Liquid feeding type device for inserting optical fiber into porous capillary tube

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid feeding type device for inserting an optical fiber into a porous capillary tube. The device is composed of a micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2, a micro electron microscope 3, a heatable capillary tube fixing module 4, an electric liquid pumping module 6 and a display module 7. After the device is started, the porous capillary tube 5 is fixed on the heatable capillary tube fixing module 4 and is connected with the electric liquid pumping module 6, and the optical fiber 1 is positioned by utilizing the micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2, the micro electron microscope 3 and the display module 7; the electric liquid pumping module 6 is used for pumping lubricating liquid before and in the process of inserting the optical fiber 1 into the porous capillary tube 5 to help the optical fiber 1 to be inserted into a hole to be inserted. The distance of the optical fiber inserted into the porous capillary tube can be remarkably increased, loss is reduced, cost is reduced, efficiency is improved, and the method can be widely applied to the fields of optical fiber sensing and optical fiber communication.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to a liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion porous capillary device, which can be used for manufacturing a multi-core optical fiber connector, such as a multi-core optical fiber fan-in fan-out device, and belongs to the technical field of optical fiber device preparation. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, with the vigorous development of digital economy, the demand for massive data transmission is growing, and the capacity of traditional single-mode optical fiber communication systems has approached the theoretical limit (such as 100 Tb / s Shannon capacity). Limited by problems such as insufficient amplification bandwidth, nonlinear noise accumulation and fusion loss, the traditional single-mode optical fiber is difficult to meet the future communication demand of ultra-high speed and ultra-large capacity.

[0003] To break this bottleneck, multi-core optical fibers such as three-core, four-core, seven-core and nineteen-core optical fibers based on space division multiplexing technology have become a research hotspot. Through multi-channel parallel transmission, the capacity of a single optical fiber is significantly improved, and it has been verified in long-distance transmission systems.

[0004] However, the large-scale application of multi-core optical fibers depends on the preparation of high-precision connector devices, such as multi-core optical fiber ferrules and fan-in fan-out devices. These devices must meet the requirements of high-density and low-loss optical signal transmission, and one of the core technologies is to accurately insert multiple single-mode optical fibers or special optical fibers into the micropores of a multi-porous quartz capillary. The insertion process can solve the nanometer-level precision requirement of optical fiber spatial positioning, eliminate free docking errors, and provide mechanical stability and environmental robustness.

[0005] In order to meet the stability of mechanical positioning and the alignment accuracy and low loss of optical transmission during device manufacturing, the micropore diameter of the multi-porous capillary is usually highly matched with the outer diameter of the optical fiber, forming a micron-level gap (about 0.5-2 um). If the micropore diameter is too large, the fiber core position will drift during device manufacturing, increasing transmission loss and crosstalk, which puts high requirements on the optical fiber insertion process.

[0006] As shown in Figure 3 The micropore diameter of the multi-porous capillary and the outer diameter of the optical fiber are both in the order of hundreds of microns, which is difficult to identify and position with the naked eye. It is also difficult to keep the optical fiber coaxial with the insertion hole and push it in by hand. During the preparation of inserting the optical fiber into the multi-porous capillary, the optical fiber is stripped of the coating layer, and the cleaning process easily causes static electricity on the surface, which causes the optical fiber to be adsorbed on the capillary hole wall during insertion, the friction resistance increases sharply, and even causes the optical fiber to break. Experimental personnel are forced to repeatedly pull out and try again, which not only reduces the efficiency, but also causes a high scrap rate of the optical fiber and the capillary.

[0007] The static field of the inserted optical fiber will interfere with the alignment of the subsequent optical fiber, especially when multiple optical fibers are arranged densely, the superposition effect of the static field makes it difficult to maintain the alignment angle of the tail end of the optical fiber, significantly increasing the risk of insertion failure. When inserting for a long distance, the optical fiber is affected by its own gravity and micro-bends, the contact area with the hole wall increases with the insertion depth, and the accumulated friction resistance causes the full-length insertion to fail.

