JP5893872B2 - Optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus and optical connecting part manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connection component manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical connection component in which a refractive index matching body is attached to a tip surface of a linear optical member, and an optical connection in which a refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of a linear optical member. The present invention relates to a component manufacturing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an optical connection component for connecting optical members, a member in which a refractive index matching body is attached to a tip surface of a linear optical member is known. This optical connection component connects the optical connection component and the other optical member by pressing the end surface of the other optical member against the tip surface of the optical member to which the refractive index matching body is attached. As an optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the optical connecting part, a refractive index matching liquid in which a refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent is supplied to the holding wall and held, and the refractive index held on the holding wall. There is known a technique in which a refractive index matching liquid is adsorbed on a tip surface of an optical member by bringing a charged linear optical member closer to the matching liquid (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2007-183383 A JP 2009-276784 A JP 2009-276785 A

  However, when the present inventor conducted research, the state of the refractive index matching liquid changed over time after the refractive index matching liquid was supplied to the holding means that holds the refractive index matching liquid. It was found that the amount of the refractive index matching liquid adsorbed on the tip surface of the optical member is likely to change due to the change. It has also been found that depending on the state of the refractive index matching liquid, the refractive index matching liquid may wrap around the side surface of the optical member. In the optical connection component manufacturing apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the relationship between the supply of the refractive index matching liquid and the start of charging is not considered. For this reason, in this optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus, it is difficult to make the amount of the refractive index matching liquid adsorbed on the tip surface of the optical member a desired amount, and the refractive index matching liquid wraps around the peripheral surface of the optical member. It is difficult to manufacture high-quality optical connection parts.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus and an optical connecting component manufacturing method capable of manufacturing an optical connecting component with improved quality.

The optical connection component manufacturing apparatus of the present invention that solves the above-described object is an optical connection component manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an optical connection component in which a refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of a linear optical member.
Holding means for holding a refractive index matching liquid in which the refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent;
Supply means for supplying the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means;
Charging means for charging the optical member to adsorb the refractive index matching liquid supplied to the holding means to the tip surface of the optical member in a state of being separated from the tip surface;
Moving means for moving at least one of the holding means and the optical member;
A control means for controlling the supply means, the charging means, and the moving means,
The control means supplies the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means from the supply means, and then the concentration of the refractive index matching body in the refractive index matching liquid is reduced by volatilization of the solvent of the refractive index matching liquid. When a predetermined time necessary to reach a desired density has elapsed, the charging unit is charged, and after the charging unit stops charging the optical member, the holding unit and the holding unit Control is performed such that at least one of the holding means and the optical member is moved so that the optical member is separated .
Further, the holding means holds the refractive index matching liquid on a horizontal or substantially horizontal holding surface,
The supply means supplies the refractive index matching liquid to the holding surface from a nozzle inserted in a through-hole provided in a wall portion rising from the holding surface,
The nozzle may have a tip position that coincides with a position of the wall surface on the holding surface side in the wall portion.
In the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the optical connection component in which the refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of the linear optical member,
Holding means for holding a refractive index matching liquid in which the refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent;
Supply means for supplying the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means;
Charging means for charging the optical member to adsorb the refractive index matching liquid supplied to the holding means to the tip surface of the optical member in a state of being separated from the tip surface;
The charging unit supplies the refractive index matching liquid to the holding unit, and then the solvent of the refractive index matching liquid volatilizes in the holding unit, so that the refractive index matching in the refractive index matching liquid is performed. when the time-density of the body is predetermined needed to reach the desired concentration has passed, it may be characterized in that for charging the optical member.

  According to the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the optical member is charged when the concentration of the refractive index matching body in the refractive index matching liquid reaches a desired concentration, whereby a desired amount of the refractive index matching liquid is supplied to the optical member. It can be adsorbed on the tip surface of. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a high-quality optical connection component in which a desired amount of the refractive index matching body adheres to a desired position.

  In addition, the linear optical member here should just be an optical member with the long length of an axial direction with respect to thickness, and cross-sectional shape is not ask | required.

Incidentally, by the Coulomb force due to charging to the front end surface of the charged the optical member by a pre-Symbol charging means, said index-matching liquid held in said holding means of said holding means and said optical member to the close position to adsorb at least Provided with moving means for moving one;
The charging unit is, in Rukoto charges the optical member from said moving means at least one is moved to the proximity position of the holding means and the optical member, the refractive index matching liquid to the front end surface of the optical member The timing at which adsorption starts becomes constant, and the amount of the refractive index matching liquid adsorbed on the tip surface of the optical member can be made constant.

Further, the moving means, from the charging unit stops the charging to the optical member, moving at least one of said holding means and said light Faculty member as said holding means and the optical member is separated Thus, the refractive index matching liquid is easily divided between the holding means and the optical member, the stringing phenomenon is suppressed, and the amount and shape of the refractive index matching liquid adhering to the tip surface of the optical member can be made constant. .

