CN112130251A - Optical fiber positioner and positioning method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an optical fiber positioner and a positioning method thereof, wherein the optical fiber positioner comprises a base, a base connecting cylinder, and an optical fiber positioning sandwich structure; wherein, the base has a central through hole for the fiber array to pass through, and one end is Step-shaped cylindrical structure, a mounting surface and an optical fiber positioning surface are formed at the steps of the base, the mounting surface is threadedly connected with the base connecting cylinder, and at least two positions for positioning the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure are formed on the optical fiber positioning surface. The fiber positioning sandwich structure has a central through hole for the fiber array to pass through and a fiber positioning hole for positioning the fiber array. The diameter of the fiber positioning sandwich structure is smaller than the diameter of the base connecting cylinder, and the fiber positioning sandwich structure is connected to the base. A sealant is respectively poured into the space between the cylinders and the central through hole of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure. The invention can realize the accurate positioning and rapid assembly of the two-dimensional m×n optical fiber array through the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheet, and the deflection of a single optical fiber will not occur.

Description

Optical fiber positioner and positioning method thereof

technical field

The invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber transmission, in particular to an optical fiber locator and a positioning method thereof.

Background technique

Lidar imaging technology is an optical fiber imaging system that uses active laser detection technology to obtain target surface information. It has broad development prospects in target detection, battlefield surveillance and other fields. The imaging fiber can solve the imaging rate and other problems very well, and realize the light and miniaturization of the optical system. The key component of the laser imaging system based on area array detection is the optical fiber positioner, which uses a single-mode optical fiber array, which can be used to transmit information in optical communication, and can also transmit images directly. The geometric shape of the fiber optic array constitutes an optical fiber array. The arrangement positions of the optical fibers at both ends of the array correspond one-to-one. One optical fiber in the array is equivalent to a pixel, and the light image at one end of the fiber array will be reproduced at the other end of the array. However, the optical fiber array structure of the optical fiber positioner is complex, the assembly is difficult, and the optical fiber positioning accuracy is difficult to guarantee.

The invention patent with the application number of 202010188120.4 discloses a 2XN optical fiber array and a manufacturing method thereof, which realizes the positioning of the optical fiber array through a V-shaped groove. The V-groove is a structural form that is difficult to process in machining. The size of the V-groove and the distance between the V-groove are not easy to guarantee, and the glue applied in the V-groove itself has a certain thickness, which will affect the accurate positioning of the optical fiber. .

Therefore, how to provide an optical fiber positioner with simple structure, convenient assembly and high positioning accuracy of the optical fiber array is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide an optical fiber locator with simple structure and convenient assembly and a positioning method thereof, which can realize accurate positioning of a two-dimensional m×n optical fiber array.

For achieving the above object, the present invention adopts following concrete technical scheme:

The invention provides an optical fiber positioner, comprising: a base, a base connecting cylinder, and an optical fiber positioning sandwich structure; wherein, the base has a central through hole for the optical fiber array to pass through, and one end is a stepped cylindrical structure, and the base A mounting surface and an optical fiber positioning surface are formed at the steps of the seat, the mounting surface is threadedly connected with the base connecting cylinder, and at least two positioning posts for positioning the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure are formed on the optical fiber positioning surface; The central through hole through which the optical fiber array passes and the optical fiber positioning hole for positioning the optical fiber array. The diameter of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure is smaller than the diameter of the base connecting cylinder. The central through holes of the positioning sandwich structure are respectively filled with sealants.

Preferably, the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure includes at least two supporting sheets and at least one optical fiber positioning sheet; wherein, the diameter of the optical fiber positioning sheet is the same as the diameter of the supporting sheet, and is smaller than the inner diameter of the base connecting cylinder, and the optical fiber positioning sheet is inserted and clamped on the base. Between the supporting sheets, positioning through holes matched with the positioning posts are respectively opened on the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheets, and the supporting sheet on the top layer is higher than the end face of the positioning post and the base connecting cylinder; A central through hole is opened at the center position of the fiber optic positioning sheet, and an optical fiber positioning hole is opened at the center position of the optical fiber positioning sheet.

Preferably, the sealant is poured into the base, the support sheet on the top layer, the central through hole of the support sheet on the bottom layer, and the space between the positioning hole and the positioning post of the support sheet on the top layer.

Preferably, the other end of the base is a flange.

Preferably, the number of supporting sheets is three, and the number of optical fiber positioning sheets is two.

Preferably, the support sheet is a non-metallic material.

Preferably, the support sheet is a quartz sheet or a microchip.

Preferably, the optical fiber positioning sheet is a metal material.

Preferably, the optical fiber positioning sheet is an aluminum sheet, an aluminum alloy sheet or a nickel sheet.

The present invention also provides a positioning method of the optical fiber positioner, comprising the following steps:

S1. Pass the fiber array from bottom to top through the center through hole of the base in the fiber positioning sandwich structure, the center through hole of the support sheet located on the bottom layer, the fiber positioning hole of each fiber positioning sheet, and the center through hole of the support sheet located at the top layer. hole;

S2, placing the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure interspersed with the optical fiber array on the base, and positioning through the positioning through holes on the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheet and the positioning posts of the base;

S3, screw the base connecting cylinder on the base;

S4. In the space between the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure and the base connecting cylinder, in the central through hole of the base, in the central through hole of the support sheet on the top layer, and in the central through hole of the support sheet on the bottom layer and pouring sealant into the space between the positioning through hole of the support sheet on the top layer and the positioning column respectively, so that the optical fiber array and the base, the base connecting cylinder and the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure are solidified into a whole.

The present invention can achieve the following technical effects:

(1) Accurate positioning and rapid assembly of a two-dimensional m×n optical fiber array can be achieved through the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheet, and the deflection of a single optical fiber will not occur.

(2) The optical fiber positioning hole of the optical fiber positioning sheet is simple to process, which can reduce the processing cost and ensure the processing accuracy.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical fiber positioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical fiber positioner according to an embodiment of the present invention when glue is not injected.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical fiber positioner after glue injection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for positioning an optical fiber positioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reference numerals include: base 1, positioning post 11, base connecting cylinder 2, optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3, first supporting sheet 31, second supporting sheet 32, third supporting sheet 33, first optical fiber positioning sheet 34. The second optical fiber positioning sheet 35, the sealant 4, and the optical fiber array 5.

Detailed ways

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, but not to limit the present invention.

The optical fiber locator and the locating method thereof provided by the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of an optical fiber positioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber positioner provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes: a base 1, a base connecting cylinder 2 and an optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3. One end of the base 1 is a stepped cylindrical structure, and the other end is a The flange is used to realize the installation and fixation of the base 1, and a central through hole through which the entire optical fiber array 5 passes through is opened at the center of the base 1. The base connecting cylinder 2 is a cylinder, and is screwed on the base 1. At the step, the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 is installed on the base 1, the diameter of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 is smaller than the inner diameter of the base connecting cylinder 2, and a center for the optical fiber array 5 to pass through is opened at the center of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3. The through hole and the positioning hole for positioning the optical fiber array 5 are in the space between the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 and the base connecting cylinder 2, in the central through hole of the base 1 and in the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3. The central through hole is filled with sealant 4 respectively.

The optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 includes at least two supporting sheets and at least one optical fiber positioning sheet. The optical fiber positioning sheets are inserted and clamped between the supporting sheets. The optical fiber positioning sheets are used for positioning the optical fiber array 5, and the supporting sheets are used to ensure the positioning of the optical fibers. sheet stiffness.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber positioner according to an embodiment of the present invention when glue is not injected.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a mounting surface and an optical fiber positioning surface are formed at the steps of the base 1, an external thread is processed on the mounting surface, an internal thread is processed on the inner wall of the base connecting cylinder 2, and the base connecting cylinder 2 is threaded Connected to the mounting surface of the base 1 , at least two positioning posts 11 are formed on the optical fiber positioning surface, and the positioning posts 11 are used for positioning the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 . When there are two positioning columns 11, they are arranged at both ends of the diameter of the fiber positioning surface, and when there are three or more positioning columns 11, they are evenly distributed on the circumference of the fiber positioning surface.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 includes three supporting sheets with the same diameter and thickness and two optical fiber positioning sheets with the same diameter and thickness. The reason for selecting the two optical fiber positioning sheets is that the optical fibers have a certain hardness , If there is one optical fiber positioning piece, when the optical fiber passes through the optical fiber positioning piece, it is easy to be deflected, so that the optical fiber positioning piece cannot accurately position the optical fiber. to locate. The reason for choosing the three support sheets is to clamp the two fiber positioning sheets between the three support sheets to ensure the rigidity of the two fiber positioning sheets, and to separate the two fiber positioning sheets to maintain a certain distance.

The three supporting sheets are the first supporting sheet 31, the second supporting sheet 32, and the third supporting sheet 33, respectively, and the two optical fiber positioning sheets are the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35, respectively. The first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 is sandwiched between the first support sheet 31 and the second support sheet 32, the second fiber positioning sheet 35 is sandwiched between the second support sheet 32 and the third support sheet 33, the first support sheet 31, the second support sheet 32 , the diameter of the third supporting sheet 33, the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 are the same, and are respectively smaller than the inner diameter of the base connecting cylinder 2. A gap is formed between the sheet 33 , the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 , the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 and the base connecting cylinder 2 , which is convenient for pouring the sealant 4 .

