JP4839230B2 - Optical connector connection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical connector connection method in which end faces of two optical connectors to be connected are detachably bonded .

  The multi-fiber optical connector is an optical connector for connecting optical fiber ribbons, and is mainly used for connecting an optical cable constituted by an optical fiber tape. The connection of the multi-fiber optical connector is performed by aligning the optical connectors with two fitting pins, applying a refractive index matching agent to the end face of the optical connector, connecting the optical connectors, and using the clip to connect the optical connectors. Holds the bonding strength between each other. The refractive index matching agent is used to fill a slight gap between the end faces of the optical connector, and has a gel-like property having the same refractive index as that of an optical fiber core mainly composed of silicon.

  The optical cable connecting portion using such a multi-fiber optical connector is on the utility pole and in the manhole. The connection point of the optical cable connection part is in a casing called a closure to prevent damage from outside and inundation, and the connection part such as an optical connector is stored in a vinyl bag or the like.

  The structure of the closure includes an optical cable and a closure end face plate that seals the side surfaces of the closure and a closure sleeve for covering the entire connecting portion. Since the manhole where the closure connecting the optical cable is installed is installed under the road, it may be flooded by rain. In this case, the closure is submerged, but the inside of the closure is protected from the submersion, and the optical fiber core wire connection portion is not submerged.

JP-A 62-56907 Katsuhiko Okubo "Optical Fiber Technology in the ISDN Era" Science and Engineering Publishing, December 25, 1991, pages 6-12

  However, when the closure is assembled, if the sealing state of the closure is not sufficient due to a mistake in attaching the closure sleeve or the closure end face plate, the optical fiber core wire connection portion may be submerged. As a result, it is necessary to remove water from the submerged closure because it may cause a deterioration of the strength of the optical fiber core connection part and an increase in optical loss, which may cause a failure. was there.

  One of the causes of failure of the submerged multi-fiber optical connector in the closure is that dust or the like adheres to the end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector and blocks the optical fiber core. This is because dust in water enters the end face of the multi-fiber optical connector through the gel-like refractive index matching agent, and dust flows in the end face of the multi-core optical connector and covers the core of the optical fiber, which increases the loss. It has become.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and dust or the like enters the end face of the optical connector by connecting the end face of the optical connector using a rubbery refractive index matching agent having a refractive index capable of optical communication. prevented, and an object thereof is to provide a failure has Kuku to occur the optical connector connection method.

In order to achieve the above object, the optical connector connecting method of the present invention first transmits light so as to cover the end face of the optical fiber to be connected to the end faces of the two optical connectors, and substantially the same as the optical fiber. An optical connector refractive index matching agent made of a resin material having the same refractive index is applied in a gel or liquid state. Next, two optical connectors coated with the optical connector refractive index matching agent are connected, and after the optical connector is connected, the optical connector refractive index matching agent reacts with air or a catalyst solution to be solidified to form a rubber. The end faces of the optical connector are bonded to each other by changing the quality of the optical connector .

Further, the optical connector connecting method of the present invention is an optical connector refractive index matching comprising a compound in which a part of a side chain of a silicone resin is replaced with a phenyl group and a methyl group when applying the refractive index matching agent for an optical connector. The agent is applied to the end faces of the two optical connectors in a state where the matching agent is in a gel or liquid state .

In the optical connector connecting method of the present invention , when the refractive index matching agent for optical connectors is applied, the refractive index matching for optical connectors in which the blending ratio of each of the phenyl group and the methyl group is set to approximately 48:52. An agent is applied to the end faces of the two optical connectors in a state where the matching agent is in a gel or liquid state .

Further, the optical connector connecting method of the present invention comprises an optical connector refractive index matching agent comprising a compound having a refractive index of the resin material of approximately 1.46 and rubber elasticity when applying the optical connector refractive index matching agent. Is applied to the end surfaces of the two optical connectors in a gel or liquid state .

  The refractive index matching agent for optical connectors of the present invention prevents dust and the like from entering the optical connector end surface by connecting the optical connector end surface using a rubbery refractive index matching agent having a refractive index capable of optical communication. In addition, since loss fluctuation does not occur when the optical connector is submerged, failure or the like can be prevented. In addition, the maintenance cost can be reduced because the repair period of the submerged closure can be extended.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before coupling of a multi-fiber optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, the rear end of one multi-fiber optical connector 12 is attached to the front end of one optical fiber tape 11, and the front ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 13 of the optical fiber tape 11 are attached to the front end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 12. The faces are exposed in parallel. Fitting pins 14 and 15 project from the front end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 12 on both sides of the optical fiber core wire 13. The distal end surface of the multi-core optical connector 12 refractive Oriritsu alignment agent 16 that have a refractive index that may optical communication so as to cover the front end face of the optical fiber core wire 13 is applied.