The optical connection component manufacturing method of the present invention that achieves the above object is an optical connection component manufacturing method in which a refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of a linear optical member.
A holding step of holding a refractive index matching liquid in which the refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent in a holding means;
Supplying the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means;
A charging step of charging the optical member to adsorb the refractive index matching liquid supplied to the holding means to the tip surface of the optical member in a state of being separated from the tip surface;
At least one of the holding means and the optical member is moved to a proximity position where the refractive index matching liquid held in the holding step is attracted to the tip surface of the optical member charged by the charging step by Coulomb force due to charging. A first moving step to move;
A second moving step of moving at least one of the holding unit and the optical member so that the holding unit and the optical member are separated from each other after stopping charging in the charging step;
The supplying step, the charging step, the first moving step, and the second moving step are controlled by a control unit.
The holding step is a step of holding the refractive index matching liquid on a horizontal or substantially horizontal holding surface provided in the holding means,
In the supplying step, the refractive index matching liquid is introduced from a nozzle that is inserted into a through-hole provided in a wall portion that rises from the holding surface and whose tip position coincides with the position of the wall surface on the holding surface side in the wall portion. Supplying to the holding means;
Furthermore, this optical connecting part manufacturing method
It may have a wiping step of wiping off the refractive index matching liquid remaining on the wall surface and the tip of the nozzle at the same time after performing the supplying step.
In the method of manufacturing an optical connection part in which the refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of the linear optical member,
A holding step of holding a refractive index matching liquid in which the refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent in a holding means;
Supplying the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means;
A charging step of charging the optical member to adsorb the refractive index matching liquid supplied to the holding means to the tip surface of the optical member in a state of being separated from the tip surface;
In the charging step, the refractive index matching liquid in the refractive index matching liquid is volatilized in the holding means after the refractive index matching liquid is supplied to the holding means in the supplying step, so that the refractive index matching liquid in the refractive index matching liquid is evaporated. when the concentration of the body has elapsed predetermined time needed to reach the desired concentration may be characterized in that the step of charging the optical member.

Also by the optical connecting component manufacturing method of the present invention, a high quality optical connecting component in which a desired amount of the refractive index matching body adheres to a desired position can be obtained in the same manner as the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus of the present invention .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus and the optical connection component manufacturing method which can manufacture the optical connection component which improved quality can be provided.

It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a holding | maintenance means and a part of nozzle. It is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment. It is a side view which shows the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus of the state which the initial process was completed. It is a figure which shows a mode that refractive index matching liquid adsorb | sucked to the front end surface of an optical fiber.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical connection component manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where an optical fiber that is a linear dielectric is used as an optical member will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. In the following description, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the X-axis direction, the up-down direction in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the Z-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. Further, the right side in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the X side, and the left side may be referred to as the −X side. FIG. 1 shows the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus viewed from the operator side of the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus.

  An optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that manufactures an optical connection component in which a refractive index matching body is attached to a tip surface f1 of an optical fiber f. The optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a frame 11, a fiber moving unit 12, a static electricity generator 13, a fiber detector 14, a refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15, and a dispenser 16.

  The fiber moving unit 12 includes a moving base 121, a moving stage 122, an X-axis adjusting stage 123, a Y-axis adjusting stage 124, a fiber holding base 125, and a fiber fixture 126. The fiber moving unit 12 moves the optical fiber f attached to the fiber holding base 125 in the X-axis direction.

  The moving base 121 is fixed to the frame 11. The moving base 121 is assembled with a moving mechanism 1211 for moving the moving stage 122 in the X-axis direction and an X-axis motor 1212 connected to the moving mechanism 1211. The moving mechanism 1211 is a ball screw that converts rotational motion into linear motion. By driving the X-axis motor 1212, the moving mechanism 1211 operates and the moving stage 122 moves in the X-axis direction at an arbitrary speed. Along with the moving stage 122, the X-axis adjustment stage 123, the Y-axis adjustment stage 124, the fiber holder 125, the fiber fixture 126, and the optical fiber f also move in the X-axis direction. Due to the movement of the moving stage 122 to the X side, the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f approaches the refractive index matching liquid 20 held in the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15. The moving mechanism 1211 for moving the optical fiber f, the X-axis motor 1212, and the moving stage 122 correspond to an example of the moving means in the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f is in a close position close to the refractive index matching liquid 20 held by the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15. This proximity position is a position when the refractive index matching liquid 20 is adsorbed to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f.

