JP2908324B2 - Optical connector ferrule end observer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical observation device for visually checking a ferrule end face of an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber cord with respect to dirt and scratches.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an optical observation device for observing an end face of an optical connector ferrule, it is conventionally mounted on a jig dedicated to an optical connector ferrule, the end face is illuminated by an external light source, and the reflected light is optically enlarged and visually observed. Optical observers are known.

As a conventional example, FIG.
1 shows an apparatus for observing an end face of an optical connector ferrule described in JP-A-033. Here, 12 is a microscope, 13 is a hollow cylindrical microscope support tube, 14 is a focus adjusting screw, 15 is a reticle, 19 is an illumination light source, and 20 is a window provided on the support tube 13. The illumination light source 19 illuminates the end face of the ferrule through the window 20. Assuming that the irradiation angle of the light source of the microscope 12 with respect to the light source is θ, the angle of the reticle 15 needs to be inclined to θ / 2 as shown in FIG. That is, first, the ferrule is connected to the microscope 12.
Is mounted on a receptacle which is a jig in which the and the receptacle are integrated. Next, the receptacle is tilted so that light from the illumination light source 19 is reflected on the end face of the ferrule and enters the microscope 12, and the state of the surface of the end face of the ferrule is observed with the microscope 12 enlarged. This observation device is used to see the finished state of the ferrule end face in the production of an optical connector. It is also used to check the pain of the ferrule end face of the optical fiber cord.

[0004]

In the above-described conventional optical connector ferrule observation apparatus, the end face of the optical ferrule mounted inside the optical panel or optical measuring instrument of the optical communication apparatus via the optical adapter connector is observed. In such a case, it is difficult to observe the end face of the optical ferrule with the optical adapter attached, due to its structure. If used forcibly, the above-described observation device cannot be used unless the observation device is removed from the optical adapter and the optical pigtail cord is pulled out. In addition, it is extremely inefficient in terms of time and economy to remove the optical connector from the optical panel or the optical measuring device.

Further, in the above-mentioned observation apparatus, light is applied from an oblique side surface. In this case, since the position of the ferrule is extremely deep as compared with the diameter of the aligned sleeve, the light is absorbed by the sleeve. Would. Therefore, in principle, there is a problem that the end face of the optical connector ferrule located in the middle of the alignment sleeve in the optical adapter cannot be illuminated.

Further, in most cases, the optical input / output terminals of an optical panel or an optical measuring device of an optical communication device actually used are connected to an optical connector ferrule of an internal optical pigtail and an external optical cord via an optical adapter. This is a structure in which optical connector ferrules are butted. For this reason, the end face of the built-in optical connector ferrule is deep, and dirt and scratches on the ferrule end face that greatly affect the quality of a transmission signal cannot be easily seen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a small and handy ferrule end face observer which can be mounted on an optical adapter and easily observe the state of the ferrule end face in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional example. It is in.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above problems are caused by the optical connector ferrule end face observer of the present invention, that is, the optical connector ferrule end face observer for observing the end face of the optical connector ferrule, which is substantially the same as the optical connector ferrule. A cylindrical portion having an outer diameter, a step surface provided by making the inner diameter of one end portion of the cylindrical portion larger than the inner diameter of the middle portion, and the other end portion of the cylindrical portion obliquely to the axial direction. A transparent pipe having a cut-out total reflection surface and light are applied to the total reflection surface of the transparent pipe, light propagates through the transparent pipe, leaks from the step surface of the transparent pipe, and illuminates the end face of the optical connector ferrule. A light source lamp that emits light, an equal-magnification lens that is provided in the hollow part of the transparent pipe, converts the image of the end face of the optical connector ferrule, and extracts Comprising a magnifying lens system for enlarging until possible viewing, transparent pipe, the tip portion close to the total reflection surface
The light source lamp is housed in the convex part with the side protruding
With a recess for
Because there is no blur due to total reflection by the transparent pipe,
The end face of the built-in optical connector can be easily observed.
That is solved by the ferrule end face observation unit, characterized in that.

[0009]

Further, the step surface may be a step surface perpendicular to the cylindrical axis direction or a step surface inclined with respect to the cylindrical axis.

In the optical connector ferrule end face observer of the present invention, the transparent pipe has a stepped surface at the tip end portion, and the light transmitted by totally reflecting the inside of the pipe from the stepped portion leaks out and illuminates the ferrule end surface. The ferrule end face image in the optical adapter is moved and converted on the objective image plane of the magnifying lens system by an equal-magnification lens for image conversion, and enlarged by a magnifying lens system so that it can be visually observed. Is fixed in the optical adapter in substantially the same state as the outer diameter of the optical connector ferrule, so that the enlarged image does not blur.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an optical connector ferrule end face observer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration of an optical connector ferrule end face observation device according to the present invention. The transparent pipe 10 has a step surface 7, a convex portion 1a, a concave portion 1b, and a total reflection surface 4.
In the middle of the transparent pipe, there is a 1 × lens 2,
Further, an objective image plane 5a and an eyepiece 5b of the magnifying lens system 5 continue. The light source lamp 3 is accommodated in the concave portion 1a of the transparent pipe 10 and has a battery 6 for charging the light source lamp 3 immediately behind. An optical connector ferrule end face 9 is provided at the tip of the transparent pipe 10.

