JP3756238B2 - Multi-fiber optical fiber alignment method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for aligning a plurality of optical fibers in parallel in a horizontal row, and more particularly to an alignment method for accurately aligning the pitch between optical fibers and the tips of the optical fibers.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional methods for aligning a plurality of optical fibers in parallel in a horizontal row include the following.
(1) Method of FIG. 2:
Single optical fibers 12 are arranged in a horizontal row and fixed with an adhesive 14 (or adhesive tape or the like).
(2) Method of FIG.
Except for the coating 11 at the end of the tape fiber 10, the optical fiber 12 having the required length is exposed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
(1) In the method of FIG. 2 described above, it is difficult to align and fix the optical fibers 12 at a predetermined pitch.
(2) In the method of FIG. 3 described above, setting other than the pitch of the optical fiber 12 of the tape fiber 10 is difficult.
(3) In both of the methods shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is difficult to keep the variation in the tip on the order of μm.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As illustrated in FIG.
{Circle around (1)} The tips of the plurality of optical fibers 12 that have been exposed after removing the tape coating on the tip side are passed through the fiber holes 160 of the first ferrule 16 ((b) in the figure),
(2) The second ferrule 18 is coupled to the first ferrule 16 with a guide pin 20, the optical fiber 12 is passed through the fiber hole 180, and the tip thereof is substantially aligned with the end face 182 of the second ferrule 18 ( (D))
(3) The end face 182 of the second ferrule 18 is polished so that the optical fiber 12 and the end face 182 coincide with each other,
{Circle around (4)} Thereafter, the second ferrule 18 is removed from the optical fiber 12 to make it as shown in FIG. This is the desired state.
[0005]
A spacer 22 is attached in the middle of the guide pin 20,
When the second ferrule 18 is coupled to the first ferrule 16 by the positioning guide pin 20,
A spacer 22 may be inserted between the ferrules 16 and 18 (FIG. 4D).
[0006]
Alternatively, at least one third ferrule may be interposed between the first ferrule 16 and the second ferrule 18.
[0007]
The first ferrule 16 and the second ferrule 18 are for MT connectors, and fiber holes 160 and 180 having equal pitch are used.
The MT connector is a square ferrule with a resin-molded hook as shown in FIG. 4, which includes a guide pin hole 161, a plurality of fiber holes 160, a tape-shaped fiber guide portion continuous therewith, and a fiber And a rear end opening for inserting.
The reason for using this MT connector is as follows.
{Circle around (1)} The MT connector is precision resin-molded and has excellent dimensional accuracy and stability. Therefore, the length i has good dimensional stability.
(2) The fiber spacing can be accurately set by the pitch between the fiber holes of the MT connector.
[0008]
By using two of the first ferrule 16 and the second ferrule 18, the pitch of the optical fiber 12 is determined.
[0009]
By polishing the end face 182 of the second ferrule 18, the discrepancy at the tip of the optical fiber 12 is made uniform in polishing accuracy (for example, 2 to 3 μm or less).
[0010]
The length g of the optical fiber 12 that finally protrudes from the first ferrule 16 in FIG. 1D is (j + i), which is extremely accurate.
Further, g can be changed by changing the width j of the spacer 22.
[0011]
The space between the first ferrule 16, the second ferrule 18 and the guide pin 20 may also be fixed with wax.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG.
(1) The end portion of the tape fiber 10 is opened, and the required length of the optical fiber 12 is exposed (a).
(2) The tip of the optical fiber 12 is passed through the fiber hole 160 of the first ferrule 16 (b).
As shown in FIG. 1, the first ferrule 16 makes the fiber hole 160 face the coating 11 of the tape fiber 10.
The length f of the optical fiber 12 exiting from the first ferrule 16 is set to be slightly longer than the length g of FIG.
(3) Prepare another second ferrule 18 (same specification as the first ferrule 16) and guide pin 20 (c).
(4) A spacer 22 is attached in the middle of the guide pin 20.
(5) The second ferrule 18 is coupled to the first ferrule 16 by the guide pin 20. The optical fiber 12 is also passed through the fiber hole 180 of the second ferrule 18 and its tip is substantially aligned with the end face 182 of the second ferrule 18 (d).
(6) The first ferrule 16 and the optical fiber 12 are fixed with an adhesive 24, and the second ferrule 18 and the optical fiber are fixed with a wax 26 (d).
(7) Thereafter, the end face 182 of the second ferrule 18 is polished.
(8) Heating is then performed, and the second ferrule 18 is removed from the optical fiber 12 (e).
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
(1) By using the connector ferrule, the pitch accuracy of the optical fiber 12 can be easily maintained.
(2) By using ferrules in two stages or several stages, it is easy to set the optical fiber length g.
(3) The tip of the optical fiber can be aligned on the order of μm.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
(A) is the end of the tape fiber 10 and the first ferrule 16,
(B) is a state in which the optical fiber 12 is inserted into the first ferrule 16,
(C) is a guide pin 20 with a second ferrule 18 and a spacer 22 attached,
(D) is a state in which the first ferrule 16 and the second ferrule 18 are coupled and an optical fiber is inserted into the second ferrule 18;
(E) is the final finished state,
Respectively. .
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a different prior art.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an MT connector.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tape fiber 11 Covering 12 Optical fiber 14 Adhesive 16 1st ferrule 160 Fiber hole 161 Guide pin hole 18 2nd ferrule 180 Fiber hole 182 End surface 20 Guide pin 22 Spacer 24 Adhesive 26 Wax

Claims (3)

A step of passing leading ends of a plurality of optical fibers through a fiber hole of a first ferrule, a second ferrule is coupled to the first ferrule with a guide pin, and the optical fiber is also inserted into the plurality of fiber holes of the second ferrule A step of passing, a step of polishing the end face of the second ferrule to make the end face of each optical fiber coincide with the end face of the second ferrule, and a step of removing the second ferrule from the optical fiber. Fiber alignment method.   The multi-core optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein when the spacer is attached in the middle of the guide pin and the second ferrule is coupled to the first ferrule with the guide pin, the spacer is inserted between the two ferrules. Alignment method.   3. The method of aligning multi-fiber optical fibers according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one third ferrule is interposed between the first and second ferrules.

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