  The X axis adjustment stage 123 is attached to the moving stage 122. The X-axis adjustment stage 123 is provided with an adjustment screw (not shown). By turning the adjustment screw, the position of the X-axis adjustment stage 123 relative to the moving stage 122 in the X-axis direction is adjusted. The Y axis adjustment stage 124 is attached to the X axis adjustment stage 123. The Y-axis adjustment stage 124 is provided with an adjustment screw (not shown). The position of the Y-axis adjustment stage 124 in the Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis adjustment stage 123 is adjusted by turning the adjustment screw. The fiber holding base 125 is fixed to the Y-axis adjustment stage 124. That is, the fiber holding base 125 is attached to the moving stage 122 via the X-axis adjusting stage 123 and the Y-axis adjusting stage 124, so that the positions in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction with respect to the moving stage 122 can be adjusted. It has become. These adjustment stages 123 and 124 are for adjusting the positions of the optical fiber f attached to the fiber holding base 125 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

  A fiber mounting part 1251 is provided on the −X side (left side in FIG. 1) of the fiber holding base 125, and a position restricting part 1252 is provided on the X side (right side in FIG. 1) of the fiber holding base 125. . On the fiber attachment part 1251, the fiber fixing tool 126 is attached to the fiber attachment part 1251 so as to be detachable. The fiber fixture 126 includes a fiber placement member 1261 and a pressing member 1262.

  The optical fiber f is fixed to the fiber fixing device 126 by being sandwiched between the fiber mounting member 1261 and the pressing member 1262 in a state where the coating is removed from the front end surface f1 over a predetermined length (for example, 40 mm). Yes. The portion of the optical fiber f sandwiched between the fiber mounting member 1261 and the pressing member 1262 is the portion where the coating remains. The position restricting portion 1252 is formed with a V-shaped V-groove when viewed from the X-axis direction. The position of the distal end portion of the optical fiber f in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is regulated by bringing the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the optical fiber f into close contact with the inclined surface of the V groove. The optical fiber f is attached to the fiber holding base 125 while being fixed to the fiber fixture 126, and the position restricting portion 1252 restricts the position of the tip side portion so that the axis is directed in the X-axis direction. It is attached to the fiber holding base 125.

  A bracket 19 fixed to the frame 11 is provided on the X side of the fiber moving unit 12. A post 191 extending in the Y-axis direction is fixed to the bracket 19. The static electricity generator 13 is fixed to the support column 191. That is, the position of the static electricity generator 13 in the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 is fixed by being fixed to the frame 11 via the support column 191 and the bracket 19. The static electricity generator 13 imparts an electric charge to the optical fiber f attached to the fiber moving unit 12. That is, the static electricity generator 13 charges the optical fiber f attached to the fiber moving unit 12, and corresponds to an example of a charging unit in the present invention. A plate-like electrode sheet 131 in which an electrode is embedded in a dielectric material such as ceramics is provided at the upper end portion of the static electricity generator 13. A gap of 0.1 to 0.2 mm is provided in the height direction (Z-axis direction) between the electrode sheet 131 and the optical fiber f attached to the fiber moving unit 12. When a voltage is applied to the electrode of the electrode sheet 131, the optical fiber f is charged and charged with static electricity while maintaining a non-contact state with the electrode sheet 131. Since the non-contact state between the optical fiber f and the electrode sheet 131 is maintained, the optical fiber f is not damaged by contact. Instead of the static electricity generator 13, a charging means for charging the optical fiber f using corona discharge or the like may be used.

  The fiber detection device 14 is attached to the bracket 19 via an arm (not shown). The fiber detection device 14 is a sensor that detects the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f. The optical fiber f attached to the fiber holding base 125 moves in the X-axis direction as the moving stage 122 moves in the X-axis direction. The fiber detection device 14 detects that the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f has reached a predetermined position (here, directly above the electrode sheet 131) by the movement in the X-axis direction.

  The refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15 includes a rotation base 151, a rotation stage 152, a Z-axis adjustment stage 153, and a holding means 50 that holds the refractive index matching liquid 20. The rotation base 151 is fixed to the frame 11. A rotary motor 1511 for rotating the rotary stage 152 is assembled to the rotary base 151. The rotation stage 152 is rotatably mounted on the rotation base 151. By driving the rotary motor 1511, the rotary stage 152 rotates with the Z-axis direction axis as the rotation center axis.

  The Z-axis adjustment stage 153 is attached to the rotation stage 152. The Z-axis adjustment stage 153 is provided with an adjustment screw (not shown). By rotating the adjustment screw, the position of the Z-axis adjustment stage 153 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the rotary stage 152 is adjusted. The holding unit 50 is fixed to the Z-axis adjustment stage 153. That is, the holding unit 50 is attached to the rotary stage 152 via the Z-axis adjustment stage 153, and the position in the Z-axis direction with respect to the rotary stage 152 is adjustable. The Z-axis adjustment stage 153 is configured to determine the relative position in the Z-axis direction between the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f attached to the fiber holder 125 and the refractive index matching liquid 20 held by the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15. It is for adjustment.

