JP3226771B2 - Surface matching mechanism of connection surface between optical circuit component and optical fiber component, and connection device for optical circuit component and optical fiber component using this mechanism - 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 circuit unit to be connected.
Optical circuit component for connecting together the end faces of the goods and the optical fiber component
And it relates to the connection device of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component using a surface alignment features and the mechanism of the connection surface of the optical fiber component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in connection between an optical fiber component used for optical communication and an optical circuit component such as a waveguide component, since the component is mounted at a position away from the center of rotation of the connecting device, the component is mounted. It was difficult to match the end faces.

For this reason, in order to suppress the optical connection loss by connecting, it has been required to improve the manufacturing accuracy of parts.

[0004]

However, as described above, there is a problem in terms of cost in increasing the manufacturing accuracy of an optical fiber component. Also, it is structurally difficult to match the mounting portion of the optical fiber component in the connection device with the center of rotation, and in reality, optical connection loss is inevitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to pay attention to the above-mentioned conventional technology, and it is possible to connect end faces of an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component without increasing the manufacturing accuracy of the optical fiber component more than necessary. and to provide a connecting device of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component using a surface alignment features and the mechanism of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component can be suppressed accurately matched with low optical connection loss.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the Invention The surface alignment features of the connection surface of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component of the present invention according to claim 1, connects the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component wherein a light circuit components and the surface combined mechanism of the connection surface of the optical circuit components to match the end faces of the optical fiber component and the optical fiber component, for clamping a part holder for fixing the optical circuit components, optical fiber components when A component holder provided with a clamper, a housing including the component holder in an internal space with a predetermined gap, and a nozzle provided in the housing and floating the component holder by blowing air. The component holder is a sphere, and the internal space of the housing is a sphere slightly larger than the component holder.

Accordingly, before Symbol optical fiber component to be clamped component holder is floating in the air inside the housing by the air blown, optical fiber component end face the
Free rotation when pressed against the end face of optical circuit component,
Oscillation is performed to perform the meeting.

Moreover, the component holder can freely rotate and swing without frictional resistance in the internal space of the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for aligning a connection surface between an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component, wherein the nozzle according to the first aspect includes a component for urging the component holder forward. Is what you do.

Accordingly, the end face of the front Symbol optical fiber component by the action of the air blown from the nozzle can be pressed against the end surface of the optical circuit components, the surface combined is performed. Further, after the mating, the movement is restricted by pressing the component holder against the front wall of the internal space.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for aligning a connection surface between an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component , wherein the housing according to the first aspect is provided with a pressure detection sensor.

Therefore, the pressure sensor detects the pressing force acting on the housing from the optical fiber component via the component holder, so that the surface matching can be automatically controlled.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for connecting an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component, comprising: a component holder for fixing the optical circuit component provided at the center of the gantry; and one side of the component holder. And a first stage provided on the other side of the component holder and movable and positioned in the X, Y, Z and C axes directions. A second stage, a first surface matching mechanism provided on the component holder side of the first stage for holding an optical fiber component, and an optical fiber component provided on the component holder side of the second stage for holding the optical fiber component to the second surface mating mechanism, and a connecting means for connecting said face combined connection surfaces, said first surface alignment features and the second surface together mechanism, wherein fixed to the part holder light the fiber-<br/> optic components Ru brought connected to a circuit component A component holder having a clamper for clamping each , a housing including the component holder in an internal space with a predetermined gap, and a nozzle provided in the housing and floating the component holder by blowing air. The component holding body is a sphere, and the internal space of the housing is a sphere slightly larger than the component holding body.

Therefore, the first stage holding the optical fiber component by the first surface matching mechanism and the second stage holding the optical fiber component by the second surface matching mechanism are denoted by X and X.
After moving and positioning in the Y, Z, and C axis directions, the optical fiber components are clamped, and the blown air allows the component holder floating in the air inside the housing to freely rotate and swing to perform surface matching. Connection is made by means of alignment and connection.

