JP2009300610A - Optical fiber holding tool and mounting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress friction between an optical fiber and a through-hole of an optical connector when obtaining an inserting force Fi of the optical fiber. <P>SOLUTION: An intermediate part of an optical fiber F is held with a holding tool 1 having elastic blocks 14a, 14b. If the holding tool 1 slid to an optical connector, the elastic blocks 14a, 14b provided in the holding tool 1 are elastically deformed by friction with the optical fiber F when the holding tool 1 comes to a prescribed stopping position. The optical fiber F is pressed in the inserting direction by means of the elastic force of the elastic blocks 14a, 14b. Accordingly, while the friction is suppressed with the through-hole of the optical connector caused by the distortion of the optical fiber F, the desired inserting force Fi can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a holding jig for holding an optical fiber during assembly of an optical connector, and a mounting for inserting the optical fiber into the optical connector member and fixing the optical fiber to the optical connector member using a holding jig having a specific structure. Regarding the method.

  Corresponding to communication broadbandization, construction of an optical communication network mainly using an optical fiber as a signal transmission medium, such as an optical LAN (Local Area Network) and FTTH (Fiber To The Home), is rapidly progressing. In the construction of an optical communication network, connection between optical fibers is indispensable, and a connection method using fusion splicing or mechanical splice is used. In consideration of testing, maintenance, expansion, and optical path change of an optical communication network, connection means using an optical connector is often used. In the construction of optical communication networks, optical cables (fibers) with optical connectors manufactured in advance in the factory are not always available, but the sites where optical connectors are used, that is, optical cable overhead line closures and building light In many cases, it is necessary to provide an optical connector (assemble an optical connector) at the end of an optical cable at a fiber aggregation terminal location or the like. Hereinafter, an optical connector used for such a purpose is referred to as an on-site assembly optical connector. It is desirable that this type of optical connector has performance equivalent to that of an optical connector manufactured in a factory, is inexpensive, and can be assembled in a simple operation and in a short time.

  In assembling such an optical connector, an optical fiber holding jig for holding the optical fiber is used for the purpose of promoting workability. For example, the holding jig described in Patent Document 1 has a jig body and an upper lid that is pivotally attached to the jig body, and a rubber plate is provided on the lower surface of the upper lid and in contact with the optical fiber. The optical fiber is fixed to the base by locking the upper lid by the operating arm provided on the tool body.

Japanese Patent No. 3651634

  When the optical connector is connected, it is desirable that the end faces of the optical fibers are abutted against each other with an appropriate pressure. For this reason, when inserting an optical fiber into an optical connector using an optical fiber holding jig, it is desirable to make the force in the insertion direction, that is, the axial direction of the optical fiber appropriate. However, it is not easy to accurately control the axial force of the optical fiber.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to more appropriately control the axial force applied to the optical fiber when the optical connector is assembled.

  An optical fiber holding jig according to a first aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber holding jig that holds an optical fiber, and includes a first elastic body that holds the optical fiber in contact with the optical fiber. The first elastic body can be elastically deformed by movement in the longitudinal direction, and the restoration of the first elastic body from the elastically deformed state causes the optical fiber to move toward the tip in the axial direction to the optical connector. It is biased by a pressing force that can suppress variation in insertion length.

  In the present invention, since the optical fiber held by the holding jig greatly deforms the first elastic body, the optical fiber suppresses variations in the insertion length into the optical connector by the elastic force of the first elastic body. It is urged in the longitudinal direction, that is, the insertion direction with a predetermined pressing force as possible. Therefore, the restoring force generated by the deformation of the first elastic body can be used to more appropriately control the axial force applied to the optical fiber, and the tip position of the optical fiber can be controlled extremely accurately. become. In addition, since the first elastic body abuts on the optical fiber, the contact area between the two is large, thereby obtaining a large frictional force between the two, and the deformation of the first elastic body in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is achieved. Can be promoted.

  The optical fiber holding jig according to the present invention may further include a second elastic body having an elastic coefficient larger than that of the first elastic body and holding the optical fiber in contact with the optical fiber.

  In the present invention, when the optical fiber is held and pulled in the longitudinal direction with a force of 0.3 N or less, the elastic deformation of the first elastic body causes the optical fiber to move in the longitudinal direction with respect to the optical fiber holding jig. It is preferable that movement of 0.2 mm or more is allowed.

  The holding jig of the present invention includes a sub-holder that holds an intermediate portion of the optical fiber, and a jig body that holds the sub-holder so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and the first elastic body includes The sub-holder may be provided. In this case, since the jig body and the sub-holder are separated, it is possible to shorten the protruding length of the optical fiber from the jig. As a result, even if the optical fiber is warped, the optical fiber is Easy to insert into the connector.

  In the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, the width of the optical fiber holding jig is preferably 16 mm, and the height from the lowest point of the main body to the central axis of the optical fiber is preferably 5 mm. is there. In this case, compatibility with a general holding jig having the same outer dimension can be ensured.

  The elastic coefficient of the first elastic body is preferably 0.1 MPa or less, and the total length in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber of the portion of the first elastic body that contacts the optical fiber is preferably 10 mm or less.

  The first elastic body and the optical fiber are preferably slidable. In this case, the variation in the holding length of the optical fiber (that is, the distance between the front end face of the optical fiber and the front end face of the holding jig) is caused by the slip between the first elastic body and the optical fiber. Can be absorbed.

  Preferably, the sub-holder has a rigid part, and the optical fiber is disposed between the elastic body and the rigid part when the optical fiber is held by the sub-holder. In this case, the thickness of the elastic body can be increased under the same dimensional condition as compared with the structure in which the optical fiber is sandwiched between the two elastic bodies, and the deformation of the elastic body in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber can be increased. .