  The holding unit 50 is fixed to the Z-axis adjustment stage 153. The holding means 50 is made of resin in which a pedestal 51 and a main body 52 protruding upward from the pedestal 51 are integrally formed. An upper portion of the main body 52 is provided with a holding surface 521 that spreads laterally and a wall 522 that rises above the holding surface 521. The wall portion 522 is provided with a through hole 5221 having an opening in the wall surface 522a on the holding surface 521 side. When the rotary stage 152 rotates, the holding means 50 also rotates together with the rotary stage 152, the Z-axis adjustment stage 153, and the dispenser 16. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the holding surface 521 of the holding means 50 is in a supply posture toward the optical fiber f side (−X side).

  The dispenser 16 includes a nozzle 161 and a cylinder 162. A refractive index matching liquid 20 is stored in the cylinder 162. The cylinder 162 is connected to a compressor (not shown). When air is supplied from the compressor, the refractive index matching liquid 20 stored in the cylinder 162 is discharged from the nozzle 161. That is, the dispenser 16 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of a supply unit in the present invention. The cylinder 162 is fixed to the Z-axis adjustment stage 153 by an arm (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 161 is inserted into a through hole 5221 provided in the wall portion 522. The position of the tip 161 a of the nozzle 161 coincides with the position of the wall surface 522 a on the holding surface 521 side in the wall portion 522. As will be described later, after the refractive index matching liquid 20 is attached to the end face f1 of the optical fiber f, there is a case where the remaining refractive index matching liquid 20 is wiped off. If the tip 161a of the nozzle 161 is not wiped off during the operation, the refractive index matching liquid 20 remaining on the tip 161a is solidified, and the discharge direction of the refractive index matching liquid 20 discharged from the nozzle 161 may change. The nozzle 161 may be clogged. By making the tip 161a of the nozzle 161 coincide with the wall surface 522a, the refractive index matching liquid 20 remaining on the wall surface 522a and the tip 161a of the nozzle 161 can be wiped simultaneously, and the wiping operation can be simplified.

  The refractive index matching liquid 20 discharged from the nozzle 161 is supplied onto the holding surface 521 and is held on the holding surface 521 by the surface tension. The refractive index matching liquid 20 is a solution in which a refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent. The refractive index matching liquid 20 is solidified by volatilization of the solvent in the liquid, and a gel-like refractive index matching body having elasticity remains. The refractive index matching body is a material having a bending rate approximate to the bending rate of the optical fiber f and appropriate adhesiveness to the optical fiber f. In this embodiment, an acrylic polymer material having good environmental resistance and adhesion is used as the refractive index matching body, but other polymer materials may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the holding means 50 and the nozzle 161. In FIG. 2, the holding means 50 in the supply posture is shown as in FIG.

  The pedestal 51 is provided with a notch 511 that is notched upward from the lower end. A screw hole 512 is provided on the side surface of the pedestal 51. The holding means 50 is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the Z-axis adjustment stage 153 by fitting the notch 511 to a not-shown protrusion provided on the Z-axis adjustment stage 153 shown in FIG. Further, the holding means 50 is fixed to the Z-axis adjustment stage 153 by tightening a screw (not shown) into the screw hole 512.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a flat surface 523 extending in a direction orthogonal to the X axis is formed on the most −X side portion of the main body portion 52. The holding surface 521 formed in the main body 52 forms a horizontal plane that spreads to the side, and has a substantially sector shape in plan view. Note that the holding surface 521 is not necessarily a horizontal surface, and may be inclined or may have irregularities. However, the refractive index matching liquid 20 supplied on the holding surface 521 is easily stabilized in a certain shape at an early stage by using a horizontal plane or a substantially horizontal plane. An edge portion 5211 extending linearly in the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, that is, in the horizontal direction is formed at the boundary portion between the holding surface 521 and the flat surface 523. In the present embodiment, the extending direction of the edge portion 5211 coincides with the Y-axis direction. Note that the edge 5211 may have a shape other than a linear shape such as an arc shape as long as it extends in the horizontal direction or the substantially horizontal direction, and may not coincide with the Y-axis direction. The wall portion 522 is provided on the holding surface 521 on the side opposite to the edge portion 5211 (X side).

  The dispenser 16 supplies the refractive index matching liquid 20 to the holding surface 521 by discharging the refractive index matching liquid 20 from the tip 161 a of the nozzle 161 toward the edge 5211 along the holding surface 521. By discharging the refractive index matching liquid 20 toward the edge portion 5211, the refractive index matching liquid 20 can be surely reached to the edge portion 5211 at an early stage. The surface of the refractive index matching liquid 20 supplied onto the holding surface 521 by the dispenser 16 spreads sideways on the holding surface 521. Then, the refractive index matching liquid 20 that has reached the edge 5211 rises in a substantially arc shape on the edge 5211 due to the surface tension. The dispenser 16 supplies the refractive index matching liquid 20 until the refractive index matching liquid 20 rises on the edge 5211 due to the surface tension of the refractive index matching liquid 20, and before the refractive index matching liquid 20 drops from the edge 5211. Stop supplying. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the refractive index matching liquid 20 rises on the edge 5211 and the dispenser 16 stops supplying the refractive index matching liquid 20.

