JP4037991B2 - Optical connector ferrule manufacturing method and molding die - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical connector ferrule and a molding die, and more particularly to a method of manufacturing an optical connector ferrule of a multi-core optical connector called a so-called MT (Mechanical Transferable) type, and the method used in the method. The present invention relates to a ferrule molding die that can manufacture a high-quality optical connector ferrule having a rectangular die having a mold and a lower die, and a precision array type fiber hole and an arrayed guide pin.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, optical fibers have been widely used in communication systems, and not only telephones but also video and computer data have benefited from optical fiber transmission. Optical fiber transmission is replacing traditional copper-based electrical transmission because optical fiber has a larger capacity and faster transmission speed than conventional electrical transmission. The optical connector is necessary to connect the circuit, but since the optical fiber is extremely precise and thin, a high-precision machining process is required for manufacturing the optical connector ferrule. Microelectromechanical processing is often used for manufacturing optical connector ferrules.
[0003]
Microelectromechanical processing technology has evolved with the need to produce microparts with small volume, low weight and high precision. A technology from the related industry has already been submitted for the precision manufacturing technology of the MT type optical connector. Please refer to FIG. This is a related technology, US Patent No. 5, 214, 730 are optical connector ferrule molds. It is composed of an upper mold and a lower mold, and the lower mold has a plurality of V-shaped grooves 9, and a plurality of fiber hole forming pins 7 are left in the middle to produce a fiber hole. There is one guide hole forming pin 8 on each side, which is used to form a guide hole. However, the following three points are cited as disadvantages of this known technique.
[0004]
First, the fiber hole formed in the V-shaped groove of the lower mold tends to float up during the molding process, so that the fiber hole of the optical connector ferrule formed by molding does not match the optical fiber. There is.
[0005]
Second, since the inside of the fiber hole contacts both side walls in the V-shaped groove, when the optical fiber is inserted and removed overlapping the optical connector, a wear phenomenon occurs on the side wall of the V-shaped groove, There is a drawback in that the fiber pin has the disadvantage of being inaccurate.
[0006]
Thirdly, since the V-shaped groove is limited by molding the material directly by a machine, the precision of the fiber hole cannot be effectively increased.
[0007]
On the other hand, as a solution to this drawback, US Pat. Provided by Guide Block For Aligning Boring Forming Pins Duling Molding Multi-Fiber Optical to align hole forming pins when molding MT optical connector ferrule of 5,786,002 It was. As shown in FIG. 2, the main point is that the combination 10 is composed of a plurality of fiber hole blocks 22a-h (fiber bore blocks), and the fiber pin 30 is composed of a plurality of fiber holes 32a-h (fibers). bore)). Guide hole blocks 24a-b (guide bore blocks) are provided on both sides of the combined body 10, guide holes 34a-b are provided in the respective guide hole blocks 24a-b, and guide pins 33 are placed in the guide holes 34a-b. . Such a separate MT-type optical connector alleviates the problem of V-shaped groove wear due to repeated use, but the processing method requires processing and manufacturing of blocks one by one, and therefore the accuracy of the fiber hole diameter. However, there is a drawback that the fiber hole distance becomes inadequate or the fiber hole distance becomes inconsistent, and improvement has been demanded.
[0008]
In addition, in general, the conventional microelectromechanical manufacturing technology can only process soft materials, and has not been able to perform precise processing on relatively hard materials, but recently, X-ray LIGA technology. Has been used to solve the disadvantage of the inability to process hard materials in traditional microelectromechanical manufacturing techniques. In the present invention, this LIGA lithography technology is used to enable precise fiber hole diameter and hole distance localization.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional techniques, the present invention mainly aims to provide a manufacturing method and a molding die for a kind of optical connector ferrule. In particular, the present invention provides a mold capable of integrally molding an optical connector ferrule. The mold has a distinctly different position compared to the separation-type combination mold used in the prior art, and can accurately position the required hole diameter and hole distance. And In addition, the inner diameter dimension of the optical connector ferrule formed by the mold of the present invention is controlled by changing the mold core when molding the plastic material, and the mold core is formed by a polishing method. To do.