  Preferably, the portion of the first elastic body that contacts the optical fiber is flat in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. In this case, moderate friction can be obtained between the first elastic body and the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is less likely to bend at the time of holding compared to the case where the same cross section has irregularities, so that high accuracy is achieved. Can be obtained. Preferably, the first elastic body includes rubber or a porous body.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical fiber holding jig including a holding portion having a first elastic body that comes into contact with an optical fiber and holding an intermediate portion of the optical fiber is used. An optical fiber mounting method for connecting an optical fiber to a connector, wherein the optical fiber holding jig is moved in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber in a state where the optical fiber is inserted into the optical connector. An optical fiber comprising: abutting at the abutting position; and fixing the optical fiber by a fixing means provided in the optical connector in a state where the first elastic body is deformed. It is a mounting method. In this case, the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a sub-holder having a first elastic body that abuts an optical fiber and holding an intermediate portion of the optical fiber, and the sub-holder is slidably held in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. An optical fiber mounting method for connecting an optical fiber to an optical connector using an optical fiber holding jig provided with a jig body, wherein the optical fiber inserted into the optical connector is attached to the sub-holder. A step of bringing the optical fiber into contact with a predetermined abutting position by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber; and a fixing means provided in the optical connector in a state where the first elastic body is deformed. An optical fiber mounting method comprising: a fixing step. Also in this case, the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained.

  The holding jig and mounting method according to the present invention can be used together with an abutting jig for receiving the pressing force by contacting an optical fiber. The abutting jig includes a ferrule abutting surface to be contacted by the ferrule of the optical connector and a fiber abutting surface having a predetermined depth recessed from the ferrule abutting surface, and a fiber abutting to which the optical fiber is to abut. A contact surface. In this case, it becomes easy to accurately control the amount of protrusion of the optical fiber tip from the ferrule tip, and as a result, the physical force due to the abutting force between the front end surfaces of the two fibers biased forward is facilitated. It is also possible to facilitate the connection.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 1, the optical fiber holding jig 1 (hereinafter referred to as holding jig 1) of the first embodiment has a jig body 3, and the jig body 3 has a front lid 4 and a rear lid 5 facing upward. Is attached to be pivotable. The front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are made of a ferromagnetic material. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, magnets 4 b and 5 b are incorporated in each upper surface of the jig body 3 facing the front lid 4 or the rear lid 5, and the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are It is attracted to the jig body 3 by magnetic force. The optical fiber F is held by closing one or both of the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 to the jig body 3 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a V-groove 8 is formed in the portion of the jig body 3 that faces the rear lid 5 of the holding jig 1. A rubber plate 5a is fixed on the lower surface of the rear lid 5, that is, on the jig body 3 side. When the rear cover 5 is closed, the optical fiber F is held in a state of being in contact with the V groove 8 and the rubber plate 5a and being sandwiched between the two. As described above, the optical fiber F is not directly suppressed by the rear cover 5, but the rubber plate 5a is interposed to increase the friction coefficient between the rubber plate 5a and the optical fiber F and to reduce the binding force due to the magnetic force. By making the optical fiber F act more evenly in the longitudinal direction of the fiber F, the optical fiber F is firmly held (when the rear cover 5 is closed and the optical fiber F is held, some load is applied to the optical fiber F in the longitudinal direction. This is because the optical fiber F does not move with respect to the jig body 3 even if it is applied. On the other hand, when the hard rear cover 5 is brought into direct contact with the optical fiber F, both of them become slippery and the binding force of the rear cover 5 acts on the optical fiber F in a non-uniform manner in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber F. As a result, the coating may be damaged at the point where the force is concentrated. The elastic coefficient (Young's modulus) of the rubber plate 5a is at least 1 MPa. Further, the length L2 of the rubber plate 5a in the longitudinal direction is sufficiently long as 20 mm or more, so that the optical fiber F is difficult to slide with respect to the holding jig 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an elastic block 14 a is fixed to the lower surface of the front lid 4, that is, the portion facing the jig body 3. An elastic block 14 b is fixed to the upper surface of the jig body 3, that is, the portion facing the front lid 4. When the front lid 4 is closed, the optical fiber F is sandwiched and held between the elastic blocks 14a and 14b. The elastic blocks 14a and 14b are made of a soft material, for example, silicone rubber or silicone gel having no adhesiveness on the surface, and have an elastic coefficient of 0.1 MPa or less. The elastic blocks 14a and 14b have the same elastic coefficient, but may be different from each other. The elastic blocks 14a and 14b may be made of the same material or different materials. The thicknesses of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b are 1 mm, and the length L1 of the portion in contact with the optical fiber F is 7 mm (that is, 10 mm or less), which is shorter than the length L2 in the longitudinal direction of the rubber plate 5a. .

  When the rear lid 5 closes the lid 4 before opening and holds the optical fiber F, when the longitudinal force is applied to the optical fiber F, the elastic blocks 14a and 14b are deformed, and the holding jig 1 (the jig body) 3 and the front lid 4), the optical fiber F moves in its longitudinal direction. When the force is released, the elastic blocks 14a and 14b are restored to their original shapes, and the moved position of the optical fiber F is almost restored to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b. From another viewpoint, when the optical fiber F is moved in the longitudinal direction, a force of a longitudinal component that causes the optical fiber F to move to the original position is generated by the elastic blocks 14a and 14b that are elastically deformed.

