JP4113209B2 - Assembly method of optical connection parts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of assembling the optical connecting parts for fixing the optical fiber into the fixing hole of the optical connecting parts.

  The ferrule of the optical fiber connector is constituted by a capillary and a flange member bonded to each other. The optical fiber is inserted and fixed in a fixing hole provided on the axis of the flange member. Conventionally, the optical fiber is fixed to the fixing hole by a thermosetting adhesive. In this case, first, an adhesive is injected into the fixing hole of the flange member, and the fixing hole is filled with the adhesive by suction or pressurization. Then, the optical fiber from which the jacket is removed by about several mm is inserted through the fixed hole and the axial hole of the capillary. Finally, in order to cure the adhesive, the ferrule is heated in an oven or the like for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Such an assembly method using a thermosetting adhesive is inconvenient to implement in a place where an optical connector is used, such as an installation place of an optical communication device, because of the time and equipment required for the curing process.

In order to improve this problem, a method using an adhesive and a curing agent for fixing an optical fiber to a fixing hole has been proposed (Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1). In this method, first, an adhesive is supplied to the fixing hole of the ferrule, and on the other hand, a curing agent is applied to the optical fiber, and finally the optical fiber is inserted into the fixing hole. The adhesive in the fixing hole is cured by a curing agent attached to the optical fiber.
JP 2004-145030 A IEICE Technical Report (Published by The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers) Vol.104, No.127, pp.39-44, 2004

  However, the method of applying a curing agent to an optical fiber sometimes fails to achieve sufficient adhesive strength. As a result of diligent research on this cause, the present inventors have found that the cause of this insufficient adhesive strength is that the surface of the optical fiber repels the curing agent. Since the surface of the optical fiber is finished smoothly and a protective silicon layer is formed in many cases, it is easy to repel the curing agent. As a result, the amount of the curing agent that can be attached is small, and the curing agent is unevenly attached to the surface of the optical fiber in the form of droplets. The adhesive will not cure.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of such new knowledge, and an object thereof is to provide means suitable for carrying out at a place where an optical connector is used and capable of obtaining sufficient adhesive strength. .

The present invention is an optical connecting component assembling method for fixing an optical fiber to a fixing hole of an optical connecting component using an adhesive and a curing agent, wherein the curing agent is attached to an inner wall surface of the fixing hole. A second step of supplying the adhesive to the fixing hole after the first step and starting the curing of the adhesive; and an optical fiber in the fixing hole after the second step. a third step of fixing insert, seen including a first step, the steps of providing a solution obtained by dissolving the curing agent in a volatile solvent to the fixing hole, which is the feed solution , a step of evaporating the solvent from the a method of assembling an optical connection components, characterized in containing Mukoto.

In the present invention, since the curing agent is attached to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole (first step) , it is possible to distribute the curing agent in many regions of the inner wall surface of the fixing hole. Also, after the first step, a second step of supplying the adhesive to the fixing hole and starting the curing of the adhesive, and inserting an optical fiber into the fixing hole after the second step. Then, the third step of fixing is performed, so that sufficient adhesive strength can be obtained.

Further, the first step of attaching the curing agent to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole may include the step of supplying the vaporized curing agent into the fixing hole.

After execution of the first step, the optical connection component may be set on a plug frame to form a semi-assembled optical fiber connector, and then the second step may be executed. By using such a semi-assembled optical fiber connector , it is possible to simplify the assembling work at the place where the optical connector is used and to promote efficiency .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a well-known SC-type optical fiber connector, and conforms to JIS C5973 (1993) regarding F04 type single-core optical fiber connector.

  In FIG. 1, a ferrule 1 as an optical connection component according to the present embodiment is composed of a capillary 2 and a flange member 3 bonded to each other. The capillary 2 is made of, for example, silicon dioxide, and a through hole 2a is provided through the axis. The flange member 3 is made of, for example, stainless steel, is generally cylindrical, and is provided with a fixing hole 3a through the axis. A flange 3 b extending in the radial direction is formed at the front end of the flange member 3. The rear end portion of the capillary 2 is fitted and bonded to the front end portion of the flange member 3.