In addition, the component holder can freely rotate and swing without frictional resistance in the internal space of the housing, and the connection surfaces of the optical circuit component and the optical fiber component can be accurately aligned. A reliable connection can be made by the means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for connecting an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component, wherein the nozzle according to the fourth aspect includes a component for urging the component holder forward. .

[0017] Thus, the surface combined is performed against the end face of the front Symbol optical fiber component to the end surface of the optical circuit components by the action of the air blown from the nozzle, the rear surface combined, the front wall of the inner space component holder The movement is constrained by pressing to the center, and then the connection is performed by the centering / connection means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connection device for connecting an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component,
It is characterized by comprising a pressure detection sensor.

Therefore, when the pressure sensor detects the pressing force acting on the housing from the optical fiber component via the component holder, the surface is automatically controlled to perform the surface matching, and then the connection is performed by the centering / connection means. .

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show an optical circuit according to the present invention.
The entirety of a connection device 1 that applies a surface matching mechanism of a connection surface between a road component and an optical fiber component is shown. In FIG. 2, a first stage 5 for centering is provided on the left side on a gantry 3 having a hollow structure.
F and a second stage 5S on the right side, between which a fixed circuit holder 7 as a component holder, for example, is erected.
An optical circuit component 9 is mounted on the fixed circuit holder 7.

Here, the first stage 5F and the second stage 5S are provided to face each other with the fixed circuit holder 7 interposed therebetween, and most of the configurations are common.
As a reference, F (first stage) or S (second stage) is added to the reference numerals to distinguish them, and the common part will be described for the first stage 5F.

In the first stage 5F, a hollow support 11F is provided in the internal space 15 in a state of being suspended from the upper plate 13 of the gantry 3, and a base plate 17F is horizontally provided at a lower end of the support 11F. Have been. A Y-axis motor 19F is provided below the base plate 17F with the rotation axis facing upward. The lower end of a Y-axis ball screw 21F rotatably provided inside the support 11F is provided on the rotation axis. Are linked.

A plurality of balance cylinders 23F, 23F are provided on the upper surface of the base plate 17F, and a Y-axis block 25F having a T-shaped cross section is provided above the balance cylinders 23F, 23F. That is, the Y-axis block 25F includes a thick flat plate portion 27F and a bar portion 29F extending downward at the center of the plate portion 27F.
9F is inserted into the support 11 so as to be vertically movable. A ball nut 31F to which the Y-axis ball screw 21F is screwed is attached to the rod portion 29F.

Therefore, by driving the Y-axis motor 19F,
When the shaft ball screw 21F is rotationally driven, the Y-axis block 2
5F moves up and down. At this time, the rod-like portion 29F
The Y-axis block 25F can be moved up and down and positioned while the plate portion 27F is always kept horizontal by moving up and down along the inside 1 and the operation of the balance cylinders 23F and 23F.

A guide rail 33F is provided on the upper surface of the Y-axis block 25F in the Z-axis direction, and a Z-axis plate 35F reciprocally movable in the Z-axis direction is provided along the guide rail 33F. A Z-axis ball nut (not shown) is attached to the Z-axis plate 35F.

A bracket 37F is mounted upward on the side end surface of the Y-axis block 25F, and a Z-axis motor 39F is mounted on the bracket 37F.
A Z-axis ball screw 41F is provided on the rotation shaft of the Z-axis motor 39F, and is screwed to the Z-axis ball nut.

Accordingly, when the Z-axis motor 39F is driven, the Z-axis ball screw 41F rotates to rotate the Z-axis plate 35.
F can be moved and positioned in the Z-axis direction relative to the Y-axis block 25F.

A guide rail 43F is provided on the upper surface of the Z-axis plate 35F in the X-axis direction, and an X-axis block 45F reciprocally movable in the X-axis direction is provided along the guide rail 43F. An X-axis ball nut (not shown) is attached to the X-axis block 45F.

