KR200372374Y1 - Apparatus for fabricating fiber-array - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array for attaching a cover to a V-groove block in which an optical fiber is aligned is disclosed. The assembly device of the optical fiber array is very convenient because most of the work is done automatically. In addition, the work of placing the cover on the V-groove block and the force applied to the cover can be made constant at all times, thereby improving the reproducibility of the work. This improves the quality as well as the production yield.

Description

Fiber Optic Array Manufacturing Equipment {APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING FIBER-ARRAY}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array for adhering a cover to a V groove block in which an optical fiber is aligned.

Due to the explosive increase in transmission capacity, the construction of ultra high-speed information network is being promoted nationwide. The main technology trend of the high-speed information network is mainly DWDM (Dense Wavelength Dvivision Multiplexing) optical communication network. DWDM transmission is to multiplex and transmit different wavelengths in one optical fiber and demultiplex the signals according to the wavelength at the receiver. Splitters and DWDM flat waveguides are essential elements for this purpose.

The fiber-array is essential as the input / output terminal connection device of the DWDM flat waveguide, and the optical fiber array plays an important role in the optical communication device. This requires a process that can precisely manufacture an optical fiber array.

1 is a perspective view of a general optical fiber array, with reference to this will be described a manufacturing process of the optical fiber array.

As shown, after filling the V-groove 11a with the UV (Uutraviolet) curable or thermosetting epoxy 13 in the V-groove block 11 made of a silicon material formed with the V-groove 11a, the V-groove 11a Align the optical fiber 15 or the optical fiber bundle with 11a. Thereafter, the cover 17 made of quartz is placed on the V-groove block 11, and a predetermined force is applied to the cover 17 to allow excess epoxy 13 to flow out of the interface. Then, UV or heat is applied to the epoxy 13 to cure the epoxy 13 to bond the V-groove block 11 and the cover 17 integrally. Then, the optical fiber array 10 is manufactured.

However, the conventional method as described above is made by hand most of the disadvantages are very inconvenient.

In addition, due to the manual work is less reproducible, there is a disadvantage that the quality is reduced and the production yield at the same time.

The present invention was created to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a very convenient optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus that can automatically manufacture a product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array, which can not only improve quality by increasing work reproducibility, but also increase production yield.

1 is a perspective view of a typical optical fiber array.

2 is a perspective view of a manufacturing apparatus of an optical fiber array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an enlarged perspective view of the left and right stages shown in FIG.

4 is an enlarged perspective view of the tilting stage shown in FIG.

5 is an enlarged perspective view of the rotating stage shown in FIG.

6 is an enlarged perspective view of the first fixing jig shown in FIG.

7 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the second holder and the second fixing jig shown in FIG. 2.

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the pressure bar of the manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9A and 9B illustrate a process of manufacturing an optical fiber array using an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110: support plate 120,130: first and second stage portion

141,145: first and second holder 151,155: first and second fixing jig

160: pressure gauge 170: UV irradiation table

180: pressure bar

Apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a support plate; A table fixed to an upper side of the support plate; A first stage unit installed on the support plate and configured to rotate left and right, front and rear, tilt and rotate; A first holder having a lower side installed on an upper surface of the first stage unit and an upper side penetrating through the table and positioned on an upper side of the table, the first holder being left and right, front and rear, tilted and rotated by the first stage unit; A first fixing jig detachably mounted to the first holder and fixed to a V-groove block; A second stage unit installed on an upper surface of the table to move up and down; A second holder mounted to the second stage part to face the first holder and moving up and down in the same manner as the second stage part; A second fixing jig detachably mounted to the second holder and fixed to a cover mounted on the V-groove block in which epoxy is applied and filled and the optical fiber is aligned while being fixed to the first fixing jig; A pressure bar detachably installed on the second holder and moving up and down in the same manner as the second holder and pressing the upper surface of the cover mounted on the V-groove block with a predetermined force; A pressure gauge installed between the second stage portion and the second holder to display a pressure in the pressure bar acting on the cover; It is installed on the table so as to face the first fixing jig and is provided with a UV irradiation table for curing the epoxy by irradiating UV (Ultraviolet) with the epoxy to integrally bond the V groove block and the cover.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the optical fiber array 10, the same reference numerals as those described in the prior art are used.

2 is a perspective view of a manufacturing apparatus of an optical fiber array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the optical fiber array has a table 115 fixed to the predetermined height above the support plate 110 using the support plate 110 and the support leg 113 as a medium. The first stage part 120 is installed on the support plate 113, and the second stage part 130 is installed on the table 115.

The first stage unit 120 has a left and right stage 121 moving left and right, a front and rear stage 123 moving forward and backward, a tilting stage 125 for adjusting horizontality, and a rotating stage 127 that rotates. The stage unit 130 has a vertical movement device 131 and the vertical stage 135. Each stage 121, 123, 125, 127, 135 moves finely, which will be described later. The vertical movement device 131 moves a long distance along the axial direction of the support shaft 133, and the vertical stage 135 also moves a long distance by the vertical movement device 131.

The lower surface of the first holder 141 is installed on the upper surface of the rotary stage 127 located at the uppermost side of the first stage unit 120, and the upper surface of the first holder 141 penetrates the table 115. It is located above 115. Thus, the first holder 141 is rotated left, right, front and rear, by the first stage unit 120. The upper and lower stages 135 of the second stage unit 130 are provided with a pressure gauge 160 that moves up and down in the same manner as the second stage unit 130, and the pressure gauge 160 is disposed up and down in the same manner as the pressure gauge 160. The moving second holder 145 is installed to face the first holder 141.

The first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155 are detachably installed on the first and second holders 141 and 145, and the V-groove block 11 and the cover 17 are attached to the first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155. 6) are respectively fixed. In addition, a pressure bar 180 (refer to FIG. 7) is detachably installed on the second holder 145 to move up and down in the same manner as the second holder 145. The pressure bar 180 is a V-groove block 11. ), The upper surface of the lid 17 mounted on the lid is pressed with a predetermined force. The first and second holders 141 and 145, the first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155, and the pressure bar 180 will be described later.

The UV (Ultraviolet) irradiation table 170 is installed on the upper surface of the table 115 to face the first fixing jig 151. The UV irradiation table 170 is cured by irradiating UV (Ultraviolet) with the epoxy 13 applied and filled on the V-groove block 11, and thus the V-groove block 11 and the cover 17 are integrally bonded. Will be.

Next, the first and second stages 120 and 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the left and right stages shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the tilting stage shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the rotating stage shown in FIG. 2.

2 and 3, the left and right stage 121 has a fixed plate 121a, a moving plate 121b, a lever 121c and an elastic member 121d. The fixed plate 121a is fixed to the support plate 110, and the movable plate 121b is installed in the fixed plate 121a so as to be linearly movable. The lever 121c is installed on the fixed plate 121a. When the lever 121c is rotated forward, the end portion of the lever 121c protrudes to the right side, and when the lever 121c is rotated reversely, the end portion of the lever 121c is moved to the left side. One end and the other end of the elastic member 121b are respectively fixed to the fixed plate 121a and the moving plate 121b to elastically support and support the moving plate 121b to the left. In detail, when the lever 121c is rotated forward, the end of the lever 121c protrudes to the right and the moving plate 121b is moved to the right. When the lever 121c is rotated in reverse, the end portion of the lever 121c is moved to the left side. In this case, the movable plate 121b is moved to the left side by the elastic member 121d. By this principle, the left and right stage 121 is finely moved in the left and right directions.

Front and rear stage 123 is coupled to the upper surface of the left and right stage 121, the same configuration as the left and right stage 121, only the installation direction is different. The upper and lower stage 135 also has the same configuration as the left and right stage 121, and only its installation direction is different.

2 and 4, the tilting stage 125 has a fixed plate 125a, a pair of levers 125b, a lifting plate 125c, and an elastic member 125d. The fixing plate 125a is fixed to the upper surface of the front and rear stage 123, and the lever 125b is provided on the upper surface of the fixing plate 125a so as to be liftable. In detail, the lower side of the lever 125b is inserted into and installed on the upper surface of the fixing plate 125a so as to face in the diagonal direction with respect to the center of the fixing plate 125a. Thus, as the lever 125b is rotated forward and backward, the lever 125b moves up and down on the fixed plate 125a. The lifting plate 125c is fixed to the upper end of the lever 125b, and the lifting plate 125c is raised and lowered in the same manner as the lever 125b. An elastic member 125d is provided between the fixed plate 125a and the elevating plate 125c to elastically support the elevating plate 125c toward the fixed plate 125a. That is, the elevating plate 125c is raised and lowered by the forward and reverse rotation of the lever 125b, and the elevating plate 125c is brought into equilibrium by appropriately adjusting one and the other of the pair of levers 125b. Adjust

2 and 5, the rotating stage 127 has a fixed plate 127a, a rotating plate 127b, a lever 127c and a support protrusion 127d. The fixing plate 127a is fixed to the upper surface of the tilting stage 125, and the rotating plate 127b is rotatably installed on the upper surface of the fixing plate 127a. Then, the lever 127c and the support protrusion 127d are fixed to the fixing plate 127a, respectively, and the ends of the lever 127c and the support protrusion 127d are one surface and the other surface of the contact piece 127bb formed on the rotating plate 127b. Are in contact with each. Thus, when the end of the lever 127c pushes the contact piece 127bb backward by the forward rotation of the lever 127c, the rotating plate 127b rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the lever 127c is rotated by the reverse rotation of the lever 127c. When the end portion moves forward, the rotating plate 127b is rotated clockwise by the support protrusion 127d. An elastic member 127f is provided inside the case 127e in which one end side of the support protrusion 127d is inserted to elastically support the support protrusion 127d to the outside of the case 127e.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the first fixing jig illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom surface of the second holder and the second fixing jig illustrated in FIG. 2.

On the upper surface of the first holder 141 and the lower surface of the second holder 145 which are installed to face each other, the lower surface side of the first fixing jig 151 and the upper surface side of the second fixing jig 155 are seated. 2 seating grooves (141a, 145a) are formed, respectively. Preferably, the first fixing jig 151 and the second fixing jig 155 are formed in the same size and shape, and the first and second seating grooves 141a and 145a are formed in the first and second fixing jig 151 and 155. It is formed in the same shape as). At this time, the depth of the first and second seating grooves 141a and 145a is lower than the height of the first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155. This is to use the first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155 for mutual use.

The surface forming the first mounting groove 141a and the lower surface side of the first fixing jig 151 are provided with magnetic materials having different polarities, and the surface and the second fixing jig forming the second mounting groove 145a ( The upper surface side of 155 is provided with magnetic bodies having different polarities. As a result, the first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155 may be attached to and detached from the first and second holders 141 and 145, respectively.

In addition, a first support jaw 152 having a bending part in which the side of the corner portion side of the V-groove block 11 contacts the upper surface of the first fixing jig 151 is formed. That is, the first support jaw 152 determines the position of the V-groove block 11 placed on the upper surface of the first fixing jig 151. In addition, a first suction path 153 is formed inside the first fixing jig 151, and one end of the first suction jig 153 is positioned on an upper surface of the first fixing jig 151, and the other end thereof is a vacuum pump. Communicate with the side (not shown). Thus, when the side surface of the corner portion of the V-groove block 11 is brought into contact with the first supporting jaw 152, the V-groove block 11 is attracted to the upper surface of the first fixing jig 151 by operating the vacuum pump. Is fixed.

On the bottom surface of the second fixing jig 151, a second supporting jaw 156 having a bending part to which the side of the edge portion side of the cover 17 contacts is formed. That is, the second support jaw 156 determines the position of the cover 17 placed on the bottom surface of the second fixing jig 155. In addition, a second suction path 157 is formed inside the second fixing jig 151, and one end of the second suction jig 157 is positioned on the bottom surface of the second fixing jig 155, and the other end is further removed. It is in communication with the vacuum pump (not shown) side. Thus, after the side surface of the edge portion of the cover 17 is in contact with the second support jaw 156, the vacuum pump is operated to fix the cover 17 to the bottom surface of the second fixing jig 155.

V grooves on the first and second fixing jigs 151 and 155 for firmly fixing the V groove block 11 and the cover 17 to the upper surface of the first fixing jig 151 and the lower surface of the second fixing jig 155. When the block 11 and the cover 17 are placed, it is preferable to form one end side of the first and second adsorption passages 153 and 157 so as to be located at the center side of the V-groove block 11 and the cover 17. Do.

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the pressure bar of the manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, it will be described.

The pressure bar 180 is formed to correspond to the shape of the second seating groove 145a and is seated in the second seating groove 145a. The upper surface side of the pressure bar 180 is also provided with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the surface forming the second seating groove 145a, whereby the pressure bar 180 is attached to and detached from the second holder 145. In addition, a ball 181 is formed on the bottom of the pressure bar 180 to contact the cover 17 and press the cover 17. Rather than pressing the cover 17 in a state in which the pressure bar 180 is in surface contact with the center portion of the cover 17, pressing the cover 17 in a state in which the pressure bar 180 is in point contact with the center portion of the cover 17 is a cover ( 17) can reduce the eccentricity. For this reason, the ball 181 of the pressure bar 180 is in contact with the cover 17.

A process of manufacturing an optical fiber array using the apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9B. 9A and 9B illustrate a process of manufacturing an optical fiber array using an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, in step S110, the first stage jig 120 is adjusted to exactly match the horizontal, vertical, and height of the first holder 141, and then the first fixing jig 151 is attached to the first holder ( It is attached to the first seating groove (145a) of the 145. Subsequently, in step S120, the V groove block 11 is driven by the first fixing jig by driving the vacuum pump while the V groove block 11 is brought into contact with the first supporting jaw 152 of the first fixing jig 151. After fixing firmly to (151), the UV curing epoxy 13 is applied to and filled in the V-groove block 11, and then the optical fiber 115 is aligned.

