JPS63110404A - Device for aligning optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily, quickly, and accurately align optical fibers, by confirming an axial deviation in a direction orthogonal to 1st and 4th planes by means of 1st confirming member and axial deviation in the direction orthogonal to 2nd and 3rd planes by means of a 2nd confirming member, and then, making alignment in the direction orthogonal to the planes by means of a 1st piezo-electric actuator. CONSTITUTION:Alignment in the direction orthogonal to the 1st and 4th planes 37 and 54, namely, in the vertical direction is performed by means of the 1st piezo-electric actuator 5 while the axial deviation in the direction is confirmed by the 1st confirming member 7. Moreover, alignment in the direction orthogonal to the 2nd and 3rd lanes 38 and 53, namely, in the horizontal direction is performed by means of the 2nd piezo-electric actuator 6 while the axial deviation in the direction is confirmed by the 2nd confirming member 8. Furthermore, the rocking (parallel displacement) of each optical fiber 1 and 2 is carried out by the piezo-electric actuators. Therefore, when each of the optical fibers 1 and 2 is rocked (parallel displacement) by one time, the alignment of the optical fibers 1 and 2 in the axial direction can be made easily, quickly, and accurately.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an optical fiber alignment device.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

In order to connect two optical fibers, it is necessary to align their axes so that their axes coincide, and various devices have been used for this alignment.

However, with conventional systems, it is not possible to accurately oscillate the fixing base, etc. that fixes each optical fiber, and when aligning the axis in the horizontal direction, misalignment occurs in the vertical direction. Some devices have the disadvantage that alignment occurs in the horizontal direction when the alignment is performed, and there is no device that can accurately align the alignment in a short period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber alignment device that can align optical fibers simply, quickly, and accurately.

[Means for solving problems]

The optical fiber alignment device of the present invention is an optical fiber alignment device for aligning the axes of two optical fibers; a pair of optical fiber holders disposed in close proximity to hold the distal ends of the optical fibers; provided below the optical fiber holders holding one of the optical fibers, and on a horizontal plane containing the axis of the optical fiber; centered on a first deflection point in a first plane of the shape and spaced from the optical fiber;
a first piezoelectric actuator that swings the optical fiber holder in the vertical direction to swing the tip of the optical fiber in a second vertical plane perpendicular to the first plane; Centered on a first deflection point that is provided below an optical fiber holder that holds an optical fiber, is within a vertical third plane that includes the axis of the optical fiber, and is isolated from the optical fiber; a second piezoelectric actuator that swings the optical fiber holder horizontally to swing the tip of the optical fiber in a fourth horizontal plane perpendicular to the third plane; It is provided near the intermediate part between the holders, and receives the light transmitted through the tips of both optical fibers along the first plane and the fourth plane, and corrects the misalignment of the axes of the optical fibers in the vertical direction. a first confirmation member to be confirmed; provided near the intermediate portion between both optical fiber holders and at a position perpendicular to the first confirmation member;
and a second confirmation member that receives light transmitted through the tips of both optical fibers along the plane and the third plane to confirm a positional deviation of the axes of the optical fibers in the horizontal direction.

[Effect]

With the configuration as described above, while checking the deviation of the axis in the direction perpendicular to the first plane and the fourth plane with the first confirmation member, the first piezoelectric actuator is used to check the deviation of the axis in the direction perpendicular to the first plane and the fourth plane. While checking the axis alignment in the direction perpendicular to the second plane and the third plane using the second confirmation member, the first piezoelectric actuator aligns the axis in the direction perpendicular to the second plane and the third plane. If the axis is aligned in the direction perpendicular to the plane, 2
The axial directions of the optical fibers can be made the same.

In other words, since the first plane and the fourth plane are horizontal planes, and the second plane and third plane are vertical planes, the deviation of the axis in the horizontal plane can be corrected by the second piezoelectric actuator, and the vertical In-plane misalignment of the axis can be corrected by the first piezoelectric actuator.

