JP2012042455A - Lateral incidence device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lateral incidence device capable of efficiently inputting signal light from the side face of an optical fiber into the optical fiber and capable of improving the accuracy of an incident angle and an incident position.SOLUTION: A lateral incidence device 1 includes: a substrate 10; a signal light supply member 4 mounted on the main surface of the substrate 10 to supply beam-like signal light to an optical fiber 5; and a guide member 2 mounted on the main surface of the substrate 10 to fix the optical fiber 5 in a curved state. The guide member 2 has an outer peripheral surface 21 for holding the optical fiber 5 in the curved state. In the signal light supply member 4, a wedge-shaped member 40 is formed on an end part from which signal light is discharged. The wedge-shaped member 40 is brought into contact with the optical fiber 5 fixed on the outer peripheral surface 21 to hold optical contact with the optical fiber 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a side incident device, and more particularly to a side incident device used for measuring a connection state of optical fibers.

  When verifying the optical fiber connection status after installation when installing an optical fiber outdoors or changing the optical fiber connection, for example, an optical signal is input to and output from the optical fiber after installation. Measure. At this time, if an optical signal is input / output from a communication device corresponding to the end to which the optical fiber is connected, it is necessary to measure at a plurality of remote locations. For this reason, the burden of work is large and not easy.

  Therefore, when changing an optical fiber in a part of the area between one communication device and another communication device, measurement is performed by inputting and outputting optical signals in the vicinity of the changed optical fiber. It is preferable to do. For this reason, it is preferable to input and output signal light in the middle of the extending optical fiber path. In this way, the signal light can be input / output so as to be more efficient and more stable. Therefore, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-25210 (Patent Document 1), there is a case in which the extending optical fiber is bent and the signal light is incident from the side surface of the curved region.

JP 2009-25210 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method for defining the incident angle and the incident position of signal light as described above as a technique for efficiently entering signal light from the side surface of the optical fiber, and an optimum radius of curvature for bending the optical fiber. It is disclosed. Patent Document 1 describes members such as a fiber guide and a ferrule guide that allow signal light to enter an optical fiber at the incident angle and the incident position.

  However, in the values of the incident angle and the incident position of the signal light and the optimum bending radius for bending the optical fiber in Patent Document 1, the wavelength of the incident signal light is 1.65 μm and the wavelength of the transmission signal light is 1. Each value is for minimizing an increase in loss at 55 μm or less. These values are basically different from the values when dark fiber is used or when signal light in the transmission wavelength region is applied. However, Patent Document 1 discloses these values. Absent. In addition, there is no description on how the member fixes the optical fiber in order to optimize the incident angle and the incident position of the signal light. Therefore, there is a possibility that problems such as a shift in the position where the optical fiber is installed may occur.

  In the lateral incidence method of Patent Document 1, a refractive index matching member is disposed on the side surface of the optical fiber in order to stabilize the incident signal light. However, the refractive index matching member is a gel-like refractive index matching material, and if this is applied to the side surface of the optical fiber and an optical fiber for receiving signal light is installed, the optical fiber for receiving signal light is installed. There is a possibility that the end portion that outputs the signal light is displaced due to the flow of the gel-like refractive index matching material. Furthermore, since the gel-like refractive index matching material needs to be supplied to the side surface of the optical fiber one by one, the work efficiency may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The purpose is to provide a side incident device capable of more efficiently inputting signal light from the side surface of the optical fiber into the optical fiber and further improving the accuracy of the incident angle and the incident position. That is.

  The side incidence device according to the present invention is a side incidence device that makes signal light enter the inside of an optical fiber from the side. The side incident device includes a substrate, a light supply member installed on the main surface of the substrate for supplying beam-shaped signal light to the optical fiber, and a state where the optical fiber is bent on the main surface. And a guide member to be fixed. The guide member has an outer peripheral surface that holds the optical fiber in a curved state. Among the light supply members, an optical member is provided at an end portion from which signal light is emitted. The optical member maintains optical contact with an optical fiber fixed to the outer peripheral surface.

  More precisely, the side incident device is a side incident device that receives signal light from the side and couples the optical signal to the core of the optical fiber. If the said side incidence apparatus is used, an optical fiber will be fixed in the state curved by the desired curvature radius by hold | maintaining an optical fiber to the outer peripheral surface of a guide member. Furthermore, an optical member such as a wedge-shaped member installed at the end of the light supply member of the side incident device is securely fixed at a desired angle at a desired position with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the guide member. It is possible to do. For this reason, it can be ensured that the signal light is incident on the optical fiber at a desired position from a desired angle.

  Preferably, in the side incident device, at least a part of the outer peripheral surface has a radius of curvature of 5 mm or less, and the first region for inputting signal light to the optical fiber is the center of the radius of curvature of the first region. As seen from the above, the angle of the first region is 30 ° or more.

  In the optical fiber, at least in a region where signal light is incident sideways, it is preferable that the radius of curvature is curved so as to draw a steep curve of 5 mm or less. As a result of intensive studies, the inventors of the present invention have found that if the radius of curvature in the vicinity of the signal light in the optical fiber and the curvature radius in the vicinity thereof and the angle of the region having the curvature radius are set as described above, the optical fiber It has been found that the efficiency of inputting the signal light into the interior can be increased. More specifically, the signal light has an angle of 15 ° between a first straight line connecting one end and the center of the first region and a second straight line connecting the point and the center on the outer peripheral surface. In the second region of 30 ° or less, it is preferable to enter the optical fiber from the direction along the tangent at the point toward the vicinity of the one end.

