Welding coating device and method for optical fiber end cap

Abstract

The invention discloses a welding coating device and method for an optical fiber end cap, and belongs to the technical field of optical communication. The welding and coating device comprises a base, an end cap clamping module, an optical fiber clamping module, a welding module and a coating module. A support is arranged on the base, the end cap clamping module is used for clamping an end cap, the welding module is used for welding the end cap and an optical fiber, and the optical fiber clamping module is used for clamping the optical fiber; the coating module comprises two coating blocks, each coating block is provided with a groove, inflatable sealing rubber rings are inserted into the two coating blocks so as to clamp an optical fiber after being inflated, an ultraviolet lamp and a transparent partition plate are inserted into at least one coating block, each coating block is provided with a plurality of glue injection holes and a plurality of vacuum adsorption holes, and each glue injection hole is communicated with the corresponding groove. According to the welding and coating device for the optical fiber end cap provided by the embodiment of the invention, the welding of the end cap and the optical fiber can be realized, and the welding point and the bare optical fiber part of the welded optical fiber end cap can be conveniently coated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of optical communication, and in particular relates to a fusion coating device and method for an optical fiber end cap. Background Art

[0002] Fiber end caps are high-power devices designed for processing the output end faces of high-power fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers. They reduce the optical power density at the output end by expanding the output beam. Fiber end caps are usually made by fusing an end cap (quartz material) larger than the fiber to the end face of the fiber, and performing an anti-reflection film treatment on the output face of the end cap to achieve safe output of high-power fiber lasers. The most core process in the production of fiber end caps is to fuse the fiber with the outer cladding removed at one end to the end cap.

[0003] However, existing optical fiber end caps often need to implement high-frequency, large-range deflection under the action of a motion mechanism after fusion splicing, which causes the optical fiber end caps to be easily damaged or even broken at the melting point and bare optical fiber part, ultimately causing damage to the optical fiber end caps. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present invention provides a fusion coating device and method for optical fiber end caps, the purpose of which is not only to achieve fusion splicing of the end cap and the optical fiber, but also to achieve convenient coating of the melting point and the bare optical fiber part of the optical fiber end cap after fusion splicing, so as to avoid the problem that the optical fiber end cap is easily damaged at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part when high-frequency and large-range deflection is implemented after the end cap is fused.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap, the fusion coating device comprising a base, an end cap clamping module, an optical fiber clamping module, a fusion module and a coating module;

[0006] The base is provided with a bracket, the end cap clamping module is located on the base, the end cap clamping module is used to clamp the end cap, the fusion module and the optical fiber clamping module are located on the bracket, the fusion module is used to fuse the end cap and the optical fiber, the optical fiber clamping module is located above the end cap clamping module, the optical fiber clamping module can be raised and lowered along the bracket, and the optical fiber clamping module is used to clamp the optical fiber;

[0007] The coating module includes two detachably connected coating blocks, one of which is slidably arranged on the bracket in the horizontal direction and can be lifted and lowered along the bracket, each of which has a groove that is arranged in the vertical direction so that the two grooves form glue holes that can penetrate the optical fiber and inject glue, and inflatable sealing rubber rings are detachably inserted above the corresponding glue holes on the two coating blocks to clamp the optical fiber after inflation, and an ultraviolet lamp and a transparent partition are sequentially inserted from the outside to the inside on one side of at least one coating block facing the groove to isolate the ultraviolet lamp and the groove, each of which has a plurality of glue injection holes and a plurality of vacuum adsorption holes, each of which is connected to the corresponding groove, and one end of the plurality of vacuum adsorption holes faces the base to adsorb the top surface of the rear end cap of the fusion splicing.

[0008] Optionally, the end cap clamping module comprises an adjustment plate and a plurality of clamping units for clamping the end caps, the adjustment plate is movably arranged on the base along a horizontal direction, and the plurality of clamping units are located on the adjustment plate.

[0009] Optionally, each clamping unit includes a movable block and a clamping plate, one end of the clamping plate extends out of the movable block, and the other end of the clamping plate is movably inserted into the movable block to swing and rise and fall relative to the movable block, and a plurality of the clamping plates are used to clamp end caps.

[0010] Optionally, the optical fiber clamping module includes a mounting plate and a movable plate, the mounting plate can be raised and lowered along the bracket, the mounting plate is provided with an optical fiber positioning groove, and the movable plate can be movably disposed on the mounting plate to clamp the light in the optical fiber positioning groove.

