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WO2025135039A1 - Faisceau de fibres optiques, structure de connexion optique et procédé de fabrication de faisceau de fibres optiques - Google Patents

Faisceau de fibres optiques, structure de connexion optique et procédé de fabrication de faisceau de fibres optiques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025135039A1
WO2025135039A1 PCT/JP2024/044643 JP2024044643W WO2025135039A1 WO 2025135039 A1 WO2025135039 A1 WO 2025135039A1 JP 2024044643 W JP2024044643 W JP 2024044643W WO 2025135039 A1 WO2025135039 A1 WO 2025135039A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
diameter
fiber
resin
optical
ferrule
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
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PCT/JP2024/044643
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
修 島川
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Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Publication of WO2025135039A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025135039A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • 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
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • 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
    • G02B6/04—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings formed by bundles of fibres
    • 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

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to an optical fiber bundle, an optical connection structure, and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber bundle.
  • each of the multiple optical fibers includes a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first diameter portion, and a third diameter portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the second diameter portion and covered with resin.
  • the ferrule includes a fiber accommodating portion that accommodates the first diameter portion and a portion of the second diameter portion. The multiple optical fibers are fixed to the fiber accommodating portion with an adhesive.
  • the second fiber accommodating portion is connected to the first fiber accommodating portion and accommodates a portion of the second diameter portion and a portion of the third diameter portion.
  • the resin portion fixes the plurality of optical fibers in the first fiber accommodating portion and the second fiber accommodating portion.
  • the resin portion includes a first resin portion, a second resin portion, and a third resin portion.
  • the first resin portion connects the first diameter portion and the second diameter portion to the inner surface of the first fiber accommodating portion.
  • the second resin portion connects the third diameter portion and the inner surface of the second fiber housing portion.
  • the third resin portion is adhered to the second diameter portion and connects the first resin portion and the second resin portion.
  • the third resin portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the second fiber housing portion.
  • a method for manufacturing an optical fiber bundle includes preparing a plurality of optical fibers, a ferrule, a flange, and a resin portion, and filling the first fiber accommodating portion and the second fiber accommodating portion with adhesive so that a first resin portion, a second resin portion, and a third resin portion are formed and the third resin portion is spaced from an inner surface of the second fiber accommodating portion.
  • Each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, and a third diameter portion.
  • the second diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first diameter portion.
  • the third diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the second diameter portion and includes a coating.
  • the ferrule includes a first fiber accommodating portion that accommodates the first diameter portion and a portion of the second diameter portion.
  • the flange is connected to the ferrule.
  • the flange includes a second fiber accommodating portion.
  • the second fiber accommodating portion is in communication with the first fiber accommodating portion and accommodates a portion of the second diameter portion and a portion of the third diameter portion.
  • the first resin portion connects the first and second diameter portions to the inner surface of the first fiber housing portion.
  • the second resin portion connects the third diameter portion to the inner surface of the second fiber housing portion.
  • the third resin portion is bonded to the second diameter portion and connects the first resin portion to the second resin portion.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connection structure according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connection structure shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the optical connection structure shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the tip of a multi-core fiber and the end face of a ferrule.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the tips of a plurality of optical fibers and the end face of a ferrule.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fiber receiving portion of a ferrule.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical fiber bundle.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a connection state between a plurality of optical fibers and a multi-core fiber having the optical connection structure shown in FIG.
  • the flange In order to improve the tensile resistance of the optical fiber, it is possible to provide a flange connected to the ferrule and fix the optical fiber to the flange with an adhesive.
  • the flange has a fiber accommodating portion that communicates with the fiber accommodating portion of the ferrule, and the optical fiber is also fixed to the fiber accommodating portion of the flange with an adhesive.
  • the resin portion used as an adhesive expands and contracts depending on the temperature and humidity. If the resin portion expands and contracts inside the fiber accommodating portion, force is applied to the optical fiber, which may cause the optical fiber to break. The larger the volume of the resin portion in the optical fiber accommodating portion, the greater the force applied to the optical fiber due to the expansion and contraction of the resin portion.
