JPH0868720A - Shaft deviation inspection device of multi-fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the shaft deviation inspection device of a multi-fiber connector which can accurately detect the amount of shaft deviation of each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber. CONSTITUTION: A sample connector 4 where a plurality of optical fibers 13a and 11a are arranged in a same row form and a reference connector 18 are provided and fixed in parallel at a connector mounting part 25, light is successively incident on the optical fibers 13a and 11a from a light source 12 for forming the image of light transmitted through the optical fibers 13a and 11a by an optical system 14, the image of the light is received by a position detection sensor 15 and the positions of light transmitted through the optical fibers 13a and 11a are successively detected, and the axial deviation of the optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 for the optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 is detected by an operation device 17 based on the detection result of the position detection sensor 15. A fine-move stage 16 is provided at the connector mounting part 25 and the connector mounting part 25 is moved ass shown by an arrow A so that light emitted successively from the optical fibers 11a and 13a passes through the optical center position of the optical system 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting an axis deviation of a multi-core connector used for optical communication or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of optical communication, an optical connector is used for detachably connecting an optical fiber cable. FIG. 5 shows a general multi-core connector of this type (multi-core optical connector). It is shown with a positioning guide pin 5 for connection. In the figure, the tip end side (connection end side) of the ferrule 1 formed of plastic, ceramics, metal or the like communicates with the insertion portion 9 of the optical fiber cable, and a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 3 are provided at predetermined pitch intervals. Are arrayed. A pair of pin fitting holes 2 are formed on both sides of the optical fiber insertion hole 3 arranged in a plurality, and the inner diameter of the pin fitting hole 2 is the guide pin 5 for positioning.
It is dimensioned to fit without rattling.

In the ferrule 1, for example, a multi-core optical fiber 13 (or 11) is inserted, and an optical fiber 13a (or 11a) whose coating is removed at the tip side of the multi-core optical fiber 13 is an optical fiber insertion hole. 3 is inserted and the sequence is fixed.
The multi-core optical fibers 13 and 11 and the optical fibers 13a and 11a are fixed by an adhesive or the like, and the end faces of the optical fibers 13a and 11a are integrally polished with the connecting end face 6 of the ferrule 1 and exposed to the connecting end face 6. ing. There is also a multi-core connector in which the optical fiber insertion hole 3 and the pin fitting hole 2 are formed in a V groove shape.

When connecting such multi-core connectors, a positioning guide pin 5 is inserted into the pin fitting hole 2 of the ferrule 1 of the multi-core connector on one side, as shown in FIG. 6, and the projecting positioning guide pin 5 has a multi-core connector (not shown) on the other side.
Insert the ferrule pin fitting hole 2 to connect the ferrules to each other to connect the multi-core connector. By thus inserting the positioning guide pin 5 into the pin fitting hole 2 and connecting the multi-core connectors to each other, the optical axes of the optical fibers inserted into and fixed to the multi-core connector are aligned. Are optically coupled in the open state.

By the way, it is necessary to minimize the connection loss between the connection end faces 6 when the multi-core connectors are butted against each other in this way, and for that purpose, the pin fitting hole 2 is used as a reference. As a result, when the optical connectors are connected to each other, the center position of the optical fiber insertion hole 3 needs to be precisely formed on the order of submicrons. Therefore, it has been performed to inspect the optical fiber insertion holes 3 of the multi-fiber connector and the optical fibers 13a and 11a inserted in the optical fiber insertion holes 3 for axial misalignment. After connecting the core connectors to each other, light is transmitted from the connected optical fiber of the multi-core connector to the optical fiber of the multi-side connector on the other side, and the connection loss between the connection end faces 6 of the multi-core connector is actually caused. The measurement is performed, and the axial displacement amount of the multi-core connector is detected by using the axial displacement inspection device for the multi-core connector as shown in FIG.

