JP3755282B2 - Manufacturing method of optical connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical connector manufacturing method for connecting optical fiber cores.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to connect the optical fiber cores detachably, generally, a ferrule is attached to the end of the optical fiber core to form an optical connector, and the optical connectors are generally connected to each other. In such an optical connector, in order to reduce the connection loss at the time of connection, it was necessary to grind the joint surface between optical connectors. That is, in order to attach a ferrule to the end portion of the optical fiber core wire at the connection site to form an optical connector, polishing work must be performed at the connection site. However, this polishing operation is very time consuming and laborious, and improvement in connection work has been desired.
[0003]
Therefore, as described in JP-A-9-304657 and the like, a method for connecting optical connectors without performing a polishing operation has been proposed. In the method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-304657, one optical connector is assembled by fixing an optical fiber to a ferrule whose joint surface has been polished in advance. Next, another ferrule whose bonding surface is polished is bonded to the optical connector, and an optical fiber is inserted into the bonded ferrule. And an optical fiber is fixed with respect to a ferrule, applying a fixed load to the insertion direction of an optical fiber core wire.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is impossible to confirm how the end portions of the optical fibers are joined to each other by the method described in JP-A-9-304657. For this reason, even if the end portion of the optical fiber is damaged when the optical fiber is inserted and fixed to the ferrule, it is not known. Also, when connecting multi-core optical fiber cores, if the amount of unevenness of the end portions of the optical fibers is large, a gap (gap) is generated between the end faces of the optical fibers, and good transmission characteristics may not be obtained. .
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical connector that can easily perform a connection operation and has good transmission characteristics.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the end portion of the optical fiber exposed by removing the covering portion from the optical fiber core wire is inserted into the positioning hole in the ferrule, and the tip end of the optical fiber is projected from the joining surface of the ferrule. The end of the optical fiber is confirmed, and a pressing member having a contact surface that contacts the end surface of the optical fiber is pressed against the ferrule joining surface so that the end surface of the optical fiber can contact the contact surface. It is characterized in that the optical fiber is fixed to the ferrule with a load applied.
[0007]
  Furthermore, hereThe pressing member has a convex portion to be inserted into the positioning hole, and the convex surface of the convex portion is a contact surface, and is fixed in a state where the tip of the optical fiber is pushed into the predetermined amount from the end portion of the positioning hole.The
[0009]
  Claim2The invention described in claim1In the described invention, a refractive index matching agent is applied to the bonding surface or the contact surface before pressing the pressing member on the bonding surface of the ferrule.
[0010]
  Claim3The invention described in claim 1Or 2The ferrule and the pressing member each have a pin hole for inserting a guide pin, and when the pressing member is pressed against the joint surface of the ferrule, it is guided from the pin hole of the ferrule to the pin hole of the pressing member. A pin is inserted to position the ferrule and the pressing member.
[0011]
  Claim4The invention described in claim 13In any one of the inventions, the tip of the optical fiber is subjected to electric discharge machining before the optical fiber is inserted into the positioning hole.
[0012]
  Claim5The invention described in claim 14In any of the inventions described above, the tip of the optical fiber is subjected to edge removal processing before the optical fiber is inserted into the positioning hole.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a method for manufacturing an optical connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a so-called MT connector will be described as an example of an optical connector, but it can also be used when manufacturing various multi-fiber optical connectors and single-core optical connectors other than MT connectors.
[0014]
First, the structure of the MT connector will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the MT connector described here includes a four-core tape-shaped multi-core optical fiber core 1 and a ferrule 2 attached to the tip of the optical fiber core wire 1. The optical fiber core 1 has four optical fibers 1a in parallel inside. The optical fiber core wire 1 shown in FIG. 1 has the resin coating portion at the end thereof removed to expose the optical fiber 1a.
[0016]
The ferrule 2 is a member made of a synthetic resin and has a form in which two rectangular parallelepipeds are joined together, and a rectangular opening 2f is formed on the upper surface thereof. The opening 2f communicates with an insertion hole 2g [see FIG. 2 (a)] formed on the side where the optical fiber core wire 1 is inserted. Four guide grooves 2c for guiding the optical fiber 1a of the inserted optical fiber 1 to the positioning hole 2a are formed in parallel at the bottom of the opening 2f. The distal end side of the guide groove 2c is in communication with the proximal end side of the positioning hole 2a.
