JPS581114A - Apparatus for aligning optical fiber and spherical lens - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an alignment device for an optical fiber and a lens for collimating its light beams. Further, according to the present invention, a contact device to which the above matching device is applied can be provided.

As optical 7-eyepers are used more frequently, it has been found desirable to include separate connectors to align the ends of the two optical fibers.

Conventionally, configurations have been proposed in which optical fibers are aligned using mechanical devices such as high-precision ferrules and alignment sleeves. In this case, since the optical fibers are extremely thin, such mechanical connections require extremely high precision. It was difficult to attach and detach.

Various configurations have been proposed to achieve good alignment of optical fibers. For example, a configuration has been proposed in which a lens is used to enlarge the radiation pattern of a single optical fiber to obtain a bundle of parallel light rays.

In this case, since the diameter of the parallel light beam is larger than the diameter of the optical fiber, alignment between the connector connection parts can be made extremely easy by arranging a suitable lens at the end of each optical fiber to be connected to each other. However, the need arises for optimal alignment of the destination fiber and lens.

In another arrangement for optical seven-eye tube alignment using a pair of collimating (fiber ray bundle) lenses, a pair of optical terminals are provided for connecting the optical fibers. In this case, each terminal is equipped with a connector and a double-sided convex lens capable of receiving one end of the optical fiber. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately position the end of the optical fiber at the focal point of each lens. Such positioning is accomplished by attaching a short optical fiber having similar dimensions and optical characteristics to the optical fibers to which it is connected, into each lens. The optical fibers are then inserted until their free ends still touch the respective ends of short optical fibers fixed to the lens.

This type of device usually requires the lenses to be manufactured using plastic molding techniques, which makes it difficult to obtain lenses of consistent precision. Furthermore, since it is necessary to position the short optical fiber and the lens in a predetermined relationship, this type of configuration cannot be applied to anything other than a relatively large diameter optical fiber. Companies with this type of equipment such as US Pat. No. 4,183,618 by Ru5h et al.
Disclosed in the issue.

On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,277 by Philips et al. proposes a configuration in which an annular seat is inserted into an opening provided at the end of an optical pen of an optical fiber, and a spherical lens is attached. There is.

In this case, an optical fiber chain consisting of a number of optical fibers is positioned at the back of the seat within an opening in a ring member fixed within the housing. The spherical lens is placed on the curved portion of the seat and is held against the seat by the outer sleeve.

However, the above patent does not disclose a configuration for aligning a single optical fiber and a spherical lens.

In this case, the seating body does not align the optical fiber bundle and the lens, but has a function of separating the optical fiber bundle from the lens by a predetermined distance in the axial direction.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,95 by Tuck (aooh) et al.
No. 0,075 discloses an arrangement in which a Lampert's law based device, such as an LICD (light emitting diode), is connected to a fiber optic bundle and a spherical lens is positioned relative to the fiber optic bundle and the LID. A ferrule is attached to the end of the fiber optic bundle and pushed into a plastic matching sleeve containing a spherical lens.

However, in this configuration, each diameter of the optical fiber bundle, the inner diameter of the seven errules, the concentricity between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the seven errules, and the hole provided in the alignment sleeve are used to suitably align the 7-eye μ beam and the lens. It is necessary to manufacture the parts by taking into consideration all the concentricity of the parts. Therefore, this configuration is still unsuitable in terms of matching a single optical fiber and a spherical lens.

Furthermore, other known techniques include Mori, Wiplick Zinnia (
U.S. Patent No. 3.115 by Wale 14ck Jr.
No. 6,623, U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,058 to Wallman and U.S. Pat.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,832 by Yuatn), but none of them were sufficient to align the optical fiber and lens with high precision.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for aligning a single optical fiber and a collimating lens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple and low-friction matching device that uses suitably matched spherical lenses to suitably align the ends of optical fibers.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the number of parts where high accuracy is required during molding and positioning of members when aligning optical fibers and lenses. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a matching device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a contact device for an optical fiber that is not affected by temperature and has high durability. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a contact device that does not allow foreign matter to enter the exposed surface of the optical fiber and is robust. Further according to the invention,
It is possible to provide a contact device for an optical fiber, which has a smaller external size than conventional products and can be easily inserted into a storage space in a stain-free connector. That is, the device according to the invention can be applied to standard connectors without any major design changes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a matching device that can be used even when 11 optical fibers are connected in an electrical connector.

