JP3710646B2

JP3710646B2 - Optical fiber lead-out portion sealing method, optical fiber lead-out portion sealing structure, optical switch

Info

Publication number: JP3710646B2
Application number: JP15591799A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 英二竹中; 洋古川; 義和野村
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-03
Filing date: 1999-06-03
Publication date: 2005-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-03
Also published as: JP2000347058A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
例えば機械式光スイッチでは、装置全体をケース内に納め、中にシリコンオイルを封入する。スイッチと接続する光ファイバは、ケースを貫通するので、その部分をシールしなければならない。本発明は、上記の場合のように、光ファイバを、液体入りケースから引き出す部分の、シール方法、光ファイバ引き出し部分のシール構造、光スイッチに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図２，図３の例について述べる。図２は光スイッチ外観の説明図、図３は、シール部分の拡大断面の説明図である。
【０００３】
１０は密封のケースで、この中に光スイッチ（図示せず）が入っている。また、この中には、液体１２（シリコンオイル）が封入されている。
ケース１０の側壁１００に貫通孔１０２を設け、ここから、スイッチに接続する光ファイバテープ１４（線条体の一例）を引き出す。
貫通孔１０２からの液漏れを防ぐため、側壁１００からその付近の光ファイバテープ１４の周りの部分を、封止剤１６（接着剤）で固めてシールする。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
▲１▼直接光ファイバテープを接着するため、テープ表面に接着しがたい材質が使用されていると、十分な強度で接着できない。したがって、ヒートサイクルによりオイル漏れの恐れがある。
特に光ファイバテープ１４と封止材１６の境目で接着が弱くなる傾向がある。
▲２▼接着時に光ファイバテープ１４を曲げるため、曲がったまま接着される場合もある。そのため、角の曲がりが維持されると、光ファイバのロス増・寿命の低下を招く恐れがある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、液体の入っているケース１０の側壁を貫通して、光ファイバ１４をケース外に引き出す部分において、前記ケース１０の側壁からその付近にかけての前記光ファイバ１４の周りを封止剤１６で固めてシールするに際して、
接着剤を滲みこませた接着剤保持部材１８を、前記光ファイバ１４のケース外に引き出された部分の上下両側に当て、かつ板２０のような保持体で押さえておき、前記接着剤保持部材１８からケース１０の側壁の間の前記光ファイバ１４の周りの部分を、前記封止剤１６で固めて、この封止剤１６と前記接着剤保持部材１８とを接着して一体にすることを特徴とする、光ファイバ引き出し部分のシール方法を提供する。
また、本発明は、液体の入っているケース１０の側壁を貫通させた光ファイバ１４のケース外に引き出された部分の上下両側に、接着剤を滲みこませた接着剤保持部材１８が接着され、前記接着剤保持部材１８からケース１０の側壁の間の前記光ファイバ１４の周りの部分が前記封止剤１６で固められ、この封止剤１６と前記接着剤保持部材１８とが接着一体になっていることを特徴とする光ファイバ引き出し部分のシール構造を提供する。
【０００６】
接着剤保持部材１８には、繊維状のもの、例えばガーゼのように、目が粗くて柔らかい布や、不織布等が適する。
【０００７】
接着剤保持部材１８に滲み込ませる接着剤２２には、接着剤保持部材１８に十分に染みわたり、硬化時間が比較的短く、光ファイバテープ等の線条体１４の被覆と接着性のよいものを用いる。
【０００８】
板２０で押さえる理由は、主として硬化するまでの、接着剤保持部材１８の補強である。
である。
しかしながら、板２０は、接着剤保持部材１８内の接着剤２２が固まるまで押さえていて、その後は必要に応じて、そのままに残しておくこともできる。
このようにすると、境目の接着強度をさらに向上させ、保つことができる。
【０００９】
光ファイバテープ等の線条体１４と接着剤保持部材１８間に隙間ができないので、液漏れがない。
また、接着剤２２を滲ませた接着剤保持部材１８と封止剤１６とは接着一体になるので、これらの間からの液漏れもない。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１について述べる。
光スイッチの場合で、光ファイバテープ（線条体）１４の被覆材料は、例えば紫外線硬化型樹脂である。
接着剤保持部材１８に接着剤２２を滲み込ませ、光ファイバテープ１４の両側から当て、２本あるいは複数本の光ファイバテープの横幅全体を覆うように、幅広の板２０で押さえて硬化させた。
それから、従来と同じように、封止剤１６を、接着剤保持部材１８からケース１０の側壁１００にかけての光ファイバテープ１４の周りに塗りつけ、固化させた。
【００１１】
このようにすることにより、長期にわたり、液体１２の漏れは、発生しなかった。
【００１２】
なお、接着剤の選択は、特に限定されないが、封止剤１６に用いるものは粘度が高く、接着剤保持部材１８に用いるものは粘度が低い、ガーゼ等に染み込み易いものが用いられる。
つまり、粘度の高い接着剤を封止剤として、それよりも粘度の低い接着剤を光ファイバテープと封止剤の境界に用いるわけである。
また、接着剤は、紫外線硬化型、常温硬化型など、材質はエボキシ系、アクリレート系等種々ある。
【００１３】
本発明は、光スイッチの場合だけでなく、液体を封入してあるケースから、多心数の配線を引き出す場合にも適用できる。
また、光ファイバテープ（多心）だけでなく、単心の光ファイバ（ナイロン被覆や紫外線硬化型樹脂被覆）あるいは、さらに大径の光コードなど、種々形態の線状体に適用できる。
【００１４】
【発明の効果】
光ファイバの表面が封止剤１６と接着しがたい材料であっても、完全にシールができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の説明図。
【図２】従来技術の説明図。
【図３】図２の主要部の拡大断面の説明図。
【符号の説明】
１０ケース
１００側壁
１０２貫通穴
１２液体
１４線条体（光ファイバテープ）
１６封止剤
１８接着剤保持部材
２０板
２２接着剤[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For example, in a mechanical optical switch, the entire device is housed in a case and silicon oil is enclosed therein. Since the optical fiber connected to the switch passes through the case, it must be sealed. The present invention is, as in the case described above, the optical fiber, the portion withdrawn from the liquid-filled casing, sealing method, the sealing structure of the optical fiber lead portion, to an optical switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The example of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described. 2 is an explanatory view of the appearance of the optical switch, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an enlarged cross section of the seal portion.
[0003]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a sealed case, which contains an optical switch (not shown). In addition, liquid 12 (silicon oil) is enclosed in this.
A through hole 102 is provided in the side wall 100 of the case 10, and an optical fiber tape 14 (an example of a linear body) connected to the switch is pulled out from the through hole 102.
In order to prevent liquid leakage from the through hole 102, a portion around the optical fiber tape 14 in the vicinity from the side wall 100 is fixed with a sealant 16 (adhesive) and sealed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
(1) Since the optical fiber tape is directly bonded, if a material difficult to bond to the tape surface is used, it cannot be bonded with sufficient strength. Therefore, there is a risk of oil leakage due to the heat cycle.
In particular, the adhesion tends to be weak at the boundary between the optical fiber tape 14 and the sealing material 16.