[0017]
The positioning holes 2a are formed so as to penetrate from the inside of the ferrule 2 to the joint surface 2b, and four are parallel to each other like the guide groove 2c. The inner diameter of the positioning hole 2a is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the optical fiber 1a in order to position the optical fiber 1a inserted therein.
[0018]
On both sides of the positioning hole 2a and the guide groove 2c described above, a pair of pin holes 2d are formed penetrating the inside of the ferrule 2. The pair of pin holes 2d are also arranged in parallel to the positioning hole 2a and the guide groove 2c described above. These pin holes 2d are used for positioning with a pressing member 3A, which will be described later, at the time of manufacturing the optical connector, or used for positioning with another optical connector when connected to another optical connector. At this time, one end of each guide pin 2e is inserted into each pin hole 2d, and the other end of these guide pins 2e is inserted into the pin hole 2d of the pressing member 3A or another optical connector for positioning.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows an optical connector obtained by assembling the above-described optical fiber core wire 1 and ferrule 2 by the manufacturing method of the present invention using a pressing member 3A described later.
[0020]
In the optical connector shown in FIG. 2, the tips of the optical fibers 1 a are aligned at a position where a predetermined amount is pushed into the positioning hole 2 a from the joint surface 2 b of the ferrule 2. The optical fiber 1a inserted into the positioning hole 2a is fixed to the ferrule 2 with an adhesive 7 filled from the opening 2f. Further, the refractive index matching agent 6 is filled in the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber 1a in the positioning hole 2a. Furthermore, a boot 4 for holding the inserted optical fiber core wire 1 is attached to the ferrule 2 on the insertion hole 2g side.
[0021]
Next, the pressing member 3A used when assembling the optical connector shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0022]
The pressing member 3 </ b> A is a synthetic resin member similar to the ferrule 2 and has a form in which two rectangular parallelepipeds similar to the outer shape of the ferrule 2 are combined. Four columnar convex portions 3b corresponding to the positioning holes 2a of the ferrule 2 project from the center of the end surface of the pressing member 3A that is in contact with the joint surface 2b of the ferrule 2. And the convex surface of the convex part 3b is made into the contact surface 3a contact | abutted with the end surface of the optical fiber 1a in the ferrule 2 when the pressing member 3A is pressed with respect to the ferrule 2. FIG. The outer diameter of the convex portion 3b is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the optical fiber 1a. The protruding amount of the protrusion 3b is equal to a predetermined amount (for example, 10 μm) in which the end face of the optical fiber 1a is pushed into the positioning hole 2a in the manufactured optical connector.
[0023]
A pair of pin holes 3c corresponding to the pair of pin holes 2d of the ferrule 2 are formed on both sides of the convex portion 3b so as to penetrate the inside of the pressing member 3A. The pair of pin holes 3c are arranged in parallel with the projecting direction of the convex portion 3b described above. As described above, these pin holes 3c are used for positioning with the ferrule 2 when manufacturing the optical connector. FIG. 4 shows a state where the pressing member 3A is pressed against the ferrule 2 when the optical connector shown in FIG. 2 is manufactured. At this time, the end surface of the optical fiber 1a abuts on the abutment surface 3a of the convex portion 3b inserted into the positioning hole 2a, and the tip position thereof is aligned.
[0024]
Next, a method for manufacturing the above-described optical connector will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
First, the optical fiber core wire 1 is inserted into the boot 4 [FIG. 5 (a)], and then the coated portion of the optical fiber core wire 1 is removed by heating and softening with a heating type remover [FIG. 5 (b)]. The coating waste remaining around the optical fiber 1a exposed by removing the coating portion is wiped off with alcohol or the like. Using the fiber cutter, the exposed optical fiber 1a is cut to a predetermined length [FIG. 5 (c)]. The process so far is not different from the conventional manufacturing method.
[0026]
Next, the tip of the cut optical fiber 1a is subjected to electric discharge machining. By performing the electric discharge machining, the tip of the optical fiber 1a is melted to have a substantially hemispherical shape, the edge at the time of cutting can be eliminated, and the inclination of the cut surface can be eliminated. As a result, connection loss can be reduced. Further, since the tip of the optical fiber 1a is hemispherical, the optical fiber 1a can be smoothly inserted into the positioning hole 2a of the ferrule 2, and the optical fiber can be damaged by contact with the ferrule 2 when attached to the ferrule 2. It can also be prevented.
