JPH0815227B2 - Method and apparatus for assembling light emitting module - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembling method and an assembling apparatus of a light emitting module for coupling a light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode to an optical fiber, and particularly to The present invention relates to a method and device for performing adjustment and fixing after adjustment.

[Prior Art] FIG. 7 shows, for example, "Automatic optical axis adjuster that enables precision assembly of optical fiber communication device" Optronics (198
2) A block diagram showing the conventional assembling apparatus shown in FIG. 5, in which (20) is a light emitting module to be assembled, (21) is a stage part of an optical axis adjusting device, and (22) is an optical device. (24) is a stage, (25) is a motor for driving the stage (24), (26) is a driver for moving the motor, and (27) is an optical axis adjusting device. (28) is an optical element driver for causing the light emitting element of the cap-equipped light emitter (1) to emit light, (29) is a socket for electrically connecting the cap-equipped light emitter (1), ( 30) is an optical sensor for monitoring the optical power from the optical fiber (3), (31) is a detector, and (32) is an operation panel.

The conventional device for assembling the light emitting module is configured as described above. To assemble the light emitting module (20), the lead terminal of the light emitter with cap (1) is inserted into the socket (29), and then the fiber holder. Attach the parts of (2) and the optical fiber (3) to the optical axis adjusting device, connect the fiber output end (7) to the optical sensor (30), and operate the control panel (3
When the start button is pressed from 2), a signal is sent to the microprocessor (27), and current is sent from the socket (29) to the light emitter with a cap (1) via the optical element driver (28). Then, the light emitted from the cap-equipped light emitter (1) passes through the optical fiber (3) and is converted from light to electricity by the optical sensor (30), and its power level is detected by the detector (31) to detect the micro level. It is sent to the processor (27). In the microprocessor (27), the value of this light level and the respective stage 1 (24a), stage 2 (24b), and stage 3 that move in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions at that time.
Information is stored in the position of (24c).

The microprocessor (27) includes a driver (26a), a driver (26b), a driver (26c), a corresponding motor (25a), a motor (25b), a motor (25c), a stage 1 (24a) and a stage 2 respectively. (24b) While moving the stage 3 (24c), find the point where the power from the detector (31) becomes maximum.

When the optical axis adjustment is completed as described above, in this state, the three components of the cap-equipped light emitter (1), the fiber holder (2) and the fiber terminal are fixed with an epoxy based adhesive or solder.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional light emitting module assembling apparatus described above,
After adjusting the optical axis, it is necessary to fix with an epoxy adhesive or with a hand, etc., because these fixing methods require a long curing time and manual work,
There has been a problem that it takes a long assembling time from the optical axis adjusting work to the joining work, and the productivity cannot be improved.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a method and an apparatus for assembling a light emitting module that enables a general worker to assemble a light emitting module in a short time without relying on the experience of a skilled worker. Aim to get.

[Means for Solving Problems] A method for assembling a light emitting module according to the present invention comprises: a light emitter with a cap; a fiber terminal holding an optical fiber; and a fiber holder into which the fiber terminal is inserted, A step of moving the fiber terminal so that light from the light emitter with the cap is optimally coupled to the optical fiber in a state where the fiber terminal is inserted into the fiber holder, and the light emitter with the cap by moving the fiber terminal. The step of detecting the optimum optical coupling position with the optical fiber and laser-welding the fiber terminal and the fiber holder in that position to fix the optical axis (z-axis) direction. The optimal connection position for the Detected by relatively moving the specified fiber holder in two dimensions of x and y, and at that position, the capped light emitter and the fiber holder can be assembled in the order of laser welding. is there.