  In the side incident device, the optical member may have a sheet-like member. The refractive index of the sheet-like member is preferably 0.9 to 1.1 times that of the optical fiber. As described above, if the sheet-like member is disposed in the wedge-shaped member, particularly in a region in contact with the optical fiber on which the signal light is incident, the signal light can be input to the optical fiber with higher efficiency.

  In the side incident device, a viscous liquid may be applied to the optical member. The refractive index of the viscous liquid is preferably 0.9 to 1.1 times that of the optical fiber. As described above, the signal light can be input to the optical fiber with higher efficiency if the viscous liquid is applied to the wedge-shaped member, particularly in a region that contacts the optical fiber on which the signal light is incident.

  In the side incidence device in which the viscous liquid is applied to the optical member as described above, the first surface and the first surface along the main surface are preferably formed below the third region of the wedge-shaped member where the viscous liquid is applied. A plane crossing portion having a second plane crossing the plane is formed. If it does in this way, the dripped viscous liquid will fall to the 1st surface of the crossing part especially. For this reason, the said surface cross | intersection part has a role like the saucer of the dripped viscous liquid, and can reduce possibility that a viscous liquid will fall on a board | substrate etc. FIG.

  In the side incident device, preferably, at least one of the light supply member and the guide member is changed by the slide mechanism mounted on the main surface so that the distance between the light supply member and the guide member changes. It can move in a direction along the main surface.

  If the light supply member is movable in the direction along the main surface of the substrate, for example, when installing the optical fiber on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member, set the light supply member away from the guide member, When signal light enters the optical fiber installed on the outer peripheral surface, the light supply member can be brought close to the guide member, and the wedge-shaped member can be brought into contact with the optical fiber. For this reason, the efficiency of the operation | work using the said apparatus is raised more.

  Preferably, in the side incident device, a groove portion to which an optical fiber can be attached is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member. In this way, the optical fiber is securely fixed by the outer peripheral surface of the guide member.

  In the side incident device, preferably, at least one of the light supply member and the guide member has a mechanism that the guide member slides in a direction along the thickness of the substrate and stops at a desired position. In this way, when an optical fiber having a configuration in which a plurality of core wires (tape core wires) are bundled is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the guide member, a desired core wire among the plurality of core wires arranged in the width direction is used. Only the signal light can be input easily.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a side incident device capable of more efficiently increasing signal light from the side surface of an optical fiber and further improving the accuracy of an incident angle and an incident position.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the side injection device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the side injection device of FIG. It is the schematic which looked at the side injection apparatus of FIG. 1 from the direction opposite to FIG. 1 regarding the depth direction of FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a mode in which a region where an optical fiber is curved and a wedge-shaped member are in contact with each other in the side incidence device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of a wedge-shaped member according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a top view of the side incident device of FIG. 1 for defining a contact point at which a wedge-shaped member contacts an optical fiber, a curvature of an outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber guide member, and the like. FIG. 8 is a top view of the side incident device of FIG. 1 for defining a more preferable state than that of FIG. 7, such as a contact point at which the wedge-shaped member contacts the optical fiber and a curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber guide member. It is the schematic which shows the shape of the wedge-shaped member which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 8 is a top view of a side incident device similar to FIG. 7 when a wedge-shaped member according to Embodiment 2 is used. FIG. 8 is a top view of a side incident device similar to FIG. 7 when a wedge-shaped member according to Embodiment 3 is used. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the side injection device which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a side view of the side injection device of FIG. It is a top view of the side injection device of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state of the optical fiber of the structure where a some tape core wire parallels. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the side injection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the side injection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the side injection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. (A) It is the schematic which shows the structure of the optical fiber guide member which has the width | variety of a standard groove part used for the side injection device which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. (B) It is the schematic which shows the structure of the optical fiber guide member from which the width | variety of a groove part used for the side injection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention differs from FIG. 19 (A). (A) It is the schematic which shows the structure of the optical fiber guide member in which the groove part was formed in the standard position used for the side injection device which concerns on Embodiment 9 of this invention. (B) It is the schematic which shows the structure of the optical fiber guide member used for the side injection device which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention, and the position of a groove part differs from FIG. 20 (A).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a side incidence device 1 of the present embodiment includes an optical fiber guide member 2 (guide member), a mounting member 3, a signal light supply member 4 (light supply member), And a slide rail 11. Each of these members is disposed on the substrate 10.

  The optical fiber guide member 2 has an arcuate outer peripheral surface 21 when viewed from above, and the optical fiber 5 is fixed and held in the groove portion 20 formed on the outer peripheral surface 21. The groove 20 extends in the direction in which the outer peripheral surface 21 extends (the direction along the arc), and has a certain depth with respect to the outer peripheral surface 21. The optical fiber 5 is fixed inside the groove 20. Therefore, when the optical fiber 5 is fixed inside the groove 20, the optical fiber 5 is attached to the optical fiber guide member 2 while being bent in the same shape as the groove 20 (outer peripheral surface 21).

