JP3274485B2 - Optical connector coupling device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to relates to a line cormorants optical connector coupling device excellent optical line switching reproducibility, is applied to the binding of the multi-fiber optical connector with guide pins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical connector is coupled by guiding a pair of optical connectors 61 and 62 as shown in FIG. 7 with a guide pin 64 and an applicator 65 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, after manually attaching a matching agent to the joint surface using a toothpick, as shown in FIG.
The connection between these optical connectors 61 and 62 is fixed. However, in such a coupling method, the fixing by the clip 63 must be performed manually, which is troublesome in that the coupling is troublesome and has poor reproducibility such as coupling loss due to optical line switching. I was

[0003] Therefore, in order to improve this drawback, a coupling device using a general-purpose robot or an XYZ stage movable in three axial directions has been devised.

[0004]

The above-mentioned robot and XY
Since the coupling device using the Z stage has a structure on the premise that the optical connector is coupled with a guide pin or a ferrule (core), the positioning accuracy of the guide pin needs to be as high as micron or less. Had. Therefore, there has been a problem that a lot of labor is required for the positioning, and the positioning control mechanism is large-scale and the cost is high.

As described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector coupling device which has good coupling reproducibility and does not require a complicated control mechanism.

For this purpose, it is necessary that the joint surface between the pair of fixed-side optical connectors and the movable-side optical connector facing each other be surely adhered to each other with reference to a guide pin or a ferrule. Here, the joint surface of the optical connector has fine irregularities, and these connectors are connected to each other. As a result, between the optical fiber cores of the connector,
There is a possibility that voids of 0.1 μm to several tens μm are generated. Therefore, in order to prevent the coupling loss and the deterioration of the reflection characteristic caused by the gap, the gap is generally filled with the above-mentioned matching agent which is a substance whose refractive index is matched with that of the optical fiber core.

For this reason, it is necessary to easily attach the matching agent to the joint surface of the optical fiber. On the other hand, when continuously inspecting a plurality of optical connectors, it is practically difficult to precisely set the position and orientation of each fixed-side optical connector each time. Are different in the position shift and the end face interval. Therefore, even if the position setting of the movable-side optical connector is rough to some extent, it is necessary to devise a method of properly coupling to the fixed-side optical connector and transmitting an optical signal.

[0008]

An optical connector according to claim 1.
The coupling device includes a plurality of first optical cores that are fixed and supported.
A second movably supported second one of the
Move the optical connectors and connect them.
In an optical connector coupling device that switches the optical line depending on the situation
And facing the joint surface of the second optical connector,
The optical coupling characteristics are improved by the moving operation of the optical connector 2
Applying a matching agent to the second optical connector
When the mechanism is installed adjacent to the first connector side,
And an optical connector having two guide pins.
Tank, and the matching agent application mechanism is a tank that stores the matching agent.
And an introduction path for sending a matching agent from the tank;
A valve for opening and closing the introduction path and positioning the optical connector;
Opening / closing part for opening the valve by inserting a guide pin
Material and an opening between the guide pins.
I do.

An optical connector coupling device according to claim 2 is a fixed connector.
Any of a plurality of first optical connectors defined and supported
Move the second optical connector movably supported
The optical line is connected by coupling these optical connectors.
In the optical connector coupling device for switching, the second light
Opposite to the joint surface of the connector, the second optical connector
A matching agent for improving optical coupling characteristics by moving operation
The matching agent application mechanism attached to the second optical connector is connected to the first connector.
And a matching agent application mechanism.
However, the cylinder that stores the matching agent inside and the position of the optical connector
Guide pins for positioning are inserted and
A continuous insertion hole; and
It is pushed by the insertion of the pin and moves in the cylinder
A piston for delivering a matching agent.
You.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

The operation of the optical connector coupling method will be described below.
The joint surface of the optical connector comes into contact with the matching agent application mechanism due to the movement of the optical connector, and the matching agent is attached to the joint surface of the optical connector. In this state, the optical connector is further moved to be coupled to another optical connector, and the matching agent is interposed between the optical connectors to switch the optical line.

