JP2007316474A - Method and equipment of manufacturing optical fiber array - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily manufacture an optical fiber array protruding by only prescribed length from an arrangement substrate by one end by an independent optical fiber. <P>SOLUTION: The method of manufacturing the optical fiber array comprises: arranging the optical fiber at each groove so as to be protruded from both the ends of a plurality of mutually parallel grooves formed on the arrangement substrate S1 at first; pushing one end of the optical fiber F into the side of the arrangement substrate S1 of a prescribed amount by a struck member 42b having a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical fiber F next; pushing the end of each optical fiber F into the arrangement substrate S1 side while aligning the ends of each optical fiber F in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and manufacturing the optical fiber array protruding only the prescribed length from the arrangement substrate S1 by one end without being adjusted before and behind a position and without measuring a protrusion amount of the optical fiber and individually grasping the respective optical fibers as the result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber array manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, and more particularly to an optical fiber array manufacturing method and apparatus for generating an optical fiber array by aligning and fixing a plurality of optical fibers. .

  In an optical device that inputs and outputs a plurality of optical signals such as an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, an optical splitter, and a multi-channel optical connector, an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel to the optical axis direction is used. In the conventional optical fiber array, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a plurality of optical fibers F aligned at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis are sandwiched by an alignment substrate 501 and a holding plate 502. It has the structure made. According to Patent Document 1, such an optical fiber array is produced by the following method.

  First, the cores of a tape-type optical fiber 600 having a plurality of cores 601 as shown in FIG. 20 are placed in a plurality of grooves 501a formed on the upper surface of the alignment substrate 501 in parallel with each other and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. To do. When the tape-type optical fiber core is placed, an optical fiber array is assembled by placing a pressing plate 502 on the upper surface side of the alignment substrate 501, and an ultraviolet curable adhesive is applied to the optical fiber array. The agent is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays. In the optical fiber array formed by such a method, as shown in FIG. 19, the end portion of the optical fiber on the alignment substrate 501 side does not protrude from the one end surface 501b of the alignment substrate 501, and light is emitted from the one end surface 501b. The lengths in the optical axis direction of the fibers are aligned.

Japanese Patent No. 2958628

  Depending on the type of optical device, it may be desirable to use an optical fiber array in which the end portion of the optical fiber on the alignment substrate side protrudes from the one end surface of the alignment substrate by a predetermined length in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber. However, since the conventional method did not assume such an optical fiber, it was difficult to manufacture.

  Further, in the conventional method, an optical fiber array is manufactured by using a tape-type optical fiber in which a plurality of optical fibers are aligned and fixed in advance, so that each optical fiber protrudes a predetermined length by an independent optical fiber. In order to manufacture the optical fiber array, more time and man-hours are required, and it has not been possible to manufacture the optical fiber array easily.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an optical fiber array in which one end protrudes from the alignment substrate by a predetermined length is easily manufactured by an independent optical fiber. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array that can perform the above-described process.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the method of manufacturing an optical fiber array according to the present invention includes an optical fiber for each groove so as to protrude from both ends of a plurality of parallel grooves formed on one surface of the alignment substrate. A first step of placing the fiber; a second step of pushing one end of the optical fiber toward the alignment substrate by a predetermined amount in a direction along the optical axis by a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber; And a third step of fixing the substrate to the alignment substrate. As a result, the end portions of the optical fibers are pushed into the alignment substrate side in a state where the directions perpendicular to the optical axis are aligned.

  In the optical fiber array manufacturing method, the third step includes a step of placing a pressing plate on the surface of the alignment substrate where the groove is formed, and a step of bonding and fixing the pressing plate to the alignment substrate. Also good. As a result, the optical fiber is held between the alignment substrate and the pressing plate and is firmly fixed.

  Further, in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array, the second step may further include a step of pressing the optical fiber toward the alignment substrate from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the surface of 1. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber from being moved by an external force other than pushing by a plane.

  In addition, the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a substrate holding means for holding an alignment substrate in which a plurality of first grooves parallel to each other are formed on one surface, and a first groove from the substrate holding means. And abutting means that has a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and that can move the plane toward the alignment substrate along the longitudinal direction.

  The optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus may further include an optical fiber holding unit adjacent to the substrate holding unit and having a second groove corresponding to the first groove.