  The optical fiber f at the close position extends with the X-axis direction as an axis, and the edge 5211 of the holding means 50 in the supply posture extends in the Y-axis direction. That is, the edge portion 5211 in the present embodiment is configured to extend in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the optical fiber f at the close position. With this configuration, even when the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f at the close position is displaced in the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the edge portion 5211 due to a curved wrinkle or the like of the optical fiber f, the optical fiber f and the refractive index The distance to the matching liquid 20 is kept constant with almost no change. By maintaining this distance constant, when the optical fiber f is charged and the refractive index matching liquid 20 is adsorbed on the front end surface f1 of the optical fiber f, the refractive index adsorbed on the front end surface f1 of the optical fiber f is absorbed. The amount of the matching liquid 20 can be made constant. Further, it is not necessary to strictly adjust the position in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis adjustment stage 124 of the fiber moving unit 12, and the adjustment work is facilitated. The edge portion 5211 does not need to be completely orthogonal to the axis of the optical fiber f at the close position, but the closer to the orthogonal position, even when the optical fiber f at the close position is displaced in the Y-axis direction. The change in the distance between the optical fiber f and the refractive index matching liquid 20 can be reduced. Therefore, when the refractive index matching liquid 20 is adsorbed to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f, the edge 5211 extends in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the axis of the optical fiber f at the close position. It is preferable.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention.

  The control unit 18 is connected to the X-axis motor control circuit 183, the rotation motor control circuit 184, the static electricity generator control circuit 185, the dispenser control circuit 186, the operation unit 187, and the fiber detection device 14, respectively. The control unit 18 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 181, a memory 182, and a timer 189 inside. The memory 182 stores an operation program for the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10. The CPU 181 reads out an operation program stored in the memory 182 and issues a command to each control circuit according to the operation program.

  The X-axis motor control circuit 183 is a circuit that controls the operation of the X-axis motor 1212 in accordance with a command from the control unit 18. The rotation motor control circuit 184 is a circuit that controls the operation of the rotation motor 1511 in accordance with a command from the control unit 18. The static electricity generator control circuit 185 is a circuit that applies a voltage to the electrode of the static electricity generator 13 in accordance with a command from the controller 18. The dispenser control circuit 186 is a circuit that controls the discharge amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 discharged from the dispenser 16 by controlling the operation of the compressor connected to the dispenser 16. In addition, the operation unit 187 is provided with various buttons for receiving operations by an operator of the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10.

  Next, the operation of the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

  When the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 is powered on, the CPU 181 reads out an operation program from the memory 182 and performs an initial process (step S1). In this initial process, the control unit 18 issues a command to the X-axis motor control circuit 183 and the rotary motor control circuit 184 to operate the X-axis motor 1212 and the rotary motor 1511.

  FIG. 5 is a side view showing the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus 10 in a state where the initial processing is completed.

  In a state where the initial processing is completed, the moving stage 122 is stopped at a separated position away from the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15. Further, the rotary stage 152 rotates 90 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 1 with the Z axis as the rotation center axis, and the tip 161a of the nozzle 161 is on the near side in FIG. 5, that is, on the operator side of the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10. Stops with the cleaning posture facing. In this cleaning posture, the edge 5211 is also positioned on the near side in FIG. After this initial processing, the operator of the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus 10 determines whether the optical fiber f in the close position and the holding surface 521 in the supply position are in a predetermined position according to the length and thickness of the optical fiber f. The positions of the adjustment stages 123, 124, and 153 are adjusted so as to satisfy the relationship.

  Next, the control unit 18 waits until the operator of the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 presses the operation start button provided on the operation unit 187 (step S2). When the operation start button is pressed (YES in step S2), the control unit 18 issues a command to the rotary motor control circuit 184, the edge 5211 is positioned at the −X side end of the holding unit 50, and the edge 5211 The rotation motor 1511 is driven until the supply direction matches the Y-axis direction (step S3).

  Thereafter, the control unit 18 issues a command to the dispenser control circuit 186, and supplies from the dispenser 16 an amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 that rises on the edge 5211 due to surface tension (step S4). Furthermore, when the supply of the refractive index matching liquid 20 from the dispenser 16 is started, the control unit 18 operates the timer 189 to start measuring time. In this embodiment, the time measurement by the timer 189 is started when the supply of the refractive index matching liquid 20 from the dispenser 16 is started, but the time measurement by the timer 189 may be started at the end of the supply. The supply amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 is an amount by which the operator of the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus 10 supplies the dispenser 16 on a trial basis and the refractive index matching liquid 20 rises on the edge 5211 in advance. The amount is obtained and designated using the operation unit 187.

