JPH04350806A - Multi-fiber optical connector assembling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the assembling device which assemble plural connectors to a tape of optical fibers accurately and efficiently at the same time. CONSTITUTION:The assembling device is provided with a tray 7 which supports N(>=2) optical connectors in parallel in an X-axis direction on a stage table 1 for X, Y, Z, and Q (slanting direction) position control and a centering mechanism 8 for the optical connectors with positioning pins. A holding part 16 which positions and holds N multi-unit optical fibers and a fiber guide part 19 which positions and holds the exposed fibers of coated optical fibers in V grooves are provided behind the tray 7. When fiber ends are put in the optical connectors, the table 1 is slanted in a Q-axis direction to press the fibers against the V grooves in the connectors, thereby making the insertion of the fibers into the centering holes of the connectors accurate. When normal insertion is confirmed, final insertion is performed while fine vibration is applied by fine-pitch movement of the table 1 to securely press rubber boots in.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembly apparatus for automatically attaching a multi-core optical connector to the terminal end of a tape-shaped multi-core optical fiber accurately and efficiently.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, an assembly device has been developed that automatically attaches a ferrule etc. to the end of a single-core optical fiber, but a multi-core optical connector is automatically attached to the stripped end of a tape-shaped multi-core optical fiber. There is hardly any equipment to be found.

[0003] It is very difficult to accurately insert all the cores of a multi-core optical fiber into the minute centering hole on the optical connector side, and the multi-core optical fiber is cut to protect the outlet from the connector. The structure is such that a rubber boot is attached to the outer skin near the end and the boot is press-fitted into the boot insertion hole of the connector, but it is also difficult to press-fit the boot, which hinders mechanization of the work.

[0004] For this reason, in the past, all operations such as inserting the exposed end wire into the optical connector, press-fitting the rubber boot, and fixing the core wire with adhesive had to be done manually.

[0005]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Manual assembly is
Since the parts are small and the centering hole into which the core wire is inserted is small, skill is required, and it is extremely inefficient, as it is easy to get tired and cannot be used for long periods of time.

[0006]Therefore, automatic assembly equipment is desired to improve work efficiency, but the simple method of inserting the core wire into the centering hole by relative movement in the axial direction of the optical fiber does not guide the core wire. Even if the core wire is gripped, the end of the core wire in a free state tends to move easily, resulting in incorrect insertion, and excessive force is applied to the core wire that has been inserted incorrectly, causing problems such as breakage of the core wire. Furthermore, since the pressing force of the rubber boot is absorbed by the elasticity of the rubber, it is difficult to insert the rubber boot into the hole on the connector side.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve these problems and provide an assembly device that improves the accuracy and efficiency of work.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The assembly device of the present invention includes:
It has a boot insertion hole on the rear side bordering the top window, an optical fiber centering hole on the front side with a V groove partially open on the entrance side, and two standards on the front side. The object of assembly is a multi-core optical connector having pin holes, in which N (≧2) optical connectors are aligned in parallel in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the Y-axis, with N (≧2) optical connectors facing the Y-axis direction. a tray to support, a centering mechanism for an optical connector in the tray portion having parallel positioning pins inserted into each of the reference pin holes and means for driving the pins in an axial direction; and a stage table to support the tray and the centering mechanism. , a table position control device that drives this table in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis (vertical) direction and tilts it in the direction in which the Y-axis is tilted; and an optical connector supply device that transports the optical connector from the supply point into the tray. The N multi-core optical fibers are supported by a holder that has a receiving groove on the terminal side outer skin, a receiving groove for the rubber boot mounted on the outer skin, and a receiving part for the optical connector after installation, and further, the holder is An optical fiber holder that positions and fixes each multi-core optical fiber behind the optical connector in the tray by supporting it with a cradle; A wire guide section is sandwiched between an upper presser and a lower receiver having an axial drive means and is centered in a V groove of the lower receiver, and a wire guide section is provided on the tray side from the wire guide section to adjust the X of the core wire. An optical inspection device that inspects whether the core wire has been inserted into the connector based on the bent state in the axial direction, and an adhesive injection device that drips adhesive into the optical connector from a nozzle that moves above the optical connector in the tray through the window. It is equipped with. Then, after setting the optical connector and multi-core optical fiber and maintaining the centering of the core wire by the fiber guide section, the stage table is moved to the optical fiber side to start inserting the core wire into the optical connector. At the position where the fiber has entered the V-groove on the entrance side of the optical fiber centering hole, tilt the stage table so that the fiber end faces upward, insert the fiber end slightly into the centering hole, and at this point, remove the fiber from the center. If the bending of the wire is abnormal, repeat the insertion operation, and after confirming normal insertion, return the stage table to its original position.Furthermore, when the insertion amount reaches the predetermined value in subsequent insertions, press the upper and lower pressers of the wire guide section. move away from the connector movement path to the retracted position,
Next, adhesive is injected into the optical connector, and then the stage table is moved in small increments in the Y-axis direction using a position control device until the rubber boot fits into the boot insertion hole of the optical connector, and the final insertion operation of the optical fiber is performed. It is configured to advance.