[0027]
Alternatively, edge removal processing may be performed instead of electrical discharge machining. In the edge removal process, an edge processing apparatus (not shown) having a mortar-shaped rotating polishing plate is used to press the tip of the optical fiber 1a against the inner surface of the rotating polishing plate that is driven to rotate, thereby leading the tip of the optical fiber 1a. By removing the outer circumference from several μm to several tens of μm, the edge formed at the tip of the optical fiber 1a at the time of cutting is removed. The edge removal process can also reduce the connection loss similarly to the electric discharge machining, and can prevent the optical fiber from being damaged when attached to the ferrule 2.
[0028]
The optical fiber core wire 1 and the ferrule 2 whose ends are processed are set on a work table (not shown), the optical fiber 1a is inserted into the positioning hole 2a of the ferrule 2, and the tip of the optical fiber 1a is inserted. Is projected from the joint surface 2b by a predetermined amount (for example, 100 μm). In the case of a multi-core optical fiber, all ends are projected from the joint surface 2b [FIG. 5 (d)]. With the tip of the optical fiber 1a protruding from the joint surface 2b, the boot 4 is temporarily fixed to the ferrule 2, and at the same time, the optical fiber core wire 1 is gripped by the core wire gripping portion 5 attached to the workbench [ FIG. 5 (e)].
[0029]
Here, the state of the tip of the optical fiber 1a projected from the joint surface 2b is confirmed using a microscope, a CCD, or the like. Here, it is confirmed whether or not the tip of the optical fiber 1a is damaged. In the case of the multi-core optical fiber 1, it is also confirmed whether the amount of unevenness at the tip of the optical fiber 1 a is within the allowable range. This is because if the amount of unevenness at the tip of the optical fiber 1a is large, even if it is attempted to align the tip of the optical fiber 1a using the pressing member 3A in a later step, it may not be possible to align. When the ends of the optical fibers 1a cannot be aligned, even if the connection loss of any one of the optical fibers 1a is within the allowable range, the connection loss of the other optical fibers 1a is out of the allowable range.
[0030]
This confirmation can be easily confirmed by causing the tip of the optical fiber 1a to protrude from the bonding surface 2b, and it is very difficult to check without protruding from the bonding surface 2b. As a result of confirmation, if the tip of the optical fiber 1a is damaged or the amount of unevenness is outside the allowable range, correction is performed by cutting again or performing electric discharge machining (edge removal processing) again.
[0031]
When the confirmation of the tip of the optical fiber 1a is completed, the pressing member 3A in which the refractive index matching agent 6 is applied around the contact surface 3a of the convex portion 3b while the optical fiber core wire 1 is held and fixed by the core wire gripping portion 5. Is attached to the ferrule 2 [FIG. 6 (a)]. At this time, the pair of guide pins 2e is inserted from the pin hole 2d of the ferrule 2 to the pin hole 3c of the pressing member 3A, and the positioning of the ferrule 2 and the pressing member 3A is performed. By positioning the ferrule 2 and the pressing member 3A, the positioning holes 2a and the convex portions 3b are aligned, and the convex portions 3b are inserted into the positioning holes 2a.
[0032]
After the pressing member 3A is attached to the ferrule 2, the clamp spring 8 is attached from the ferrule 2 to the pressing member 3A so that the joint surface 2b and the end surface of the pressing member 3A are firmly joined. At the same time, the end portion of the optical fiber 1a is pressed against the contact surface 3a by applying a load F by sliding the core wire gripping part 5 to the left in FIG. 6 [FIG. 6 (b). ].
[0033]
In the state shown in FIG. 6 (b), the optical fiber 1a protruding from the joint surface 2b is slightly compressed by the compressive force applied to itself, and the uneven tip is pushed into the positioning hole 2a. Are aligned. In the case where the ends are not aligned only by compression of the optical fiber 1a, the ends of the optical fiber 1a (optical fiber core wire 1) that are slightly bent and uneven are aligned. At this time, since the outer diameter of the optical fiber 1a is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the positioning hole 2a, the optical fiber 1a does not bend inside the positioning hole 2a, and after the portion positioned in the guide groove 2c [shown by X in FIG. The range will bend. These compressions and deflections do not deteriorate the transmission characteristics.
[0034]
When the convex portion 3b is inserted into the positioning hole 2a, the optical fiber core wire 1 (optical fiber 1a) is pushed by the convex portion 3b and slides rightward in FIG. Then, the core wire gripping portion 5 may be slid leftward in FIG. Alternatively, when the convex portion 3b is inserted into the positioning hole 2a, the optical fiber core wire 1 is gripped by the core wire grip portion 5 so as not to slide, and the portion pushed back by the convex portion 3b is replaced with the optical fiber core wire. 1 (optical fiber 1a) is absorbed by the compression or bending of the optical fiber 1a, and the end surface of the optical fiber 1a is pressed against the abutting surface 3a only by using the force that the compression or bending is to return. The load F may not be applied.
[0035]
Next, the opening of the optical fiber 1a is opened in a state where the tip of the optical fiber 1a is pushed into the positioning hole 2a by a predetermined amount, that is, in a state where a load F for bringing the end surface of the optical fiber 1a into contact with the contact surface 3a is applied. The adhesive 7 is filled into the ferrule 2 from the portion 2f, and the optical fiber 1a is fixed to the ferrule 2 [FIG. 6 (d)]. This state is the state shown in FIG. 4 (however, the clamp spring 8 is not shown in FIG. 4). The optical fiber 1a is fixed to the ferrule 2 with its tips aligned, and even when the pressing member 3A is removed, the tips are aligned [FIG. 6 (d)].
[0036]
Since the refractive index matching agent 6 is filled in the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber 1a prior to filling of the adhesive 7, even if the adhesive 7 is filled to the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber 1a through the optical fiber 1a, Since the tip of the fiber 1a is covered with the refractive index matching agent 6, the adhesive 7 does not adhere to the end face of the optical fiber 1a. For this reason, there is no possibility of causing deterioration of transmission loss due to adhesion of the adhesive 7.
[0037]
Even if the adhesive 7 is not filled up to the tip of the positioning hole 2a and a non-adhesive region of the optical fiber 1a is formed between the adhesive 7 and the refractive index matching agent 6 (see FIG. 2), the optical fiber 1a is positively formed. Alternatively, the adhesive region may be formed up to the vicinity of the optical fiber 1a. When the optical connector manufactured in this way is actually used for connection work, the tip of the positioning hole 2a is further filled with a refractive index matching agent 6, and the gap between the end faces of the optical fiber 1a to be connected is determined. To be satisfied.
[0038]
According to the manufacturing method described above, when the ferrule 2 is attached to the end of the optical fiber core wire 1 at the connection site to make an optical connector, the polishing work is not necessary, so that the optical connector can be easily manufactured. . As a result, connection work at the connection site can be easily performed.
[0039]
In addition, according to the manufacturing method described above, immediately before the optical fiber 1a (optical fiber core wire 1) is fixed to the ferrule 2, the tip of the optical fiber 1a protrudes from the joint surface 2b to check its state. In addition, it is possible to confirm the breakage or unevenness of the tip of the optical fiber 1a, and it is possible to manufacture an optical connector having good transmission characteristics.
[0040]
The optical connector manufactured by the manufacturing method described above has stable transmission characteristics because the end of the optical fiber 1a is neatly aligned. Further, in the optical connector manufactured using the pressing member 3A having the convex portion 3b, since the tip of the optical fiber 1a is aligned inside the positioning hole 2a, high-speed connection switching by so-called optical CATS (CAble Transfer Splicing system) or the like is performed. Even if it performs, there will be no possibility that the end of the optical fiber 1a will come into contact with the ferrule 2 and break, and it will be suitable for high-speed connection switching.
[0041]
  What has been described so far has been the case where the tip of the optical fiber 1a is aligned inside the positioning hole 2a using the pressing member 3A shown in FIG. In contrast,As a reference example,A case will be described in which the pressing member 3B shown in FIG. 7A is used to align the tip end of the optical fiber 1a so as to protrude from the positioning hole 2a.
[0042]
Since the optical fiber core wire 1 and the ferrule 2 used in this case are not different from those described above, description thereof is omitted here. As shown in FIG. 7A, the pressing member 3B used in this case is formed with a recess 3d corresponding to the positioning hole 2a of the ferrule 2 at the center of the end surface that is in contact with the joint surface 2b of the ferrule 2. . The concave surface of the concave portion 3d is a contact surface 3a that contacts the end surface of the optical fiber 1a in the ferrule 2 when the pressing member 3B is pressed against the ferrule 2. The depth of the recess 3d is set equal to a predetermined amount (for example, 10 μm) by which the end face of the optical fiber 1a protrudes from the joint surface 2b in the manufactured optical connector.
[0043]
Using this pressing member 3B, an optical connector is manufactured by a process similar to the process shown in FIGS. However, since the pressing member 3B has the concave portion 3d instead of the convex portion 3b, the end face of the optical fiber 1a is aligned and fixed in a state of protruding from the joint surface 2b as shown in FIG. Is different.
[0044]
According to this manufacturing method, since the polishing work is not necessary at the connection site, the connection work at the connection site can be easily performed, and the tip of the optical fiber 1a is projected from the positioning hole 2a to confirm the state. An optical connector having good transmission characteristics can be manufactured. In addition, since the end portions of the optical fiber 1a are aligned, the transmission characteristics are stable. These effects are the same as those of the optical connector manufacturing method shown in FIG.
[0045]
Further, the optical connector manufactured using the pressing member 3B having the recess 3d is suitable for so-called PC (Physical Contact) connection because the tip of the optical fiber 1a protrudes from the positioning hole 2a and is aligned. In particular, in the PC connection of the multi-core optical fiber, it is difficult to contact all the optical fibers in an optimum state. However, according to the manufacturing method using the pressing member 3B described above, the multi-core optical fiber Since the ends of all the optical fibers of the core wire can be neatly aligned, it is effective for PC connection of a multi-core optical fiber core wire.
[0046]
In order to align the tip of the optical fiber 1a with the tip of the optical fiber 1a protruding from the joining surface 2b of the ferrule 2, the pressing member 3B shown in FIG. A pressing member 3C shown in FIG. The pressing member 3C shown in FIG. 7B is formed with a concave portion 3d ′ having a different shape from the concave portion 3d of the pressing member 3B shown in FIG. 7A, but the concave surface of the concave portion 3d ′ is in contact with the pressing member 3C. The surface 3a has no difference in function in use, and can be used in exactly the same manner as the pressing member 3B shown in FIG. 7 (a).
[0047]
  Further, depending on the pressing member 3A shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the optical fiber 1a can be aligned in the positioning hole 2a. Depending on the pressing members 3B and 3C shown in FIG. It was able to arrange in the state protruded from 2b. Here, when it is desired to make the tip of the optical fiber 1a flush with the joining surface 2b, the tip of the optical fiber 1a is flush with the joining surface 2b by using the pressing member 3D shown in FIG. be able to(Reference example). The pressing member 3D shown in FIG. 9 has neither a convex portion nor a concave portion formed on the surface in contact with the bonding surface 2b, and this surface functions as the contact surface 3a. The pressing member 3D shown in FIG. 9 can be used according to the same process as the pressing member 3A shown in FIG. 3 and the pressing members 3B and 3C shown in FIG.
[0048]
In addition, the manufacturing method of this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, in the embodiment described above, the adhesive 7 is used to fix the optical fiber 1a to the ferrule 2, but it may be fixed by mechanical means without using the adhesive. As described above, the manufacturing method of the present invention can be applied to various multi-fiber optical connectors and single-fiber optical connectors other than the MT connector.
[0049]
In the above-described embodiment, the clamp spring 8 that is generally used when connecting the optical connectors is used to press the pressing members 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D against the ferrule 2. You may make it press by other methods, such as a fixing jig. In the embodiment described above, the refractive index matching agent 6 is applied to the contact surface 3a side, but may be applied to the vicinity of the end opening of the positioning hole 2a on the bonding surface 2b side. In the above-described embodiment, the state of the tip of the optical fiber 1a protruding from the joint surface 2b is confirmed by a microscope, but may be confirmed by visual observation or other means of a magnifying glass.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to perform a polishing operation after fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule, an optical connector is not manufactured by attaching the ferrule to the end of the optical fiber core wire at a connection site or the like. Even when it is not possible to connect, the connection work can be performed easily and quickly. In addition, since the tip of the optical fiber is projected from the joint surface to check the state of the tip of the optical fiber, it is possible to check the breakage or unevenness of the tip of the optical fiber, and to manufacture an optical connector having good transmission characteristics. it can. Furthermore, the manufactured optical connector has a stable transmission characteristic because the end portions of the optical fiber are neatly aligned.
[0051]
  further,Because the pressing member has a convex part, the manufactured optical connector has the optical fiber tip aligned in the positioning hole, so that even if high-speed connection switching is performed by so-called optical CATS (CAble Transfer Splicing system) etc. The end of the optical fiber is not likely to be damaged by contact with the ferrule, and is suitable for high-speed connection switching.
[0053]
  Claim2According to the invention, the refractive index matching agent is applied to the joining surface or the contact surface prior to fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule with an adhesive, and the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber of the manufactured optical connector. Is filled with an adhesive. For this reason, even if the adhesive is filled to the vicinity of the tip through the optical fiber, the adhesive does not adhere to the end face of the optical fiber covered with the refractive index matching agent, and transmission loss due to adhesion of the adhesive does not occur. There is no risk of deterioration.
[0054]
  Claim3When the pressing member is pressed by the ferrule, the guide pin is inserted from the pin hole on the ferrule side to the pin hole of the pressing member, thereby positioning the both. For this reason, the ferrule and the pressing member can be accurately positioned, can be easily connected, and the connection work can be easily performed.
[0055]
  Claim4According to the invention described in the above, by performing electric discharge machining, the tip of the optical fiber is melted to form a substantially hemispherical shape, so that the edge at the time of cutting can be eliminated and the inclination of the cut surface can also be eliminated. . As a result, connection loss can be reduced. In addition, since the tip of the optical fiber has a hemispherical shape, the optical fiber can be smoothly inserted into the positioning hole of the ferrule, and damage to the optical fiber due to contact with the ferrule can be prevented.
[0056]
  Claim5According to the invention described in (2), by removing the edge formed at the tip of the optical fiber at the time of cutting, the state of the cut surface can be adjusted and the connection loss can be reduced. Further, by removing the edge, the optical fiber is not caught when inserted into the positioning hole of the ferrule and can be smoothly inserted, and the optical fiber can be prevented from being damaged due to contact with the ferrule.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an MT type optical connector.
FIG. 2 shows an optical connector manufactured by the optical connector manufacturing method of the present invention.OneIt is (a) sectional drawing and (b) top view showing an embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a pressing member used in the optical connector manufacturing method of the present invention.OneIt is a perspective view which shows embodiment.
4 is a plan view (partially cross-sectional view) showing a joined and pressed state of the optical connector shown in FIG. 1 and the pressing member shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an optical connector manufacturing process (first half) in the optical connector manufacturing method of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an optical connector manufacturing process (second half) in the optical connector manufacturing method of the present invention;
[Fig. 7]light(A) No. of the pressing member used in the manufacturing method of the connectorOne reference example(b) No.Two reference examplesFIG.
8 is a plan view (partially cross-sectional view) showing a joined and pressed state of the optical connector shown in FIG. 1 and the pressing member shown in FIG.
FIG. 9lightThe pressing member used in the manufacturing method of the connectorThree reference examplesFIG.

Claims (5)

Insert the end of the optical fiber exposed by removing the coating from the optical fiber core wire into the positioning hole in the ferrule,
Check the state of the end of the optical fiber by protruding the tip of the optical fiber from the joint surface of the ferrule,
Pressing a pressing member having a contact surface that contacts the end surface of the optical fiber to the joint surface of the ferrule,
The optical fiber is fixed to the ferrule with a load applied so that the end face of the optical fiber and the contact surface can be contacted ,
The pressing member has a convex portion inserted into the positioning hole, and the convex surface of the convex portion is the contact surface,
A method of manufacturing an optical connector, wherein the tip of the optical fiber is fixed in a state of being pushed into a predetermined amount from the end of the positioning hole . The method for manufacturing an optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a refractive index matching agent is applied to the joint surface or the contact surface prior to pressing the pressing member against the joint surface of the ferrule. The ferrule and the pressing member each have a pin hole for inserting a guide pin, and when the pressing member is pressed against the joint surface of the ferrule, the pin of the pressing member is moved from the pin hole of the ferrule. The method of manufacturing an optical connector according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the guide pin is inserted through a hole to position the ferrule and the pressing member. Prior to inserting the optical fiber into the positioning hole, electrical discharge machining the tip of the optical fiber, method for manufacturing an optical connector according to any one of claims 1-3. Prior to inserting the optical fiber into the positioning hole, the front end edge removal process of the optical fiber, method for manufacturing an optical connector according to any one of claims 1-4.

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