[0011] Optionally, the bottom of the mounting plate has a plurality of guide rods arranged at intervals, and the top of a coating block has a plurality of guide grooves arranged at intervals, each of the guide rods and the guide grooves are arranged vertically, and one end of each guide rod can be slidably inserted in the corresponding guide groove.

[0012] Optionally, the welding and coating device further comprises an observation module, wherein the observation module comprises a microscope and a mounting frame, wherein the microscope is arranged on the mounting frame in a liftable manner, and the mounting frame is located on the base.

[0013] Optionally, the base is provided with a guide rail, and the mounting bracket can be slidably inserted into the guide rail to adjust the position of the mounting bracket on the base.

[0014] Optionally, a transparent glass is inserted on the other coating block, one side of the transparent glass extends out of the coating block, and the other side of the transparent glass is inserted into the groove.

[0015] Optionally, a tension sensor is provided on the optical fiber clamping module to monitor the tension applied to the optical fiber clamping module.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a fusion coating method for an optical fiber end cap, the fusion coating method is based on the fusion coating device described in the first aspect, and the fusion coating method comprises:

[0017] Removing the outer cladding at one end of the optical fiber, and clamping the end cap and the other end of the optical fiber respectively by the end cap clamping module and the optical fiber clamping module;

[0018] Slide the optical fiber clamping module downward so that one end of the optical fiber contacts the end cap, and use a fusion splicing module to fusion splice the end cap and one end of the optical fiber to obtain an optical fiber end cap;

[0019] Move one of the coating blocks horizontally on the bracket so that the optical fiber passes through the corresponding groove, install another coating block on one of the coating blocks, and slide the two coating blocks downward until they are moved above the end cap after fusion;

[0020] Inserting an inflatable sealing rubber ring, and inflating the inflatable sealing rubber ring until the optical fiber is clamped, and then releasing the clamping of the optical fiber by the optical fiber clamping module;

[0021] The fused end cap is sucked upward through the vacuum suction hole, and the inflatable sealing rubber ring is gradually deflated at the same time, until the end cap is sucked onto the coating block so that the inflatable sealing rubber ring is re-inflated to clamp the optical fiber;

[0022] Glue is injected into the glue injection hole, and the glue is irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp to solidify the glue, thereby achieving coating of the optical fiber end cap at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part.

[0023] The above-mentioned improved technical features can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0024] In general, compared with the prior art, the above technical solution conceived by the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] For a fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, when fusion splicing, first, remove the outer cladding at one end of the optical fiber, and clamp the end cap and the other end of the optical fiber respectively by the end cap clamping module and the optical fiber clamping module. Then, slide the optical fiber clamping module downward so that one end of the optical fiber contacts the end cap, and fusion splice the end cap and one end of the optical fiber through the fusion splicing module, so as to obtain the optical fiber end cap by fusion splicing. At this time, the length above the top surface of the rear end cap after fusion splicing is the melting point and the bare optical fiber part.

[0026] On the other hand, for coating (i.e. coating the optical fiber end cap), first, a coating block is moved horizontally on the bracket so that the optical fiber passes through the corresponding groove, and another coating block is installed on one coating block. At this time, the optical fiber passes through the glue hole and is spaced from the inner wall of the glue hole. And slide the two coating blocks downward until they move to the top of the end cap after fusion. At this time, there is a small gap between the top surface of the end cap after fusion and the two coating blocks, ensuring that the subsequent coating blocks can adsorb and move the end cap after fusion. Next, insert the inflatable sealing rubber ring, and inflate the inflatable sealing rubber ring until the optical fiber is clamped, so as to achieve the clamping and fixing of the optical fiber through the inflatable sealing rubber ring. Then release the clamping of the optical fiber by the optical fiber clamping module, and at this time the optical fiber is only fixed by the inflatable sealing rubber ring. Then, the end cap after fusion is adsorbed upward through the vacuum adsorption hole, and the inflatable sealing rubber ring is gradually deflated at the same time. At this time, the end cap can be moved toward the coating block by adsorption (the end cap moves up while the optical fiber moves up), and the entire optical fiber end cap is considered to be in a fixed critical state. Until the end cap is adsorbed onto the coating block, the inflatable sealing rubber ring is re-inflated to clamp the optical fiber, so that the top surface of the end cap after fusion is adsorbed on the bottom surface of the coating block (i.e., the adsorption surface) to achieve sealing, and the optical fiber (non-exposed part) is fixed and sealed by the inflatable sealing rubber ring. At this time, under the joint action of the adsorption surface, the upper and lower sealing of the inflatable sealing rubber ring and the circumferential surrounding of the melting point and the bare optical fiber part by the two coating blocks, the optical fiber end cap is completely sealed at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part. Finally, glue is injected into the glue injection hole, and the glue is irradiated with ultraviolet light and solidified, so that the optical fiber end cap forms a coating layer at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part, thereby finally realizing the protection of the melting point and the bare optical fiber part, avoiding the problem that the optical fiber end cap is easily damaged at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part when implementing high-frequency and large-range deflection after the end cap is fused.