  In the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus, the substrate holding means is formed on the surface on the side that holds the alignment substrate, and a third groove that is continuous with the first groove when the alignment substrate is held; You may make it further provide the press means which presses toward the 3rd groove | channel from the direction which opposes this groove | channel.

  In the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus, the substrate holding means presses the pressing plate disposed on the alignment substrate toward the alignment substrate from the longitudinal direction of the first groove and the direction perpendicular to the first surface. You may make it further provide the pressing board press means to do.

  In the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus, the optical fiber holding means may be movable from the substrate holding means.

  According to the present invention, an optical fiber is disposed for each groove so as to protrude from both ends of a plurality of parallel grooves formed on the alignment substrate, and one end of the optical fiber is connected by a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber. By pushing into the alignment substrate side by a predetermined amount, the end of each optical fiber is pushed into the alignment substrate side in a state aligned with the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, so that one end protrudes from the alignment substrate by a predetermined length. Arrays can be manufactured.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Optical fiber array manufacturing equipment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a base 2 having a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the base 2 on the upper surface of the base 2. It is comprised from the alignment block 3 arrange | positioned by the side, and the abutting part 4 arrange | positioned by the other end side of the base 2 upper surface. Unless otherwise specified, such an optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1 is made of a material that can be easily formed into a predetermined shape, such as metal or resin.

(Base 2)
The base portion 2 includes a holding portion 20 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape protruding toward the upper surface side at a substantially central portion of the upper surface. On the upper surface of the holding portion 20, a groove portion 21 provided on the alignment block 3 side, an optical fiber holding portion 22 provided on the abutting portion 4 side, and an alignment provided between the groove portion 21 and the optical fiber 22. A substrate holding part 23 is formed.

  The groove portion 21 includes a plurality of grooves 21a having a substantially V-shaped or substantially U-shaped cross section along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2 and spaced apart from each other at a substantially central portion in the short direction of the base portion 2. Prepare.

  The optical fiber holding portion 22 is formed at a substantially central portion in the short direction of the base portion 2, and has a plurality of V-shaped or U-shaped cross sections along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. And an optical fiber holding arm 22b having one end hinged at one edge parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical fiber holding arm 22b has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and one end in the longitudinal direction is supported so as to be rotatable in the short direction of the base portion 2, and the other end is supported at the other end. A frictional force adjusting screw 22c is provided. The frictional force adjusting screw 22c is fixed to a through-hole penetrating the optical fiber holding arm 22b in the thickness direction by a flange or the like, and is opposite to the edge of the holding unit 20 where the optical fiber holding arm 22b is hinged. It can be hinged to a screw hole (not shown) formed in the vicinity of the edge. A friction member 22e having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is provided via a leaf spring 22d at a position facing the groove 22a when the optical fiber holding arm 22b is fixed to the holding portion 20 by the friction force adjusting screw 22c. The friction member 22e is made of a material that generates an appropriate frictional force when rubbed with an optical fiber, such as Teflon (registered trademark).

  The aligned substrate holding part 23 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base 2 and the concave part 23a dug into the base 2 side from the upper surface of the holding part 20, the plurality of suction holes 23b provided in the substantially central part of the concave part 23a. And an alignment substrate holding arm 23c hinged to one edge. An end surface 23d on the optical fiber holding portion 22 side of the recess 23a and an end surface 23e on the alignment substrate holding arm 23c side serve as a reference surface for positioning when the alignment substrate S1 described later is placed on the recess 23a. The suction hole 23b is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). By generating a negative pressure with this vacuum pump, the member placed on the suction hole 23b is fixed. The alignment substrate holding arm 23c has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, one end is supported to be rotatable in the short direction of the base 2, and the other end is provided with a pressing force adjusting screw 23f. The pressing force adjusting screw 23f is fixed to a through-hole penetrating the alignment substrate holding arm 23c in the thickness direction by a flange or the like, and is opposite to the edge portion of the holding portion 20 where the alignment substrate holding arm 23c is hinged. It can be screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the vicinity of the edge.

  Here, the groove 21a provided in the groove part 21 and the groove 22a provided in the optical fiber holding part 22 are formed on a straight line corresponding to one to one.

(Alignment block 3)
The alignment block 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and is disposed between the holding portion 20 on the upper surface of the base portion 2 and one end of the base portion 2. The alignment block 3 is removable from the base 2 as shown in FIG. On the upper surface of the alignment block 3, there are a first guide portion 31, an optical fiber pressing portion 32, a second guide portion 33, and a groove portion 34 in the order close to the holding portion 20 in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2. Is provided.

  The first guide portion 31 is formed at a substantially central portion in the short direction of the base portion 2, and has a substantially rectangular guide 31 a that is along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and a bottom portion of the guide 31 a. And a plurality of grooves 31b having a substantially V-shaped or U-shaped cross section.

  The optical fiber holding portion 32 includes a recess 32a dug from the upper surface of the alignment block 3 to the lower surface side of the alignment block 3, and a groove 32b continuous with the groove 31b of the first guide portion 31 formed on the upper surface of the recess 32a. And an optical fiber holding arm 32c hinged to one edge portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the optical fiber holding arm 32 c has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is supported so as to be rotatable in the short direction of the base 2.

  The second guide portion 33 is formed at a substantially central portion in the short direction of the base portion 2, and has a substantially rectangular guide 33 a along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and a bottom portion of the guide 31 a. The formed groove 31b and the groove 33b continuous with the groove 32b of the optical fiber pressing portion 32 are provided.

  The groove part 34 is formed in the concave part 34a dug into the lower surface side of the alignment block 3 from the upper surface of the alignment block 3, and the groove 31b of the first guide part 31 and the groove of the optical fiber pressing part 32. 32b and a groove 34b of the second guide portion 33b and a continuous groove 34b.

  In such an alignment block 3, the groove 31 b of the first guide portion 31, the groove 32 b of the optical fiber pressing portion 32, the groove 33 b of the second guide portion 33 b and the groove 34 b of the groove portion 34 are provided in the groove portion 21 of the base portion 2. The grooves 21a and the grooves 22a provided in the optical fiber holding portion 22 are formed at the same pitch in a one-to-one correspondence with each other. When the alignment block 3 is fixed on the base 2, the corresponding grooves are aligned. It will be continuous. Further, the upper surface of the concave portion 33a of the optical fiber holding portion 32 and the upper surface of the concave portion 34a of the groove portion 34 are formed with the upper surface of the groove portion 21 of the base portion 2 and the upper surface of the optical fiber holding portion 22 when the alignment block 3 is fixed on the base portion 2. Form the same plane.

(Butting part 4)
The abutting part 4 includes a moving part 41 provided in the vicinity of the end of the base 2 opposite to the side on which the alignment block 3 is provided, and an abutting provided between the moving part 41 and the holding part 20. Part 42.

  The moving part 41 has a support part 41 a protruding from the upper surface of the base part 2 and a micrometer 41 b supported by the support part 41 a in the vicinity of the end part of the base part 2. The micrometer 41 b is disposed on the support portion 41 a so that the moving end faces the holding portion 20 and the moving direction of the moving end coincides with the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2.

  The contact part 42 has a rail 42a provided between the support part 41a on the upper surface of the base part 2 and the holding part 20 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the base part 2, and a plate having a substantially convex cross section. An abutting member 42b that is suspended from the base 2 and is movable along the rail 42a, and an elastic member 42c, such as a spring, disposed between the abutting member 42b and the holding portion 20. With. The abutting member 42b is formed so that the surface facing the holding portion 20 is a flat surface, and this plane is perpendicular to the moving direction of the abutting member 42b, that is, the optical axis direction of the optical fiber F. .

[Method of manufacturing optical fiber array]
Next, the manufacturing method of the optical fiber array by the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1 mentioned above is demonstrated.

  First, the alignment block 3 is removed from the base 2 as shown in FIG. This can be done by stopping the vacuum pump and stopping the negative pressure supplied from the suction hole 2b. By making the alignment block 3 removable from the base 2 in this way, the operation for arranging the optical fiber F on the alignment block 3 as described below can be easily performed.

  When the alignment block 3 is removed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the optical fiber pressing arm 32 c is pushed up in a direction away from the upper surface of the alignment block 3, and the guide 31 a of the first guide portion 31 and the guide of the second guide portion 33. By placing the optical fiber F on the alignment block 3 along 33a, the optical fiber F is disposed on the grooves 31b to 34b. Here, an optical fiber having one core wire is used as the optical fiber F. By arranging the optical fibers F along the grooves 31b to 34b as described above, the optical fibers F having one core can be individually positioned. Further, by placing the optical fiber F on the alignment block 3 along the guides 31a and 33a, the optical fiber F can be accurately placed on the grooves 31b to 34b. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the guides 31a and 33a can prevent the optical fiber F from moving in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical fiber F is placed on the alignment block 3 so as to protrude from the alignment block 3, in particular, to protrude a predetermined amount from the first guide portion 31 to the outside of the alignment block 3. Placed. The protruding length (hereinafter referred to as “protruding length”) is set to be, for example, about 1 to 2 mm longer than the length along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 2 of the holding portion 20. This value may vary to some extent, for example, 2 to 3 mm, but it is desirable to adjust the length by a jig 5 for adjusting the protruding length of the optical fiber F as shown in FIG. The jig 5 has the alignment block 3 placed on one end, and when the optical fiber F is disposed on the alignment block 3, the optical fiber F is brought into contact with the protruding portion 51 at the other end of the jig 5, thereby The protruding length of the fiber F can be adjusted. Thereby, in the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1, it becomes easy to manufacture an optical fiber array. Note that the optical fiber on the side opposite to the predetermined protruding length has an arbitrary length, for example, it hangs down for a long time.

  When the optical fiber F is disposed on the alignment block 3, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical fiber holding arm 32 c is pushed down, that is, rotated to the upper surface side of the alignment block 3 and brought into contact with the upper surface of the alignment block 3. As a result, the optical fiber F is held between the alignment block 3 and the optical fiber pressing arm 32c on the groove 32b of the optical fiber pressing portion 32, so that the movement in the axial direction and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is restricted. Will be. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber F from being moved by an external force such as vibration or gravity.

  While the operation as described above is performed in the alignment block 3, the base 2 pushes up the alignment substrate holding arm 23c to place the alignment substrate S1 on the recess 23a of the alignment substrate holding portion 23 as shown in FIG. Place. The alignment substrate S1 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view, and is provided with a plurality of grooves S12 formed in parallel to each other on the main surface. The shape, pitch and quantity of the groove S12 are formed to be equivalent to the grooves 21a, 22a, 31b to 34b. In such an aligned substrate S1, the surface opposite to the surface on which the groove S12 is formed is opposed to the recess 23a, and the direction in which the groove S12 extends is made coincident with the direction in which the grooves 21a and 22a extend. In this state, it is placed on the recess 23a. Further, the alignment substrate S1 is moved in the directions of arrows a and b, and the side surfaces thereof are brought into contact with the end surfaces 23d and 23e serving as alignment reference surfaces. Accordingly, the groove S12 is continuous with the grooves 21a and 22a. In this state, the vacuum pump is driven and negative pressure is supplied from the suction hole 23b, thereby fixing the alignment substrate S1 on the recess 23a.

  Further, the optical fiber holding arm 22b is pushed up, that is, the optical fiber holding arm 22b is rotated to move the end portion on the side where the frictional force adjusting screw 22c is provided in a direction away from the holding portion 20.

  Further, the moving end of the micrometer 41 b is moved in a direction away from the holding unit 20. Then, the abutting member 42b moves to the moving part 41 side along the direction of the arrow c, that is, the rail 42a by the elastic force of the elastic member 42c, and is separated from the holding part 20.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the alignment block 3 holding the optical fiber F is placed on the base 2, and the vacuum pump is driven to supply negative pressure from the suction hole 2b. Fix on the base 2. At this time, the alignment block 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow d for alignment, and is brought into contact with the positioning guide 2 a and the holding unit 20. Then, the grooves 22a, 22b, 31b to 34b and the groove S12 of the alignment substrate S1 are continuous in a straight line. Therefore, by arranging the optical fiber F protruding from the first guide 31 side of the alignment block 3 on the grooves 22a, 22b, S12, the optical fiber F is arranged in a straight line. In this state, the end portion on the first guide 31 side of the optical fiber F is in a state of protruding from the holding portion 20 to the abutting portion 4 side.

  When the alignment block 3 is fixed, as shown in FIG. 12, the optical fiber holding arm 22b is pushed down, and the frictional force adjusting screw 22c is screwed to the holding portion 20. Then, since the friction member 22e is pressed against the optical fiber F, the optical fiber F is pressed toward the groove 22a by the friction member 22e, and is held between the friction member 22e and the groove 22a. As a result, even when an external force such as gravity or vibration is generated, the optical fiber can be prevented from moving due to friction generated between the optical fiber F and the groove 22a and the friction member 22e. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber F protruding from the abutting portion 4 side from being bent. At this stage, it is desirable to loosen the frictional force adjusting screw 22c so that the optical fiber F can move in the optical axis direction only by the pressure applied by the abutting member 42b.

  When the frictional force adjusting screw 22c is pressed down, as shown in FIG. 13, the pressing plate S2 is placed on the alignment substrate S1, the alignment substrate holding arm 23c is pressed down, and the pressing force adjusting screw 23f is screwed to the holding portion 20. . The pressing plate S2 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view, and is provided with a plurality of grooves S22 formed in parallel with each other on the main surface. The shape, pitch and quantity of the grooves S22 are formed to be equivalent to the grooves S12 of the alignment substrate S1. Such a pressing plate S2 is placed on the alignment substrate S1 so that the surface on which the groove S22 is formed is opposed to the alignment substrate S1, and the groove S22 is fitted into the optical fiber F on the alignment substrate S1. The Therefore, the optical fiber F is held between the alignment substrate S1 and the pressing plate S2. Further, the pressing plate S2 is pressed toward the alignment substrate S1 by the alignment substrate holding arm 23c by screwing the pressing force adjusting screw 23f to the holding portion 20. Thus, even when an external force such as gravity or vibration is generated, the optical fiber can be prevented from moving due to friction generated between the optical fiber F and the grooves S12 and S22. At this stage, it is desirable to loosen the pressing force adjusting screw 23f so that the optical fiber F can move in the optical axis direction only by the pressure applied by the abutting member 42b.

  When the alignment substrate holding arm 23c is pushed down, as shown in FIG. 14, the micrometer 41b is rotated to move the moving end in the direction of arrow e, that is, the holding unit 20 side. Then, the abutting member 42b moves to the holding part 20 side with the movement of the moving end. In this way, the abutting member 42b is brought into contact with the end of the optical fiber F. At this time, if the frictional force adjusting screw 22c and the pressing force adjusting screw 23f are loosened to such an extent that the optical fiber F can be moved in the optical axis direction by the pressure of the abutting member 42b, the movement of the abutting member 42b is accompanied. The optical fiber F moves in the moving direction of the abutting member 42b. Since the flat surface of the abutting member 42b that contacts the end of the optical fiber F is perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber F, each optical fiber F is moved when the abutting member 42b is moved to the holding unit 20 side. Are moved in a state where they are aligned at the same positions as the positions of the end portions of the other optical fibers F in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Further, since the optical fiber F is held in a state of being sandwiched between the friction member 22e and the groove 22a, it is possible to prevent the portion protruding to the abutting portion 4 side from being bent, and thus the amount of movement can be accurately determined. Can be controlled.

  The micrometer 41 b is rotated until the abutting member 42 b comes into contact with the holding unit 20. When the abutting member 42b comes into contact with the holding portion 20, the length of each optical fiber F protruding from the alignment substrate S1 toward the abutting portion 4 becomes the length of the groove 22a of the optical fiber holding portion 22. This length is the protruding length of the optical fiber F in the optical fiber array manufactured by the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1. Therefore, in the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1, an optical fiber array having a predetermined protruding length can be manufactured by setting the length of the groove 22a to a predetermined length.

  In this embodiment, since the abutting member 42b is moved by the micrometer 41b, a predetermined protrusion length can be obtained by controlling the movement of the abutting member 42b based on the scale of the micrometer 41b. it can. At this time, the end of each optical fiber F on the abutting member 42b side is in a state of being aligned at the same position in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

  Thereafter, the frictional force adjusting screw 22c and the pressing force adjusting screw 23f are adjusted so that the optical fiber F having a predetermined protruding length is not moved by an operation such as adhesive application described later. It is desirable to increase the fixing force. Further, when the adhesive is heated when the adhesive is cured, in order to eliminate the influence of the thermal expansion of each member of the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1 due to the heat, after fixing the fixing force of the optical fiber F, the micro The abutting member 42b may be retracted by turning the meter 41b, and the abutting member 42b may be separated from the end of the optical fiber F.