[0008] Patent No. CN105842811A discloses a method for inserting an optical fiber into a capillary for a long distance, which attaches a magnetic point to the front end of the optical fiber and uses a strong magnet to pull and insert. However, for a multi-hole capillary with a hole diameter close to the diameter of the optical fiber, this method cannot solve the problems of friction and static electricity. This method is not suitable for the case where the micro-holes of the multi-hole capillary match the outer diameter of the optical fiber, and cannot be used to prepare high-precision multi-core optical fiber connecting devices.

[0009] Patent No. CN113820796A discloses a device for efficiently inserting an optical fiber into a multi-hole capillary, which is composed of a micro-control operation platform, a micro-CCD, an LED illuminating lamp, an optical fiber spin-in clamp module, a lifting displacement table, a static electricity elimination module, a capillary rotation clamp module, and an air flow disturbance module. The device eliminates static electricity on the surface of the optical fiber during the insertion of the optical fiber into the multi-hole capillary through the static electricity elimination module, and dries the inside of the capillary through the air flow control module, and then the optical fiber is spun into the capillary. However, this device can only eliminate static electricity generated by cleaning the optical fiber, and cannot eliminate static electricity generated by friction between the optical fiber and the inner wall of the capillary hole during the insertion of the optical fiber. Experiments have shown that static electricity generated by friction between the optical fiber and the inner wall of the capillary hole is the main factor hindering the insertion of the optical fiber. Therefore, this device cannot efficiently insert the optical fiber, nor can it achieve long-distance insertion of the optical fiber.

[0010] The present application aims to eliminate static electricity generated by friction between the optical fiber and the inner wall of the capillary hole during the insertion of the optical fiber into the capillary, dust and debris in the capillary, and the influence of the gravity of the optical fiber itself as the insertion distance increases. A liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device is designed, as shown in Figure 2 The device is composed of an anti-static bottom plate 1, a display module 2, a heatable capillary fixing module 4, a micro-electronic microscope 5, a micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 6, and an electric liquid pumping module 7. The device is simple and efficient. During the insertion of the optical fiber into the multi-hole capillary 3, the residual coating debris and dust that have not been completely cleaned are washed away by the lubricating liquid, the static electricity generated by the friction between the optical fiber and the inner wall of the capillary is eliminated, the lubricating liquid can fill the gap between the optical fiber and the micro-hole, and the friction caused by gravity and other factors is reduced. The efficiency of inserting the optical fiber into the multi-hole capillary is significantly improved, the distance that the optical fiber can be inserted into the capillary hole is increased, the failure loss is reduced, and the cost is reduced. SUMMARY

[0011] The present application provides a liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device.

[0012] The purpose of the present application is achieved in that:

[0013] The liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion porous capillary device is composed of a micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2, a micro electronic microscope 3, a heatable capillary fixing module 4, an electric liquid pumping module 6 and a display module 7. After the liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion porous capillary device is started, the porous capillary 5 is connected with the electric liquid pumping module 6, the porous capillary 5 is fixed to the heatable capillary fixing module 4, and the electric liquid pumping module 6 is started to clean the inside of the porous capillary. After the optical fiber to be inserted 1 is cleaned and stripped, it is fixed to the micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2. Through the micro electronic microscope 3 and the display module 7, the micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2 is adjusted so that the optical fiber 1 is coaxial with the micro hole to be inserted. The optical fiber clamp is pushed so that the optical fiber to be inserted is inserted into the micro hole to be inserted. The electric liquid pumping module 6 continuously pumps lubricating liquid to assist the insertion of the optical fiber. Finally, the heatable capillary fixing module is heated to evaporate the lubricating liquid.