Positioning through holes are respectively opened on the first supporting sheet 31 , the second supporting sheet 32 , the third supporting sheet 33 , the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 corresponding to the positions of the positioning posts 11 . 11. Accurate positioning of the first supporting sheet 31, the second supporting sheet 32, the third supporting sheet 33, the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 is realized.

A central through hole is formed at the center of the first support sheet 31 , the second support sheet 32 and the third support sheet 33 for the fiber array 5 to pass through.

The center positions of the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 correspond to the positions of each optical fiber in the optical fiber array 5 with optical fiber positioning holes, that is, the number of optical fiber positioning holes is the same as the number of optical fibers. holes for precise positioning of the fiber.

The first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 are circular sheets, and the thicknesses of the first supporting sheet 31, the second supporting sheet 32 and the third supporting sheet 33 are thicker than those of the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second supporting sheet 33. The thickness of the optical fiber positioning sheet 35 is to ensure the rigidity of the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 and avoid deformation of the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 .

The first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 may be metal materials or non-metal materials. In order to ensure rigidity, metal materials are preferred, and common metal materials such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, and nickel may be used.

Since the end face of the optical fiber array requires extremely high flatness, the end face of the optical fiber array needs to be optically polished. Therefore, the height of the first support sheet 31 is higher than the height of the positioning column 11 and the height of the end face of the base connecting cylinder 2. A gap is formed between the first support piece 31 and the positioning post 11 .

Because metal materials are difficult to polish, the first support sheet 31 , the second support sheet 32 , and the third support sheet 33 are made of non-metallic materials, such as optical materials such as quartz and microcrystalline.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber positioner after glue injection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the sealant 4 is poured into the central through hole of the base 1 , the central through hole of the first supporting sheet 31 , and the central through hole of the third supporting sheet 33 respectively, and the first supporting sheet 31 is filled with sealant 4 . , the second support sheet 32, the third support sheet 33, the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34, the second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 and the gap between the base connecting cylinder 2 and the sealant 4 are poured, and the first support sheet 31 The sealant 4 is also poured into the space between the positioning post 11, so that the optical fiber array 5, the base 1, the base connecting cylinder 2, and the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 are solidified into a whole.

The sealant 4 is epoxy resin glue or sealant made of other materials.

The structure of the optical fiber positioner provided by the embodiments of the present invention is described in detail above. Corresponding to the optical fiber positioner, the present invention also provides a method for positioning an optical fiber array by using the above-mentioned optical fiber positioner.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of a method for positioning an optical fiber positioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturing method of the optical fiber positioner provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

S1. Pass the fiber array from bottom to top through the center through hole of the base in the fiber positioning sandwich structure, the center through hole of the support sheet located on the bottom layer, the fiber positioning hole of each fiber positioning sheet, and the center through hole of the support sheet located at the top layer. hole.

Before step S1, the following preparations are included:

First, select the fiber to be positioned, determine the diameter of the fiber, and then determine the number of two-dimensional arrays and spacing dimensions of the fiber through optical design.

Then, the preparation and processing of the support sheet and the optical fiber positioning sheet are carried out. The optical fiber positioning sheet is processed with optical fiber positioning holes. The optical fiber positioning holes are the same as the two-dimensional arrays of the optical fibers. The processing method can be laser processing, water-guided laser processing, mechanical drilling processing, or photolithography and nickel electroplating. A central through hole is processed on the support sheet, and the diameter of the central through hole is slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber array, so that the optical fiber array can pass through the support sheet.

Taking the optical fiber positioner shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the optical fiber array 5 passes through the center through hole of the base 1, the center through hole of the third support sheet 33, the fiber positioning hole of the second fiber positioning sheet 35, and the second support in sequence. The central through hole of the sheet 32 , the optical fiber positioning hole of the first optical fiber positioning sheet 34 , and the central through hole of the first support sheet 31 . During this process, ensure that the positions of the fiber array 5 on the first fiber positioning sheet 34 and the second fiber positioning sheet 35 are in a one-to-one correspondence, and do not twist.

S2. The optical fiber positioning sandwich structure interspersed with the optical fiber array is placed on the base, and the positioning is performed through the positioning through holes on the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheet and the positioning posts of the base.

When the number of optical fibers in the optical fiber array is large, it is more laborious to perforate the optical fiber, so it cannot be installed on the base and then perforated, but first perforated and then installed on the base.

S3, screw the base connecting cylinder on the base.

S4. In the space between the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure and the base connecting cylinder, in the central through hole of the base, in the central through hole of the support sheet on the top layer, and in the central through hole of the support sheet on the bottom layer and pouring sealant into the space between the positioning through hole of the support sheet on the top layer and the positioning column respectively, so that the optical fiber array and the base, the base connecting cylinder and the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure are solidified into a whole.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the sealant 4 is poured into the central through hole of the base 1, the central through hole of the first support sheet 31, and the central through hole of the third support sheet 33, respectively. A supporting sheet 31, a second supporting sheet 32, a third supporting sheet 33, a first optical fiber positioning sheet 34, a second optical fiber positioning sheet 35 and the space between the base connecting cylinder 2 and the base connecting cylinder 2 are filled with sealant 4, and the A sealant 4 is also poured into the space between the support sheet 31 and the positioning post 11, and after being placed at room temperature for a period of time, the optical fiber array 5 and the base 1, the base connecting cylinder 2, and the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure 3 are cured into a A whole.

The following steps may also be included after step S4:

S5. Cut off the part of the optical fiber exposed outside the first support sheet 31 .

S6, grinding and polishing the end surface of the first support sheet 31 .

In the description of this specification, description with reference to the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples", etc., mean specific features described in connection with the embodiment or example , structure, material or feature is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms are not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of the different embodiments or examples, without conflicting each other.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Embodiments are subject to variations, modifications, substitutions and variations.

The above specific embodiments of the present invention do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made according to the technical concept of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. An optical fiber positioner, characterized in that, comprising: a base, a base connecting cylinder, and an optical fiber positioning sandwich structure; wherein, the base has a central through hole for the optical fiber array to pass through, and one end is a stepped circle. A cylindrical structure, a mounting surface and an optical fiber positioning surface are formed at the steps of the base, the mounting surface is threadedly connected with the base connecting cylinder, and at least two optical fiber positioning surfaces are formed on the optical fiber positioning surface for positioning The positioning column of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure; the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure has a central through hole for the optical fiber array to pass through and an optical fiber positioning hole for positioning the optical fiber array, and the diameter of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure. Depending on the diameter of the base connecting cylinder, sealants are respectively poured into the gap between the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure and the base connecting cylinder, and in the central through hole of the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure. 2 . The optical fiber positioner according to claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure comprises at least two supporting sheets and at least one optical fiber positioning sheet; wherein, the diameter of the optical fiber positioning sheet is the same as that of the supporting sheet. 3 . The diameter of the optical fiber is the same and smaller than the inner diameter of the base connecting cylinder, the optical fiber positioning sheet is inserted and clamped between the supporting sheets, and the positioning posts are respectively opened on the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheet. The matching positioning through hole, and the support sheet on the top layer is higher than the end face of the positioning column and the base connecting cylinder; the central through hole is respectively opened at the center position of the base and the support sheet , the optical fiber positioning hole is opened at the center position of the optical fiber positioning sheet. 3. The optical fiber positioner according to claim 2, wherein the base, the support sheet on the top layer, the central through hole of the support sheet on the bottom layer, and the positioning holes of the support sheet on the top layer are connected with each other. The sealant is respectively poured into the gaps between the positioning posts. 4. The optical fiber positioner according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the other end of the base is a flange. 5 . The optical fiber positioner according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the number of the support sheets is three, and the number of the optical fiber positioning sheets is two. 6 . 6. The optical fiber positioner of claim 5, wherein the support sheet is a non-metallic material. 7. The optical fiber positioner according to claim 6, wherein the supporting sheet is a quartz sheet or a microchip. 8. The optical fiber positioner according to claim 5, wherein the optical fiber positioning sheet is made of metal material. 9 . The optical fiber positioner according to claim 8 , wherein the optical fiber positioning sheet is an aluminum sheet, an aluminum alloy sheet or a nickel sheet. 10 . 10. A method for positioning an optical fiber positioner as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, comprising the steps of: S1. Pass the fiber array from bottom to top through the center through hole of the base in the fiber positioning sandwich structure, the center through hole of the support sheet located on the bottom layer, the fiber positioning hole of each fiber positioning sheet, and the center through hole of the support sheet located at the top layer. hole; S2, placing the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure interspersed with the optical fiber array on the base, and positioning through the positioning through holes on the optical fiber positioning sheet and the supporting sheet and the positioning posts of the base; S3, screw the base connecting cylinder on the base; S4. In the space between the optical fiber positioning sandwich structure and the base connecting cylinder, in the central through hole of the base, in the central through hole of the support sheet located on the top layer, and in the support located on the bottom layer In the central through hole of the sheet and in the space between the positioning through hole of the support sheet on the top layer and the positioning column, sealant is respectively poured, so that the optical fiber array is connected to the base, the base connecting cylinder, The optical fiber positioning sandwich structure is solidified into a whole.

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