  • An optical fiber bundle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of optical fibers, a ferrule, a flange, and a resin portion.
  • Each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, and a third diameter portion.
  • the second diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first diameter portion.
  • the third diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the second diameter portion and includes a coating.
  • the ferrule includes a first fiber accommodating portion that accommodates the first diameter portion and a part of the second diameter portion.
  • the flange is connected to the ferrule.
  • the flange includes a second fiber accommodating portion.
  • the second fiber accommodating portion is in communication with the first fiber accommodating portion and accommodates a part of the second diameter portion and a part of the third diameter portion.
  • the resin portion fixes the plurality of optical fibers in the first fiber accommodating portion and the second fiber accommodating portion.
  • the resin portion includes a first resin portion, a second resin portion, and a third resin portion.
  • the first resin portion connects the first diameter portion and the second diameter portion to an inner surface of the first fiber accommodating portion.
  • the second resin portion connects the third diameter portion and the inner surface of the second fiber accommodating portion.
  • the third resin portion is adhered to the second diameter portion and connects the first resin portion and the second resin portion.
  • the third resin portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the second fiber accommodating portion.
  • the third resin portion is bonded to the second diameter portion, connects the first resin portion and the second resin portion, and is spaced apart from the inner surface of the second fiber accommodating portion. In this case, it is possible to simultaneously reduce the force applied to the optical fiber due to the expansion and contraction of the resin portion and ensure the tensile resistance of the optical fiber.
  • the Shore D hardness of the resin portion may be 60 or more. In this case, the tensile resistance of the multiple fibers can be further improved.
  • the second resin portion may be formed from a different type of resin than the first resin portion.
  • an optical fiber bundle having the above-mentioned resin portion configuration can be more easily manufactured.
  • the ferrule may be made of a ceramic material.
  • the multi-core fiber and the single-core fiber can be easily physically connected.
  • the flange may be made of metal. In this case, radial expansion of the flange inside the flange is reduced, and the rigidity of the optical fiber bundle can also be improved.
  • the width of the adhesive surface between the resin portion and the inner surface of the second fiber accommodating portion in the longitudinal direction of the flange may be 4 mm or less. In this case, the size of the optical fiber bundle in the longitudinal direction is suppressed.
  • An optical connection structure may include a multicore fiber, any one of the optical fiber bundles according to [1] to [6] above, and a connecting section that connects the multicore fiber to the multiple optical fibers so that the multicore fiber and the multiple optical fibers are optically coupled.
  • this optical connection structure it is possible to simultaneously reduce the force applied to the optical fiber due to the expansion and contraction of the resin section and ensure the tensile resistance of the optical fiber.
  • a method for manufacturing an optical fiber bundle includes preparing a plurality of optical fibers, a ferrule, a flange, and a resin portion, and filling the first fiber accommodating portion and the second fiber accommodating portion with adhesive so that a first resin portion, a second resin portion, and a third resin portion are formed and the third resin portion is spaced from an inner surface of the second fiber accommodating portion.
  • Each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, and a third diameter portion.
  • the second diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first diameter portion.
  • the third diameter portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the second diameter portion and includes a coating.
  • the MCF 12 has a tip surface 12c.
  • the tip surface 12c is composed of the tips of multiple cores 12a and the tip of the cladding 12b.
  • the cores 12a mainly contain silica glass to which a dopant such as germanium has been added to increase the refractive index.
  • the cladding 12b mainly contains silica glass to which a dopant such as fluorine has been added to decrease the refractive index.
  • the composition of the cores 12a and cladding 12b and the combination of dopants can be selected as appropriate.
  • Such an MCF 12 can propagate an optical signal through each core 12a.
  • each core 12a is arranged, for example, two-dimensionally.
  • the MCF 12 has four cores 12a.
  • the MCF 12 may have seven cores 12a, eight cores 12a, or 19 cores 12a.
  • the number of cores 12a in the MCF 12 is not limited to these.
