JP2002365483A - Optical fiber core position measuring jig and core position measuring method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately measure an optical fiber core position of an optical connector, and to make a guide pin hole of an optical connector plug parallel to an axis of a camera for observation. Things. SOLUTION: In the optical connector 1 for aligning corresponding optical fibers 12, the optical connector plug 1 is provided.
A guide pin 4 embedded with an optical fiber as a center is inserted into a hole into which the first guide pin 2 is inserted, and light is incident on the optical fiber in the optical connector plug 11 and the optical fiber in the guide pin 4 from behind. The core of the optical fiber on the end face 111 of the optical connector plug is illuminated.
In the measuring device for measuring the position of the core of the optical connector plug 11 with high precision by observing from the front with the CD camera 5, the end face of the optical connector plug 11 is
To keep the camera pin 5 perpendicular to the optical axis, the guide pin 4
Is fixed to the connector fixing portion 6 with high precision.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber core position measuring jig and a method for measuring a core position using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a jig and a measuring method for measuring the position of an optical fiber core for guaranteeing the performance of an optical connector capable of connecting and disconnecting a multi-core optical fiber by a simple operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various optical connectors are used in optical communication systems. Until now, MT type connectors which can easily connect and disconnect multi-core optical fiber tapes, and MPO type connectors which can be easily connected and disconnected by push-pull operation have been put to practical use. Both connectors use the MT ferrule for the connection portion of the optical fiber. M
Optical connectors using T ferrules use guide pins.
The structure is such that the optical fibers to be connected are easily aligned with each other, and it can be said that this technology is very useful in terms of simplicity, weight and cost.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional MT connector. As shown in FIG. 10, the MT connector includes an MT (multi-core optical) connector plug 1, a guide pin 2, and a clamp spring 3. The multi-core optical connector plug 1 includes a ferrule 11, an optical fiber tape 12, and a boot portion 13.
These components are fixed by the adhesive 10. An optical fiber core (tip) 12 a is provided on an end face of the ferrule 11. Multi-core optical connector plug 1
The guide pins (fitting pins) inserted into the guide pin holes (fitting pin holes) 112 provided in the ferrule 11
2 and are fastened by a clamp spring 3. Thereby, the connection between the end faces of the multi-core optical fiber is realized.

FIG. 11 shows an end face of the ferrule 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the optical fiber cores 12a are arranged between the two guide pin holes 112. Optical fiber core 12
a is aligned by the guide pin 2 inserted into the guide pin hole 112 at the time of connection. Thus, MT
In the connector, the optical fiber core 12 is
When the position accuracy of the optical fiber core 12a is discussed, the guide pin hole 1
A method of considering the number 12 has been adopted. For example, the ferrule end face 111 is an x, y plane, and the guide pin hole 1
The ideal position of the optical fiber core 12a has been determined using the line connecting the centers of 12 as the x-axis and the midpoint thereof as the origin, and the actual displacement of the optical fiber core has been discussed.

FIG. 12 shows the relationship between the ideal position 12a2 of the optical fiber core and the actual position 12a1 of the optical fiber core. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a measurement system of the optical fiber core position.
3 is shown. As shown in FIG.
The guide pin 4 with an optical fiber is inserted into the guide pin hole 112, and its tip is aligned with the ferrule end face 111.
FIG. 14 shows the state of the ferrule end face 111 at this time. The optical fiber core 12a and the optical fiber core tip 42 of the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber are observed on the MT connector end face. As shown in FIG.
From behind, the light is incident on the optical fiber 12 and the optical fiber of the guide pin 4 including the optical fiber, and the optical fiber core 12a and the tip 42 of the optical fiber core of the guide pin 4 including the optical fiber are illuminated at the MT connector end face 111. To CC
The optical fiber core position 12a1 was measured by taking in with the D camera 5.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional method for measuring the position of the optical fiber core of the MT connector, for example, when the ferrule 11 is inclined with respect to the CCD camera 5 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, there is a possibility that the measured optical fiber core position 12a3 is shifted from the actual optical fiber core position 12a4. The present invention is intended to measure the position of an optical fiber core of an MT connector with high accuracy.
The purpose is to make the guide pin hole of the T connector plug parallel to the axis of the camera for observation. Still another object of the present invention is to connect multi-core optical fibers by a simple operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a jig and a measuring method for measuring the position of an optical fiber core of an MT connector that can be cut off with high accuracy.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when measuring the position of an optical fiber core of an MT connector, a guide pin containing an optical fiber is inserted into a guide pin hole, and this is used to assure a positional relationship with a CCD camera. By fixing with a tool, the positional relationship between the MT connector plug and the CCD camera is guaranteed.

[0008]

1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention. 1 to 3 show the invention according to claim 1.
Shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber core position measuring jig,
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a CCD camera fixing portion, FIG. 3A is a plan view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig viewed from above, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig. It is the side view seen from.

As shown in FIG. 1, an MT connector plug 1
Is fixed to the MT connector fixing jig 6 so that the position of the optical fiber core on the end face of the optical fiber can be measured with high accuracy. That is, the MT connector fixing jig 6 includes a guide pin fixing portion 61, a CCD camera fixing portion 62, and a connection fixing portion 63.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CCD camera fixing section 62 includes an X-axis direction moving section 621, a Y-axis direction moving section 622,
Each component is configured by a Z-axis direction moving unit 623, and can move in parallel in the direction of the arrow. Therefore, the CCD camera 5 can move in parallel on the XYZ plane with respect to the connection fixing unit 64. At this time, the optical axis 51 of the CCD camera 5
Is always constant and invariant, so that the axis 41 (Z-axis direction) of the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber and the CC
The optical axis 51 (Z-axis direction) of the D camera 5 is always aligned in parallel.

Since the CCD camera 5 can be moved in parallel on the XYZ plane, it is possible to perform shooting on the MT connector end face 111 by adjusting the location and the focus by moving the CCD camera 5. The guide pin 4 with the optical fiber penetrates the guide pin fixing portion 61 and has a CCD
The camera 5 penetrates through the CCD camera fixing part 62 and is fixed to the connection fixing part 63 with high accuracy.

Therefore, since the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber and the CCD camera 5 are aligned with high precision via the connecting and fixing portion 63, the shaft 41 (Z-axis direction) of the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber is aligned. Optical axis 51 of CCD camera 5
(Z-axis direction) are aligned in parallel. in this way,
The MT connector plug 1 and the C
By fixing the CD camera 5, it is possible to measure the position of the optical fiber core 12a on the MT connector end face 111 in a state where the axis 41 of the guide pin 4 and the optical axis 51 of the CCD camera 5 are parallel.

In the case of the MT connector plug 1, the shaft 41 of the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber and the MT connector end face 11
1 is not always vertical. The invention made in response to such circumstances is the invention according to claim 2. The invention according to claim 2 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig, FIG. 5A is a plan view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig as viewed from above, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig as viewed from the side.

As shown in both figures, the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber penetrates the guide pin fixing portion 61, and
The D camera 5 penetrates through the CCD camera fixing part 62 and is fixed to the connection fixing part 63 with high accuracy. Further, the fixing part 6
Has a high-precision plane 64 at substantially the same distance as the MT connector end face 111 from the CCD camera 5 below the MT connector end face 111 in the Z-axis direction.

The high precision plane 64 is set so as to be perpendicular to the axis 41 of the guide pin 4 containing the optical fiber. Therefore, when the optical fiber-containing guide pin 4 and the CCD camera 5 are connected via the connection fixing portion 63, the axis 41 of the optical fiber-containing guide pin 4 and the optical axis 51 of the CCD camera 5 are aligned in parallel. Since the axis 41 of the guide pin 4 with optical fiber and the high-precision plane 64 are perpendicular to each other, the high-precision plane 64 and the optical axis 51 of the CCD camera 5 are adjusted vertically. In this state, compared to the high precision plane 64, MT
By measuring the connector end face 111, the inclination of the MT connector end face 111 with respect to the guide pin hole 112 and the optical fiber core 12a on the actual MT connector end face 111 are measured.
Can be measured with high accuracy.

The invention according to claim 3 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 6, when measuring the MT connector end face 111, each point of A'B'C'D 'on the MT connector end face 111 is defined, and the distance of A'B' is set between X1 and C'D '. The distance is defined as Y1. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the focal length at the time of measuring A 'by the CCD camera 5 is ZA, the focal length at the time of measuring B' is ZB, and the focal length at the time of measuring C 'is Z
Let C be the focal length when measuring D '. With this definition, the inclination θx of the MT connector end face 111 in the X-axis direction and the inclination θy of the MT connector end face 111 in the Y-axis direction can be measured according to the following equations. θx = tan ⁻¹ (| ZA−ZB | / X1) θy = tan ⁻¹ (| ZC−ZD | / Y1)

Also, due to the nature of the jig, the high precision plane 64 is
When it is difficult to design the CD camera perpendicular to the optical axis 51, the high-precision plane 64 can be made variable by making the high-precision plane 64 variable as shown in FIG. At this time, the angle of the high precision plane 64 is adjusted by moving the adjustment knob 7 in the direction of the arrow. Since the guide pin fixing portion 61 is fixed to the connecting portion 62 by the spring 71, the angle of the high-precision plane 64 can be changed by moving the adjustment knob 7 in the direction of the arrow.

The presence of three adjustment knobs 7 allows the angle of the high precision plane 64 to be freely changed. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, ABCD points are defined, and the same measurement is performed to obtain θx and θy. By adjusting the high-precision plane 64 in the direction of the arrow 8 by that amount, the CCD camera 5 Can be adjusted perpendicular to the optical axis 51.

[0019]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to measure the position of the optical fiber core which greatly affects the performance of the MT connector with high accuracy. Also, when measuring the position of the optical fiber core of the MT connector, insert the guide pin containing the optical fiber and insert it into the CCD.
The measurement can be performed with high accuracy by fixing with a jig that guarantees the positional relationship with the camera, and an improvement in the connection performance of the MT connector can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jig for measuring an optical fiber core position on an end face of an MT connector plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a CCD camera fixing unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view and a side view of an optical fiber core position measuring jig on the MT connector plug end face according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig of the MT connector plug end face according to the present invention as viewed from the MT connector end face direction.

5A and 5B are a plan view and a side view of an optical fiber core position measuring jig on the MT connector flag end face according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig of the MT connector plug end face according to the present invention viewed from the MT connector end face direction.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig of the MT connector plug end face according to the present invention as viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view and a side view of an optical fiber core position measuring jig on the MT connector flag end face according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the optical fiber core position measuring jig of the MT connector plug end face according to the present invention viewed from the MT connector end face direction.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an MT connector.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an MT connector plug end face.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber core position on an end face of an MT connector plug.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a conventional optical fiber core position measurement.

FIG. 14 shows MT in conventional optical fiber core position measurement.
It is a schematic diagram of a connector end surface.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a problem of a conventional optical fiber core position measurement.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the position of the optical fiber core on the end face of the MT connector plug in the conventional optical fiber core position measurement problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MT connector plug 2 Guide pin 3 Clamp spring 11 MT ferrule 12 Optical fiber tape 12a Optical fiber end face 12a1 Actual optical fiber core position 12a2 Ideal optical fiber core position 12a3 Actual optical fiber core position 12a4 When ferrule is inclined Optical fiber core position viewed from CCD camera 13 Boot portion 111 MT connector plug end surface 112 Guide pin hole 4 Guide pin with optical fiber 41 Guide pin with optical fiber 42 Tip of optical fiber core 5 CCD camera 51 Optical axis of CCD camera 6 MT Connector fixing jig 61 Fixing part 62 Fixing jig high-precision end face 621 X-axis moving part 622 Y-axis moving part 623 Z-axis moving part 63 Connection fixing part 64 Fixing jig high-precision end face 7 Adjustment knob 71 Fixing Spring 8 Guide pin fixed part moving direction

Claims (3)

[Claims] An optical connector in which corresponding optical fibers are aligned with each other by a plurality of guide pins. In order to measure a core position of an optical fiber of the optical connector plug with high accuracy, a guide pin of the optical connector plug is used. A guide pin embedded around an optical fiber is inserted into a hole for inserting the optical fiber, light is incident on the optical fiber in the optical connector plug and the optical fiber in the guide pin from the rear, and light on the end face of the optical connector plug is inserted. In a measuring device for measuring the position of the core of the optical connector plug with high precision by illuminating the core of the fiber and observing this state from the front with a CCD camera, the end face of the optical connector plug is aligned with the optical axis of the CCD camera. An optical fiber core, wherein the guide pin is fixed to a connector fixing portion with high accuracy in order to keep the guide pin vertical. Position measurement jig. 2. The connector fixing part according to claim 1, wherein the connector fixing portion has a plane perpendicular to the guide pin, and is substantially coplanar with an end face of the optical connector plug and a plane perpendicular to the CCD camera. An optical fiber core position measuring jig characterized by the above. 3. The optical fiber core position measuring device according to claim 2, wherein a plane perpendicular to the guide pin is adjusted perpendicular to an axis of a CCD camera, and a core position of the optical connector plug is measured with high accuracy. Core position measurement method using jig.