JPH10123339A - Method for chamfering front end of optical fiber and its processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to simultaneously chamfer the front ends of not only one piece but plural pieces of the optical fibers as well by fixing the optical fiber to a holder in such a manner that the distance from the holder to a polishing surface is shorter than the distance from the holder to the front end of the optical fiber and bringing the front end of the optical fiber into contact with the polishing surface. SOLUTION: The distance from the end face of the holder 3 to the front end 1a of the fiber is defined as L and the distance from the end face of the holder 3 to the polishing surface 2 as d. Next, the holder 3 is brought near to the polishing surface 2 in such a manner that d is made smaller than L. In this state, d is kept constant and the holder 3 is moved on the polishing surface 2 along an orbit 4. Simultaneously, the front end 1a of the optical fiber is also moved along the circular orbit 4. The optical fiber 1 curves always with the direction opposite from the moving direction of the optical fiber 1 and the optical fiber 1 inclines by the suitable angle with the polishing surface near the front end 1a. As a result, only the angle in the corner part of the outer peripheral part comes into contact with the polishing surface 2 and this part is removed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for chamfering an end of an optical fiber and polishing the outer peripheral portion of the end surface of the optical fiber with a polishing surface and chamfering the conical shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Long-distance optical communication and networking have been rapidly developed, and a large-scale optical LAN (Local Arca Network) or FTT will be developed in order to build a multimedia society.
There is an urgent need to realize H (Fiber To The Home) and provide more advanced optical network services. In order to realize such an optical network, high performance and high reliability, multi-core and high density,
Low-cost optical connectors are indispensable.

As an optical connector satisfying such requirements, an FPC (Fiber Physical Contact) type optical fiber connector has been invented in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 8-77282. In this FPC type optical connector, the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber to be optically connected is in a bare wire state, and the two optical fibers to be optically connected are inserted into the alignment holes with the tips facing each other. The end faces are abutted against each other with the axes aligned. At this time, a portion of the optical fiber outside the alignment hole is buckled and bent, so that a load is applied in the axial direction due to a restoring force that tries to return to a straight line. This force is called buckling force. Due to this buckling force, the end faces of the optical fibers are always abutted against each other, and at least in the vicinity of the core, both faces are in surface contact, and the gap disappears. That is, the optical fibers are connected by a PC (Physical Contact). As a result, the boundary between the air and the fiber material that causes the reflection disappears, and the amount of reflection becomes very small.

According to Japanese Patent Application No. 8-77282, the FPC type optical connector can be applied to optical connection between an optical fiber and a flat board type optical waveguide. In this case, an alignment hole for aligning the optical axis of the optical waveguide with the optical fiber is provided on the end face of the optical waveguide, and the optical fiber is inserted into the alignment hole so that the tip of the optical fiber and the end face of the optical waveguide abut. . At this time, the optical fiber buckles, and the optical waveguide and the optical fiber are optically connected according to the same principle as described above.

In the FPC type optical connector, when the end faces of the optical fibers or the end face of the optical fiber and the end face of the optical waveguide are abutted against each other, the PC connection is sufficiently stabilized with a force about the buckling force of the optical fiber. In order to realize the above, it is necessary to appropriately process and shape the tip of the optical fiber. This molding method includes the following three methods. The first method is
This is a method of polishing the tip of an optical fiber into a spherical shape. However, in this method, polishing the tip of the optical fiber as described above is relatively troublesome, and a work-affected layer is formed on the polished surface to cause reflection. The second method is a method in which the tip of the optical fiber is polished so as to be perpendicular and flat to the longitudinal axis. But,
Also in this method, the deteriorated layer due to polishing deteriorates the reflection characteristics at the time of connection. A third method is to form a vertical and flat tip surface by cleaving the optical fiber. This molding method can be performed in a very short time and with a simple operation as compared with the above two polishing operations, and it is easy to perform a plurality of polishing operations at the same time. However, in general, as shown in FIG. 4, burrs may be formed on the distal end surface of the optical fiber formed by cleavage, with a part of the outer peripheral portion being slightly convex. When the end face of the optical fiber or the optical waveguide is brought into contact with the other optical fiber or the end face of the optical waveguide, the burr prevents surface contact near the core.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, chamfering is performed so that the outer peripheral portion of the clad has a conical shape. Here, as shown in the figure, the angle between the polished inclined surface and the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber is defined as a chamfer angle α. Although it is conceivable to selectively remove only the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber with burrs by grinding or polishing, this is a very detailed operation while observing with a microscope, and rather requires time and labor.