  When the protruding lengths of the optical fibers F are aligned, an adhesive is applied to the alignment substrate S1 and cured to fix the optical fiber F, the alignment substrate S1, and the pressing plate S2. Thereby, the optical fiber array S is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, since the alignment substrate S1 is formed larger than the pressing plate S2 in the present embodiment, the adhesive is applied on the alignment substrate S1 as shown by an arrow d in FIG. The adhesive is dripped onto the surface. Then, the adhesive enters between the alignment substrate S1 and the pressing plate S2 by capillary action. In addition, application | coating of an adhesive agent is not limited to such a method. For example, the optical fiber F may be placed on the alignment substrate S1 after previously applying an adhesive to the alignment substrate S1. Further, a through hole penetrating the upper surface and the lower surface may be formed in the pressing plate S2, and an adhesive may be poured from the through hole.

  When the optical fiber array S is completed, as shown in FIG. 16, the abutting member 42b is retracted, and the optical fiber holding arm 22b, the alignment substrate holding arm 23c, and the optical fiber holding arm 32c are pushed up. It is taken out from the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the optical fiber array S manufactured in this way is fixed in a state where each optical fiber F is sandwiched between the alignment substrate S1 and the holding plate S2, and one end side of the optical fiber array S is predetermined. The protrusion length protrudes from the alignment substrate S1 and the pressing plate S2.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical fiber is arranged for each groove S12 so as to protrude from both ends of the plurality of parallel grooves S12 formed on the alignment substrate S1, and the optical axis of the optical fiber F is By having a vertical plane, by pushing one end of the optical fiber F to the alignment substrate side by a predetermined amount, the end of each optical fiber is pushed to the alignment substrate side in a state aligned with the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. An optical fiber array in which a predetermined length protrudes from the alignment substrate can be manufactured. As a result, the optical fiber array can be manufactured without measuring the protruding amount of the optical fiber and without adjusting the front and rear positions by individually gripping each optical fiber. Further, it is possible to accurately align the protruding length of the optical fiber F to a predetermined length simply by bringing the butting member 42b into contact with the holding portion 20. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an optical fiber array having a predetermined protruding length can be easily manufactured with high accuracy.

  The alignment substrate holding arm 23c is provided with a reference surface and suction holes similar to those of the recesses 23a, the pressing plate S2 is abutted against the reference surface, and negative pressure is supplied from the suction holes, whereby the pressing plate S2 is attached. It may be fixed. As a result, the pressing plate S2 can be placed on the alignment substrate S1 simply by pushing down the alignment substrate holding arm 23c.

  Further, in this embodiment, the optical fiber F is arranged by the grooves 22a, 22b, 31b to 34b having a substantially U-shaped or substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape. A tooth-like row may be formed, and the optical fiber F may be held between two rows of pins.

  In this embodiment, the abutting member 42b is moved by the micrometer 41b. However, for example, a mechanism for converting the rotation by the screw or the ball screw into a minute and accurate horizontal movement amount, or a lever ratio is increased. A mechanism that converts a large movement of the lever into a minute movement of the abutting member 42b by a link using the principle of the adopted lever may be used. These moving mechanism and micrometer 41b may be driven not only manually but also by a motor or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the frictional force adjusting screw 22c or the pressing force adjusting screw 23f is screwed into the screw hole formed in the holding portion 20, so that the optical fiber holding arm 22b or the alignment substrate holding arm 23c is held in the holding portion. However, the method of pressing the optical fiber holding arm 22b or the alignment substrate holding arm 23c toward the holding unit 20 is not limited to this method. For example, the frictional force adjusting screw 22c or the pressing force adjusting screw 23f made of metal is screwed to the optical fiber holding arm 22b or the alignment substrate holding arm 23c, and the magnet is disposed at a position corresponding to the screw hole. Good. In this case, since the end of the friction force adjusting screw 22c or the pressing force adjusting screw 23f on the holding portion 20 side is fixed while being attracted to the magnet, the friction force adjusting screw 22c or the pressing force adjusting screw 23f is rotated. Accordingly, the optical fiber holding arm 22b or the alignment substrate holding arm 23c can be moved in the axial direction of the screw. Even in this case, the pressing force that can be generated by the optical fiber holding arm 22b or the alignment substrate holding arm 23c can be adjusted by the rotation amount of the frictional force adjusting screw 22c or the pressing force adjusting screw 23f.

  The present invention can be applied not only to an optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus but also to an apparatus that aligns a plurality of cables with the same protruding length, for example.

1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a top view of the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view when pushing up each arm of the optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus concerning the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a main configuration of the optical fiber holding unit 22. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the alignment block 3 is removed from the base 2. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an alignment block 3. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which an optical fiber F is arranged on an alignment block 3 3 is a side view showing the configuration of a jig 5. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which pushed down the optical fiber pressing arm 32c of the alignment block 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the alignment substrate S1 is arranged on the alignment substrate holding unit 23. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the alignment block 3 is fixed to the base 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fixed the optical fiber holding arm 22b. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted pressing plate S2. It is a principal part side view which shows the state which moves the abutting member 42b. It is a principal part side view for demonstrating the application | coating operation | movement of an adhesive agent. It is a perspective view which shows the state which takes out an optical fiber array. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an optical fiber array. It is a side view which shows the structure of an optical fiber array. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional optical fiber array. It is a side view which shows the structure of the conventional optical fiber array. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional optical fiber.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus, 2 ... Base part, 2a ... Positioning guide, 3 ... Alignment block, 4 ... Abutting part, 5 ... Jig, 20 ... Holding part, 21 ... Groove part, 21a ... Groove, 22 ... Optical fiber holding Part 22a... Groove 22b optical fiber holding arm 22c friction force adjusting screw 22d leaf spring 22e friction member 23 alignment substrate holding part 23a recess 23b suction hole 23c alignment substrate Holding arm, 23d, 23e ... end face, 23f ... pressing force adjusting screw, 31 ... first guide part, 31a ... guide, 31b ... groove, 32 ... optical fiber pressing part, 32a ... concave part, 32b ... groove, 32c ... optical fiber Presser arm 33 ... second guide portion 33a ... guide 33b ... groove 34 ... groove portion 34a ... recess portion 34b ... groove 41 ... moving portion 41a ... support portion 41b ... micrometer, 2a ... rail, 42b ... abutment member, 42c ... elastic member, S ... optical fiber array, S1 ... alignment substrate, S2 ... pressing plate.

Claims (8)

A first step of disposing an optical fiber for each of the grooves so as to protrude from both ends of a plurality of parallel grooves formed on one surface of the alignment substrate;
A second step of pushing one end of the optical fiber toward the alignment substrate by a predetermined amount in a direction along the optical axis by a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber;
And a third step of fixing the optical fiber to the alignment substrate. An optical fiber array manufacturing method comprising: The third step includes
Placing a pressing plate on the surface of the alignment substrate on which the grooves are formed;
The method for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to claim 1, further comprising a step of bonding and fixing the pressing plate to the alignment substrate. The second step includes
The method of manufacturing an optical fiber array according to claim 2, further comprising: pressing the optical fiber toward the alignment substrate from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the one surface. Substrate holding means for holding an alignment substrate in which a plurality of first grooves parallel to each other are formed on one surface;
The substrate holding means is spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the first groove and has a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and this plane can be moved to the alignment substrate side along the longitudinal direction. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array, comprising: an abutting means. The optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: an optical fiber holding unit that is adjacent to the substrate holding unit and has a second groove corresponding to the first groove. The substrate holding means is
A third groove formed on a surface on the side of holding the alignment substrate and continuous with the first groove when holding the alignment substrate;
The optical fiber array manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a pressing unit that presses toward the third groove from a direction facing the holding side surface. The substrate holding means is
And a pressing plate pressing unit that presses the pressing plate disposed on the alignment substrate toward the alignment substrate from a longitudinal direction of the first groove and a direction perpendicular to the first surface. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the optical fiber holding means is movable from the substrate holding means.

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