The axial misalignment inspecting apparatus for a multi-core connector shown in FIG. 6 is an axial misalignment inspecting apparatus for a multi-core connector previously proposed by the present applicant, and has the following structure. In the connector mounting portion 25 for fixing the multi-core connectors side by side with a space therebetween, for example, as in the multi-core connector shown in FIG. 5, a ferrule in which a plurality of (four in the figure) optical fiber insertion holes 3 are arranged is arranged. A plurality of (4) optical fibers are inserted into each optical fiber insertion hole 3 of the sample connector 4 (inspection target connector), and a plurality of (4) optical fibers are formed in the same row as the optical fiber insertion hole 3 of the sample connector 4. The reference connector 18 formed by inserting four optical fibers 11a into each of the optical fiber insertion holes 3 of the ferrule 1 in which the optical fiber insertion holes 3 are arranged side by side and fixed.

A light source 12 is connected to each of the optical fibers 13a and 11a of the sample connector 4 and the reference connector 18, and the light from the light source 12 is connected to the plurality of optical fibers 13a of the sample connector 4 and the reference. The plurality of optical fibers 11a of the connector 18 can be sequentially made incident. The light source 12 is designed so that the intensity distribution of the light emitted from the sample connector 4 and the reference connector 18 is uniform.

Sample connector 4 and reference connector 18
On the emission side (connector mounting portion 25 side) of the sample connector 4 and the reference connector 18 from the light source 12 into the optical fiber insertion holes 3 or the optical fibers 13a and 11a sequentially, and the optical fiber insertion holes 3 or An optical system 14 for forming an image of light emitted from the optical fibers 13a and 11a is provided.
Is composed of imaging lenses 14a and 14b and a plurality of prisms 14d. Then, the connector mounting portion 25
The emitted light emitted from the sample connector 4 and the reference connector 18 attached to the respective attachment positions 25a and 25b of
The prism is formed through the imaging lens 14a of the optical system 14, respectively.
The light enters the lens 14d, is reflected by the prism 14d, and forms an image forming lens 14b.
The optical image is received via the optical fiber insertion holes 3 or the optical fibers 13 of the sample connector 4 and the reference connector 18 at the image forming position of the optical image.
A position detection sensor 15 that functions as a position detection unit that sequentially detects the position of the light emitted from a and 11a is provided.

An arithmetic unit 17 is connected to the position detection sensor 15, and the arithmetic unit 17 is based on the detection result of the position detection sensor 15 and the optical fiber insertion hole 3 or the optical fiber 11a on the reference connector 18 side. And the position detection result of the optical fiber insertion hole 3 or the optical fiber 13a corresponding to the reference connector 18 side of the sample connector 4 are compared, and the reference connector 18
The optical fiber insertion hole 3 or the optical fiber 11a functions as an axial deviation detecting unit for detecting the amount of axial deviation of the optical fiber insertion hole 3 of the sample connector 4 or the optical fiber 13a.

The position detecting sensor 15 is provided with a moving stage 26, and the moving stage 26 is moved as shown by an arrow in the figure so that the image of the light formed by the optical system 14 is detected by the position detecting sensor. The position detection sensor 15 is moved so that an image is formed substantially at the center of 15.

The multi-core connector axis deviation inspection apparatus previously proposed by the present applicant is constructed as described above, and next, using this apparatus, the optical fiber insertion hole 3 or the optical fiber insertion hole 3 of the sample connector 4 is used. Optical fiber inserted in fiber insertion hole 3
A method of inspecting the axis deviation of 13a will be described. First, in order to detect the axis deviation of the optical system 14, first, the reference connector 18 is attached to the connector mounting portion with reference to the pin fitting hole 2 of the ferrule 1.
Attach it to the mounting position 25a of 25.

Then, the multi-core fiber 11 of the reference connector 18
The incident light (inspection light) from the light source 12 is incident on the first optical fiber 11a (for example, the optical fiber 11a arranged at the top of the drawing). Then, this inspection light is generated by the image forming lens (image forming lens on the upper side of the figure) 14a of the optical system 14, the prism 14d,
An image is formed on the position detection sensor 15 through the imaging lens 14b in that order, and the position of the image of the light is detected by the position detection sensor 15. The position detection sensor 15 is, for example, an optical fiber.
11a or the position of the image of the light is detected as a coordinate value based on the X and Y axes on the XY plane orthogonal to the optical axis Z of the optical fiber 13a, and this value is, for example, (PX _M1 , PY _M1 ). Is added to the arithmetic unit 17, and is stored in the arithmetic unit 17.