  A part of the upper portion of the groove portion 20 to which the optical fiber 5 is fixed may be covered with, for example, a flat plate-shaped magnet member 32. In this way, the optical fiber 5 is more firmly fixed by the magnet member 32 so as not to be detached from the outer peripheral surface 21. Therefore, it is preferable that the main body of the optical fiber guide member 2 is made of a magnetic metal material such as iron or stainless steel.

  The mounting member 3 has a configuration in which a mounting surface along a main surface of the substrate 10 (a main surface having the largest area and extending in the horizontal direction among the surfaces) is fixed to a slide mechanism described later by a bolt 31a.

  The slide rail 11 (slide mechanism) is a long rail fixed on the main surface of the substrate 10 by bolts 31b. The optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 are disposed on the slide rail 11. For this reason, the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 are configured to be able to move relative to the substrate 10 along the direction in which the slide rail 11 extends. That is, the distance between the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 in the direction in which the slide rail 11 extends can be freely changed by moving both on the slide rail 11.

  For example, a plate-shaped magnet member 32 may be disposed on one surface (side surface) of the mounting member 3 that faces the optical fiber guide member 2.

  For example, a cylindrical signal light supply member 4 is placed on the mounting surface of the mounting member 3. The light source passage 6 is connected to the rear end 42 which is one end (the end opposite to the end facing the optical fiber guide member 2) in the extending direction of the signal light supply member 4. A light source 7 is connected to the light source passage 6.

  From the light source 7, signal light to be incident on the inside of the optical fiber 5 is supplied. The signal light supplied from the light source 7 propagates in the light source passage 6 in the direction in which the light source passage 6 extends and reaches the signal light supply member 4. The signal light is radiated to the outside of the signal light supply member 4 from the end opposite to the rear end 42 in the extending direction of the signal light supply member 4.

  A lens mechanism such as a collimator is disposed inside the signal light supply member 4. With this lens mechanism, the signal light is in the form of a beam and can be efficiently incident on the inside of the optical fiber 5. Here, in particular, in order to make the signal light incident with high efficiency, it is preferable to set the beam waist of the light beam to be about 10 μm or more and 20 μm or less unless there is a problem of position accuracy.

  A wedge-shaped member 40 (optical member) is disposed at the end where signal light is emitted from the signal light supply member 4. When the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 move on the slide rail 11 when the wedge-shaped member 40 approaches the wedge-shaped member 40, the wedge-shaped member 40 and the side surface of the optical fiber 5 fixed to the groove portion 20. It has a shape capable of maintaining optical contact.

  Specifically, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the wedge-shaped member 40 is preferably disposed at a position facing the groove portion 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2. In this way, for example, if the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 move on the slide rail 11 and both approach, the member side surface portion 40a of the wedge-shaped member 40 is fixed to the groove portion 20. The optical fiber 5 is contacted while being pushed in the depth direction of the groove 20. The wedge-shaped member 40 (member side surface portion 40 a) pushes the optical fiber 5 while being in contact with the optical fiber 5, whereby the wedge-shaped member 40 maintains optical contact with the optical fiber 5, and the wedge-shaped member 40 holds the optical fiber 5. The groove 20 is held inside.

  3 and 4 show a state where the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 are separated from each other, and the optical fiber 5 fixed to the groove portion 20 and the wedge-shaped member 40 do not come into contact with each other. In FIG. 3, in order to facilitate the explanation of the shape of the wedge-shaped member 40 in FIGS. 5 and 6 to be described later, from the opposite direction to FIGS. 1 and 2 (upside down in FIGS. 1 and 2). Is shown).

  3 and 4 show a state in which the guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 are separated from each other, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 approach each other and the wedge-shaped member 40 The state which the member side part 40a of this contacted the curved part of the optical fiber 5 is shown with the enlarged view. 5 is an enlarged view of the wedge-shaped member 40 and the optical fiber 5 viewed from the same direction as FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows an aspect in which the wedge-shaped member 40 is viewed from the same direction as FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, when the wedge-shaped member 40 is attached to the signal light supply member 4, the region facing the optical fiber 5 has a member side surface portion 40 a (second surface) and a member bottom surface portion 40 b (first surface). The plane crossing part which has a surface of (5) is formed. The member bottom surface portion 40 b is a region that is arranged (in the horizontal direction) along the main surface of the substrate 10 when the wedge-shaped member 40 is attached to the signal light supply member 4. The member side surface portion 40a intersects the member bottom surface portion 40b, and is an area that is disposed substantially perpendicularly (vertically) to the main surface of the substrate 10 when the wedge-shaped member 40 is attached to the signal light supply member 4. is there. Both the member side surface portion 40a and the member bottom surface portion 40b are preferably planar.

  The wedge-shaped member 40 is an area that bridges signal light from the signal light supply member 4 to the inside of the optical fiber 5. Therefore, total reflection of the signal light does not occur between the wedge-shaped member 40 and the optical fiber 5, and the wedge-shaped member 40 is formed of a material that can efficiently input the signal light from the wedge-shaped member 40 to the optical fiber 5. It is preferred that The optical fiber 5 is usually made of quartz glass or plastic. Therefore, the wedge-shaped member 40 is close to the absolute refractive index 1.5 of quartz glass or plastic similar to the optical fiber 5 or quartz glass or plastic (the absolute refractive index is 0.9 times or more and 1.1 times that of the optical fiber 5). It is preferably made of a material.

