JPH0456807A - Method for discriminating positions of multiple coated optical fiber and ferrule multiple optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To highly accurately and efficiently execute engagement discriminating work by detecting the insertion of respective optical fiber end parts into respective recessed grooves by an optical sensor and discriminating whether respective end parts are engaged with respective grooves or not based upon the detected result. CONSTITUTION:When respective optical fiber end parts of a multiple-coated optical fiber 1 are inserted into respective recessed grooves 171 to 174 of a ferrule 11 through a moving board 32, the state is detected by the optical scanning of the optical sensor. When the end parts are engaged with the grooves 171 to 174, light scattering is generated by the end parts and the reflection of scanning light is weakened, and when the end parts are not engaged, light scattering is not generated and the reflection of scanning light is increased. Thereby, whether respective end parts are appropriately engaged with the grooves 171 to 174 or not can be discriminated by detecting the reflection state of the scanning light. Thus, the discriminating work can be highly accurately and efficiently executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of a multi-core coated optical fiber and a ferrule for a multi-core optical connector.

``Prior Art'' As a ferrule for a multi-core coated optical fiber having a tape-shaped outer shape and a corresponding multi-core optical connector, FIG.
The device shown in FIG. 6 has already been provided.

The multicore coated optical fiber 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a plurality of quartz-based optical fibers 21 to 24 arranged in parallel, and plastic inner coating layers 31 to 24 that cover the outer peripheries of these optical fibers 21 to 24. 34, and a tape-shaped coating layer 4 that collectively covers each of the optical fibers 21-24 from above these internal coating layers 31-34.

The ferrule 11 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 mainly has a plastic body 12, and each part of the body 12 is provided with the following shapes and structures.

Although the body 12 has flanges 13 on a portion of its upper and lower surfaces, its overall shape is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, with its rear end surface serving as an insertion surface 14 and its distal end surface serving as an abutting surface 15.

An abutment surface 15 is formed at the axial center of the body 12 from the insertion surface 14 side.
17. A flat hollow part 16 for inserting optical fibers across the sides, and a concave groove (for example, ■-shaped) for separately fitting optical fibers arranged parallel to each other. - 174, and insertion holes 181-184 for inserting individual optical fibers arranged in parallel with each other are formed in series, and on both sides of the body 12, these hollow portions 16, grooves 171-174, and insertion holes are formed. 181-184
A pair of guide holes 18 are arranged in parallel with each other on the insertion surface 1.
It is perforated from the 4th side to the abutting surface 15 side.

In this case, the groove 171: the insertion hole 181. Concave groove 172: insertion hole 182, concave groove 173: insertion hole 183, concave groove 174:
Like the insertion hole 184, these grooves 17+ to 174,
The axes of the insertion holes 181 to 184 coincide with each other at a ratio of 1:1.

In addition, an opening 20 for injecting an adhesive is formed on the upper surface side of the body 12 so as to communicate with the hollow portion 16 .

Note that other multi-core coated optical fibers (not shown) that are paired with the multi-core coated optical fiber 1 are terminal-treated in the same way as the multi-core coated optical fiber 1, and are paired with the ferrule 11. Other ferrules (not shown) are also configured symmetrically with the ferrule 11.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, when attaching the ferrule 11 to the end of the multi-coated optical fiber /<1, each optical fiber 21 to
24 are inserted all at once into the hollow portion 16 of the body 12 from the insertion surface 14 side, and are individually fitted and inserted from the respective grooves 171 to 174 into the respective insertion holes 181 to 184, and
When the end faces of the six optical fibers 21 to 24 are held flush with the abutting surface 15, the inner coating layers 31 to 34 of the multi-core coated optical fiber/total fiber 1 are located in each of the grooves 171 to 174, The tape-shaped coating layer 4 of the coated optical fiber 1 is located within the hollow portion 16 .

In order to fix this state, the ferrule 11 is made.

Adhesive is injected from the opening 20 to the hollow 16 .

Similarly, other ferrules are attached to the ends of other multi-core coated optical fibers (not shown).

A pair of guide pins 21 shown in FIG. 5 are reference holes for precisely positioning or aligning the end faces of each optical fiber 21 to 24 when the pair of ferrules are brought together. 21 precisely fits into the guide hole 18.

When aligning the ends of multi-core coated optical fibers with ferrules attached, the guide pins 21 are fitted across the guide holes of both ferrules, and their abutting surfaces abut against each other, so that both multi-core coated optical fibers are aligned. The optical fiber end is
Each pair of optical fiber end faces coincide with each other.