Next, in the same manner, the inspection light is sequentially incident on the second, third, and fourth optical fibers 11a, and emitted from the optical connector 18 and emitted from the optical system 14 in the same manner as described above. The position of the image of the light formed by the position detection sensor 15 is detected, and the respective positions (PX _M2 , PY _M2 ), (PX _M3 , P
Y _M3 ), (PX _M4 , PY _M4 ) are detected and stored in the arithmetic unit 17.

As described above, when the position detecting sensor 15 detects the image of the light sequentially incident on each optical fiber 11a, the position detecting sensor is moved by the moving stage 26 every time the optical fiber 11a to be inspected is changed. 15 is moved by a predetermined amount as shown by an arrow in the figure, and is adjusted so that an image of each light is formed substantially at the center of the light receiving surface of the position detection sensor 15.

Next, the reference connector 18 is attached to the connector mounting portion 25.
The inspection light from the light source 12 is sequentially incident on each optical fiber 11a of the multi-core fiber 11 in the same manner as described above, and the imaging lens (the lower imaging lens) 14 is attached.
a, the prism 14d, and the optical system lens 14b in that order, the positions (PX _s1 , PY _s1 ), (PX _S2 ,
PY _S2 ), (PX _S3 , PY _S3 ), (PX _S4 , PY _S4 ) are sequentially detected and stored in the arithmetic unit 17.

Next, ΔPX _{1 to} ΔP represented by the following equation
X ₄ , ΔPY _{1 to} ΔPY ₄ are obtained by the arithmetic unit 17, and thereby, the axis deviation by the optical system 14, that is, the multi-core connector forms an image by the optical system 14 when the connector is attached to the attachment position 25a of the connector attachment portion 25. The position of the formed image of the light and the position of the image of the light formed by the optical system 14 when the multicore connector is attached to the attachment position 25b of the connector attachment portion 25 are calculated and calculated by the arithmetic unit 17. Remember.

ΔPX ₁ = PX _s1 -PX _M1 , ΔPX ₂ = P
X _S2 −PX _M2 , ΔPX ₃ = PX _S3 −PX _M3 , ΔPX ₄ =
PX _S4 -PX _M4

ΔPY ₁ = PY _s1 −PY _M1 , ΔPY ₂ = P
Y _S2 -PY _M2 , ΔPY ₃ = PY _S3 -PY _M3 , ΔPY ₄ =
PY _S4 -PY _M4

Originally, this device has a connector mounting portion.
The light emitted from each multicore connector is imaged on the position detection sensor 15 by the optical system 14 when the multicore connector is attached to the attachment position 25a of 25 and when the multicore connector is attached to the attachment position 25b. However, there is a case where the optical axis is slightly deviated. Therefore, by obtaining the deviation of the optical axis in advance as described above,
18 is attached to the attachment position 25a of the connector attachment portion 25, and the sample connector 4 is attached to the attachment position 25b of the connector attachment portion 25 so that the inspection can be performed accurately when the axis deviation of the sample connector 4 is inspected.