  • four cores 12a are arranged in a square lattice of two rows and two columns.
  • the mode field diameter (MFD) of the light emitted from each core 12a may be, for example, 10 ⁇ m or less, or 5 ⁇ m or less.
  • the MFD of each core 12a may be 1 ⁇ m or more.
  • the core pitch (center-to-center distance) between adjacent cores 12a may be, for example, 10 ⁇ m or more and 50 ⁇ m or less.
  • the diameter of the cladding 12b (cladding diameter) may be, for example, 200 ⁇ m or less, 125 ⁇ m or less, 100 ⁇ m or less, or 80 ⁇ m or less.
  • the diameter of the cladding 12b (cladding diameter) may be 50 ⁇ m or more.
  • the ferrule 14 holds the tip portion 12d of the MCF 12.
  • the ferrule 14 includes a fiber accommodating portion 14a that accommodates the tip portion 12d of the MCF 12.
  • the ferrule 14 has, for example, a cylindrical shape.
  • the ferrule 14 has an end face 14b, and the tip portion 12d of the MCF 12 is fixed to the fiber accommodating portion 14a so that the tip face 12c of the MCF 12 is exposed at the end face 14b.
  • the inner diameter of the fiber accommodating portion 14a is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the MCF 12.
  • the tip portion 12d of the MCF 12 is inserted into the fiber accommodating portion 14a and fitted into the fiber accommodating portion 14a.
  • the ferrule 14 has, for example, a length of 6 mm or more and 8 mm or less, and is made of a ceramic material such as zirconia, glass, or metal.
  • the flange 16 is connected to the ferrule.
  • the flange 16 holds the rear end portion of the ferrule 14 and houses the MCF 12 inside.
  • the flange 16 has, for example, a cylindrical shape.
  • the portion of the MCF 12 housed in the flange 16 is fixed in the flange 16 by an adhesive.
  • the flange 16 is formed of, for example, a metal.
  • the flange 16 may be formed of a resin.
  • the optical fibers 40 are optical fibers that are optically coupled to the MCF 12.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the tips of the optical fibers 40 and the end face of the ferrule 50. As shown in FIG. 5, each optical fiber 40 has a core 40a (fiber core) and a cladding 40b that covers the core 40a. Each optical fiber 40 extends in the longitudinal direction D.
  • Each optical fiber 40 has a tip surface 40c. At the tip surface 40c of each optical fiber 40, the core 40a is exposed.
  • the tip surface 40c is composed of the tip of the core 40a and the tip of the cladding 40b.
  • the core 40a mainly contains silica glass to which a dopant such as germanium has been added to increase the refractive index.
  • the cladding 40b mainly contains silica glass to which a dopant such as fluorine has been added to decrease the refractive index.
  • the composition of the core 40a and the cladding 40b and the combination of dopants can be selected as appropriate.
  • Such an optical fiber 40 can propagate an optical signal through each core 40a.
  • the optical fiber 40 is, for example, a single-core fiber.
  • the refractive index distribution in the radial direction of the optical fiber 40 is trench type. This reduces the optical loss when the optical fiber 40 is bent, compared to when the refractive index distribution is unimodal.
  • the optical loss when light with wavelengths of 1.55 ⁇ m and 1.625 ⁇ m is passed through the optical fiber 40 may be 0.15 dB/km or less and 0.45 dB/km or less, respectively.
  • the refractive index distribution in the radial direction of the optical fiber 40 may be unimodal.
  • the optical fibers 40 are arranged two-dimensionally in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D. In the example shown in FIG. 5, four optical fibers 40 are arranged in a square lattice of two rows and two columns.
  • the second optical connector 20 has four optical fibers 40.
  • the second optical connector 20 may have seven optical fibers 40, eight optical fibers 40, or 19 optical fibers 40.
  • the number of optical fibers in the second optical connector 20 is not limited to the above.
  • the number and arrangement of the optical fibers 40 in the second optical connector 20 correspond one-to-one to the number and arrangement of the multiple cores 12a of the MCF 12 in the first optical connector 10.
  • the arrangement of the multiple optical fibers 40 matches the arrangement of the multiple cores 12a of the MCF 12.
  • the number and arrangement of the multiple optical fibers 40 do not need to be exactly the same as the number and arrangement of the MCF 12, and at least one of the multiple optical fibers 40 may not be optically connected to the core 12a, or at least one of the multiple cores 12a may not be optically connected to the optical fiber 40.
  • the multiple optical fibers 40 are optically coupled to each core 12a of the MCF 12 of the first optical connector 10 by being rotated and adjusted around the central axis of the ferrule 50.
  • the MFD of the light emitted from each core 40a may be, for example, 10 ⁇ m or less, or 5 ⁇ m or less.
  • the MFD of the light emitted from each core 40a may be, for example, 1 ⁇ m or more.
  • the core pitch (center-to-center distance) between adjacent cores 40a may be, for example, 10 ⁇ m or more and 50 ⁇ m or less.
  • the diameter (cladding diameter) of the cladding 40b may be 80 ⁇ m or more and 125 ⁇ m or less outside the ferrule 50 described below, and is thinner inside the ferrule 50 than the outside of the ferrule 50.
  • the circumscribing circle of the bundle of the thinner claddings 40b matches the cladding diameter of the MCF 12.
  • the outer diameter of the cladding 40b is smaller inside the ferrule 50 than the outer diameter outside the ferrule 50.
  • Such an optical fiber is formed by etching the tip portion with buffered hydrofluoric acid or the like.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an optical fiber 40 viewed from a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction D.
  • Each optical fiber 40 has a glass fiber 41 made of glass and a coating 42 made of resin.
  • Each optical fiber 40 includes a first diameter portion 43, a second diameter portion 44, and a third diameter portion 46.
  • the glass fiber 41 includes a first diameter section 43, a second diameter section 44, and a tapered section 45 connecting the first diameter section 43 and the second diameter section 44.
  • the second diameter section 44 has a diameter larger than that of the first diameter section 43.
  • the portion of the glass fiber 41 that continues to the second diameter section 44 is covered by the coating 42.
  • the third diameter section 46 includes the portion of the glass fiber 41 that continues to the second diameter section 44 and the coating 42.
  • the third diameter section 46 has a diameter larger than that of the second diameter section 44.
  • the coating 42 is usually made of an organic resin material, and may also be made of an ultraviolet-curable resin or a thermosetting resin.
  • the first diameter portion 43 has a tip surface 40c.
  • the first diameter portion 43 extends from the tip surface 40c along the longitudinal direction D.
  • the diameter of the first diameter portion 43 is, for example, 40 ⁇ m.
  • the tapered portion 45 is continuous with the first diameter portion 43 and extends along the longitudinal direction D.
  • the length of the tapered portion 45 along the longitudinal direction D is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less.
  • the diameter of the tapered portion 45 increases from the first diameter portion 43 toward the second diameter portion 44.
  • the second diameter portion 44 is continuous with the tapered portion 45 and extends along the longitudinal direction D. In other words, in the longitudinal direction D, the tapered portion 45 is located between the first diameter portion 43 and the second diameter portion 44.
  • the ferrule 50 has an end face 50c at the front end 50a. An opening 55 is formed in the end face 50c.
  • the ferrule 50 fixes the tip portions 22d of the optical fibers 40 to the first fiber accommodating portion 51 so that the tip faces 40c are exposed outside the ferrule 50 at the opening 55.
  • the optical fibers 40 extend from the opening 56 to the outside of the ferrule 50.
  • the ferrule 50 is formed, for example, from a ceramic material such as zirconia, glass, or metal.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic of the first fiber housing section 51.
  • the first fiber housing section 51 includes a first portion 52 located at the front end 50a, a second portion 53 located at the rear end 50b, and an inner diameter conversion section 54 connecting the first portion 52 and the second portion 53.
  • the first portion 52 extends from the front end 50a along the longitudinal direction D.