Normally, when attaching the ferrule 11 to the end of the multi-core coated optical fiber 1, manual work is often required, but in order to increase productivity, automation of this work must be established.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' When automating the attachment of ferrules to the ends of multi-core coated optical fibers, it is necessary to analyze the process, differentiate the process, and mechanize or motorize each differentiated process, similar to automation on a boat. , combination of each process, determination of pass/fail of each process, execution of each process, etc. must be studied and predetermined hardware and software must be manufactured.

Multi-core coated optical fiber 1 and ferrule 1 in Figures 5 and 6
1, when considering such automation, the end of the multi-core coated optical fiber l and the ferrule 11 are arranged such that the end of each optical fiber 21 to 24 and the end of each groove 171 to 174 face each other. After setting them on the moving table and the fixed table, align each optical fiber end of the multi-core coated optical fiber with each concave groove of the ferrule via the moving table,
The end of each optical fiber 21-24 is connected to each concave groove 17+-174.
It can be said that it is sufficient to insert it inside.

In other words, if a precise moving platform is used and controlled in a predetermined manner, the above-mentioned automation can be achieved.

However, in the case of the multi-core coated optical fiber 1, when each of the optical fibers 21 to 24 is exposed from the end of the tape-shaped coating layer 4 through terminal treatment, it is unlikely that the fibers will warp and the linearity will decrease. Zuar.

Even if such a multi-core coated optical fiber 1 is subjected to predetermined movement control using a precise moving table, each party fiber 21 to
24 is not correctly inserted into each of the grooves 171 to 174, and work errors occur from the initial stage.

In view of such technical problems, the present invention has been developed to automatically attach a ferrule to the end of a multi-core coated optical fiber, and to attach the ferrule to the end of the optical fiber (on the multi-core coated optical fiber side) and the groove (on the ferrule side). The present invention aims to provide a method that can determine whether the relative position with respect to the object is acceptable or not, and can eliminate work errors during automation through such determination.

``Means for Solving the Problems j'' In order to achieve the intended purpose, the position determination method according to the present invention employs a method in which a plurality of optical fibers exposed from the end of a tape-shaped coating layer are arranged in parallel with each other. In the relative relationship between the coated optical fiber and the ferrule for a multi-core optical connector, which has a plurality of parallel grooves, each optical fiber end of the multi-core coated optical fiber and each groove end of the ferrule face each other. After setting the ends and ferrules of these multi-core coated optical fibers on the moving table and fixed table, respectively,
In this method, each fiber end of a multi-core coated optical fiber is aligned with each groove of a ferrule via a moving stage, and each optical fiber end is inserted into each groove of the multi-core coated optical fiber. When the end of each optical fiber is inserted into each groove of the ferrule, this state is detected by optical scanning with an optical sensor, and based on the detection result, the end of each optical fiber is fitted into each groove. It is characterized by determining whether or not there is a person.

1. In the method of the present invention, when each optical fiber end of a multi-core coated optical fiber is inserted into each groove of a ferrule via a moving table, this state is detected by optical scanning using an optical sensor.

In such optical scanning, the state of reflection of the scanning light differs depending on whether the optical fiber is fitted into the groove or not.

In other words, when the end of the optical fiber is fitted into the groove, light scattering occurs at the end of the optical fiber, which weakens the reflection of the scanning light, and conversely, the optical fiber is not fitted into the groove. In this case, such light scattering does not occur, so the scanning light is strongly reflected.

Therefore, by detecting the reflection status of the scanning light,
It becomes clear whether each optical fiber end is properly fitted into each groove.

rExample j An example of the method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 31 represents a fixed base, and 32 represents a movable base.

The fixing base 31 is provided with a known or well-known clamping mechanism on its upper surface, and is held at a predetermined height via a known or well-known support means.

The moving table 32 includes an upper table part 33, a lower table part 34, and a support part 35, and the upper surface of the base part 34 is provided with a clamp mechanism similar to that described above.

In the above, the upper stand part 33 is assembled to the lower stand part 34 so as to move horizontally back and forth, and the lower stand part 34 is assembled to the support part 35 so as to move horizontally from side to side. It is supported so as to be vertically movable via a well-known elevating mechanism.