Next, the inspection of the axis deviation of the sample connector 4 is started. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference connector 18
Is attached to the mounting position 25a of the connector mounting portion 25 with reference to the pin fitting hole 2 of the ferrule 1, and the sample connector 4
Is attached to the mounting position 25b of the connector mounting portion 25 with reference to the pin fitting hole 2 of the ferrule 1. Then, similarly to the above, the inspection light from the light source 12 is sequentially incident on each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 and each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4, and the light emitted from each connector 18, 4 is converted into an optical system. An image is formed on the position detection sensor 15 by 14, the respective image formation positions of the images of the respective lights are detected by the position detection sensor 15, and the inspection result is added to the arithmetic unit 17. The image forming position of the light image of the first optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 is (X _M1 , Y _M1 ), and the image forming position of the light image of the first optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 is ( X _s1 , Y _s1 ), and similarly, the image forming positions of the second, third and fourth optical fibers 11 a of the reference connector 18 are (X _M2 , Y _M2 ), (X _M3 , Y _M3 ), (X _M3 , Y _M3 ), _M4 , Y _M4 ), and the image _forming positions of the second, third, and fourth optical fibers 13a of the sample connector 4 are (X _s1 , Y _S2 ), (X _S3 , Y _S3 ),
(X _S4 , Y _S4 ).

Next, based on the above values, the arithmetic unit 17 calculates the first optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 by the following equation.
Calculating a first relative axial shift amount ΔX in the X-axis direction _first optical fiber 13a ～DerutaX ₄ and Y-axis direction of the relative axial shift amount [Delta] Y ₁ ～DerutaY ₄ samples connector 4 against.

ΔX ₁ = (X _S1 −X _M1 ) −ΔPX ₁ , ΔX
_{2 = (X S2 -X M2)} -ΔPX 2, ΔX 3 = (X S3 -
X _M3 ) −ΔPX ₃ , ΔX ₄ = (X _S4 −X _M4 ) −ΔPX ₄

ΔY ₁ = (Y _S1 −Y _M1 ) −ΔPY ₁ , ΔY
_{2 = (Y S2 -Y M2)} -ΔPY 2, ΔY 3 = (Y S3 -
Y _M3 ) −ΔPY ₃ , ΔY ₄ = (Y _S4 −Y _M4 ) −ΔPY ₄

Then, these ΔX _{1 to} ΔX ₄ are converted to the sample connector 4 for each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18.
Assuming the amount of axial deviation of each optical fiber 13a in the X direction, ΔY ₁ ~
ΔY ₄ is the same for each optical fiber 11a
It is detected as the amount of axial deviation of 13a in the Y direction.

[0025]

However, in such a device, the optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 is
When the light emitted from the optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 or the sample connector 4 passes through the optical system 14, the light emitted from the optical fibers 11a and 13a on the center side of the connectors 18 and 4 is the same as the one-dot chain line in FIG. Optical center position of system 14 (imaging lens 14a,
An image is formed on the position detection sensor 15 through the approximate focus position of 14b and the central position of the prism, but the light emitted from the optical fibers 11a and 13a on the end side of the connectors 18 and 4 is shown by the dotted line in the figure. As described above, since the light passes through the position away from the optical center position of the optical system 14, that is, the edges of the imaging lenses 14a and 14b and the prism 14d, the amount of light leakage increases and a clear light image is formed. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately detect the image formation position of the light image by the position detection sensor 15, and the optical fiber 11a,
The position of the light emitted from 13a could not be detected accurately.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to accurately shift the axis of a multi-fiber connector without being influenced by the optical fiber arrangement position and the number of optical fibers of the multi-fiber connector. An object of the present invention is to provide an axis deviation inspection device for a multi-core connector capable of inspecting.

[0027]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is constructed as follows. That is, according to the present invention, a connector to be inspected and a reference connector, each of which is formed by inserting a plurality of optical fibers into the respective optical fiber insertion holes of a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes are arranged in the same row, are arranged side by side with a gap. A connector mounting portion to be fixed, an optical system for forming an image of light emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber by sequentially entering each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the inspection target connector and the reference connector, A position detection unit that receives the image of the formed light and sequentially detects the position of the light emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the inspection target connector and the reference connector, and the detection result of the position detection unit Position detection of the optical fiber insertion hole or optical fiber on the reference connector side and the optical fiber insertion hole or optical fiber corresponding to the reference connector side of the connector to be inspected. Comparing the results, the multicore having each optical fiber insertion hole of the reference connector or each optical fiber insertion hole of the connector to be inspected with respect to each optical fiber or an axial deviation detection unit for detecting an axial deviation amount of each optical fiber A connector axis deviation inspection device, wherein the connector attachment portion is provided so that light sequentially emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the reference connector and the inspection target connector passes through an optical center position of the optical system. A moving mechanism for relatively sliding at least one side of the optical system in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber is provided.

