WO2022158018A1 - フェルール及びフェルール構造体 - Google Patents
フェルール及びフェルール構造体 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022158018A1 WO2022158018A1 PCT/JP2021/031231 JP2021031231W WO2022158018A1 WO 2022158018 A1 WO2022158018 A1 WO 2022158018A1 JP 2021031231 W JP2021031231 W JP 2021031231W WO 2022158018 A1 WO2022158018 A1 WO 2022158018A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- ferrule
- adhesive
- fiber
- wall
- boot
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 140
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 140
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 106
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 95
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 76
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 76
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 27
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 22
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 19
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 19
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 13
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
- G02B6/3861—Adhesive bonding
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3648—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures
- G02B6/3652—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures the additional structures being prepositioning mounting areas, allowing only movement in one dimension, e.g. grooves, trenches or vias in the microbench surface, i.e. self aligning supporting carriers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
- G02B6/3835—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using discs, bushings or the like
- G02B6/3837—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using discs, bushings or the like forwarding or threading methods of light guides into apertures of ferrule centering means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/40—Mechanical coupling means having fibre bundle mating means
- G02B6/403—Mechanical coupling means having fibre bundle mating means of the ferrule type, connecting a pair of ferrules
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to ferrules and ferrule structures. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-008664 filed in Japan on January 22, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein.
- a so-called MT ferrule is known as a ferrule for collectively connecting multiple optical fibers. Such ferrules are provided with an adhesive fill. The optical fiber is fixed to the ferrule by filling the adhesive-filled portion with the adhesive.
- Patent Literature 1 describes a ferrule that can be filled with an adhesive through an adhesive injection port.
- Patent Literature 1 describes that a fiber hole of a ferrule, a guide pin hole, and the like are molded with a resin that is insert-molded in a metal frame.
- the configuration of the ferrule described in Patent Document 1 is complicated, and the manufacturing cost is high.
- the present invention provides a novel configuration that can suppress deformation of the ferrule.
- a ferrule according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a main body having a connection end face on which a tip portion of an optical fiber is arranged and an outer wall, and a plurality of fiber holes through which optical fibers can be inserted toward the connection end face.
- an inner wall having an opening and disposed within the main body; an adhesive filling portion disposed within the main body on the opposite side of the inner wall to the connecting end surface and filled with an adhesive; an upper opening leading to the adhesive filling portion; and a lower opening leading from the outer wall to the adhesive filling portion and arranged on the side opposite to the upper opening, wherein the inner wall includes a first surface and the and a second surface protruding from the first surface toward the adhesive filling portion, the upper opening being arranged along the first surface, and the lower opening being arranged along the second surface. position.
- a ferrule according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a main body having a connection end surface on which a tip portion of an optical fiber is arranged and an outer wall, and a plurality of fibers through which optical fibers can be inserted toward the connection end surface.
- an inner wall having an opening of a hole and arranged in the main body; an adhesive filling portion arranged in the main body on the opposite side of the inner wall to the connection end surface and filled with an adhesive;
- FIG. 1A and 1B are perspective views of ferrule 10.
- FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ferrule 10.
- FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of ferrule structure 100.
- FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a first comparative example.
- FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a second comparative example.
- 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment.
- 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results for the ferrule 10 of the modified example.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule structure 100 of the second embodiment.
- FIG. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the second embodiment.
- FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 8B is an exploded explanatory view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 10A is a top view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is an orthographic view of each direction of the boot 20 of the third embodiment.
- 12A and 12B are perspective views of the boot 20 alone.
- FIG. 13A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the gap between the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10.
- FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram of the protrusion 231 of the modified example.
- 14A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the front end of the fiber insertion hole 21.
- FIG. 14B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the front end of the fiber insertion hole 21 with the optical fiber 1 inserted.
- 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of the exposed portion 232.
- FIG. 16A to 16D are explanatory diagrams of a method for manufacturing a ferrule-equipped fiber.
- 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the first comparative example.
- 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the second comparative example.
- FIG. 1A and 1B are perspective views of ferrule 10.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ferrule 10.
- FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of ferrule structure 100.
- FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a first comparative example
- FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a second comparative example.
- each direction is defined as follows.
- the insertion direction of the optical fiber 1 (see FIG. 3A) inserted through the ferrule 10 is defined as the "fiber insertion direction” or the “front-rear direction”. "Front” and the other side “rear”.
- the optical axis direction (longitudinal axis direction) of the optical fiber 1 inserted through the ferrule 10 is the fiber insertion direction (or the front-rear direction).
- the direction in which the plurality of optical fibers 1 inserted through the ferrule 10 are aligned is defined as the "width direction” or the "left-right direction", and the front side is viewed from the rear side. The right side is the “right” and the opposite side is the “left”.
- the direction perpendicular to the fiber insertion direction (front-rear direction) and the width direction (left-right direction) that is, the direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the optical axis direction (longitudinal axis direction) and the width direction is the “vertical direction”.
- the side of the opening (upper opening 131) for filling the adhesive in the adhesive filling portion 13 is defined as “upper", and the opposite side is defined as “lower”.
- the upper side may be called “filling window side”
- the lower side may be called “bottom side”.
- the ferrule structure 100 (see FIG. 3A) has a ferrule 10 and a boot 20.
- a member in which the optical fiber 1 is fixed to the ferrule structure 100 is also called a ferrule-equipped fiber.
- a ferrule 10 is a member that holds the ends of a plurality of optical fibers 1 .
- the ferrule 10 of this embodiment is an MT connector (MT ferrule) defined by JIS C 5981 and IEC 61754-5.
- the body of the ferrule 10 has a connecting end surface 10A and an outer wall.
- the connection end face 10A is the front end face of the ferrule 10 and is the end face to be connected to the mating ferrule (not shown here).
- the outer wall constitutes an outer surface (mainly upper, lower, left and right outer surfaces of the main body of the ferrule 10) connected to the connection end surface 10A.
- a rear portion of the ferrule 10 is provided with a flange portion 10B (flange portion) projecting outward from the side surface of the main body of the ferrule 10 .
- a pair of guide holes 11 are provided on the left and right sides of the ferrule 10 .
- the ferrule 10 of this embodiment has a plurality of fiber holes 12, an adhesive filling portion 13, an inner wall 14, a stepped portion 15, and a boot insertion opening 17.
- the fiber hole 12 is a hole for inserting the end of the optical fiber 1.
- An end of the optical fiber 1 is fixed to each fiber hole 12 .
- the plurality of fiber holes 12 are arranged side by side in the width direction (arranged side by side in one direction).
- 24 fiber holes 12 are arranged in a row in the width direction.
- the number of fiber holes 12 is not limited to 24.
- the number of rows of fiber holes 12 may be one, or two or more.
- One end (rear end) of the fiber hole 12 is open at the inner wall 14 (specifically, the first surface 14A) of the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the other end (front end) of the fiber hole 12 is open at the connection end face 10A of the ferrule 10. As shown in FIG.
- the fiber hole 12 communicates with a guide groove 15A, which will be described later.
- the adhesive filling part 13 is a part (space) to be filled with an adhesive.
- An upper opening 131 (adhesive filling window) is provided on the upper surface of the ferrule 10 .
- the upper opening 131 is an opening leading from the outer wall of the ferrule 10 to the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the adhesive filling portion 13 is filled with the adhesive through the upper opening 131 .
- a lower opening 132 is provided on the lower surface of the ferrule 10 .
- the lower opening 132 is an opening leading from the outer wall of the ferrule 10 to the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the lower opening 132 is arranged on the side opposite to the upper opening 131 .
- the inner wall 14 has openings for a plurality of fiber holes 12 and is positioned within the body of the ferrule 10 .
- a space arranged on the opposite side of the inner wall 14 from the connection end surface 10A is the adhesive filling portion 13 . That is, the inner wall 14 is a wall surface on the side of the connection end face 10A (the front side of the adhesive filling portion 13; the side on which the fiber hole 12 opens) of the wall surfaces forming the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the inner wall 14 has a first surface 14A and a second surface 14B.
- the first surface 14A is a surface along the edge of the upper opening 131 on the connection end surface 10A side (front side).
- the upper opening 131 opens at a position along the first surface 14A.
- the second surface 14B is a surface that protrudes toward the adhesive filling portion 13 side (rear side) from the first surface 14A, and is the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15 .
- the second surface 14B is a surface along the edge of the lower opening 132 on the connection end surface 10A side (front side).
- the lower opening 132 opens at a position along the second surface 14B.
- the step portion 15 is a step provided inside the adhesive filling portion 13 and guides the optical fiber 1 to the fiber hole 12 .
- a plurality of guide grooves 15 ⁇ /b>A are provided on the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 .
- the guide groove 15A is a groove for guiding the optical fiber 1 to the fiber hole 12. As shown in FIG.
- the guide groove 15A is a groove along the fiber insertion direction (front-rear direction).
- the plurality of guide grooves 15A are arranged side by side in the width direction.
- 15 A of guide grooves are comprised here by the cross-sectional semicircular round groove.
- the guide groove 15A may have other shapes such as a V groove, a round groove having a semicircular cross section, a U groove, or an angular groove.
- the guide groove 15A may not be provided on the upper surface of the stepped portion 15.
- FIG. The front end of the guide groove 15A reaches the front inner wall 14 (specifically, the first surface 14A) of the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the front end of the guide groove 15A communicates with the opening of the fiber hole 12.
- the rear end of the guide groove 15A reaches the second surface 14B, which is the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15.
- a rear end surface (second surface 14B) of the stepped portion 15 is formed of a surface perpendicular to the fiber insertion direction.
- the boot insertion opening 17 is an opening into which the boot 20 is inserted.
- a boot insertion port 17 is provided at the rear end of the ferrule 10 .
- the boot insertion port 17 communicates with the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- a plurality of optical fibers 1 are inserted through the boot insertion opening 17 .
- the optical fiber 1 inserted from the boot insertion port 17 crosses the adhesive filling portion 13 and is inserted into the fiber hole 12 .
- the boot 20 is attached to the boot insertion opening 17 as shown in FIG. 3A.
- the boot 20 is arranged so as to close the rear portion of the adhesive filling portion 13 . This prevents the adhesive from leaking from the rear end of the ferrule 10 .
- the contraction of the adhesive filled in the adhesive filling portion 13 causes the ferrule 10 to deform.
- a simulation result of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 is shown below.
- FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the first comparative example.
- 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the first comparative example. Numerical values shown on the right side of FIGS. 17A and 17B indicate upward deformation amounts (displacement amounts).
- FIG. 17A shows simulation results of a cross section of the ferrule 10 viewed from the left side.
- FIG. 17B shows simulation results of the right half of the ferrule 10 viewed from the front side.
- the ferrule 10 of the first comparative example does not have the lower opening 132 on the bottom surface. As shown in FIG.
- the ferrule 10 when the adhesive filled in the adhesive-filled portion 13 of the ferrule 10 of the first comparative example shrinks as it hardens, the ferrule 10 deforms into a U-shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 17B , focusing on the right end of the connection end face 10A, a region with a large amount of deformation is distributed biased toward the upper edge, and the ferrule 10 is also warped in a U shape on the connection end face 10A. It is shown that the ferrule 10 is easily deformed (it is also shown that the ferrule 10 is easily deformed into a U-shaped warp when viewed from the front side).
- FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram of a second comparative example.
- 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the second comparative example.
- the ferrule 10 of the second comparative example has a lower opening 132 on its lower surface.
- the lower opening 132 does not open at a position along the second surface 14B (the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15). is also open in the rear position. As shown in FIG.
- connection loss of the optical signal (more specifically, the maximum connection loss among the plurality of optical fibers 1) may increase.
- FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment.
- the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment is provided with the lower opening 132 on the lower surface.
- the upper opening 131 is arranged along the first surface 14A of the inner wall 14 (the upper opening 131 opens along the first surface 14A), and the lower opening 132 is arranged along the second surface 14B (stepped portion). 15) (the lower opening 132 opens at a position along the second surface 14B).
- the ferrule 10 is more U-shaped than the first and second comparative examples. warp deformation can be suppressed.
- FIGS. 3A and 4A are explanatory diagrams of simulation results for the ferrule 10 of the modified example.
- the dimension of the lower opening 132 in the front-rear direction is smaller than that of the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. That is, in the ferrule 10 of the modified example, the rear edge of the lower opening 132 is located forward compared to the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. Therefore, the longitudinal dimension of the lower opening 132 of the ferrule 10 of the modified example shown in FIG. 5A is approximately the same as the longitudinal dimension of the lower opening 132 of the ferrule 10 of the second comparative example shown in FIG. 18A. As shown in FIG.
- the upper opening 131 opens at a position along the first surface 14A of the inner wall 14 .
- the lower opening 132 opens at a position along the second surface 14B (the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15).
- the U-shaped portion of the ferrule 10 is larger than that of the first comparative example and the second comparative example. warp deformation can be suppressed.
- FIG. 5B when focusing on the right end of the connection end surface 10A, regions with large deformation amounts are distributed substantially evenly in the vertical direction compared to the first and second comparative examples. It is also shown that the U-shaped warp deformation can be easily suppressed.
- FIG. 4B first embodiment
- FIG. 5B modification of the first embodiment
- a plurality of optical fibers 1 the optical fiber 1 inserted into the fiber hole 12 opened at the connection end face 10A
- the connection loss of the optical signal more specifically, the maximum connection loss among the plurality of optical fibers 1
- the arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 1 is distorted due to the distortion of the ferrule caused by the shrinkage of the curing adhesive. , and as a result, the arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 1 can be prevented from being distorted.
- both the first embodiment and the modified example have a U-shape on the connection end surface 10A, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B. It is possible to suppress warping deformation.
- the dimension of the lower opening 132 in the front-rear direction is about the same between the modified example and the second comparative example, but as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 5B in the modified example, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the connection end face 10A in a U-shaped warp.
- the inner wall 14 of the ferrule 10 has the first surface 14A and the first surface 14A.
- the second surface 14B protrudes from 14A toward the adhesive filling portion 13 side, the upper opening 131 opens at a position along the first surface 14A of the inner wall 14, and the lower opening 132 extends from the second surface 14B ( It is effective to open at a position along the rear end face of the stepped portion 15 .
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule structure 100 of the second embodiment.
- the ferrule 10 includes a main body, an inner wall 14, an adhesive filling portion 13, an upper opening 131, and a lower opening 132, as in the first embodiment.
- the main body of the ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10A and an outer wall connected to the connection end face 10A.
- the inner wall 14 also has a plurality of fiber hole 12 openings disposed within the body of the ferrule 10 .
- the adhesive filling portion 13 is arranged on the opposite side of the inner wall 14 from the connecting end face 10A in the main body. The adhesive filled portion 13 is filled with an adhesive.
- the upper opening 131 is an opening leading from the outer wall to the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the lower opening 132 is an opening leading from the outer wall of the ferrule 10 to the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the lower opening 132 is arranged on the side opposite to the upper opening 131 .
- a concave portion 16 is provided in the second embodiment.
- the recess 16 is a recess provided on the opposite side of the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 (the surface on which the guide groove 15A is provided). That is, the recess 16 is a recess provided on the lower side of the stepped portion 15 (the side of the lower opening 132; the side opposite to the upper opening 131).
- the recessed portion 16 has a shape in which the lower edge of the second surface 14B, which is the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15, is recessed.
- the inner wall 14 of the ferrule 10 (the wall surface on the connecting end surface 10A side of the wall surfaces forming the adhesive filling portion 13) has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface.
- the first surface is a surface along the edge of the upper opening 131 on the connection end surface 10A side (front side).
- the upper opening 131 opens at a position along the first surface 14A.
- the second surface is a surface that protrudes toward the adhesive filling portion 13 side (rear side) from the first surface 14 ⁇ /b>A and is the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15 .
- the third surface 14C like the second surface 14B, is a surface perpendicular to the fiber insertion direction.
- the third surface 14C is formed by the surface of the recess 16 on the connection end surface 10A side (front side). Therefore, the third surface 14C is a surface arranged on the opposite side (lower side) of the upper opening 131 with respect to the second surface 14B, and is closer to the connection end surface 10A side (front side) than the second surface 14B. It is an arranged surface.
- FIG. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of simulation results of the deformation amount of the ferrule 10 of the second embodiment.
- FIG. 7A in the second embodiment, when the adhesive filled in the adhesive filled portion 13 of the ferrule 10 shrinks, the ferrule 10 is more U-shaped than the first and second comparative examples. warp deformation can be suppressed.
- FIG. 7B when focusing on the right end of the connection end face 10A, the region with a large amount of deformation is distributed almost evenly vertically compared to the first and second comparative examples. It is also shown that the U-shaped warp deformation can be easily suppressed.
- the inner wall 14 of the ferrule 10 should be positioned on the connection end surface 10A side (front side) of the upper opening 131.
- a second surface 14B projecting from the first surface 14A toward the adhesive filling portion 13, and arranged on the opposite side (lower side) of the second surface 14B to the upper opening 131 It is effective to have a third surface 14C arranged closer to the connecting end surface 10A than the second surface 14B.
- the volume of the lower side of the upper and lower halves (the side where the stepped portion 15 is provided) is usually larger than the volume of the upper side (adhesive The difference in volume between the upper and lower halves of the ferrule 10 increases in front of the filling portion 13).
- the adhesive filled in the adhesive filling portion 13 shrinks, the lower half of the upper and lower halves of the ferrule 10 is in a state where it is more difficult to displace than the upper half. It becomes easy to deform like warping.
- the volume difference between the upper half and the lower half of the ferrule 10 is greater than the case where the recess 16 is not provided. is reduced.
- the adhesive filled in the adhesive filling portion 13 shrinks, the upper half and the lower half of the ferrule 10 deform evenly compared to the case where the concave portion 16 is not provided. This makes it possible to suppress the deformation of the ferrule 10 to warp in a U-shape. Therefore, as shown in the second embodiment, when the second surface is the rear end surface of the stepped portion, it is effective to construct the third surface by the end surface of the recess 16 .
- FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 8B is an exploded explanatory view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 10A is a top view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule structure 100 of the third embodiment.
- an optical fiber tape composed of a plurality of optical fibers 1 is indicated by a dotted line.
- the ferrule structure 100 also has the ferrule 10 and the boot 20 in the third embodiment.
- the ferrule 10 of the third embodiment is similar to the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. That is, the ferrule 10 of the third embodiment includes a main body having a connection end surface 10A and an outer wall connected to the connection end surface 10A, an inner wall 14 arranged in the main body, an adhesive filling portion 13, an upper opening 131, and a lower opening. 132.
- the inner wall 14 has a first surface 14A and a second surface 14B, the upper opening 131 is arranged along the first surface 14A (the upper opening 131 opens along the first surface 14A), The lower opening 132 is arranged along the second surface 14B (the lower opening 132 opens along the second surface 14B).
- the boot insertion port 17 of the ferrule 10 is communicated with the adhesive filling portion 13 , so that the end of the boot 20 is inserted into the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the second surface 14B which is the rear end surface of the stepped portion 15, functions as a positioning surface for positioning the boot 20 in the mounting direction (front-rear direction).
- FIG. 11 is an orthographic view of each direction of the boot 20 of the third embodiment.
- 12A and 12B are perspective views of the boot 20 alone.
- the boot 20 is a member that protects the optical fiber 1 .
- the boot 20 is made of a flexible material (for example, resin) and is elastically deformable. Thereby, the boot 20 can suppress the load (for example, bending stress) applied to the plurality of optical fibers 1 .
- the central portion of the boot 20 in the fiber insertion direction front-rear direction
- the central portion of the boot 20 in the fiber insertion direction front-rear direction
- the front portion of the boot 20 (the portion on the front side of the portion sandwiched between the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the ferrule 10) is inside the adhesive filling portion 13. placed. Further, a portion behind the portion sandwiched between the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the ferrule 10 protrudes rearward from the ferrule 10 and serves as a portion (strain relief) that suppresses bending stress applied to the optical fiber 1 .
- the boot 20 has a fiber insertion hole 21.
- the fiber insertion hole 21 is a through hole for inserting a plurality of optical fibers 1 .
- the fiber insertion hole 21 is configured as a through hole along the fiber insertion direction (the front-rear direction; the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 1).
- the fiber insertion hole 21 is configured so that an optical fiber tape composed of a plurality of optical fibers 1 can be inserted. Therefore, the fiber insertion hole 21 is configured to have a cross-sectional shape extending in the width direction (horizontal direction).
- the fiber insertion hole 21 is arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the fiber hole 12 of the ferrule 10 . Therefore, when the boot 20 is attached to the ferrule 10, the fiber insertion hole 21 is arranged so as to be level with the fiber hole 12 of the ferrule 10 and the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 (or the guide groove 15A). ing.
- the boot 20 has a lower portion 22 and an upper portion 23.
- the boot 20 has a shape in which two block-shaped lower and upper portions 22 and 23 are connected at both ends in the width direction.
- the portion that connects the lower portion 22 and the upper portion 23 on the outside of the fiber insertion hole 21 in the width direction may be referred to as a connecting portion 24 .
- a space surrounded by the lower portion 22 , the upper portion 23 and the pair of connecting portions 24 serves as the fiber insertion hole 21 .
- the lower part 22 is arranged on one side (lower side, bottom side) with respect to the fiber insertion hole 21 .
- the lower portion 22 is positioned on the opposite side of the ferrule 10 from the upper opening 131 side with the boot 20 attached to the ferrule 10 .
- the lower portion 22 is a block-shaped (plate-shaped) portion forming the lower side of the boot 20, and is sometimes called a "lower block” or a "first block”.
- the lower portion 22 is arranged at the bottom (below) of the adhesive filling portion 13 and fills the space on the bottom side of the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- a front end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 is formed of a surface perpendicular to the fiber insertion direction (mounting direction of the boot 20; front-back direction).
- a front end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 serves as a contact surface that contacts the second surface 14B (rear end surface of the stepped portion 15) of the inner wall 14 of the ferrule 10, and is used to align the boot 20 in the mounting direction (front-rear direction). Acts as an alignment surface.
- the upper part 23 is arranged on the other side (lower side, bottom side; the side opposite to the lower part 22 side) with respect to the fiber insertion hole 21 .
- the upper portion 23 is positioned on the upper opening 131 side of the ferrule 10 with the boot 20 attached to the ferrule 10 .
- the upper portion 23 is a block-shaped (plate-shaped) portion forming the upper side of the boot 20, and is sometimes called an "upper block” or a "second block".
- the upper portion 23 fills the space above the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the upper portion 23 has a projecting portion 231 .
- the protruding portion 231 protrudes from the end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 in the fiber insertion direction.
- the projecting portion 231 is arranged at the front end of the upper portion 23 .
- a fiber insertion hole 21 is arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the fiber hole 12 of the ferrule 10 .
- the protruding portion 231 protrudes forward relative to the end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 (a portion below the fiber insertion hole 21).
- the projecting portion 231 faces the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 (or the guide groove 15A) inside the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the lower surface of the protruding portion 231 serves as a surface facing the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 .
- the upper portion 23 is located on the side of the upper opening 131 (upper side) of the adhesive filling portion 13 with respect to the stepped portion 15 . It is possible to fill the space.
- FIG. 13A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the gap between the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10.
- FIG. 13A is an enlarged explanatory view of the area A in FIG. 10B.
- An end face 231A of the projecting portion 231 is arranged to face the first face 14A having the opening of the fiber hole 12 . Since the projecting portion 231 projects from the lower portion 22, the gap between the end surface 231A of the boot 20 (the projecting portion 231) and the first surface 14A can be narrowed compared to when the boot 20 is not provided with the projecting portion 231. can.
- a gap between the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A opens upward at an upper opening 131 .
- the adhesive is filled from this gap.
- the adhesive is filled from the gap opened by the upper opening 131 (the gap between the end surface 231A of the protruding portion 231 and the first surface 14A), it permeates inside due to capillary action (described later).
- the length by which the projecting portion 231 projects from the end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 is shorter than the length of the stepped portion 15 in the fiber insertion direction (the length L1 shown in FIG. 14A; the length of the guide groove 15A; the dimension between the first surface 14A and the second surface 14B in the fiber insertion direction) . That is, the protruding length L2 of the protruding portion 231 is less than the length L1 of the stepped portion 15 in the fiber insertion direction (L2 ⁇ L1).
- the end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 of the boot 20 and the second surface 14B of the stepped portion 15 are in contact with each other (see FIGS. 9 and 10B), the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 as shown in FIG.
- a gap for filling an adhesive can be formed between the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10 and the first surface 14A.
- the projection length L2 of the projecting portion 231 is less than the length L1 of the stepped portion 15 in the fiber insertion direction (L2 ⁇ L1).
- a pressing portion 131A is provided on the upper wall surface of the adhesive filling portion 13 of the ferrule 10 .
- the pressing portion 131A presses the projecting portion 231 of the boot 20 from above.
- the pressing portions 131A are provided at both ends in the width direction near the front edge of the upper opening 131 .
- the pressing portions 131A are arranged above both edges (both corners) in the width direction of the projecting portion 231 of the boot 20 in a state where the boot 20 is attached to the ferrule 10 .
- the protruding portion 231 of the boot 20 is configured to be arranged below the upper wall surface (pressing portion 131A) of the adhesive filling portion 13 of the ferrule 10 .
- the pressing portion 131A By arranging the pressing portion 131A above the protruding portion 231 of the boot 20, it is possible to suppress the upward displacement of the protruding portion 231 of the boot 20 inside the adhesive filling portion 13, so that the protruding portion 231 is prevented from being displaced with the adhesive. It is stably arranged inside the portion 13 .
- the pressing portions 131A are provided only above both edges in the width direction of the projecting portion 231 of the boot 20, and are not provided above the central portion in the width direction of the projecting portion 231. As shown in FIG.
- the gap between the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10 can be opened above, and the adhesive can be filled from this gap. It should be noted that the ferrule 10 does not have to include the pressing portion 131A.
- FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram of the protrusion 231 of the modified example.
