JP4441480B2 - Connection jig for optical connectors - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connecting jig used for connecting a field assembly type optical connector.

  In the field of communication, an optical fiber capable of high-speed and large-capacity transmission has become the mainstream of transmission lines, and FTTH (Fiber To The Home), which uses an optical fiber for the transmission path from the trunk line to each home, is in widespread use. In constructing this FTTH, the optical fibers are butted inside the V-groove on the substrate and aligned, and the optical fiber cores are fixed in this state, so that the optical fiber cores are easily connected to each other. Optical fibers are connected using a mechanical splice (see Patent Document 1).

  However, if the optical fiber is connected using a mechanical splice, in order to isolate it at the time of failure, the optical fiber is cut once and connected to the device, and then the mechanical splice is reconnected. There was a problem that it took a lot of work.

  Therefore, in order to improve the maintainability and operational efficiency of the transmission path, the formation of an optical connector at the connection point in the connection of the optical fiber is being studied. As a method for this purpose, an on-site assembly type optical connector using a mechanical splice, in which an optical fiber (first optical fiber) is fixed in advance in a ferrule inside the optical connector, has been developed.

This field assembly type optical connector is composed of an optical fiber (first optical fiber) protruding from the rear end of a ferrule having a built-in optical fiber fixed and polished at the tip, and another optical fiber (second optical fiber). ) Are aligned and connected in a state where the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are butted together, and the field assembly type optical connector and the optical fiber (second optical fiber) are fixed. A mechanical splice with a ferrule having a connection mechanism for maintaining a connection state between optical fibers and a housing for housing the mechanical splice with a ferrule are provided.
JP-A-11-264913

  By the way, as for the method of assembling the above-mentioned field assembly type optical connector, for example, there is a method of using a connecting jig as shown in FIG. The connecting jig 401 includes a wedge 402 for generating a gap for inserting an optical fiber into the mechanical splice 411 in the optical connector 410 and a guide 403 for inserting the optical fiber. A slit 412 for inserting the wedge 402 on the connection jig 401 is formed in the inner mechanical splice 411 (see FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4D). During assembly, the wedge 402 on the connection jig 401 is inserted into the slit 412 to form a gap 413 for inserting an optical fiber (see FIG. 4E).

  In other words, the ferrule 406 inside the optical connector is inserted by inserting the optical fiber (second optical fiber) 405 subjected to the end face treatment into the optical connector and bending the optical fiber (second optical fiber). After confirming a match between the first optical fiber (first optical fiber) and the optical fiber (second optical fiber) built in and fixed to the wedge, the wedge 402 is pushed from the slit 412 by pushing the wedge release button 404. The connection was made by unplugging.

  For this reason, since the optical fiber insertion work and the wedge release work are different operations, mistakes may occur in unstable work places such as on the pillar, such as mistakes in the work procedure or forgetting to check the deflection. There is a problem that it is difficult to perform stable connection work easily.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a locally assembled optical connector connection that can realize an easy and stable connection operation even in an unstable work place by an inexpensive means. To provide a jig.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a first optical fiber built in and fixed to a ferrule inside the optical connector, and a second optical fiber inserted into the optical connector from the outside of the optical connector. An optical connector used to fix the second optical fiber to the optical connector by positioning and aligning the optical fiber, connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in a butted state A connector holder for opening a gap for inserting the second optical fiber into the optical connector by setting the optical connector above the inclined portion, and the second And a guide member having a push-up member disposed between the optical connector and the inclined portion of the connector holder for pushing up the optical connector. By setting the optical connector in the connector holder and inserting the second optical fiber into the optical connector through the gap, and then pushing the guide member toward the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber. The push-up member is pushed up along the inclined portion, and the optical connector is detached from the connector holder and the gap is closed while the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are abutted with each other. The connector and the second optical fiber are fixed.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a fiber holder that holds the second optical fiber, and the guide member slides the fiber holder toward the optical axis of the second optical fiber. The guide groove is formed, and the second optical fiber is mounted through the fiber holder.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stop portion on one end side of the guide groove on which the fiber holder for restricting the slide toward the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber is caught. is there.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an optical connector connection jig that can realize an easy and stable connection work at low cost even in an unstable work place by inexpensive means.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  A connection jig according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector connection jig according to the embodiment of the present invention is for realizing an easy and stable connection work of an optical fiber to an optical connector at low cost, It comprises a connector holder 102 for positioning the optical connector and a guide member 103 for inserting an optical fiber.

  The optical connector connecting jig 101 of the present embodiment locks a wedge 104 for opening a gap for inserting an optical fiber into an optical connector and a guide member 103 on the connector holder 102 on the connector holder 102. A recess 105 is formed. The guide member 103 includes a guide groove 106 for guiding a fiber holder (core wire gripper) holding an optical fiber, a displaceable protrusion 107 for simply fixing the fiber holder, and a stop for the fiber holder. A groove 110, a push-up member 108 for pushing up the optical connector, and a convex portion 109 for locking the connector holder 102 to the guide member 103 are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connection jig according to the embodiment of the present invention is assembled by fitting the concave portion 105 and the convex portion 109 with the connector holder 102 and the guide member 103. By moving within the recess 105, they can be brought close to or separated from each other. When the connector holder 102 and the guide member 103 are brought close to each other, the inclined portion 111 of the connector holder 102 and the push-up member 108 of the guide member 103 slide with each other. Thus, the optical connector 112 can be pushed up by bringing the connector holder 102 and the guide member 103 close to each other.