[0028]

In the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the connector mounting portion and the optical system are arranged so that the light sequentially emitted from the optical fiber insertion holes of the reference connector and the connector to be inspected or the optical fibers pass through the optical center position of the optical system. At least one side is relatively slid by the moving mechanism in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber. Therefore, the light emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the connector to be inspected and the reference connector always forms a clear image through the optical center position of the optical system, and the position of the clear light image is located. Sequentially detected by the detection unit, based on the detection result, the axis deviation detection unit determines the optical fiber insertion hole of the reference connector or the optical fiber insertion hole of the connector to be inspected for each optical fiber or the axial deviation amount of each optical fiber. Accurately detected.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of this embodiment, the same parts as those of the device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an axial deviation inspection device for a multi-core connector according to the present invention. This embodiment is different from the device shown in FIG. 6 in that the connector mounting portion 25 functions as a moving mechanism for relatively sliding the connector mounting portion 25 in the direction of arrow A perpendicular to the optical axes of the optical fibers 11a and 13a. The fine movement stage 16 is provided.

Further, in this embodiment, when the light emitted from the multi-core connector attached to the attachment position 25b of the connector attachment portion 25 enters the prism 14d of the optical system 14, the central portion 14d ₁ of the prism 14d is exposed. The branched light on one side proceeds to the position detection sensor 15 side through the imaging lens 14b of the optical system 14, and the branched light on the other side passes through the imaging lens 14c of the optical system 14 to be combined. It is configured to proceed to the insertion position detecting device 21 side provided on the exit side of the image lens 14c.

The insertion position detecting device 21 is a photodiode.
21b and a substrate 21a having a pinhole 21c formed therein. The pinhole 21c is formed by the sample connector 4
It is formed at a position where the light emitted from the light source forms an image through the prism 14d, that is, at a point where the light amount of the light emitted from the sample connector 4 is maximized at the photodiode 21b.

Further, as shown in the arrow B in FIG.
A fiber stage 20 movable in the optical axis direction of a is provided. The fiber stage 20 collectively holds the optical fibers 13a of the sample connector 4 as shown in FIG. The ferrule 1 can be inserted into or removed from each optical fiber insertion hole 3.

The fiber stage 20 is, as shown in FIG. 3, a holding block 20 for holding the multi-fiber 13.
a and a drive cylinder 20b, which are attached to the connector attachment portion 25 while advancing the drive cylinder 20b to guide each optical fiber 13a by, for example, a V groove (not shown). Sample connector 4
Of the optical fiber 13a by inserting the ferrule 1 into the optical fiber insertion hole 3 and retracting the drive cylinder 20b.
Can be pulled out from the optical fiber insertion hole 3 of the ferrule 1 of the sample connector 4.

This embodiment is constructed as described above,
The operation will be described below. Also in this embodiment, the optical system of the multi-core connector inspection apparatus is carried out in substantially the same manner as when the multi-core connector axis deviation inspection is performed using the apparatus shown in FIG.
After detecting the deviation of the optical axis of 14, the inspection light from the light source 12 is sequentially incident on each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 and each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4, and each optical fiber 11
The position detecting sensor 15 detects the position of the light emitted from a and 13a, and the arithmetic unit 17 detects the axial deviation amount of each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 with respect to each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 4 by the above formula. However, in this embodiment, first, when the reference connector 18 is attached to each attachment position 25a, 25b, the fine movement stage 16 is used so that the light emitted from each optical fiber 11a passes through the optical center position of the optical system 14. The connector mounting portion 25 is moved to detect the axis shift of the optical system 14.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4, the light emitted from the reference connector 18 and the sample connector 4 is always at the optical center position of the optical system 14, that is, the imaging lens 14.
a, 14b, 14c and the prism 14d so as to pass through the optical center positions of the connector mounting portion 25 at the respective mounting positions 25a, 25b.
Reference connector 18 and sample connector 4 mounted on
4 is slid by the fine movement stage 16 as indicated by the arrow, while the relative position of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, no matter which position (which optical fiber 11a, 13a) of the reference connector 18 and the sample connector 4 emits the light, the emitted light always passes through the optical center position of the imaging lens 14a and the prism 14d. The position detection sensor 15 passes through the optical center position and the optical center position of the imaging lens 14b.
Is imaged almost at the center of.

