JPS63296008A - Multicore optical fiber connecting ferrule - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily assemble an optical fiber by forming an insertion hole for inserting a ribbon-like optical tape, and a window for confirming whether the optical fiber of the tip of the tape is inserted normally or not at the time of inserting the optical tape into the insertion hole, in the rear end and the upper part, respectively. CONSTITUTION:A ferrule F consists of an integral construction, and a large diameter part 12 whose thickness is thicker than the tip part is provided on the B face side (rear). Also, in the center of the rear end of the ferrule F, a hole 13 for inserting an optical fiber core C2 whose covering is peeled off is provided, and in the tip of the hole 13, a guide groove 14 for guiding each core C2 and plural minute holes 15 for inserting through an optical fiber C1 are formed, and an inlet of the hole 15 goes to a tapered guide part 16. In the upper part of the ferrule F, a window 17 for confirming whether the optical fiber C1 is inserted normally or not, at the time of inserting a tape C from the insertion hole 13 of the rear end is formed so as to face the guide groove 14 and the guide part 16 of the inlet of the minute hole 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Industrial Application Field" The present invention is a multi-core optical fiber that is used to collectively connect a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel in a ribbon shape, for example, optical fiber tape. Regarding ferrules for fiber connections.

"Prior Art" Ferrules are made by exposing the tips of inserted optical fibers from one end of the ferrule, and abutting each other so that the optical fibers match up against similarly configured ferrules. Optical fibers are connected to each other by being pressed and biased by an elastic member so that they approach each other.

By the way, the conventionally known ferrule F for connecting multiple optical fibers with seven optical fibers has a two-part structure consisting of a base 1 and a cap 2, as shown in FIG.

Here, we will explain the procedure for setting the optical fiber into the conventional ferrule F.■ Standing part 3 at the tip of the base
Adhesive is injected into the micropores 4 provided in the.

(2) Insert each optical fiber at the tip of the tape C from which the coating has been removed into the fine hole 4.

(2) Apply adhesive to the fiber guide groove 5 of the base l or the central flat plate 6 that supports the tape C, and temporarily fix the tape C.

(2) Apply adhesive to the mating surface 1a of the base l with the cap 2, and temporarily fix the cap 2 to the base l.

(2) Adhesive is injected between the base l and the cap 2 through a hole not shown, and the two are fixed with an optical fiber interposed therebetween.

■ Polish the optical fiber exposed from the front end of ferrule F, including the ferrule, so that the end of the optical fiber is flush with the front surface A of the ferrule.

■If necessary, attach a wire protection boot to the rear end of the ferrule.

By the above operations, the optical fiber is set in the ferrule F.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" By the way, the above-mentioned conventional ferrule has many work steps as mentioned above, and the ferrule itself has been miniaturized, for example, using the cap 2 as a base! Even when the fiber is attached to a fiber, it is very difficult to assemble the fiber because it cannot be done directly by hand and the work must be done using a bin set.

In addition, the structure is divided into two parts, the base l and the cap 2, and the number of parts is large, resulting in high costs.

Furthermore, when the adhesive is injected between the base 1 and the cap 2, there is a problem that the adhesive leaks from the mating surfaces of the two.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a multi-core optical fiber that can easily assemble optical fibers, reduce costs, and prevent the adhesive for fixing the fibers from leaking to the outside. The purpose is to provide a ferrule for fiber connection.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes an insertion hole at the rear end into which a ribbon-shaped optical fiber tape is inserted,
Moreover, a window is formed in the upper part for checking whether or not the optical fiber at the tip of the tape is inserted normally when the optical fiber tape is inserted through the insertion hole.

"Operation" To set the optical fiber into the above ferrule, first,
Adhesive is injected into the microhole, an optical fiber tape is inserted through the insertion hole at the rear end of the ferrule, and the fiber at the tip of the tape is inserted through the microhole. Next, if necessary, an adhesive is injected into the joint portion of the optical fiber and the ferrule to fix the fiber, and then the tip of the optical fiber is polished so that it is flush with the front surface of the ferrule. Optical fibers can be set up by the simple operations described above.

In addition, when setting the optical fibers above, it is possible to check whether the optical fiber core is guided through the guide groove of the ferrule and inserted into the fine hole through the window formed on the side. Misset can be almost eliminated.

"Embodiments" Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. - First Embodiment - FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, F is a ferrule, C is a ribbon-shaped optical fiber tape in which a large number of optical fibers C1 are arranged in parallel, and 11 is a tape C.
This is a tape protection member that is fitted on the outside of the tape. Note that the tape protection member 11 is made of an elastic material.

The ferrule F does not have a multi-segmented structure as shown in the conventional example, but has an integral structure. The rear end of the ferrule F (here, the B side is defined as the rear and the opposite side (A) is defined as the front) is provided with a large diameter portion 12 that is thicker than the tip.

Further, at the center of the rear end of the ferrule F, an insertion hole 13 is provided into which the fiber tape C is inserted, with the coated optical fiber core C1 facing forward. At the tip of the insertion hole 13, there are guide grooves 14 for individually guiding each optical fiber core C2, and a plurality of fine holes 15 for inserting the optical fiber CI from which the coating at the tip of the optical fiber core has been removed. are formed in order toward the tip side. Micropore 1
A tapered guide portion 16 is formed at the entrance of the optical fiber C3 to facilitate insertion of the optical fiber C3 (see FIG. 2). The guide groove 14 and the microhole 1
5 are formed equally spaced in the width direction of the ferrule F corresponding to the optical fiber C4 in the tape, and have micro holes 15.
is formed so as to be inserted into the front end A of the ferrule F.