Each drive mechanism 36, 37, 38 for moving the upper platform 33, the lower platform 34, and the support section 35 in a predetermined direction includes, for example, a predetermined number of step motors and a predetermined number of fine movement mechanisms that extend and contract via each step motor. It is mainly composed of a telescopic Im (structure similar to a micrometer), and springs 39, 40 facing both driving machine bridges 36, 37 are attached to the upper pedestal 33 and the lower pedestal 34, respectively. .

In FIG. 1, an optical sensor 42 including a displacement meter 41 is arranged above the fixed base 31.

Examples of the optical sensor 42 include a flying spot type, a flying image type, and a front curtain type. Typical examples include a laser light source, an optical scanning system mainly consisting of a multifaceted rotating mirror, and a light receiving element equipped with a light receiving element. A flying spot system consisting of a detection system is adopted.

Correspondingly, the displacement meter 41 is of a laser type (eg, Nispot diameter 0.05 lubricant φ, resolution 5 l layer).

In FIG. 1, electrical or electronic calculation means 43,
In other words, a computer has memory, input/output boards, data buses, registers, ALU, controllers, monitors (
(CRT), keyboard, etc.

The calculation means 43 has the optical sensor 42 on its input port.
are connected to each drive mechanism 36. to the output boat.
37.38 are connected.

In the case of the method of the present invention illustrated in FIG.
1 is set on the fixing table 31. At this time, the end of the coated optical fiber 1 is moved so that the end of each fiber 21 to 24 and the end of each groove 171 to 174 face each other. The ferrule 11 is clamped onto the base portion 33 of the pedestal 32 and the ferrule 11 is clamped onto the fixed pedestal 31.

Before inserting the end portions of the optical fibers 21 to 24 into the grooves 171 to 174 of the ferrule 11, the upper surface of the ferrule 11 is optically scanned in the width direction via the optical scanning system of the optical sensor 42, and Reflected light 171 from each groove 171 to 174
' to 174° is detected by the light receiving detection system of the optical sensor 42 and inputted to the displacement meter 41.

Figure 2 shows the level of each reflected light 171° to 174°, and these reflected lights 171° to 174' are large lights because there are no optical fibers 21 to 24 in each groove 171 to 17a. No scattering and therefore high reflection levels.

Next, the base portion 33 of the movable base 32 is moved in a predetermined direction to align the respective fibers 21 to 24 of the multi-core coated optical fiber 1 with the grooves 171 to 174 of the ferrule 11, and then the base portion 33 of the movable base 32 is moved. The lower base portion 34 is moved in a predetermined direction, and the ends of the optical fibers 21 to 24 are inserted into the grooves 171 to 174 of the ferrule 11.

In this state, similarly to the above, the upper surface of the ferrule 11 is optically scanned, and the reflected light from the upper surface of the ferrule is detected and inputted to the displacement meter 41.

At this time, if all the optical fiber ends are accurately accommodated in the grooves 171 to 174 of the ferrule 11, the scanning light will hit each of the optical fibers 21 to 24 and be reflected. 24 reflected light 21°
~24° gives the reflection level as shown in Figure 3.

That is, since the scanning light is scattered by each of the optical fibers 21-24, these reflected lights 21°-24' have a low reflection level as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if any of the optical fiber ends are not accurately accommodated within the predetermined groove, reflection will occur at that location not by the optical fiber but by the groove, resulting in a high reflection level.

For example, in optical scanning when the ends of the optical fibers 21, 22, and 24 are correctly accommodated in the grooves 17+, 172, and 17s, but the ends of the optical fibers 23 are not accommodated in the groove 173, As shown in Figure 4, reflected light 21
゛, 22°, 24" and the reflected light 173" are mixed, and the level of the reflected light 173° is higher than that of the other reflected lights 2+', 2.
2°, higher than the 24' level.

The optical fiber 21 is placed in the other grooves 171, 172 and 17a.
．． The same applies if the ends of 22 and 24 are not properly seated.

Therefore, the optical scanning results as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are input from the displacement meter 41 to the electrical or electronic calculation means 43, and necessary processing is performed based on the calculation results.

In other words, in the case of FIG. 3, the calculation means 43 determines that each fiber 21 to 24 is correctly inserted into each groove 171 to 174, and instructs execution of the next operation, or , transmits an operation continuation signal to the movable table 32 to operate it, and in the case of FIG. Based on the judgment, the controller 32 issues an order to stop the next operation or restart the operation, or sends an operation stop signal to the movable table 32 to stop it.