  • the inner diameter of the first portion 52 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second portion 53.
  • the inner diameter of the first portion 52 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the circumscribing circle of the bundle of the first diameter portions 43 of the multiple optical fibers 40.
  • the inner diameter of the first portion 52 is, for example, 90 ⁇ m or more and 100 ⁇ m or less.
  • the inner diameter conversion portion 54 is continuous with the first portion 52 and extends along the longitudinal direction D.
  • the inner diameter of the inner diameter conversion portion 54 matches the inner diameter of the first portion 52 at the boundary with the first portion 52, expands from the first portion 52 toward the second portion 53, and matches the inner diameter of the second portion 53 at the boundary with the second portion 53.
  • the inner diameter conversion portion 54 may have a tapered shape or may have a curvature in the cross section.
  • the second portion 53 is continuous with the inner diameter conversion portion 54 and extends along the longitudinal direction D. In other words, in the longitudinal direction D, the inner diameter conversion portion 54 is located between the first portion 52 and the second portion 53.
  • the inner diameter of the second portion 53 is, for example, 300 ⁇ m or more and 400 ⁇ m or less.
  • the length of the ferrule 50 in the longitudinal direction D is, for example, 6 mm or more and 8 mm or less.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical fiber bundle 200.
  • the ferrule 50 holds the first diameter portion 43, the tapered portion 45, and the second diameter portion 44.
  • the first fiber accommodating portion 51 accommodates the first diameter portion 43 and a portion of the second diameter portion 44.
  • the first portion 52 and the inner diameter conversion portion 54 of the first fiber accommodating portion 51 accommodate a portion of the first diameter portion 43 of the multiple optical fibers 40.
  • the second portion 53 of the first fiber accommodating portion 51 accommodates a portion of the first diameter portion 43, the tapered portion 45, and a portion of the second diameter portion 44 of the multiple optical fibers 40.
  • the flange 60 is connected to the ferrule 50.
  • the flange 60 includes a rear end 60b opposite the connection portion with the ferrule 50.
  • the flange 60 includes a second fiber accommodating portion 61 at the rear end 50b of the ferrule 50, which communicates with the first fiber accommodating portion 51 of the ferrule 50.
  • the second fiber accommodating portion 61 has a through hole extending along the longitudinal direction D.
  • An opening 65 is formed at the rear end 60b.
  • the opening 65 communicates with the second fiber accommodating portion 61.
  • the flange 60 exposes the third diameter portion 46 to the outside of the flange 60 at the opening 65.
  • the multiple optical fibers 40 extend from the opening 65 to the outside of the flange 60.
  • the first fiber accommodating section 51 and the second fiber accommodating section 61 have the same central axis L1.
  • the boundaries between the second diameter section 44 and the third diameter section 46 of the multiple optical fibers 40 are inserted into the second fiber accommodating section 61. That is, the second fiber accommodating section 61 accommodates a part of the second diameter section 44 and a part of the third diameter section 46.
  • the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the bundle is 604 ⁇ m. Therefore, in this case, the inner diameter of the second fiber accommodating section 61 is 604 ⁇ m or more.
  • the flange 60 is made of, for example, metal.
  • the flange 60 is made of glass, metal, or resin.
  • the resin part 70 fixes the multiple optical fibers 40 in the first fiber accommodating section 51 and the second fiber accommodating section 61.
  • the resin part 70 includes a first resin part 71, a second resin part 72, and a third resin part 73.
  • the Shore D hardness of the resin part 70 is 60 or more.
  • the first resin part 71, the second resin part 72, and the third resin part 73 are, for example, integrally formed.
  • the resin part 70 corresponds to an adhesive.
  • the resin part 70 is, for example, a thermosetting resin, a room temperature curing resin, or a combined ultraviolet curing and thermosetting curing resin. When a material transparent to ultraviolet rays is used for the ferrule or flange, an ultraviolet curing resin can also be used.
  • the second resin part 72 and the first resin part 71 are formed of different types of resin.
  • the first resin part 71 is a thermosetting resin, such as an epoxy resin
  • the second resin part 72 is a combination of an ultraviolet-curable and thermosetting resin, such as an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin.
  • the first resin portion 71 fixes the multiple optical fibers 40 in the first fiber accommodating portion 51 of the ferrule 50. Specifically, the first resin portion 71 fixes the first diameter portion 43, the taper portion 45, and the second diameter portion 44 to the first fiber accommodating portion 51 so that the tip faces 40c of the multiple optical fibers 40 are exposed at the end face 50c of the ferrule 50. The first resin portion 71 connects the first diameter portion 43, the taper portion 45, and the second diameter portion 44 to the inner surface 51a of the first fiber accommodating portion 51.
  • the first resin portion 71 is injected into the gap between the first diameter portion 43, the taper portion 45, and the second diameter portion 44 and the inner surface 51a of the first fiber accommodating portion 51, and is cured to adhesively fix the first diameter portion 43, the taper portion 45, and the second diameter portion 44 to the inner surface 51a.
  • the first resin part 71 covers the entire inner surface 51a of the first fiber housing part 51.
  • the first resin part 71 corresponds to an adhesive.
  • the second resin portion 72 fixes the multiple optical fibers 40 in the second fiber accommodating portion 61 of the flange 60. Specifically, the second resin portion 72 fixes the third diameter portion 46 to the second fiber accommodating portion 61. The second resin portion 72 connects the third diameter portion 46 to the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating portion 61. The second resin portion 72 is injected into the gap between the third diameter portion 46 and the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating portion 61, and adhesively fixes the third diameter portion 46 to the inner surface 61a by hardening. The second resin portion 72 covers a portion of the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating portion 61.
  • the third resin part 73 is adhered to the second diameter part 44 and connects the first resin part 71 and the second resin part 72.
  • the third resin part 73 is separated from the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating part 61.
  • the third resin part 73 connects the second diameter parts 44 of the multiple optical fibers 40 to each other.
  • the third resin part 73 is disposed within the second fiber accommodating part 61 of the flange 60.
  • the third resin part 73 corresponds to an adhesive.
  • the second resin part 72 and the third resin part 73 form a void S in the second fiber accommodating part 61.
  • a part of the void S is defined by the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating part 61, and the inner surface 61a has a region R to which the resin part 70 does not contact.
  • the void S is filled with, for example, air.
  • the void S may be filled with a material having a thermal expansion coefficient lower than that of the resin part 70.
  • a method for manufacturing the optical fiber bundle 200 described above will be described.
  • a second optical connector 20 including the optical fiber bundle 200 is manufactured.
  • a method for manufacturing the optical fiber bundle 200 will be described.
  • a ferrule 50 having a front end 50a, a rear end 50b, and a first fiber accommodating portion 51 is prepared.
  • a flange 60 having a second fiber accommodating portion 61 is prepared. Note that the preparation of the flange 60 may be performed prior to the preparation of the ferrule 50, or these preparations may be performed in parallel.
  • a plurality of optical fibers 40 are prepared.
  • the process of preparing the plurality of optical fibers 40 includes a process of forming a first diameter portion 43 and a tapered portion 45 by processing the glass fiber of the optical fiber 40 to have a small diameter.
  • the plurality of optical fibers 40 are separated from each other over a length of 10 mm or more from the tip of the tape core wire formed by integrating the plurality of optical fibers 40, and the tip of the glass fiber 41 of each optical fiber 40 is chemically etched.
  • the tip portion of the tape core wire formed of the plurality of optical fibers 40 is separated into a single fiber, and the tip portion is immersed in an etchant and chemically etched.
  • the etchant is, for example, buffered hydrofluoric acid.
  • the multiple optical fibers 40 are inserted into the second fiber accommodating portion 61 of the flange 60 and the first fiber accommodating portion 51 of the ferrule 50.
