JP3141971B2 - Polishing sheet - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a polishing sheet capable of polishing a ferrule end face of an optical connector into a curved surface, and more particularly, to a relatively small size of 1 micron or less conventionally used for final polishing. It is possible to polish the ferrule end face of the optical connector by applying a polishing liquid in which diamond abrasive grains of the above are dispersed in a solution, and sliding the ferrule end face against the surface while pressing the ferrule end face at a predetermined pressure. To an abrasive sheet that can be made.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a main part of a ferrule end face polishing machine.

[0003] In the drawings, a wheel 2 is driven, for example, once a minute around an X axis by a rotary drive mechanism (not shown).
It turns around. The large gear 4 rotationally driven by a shaft passing through the center of the wheel 2 causes a pair of small gears 8 to rotate synchronously via an idle gear 6. On each pinion 8,
Pin 8a is projected the same distance from the center O _1.
The pins 8 a of the pair of small gears 8 are engaged with pin holes formed on the lower surface of the surface plate 10.

Accordingly, the pair of small gears 8 is formed by the large gear 4.
When synchronization to rotate slidably placed on the platen 10 on the wheel 2, the pin 8a from the center O ₁ of the pinion 8
Is rotated once a minute around the X axis while performing a circular motion in the upper surface of the wheel 2 by a parallel crank mechanism having a crank arm. On the surface plate 10, a rubber plate 12 having elasticity such as silicon rubber or synthetic rubber is placed. Further, on this rubber plate 12, a diamond film 14 in which diamond abrasive grains of a predetermined particle size are dispersed and fixed by an adhesive called a binder is placed. The diamond film 14, which is a fixed abrasive type,
Depending on the type of finish, it is divided into rough finish, medium finish and final finish. The size of the abrasive in each application is 9-15, 3-6 and 0.5-1 micron, respectively.

The optical connector 16 to be polished is detachably fixed to a hexagonal jig 18 so that the ferrule end surface contacts the diamond film 14.

The wheel 2 is rotated once a minute around the X axis so that the end face of the ferrule contacts the diamond film 14 with a predetermined pressing force, and the pair of small gears 8 is synchronized by the large gear 4. Then, each ferrule end surface moves along the locus as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the optical connectors 16 are fixed only at three locations of the hexagonal jig 18 for easy viewing, and the trajectories of the contact points of the end faces of the ferrules at those positions are drawn.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A diamond film 1 used in the conventional ferrule end face polishing machine described above.
In No. 4, as described above, the diamond abrasive grains were fixed to a polyester base sheet with an adhesive called a binder.

However, when the particle size of the diamond abrasive grains is small as in the case of the diamond film 14 for final finishing, the diamond abrasive grains are easily peeled off from the base material sheet and can be moved on the base material sheet. Such peeled diamond abrasive grains move around on the base sheet,
The trace 17a or 17c as shown in FIG. 4 is left on the end face of the ferrule that has been finally finished. In this trace, there were some relatively deep scratches 17b in some places, so that the polishing operation had to be started again from a medium finish.

Therefore, conventionally, before such peeled diamond abrasive grains are generated, a diamond film 14 is formed.
Had to be replaced frequently with new ones.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
From a fixed abrasive form such as 4, containing free abrasive grains, that is, a polishing solution in which abrasive grains of a predetermined grain size are dispersed and suspended in a special solution is applied to the surface, and the ferrule end face is pressed against the surface with a predetermined pressure. Abrasion that can be polished neatly without changing the type of abrasive grains that slide relatively, and using such abrasive grains without damaging the finished surface of the ferrule end face. Is to provide a sheet.

[0011]

A polishing sheet according to the present invention deforms into a curved shape when the ferrule end face of an optical connector is pressed with a predetermined pressure, and quickly recovers when the pressure is removed. And a Sn layer provided on the surface of the base sheet so as to have a substantially uniform thickness.

[0012]

A polishing liquid in which abrasive grains having a predetermined particle size are dispersed and suspended in a solution is applied on the Sn layer of the polishing sheet.

After that, when the end face polishing machine of the ferrule is operated, the abrasive grains dispersed and suspended in the polishing liquid are pushed by the end face of the ferrule and adhere to the Sn layer surface. The abrasive particles thus attached sink into the Sn layer so as to be partially buried, and do not move around the Sn layer surface.
Further, since each abrasive grain is supported by the Sn layer, which is a relatively soft metal, it does not come into contact with the ferrule end face with an extremely large force, and therefore, the final finished surface of the ferrule end face may be greatly damaged. Absent.

When the polishing sheet according to the present invention is operated by placing an elastic rubber plate on a surface plate of an end face polishing machine of a ferrule, the base sheet and the Sn layer are pushed by the end face of the ferrule to form a curved surface. Deform. Thus, the ferrule end surface can be polished into a curved surface.