The following advantages can be obtained by chamfering the tip of the optical fiber as described above. Since the area of the flat portion at the front end is reduced, stress is concentrated on this portion when the end faces abut against each other. As a result, a surface contact near the core is realized with a smaller buckling force. Alternatively, with the same buckling force, it is possible to increase the reliability of the PC connection when performing the optical connection. Also, at the time of connection, when the optical fiber tip is inserted into the alignment hole, the optical fiber tip is tapered even if the center axis of the alignment hole and the optical fiber axis are slightly displaced. Will be smoothly inserted into the alignment holes.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional method for chamfering the tip of an optical fiber in a conical shape. Reference numeral 11 denotes an optical fiber whose end portion is chamfered, and reference numeral 13 denotes a holder that supports the optical fiber 11. Here, the optical fiber 11 is supported by the holder 13 while being inclined with respect to the polishing surface 12a of the polishing plate 12. The angle formed between the polished surface 12a and the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber 11 is defined as θ. The polishing surface 12a is in the form of a file or is coated with abrasive grains. When the polishing surface 12a is rotating together with the polishing plate 12, the portion of the optical fiber 11 that is in contact with the polishing surface 12a is polished and removed.

[0009] In the execution procedure, first, the tip 11a of the optical fiber 11 is brought into contact with the polishing surface 12a. At this time, the tip 1
Only the outer peripheral portion of 1a is in contact with the polishing surface 12a. Polishing plate 1
While rotating 2, the holder 13 is rotated, and the optical fiber 11 is rotated around the axis in the above state.
By the above steps, the outer peripheral portion of the fiber tip is chamfered in a conical shape. The polishing is terminated when the amount of chamfering becomes appropriate.

Since the chamfer angle α shown in FIG. 5 is substantially equal to the inclination angle θ of the fiber during polishing, the chamfer angle α can be adjusted by the inclination angle θ.

[0011]

In the above-mentioned conventional method, the optical fiber 11 to be chamfered is long, or the optical module or the like is attached to the other end opposite to the end to be chamfered. In this case, it is difficult to rotate the optical fiber 11 around the axis many times in a certain direction. In this case, it is necessary to add a device for rotating other than the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber 11. Or,
It is conceivable to change the direction of rotation periodically,
Due to the fluctuation of the rotation speed due to the direction change, the chamfer amount of the outer peripheral portion is not uniform. That is, the optical fiber tip 11a
If is precisely chamfered in a conical shape, the plane portion of the tip will be circular, but this will not be circular. In such a case, the tip surface 1 of the optical fiber 11
When 1a is abutted, the stress distribution on the abutted surface becomes non-uniform. Further, a mechanism for periodically changing the rotation direction complicates the device.

Further, in the conventional method, a plurality of holders 13 are prepared, and each optical fiber 11 supported by each holder 13 is brought into contact with a different position and a position at the same distance from the rotation axis of the polishing plate 12. Thus, it is possible to process a plurality of optical fibers 11 simultaneously.
However, each holder 13 must be rotated independently, and the apparatus for performing this method becomes complicated and large-scale. Furthermore, since each optical fiber must be rotated independently, when simultaneously processing a plurality of core wires contained in a multi-core cord, unless the length of the portion separated for each core wire is sufficiently long. , The work is difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for chamfering the tip of an optical fiber which can simultaneously and simply and economically bevel not only one optical fiber but also a plurality of optical fibers and a single-core as well as a multi-core optical fiber. And a processing device therefor.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a method for chamfering an optical fiber tip by polishing an outer peripheral portion of an optical fiber tip face with a polishing surface. Then, fix the optical fiber to the holder so that the distance from the end face of the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the end of the holder that holds the optical fiber to the tip of the optical fiber, and fix the tip of the optical fiber. The gist is that the polishing surface and the holder are relatively moved in a plane parallel to the polishing surface so that the polishing surface is brought into contact with the polishing surface and the entire outer peripheral portion of the tip surface of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber is fixed to the holder so that the distance from the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the holder to the optical fiber tip. Is brought into contact with the polishing surface, and the polishing surface and the holder are relatively moved in a plane parallel to the polishing surface so that the entire outer peripheral portion of the distal end surface of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface. The fiber portion is appropriately curved and comes into contact with the polished surface at an angle, and the relative movement between the polished surface and the holder causes the entire outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip to uniformly contact the polished surface. Alternatively, the tips of a plurality of optical fibers can be simultaneously chamfered in a conical shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for chamfering an optical fiber tip by polishing an outer peripheral portion of the tip face of the optical fiber with a polishing surface, wherein the end of the holder holding the optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber is fixed to the holder so that the distance from the end face of the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the end of the optical fiber to the polished surface, and the tip of the optical fiber is brought into contact with the polished surface. The gist of the present invention is to operate the polishing surface and / or the holder so that the relative movement is a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface.