(2) Since the optical fiber tape 14 is bent at the time of bonding, it may be bonded while being bent. Therefore, if the corner bend is maintained, there is a risk of increasing the loss and shortening the life of the optical fiber.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention , the sealant 16 extends around the optical fiber 14 from the side wall of the case 10 to the vicinity thereof in a portion that penetrates the side wall of the case 10 containing liquid and draws the optical fiber 14 out of the case. When solidifying and sealing with
The adhesive holding member 18 soaked with the adhesive is applied to both the upper and lower sides of the portion of the optical fiber 14 drawn out of the case and pressed by a holding body such as a plate 20, and the adhesive holding member A portion around the optical fiber 14 between the side wall of the case 10 and the case 10 is fixed with the sealing agent 16, and the sealing agent 16 and the adhesive holding member 18 are bonded and integrated. According to the present invention, a method for sealing an optical fiber lead-out portion is provided.
Further, according to the present invention, the adhesive holding member 18 soaked with an adhesive is bonded to the upper and lower sides of the portion of the optical fiber 14 that passes through the side wall of the case 10 containing the liquid and is drawn out of the case. The portion around the optical fiber 14 between the adhesive holding member 18 and the side wall of the case 10 is hardened by the sealing agent 16, and the sealing agent 16 and the adhesive holding member 18 are integrally bonded. An optical fiber lead-out seal structure is provided.
[0006]
For the adhesive holding member 18, a fibrous material such as gauze, which is soft and has a coarse eye, or a nonwoven fabric is suitable.
[0007]
Adhesive 22 to be infiltrated into the adhesive holding member 18 has sufficient adhesion to the adhesive holding member 18, has a relatively short curing time, and has good adhesion to the coating of the linear body 14 such as an optical fiber tape. Is used.
[0008]
The reason for pressing with the plate 20 is mainly to reinforce the adhesive holding member 18 until it is cured.
It is.
However, the plate 20 can be pressed until the adhesive 22 in the adhesive holding member 18 is hardened, and thereafter can be left as it is.
In this way, the adhesive strength at the boundary can be further improved and maintained.
[0009]
Since there is no gap between the linear member 14 such as an optical fiber tape and the adhesive holding member 18, there is no liquid leakage.
Further, since the adhesive holding member 18 soaked with the adhesive 22 and the sealant 16 are bonded together, there is no liquid leakage from between them.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference is made to FIG.
In the case of an optical switch, the coating material of the optical fiber tape (wire body) 14 is, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin.
The adhesive 22 is soaked into the adhesive holding member 18, applied from both sides of the optical fiber tape 14, and pressed and cured by the wide plate 20 so as to cover the entire lateral width of the two or plural optical fiber tapes. .
Then, as before, the sealing agent 16 was applied around the optical fiber tape 14 from the adhesive holding member 18 to the side wall 100 of the case 10 and solidified.
[0011]
By doing so, leakage of the liquid 12 did not occur over a long period of time.
[0012]
In addition, although selection of an adhesive agent is not specifically limited, What is used for the sealing agent 16 has a high viscosity, What is used for the adhesive holding member 18 has a low viscosity, and what is easy to soak into gauze etc. is used.
That is, an adhesive having a high viscosity is used as a sealant, and an adhesive having a lower viscosity is used at the boundary between the optical fiber tape and the sealant.
In addition, there are various adhesives such as an ultraviolet curable type and a room temperature curable type, and materials such as an epoxy type and an acrylate type.
[0013]
The present invention can be applied not only in the case of an optical switch but also in the case of drawing a multi-core wiring from a case in which a liquid is sealed.
Further, the present invention can be applied not only to optical fiber tapes (multi-core) but also to various types of linear bodies such as single-core optical fibers (nylon-coated or UV-curable resin-coated) or larger-diameter optical cords.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
Even if the surface of the optical fiber is difficult to adhere to the sealant 16, a complete seal can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an enlarged cross section of a main part of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case 100 Side wall 102 Through-hole 12 Liquid 14 Linear body (optical fiber tape)
16 Sealant 18 Adhesive holding member 20 Plate 22 Adhesive

