Packaging method of optical fiber coupler

Abstract

The invention discloses a packaging method of an optical fiber coupler, which comprises the following steps of: placing a coupling area in a groove on a substrate, and bonding an optical fiber with a placing groove of the substrate; the substrate penetrates into the heat shrink tube and is fixed by heat shrink, and two ends are sealed by first glue; second glue is laid on the surface of the heat shrink tube, and then the heat shrink tube penetrates into the protective round tube and is bonded; the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are sleeved with a blocking circular tube and arranged in a protective circular tube, and third glue is injected between the optical fibers and the blocking circular tube and between the blocking circular tube and the protective circular tube for sealing and bonding. Wherein the first glue is preferably ultraviolet glue, the second glue is preferably thermocuring glue, the third glue is preferably 353ND glue, and the substrate, the protective round tube and the blocking round tube are preferably made of quartz. The plugging circular tube and the heat shrink tube are arranged at intervals so that stress can be dispersed, the cross section of the placing groove is U-shaped or V-shaped, and the length of the plugging tube is 3 mm. According to the method, the plugging circular pipe is used for replacing part of a traditional structure, the glue amount is reduced, the sealing performance and the moisture resistance are enhanced, and the external tension resistance and the stress resistance are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical communication devices, and in particular to a packaging method for an optical fiber coupler. Background Art

[0002] Fiber optic coupler: also known as optical splitter / divider, is an optical passive device that combines two or more optical fibers together and fuses them to reach a set splitting ratio. It is widely used in telecommunication networks, cable TV networks, fiber optic sensing and other fields. After the fusion taper of the optical fiber is completed, the coupling area needs to be encapsulated and protected to ensure the stability of product parameters.

[0003] At present, conventional fiber coupler packaging uses a quartz substrate to fix the coupler coupling area, and the combination of the quartz substrate and the coupler coupling area is inserted into a quartz tube, and the quartz tube is used to seal and protect the coupling area. The coupler coupling area realizes the light splitting function, and the coupler coupling area is fixed to the quartz substrate by a layer of packaging glue, and the two ends of the quartz tube are sealed by two layers of packaging glue. However, since the wall of the quartz tube is relatively thin, and the end of the quartz tube is in direct contact with the two layers of packaging glue, if a glue with high hardness is selected, the quartz tube will break when it expands and contracts, so only a medium hardness glue can be selected for the second layer of packaging. However, this leads to some problems. In terms of moisture resistance, because the molecular gap of the medium hardness glue is relatively large, water molecules can easily penetrate into the inside of the device, which limits the moisture resistance; in terms of external tensile resistance, the stability of the medium hardness glue when subjected to force is not as good as that of the glue with high hardness, thereby affecting the overall external tensile resistance of the fiber coupler.

[0004] Therefore, the existing fiber optic coupler packaging method has limitations in the choice of glue, which in turn affects the performance of the fiber optic coupler in terms of moisture resistance and external tension resistance. It is necessary to explore new packaging methods to improve this situation. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging method for an optical fiber coupler to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art and improve the overall moisture resistance of the optical fiber coupler.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0007] The present invention provides a packaging method for an optical fiber coupler, comprising the following steps:

[0008] S1. After the coupling area is manufactured, the coupling area is placed in a groove of a substrate, wherein the substrate is provided with placement grooves corresponding to the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, respectively, and the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are bonded to the corresponding placement grooves respectively;

[0009] S2, inserting the substrate into a heat shrink tube, so that the heat shrink tube wraps the substrate, and the coupling area, part of the input optical fiber and part of the output optical fiber are located in the heat shrink tube;

[0010] S3, heat shrinking and fixing the heat shrinkable tube, and after the heat shrinkable tube is completely shrunk, sealing the two ends of the heat shrinkable tube with the first glue respectively;

[0011] S4, applying a second glue on the surface of the heat shrink tube;

[0012] S5, inserting the heat shrink tube into the protective round tube, so that the heat shrink tube is bonded to the protective round tube through the second glue;

[0013] S6. A plugging tube is respectively installed on the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, and the two plugging tubes are respectively located in the protective tube, one of the plugging tubes is located at one end of the protective tube, and the other of the plugging tubes is located at the other end of the protective tube;

[0014] S7. Inject the third glue between the input optical fiber and the inner wall of the corresponding sealing circular tube, between the output optical fiber and the corresponding sealing circular tube, and between the outer wall of each sealing circular tube and the inner wall of the protective circular tube, so that the input optical fiber is sealed and bonded to the corresponding sealing circular tube, the output optical fiber is sealed and bonded to the corresponding sealing circular tube, and each sealing circular tube is sealed and bonded to the protective circular tube.

[0015] Preferably, the first glue is ultraviolet glue.

[0016] Preferably, the second glue is a thermosetting glue.

[0017] Preferably, in step S5, after the heat shrink tube is inserted into the protective round tube, the protective round tube is heated to melt the second glue, and then the protective round tube is cooled so that the heat shrink tube is bonded to the protective round tube through the second glue.

[0018] Preferably, the third glue is 353ND glue.

[0019] Preferably, the material of the substrate is quartz.

[0020] Preferably, there is a gap between each of the sealing circular tubes and the heat shrink tube.

[0021] Preferably, the material of the protective circular tube and the material of the sealing circular tube are both quartz.

[0022] Preferably, the length of the sealing circular tube is 3 mm.

[0023] Preferably, the cross-section of the placement groove is U-shaped or V-shaped; one end of each of the placement grooves is connected to the groove; and the groove is located between two of the placement grooves.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects:

[0025] The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler of the present invention uses a plugging round tube to replace most of the second-layer packaging glue in part of the traditional packaging structure, and injects a third glue into the gap between the plugging round tube and the protective round tube, and between the optical fiber and the plugging round tube, so as to achieve a good sealing effect on the optical fiber coupler. This sealing method not only reduces the amount of glue, but also avoids the problem of the second-layer glue causing the quartz round tube to crack due to the large amount of glue, and the third glue can use a glue with a relatively high hardness, thereby improving the sealing performance and enhancing the moisture resistance of the optical fiber coupler.

[0026] Furthermore, the packaging method of the optical fiber coupler of the present invention provides additional protection for the coupling area of ​​the coupler by sheathing a heat shrink tube on the outside of the substrate. The size of the heat shrink tube is carefully designed to fit the substrate tightly, effectively preventing damage to the cone area by external factors, and improving the reliability and stability of the coupler.

[0027] Furthermore, after the heat shrink tube is fixed by heat shrinkage, the two ends are sealed with ultraviolet glue, which further enhances the overall sealing and prevents moisture and other impurities from entering the interior of the coupler and affecting its performance.

[0028] Furthermore, the packaging method of the optical fiber coupler of the present invention effectively improves the resistance of the optical fiber coupler to external tensile force by combining the heat shrink tube, the protective round tube and the plugging round tube, and using 353ND glue with better hardness and bonding strength. This structure can better withstand external tensile force and reduce damage to the coupler caused by external force.

[0029] Furthermore, the heat shrink tube and the protective round tube are well bonded together, further enhancing the stability and tensile resistance of the overall structure.

[0030] Furthermore, each step in the packaging method of the optical fiber coupler of the present invention is easy to implement, does not require complicated equipment and processes, and improves production efficiency.

[0031] The optical fiber coupler packaging method of the present invention effectively improves the moisture resistance and tensile strength of the product, strengthens the protection of the coupler cone area, improves the sealing performance, and is simple and convenient to operate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0033] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a packaging method of an optical fiber coupler of the present invention;

[0034] In the figure: 1. substrate; 2. heat shrink tube; 3. first glue; 4. second glue; 5. protective round tube; 6. sealing round tube; 7. third glue. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging method for an optical fiber coupler to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art and improve the overall moisture resistance of the optical fiber coupler.

[0037] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a packaging method for an optical fiber coupler, comprising the following steps:

[0039] S1. After the coupling area is manufactured, the coupling area is placed in the groove of the substrate 1. The substrate 1 is provided with placement grooves corresponding to the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, and the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are bonded to the corresponding placement grooves respectively;

[0040] S2, inserting the substrate 1 into a heat shrink tube 2, so that the heat shrink tube 2 wraps the substrate 1, and the coupling area, part of the input optical fiber and part of the output optical fiber are located in the heat shrink tube 2;

[0041] S3, heat shrinking and fixing the heat shrinkable tube 2, and after the heat shrinkable tube 2 is completely shrunk, sealing the two ends of the heat shrinkable tube 2 with the first glue 3 respectively;

[0042] S4, applying the second glue 4 on the surface of the heat shrink tube 2;

[0043] S5, insert the heat shrink tube 2 into the protective round tube 5, so that the heat shrink tube 2 is bonded to the protective round tube 5 through the second glue 4;

[0044] S6. A plugging tube 6 is respectively installed on the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, and the two plugging tubes 6 are respectively located in the protective tube 5, one plugging tube 6 is located at one end of the protective tube 5, and the other plugging tube 6 is located at the other end of the protective tube 5;

[0045] S7. Inject the third glue 7 between the input optical fiber and the inner wall of the corresponding sealing circular tube 6, between the output optical fiber and the corresponding sealing circular tube 6, and between the outer wall of each sealing circular tube 6 and the inner wall of the protective circular tube 5, so that the input optical fiber is sealed and bonded to the corresponding sealing circular tube 6, the output optical fiber is sealed and bonded to the corresponding sealing circular tube 6, and each sealing circular tube 6 is sealed and bonded to the protective circular tube 5.

[0046] The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler of this embodiment uses a plugging tube 6 to replace most of the second-layer packaging glue in part of the traditional packaging structure, and injects a third glue 7 into the gap between the plugging tube 6 and the protective tube 5 and between the optical fiber and the plugging tube 6, thereby achieving a good sealing effect on the optical fiber coupler. This sealing method not only reduces the amount of glue, but also avoids the problem of the second-layer glue causing the quartz tube to crack due to the large amount of glue, and the third glue 7 can use a glue with a relatively high hardness, thereby improving the sealing performance and enhancing the moisture resistance of the optical fiber coupler.

[0047] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the first glue 3 is ultraviolet glue; the ultraviolet glue is used to seal the two ends of the heat shrink tube 2, which further enhances the overall sealing and prevents moisture and other impurities from entering the coupler and affecting its performance.

[0048] In the optional scheme of the present embodiment, it is more preferred that the second glue 4 adopts a thermosetting glue; in the optional scheme of the present embodiment, it is more preferred that in step S5, after the heat shrink tube 2 is inserted into the protective circular tube 5, the protective circular tube 5 is heated to melt the second glue 4, and then the protective circular tube 5 is cooled, so that the heat shrink tube 2 is bonded to the protective circular tube 5 through the second glue 4; the heat shrink tube 2 is well bonded to the protective circular tube 5 through the hot melt adhesive, which further enhances the stability and tensile resistance of the overall structure.

[0049] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the third glue 7 uses 353ND glue. Through the combination of the heat shrink tube 2, the protective tube 5 and the plugging tube 6, and the use of 353ND glue with better hardness and bonding strength, the external tensile force resistance of the optical fiber coupler is effectively improved. This structure can better withstand the external tensile force and reduce the damage to the coupler caused by external force.

[0050] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the material of the substrate 1, the material of the protective tube 5 and the material of the sealing tube 6 are all quartz; in actual applications, in addition to quartz, technicians can also choose other materials to make the substrate 1, the protective tube 5 and the sealing tube 6 according to actual needs.

[0051] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that there is a gap between each plugging round tube 6 and the heat shrink tube 2; when the plugging round tube 6 is in direct contact with the heat shrink tube 2, it is easy to generate stress concentration at the contact part under the action of external stress (such as tension, pressure, etc.); and the gap between the plugging round tube 6 and the heat shrink tube 2 can effectively disperse the stress and make the stress more evenly distributed in the entire packaging structure. In this way, the risk of damage to the packaging structure caused by excessive local stress can be reduced, and the ability of the optical fiber coupler to resist external stress can be improved.

[0052] In the optional solution of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the length of the sealing circular tube 6 is 3 mm.

[0053] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the cross-section of the placement groove is U-shaped or V-shaped, so as to facilitate fixing the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber in the placement groove; one end of each placement groove is connected to the groove; and the groove is located between the two placement grooves.

[0054] The present invention uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only used to help understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A packaging method for an optical fiber coupler, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. After the coupling area is manufactured, the coupling area is placed in a groove of a substrate, wherein the substrate is provided with placement grooves corresponding to the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, respectively, and the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are bonded to the corresponding placement grooves respectively; S2, inserting the substrate into a heat shrink tube, so that the heat shrink tube wraps the substrate, and the coupling area, part of the input optical fiber and part of the output optical fiber are located in the heat shrink tube; S3, heat shrinking and fixing the heat shrinkable tube, and after the heat shrinkable tube is completely shrunk, sealing the two ends of the heat shrinkable tube with the first glue respectively; S4, applying a second glue on the surface of the heat shrink tube; S5, inserting the heat shrink tube into the protective round tube, so that the heat shrink tube is bonded to the protective round tube through the second glue; S6. A plugging tube is respectively installed on the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, and the two plugging tubes are respectively located in the protective tube, one of the plugging tubes is located at one end of the protective tube, and the other of the plugging tubes is located at the other end of the protective tube; S7. Inject the third glue between the input optical fiber and the inner wall of the corresponding sealing circular tube, between the output optical fiber and the corresponding sealing circular tube, and between the outer wall of each sealing circular tube and the inner wall of the protective circular tube, so that the input optical fiber is sealed and bonded to the corresponding sealing circular tube, the output optical fiber is sealed and bonded to the corresponding sealing circular tube, and each sealing circular tube is sealed and bonded to the protective circular tube.

2. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first glue is ultraviolet glue.

3. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second glue is a heat-curing glue.

4. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step S5, after the heat shrink tube is inserted into the protective round tube, the protective round tube is heated to melt the second glue, and then the protective round tube is cooled so that the heat shrink tube is bonded to the protective round tube through the second glue.

5. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third glue is 353ND glue.

6. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the substrate is quartz.

7. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a gap between each of the sealing round tubes and the heat shrink tube.

8. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the protective round tube and the material of the sealing round tube are both quartz.

9. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the blocking circular tube is 3 mm.

10. The packaging method of the optical fiber coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the placement groove is U-shaped or V-shaped; one end of each of the placement grooves is connected to the groove; and the groove is located between two of the placement grooves.

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