Before Ki屈 Oriritsu matching agent 16 is effective to use a compound obtained by replacing a part of the side chains of the silicone resin such Shirikaketon phenyl group and a methyl group, the compounding ratio of the phenyl group and methyl group among the 48 : 52 (% of side chain group), a particularly suitable compound (with a refractive index of 1.46 and rubber elasticity) can be obtained. Incidentally, before Ki屈 Oriritsu matching agent 16 has substantially the same refractive index as the optical fiber core to be used when the end face junction of optical connector, and a gel-like or refractive index matching agent in the liquid to transmit light with low loss Yes, it is applied to the distal end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 12 in a gel or liquid state. Then, when it reacts with air or a catalyst solution, it solidifies and transforms into a rubber-like shape, and bonds the tip surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 12 to the tip surface of the other multi-fiber optical connector 22 described later. Moreover, desorption end faces easily leave the, and Ru can be removed index matching medium solidified by wiped with alcohol.

The rear end of the other multi-fiber optical connector 22 is attached to the front end of the other optical fiber tape 21, and the front end surface of the optical fiber core wire of the optical fiber tape 21 is parallel to the front end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 22. Exposed. Pin holes 24 and 25 are provided through both ends of the optical fiber core wire at the front end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 22. The distal end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 22 refractive Oriritsu matching agent that have a refractive index that may optical communication so as to cover the front end face of the optical fiber is applied.

Before Ki屈 Oriritsu matching agent is effective to use a compound obtained by replacing a part of the side chains of the silicone resin such Shirikaketon phenyl group and a methyl group, the compounding ratio of the phenyl group and methyl group among the 48: By using 52 (% of side chain groups), a particularly suitable compound (rubber elasticity with a refractive index of 1.46) can be obtained. Incidentally, before Ki屈 Oriritsu matching agent, it has substantially the same refractive index as the optical fiber core to be used when the end face junction of optical connector, and a gel-like or refractive index matching agent in the liquid to transmit light with low loss The gel-like or liquid state is applied to the distal end surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 22. Then, when it reacts with air or a catalyst solution, it solidifies and transforms into a rubber-like shape, and the tip surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 22 and the tip surface of the multi-fiber optical connector 12 are bonded. Moreover, desorption end faces easily leave the, and Ru can be removed index matching medium solidified by wiped with alcohol.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state after coupling of the multi-fiber optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 are connected by cleaning the end surfaces of the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 with lens paper containing alcohol and the like, and then performing optical communication on the end surfaces of the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22. the refractive Oriritsu matching agent that have a refractive index that can be in the form of gel or liquid was coated so as to cover the front end face of the optical fiber, a multi-in pin holes 24 and 25 of the multi-fiber optical connector 22 The fitting pins 14 and 15 of the optical fiber connector 12 are inserted and fitted together. Thereafter, the clips 31 and 32 made of a substantially U-shaped elastic body are locked so as to contact the rear end surfaces of the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22, respectively, and held and attached so as to apply a compressive force in the axial direction. The In this state, the refractive index matching agent is solidified and changed into a rubber shape by reacting with air or a catalyst solution as will be described later, whereby the end faces of the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 are bonded and connected. The

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view showing an apparatus for measuring the adhesive strength of a multi-fiber optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, it is a case where a tension / compression tester is used as a measuring device, and the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 according to the embodiment of the present invention have a refractive index capable of optical communication on their end faces. that the refractive Oriritsu matching agent bonded by applying in the form of gel or liquid, the refractive Oriritsu matching agent in Rukoto varied solidified gum reacted with air or catalyst solution in this state, the The multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 were bonded and connected . The adhesive force between the end faces of the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 after the change was measured.

That is, one end of the multi-fiber optical connector 12 is fixed to the vise jig 41, the other end of the multi-fiber optical connector 22 is fixed with the upper chuck 42, and the upper chuck 42 side is pulled in the direction of the arrow A. , 22 was measured when the force peeled off. Refractive Oriritsu matching agent that have a refractive index that can optical communication used in this embodiment is made of a gel-like or liquid transmits light, time until curing is used as the 10 minutes, measured for its properties did.