  In FIG. 7, for ease of explanation, it is again shown from the same direction as in FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, the groove 20 (outer peripheral surface 21) to which the optical fiber 5 is fixed has a small radius of curvature region 21 a (first region) having a relatively small radius of curvature when viewed from above. The large curvature radius region 21b has a relatively larger radius of curvature than the small curvature radius region 21a. The signal light is preferably input into the optical fiber 5 from a region of the optical fiber 5 held in the small radius of curvature region 21a. That is, it is preferable that the wedge-shaped member 40 (member side surface portion 40a) is disposed at a position in contact with the optical fiber 5 held in the small curvature radius region 21a. Furthermore, in other words, the contact P between the wedge-shaped member 40 (member side surface portion 40a) and the optical fiber 5 is preferably present on the optical fiber 5 held in the small radius of curvature region 21a.

  Further, referring to FIG. 7, the curvature radius R1 of the small curvature radius region 21a is preferably 5 mm or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the angle (center angle) θ1 of the small curvature radius region 21a viewed from the center O1 of the curvature radius R1 in plan view is 30 ° or more. On the other hand, the curvature radius R2 viewed from the arcuate center O2 formed by the large curvature radius region 21b is larger than the curvature radius R1.

  Referring to FIG. 8, one end Q of the small curvature radius region 21 a in a plan view includes a small curvature radius region 21 a that is an arc shape and a region that is linear in the outer peripheral surface 21 of the optical fiber guide member 2. It is a point that hits the boundary. Here, the one end Q of the small curvature radius region 21a refers to the small curvature radius region 21a having a curvature radius in the direction along the outer peripheral surface 21 of the guide member 2, and the region extending linearly (the end Q of FIG. 8). It is a point corresponding to the boundary with the area extending to the left). Now, consider a straight line l1 (first straight line) connecting the center O1 and the terminal Q and a straight line l2 (second straight line) connecting the center O1 and the contact point P. At this time, the angle θ2 formed by the straight line l1 and the straight line l2 with O1 as the center is preferably about 20 °, more specifically 15 ° to 30 °.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
The side incident device of the present embodiment includes a signal light supply member 4 capable of supplying beam-shaped signal light to the optical fiber 5, a guide member 2 for fixing the optical fiber 5 in a curved state, and a guide. And a wedge-shaped member 40 that holds and holds the optical fiber 5 fixed to the member 2 so as to press down.

  Since it has such a configuration, the contact point between the wedge-shaped member 40 and the optical fiber 5 is always the same location. The signal light from the wedge-shaped member 40 to the optical fiber 5 can always be incident at the same angle from the same contact point P (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the side incidence device, the slide rail 11 can freely change the distance between the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3. That is, the distance between the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 when the optical fiber 5 and the wedge-shaped member 40 come into contact with each other can be made constant. As described above, when the side incident device is used, light is always incident on the optical fiber 5 at the same incident angle and intensity more stably without causing variations in the incident angle and intensity of the signal light to the optical fiber 5. can do.

  Here, if the curvature radius of the small curvature radius region 21a and the angle θ1 with respect to the center O1 of the small curvature radius region 21a are adjusted as described above, or the shape and material of the wedge-shaped member 40 are optimized, the inside of the optical fiber 5 can be obtained. For example, the total reflection of the signal light is suppressed. That is, signal light can be incident into the curved region of the optical fiber 5 with high efficiency and more stably. Note that by adjusting θ2 shown in FIG. 8 to about 20 °, the signal light can be made to enter the curved region of the optical fiber 5 with higher efficiency and more stably.

  Further, since the member side surface portion 40a where the wedge-shaped member 40 contacts the optical fiber 5 is not a curved surface but a planar shape, the member side surface portion 40a and the optical fiber 5 are in contact at only one point of the contact point P. For this reason, compared with the case where signal light is input into the optical fiber 5 from the curved surface which touches along the curved optical fiber 5, for example, it becomes possible to finely adjust the intensity | strength and angle of the said signal light with high precision. . That is, since the wedge-shaped member 40 is wedge-shaped, it can be said that the angle of the collimator can be finely adjusted. This is because, for example, when signal light is input to the optical fiber 5 from a curved surface that is in contact with the curved optical fiber 5, there are a plurality of contacts between the optical fiber 5 and the curved surface to which the signal light is input. This is because there is a possibility that it will be difficult to make fine adjustment of the signal light with high accuracy.

  Further, for example, a flat plate-shaped magnet member 32 is disposed on one surface (side surface) of the mounting member 3 facing the optical fiber guide member 2. For this reason, when signal light is input to the optical fiber 5, the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 can be brought close to each other so that they are in close contact with each other. Therefore, the position of the optical fiber guide member 2 (optical fiber 5) relative to the signal light supply member 4 (wedge-like member 40) on the mounting member 3 can be made constant with higher accuracy.