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing an alignment bushing capable of receiving a spherical lens in the chamfered portion of the tenth part. In addition, the alignment bush has an oriSwiss on the surface 1.
11 and extends through the alignment bushing toward the second side of the alignment bushing. The oriice is configured to firmly hold one optical fiber.

According to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the invention, the chamfer is formed in the direction of a right circular cone, and the orifice extends from the apex of the chamfer of the right circular conical surface. Also, since the chamfer and orifice can be etched simultaneously in a single operation, suitable concentricity can be ensured.

That is, according to the configuration of the present invention in which the optical fiber is aligned with the spherical lens, high precision is required in only three locations: the diameter of the optical fiber, the diameter of the orifice of the matching pouch, and the orifice and chamfer 9. The concentricity can be limited to Since the chamfer and the orifice can be finished in a single operation using simple tools, concentricity between the chamfer and the orifice can be reliably obtained. Further, the diameter of the optical fiber and the diameter of the orifice themselves can be precisely machined using known processing methods.

The contact device according to the invention is provided with a first housing part that surrounds and holds the alignment bush and the spherical lens. The spherical lens and matching pouch are insertable from the first end of the first housing part and have a t/g
outward displacement from the second end of the housing portion of l is prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the first
By providing a sealing ring between the 72 inch of the housing portion and the spherical lens, the VC is constructed such that the spherical lens is elastically pressed against the floor plan portion of the alignment bush.

In particular, the contact device according to the invention is provided with a second housing part surrounding an optical 7-iper cable arrangement containing an optical fiber, the optical fiber itself being supported by at least a batsa layer and a reinforcing layer.

The second housing portion includes a generally annular fixed lid that securely retains the optical fiber in the center of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber gripping device is provided with a central opening and is fixed to the second housing part, the diameter of the central opening being slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber. Become. Further, a reinforcing layer of the fiber optic cable device is repressably provided on the outer surface of the gripping device and pressed against the inner wall of the second housing part.

The gripping device includes a chuck body therein for elastically holding the optical fiber in a suitable manner, and is provided so as to firmly hold the optical fiber within the second housing portion by tightening the chuck body in the radial direction.

Additionally, the first housing portion may be secured to the second housing portion such that the optical fiber extends within the orifice in the alignment bushing and the free end of the optical fiber is optimally aligned with the spherical lens.

The present invention will be explained below along with preferred embodiments.

When connecting two optical fibers to form a single optical fiber, the connection is complicated and problematic because the thickness of the optical fibers is extremely thin. Normally, the diameter of an optical fiber is about 0.1 mm, and it is understood that since the thickness of an optical fiber is extremely thin, aligning two optical fiber lines in a common axis becomes extremely complicated. Good morning. - It is essential to align and connect the tip fibers in the axial direction to form a circuit! Because of the high reliability, it is desirable that such connections be made through relatively simple, low-friction equipment.

When a lens is used to expand the radiation pattern of an optical fiber to obtain parallel rays, the width of the parallel rays can be matched by a well-known mechanical device, so it is possible to achieve parallel rays by placing a collimating lens at the end of each fiber. The connection between optical fibers can be greatly simplified. In this case, it is necessary to suitably align the narrow optical 7-eyeper with the center line of the lens.

In addition to properly aligning the optical fiber and lens, the lens itself is also a problem. It will also be appreciated that because the diameter of collimating lenses used in optical fibers is extremely small, approximately two to three centimeters in diameter, the manufacture of the lenses is extremely complex. A spherical lens is employed in the present invention for various reasons.