  • the multiple optical fibers 40 are inserted all at once into the second fiber accommodating portion 61 of the flange 60 and the first fiber accommodating portion 51 of the ferrule 50, and the multiple optical fibers 40 are arranged in the first fiber accommodating portion 51 of the ferrule 50.
  • the third diameter portions 46 of the multiple optical fibers 40 are placed in a jig, thereby aligning the multiple optical fibers 40 in a predetermined arrangement and temporarily fixing them.
  • the first diameter portion 43 of the optical fibers 40 is inserted into the first portion 52 of the first fiber housing portion 51 of the ferrule 50.
  • the tapered portion 45 of the optical fibers 40 is inserted into the second portion 53 of the first fiber housing portion 51 of the ferrule 50.
  • the boundary between the second diameter portion 44 and the third diameter portion 46 of the optical fibers 40 is inserted into the second fiber housing portion 61 of the flange 60.
  • the optical fibers 40 are arranged in the ferrule 50 so as to correspond to the arrangement of the cores 12a of the MCF 12.
  • the optical fibers 40 are arranged so that the clads 40b are in contact with each other and are also in contact with the first fiber housing portion 51 of the ferrule 50.
  • the jig is removed from the optical fibers 40.
  • the multiple optical fibers 40 are fixed to the ferrule 50 and the flange 60 with adhesive.
  • the first fiber accommodating portion 51 and the second fiber accommodating portion 61 are filled with adhesive so that a first resin portion 71, a second resin portion 72, and a third resin portion 73 are formed, and the third resin portion 73 is separated from the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating portion 61.
  • the adhesive is, for example, a resin material with high fluidity.
  • adhesive is injected into the gap between the first fiber accommodating section 51 of the ferrule 50 and the multiple optical fibers 40 through the opening 55 of the ferrule 50. At this time, the adhesive is injected sufficiently to cover the tip surface 40c of the optical fiber 40 and the end surface 50c of the ferrule 50. The adhesive is then thermally cured, for example by heating. This fixes the multiple optical fibers 40 to the ferrule 50.
  • adhesive is injected from the opening 56 of the flange 60 into the gap between the second fiber accommodating section 61 of the flange 60 and the multiple optical fibers 40. At this time, enough adhesive is injected so that the adhesive protrudes from the rear end 60b to the outside of the flange 60.
  • the adhesive is then thermally cured, for example by heating. This fixes the multiple optical fibers 40 to the flange 60.
  • the end face 50c of the ferrule 50 is then polished together with the tip face 40c of the optical fiber 40. By polishing, the adhesive on the tip face 40c and the end face 50c is removed, exposing the tip face 40c and the end face 50c.
  • the optical fiber bundle 200 is thus prepared.
  • the second optical connector 20 is then prepared by housing the ferrule 50 and flange 60 in a housing (not shown).
  • the optical fiber bundle 200 includes a resin portion 70 that fixes the optical fibers 40 in the first fiber accommodating portion 51 and the second fiber accommodating portion 61.
  • the resin portion 70 includes a first resin portion 71, a second resin portion 72, and a third resin portion 73.
  • the first resin portion 71 connects the first diameter portion 43 and the second diameter portion 44 to the inner surface 51a of the first fiber accommodating portion 51.
  • the second resin portion 72 connects the third diameter portion 46 to the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating portion 61.
  • the third resin portion 73 is bonded to the second diameter portion 44, connects the first resin portion 71 and the second resin portion 72, and is separated from the inner surface 61a of the second fiber accommodating portion 61. In this case, it is possible to reduce the force applied to the optical fiber 40 due to the expansion and contraction of the resin portion 70 and to ensure the tensile resistance of the optical fiber 40.
  • the resin portion 70 corresponds to an adhesive.
  • the adhesive strength of the coating 42 to the cladding 40b of the optical fiber 40 is relatively weak, and when the optical fiber 40 is pulled in a configuration in which only the coating 42 is fixed to the flange 60, the tensile force is likely to affect the optical fiber 40 inside the flange 60.
  • the third resin part 73 is adhered to the second diameter part 44, and the cladding 40b of the optical fiber 40 is indirectly fixed to the inner surface 61a of the flange 60 via the second resin part 72 and the third resin part 73. Therefore, the effect of the tensile force on the optical fiber 40 can be suppressed.
  • the Shore D hardness of the resin part 70 is 60 or more. In this case, the tensile resistance of the multiple fibers can be further improved.
  • the second resin part 72 is formed of a different type of resin from the first resin part 71.
  • an optical fiber bundle having the above-mentioned configuration of the resin part 70 can be manufactured more easily.
  • the second resin part 72 is formed after the first resin part 71 is formed, if an adhesive with a relatively high viscosity is used to form the second resin part 72, excessive flow of the adhesive into the second fiber accommodating part 61 can be suppressed.
  • the second resin part 72 is formed after the first resin part 71 is formed, if the second resin part 72 is an ultraviolet-curing resin, excessive flow of the adhesive into the second fiber accommodating part 61 can be suppressed by temporarily curing it by irradiating ultraviolet rays. If the adhesive is a combination of ultraviolet curing and heat curing, it is possible to sufficiently cure the inside of the flange where ultraviolet rays do not hit.
  • Optical connection structures 1A and 1B have the same configuration as optical connection structure 1. This makes it easy to perform the alignment work, which is the work of aligning the core of MCF 12 with the core of optical fibers 40A and 40B and fixing them at a position where optical loss is minimized.
  • connectors 81 and 82 are attached to optical connection structures 1A and 1B via multiple optical fibers 40A and 40B. With this configuration, when inspecting the entire connection state after the above alignment work, it becomes easy to repeatedly perform IL measurements (insertion loss measurements).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

Selon la présente invention, dans un faisceau de fibres optiques (200), chacune d'une pluralité de fibres optiques (40) comprend une première partie de diamètre (43), une deuxième partie de diamètre (44) ayant un diamètre supérieur au diamètre de la première partie de diamètre (43), et une troisième partie de diamètre (46) ayant un diamètre supérieur au diamètre de la deuxième partie de diamètre (44) et comprenant un revêtement. Une partie de résine (70) comprend une première partie de résine (71) reliant la première partie de diamètre (43), la deuxième partie de diamètre (44), et une surface interne (51a) d'une première partie de boîtier de fibre (51), une deuxième partie de résine (72) reliant la troisième partie de diamètre (46) et une surface interne (61a) d'une seconde partie de boîtier de fibre (61), et une troisième partie de résine (73) liée à la deuxième partie de diamètre (44) et reliant la première partie de résine (71) et la deuxième partie de résine (72). La troisième partie de résine (73) est séparée de la surface interne (61a) de la seconde partie de boîtier de fibre (61).
PCT/JP2024/044643 2023-12-19 2024-12-17 Faisceau de fibres optiques, structure de connexion optique et procédé de fabrication de faisceau de fibres optiques Pending WO2025135039A1 (fr)

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JP2023-213627 2023-12-19

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019191369A (ja) * 2018-04-25 2019-10-31 住友電気工業株式会社 光接続部品及び光接続部品の製造方法
JP2023082856A (ja) * 2021-12-03 2023-06-15 住友電気工業株式会社 光ファイババンドル構造、光接続構造体、及び、光ファイババンドル構造の製造方法
JP2023082832A (ja) * 2021-12-03 2023-06-15 住友電気工業株式会社 光ファイババンドル構造、光接続構造体、及び、光ファイババンドル構造の製造方法

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019191369A (ja) * 2018-04-25 2019-10-31 住友電気工業株式会社 光接続部品及び光接続部品の製造方法
JP2023082856A (ja) * 2021-12-03 2023-06-15 住友電気工業株式会社 光ファイババンドル構造、光接続構造体、及び、光ファイババンドル構造の製造方法
JP2023082832A (ja) * 2021-12-03 2023-06-15 住友電気工業株式会社 光ファイババンドル構造、光接続構造体、及び、光ファイババンドル構造の製造方法

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