JPS6011804A - Branching device of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a branching path used for a multicore fiber of a low connection loss by arranging in parallel plural single core optical fibers, and varying the arranging pitch between both terminals. CONSTITUTION:Plural single core optical fibers 3 are arranged in parallel, and an arranging pitch of the fiber 3 in one terminal 7 is made the same as an arranging pitch P of a multicore fiber 1. Also, the arranging pitch of the fiber in the other terminal 8 is made the same as the arranging pitch of the optical fiber of a single core collected connector. In this state, these optical fibers 3 are hardened in a lump by a resin, and thereafter, both end faces of the optical fiber 3 are polished. A multicore connector 17 and a single core collected connector 18 to which the multicore fiber is attached, respectively are connected to both ends of a branching path 16 formed in this way, and it is used. In this way, a branching device used for the multicore fiber of a low connection loss is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the structure of a branching device for a multi-core optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a multi-core optical fiber) used in an optical transmission line.

(Technical background) As the practical use of optical 1N communications progresses, it becomes necessary to reduce the cost of optical fibers. In order to reduce costs, a multi-core fiber 1 as shown in Figure 1 is currently being developed, but when considering an optical communication system, branching is always required, so the round-notted multi-core fiber described above is In order to put this into practical use, the development of a branching device is an absolute prerequisite. However, at present, a turnout that can be put to practical use has not yet been developed, so this development is urgently needed.

(Prior art and problems) As shown in Figure 2, conventional optical fibers consist of a single core fiber 3 with one core 2. However, it can be easily branched by connecting to the corresponding fiber of the other side every 16 times, and there is no need for a brancher. However, in the case of a multicore fiber 1, a large number of cores 2 are contained within a single glass 6 (Fig. 1).
And because it is ultra-high density, 1 core per minute: 411
It's almost impossible. Furthermore, even if it were possible to separate it, it would become thinner and problems would arise in terms of strength and handling. Therefore, a splitter is required to branch the multi-core fiber 1.

(Structure and Embodiments of the Invention) The present invention is an optical fiber splitter made in view of the above points, and its characteristics are that a plurality of single-core optical fibers are arranged in parallel, the arrangement pitch is different between the two terminals, It has a structure in which the optical fibers are arranged at the same pitch within one end, the optical fibers are collectively hardened with resin, and both end surfaces of the optical fibers are polished.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. Fourth
6 to 6 are schematic diagrams for explaining the manufacturing method and structure of the branching device of the present invention. In FIG. The outer diameter is the same as the distance P between the cores of the multicore fiber 1 (see FIG. 1).

In addition, the distance P between the cores of the multi-core fiber 1 is all the same -L1)
They are separated by one. Single-core fibers 3 having the above-mentioned size are manufactured using the same method as ordinary small-core fibers, and the same number of single-core fibers 3 as the number of cores 2 of the multi-core fiber 1 are arranged in parallel, with one end 7 having a straight line. The terminals at the other end 8 are arranged in a straight line at the same pitch as the alignment pitch of the optical fibers of the small-centered connector, which will be described later. This arrangement and fixing method will be explained using Figures 5 and 6.
It has a square shape with a hollow part 10 in the center and a C1 piece.
γ11. A flat groove 11 is provided at the near end, and a 7-shaped groove 12 is provided at the other end 8 at the same pitch as the alignment pitch of the optical fibers of the single-core connector. The width and depth of the grooves 11 and 12 are the outer diameter of the small-core fiber 3 that enters the grooves), lj>
: Just select a reasonable size. These grooves 1], 12
As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the single-core fiber 3 is
.

After that, the upper mold 13 is placed on the lower mold 9 to a state of P, 5 to 61゛χ1, and the mold is clamped. In addition, like the lower mold 9, the upper mold 13 also has a hollow part 10' in the center.
It is being After clamping the mold, mold 2 13 resin holes 1 and 1
From the hollow part 10 of the mold 15, io':;rJ iff
The plurality of small-core fibers 3 are fixed in their respective positions by injecting or press-fitting them, and the resin is solidified all at once. Next, the branching device 16, which is the object to be molded, is taken out from the mold 15, and the end faces 7' and 8' are polished in the same manner as the end faces of the optical connector. to a state where they can be combined with each other.

The arrangement pitch of the 7-shaped grooves 12 on the other end 8 is +1i.
It should be the same as the normal hip pitch of the optical fiber of the core assembly connector 18. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the single surfaces 7' and 8' of the branching device 16 are adapted to match the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the multi-fiber connector 17 and the single-fiber aggregate connector 18 connected thereto, respectively.

The above is the structure and manufacturing method of the optical fiber splitter 16 of the present invention. Next, how to use this branching device 16 will be explained with reference to FIG. A multi-core connector I7 with a multi-core fiber 1 prepared in advance on the end face 7' side of the branching device 16
and a small-core assembly connector 18 in which the small-core fibers 3 are assembled on the end face 8' side. At this time, alignment of the splitter 16 and the connectors 17 and 18, that is, alignment of the core 2 at each connection point of each optical fiber, is performed in the housing]9. Instead of the housing 19, positioning pins may be used for alignment.

(Effect of the invention in Song Dynasty) As described above, the turnout 16 of the present invention is connected to the connector j7.1.
By inserting the multi-core fiber 1, the small-core fiber 3 in the splitter 16, and the core 2 of the single-core fiber 3 in the small-core connector 18 as shown in FIG. Like fiber connectors, it can be branched with low loss).

In addition, the rll in the branch 16 and the core fiber 3 are
] Since it is embedded in fat, there is no need to worry about damage.
), and is highly reliable. Furthermore, it has the advantage of being easily removed from the turnout 16 by 1.υl (j1'), in which no skill is required for the turnout.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multicore fiber, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a 14-layer fiber, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a branching fiber. 'd4 figure~
FIG. 8 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the present invention, No. 41'll C1
Schematic explanatory diagram of the structure of the turnout, Fig. 5; A (I figure il 1 minute + upper and lower molds for making the Ilk device, respectively), 1j end U) A 11), h explanatory diagram, Fig. 7 is the turnout Fig. 8 ζ is a connection diagram of the 197 fiber core ty4 diagram. 1...Multi-core fiber, 2...core, 3...jll
, 7-core optical fiber, 4... Optical cable, 5... Multi-core optical cable E1-core connecting part with corresponding counterpart optical cable, 6... Glass, 7.8... Single-core optical fiber arrangement. Both ends with different pitches, 9... lower mold, 10
．． 10'...Hollow part, 11...Flat groove, 12...7
character groove, 13...upper mold, 14...resin injection hole, 15.
... Molding mold, 16... Branch, 17... Multi-core connector, 18... Single-core assembly connector, 19... Housing, P... Core number 1 of multi-core fiber 2 Zuyoshi 3 Zui 80

Claims (1)

[Claims] ] A plurality of single-core optical fibers are arranged in parallel, arranged so that the arrangement pitch is different between both terminals, and has the same pinch within one terminal, and the optical fibers are collectively hardened with resin,
An optical fiber splitter featuring a polished structure on both end faces of the optical fiber.