JP3715032B2 - Optical fiber cable and optical fiber connection method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention mainly relates to an optical fiber cable and a method for connecting connectors of multi-fiber optical fibers in the field using the optical fiber cable, and more particularly to a method for assembling and connecting connectors without polishing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
One method of connecting multi-core optical fibers is optical connection using a resin-made square MT (Mechanically Trasferable) connector, which has been put to practical use. The following description will be given for the case where the MT connector is used. However, the present invention is not limited to the MT connector, and can be applied to other optical connectors.
[0003]
For convenience of explanation, the MT connector will be briefly described first.
An example is shown in FIG.
20 is the whole ferrule,
22 is a fiber hole (the optical fiber 12 is inserted),
24 is a guide pin hole (a guide pin (not shown) is inserted),
Reference numeral 26 denotes a window (inserting adhesive from here as described later).
Reference numeral 10 denotes the entire tape core.
[0004]
Next, a conventional method for assembling and then connecting a connector without polishing in the field will be described with reference to FIG.
(1) A positioning block 30 is used ((a) in the figure). This is a rectangular block shape in which at least one surface is precisely polished.
The ferrule 20 whose tip surface is polished is abutted against the polishing surface of the positioning block 30 and a pressing force F is applied.
This is usually performed on a jig (not shown).
(2) Insert the optical fiber 12 of the tape core wire 10 into the fiber hole of the ferrule 20, apply a pressing force F to the tape core wire 10, and press the tip of the optical fiber 12 against the positioning block 30 (FIG. )).
(3) Adhesive 28 is injected from the window 26 to fix the tape core wire 10 and the ferrule 20 (FIG. 3C).
(4) The ferrule 20 is separated from the positioning block 30 (and the jig), and one plug 21A to be connected is obtained ((d) in the figure).
(5) Connect to the other plug 21B assembled in the same manner ((e) in the figure). Reference numeral 32 denotes a guide pin, and 34 denotes a clamp spring.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The positioning block 30 is necessary, and the work of attaching / detaching the ferrule 20 to / from the positioning block 30 is also necessary.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order not to use the positioning block 30, as illustrated in FIG.
(1) An empty ferrule 20 is coupled to a ferrule 21B of a connection partner that has already been assembled with an optical fiber (this replaces the positioning block 30),
(2) An optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule 20, and its tip is abutted against the ferrule 21B.
(3) The ferrule 20 and the optical fiber are fixed.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG.
{Circle around (1)} In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 21B denotes an MT ferrule already attached to the optical fiber cable tape core 10 at the factory. The present invention is particularly effective when the connection partner ferrule has already been assembled as in this case. In other words, this is a case where the other optical cable has been attached with a connector.
An empty ferrule 20 is coupled to the ferrule 21B using a guide pin 32, a clamp spring 34, and the like. A pressing force is applied by the clamp spring 34.
This may also be done at the factory. Matching oil is applied to the joint surface of the ferrule 20.
(2) As shown in FIG. 2B, the optical fiber 12 of the tape core wire 10 is inserted into the fiber hole of the ferrule 20, a pressing force F is applied to the tape core wire 10, and the tip of the optical fiber 12 is moved to the ferrule 21B. Pressure contact.
{Circle around (3)} As shown in FIG. 5C, a photocurable adhesive 28 is injected from the window 26 to fix the tape core wire 10 and the ferrule 20.
With this, the ferrule 21A is completed, and at the same time, the connection with the ferrule 21B is completed.
[0008]
Next, another embodiment will be described.
First, in the factory, a pair of ferrules is prepared in which a ferrule 21B to which a fiber core of an optical fiber cable is attached and an empty ferrule 20 on the other side are sandwiched by a clamp spring and a guide pin 32 is bridged. Keep it.
The opening of the ferrule 20 is covered with a cap or the like so that dust or the like does not enter.
At the connection site, the tape core wire 10 is attached to the empty ferrule 20 in a paired state.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
(1) The positioning block 30 at the time of non-polishing assembly becomes unnecessary, and the tool is simplified.
(2) When connecting an optical cable with a connector for which a connector (ferrule) has been attached to the tape core and another optical cable, by connecting an empty ferrule in advance to complete a pair of ferrules This eliminates the need to install guide pins and clamp springs at the connection site, thereby shortening the connection time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention in the order of steps.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an MT connector, common to the present invention and the prior art.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional polishing-free connection method.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tape core wire 12 Optical fiber 20 Ferrule 21A, 21B Ferrule 22 Fiber hole 24 Guide pin hole 26 Window 28 Adhesive 30 Positioning block 32 Guide pin 34 Clamp spring

Claims (2)

It has a ferrule pair consisting of a ferrule already assembled with an optical fiber and an empty ferrule connected to this ferrule, and the ferrule pair is spanned by a guide pin and fixed by a clamp spring. Has been
Of the ferrule pair fixed by the clamp spring, an optical fiber can be inserted into the empty ferrule, and this optical fiber can be abutted against a ferrule that has been assembled with the optical fiber .
The empty ferrule and simultaneously ferrule the optical fiber is inserted is completed, the previously characterized that it is so that to complete also connected to the ferrule has finished assembly with the optical fiber, the optical fiber cable. An empty ferrule is joined to the ferrule of the connection partner that has already been assembled with the optical fiber, and further clamped with a clamp spring to prepare a pair of ferrules with a guide pin spanned. Inserting an optical fiber into an empty ferrule that is one of the ferrules, abutting the tip of the optical fiber against the ferrule, and fixing the empty ferrule and the optical fiber ,
A method for connecting optical fibers, wherein a ferrule in which an optical fiber is inserted into the empty ferrule is completed, and at the same time, connection with a ferrule that has already been assembled with an optical fiber is completed .

Images