Spherical lenses of suitable dimensions are relatively low friction and readily available on the market. Also, since spherical lenses can be manufactured without special molding operations, materials that are resistant to external $11 bowls can be used. That is, the spherical lens can be formed of a material that is relatively resistant to changes in temperature and humidity in the air and relatively resistant to impact. Spherical lenses made of materials with the above-mentioned properties can also be used to connect optical fibers in relatively unsuitable working environments. The above conditions are also very important since it is desirable to apply fiber optic contacts to cooperate with electrical contacts in readily available connection devices. Advantages of using a spherical lens: 1. A spherical lens can be used as a lens of other shapes,
For example, unlike double-convex lenses, molding operations on both sides are not required, so the manufacturing NWIL is extremely high. Furthermore, since the spherical lens is symmetrical in all positions in its expansion geometry, the lens alignment work can be greatly simplified. Furthermore, the spherical lens can be easily adapted to make its dimensions compatible with existing electrical connectors.

FIG. 1 shows a simple element according to the invention which is arranged between an optical fiber 23 and a spherical lens 21 and which performs a predetermined alignment function. In this embodiment, the member is configured as an alignment bush 25, and a chamfered portion 27 is formed on a first side of the alignment bush 25. The chamfered p portion 27 is provided with a seating surface on which the spherical lens 21 is seated.

Further, an orifice 31 for fixing the optical fiber 23 is formed concentrically with the chamfer 9 portion 27.

The diameter of the orifice 31 is dimensioned so that the light 7 eyeper 23 passing through the orifice 31 can be fixed. In detail, the orifice 31 is formed to extend from the deepest part of the chamfered portion 27 through the alignment bushing 25 to the second side portion 33 of the alignment bushing 25, and to be concentric with the chamfered portion 27. Further, the second side portion 33 of the alignment bushing 25 has another chamfered portion 3.
5 is formed, so that the optical fiber 23 passes through the orifice 3.
1 so that it can be easily introduced into the device.

According to the present invention, there are 3411 points that require high precision in alignment between the optical fiber and the lens, namely the diameter of the fiber, the diameter of the orifice 31, and the diameter of the orifice 31.
and the chamfered portion 27 are aligned concentrically. The diameter of the optical fiber can be kept relatively constant, and the diameter of the orifice can be accurately machined using well-known precision machining techniques. - According to the strength tree invention, the chamfered portion 27 and the orifice 3
1 can be finished by polishing with a simple tool, so the matching bushing:
When processing L25, the chamfer 27 and orifice 31 can be aligned concentrically with high precision.

Since the spherical lens 21 is completely symmetrical and can be processed with high precision as described above, the spherical lens 21 is
7 can be easily seated. That is, the spherical lens 21 is fixed within the chamfered portion 27 and is prevented from rotating or displacing. On the other hand, even if the spherical lens 21 is rotated and displaced, the center of the spherical lens 21 does not change and the orifice 31
is always consistent with That is, the alignment bush 25 of the present invention ensures that the optical fiber 23 and the spherical lens 21 are aligned in the axial direction.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an alignment bushing according to the present invention. As is clear from the figure, the chamfered portion 27 is formed into a right circular conical shape, and the orifice 31 extends inward from the apex of the conical chamfered portion 27. First side 2 of alignment bushing 25
The work of machining a right conical surface on 9 is extremely easy,
In this way, the chamfered portion can be easily machined into a right circular conical shape, so that the orifice 31 and the chamfered portion 27 can be reliably aligned concentrically. Furthermore, as described above, the surface of the chamfered portion 27 and the orifice 31 can be polished using a simple tool, so that the orifice 31 and the chamfered portion 27 can be reliably aligned concentrically in this respect. Become.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the maximum diameter of the chamfer 27, ie, the maximum diameter of the chamfer 9 27 on the first side 29 of the alignment bushing 25, is smaller than the diameter of the spherical lens 21. With this configuration, the spherical lens 21 can be suitably and reliably seated within the chamfered portion 27, and is reliably connected to the apex of the conical chamfered portion 27 in which the orifice 31 is disposed. Therefore, the optical fiber 23 and the spherical lens 21 can be easily separated by a suitable distance.

Although spacing the optical fiber 23 and the spherical lens 21 apart is not as important as aligning the optical fiber 23 and the spherical lens 21 in the axial direction, in the present invention, the free end of the optical fiber 23 can be accurately aligned. By cutting the second side 33 of the alignment bushing 25 #NAW! The distance from the surface in the contact device to the end of the optical fiber can be set to a predetermined value -. The predetermined distance is smaller than the distance between the second side 33 of the alignment bushing 25 and a point on the outer peripheral surface of the spherical lens 21 that abuts within the chamfer 27. After accurately cutting the optical fiber 23 to a predetermined length, the alignment bushing 25 and the spherical lens 21 are placed on the optical fiber 23.
A predetermined distance is maintained between the free end of the optical fiber 23 and the spherical lens 21. Since the spherical lens 21 and the surface of the chamfered portion 27 prevent the optical fiber from moving toward the optical fiber 23, the predetermined distance described above is maintained appropriately.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, alignment bushing 25 and spherical lens 21 are both made of sapphire. In particular, sapphire is virtually unaffected by environmental changes, has relatively good durability, and is suitable for the spherical lens 21 and the matching bush 2.
Since it can be processed relatively easily as 5, it is suitable for mt. Alignment bushing 25 may also be formed of any suitable metal or ceramic. Glass is also easy to process, so it can be used as a material for spherical lenses. Spherical lens 2 to prevent reflections
1 is subjected to an optical coating treatment.

According to another feature of the invention, a contact arrangement for a suitable optical fiber 23 is provided. Preferably, the contact device is attached to an existing connector. It is preferred that the connector be extremely easy to integrate into existing connectors, and that the optical fiber connection portion be easily connectable to the electrical connection portion. It would also be advantageous to be able to incorporate mutually overlapping optical and electrical contacts into a common housing, such as in a single four-way housing.

Although FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a contact device 41 with an alignment bushing 25 and a spherical lens 21t according to the present invention, it is understood that contact devices of other suitable mechanical configurations may be used if desired. It will be.

As shown in Figure 3, the optical fiber 23 is normally housed within an optical fiber cable device 43. The fiber optic cable device 43 has an outer casing 45 and a K@vlar
) The outer casing 45 has a reinforcing layer 47 of 1M type and a buffer layer 49 made of an elastomer material, the outer casing 45 is arranged concentrically around the reinforcing layer 47, and the buffer layer 49 is surrounded by the reinforcing layer 47 concentrically. The optical fiber 23 is housed within the buffer layer 49. If desired, the number of constituent layers of the fiber optic cable device 43 can be further increased. The optical 7-IPA cable device 43 of this embodiment is a typical example, and can handle the small optical fiber 23 well, and can sufficiently protect the relatively fragile optical fiber 23.

Furthermore, the fiber optic cable arrangement 43 is surrounded by a housing part 51 of the contact arrangement 41 . In the fiber optic cable device 43, the reinforcing layer 47, the buffer layer 49 and the optical fiber 23 can be applied by removing the outer casing. First housing part 51
The outer casing 45 of the KFi fiber optic cable device 43, whose outer surface is formed in a spiral shape, is inserted. The operation of inserting the fiber optic cable device 43 into the first housing part 51 is carried out until the reinforcing layer 47 is located in the fixing area 55 of the first housing part 51 .

In this case, if desired, strands of reinforcing layer 47 (element l#
1) towards the inner wall 57 of the anchoring region 55, a small conical bushing (not shown) may be inserted between the reinforcing layer 47 and the buffer layer 49. After further expanding the reinforcing layer 47, an expanding member 69 is disposed between the outer periphery of the buffer layer 49 and the reinforcing layer 47, and a substantially annular fixing device 59 is inserted into the first housing part 51. do. The expansion member 69 is provided with a central opening slightly larger than the diameter of the pan 77 layer 49. The fixing device 59#'i is screwed into the threaded part 61'4r formed on the outer surface of the fixing member 63 with the threaded part 65 formed on the inner surface of the first housing part 51. It is fixed within the housing part 51. 5 Also, the fixing device 59 is attached to the fixing member 63 at t41.
7. A hexagonal opening 67 into which a screwing tool can be inserted is provided in the housing portion 51 for easy screwing.

Expanding member 69 is provided with a tapered front end 71 that provides support for reinforcing layer 47 and buffer layer 4.
The expanding member 69 can be easily inserted between the opening and the opening 9. By providing a portion 73 of the fixing member 63 so that a portion of the expanding member 69 extends over it, the expanding member 69 can be moved to some extent in the axial direction with respect to the fixing member 63. In this case, when the metal split ring 77 attached to the expanding member 69 comes into contact with the annular stop 75 flange 75 provided at one end of the fixing member 63, the expanding member 69 is displaced in the axial direction with respect to the fixing member 63. is designed to be suppressed.

Further, the dividing ring 77 is disposed within a hole 79 provided on the inner surface of the expanding member 69.

On the other hand, a two-part conical bushing 81 that abuts the patch 7a layer 49 is disposed within the expansion member 69 between the front end 71 of the expansion member 69 and the stop 7 flange 75. It is preferable that the pair of bushes 81 be separated by interposing a conical washer 83 between them. According to a preferred embodiment, the bushing 81 is made of Teflon.

In detail, after fixing the optical fiber cable 43t in the first housing part 51 and partially expanding the reinforcing layer 47, a fixing device is installed in the Ml housing part 51 along the threaded part 65. Insert 59. The fixing member 63 is the threaded part 6
5, the entire fixing device 59 moves axially within the first housing part 51 towards the fiber optic cable arrangement 43. Since the expansion member 69 is located outside the tip of the fixing member 63, the expansion member 69 is movable in the axial direction and rotatable relative to the fixation member 63 and the expansion member 69. By adopting this configuration, the expanding member 69
and the reinforcing layer 47 and between the bush 81 and the buffer @49
The torsional force and axial pressing force applied between the two can be reduced.

When the fixing device 69 moves further in the first housing part 51 in one direction, the p-reinforced P#147 is pressed by the expansion member 69 against the inner wall 57 of the fixing area 55 in the first housing part 51. At the same time, the expanding member 69 functions to press the bushing 81, so that the buffer layer 49 and the optical fiber 23 are in the first housing part! It is held securely against axial and radial displacement within Il. The optical fiber 23 extends outward from the rear end surface 85 of the fixing device 59 for a considerable length.

According to another preferred example, a second housing part 87 is provided that surrounds the spherical lens 21 and the alignment bushing 25. Other suitable matching configurations may be used.

Further, since the contact device 41 directly connects the optical fiber 23, it can be constructed without using a special collimating lens. wc2
A threaded portion 89 is formed on the outer surface of the housing portion 87, and can be screwed into a threaded portion 91 (substantially the same as the threaded portion 65 described above) provided on the inner surface of the first housing portion 51. It is formed. A cavity 93 is formed in the second housing part 87, and the diameter of the cavity 93 is very slightly larger than the diameters of the alignment bushing 25 and the spherical lens 21 (both of which have approximately the same outer diameter). established,
The alignment bushing 25 and the spherical lens 21 are provided so that they can be held firmly.

A 7 flange 95 extending radially inwardly to prevent movement of the spherical lens 21 outwardly from the second housing section 87 is provided at the end of the second housing section 87 opposite the threaded section 89 . formed at the end. As shown, the seven flange 95 is integrally formed with the second housing portion 87, but it may be formed as a separate member. On the other hand, a sealing ring 97 is provided between the inner surface of the 7 flange 95 and the spherical lens 21.
is arranged and sealed to prevent foreign matter from entering from around the spherical lens and clogging the exposed surface of the optical fiber or the contact surface between the listening section 27 and the spherical lens 21. When particles enter from around the spherical lens 21, the signal emitted from the optical fiber 23 surface is interfered with, and the spherical lens 21 is no longer properly seated on the surface mount 1127, and is no longer able to perform its predetermined function. The sealing ring 93 also has the function of pressing the spherical lens 21 and bringing it into strong contact with the chamfered portion 27 of the alignment bushing 25.