According to the present invention, the optical fiber is fixed to the holder such that the distance from the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the holder to the distal end of the optical fiber. Is brought into contact with the polishing surface, and the polishing surface or the holder or both are operated so that the relative movement between the holder and the polishing surface is in a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface. In addition, the outer periphery of the tip of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface due to the relative movement of the polishing surface and the holder in a circular orbit, thereby contacting the polishing surface in an inclined manner. The tip of the optical fiber can also be chamfered in a conical shape at the same time.

Further, the present invention according to claim 3 is a method for chamfering an optical fiber tip by polishing an outer peripheral portion of the tip end surface of the optical fiber with a polishing surface, wherein the holder for holding the optical fiber and the polishing surface are provided. Operating the polishing surface or the holder or both so that the relative movement of the polishing surface becomes a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface,
Fix the optical fiber to the holder so that the distance from the end face of the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the end of the holder to the tip of the optical fiber, and contact the tip of the optical fiber with the polished surface. Make a summary.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, relative movement between the holder and the polishing surface is performed so as to form a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface, and the holder is moved more than the distance from the holder to the tip of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is fixed to the holder so that the distance from the surface to the polished surface is shorter, and the tip of the optical fiber is brought into contact with the polished surface. The outer periphery of the optical fiber tip uniformly contacts the polished surface as a whole by the relative movement of the polished surface and the holder in a circular orbit with the slanted contact, so that not only one but also a plurality of optical fibers The tip can also be conically chamfered at the same time. Also,
By making the optical fiber protrude from the holder and fixing the optical fiber when the holder and the polishing surface are moving relative to each other, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber that has hit the polishing surface from breaking.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber tip chamfering apparatus for polishing and chamfering the tip end surface of an optical fiber, the polishing surface for polishing the tip end surface of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber. And a distance from the end face of the holder to the polishing surface such that the tip of the optical fiber held by the holder abuts the polishing surface and the optical fiber bends by a predetermined amount. A positioning mechanism for positioning the end of the optical fiber shorter than the distance from the end face of the holder, and the holder and the polishing surface so that the entire outer peripheral portion of the end face of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface. And a drive mechanism for causing relative movement in a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber is held vertically by the holder with respect to the polishing surface, and the holder is arranged such that the tip of the optical fiber comes into contact with the polishing surface and the optical fiber bends by a predetermined amount. The distance from the end face of the optical fiber to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the end face of the holder to the tip of the optical fiber, and the holder and the polished surface are so contacted that the entire outer periphery of the tip face of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polished surface. Is relatively moved in a circular orbit parallel to the polished surface, so that the processing pressure at the point of contact with the polished surface of the optical fiber is equal at all points on the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber, and the direction of the deflection of the optical fiber is the polished surface. Due to the frictional force between the holder and the holder, the tangential direction of the rotation of the holder is always oriented in the opposite direction, and while the holder makes one round of the circular orbit, each point on the outer periphery of the optical fiber experiences the same relative movement with the same polished surface, processing Amount is processing pressure Uniform processing amount can be obtained over the entire outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip because it is proportional to the product of the relative momentum, it is possible to be chamfered shape accuracy.

The present invention according to claim 5 provides the present invention according to claim 4.
In the invention described in the above, the driving mechanism can fix the polishing surface, a rotating disk for revolving the holder, a motor for rotating the rotating disk, and the holder so as to be able to rotate. A gist comprising mounting means for attaching to the rotating disk, and a reduction mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the rotating disk to the holder so that the holder rotates by one rotation in a reverse direction while the rotating disk makes one rotation. I do.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the rotating disk is rotated by the motor, and the rotation of the rotating disk is transmitted to the holder via the speed reduction mechanism. In this case, the holder and the polishing surface can be relatively moved in a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface so that the entire outer peripheral portion of the tip surface of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface. , A uniform processing amount is obtained over the entire outer peripheral portion, and chamfering with good shape accuracy can be performed.

Further, the present invention described in claim 6 provides the present invention in claim 4.
Alternatively, in the invention described in Item 5, the positioning mechanism includes a vertical fine movement mechanism that finely moves the holder vertically with respect to the polishing surface.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the holder can be finely moved up and down with respect to the polishing surface by the vertical fine movement mechanism provided in the positioning mechanism. , And a desired amount of deflection can be obtained, and the contact angle and processing pressure of the tip of the optical fiber with respect to the polished surface can be appropriately adjusted.