  When the operation start button is pressed (YES in step S2), the control unit 18 issues a command to the X-axis motor control circuit 183 at the same time as issuing a command to the rotary motor control circuit 184, and The movement to the X side is started (step S5). The fiber detection device 14 detects whether or not the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f has reached directly above the electrode sheet 131, and when it reaches, transmits a reaching signal to the control unit 18 (step S6). When receiving the arrival signal from the fiber detection device 14, the control unit 18 further moves the moving stage 122 by a predetermined distance from the time when the arrival signal is received. By this movement, the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f is disposed at a close position close to the refractive index matching liquid 20 held in the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15 (step S7). FIG. 1 shows a state in which the optical fiber f is in the close position, that is, a state in which step S7 is completed. As shown in FIG. 1, the position where the static electricity generator 13 is fixed is a position away from the edge 5211 of the holding means 50 in the supply posture by a predetermined distance (here, the first distance L1) in the X-axis direction. is there. Further, the position of the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f in the close position is at a position away from the edge 5211 of the holding means 50 in the supply posture by a certain distance (here, the second distance L2). Accordingly, the distance in the X-axis direction between the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f and the static electricity generator 13 is the third distance L3 determined by the first distance L1 and the second distance L2. That is, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 is moved a plurality of times by moving the distal end surface f1 of the optical fiber f to a close position separated from the edge 5211 in the X-axis direction by the first distance L1. When operating, the distance L3 in the X-axis direction between the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f and the static electricity generator 13 is constant every time with good reproducibility. When the distance L3 becomes constant, the charge amount of the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f becomes constant, and as a result, the amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f can be made constant. it can. In the configuration in which the static electricity generating device 13 is provided on the moving stage 122 and moved together with the optical fiber f, when the optical fiber f is attached to the moving stage 122, the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f is strictly against the static electricity generating device 13. If the optical fiber f is not aligned, the relative position between the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f and the static electricity generator 13 will be shifted each time the optical fiber f is attached. When the relative position is shifted, the charge amount of the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f is not constant, and the adsorption amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f is not constant. As in the present embodiment, the static electricity generating device 13 is fixedly arranged and the optical fiber f is moved, so that the above-described alignment can be performed without strict alignment when the optical fiber f is attached to the moving stage 122. The third distance L3 can be made constant. When the static electricity generator 13 is attached to a moving table different from the moving stage 122 and the refractive index matching liquid 20 is attracted to the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f, the edge 5211 of the holding means 50 in the supply posture is used. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned by the movement of the movable stand in the position away only 1st distance from the X-axis direction.

  Subsequently, the control unit 18 monitors whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer 189 has been operated, and waits until the predetermined time has elapsed. During the predetermined time, the concentration of the refractive index matching body in the refractive index matching liquid 20 is reduced by the volatilization of the solvent of the refractive index matching liquid 20 after the dispenser 16 supplies the refractive index matching liquid 20 to the holding surface 521. This is the time required to reach the desired concentration. The time required to reach the desired density is an amount specified by the operator of the optical connecting part manufacturing apparatus 10 on a trial basis and specified using the operation unit 187. When the volatilization amount per unit time is known, the time required to reach a desired concentration may be obtained based on the volatilization amount. If the concentration of the refractive index matching body is too low, the amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adhering to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f may be reduced. Further, if the concentration of the refractive index matching body is too low, the refractive index matching liquid 20 may wrap around from the front end surface f1 of the optical fiber f to the peripheral surface (side surface) of the optical fiber f. Conversely, if the concentration of the refractive index matching body is too high, there is a possibility that the amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adhering to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f will be excessive. If the concentration of the refractive index matching body is too high, the refractive index matching liquid 20 attached to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f and the refractive index matching liquid 20 on the holding surface 521 in the process of S10 described later. It becomes difficult to divide and a so-called stringing phenomenon may occur. When the stringing phenomenon occurs, the amount and shape of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f become difficult to stabilize. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber f is charged when the concentration of the refractive index matching body in the refractive index matching liquid 20 reaches a desired concentration, so that a desired amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 is transferred to the front end surface of the optical fiber f. It can be adsorbed only to f1. In addition, the total time of the time required for the processing of S3 and the predetermined time is longer than the time required for the processing of S5 to S7. On the other hand, if the time required for the processing of S5 to S7 is longer, the processing start time of S4 is delayed by the delay time, and the sum of the time required for the processing of S3, the delay time, and the predetermined time is summed up. What is necessary is just to make time longer than the time required for the process of S5-S7.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S8), the control unit 18 issues a command to the static electricity generator control circuit 185 and applies a voltage to the electrode sheet 131 of the static electricity generator 13. By applying a voltage, the optical fiber f is charged and the refractive index matching liquid 20 is adsorbed on the tip surface f1. Then, when a predetermined time (here 1 second) elapses, the voltage application is stopped (step S9). As described above, when the voltage is applied, the movement of the moving stage 122 (the process of step S7) is completed, and the optical fiber f has moved to the close position, so the optical fiber f is in the close position. In this state, charging is started. When the optical fiber f is moved toward the proximity position while being charged, the timing at which the refractive index matching liquid 20 starts to be adsorbed on the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f is unknown, and the timing also varies depending on the environmental temperature and humidity. There is a risk that. The amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f varies depending on the time from the start of adsorption until the charging is completed. For this reason, if the timing is unknown, the amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f will also be unknown. If the timing is different, the amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f does not become a constant amount. In the present embodiment, since the optical fiber f is charged after the optical fiber f is moved to a close position, the timing at which the refractive index matching liquid 20 starts to be adsorbed to the distal end face f1 of the optical fiber f becomes constant, and the optical fiber f The amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 can be set to a desired amount.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the refractive index matching liquid 20 is adsorbed on the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f. In FIG. 6, the optical fiber f, a part of the fiber mounting member 1261, a part of the static electricity generator 13, a part of the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15, and the refractive index matching liquid held on the holding surface 521. 20 and other configurations are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the optical fiber f is charged and charged with static electricity, a portion of the refractive index matching liquid 20 that rises above the edge 5211 is caused by the Coulomb force due to the static electricity. Adsorb to f1. As described above, in the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the moving stage 122 is moved by a predetermined distance on the basis of the position where the fiber detection device 14 detects the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f. Therefore, even when the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 is operated a plurality of times to manufacture a plurality of optical connecting components, the distance between the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f and the static electricity generator 13 when the optical fiber f is charged is constant. It is. By making this distance constant, the charge amount of the tip surface f1 is always constant, and the amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adsorbed on the tip surface f1 can be made constant with good reproducibility.