This device may supply N optical connectors to the tray and inject adhesive into the N optical connectors at the same time, or it may be possible to supply N optical connectors to the tray and inject adhesive into the N optical connectors at once, or, as described in the embodiment, the relative position These operations may be performed by each set of optical connector supply device and adhesive injection device while switching between the two. Although the latter structure is inferior to the former in terms of working time, it simplifies the device and can easily accommodate a wide variety of optical connectors.

[0010] Also, if the optical connector supply device described in the embodiment is used, the work will be more accurate and efficient.

[0011]

[Operation] The optical connector inside the tray is centered by the centering mechanism.
The multicore optical fiber is positioned by a holding section using a portable holder, and the exposed midway portion of the optical fiber is positioned by a fiber guide section. In addition, there is still a risk that the free end of the core wire may move and not enter the centering hole properly, but if the stage table is tilted during insertion, the core wire will bend and the V-groove at the entrance of the centering hole will A force is generated that allows the V-groove to be in close contact with the V-groove, making the guide accurate. In addition, even if the wire end gets caught in the entrance of the centering hole, this is detected from the bent state of the wire, and before excessive force is applied, it returns one step and restarts the insertion operation. There will be no breakage of the core wires due to this, and there will be no downtime due to equipment troubles.

Furthermore, the rubber boot cannot be properly press-fitted into the boot insertion hole by simply pushing it in the Y-axis direction, but in this invention, the optical connector is moved in small steps in the Y-axis direction and is pushed in while applying vibration. Therefore, press-fitting can be performed without any problem. Moreover, this press-fitting in small increments is also effective in making the adhesive spread over the entire area of the core wire, leading to improved reliability of core wire bonding.

[0013] Since multi-core optical fibers are usually housed in units of 5 in a space called a slot within a cable, it would be extremely advantageous in terms of production management and production methods if, for example, it could be assembled in units of 5 at the same time. Become. In order to take advantage of this advantage, the apparatus of the present invention is structured to perform N simultaneous assemblies. This is possible because accurate insertion is now guaranteed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the entire apparatus. 1 in the figure is a stage table that performs four-axis positioning by a position control device 2, and a tray 7 and an optical connector centering mechanism 8, which will be described later, are provided on this table. 11 is an optical connector supply device, 16 is an optical fiber holding section consisting of a portable holder 17 and a pedestal 18, and 19 is a core wire guide section, which will be described in detail later.

The table position control device 2 includes horizontal two-axis drive means, namely an X-axis direction drive means 3, a Y-axis direction drive means 4 perpendicular to the X-axis, and a vertical (Z-axis) direction drive means 5. , a tilt drive means 6 for tilting the table 1 in the direction in which the Y-axis is tilted. The tray 7 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) supports five optical connectors in parallel at a constant pitch in the X-axis direction.

FIG. 2 shows details of the optical connector supply device 11. Reference numeral 12 denotes a shooter inclined at an appropriate angle (preferably 30 degrees or more), and a magazine 39 containing aligned optical connectors 30 is inserted into the opening at the top of the shooter. The magazine 39 is preferable because it can be used as a common conveying means in the preceding steps such as connector molding, and loading the connector into the chute is a so-called one-touch operation. The shooter 12 keeps the supply connectors from the magazine aligned and slides them down toward the take-out point (the part where the presence/absence confirmation sensor 14 is provided). During this sliding down, the optical connector 30 passes through the escapement unit 13. The escapement unit 13 alternately operates a stopper 13a that appears and retracts in the passage in the chute and a clamper 13b that temporarily fastens the optical connector one level higher than the optical connector that hits this stopper, and moves the optical connector 30 toward the extraction point. This is to cut out one piece at a time. When the optical connector moves to the take-out point, the sensor 14 detects this and the pick-and-place unit 15 is activated. This pick and place unit has a chuck 15a that grips the optical connector.
and drive means 15b for moving this in the X-axis direction, and Z
It consists of a driving means 15c for moving in the axial direction, and while moving the chuck 15a in an arch pattern between the take-out point and the tray 7, it transports the optical connectors sequentially from the take-out point to the connector receiving part in the tray. To go. At this time,
The conveying position is moved by moving the tray 7 in the X-axis direction at a fixed pitch by the driving means 3 of FIG. 1, or by sequentially changing the amount of movement of the chuck 15a in the X-axis direction at a fixed pitch. In this case, one set of supply devices 11 as shown in the figure will suffice. however,
It is also possible to provide five sets of elements in parallel, excluding the means for moving the chuck, to simultaneously supply five optical connectors in one transport operation. At this time, tray 7 and chuck 1
Relative movement of 5a in the X-axis direction becomes unnecessary.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show details of the optical connector assembly section. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the tray 7 is supported by a stand 1a on the stage table 1. Further, the centering mechanism 8 of the optical connector moves the positioning pins 9 arranged in parallel corresponding to the reference pin holes 34 (see FIG. 5) of the optical connector in the tray in the axial direction by using the drive means 10 to increase the pin diameter. The optical connectors are inserted into reference pin holes 34 having a hole diameter that matches the standard pin diameter, and each of the intra-tray optical connectors is centered at a fixed point. The stage table 1 rotates about the arc center of the bottom 1b (located approximately at the center of the tray) as a fulcrum, and this rotation causes a tilt in the Q-axis direction.