Also, the method for assembling a light emitting module of the present invention comprises a light emitter with a cap, a fiber terminal holding an optical fiber, and a fiber holder into which the fiber terminal is inserted. A first position is detected in which the light from the capped light-emitter is maximally incident on the optical fiber by moving in the axial direction and in the optical axis (z-axis) direction with the fiber end inserted in the fiber holder. Step, after the first step, laser welding the fiber terminal and the fiber holder to fix the optical fiber and the light emitter with a cap in the z-axis direction, and after the second step, the light emission with the cap The position where the light from the optical device is incident on the optical fiber at maximum is detected by moving the light source with the cap in two dimensions of x and y.
After the third step, the capped light emitter and the fiber holder are laser-welded to assemble the optical fiber and the capped light emitter in the x and y axis directions in the fourth step. It is a thing. Further, the device for assembling the light emitting module according to the present invention is, as a first means, xy
The rotatable stage is mounted on the stage movable in the plane, and the light emitter with a cap can be set on the stage. The second means is the x direction of the first means, y
And the θ-direction stage move the position of the light source within the three dimensions of the xy θ-axis, and move the optical fiber mounted stage in the z-direction by the microprocessor so that the light enters the optical fiber most efficiently. Each stage (x, y, z, θ axis) while monitoring power
Move to adjust the optical axis.

The third means has a mechanism and control system capable of setting the positions of the z-axis objective lens and the light-emitting module in order to fix the z-axis direction of the light emitting source whose optical axis is adjusted by the second means and the optical fiber. Next, the fourth means is to fix the optical fiber and the surface perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the light emitting source, that is, the xy axis direction, in order to fix the light emitting module with the cap of the light emitting module and the welding place on the circumference of the fitting part of the fiber holder It has a mechanism and control system that can be automatically set by instructions from the microprocessor. And, as a fifth means, in response to a request from the microprocessor of the optical axis adjusting device, in order to perform YAG welding in cooperation with the third means or the fourth means, z axis fixing or xy surface fixing is performed. It has a system controller for distributing the laser light of the necessary power to the objective lens for use.

[Operation] In the present invention, the AG laser welding is used in place of the epoxy resin and the solder, and a series of operations from the optical axis adjustment capable of producing a product having such a structure to the operation of joining by YAG laser welding are performed. This is done in a shorter time than in the past.

Furthermore, by adding a stage that rotates in the θ direction, the rotation of the θ axis when adjusting the optical axis can be automatically controlled by a microprocessor, and YAG welding in the xy plane after adjusting the optical axis is possible. In the case of fixing by the above, by rotating the same θ stage, it is possible to automatically weld a plurality of places on the circumference of the light emitting module.

[Embodiment] First, the structure of a light emitting module which is the subject of the present invention and the assembling work flow thereof will be described below before describing the light emitting module assembling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a light emitting module which is an object of the present invention, (1) is a light emitting device with a cap, (2) is a fiber holder for holding an optical fiber,
(3) is an optical fiber, (4) is a light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode, (5) is a spherical lens, (6) is a fiber terminal, and (7) is a fiber emitting end for sending light from the light emitting module to an external device. , (8) is a welding place for fixing the z axis for welding and fixing the fiber holder (2) and the fiber end (6), and (9) is welding the light emitter (1) with a cap and the fiber holder (2). It is a welding place for fixing the xy plane for fixing.

The target parts of the assembly device are the light emitters with caps (1)
And fiber holder (2) and optical fiber (3) 3
These are parts, and assembling means adjusting and fixing these three parts at optimal positions.

The light emitted from the light emitting element (4) is condensed by the spherical lens (5), enters the optical fiber (3) held by the optical fiber terminal (6), and is emitted from the fiber emitting end (7) to an external device. .

When the amount of light from the fiber output end (7) is monitored while moving the position of the fiber terminal (6), there is a position where the power becomes maximum, but in that state, at the z-axis fixed welding station (8). The YAG laser is fired in the direction of the arrow to weld the fiber holder (2) and the fiber end (6) to fix the z-axis (height direction in FIG. 5) direction, and then the xy surface fixed welding station (9a ) And (9b) simultaneously emit YAG laser and fix.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the assembling work of the light emitting module having the structure shown in FIG. Briefly, the worker mounts parts (10) on the optical axis adjusting device of the light emitter (1) with the cap, the fiber holder (2), and the fiber end (6) of the optical fiber (3), and the optical axis adjusting device. To start.