- the protrusion 231 of the modified example is provided with an inclined surface 231B between the upper surface of the protrusion 231 (the surface on the upper opening 131 side) and the end surface 231A of the protrusion 231 . That is, the projecting portion 231 of the modified example has an inclined surface 231B at the upper edge of the end surface 231A. This makes it easier to fill the gap between the end face 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10 with the adhesive. Note that, as shown in FIG. 13B, it is desirable that the pressing portion 131A of the ferrule 10 presses the projecting portion 231 of the boot 20 from above even when the projecting portion 231 is provided with the inclined surface 231B.
- FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the front end of the fiber insertion hole 21.
- FIG. 14B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the front end of the fiber insertion hole 21 with the optical fiber 1 inserted. Note that FIG. 14A is an enlarged explanatory view of region B in FIG. 10B.
- the fiber insertion hole 21 is formed to match the diameter of the coated optical fiber 1.
- the diameter of the optical fiber 1 (the outer diameter of the coating) is 250 ⁇ m
- the vertical dimension of the fiber insertion hole 21 (distance between the lower portion 22 and the upper portion 23) is 260 ⁇ m. Therefore, the vertical position of the lower surface of the upper portion 23 is substantially the same as the upper edge of the optical fiber 1 (coated optical fiber 1) inserted through the fiber insertion hole 21 .
- the tip (front end) of the optical fiber 1 is a bare optical fiber from which the coating is removed. For example, a bare optical fiber has a diameter of 125 ⁇ m.
- the coating stripping edge 1A (the front end of the coating of the optical fiber 1) is arranged behind the second surface 14B (or the guide groove 15A) of the stepped portion 15 (on the boot insertion opening 17 side). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 14B, the coating stripping edge 1A is arranged inside the fiber insertion hole 21 . In addition, the bare optical fiber extends forward from the opening of the fiber insertion hole 21 . Also, the bare optical fiber is placed on the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 (the guide groove 15A).
- the lower surface of the protruding portion 231 serves as a facing surface that faces the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 . Further, as shown in FIG. 14A , the lower surface of the projecting portion 231 is provided on the extension of the upper edge of the fiber insertion hole 21 . Since the fiber insertion hole 21 is formed to match the diameter of the coated optical fiber 1, the lower surface of the projecting portion 231 (the surface facing the upper surface of the stepped portion 15) is the fiber insertion hole 21 as in the present embodiment. By being provided on the extension of the upper edge of the hole 21, as shown in FIG. A gap corresponding to the diameter of 1 is formed. Then, as shown in FIG.
- the thickness of the coating around the bare optical fiber increases. A narrow gap is formed. This facilitates the permeation of the adhesive around the bare optical fiber by capillary action.
- the coating stripping edge 1A is located behind the second surface 14B (or the guide groove 15A) of the stepped portion 15 (on the side of the boot insertion opening 17). will be located inside the As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the ferrule structure 100 is viewed from above, the coating stripping edge 1A is hidden by the upper part 23 of the boot 20, and the fiber insertion direction (back and forth direction) of the coating stripping edge 1A is hidden. ) cannot be confirmed from the upper opening 131 . Therefore, it is desirable to provide the boot 20 with an exposed portion 232 as described below.
- FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of the exposed portion 232.
- FIG. The boot 20 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B has an exposed portion 232 .
- the exposed portion 232 exposes the upper portion of the optical fiber 1 inserted through the fiber insertion hole 21 .
- the exposed portion 232 is arranged on the rear side of the front end surface 22A of the lower portion 22 .
- the exposed portion 232 is arranged behind the second surface 14B (or the guide groove 15A) of the stepped portion 15 when the boot 20 is attached to the ferrule 10 .
- the exposed portion 232 is arranged on the front side of the rear edge of the upper opening 131 when the boot 20 is attached to the ferrule 10 .
- the exposed portion 232 may have a shape that exposes the upper portion of a portion of the optical fibers 1 among the plurality of optical fibers 1 inserted through the fiber insertion hole 21 . This is because the coating of the optical fiber tape is removed so that the position of the stripped edge 1A of the coating of the optical fiber 1 is aligned. It is sufficient if it can be confirmed. For this reason, the exposed portion 232 does not have to expose all the upper portions of the optical fibers 1 .
- the exposed portion 232 can be configured by a recess provided at the end of the boot 20 in the width direction. According to the exposed portion 232 shown in FIG. 15A, the position in the fiber insertion direction of the coating stripping edge 1A of the optical fiber 1 located at the end portion in the width direction of the fiber insertion hole 21 can be confirmed. Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, it is desirable to provide recesses at both ends in the width direction.
- the exposed portion 232 can be configured by a window (opening) provided in the central portion of the boot 20 in the width direction. According to the exposed portion 232 shown in FIG. 15B, the position in the fiber insertion direction of the coating stripping edge 1A of the optical fiber 1 located at the center of the fiber insertion hole 21 in the width direction can be confirmed. As shown in FIG. 15B, since the exposed portion 232 is provided at the center of the boot 20 in the width direction, the peeling edge 1A of the coating of the optical fiber 1 can be confirmed at the center of the upper opening 131 in the width direction. It becomes easier for a person to perform confirmation work. Further, as shown in FIG. 15B , by providing the exposed portion 232 at the central portion of the boot 20 in the width direction, the structure is such that the protruding portion 231 of the boot 20 can be easily arranged below the pressing portion 131A of the ferrule 10 . .
- the boot 20 of the third embodiment has a recess 20A.
- the recess 20A is a recess provided in the rear portion of the boot 20.
- FIG. 10A when the boot 20 is attached to the ferrule 10 , the recess 20A is located forward of the rear end surface of the ferrule 10 .
- the adhesive filled in the adhesive filling portion 13 penetrates into the ferrule 10 (described later), even if the adhesive penetrates between the boot insertion port 17 of the ferrule 10 and the boot 20, Leakage of the adhesive to the rear side from the rear end surface of the ferrule 10 can be suppressed.
- the boot 20 may not have the recess 20A.
- 16A to 16D are explanatory diagrams of a method for manufacturing a ferrule-equipped fiber.
- the ferrule 10 includes a main body having a connecting end face 10A and an outer wall connected to the connecting end face 10A, an inner wall 14 disposed inside the main body, an adhesive filling portion 13, an upper opening 131, and a lower opening 131. and an opening 132 .
- the inner wall 14 has a first surface 14A and a second surface 14B, and the upper opening 131 is arranged along the first surface 14A (the upper opening 131 opens along the first surface 14A). ), the lower opening 132 is positioned along the second surface 14B (the lower opening 132 opens at a position along the second surface 14B).
- the boot 20 comprises a fiber insertion hole 21, a lower portion 22 arranged on one side of the fiber insertion hole 21, and an upper portion 23 arranged on the other side of the fiber insertion hole 21.
- the upper portion 23 has a protruding portion 231 that protrudes from the end face 22A of the lower portion 22 in the fiber insertion direction.
- the operator performs pretreatment on the plurality of optical fibers 1 . For example, as a pretreatment of the optical fiber 1, an operator removes the coating of the optical fiber tape (removes the coating of each of the plurality of optical fibers 1), and strips the bare optical fiber to a predetermined length. Cut the optical fiber.
- the operator inserts a plurality of optical fibers 1 (optical fiber tapes) through the fiber insertion holes 21 of the boot 20 .
- the operator inserts a plurality of optical fibers 1 (optical fiber tape) through the boot 20 so that the tips of the optical fibers 1 (bare optical fibers) protrude forward from the protrusion 231 of the boot 20 .
- the operator applies adhesive to the vicinity of the opening of the fiber hole 12 on the adhesive filling portion 13 side, and applies the adhesive to the fiber hole 12 .
- the operator After applying the adhesive to the vicinity of the opening of the fiber hole 12 on the side of the adhesive filling portion 13, the operator sucks the adhesive from the connecting end surface 10A side of the ferrule 10, thereby filling the inside of the fiber hole 12 with the adhesive. may be coated with adhesive.
- the operator inserts the plurality of optical fibers 1 inserted through the boot 20 into the fiber holes 12 of the ferrules 10, respectively. At this time, the operator inserts the optical fiber 1 into the fiber hole 12 while guiding the optical fiber 1 by the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 of the ferrule 10 (here, the guide groove 15A).
- the operator inserts boot 20 into boot insertion opening 17 of ferrule 10 and attaches boot 20 to ferrule 10 .
- the operator inserts boot 20 into ferrule 10 until end surface 22A of lower portion 22 of boot 20 contacts second surface 14B of stepped portion 15 of ferrule 10, as shown in FIG. 16C.
- a gap for filling the adhesive is formed between the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10. is formed.
- the lower surface of the projecting portion 231 is arranged to face the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 with a gap approximately the diameter of the optical fiber 1 (see FIGS. 14A and 14B).
- the operator arranges both widthwise edges (both corners) of the projecting portion 231 of the boot 20 under the upper wall surface (pressing portion 131A) of the adhesive filling portion 13 of the ferrule 10 .
- the boot 20 has an exposed portion 232 (see FIGS. 15A and 15B)
- the operator after attaching the boot 20 to the ferrule 10, adjusts the position of the fiber insertion direction (front-rear direction) at the coating stripping point 1A. It can be confirmed from the upper opening 131 through the exposed portion 232 .
- the operator applies adhesive to the gap between the end surface 231A of the projecting portion 231 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10. Then, as shown in FIG.
- the adhesive applied to the gap permeates inside due to capillary action, and the adhesive is applied to the guide groove 15A and the periphery of the optical fiber 1 arranged in the guide groove 15A. After applying the adhesive, the adhesive is cured to fix the optical fiber 1 to the ferrule 10, completing the manufacture of the ferrule-equipped fiber.
- the boot 20 since the boot 20 is arranged inside the adhesive filling portion 13, the amount of adhesive to be filled in the adhesive filling portion 13 can be reduced. Even if it shrinks, deformation of the ferrule 10 can be suppressed.
- the boot 20 since the boot 20 is provided with the projecting portion 231, the gap between the projecting portion 231 of the boot 20 and the first surface 14A of the ferrule 10 can be narrowed. Easier to penetrate inside.
- the gap between the lower surface of the protruding portion 231 and the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 (or the guide groove 15A) can be narrowed, and the optical fiber 1 (the bare fiber) arranged on the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 can be narrowed. Since the gap around the optical fiber can be narrowed, the adhesive easily permeates the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 and the periphery of the optical fiber 1 arranged on the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 by capillary action. Thus, in this embodiment, even if the amount of adhesive is small, the adhesive can be applied to the upper surface of the stepped portion 15 and the periphery of the optical fiber 1, and the optical fiber can be attached to the ferrule with sufficient strength. can be fixed.
- the ferrule 10 of the third embodiment may be the ferrule 10 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 instead of the ferrule 10 of the first embodiment.
- the ferrule 10 of the third embodiment includes a main body having a connection end surface 10A and an outer wall connected to the connection end surface 10A, an inner wall 14 arranged in the main body, an adhesive filling portion 13, an upper opening 131, and a lower and an opening 132 .
- the inner wall 14 includes a first surface 14A along the connection end surface 10A side (front side) of the upper opening 131, a second surface 14B protruding from the first surface 14A toward the adhesive filling portion side (rear side), and a second surface 14B.
- the boot insertion port 17 of the ferrule 10 communicates with the adhesive filling portion 13 , so that the end of the boot 20 is inserted into the adhesive filling portion 13 .
- the second surface 14B functions as a positioning surface for positioning the boot 20 in the mounting direction (front-rear direction).
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Abstract
Description
本願は、2021年1月22日に日本に出願された特願2021-008664号に基づき優先権を主張し、その内容をここに援用する。
また、本発明の第2の態様に係るフェルールは、光ファイバの先端部が配置される接続端面と、外壁と、を有する本体と、前記接続端面に向けて光ファイバを挿通可能な複数のファイバ穴の開口を有し、前記本体内に配置される内壁と、前記本体内において、前記内壁に対して前記接続端面と反対側に配置され、接着剤が充填される接着剤充填部と、前記外壁から前記接着剤充填部に通じる上開口と、前記外壁から前記接着剤充填部に通じ、前記上開口とは反対側に配置される下開口と、を備え、前記内壁は、前記上開口における前記接続端面の側に沿った第1面と、前記第1面から前記接着剤充填部の側に突出した第2面と、前記第2面に対して前記上開口とは反対側に配置され、前記第2面よりも前記接続端面の側に配置された第3面とを有する。
図1A及び図1Bは、フェルール10の斜視図である。図2は、フェルール10の断面斜視図である。図3Aは、フェルール構造体100の断面図である。なお、図3Bは第1比較例を示す図であり、図3Cは第2比較例を示す図である。
第1比較例のフェルール10は、本実施形態のフェルール10とは異なり、下面に下開口132が設けられていない。図17Aに示すように、第1比較例のフェルール10の接着剤充填部13に充填した接着剤が硬化に伴い収縮すると、フェルール10がU字状に反るように変形する。また、図17Bに示すように、接続端面10Aにおける右端に着目すると、変形量の大きい領域が上縁に偏って分布しており、接続端面10Aにおいてもフェルール10がU字状に反るように変形し易いことが示されている(前側からフェルール10を見た場合にも、フェルール10がU字状に反るように変形し易いことが示されている)。
第2比較例のフェルール10は、下面に下開口132が設けられている。但し、第2比較例では、本実施形態のフェルール10とは異なり、下開口132が第2面14B(段差部15の後端面)に沿った位置に開口しておらず、第2面14Bよりも後側の位置に開口している。図18Aに示すように、第2比較例においても、フェルール10の接着剤充填部13に充填した接着剤が収縮すると、フェルール10がU字状に反るように変形する(但し、第2比較例の変形は、第1比較例の変形と比べると抑制されている)。また、図18Bに示すように、接続端面10Aにおける右端に着目すると、第2比較例においても、変形量の大きい領域が上縁に偏って分布しており、接続端面10Aにおいてもフェルール10がU字状に反るように変形し易いことが示されている。
既に説明したように、第1実施形態のフェルール10は、下面に下開口132が設けられている。また、上開口131は、内壁14の第1面14Aに沿った位置に配置され(上開口131は第1面14Aに沿った位置に開口し)、下開口132が第2面14B(段差部15の後端面)に沿った位置に配置される(下開口132は第2面14Bに沿った位置に開口する)。図4Aに示すように、第1実施形態では、フェルール10の接着剤充填部13に充填した接着剤が収縮したときに、第1比較例及び第2比較例と比べてフェルール10のU字状に反る変形を抑制することができる。また、図4Bに示すように、接続端面10Aにおける右端に着目すると、変形量の大きい領域が第1比較例及び第2比較例と比べて上下にほぼ均等に分布しており、接続端面10AにおいてもU字状に反る変形を抑制し易いことが示されている。
図5Aに示すように、変形例においても、上開口131は、内壁14の第1面14Aに沿った位置に開口している。また、下開口132が第2面14B(段差部15の後端面)に沿った位置に開口している。そして、図5Aに示すように、変形例においても、フェルール10の接着剤充填部13に充填した接着剤が収縮したときに、第1比較例及び第2比較例と比べてフェルール10のU字状に反る変形を抑制することができる。また、図5Bに示すように、接続端面10Aにおける右端に着目すると、変形量の大きい領域が第1比較例及び第2比較例と比べて上下にほぼ均等に分布しており、接続端面10AにおいてもU字状に反る変形を抑制し易いことが示されている。
つまり、通常であれば、接着剤硬化の収縮に伴って生じるフェルールの歪みにより、複数の光ファイバ1の配列が歪んでしまうが、本願発明を適用すると、フェルールに生じる歪みを、当該光ファイバ1の配列に対して線対称にすることができ、結果として当該複数の光ファイバ1の配列は歪まないようにすることができる。
図6は、第2実施形態のフェルール構造体100の断面図である。
第2実施形態においても、第1実施形態と同様に、フェルール10は、本体と、内壁14と、接着剤充填部13と、上開口131と、下開口132とを備える。第2実施形態においても、フェルール10の本体は、接続端面10Aと、接続端面10Aに繋がる外壁とを有する。また、内壁14は、複数のファイバ穴12の開口を有し、フェルール10の本体内に配置されている。また、接着剤充填部13は、本体内において、内壁14に対して接続端面10Aと反対側に配置される。接着材充填部13には接着剤が充填される。また、上開口131は、外壁から接着剤充填部13に通じる開口である。また、下開口132は、フェルール10の外壁から接着剤充填部13に通じる開口である。下開口132は、上開口131とは逆側に配置される。
図7Aに示すように、第2実施形態では、フェルール10の接着剤充填部13に充填した接着剤が収縮したときに、第1比較例及び第2比較例と比べてフェルール10のU字状に反る変形を抑制することができる。また、図7Bに示すように、接続端面10Aにおける右端に着目すると、変形量の大きい領域が第1比較例及び第2比較例と比べて上下にほぼ均等に分布しており、接続端面10AにおいてもU字状に反る変形を抑制し易いことが示されている。このことから、接続端面10AにおけるU字状に反る変形を抑制するためには、第2実施形態に示すように、フェルール10の内壁14は、上開口131における接続端面10Aの側(前側)に沿った第1面14Aと、第1面14Aから接着剤充填部13の側に突出した第2面14Bと、第2面14Bに対して上開口131とは反対側(下側)に配置され、第2面14Bよりも接続端面10Aの側に配置された第3面14Cとを有することが有効である。
これに対し、第2実施形態では、段差部15の下側に凹部16が設けられているため、凹部16が設けられていない場合と比べると、フェルール10の上半分と下半分との体積差が軽減される。この結果、第2実施形態では、接着剤充填部13に充填した接着剤が収縮したときに、凹部16が設けられていない場合と比べると、フェルール10の上半分と下半分とが均等に変形し易くなり、フェルール10のU字状に反る変形を抑制することができる。このため、第2実施形態に示すように、第2面が段差部の後端面で構成されている場合には、第3面は、凹部16の端面で構成することが有効である。
接着剤の収縮によるフェルール10の変形を更に抑制するためには、接着剤充填部13に充填する接着剤の量を減らすことが望ましい。一方、単に接着剤の量を減らすだけでは、光ファイバ1の固定が不十分になるおそれがある。
そこで、第3実施形態では、ブーツ20の一部を段差部15の上面に対向配置させることによって、接着剤充填部13に充填する接着剤の量を減らしつつ、光ファイバ1の固定に必要な接着剤を光ファイバ1の周囲に塗布可能にしている。以下、この点について説明する。
突出部231の端面231Aは、ファイバ穴12の開口のある第1面14Aと対向配置される。突出部231は、下部22から突出するため、ブーツ20に突出部231が設けられていない場合と比べて、ブーツ20(突出部231)の端面231Aと第1面14Aとの隙間を狭めることができる。突出部231の端面231Aと第1面14Aとの隙間は、上開口131で上方に開口している。この隙間から接着剤が充填されることになる。接着剤は、上開口131で開口した隙間(突出部231の端面231Aと第1面14Aとの隙間)から充填されると、毛管現象によって内部に浸透することになる(後述)。
変形例の突出部231は、突出部231の上面(上開口131の側の面)と、突出部231の端面231Aとの間に傾斜面231Bが設けられている。つまり、変形例の突出部231は、端面231Aの上縁に傾斜面231Bが設けられている。これにより、突出部231の端面231Aとフェルール10の第1面14Aとの間に接着剤を充填し易くなる。なお、図13Bに示すように、突出部231に傾斜面231Bが設けられた場合においても、フェルール10の押さえ部131Aがブーツ20の突出部231を上側から押さえることが望ましい。
図15A及び図15Bに示すブーツ20は、露出部232を有する。露出部232は、ファイバ挿通穴21に挿通された光ファイバ1の上方を露出させる。露出部232は、下部22の前側の端面22Aよりも後側に配置されている。つまり、露出部232は、ブーツ20をフェルール10に取り付けた状態では、段差部15の第2面14B(又はガイド溝15A)よりも後側に配置されている。また、露出部232は、ブーツ20をフェルール10に取り付けた状態では、上開口131の後縁よりも前側に配置されている。ブーツ20をフェルール10に取り付けた状態で露出部232が段差部15の第2面14B(又はガイド溝15A)と上開口131の後縁との間に配置されることによって、図15A及び図15Bに示すように、被覆の剥き際1Aのファイバ挿通方向(前後方向)の位置を露出部232越しに上開口131から確認することが可能になる。
図16A~図16Dは、フェルール付きファイバの製造方法の説明図である。
また、作業者は、複数の光ファイバ1に対して前処理を行う。例えば、作業者は、光ファイバ1の前処理として、光ファイバテープの被覆を除去し(複数の光ファイバ1のそれぞれの被覆を除去し)、裸光ファイバが所定の長さになるように裸光ファイバをカットする。
なお、このとき、作業者は、ブーツ20の突出部231の幅方向両縁(両隅)を、フェルール10の接着剤充填部13の上側の壁面(押さえ部131A)の下側に配置させる。ブーツ20が露出部232を有する場合には(図15A及び図15B参照)、作業者は、ブーツ20をフェルール10に取り付けた後、被覆の剥き際1Aのファイバ挿通方向(前後方向)の位置を露出部232越しに上開口131から確認できる。
一方、本実施形態では、ブーツ20に突出部231が設けられているため、ブーツ20の突出部231とフェルール10の第1面14Aとの隙間を狭めることができるため、接着剤が毛管現象によって内部に浸透し易くなる。加えて、本実施形態では、突出部231の下面と段差部15の上面(又はガイド溝15A)との間の隙間を狭めることができ、段差部15の上面に配置された光ファイバ1(裸光ファイバ)の周囲の隙間を狭めることができるため、接着剤が毛管現象によって段差部15の上面や、段差部15の上面に配置された光ファイバ1の周囲に浸透し易くなる。このように、本実施形態では、接着剤の量が少なくても、段差部15の上面や光ファイバ1の周囲に接着剤を塗布することが可能であり、十分な強度で光ファイバをフェルールに固定できる。
上記の実施形態は、本発明の理解を容易にするためのものであり、本発明を限定して解釈するためのものではない。本発明は、その趣旨を逸脱することなく、変更・改良され得ると共に、本発明には、その等価物が含まれることは言うまでもない。
10 フェルール、10A 接続端面、10B 鍔部、
11 ガイド穴、12 ファイバ穴、
13 接着剤充填部、131 上開口、131A 押さえ部、132 下開口、
14 内壁、14A 第1面、14B 第2面、14C 第3面、
15 段差部、15A ガイド溝、16 凹部、
17 ブーツ挿入口、20 ブーツ、
20A 凹部、21 ファイバ挿通穴、
22 下部、22A 端面、
23 上部、231 突出部、
231A 端面、231B 傾斜面、
232 露出部、24連結部
100 フェルール構造体
Claims (6)
- 光ファイバの先端部が配置される接続端面と、外壁と、を有する本体と、
前記接続端面に向けて光ファイバを挿通可能な複数のファイバ穴の開口を有し、前記本体内に配置される内壁と、
前記本体内において、前記内壁に対して前記接続端面と反対側に配置され、接着剤が充填される接着剤充填部と、
前記外壁から前記接着剤充填部に通じる上開口と、
前記外壁から前記接着剤充填部に通じ、前記上開口とは反対側に配置される下開口と、
を備え、
前記内壁は、第1面と、前記第1面から前記接着剤充填部の側に突出した第2面とを有し、
前記上開口は、前記第1面に沿った位置に配置され、
前記下開口は、前記第2面に沿った位置に配置される
フェルール。 - 光ファイバの先端部が配置される接続端面と、外壁と、を有する本体と、
前記接続端面に向けて光ファイバを挿通可能な複数のファイバ穴の開口を有し、前記本体内に配置される内壁と、
前記本体内において、前記内壁に対して前記接続端面と反対側に配置され、接着剤が充填される接着剤充填部と、
前記外壁から前記接着剤充填部に通じる上開口と、
前記外壁から前記接着剤充填部に通じ、前記上開口とは反対側に配置される下開口と、
を備え、
前記内壁は、
前記上開口における前記接続端面の側に沿った第1面と、
前記第1面から前記接着剤充填部の側に突出した第2面と、
前記第2面に対して前記上開口とは反対側に配置され、前記第2面よりも前記接続端面の側に配置された第3面と
を有する
フェルール。 - 請求項2に記載のフェルールであって、
前記本体内において、前記光ファイバを前記ファイバ穴にガイドするための段差部と、
前記段差部に対して前記上開口とは反対側に設けられた凹部と
を有し、
前記第2面は、前記段差部の端面で構成されており、
前記第3面は、前記凹部の端面で構成されていることを特徴とするフェルール。 - 請求項1~3のいずれかに記載のフェルールと、
前記フェルールに取り付けられるブーツと
を備え、
前記ブーツは、
複数の前記ファイバ穴の配置に対応して配置され、複数の前記光ファイバを挿通するファイバ挿通穴と、
前記ファイバ挿通穴を基準として一方の側に配置される下部と、
前記ファイバ挿通穴を基準として他方の側に配置される上部と、
を有し、
前記上部は、ファイバ挿通方向において前記下部の端面に比して突出する突出部を有することを特徴とするフェルール構造体。 - 請求項4に記載のフェルール構造体であって、
前記突出部の突出長さは、前記ファイバ挿通方向における前記第1面と前記第2面との間の寸法未満であることを特徴とするフェルール構造体。 - 請求項4又は5に記載のフェルール構造体であって、
前記フェルールは、前記上開口に押さえ部を有し、
前記突出部は、前記ブーツが前記フェルールに取り付けられた状態で前記押さえ部の下側に配置されることを特徴とするフェルール構造体。
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JP2021008664A (ja) | 2019-07-02 | 2021-01-28 | エスピーティーエス テクノロジーズ リミティド | 堆積装置 |
-
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- 2021-08-25 EP EP21921123.2A patent/EP4283362A1/en active Pending
- 2021-08-25 JP JP2022576956A patent/JP7361229B2/ja active Active
- 2021-08-25 CN CN202180053887.9A patent/CN115997147A/zh active Pending
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US5602951A (en) * | 1994-04-14 | 1997-02-11 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Ferrule for optical connector and process for making same |
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JP2003131069A (ja) | 2001-10-22 | 2003-05-08 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The | 光コネクタ用フェルール |
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CN115997147A (zh) | 2023-04-21 |
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