  As described above, when the elastic blocks 14a and 14b are elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber F, the deformation amount in the vicinity of the optical fiber F is large, but the deformation amount is small as the distance from the optical fiber F is increased (in FIG. The deformation at point a is large, but the deformation at point b is small). In other words, the region where deformation occurs is limited to the vicinity of the optical fiber. Therefore, even with a small force of about 0.3 N or less, the optical fiber F can move elastically in the longitudinal direction by 0.2 mm or more (that is, it can be restored by the elasticity of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b). The relationship between the force applied to the optical fiber F and the elastic movement amount can be adjusted not only by the elastic coefficient of the elastic body but also by the length L1, and the longer the length L1, the smaller the movement amount even with the same force. .

  Thus, when only the front lid 4 is closed and the optical fiber F is held, if a force is applied to the optical fiber F in the longitudinal direction, the optical fiber F moves elastically in that direction, but it is applied to the optical fiber F. When the force is larger than a certain level, the optical fiber F slides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the elastic blocks 14a and 14b. Here, the maximum distance that the optical fiber F can move elastically is defined as a distance Dm. From another point of view, when the optical fiber F is held, when the optical fiber F is pulled (with respect to the jig body 3 and the front lid 4) in the longitudinal direction to the distance Dm (when pressed), the optical fiber F also slides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the elastic blocks 14a and 14b (holding jig 1). However, even in this state, the elastic blocks 14a and 14b remain elastically deformed, and a force component that moves the optical fiber F in the longitudinal direction is acting. The distance Dm is about 0.3 mm.

  The opposing surfaces of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b are flat when there is no load (see FIG. 4), but when the front cover 4 is closed and the optical fiber F is held, the portion with which the optical fiber F abuts is from the longitudinal direction. It is deformed into a concave shape as seen (see FIG. 3). In other words, the optical fiber F is embedded in the elastic blocks 14a and 14b. The flat surfaces of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b that are not opposed to the optical fiber F also come into contact with each other. The pressing force that the magnet 4b tries to attract the front lid 4 toward the jig body 3 is transmitted to the region where the surfaces of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b are in contact. That is, the pressing force is not applied to the optical fiber F so much. As a result, even if the force applied to the optical fiber F in the longitudinal direction is small, the optical fiber F slides with respect to the elastic blocks 14a and 14b. In other words, when the front cover 4 is closed and the optical fiber F is held, even if the optical fiber is moved by a distance Dm or more in the longitudinal direction with respect to the holding jig 1, the optical fiber F remains in relation to the elastic blocks 14a and 14b. Thus, the elastic deformation of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b does not proceed, and the force for moving the optical fiber F in the longitudinal direction is not so large.

  In order to make it possible to apply the holding jig 1 to an apparatus such as a cleaver used for fusion splicing of the optical fiber F, as shown in FIG. The height Hf from the lowest point (bottom surface) of the jig body 3 to the central axis of the optical fiber F held is 16 mm. The height from the bottom surface of the jig body 3 to the top surface of the front lid 4 is 8 mm or less.

  In FIG. 22, the optical connector 30 used in the present embodiment is compatible with a well-known SC type optical fiber connector plug conforming to JIS C5973 (1993) relating to the F04 type single-core optical fiber connector. . The optical connector 30 has a cylindrical sliding sleeve 32 fitted to the outer periphery of a cylindrical plug frame assembly 31 formed by combining a plurality of members.

  A ferrule assembly 35 including a ferrule 33 and a flange member 34 bonded to each other is fitted to the plug frame assembly 31, and is always urged forward by a spring 36 and can be retracted by an external force. The ferrule 33 is made of, for example, zirconia, has a substantially columnar shape, and is provided with a through-hole 33a through the axis. The flange member 34 is made of, for example, stainless steel, is generally cylindrical, and has a through hole 34a extending through the axis.

  The plug frame assembly 31 is provided with a through hole 31a extending over its entire length. A pressing block 37 for selectively fixing the fiber F is installed at the rear part of the plug frame assembly 31, and the U-shaped cross section or the pressing frame 37 is constrained from the outside so as to constrain the plug frame assembly 31 and the pressing block 37 from the outside. A staple-type fixing spring 38 is fitted (see FIG. 24). By sliding the fixing spring 38 forward from the rear end of the plug frame assembly 31, the elasticity of the fixing spring 38 acts in the direction in which the holding block 37 and the plug frame assembly 31 face each other, The fiber F sandwiched therebetween can be fixed so as not to move in the axial direction. The optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 30 only by restraint by the holding block 37, and therefore, a portion on the front end side of the holding block 37 can move back and forth in the axial direction with respect to the optical connector 30.

  The optical connector 30 is coupled to an adapter or receptacle (not shown). When the user operates the sliding sleeve 32 of the optical connector 30 in the removal direction, the locking claw of the elastic locking piece provided on the adapter or the receptacle is operated by the relative movement of the sliding sleeve 32 and the plug frame assembly 31. Then, the optical connector 30 can be removed from the adapter or the receptacle with a small removal force.

  In a state where the optical fiber F is fixed and the optical fiber F is not bent, the tip of the optical fiber F protrudes from the front end face of the ferrule 33 by a minute tip protrusion length ΔL (for example, 0.1 mm). When the optical connector 30 is used (connected), as shown in FIG. 23, the end faces of the ferrule 133 of the optical connector facing the ferrule 33 abut each other. At this time, the tip of the optical fiber F hits the end surface of the optical fiber F1 of the optical connector facing the optical fiber F, and the tip of the optical fiber F retracts to the position of the end surface of the ferrule 33. And the part in the through-hole 34a of the optical fiber F buckles and bends, the elastic force (for example, 0.5N) of the optical fiber F resulting from this bending generate | occur | produces, the front end of the optical fiber F The surface and the front end surface of the other optical fiber F1 are physically connected (Physical Contact; PC).

  A method for assembling the optical connector 30 using the holding jig 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described. The total length of the optical connector 30 is 40 mm. First, the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are opened to place the optical fiber F in the V-groove 8, and the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are closed to hold the intermediate portion of the optical fiber F.

  Next, the coating near the tip of the optical fiber F is removed with a stripper, and the optical fiber F is cleaved with a cleaver. The jig protruding length Lp (see FIG. 5) of the optical fiber F from the holding jig 1 after cleaving is set to 43 mm. Here, the jig protrusion length Lp is substantially determined by the distance between the holding jig 1 and the blade in the cleaver during cleaving. Further, the tip of the optical fiber F is chamfered using a sharpener. When processing or cleaning the optical fiber F, if the optical fiber F is only held by the front lid 4, the optical fiber F moves relative to the holding jig 1 only by applying some force to the optical fiber F. Therefore, the steps up to here are performed in a state where the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are closed and the optical fiber F is firmly fixed to the jig body 3 by the rear lid 5.

  Next, a process of attaching (inserting and fixing) the optical fiber F to the optical connector 30 using the holding jig 1 and the assembly jig 21 will be described. In FIG. 5, the user fixes the optical connector 30 to a fixing portion (not shown) so that the front end of the ferrule of the optical connector 30 contacts the abutting jig 26 of the assembly jig 21. The abutting jig 26 is for receiving a pressing force due to the restoration of the elastic blocks 14a and 14b by contacting the front end face of the optical fiber F, and as shown in FIG. 22, the depth ΔL ′ (for example, 0) .1 mm) fiber abutment surface 26b. Next, the user places the holding jig 1 in the guide groove 23 with the tip of the optical fiber F facing the optical connector 30 and opens the rear lid 5. The holding jig 1 is advanced along the guide groove 23 toward the optical connector 30 until the front end of the holding jig 1 hits the stopper 24, and the optical fiber F is inserted into the optical connector 30. The tip of this is abutted against the fiber abutting surface 26 b of the abutting jig 26.

  Here, the process in which the holding jig 1 moves forward and hits the stopper will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 6, when the distance between the front end of the holding jig 1 and the stopper 24 is a distance De (before the front end of the holding jig 1 hits the stopper 24), the tip of the optical fiber F is placed on the abutting jig 26. Reach and abut. From this state, when the holding jig 1 further advances by the distance De and the front end of the holding jig 1 abuts against the stopper 24, the optical fiber F cannot be advanced any further because the front end abuts against the stopper 24. On the other hand, it moves backward by a distance De (the holding jig 1 moves forward relative to the optical fiber F). At this time, the distance between the rear end portion of the optical connector 30 and the holding point by the holding jig 1 is smaller than the distance required for the optical fiber F to bend. It will not bend.

  The elastic blocks 14a and 14b are elastically deformed as shown in FIG. 9 from the no-load state shown in FIG. 7 by the contact of the optical fiber F with the abutting jig 26. An abutting force Fi that is a force component that pushes in the direction toward the abutting jig 26 is generated. The distance De is 1 mm. The abutting force Fi is preferably set to a value that can suppress variations in the length of insertion into the optical connector 30 and the tip protrusion amount ΔL, for example, about 0.3 N. The abutting force Fi is desirably such that the optical fiber F is not substantially buckled. The maximum distance Dm that the optical fiber F can move in the longitudinal direction by restoring the elastic blocks 14a and 14b from the elastic deformation is about 0.3 mm with respect to the jig body 3, whereas the optical fiber F is held by It is moved relative to the jig 1 by a distance De (1 mm). That is, the optical fiber F slides about 0.7 mm with respect to the elastic blocks 14a and 14b.

  Then, the user presses the holding jig 1 against the stopper 24, that is, in a state where the abutting force Fi is applied to the optical fiber F by the elastic blocks 14 a and 14 b, the fixing spring 38 provided in the optical connector 30. Is slid forward to fix the optical fiber F to the optical connector 30. Thereafter, the user opens the front holder 4, removes the holding jig 1 from the optical fiber F, further removes the optical connector 30 from the mounting jig 21, and the assembly of the optical connector 30 is completed. The optical fiber tip protrusion length ΔL from the front end of the ferrule 33 of the optical connector 30 is substantially ΔL ′ (0.1 mm).

  The reference value of the jig protruding length Lp of the optical fiber F from the holding jig 1 after cleaving is 43 mm, but even if the jig protruding length Lp is 1 mm longer than the reference value (Lp = 44 mm), the elastic block Only the slip length of the optical fiber F with respect to 14a and 14b becomes slightly longer (about 1.7 mm), and the value of the abutting force Fi remains unchanged at about 0.3N. That is, even if an error occurs so that the jig protruding length Lp is somewhat longer, the abutting force Fi will not be excessively increased. Alternatively, even when the jig protrusion length Lp is shorter than the reference by 0.8 mm (Lp = 42.2 mm), the optical fiber F is 0 with respect to the holding jig 1 when the holding jig 1 is abutted against the stopper 26. Since it can move in the longitudinal direction by 2 mm, a sufficient abutting force Fi can be generated. However, it is not essential to slide the optical fiber F with respect to the elastic blocks 14a and 14b.

  As described above, when the optical fiber F is inserted into the optical connector 30 (after cleaving in the assembly process), even if there is a slight error in the jig protruding length Lp of the optical fiber F from the holding jig 1, the optical fiber When F is fixed to the optical connector 30, a moderately large butting force Fi can be generated. Further, since the optical fiber F is not bent when the force Fi is applied to the optical fiber F, the optical fiber F is not caught on the member of the optical connector 30 (a large friction is caused by contact), and the elastic block 14a, The abutting force Fi generated by the deformation of 14b can be reliably transmitted by the portion or the tip of the optical fiber F in the optical connector 30, and the contact pressure of the tip of the optical fiber F to the abutting jig 26 is reduced. It is possible to make it appropriate, and it is possible to maintain the tip protrusion length ΔL of the optical fiber F from the front end of the ferrule 33 at the depth ΔL ′ which is the amount of depression of the butting jig. This makes it possible to increase the accuracy of the tip protrusion length ΔL after fixing the optical fiber F to the optical connector 30 (so as not to exceed the allowable error of the tip protrusion length ΔL).

  Further, it is not necessary to provide a region of the optical fiber F for buckling (bending) the optical fiber F between the rear end of the optical connector 30 and the front end of the optical fiber holding jig as in the prior art. The tool protrusion length Lp can be shortened. This means that each processing device (cleaver or the like) of the optical fiber F in the assembly process of the optical connector 30 is downsized (shortening the total length), and particularly when the optical fiber F is warped. This will improve the ease of insertion.

  Furthermore, the optical fiber can be configured with a simple configuration under the constraint that the width W of the jig body 3 of the holding jig 1 is 16 mm and the height Hf from the bottom surface of the jig body 3 to the optical fiber center jig is only 5 mm. Since the abutting force Fi can be applied to F, the manufacturing cost of the holding jig 1 is not so high as compared with the conventional optical fiber holder.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 10 and 11, an optical fiber holding jig 1 (hereinafter referred to as holding jig 1) of a second embodiment of the present invention includes a sub holder 52 that holds an intermediate portion of the optical fiber F, and the sub holder 52 in the insertion direction. And a jig body 53 that is slidably held.

  The jig body 53 includes a front lid 54 disposed at a front end portion in the longitudinal direction, an intermediate lid 55 provided adjacent to the front lid 54, and a dovetail groove 56 extending in the longitudinal direction. The front lid 54 and the middle lid 55 are made of a ferromagnetic material, and are fixed to the jig main body 53 in a cantilever manner by a shaft 57. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front lid 54 and the middle lid 55 can pivot upward about the shaft 57, and are in a generally horizontal closed position (solid line) and an open position (two (Dotted line). A V-groove 58 is formed on the upper surface of the jig main body 53 so as to extend the entire length of the portion facing the front lid 54 and the middle lid 55. The width of the V groove 58 is set so that the resin coating layer of the optical fiber F can be appropriately accommodated. A V block 55 a is disposed between the front lid 54 and the middle lid 55. When the front lid 54 and the middle lid 55 are closed, the front lid 54 and the middle lid 55 are attracted by a permanent magnet 59 fixed to the jig body 53, and the optical fiber F is connected to the front lid 54, the middle lid 55, the V groove 58, and the like. Held between.

  In order to suitably perform the operation of cleaving the front end face of the optical fiber F, the optical fiber F is constrained so as not to move relatively in the axial direction between the middle lid 55 and the V groove 58. On the other hand, since the spacer 54a is disposed in the portion of the jig main body 53 that faces the front lid 54, the optical fiber F is axially oriented with respect to the jig main body 53 (light) between the front lid 54 and the V groove 58. Movement in the longitudinal direction of the fiber F is allowed.

  A flat abutting surface 53b (see FIGS. 10 and 11) that contacts the sub-holder 52 is formed on the jig main body 53 in the vicinity of the middle lid 55, and a permanent magnet 53c is fixed to the abutting surface 53b. .

  The sub holder 52 includes a ferromagnetic sub holder main body 61 and a lid 62. As shown in FIG. 14, an elastic block 64 a is disposed on the upper surface of the sub-holder main body 61, and an elastic block 64 b is disposed on the lower surface of the lid 62 so as to face each other. The unloaded shapes of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b are all rectangular parallelepipeds, and the lower surface of the elastic block 64a and the upper surface of the elastic block 64b are flat in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber F.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the lid 62 can pivot upward about the shaft 15 and can take a substantially horizontal closed position (solid line) and an open position opened by about 100 ° (two-dot chain line). A V block 66 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) is disposed on the upper surface of the front end portion of the sub-holder main body 61. When the lid 62 of the sub holder 52 is closed, the lid 62 is attracted to the sub holder main body 61 by the permanent magnet 17 fixed in the vicinity of the tip thereof, and the optical fiber F is located between the upper and lower elastic blocks 64a and 64b. , 64b are held in contact with each other.

  When held, the optical fiber F is allowed to move to some extent in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the optical fiber F within the flexible range of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b, and the elastic blocks 64a and 64b By sliding with the optical fiber F, sliding in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the optical fiber F is possible. An operation knob 68 is fixed to the sub-holder main body 61. A termination stopper 69 is fixed to the rear end portion of the jig body 53, and a permanent magnet 69 a is fixed to the termination stopper 69. A permanent magnet 53 a for temporarily fixing the sub-holder 52 is fixed to the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the jig body 53.

  The elastic blocks 64a and 64b have an axial length of 5 mm, and are made of silicone rubber or silicone gel having no adhesiveness on the surface. Various other materials can be used for the elastic block, and it may be a porous body such as a rubber or resin foam. The elastic modulus of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b is particularly preferably 0.1 MPa or less.

  The outer dimensions of the holding jig 51 are well-known in this field that are widely used in connection with strippers, cleavers, and sharpeners in the field when connecting and pre-processing optical fibers. In order to ensure compatibility with the holding jig 201 (FIG. 25), the width is 16 mm, the height is 8 mm, and the height from the bottom surface to the V groove 58 is 5 mm.

  The holding jig 51 of this embodiment is used when an optical fiber is connected to the optical connector 30 by using an assembly jig 71 as shown in FIGS. The assembly jig 71 includes a fixing portion 72 for fixing the optical connector 30 by fitting, a guide groove 73 for sliding the holding jig 51 in the insertion direction, and the holding jig 1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 73. A stopper 74 for positioning and a clamp 75 for holding the holding jig 1 at a fixed position on the guide groove 73 are provided. The clamp 75 is configured such that the block 75b protrudes toward the holding jig 51 by turning the operating arm 75a in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  Further, an abutting jig 26 is provided on the front end side of the guide groove 73 for abutting and positioning the front end face of the ferrule 33 of the optical connector 30 and the front end face of the optical fiber F. Similar to the abutting jig 26 in the conventional example (FIG. 22), the abutting jig 26 has a ferrule abutting surface 26a and a position where a depth ΔL ′ (for example, 0.1 mm) is depressed in the insertion direction. A disposed fiber abutting surface 26b is formed.

  A method for assembling an optical connector using the holding jig 51 configured as described above will be described. First, in the holding jig 51, the user arranges the sub holder 52 so as to abut against the end stopper 69, and opens and closes the front lid 54, the rear lid 55, and the lid 62, thereby forming a resin-coated outer diameter of 0.25 mm (cladding diameter). 0.125 mm), an intermediate portion of the silica glass optical fiber F is set on the holding jig 51. Here, the sub-holder 52 is temporarily fixed by a magnet 69a (see FIG. 10).

  Next, the user removes the coating layer about 20 mm from the tip of the optical fiber F with a stripper (coating remover), exposes the clad, cleans this part, cleaves and cuts with a cleaver (cleaved cutting machine), The length of the cladding exposed portion is about 10 mm. This length is derived from the structure of the optical connector 30 to which the optical fiber F is attached. Further, the jig protruding length Lp from the front end of the holding jig 51 to the tip of the optical fiber F is about 13 mm.

  Next, the outer periphery of the clad at the tip of the optical fiber F is chamfered into a tapered shape (conical shape) by a sharpener (chamfering machine). In the above process, the sub-holder 52 remains temporarily fixed in the holding jig 51. In the holding jig 51, the user opens the inner lid 55, moves the sub holder 52 to the position of the magnet 53a, temporarily fixes it, cleans the tip of the optical fiber F and the side surface in the vicinity thereof, and terminates the sub holder 52 again. It is moved so as to abut against the stopper 69. The above is the preprocessing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the user sets the holding jig 51 holding the optical fiber F in the guide groove 73 of the assembly jig 71 and fixes the optical connector 30 to the fixing portion 72. The front end face of the ferrule 33 of the optical connector 30 is abutted against the ferrule abutting surface 26a (see FIG. 22) of the abutting jig 26. Next, the user slides the holding jig 1 in the insertion direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 16) until it comes into contact with the stopper 74, and inserts the distal end portion of the optical fiber F into the through hole 31a from the rear end of the optical connector 30. To do. Then, the operation arm 75 a of the clamp 75 is turned in the direction A in the figure, and the position of the holding jig 51 is fixed to the assembly jig 71.

  Next, the user opens the inner lid 55 and slides the sub-holder 52 in the insertion direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 16), whereby the optical fiber F inserted into the optical connector 30 is moved to the flange member. 34 is moved through the through hole 34a of the ferrule 33 and the through hole 33a of the ferrule 33 (see FIG. 22), and is brought into contact with the abutting jig 26. The front end face of the optical fiber F is abutted against the fiber abutting surface 26b (see FIG. 22) of the abutting jig 26.

  When the user further moves the sub-holder 52 from that state in the insertion direction (arrow B direction), as shown in FIG. 18, due to the friction between the optical fiber F and the elastic blocks 64a and 64b, the elastic The blocks 64a and 64b are elastically deformed in the direction of arrow C. When the user further moves the sub-holder 52 and the elastic force of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b becomes larger than the frictional force between the optical fiber F, slip occurs between the sub-holder 52 and the optical fiber F. When the sub-holder 52 comes into contact with the abutting surface 53b and is attracted to the permanent magnet 53c, the elastic blocks 64a and 64b hold the shape elastically deformed in the direction of the arrow C, and cause the optical fiber F to have an appropriate abutting force Fi. (For example, about 0.3 N), it is always urged in the insertion direction. At this time, the deformation amount of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b is 0.2 mm or more at the position of the optical fiber F.

  Finally, the user fixes the fiber F between the holding block 37 and the plug frame assembly 31 by sliding the fixing spring 38 provided in the optical connector 30 forward.

  The optical connector 30 to which the optical fiber F is thus fixed can be taken out by releasing the front lid 54 and the lid 62 of the sub-holder 52. In the optical connector 30 that has been taken out, the tip protrusion length ΔL of the optical fiber from the front end of the ferrule 33 substantially matches the depth ΔL ′ (0.1 mm). The holding jig 51 can be taken out from the assembly jig 71 by releasing the clamp 75.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the sub holder 52 holding the intermediate portion of the optical fiber F is slidably held by the jig body 53 and the sub holder 52 is slid toward the optical connector 30, When the sub-holder 52 comes to a predetermined stop position, the elastic blocks 64a and 64b provided in the sub-holder 52 are elastically deformed by friction with the optical fiber F. The optical fiber F is urged in the insertion direction by the elastic force of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b. Therefore, a desired abutting force Fi can be obtained while suppressing friction between the through holes 33a and 34a due to the bending of the optical fiber F. Since the deflection of the optical fiber F is not used to obtain the abutting force, the force Fi is reliably transmitted to the inner portion of the optical connector 30 of the optical fiber F, and when the optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 30, The tip protrusion length ΔL of the optical fiber F from the front end of the ferrule 33 can be accurately maintained at the depth ΔL ′. The abutting force Fi does not become excessive. Therefore, when the optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 30, the inner portion of the optical connector 30 of the optical connector F is bent and removed from the assembly jig 71. The error of the tip protrusion length ΔL does not exceed the allowable value.

  In the present embodiment, when the optical fiber F is inserted into the optical connector 30, the sliding of the sub-holder 52 is mainly used, so that the jig protruding length Lp of the optical fiber F from the holding jig 51 after cleaving. Can be shortened to about 13 mm. As a result, in the above-described coating removal and cleaving processes, it is possible to use the apparatus that is generally used for fusion splicing of optical fibers and mechanical splices, or with little modification. . Alternatively, the dedicated stripper, cleaver, sharpener, and assembly jig 71 for assembling the optical connector 30 can reduce the size (particularly the overall length of the apparatus) and the weight. Since these devices are mainly used in the field (not necessarily having a sufficient work space and work table), the device size and weight are important from the viewpoint of workability and carrying.

  Further, since the jig body 53 and the sub-holder 52 are separated, the jig protruding length Lp can be shortened. As a result, even if the optical fiber F is warped, the optical fiber F is connected to the optical connector 30. It becomes easy to insert. In this embodiment, since the support structure for the jig body 53 and the support structure for the sub holder 52 are separated, for example, the bottom surface of the jig body 53 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is easy to attach and detach, and the sub holder 52 has a dovetail structure. The degree of freedom in design can be increased so that other retaining structures can be provided.

  Further, when the sub holder 52 holds the optical fiber F, the elastic blocks 64a and 64b abut on the optical fiber F, so that the elastic blocks 64a and 64b are elastically deformed (see FIG. 19) as in the first embodiment. A certain amount of movement of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber F due to restoration from elastic deformation can be obtained, and the elastic blocks 64a and 64b and the optical fiber F can be slid. Therefore, even if there is some error in the jig protruding length Lp, the tip protruding length ΔL when the optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 30 can be kept within a predetermined value. In other words, the allowable value of the error of the jig protruding length Lp generated in the process of cleaving the optical fiber F can be increased.

  However, it is not always necessary to slide the optical fiber F with respect to the elastic blocks 64a and 64b. Particularly, when the error of the generated jig protruding length Lp is small, the elastic blocks 64a and 64b are only elastically deformed. May be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the portions of the elastic blocks 64a and 64b that are in contact with the optical fiber F are flat in the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber F, and therefore between the elastic blocks 64a and 64b and the optical fiber F. A moderate friction can be obtained, and the optical fiber F is less likely to bend during holding as compared with the case where the same cross section has irregularities, so that high accuracy can be obtained.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the elastic blocks 64a and 64b are made of rubber, a desired effect can be obtained in the present invention with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, when the optical fiber F is inserted into the optical connector 30, the user only performs a simple operation of sliding the sub holder 52 from the state in which it is in contact with the end stopper 19 until it is in contact with the abutting surface 53b. There is no need to observe or be aware of the situation of the optical fiber F as described above. Further, when the sub-holder 52 is brought into contact with the abutting surface 53b, the sub-holder 52 is attracted to the magnet 53c, so that the user can position the sub-holder 52 with high accuracy only by roughly positioning the sub-holder 52. The same applies to the case where the sub-holder 52 is brought into contact with the end stopper 19.

  The distance between the front end of the sub-holder 52 and the abutting surface 53b at the moment when the tip of the optical fiber F comes into contact with the fiber abutting surface 26b by sliding the sub-holder 52 is increased, and the optical fiber is moved with respect to the elastic blocks 64a and 64b. By increasing the length over which F slides, the allowable value of the error of the jig protrusion length Lp can be increased. Specifically, the allowable range of the error of the jig protrusion length Lp can be set to about ± 2 mm. In such a configuration, when the user sets the optical fiber F on the holding jig 1, the jig protruding length Lp is controlled visually and manually (for example, the holding jig 1 is used for cleaving and chamfering). It is effective in the case of not performing it.

  In each of the above embodiments, the elastic body is the elastic blocks 14a, 14b, 64a, 64b, which are two members, but instead of such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 20, the optical fiber F is a sub-holder. When being held by 102, the optical fiber F may be disposed between the elastic block 114 and the sub-holder main body 61 (the rigid portion in the sub-holder). In the illustrated example, the unloaded shape of the elastic block 114 is a rectangular parallelepiped. Since the elastic block 114 is deformed, the force with which the optical fiber F is pressed against the sub-holder main body 61 (rigid body) is not so large, that is, the friction between the sub-holder main body 61 and the optical fiber F is not so large. Since the friction between the elastic block 114 and the optical fiber F is larger than the friction between the optical fiber F and the optical fiber F, the optical fiber F is sub-holder body 61 due to the elastic force of the elastic block 114 that is elastically deformed. You can slide against. A low friction sheet such as polytetrafluoroethylene or a sheet of rubber or other elastic body having an elastic coefficient larger than that of the elastic block 114 may be attached to the upper surface of the sub-holder body 61. For example, a permanent magnet may be disposed on the back surface of the sub-holder main body 61 to adjust the holding force and thus the frictional force. In this case, the thickness of the elastic body can be increased under the same dimensional condition as compared with the structure in which the optical fiber is sandwiched between the two elastic bodies, and the deformation of the elastic body in the optical fiber axial direction can be increased. Also, the structure becomes simpler. When the error of the jig protruding length Lp occurs on the shorter side, the elastic deformation of the elastic body is reduced when the optical fiber F is fixed to the optical connector 30, so that the abutting force Fi is reduced. If the movable distance can be increased by restoring from the elastic deformation of the elastic block 114 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber F, the decrease in the abutting force Fi can be reduced with respect to the error of the jig protruding length Lp.