Referring to FIG. 3, the Z-axis plate 35
A bracket 47F is attached upward from the side end surface of F, and an X-axis motor 49F is attached to the bracket 47F. An X-axis ball screw 51F is provided on the rotation shaft of the X-axis motor 49F, and is screwed to the X-axis ball nut described above.

Accordingly, when the X-axis motor 49F is driven, the X-axis ball screw 51F rotates to rotate the X-axis block 45.
F can be moved and positioned in the X-axis direction relative to the Z-axis plate 35F.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the X-axis block 45F has a main shaft 53F passing through the X-axis block 45F in the Z-axis direction.
Is mounted, and a C-axis motor 55F for rotating the main shaft 53F in the C-axis (around the Z-axis) is provided. A surface matching mechanism 57F is attached to the front end of the main shaft 53F on the fixed circuit holder 7 side. On the other hand, a load cell 59F is attached to the opposite end.

The load cells 59F and 59S are connected to an amplifier 6
1 is connected to a personal computer 63. Further, an input side optical fiber component 65 as an optical fiber component is mounted on the surface matching mechanism 57F of the first stage 5F, and an LD light source 67 is connected to a distal end thereof.

On the other hand, the surface matching mechanism 57 of the second stage 5S
In S, an output side optical fiber component 6 as an optical fiber component
An O / E converter 71 for converting light energy into a voltage is connected to the tip of the device 9. Further, an image fiber 73 is attached to the main shaft 53S of the second stage 5S, and is connected to the O / E converter 71. The image fiber 73 is branched according to the number of output sides of the optical circuit component 9.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3, a W-axis moving mechanism 75 is provided on the rear side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the upper surface of the gantry 3 between the first stage 5F and the second stage 5S. I have. The W-axis moving mechanism 75 has a main body frame 77 extending in the W-axis direction. A W-axis motor 79 is provided on the left side of the main body frame 77 in the drawing, and a W-axis ball screw 81 is attached to the rotation shaft of the W-axis motor 79.

A slider 83 having a W-axis ball nut (not shown) screwed to the W-axis ball screw 81 is provided on the main body frame 77 of the W-axis moving mechanism 75 so as to reciprocate in the W-axis direction.

Accordingly, by driving the W-axis motor 79 to rotate the W-axis ball screw 81, the slider 83 can be moved and positioned in the W-axis direction along the body frame 77.

The slider 83 has left and right brackets 8.
5L and 85R are provided, and a rotary actuator 87L is provided on the bracket 85L on the left side in the figure. An arm member 89 is provided on the rotary actuator 87L so as to be rotatable upward. A dispenser nozzle 91 for applying a UV adhesive is provided at a tip of the arm member 89.

Therefore, when applying the UV adhesive, lower it. When not necessary, use the rotary actuator 87.
By operating L, the dispenser nozzle 91 can be retracted upward. Here, about 60 ° upward
It is rotatable.

The right bracket 85R provided on the slider 83 is provided with a rotary actuator 87R. An arm block 93 is provided on the rotary actuator 87R so as to be rotatable upward.

The arm block 93 is provided with CCD cameras 95, 95 for confirming the position of the UV adhesive to be applied by the dispenser nozzle 91, and ultraviolet rays for connecting and drying the UV adhesive. UV irradiation light heads 97, 97 for irradiation are provided. The intervals between the UV irradiation light heads 97 and 97 can be adjusted so as to simultaneously irradiate the front and rear connection portions of the optical circuit component 9.

Accordingly, the arm block 93 is lowered when applying the UV adhesive and when drying the UV adhesive, and when not necessary, the rotary actuator 8 is used.
By operating the 7R, the arm block 93 is raised, and the CCD cameras 95, 95 and the UV irradiation light head 97 can be retracted. Here, it can rotate upward by 90 °.