  After stopping the application of voltage by the electrode sheet 131, the control unit 18 issues a command to the X-axis motor control circuit 183 to move the moving stage 122 to the -X side (step S10). Thereby, the optical fiber f in which the refractive index matching liquid 20 is attached to the tip surface f1 is obtained. By the way, when the moving stage 122 is moved to the −X side while the voltage is applied, the refractive index matching liquid 20 attached to the tip surface f1 and the holding surface 521 of the optical fiber f due to the surface tension becomes difficult to be divided. There is a possibility that a stringing phenomenon may occur. In the present embodiment, after the application of voltage is stopped, the moving stage 122 is moved to the −X side to separate the optical fiber f and the holding unit 50 from each other. With this configuration, the refractive index matching liquid 20 adhering to the tip surface f1 and the holding surface 521 of the optical fiber f can be easily separated, and the occurrence of the stringing phenomenon is suppressed. By suppressing the occurrence of the stringing phenomenon, the amount and shape of the refractive index matching liquid 20 adhering to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f can be made constant. Further, even when the moving stage 122 is moved slowly to the -X side, there is a possibility that the yarn drawing phenomenon may occur. In this embodiment, the moving speed of the moving stage 122 to the −X side is set to 3 mm / sec or more. In order to more reliably suppress the occurrence of the yarn drawing phenomenon, the speed at which the moving stage 122 is moved to the −X side is more preferably 5 mm / sec or more.

  The refractive index matching liquid 20 is solidified by volatilization of the solvent in the liquid, and becomes a gel-like refractive index matching body having elasticity. A component in which the refractive index matching body adheres to the front end surface f1 of the optical fiber f is an optical connection component. In addition, although the volatilization of the solvent usually occurs under an environment, it may be forced to dry in order to promote the volatilization.

  Finally, the control unit 18 issues a command to the rotary motor control circuit 184, and drives the rotary motor 1511 until the tip 161a of the nozzle 161 is in a cleaning posture toward the front side in FIG. 1 (step S11), and a series of processes Exit.

  The user of the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 performs an operation of wiping off the refractive index matching liquid 20 remaining on the holding surface 521. In addition, the user of the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 removes the optical fiber f having the refractive index matching liquid 20 attached to the distal end surface f1 from the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10 together with the fiber fixture 126. Then, a new optical fiber f is fixed to the fiber fixture 126 and the fiber fixture 126 is attached to the optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 10. Thereafter, by pressing an operation start button provided on the operation unit 187, the processing after step S3 is performed. By repeating these operations, a desired number of optical connecting parts can be manufactured.