The transparent pipe 10 has a cylindrical portion 1 having substantially the same outer diameter as the optical connector ferrule. The outer diameter of the ferrule of the FC type optical connector or the SC type optical connector is 2.499.
mm. This is because if the outer diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the ferrule, it does not shake even if it is directly inserted into the optical adapter. In this embodiment, the material is acrylic which has been reinforced so as not to scratch the outer surface, but it can be formed of various materials as long as it is transparent. Cylindrical part 1
Has a stepped surface 7 whose inner diameter is made larger than the middle inner diameter, and the other end of the cylindrical portion 1 is cut obliquely with respect to the axial direction. There is a total reflection surface 4. In the middle of the hollow part of the transparent pipe 10, a 1: 1 lens 2 for converting the ferrule end view to 1: 1 at the same magnification is mounted. Further, near the total reflection surface 4 of the transparent pipe 10, a convex portion 1a protruding from the side surface is provided, and the convex portion 1a has a concave portion 1b for accommodating and attaching the light source lamp 3. The light source lamp 3 is a transparent pipe 1
Light is applied to the zero total reflection surface 4, the light propagates through the transparent pipe 10, leaks from the step surface 7 of the transparent pipe 10, and illuminates the ferrule end face. After the image on the end face of the ferrule is converted by an equal-magnification lens and extracted, the image is enlarged by a magnifying lens so that it can be viewed. In order to charge the light source lamp 3 in the projection 1a of the transparent pipe 10, a small battery 6 is arranged immediately behind it. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the battery 6 are approximately 5 cm in length and 3 cm × 4 in width.
cm, a weight of about 50g, and a small, lightweight and handy one can be used. When using the optical connector ferrule end face observer of the present invention having the above configuration, it is used by directly inserting it into an optical adapter which is an optical input / output terminal of an optical panel or optical measuring instrument.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the tip of the transparent pipe 10 of the optical connector ferrule end face observation device of the present invention.
Light emitted from the light source lamp 3 and incident substantially perpendicularly to the cylindrical axial direction of the transparent pipe 10 is totally reflected by the total reflection surface 4 and travels in the axial direction. This radio wave 8 propagates while repeating total reflection several times on the side wall of the transparent pipe 10,
Reach the top of zero. A stepped surface 7 is provided at the tip of the transparent pipe 10, and light is emitted from the stepped surface 7 to irradiate the ferrule end surface 9. When passing through the step surface 7, the light is refracted and focused on the center of the ferrule end surface 9. The image of the ferrule end face 9 is converted by the equal-magnification lens 2 and forms an image on the object image plane 5a of the magnifying lens system 5, and the magnifying lens system 5
, The image is magnified 100 times, reaches the eyepiece 5b, and can be visually observed.

[0016]

As described above, in the optical connector ferrule end face observing device of the present invention, the transparent pipe serving as a light guide has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the ferrule, and can be inserted directly into the optical adapter and fixed. There is no blurring. Therefore, the state of the end face of the built-in optical connector ferrule can be easily observed by directly inserting the optical connector as an input / output end of an optical panel for an optical communication device or an optical measuring instrument.

Further, the light from the light source lamp is totally reflected and transmitted in the transparent pipe, and the light leaks out from the stepped surface due to the stepped surface at the tip of the pipe. Therefore, it is possible to effectively illuminate the end face of the optical connector ferrule in the optical adapter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an entire configuration of an embodiment of an optical connector ferrule end face observation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a distal end portion of a transparent pipe of the embodiment of the optical connector ferrule end face observation device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional optical connector ferrule end surface observation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 cylindrical portion 1a convex portion 1b concave portion 2 equal-magnification lens 3 light source lamp 4 total reflection surface 5 magnifying lens system 5a objective image surface 5b eyepiece portion 6 battery 7 step surface 8 guided light 9 ferrule end surface 10 transparent pipe

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-51815 (JP, A) JP-A-8-36133 (JP, A) JP-A-4-257818 (JP, A) JP-A-62 238513 (JP, A) JP-B-59-33847 (JP, B2) JP 6-33409 (JP, Y2) JP-A 63-152504 (JP-A 2-72952) Microfilm photographing the contents of documents and drawings (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01M 11/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An optical connector ferrule end surface observing device for observing an end surface of an optical connector ferrule, comprising: a cylindrical portion having substantially the same outer diameter as the optical connector ferrule; A transparent pipe having a step surface provided to be larger than the inner diameter of the portion, and a total reflection surface in which the other end of the cylindrical portion is cut obliquely with respect to the axial direction; A light source lamp that shines light on the total reflection surface, propagates through the transparent pipe, leaks out from the step surface of the transparent pipe and illuminates the end face of the optical connector ferrule, and is provided in a hollow portion of the transparent pipe. A magnification lens for converting the image of the end face of the optical connector ferrule into an image, and extracting the image of the end face drawn by the magnification lens. A lens system , wherein the transparent pipe has a tip close to the total reflection surface.
A convex portion protruding from the side of the portion;
It has a recess for accommodation in the projection, and is directly connected to the optical adapter.
Even if it is plugged in, it will shake due to total reflection by the transparent pipe.
The end face of the built-in optical connector.
An optical ferrule end face observation device characterized in that a child can be easily observed. 2. A battery for observing the light source lamp is provided near the light source lamp.
The optical connector end face observation device according to claim 1. 3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the step surface is a step surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. 4. The step surface according to claim 1, wherein said step surface is a step surface inclined with respect to said cylindrical axis.
4. The optical connector ferrule end face observation device according to any one of 3.