JP3765943B2 - Manufacturing method of optical fiber array - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical fiber array (which is formed by terminating an optical fiber tape on a V-groove substrate) used for an optical fiber switch or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional manufacturing method will be described with reference to FIGS.
2 is a schematic diagram of the optical switch, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of FIG. 2 as viewed from obliquely above in the A direction.
10 is a V-groove substrate, 12 is a V-groove, and its pitch p is, for example, 127 μm (FIG. 3).
20 and 30 are optical fiber tapes, and the pitch of the optical fibers 22 and 32 is 2p.
The optical fiber tape 20 and the optical fiber tape 30 are stacked in a state where they are shifted laterally by p.
[0003]
Then, the optical fibers 22 of the lower optical fiber tape 20 are placed in every other V groove 12.
The optical fiber 32 of the upper optical fiber tape 30 is located between the lower optical fibers 22. However, it is at a position higher than the optical fiber 22 (position away from the V-groove 12).
Therefore, a force is applied by an appropriate means and pushed into the V groove 12.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical fibers 22 and 32 placed in the V groove 12 are fixed with an adhesive 50.
[0004]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 40 denotes a moving head, and 42 denotes an optical fiber, which is butt-connected to the selected optical fibers 22 and 32 in the V groove 12.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When fixing with the adhesive 50 as described above, the adhesive 50 leaks between the optical fiber tapes 20 and 30 overlapped due to low viscosity due to capillary action (capillary phenomenon). Come (Figure 4).
The leaked adhesive 50 may adhere to the operator's hand, deteriorating workability.
Further, when the leaked adhesive 50 is cured, the appearance of the product may be impaired, and the degree of freedom of bending of the optical fiber tape may be changed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention , as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the optical fibers 22 and 32 are fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 with the adhesive 50, the adhesive 50 is interposed between the optical fiber tape 20 and the optical fiber tape 30. A gap 52 that does not cause a phenomenon is provided.
[0007]
The strength of the capillary phenomenon of the adhesive 50 depends on the relationship (wetting condition) between the optical fiber tapes 20 and 30 (the coating thereof) and the adhesive 50, but becomes stronger as the gap between the optical fiber tapes 20.30 is narrower.
If the space between the optical fiber tapes 20 and 30 is widened, the adhesive 50 does not spread from the widened portion to the tip. That is, leakage of the adhesive 50 is eliminated.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference is made to FIG.
An adhesive having a low viscosity was used as the adhesive 50.
The optical fiber tapes 20 and 30 hang down due to their own weight when no force is applied.
Therefore, the upper optical fiber tape 30 is supported by the arm 54 so as to be substantially horizontal. Further, the lower optical fiber tape 20 was allowed to hang down due to its own weight.
As a result, a gap 52 was formed between the optical fiber tapes 20 and 30.
[0009]
In this way, the optical fibers 22 and 32 were fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 with the adhesive 50.
The adhesive 50 stopped near the V-groove substrate 10 and did not leak out from there.
That is, the optical fiber tape is bonded on the V-groove substrate 10 and the bonding area is reduced in the portion extending from the optical fiber tape.
[0010]
The present invention can be applied not only to an optical fiber array for an optical switch but also to an array for connecting an optical waveguide component (AWG, splitter, etc.) and an external optical circuit.
[0011]
The method of the present invention can also be applied to the case where multi-core tapes or cords are bonded with high density.
Furthermore, the method of providing the gap can not only hang the lower tape but also raise the upper tape.
[0012]
【The invention's effect】
(1) Since the adhesive 50 does not leak, the termination workability of the optical fiber tape is improved.
(2) After the adhesive is cured, the upper and lower optical fiber tapes are separated, so that they can be easily separated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an optical switch to which the optical fiber array of the present invention is applied (common to the prior art and the present invention).
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of FIG. 2 as viewed from diagonally above in the A direction.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 V groove substrate 12 V groove 20, 30 Optical fiber tape 22, 32 Optical fiber 40 Head 42 Optical fiber 50 Adhesive 52 Clearance 54 Arm

Claims (4)

The optical fiber tape 20 and the optical fiber tape 30 are stacked in two upper and lower stages, and the optical fibers 22 and the optical fibers 32 are alternately accommodated in the V grooves 12 of the V groove substrate 10. upon the 22 and 32 is fixed to the V-groove substrate 10, between the gap between the portions extending from the V-groove substrate 10 portion and the optical fiber tape 30 extending from the V-groove substrate 10 of the optical fiber tapes 20 52 to prevent leakage of adhesive due to capillary action,
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber array, wherein the optical fibers 22 and 32 are fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 by the adhesive and the optical fiber tape is bonded to the V-groove substrate. The optical fiber tape 20 and the optical fiber tape 30 are stacked in two upper and lower stages, and the optical fibers 22 and the optical fibers 32 are alternately accommodated in the V grooves 12 of the V groove substrate 10. When adhering 22 and 32 to the V-groove substrate 10, the portion extending from the V-groove substrate 10 of the upper optical fiber tape 30 is made substantially horizontal, and the V-groove substrate 10 of the lower optical fiber tape 20 is fixed. portion extending from the left to hang by its own weight, between gap between the portions extending from the V-groove substrate 10 portion and the optical fiber tape 30 extending from the V-groove substrate 10 of the optical fiber tapes 20 52 To prevent leakage of adhesive due to capillary action,
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber array, wherein the optical fibers 22 and 32 are fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 by the adhesive and the optical fiber tape is bonded to the V-groove substrate.   3. The method of manufacturing an optical fiber array according to claim 2, wherein a portion extending from the V-groove substrate 10 of the upper optical fiber tape 30 is supported by an arm 54 so as to be substantially horizontal. The optical fiber tape 20 and the optical fiber tape 30 are stacked in two upper and lower stages, and the optical fibers 22 and the optical fibers 32 are alternately accommodated in the V grooves 12 of the V groove substrate 10. When adhering 22 and 32 to the V-groove substrate 10, a portion extending from the V-groove substrate 10 of the upper optical fiber tape 30 is raised upward and extends from the V-groove substrate 10 of the lower optical fiber tape 20. part, left to hang by its own weight, the gap between 52 provided between the portions extending from the V-groove substrate 10 portion and the optical fiber tape 30 extending from the V-groove substrate 10 of the optical fiber tapes 20, Keep the adhesive from leaking due to capillary action.
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber array, wherein the optical fibers 22 and 32 are fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 by the adhesive and the optical fiber tape is bonded to the V-groove substrate.

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