As a result, it was found that the average of ten connected multi-fiber optical connectors has an adhesive force of about 20N. This, refractive Oriritsu matching agent that have a refractive index that can optical communication used in the present embodiment has a bonding strength by varying the rubbery, dust or the like even when submerged in multi-fiber optical connector end face It can be assumed that there will be no loss fluctuations because

  FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view showing a water immersion test measurement system of the multi-fiber optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-fiber optical connectors 12 and 22 connected by a rubber-like refractive index matching agent having a refractive index capable of optical communication used in this embodiment are placed in a beaker 51, and a conventional matching agent is used. After putting the multi-fiber optical connectors connected in 5 in the beaker 51, the test water 52 for accelerating the deterioration is poured into the beaker 51, and it is submerged for three months at room temperature. Loss fluctuation was measured and deterioration due to flooding was confirmed.

  FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the results of water immersion test measurement of the multi-fiber optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention and the conventional multi-fiber optical connector. That is, a multi-fiber optical connector (invention product) connected with a rubbery refractive index matching agent having a refractive index capable of optical communication according to an embodiment of the present invention and a multi-fiber optical connector (conventional product) connected with a conventional matching agent. This is a loss fluctuation result when water was immersed for 3 months, and the increase in loss due to the conventional product was 1 dB or more, and an increase in loss considered to be a failure value was observed. However, in the case of using the inventive product, no increase in loss called failure was observed at a maximum of 0.4 dB or less. Therefore, it can be seen that the loss does not fluctuate greatly even if it is submerged and the deterioration is slow.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present invention prevents dust from adhering and entering from the end face by connecting the end face of the optical connector using a rubbery refractive index matching agent having a refractive index capable of optical communication. Refractive index matching equal to or higher than that of the conventional one can be performed. In addition, the refractive index matching agent maintains the refractive index capable of optical communication and detachable properties, changes the conventional properties that are gel-like into a rubber-like state that does not flow, and bonds the connectors together to externally Use one that can be blocked even if it is submerged.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

It is a perspective view which shows the state before the coupling | bonding of the multi-fiber optical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state after the coupling | bonding of the multi-fiber optical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows the measuring apparatus of the adhesive force of the multi-fiber optical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a configuration explanatory view showing a water immersion test measurement system of a multi-fiber optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a characteristic view which shows the water immersion test measurement result of the multi-fiber optical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the conventional multi-fiber optical connector.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 21 ... Optical fiber tape, 12, 22 ... Multi-fiber optical connector, 13 ... Optical fiber core wire, 14, 15 ... Fitting pin, 16 ... Refractive index matching agent, 24, 25 ... Pin hole, 31, 32 ... clip.

Claims (4)

An optical connector connection method in which end faces of two optical connectors to be connected are detachably bonded ,
Refractive index matching for an optical connector made of a resin material that transmits light and has substantially the same refractive index as the optical fiber so as to cover the end surface of the optical fiber to be connected to the end surfaces of the two optical connectors. Applying the agent in a state where the matching agent is in a gel or liquid state;
The two optical connectors coated with the refractive index matching agent for the optical connector are connected, and after the optical connector is connected, the refractive index matching agent for the optical connector reacts with air or a catalyst solution to be solidified and transformed into a rubber shape Bonding the end faces of the optical connectors by
An optical connector connection method comprising: In the step of applying, the refractive index matching agent for an optical connector made of a compound in which a part of the side chain of the silicone resin is replaced with a phenyl group and a methyl group is used. 2. The optical connector connecting method according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector is applied to an end face of the connector. The step of applying comprises applying the refractive index matching agent for an optical connector in which the blending ratio of the phenyl group and the methyl group is set to approximately 48:52, while the matching agent is in a gel or liquid state. 3. The optical connector connection method according to claim 2, wherein the optical connector is applied to an end face of the optical connector. The step of applying includes applying a refractive index matching agent for an optical connector made of a compound capable of obtaining rubber elasticity with a refractive index of a resin material of approximately 1.46, and the two optical connectors in a state where the matching agent is in a gel or liquid state. The optical connector connection method according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector connection method is applied to an end surface of the optical connector.

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