[0027] That is to say, the fusion coating device for optical fiber end caps provided in the embodiment of the present invention can not only realize the fusion splicing of the end cap and the optical fiber, but also realize convenient coating of the melting point and the bare optical fiber part of the optical fiber end cap after fusion splicing, thereby avoiding the problem that the optical fiber end cap is easily damaged at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part when high-frequency and large-range deflection is implemented after the end cap is fused. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a coating block provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is a first view of another coating block provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4is a second view of another coating block provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an end cap clamping module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical fiber clamping module provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 It is a flow chart of a fusion coating method for an optical fiber end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In all the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same technical features, specifically:

[0036] 1. Base; 11. Bracket; 2. End cap clamping module; 21. Adjustment plate; 211. Slide rail; 22. Clamping unit; 221. Movable block; 222. Clamping plate; 3. Fiber clamping module; 31. Mounting plate; 311. Fiber positioning groove; 312. Guide rod; 32. Movable plate; 4. Fusion module; 5. Coating module; 51. Coating block; 511. Groove; 512. Inflatable sealing rubber ring; 513. Ultraviolet lamp; 514. Glue injection hole; 515. Vacuum adsorption hole; 516. Guide groove; 517. Transparent glass; 518. Rubber pad; 6. Observation module; 61. Microscope; 62. Mounting frame; 63. Guide rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0039] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0040] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0042] Example:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the fusion splicing and coating device includes a base 1, an end cap clamping module 2, an optical fiber clamping module 3, a fusion splicing module 4 and a coating module 5.

[0044] The base 1 has a bracket 11, and an end cap clamping module 2 is located on the base 1. The end cap clamping module 2 is used to clamp the end cap. The fusion module 4 and the optical fiber clamping module 3 are located on the bracket 11. The fusion module 4 is used to fuse the end cap and the optical fiber. The optical fiber clamping module 3 is located above the end cap clamping module 2. The optical fiber clamping module 3 can be raised and lowered along the bracket 11, and the optical fiber clamping module 3 is used to clamp the optical fiber.

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a coating block provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a first view of another coating block provided by an embodiment of the present invention, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the coating module 5 includes two detachably connected coating blocks 51, one coating block 51 is slidably arranged on the bracket 11 in the horizontal direction and can be raised and lowered along the bracket 11, each coating block 51 has a groove 511 arranged in the vertical direction, so that the two grooves 511 form glue holes that can penetrate the optical fiber and inject glue, and an inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is detachably inserted above the corresponding glue holes on the two coating blocks 51 to clamp the optical fiber after inflation, and a UV lamp 513 and a transparent partition (not shown) are sequentially inserted from the outside to the inside on one side facing the groove 511 of at least one coating block 51 to isolate the UV lamp 513 and the groove 511, and each coating block 51 has a plurality of glue injection holes 514 and a plurality of vacuum adsorption holes 515, each glue injection hole 514 is connected to the corresponding groove 511, and one end of the plurality of vacuum adsorption holes 515 faces the base 1 to adsorb the top surface of the rear end cap of the fusion.

[0046] For a fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, for fusion splicing, first, remove the outer cladding at one end of the optical fiber, and clamp the end cap and the other end of the optical fiber respectively by the end cap clamping module 2 and the optical fiber clamping module 3. Then, slide the optical fiber clamping module 3 downward so that one end of the optical fiber contacts the end cap, and fusion splice the end cap and one end of the optical fiber by the fusion splicing module 4, so as to obtain the optical fiber end cap by fusion splicing. At this time, the length above the top surface of the rear end cap after fusion splicing is the melting point and the bare optical fiber part.

[0047] On the other hand, for coating (i.e. coating the optical fiber end cap), first, move a coating block 51 horizontally on the bracket 11 so that the optical fiber passes through the corresponding groove 511, and install another coating block 51 on one coating block 51. At this time, the optical fiber passes through the glue hole and is spaced from the inner wall of the glue hole. Slide the two coating blocks 51 downward until they are moved above the end cap after fusion. At this time, there is a small gap (usually 0.1-0.5mm) between the top surface of the end cap after fusion and the two coating blocks 51, ensuring that the subsequent coating block 51 can adsorb and move the end cap after fusion. Next, insert the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512, and inflate the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 until the optical fiber is clamped, so that the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 can clamp the optical fiber. Then release the clamping of the optical fiber by the optical fiber clamping module 3. At this time, the optical fiber is only fixed by the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512. Then, the fused end cap is sucked upward through the vacuum suction hole 515, and the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is gradually deflated at the same time. At this time, the end cap can be moved toward the coating block 51 by suction (the end cap moves upward while the optical fiber moves upward), and the entire optical fiber end cap is considered to be in a fixed critical state. And until the end cap is sucked onto the coating block 51, the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is re-inflated to clamp the optical fiber, so that the top surface of the fused end cap is sucked on the bottom surface (i.e., the suction surface) of the coating block 51 to achieve sealing, and the optical fiber (non-exposed part) is fixed and sealed by the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512. At this time, under the combined effect of the suction surface, the upper and lower sealing of the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 and the circumferential surrounding of the melting point and the bare optical fiber part by the two coating blocks 51, the optical fiber end cap is completely sealed at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part. Finally, glue is injected into the glue injection hole 514, and the glue is irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp 513 to solidify the glue, so that a coating layer is formed at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part of the optical fiber end cap, thereby finally protecting the melting point and the bare optical fiber part, and avoiding the problem that the optical fiber end cap is easily damaged at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part when high-frequency and large-range deflection is implemented after the end cap is fused.

[0048] That is to say, the fusion coating device for optical fiber end caps provided in the embodiment of the present invention can not only realize the fusion splicing of the end cap and the optical fiber, but also realize convenient coating of the melting point and the bare optical fiber part of the optical fiber end cap after fusion splicing, thereby avoiding the problem that the optical fiber end cap is easily damaged at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part when high-frequency and large-range deflection is implemented after the end cap is fused.

[0049] It should be noted that in the vertical direction, the length of the two coating blocks 51 is greater than the length of the fiber end cap at the melting point and the bare fiber portion, so that the top of the coating block 51 can completely surround the bare fiber portion. The glue can be ultraviolet optical glue, which can be cured under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamp 513.

[0050] Exemplarily, after the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is inflated, the inner ring expands to fix the optical fiber, and the outer ring expands to contact the pressure sensor, which is used to obtain feedback and adjust the inflation uniformity, the inner ring fixation condition, etc. in the pressure sensor signal.

[0051] It is easy to understand that before the two coating blocks 51 surround the melting point and bare fiber part of the optical fiber end cap, one coating block 51 is misaligned with the optical fiber and the end cap in the horizontal direction to prevent the coating block 51 from interfering with the fusion splicing of the end cap and the optical fiber by the fusion splicing module 4. After the fusion splicing is completed, one coating block 51 is horizontally moved on the bracket 11 until the optical fiber passes through the corresponding groove 511, and another coating block 51 is installed on this basis, so that the optical fiber end cap can be surrounded at the melting point and the bare fiber part in the circumferential direction.

[0052] Exemplarily, the fusion splicing module 4 may be an orthogonal CO2 laser device, the end cap may be a QBH quartz end cap, and the optical fiber may be a 20 / 400 optical fiber.

[0053] For example, the bracket 11 is provided with an X-axis slide rail and a Z-axis slide rail, and one end of the X-axis slide rail is connected to the Z-axis slide rail, and a coating block 51 can be slid in the horizontal direction through the X-axis slide rail, and a coating block 51 can be lifted and lowered through the Z-axis slide rail. When welding, a coating block 51 retreats to a position through the X-axis slide rail. When coating is required, a coating block 51 slides to the Z-axis slide rail through the X-axis slide rail to slide out, and then is lifted and lowered in the vertical direction through the Z-axis slide rail.