Furthermore, since the optical fiber is oscillated by a piezoelectric actuator, the oscillation dimension can be made extremely precise.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on drawings showing examples.

1 and 2 show an optical fiber splicing device using an optical fiber alignment device according to the present invention.
, 2a, and a first piezoelectric actuator 5 provided below the optical fiber holder 3 and swinging the optical fiber holder 3. , a second piezoelectric actuator 6 provided below the optical fiber holder 4 for swinging the optical fiber holder 4, and first and second piezoelectric actuators for checking the misalignment of the axes of both optical fibers 1 and 2. Confirmation members 7 and 8, and a first
While confirming the position of each axis using the second confirmation member 7.8, the first and second piezoelectric actuators 5 and 6 swing the respective optical fibers 1 and 2 to align their axes. be.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the optical fiber holder 3 includes a mounting table 9 and a horizontal groove 10 that is placed and fixed on the mounting table 9 and into which the optical fiber 1 is fitted. a block body 11 having a block body 11, a fixed block 12 placed and fixed on the mounting table 9, and a pressing member that presses the optical fiber 1 so that the optical fiber 1 is fitted into the groove 10 of the block body 11. 13, an operating member 14 that reciprocates the pressing member 13 as shown by arrows A and B, and a stopper 15 that restricts the action of the operating member 14. Further, a pressing member 13, an operating member 14, and a stopper 15 are provided on the fixed block 12.

That is, in the normal state, the operating member 14 is connected to the second resilient member 16.
As a result, the pressing member 13 is pressed as shown by arrow C, and as shown in FIG. Then, the pressing member 13 is pressed by the first resilient member 17 and moves as shown by arrow A, and as shown in FIG. 7, the optical fiber 1 is fitted into the groove 10 of the block body 11 and the light is Hold the fiber. Then, when the optical fiber 1 is held, the operating member 14 is pressed by the third resilient member 18 as shown by the arrow F and is locked to the stopper 15, and the operating member 14 is moved by the second resilient member 16 as shown by the arrow F. Sliding in the C direction is restricted. Then move the stopper 15 to arrow E
When pressed as shown in FIG. 8, the locking by the stopper 15 is released, and the operating member 14 is slid in the direction of arrow C by the second resilient member 16, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

Therefore, by positioning the optical fiber 1 near the opening of the groove 10 of the block body 11 and pressing the operating member 14 in the direction of the arrow, the optical fiber 1 is held in a state fitted in the groove 10. Ru.

Note that the optical fiber holder 4 has the same structure as the optical fiber holder 3, so the explanation will be omitted, but the block body 11 and the fixed block 12 are placed on a mounting table at the opposite left and right positions from the optical fiber holder 3. It is placed and fixed at 9.

Thus, the optical fiber holder 3 has an actuator holding block 19 to which the first piezoelectric actuator 5 is attached.
is fixed to. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, this holding block 19 includes upper and lower frames 20.21, and upper and lower frames 20.21.
It consists of a side frame body 22 connecting the base ends of 21, and
The upper suspension body 20 has cutout portions 23 and 24 formed on the upper surface on the distal end side and the lower surface on the proximal end side (that is, on the side frame body 22 side), respectively.
Furthermore, a small notch 2 is formed on the side frame body 22 side of the notch 24.
5 is formed. Furthermore, a hanging wall 26 is formed at the center of the lower surface of the upper ladder body 20, and a projecting wall 27 corresponding to the hanging wall 28 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the lower frame body 21. Moreover, there is a gap 2 between the hanging wall 26 and the protruding wall 27.
8 is provided.

Then, the mounting table 9 of the optical fiber holder 3 is placed on the upper frame body 2.
0, and the first piezoelectric actuator 5 is interposed between the notch 24 of the upper body 20 and the lower frame body 21 corresponding to the notch 24. , due to the expansion and contraction of the first piezoelectric actuator 5, the first
The optical fiber holder 3 is swung around the deflection point Xa.

That is, the first piezoelectric actuator 5 has a piezoelectric main body 31 formed by laminating a large number of piezoelectric elements 30 in a superposed manner.
and a collar member 32a connected to both ends of the piezoelectric body 31,
32b, and when the voltage is changed, the piezoelectric body 31 expands and contracts in the axial direction in proportion to the voltage, and the collar member 32a.

32b has conical recesses 33a and 33 in the center of its end surface, respectively.
b is formed, and the upper frame body 20 is attached to the bottom 34a of the recess 33a.
The tip 36 of a support member 35 made of a screw or the like having a conical tip is brought into contact with the bottom 34b of the recess 33b, and is screwed onto the lower frame 21. The first piezoelectric actuator 5 is held by the actuator holding block 19 by bringing the tip 36 of the support member 35 into contact with it. At this time, the axial direction of the first piezoelectric actuator 5 is aligned with the horizontal first plane 37 that includes the axial center of the optical fiber 1 held by the optical fiber holder 3 and the first deflection point Xa. set to be orthogonal.

Therefore, when the first piezoelectric actuator 5 expands and contracts in the axial direction, the upper frame 20 swings as shown by arrows G and H around the first deflection point Xa when the lower frame 21 is fixed. become. In other words, the first deflection point Xa is the optical fiber 1
If the optical fiber 1 is sufficiently isolated from the optical fiber 1, the optical fiber 1 can swing parallel to the first plane in a vertical second plane 38 that includes its axis and is orthogonal to the first plane 37. become. At this time, the first deflection point Xa is further away from the optical fiber 1 than the point Ya on which the force from the actuator 5 acts, so even if the force from the actuator 5 is small, the first deflection point Xa The optical fiber oscillates as Note that, assuming that the dimension from the first deflection point Xa to the point Ya is 1, the perpendicular dimension from the deflection point Xa to the optical fiber 1 is preferably 5 to 10.

Further, the optical fiber holder 4 is fixed to an actuator holding block 39 to which the second piezoelectric actuator 6 is attached. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, this holding block 39 has upper and lower frames 40.41 and
The upper frame body 40 is composed of a connecting frame body 42 that connects the actuator holding block 39 at an intermediate portion, and a side frame body 43 that is connected from the base end of the lower frame body 41. Similar to the body 20, notches 44 and 45 are formed on the upper surface on the distal end side and the lower surface on the proximal side, respectively, and a small notch 46 is further formed on the lower frame body 41 side of the connecting frame body 42. Further, the upper end portion of the side frame body 43 protrudes toward the upper frame body 40 side, and its protruding surface 4
A gap 48 is provided between 6 and the base end surface 47 of the upper frame body 40.

Then, the mounting table 9 of the optical fiber holder 4 is placed and fixed in the notch 44 of the upper frame 40, and the second piezoelectric actuator 6 is placed in correspondence with the connecting frame 42. The first deflection, which is the axis of the thin section 49 formed by the small notch 46 of the side frame 43, is interposed between the side frame 43 and the second piezoelectric actuator 6, and is formed by the small notch 46 of the side frame 43. Point Xb
The optical fiber holder 4 is swung around the center.

That is, the second piezoelectric actuator 6 is the same as the first piezoelectric actuator 5, and the collar member 3
The tip 36 of the support member 35 screwed to the connecting frame 42 is brought into contact with the bottom 34a of the recess 33a of 2a, and the collar member 32b
The tip 36 of the support member 35 screwed onto the side frame 43 is brought into contact with the bottom 34b of the recess 33b, and is held by the second piezoelectric actuator holding block 39. Further, at this time, the axial direction of the second piezoelectric actuator 6 is aligned with a vertical third plane 53 that includes the axial center of the optical fiber 2 held by the optical fiber holder 4 and the first deflection point Xb. set to be orthogonal. In other words, the second plane 38 and the third plane
It is parallel to the plane 53. Therefore, when the second piezoelectric actuator 5 expands and contracts in the axial direction, the upper frame 40 swings as shown by the arrow L around the first deflection point Xb when the lower frame 41 is fixed. become. In other words, if the first deflection point χb is sufficiently isolated from the optical fiber 2, the optical fiber 2 will be able to move within the horizontal fourth plane 54 that includes its axis and is perpendicular to the third plane 53. It will swing parallel to the third plane 53. In addition, the first plane 3
7 and the fourth plane 54 are parallel because the second plane 38 and the third plane 53 are parallel.

Thus, the actuator holding blocks 19, 39 configured as described above are placed in the positional relationship as shown in FIGS.
．． The rain frame body 21.41 is fixed to 51. That is, the axes of the optical fibers 1 and 2 held by the optical fiber holders 3 and 4 are set to be substantially the same.

Next, the first confirmation member 7 checks the first plane 37 and the fourth plane 5.
4, a light receiving section 56 receives the light emitted from the first illumination member 59 as shown by the arrow and transmitted through the tips of the optical fibers 1 and 2, and the light from the light receiving section 56 is transmitted to a beam stabilizer 57, etc. a transmission unit 58 for transmitting data to a monitor television (not shown) via a
Projects images of the core and cladding. That is, the core and the cladding have different refractive indexes, and the positions of the cores of the respective optical fibers 1 and 2 can be confirmed from the images. Therefore, this first confirmation member 7 can confirm the position of the optical fiber 1 in the second plane and the position of the optical fiber 2 in the third plane 53, and can confirm the position of the optical fiber 1 in the first plane 53. The deviation of the axis in the direction perpendicular to the plane 37 and the fourth plane 54 can be confirmed. The transmission section 58 is equipped with a prism 60 for transmitting the light from the light receiving section 56 to the beam stabilizer 57.

Further, the second confirmation member 8 includes a second plane 38 and a third plane 5.
3, a light receiving section 62 receives the light emitted from the second illumination member 61 as shown by the arrow and transmitted through the tips of the optical fibers 1 and 2, and the light from the light receiving section 62 is transmitted to the beam stabilizer 57. and a transmission section 63 that transmits the data to the monitor television (not shown) through the above-mentioned monitor television, and displays images of the core and cladding of each optical fiber L2 on the television. Therefore, this second confirmation member 8 can confirm the position of the optical fiber 1 in the first plane and the position of the optical fiber 2 in the fourth plane.
The deviation of the axis in the direction perpendicular to the plane 38 and the third plane 53 can be confirmed. Note that 60a is this light receiving section 6.
This is a prism for transmitting the light from 2 to the beam stabilizer 57.

Thus, FIG. 9 shows the mutual relationship between the first plane, the second plane, the third plane, and the fourth plane.

In order to align the two optical fibers 1 and 2 in the axial direction using the optical fiber alignment device configured as described above, first, each optical fiber 1 and 2 is attached to each optical fiber holder. 3.4, hold it as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and use the first confirmation member 7 to check for misalignment of the axis in the direction orthogonal to the first plane 37 and the fourth plane 54. However, the first
The piezoelectric actuator 5 swings the optical fiber 1 along the second plane to align the axes of the optical fibers 1 and 2 in a direction orthogonal to the first plane 37 and the fourth plane 54, and the second confirmation member 8, the second plane 38 and the third plane 53
The optical fiber 2 is swung along the fourth plane 54 by the second piezoelectric actuator 6 while checking the deviation of the axis in the direction perpendicular to Axis alignment in a direction perpendicular to the plane 53 is performed.

That is, by swinging each optical fiber 1°2 once while checking the misalignment of the axes using the first checking member 7 and the second checking member 8, the axes can be aligned in the axial direction. Can be done.

When this axis alignment is completed, the approach structures 66 and 67 having the third and fourth piezoelectric actuators 64 and 65 similar to the first and second piezoelectric actuators 5 and 6,
The optical fibers 1 and 2 are swung toward each other in the axial direction, and the end faces of the optical fibers 1 and 2 are melted using a pair of electrode rods 6B and 69, so that the optical fibers 1
, 2 are connected. The axes of the electrode rods 68 and 69 are inclined with respect to the first plane 37 and the fourth plane 54, and with respect to the second plane 38 and the third plane 53. The body 66 is fixed to the fixed member 50 and the access structure 67 is fixed to the fixed member 51.

In addition, this optical fiber connecting device has a jacket lb which covers the optical fibers 1 and 2, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.
, 2b is attached, and this jacket holder 70.71 is attached to the adjusting member 72.
．． At 73, they are respectively movable in the arrow direction (that is, in the axial direction). Moreover, this jacket holder 70.
Reference numeral 71 has the same structure as the optical fiber holder 3.4. That is, after the jackets lb and 2b of the optical fibers 1 and 2 are held by the jacket holders 70 and 71, both the optical fibers 1 and 2 are brought close to each other by both adjustment members 72 and 73, and then the optical fibers are held together. Holding the optical fiber 1.2 with the tool 3.4, the optical fiber 1.
Connect 2.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The optical fiber alignment device of the present invention uses the first piezoelectric actuator 5 to check the misalignment of the axis in the direction perpendicular to the first plane 37 and the fourth plane 54 while checking the first confirmation member 7 for the deviation of the axis in the direction orthogonal to the first plane 37 and fourth plane 54. Axis alignment can be performed in a direction perpendicular to the plane 37 and the fourth plane 54 (that is, the vertical direction), and further,
While checking the deviation of the axis in the direction orthogonal to the second plane 38 and the third plane 53 with the second confirmation member 8, use the second piezoelectric actuator 6 to check the deviation of the axis in the direction orthogonal to the first plane 37 and the fourth plane 54. Since it is possible to perform axis alignment in the direction (that is, horizontal direction), by swinging (parallel movement) each optical fiber 1.2 times, alignment in the axial direction can be easily and quickly performed. Can be done.

In addition, since the swinging (parallel movement) of each optical fiber 1, 2 is performed by a piezoelectric actuator, the swinging (parallel movement) dimension can be made extremely precise, and the axis alignment can be performed with precision. Become something.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an optical fiber connecting device in which an optical fiber alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used;
3 is an enlarged side view showing how the first piezoelectric actuator is installed, FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing how the second piezoelectric actuator is installed, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the main part. Figure 6 is an enlarged front view of the main parts, Figures 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views of the optical fiber holder, and Figure 9 is an enlarged front view of the first plane and the second plane.
FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view for explaining the mutual relationship between a plane, a third plane, and a fourth plane. ■, 2... optical fiber, la, 2a... tip,
3, 4... Optical fiber holder, 5... First piezoelectric actuator, 6... Second piezoelectric actuator, 7...
- First confirmation member, 8... Second confirmation member, Xa... First deflection point, Xb... First deflection point.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical fiber alignment device for aligning the axes of one or two optical fibers, comprising: aligning the tips of each optical fiber so that the end faces of each optical fiber face each other; a pair of optical fiber holders disposed adjacent to each other that hold one optical fiber; and a horizontal plane including the axis of the optical fiber, which The optical fiber holder is vertically swung around a first deflection point that is within a first plane and is isolated from the optical fiber, and the tip of the optical fiber is bent vertically orthogonally to the first plane. A first piezoelectric actuator to be oscillated within a planar second plane, and a vertical piezoelectric actuator provided below an optical fiber holder holding the other optical fiber and including the axis of the optical fiber. a second plane in a third plane and isolated from the optical fiber;
A second piezoelectric device that swings the optical fiber holder horizontally around the bending point to swing the tip of the optical fiber in a fourth horizontal plane perpendicular to the third plane. The actuator is provided near the intermediate portion between the two optical fiber holders, and receives the light that has passed through the tips of both optical fibers along the first plane and the fourth plane, and adjusts the vertical direction between the two optical fibers. a first confirmation member for confirming the misalignment of the axis; and a first confirmation member located near the intermediate portion between both optical fiber holders and
It is installed at a position orthogonal to the confirmation member, and receives the light transmitted through the tips of both optical fibers along the second and third planes to confirm the misalignment of the axes of both optical fibers in the horizontal direction. An optical fiber alignment device characterized by comprising: a second confirmation member for checking;