The pedestal 18 of the optical fiber holder 16 is fixed at a fixed position. Furthermore, the portable holder 17 that is detachably set on this pedestal 18 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.
The structure is as shown in . As shown in the figure, a multi-core optical fiber is sandwiched and supported between a receiver 17a and a presser foot 17b, both ends of which are hinged. A multi-core optical fiber 35 (
13 and 14), a receiving groove 17d for the rubber boot 38 mounted on the outer skin 36, and a connector receiving part 17e for supporting the attached optical connector are provided in parallel at a constant pitch. There is. This holder 17
The reason for making it portable is that setting of multi-core optical fibers can be carried out off-line using a spare holder while the device is in operation, but it is not essential that it be portable.

The fiber guide section 19 has an exposed multi-core optical fiber between an upper presser 20 having a driving means 22 in the Z-axis direction and a lower support 21 having a driving means 23 in the Z-axis direction. The core wire 37 (FIGS. 13 and 14) is sandwiched and supported. The lower receiver 21 is provided with slit-shaped guide portions 21b at a constant pitch as shown in FIG.
As shown in , the number of V-grooves 21 is the same as the number of fibers in the multi-core optical fiber.
A is provided so that the core wire 37 is centered in this V-groove. Note that the upper presser pusher 20a (FIG. 9) that fits into the guide portion 21b and presses the core wire is equipped with a buffer mechanism to protect the core wire.

24 in FIG. 4 indicates an X
This is a laser-type inspection device that applies laser light in the axial direction to inspect whether the core wire is inserted properly or not based on the bent state of the core wire. Instead of this, an image recognition type inspection device having a CCD camera or the like may be used.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an adhesive injection device. As shown in FIG. 11, a nozzle 26 is connected to this adhesive injection device 25 via a hose. That nozzle 2
6 is driven by the drive means 27 in the X-axis direction and the lifting means 28, and the window 31 of the intra-tray optical connector 30 (FIG. 13,
14) Move up and drip adhesive 29 into the connector through the window. Since the optical connectors and multi-core optical fibers are not moved relative to each other in the X-axis direction when the adhesive is injected by the device 25, the nozzle positions are changed by the X-axis direction driving means 27 and the optical connectors are bonded one by one to the optical connectors in the tray. Although the agent is injected into all optical connectors at the same time, it is not limited to using five nozzles to simultaneously inject the agent into all optical connectors.

FIGS. 13 and 14 schematically show an optical connector and multi-core optical fiber assembled by the apparatus of the present invention. The optical connector 30 has a centering hole 32 on the front side of the window 31 on the top surface into which the core wire of the multi-core optical fiber 35 is inserted. This centering hole 32 is created by closing the V-groove 32a from the middle in the longitudinal direction, and a part of the V-groove 32a is open to the window 31. Further, on the rear side of the connector, a boot insertion hole 33 is provided for partially press-fitting a rubber boot 38 mounted on the outer skin 36 of the multi-core optical fiber.