  As described above, according to the optical connecting component manufacturing apparatus 10 and the optical connecting component manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the optical fiber f when the concentration of the refractive index matching body in the refractive index matching liquid 20 reaches a desired concentration. , The desired amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 can be adsorbed only on the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f. Further, the yarn drawing phenomenon can also be suppressed. By adsorbing a desired amount of the refractive index matching liquid 20 to the tip surface f1 of the optical fiber f, the amount of the refractive index matching body obtained by volatilizing the solvent of the refractive index matching liquid 20 can be set to a desired amount. As a result, it is possible to obtain a high-quality optical connection component in which a desired amount of the refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of the optical fiber f.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims. For example, in the present embodiment, the optical fiber f is moved to the refractive index matching liquid 20 side, but the refractive index matching liquid is moved by moving the refractive index matching liquid holding unit 15 without moving the optical fiber f. It is good also as a structure which moves 20 to the optical fiber f side. Further, both the optical fiber f and the refractive index matching liquid 20 may be moved. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber f is moved to the proximity position by moving in the X-axis direction that is the axial direction of the optical fiber f. However, the optical fiber f is moved to the proximity position by moving in the other direction. Alternatively, it may be configured to move to the close position by rotating the axis in the Z-axis direction or the axis in the Y-axis direction as the rotation center axis. In this embodiment, the optical fiber f is used as the optical member. However, another optical member such as a rod lens may be used, and a linear dielectric such as glass, ceramics, or plastic other than the optical member is used. May be. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the refractive index matching liquid 20 is adsorbed on the front end face f1 of the optical fiber f. However, a liquid polymer material other than the refractive index matching liquid 20 is used on the front end face of the linear dielectric. A polymer material film may be formed. In the present embodiment, the refractive index matching liquid 20 is supplied to the holding surface 521 and then the optical fiber f is moved and arranged in the proximity position. However, after the optical fiber f is moved to the proximity position, the holding surface 521 is moved to the holding surface 521. The refractive index matching liquid 20 may be supplied.

  In addition, even if it is a structural requirement contained only in each description of each modification demonstrated above, you may apply the structural requirement to another modification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical connection component manufacturing apparatus 13 Static electricity generator 16 Dispenser 20 Refractive index matching liquid 50 Holding means 122 Moving stage 161 Nozzle 521 Holding surface 522 Wall part 1211 Moving mechanism 1212 X-axis motor 5211 Edge part 5221 Through-hole f Optical fiber

Claims (4)

In an optical connection component manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical connection component in which a refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of a linear optical member,
Holding means for holding a refractive index matching liquid in which the refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent;
Supply means for supplying the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means;
Charging means for charging the optical member to adsorb the refractive index matching liquid supplied to the holding means to the tip surface of the optical member in a state of being separated from the tip surface;
Moving means for moving at least one of the holding means and the optical member;
A control means for controlling the supply means, the charging means, and the moving means,
The control means supplies the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means from the supply means, and then the concentration of the refractive index matching body in the refractive index matching liquid is reduced by volatilization of the solvent of the refractive index matching liquid. When a predetermined time necessary to reach a desired density has elapsed, the charging unit is charged, and after the charging unit stops charging the optical member, the holding unit and the holding unit optical connecting parts manufacturing apparatus, wherein the optical member is shall be controlled to move at least one of said holding means and said light Faculty member so as to be separated. The holding means holds the refractive index matching liquid on a horizontal or substantially horizontal holding surface,
The supply means supplies the refractive index matching liquid to the holding surface from a nozzle inserted in a through-hole provided in a wall portion rising from the holding surface ,
The optical connection component manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position of a tip of the nozzle coincides with a position of the wall surface on the holding surface side in the wall portion.   In the method of manufacturing an optical connecting part in which the refractive index matching body is attached to the tip surface of the linear optical member,
  A holding step of holding a refractive index matching liquid in which the refractive index matching body is dissolved in a volatile solvent in a holding means;
  Supplying the refractive index matching liquid to the holding means;
  A charging step of charging the optical member to adsorb the refractive index matching liquid supplied to the holding means to the tip surface of the optical member in a state of being separated from the tip surface;
  At least one of the holding means and the optical member is moved to a proximity position where the refractive index matching liquid held in the holding step is attracted to the tip surface of the optical member charged by the charging step by Coulomb force due to charging. A first moving step to move;
  A second moving step of moving at least one of the holding unit and the optical member so that the holding unit and the optical member are separated from each other after stopping charging in the charging step;
  The method for manufacturing an optical connecting part, wherein the supplying step, the charging step, the first moving step, and the second moving step are controlled by a control means. The holding step is a step of holding the refractive index matching liquid on a horizontal or substantially horizontal holding surface provided in the holding means,
In the supplying step, the refractive index matching liquid is introduced from a nozzle that is inserted into a through-hole provided in a wall portion that rises from the holding surface and whose tip position coincides with the position of the wall surface on the holding surface side in the wall portion. Supplying to the holding means;
Furthermore, this optical connecting part manufacturing method
4. The method for manufacturing an optical connecting component according to claim 3, further comprising a wiping step of wiping off the refractive index matching liquid remaining on the wall surface and the tip of the nozzle at the same time after the supplying step .

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