Next, referring to FIG. 1A, a description will be given of an optical fiber component surface matching mechanism 57F according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1A, a spherical space 101 is formed inside the housing 99, which is divided into right and left. A plurality of front nozzles 103 and a rear nozzle 1 that are connected to an air source (not shown) and blow air toward the space 101 are provided in the left and right housings 99 and 99.
05 is provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the housings 99 and 99 are in contact with, for example, a load cell 59F as a pressure sensor, and a pusher acting on the main shaft 53F via the housings 99 and 99. The pressure can be detected.

Inside the space 101, there is provided a sphere 107 large enough to secure a gap of, for example, about 5 μm from the inner wall of the space 101. A clamper 109 for clamping the input-side optical fiber component 65 is provided on a side surface of the fixed circuit holder 7 of the sphere 107. A balancer 111 is provided on the side of the sphere 107 opposite to the clamper 109.

Therefore, by blowing air from the plurality of nozzles 103 and 105 into the space 101, the sphere 107
It is floating with a gap of about μm.
1 keeps a balanced posture. In addition, since it is levitated by air, rotation in the C-axis direction and swinging of the input-side optical fiber component 65 in the vertical direction can be performed with extremely small force. The sphere 107 is
The swingable range is limited to about ± 2.5 degrees by a rotation stopper (not shown).

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the input side optical fiber component 65, the 1 × 8 branching waveguide as the optical circuit component 9, and the output side optical fiber component 6 using the connection device 1 described above.
The operation of optical axis alignment of No. 9 will be described.

First, the optical circuit component 9 such as a waveguide is set in the fixed circuit holder 7, and the image fiber 73 attached to the second stage 5S is moved by the X, Y and Z axes to move the optical circuit component 9 To the right (output side) in the figure.

Subsequently, at the tip of the first stage 5F, an LD
Input side optical fiber component 6 from which light is sent from light source 67
5 (1 or 2 inputs) is moved to the left side of the optical circuit component 9 by X, Y, and Z axis movements to perform surface matching.

That is, air is blown out from the nozzles 103 and 105, and the first stage 5F is moved toward the optical circuit component 9 in a state where the sphere 107 clamping the input-side optical fiber component 65 is floated (FIG. 1A). Move (Fig. 1
(B)). In this state, since no frictional force acts on the sphere 107, rotation in the C-axis direction and swinging in the vertical and horizontal directions are easy, and when the end face of the input-side optical fiber component 65 is pressed against the end face of the optical circuit component 9, the sphere 107 is pressed. Easily rotates in the direction in which both end faces coincide. The load cell 59
The pressing force detected by F is controlled automatically, for example, to about 50 g, and the pressing force acting between the optical fiber components is suppressed to a small value.

When the end faces coincide, the front nozzle 103 of the sphere 107 is stopped, and only the rear nozzle 105 is operated. As a result, the sphere 107 is pressed against the housing 101 and its movement is restricted by the frictional force, so that the mating state can be maintained (FIG. 1C).

After the surface is aligned by the surface aligning mechanism 57F in this manner, a predetermined gap is opened by moving the Z axis to perform the coarse alignment. Here, the condition of the coarse center is 200 μ
The standard is m square, feed pitch is 3-5 μm, and gap is 100 μm.

In the coarse alignment, light is sent from the LD light source 67 to the input-side optical fiber component 65, and the amount of light incident on the image fiber 73 through the optical circuit component 9 is converted into O / E for converting light energy into voltage. Fill in the personal co Npi Yuta 63 via the converter 71, performed by automatically controlling the respective axes until the amount of the desired level.

When the coarse alignment on the first stage 5F side is completed in the above procedure, the output side optical fiber component 69 connected to the O / E converter 71 and the image fiber 73 are connected to the tip of the second stage 5S side. Operating the Y-axis motor 19S
Exchange by axis movement.

The optical circuit component 9 and the input-side optical fiber component 65
The output side optical fiber component 69 and the optical circuit component 9 are aligned in the same manner as described above, and thereafter a predetermined gap is opened to perform coarse alignment.

When the coarse alignment is completed, fine alignment is performed to further improve the accuracy. The condition of this fine adjustment is the search range
30 ~ 40μm square, feed pitch 0.1μm, gap 10μm
Is the standard.

First stage 5F and second stage 5S
When the fine centering is completed, connection is made.

The connection procedure will be described below.

First, the W-axis moving mechanism 75 is controlled to align the dispenser nozzle 91 with the gap between the input optical fiber component 65 and the optical circuit component 9 or the gap between the optical circuit component 9 and the output optical fiber component 69. And dispenser nozzle 9
The UV adhesive contained in 1 is dropped into the gap. At this time, the user can see and confirm the images projected by the CCD cameras 95, 95.

After applying the adhesive, the W-axis moving mechanism 75 is controlled to position the UV irradiation light heads 97, 97 mounted on the slider 83 on the connection surface, and then the adhesive is dried by irradiating ultraviolet rays. And fix it.

The connection is performed as described above. However, when the optical circuit component 9 is changed, the length and the width change. Accordingly, the stroke of the CCD camera 95 on the W axis and the UV irradiation light head are adjusted accordingly. 97, 97 intervals and strokes are appropriately changed.

From the above results, the input side optical fiber component 6
5 or sphere 10 holding output side optical fiber component 69
7 easily rotates and swings without frictional resistance, so that the connection surfaces can be easily aligned.

As a result, the parts 9, 65,
A connection with a low connection loss can be made without unnecessarily increasing the manufacturing accuracy of the 69.

Further, since the surface adjustment is performed while the pressing force acting between the optical circuit component and the optical fiber portion is controlled by the load cell 59, damage to the optical fiber component can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in other modes by making appropriate changes.

[0066]

As described above, in the mechanism for aligning the connection surface between the optical circuit component and the optical fiber component according to the first aspect of the present invention, the air inside the housing is blown by the air blown by the component holder for clamping the optical fiber component. Since the optical fiber component is floating in the air, when the end face of the optical fiber component is pressed against the end face of the optical circuit component, the component holder can freely rotate and swing in a direction in which the end faces coincide with each other. As a result, the end faces of the optical circuit component and the optical fiber component are automatically and easily aligned. In addition, it is possible to surely perform the surface matching without increasing the manufacturing accuracy of the optical fiber component more than necessary.

Since the component holder is a sphere and the internal space of the housing is a sphere slightly larger than the component holder, the component holder can freely rotate and swing in the internal space of the housing. Becomes possible.

In the mechanism for aligning the connection surface between the optical circuit component and the optical fiber component according to the second aspect, since the nozzle according to the first aspect includes a component for urging the component holder forward, air blown from the nozzle is provided. It is pressed against the end face of the front Symbol optical fiber component to the end surface of the front Symbol optical circuit components by the action of.
Further, after the mating, the component holding body can be urged forward and pressed against the front wall of the internal space to maintain the mating state.

[0069] In terms combined mechanism of the connection surface of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component by claim 3, the housing of claim 1 wherein is is provided with the pressure sensor, through the component holder from the optical fiber component When the pressure sensor detects the pressing force acting on the housing, the pressing force acting between the optical circuit component and the optical fiber component can be controlled.

In the connecting device for an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component according to the present invention, the first stage holding the optical fiber component by the first surface matching mechanism and the optical fiber component by the second surface matching mechanism are held. The second stage is moved and positioned in the X, Y, Z, and C axis directions to clamp the optical fiber component and to freely rotate and swing the component holder floating inside the housing by the blown air. To make a face-to-face meeting with the optical circuit components ,
After that, the connection is made by the connection means, so that the surfaces can be surely matched and the connection can be made with a low connection loss.

Further, the component holder can freely rotate and swing without frictional resistance in the internal space of the housing, and the connection surfaces of the optical fibers can be accurately aligned. Connection can be made.