When the end face of the ferrule moves to another position on the polishing sheet, the base sheet and the Sn layer are quickly restored to a flat shape by the elasticity of the base sheet.

On the other hand, when the rubber sheet of the elastic body is removed and the polishing sheet according to the present invention is directly put on the surface plate and the end face polishing machine of the ferrule is operated, the polishing sheet polishes the ferrule end face in a plane. You can also.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A polishing sheet according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the polishing sheet according to the present invention, wherein (a) and (b) are longitudinal sectional views of the polishing sheet before and during polishing, respectively.

The illustrated polishing sheet 20 is schematically represented as:
A base sheet 22, an Sn layer 24 provided on the base sheet 22 so as to have a substantially uniform thickness, and an adhesive 2 interposed between the base sheet 22 and the Sn layer 24.
And 5.

The base sheet 22 is made of a material which can be deformed into a curved shape when the end face of the ferrule of the optical connector 16 is pressed with a predetermined pressure, and can be quickly restored when the pressure is removed. It is necessary. For example, metal sheets such as beryllium copper, copper phosphate and spring steel,
Alternatively, a synthetic resin sheet having predetermined durability such as polyester can be used.

The base sheet 22 has such a strength that the Sn layer 24 can be maintained while maintaining a substantially uniform thickness state, and has a curved surface when the ferrule end face of the optical connector 16 is pressed with a predetermined pressure. It has a thickness that can be transformed into In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the thickness of the substrate sheet 22 is between 10 and 100 microns.

The Sn layer 24 can be formed on the base sheet 2 by various methods.
Fixed to 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive 25 is fixed by an adhesive 25. For example, when the base sheet 22 is a metal sheet, the Sn layer 24 can be provided on the base sheet 22 by electroplating, cold rolling, or the like.
When the base material sheet 22 is a synthetic resin sheet, the Sn foil constituting the Sn layer 24 can be bonded using an adhesive or a double-sided tape. In any case, any method may be used as long as the Sn layer 24 is provided on the surface of the base sheet 22 and the polishing sheet 20 has predetermined characteristics. Sn layer 24 has a thickness which may include holding at least abrasive grains 2 9, for example, has a thickness of 3 to 50 microns. In the preferred embodiment shown, the thickness of Sn layer 24 is 20 microns.

The polishing liquid abrasive 2 9 dispersed suspended in is diamond like conventionally known abrasives, the particle size is 0.
In the range of 5 to 2.5 microns, particularly 0.5 to 1.0 microns, the incidence of scratches was reduced as compared with the scratches on the ferrule end surface when using a conventional fixed abrasive type abrasive sheet. .

Next, a method for producing a polishing sheet according to the present invention will be described.

First, a strip of metal sheet of beryllium copper having a thickness of 10 to 100 microns is produced. The strip is passed through an electrolytic plating bath, and the Sn layer 24 is plated to a thickness of 3 to 50 microns, which is cut into a predetermined shape to complete the polishing sheet according to the present invention.

Alternatively, the abrasive sheet according to the present invention can be manufactured by preparing a polyethylene film having a predetermined thickness and a Sn foil having a thickness of 3 to 20 microns and bonding them with an adhesive or a double-sided tape. it can.

Finally, a method of polishing the ferrule end face of the optical connector using the polishing sheet according to the present invention will be described.

First, it was manufactured as described above,
A polishing sheet 20 for final finishing in the form of loose abrasive grains and a polishing sheet 14 for rough finishing and medium finishing in the form of fixed abrasive grains, which are manufactured by a conventional method, are prepared. For abrasive sheets with abrasive particles of 3 microns or more, even if the conventional binder bonding method is used, there is little generation of abrasive particles that move away from the base material sheet. And a polishing sheet 14 for semi-finishing.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, a fixed abrasive type rough finishing polishing sheet 14 in which abrasive grains having a particle size of 9 to 15 μm are dispersed and fixed is placed on an elastic disk 12. On the other hand, a predetermined number of optical connectors 16 are fixed to the hexagonal jig 18 with good balance. The drive mechanism (not shown) rotates the wheel 2 about the X axis once a minute, and the large gear 4 rotates the pair of small gears 8 synchronously. After performing this for 1 minute, the ferrule end face polishing machine is turned off. By the rough finishing, the ferrule end face is shaped into a spherical shape with a radius of about 20 mm.

Next, the abrasive sheet 14 for rough finishing is coated with a particle size of 3
The same operation as the rough finishing is performed by replacing the abrasive sheet 14 for medium finishing in which abrasive grains of up to 6 microns are dispersed and fixed. The semi-finished finish improves the surface roughness of the ferrule end face.

