JPH09203819A - Method for setting optical fiber to individual alignment v groove - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easy to set optical fibers to individual alignment V grooves and shorten the setting time. SOLUTION: For example, when only two center grooves among V grooves for four units are used, the center V grooves 12B and 12C are made lower than other V grooves 12A and 12D. Then the arms 14 of the V grooves 12A and 12D serve as guides to facilitate the setting of optical fibers 28. When welding operation is started after the optical fibers are set, the upper ends of the empty V grooves 12A and 12D are aligned with the upper ends of the optical fibers 28 to leave no gap between the optical fibers 28 and a clamp.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for setting an optical fiber in an individual alignment V groove used for a fusion splicer for a multi-core optical fiber.

[0002]

[Prior art]

[Explanation of Individual Alignment V Groove] First, an example of the individual alignment V groove will be briefly described (see Japanese Patent Application No. 7-196208). As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of V grooves 12 are provided on independent arms 14, respectively. Each arm 14 is, for example, L as shown in FIG.
A mold fixes its base to the block 16. Arm 14
A slit 18 is provided in the arm 14 to reduce the vertical width of the arm 14 (see arrows for up, down, left and right), and the tip of the arm 14 (V groove 12) is displaced vertically and horizontally with the narrowed portion as a fulcrum 20. It can be so.

A drive means 22 is attached to each arm 14. Each drive means 22 is, for example, as follows ((b) in the figure). Transmission block 2 on arm 14
Fix 4 Piezoelectric actuators 26 (same specifications) are attached to the left and right sides of the transmission block 24 at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to a vertical line passing through the transmission block 24.

For example, the left and right piezoelectric actuators 26
However, at the same time, when it is extended by an equal amount, the V groove 12 is displaced straight upward. Further, for example, when only the piezoelectric actuator 26 on the right side is extended, the tip of the arm 14 is pushed up and simultaneously swings to the left, and as a result, the V groove 12 is displaced to the upper left. Similarly, the V groove 12 can be displaced in any direction by any amount. Therefore, individual alignment is possible.

[0005]

The individual alignment V-groove does not normally have a guide like the non-individual alignment V-groove described later. Therefore, it is difficult and time-consuming to set the optical fiber 28 in the V groove 12. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when only the two-core optical fiber 28 is set in the center of the V-groove having a four-core structure, or when only the single-core optical fiber 28 is set, which of the V-grooves 12A to 12D is used. It's difficult to set it up correctly.

By the way, in the case of the non-individually aligned V groove,
As illustrated in FIG. 6, guides 32 are provided respectively on the opposing V-grooves 30 to guide the optical fibers. When the number of cores of the optical fiber is changed and only a part of the V groove is used (the optical fiber is set), the guide 32 is moved left and right accordingly. In order to displace both guides 32 synchronously, the guides 32 are connected by a bar 34, and the guide device 32 is moved in the left-right direction by a driving device 36.

Therefore, in the case of the individual centering V-groove, it is conceivable to provide a guide as in the case of the non-individual centering V groove. However, as described above, in the case of the individual alignment V groove, V
The drive means 22 is placed below the groove 12. Therefore, the drive device 36 for the guide 32 cannot be provided as in FIG. 6 (there is no space to provide). Therefore, individual alignment V
Providing a guide in a groove is very difficult.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems As exemplified in FIG.
V groove 12B to be used (to set the optical fiber 28),
12C and V-grooves 12A and 12D that are not used (the optical fiber 28 is not set) are changed in height, and the optical fiber 28
Is set.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A case where the number of V-grooves is four will be described with reference to FIG. Four V-grooves 12A, 12B, 12C,
Initially, 12D are at the same height as shown in FIG. When using the V-groove for four cores in a two-core optical fiber, the following is done. For example, in the case of 2 hearts, the central V
When the grooves 12B and 12C are used, the driving means 22 described above is used.
To make these V-grooves 12B and 12C lower than the other V-grooves 12A and 12D. (FIG. 2B).

With this arrangement, the arms 14 of the V-shaped grooves 12A and 12D serve as guides. Therefore, the setting of the optical fiber 28 becomes easy ((c) in the figure).

When used in a single-core optical fiber, the V groove 12
Only the B or V groove 12C is lowered. When used in a four-core optical fiber, all V-grooves 12 remain at the same height.

After the optical fibers are set, for example, when the fusion operation is started, if there is a gap between the optical fiber 28 and the clamp 38 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the upper ends of the empty V-shaped grooves 12A and 12D and the upper end of the optical fiber 28 are aligned as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the V groove 12 to be used is used.
B and 12C may be higher than others.

[0014]

【The invention's effect】

(1) It becomes easy to set the optical fiber in the individual alignment V groove, and the setting time can be shortened. (2) It is not necessary to attach an optical fiber guide.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an optical fiber is clamped in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a general explanatory view of an individual alignment V groove.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional problem.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a non-individual centering V groove and a guide.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 V groove 14 arm 16 block 18 slit 20 fulcrum 22 drive means 24 transmission block 26 piezoelectric actuator 28 optical fiber 30 V groove stand 32 guide 34 bar 36 drive device 38 clamp

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When the optical fiber is set in the individual alignment V-groove, the height of the V groove to be used and the height of the unused V groove are changed, and the optical fiber is set. A method of setting an optical fiber in the V groove.