Note that the optical scanning results shown in FIG. 2 are collected in advance and stored in the calculation means 43 as a reference pattern.
Moreover, even if the calculation means 43 compares the reference pattern shown in FIG. 2 with the actual measurement results shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the relative positions of each optical fiber 21 to 24 and each groove 171 to 174 are It is possible to judge whether it is correct or incorrect.

In the above, when a "correct" instruction is issued from the calculation means 43, the lower base part 34 of the moving base 32 is moved in a predetermined direction, and the tips of the respective fibers 21 to 24 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 1B+" 184 of the ferrule 11. The multi-core coated optical fiber 1 with ferrule 1 is sent to the next step.

In the above case, if a "no" instruction is issued from the calculating means 43, either the movable table 32 is stopped once and the insertion operation is repeated again, or the multi-core coated optical fiber 1 is removed from the same table and then placed on standby. The multi-core coated optical fiber 1 is set on the moving table 32, and the same operation as described above is performed.

In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, the multi-core coated optical fiber 1 was set on the movable table 32 and the ferrule 11 was set on the fixed table 31, but by reversing this setting, the ferrule 1
1 may be moved.

Generally, a ferrule 1 is attached to the end of the multi-core coated optical fiber 1.
1, the end treatment process of the multi-core coated optical fiber l, the inspection process of the end treatment part, the process of fitting the ferrule into the end treatment part, the adhesion process of the end treatment part and the ferrule, the polishing process of the ferrule end face, etc. In short, when fully automating this, each process is mechanized or motorized and a line is set up.

That is, the mechanized or motorized processes described above are connected in a line via a conveyor or installed on a turntable, and the multi-core coated optical fiber 1 and ferrule 11 supplied from a predetermined position are connected to a manipulator (robot). The receiver is passed to each process via the hand).

Therefore, the method of the present invention is applied to the process of fitting the ferrule into the terminal processing section, but it can also be applied to cases where only the fitting process is independently automated.

In addition, the method of the present invention can also be applied to fitting the end of the multi-core coated optical fiber 1 into a ferrule having only grooves 171 to 174 without insertion holes 181 to 184, as a fitting part for optical fibers. I can do it.

"Effect of the Invention 1 As explained above, when using the method of the present invention, each optical fiber end of the multi-core coated optical fiber and each groove of the ferrule are aligned, and each optical fiber end is connected to each groove of the ferrule. When inserted into the groove, this state is detected by optical scanning using an optical sensor, and based on the detection result, it is determined whether or not each optical fiber end is fitted into each groove. Work can be performed efficiently with high precision, and it can also contribute to automation when attaching ferrules to the terminals of multi-core coated optical fibers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the method of the present invention, and FIG.
Figures 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing various examples of optical scanning results in the method of the present invention, and Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views and longitudinal sectional views showing multi-core coated optical fibers and ferrules. be. ■・・・・・・・・・・・・Multi-core coated optical fiber 2
1 to 24 fist/fist----optical fiber 21' to 24
°・・・Reflected light of optical fiber 31 to 34...
・・・・・・Inner coating layer 4・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・Tape-type coating layer 11... Ferrule 12... Body 13
......Flange 14...
......Insertion surface 15...
...Abutting surface 1B...Hollow portions 17, ~174...Concave grooves 171° to 174°...Reflected light from concave grooves 181~
184...Insertion hole

Claims (1)

[Claims] In the relative relationship between a multi-core coated optical fiber in which a plurality of optical fibers exposed from the end of a tape-shaped coating layer are arranged in parallel with each other, and a ferrule for a multi-core optical connector equipped with a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel with each other. The ends of the multi-core coated optical fiber and the ferrule were set on a moving table and a fixed table, respectively, so that each optical fiber end of the multi-core coated optical fiber and each concave groove end of the ferrule faced each other. After that, each optical fiber end of the multi-core coated optical fiber is aligned with each groove of the ferrule via a moving table, and each optical fiber end is inserted into each groove of the multi-core coated optical fiber. When each optical fiber end of the optical fiber is inserted into each groove of the ferrule, this state is detected by optical scanning with an optical sensor, and based on the detection result, each optical fiber end is inserted into each groove of the ferrule. 1. A method for determining the position of a multi-core coated optical fiber and a ferrule for a multi-core optical connector, the method comprising determining whether or not a multi-core coated optical fiber is fitted into a ferrule.