The present invention according to claim 7 provides the invention according to claims 4 to 6
In the invention according to any one of the above, the end of the holder and the optical fiber to slightly move the bending fulcrum of the optical fiber positioned so as to bend vertically by abutting on the polishing surface by the positioning mechanism. The gist of the present invention is to further include a fulcrum fine movement mechanism for supporting the optical fiber vertically finely with the tip.

According to the present invention, since the fulcrum of the optical fiber can be finely moved up and down by the fulcrum fine movement mechanism, the amount of deflection of the optical fiber with respect to the polished surface can be appropriately adjusted. , A desired contact angle and processing pressure can be obtained.

The present invention according to claim 8 provides the invention according to claim 4.
In the invention according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the polishing surface is formed of an elastic body.

According to the present invention, since the polished surface is formed of an elastic body, the end of the optical fiber can be curved.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration for performing a method of chamfering the tip of an optical fiber according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an optical fiber, 1a denotes a tip of the optical fiber 1, 3 denotes an optical fiber holder, and 2 denotes a polished surface. Reference numeral 4 denotes the trajectory and the direction of movement of the optical fiber tip 1a. FIG. 2 shows the state near the optical fiber tip 1a and the movement direction when the optical fiber tip 1a exists at each numbered point on the track 4.

First, the optical fiber 1 is supported by the holder 3 so as to be perpendicular to the polishing surface 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance from the end face of the holder 3 to the fiber tip 1a is L, and the distance from the end face of the holder 3 to the polished surface 2 is d. Next, the holder 3 is brought closer to the polishing surface 2 so that d is smaller than L. At this time, the portion of the optical fiber 1 protruding from the end face of the holder 3 bends and bends. In this state, with d constant, the holder 3 is moved on the polishing surface 2 so as to draw a circular orbit along the orbit 4. The diameter of the track 4 is set to be sufficiently longer than the protruding length L of the optical fiber 1. At this time, the holder 3
Is always in a fixed direction. In other words, the side A-A 'of the holder 3 and the side B-
B 'is always parallel.

At the same time that the holder 3 moves along the circular orbit 4, the optical fiber tip 1a also moves along the circular orbit 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical fiber 1 always bends in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the optical fiber 1 indicated by the arrow, and the optical fiber 1 is inclined at an appropriate angle with respect to the polished surface near the tip 1a. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the angle formed between the optical fiber 1 and the polished surface 2 is defined as θ. As a result, only the corner of the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip 1a comes into contact with the polishing surface 2, and this portion is polished and removed. Further, at this time, the optical fiber 1 orbits the circular orbit 4 and
The contact point of the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip 1a with the polishing surface 2 is
It goes around its outer periphery.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, first, virtual points a to d are set at 90 ° intervals on the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip 1a. When the fiber tip 1a is on the track 4, the optical fiber 1 is moving in the -x direction, and the point a is the contact point. Similarly, in orbit 4,
, Points b, c, and d are contact points. As described above, since the contact point orbits the outer peripheral portion, the outer peripheral portion is uniformly chamfered, and the fiber tip 1a
Has a conical shape.

Now, after attaching the optical fiber 1 to the holder 3, the holder 3 is brought closer to the polishing surface 2 and is set at a specified distance d. When the optical fiber 1 is bent, the bending direction is determined. The holder 3 is gradually moved closer to the polishing surface 2 while always making the holder 3 circulate. When the holder 3 is moved closer to the polishing surface 2 and the optical fiber 1 is bent without moving the holder 3 around, the optical fiber 1 bends in a random direction. May break.

The direction of the orbital movement of the holder 3 may be clockwise or counterclockwise. Alternatively, it is conceivable to exercise by drawing a figure eight.

The amount of chamfering of the optical fiber tip 1a can be controlled by checking the relationship between the number of turns of the holder 3 and the amount of chamfering in advance. When L is reduced,
The force at which the optical fiber tip 1a contacts the polishing surface 2 increases, and the polishing amount per unit time increases. However, it is necessary to adjust L in consideration of the surface roughness of the polished surface of the optical fiber tip 1a and the easiness of breaking the optical fiber 1.

Chamfer angle α of optical fiber tip 1a (FIG. 5)
Is substantially equal to θ and can be arbitrarily adjusted as follows. When d is reduced with respect to L, the degree of bending of the optical fiber 1 increases, so that θ decreases and the chamfer angle α decreases. Usually, d is kept constant during polishing, but it is not always necessary to keep d constant. By changing d during polishing, α changes along the axial direction. For example, the fiber can be polished so that the polished surface of the fiber tip has a convex spherical shape.