  In addition, the shape of the elastic body in the present invention is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may take any shape. The material may be rubber other than silicone rubber. Furthermore, the structure of the elastic body does not need to be uniform, and may be a composite material. In order to effectively reduce the elastic coefficient, the shape may be porous or may have a large number of plate-like fins such as the elastic blocks 214a and 214b shown in FIG.

  In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the fixing member of the optical connector 30 is a slidable leaf spring. However, the configuration of the fixing member can be arbitrarily selected. For example, a similar U-shaped leaf spring can be used in the opposite direction. Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which a wedge member is sandwiched between two members biased by and the wedge member is removed after insertion of the optical fiber to fix the optical fiber between the two members.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an optical connector for on-site assembly that is compatible with an SC-type optical connector and is physically connected by utilizing buckling of an optical fiber has been described. The invention is for field assembly that is compatible with other types of optical connectors for field assembly compatible with SC type optical connectors and MU type optical connectors (according to JIS C5983 (2001) for F14 type optical fiber connectors). It can be applied to the assembly of optical connectors and other optical connectors, or can be applied to mechanical splices and optical fiber connections to various optical components.

It is a top view which shows the holding jig of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the holding jig of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of the holding jig of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line which shows the state which opened the front cover of the holding jig. It is a top view which shows the assembly jig | tool with which the holding jig was set. It is a top view which shows the assembly jig of the state which advanced the holding jig to the middle. It is sectional drawing which shows the elastic block vicinity of the state in which the force of an axial direction is not applied. It is a top view which shows the assembly jig of the state which advanced the holding jig to the final position. It is sectional drawing which shows the elastic block vicinity in the state of FIG. It is a top view which shows the holding jig of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the holding jig of 2nd Embodiment. It is a left view which shows the holding jig of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows a middle holder. It is sectional drawing which shows a subholder. It is a top view which shows the assembly jig | tool with which the holding jig of 2nd Embodiment was set. It is a top view which shows the assembly jig of the state in which the holding jig was slid in the insertion direction. It is a top view which shows the assembly jig of the state by which the subholder was slid to the insertion direction. It is a front view which shows the effect | action of the elastic block in the use condition of a subholder. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows a deformation | transformation of the elastic block when an optical fiber is hold | maintained at a subholder. It is a front view which shows another structural example of an elastic block. It is a front view which shows another structural example of an elastic block. It is a top view which shows an optical connector and a butting jig | tool. It is a top view which shows the use condition of an optical connector. It is a right view which shows the cross section of an optical connector and a fixed spring.

Explanation of symbols

1, 51 Holding jig 2, 102 Sub holder 3, 53 Jig body 4 Front lid 5 Rear lid 61 Sub holder body 62 Lid 14a, 14b, 64a, 64b, 114, 214a, 214b Elastic block 21, 71 Assembly jig 30 Light Connector 31 Plug frame assembly 32 Sliding sleeve 33 Capillary 38 Fixed spring F, F1 Fiber

Claims (10)

  An optical fiber holding jig for holding an optical fiber, comprising: a first elastic body that holds the optical fiber in contact with the optical fiber, and the first elastic body is elastically deformed by movement in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is attached to the optical fiber in the axial direction toward the tip thereof with a pressing force that can suppress variation in the insertion length of the optical connector by restoring the first elastic body from the elastically deformed state. An optical fiber holding jig characterized by being biased.   The optical fiber holding jig according to claim 1, further comprising a second elastic body having a larger elastic coefficient than the first elastic body and holding the optical fiber in contact with the optical fiber. .   When the optical fiber is held and pulled with a force of 0.3 N or less in the longitudinal direction, 0 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber relative to the optical fiber holding jig is caused by elastic deformation of the first elastic body. The optical fiber holding jig according to claim 1 or 2, wherein movement of 2 mm or more is allowed. A sub-holder that holds an intermediate portion of the optical fiber, and a jig body that holds the sub-holder slidably in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber,
The optical fiber holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first elastic body is provided in the sub-holder.   In the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, the width of the optical fiber holding jig is 16 mm, and the height from the lowest point of the main body to the central axis of the optical fiber is 5 mm. The optical fiber holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The elastic modulus of the first elastic body is 0.1 MPa or less, and the total length in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber of the portion of the first elastic body in contact with the optical fiber is 10 mm or less. An optical fiber holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The optical fiber holding jig according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body and the optical fiber are slidable.   The optical fiber holding jig according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is held in contact with both the first elastic body and a rigid body facing the first elastic body. An optical fiber for connecting an optical fiber to an optical connector using an optical fiber holding jig having a first elastic body that abuts against the optical fiber and having a holding portion for holding an intermediate portion of the optical fiber A mounting method,
With the optical fiber inserted into the optical connector, the optical fiber holding jig is moved in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber and brought into contact with a predetermined abutting position;
Fixing the optical fiber by a fixing means provided in the optical connector in a state where the first elastic body is deformed;
An optical fiber mounting method comprising: A light comprising: a sub-holder that has a first elastic body that abuts an optical fiber, and that holds an intermediate portion of the optical fiber; and a jig body that holds the sub-holder so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. An optical fiber mounting method for connecting an optical fiber to an optical connector using a fiber holding jig,
With the optical fiber inserted into the optical connector, the sub-holder is brought into contact with a predetermined abutting position by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber;
Fixing the optical fiber by a fixing means provided in the optical connector in a state where the first elastic body is deformed;
An optical fiber mounting method comprising:

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