Then, the optical axis adjusting device finds the position of the light beam emitted from the cap-equipped light emitter (1), so that the cap-equipped light emitter (1) moves at regular intervals in the xy plane and the light enters the optical fiber (3). Perform the operation to move to the position. Starting from the position found in this ray search (11),
The position where the light is most incident on the optical fiber (3) is xy
Finding in 3D of z (xyz peak search (12))
I do. Next, check the power level at this time (13). If the power level is below the reference level, the worker must rotate the optical fiber in the θ-axis direction and reattach it to the jig (θ-axis rotation (14)). Repeat the xyz peak search (12) and check the power level (13). When the light incident level on the optical fiber (3) exceeds the reference level, the fiber holder (2 ) And the fiber end (6) are fixed by YAG welding (z-axis YAG
Welding (15) is performed to fix the distance between the light emitting element (4) and the fiber end (6). When welding is performed with a YAG laser, the position of the fiber end (6) is displaced in the xy plane, so work to search the position in the xy plane where most light again enters the optical fiber (3) (xy peak search ( 16)) is performed using the optical axis adjustment device. Next, the YAG laser is simultaneously emitted from the xy surface fixed welding stations (9a) and (9b) facing the light emitter with cap (1) and the fiber holder (2) at the position where the power is most incident. Work to fix (x
Perform YAG YAG welding (17)). Since the light emitting module is made of a cylinder, the xy plane is fixed at several points (for example, 2 points × 4 times) on the circumference of the abutting portion, and is manufactured so as to withstand the tensile strength.

Therefore, after the first welding at the xy surface fixed welding place (9), the light emitting module is rotated by the welding angle (19) until the confirmation of completion of the entire circumference welding (18) is OK, and the XY surface YAG welding (1
When 7) is repeated and the entire circumference welding is completed, the optical axis adjustment work and the joining work are completed, and the main assembly work of the light emitting module is completed.

The structure of the light emitting module and the assembly work flow to which the present invention is directed have been described above. Next, a device for performing this assembly work will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a stage-related mechanism of FIG. 1, which is (20) to (22), (24) to (32). Is exactly the same as the above conventional device.

In the figure, (23) is a YAG laser welder and (33) is a YAG laser welder.
A laser controller for setting a laser level, pulse width, etc. for welding, (34) a laser oscillator, (35) a branch unit for distributing a laser from the laser oscillator (34), and (36) a Objective lens for fixing z-axis for YAG welding, (37) objective lens for fixing xy plane, (38) horizontal surface plate which is a reference plane in the horizontal direction while mounting each stage.
(39) is a vertical surface plate for fixing the stage 3 (24c) which is vertical to the horizontal surface plate (38) and moves in the z-axis direction, (4
0) is a holding jig for the fiber holder, (41) is a holding jig for the optical fiber, and (42) is an objective lens for fixing the z-axis (3
It is a magnetic stand for holding the position of 6).

The device for assembling the light emitting module according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. To assemble the light emitting module (20), the lead terminal of the light emitter with a cap (1) is inserted into the socket (29). , Then the fiber holder (2)
And attach the parts of optical fiber (3) to the optical axis adjustment device, connect the fiber output end (7) to the optical sensor (30), and press the start button from the operation panel (30) to send a signal to the microprocessor (27). Is sent, and current is sent from the socket (29) to the capped light emitter (1) via the optical element driver (28). Then, the light emitted from the capped light emitter (1) passes through the optical fiber (3) and is converted from light to electricity by the optical sensor (30), and its power level is detected by the detector (31) and the microprocessor Sent to (27). In the microprocessor (27), the value of this light level and the respective stage 1 (24a) and stage 2 (24) that move in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions at that time.
b), information on the position of the stage 3 (24c) is stored.

The microprocessor (27) includes a driver (26a), a driver (26b), a motor (25a) corresponding to the driver (26c), a motor (25b), and a motor (25c).
While moving the stage 1 (24a), the stage 2 (24b), and the stage 3 (24c) via, the point where the power from the detector (31) becomes maximum is found.