The operation of the optical connector coupling device will be described below. Moving the second optical connector and coupled to any of the plurality of fixed and supported first optical connectors;
The optical line of the optical connector is switched. At this time, before joining to the first optical connector, the joining surface of the second optical connector is brought into contact with the matching agent application mechanism, and the matching agent is attached to this joining surface.

In the matching agent application mechanism, the matching agent flows from the tank in which the matching agent is stored through the introduction path, but the outflow is stopped by the valve. Further, the guide pin of the optical connector is inserted into the matching agent application mechanism, the valve is opened by the opening / closing member, and the matching agent flows out.

When the guide pin of the optical connector is inserted into the insertion hole, the piston moves within the cylinder and sends out the matching agent stored in the cylinder. Further, the matching agent soaks into the adhesive cloth from inside the tank due to surface tension, and the joining surface of the optical connector comes into contact with the adhesive cloth, so that the matching agent adheres to the joining surface.

[0017]

1 to 4 show an optical connector coupling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and the present embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the first embodiment. As shown in this figure, a plurality of fixed-side optical connectors 1 as first optical connectors are aligned and mounted on a fixing member 3. In addition, a movable optical connector 2 as a second optical connector.
Is opposed to the fixed-side optical connector 1 and the optical connector housing member 4
, And the optical connector housing member 4 is fixed to the support member 7 on the device body 10 side via a small-diameter beam 6 which is an elastic member.

On the other hand, a support base 12 is supported on a base 11 constituting a part of the apparatus main body 10 via a ball screw 13 and a guide shaft 14 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. X-axis motor 1 mounted
5, the ball screw 13 is rotated, and the support base 12 can move in the X-axis direction.

On the support table 12, a moving plate 22
The ball screw 23 is supported by a ball screw 23 and a guide shaft 24 so as to be movable in a Y-axis direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the ball screw 23 is rotated by a Y-axis motor 25 mounted on the support base 12 to move the moving plate. 22 can move in the Y-axis direction.

Further, the supporting member 7 is supported by the moving plate 22 via a ball screw 33 and a guide shaft 34 so as to be movable in a Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The ball screw 33 is rotated by the Z-axis motor 35 attached to the moving plate 22, so that the support member 7 can move in the Z-axis direction.

That is, the support member 7, the base 11, the ball screws 13, 23, 33, the guide shafts 14, 24,
34 and motors 15, 25, 35, etc.
The apparatus main body 10, which is a YZ stage, supports the movable optical connector 2 via the small-diameter beam 6 so as to be movable.

On the other hand, the matching agent applying mechanism 20 is arranged on the base 11 in parallel with the fixing member 3, so that the joining surface of the movable optical connector 2 and the matching agent applying mechanism 20 face each other. On the other hand, the matching agent is transferred to the joint surface 2 of the moving side optical connector 2.
FIG. 2 shows the details of the matching agent applying mechanism 20 for applying a.
The matching agent application mechanism 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of insertion holes 42 into which guide pins 64 are inserted are formed in a lower part of a case 40 having a tank 41 in which a matching agent is stored at an upper part. An opening 43 is formed therebetween. The opening 43 and the tank 41 are connected by an introduction path 44, and a part of the introduction path 44 intersects the insertion hole 42. A pair of plunger-shaped pins 45 are provided corresponding to the insertion holes 42, and the substantially conical head of the pin 45 is opened by a spring 46 wound around the pin 45.
Side is always pressed to close the introduction path 44. Therefore, the pin 45, the spring 46, and the like become the opening and closing members.

The movable optical connector 2 is connected to the case 40.
When the guide pin 64 is inserted into the insertion hole 42 in the vicinity of the
5 is retracted, the introduction path 44 is opened, and the matching agent is applied and adheres to the joint surface 2a of the movable-side optical connector 2 through the opening 43.

Next, the case where the optical line of the fixed-side optical connector 1 is switched by the optical connector coupling device having the above configuration will be described below. Each motor 15 of the device body 10
25 and 35 are driven by servo control, and the support member 7 is moved to the set address in the order of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis.
Then, the movable-side optical connector 2 supported via the small-diameter beam 6 is positioned and coupled to the fixed-side optical connector 1 to switch the optical path.

At this time, a command is issued to the matching agent application mechanism 20 arranged opposite to the movable optical connector 2 coupled to the fixed optical connector 1 to connect to the arbitrary fixed optical connector 1. The moving side optical connector 2 comes into contact first, and the matching agent is attached to the end surface of the moving side optical connector 2.
Here, the contact of the movable side optical connector 2 with the matching agent application mechanism 20 is performed each time a command for coupling the movable side optical connector 2 to the fixed side optical connector 1 is issued, or N times, which is a predetermined number of times. It is done each time it joins.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the above-mentioned operation program in the optical connector coupling method according to the present embodiment.
The operation will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, when the operation is started, in step S1, the fixed optical connector 1
Of the connector No. and the connection instruction. In step S2, the required number of times of connection after the power is turned on is called.

Further, in step S3, the respective addresses in the X, Y, and Z directions of the fixed-side optical connector 1 to be connected are called, and the position is confirmed. In step S4, the current number of connections is determined. If the number of connections is not 0 or an integral multiple of N times, the process proceeds to step S6, and if it is 0 or an integer multiple of N times, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, a matching agent application command is issued, and the movable optical connector 2 is moved in the order of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and inserted into the insertion hole 42 of the matching agent application mechanism 20. Thereby, the matching agent is applied to the joining surface 2a of the movable optical connector 2. Then, after this, the moving side optical connector 2
Is pulled out and returned to the initial position.

In step S6, a command for coupling to the fixed-side optical connector 1 is issued, and the movable-side optical connector 2 is connected to the fixed-side optical connector 1 of the connector No. to be coupled with the X-axis, Y-axis,
It moves in the order of the Z-axis, and is connected to the fixed-side optical connector 1. In this state, a signal is sent and various measurements and the like are performed.

In step S7, the number-of-couplings counter is incremented by one. In step S8, it is determined whether the number of couplings has reached a predetermined number of couplings. If not, the process returns to step S1. If it has been reached, it is completed.

Next, FIG. 4 shows test results for confirming the effects of the above-described optical connector coupling method and its apparatus, and the description will be made with reference to FIG. Here, the conditions are as follows: condition A when no matching agent is attached; condition B when the matching agent is attached every time; condition C when attached every 10 times; and condition C when attached every 50 times. Is defined as condition D. Then, the coupling loss and the reflection characteristic of the optical connector were measured. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, it was confirmed that the characteristics under the conditions B and C were clearly excellent.

Next, an optical connector coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, and this embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, a case 5 of the matching agent applying mechanism 20 having a tank 51 in which a matching agent is stored at an upper portion.
A cylinder 57 having a piston 55 urged to the left by a spring 56 is formed at a lower portion of the cylinder 0. The tank 51 communicates with the space in the cylinder 57 via a valve 58, and the valve 58 can be opened and closed by the reciprocating movement of the piston 55 in the left-right direction. The opening 5 located at the center of the insertion hole 52 extends from the space inside the cylinder 57.
3 is formed, and the matching agent is pushed out of the space in the cylinder 57 into the introduction passage 54 by the reciprocating motion of the piston 55, and the matching agent comes out of the opening 53.

Accordingly, the movable optical connector 2 is
, The guide pin 64 is inserted into the insertion hole 52,
When the movable optical connector 2 comes into contact with the case 50, the piston 55 moves to the right and the matching agent flows out of the case 50, and the matching agent adheres to the joining surface 2 a of the movable optical connector 2. Becomes The guide pin 64 is inserted into the insertion hole 52.
When it is pulled out of the cylinder, the spring 56 is pushed to the left and the piston 55 moves, and the valve 58 is opened at the same time, so that the matching agent is refilled into the cylinder 57.

Next, an optical connector coupling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6, and this embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, an adhesive cloth 73 is wound around an outer peripheral surface of a tank 71 of the aligning agent applying mechanism 20 where the aligning agent is stored, and a lower end portion of the adhesive cloth 73 is immersed in the aligning agent. Have been. A pair of insertion holes 72 for the guide pins 64 are formed in the upper part of the tank 71 so as to sandwich the adhesive cloth 73. Therefore, by inserting the guide pins 64 of the movable side optical connector 2 into the insertion holes 72 and making contact therewith, the matching agent that has permeated into the adhesive cloth 73 by the surface tension is adhered to the joint surface of the movable side optical connector 2. The Rukoto.

In the above description, the guide pin 64 of the movable side optical connector 2 pushes the plunger-shaped pin 45 or the piston 55. Not limited,
Any member may be used as long as the member is connected to the movable optical connector 2.

[0040]

According to the optical connector coupling device of the present invention,
As a result of the interposition of the matching agent between the joining surfaces when the optical connectors are joined, the amount of coupling loss is reduced, and a minute positioning mechanism or the like that complicates the device configuration is not required. Therefore,
An automatic measuring device for measuring the coupling loss of the optical connector can be easily manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an optical connector coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a matching agent application mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a side sectional view, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation program of a coupling operation of the optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transition of coupling characteristics when a matching agent is applied and when no matching agent is applied in the optical connector coupling device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are views showing a matching agent application mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a side sectional view, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a matching agent application mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to the related art.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the application of a matching agent for an optical connector according to the related art.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a coupling state of an optical connector according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 61, 62 Optical connector 6, 46a, 46b, 56a, 56b Narrow beam 7 Support member 8 Coil spring 9 Support block 13, 23, 33 Ball screw 14, 24, 34 Guide shaft 15, 25, 35 Motor 20 Matching agent application mechanism 40, 50 Case 41, 51, 71 Tank 42, 52, 72 Insertion hole 43, 53 Opening 44, 54 Introduction path 45 Pin 55 Piston 73 Adhering cloth

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Keiji Osaka 1-chome, Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Industries Co., Ltd. Inside the Yokohama Works (72) Inventor ▲ Taka ▼ Eritoshi Sugi 1-6-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Arimoto 7-6, Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 31 Sumiden Opcom Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-20703 (JP, A) JP-A-63-53503 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) G02B 6 / 40,26 / 08

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of first optical cores fixedly supported.
A second movably supported second one of the
Move the optical connectors and connect them.
In an optical connector coupling device that switches the optical line depending on the situation
Then, the second optical connector faces the joint surface of the second optical connector,
An alignment that improves the optical coupling characteristics by moving the optical connector
Matching agent application mechanism for applying a mixture to the second optical connector
Is disposed adjacent to the first connector side, the optical connector is a multi-core optical connector having two guide pins, and a matching agent applying mechanism includes a tank for storing the matching agent;
An introduction path for feeding the matching agent from the tank, a valve located in the introduction path to open and close the introduction path, a guide pin for positioning the optical connector, and an opening and closing member for opening the valve; An optical connector coupling device having an opening between guide pins. 2. A plurality of first optical cores fixedly supported.
A second movably supported second one of the
Move the optical connectors and connect them.
In an optical connector coupling device that switches the optical line depending on the situation
Then, the second optical connector faces the joint surface of the second optical connector,
An alignment that improves the optical coupling characteristics by moving the optical connector
Matching agent application mechanism for applying a mixture to the second optical connector
Is disposed adjacent to the first connector side, and a matching agent applying mechanism includes a cylinder for storing a matching agent therein;
An insertion hole into which a guide pin for positioning the optical connector is inserted and connected to the cylinder, and a piston located in the cylinder and pushed by the insertion of the guide pin to move in the cylinder to feed the matching agent. An optical connector coupling device comprising: