An airfoil optical fiber core alignment structure

Abstract

The application provides a wing type optical fiber core adjusting structure, which comprises a main body assembly, a cam adjusting assembly and a hammer assembly. The lens, core adjusting V-shaped groove and discharge electrode of the main body assembly are integrated to participate in the core adjusting of the optical fiber, the imaging distance of the optical fiber is kept unchanged during the operation, the distance between the optical fiber and the electrode is unchanged, and the core adjusting fulcrum and output point can be flexibly set. The application reduces the space ratio of the core adjusting structure, provides a basic platform for installing other functional control modules, and is used for special optical fiber splicing, optical fiber grating sensor manufacturing, optical fiber tapering, end cap splicing, splicing optical fiber end face vertical imaging, polarization maintaining optical fiber splicing, photonic crystal optical fiber splicing, non-electrode heating splicing and the like. Compared with the prior art, the application simplifies the structure, improves the core adjusting resolution and reliability, and reduces the structural cost and the requirement for processing. The application can also be used for the X / Y axis core adjusting of the existing optical fiber fusion splicer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a fiber core alignment structure, which is a precision instrument, and particularly relates to a fiber core alignment structure with a fiber microscope lens, an image sensor, a V-shaped groove for placing and holding a fiber, and a discharge electrode. The fiber core alignment of the present application is the alignment of the plane of the end face of the fiber, and does not involve the pushing of the left and right fibers. In general, the alignment of the plane of the fiber is referred to as X / Y axis alignment, and the movement of the left and right fibers is referred to as Z axis alignment. The present application relates to X / Y axis alignment. BACKGROUND

[0002] A fiber fusion splicer is a device for coupling the modes of two cut fibers by melting the end faces of the fibers using a high temperature generated by a pair of electrodes and gently pushing the two end faces together using the principle of collimation. The fiber fusion splicer is widely used in communication engineering construction, maintenance, and communication equipment manufacturing.

[0003] The core alignment structure of the fiber fusion splicer is referred to as a machine core. The machine core is a micro-motion precision mechanical structure that drives two core fibers with processed end faces (fibers after cutting or grinding of the end faces) to the center position (i.e., the central axis position of the electrodes) (Z axis adjustment) under the support of a driving circuit and an imaging system, and then performs X / Y axis alignment.

[0004] Since the commonly used standard single-mode fiber has a cladding diameter of 125 microns and a core diameter of 8-10 microns, a high resolution of the fiber alignment structure is required for high coupling effect. This requires a high-resolution synchronous recognition system, i.e., a microscope lens and its imaging part (in order to ensure that there is no observation dead angle, two lenses that intersect at 90 degrees are usually used to observe the adjustment point at the same time), and a micro-motion core alignment precision mechanical structure that can support the V-shaped groove for placing the fiber and perform X / Y axis micro-motion core alignment. The two parts work together in the same structure to ensure the alignment effect. Currently, foreign enterprises can achieve an X / Y axis core alignment resolution of 0.02 microns, which is 6250 times the diameter of the standard single-mode fiber (125 microns), achieving a good core alignment effect.

[0005] There are many types of fiber core alignment structures in the prior art, and the common point is that the core alignment part and the imaging part are separately installed on the same fixed base, and the base remains stationary during operation. Although the focusing of the lens of the imaging part and the core alignment of the core alignment part work together, they move relative to the fixed base. That is, the transmission structure of the fiber core alignment operation and the transmission structure of the lens (or CCD module) of the imaging part move separately, although they work together, but are not related to each other. Just like hands and eyes, although they can handle the same object, but both are responsible to the brain, the eye is not grown on the hand. Such disadvantages are:

[0006] 1. When the core adjustment structure is in operation, the optical fiber moves relative to the microscope lens fixed on the base, which changes the imaging focal length, causes image defocus, and affects the imaging quality and the alignment quality.

[0007] 2. The core adjustment structure is designed with the base as the support point. Due to the space occupied by the two 90-degree angle microscope lenses (the distance between the objective lens of the microscope and the observed optical fiber is about 10 mm, and the diameter of the lens itself is greater than 10 mm), the space available for the core adjustment structure is very limited. Placing the V-shaped groove, two electrodes and their connecting wires, and the support body supporting the V-shaped groove in this space to achieve the micro-motion core adjustment operation requires high requirements for materials, processing, and transmission design, and increases the number of structural components, material costs, and processing costs in practice.

[0008] 3. Based on the first and second paragraphs, the existing design occupies most of the space around the core adjustment optical fiber, and the structure is not highly expandable, which hinders the addition of other functional modules required by new applications: for example, to achieve spot monitoring during the fusion process, a spot detector needs to be installed, a third angle lens and a CCD imaging plate are needed to achieve perpendicular observation of the optical fiber end surface for new optical fiber alignment, and a non-electrode heating device needs to be added to achieve the tapering operation. These modules often require space within the two lens angles of the existing design, and these spaces are occupied by the core adjustment structure.

[0009] In view of the characteristics of the existing optical fiber fusion machine and its core adjustment structure described above, reference can be made to the following Chinese patents: Patent No. 201616256571.0, entitled "Adjusting mechanism of imaging device of optical fiber fusion machine"; Patent No. 201320255910.5, entitled "Core adjustment device of optical fiber fusion machine"; Patent No. 201320530912.0, entitled "Cross core adjustment mechanism of optical fiber fusion machine"; Patent No. 201520429104.4, entitled "Machine core of optical fiber fusion machine"; Patent No. 200920035694.7, entitled "Three-dimensional automatic core adjustment device of optical fiber fusion machine"; Patent No. 201216574969.0, entitled "Optical fiber fusion machine"; Patent No. 200920035693.2, entitled "Optical fiber fusion machine top rod micro-motion adjustment mechanism"; Patent No. 201120210719.X, entitled "Core adjustment device of optical fiber fusion machine"; and Patent No. 201310086300.1, entitled "Optical fiber fusion machine". SUMMARY

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide an airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure, in which the core-aligning V-groove, microscope lens, and discharge electrode are designed on a single main body, forming one side of the airfoil, i.e., one side of the main body. The two main bodies are at a 90-degree angle and connected by a connecting spring to form the other side of the airfoil. The core-aligning output structure is fixed in the middle of the connecting spring, and the pressure hammer assembly is pivotally connected to the main body of one side of the airfoil. This design ensures that the relative positions of the fiber, lens, and electrode remain unchanged throughout the core-aligning operation, thereby guaranteeing the fiber optic imaging quality. It also reduces the number of core-aligning structural components, decreases the space occupied by the core-aligning imaging structure, increases scalability, increases stability and service life, and reduces the requirements for materials and processing.

[0011] This invention emphasizes the expanded applications based on fiber optic core alignment. With the increasing maturity of new optical fibers and fiber optic sensor technologies, fiber optic sensors show promising application prospects in fields such as material micro-deformation, temperature, acceleration, microenvironment, and fiber optic lens imaging. For existing operations involving polarization-maintaining fibers, crystal fibers, fiber end caps, fiber tapers, and ultrashort fiber connections, such as axial angle alignment of polarization-maintaining and crystal fibers, new application modules can be added to this invention as a foundational platform to achieve corresponding new functions. Simply put, many applications in the fiber optic field rely on connections between identical fibers, different fibers, and fibers and devices. Before connection, alignment is required, and higher accuracy is better. The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-precision, simple, reliable fiber optic core alignment structure with a small space footprint to meet this evolving need.

[0012] Technical solution

[0013] To address the aforementioned issues, the present invention provides the following structure.

[0014] The airfoil fiber core-aligning structure has the following features:

[0015] The alignment structure, consisting of a main component, a cam adjustment component, and a pressure hammer component, is used to align a pair of optical fibers.

[0016] The main component consists of: left assembly, right assembly, connecting spring, V-groove, V-groove bracket, electrode, electrode fixing plate and connecting wire, lens, CCD imaging plate, pressure hammer limiter, and assembly tension spring;

[0017] The left and right assemblies have holes for mounting lenses. With the axis of the two holes as a reference, the left and right assemblies are on the same plane, the axis of the holes forms an inverted "V" shape, and the extended lines of the axis form an intersection point.

[0018] The connecting spring connects the left assembly and the right assembly into a whole. The left assembly and the right assembly are located on both sides of the connecting spring in a wing-shaped manner. The plane of the connecting spring is perpendicular to the plane formed by the axes of the two lenses.

[0019] The connecting springs include, but are not limited to, metal spring structures, and structures in which the springs are machined from the materials of the left and right assemblies during the machining stage are also applicable.

[0020] The V-groove is mounted on the V-groove bracket, and the bottom groove of the V-groove intersects with the lens axis and is perpendicular to the surface formed by the lens axis. There are two V-groove brackets, which are fixed on the left assembly and the right assembly respectively, forming a whole with the left assembly and the right assembly.

[0021] The electrodes are fixed to the left and right assemblies by the electrode fixing plates and connecting wires respectively, and are located on both sides of the intersection of the lens axes. The surfaces formed by the electrode axes and the lens axes are on the same plane and parallel to the V-groove surface. The electrode tips are opposite to each other.

[0022] The lens is a microscope lens, which is installed in the openings of the left and right assemblies respectively;

[0023] The CCD imaging plate is mounted on the other side of the lens, with the center of the CCD intersecting and perpendicular to the lens axis;

[0024] The pressure hammer limiter is installed on the side of the left assembly;

[0025] The two ends of the assembly tension spring are fixed to the left assembly and the right assembly respectively, and a tension is formed between the left assembly and the right assembly with the connecting spring as the fulcrum, and is parallel to the connecting spring.

[0026] The cam adjustment assembly includes: a stepper motor bracket, a stepper motor, and a cam.

[0027] The stepper motor bracket is installed in the middle of the connecting spring of the main component. The bracket has holes for installing stepper motors at both ends. The holes are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the bracket. The line connecting the centers of the two holes is perpendicular to the plane formed by the intersection of the lens axis.

[0028] The stepper motors are respectively installed in the openings of the bracket, the main shaft of the stepper motor coincides with the axis of the opening, the cams are installed on the main shaft of the stepper motor, and the outer circles of the cams installed on the two stepper motors are in contact with the protrusions of the left assembly and the protrusions of the right assembly, respectively.

[0029] The stepper motor support frame, stepper motor, and cam structure include, but are not limited to, combinations of stepper motors and cams; piezoelectric micro-displacement structures, motor lead screw structures, and hydraulic transmission devices are also applicable.

[0030] The pressure hammer assembly includes: a pressure hammer assembly, a pressure hammer, a pressure hammer spring, a pressure hammer assembly cover, and a backlight LED;

[0031] The pressure hammer assembly has holes for mounting the pressure hammer and the backlight LED, and is pivotally mounted on the left assembly. The pressure hammer assembly can open and close around the pivot.

[0032] The pressure hammer is installed in the pressure hammer opening of the pressure hammer assembly. The opening and the pressure hammer are in a loose fit state, and the pressure hammer has a certain amount of free movement space in the axial direction of the opening.

[0033] A pressure hammer spring is installed at one end of the pressure hammer. The pressure hammer spring is a compression spring, so that the movement of the pressure hammer in the opening is controlled by the force of the pressure hammer spring. When the pressure hammer assembly is closed, the surface of the pressure hammer is in contact with the surface of the V-groove.

[0034] The backlight LED is installed in the opening of the pressure hammer assembly, and the axis of the opening coincides with the extension line of the lens axis when the pressure hammer assembly is closed.

[0035] The pressure hammer assembly cover is installed on the pressure hammer assembly, and after being assembled with the pressure hammer assembly, it forms a cavity space for fixing the pressure hammer, pressure hammer spring, and backlight LED.

[0036] The structure is connected to control circuits, including: CCD imaging board control circuit, stepper motor control circuit, electrode discharge control circuit, and backlight LED control circuit.

[0037] The CCD imaging board control circuit is connected to the CCD imaging board.

[0038] The stepper motor control circuit is connected to the stepper motor;

[0039] The electrode discharge control circuit is connected to the electrode.

[0040] The backlight LED control circuit is connected to the backlight LED.

[0041] The present invention has the following beneficial effects

[0042] 1. Because the alignment structure and imaging structure are integrated into one unit, eliminating the need for separate design, the number of structural components and the space occupied are reduced. This allows for further freeing up space around the alignment fiber, providing an initial platform for further applications requiring fiber alignment or fine-tuning of spatial position. It holds significant potential for further development, particularly in areas such as special and novel fibers (e.g., ultrashort fibers, polarization-maintaining fibers, crystal fiber splicing), fiber optic sensors (e.g., femtosecond laser grating micro-etching and mass production), fiber tapering, and fiber lens forming.

[0043] 2. The airfoil-shaped alignment structure consists of two adjusting bodies, like wings, connected by spring steel plates. The output part is installed in the middle of the connecting spring plates. A pair of microscope lenses, a CCD imaging plate, an optical fiber V-groove, and a discharge electrode are located in the two wing structures, each participating in the alignment operation as a whole. This design solves the problem of microscopic image defocusing during the alignment operation of existing structures, ensuring the alignment quality.

[0044] 3. The airfoil-shaped self-aligning structure's self-aligning fulcrum, i.e., the connection point of the spring steel sheet, is farther from the self-aligning fiber than existing designs (i.e., the resistance arm), increasing the installation space required for the fulcrum itself. If higher precision adjustment is needed, this can be achieved by extending the distance from the output point to the fulcrum (i.e., the power arm). Alternatively, a higher-resolution piezoelectric actuator can be used as the output device to replace the motor cam output structure, effectively improving self-aligning accuracy for more demanding applications.

[0045] 4. Since the electrode is fixed on the core-aligning body, the tip of the electrode rod moves in a small arc around the center of the fiber fusion splice face during the core-aligning process. In other words, the relative distance between the tip of the electrode rod and the fiber fusion splice face does not change (the radius does not change, but the included angle changes), which effectively avoids the decrease in fiber fusion splice quality caused by the change in distance relative to the electrode rod due to fiber core-aligning.

[0046] 5. The increased support installation space can be formed by one-time processing of the material itself, or by connecting spring steel sheets. Compared with the materials used in the existing design, spring steel sheets have better strength and metal fatigue resistance, which can increase the strength of the overall structure. When applied to the existing welding machine, it can improve the overall shock resistance of the existing equipment and improve the reliability of outdoor operations.

[0047] 6. Due to the reduction in the number of structures, the overall structural volume can be reduced. When applied to existing fiber optic fusion splicers, the size of the existing fusion splicers can be reduced, and the cost of existing fusion splicers can be optimized. Attached Figure Description

[0048] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings;

[0049] Figure 1 This is the front view of the airfoil fiber cored structure.

[0050] Figure 2A / Figure 2B This is a diagram of the left and right sides of the airfoil fiber core-aligning structure.

[0051] Figure 3A Figure 3 / B is a cross-sectional view of section D of the airfoil fiber core-aligning structure weight assembly in the open state.

[0052] Figure 4A / Figure 4B This is a magnified view of the airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure's core-aligning hammer assembly in the closed state.

[0053] Figure 5A / Figure 5B / Figure 5C / Figure 5D This is an image showing the position of the CCD imaging plate along the X / Y axes of the airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure.

[0054] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of the control circuit for the airfoil fiber core-aligning structure.

[0055] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the airfoil fiber core-aligning structure in Z-axis adjustment, third-axis fiber end-face imaging, and laser etching extended applications.

[0056] Figure 8A / Figure 8B yes Figure 7 The image shown is a scan / observation diagram of the optical fiber from the laser scanning aperture.

[0057] Figure 9A / Figure 9B / Figure 9C / Figure 9D / Figure 9E yes Figure 7 The diagram shows a vertical imaging configuration of the fiber optic end face, achieved from the third observation angle, using the CCD imaging plate position and a 45-degree cylindrical mirror. Figure 9A / Figure 9B / Figure 9C / Figure 9D / Figure 9E The diagrams are as follows: observation of the CCD imaging plate position at the third observation angle, partial magnification of the observation diagram, schematic diagram of the mirror imaging principle of the 45-degree cylindrical reflector and the optical fibers on both sides on the CCD imaging plate, structural diagram of the schematic diagram, and mirror imaging diagram of the schematic diagram.

[0058] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0059] Component markings for airfoil fiber cored structure: 1. Main component, 2. Cam adjustment component, 3. Pressure hammer component, 9. Control circuit.

[0060] The peripheral components and accessories of the alignment structure are marked as follows: 4. Fiber optic cable, 5. Femtosecond laser assembly, 6. Z-axis fine-tuning assembly, 7. Operating platform, 8. 45-degree cylindrical reflector.

[0061] Part markings for each component: 10. Left assembly, 11. Right assembly, 12. Connecting spring, 13. V-groove, 14. V-groove bracket, 15. Electrode, 16. Electrode fixing plate and wiring, 17. Lens, 18. CCD imaging plate, 19. Pressure hammer limiter, 20. Assembly tension spring, 21. Stepper motor bracket, 22. Stepper motor, 23. Cam, 30. Pressure hammer assembly, 31. Pressure hammer, 32. Pressure hammer spring, 33. Pressure hammer assembly cover, 34. Backlight LED, 91. Imaging control, 92. Stepper motor control, 93. Backlight control, 94. Electrode control, 95. Application control.

[0062] Peripheral component markings: 40. Left fiber optic, 41. Right fiber optic, 81. Third axis imaging plate.

[0063] Feature points marked on the parts: 101. Left assembly protrusion, 102. Right assembly protrusion, 103. Lens axis, 104. Spring support connection, 105. Lens axis intersection, 230. Cam rotation output part, 401. Fiber optic end face imaging, 801. Reflector mirror surface. Detailed Implementation

[0064] Figure 1 This is a front view of the airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure. As shown: 1. The two main components are connected as a whole by a connecting spring at point 12. 2. The cam adjustment assembly is installed in the middle of the connecting spring at point 12. 3. The pressure hammer assembly is pivotally connected to the upper part of one of the main components at point 1 and can be opened and closed; the illustrated state is the open state. 4. The optical fiber is placed on the V-groove at point 13 of the two main components at point 13.

[0065] Figure 2A / Figure 2B This is a structural diagram of the left and right sides of an airfoil fiber cored structure. Figure 1 A further detailed structural diagram is shown in the figure: 10. Left Assembly (with 12. connecting spring as the dividing line); 13. V-groove; 14. V-groove support frame; 15. Electrode; 16. Electrode fixing plate and connecting wire; 18. CCD imaging plate; 19. Pressure hammer limiter, directly mounted on 10. Left Assembly. 41. Right optical fiber is placed at the bottom of the V-groove of 13. V-groove on 10. Left Assembly. 30. Pressure hammer assembly, mounted on 10. Left Assembly via a pivot. 30. Pressure hammer assembly can open and close around the pivot. 19. Pressure hammer limiter is mounted on one side of 10. Left Assembly, controlling its opening and closing angle, typically set to 60 degrees. 31. Pressure hammer is installed in the opening of 30. Pressure hammer assembly. When 30. Pressure hammer assembly is closed, one end of 31. Pressure hammer is at 32. Pressure hammer spring (reference). Figure 4BThe force applied by the device holds the 4. optical fiber located within the V-groove at position 13. The right assembly at position 11. is located on the other side of the connecting spring at position 12. Another set of V-grooves at position 13. The V-groove support at position 14. The electrode at position 15. The electrode fixing plate and wiring at position 16. The CCD imaging plate at position 18. The same components on the left assembly at position 10. The lens axis at position 10. (Reference) Figure 3B ) is symmetrical about the origin. 40. The left optical fiber is placed at the bottom of the V-groove of the V-groove on the right assembly. 30. When the pressure hammer assembly is closed, 31. one end of the pressure hammer is at 32. the pressure hammer spring (reference). Figure 4B The force of the pressure holds the 4 optical fiber located in the 13. V-groove. 12. At the centerline position of the connecting spring, perpendicular to the surface of the main component 4, install 21. Stepper motor bracket. The bracket has holes at both ends, and install 22. Stepper motor. 23. Cam is installed on the shaft of 22. The outer circle of 23. Cam has a helical structure, and its radius changes uniformly with the rotation angle during rotation. The outer circles of the two 23. Cams are in contact with the 101. Left assembly protrusion on the left assembly and the 102. Right assembly protrusion on the right assembly, respectively. Below the connecting spring 12. 10. The left assembly and the right assembly are also equipped with a 20. Assembly tension spring with the connecting spring 12. as the fulcrum. This tension spring pulls the left assembly and the right assembly together with the spring support connection 104. as the fulcrum, and the two 23. Cam outer circles are subjected to an outward pushing force (such as...) formed by the 101. Left assembly protrusion and the 102. Right assembly protrusion. Figure 2A / Figure 2B 23. As indicated by the arrow on the cam, two pairs of resultant forces are formed.

[0066] Figure 3A This is a diagram showing the open state of the airfoil fiber core-aligning structure hammer assembly. Figure 3BThe diagram shows a cross-sectional view of section D. Both the left and right assemblies (10. and 11. respectively) have openings, each housing a lens (17.). This lens is a microscope lens that optically magnifies the side-projected image of the 4. fiber optic cable located at the intersection of the lens axes (105.) by 100 to 300 times, forming a clear image on the CCD imaging plate (18.) at the other end of the lens axis for image recognition. Two backlight LEDs (34.) are installed in the opening of the pressure hammer assembly (30.). When the pressure hammer assembly (30.) is closed, the axes of the backlight LEDs (34.) coincide with the lens axis, providing backlight illumination for the 4. fiber optic imaging. Excluding the 3. pressure hammer assembly, with the center line of the lateral position of the 12. connecting spring as the dividing line, the 10. left assembly and its mounted components are symmetrical to the 11. right assembly and its mounted components (except for feature points 101. left assembly protrusion and 102. right assembly protrusion), and the angle with the vertical line is 45 degrees, that is, the angle between their center lines is 90 degrees. Its shape is similar to an airfoil. When the 22. stepper motor drives the 23. cam to rotate, the outer circle of the 23. cam pushes the 101. left assembly protrusion and the 102. right assembly protrusion at the 230. cam rotation output part, causing the 10. left assembly and the 11. right assembly to make a small-arc reciprocating circular arc motion with the 104. spring support connection part as the fulcrum. This motion trajectory is similar to the flapping of the wings of an airfoil structure. The flapping reference fixed point is the 3. cam adjustment assembly. Figure 3B The upper curved arrow indicates the direction of the motion trajectory, as shown in the diagram (and with reference to...). Figure 4B It can be seen that the two arc movements produce an intersection point, which is the alignment point of the optical fiber. From the above alignment process, it can also be seen that the relative positions of the 18.CCD imaging plate, 17.lens, and 4.optical fiber placed on the same assembly do not change. That is, as long as the image focal length is corrected during assembly, the image focal length remains constant during alignment. The above alignment process also shows that the position of 4.optic fiber relative to the 15.electrode on the same assembly remains unchanged during alignment; what changes is the angle between the two assemblies. Therefore, what changes is the angle between the two 15.electrodes relative to 4.optic fiber. After alignment, the tips of the two 15.electrodes discharge to each other, and the high temperature of the plasma generated by the electric arc fuses the 4.optic fiber together. The change in the position of the 15.electrode relative to 4.optic fiber in this scheme is smaller than that in existing technical solutions, thus having less impact on the splicing quality.

[0067] Figure 4A / Figure 2BThis is a partial enlarged side view of the airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure's clamping hammer assembly in its closed state. It further illustrates the core-aligning process, as shown in the diagram: When the clamping hammer assembly (30.) is in the closed state, after concealing the covers of the clamping hammer assemblies (30. and 33.), it can be seen that the clamping hammer (31.) under the action of the clamping hammer spring (32.) presses the left fiber (40.) and right fiber (41.) into the "V"-shaped groove structure of the V-groove (13.). The V-groove (13.) is mounted on the V-groove support (14.), and the two V-groove supports (14.) are connected to the left assembly (10.) and the right assembly (11.) respectively to form a whole. 15. The electrode is also fixed to the mounting position of the V-groove bracket by the electrode fixing plate and connecting wires. The tips of the two electrodes are opposite each other, and the axis of the electrodes intersects the axis of the lens at point 105. When the cam rotates, the outer radius of the spiral circle of the cam increases, respectively causing the left assembly protrusion of 101 and the right assembly protrusion of 102 to... Figure 4A As shown by the two arrows, the cam extends outwards. When the outer radius of the cam decreases (23.), it returns to its original position under the tension of the assembly spring (20.). The resultant force of the ejection force and the tension force is formed with the spring support connection (104.) as the fulcrum. Figure 4B The enlarged view shows that the two arc-shaped arrows on the left and right control the movement of the left and right optical fibers (40. and 41.). When the fibers move to the intersection of the two arcs, they are aligned. The alignment process is magnified by the two lenses (17.) that intersect at 90 degrees, and then imaged on the CCD imaging plate (18.). The backlight LED (34.) provides backlight illumination for the imaging.

[0068] Figure 5A / Figure 5B / Figure 5C / Figure 5D This is an image of the X / Y axis CCD imaging plate position of the airfoil fiber cored structure. Figure 5A The image shows the left fiber (40) and right fiber (41) as observed from the position of the CCD imaging plate at position 18 (left assembly 10). The X-axis is shown. Figure 5B This is a magnified image of the observed position. The arrows in the diagram indicate the alignment direction of the active fiber as it moves up and down. Figure 5C Images of the left fiber (40) and right fiber (41) observed from position 11. (right assembly) and position 18. (CCD imaging plate), with the Y-axis as the viewpoint. Figure 5D This is a magnified image of the observation position. The arrows indicate the direction of the vertical movement of the active fiber's Y-axis alignment.

[0069] Figure 6This is a block diagram of the control circuit for an airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure. The airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure requires the cooperation of a control circuit to complete functions such as core alignment, imaging, and providing backlight illumination. 18. CCD imaging board, 22. Stepper motor, 34. Backlight LED, 15. Electrode, controlled by corresponding circuits 91. Imaging control, 92. Stepper motor control, 93. Backlight control circuit control, and 94. Electrode control. The control circuit uses a DSP or FPGA structure. Alternatively, to optimize cost, a separate microcontroller can be used, or it can work with the application control module 95. to achieve more extended functions. The functions of the application control module 95. can be designed separately according to different applications such as special fiber splicing, grating sensor fabrication, etc.