[0054] In addition, the bottom of the groove 511 is a trumpet-shaped structure, so that the width of the adhesive layer after coating can be increased in the horizontal direction, thereby increasing the coating effect.

[0055] Exemplarily, the transparent partition may be quartz glass.

[0056] Figure 4 is a second view of another coating block provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the bottom of another coating block 51 has a positioning groove, in which a rubber pad 518 is inserted, and the rubber pad 518 has multiple through holes, each of which is connected to the corresponding vacuum adsorption hole 515. The elasticity of the rubber pad 518 can ensure that the welded end cap and the rubber pad 518 can be parallel during subsequent adsorption, thereby ensuring the adsorption effect and avoiding air leakage. Similarly, a rubber pad 518 is also provided on one coating block 51.

[0057] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the end cap clamping module provided in an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5As shown, in one implementation of the present invention, the end cap clamping module 2 includes an adjustment plate 21 and a plurality of clamping units 22 for clamping the end caps. The adjustment plate 21 is movably arranged on the base 1 along a horizontal direction, and the plurality of clamping units 22 are located on the adjustment plate 21 .

[0058] In the above embodiment, the adjustment plate 21 can be brought to the multiple clamping units 22 on the base 1 to move, thereby adjusting the position of the end cap in the horizontal direction to ensure that the end cap and the optical fiber can be initially aligned, which is regarded as a rough adjustment.

[0059] For example, the number of the clamping units 22 may be four.

[0060] Furthermore, each clamping unit 22 includes a movable block 221 and a clamping plate 222, one end of the clamping plate 222 extends out of the movable block 221, and the other end of the clamping plate 222 is movably inserted into the movable block 221 to swing and rise and fall relative to the movable block 221, and multiple clamping plates 222 are used to clamp end caps.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the movable block 221 supports the clamping plate 222, and the clamping plate 222 can swing and rotate relative to the movable block 221, so as to adjust the height and inclination of the clamping plate 222, accurately adjust the end cap, and achieve precise alignment of the end cap and the optical fiber, which is regarded as fine adjustment.

[0062] Exemplarily, the adjustment plate 21 has a cross-shaped slide rail 211, and four movable plates 32 are respectively arranged on the corresponding slide rails 211 to achieve the gathering and separation of multiple clamping plates 222, thereby facilitating the loading and unloading of end caps, and at the same time, the clamping of end caps of different sizes can be achieved.

[0063] In addition, the bottom end of the clamping plate 222 can be driven by movably arranged gears or rollers inside the movable block 221 to achieve lifting and deflection.

[0064] In another implementation of the present invention, the end cap clamping module 2 may also be a six-axis platform, which is not limited by the present invention.

[0065] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optical fiber clamping module provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 6 As shown, the optical fiber clamping module 3 includes a mounting plate 31 and a movable plate 32. The mounting plate 31 can be raised and lowered along the bracket 11. The mounting plate 31 is provided with an optical fiber positioning groove 311. The movable plate 32 can be movably arranged on the mounting plate 31 to clamp the light in the optical fiber positioning groove 311.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the optical fiber positioning groove 311 on the mounting plate 31 can realize the positioning of the optical fiber, and the movable plate 32 can conveniently clamp the optical fiber.

[0067] Exemplarily, one side of the movable plate 32 is hinged to the mounting plate 31 , and the other end of the movable plate 32 is electromagnetically coupled to the movable plate 32 .

[0068] Furthermore, the bottom of the mounting plate 31 has a plurality of guide rods 312 arranged at intervals, and the top of a coating block 51 has a plurality of guide grooves 516 arranged at intervals. Each guide rod 312 and guide groove 516 is arranged vertically, and one end of each guide rod 312 can be slidably inserted in the corresponding guide groove 516.

[0069] It is easy to understand that, through the cooperation of the guide rod 312 and the guide groove 516, the two coating blocks 51 and the mounting plate 31 can be precisely positioned vertically to ensure the vertical arrangement of the optical fiber and avoid horizontal misalignment of the two to cause lateral stress on the optical fiber.

[0070] See again Figure 1 The welding and coating device further includes an observation module 6 , which includes a microscope 61 and a mounting frame 62 . The microscope 61 is liftably arranged on the mounting frame 62 , and the mounting frame 62 is located on the base 1 .

[0071] In the above embodiment, the mounting frame 62 supports and elevates the microscope 61, and the microscope 61 can observe the height difference and alignment of the optical fiber and the end cap, so as to facilitate the installation or adjustment of the optical fiber and the end cap.

[0072] Furthermore, the base 1 has a guide rail 63, and the mounting frame 62 can be slidably inserted in the guide rail 63 to adjust the position of the mounting frame 62 on the base 1. This can not only adjust the distance between the mounting frame 62 and the bracket 11, but also prevent the mounting frame 62 from interfering with the installation of the optical fiber or the end cap.

[0073] In this embodiment, a transparent glass 517 is inserted on another coating block 51, one side of the transparent glass 517 extends out of the coating block 51, and the other side of the transparent glass 517 is inserted into the groove 511. The curing condition of the glue in the glue hole can be observed through the transparent glass 517.

[0074] In addition, a tension sensor is provided on the optical fiber clamping module 3 to monitor the tension applied to the optical fiber clamping module 3 .

[0075] It is easy to understand that the tension sensor is pulled by an external tension, and the tension sensor can directly read and determine the tension transmitted to the optical fiber clamping module 3, thereby realizing the judgment of the welding strength after welding.

[0076] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method for fusion coating of an optical fiber end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 7As shown, the welding coating method is based on the above-mentioned welding coating device, and the welding coating method includes:

[0077] S1. Remove the outer cladding at one end of the optical fiber, and clamp the end cap and the other end of the optical fiber respectively by using the end cap clamping module 2 and the optical fiber clamping module 3.

[0078] Exemplarily, the exposed length of one end of the optical fiber may be 15 mm.

[0079] S2. Slide the optical fiber clamping module 3 downward to make one end of the optical fiber contact the end cap, and use the fusion splicing module 4 to fusion splice the end cap and one end of the optical fiber to obtain the optical fiber end cap.

[0080] S3, horizontally move a coating block 51 on the bracket 11 so that the optical fiber passes through the corresponding groove 511, and install another coating block 51 on one coating block 51, and slide the two coating blocks 51 downward until they move to above the end cap after fusion.

[0081] S4, insert the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512, and inflate the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 until the optical fiber is clamped, and then release the clamping of the optical fiber clamping module 3 on the optical fiber.

[0082] S5. The fused end cap is sucked upward through the vacuum suction hole 515, and the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is gradually deflated at the same time, until the end cap is sucked onto the coating block 51 so that the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is re-inflated to clamp the optical fiber.

[0083] S6. Glue is injected into the glue injection hole 514, and the glue is irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp 513 to solidify the glue, thereby coating the optical fiber end cap at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part.

[0084] The embodiment of the present invention provides a fusion coating method for optical fiber end caps, which can not only realize the fusion of end caps and optical fibers, but also realize convenient coating of the melting point and bare optical fiber parts of the optical fiber end caps after fusion, thereby avoiding the problem that the melting point and bare optical fiber parts of the optical fiber end caps are easily damaged when high-frequency and large-range deflections are implemented after the end caps are fused.

[0085] It should be noted that after the coating is completed, the adsorption of the end cap is released, the inflatable sealing rubber ring 512 is deflated, and the two coating blocks 51 are separated, and the coated optical fiber end cap is removed.

[0086] It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap, characterized in that: The fusion coating device comprises a base (1), an end cap clamping module (2), an optical fiber clamping module (3), a fusion module (4) and a coating module (5); The base (1) is provided with a bracket (11), the end cap clamping module (2) is located on the base (1), the end cap clamping module (2) is used to clamp the end cap, the fusion module (4) and the optical fiber clamping module (3) are located on the bracket (11), the fusion module (4) is used to fusion-join the end cap and the optical fiber, the optical fiber clamping module (3) is located above the end cap clamping module (2), the optical fiber clamping module (3) can be raised and lowered along the bracket (11), and the optical fiber clamping module (3) is used to clamp the optical fiber; The coating module (5) comprises two detachably connected coating blocks (51), one of the coating blocks (51) being slidably arranged on the bracket (11) in the horizontal direction and being able to rise and fall along the bracket (11), each of the coating blocks (51) being provided with a groove (511) penetrating in the vertical direction, so that the two grooves (511) form a glue hole through which the optical fiber can pass and into which glue can be injected, and an inflatable sealing rubber ring (512) is detachably inserted above the corresponding glue hole on the two coating blocks (51) so as to clamp the optical fiber after inflation. An optical fiber, wherein a UV lamp (513) and a transparent partition are sequentially inserted from the outside to the inside on a side of at least one coating block (51) facing the groove (511) so as to isolate the UV lamp (513) and the groove (511), and each coating block (51) has a plurality of glue injection holes (514) and a plurality of vacuum adsorption holes (515), each of the glue injection holes (514) is connected to the corresponding groove (511), and one end of the plurality of vacuum adsorption holes (515) faces the base (1) so as to adsorb the top surface of the rear end cap of the fusion splicing.

2. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end cap clamping module (2) comprises an adjustment plate (21) and a plurality of clamping units (22) for clamping the end caps; the adjustment plate (21) is movably arranged on the base (1) along a horizontal direction; and the plurality of clamping units (22) are located on the adjustment plate (21).

3. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each clamping unit (22) comprises a movable block (221) and a clamping plate (222); one end of the clamping plate (222) extends out of the movable block (221); the other end of the clamping plate (222) is movably inserted into the movable block (221) so as to swing and rise and fall relative to the movable block (221); and a plurality of clamping plates (222) are used for clamping end caps.

4. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber clamping module (3) comprises a mounting plate (31) and a movable plate (32); the mounting plate (31) can be raised and lowered along the bracket (11); an optical fiber positioning groove (311) is provided on the mounting plate (31); and the movable plate (32) can be movably arranged on the mounting plate (31) to clamp the light in the optical fiber positioning groove (311).

5. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the mounting plate (31) is provided with a plurality of guide rods (312) arranged at intervals, and the top of one coating block (51) is provided with a plurality of guide grooves (516) arranged at intervals, each of the guide rods (312) and the guide grooves (516) are arranged vertically, and one end of each guide rod (312) can be slidably inserted into the corresponding guide groove (516).

6. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The welding coating device further comprises an observation module (6), wherein the observation module (6) comprises a microscope (61) and a mounting frame (62), wherein the microscope (61) is arranged on the mounting frame (62) in a liftable manner, and the mounting frame (62) is located on the base (1).

7. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to claim 6, characterized in that: The base (1) is provided with a guide rail (63), and the mounting frame (62) can be slidably inserted into the guide rail (63) to adjust the position of the mounting frame (62) on the base (1).

8. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: A transparent glass (517) is inserted into the other coating block (51), one side of the transparent glass (517) extends out of the coating block (51), and the other side of the transparent glass (517) is inserted into the groove (511).

9. A fusion coating device for an optical fiber end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The optical fiber clamping module (3) is provided with a tension sensor to monitor the tension applied to the optical fiber clamping module (3).

10. A method for fusion coating of an optical fiber end cap, characterized in that: The welding coating method is based on the welding coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the welding coating method comprises: The outer cladding of one end of the optical fiber is removed, and the end cap and the other end of the optical fiber are clamped respectively by the end cap clamping module (2) and the optical fiber clamping module (3); Slide the optical fiber clamping module (3) downwards so that one end of the optical fiber contacts the end cap, and use a fusion splicing module (4) to fusion splice the end cap and one end of the optical fiber to obtain an optical fiber end cap; One coating block (51) is horizontally moved on the support (11) so that the optical fiber passes through the corresponding groove (511), another coating block (51) is installed on one coating block (51), and the two coating blocks (51) are slid downward until they are moved above the end cap after fusion; Inserting an inflatable sealing rubber ring (512), and inflating the inflatable sealing rubber ring (512) until the optical fiber is clamped, and then releasing the clamping of the optical fiber by the optical fiber clamping module (3); The fused end cap is sucked upward through the vacuum suction hole (515), and the inflatable sealing rubber ring (512) is gradually deflated at the same time, until the end cap is sucked onto the coating block (51), so that the inflatable sealing rubber ring (512) is re-inflated to clamp the optical fiber; Glue is injected into the glue injection hole (514), and the glue is irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp (513) to solidify the glue, thereby achieving coating of the optical fiber end cap at the melting point and the bare optical fiber part.

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