In the above, the polishing surface 2 is fixed and the holder 3
Has shown a case where the holder 3 or the optical fiber 1 moves relative to the polishing surface 2 along the circular orbit. However, the direction of the holder 3 relative to the polishing surface 2 is constant. Therefore, holder 3
May be fixed and the polishing surface 2 may be made to rotate while the polishing surface 2 is oriented in a certain direction. Alternatively, hold the holder 3 along the x direction
It is also conceivable to make the polishing surface 2 reciprocate in time with the cos function along the y direction with the n function.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The principle of polishing in the figure is the same as that of the first embodiment, but a large number of optical fibers 1 are collectively processed. A plurality of optical fibers 1 are attached to the holder 31. However, the protruding length L of the optical fiber 1 from the holder 31 and the distance d between the holder 31 and the polished surface 2 during polishing are the same for all the optical fibers 1. Each optical fiber 1 moves along a circular orbit 4. While the positions of the optical fibers 1 in the holder 31 are different, the distal ends 1a of the optical fibers 1 always perform the same movement. That is, all the optical fiber tips 1a have the same polishing action. This allows
Not only are all the optical fiber tips 1a chamfered in a conical shape, but the chamfer angle α and the chamfer amount are the same.

Furthermore, since all the optical fibers 1 are bent in the same direction during polishing, the optical fibers 1 do not come into contact with each other even if the optical fibers 1 are attached to the holder 31 in close proximity. As described above, the polishing result does not depend on the position of the optical fiber 1 and the optical fiber 1 can be arranged at a high density.
They can be arranged in a dimensional array and attached to the holder 31. From the above, it is easy to collectively process individual core wires of a multi-core cable or ribbon fiber. In addition, the load per optical fiber for performing polishing is small, and even if the number of optical fibers to be processed collectively is increased, the apparatus for performing the method becomes large-scale or complicated. Never.

By applying the above-described polishing method, the convex spherical surface of the ferrule tip of the optical connector can be polished. In the same device as described above, a ferrule is attached instead of the optical fiber, and the polished surface is an elastic relatively soft surface. Then, with the ferrule tip pressed against the polished surface with an appropriate load so that the polished surface is appropriately depressed, the relative orientation between the polished surface and the ferrule is kept constant, and the relative motion trajectory of the ferrule with respect to the polished surface is circular. Move the ferrule or polished surface so that Here, the ferrule is not bent and is always in a state perpendicular to the polished surface. The effect of the tip of the ferrule being polished to a convex spherical surface is due to the fact that the polished surface is as described above. However, since the direction of the vector of the relative movement of the ferrule with respect to the polished surface rotates, the vertex of the convex spherical surface formed by polishing is formed. Comes to coincide with the center of the ferrule.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration of an optical fiber tip chamfering apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The chamfering apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that the optical fiber 21 is bent so that the tip 21 a of the multi-core (array) optical fiber 21 abuts against the polishing surface 25 a of the polishing platen 25 and bends.
It has a holder 23 that holds it vertically to 5a. The polishing platen 25 is, for example, one obtained by attaching fixed abrasive grains to a wrapping film or the like and supplying free abrasive grains to the wrapping film or the like. The body may be compounded, but is not limited thereto. Although the optical fiber 21 uses a multi-core array type in the figure, it is needless to say that a single-core optical fiber may be used.

The holder 23 holding the optical fiber 21
Is rotatably mounted on the rotating disk 27 eccentrically to the rotating disk 27, that is, shifted from the center of the rotating disk 27. The rotating disk 27 is rotatably attached to the housing 29 via a bearing 31, and a motor shaft 35 of a motor 35 via a timing belt 33.
A is connected to a pulley 37 attached to a, and is configured to be rotationally driven by a motor 35. The motor 35 is attached to the housing 29.

Further, the rotating disk 27 has an extended edge portion whose periphery extends downward, and an internal gear 27a is formed on the entire inner peripheral portion of the extended edge portion. Further, a planetary gear 39 is attached to the holder 23 holding the optical fiber 21, and the planetary gear 39 is connected to the internal gear 27 a of the rotating disk 27 via a speed reduction mechanism 41, thereby rotating the motor 35. Is provided via the pulley 37, the rotating disk 27, the internal gear 27a, the reduction mechanism 41, and the planetary gear 39.
3 so that the holder 23 rotates by one rotation in the opposite direction while the rotary disk 27 makes one rotation. As a result, the holder 23 includes the housing 29 and the polishing platen 2.
5 does not rotate.