  Further, also in the optical fiber guide member 2, the optical fiber 5 fixed to the groove portion 20 is securely held inside the groove portion 20 by being pressed by the wedge-shaped member 40. If the magnet member 32 is disposed so as to cover the optical fiber 5 fixed to the groove portion 20, the optical fiber 5 is more reliably fixed to the groove portion 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2 by the magnet member 32. Thus, since the signal light is input in a state where the optical fiber 5 is securely fixed, the signal light can be incident more stably.

  Since the distance between the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 can be freely changed by the slide rail 11, for example, when the optical fiber 5 is attached to the groove portion 20, the mounting member 3 is used as the optical fiber guide member. It can be set at a position away from 2. If it does in this way, the member 3 for mounting will become obstructive in the case of the said attachment, and it can suppress malfunctions, such as a work efficiency falling. Therefore, since the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 can be moved by the slide rail 11, the efficiency of the preparation work can be increased and the efficiency and accuracy of the signal light input can be increased.

(Embodiment 2)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the state of the wedge-shaped member 40. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  The side incident device in the present embodiment is roughly the same as the side incident device in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, a sheet-like member is further arranged on the wedge-like member 40.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, sheet-like member 41 made of, for example, a flat plate shape is affixed on member side surface portion 40 a of wedge-like member 40. Similar to the wedge-shaped member 40, the sheet-like member 41 is, for example, quartz glass, plastic, or other absolute refractive index close to that of the optical fiber 5 (0.9 to 1.1 times the absolute refractive index of the optical fiber 5). It is preferable to consist of the material which has.

  FIG. 10 is a top view showing a state in which signal light is input from the wedge-shaped member 40 to the optical fiber 5 according to the present embodiment, similar to FIG. FIG. 10 is different from FIG. 7 in the state of the wedge-shaped member 40. Specifically, in FIG. 7, the optical fiber 5 is in contact with the member side surface portion 40 a of the wedge-shaped member 40 at the contact P. On the other hand, in FIG. 10, the sheet-like member 41 and the optical fiber 5 are in contact with each other at the contact P, and signal light is input from the contact P into the optical fiber 5.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, components not described in FIGS. 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
Even if the wedge-shaped member 40 in which the sheet-like member 41 is affixed on the member side surface portion 40a is used as in the present embodiment, the flat-plate-like sheet-like member 41 and the optical fiber 5 are the same as in the first embodiment. The signal light is input at the contact P with high efficiency and more stably.

  Further, if the sheet-like member 41 is attached to the wedge-shaped member 40, the volume of the region that bridges the signal light supply member 4 and the optical fiber 5 becomes larger than when the wedge-shaped member 40 is used alone. For this reason, the coupling | bonding of the signal light supply member 4 and the optical fiber 5 can be made smoother.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention only in each point described above. That is, the configuration, conditions, procedures, effects, and the like not described above for the second embodiment of the present invention are all the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 3)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the state of the wedge-shaped member 40. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  The side incident device in the present embodiment is roughly the same as the side incident device in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, a viscous liquid is further applied to the wedge-shaped member 40.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, viscous liquid 43 is applied on member side surface portion 40 a of wedge-shaped member 40. The viscous liquid 43 is applied, for example, as a gel-like refractive index matching material. Similar to the wedge-shaped member 40, the viscous liquid 43 may be made of a material having an absolute refractive index of 1.5 (0.9 to 1.1 times the absolute refractive index of the optical fiber 5) close to the optical fiber 5. preferable.

  The viscous liquid 43 is preferably applied so that the wedge-shaped member 40 and the viscous liquid 43 are coupled to each other at the contact P between the wedge-shaped member 40 (sheet-shaped member 41) and the optical fiber 5 and the peripheral region of the contact P. .

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, components not described above in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
Even when the wedge-shaped member 40 in which the gel-like viscous liquid 43 is applied on the member side surface portion 40a is used as in the present embodiment, the wedge-shaped member 40, the optical fiber 5, and the like, as in the first embodiment. The signal light is input at the contact point P with high efficiency and more stably. Further, by applying the viscous liquid 43 having an absolute refractive index close to that of the optical fiber 5, the coupling state between the wedge-shaped member 40 and the optical fiber 5 can be further improved.

  By the way, the wedge-shaped member 40 which concerns on Embodiment 1-Embodiment 3 has the member side part 40a and the member bottom face part 40b. The member bottom surface portion 40b is formed so as to intersect the member side surface portion 40a, and both constitute a surface intersection portion. In a state where the wedge-shaped member 40 is attached to the signal light supply member 4, the member bottom surface portion 40b is disposed below the member side surface portion 40a.

  Due to such a configuration, the member bottom surface portion 40b can receive the viscous liquid 43 applied and dripped down on the member side surface portion 40a. That is, the member bottom surface portion 40 b acts as a receiving surface for the viscous liquid 43. Accordingly, the viscous liquid 43 applied on the member side surface portion 40a hangs down toward the main surface of the substrate 10 and can suppress problems such as staining the substrate 10 and the like.

  The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention only in each point described above. That is, the configuration, conditions, procedures, effects, and the like that have not been described above for the third embodiment of the present invention are all the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 4)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the optical fiber guide member 2. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  The side incident device in the present embodiment is roughly the same as the side incident device in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the optical fiber guide member 2 is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate 10.