[0072] In the connecting device of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component of the present invention according to claim 5, pressing the end face of the front Symbol optical fiber component to the end surface of the optical circuit components by the action of the air blown from the nozzle according to claim 4, wherein After the mating, the component holder is pressed against the front wall of the internal space to restrict its movement and then connected by the connecting means. Can be connected.

[0073] In the connecting device of the optical circuit components and the optical fiber component of the present invention according to claim 6, the pressure detection sensor provided in the housing of claim 5, wherein acts on the housing via the component holder from the optical fiber component Since the surface matching is performed while detecting the pressing force and managing the pressing force, the optical fiber components can be connected without exerting an excessive force.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a mechanism for aligning an optical fiber component with an optical circuit component according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a connection device for connecting an optical circuit component and an optical fiber component according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view seen from a direction III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing connection of an input-side optical fiber component, an optical circuit component, and an output-side optical fiber component.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Mount 5F First Stage 5S Second Stage 7 Fixed Circuit Holder (Component Holder) 9 Optical Circuit Components 57F, 57S Surface Matching Mechanism 59F, 59S Load Cell (Pressure Detection Sensor) 65 Input Optical Fiber Components ( Optical Fiber Components ) 69 Outputs Side optical fiber component ( optical fiber component ) 99 Housing 101 Internal space 103 Front nozzle (nozzle) 105 Rear nozzle (nozzle) 107 Spherical body (component holder) 109 Clamper

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shigeru Fujiwara 2068-3 Ooka, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka Toshiba Machinery Co., Ltd. Numazu Office (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Fukazawa 3068 Ooka, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka Toshiba Machinery Numazu Office (72) Inventor Fumiaki Hanawa 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) References JP-A-7-230026 (JP, A) JP-A-60-163008 (JP) , A) Hira 5-21215 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/24 G02B 6/30

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A optical circuit components and the optical circuit components and optical circuit components and the optical fiber component connection surface of the surface alignment features to align the end faces of the optical fiber component to connect the optical fiber component, the light A component holder for fixing a circuit component , a component holder having a clamper for clamping an optical fiber component, a housing including the component holder in an internal space with a predetermined gap, and being provided in the housing and blowing air. wherein a nozzle for floating the component holder, would comprise, together with the component holder is spherical, light, wherein the interior space of the housing is a major spherical slightly than the component holding member by circuit
A surface matching mechanism for the connection surface between the component and the optical fiber component. 2. The light according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes a nozzle for urging the component holder forward.
A mechanism for mating the connection surface between circuit components and optical fiber components. Wherein the housing, according to claim 1, wherein the optical circuit components and <br/> optical fiber component connection surface of the surface alignment features, characterized by comprising a pressure detection sensor. 4. A component holder provided at the center of the gantry for fixing optical circuit components, and a first stage provided on one side of the component holder and capable of moving and positioning in the X, Y, Z, and C axis directions. And X, provided on the other side of the component holder.
A second stage movable and positionable in the Y, Z, and C axis directions; a first surface matching mechanism provided on the component holder side of the first stage for holding an optical fiber component; A second surface-matching mechanism provided on the component holder side for holding the optical fiber component, and connection means for connecting the mated connection surfaces, the first surface-matching mechanism and the second surface combined mechanism, it optical fiber component Ru allowed connected to an optical circuit component fixed to the part holder
A component holder having a clamper for clamping, respectively, a housing including the internal space of the component holder with a predetermined gap, and a nozzle for floating the component holder by blowing air with are provided in the housing, it includes a, with the component holder is spherical, the optical circuit component, wherein the interior space of the housing is a major spherical slightly than the component holder
And optical fiber connection equipment. 5. The light according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle includes one that urges the component holder forward.
Connection device for circuit components and optical fiber components. Wherein said housing, optical circuit components and <br/> optical fiber component of the connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a pressure sensor.