assembling tool according to claim 2, wherein the reflection mirror is supported by the base so as to be rotatable about an axis of the base.   The fiber inspection device includes a base that is detachable from the base, a microscope that is attached to the base, and that magnifies the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the positioning fiber, and is supported by the base. A first reflection mirror that reflects the light reflected by the distal end surface of the optical fiber toward the microscope, and a light that is supported by the base and reflected by the distal end surface of the positioning fiber toward the microscope. The optical connector assembling tool according to claim 1, further comprising a second reflecting mirror for reflecting.   An adhesive container, which is detachably attached to the base instead of the fiber tester and contains an adhesive for fixing the optical fiber to the connector ferrule, is positioned above the window hole of the connector ferrule. The optical connector assembling tool according to claim 1, further comprising a container holding member for holding the container.

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