Finally, the polishing sheet 14 for semi-finishing is replaced with the polishing sheet 20 according to the present invention, and a polishing liquid in which abrasive grains of a predetermined particle size are dispersed and suspended in a solution is used as the Sn of the polishing sheet 20.
Apply on layer 24.

Thereafter, the end face polishing machine of the ferrule is operated to rotate the wheel 2 about the X axis once a minute, and the large gear 4 rotates the pair of small gears 8 synchronously. Thereby, the end surface of the ferrule draws a trajectory as shown in FIG. 3 while being pressed against the Sn layer 24 coated with the polishing liquid at a predetermined pressure.
Can be relatively slid on top.

As shown best in FIG. 1B, each abrasive grain 29 dispersed and suspended in the polishing liquid 28 is pressed by the ferrule end face 17 and adheres to the Sn layer 24 surface. The abrasive grains 29 thus adhered to the Sn layer 2
4 sinks so as to be partially buried inside, and does not move around the surface of the Sn layer 24. As described above, since each abrasive grain 29 is supported by the Sn layer 24 which is a relatively soft metal, it does not come into contact with the ferrule end face 17 with an extremely large force. No big scratches.

After performing such a polishing operation for one minute, the ferrule end face polishing machine is turned off. The end face of the ferrule is mirror-finished by final finishing. Polishing sheet 2 according to the present invention
In the case of 0, since the abrasive grains do not move around on the Sn layer 24, scratches on the ferrule end face after the final finishing are drastically reduced.

As described above, when the polishing sheet 20 according to the present invention is put on the surface plate 10 of the end face polishing machine of the ferrule with the elastic rubber plate 12 interposed therebetween and operated,
The base sheet 22 and the Sn layer 24 are pressed by the end face of the ferrule and deform into a curved surface. Thus, the ferrule end surface can be polished into a curved surface. On the other hand, when the elastic rubber plate 12 is removed, and the polishing sheet 20 according to the present invention is directly placed on the surface plate 10 and the end face polishing machine of the ferrule is operated, the polishing sheet 20 polishes the ferrule end face in a plane. You can also.

[0036]

The polishing sheet according to the present invention is made of a material which can be deformed into a curved surface when the end face of the ferrule of the optical connector is pressed with a predetermined pressure, and can be quickly restored when the pressure is removed. In order to include the constituted base sheet and the Sn layer provided so as to have a substantially uniform thickness on the surface of the base sheet, free abrasive grains that are not a fixed abrasive type such as a diamond film are used. Even when used, that is, even when using a polishing liquid in which abrasive particles of a predetermined particle size are dispersed and suspended in a special solution, the abrasive particles sink so as to be partially buried inside the Sn layer, and the surface of the Sn layer is removed. Does not move around.

As described above, since each abrasive grain is supported by the Sn layer which is a relatively soft metal, it does not come into contact with the ferrule end face with an extremely large force. Does not hurt.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a polishing sheet according to the present invention,
(A) and (b) are longitudinal sectional views of a polishing sheet before and during polishing, respectively.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a conventional ferrule end face polishing machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a locus of a contact point of a ferrule end surface on a polishing sheet.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a scratch formed on an end face of a ferrule by abrasive grains peeled from a base sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 surface plate 12 disk 14 polishing sheet 16 optical connector 18 hexagonal jig 20 polishing sheet 22 base material sheet 24 Sn layer 28 polishing machine 29 abrasive

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B24B 37 / 00,19 / 00 G02B 6/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ferrule of an optical connector, wherein a polishing liquid in which abrasive grains of a predetermined particle size are dispersed in a solution is applied on a surface, and a ferrule of an optical connector is relatively slid while pressing an end face of the ferrule against the surface at a predetermined pressure. A polishing sheet capable of polishing an end face, wherein when a ferrule end face of an optical connector is pressed with a predetermined pressure, the ferrule end face is deformed into a curved shape, and the ferrule end face is used as another surface.
A base sheet made of a material that can be quickly restored when the pressure is removed by moving to a position, and provided on the surface of the base sheet so as to have a substantially uniform thickness. And an Sn layer. 2. The base sheet comprises a metal sheet selected from the group consisting of beryllium copper, copper phosphate and spring steel or a synthetic resin sheet having a predetermined durability.
The polishing sheet according to claim 1, wherein the thickness is 10 to 100 microns. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Sn layer is formed on the base sheet by metal plating or formed by cold rolling or bonding an Sn foil with an adhesive. A polishing sheet for polishing an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector according to the above. 4. The polishing sheet for polishing an end face of a ferrule of an optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the Sn layer is 3 to 50 microns.