Then, the position of the image of the formed light is detected by the position detection sensor 15, and based on the detection result detected by the position detection sensor 15, the arithmetic unit 17
The amount of misalignment of each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 with respect to each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 is detected.

In this embodiment, when the optical fiber 13a is inserted into the ferrule 1 of the sample connector 4,
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, attach the ferrule 1 to the connector mounting portion.
25 is fixed to the mounting position 25b, one end of the multicore fiber 13 separated into each optical fiber 13a is mounted on the holding block 20a of the fiber stage 20, and the other end of the multicore fiber 13 is connected to the light source 12. , When the light is incident on the predetermined optical fiber 13a from the light source 12 and is not passed through the optical fiber insertion hole 3, the optical fibers 13a are collectively inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 3 of the ferrule 1. Then, through the imaging lens 14c of the optical system 14, the pinhole 21c of the insertion position detection device 21.
The light passing through is detected by the photodiode 21b, the incident light amount is read, and the connection end face 6 of the ferrule 1 of the sample connector 4 and the end face of each optical fiber 13a are positioned.

According to the present embodiment, by the above operation, the light sequentially emitted from each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 and each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 is always in the optical system 14.
The connector mounting portion 25 is slid by the fine movement stage 16 so as to pass through the optical center position of the optical system 14 and the optical system 14 forms an image on the position detection sensor 15 in order to pass through the optical center position of the optical system 14. The image of the emitted light is always clear, and the position detection sensor 15 can receive the amount of the light and accurately detect the position of the light emitted from each of the optical fibers 11a and 13a. Therefore, based on the position detection result, the computing device 17 causes each optical fiber of the reference connector 18 to
It is possible to accurately calculate the axis shift amount of each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 with respect to 11a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the insertion position detecting device 21
Since the insertion position detecting device 21 can confirm the insertion position of each optical fiber 13a inserted into the ferrule 1 of the sample connector 4 as described above, each optical fiber 13a is The operation of inserting the optical fibers into the optical fiber insertion holes 3 can be performed very smoothly, and the optical fibers 13a can be accurately inserted into the optical fiber insertion holes 3.
Can be inserted into.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the above embodiment, the inspection light from the light source 12 is made incident on the optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 and the optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4, and the light emitted from each of the optical fibers 11a and 13a is passed through the optical system 14. The position detection sensor 15 is used to detect the light, but the inspection light is sequentially incident on the optical fiber insertion holes 3 of the reference connector 18 and the sample connector 4, and the light emitted from the optical fiber insertion light 3 is transmitted to the optical system 14. The position detection sensor 15 may be used to receive light to inspect the misalignment of the multi-core connector.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fine movement stage 16 is configured to slide the connector mounting portion 25. However, instead of moving the connector mounting portion 25, the optical system is used.
The 14 side (optical system 14 and position detection sensor 15, insertion position detection device 21, etc.) is slid relative to the connector mounting portion 25, or both the optical system 14 side and the connector mounting portion 25 side are provided with the optical fiber 11a, The light sequentially emitted from the respective optical fibers 11a and 13a of the reference connector 18 and the sample connector 4 or the respective optical fiber insertion holes 3 is slidably moved in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system 14a of the optical system 14a. The center position may be passed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the axis deviation of the sample connector 4 formed by inserting the four optical fibers 13a into the four optical fiber insertion holes 3 was inspected. The number of the optical fiber insertion holes 3 of the multi-core connector to be inspected by the displacement inspection device and the number of the optical fibers 13a inserted into the optical fiber insertion holes 3 are not particularly limited, and for example, eight optical fiber insertion holes are used. The sample connector 4 may be formed by inserting eight optical fibers 13a into each of the three. In such a case, the reference connector 18 has the optical fiber insertion holes 3 of the ferrule 1 arranged in the same row as the sample connector 4, that is, the eight optical fiber insertion holes 3 have eight optical fibers 11a.
To form a connector.