Furthermore, a window 17 is provided in the upper part of the ferrule F to confirm whether or not the optical fiber C1 is inserted normally when inserting the tape C from the insertion hole 13 at the rear end. The hole 15 is formed facing the guide portion 16 of the hole 15. Note that the reference numeral 18 indicates a through hole for inserting a guide bin into which the ferrules F are fitted in a positioned state.

Next, the procedure for setting the optical fiber in the ferrule F will be explained.

(2) Inject adhesive into each microhole 15 at the front end of the ferrule.

■ Fit the tape protection member 11 to a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the tape C where the optical fiber core C2 and the optical fiber C0 are exposed by peeling off the coating, and insert the tape C together with the protection member 11 into the insertion hole 13 at the rear end of the ferrule. Insert into.

At this time, the optical fiber C1 is inserted into the fine hole 15, and the optical fiber C2 is properly guided into the guide groove 14 of the ferrule through the window 17 formed on the upper side of the ferrule, and the optical fiber C3 is inserted into the fine hole 15. It is possible to know whether it is inserted into the micropore 15 or not. Therefore, misset of the optical fiber CI hardly occurs.

■After that, if necessary, use the window 1 for confirming the fiber insertion.
7, pour the adhesive into the joint between the fiber tape C and the ferrule F to fix the optical fiber C, and make the tip of the protruding optical fiber C flush with the front surface A of the ferrule. Polish as shown. At this time,
Since the ferrule F has an integral structure, there is almost no chance of adhesive leaking to the outside. In particular, if the dimensions of the tape protection member 11 are set to have a slight tightening margin for the tape insertion hole 13, and also for the tape C, it will be more reliable. Can prevent adhesive leakage.

By the above operations, the optical fiber can be set in the ferrule.

1. Second Embodiment - FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, when inserting and setting the tape C from the insertion hole 21 at the rear end of the ferrule, the tape C is directly inserted into the insertion hole 21 without using a protective member. For this reason, the tape insertion hole 21 formed at the rear end of the ferrule is set to be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tape C.

In this embodiment as well, the optical fibers can be set using substantially the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

-Third Embodiment- FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. A feature of this embodiment is that a fiber tape protection member 30 is attached to the rear end of the ferrule F in advance. The tape protection member 30 is made of an elastic material, similar to that used in the first embodiment, and is attached to the ferrule F by means of adhesive or fitting.
is fixed to the rear end of the

A hole 3 for inserting the tape C is provided at the rear end of the tape protection member 30.
1 is formed. Further, the rear end portion of the protective member 30 has a shape in which the upper half of the tape insertion hole 30 is cut out, and the upper surface of the remaining lower half is provided with a tape C when the tape C is inserted into the insertion hole 30. A guide groove 32 for positioning is formed continuously with the insertion hole 31.

In the ferrule F of this embodiment, by directly inserting the tape C into the insertion hole 31 of the tape protection member 30, it is possible to obtain an optical fiber set state with the protection member 30 interposed therebetween. In particular, the insertion hole 31 in the protection member 30
Since a continuous guide groove 32 is provided, the tape C can be easily inserted and fiber setting work can be performed on site.

In each of the above embodiments, a rectangular ferrule was used as an example, but the present invention is of course applicable to a cylindrical ferrule as in the conventional example shown in FIG.

"Effect of the invention" According to the present invention, the following excellent effects are achieved.

■Since the ferrule has an integrated structure, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome processes of fitting the cap to the base and temporarily fixing the tape to the base, which is required in conventional cases, simplifying the overall process. Therefore, the fiber setting work becomes easy.

(2) As mentioned above, the ferrule has an integral structure and the number of parts is reduced, so it is possible to reasonably reduce costs.

(2) Furthermore, since the mating surface between the base and the cap as shown in the conventional example can be eliminated, it is possible to prevent the adhesive for fixing the tape from leaking to the outside.

■The insertion status of the optical fiber can be checked through the window provided at the top, which prevents missetting of the optical fiber.

■In addition, by forming a window to confirm optical fiber insertion facing the entrance of the microhole, you can directly check the state of insertion of the optical fiber into the microhole, making it easier to set the optical fiber. I can do it.

■Furthermore, by arranging a protection member with a guide section that positions the tape when inserting the tape, assembly with the protection member interposed can be easily performed, and the tape can be easily inserted. It is also possible to set up optical fibers on-site.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 are detailed explanations of the present invention.
The figure is a perspective view showing the first embodiment, and the second figure is from ■ to ■ in Figure 1.
3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional example. 11... Tape protection member, 13.21, 31... Insertion hole, 14...
・Guide groove, 15...Minute hole, 17...Window for confirming ferrule insertion, F...
...Ferrule, C...Fiber tape, C1...Optical fiber, C1...Optical fiber core wire. Fujikura Electric Wire Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Multiple optical fibers arranged in parallel in a ribbon shape (
A ferrule (F) is used when connecting fibers C_1) all at once, and the rear end has an insertion hole (13 ,21,
31), and at the tip of the insertion hole, a guide groove (14) for individually guiding each of the optical fibers, and an optical fiber from which the coating at the tip of the optical fiber has been removed are inserted. A plurality of micro holes (15) are provided in order toward the tip side, and the upper portion is provided with a hole to ensure that the optical fiber at the tip of the tape is inserted normally when the ribbon-like tape is inserted from the insertion hole at the rear end. A ferrule for connecting multi-core optical fibers, characterized in that a window (17) is formed to confirm whether or not the ferrule is present. (2) The ferrule for connecting multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the window (17) for confirming the insertion of the optical fiber is formed so as to face the entrance of the microhole. . (3) Behind the tape insertion hole (31) at the rear end is a guide portion (32) for positioning the tape when inserting the tape.
2. The ferrule for connecting multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member (30) having a protective member (30) provided with a protective member (30).