[0070] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the application of an airfoil fiber core-aligning structure in Z-axis adjustment, third-axis fiber end-face imaging, and laser etching. The diagram provides a specific application example of the airfoil fiber core-aligning structure. These functions can be implemented individually or in combination. The grating etching technology based on a 5-femtosecond laser component, the fiber Z-axis fine-tuning and axial rotation adjustment technology based on a 6-Z-axis fine-tuning component, and the fiber, polarization-maintaining fiber, and crystal fiber end-face imaging technology based on an 8.45-degree cylindrical mirror are existing technologies and are therefore only shown schematically. As shown in the figure: The airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure, consisting of 1. the main component, 2. the cam adjustment component, and 3. the pressure hammer component, is supported and fixed on the 7. operating platform. This airfoil fiber optic core-aligning structure has a hole opened between the original two 90-degree angled lenses at 17., and mounts the 17. lens and 81. the third-axis imaging plate. An 8.45-degree cylindrical reflector is located on the extension line of the 17. lens axis and is installed inside the 3. pressure hammer component (not shown in the figure as it is inside the structure). The axis of the 8.45-degree cylindrical reflector coincides with the axis of the 17. lens, and the 801 reflector surface faces the 17. lens. Two 6. Z-axis fine-tuning components clamp the 4. fiber optic cable, and the Z-axis position of the fiber optic cable can be adjusted as needed (as shown by the arrow in the upper left corner of the figure). A 360-degree axial rotation adjustment is also possible. 5. The femtosecond laser component is mounted on the support arm of the 7. operating platform. It can be equipped with a 3D fine-tuning platform to correct its initial position. The femtosecond laser component is the laser beam output device after the laser beam generated by the femtosecond laser generator has been shaped. It is usually an optical device and can accurately output a laser beam with a diameter as small as 1 micrometer after shaped.

[0071] Figure 8A / Figure 8B yes Figure 7 The image shown is a scan / observation diagram of the optical fiber from the laser scanning aperture. Figure 8A From the observation position of the optical component aperture of the 5. femtosecond laser assembly, the femtosecond laser is injected into the optical fiber in a perpendicular direction, such as... Figure 8BAs shown in the magnified view of the aperture, the laser beam enters the fiber from the side. Through the airfoil-shaped fiber core-aligning structure, the X / Y axes are aligned, allowing the laser beam to precisely pass through the fiber's center (i.e., the core), thus completing the grating fabrication process. Further integration with the 6.Z-axis fine-tuning component allows for precise adjustment of the fiber's Z-axis (… Figure 8B (As indicated by the arrow) Micrometer-level adjustment and rotation control can also be used to perform operations such as micro-grating etching and polarization-maintaining fiber micro-grating etching.

[0072] Figure 9 is Figure 7 The diagram shows a vertical imaging configuration of the fiber optic end face, using a CCD imaging plate positioned at the third observation angle (81°) and a cylindrical mirror at an 8.45° angle. Figure 9A / Figure 9B / Figure 9C / Figure 9D / Figure 9E The figures are as follows: 8. Observation diagram of the CCD imaging plate position at the third observation angle; partial magnification of the observation diagram; schematic diagram of the imaging principle of the 45-degree cylindrical reflector and the two optical fibers on both sides in the CCD imaging plate; schematic diagram of the structure of the schematic diagram; and schematic diagram of the mirrored imaging. As shown in Figure A, 81. The imaging plate at the third observation angle and its 17. lens are installed between two existing lenses, forming a 45-degree angle with each of the existing lenses. This angle is used to observe the optical fiber from bottom to top. 8. The 45-degree cylindrical reflector is installed in the 30. pressure hammer assembly and can move up and down, with its cylindrical axis coinciding with the lens axis. Figure B is an enlarged view of the positional relationship between the reflector and the optical fiber as seen through the observation hole after the 8.45-degree cylindrical reflector is moved downwards. Figure C is a front view of the enlarged view. As shown, the two 801 reflector surfaces on the 8.45-degree cylindrical reflector form an angle of 45 degrees with the vertical line, and the two mirror surfaces form a downward-pointing tip of the column at a 90-degree angle. The optical fiber is located on both sides of the two 45-degree inclined mirror surfaces at the tip. At this time, the end face of the optical fiber (parallel to the vertical line) is mirrored on the mirror surface along the direction of the arrow in the figure. This image is projected onto the CCD imaging plate at the third observation angle through the microscope lens. The 8.45-degree cylindrical reflector can be retracted and lowered in the direction of the arrow in the upper left corner of the figure within the 30. pressure hammer assembly. This figure shows the lowered state. When retracted, it can make room for the contact of the optical fiber. Figure D is a three-dimensional diagram showing the spatial relationship between the 17-lens, 4-fiber, and 8.45-degree cylindrical mirror. This diagram illustrates the spatial assembly relative positions of the 17-lens, 4-fiber, and 8.45-degree cylindrical mirror within the structure. The 17-lens is a microscope lens. Figure E further illustrates the imaging of the fiber end face based on Figure B. The 401-fiber end face is imaged on the 801-mirror surface. These images can be used to drive the rotation of the fiber end face, such as polarization-maintaining fiber and crystal fiber, to achieve core alignment of the left and right special fibers. After alignment, the 8.45-degree cylindrical mirror rises, creating space for direct contact between the fibers to facilitate subsequent operations.

Claims

1. An airfoil optical fiber core-aligning structure, characterized in that; The airfoil fiber core-aligning structure comprises: The alignment structure, consisting of a main component, a cam adjustment component, and a pressure hammer component, is used to align a pair of optical fibers. The main component consists of: left assembly, right assembly, connecting spring, V-groove, V-groove bracket, electrode, electrode fixing plate and connecting wire, lens, CCD imaging plate, pressure hammer limiter, and assembly tension spring; The left and right assemblies have openings for mounting lenses. With the axes of the two openings as reference, the left and right assemblies are on the same plane, the axes of the two openings form an inverted "V" shape, and the extended lines of the axes form an intersection point. The connecting spring connects the left assembly and the right assembly into a whole. The left assembly and the right assembly are located on both sides of the connecting spring in a wing-shaped manner. The plane of the connecting spring is perpendicular to the plane formed by the axes of the two lenses. The connecting spring includes a metal spring structure; The V-groove is mounted on the V-groove bracket, and the bottom groove of the V-groove intersects with the lens axis and is perpendicular to the surface formed by the lens axis. There are two V-groove brackets, which are fixed on the left assembly and the right assembly respectively, forming a whole with the left assembly and the right assembly. The electrodes are fixed to the left and right assemblies by the electrode fixing plates and connecting wires respectively, and are located on both sides of the intersection of the lens axes. The surfaces formed by the electrode axes and the lens axes are on the same plane and parallel to the V-groove surface. The electrode tips are opposite to each other. The lens is a microscope lens, which is installed in the openings of the left and right assemblies respectively; The CCD imaging plate is mounted on the other side of the lens, with the center of the CCD intersecting and perpendicular to the lens axis; The pressure hammer limiter is installed on the side of the left assembly; The two ends of the assembly tension spring are fixed to the left assembly and the right assembly respectively, and a tension is formed between the left assembly and the right assembly with the connecting spring as the fulcrum, and is parallel to the connecting spring; The cam adjustment assembly includes: a stepper motor bracket, a stepper motor, and a cam. The stepper motor bracket is installed in the middle of the connecting spring of the main component. The bracket has holes for installing stepper motors at both ends. The two holes are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the bracket. The line connecting the centers of the two holes is perpendicular to the plane formed by the intersection of the lens axis. Two stepper motors are respectively installed in two holes, with the main shaft of the stepper motor coinciding with the axis of the hole. The cams are installed on the main shaft of the stepper motors, and the outer edges of the cams on the two stepper motors are in contact with the protrusions of the left and right assemblies, respectively.

2. The airfoil fiber core-aligning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that... ； The pressure hammer assembly includes: a pressure hammer assembly, a pressure hammer, a pressure hammer spring, a pressure hammer assembly cover, and a backlight LED; The pressure hammer assembly has holes for mounting the pressure hammer and the backlight LED respectively, and is mounted on the left assembly in a pivot manner. The pressure hammer assembly can open and close around the pivot. The pressure hammer is installed in the pressure hammer opening of the pressure hammer assembly. The pressure hammer opening and the pressure hammer are in a loose fit state, and the pressure hammer has a certain amount of free movement space in the axial direction of the pressure hammer opening. A pressure hammer spring is installed at one end of the pressure hammer. The pressure hammer spring is a compression spring, so that the movement of the pressure hammer in the pressure hammer opening is controlled by the force of the pressure hammer spring. When the pressure hammer assembly is closed, the surface of the pressure hammer is in contact with the surface of the V-groove. The backlight LED is installed in the backlight LED opening of the pressure hammer assembly, and the axis of the backlight LED opening coincides with the extension line of the lens axis when the pressure hammer assembly is closed. The pressure hammer assembly cover is installed on the pressure hammer assembly, and after assembly with the pressure hammer assembly, it forms a cavity space for fixing the pressure hammer, pressure hammer spring, and backlight LED.

3. The airfoil fiber core-aligning structure according to claim 2, characterized in that... ； The structure is connected to control circuits, including: CCD imaging board control circuit, stepper motor control circuit, electrode discharge control circuit, and backlight LED control circuit. The CCD imaging board control circuit is connected to the CCD imaging board. The stepper motor control circuit is connected to the stepper motor; The electrode discharge control circuit is connected to the electrode. The backlight LED control circuit is connected to the backlight LED.

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