Claims

In a portion that penetrates the side wall of the case 10 containing the liquid and draws the optical fiber 14 out of the case, the periphery of the optical fiber 14 from the side wall of the case 10 to the vicinity thereof is fixed with a sealant 16 and sealed. When doing
The adhesive holding member 18 soaked with the adhesive is applied to both the upper and lower sides of the portion of the optical fiber 14 drawn out of the case and pressed by a holding body such as a plate 20, and the adhesive holding member the portion around the optical fiber 14 between 18 the side wall of the case 10, and encased in the sealing agent 16, to Rukoto integrally adhered to this sealant 16 and the adhesive holding member 18 A method for sealing an optical fiber lead-out portion.

2. The method of sealing an optical fiber lead-out portion according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is an optical fiber tape.

3. The light according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive holding member applied to both upper and lower sides of the optical fiber is pressed by the wide holding body so as to cover the entire lateral width of two or more optical fibers. How to seal the fiber lead-out part.

An adhesive holding member 18 soaked with an adhesive is bonded to both the upper and lower sides of the portion of the optical fiber 14 that has passed through the side wall of the case 10 containing liquid and drawn out of the case, and the adhesive holding member A portion around the optical fiber 14 between the side wall of the case 10 and the case 10 is hardened by the sealant 16, and the sealant 16 and the adhesive holding member 18 are integrally bonded. The optical fiber lead-out seal structure.

5. The optical fiber lead-out seal structure according to claim 4, wherein the optical fiber is an optical fiber tape.

6. A sealing structure for an optical fiber lead-out portion according to claim 4, further comprising a holding member such as a plate for pressing the adhesive holding members 18 above and below the optical fiber into the optical fiber.

The adhesive holding member applied to the upper and lower sides of the optical fiber is pressed by the optical fiber by the wide holding body so as to cover the entire lateral width of two or more optical fibers. Item 7. A structure for sealing an optical fiber lead-out portion according to Item 6.

8. An optical switch comprising a case 10 in which a liquid is enclosed, wherein the optical fiber extraction portion seal structure according to claim 4 is provided at a portion where an optical fiber is extracted from the case 10. An optical switch characterized by having