KR100436777B1 - Alignment jig for optical fiber and alignment method of optical fiber using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a jig for aligning an optical fiber and a method for aligning an optical fiber using the same, comprising: a first jig in which a first silicon bench having a plurality of grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers is fixed; A second jig in which a plurality of grooved second silicon benches are fixed, and a plurality of first pins for temporarily fixing the optical fiber aligned to the second silicon bench through a plurality of openings formed in a predetermined portion; A third jig, a fourth jig to which the optical fiber guide for preventing the optical fiber from scattering is fixed, and a fifth silicon bench to fix the third silicon bench having one groove formed to temporarily fix the selected one of the plurality of optical fibers. A jig and a lower part for temporarily fixing one optical fiber aligned to the third silicon bench through one opening formed in a predetermined portion It consists of a sixth jig fixed to the second pin of the end, the end of the machined fiber can be easily aligned, and can be used very effectively when fabricating an optical fiber array in which the ends of the optical fiber at a constant distance in the direction of the optical fiber A jig for aligning an optical fiber and a method of aligning an optical fiber using the same are provided.

Description

Alignment jig for optical fiber and alignment method of optical fiber using the same}

The present invention relates to a jig for aligning the ends of the optical fiber in the error range of several micrometers in the direction of the optical fiber to the silicon bench in which V-groove is formed, the optical fiber having a diameter of several hundred μm, in particular the end The present invention relates to a jig for aligning an optical fiber and a method of aligning an optical fiber using the same, which can be easily used when manufacturing an optical fiber array in which the processed optical fiber is easily aligned and the ends of the optical fiber maintain a constant distance in the optical fiber direction.

In the case of manufacturing a single mode optical fiber array having a diameter of 125 μm, a pitch between the optical fibers and the pitch is generally 250 μm, which is very difficult to manufacture. If the end of the optical fiber array coincides with the end of the silicon bench that fixes the optical fiber, each optical fiber is fixed on the silicon bench where V-groove is formed, and then the polishing process is performed to polish the entire optical fiber array. Can be aligned. In addition, when the optical fiber block has a constant angle, the entire array block was polished obliquely to produce a desired angle of inclination.

However, if the ends of the optical fiber to be aligned are machined into a special shape for a specific purpose and then aligned side by side on the silicon bench, the above method cannot be used because the optical fibers must be aligned at the correct position. In particular, when the ends of the optical fibers are not aligned side by side and must be uniformly aligned in the direction of several micrometers, each optical fiber must be aligned and fixed.

An object of the present invention is to easily align the ends of the machined fiber, jig for the alignment of the optical fiber that can be used very effectively when manufacturing the optical fiber array in which the ends of the optical fiber in a constant direction in the direction of the optical fiber and the optical fiber using the same To provide a sorting method of.

Another object of the present invention is to perform a method of individually moving and fixing the optical fibers on the silicon bench repeatedly jig for the alignment of the optical fiber that can be aligned to the desired position of each optical fiber within the margin of error in μm unit and this It is to provide an alignment method of the optical fiber used.

1 is an overall assembly view of the jig for arranging the ends of the plurality of optical fibers according to an embodiment of the present invention to maintain a constant distance in the direction of the optical fiber.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 1.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG. 1.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIG. 1.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D 'of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an overall assembly view of a jig in which a third pin and a seventh jig are inserted in place of the first pin and the third jig of FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E 'of FIG. 6;

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

1a, 1b, 1c and 1d: optical fiber to be aligned

2: first silicon bench for final fixing the optical fiber

3: first jig with the first silicon bench fixed

4: second silicone bench

5: second jig with second silicon bench fixed

6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d: first pins for temporarily fixing the optical fiber

7: third jig with the first pin fixed

8a, 8b, 8c and 8d: spring mounted on the first pin

9a, 9b, 9c and 9d: polymer mounted at the end of the first pin

10: guide for aligning optical fiber

11: fourth jig with fixed guide

12: the third silicone bench

13: 5th jig for fixing the third silicon bench

14: second pin to temporarily fix the optical fiber to move the optical fiber

15: sixth jig with second pin fixed

16: spring mounted to the second pin

17: polymer attached to the end of the second pin

18: third pin for temporarily fixing the optical fiber

19: 7th jig with a third pin fixed

20: the polymer attached to the end of the third pin

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a jig for aligning an optical fiber includes a first jig in which a first silicon bench having a plurality of grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers is fixed, and a plurality of grooves for aligning the optical fibers. A second jig to which the formed second silicon bench is fixed, a third jig to which the plurality of first pins for temporarily fixing the optical fiber aligned to the second silicon bench are fixed through a plurality of openings formed in a predetermined portion; A fourth jig for fixing the optical fiber guide for preventing the dispersion of the optical fiber, a fifth jig for fixing the third silicon bench in which one groove for temporarily fixing one of the plurality of optical fibers is formed; Sixth paper with one second pin fixed to temporarily fix one optical fiber aligned to the third silicon bench through one opening formed in the portion. Characterized by including him.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a jig for aligning an optical fiber includes a first jig in which a first silicon bench having a plurality of grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers is fixed, and a plurality of grooves for aligning the optical fibers. A second jig to which the formed second silicon bench is fixed, and one first pin for temporarily fixing the optical fiber aligned to the second silicon bench through a single opening formed in a predetermined portion by applying a constant pressure by a spring; A fixed third jig, a fourth jig in which an optical fiber guide for preventing the optical fiber from being scattered, and a third silicon bench in which one groove for temporarily fixing one of the plurality of optical fibers is formed; Temporarily fixing one optical fiber aligned to the third silicon bench through a fifth jig and one opening formed in a predetermined portion. It characterized in that it comprises a sixth jig fixed to one second pin.

In addition, the optical fiber alignment method using a jig for alignment of the optical fiber according to the present invention (a) after placing a plurality of optical fibers to be aligned on the first, second, fourth and fifth jig after the first, second Moving the fourth, fifth, and sixth jigs to align the optical fibers side by side on the grooves of the first, second, third silicon benches and the optical fiber guides positioned above each jig; and (b) the sixth Moving the second pin fixed to the jig downward so as to maintain a constant pressure by the spring on the first optical fiber, and (c) on the first silicon bench until the end of the first optical fiber is in the desired position. Simultaneously moving the fifth and sixth jigs in the direction of the first optical fiber; and (d) moving the first pin downward when the end of the first optical fiber is in a desired position. Applying pressure to the optical fiber to prevent it from moving and removing the pressure applied to the first optical fiber by moving the second pin upward, and repeating the steps (e) to (d) And aligning the optical fibers.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various forms, and only the present embodiments are intended to complete the present disclosure and to those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform the scope of the invention. In addition, in the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

1 is a plan view showing the overall appearance of the jig for aligning the ends of the plurality of optical fibers according to an embodiment of the present invention to maintain a constant distance in the direction of the optical fiber. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 1 and shows a state in which a silicon bench on which a V-groove is formed is fixed on a jig, and FIG. 3 is taken along line BB ′ of FIG. 1. As a cross-sectional view of the state, a jig is shown in which pins for temporarily fixing each optical fiber are temporarily fixed before totally fixing the individually aligned optical fibers. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIG. 1, illustrating a jig having a guide fixed to prevent the optical fiber from scattering while aligning each optical fiber, and FIG. 5. A cross-sectional view of a state cut along the DD 'line of the drawing shows a jig in which pins are fixed to temporarily fix one optical fiber to be moved and then move in the direction of the optical fiber to reach the desired position.

1 and 2, on the first jig 3, a first silicon bench 2 having a V-groove formed thereon for fixing the optical fiber is fixed by using a vacuum, and the optical fibers 1a and 1b to be aligned. , 1c, 1d) are located at the V-groove of the first silicon bench 2.

1 and 3, the second silicon bench 4 for aligning the optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d is fixed using a vacuum on the second jig 5. On the other hand, a plurality of openings are formed in a predetermined portion in the third jig 7, and the first pins 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d for temporarily fixing the optical fiber are fixed through the openings. Each of the first pins 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d for temporarily fixing the optical fiber is equipped with springs 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d. If the springs 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d operate individually, The first pins 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d can be moved downward to temporarily fix the optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d located in the V-groove of the second silicon bench 5. In addition, polymers 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d are mounted at ends of the first pins 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d to prevent damage due to friction with the optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d.

1 and 4, the optical fiber guide 10 for fixing the positions of the optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d is fixed on the fourth jig 11, and the optical fiber is guided by the optical fiber guide 10. The position will not be shaken.

1 and 5, the opposite end of the optical fiber end to be aligned is positioned on the third silicon bench 12 formed with one V-groove fixed on the fifth jig 13. Meanwhile, one opening is formed in a predetermined portion of the sixth jig 15, and the second pin 14 for fixing the optical fiber is fixed through the opening. The second pin 14 for fixing the optical fiber is equipped with a spring 16. When the springs 16 are operated individually, the second pin 14 moves downward to move the V-groove of the third silicon bench 12. The optical fiber (1) located in can be temporarily fixed. In addition, a polymer 17 is mounted at the end of the second pin 14 for fixing the optical fiber, thereby preventing damage due to friction with the optical fiber 1.

In the above description, the first jig 3, the second jig 4, the fourth jig 11, and the sixth jig 13 may be moved in units of 1 μm in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, that is, the front, rear, left, and right directions. It is connected to the vernier which allows movement in the unit of μm. In particular, since the sixth jig 15 is used to temporarily move the optical fiber and then move it in the Z-axis direction, that is, in the vertical direction, the vernier is mounted so that the sixth jig 15 can move in units of 1 μm in the X-, Y-, and Z-axes.

Referring to the method of aligning the optical fiber using a jig for arranging the ends of the plurality of optical fibers according to the present invention configured as described above to maintain a constant interval in the optical fiber direction as follows.

The optical fiber 1 to be aligned is placed on the first, second, fourth and fifth jig 3, 5, 11 and 13. The first, second, third and third silicon benches 2, 4 and 12 located above each jig by moving the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth jigs 3, 5, 11, 13 and 15. And the optical fibers 1 aligned side by side on the V-groove of the optical fiber guide 10. The second pin 14 for temporarily fixing the optical fiber fixed to the sixth jig 15 is moved downward by the force of the spring 16 to maintain a constant pressure on the first optical fiber 1a. The fifth and sixth jigs 13 and 15 are simultaneously moved toward the first optical fiber 1a until the end of the first optical fiber 1a on the first silicon bench 2 is at the desired position. When the end of the first optical fiber 1a is in the desired position, the first pin 6a for temporarily fixing the optical fiber is moved downward using the force of the spring 8a to apply pressure to the first optical fiber 1a so as not to move. . Since the first optical fiber 1a is temporarily fixed in the desired position, the second pin 14 is moved upward to remove the pressure applied to the first optical fiber 1a.

Then, the fifth jig 13 is moved to fix the second optical fiber 1b to the desired position so that the second pin 14 is positioned on the second optical fiber 1b. In order to temporarily fix the second optical fiber, the second pin 14 is moved downward by using the force of the spring 16 to temporarily fix the second optical fiber 1b by applying pressure to the second optical fiber 1b. The fifth and sixth jigs 13 and 15 are simultaneously moved in the direction of the second optical fiber 1b until the end of the second optical fiber 1b on the first silicon bench 2 is at the desired position. When the end of the second optical fiber 1b is in the desired position, the first pin 6b for temporarily fixing the optical fiber is moved downward by using the force of the spring 8b so as not to move by applying pressure to the second optical fiber 1b. . Since the second optical fiber 1b is temporarily fixed in the desired position, the pin 14 is moved upward to remove the pressure applied to the second optical fiber 1b.

The above procedure is repeated to temporarily fix the remaining optical fibers 1c and 1d.

Once all the optical fibers have been temporarily fixed using the first pins 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d, a resin such as polymer is applied to the glass plate or another silicone cover to permanently fix the optical fibers on the first silicon bench 2. Use to carry out the process of permanently fixing the silicon bench and the optical fiber.

6 is a view showing the overall assembly of the jig for arranging the ends of a plurality of optical fibers in accordance with another embodiment of the invention to maintain a constant distance in the optical fiber direction, Figure 7 is a state cut along the EE 'line of FIG. As a cross-sectional view of a single pin 3 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in place of the plurality of first pins 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d and the second jig 7 described in FIGS. 18) and the third jig 19 for fixing it is inserted.

6 and 7, one third pin 18 is fixed to a third jig 19 having one opening, which is preferably a second silicon bench 4. The optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d fixed above are formed to have a size that can be fixed. Each of the optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d located above the V-groove of the second silicon bench 4 is fixed under a constant load due to the self-weight of the third pin 18 so that the fifth optical fiber is aligned for the alignment of the optical fibers. And the sixth jig 13 and 15 at the same time, the optical fiber is moved while sliding between the seventh jig 19 and the third pin (18). On the other hand, the polymer 20 is mounted at the end of the third pin 18 so that the optical fiber does not move easily.

As described above, when fabricating an optical fiber array using the jig according to the present invention, alignment of the optical fiber with the end processed is easy, and particularly when fabricating an optical fiber array in which the end of the optical fiber maintains a constant distance in the optical fiber direction. Can be used effectively.

Claims (10)

A first jig to which a first silicon bench having a plurality of grooves formed thereon for fixing the plurality of optical fibers is fixed; A second jig to which a second silicon bench having a plurality of grooves formed to align the optical fiber is fixed; A third jig in which a plurality of first pins are fixed to temporarily fix the optical fiber aligned to the second silicon bench through a plurality of openings formed in a predetermined portion; A fourth jig to which an optical fiber guide for preventing the optical fiber from scattering is fixed; A fifth jig for fixing a third silicon bench in which one groove is formed to temporarily fix the selected one of the plurality of optical fibers; And Jig for aligning the optical fiber, characterized in that it comprises a sixth jig fixed to one second pin for temporarily fixing one optical fiber aligned to the third silicon bench through one opening formed in a predetermined portion . A first jig to which a first silicon bench having a plurality of grooves formed thereon for fixing the plurality of optical fibers is fixed; A second jig to which a second silicon bench having a plurality of grooves formed to align the optical fiber is fixed; A third jig in which one first pin is fixed to temporarily fix the optical fiber aligned to the second silicon bench through a single opening formed in a predetermined portion by applying a constant pressure by its own weight; A fourth jig to which an optical fiber guide for preventing the optical fiber from scattering is fixed; A fifth jig for fixing a third silicon bench in which one groove is formed to temporarily fix the selected one of the plurality of optical fibers; And Jig for aligning the optical fiber, characterized in that it comprises a sixth jig fixed to one second pin for temporarily fixing one optical fiber aligned to the third silicon bench through one opening formed in a predetermined portion . The jig according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pin is spring-loaded and operated up and down by the spring. The jig according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pin is further equipped with a polymer at the end thereof to prevent friction with the optical fiber of the second silicon bench. The jig according to claim 1, wherein the second pin is spring-loaded and operated up and down by the spring. The jig according to claim 1, wherein the second pin is further equipped with a polymer at an end thereof to prevent friction with the optical fiber of the third silicon bench. The jig for aligning optical fibers of claim 2, wherein the second pin is further equipped with a polymer at an end thereof to prevent friction with the optical fiber of the third silicon bench. The optical fiber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first jig, the second jig, and the fourth jig are connected to a vernier that can move in units of 1 µm in the front, rear, and left and right directions, respectively. Jig for doing. The jig according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sixth jig is connected to a vernier that is movable in units of 1 µm in the front, rear, left, and right directions. (a) placing a plurality of optical fibers to be aligned on the first, second, fourth and fifth jig, and then moving the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth jig to be positioned above each jig. Allowing the optical fibers to align side by side over the grooves of the first, second and third silicon benches and the optical fiber guide; (b) moving the second pin fixed to the sixth jig downward to maintain a constant pressure on the first optical fiber; (c) simultaneously moving the fifth and sixth jigs in the direction of the first optical fiber until the end of the first optical fiber on the first silicon bench is in the desired position; (d) if the end of the first optical fiber is in a desired position, moving the first pin downward to apply pressure to the first optical fiber so as not to move, and then moving the second pin upward to remove the pressure applied to the first optical fiber; ; And (e) repeating the steps (b) to (d) to align the remaining optical fibers.