The housing 29 to which the rotating disk 27 is mounted via the bearing 31 has a positioning mechanism 43 comprising a variable length support such as a micro head.
45 is attached, and the position of the rotating disk 27, specifically, the distance between the rotating disk 27 and the polishing surface 25a, more specifically, the distance between the end surface of the holder 23 and the polishing surface 25a is determined by the positioning mechanisms 43 and 45. The distance is determined. When the knobs or the like of the positioning mechanisms 43 and 45 are rotated, for example, the end surface of the holder 23 and the polishing surface 25a are rotated.
Is adjusted, whereby the length of the optical fiber 21 protruding from the end face of the holder 23 is adjusted, and the deflection amount of the optical fiber tip 21a is brought into contact with the polished surface 25a of the optical fiber tip 21a to a desired value. It can be adjusted to. Note that the positioning mechanisms 43, 45
Is provided with a vertical fine movement mechanism for finely moving the holder 23 up and down with respect to the polishing surface 25a and finely adjusting the distance between the end surface of the holder 23 and the polishing surface 25a.

In the optical fiber tip chamfering apparatus configured as described above, the optical fiber 21 is
From the polished surface 2
After holding the optical fiber 21 in the holder 23 so that the optical fiber 21 is bent in contact with the optical fiber 5a, the positioning mechanism 43,
45, the amount of deflection of the optical fiber tip 21a is adjusted to a desired value.
When the rotating disk 7 is rotated, the holder 23 can rotate by one rotation in the reverse direction via the reduction mechanism 41 and the planetary gear 39 while the rotating disk 27 makes one rotation, whereby the optical fiber tip 21a comes to the polished surface 25a. While maintaining the desired amount of deflection by contact, the entire outer periphery of the optical fiber tip 21a uniformly contacts the polishing surface 25a and slides on the polishing surface 25a, and the entire outer periphery of the optical fiber tip 21a is uniform. Beveled. That is, while the specific direction in the polishing surface 25a and the specific direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber 21 of the holder 23 are always the same, the holder 23 and the polishing surface 25a
Relatively move in a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface 25a, whereby the entire outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip 21a uniformly contacts the polishing surface 25a, and the entire outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber tip 21a is chamfered uniformly. Is done.

FIG. 8A is a front view showing a fulcrum fine movement member 51 constituting a fulcrum fine movement mechanism provided below the holder 23 in the chamfering apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the fulcrum fine movement member 51 and the holder 23 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, a circular opening 51a is provided at the center of the fulcrum fine movement member 51.
Is formed. The optical fiber 21 is passed through the circular opening 51a, and the fulcrum fine movement member 51 is finely moved up and down, thereby changing the deflection fulcrum of the optical fiber 21 and making contact with the polished surface 25a of the optical fiber tip 21a. The angle α can be adjusted. The circular opening 51 a formed in the fulcrum fine movement member 51 has an inner diameter close to the outer diameter of the optical fiber 21. Although not shown, a fulcrum fine up / down mechanism for vertically moving the fulcrum fine movement member 51 up and down with the optical fiber 21 passing through the circular opening 51a of the fulcrum fine movement member 51 is provided.

During the chamfering of the optical fiber tip 21a, as shown by arrows 55 and 57 in FIG. 9A, when the holder 23 is lifted by the positioning mechanisms 43 and 45 and the fulcrum fine movement member 51 is lifted, An end face having a different taper angle β can be formed at the optical fiber tip 21a. Further, by continuously raising the holder 23 during processing, the optical fiber tip 21a can be processed into a curved surface or a spherical surface. For the curved surface processing of the optical fiber tip 21a, it is conceivable to combine an elastic body with the polishing platen 25.

Further, the holder 23 is raised and the optical fiber 2
1 and the polished surface 25a, that is, the optical fiber 21
When the taper angle β of the optical fiber 21 increases, the amount of deflection of the optical fiber 21 decreases, and the processing pressure also decreases. Therefore, even if the contact angle is large, the optical fiber 21 is fixed to the holder 23 in order to secure a sufficient processing pressure and process efficiently.
In a state where the optical fiber 21 is movable with respect to the fulcrum fine movement member 51, the holder 23 is raised and the fulcrum fine movement member 51 is lowered as shown by arrows 59 and 61 in FIG. It is possible to shorten the length of the optical fiber 21 at the portion where the bending deformation occurs, thereby increasing the rigidity, and increasing the processing pressure while maintaining the contact angle β ′ substantially the same (β = β ′). Can be.
That is, this mechanism makes it possible to set the processing angle and the processing pressure independently.