In step S130, the second fixing jig 155 is attached to the second seating recess 145a of the second holder 145, and the cover 17 is attached to the second supporting jaw 156 of the second fixing jig 155. ), The cover 17 is firmly fixed to the second fixing jig 155 by driving the vacuum pump in the contact state, and then the second stage 130 is lowered to apply and fill the V groove block 11. After the cover 17 is brought into contact with the epoxy 13, the vacuum pump communicating with the second fixing jig 155 is stopped. Then, the cover 17 is placed on the V-groove block 17.

In operation S140, the second stage jig 130 is lifted to separate the second fixing jig 155 from the second holder 145. In operation S150, the pressure bar 180 is separated from the second holder ( It is attached to the second seating groove (145a) of the 145. Finally, in step S160, the second stage 130 is lowered and the UV irradiation table 170 is driven while pressing the lid 17 by using the ball 181 of the pressure bar 180 to UV the epoxy. Investigate. Irradiation time is related to irradiance intensity, 400 ~ 600sec is suitable for 40mW / ㎠ intensity. The second fixing jig 155 and the pressure bar 180 may be finely lowered by the upper and lower stages 135 of the second stage unit 130. In addition, since the force of the pressure bar 180 applied to the cover 17 is displayed in real time through the pressure gauge 160, a constant force may be applied to the cover 17 at all times.

As described above, the assembling apparatus of the optical fiber array according to the present invention is very convenient because most operations are made automatically.

In addition, the work of placing the cover on the V-groove block and the force applied to the cover can be made constant at all times, thereby improving the reproducibility of the work. This improves the quality as well as the production yield.

In the above, the present invention has been described in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, but those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs without modification and modification within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Of course.

Claims (4)

Support plate; A table fixed to an upper side of the support plate; A first stage unit installed on the support plate and configured to rotate left and right, front and rear, tilt and rotate; A first holder having a lower side installed on an upper surface of the first stage unit and an upper side penetrating through the table and positioned on an upper side of the table, the first holder being left and right, front and rear, tilted and rotated by the first stage unit; A first fixing jig detachably mounted to the first holder and fixed to a V-groove block; A second stage unit installed on an upper surface of the table to move up and down; A second holder mounted to the second stage part to face the first holder and moving up and down in the same manner as the second stage part; A second fixing jig detachably mounted to the second holder and fixed to a cover mounted on the V-groove block in which epoxy is applied and filled and the optical fiber is aligned while being fixed to the first fixing jig; A pressure bar detachably installed on the second holder and moving up and down in the same manner as the second holder and pressing the upper surface of the cover mounted on the V-groove block with a predetermined force; A pressure gauge installed between the second stage portion and the second holder to display a pressure in the pressure bar acting on the cover; It is installed on the table so as to face the first fixing jig, characterized in that it comprises a UV irradiation table for curing the epoxy by irradiating UV (Ultraviolet) with the epoxy to integrally bond the V groove block and the cover. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array. The method of claim 1, First and second seating grooves on which the bottom surface side of the first fixing jig and the top surface side of the second fixing jig are respectively formed on an upper surface of the first holder and a lower surface of the second holder, The surface forming the first seating groove and the lower surface side of the first fixing jig are provided with magnetic bodies having different polarities, and the surface forming the second seating groove and the upper surface side of the second fixing jig are magnetic materials having different polarities. Apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array, characterized in that provided. The method of claim 2, The upper surface of the first fixing jig and the lower surface of the second fixing jig are brought into contact with the side surface side of the corner portion of the V-groove block and the side surface side of the corner portion of the cover to determine the position where the V-groove block and the cover are placed. The first support jaw and the second support jaw are formed to correspond to each other, One end of each of the first and second fixing jigs is located on an upper surface of the first fixing jig and a lower surface of the second fixing jig, and the other end thereof communicates with the vacuum pump side, respectively, so that an upper surface of the first fixing jig and A first adsorption path and a second adsorption path for adsorbing and fixing the V-groove block and the cover on the lower surface of the second fixing jig to the upper surface of the first fixing jig and the lower surface of the second fixing jig are formed, respectively. Apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array, characterized in that. The method of claim 2, The pressure bar is formed to correspond to the second seating groove is seated in the second seating groove, The upper surface side of the pressure bar and the surface forming the second seating groove are provided as a magnetic material having a polarity corresponding to each other, An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array, wherein a bottom surface of the pressure bar is formed in contact with the cover to press the cover.