[0014] The micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2 is composed of a three-direction displacement table composed of an x-axis displacement platform, a y-axis displacement platform and a z-axis displacement platform, an optical fiber clamp and an optical fiber clamp horizontal advancing guide rail. The optical fiber after processing can be fixed to the optical fiber clamp. After the optical fiber is adjusted to be coaxial with the hole to be inserted through the three-direction displacement table, the optical fiber is advanced into the micro hole to be inserted along the optical fiber clamp horizontal advancing guide rail.

[0015] The heatable capillary fixing module 4 is made of heat-conducting aluminum material. The upper part is a V-shaped porous capillary receiving groove, which can fix the porous capillary. The lower part is a heating module. After the optical fiber is inserted into the porous capillary, the heating module is started to evaporate the residual lubricating liquid in the pores of the porous capillary, so as to avoid the influence of the residual lubricating liquid in the porous capillary on the device during the preparation of the device.

[0016] The micro electronic microscope and display module is composed of a micro electronic microscope 3 and a display 7. The focal length and magnification of the micro electronic microscope are adjusted to clearly display the end face of the porous capillary. According to the display, the relative position of the optical fiber and the hole to be inserted can be adjusted. During the insertion process, the state of the optical fiber at the end face is observed for adjustment.

[0017] The electric liquid pumping module 6 is composed of a lubricating liquid storage module, a stop lever type pumping switch module, a pumping motor module and a plastic tube which can be connected with the porous capillary. After the module is started, the plastic tube is connected with the porous capillary, the stop lever type pumping switch is operated to pump the liquid, the inside of the porous capillary is flushed, the static electricity is eliminated, and then the liquid is pumped to reduce the pressure in the hole, which is beneficial to the insertion of the optical fiber. During the insertion of the optical fiber, the state of the optical fiber is observed, and the liquid is pumped or pumped according to the situation, so that the optical fiber is smoothly inserted into the hole.

[0018] The lubricating liquid is selected to have low viscosity, to be able to easily penetrate into very small gaps, to be able to quickly evaporate and completely evaporate without leaving any oily or sticky residues, to have cleaning and dissolving ability, to be able to clean dust, grease residues or other contaminants on the contact surface, and to be non-corrosive to glass. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion porous capillary device. It is composed of a fiber to be inserted 1, a micro-control operation and fiber clamp module 2, a micro-electronic microscope 3, a heatable capillary fixing module 4, a porous capillary 5, an electrically driven liquid pumping module 6, and a display module 7.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion porous capillary device. It is composed of an anti-static base plate 1, a display 2, a porous capillary 3, a heatable capillary fixing module 4, a micro-electronic microscope 5, a micro-control operation and fiber clamp module 6, and an electrically driven liquid pumping module 7.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a 19-core porous capillary. Wherein, a=1000, b=63.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary optical fiber insertion into the porous capillary when the electrically driven liquid pumping module is pumping liquid. It is composed of a micro-porous inner wall 1, a lubricating liquid 2, dust and impurities and debris 3, and an optical fiber 4.

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary optical fiber insertion into the porous capillary when the electrically driven liquid pumping module is pumping liquid. It is composed of a micro-porous inner wall 1, a lubricating liquid 2, and an optical fiber 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The application will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 is a liquid feeding type optical fiber insertion porous capillary device, which is composed of an anti-static base plate 1, a display 2, a porous capillary 3, a heatable capillary fixing module 4, a micro-electronic microscope 5, a micro-control operation and fiber clamp module 6, and an electrically driven liquid pumping module 7.

[0026] The coating layer of the optical fiber to be inserted is removed, and the surface of the optical fiber is dried and cleaned by repeatedly wiping with non-woven cloth dipped in anhydrous ethanol. The fiber clamp is fixed with the optical fiber to be inserted after repeatedly wiping with non-woven cloth dipped in anhydrous ethanol, and the front end of the optical fiber is stretched out about 5 cm.

[0027] Reference Figure 3If 19-core porous capillary is selected, the micro-hole diameter is 126um, the 19-core porous capillary is treated into a flat end by a glass knife, the other end is connected with a plastic tube of the electrically-driven liquid pumping module by UV glue, and is fixed into a V-shaped groove of the heatable capillary fixing module, the flat end is extended by 1-2mm so that the 19-core porous capillary end surface can be clearly observed in the display screen.

[0028] The electrically-driven liquid pumping module is started, the baffle lever type pumping switch is turned to pump liquid, the inside of the porous capillary is flushed, and static electricity is eliminated.

[0029] The micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module are started, the clamp is used to push the guide rail to push the one end of the optical fiber close to the flat end of the 19-core porous capillary, the one end of the optical fiber and the capillary end surface can be clearly displayed in the display screen, the X, Y and Z axis three-direction displacement platform is used for fine adjustment, the optical fiber is coaxial with the hole to be inserted, and is slowly inserted.

[0030] In the process of inserting the optical fiber into the capillary hole, the baffle lever type pumping switch is turned according to the insertion of the optical fiber. As shown in Figure 4 , if the optical fiber cannot be inserted, the liquid is pumped to flush the residual coating debris and dust of the optical fiber which is not completely cleaned, static electricity generated by friction between the optical fiber and the hole wall is eliminated, lubricating liquid fills the gap between the optical fiber and the capillary hole, and friction caused by gravity and other reasons is reduced. As shown in Figure 5 , the liquid is pumped to reduce the pressure in the micro-hole, so that the optical fiber is smoothly inserted.

[0031] After the first optical fiber is inserted, the above operation is repeated, the optical fiber is cleaned, initialization positioning is performed, and the remaining optical fibers are sequentially inserted. After the insertion is completed, the heating module in the heatable capillary fixing module is started, and the lubricating liquid remaining in the inner wall of the porous capillary is evaporated.

Claims

1. A liquid-feeding optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device. Its characteristics are: It consists of a micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2, a micro-electron microscope 3, a heatable capillary fixing module 4, an electric liquid pumping module 6, and a display module 7. After the liquid-feeding optical fiber insertion multi-porous capillary device is started, the multi-porous capillary 5 is connected to the electric liquid pumping module 6, the multi-porous capillary 5 is fixed to the heatable capillary fixing module 4, and the electric liquid pumping module 6 is started to clean the interior of the multi-porous capillary 5; After stripping and cleaning the optical fiber 1 to be inserted, it is fixed to the micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2. Through the micro electron microscope 3 and the display module 7, the micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2 are adjusted to make the optical fiber 1 coaxial with the microhole to be inserted. The optical fiber clamp is pushed to insert the optical fiber to be inserted into the microhole along the axis. The electric pumping liquid module 6 continuously pumps lubricating liquid to assist in the insertion of the optical fiber. Finally, the capillary fixing module 4 can be heated to evaporate the lubricating liquid.

2. The liquid-feeding optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The micro-control operation and optical fiber clamp module 2 is composed of a three-axis displacement platform consisting of an x-axis displacement platform, a y-axis displacement platform, and a z-axis displacement platform, an optical fiber clamp, and an optical fiber clamp horizontal propulsion platform.

3. The liquid-feeding optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heatable capillary fixing module 4 is made of heat-conducting aluminum material, the upper part of which is a V-shaped porous capillary receiving groove for fixing the porous capillary, and the lower part of which is a heating module.

4. The liquid-feeding optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric pumping liquid module 6 is composed of a lubricating liquid storage module, a lever-type pumping switch module, a pumping motor module and a plastic tube that can be connected to the porous capillary.

5. The liquid-feeding optical fiber insertion multi-hole capillary device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lubricating fluid has low viscosity, can evaporate quickly and leaves no oily or sticky residue after complete evaporation. It has cleaning and dissolving capabilities and can simultaneously clean dust, grease residue or other pollutants on the contact surface without corrosiveness to glass.

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