Before inserting the second housing part 87 into the first housing part 51, the optical fiber 23 is cut so as to protrude a predetermined distance in the axial direction from the rear end surface 8B of the fixing device g1se. As described above, the protrusion distance of the optical fiber 23 is a predetermined distance determined by the position of the second core part 33 of the alignment bushing 25 and the free end of the optical fiber 23 in the chamfered part 27. The free end of the optical fiber 23 is positioned at a predetermined distance from a point on the outer periphery of the spherical lens 21 that is pressed against the chamfered portion 27 . Since this cutting is performed at a high nl1j, the distance in the axial direction between the free end of the optical fiber 23 and the outer circumference of the spherical lens 21 is maintained accurately.

After cutting the optical fiber 23 to a predetermined length, the second I/Using section 87 is inserted into the first housing section until the second pith section 33 of the alignment bushing 25 brushes against the rear end surface 85 of the fixing device 59. 51 and insert one. As the second housing part 87 is moved in the axial direction within the first housing part 51, the light 7 eyeper 23 moves toward the alignment bush 2.
5 into the chamfered portion 35 and orifice 31,
In turn, the optical fiber 23 is precisely aligned with the spherical lens 21. When the above assembly is completed, the close MIJ ring 97 prevents foreign matter from entering the contact device 41, and the spherical lens 21 is reliably and firmly seated on the chamfered portion 27 of the alignment bushing 25. It turns out.

Although there are various types of fiber cable devices having various configurations, there are some devices in which the optical fiber 23 inside the cable is not firmly held by the buffer layer 49.

The optical fibers 23 are therefore slightly displaced radially within the buffer layer 49, and for such fiber optic cable arrangements the contact arrangement 41 [1tL] of the configuration shown in FIG.
<No.

Thus, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a contact device 41' which allows use with a variety of optical seven-eye cable systems. This contact device 41' includes a first housing part 5.
1 is provided, and a fiber optic cable arrangement 43 disposed within the first housing part 51' is enclosed and retained by the first housing part 51'. To facilitate assembly, the first housing part 51' is divided into first and second parts. However, it will be appreciated that the first housing portion 51' could be constructed from a single piece as in the embodiment of FIG. Optical fiber cable device 43
The outer sheath is removed and a reinforcing layer 47 in the form of Kevlar and a buffer layer 49 made of elastomer material are used.

Next, the buff 7 layer 49 is separated from the reinforcing layer 47 and the optical fiber 23 is exposed. The outer surface of the fiber optic cable device 43 is arranged in a spiral manner by rotating the first portion 54 of the first housing portion 51' with respect to the outer casing 45.
Insert the outer casing 45 into the section 54. The first part 54 can then be rotated around the outer circumferential surface of the fiber optic cable arrangement 43 until the strands of the reinforcing layer 47 are located in the fixed areas 55' of the first housing part 51.

At this time, in order to spread the strands of the reinforcing layer 47 toward the inner wall 57' of the fixed area 55 and fixing the buffer layer 49 to the reinforcing layer 47, a conical shape is formed between the reinforcing layer 47 and the buffer layer 49. The expansion body 101 is inserted. After inserting the expander 101, the second part 56 of the first housing part 51
is fixed to the first part 154, for example by screwing.

so that the expansion member 69' is located between the optical fiber 23 and the reinforcing layer 47 at a local portion of the optical fiber 23;
tl connects the annular fixing device 59' to the first housing part 51.
’. The diameter of the central opening in expansion member 69' is slightly larger than the diameter of optical fiber 23.

The first screw thread 61 provided on the outer surface of the fixing member 63'
A threaded portion 65 provided on the inner surface of the housing portion 51'
The fixing device 59 is fixed in the first housing part 51 by screwing into the first housing part 51 .

The fixing member 63 is also provided with a hexagonal opening 67 through which a tool can be inserted, and the fixing device 59' can be easily inserted into the #I2 portion 56 of the first housing part 51. I'm being kicked.

The generally flat front end 103 of the expansion member 69 is connected to the expansion member 10.
1 is brought into contact with the end face of 1. A part of the expansion member 69' is provided so as to surround a part 73' of the fixed member 63,
The expanding member 69 is configured to be displaceable in the axial direction with respect to the fixed member 63. In this case, the expanding member 6 relative to the fixing member 63
The axial displacement of the expansion member 69 is prevented by abutting the flange 105 formed on the expansion member 69 with a ring-shaped stop flange 75 provided at one end of the fixing member 63. A Belleville-type (annular and thin truncated conical leaf spring) washer 107 is provided so that an expanding member 69 can be pressed against the reinforcing layer 47.
Firmly abuts against 1C.

A chuck body 109 for gripping and fixing the optical fiber 23 is disposed within the central opening of the expanding member 69 and the fixing member 63. 7 radially projecting flange 1 of expansion member 69'
10 prevents the chuck body 109 from moving in the axial direction of the front end 103 of the expansion member 69. The diameter of the central opening 111 of the chuck body 109 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 23. The outer surface of the chuck body 109 within the central opening provided in the fixing member 63' is formed as an inclined surface whose cross section becomes gradually narrower as it moves away from the main body of the optical fiber cable device 43.

The central opening of the fixing member 63' is also preferably provided as a corresponding H trowel surface.

The optical fiber cable device 43 is fixed in the first housing part 51', the expansion body 101 and the fiber layer 47 are expanded, and the second part 54 of the first housing part 51' is fixed. After fixing the part 56, the fixing device 59' is rotated and screwed into the first housing part 51 along the threaded part 6IS. As the securing member 63' is threaded along the threaded portion 65', the entire securing device 59 moves axially within the first housing portion 51' toward the fiber optic cable assembly 43. Since the expanding member 69' is disposed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the fixing member 63, the fixing member 63' and the expanding member 69' can be relatively movable and rotatable in the axial direction. Therefore, the torsional force and axial force generated between the expanding member 69 and the reinforcing layer 47 and between the chuck body 109 and the optical fiber 23 can be reduced.

As the fixing device 59 moves further axially within the first housing part 51, the reinforcing layer 47 is further pressed against the inner wall 57 of the fixing area 55 in the first housing part 51 by the spreading member 69, so that the spreading occurs. The #-face end 103 of the member 69 is pressed against the expansion body 101.

After the expansion member 69 comes into contact with the expansion body 101, the fixing member 6
3 moves in the axial direction, both the fixing member 63 and the expanding member 69 are relatively displaced in the axial direction. The chuck body 109 is housed inside the expanding member 69, and since the outer surface 113 of the chuck body 109 is provided as a #I slope, the chuck body 109 can be moved into the opening of the fixing member 63 due to relative changes in the axial direction. The optical fiber 23 is compressed within the first housing section 51' and is suitably held so as not to be displaced in the radial and axial directions and with elasticity. It will be appreciated that with the above-described configuration, the optical fiber 23 extends a considerable distance outward from the rear end surface 85 of the fixing device 59, substantially similar to the embodiment of FIG.

Still more preferably, the second housing part 87 containing the alignment bushing 25 and the spherical lens 21 of the present invention is connected to the third housing part 87.
It is fixed to the second part 56 of the first housing part 51 in the same way as the contact device shown.

Next, the assembled contact device 41 is inserted into a cavity 117 provided in a connector 119 (only a part of which is shown) made of an insulator.
Insert inside. Further, a washer 121 of Verebil is disposed so as to press the contact device 41' toward one end of the connector 119.

Therefore, by fixing the second housing part 87' within the first housing part 51, the contact assembly flax' is completed. It will be appreciated that the assembled contact device does not contain any elements that are dependent on the external environment. The optical fiber 23 is aligned with the spherical lens and connected to the first housing part 51.
' and the seal material does not use a temperature sensitive material such as epoxy. The contact device according to the present invention is also vertical in construction, and the entire contact device is usually fixed by suitable mechanical means such as a spring material arrangement or a threaded arrangement. Although the above-mentioned * layer side discloses a screw connection structure having a threaded portion, other suitable connection structures may be used.

Furthermore, it will be understood that due to the structure of the contact device 41'ti of the present invention, foreign matter will not enter into the housing portion and there is no risk of damaging the optical fiber. -1 The overall dimensions of the contact device according to the invention are in practice preferably very slightly greater than 11 mm in length and approximately 4 mm in diameter, so that the contact device can fit within a standard connector. can be accommodated smoothly. Therefore, existing connectors can be used in combination with optical contacts and electrical contacts.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but may include modifications within the spirit of the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

PI is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber and lens alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same portion, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a contact device according to an application example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another application example of a contact device to which the present invention is applied. 21... Spherical lens, 23... Optical fiber, 25...
- Alignment bushing, 27... Chamfered part, 29... First side part, 31... Orifice, 33... Second side part, 3
5... Chamfered portion, 41.41'... Contact device, 43.
... optical fiber cable device, 45 ... outer casing, 47 ... reinforcement layer, 49 ... buffer layer, 51
, 51' First housing part, 54...#g1 part of Ml housing part, 55, 55''... Fixed area, 56... Second part of first housing part, 5
7...Inner wall, 59.59'...Fixing device, 61.6
1'...Threaded part, 63.63'...Fixing member, 65
．． 65'...Threaded part, 67.67'...Opening part,
69.69'... Expanding member, 71... Front end, 7
3... Part of fixing member, 75.75'... Stop flange, 77... Division ring, 79... Groove, 81...
・Bushing, 83...Washer, 85.85'...Rear end surface, 87°87'...Second...Using part, 89
．． 91...Threaded part, 93...Cavity part, 95...
7 lunge, 97... sealing ring, 101... expansion body, 105... 7 lunge, 107... washer, 109
...Chuck body, 110...Flange, 111...
・Central opening, 113...Outer surface part, 117...Cavity part, 119...Connector, 121...Washer Patent applicant Marco

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) An alignment bush and a spherical lens are provided, and the alignment bush passes through a conical chamfer provided on a first side and a vertex of the chamfer 9 and passes through the alignment bush to align the alignment bush. The optical fiber includes an oriice concentric with the chamfered portion extending to the second side of the bush and capable of holding the optical fiber, and the front spherical lens is held in contact with the chamfered portion. and alignment device with a spherical lens. (2) The diameter of the chamfered portion is substantially smaller than the diameter of the spherical lens, and when the spherical lens is brought into contact with the chamfered portion, the spherical lens and the oriice are separated by a predetermined distance. Claim 1:
An alignment device for an optical fiber and a spherical lens as described in Section 1. (3) A first housing device that surrounds and holds an alignment bushing and a spherical lens, and is insertable into the first housing device and includes a first housing device that includes information inside the spherical lens and the alignment bushing; - An alignment device for an optical fiber and a spherical lens according to claim 1, which is provided so as to be able to prevent the optical fiber from moving outward toward the negative end of the waging device. (4) a second nodding device surrounding the optical fiber, the second housing device being provided with a fixing device for holding the optical fiber within the second housing device; The optical fiber and spherical lens according to claim 3, wherein the first nozzing part is fixedly provided to the second housing part so that the optical fiber passes through the orifice in the alignment bushing. and matching device. (5) Disposed between the first end of the housing device of substantially wJl and the spherical lens to prevent foreign matter from entering into the chamfer, the joint of the spherical lens, and the koji exit surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber and the spherical lens according to claim 3, further comprising a sealing device, and wherein the spherical lens is compressably pushed against the chamfered portion of the alignment bush by the front sealing device. alignment device. (6) the optical fiber is surrounded by at least a buffer layer and a reinforcing layer concentric with the optical fiber; the fixing device includes an annular member removably fixed to the second housing device; The diameter of the central opening is slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber, and the reinforcing layer is pressed by the expanded portion of the annular member so as to be able to come into contact with the inner wall of the second housing device. An alignment device for an optical fiber and a spherical lens according to claim 4. (7) The fixing device includes a chuck device disposed inside the annular member, and the chuck device can be tightened in the radial direction so as to elastically hold the optical fiber within the second housing device. 7. An alignment device for an optical fiber and a spherical lens according to claim 6, which is provided in a spherical lens. (8) Before fixing the annular member to the second housing device, the reinforcing layer 4 is applied toward the inner wall of the second housing device.
7. An alignment device for an optical fiber and a spherical lens according to claim 6, which includes an expanding body for expanding the optical fiber.