When the optical axis adjustment is completed as described above, the YAG laser from the YAG laser welding machine (23) is applied to the z-axis of the three parts of the light emitter with cap (1), the fiber holder (2) and the fiber terminal in that state. Fixed objective lens (36)
And the xy plane fixing objective lens (37) for welding and fixing.

Upon receiving a command from the operator, the laser control device (33) sends a trigger signal to the laser oscillator (34) and splits the laser light emitted by preset laser level and pulse width information (35). ) Sent to
The branch unit (35) supplies the YAG laser to one of the z-axis fixing objective lens (36) or the xy plane fixing objective lens (37) according to the information from the laser control device (33). When the operator moves the objective lens to the xy-plane fixing welding station (9) after welding at the z-axis fixing welding station (8) and uses it, the z-axis objective lens (36) and xy It is obvious that the surface fixing objective lens (37) can also be used, and the branch unit (35) is also unnecessary.

Next, the structure of the stage will be described. Horizontal surface plate (3
The stage 1 (24a) that moves in the x-axis direction is on top of 8), and the stage 2 (24b) that moves in the y-axis direction is placed on the stage 1 (24a).
Retained on (24b). Fiber holder (2)
Is mounted on the light emitter (1) with a cap and fixed to a holding jig (40) for a fiber holder connected to a vertical surface plate (39).

Then, the fiber end (6) is fixed to the optical fiber holding jig (41) in a state of being inserted into the fiber holder (2) in a small number, and the optical fiber holding jig (41) is fixed to the vertical plate (39) by the stage 3 (24c). ) On top of z
Move up and down in the axial direction. The above is the structure related to the stage used for adjusting the optical axis. For the positioning for joining, the operator positions the z-axis fixing objective lens (36) using the magnet stand (42) or the like.

Further, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a stage-related mechanism of FIG. 1, and (20) to (42) are the conventional devices described above. They are exactly the same. (24d) is the stage 4 rotating in the θ direction,
(24e) is a stage 5 for moving the z-axis fixing objective lens (36), (43) is a system controller for controlling and managing the entire system, and (44) is a stage 5 (24
e) is a fulcrum for driving, and (45) is a holding jig for holding the objective lens (37) for fixing the xy plane.

In the light emitting module assembling apparatus configured as described above, all the operations in the operation flowchart of FIG. 6 except the component mounting (10) can be automatically performed.

Stage 4 (24) mounted on the stage (24b)
d) The light emitter with cap (1) can be rotated, the θ-axis rotation (14) can be adjusted, and the power level check (13) can be done by the microprocessor (27).
Can automatically determine. When the optical axis adjustment work in the four axes of xyzθ is completed, the microprocessor (27) rotates the stage 5 (24e) around the fulcrum (44) to move the z-axis fixing objective lens (36) to the welding position. Along with the movement, it sends a welding request signal to the system controller (43). Then, according to the data sent from the system controller (43) to the laser controller (33), the branch unit (3
The YAG laser light is supplied from 5) to the z-axis fixing objective lens (36), and the z-axis YAG welding (15) is automatically performed. For YAG welding in the xy plane, the holding jig (45a) set on the stage 2 (24b) and the objective lenses (37a) and (37b) for fixing the xy plane positioned by the holding jig (45b). Are simultaneously fired from two facing places, and then the operation of rotating the stage 4 (24d) by the welding angle and emitting a laser is repeated.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the present invention, the fixing work after the optical axis adjustment is changed to the welding in which the work fixed by the worker with the epoxy resin or the solder is instantly fixed using the laser welding machine. In addition, by linking with the optical axis adjustment device, it is possible to perform the optical axis adjustment work and the fixing work in a shorter time than before, so that a skilled worker conventionally took a long time to emit light. Module assembly work has become easier.

Furthermore, this invention can be used for optical axis adjustment work and welding angle rotation for fixing the xy plane by adding a mechanically rotating stage, and the optical axis adjustment is automatically performed by the microprocessor. By performing the bonding and automatically performing the bonding under the control of the system control device, it becomes possible to easily perform the assembly work of the light emitting module, which has conventionally been performed by a skilled worker for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a stage-related mechanism of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a stage-related mechanism in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a structure of a target light emitting module, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an assembling work flow of the light emitting module, and FIG. The figure is a block diagram showing a conventional assembling apparatus. In the figure, (1) is a light emitter with a cap, (2) is a fiber holder, (3) is an optical fiber, (4) is a light emitting element, (5) is a spherical lens, (6) is a fiber terminal,
(7) is a fiber output end, (8) is a welding place for fixing the z-axis, (9) is a welding place for fixing the xy plane, (10) is component mounting,
(11) ray search, (12) xyz peak search, (13)
Is the power level confirmation, (14) is the θ axis rotation, (15) is z
Axis YAG welding, (16) xy peak search, (17) xy plane YAG
Welding, (18) Confirmation of completion of full circumference welding, (19) Rotation of welding angle, (20) Light emitting module, (21) Stage part of optical axis adjusting device, (22) Control of optical axis adjusting device Division, (23)
YAG laser welder, (24) stage, (25) motor, (26) driver, (27) microprocessor, (28) optical device driver, (29) socket, (3
0) is an optical sensor, (31) is a detector, (32) is a control panel,
(33) is a laser controller, (34) is a laser oscillator, (3
5) is a branch unit, (36) is an objective lens for fixing the z-axis,
(37) is an objective lens for fixing the xy plane, (38) is a horizontal surface plate,
(39) is a vertical surface plate, (40) is a fiber holder holding jig, (41) is an optical fiber holding jig, (42) is a magnetic stand, (43) is a system controller, (44) is a fulcrum, (45) is a holding jig. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light emitter with a cap, a fiber terminal holding an optical fiber, and a fiber holder into which the fiber terminal is inserted. (A) The cap in a state where the fiber terminal is inserted into the fiber holder. Moving the fiber terminal so that the light from the light-emitter with a light is optimally coupled to the optical fiber; and (b) moving the fiber end to detect an optimum optical coupling position between the light-emitter with a cap and the optical fiber. Laser-welding the fiber end and the fiber holder in that position to fix the optical fiber and the capped light emitter in the z-axis direction, (c) the light from the capped light emitter is optimally coupled to the optical fiber. Set the position to the fiber ho Of the light-emitting module characterized by assembling in order of laser welding the light-emitting device with a cap and the fiber holder in that position state by detecting relative movement in the two dimensions of x and y. Assembly method. 2. A light emitter with a cap, a fiber terminal holding an optical fiber, and a fiber holder into which the fiber terminal is inserted, (a) the light emitter with a cap in the x-axis and y-axis directions, The step of moving the fiber terminal in the optical axis (z-axis) direction with the fiber terminal inserted in the fiber holder to detect the position where the light from the capped light-emitter is incident on the optical fiber at the maximum, (b) After the step a), the fiber end and the fiber holder are laser-welded to fix the optical fiber and the light emitter with a cap in the z-axis direction, (c) After the step (b), the light from the light emitter with the cap is used. Detecting the maximum incident position on the optical fiber by moving the capped light emitter in two dimensions x, y, (d) after the step (c), A method for assembling a light emitting module, characterized in that the light emitter with a cap and the fiber holder are laser-welded to assemble the optical fiber and the light emitter with a cap in the x and y axis directions in this order. 3. A light emitting device with a cap is provided in an x direction, ay direction and a θ direction.
First means movable in the direction, and by the first means, the capped light emitter is moved in the three dimensions of x, y, and θ, and the optical fiber is moved in the z direction so that the light is most incident on the optical fiber. Second means for determining the position, third means for setting a welding position for fixing the optical fiber and the light emitter with a cap in the z-axis direction after operating the second means, and the operation of the third means Fourth means for setting the welding position on the circumference of the light emitting module to fix the xy axis direction of the optical fiber and the light emitter with a cap later, and welding set in conjunction with the third and fourth means, respectively. And a fifth means for distributing the laser light from the laser welding machine to the position.