  The optical fiber cord 5 used in this embodiment is formed by forming a resin layer 7, a fibrous high-tensile layer 8, and a jacket 9 such as PVC on the outside of an optical fiber 6 composed of a core and a cladding layer. The resin layer 7 is made of, for example, polyamide. A state in which the jacket 9 and the high-tensile layer 8 are removed from the optical fiber cord 5 is referred to as a core wire. The outer diameter of the core wire, that is, the outer diameter of the resin layer 7 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the fixing hole 3 a of the flange member 3. As will be described later, in the assembly method of the present embodiment, fixing to the ferrule 1 is performed with the optical fiber 6 exposed from the tip of the resin layer 7.

  The plug frame 21 has a cylindrical shape and has a substantially rectangular outer shape in cross section. On the left and right side surfaces of the plug frame 21, recesses 21a are formed. A cylindrical stop ring 21b is fixed to the rear portion of the plug 20, and a cylindrical boot 25 having a taper in the axial direction is fitted therein. The ferrule 2 to which the optical fiber cord 5 is fixed is pressed to the tip side by the coil spring 23.

  The high-tensile layer 8 of the optical fiber cord 5 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer peripheral surface of the stop ring 21 b at the rear of the plug frame 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the crimp ring 26. The jacket 9 of the optical fiber cord 5 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer peripheral surface of the crimp ring 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 27.

  The sliding sleeve 40 has a generally rectangular tube shape formed by injection molding, and an opening 41 is formed on the left and right side surfaces thereof. Convex portions 43a and concave portions 43b are formed in the peripheral portions of the left and right openings 41, respectively. The internal dimension of the sliding sleeve 40 is slightly larger than the external dimension of the distal end portion of the plug frame 21, and the sliding sleeve 40 is slidably mounted on the outside of the plug frame 21, as shown in FIG. .

  The assembled optical connector plug 20 is coupled to an adapter or a receptacle. The optical connector plug 20 is coupled to the adapter or the receptacle by engaging the engaging claws of the two opposing elastic engaging pieces provided on the adapter or the receptacle (not shown) with the recess 21a of the plug frame 21. . When the optical connector plug 20 is removed, the user operates the sliding sleeve 40 of the optical connector plug 20. By the relative movement of the sliding sleeve 40 and the plug frame 21, the locking claws of the two opposing elastic locking pieces provided on the adapter or the receptacle are operated so as to separate from the recess 21 a, and the plug 20 is connected to the adapter or the receptacle. Can be removed with a small removal force.

  Of the assembling process of the plug 20 configured as described above, an assembling method of a portion related to the coupling of the ferrule 1 and the optical fiber cord 5 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the curing agent solution 50 is filled into the fixing hole 3 a of the flange member 3 of the ferrule 1. The curing agent solution 50 is obtained by dissolving an amine-based curing agent in an alcohol solvent (for example, ethanol). The concentration of the curing agent solution 50 is preferably 10% by weight or more, for example. Filling the fixing hole 3a with the hardener solution 50 is performed by a method in which the flange member 3 is immersed in the hardener solution 50 while holding the ferrule 1 so that the capillary 2 faces upward. In addition, filling the fixing hole 3a with the curing agent solution 50 is performed by a method in which the ferrule 1 is held so that the flange member 3 faces upward and the curing agent solution 50 is injected into the fixing hole 3a with a pipette or the like. Also good.

  Next, the alcohol solvent is evaporated from the curing agent solution 50 filled in the fixing hole 3a by being left for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 minute) or longer, heated, decompressed, or a combination thereof. As a result, the curing agent is attached to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 3 of the flange member 3, and a curing agent layer 51 is formed as shown in FIG. Each of the above steps is performed in advance at a factory or the like prior to the installation work of the optical communication device.

  The following steps are performed at a place where the optical connector is used, such as an installation place of the optical communication device. First, the adhesive 55 is supplied to the fixing hole 3a of the flange member 3 on which the curing agent layer 51 is formed as described above (FIG. 5). The adhesive 55 is supplied by the pipette 60. The supplied adhesive 55 reacts with the curing agent layer 51 to start curing.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical fiber cord 5 is removed from the optical fiber cord 5 so that the optical fiber 6 and the resin layer 7 are exposed for a predetermined length. Insert into the fixing hole 3a. As a result, the optical fiber cord 5 is firmly fixed to the fixing hole 3 a of the flange member 3. The extra optical fiber 6 protruding forward from the tip of the capillary 2 is cut and polished together with the front end face of the capillary 2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the curing agent 51 is fixed in the assembling method of the optical connection component in which the optical fiber 6 is fixed to the fixing hole 3a of the ferrule 1 that is the optical connection component by using the adhesive 55 and the curing agent 51. The step of attaching to the inner wall surface of the hole 3a was included. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it becomes possible to adhere the curing agent to many regions of the inner wall surface of the fixing hole, and even if the surface of the optical fiber 6 is easy to repel the curing agent, sufficient adhesion can be achieved. Strength can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, since the curing agent 51 is attached to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 3a, the risk of the curing agent 51 being lost from the fixing hole 3a due to friction with the outside in the process of storing and transporting the flange member 3 is suppressed. Is done. Therefore, according to the method of the present embodiment, it is possible to supply the curing agent 51 in advance at a place different from the installation work place such as a factory, and transport this to the installation work place and use it for the installation work. In this case, the assembly process at the installation site requires only the supply of the adhesive to the fixing hole of the flange member 3 and the insertion of the optical fiber cord 5, and the time required for the assembly process at the installation site is significantly reduced. be able to. In the experiment by the applicant, in the case of the method of the present embodiment, the coupling process of the optical fiber cord 5 and the ferrule 1 could be performed in about ¼ time in the case of the conventional method.

  In addition, since the surface area of the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 3a of the flange member 3 is much larger than the surface area of the optical fiber 6, the method of this embodiment in which a curing agent is applied to the inner wall surface is more cured than in the past. An agent can be applied. Therefore, even when the application amount of the adhesive increases, it can be cured in a short time. Further, in the conventional method, since the amount of the hardener adhering to the surface of the optical fiber 6 is small, the amount of the adhesive supplied to the fixing hole 3a of the flange member 3 is set to μl order using a dedicated supply jig. Although it was necessary to control, in this embodiment, since the supply amount of the curing agent is sufficient, it is not necessary to control the supply amount of the adhesive very accurately.

  The ability to increase the amount of adhesive applied can not only promote adhesion but also improve moisture resistance after bonding. That is, in the conventional method of attaching the curing agent to the optical fiber 6, it is necessary to reduce the amount of the adhesive 155 indicated by hatching in FIG. 7, and therefore, from the rear end side of the fixing hole 3 a of the flange 3. When moisture penetrates, the period required for the entire solidified adhesive 155 to deteriorate is short. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the amount of the adhesive 55 shown by hatching in FIG. 8 can be made relatively large, when moisture permeates from the rear end side of the fixing hole 3a of the flange 3, the solidified adhesion The period required for the entire agent 55 to deteriorate can be made relatively long.

  In addition, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to bring a supply jig or a curing agent for applying a curing agent to an optical fiber as in the past, it can be easily applied to work in a narrow work space. It is.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is characterized in that the vaporized curing agent is supplied into the fixing hole 3a. In the second embodiment, the remaining portions except for this point are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  A method for assembling a portion related to the coupling of the ferrule 1 and the optical fiber cord 5 in the second embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 9, a gas phase curing agent 150 is filled into the fixing hole 3 a of the flange member 3 of the ferrule 1. As the curing agent 150, an amine-based curing agent is used as in the above embodiment, and this is vaporized by heating. The fixing hole 3 a is filled with the gas phase curing agent 150 by the nozzle 160.

  Next, the gas phase curing agent 150 filled in the fixed hole 3a is condensed by being left for a predetermined time, cooled, or a combination thereof. During this condensing step, the opening of the fixing hole 3a of the flange member 3 can be closed by an appropriate lid, stopper, storage container or the like. As a result of the condensing step, a curing agent is attached to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 3 of the flange member 3 by condensation, and a curing agent layer 151 is formed as shown in FIG. The following steps are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since the vaporized curing agent is supplied into the fixing hole, as in the first embodiment, curing is performed on many regions of the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 3a. An agent can be present, and sufficient adhesive strength can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment, the gas phase curing agent 150 is used, but a mist-shaped curing agent may be used instead.

In each of the above embodiments, the adhesive 55 is supplied to the fixing hole by a pipette, but a dedicated jig or the like may be used .

  In addition, the optical connection component in which the curing agent is previously attached to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 3a for inserting the optical fiber 6 can be sold in that state. By using such an optical connection component, it is possible to simplify the assembly work at the place where the optical connector is used and to promote efficiency.

  Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as an optical fiber connector configured to include such an optical connection component. That is, the ferrule 1 in which the hardener layer is formed in the fixing hole 3a is set to the plug frame 21 by the coil spring 23 and the stop ring 21b, and the sliding sleeve 40 is fitted to the plug frame 21, that is, half It can be sold as an assembled optical fiber connector. By using such a semi-assembled optical fiber connector, it is possible to further simplify the assembly work at the place where the optical connector is used and to promote efficiency.

  In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to an SC type optical fiber connector has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to other types such as an MU type (according to JIS C5983 (2001) relating to an F14 type optical fiber connector). The present invention can also be applied to types of optical fiber connectors and other types of optical connection components.

It is a top view which shows the optical connector plug which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a plug frame and a sliding sleeve. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which supplied the hardening | curing agent solution to the fixing hole of the flange member of a ferrule in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which dried the hardening | curing agent solution. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of supplying an adhesive agent. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of inserting an optical fiber. It is sectional drawing which shows the ferrule assembled by the method before the improvement in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the ferrule assembled by the method of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which supplied the gaseous-phase hardening | curing agent to the fixing hole of the flange member of a ferrule in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which condensed the hardening | curing agent of the gaseous phase.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ferrule 2 Capillary 3 Flange member 5 Optical fiber cord 6 Optical fiber 7 Resin layer 8 High tension layer 9 Jacket | cover 20 Optical connector plug 21 Plug frame 40 Sliding sleeve 50 Hardener solution 51,151 Hardener layer 55,155 Adhesive 150 Gas phase curing agent

Claims (3)

A method of assembling an optical connection component for fixing an optical fiber using an adhesive and a curing agent in a fixing hole of the optical connection component,
A first step of attaching the curing agent to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole;
After the first step, a second step of supplying the adhesive to the fixing hole and starting the curing of the adhesive;
A third step of inserting and fixing an optical fiber into the fixing hole after the second step;
Only including, the first step is,
Supplying a solution obtained by dissolving the curing agent in a volatile solvent into the fixing hole;
The supplied the steps of evaporating the solvent from the solution, the assembly method of the optical connecting parts, characterized in including Mukoto a. A method of assembling an optical connecting component for fixing an optical fiber using an adhesive and a curing agent in a fixing hole of the optical connecting component,
A first step of attaching the curing agent to the inner wall surface of the fixing hole;
After the first step, a second step of supplying the adhesive to the fixing hole and starting the curing of the adhesive;
A third step of inserting and fixing an optical fiber into the fixing hole after the second step;
Including
The first step includes a step of supplying the vaporized curing agent into the fixing hole. An assembly method for an optical connecting component according to claim 1 or 2 ,
After the execution of the first step, the optical connection component is set in a plug frame to form a semi-assembled optical fiber connector, and then the second step is performed.

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