[0024] The exemplary assembly apparatus configured as described above is as follows:
Setting the optical connector 30 to the tray 7, setting the multi-core optical fiber 35 to the optical fiber holding part 16 (installing the portable holder 17 holding the optical fiber), and maintaining the centering of the exposed fiber by the fiber guide part 19. After that, the stage table 1 is driven in the Y-axis direction to move it toward the optical fiber side. When this movement, that is, the insertion operation has progressed to a certain extent, the end of the core wire 37 passes through the boot insertion hole 33 of the connector and enters the centering hole 32, as shown in FIG.
It moves to the part of the V groove 32a that is open to the inlet side. Therefore, the stage table 1 is preferably tilted at an angle of 20 degrees or less by the tilt driving means 6 shown in FIG.
As shown in 5, the core wire 37 is bent so that the end thereof faces upward. Further, the table 1 is simultaneously raised so that the V-groove 32a is located above the core wire holding position. This generates a force that brings the core wire 37 into close contact with the V-groove 32a. Therefore, if this state is maintained and the insertion is continued, the guiding effect of the V-groove 32a will be fully exerted, and the core wire will fit into the centering hole 32a.
to enter successfully. In addition, if there is a core wire that hits the entrance of the hole 32, the core wire 37 as shown by the chain line in FIG.
is buckled, so the laser inspection device 24 shown in FIG. 4 can detect insertion failure. If this insertion failure is detected, the insertion is stopped at a position where the core wire 37 is inserted a little (preferably 2 mm or less) into the hole 32, the stage table 1 is returned a little in the Y-axis direction, and the insertion operation is repeated. In this way, by returning the insertion operation by one step and redoing it, the apparatus does not have to stop uselessly, and breakage due to incorrect insertion of the core wire can be reliably prevented.

Next, when normal insertion is confirmed, the stage table 1 is returned to the horizontal and original height position and the insertion is advanced to a predetermined position. Further, when the insertion reaches a predetermined position, the core wire guide is released, and the upper presser 20 and lower support 21 of the guide part 32 are separated and retracted to a position where movement of the tray 7 is not hindered. Then, the insertion is temporarily stopped, and the nozzle 26 of the adhesive injection device 25 is moved onto the window 31 of the optical connector to inject adhesive into the connector. X the nozzle 26
After injecting adhesive into all optical connectors while feeding in the axial direction, resume insertion, but at least make sure the rubber boots 38
After the boot has reached the entrance of the boot insertion hole 33, the stage table 1 is moved in small increments in the Y-axis direction (slightly reciprocated) to proceed with final insertion while applying slight vibrations. By performing this vibration insertion, the rubber boot 38 is press-fitted into the hole 33 smoothly, and the injected adhesive also spreads within the centering hole 32, increasing the stability of the bond. Figure 16 is a cross-section of the product after insertion is complete. The optical connector 30 is then subjected to a process of cutting the extra length of the core wire and mirror-finishing the front surface. Additionally, the assembly device returns to its original state and repeats the same operation.

In addition, trays are provided in two places, one on the stage table and one outside the stage table, and a conveyance device for exchanging both trays is added, so that the optical connector supply device supplies the trays to the tray outside the stage table. By adopting this method, it is possible to further increase the operating rate of the apparatus by supplying optical connectors to the tray during the optical fiber insertion operation.

[0027]

As described above, the optical connector assembly device of the present invention can accurately insert the core of a multi-core optical fiber into the centering hole of an optical connector, and smoothly insert the rubber boot into the boot insertion hole of the optical connector. By making insertion possible, simultaneous assembly of multiple pieces can be performed without trouble, dramatically improving assembly efficiency compared to conventional methods that relied on manual labor, and reducing personnel and assembly costs.

[0028] Also, there is no part that depends on the skill level of the person,
Moreover, the quality of the product is improved because the effect of stabilizing the adhesion by vibration insertion is obtained.

[0029] The device equipped with the optical connector supply device and the portable holder described in the embodiments has a particularly large productivity improvement effect.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1] Rear view showing an overview of the device of the example

[Fig. 2] Front cross-sectional view showing details of the optical connector supply device

[Figure 3] Side view showing details of the optical connector assembly section

[Figure 4
] Plan view of the assembly part in Figure 3

[Figure 5] A perspective view showing the reference pin hole of the optical connector and the positioning pin of the centering mechanism.

[Figure 6] Front view of portable holder

[Figure 7] Plan view of the holder in Figure 6

[Fig. 8] Cross-sectional view of the holder shown in Fig. 6 taken along line X-X in Fig. 7

[Figure 9] Front view showing the upper presser and lower support of the wire guide section

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the guide section in FIG. 9;

[Figure 11]
Side view of adhesive injection device

[Figure 12] Front view of the device in Figure 11

[Figure 13] Perspective view showing an optical connector and multi-core optical fiber

[
Figure 14: Cross-sectional view of a multi-core optical fiber inserted halfway into an optical connector

[Fig. 15] Conceptual diagram of pressing the core wire into the V-groove of the optical connector using the tilting drive means