[0010]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of a kind of optical connector ferrule and a molding die, which employs X-ray LIGA technology for manufacturing a molding die in order to obtain a precise hole distance and hole diameter. Yes.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
請 Motomeko one aspect of the present invention, the following steps of (a) from (i), i.e.,
(A) a step of forming a plurality of fiber holes and a plurality of guide holes in the matching mold by X-ray LIGA technology;
(B) fixing the alignment mold to one side of the substrate;
(C) disposing a fiber pin and a guide pin on the intermediate wall;
(D) a step of inserting a fiber pin into the fiber hole of the matching mold and a guide pin into the guide hole;
(E) a step of joining a matching mold and an intermediate wall with a pair of side walls to form a rectangular mold;
(F) combining a top mold and a bottom mold on top and bottom of a rectangular mold to form a closed mold cavity;
(G) forming a funnel-shaped inlet for polymer injection communicating with the mold cavity in the intermediate wall ;
Characterized by covering the upper than has been the method for manufacturing an optical connector ferrule mold.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical connector ferrule mold manufacturing method according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of fiber holes and a plurality of guide holes of the matching mold are integrally formed.
The invention of claim 3, said polymer, characterized in that the plastics or rubber, and an optical connector ferrule mold method according to claim 1.
The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that interposed fiber hole matching mold was held fiber pin of the intermediate wall in the holding block, the optical connector ferrule mold according to claim 1 The manufacturing method.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above-described object, a molding die for an optical connector ferrule provided by the present invention includes a rectangular die, and the rectangular die includes an aligning mold and the matching die. And a pair of spaced apart side walls that form a U-shaped member in plan view and an intermediate wall coupled to the other end of the pair of side walls to form a rectangular frame shape. A plurality of fiber pins are fixed to the intermediate wall, and the plurality of fiber pins are coupled to a plurality of fiber holes formed in the matching mold. The intermediate wall is further provided with two mutually spaced guide pins, which are coupled to the guide holes of the alignment mold. The fiber hole and the guide hole are integrally formed so that both the hole diameter and the hole distance are very precise.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the alignment mold is supported on the substrate. The upper mold and the lower mold cover the rectangular frame between the alignment mold and the intermediate wall to form a closed mold cavity for forming an optical connector ferrule.
[0014]
According to the invention, a holding block is fixed to the intermediate wall in order to hold the fiber pin firmly. The intermediate wall further comprises a funnel inlet, which is used to inject molding material into the mold cavity. The guide pins are larger in size than the fiber pins and hold the mold with reasonable strength. The fiber hole and the guide hole are formed by the X-ray LIGA technology, thereby obtaining a precise hole diameter and alignment position. The core of the mold, that is, the fiber pin is formed by polishing.
[0015]
【Example】
The present invention provides an MT type optical connector ferrule manufacturing method and a molding die, and uses X-ray LIGA technology to manufacture a high precision optical connector ferrule matching die, which has a hole diameter. Comprehensive positioning of holes and holes. The fiber hole and the guide hole are integrally formed in an array mold in an aligning mold so as to meet the manufacturing requirements of the optical connector ferrule. Fiber dimensions are controlled by the mold core.
[0016]
See FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The rectangular mold (100) of the optical connector ferrule of the present invention has an alignment mold (60) at one end thereof, and a pair of side walls (70) are provided so as to sandwich the alignment mold (60). Furthermore, an intermediate wall (75) is provided at the other end of the rectangular mold (100) so as to be sandwiched between the pair of side walls (70) so as to face the alignment mold (60). Together with this, a rectangular frame is formed. The alignment mold (60) is provided with arrayed fiber holes (95). The inner diameter of each fiber hole (95) is about 26 microns. In addition, there are two guide holes (85) at positions on both ends sandwiching the plurality of fiber holes (95). The guide hole (85) has a larger inner diameter than the fiber hole (95) and is used for supporting and positioning the mold. Both the fiber hole (95) and the guide hole (85) are manufactured by X-ray LIGA technology, and an accurate hole diameter and hole distance can be obtained. Since the X-ray LIGA technique is a well-known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted here. The matching mold (60) is fixed to the substrate (50).
[0017]
The intermediate wall (75) is provided with a plurality of fiber pins (90) and a pair of guide pins (80), which are coupled to the fiber hole (95) and the guide hole (85), respectively. The fiber pin (90) is used as a mold core, manufactured by a polishing method, and attached to the intermediate wall (75) and supported by a pair of upper and lower holding blocks (110) (see FIG. 7).
[0018]
FIG. 6 shows the rectangular mold of the present invention at the preparation stage. The guide pin (80) is connected to the guide hole (85) to hold the intermediate wall (75) firmly against the alignment mold (60). The fiber pin (90) is stably and accurately coupled to the fiber hole (95).
[0019]
Please refer to FIG. Further, an upper mold (140) and a lower mold (130) are disposed above and below the fiber pin (90), and a fiber ferrule cavity (120) is formed therebetween. The intermediate wall (75) further comprises a funnel-shaped inlet (125), which is used to inject molding material. The molding material is preferably a polymer such as plastics or rubber. An optical connector ferrule is molded in the fiber ferrule cavity (120) with the fiber pin (90) as the core of the mold.
[0020]
The fiber pin (90) is manufactured with precise dimensions in a polishing manner. The fiber hole (95) is formed with very precise dimensions and position by X-ray LIGA technology. As a result, the molding die of the present invention has high precision suitable for manufacturing a high-quality optical connector ferrule.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the fiber pins are manufactured with precise dimensions in a polishing manner. The fiber holes are formed with very precise dimensions and positions by X-ray LIGA technology. As a result, the molding die of the present invention has high precision suitable for manufacturing a high-quality optical connector ferrule.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a well-known technique of US Patent No. It is sectional drawing of the metal mold | die for optical connector ferrules described in 5,214,730.
FIG. 2 is a well-known technique of US Patent No. It is a perspective view of the metal mold | die for optical connector ferrules described in 5,786,002.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rectangular mold of the optical connector ferrule of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alignment mold according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an intermediate wall, a fiber pin, and a guide pin of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan partial sectional view of a rectangular mold according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view after complete combination of the molding dies of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
(100) Rectangular mold (60) Alignment mold (70) Side wall (75) Intermediate wall (95) Fiber hole (85) Guide hole (50) Substrate (90) Fiber pin (80) Guide pin (110) Holding Block (140) Upper mold (130) Lower mold (125) Funnel-shaped inlet (120) Fiber ferrule cavity

Claims (4)

The following steps (a) to (i):
(A) a step of forming a plurality of fiber holes and a plurality of guide holes in the matching mold by X-ray LIGA technology;
(B) fixing the alignment mold to one side of the substrate;
(C) disposing a fiber pin and a guide pin on the intermediate wall;
(D) a step of inserting a fiber pin into the fiber hole of the matching mold and a guide pin into the guide hole;
(E) a step of joining a matching mold and an intermediate wall with a pair of side walls to form a rectangular mold;
(F) combining a top mold and a bottom mold on top and bottom of a rectangular mold to form a closed mold cavity;
(G) forming a funnel-shaped inlet for polymer injection communicating with the mold cavity in the intermediate wall ;
Characterized by covering the upper than, the optical connector ferrule mold manufacturing method of. 2. The method of manufacturing a mold for an optical connector ferrule according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of fiber holes and a plurality of guide holes of the matching mold are integrally formed. The method for producing a mold for an optical connector ferrule according to claim 1 , wherein the polymer is plastic or rubber. 2. The method of manufacturing a mold for an optical connector ferrule according to claim 1 , wherein the fiber pin of the intermediate wall is held by a holding block and then inserted into the fiber hole of the matching mold.

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