  12 to 14, in the present embodiment, at least one of the signal light supply member 4 and the optical fiber guide member 2, the optical fiber guide member 2 has a direction along its thickness (see FIG. 12, and a mechanism capable of being stopped (fixed) at a desired position (height). Specifically, the optical fiber guide member 2 has a screw portion 23 inside. That is, the screw part 23 extending in the direction along the thickness of the optical fiber guide member 2 (the vertical direction in FIG. 12) is formed. However, the screw portion 23 may be formed on the signal light supply member 4.

  The pitch of the screw portions 23 is preferably the minimum distance that should allow the optical fiber guide member 2 to move in the vertical direction, and is preferably, for example, 250 μm. On the uppermost surface of the optical fiber guide member 2, a scale 24 indicating the amount of rotation of the screw portion 23 is printed around the screw portion 23. One scale of the scale 24 is preferably a rotation angle corresponding to the pitch of the screw portion 23, for example.

  That is, the optical fiber guide member 2 of the side incident device according to the present embodiment can move in the vertical direction as well as in the direction along the slide rail 11 (horizontal direction). 12 to 14, the screw portion 23 is provided only in the optical fiber guide member 2. However, the mounting member 3 may be provided with a screw portion 23 similar to that of the optical fiber guide member 2. In this way, in addition to the optical fiber guide member 2, the mounting member 3 can also move in two directions, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

  12 to 14, the wedge-shaped member 40, the mounting member 3, the slide rail 11, the optical fiber guide member 2, and the like are illustrated in a partially simplified shape. However, each of these members may have the same aspect as the above-described first to third embodiments.

  Further, it is preferable that a plurality of torsion prevention shafts 22 be formed at regular intervals around the screw portion 23 in plan view. The torsion prevention shaft 22 is an area formed to prevent the members constituting the optical fiber guide member 2 from being twisted when the screw portion 23 rotates.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Accordingly, components not described in FIGS. 12 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the optical fiber 5 has a configuration in which a plurality of tape cores 51, 52, and 53 are bundled, a gradual signal light is incident on only one of the tape cores 51, 52, and 53. You may want to In this case, for example, in a state where the optical fiber 5 of FIG. 15 is fixed to the optical fiber guide member 2 (groove portion 20), the signal light is first incident on the uppermost tape core wire 51, and then the central tape core. It is preferable that the signal light is incident on the line 52 and finally the lowermost tape core 53.

  At this time, for example, if the vertical position of the mounting member 3 is not changed, the optical fiber guide member 2 is moved in the vertical direction. In this way, the optical fiber guide member 2 can be adjusted stepwise so that the signal light can be incident only on the desired tape core wire (in the vertical direction). Therefore, the side incidence device according to the present embodiment can easily make the signal light incident on each of the tape cores constituting the optical fiber 5 as shown in FIG.

  The fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention only in each point described above. That is, the configuration, conditions, procedures, effects, and the like that have not been described above for the fourth embodiment of the present invention are all the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 5)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the optical fiber guide member 2. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 16, in the side incident device according to the present embodiment, a protective cover 25 is disposed so as to cover the entire optical fiber guide member 2 from above.

  The protective cover 25 has an upper surface portion that covers the entire uppermost surface of the optical fiber guide member 2 from above, and a side surface portion that surrounds the side surface in the depth direction shown in FIG. However, it is preferable that the entire side surface in the left-right direction (direction in which the slide rail 11 extends) in FIG. 16 is not covered. Therefore, the protective cover 25 preferably has a tunnel-like substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but is not necessarily limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Accordingly, components not described in FIG. 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
Like the side incident device of the present embodiment, by providing a protective cover 25 that covers the optical fiber guide member 2 from above, in particular, particles or particles on the optical fiber 5 fixed in the groove 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2 Dust adsorption can be suppressed. Therefore, the optical fiber 5 can be kept in a higher quality state.

  The protective cover 25 has a tunnel-like side surface particularly in the direction in which the slide rail 11 extends. For this reason, the end of the optical fiber 5 can be penetrated into the side cavity, or the wedge-shaped member 40 can be penetrated so as to contact the curved portion of the optical fiber 5. That is, by forming the protective cover 25 in the above-described shape, the optical fiber 5 can be protected from dust and particles without hindering the normal operation of the side incident device.

  The fifth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention only in the points described above. That is, the configuration, conditions, procedures, effects, and the like not described above in the fifth embodiment of the present invention are all the same as those in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 6)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light source 7. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 17, the side incident device of the present embodiment may not include light source passage 6, and light source 7 may be directly attached to rear end portion 42.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Accordingly, components not described in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
If the light source 7 is configured to be directly connected to the rear end portion 42 as in the case of the side incident device of the present embodiment, the signal light supplied from the light source 7 can reach the inside of the optical fiber 5. The route becomes shorter. For this reason, the signal light supplied from the light source 7 can be supplied into the optical fiber 5 with higher efficiency without being attenuated.

  Further, since the light source 7 is directly connected to the rear end portion 42, a member for guiding the signal light from the light source 7 to the side incident device becomes unnecessary. For this reason, the side incident device is reduced in size and the operability is improved. Further, the output signal of the element constituting the light source 7 can be directly coupled to the collimator, and the range of numerical values such as the beam diameter and the distance to the optical system is widened (the numerical freedom is increased). As described above, the degree of freedom in designing the side incident device can be increased (design can be performed flexibly).

  The sixth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention only in each point described above. That is, the configuration, conditions, procedures, effects, and the like that have not been described above for the sixth embodiment of the present invention are all the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 7)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the optical fiber guide member 2. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 18, the side incidence device in the present embodiment has a plurality of optical fiber guide members 2. The optical fiber guide member 2 is detachably fixed to the substrate 10. Specifically, one or a plurality of (for example, three) guide pins 26 are fixed on the main surface of the substrate 10 particularly in a region where the optical fiber guide member 2 is disposed. The guide pins 26 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate 10. Further, a through hole 27 is formed in the optical fiber guide member 2 so as to penetrate while extending along the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 18). The through holes 27 are formed so as to have substantially the same arrangement as the guide pins 26 in plan view.

  The optical fiber guide member 2 has a through hole 27 formed so as to penetrate in the vertical direction of FIG. The optical fiber guide member 2 is fixed to the substrate 10 by setting the guide pin 26 so as to penetrate the through hole 27 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the position of the optical fiber guide member 2 with respect to the substrate 10 is fixed. However, also in the present embodiment, the mounting member 3 is disposed on the slide rail 11 and is movable relative to the substrate 10. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the distance between the optical fiber guide member 2 and the mounting member 3 in the direction in which the slide rail 11 extends freely changes as the mounting member 3 moves on the slide rail 11. can do.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Accordingly, components not described in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawing of the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Here, the effect of the side injection device of this embodiment will be described.
By adopting a configuration in which the optical fiber guide member 2 can be detachably fixed to the substrate 10 as in the present embodiment, the optical fiber guide is fixed after the optical fiber 5 is fixed inside the groove portion 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2. The member 2 can be fixed to the substrate 10. In this case, for example, the optical fiber 5 is compared with the case where the optical fiber 5 is fixed to the groove portion 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2 that moves so as to slide along the slide rail 11 on the main surface of the substrate 10. The work of attaching the becomes easy, and the work efficiency is improved.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, the shorter optical fiber 5 can be attached to the optical fiber guide member 2 easily. Since the optical fiber 5 is fixed inside the groove portion 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2 in a state where the optical fiber guide member 2 is not fixed to the substrate 10, the side incident device is used when attaching the optical fiber 5 to the optical fiber guide member 2. It is no longer necessary to carry out work while supporting the whole. For this reason, even when the width of the groove portion 20 (crossing the extending direction) is narrow, the optical fiber 5 can be fixed so as to be pushed into the groove portion 20 relatively easily.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, when measuring the some optical fiber 5 (or tape core wire), the efficiency of the measurement operation | work can be improved, for example. For example, a plurality of optical fiber guide members 2 are prepared, and each of the plurality of optical fibers 5 is set in the groove 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2 in advance, and then the optical fiber guide members 2 are sequentially attached to the substrate 10. This is because it can be removed. This operation is easier than, for example, the operation of sequentially attaching or removing the optical fiber 5 to or from the groove portion 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2 that moves so as to slide along the slide rail 11, and the work efficiency is improved.

  The optical fiber guide member 2 may be detachably fixed to the substrate 10 by means other than the guide pins 26 and the through holes 27. For example, on the region where the optical fiber guide member 2 is placed on the main surface of the substrate 10 and on the surface of the optical fiber guide member 2 that faces the main surface when placed on the main surface of the substrate 10 The optical fiber guide member 2 may be detachably fixed to the substrate 10 by attaching a hook-and-loop fastener.

  The seventh embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment of the present invention only in the points described above. That is, the configuration, conditions, procedures, effects, and the like that have not been described above for Embodiment 7 of the present invention are all the same as those of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

(Embodiment 8)
The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the groove 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 19, the optical fiber guide member 2 of the present embodiment intersects the standard width of the groove 20 shown in FIG. 19A (the direction extending along the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber guide member 2). The width is different (thickened) as shown in FIG. 19B. That is, for example, as in the seventh embodiment, the width of the groove 20 is different between the optical fiber guide members 2 that are detachably attached to the substrate 10. The width may be thicker or narrower than the standard width.

  For example, if the groove portion 20 in FIG. 19A has a width capable of fixing the optical fiber 5 in which four tape core wires are bundled (so-called four-core optical fiber 5), FIG. ) May have a width capable of fixing the optical fiber 5 in which eight tape cores are bundled (so-called eight-core optical fiber 5). Or, conversely, by narrowing the width of the groove 20 as compared with FIG. 19A, the so-called three-core optical fiber 5 in which, for example, three tape cores as shown in FIG. 15 are bundled is fixed. May have a possible width.

  By changing the width of the groove 20 as in the present embodiment, the optical fiber 5 having various thicknesses can be fixed to the optical fiber guide member 2.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Accordingly, components not described in FIG. 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 9)
The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the groove 20 of the optical fiber guide member 2. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 20, the optical fiber guiding member 2 of the present embodiment has a standard position of the groove 20 shown in FIG. 20A (coordinates in the vertical direction in the center of the width direction of the groove 20). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20B, the position of the groove 20 is different (arranged on the upper side). That is, for example, as in the seventh embodiment, the positions of the groove portions 20 are different between the optical fiber guide members 2 that are detachably attached to the substrate 10. The width may be arranged on the upper side of the figure with respect to the standard position shown in FIG. 20A (near the center in the thickness direction), or may be arranged on the lower side of the figure. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the substrate 10 at the center in the width direction of the groove 20 (when the optical fiber guide member 2 is fixed to the substrate 10) between the plurality of optical fiber guide members 2 is used. The distance from the main surface is different.

  According to the present embodiment, when the optical fiber 5 has a plurality of tape core wires as in the fourth and eighth embodiments, for example, the optical fiber 5 is a plurality of optical fiber guide members having different positions of the grooves 20. By measuring while attaching and detaching to each of the two in order, the signal light can be incident on each tape core wire in accordance with the position of the groove 20 in order. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, each tape core of the optical fiber 5 having a plurality of tape cores can be measured with high work efficiency.

  In FIGS. 19 and 20, a through hole 27 is formed in the optical fiber guide member 2, and the optical fiber guide member 2 can be attached to and detached from the substrate 10 using the guide pins 26 shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the optical fiber guide member 2 may have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (movable along the slide rail 11).

  In FIG. 20B, for example, as shown in FIG. 19B, the width of the groove 20 may be changed with respect to the standard width.

  Only in the above points, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, components not described above in FIG. 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In addition, it is good also as a structure which arbitrarily combined the structure of the side injection apparatus of each embodiment described above with the other embodiment of this Embodiment. For example, by appropriately changing the values of the curvature radii R1, R2 and the central angle θ1 shown in FIG. 7 in each of the detachable optical fiber guide members 2 shown in the seventh to ninth embodiments, As in the first mode, the signal light can be incident into the curved region of the optical fiber 5 more efficiently and more stably.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The present invention can be used particularly advantageously for a side incidence device that inputs signal light for measurement into a curved optical fiber.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Side incident device, 2 Optical fiber guide member, 3 Mounting member, 4 Signal light supply member, 5 Optical fiber, 6 Light source path, 7 Light source, 10 Substrate, 11 Slide rail, 20 Groove part, 21 Outer peripheral surface, 21a Small Curvature radius region, 21b Large curvature radius region, 22 Torsion prevention shaft, 23 Screw part, 24 scale, 25 Protective cover, 26 Guide pin, 27 Through hole, 31a, 31b Bolt, 32 Magnet member, 40 Wedge member, 40a Side of member Part, 40b member bottom face part, 41 sheet-like member, 42 rear end part, 43 viscous liquid, 51, 52, 53 tape core wire.

Claims (13)

A side incidence device for injecting signal light from the side into an optical fiber,
A substrate,
A light supply member installed on the main surface of the substrate for supplying the signal light in the form of a beam to the optical fiber;
A guide member that is installed on the main surface and fixes the optical fiber in a curved state;
The guide member has an outer peripheral surface that holds the optical fiber in a curved state,
Of the light supply member, an end portion from which the signal light is emitted has an optical member,
The side incident device, wherein the optical member is in contact with the optical fiber fixed to the outer peripheral surface and maintains optical contact with the optical fiber.   At least a part of the outer peripheral surface has a radius of curvature of 5 mm or less, and the first region for entering the signal light into the optical fiber is viewed from the center of the radius of curvature of the first region. The side incidence device according to claim 1 including so that the angle of said 1st field may be 30 degrees or more.   The signal light has an angle formed by a first straight line connecting one end of the first region and the center and a second straight line connecting the point on the first region and the center. The side incident device according to claim 2, wherein in the second region that is not less than 30 ° and not more than 30 °, the light is incident on the optical fiber from the direction along the tangent at the point toward the vicinity of the one end. The optical member has a sheet-like member,
The side incidence device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the refractive index of the sheet-like member is 0.9 to 1.1 times that of the optical fiber. The optical member is coated with a viscous liquid,
The side incidence device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a refractive index of the viscous liquid is 0.9 to 1.1 times that of the optical fiber.   In the optical member, a plane intersection portion having a first surface along the main surface and a second surface intersecting the first surface is formed below the third region to which the viscous liquid is applied. The side-injection device according to claim 5, wherein   At least one of the light supply member and the guide member is formed on the main surface such that a distance between the light supply member and the guide member is changed by a slide mechanism mounted on the main surface. The side incidence device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is movable in a direction along the direction.   The side incident device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a groove portion to which the optical fiber can be attached is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member.   The side incident device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is detachably fixed to the substrate.   The side incident device according to claim 9, wherein a groove portion to which the optical fiber can be attached is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member. There are a plurality of the guide members,
The side incident device according to claim 10, wherein a width of the groove portion in a direction intersecting with a direction extending along the outer peripheral surface is different between the individual guide members. There are a plurality of the guide members,
12. The center in the width direction intersecting with the direction extending along the outer peripheral surface of the groove portion is different in distance from the main surface of the substrate for each of the guide members. Side incident device.   The at least one of the light supply member and the guide member has a mechanism in which the guide member slides in a direction along the thickness of the substrate and stops at a desired position. The side injection device according to any one of the above.

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