In the chamfering apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the drive mechanism for causing the optical fiber 21 and the polishing surface 25a to move relative to each other is concentrated on the housing. Processing can be performed only by setting the present apparatus, and by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to use the apparatus very easily even when the abrasive grain size, the polishing step, and the like are changed. Further, it can be easily applied to multi-stage processing. Further, in the present chamfering apparatus, since the chamfer taper angle and the processing pressure can be controlled independently, relatively quick processing is possible even when the chamfer angle is large.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Fix the optical fiber to the holder so that the distance from the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the holder to the optical fiber tip, and bring the optical fiber tip into contact with the polished surface. The polishing surface and the holder are moved relative to each other in a plane parallel to the polishing surface so that the entire surface of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface. The surface of the tip of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polished surface as a result of the relative movement between the polished surface and the holder. Can also be chamfered conically at the same time. Also,
By adjusting the distance between the polished surface and the holder, the inclination angle of the optical fiber near the tip of the polished surface can be changed, and the angle of the chamfer can also be adjusted. Furthermore, since the plurality of optical fibers are curved in the same manner, the plurality of optical fibers mounted on the holder are not in contact with each other even if the mounting interval is small, so that a large number of optical fibers are mounted on the holder at a narrow interval and chamfered simultaneously. It is possible,
As a result, it is possible to simultaneously and economically chamfer each core of a multi-core cord or ribbon fiber, which has been impossible in the past. It should be noted that even if the number of optical fibers is increased, the complexity and scale of the processing apparatus are slightly increased.

According to the present invention, the optical fiber is fixed to the holder so that the distance from the holder to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the holder to the optical fiber end, and the optical fiber end is fixed to the polished surface. The polishing surface and / or the holder are operated so that the relative movement between the holder and the polishing surface is in a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface. At the same time, the outer periphery of the tip of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polished surface due to the relative movement of the polished surface and the holder in a circular orbit, so that not only one but also a plurality of optical fibers Can also be chamfered conically at the same time.

Further, according to the present invention, the relative movement between the holder and the polishing surface is performed so that the relative movement becomes a circular orbit parallel to the polishing surface, and the distance from the holder to the polishing surface is larger than the distance from the holder to the tip of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is fixed to the holder so that the distance of the optical fiber becomes shorter, and the tip of the optical fiber is brought into contact with the polished surface. Along with
The outer periphery of the tip of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polished surface as a result of the relative movement of the polished surface and the holder in a circular orbit, so that not only one but also the tips of a plurality of optical fibers are simultaneously conical. Can be chamfered. Further, when the holder and the polished surface perform relative movement, the optical fiber is projected from the holder and fixed, thereby preventing the optical fiber that has hit the polished surface from being broken.

According to the present invention, the optical fiber is held perpendicular to the polished surface by the holder, and the end of the optical fiber is brought into contact with the polished surface so that the optical fiber bends by a predetermined amount from the end surface of the holder to the polished surface. Is set shorter than the distance from the end face of the holder to the tip of the optical fiber, and the holder and the polished face are parallel to the polished face so that the entire outer circumference of the tip face of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polished face. Since the relative motion is made in a circular orbit, the processing pressure at the point of contact with the polished surface of the optical fiber becomes equal at all points on the outer periphery of the optical fiber, and the direction of deflection of the optical fiber is determined by the frictional force with the polished surface. At all times, the outer circumference of the optical fiber experiences relative motion with the same polished surface while the holder makes one round of the circular trajectory. Product of momentum Uniform machining amount can be obtained over the distal entire outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber from the proportional, it is possible to be chamfered shape accuracy. Further, not only conical chamfering but also curved surface processing or spherical surface processing can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the rotating disk is rotated by the motor, the rotation of the rotating disk is transmitted to the holder via the reduction mechanism, and the holder is rotated once in the reverse direction while the rotating disk rotates once. Since it rotates, the holder and the polished surface can be relatively moved in a circular orbit parallel to the polished surface so that the entire outer peripheral portion of the tip surface of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polished surface. , A uniform processing amount can be obtained, and chamfering with good shape accuracy can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the holder can be finely moved up and down with respect to the polishing surface by the vertical fine movement mechanism provided in the positioning mechanism, so that the optical fiber held by the holder is brought into contact with the polishing surface. Thus, the contact angle and the processing pressure of the optical fiber tip with respect to the polished surface can be appropriately adjusted.

According to the present invention, the bending fulcrum of the optical fiber can be finely moved up and down by the fulcrum fine movement mechanism, so that the amount of deflection of the optical fiber with respect to the polished surface can be appropriately adjusted, and the desired contact angle and The processing pressure can be obtained, and the holder can be raised in combination with the vertical fine movement mechanism, and the bending fulcrum can be lowered, so that the processing angle and the processing pressure at the optical fiber tip can be controlled independently. , The processing time can be shortened by increasing the processing pressure.

Further, according to the present invention, since the polished surface is formed of an elastic body, the tip of the optical fiber can be curved or spherical.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration for performing a method of chamfering an optical fiber tip according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a shape of an optical fiber tip formed by cleavage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber tip whose outer peripheral portion is chamfered in a conical shape.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional method of chamfering the tip of an optical fiber.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration of a chamfering apparatus for a tip of an optical fiber according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a front view and a bottom view showing a fulcrum fine movement member provided below the holder of the chamfering apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an operation of the fulcrum fine movement member shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 21 Optical fiber 1a, 21a Optical fiber tip 2, 25a Polished surface 3, 23, 31 Holder 4 Circular orbit indicating movement of optical fiber tip 25 Polishing surface plate 27 Rotating disk 27a Internal gear 29 Housing 35 Motor 39 Planet Gear 41 Reduction mechanism 43, 45 Positioning mechanism 51 Support point fine movement member

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ryo Nagase 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Shinichi Iwano 3-192, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Bunkazu Ohira 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Within Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Kunio Obaya 3-19, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuo Matsunaga Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation at 3-19-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method of chamfering an end of an optical fiber, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the end surface of the optical fiber is polished and chamfered with a polishing surface, wherein a distance from an end of a holder holding the optical fiber to the end of the optical fiber is determined. Also, fix the optical fiber to the holder so that the distance from the end face of the holder to the polished surface is shorter and bring the tip of the optical fiber into contact with the polished surface. A method for chamfering a tip of an optical fiber, comprising: relatively moving a polishing surface and a holder in a plane parallel to the polishing surface so as to contact the surface. 2. A method for chamfering an end of an optical fiber, wherein the outer periphery of the end surface of the optical fiber is polished with a polishing surface and chamfered, wherein a distance from an end of a holder holding the optical fiber to the end of the optical fiber is determined. Also, fix the optical fiber to the holder so that the distance from the end face of the holder to the polished surface is shorter and bring the tip of the optical fiber into contact with the polished surface, and the relative motion between the holder and the polished surface is parallel to the polished surface. A method for chamfering a tip of an optical fiber, wherein a polishing surface and / or a holder is operated so as to form a circular orbit. 3. A method for chamfering an end of an optical fiber by polishing an outer peripheral portion of an end surface of an optical fiber with a polishing surface, wherein a relative movement between a holder holding the optical fiber and the polishing surface is parallel to the polishing surface. Operate the polished surface and / or the holder so that they form a circular orbit, and hold the optical fiber so that the distance from the holder end surface to the polished surface is shorter than the distance from the holder end to the optical fiber tip. A method for chamfering the tip of an optical fiber, wherein the tip of the optical fiber is fixed to a surface of the optical fiber and the end of the optical fiber is brought into contact with the polishing surface. 4. An optical fiber tip chamfering device for polishing and chamfering a tip end face of an optical fiber, the polishing face for polishing the tip end face of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber with respect to the polishing face. A holder that holds the holder vertically, and a distance from the end surface of the holder to the polished surface so that the tip of the optical fiber held by the holder abuts the polishing surface and bends the optical fiber by a predetermined amount. A positioning mechanism for positioning shorter than the distance to the tip of the holder, a circle parallel to the polishing surface and the holder and the polishing surface such that the entire outer peripheral portion of the tip surface of the optical fiber uniformly contacts the polishing surface. A chamfering apparatus for a tip of an optical fiber, comprising: a drive mechanism for causing relative movement in an orbit. 5. The driving mechanism, comprising: a fixing part for fixing the polishing surface; a rotating disk for revolving the holder;
A motor for rotating the rotating disk, mounting means for attaching the holder to the rotating disk so as to be able to rotate, and the holder is configured to rotate the holder one rotation in a reverse direction during one rotation of the rotating disk. 5. The chamfering apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a deceleration mechanism for transmitting rotation of a rotating disk to the holder. 6. The apparatus for chamfering an optical fiber tip according to claim 4, wherein said positioning mechanism has a vertical fine movement mechanism for finely moving said holder up and down with respect to said polishing surface. 7. A position between the end face of the holder and the tip of the optical fiber for finely moving the deflection fulcrum of the optical fiber positioned so as to bend so that the tip comes into contact with the polishing surface by the positioning mechanism. The apparatus for chamfering a tip of an optical fiber according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a fulcrum fine movement mechanism for supporting the optical fiber so that the optical fiber can be finely moved vertically. 8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the polished surface is formed of an elastic body.