[Figure 16] Cross-sectional view of the product after assembly

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Stage table 1a Stand 1b Trunk bottom 2 Table position control device 3 Drive means 11 Optical connector supply device 12 Shooter 13 Escapement unit 13a Stopper 13b Clamper 14 Sensor 15 Pick and place unit 16 Optical fiber holding section 17 Portable holder 17a Receiver 17b Holder 17c Outer cover receiving groove 17d Rubber boot receiving groove 17e Connector Receiving part 18 Receiving stand 19 Core wire guide part 20 Upper presser 20a Pusher 21 Lower receiver 21a V groove 21b Guide parts 22, 23 Z-axis direction driving means 24 Laser inspection device 25 Adhesive injection device 26 Nozzle 27 X-axis direction driving means 28 Lifting means 29 Adhesive 30 Optical connector 31 Window 32 Centering hole 32a V groove 33 Boot insertion hole 34 Reference pin hole 35 Multi-core optical fiber 36 Outer cover 37 Core wire 38 Rubber boot 39 Magazine

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A boot insertion hole is provided on the rear side of the upper window as a boundary, and an optical fiber centering hole is provided on the front side with a V-groove partially opened on the entrance side. This is a device for attaching a multi-core optical connector having two reference pin holes to the stripped terminal end of a tape-shaped multi-core optical fiber, in which N (≧2) optical connectors are attached to the Y-axis. Y toward the direction
A centering mechanism for an optical connector in a tray portion, which includes a tray supported in parallel in an X-axis direction perpendicular to the axis, a parallel positioning pin inserted into each of the reference pin holes, and means for driving the pin in the axial direction; and a stage table that supports the centering mechanism, and a stage table that supports this table in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis (
a table position control device that drives the table in the vertical direction) and tilts it in the direction in which the Y axis is tilted, an optical connector supply device that transports the optical connector from the supply point into the tray, and N multi-core optical fibers. Each of the multi-core optical fibers is supported by a holder that has a receiving groove on the terminal-side outer skin, a receiving groove for the rubber boot mounted on the outer skin, and a receiving part for the optical connector after installation, and the holder is further supported on a cradle. an optical fiber holder that positions and fixes the optical fiber behind the optical connector in the tray; A wire guide part is sandwiched between the side holders and centered in the V groove of the lower receiver, and a wire guide part is provided on the tray side from the core wire guide part to guide the wire to the connector from the bent state of the core wire as viewed in the X-axis direction. It is equipped with an optical inspection device that inspects whether the insertion is good or not, and an adhesive injection device that drops adhesive into the optical connector through the window from a nozzle that moves above the optical connector in the tray. After setting the fiber and maintaining the centering of the fiber with the fiber guide section, move the stage table to the optical fiber side and start inserting the fiber into the optical connector. Next, insert the fiber into the optical fiber centering hole of the connector on the entrance side. At the position where the core wire has entered the V-groove, tilt the stage table so that the core wire end faces upward, and insert the core wire end slightly into the centering hole, and if the core wire is bent abnormally at this point, After redoing the insertion operation and confirming normal insertion, return the stage table to its original position, and when the insertion amount reaches a predetermined value in subsequent insertions, move the upper and lower pressers of the fiber guide section to the position where they are retracted from the connector movement path. Then, adhesive is injected into the optical connector, and the stage table is moved in small increments in the Y-axis direction using a position control device until the rubber boot fits into the boot insertion hole of the optical connector, and the optical fiber is separated. A multi-fiber optical connector assembly device configured to proceed with the final insertion operation. 2. An inclined chute for inserting a magazine in which optical connectors are arranged and stored into an upper opening and sliding a supply connector from the magazine to a take-out point, a stopper that appears and retracts in a passage within the chute, and an optical connector that is stopped by this stopper. An escapement unit that cuts out optical connectors one by one to send out to the take-out point by alternately operating a clamper that fixes the optical connector one level higher than the above, and a pick that pinches the optical connector at the take-out point and transports it into the tray. 2. The multi-fiber optical connector assembly device according to claim 1, wherein said optical connector supply device is constituted by said and place unit. 3. A means for moving the pick-and-place unit relative to the tray in the direction in which the optical connectors are arranged and a means for moving the nozzle in the X-axis direction; Claim 2: The adhesive is injected into each of the optical connectors by a pair of an optical connector supply device and an adhesive injection device.
The described multi-core optical connector assembly device. 4. The trays are provided at two locations, one on the stage table and the other outside the stage table, and a conveying device for exchanging both trays is added, so that the optical connector supply device supplies the tray to the tray outside the stage table. 4. The multi-fiber optical connector assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi-fiber optical connector assembly apparatus is adapted to perform the following steps.