Further, in the above embodiment, the position detecting sensor
15 allows X- which is orthogonal to the optical axes of the optical fibers 11a and 13a.
Detected as coordinate values based on the X and Y axes on the Y plane, and by the arithmetic unit 17, each optical fiber of the sample connector 4 with respect to each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 by the above formula.
I tried to find the amount of misalignment of 13a.
The position of the light emitted from each of the optical fibers 11a and 13a by 15 is detected, and based on the detection result, the arithmetic unit 17 causes the axis of each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 with respect to each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 to be detected. The method of detecting the amount of deviation is not particularly limited, and the position detection sensor 15 detects the position of the light emitted from each of the optical fibers 11a and 13a, and the optical fiber 11a on the reference connector 18 side and the reference of the sample connector 4 are detected. It suffices if the axial deviation amount of each optical fiber 13a of the sample connector 4 with respect to each optical fiber 11a of the reference connector 18 can be detected by comparing the position detection result with the optical fiber 13a corresponding to the connector 18.

[0044]

According to the present invention, the connector is attached by the moving mechanism so that the light sequentially emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole of the reference connector and the connector to be inspected or each optical fiber passes through the optical center position of the optical system. In order to relatively slide at least one side of the optical system and the optical system in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber, the light sequentially emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole of the reference connector and the connector to be inspected or each optical fiber is optically The light does not leak through a position away from the center of the system, and the clear light image formed by the light that does not leak through the optical center of the optical system is always detected. The position detector detects the position of the light emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the connector to be inspected and the reference connector. Rukoto can.

Therefore, based on the result of the position detection, the axis shift detecting section determines the amount of axial shift of each optical fiber insertion hole of the reference connector or each optical fiber insertion hole of the connector to be inspected or each optical fiber with respect to each optical fiber. It can always be detected accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of essential parts showing an embodiment of an axial deviation inspection device for a multi-core connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of a fine movement stage 16 of the axial deviation inspection device for a multi-core connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and an operation of a fiber stage 20 of the axis misalignment inspection device for the multi-core connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the fine movement stage 16 of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a multi-core connector.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an axial deviation inspection device for a multi-core connector that has been previously proposed by the present applicant.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Optical fiber insertion hole 4 Sample connector 14 Optical system 15 Position detection sensor 16 Fine movement stage 18 Reference connector

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A connector to be inspected, which is formed by inserting a plurality of optical fibers into each optical fiber insertion hole of a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes are arranged in the same row, and a reference connector are arranged and fixed side by side with a gap therebetween. A connector mounting portion, and an optical system that forms an image of light that is sequentially incident on each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the inspection target connector and the reference connector and emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber, A position detection unit for sequentially detecting the position of light emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the connector to be inspected and the reference connector by receiving the image of the formed light, and the detection result of the position detection unit. Based on this, the position detection result of the optical fiber insertion hole or optical fiber on the reference connector side and the optical fiber insertion hole or optical fiber corresponding to the reference connector side of the inspection target connector In comparison, a multi-core connector having each optical fiber insertion hole of the reference connector or each optical fiber insertion hole of the connector to be inspected with respect to each optical fiber or an axial deviation detection unit that detects an axial deviation amount of each optical fiber An axis misalignment inspection device, wherein the connector attachment portion and the optical unit are arranged so that light sequentially emitted from each optical fiber insertion hole or each optical fiber of the reference connector and the inspection target connector passes through an optical center position of the optical system. An axis misalignment inspection device for a multi-fiber connector, comprising a moving mechanism for relatively sliding at least one side of the system in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber.