JP3490287B2 - Optical fiber alignment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aligning device for an optical fiber which can reduce the manufacturing cost, and prevent the occurrence of troubles such as a failure or the like, and is suitable for reducing the size of the device. SOLUTION: This aligning device is so constructed that two sets of optical observation systems 2A, 2B are respectively formed by at least one camera 22A, 22B and two objective lenses 21A, 21B, two sets of V-grooves 11A, 11B for loading with the ends of right and left optical fibers 100A, 100B and two sets of optical observation systems 2A, 2B are connected to each other by each set, and each set is provided with a driving means for moving the V- grooves 11A, 11B for a very small amount to align the ends of the right and left optical fibers 100A, 100B with each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention detects the core of an optical fiber by image processing by observing with a camera from two directions and aligns the axes of the left and right optical fibers to be connected to reduce the connection loss as much as possible. The present invention relates to an optical fiber aligning device that reduces

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a single-fiber optical fiber fusion splicer that performs axis alignment, the observation of the optical fiber connection site
There are roughly two types of known ones, a method of observing in two directions using two objective lenses and a method of observing in two directions using one objective lens and one reflecting mirror. The method also uses an optical fiber in two directions (two
It is possible to observe the axis deviation of the outer diameter of the optical fiber and the axis deviation of the core by observing from (not limited to those orthogonal to each other).

That is, the former method, as shown in FIG.
A pair of bending arms (the lower part is fixed to a base (not shown)) 5A and 5B for supporting the end portions of the pair of left and right optical fibers 100A and 100B to be connected to each other, and facing toward the end portions of these optical fibers. And optical observation systems 6A and 6B provided so as to cross each other.

The lower part of the flexible arm 5A is fixed to a base or the like (not shown), and the V-groove base 51 provided on the upper part.
An optical fiber 100A is placed on A. As shown in FIG. 9, the bending arm 5A can be finely pressed in one direction (Y direction) at a point P by driving means such as a piezoelectric element (not shown) to align the optical fiber 100A. it can. The bending arm 5B has the same structure as shown in FIG.

Further, the optical observation system 6A is for observing the axial deviation of the outer diameter of the optical fiber and the axial deviation of the core for the purpose of alignment, and uses an objective lens to make a constant (X) direction. It is supposed to be observed from. This optical observation system 6A
Includes an objective lens 61A at the distal end and a camera 62 at the proximal end.
A: A lens barrel 63 is provided in the middle part, and the optical fiber moves subtly during alignment. Therefore, a drive mechanism is provided to move the optical fiber closer to or farther from the optical fiber in order to adjust the focus position of the optical system. is doing. The optical observation system 6B also has a similar mechanism.

The latter method shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the former method in that it has a pair of left and right bending arms 5A and 5B, but one optical observation system 6 is used, and a mirror 7 is further used. It differs in that it is attached.

That is, in this optical observation system 6, as shown in FIG. 12, one objective lens 61 and one reflection mirror 7 are provided.
By using and, as shown in FIG.
The end of the optical fiber can be observed from the (X, Y) direction. Further, in this method, the reflection mirror 7 is placed near the middle of the left and right V groove bases 51A and 51B (see FIG.
1), and the optical fibers 100A, 10
A virtual image of 0B can be observed with this reflection mirror 7.

Also in this method, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the optical fiber is finely moved at the time of alignment in the two directions, so that it is necessary to adjust the focus position. That is, since the reflection mirror 7 is observing from two directions, it is necessary to focus on each of the real image and the virtual image, but if one drive mechanism is provided and it can move in one (Y) direction, You can move closer and further away from the virtual image. Note that the reflecting mirror needs to be retracted when fusion-splicing by discharge, and therefore a retracting mechanism for this is required.

[0009]

By the way, in such an individual aligning apparatus, for example, in the former method, a drive mechanism is used as a four-wheel drive.
I need one. That is, it is necessary to have two driving mechanisms for aligning the left and right optical fibers and two driving mechanisms for focusing control of the front and rear optical observation systems. Also in the latter method, two driving mechanisms for aligning the left and right optical fibers, one driving mechanism for focus control of the optical observation system, and one driving mechanism for retracting the reflection mirror are provided. I need four for convenience.

As described above, in any of the methods, the number of drive mechanisms is as many as four, which causes an increase in manufacturing cost and
Since a large number of drive mechanisms with complicated structures are installed, troubles such as breakdowns are likely to occur.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an optical fiber aligning device which can reduce the manufacturing cost and prevent the occurrence of troubles such as breakdowns and is also suitable for downsizing of the device. It is intended to be provided.

[0012]

That is, the present invention provides a pair of
To the opposing fiber-optic ends perpendicular to the axial direction
That 2 performs image processing while guessed direction or al view, an aligning apparatus for an optical fiber you aligning the ends of said pair of optical fibers, alignment device of the optical fiber, each optical fiber
And a pair of V grooves mounting location respectively, each V groove it
And a pair of arms that are mounted on the bearing and each arm
A pair of optical observation systems fixed to the frame, and the pair of optics
Each observation system is made and a pair of micro driving <br/> motion means for finely moving in a predetermined direction.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical fiber aligning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The optical fiber aligning device of this embodiment has a pair of opposed arms 1A and 1B at the ends (front and rear of the ends in FIG. 1) of a pair of left and right optical fibers 100A and 100B.
The optical observation systems 2A and 2B are integrally fixed to the arms 1A and 1B, and a driving means (not shown) for driving the arms 1A and 1B. It should be noted that the arms 1A and 1B and the optical observation systems 2A and 2B are arranged by rotating the same configurations by 180 degrees and a half.

As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 1A has a V groove 11A for supporting and mounting the end of the optical fiber 100A at the tip (upper end) portion, and the base end (lower end) portion for optical observation. A part of the system 2A (for example, the lens barrel 2 in this embodiment).
3 A ) is fixed. Further, on the base end side of the arm 1A, a minute driving means using a piezoelectric element (not shown) (in addition to this, a motor or the like may be used) for minutely moving the end of the optical fiber 100A in one direction (Y). Is equipped with.

Since this minute driving means is integrated with the optical observation system 2A, the optical fiber 1 is connected via the arm 1A.
When 00A is slightly moved, the optical observation system 2A also moves integrally in the same direction (Y). On the other hand, the arm 1B shown in FIG. 3 also has the same configuration as the arm 1A, but the optical fiber 100B is orthogonal to the moving direction (Y) of the arm 1A (not necessarily orthogonal) by another minute driving means (not shown). It does not need to be done) A minute movement is made in the direction (X).

In the optical observation system 2A of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrel 23A is integrally attached to the arm 1A, and the optical fiber 1 on the V groove 11A of this arm 1A.
00A is attached to the image pickup unit of the camera 22A so that it can be adjusted so as to be in focus. Also,
The optical observation system 2B shown in FIG. 3 also has the same configuration as the optical observation system 2A, so that the optical fiber 100B on the V-shaped groove 11B can be preliminarily adjusted so as to be focused on the image pickup section of the camera 22B. It is attached. Further, the present invention is not limited to the one in which the arm is fixedly mounted on the lens barrel of the optical observation system and the V groove and the camera are connected to each other so that the focus can be adjusted as in this embodiment. As shown, each arm 1'A (1'B) is fixedly mounted on the objective lens 21'A (21'B) of the optical observation system 2'A (2'B) to form a V groove and an objective lens. It may be one that can be adjusted by connecting the.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the V groove 11A on which the end of each optical fiber 100A (100B) is placed is placed.
(11B) is integrated with the optical observation system 2A (2B) via the arm 1A (1B), and the optical observation system 2A (2B) is also moved when the V-groove 11A (11B) is finely moved by the fine driving means. Since they move together in the same direction by the same distance, and if the optical fiber 100A (100B) is focused in advance, the state in which the optical fiber 100A (100B) is always in focus during the alignment work is maintained.

Further, with respect to one optical fiber before the alignment work, for example, the optical fiber 100A (the same applies to 100B), the other optical fiber 100 facing and facing the optical fiber 100A.
Since the axial center does not necessarily coincide with B, the optical observation system 2A is not always focused on the other optical fiber 100B.

However, as the centering work progresses, the axes of both optical fibers come to coincide with each other, so that the focus gradually comes to match. Then, when the axial alignment of the optical fibers 100A and 100B is completed, the optical observation system 2A (even if it does not have a focus adjustment mechanism on the optical fiber 100B side) has both optical fibers 100A and 1B.
00B will come into good focus.

The other optical observation system 2B is also
It is exactly the same, and after the optical fibers are aligned, both the optical observation systems 2A and 2B have both optical fibers 100
The focus will coincide with A and 100B.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . In the optical fiber aligning apparatus of the second embodiment, an optical integrated observation system in which these optical observation systems are integrated is used instead of the two optical observation systems 2A and 2B which are provided separately and independently in the first embodiment. I am using 3.

The optical integrated observation system 3 is internally provided with a reflection mirror 32 in addition to the objective lenses 21A and 21B.
A, 32B, a half mirror 33, and a camera 34 are provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the optical integrated observation system 3 has objective lenses 21A, 21B and arms 1'A, 1'B integrally fixed to each other, and a fine movement drive (not shown) is provided. The means (for example, a piezoelectric element) makes minute movements in mutually different directions (X, Y).

In this optical integrated observation system 3, only the objective lenses 21A and 21B are minutely moved integrally with the arms 1'A and 1'B, and the remaining lens barrel portion 3 is used.
6A, 36B and the camera 34 are fixed to an appropriate means such as a base. In addition, the objective lenses 21A and 21B and the lens barrel portion 36 are prevented from transmitting this minute movement to the lens barrel portion or the like.
A suitable anti-vibration member 35 such as anti-vibration rubber is provided between A and 36B.
A and 35B are interposed.

[0024]

As has been described in the foregoing, according to the present invention, versus the fiber-optic end a pair of opposed in the axial direction
Performs image processing while guess two directions or al view to to orthogonal,
Wherein a pair of alignment device for an optical fiber you aligning the end of the optical fiber, aligning apparatus of the optical fiber, a pair of V grooves for placing said each <br/> optical fibers respectively , Each V
A pair of arms on which the grooves are mounted, respectively,
A pair of optical observation system but fixedly mounted to the respective arm, wherein
One for finely moving each of the pair of optical observation systems in a predetermined direction.
Since and a pair of minutely driving means, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The drive mechanism can be halved (reduced from 4 to 2) compared to the conventional one, so the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly. (2) The number of drive mechanisms is reduced, and the occurrence of failures etc. is greatly (3) The size and weight of the device can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical fiber aligning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between one side arm and an optical observation system when the device is viewed from the right (α) direction.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between the other arm and the optical observation system when the same apparatus is viewed from the right (α) direction.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when a connection state between an arm and an optical observation system of a modified example of the same device is viewed from the right (α) direction.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between an arm and an optical observation system of a modified example of the same device when viewed from the right (α) direction.

FIG. 6 is a connection diagram showing a connection state between an optical observation system on one side and an arm in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a connection diagram showing a connection state between the other side optical observation system and the arm in the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a conventional optical fiber alignment device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between one side arm of the apparatus and an optical observation system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between one side arm of the apparatus and an optical observation system.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another conventional optical fiber aligning device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between one side arm of the apparatus and an optical observation system.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between one side arm of the apparatus and an optical observation system.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the action of the mirror.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A, 1'A, 1B, 1'B Arm 11A, 11B V-groove 2A, 2'A, 2B, 2'B Optical observation system 21A, 21'A, 21B, 21'B, 31A, 31B
Objective lens 22A, 22'A, 22B, 22'B, 34 Camera 100A, 100B Optical fiber

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of opposing its axis fiber optic end
Performs image processing while guess two directions or al view orthogonal to the direction, a centering apparatus for an optical fiber you aligning the ends of said pair of optical fibers, alignment device of the optical fiber, a pair of V grooves for placing each of said optical fibers, respectively, wherein the pair of arms each V groove is supported placed respectively, and a pair of optical observation system to which each is fixed to each arm, the pair Finely move each of the optical observation systems of
Aligning device for an optical fiber characterized by comprising a pair of minutely driving means that. 2. The optical observation system is attached to one end of a lens barrel.
Equipped objective lens and a camera attached to the other end.
The lens barrel and the arm are fixedly mounted on the camera.
More focus adjustment of the optical fiber on the V groove can be performed.
The optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that
Iba alignment device. 3. The optical observation system is attached to one end of the lens barrel.
Equipped objective lens and a camera attached to the other end.
The objective lens and the arm are fixed, and
The focus of the optical fiber on the V-groove can be adjusted by the camera
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein
Optical fiber alignment device. 4. The optical observation system displays images of each optical fiber.
Integrated structure for capturing images with a common camera through an objective lens
The adjustment of the optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein
Heart device.