  An optical connector assembling method using the connection jig of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connection jig of the present embodiment sets (1) the optical connector 102 to the connector holder 102. At this time, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the wedge 104 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is inserted into the optical connector 102 (see FIG. 3A).

  (2) A fiber holder (core wire gripper) 301 that has been subjected to optical fiber end processing is slid along the guide groove 106 of the guide member 103 to place the optical fiber (second optical fiber) 302 in the optical connector 112. (See FIG. 3B).

  (3) The fiber holder (core wire gripper) 301 is inserted into the optical connector 112 as it is in the optical axis direction (optical fiber (second optical fiber) 302) of the optical fiber (second optical fiber) 302. When pushed in the same direction as the direction, the fiber holder (core wire gripping tool) 301 is caught by the guide member 103 at the position of the stop groove 110. Further, by pushing the fiber holder (core wire gripping tool) 301 in the direction of the optical axis of the optical fiber 302, the guide member 103 is inserted into the fiber holder (core wire gripping tool) 301 through the portion caught by the stop groove 110. A force directed in the optical axis direction can be applied. Further, by pushing the fiber holder (core wire gripping tool) 301, the guide member 103 can be pushed together with the fiber holder (core wire gripping tool) 301, so that the guide member 103 and the connector holder 102 come close to each other. It will be. As a result, the inclined portion 111 of the connector holder 102 and the push-up member 108 of the guide member 103 slide with each other and the optical connector 112 is pushed up, so that the optical connector 112 is detached from the wedge 104.

  However, before the optical connector 112 is detached from the wedge 104, a deflection 303 occurs in the optical fiber 302, and the optical fiber (first optical fiber) (first optical fiber) (see FIG. 4) built in and fixed to the ferrule (see FIG. 4) inside the optical connector 112. (Not shown) and the optical fiber (second optical fiber) 302 are aligned and connected in a state where the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber 302 are in contact with each other, and the optical connector 112 and the optical fiber ( (Second optical fiber) 302 is fixed. That is, the operation of butting the optical fiber 302 can be performed reliably (see FIG. 3C). As a result, the optical connector 112 and the optical fiber (second optical fiber) 302 are fixed, and the assembly is completed.

  As a result, the connection work of the optical connector can be carried out in a series of operations, so there is no mistake in the work procedure or forgetting the deflection confirmation work, and errors occur even in unstable work places such as on pillars. Can be prevented, and stable connection work can be easily performed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical connector is fixed to the connector holder. However, the optical connector may be fixed to the guide member, and the wedge may be pulled out by moving the connector holder.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, when the connector holder and the guide member are brought close to the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber, the guide member moves the optical connector downward. Thus, a form in which the optical connector and the second optical fiber are connected can be considered.

It is a perspective view which shows the connection jig for optical connectors by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection jig for optical connectors by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly method of the optical connector using the connection jig for optical connectors by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the assembly method of the optical connector which uses the connection jig for optical connectors by a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Connection jig for optical connectors 102 Connector holder 103 Guide member 104 Wedge 105 Concave part 106 Guide groove 107 Protrusion 108 Push-up member 109 Convex part 110 Stop groove 111 Inclined part 112 Optical connector 301 Fiber holder (core wire gripping tool)
302 optical fiber (second optical fiber)
303 Deflection 401 Connection jig 402 Wedge 403 Guide 404 Wedge release button 405 Optical fiber (second optical fiber)
406 Ferrule 410 Optical connector 411 Mechanical splice 412 Slit 413 Gap

Claims (3)

Positioning and aligning the first optical fiber built in and fixed to the ferrule inside the optical connector and the second optical fiber inserted into the optical connector from the outside of the optical connector, the first optical fiber and A connection jig for an optical connector that is used when the second optical fiber is connected to the second optical fiber while the second optical fiber is fixed to the optical connector.
A connector holder for opening a gap for inserting the second optical fiber into the optical connector by setting the optical connector above the inclined portion;
The second optical fiber is mounted, and includes a guide member that is disposed between the optical connector and the inclined portion of the connector holder and has a push-up member for pushing up the optical connector,
By setting the optical connector in the connector holder and inserting the second optical fiber into the optical connector through the gap, and then pushing the guide member toward the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber. The push-up member is pushed up along the inclined portion, and the optical connector is detached from the connector holder and the gap is closed while the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are abutted with each other. An optical connector connection jig, wherein a connector and the second optical fiber are fixed. A fiber holder for gripping the second optical fiber;
The guide member is formed with a guide groove for sliding the fiber holder in the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber, and the second optical fiber is mounted through the fiber holder. connecting jig for optical connector according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that. 3. The optical connector according to claim 2 , further comprising a stop portion on one end side of the guide groove on which the fiber holder for restricting the slide toward the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber is hooked. Connection jig.

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