Preparation method, jig and equipment of optical fiber array
By combining a double-layer fixture and automated equipment, the tangency of each fiber in the fiber array with the adjacent fiber was achieved, solving the problem that existing fixtures could not achieve the maximum duty cycle and improving the light-emitting area and density of the fiber array.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202512060221.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing fixtures cannot achieve complete tangency between each fiber and all its adjacent fibers in a multilayer fiber array, and cannot guarantee the maximum duty cycle, resulting in insufficient light-emitting area and density of the fiber array.
A double-layer fixture is used to pre-arrange the optical fibers in two layers, and adhesive is applied to the beginning and end of the optical fibers to form two layers of closely packed optical fibers. The limiting walls and limiting grooves of the contour hole are used to achieve tangency between each optical fiber and the adjacent optical fiber. The assembly equipment is used for automated positioning and curing.
This method achieves complete tangency between each fiber and its adjacent fiber in the fiber array, resulting in the maximum duty cycle. It improves the light-emitting area and density of the fiber array, meeting the requirements for high density and high consistency.
Smart Images
Figure CN121522798A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of optoelectronic devices, in particular to a preparation method, jig and equipment of an optical fiber array. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the application of optical fiber illumination and precise signal transmission in a specific wave band, in order to achieve extremely high optical density and uniformity, hundreds to thousands of optical fibers need to be arranged in high density and high consistency.
[0003] Traditional methods are mostly limited to single-layer arrangement of multiple optical fibers, and multi-layer optical fiber tight arrangement usually depends on a jig. Although the existing jig can form the general structure of a multi-layer optical fiber array, it is difficult to achieve the maximum space ratio, that is, it cannot guarantee that each optical fiber is tangent to all its adjacent optical fibers. SUMMARY
[0004] Therefore, the embodiments of the present application provide a preparation method, jig and equipment of an optical fiber array, which is simple and efficient, and the prepared optical fiber array can achieve the maximum space ratio, meeting the use requirements.
[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a preparation method of an optical fiber array, which comprises: The double-layer jig is used to pre-arrange the optical fibers in double layers, the first and last ends of the optical fibers extend from the two ends of the profiling hole of the double-layer jig, the inner wall surface of the profiling hole of the double-layer jig has a first limiting wall, a second limiting wall, a third limiting wall and a fourth limiting wall connected in sequence, the first limiting wall faces the third limiting wall, the second limiting wall faces the fourth limiting wall, the first limiting wall has a plurality of first limiting grooves, the second limiting wall has two second limiting grooves, the third limiting wall has a plurality of third limiting grooves, and the fourth limiting wall has two fourth limiting grooves, the plurality of first limiting grooves correspond to the plurality of third limiting grooves respectively, and the two second limiting grooves correspond to the two fourth limiting grooves respectively; The 2-layer densely arranged optical fibers are taken out from the double-layer jig. The 2-layer densely arranged optical fibers are taken out from the double-layer jig.
[0006] Optionally, the preparation method further comprises: The above steps are repeated to prepare n groups of 2-layer densely arranged optical fibers; n groups of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers are sequentially inserted into the profiling holes of 2n jigs, the first and last ends of the n groups of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers extend from the two ends of the profiling holes of the 2n jigs, the inner wall surface of the profiling hole of the 2n jig has a first limiting wall, a second limiting wall, a third limiting wall and a fourth limiting wall connected in sequence, the first limiting wall faces the third limiting wall, the second limiting wall faces the fourth limiting wall, the first limiting wall has a plurality of first limiting grooves, the second limiting wall has 2n second limiting grooves, the third limiting wall has a plurality of third limiting grooves, the fourth limiting wall has 2n fourth limiting grooves, the plurality of first limiting grooves correspond to the plurality of third limiting grooves respectively, the 2n second limiting grooves correspond to the 2n fourth limiting grooves respectively, and n is a positive integer greater than 1. The first and last positions of the n groups of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers are glued and solidified to form 2n-layer densely packed optical fibers.
[0007] Optionally, each optical fiber in the 2-layer densely packed optical fiber is tangent to all adjacent optical fibers, and the number of optical fibers in each layer is the same and arranged with a one-fiber radius distance offset. Each optical fiber in the 2n-layer densely packed optical fiber is tangent to all adjacent optical fibers, the number of optical fibers in each layer is the same and arranged with a one-fiber radius distance offset, and the first and last optical fibers in the odd-numbered layers are aligned, and the first and last optical fibers in the even-numbered layers are aligned.
[0008] Optionally, the double-layer pre-arrangement of the optical fibers using the double-layer jig comprises: Grinding the end faces of the plurality of optical fibers respectively; Calculating the size of the profiling hole of the double-layer jig; Sequentially calculating the end face diameters of the plurality of optical fibers; Inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the corresponding positions of the profiling hole of the double-layer jig to complete the double-layer pre-arrangement.
[0009] Optionally, the gluing and solidification of the first and last positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers to form 2-layer densely packed optical fibers comprises: Applying a predetermined thickness of glue to the first and last positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers respectively; Preliminary solidification of the double-layer optical fibers after gluing; Fine adjustment of the optical fibers with positional deviation in the double-layer optical fibers after preliminary solidification; Complete solidification of the double-layer optical fibers after fine adjustment to form 2-layer densely packed optical fibers.
[0010] Optionally, the applying of a predetermined thickness of glue to the first and last positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers comprises: Applying a thermosetting glue with a thickness of 1um to 5um to the first and last positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers respectively.
[0011] Optionally, the preliminary curing of the double-layer optical fiber after brushing glue comprises: heating the double-layer optical fiber after brushing glue at a temperature of 65-70℃ for 30 min to complete the preliminary curing.
[0012] Optionally, the complete curing of the double-layer optical fiber after fine adjustment to form 2-layer densely packed optical fiber comprises: heating the double-layer optical fiber after fine adjustment at a temperature of 70℃ for 30-60 min to complete the complete curing.
[0013] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a jig for optical fiber array, the jig comprising a substrate, the substrate being provided with a profiling hole, an inner wall surface of the profiling hole having a first limiting wall, a second limiting wall, a third limiting wall and a fourth limiting wall connected in sequence, the first limiting wall facing the third limiting wall, the second limiting wall facing the fourth limiting wall, the first limiting wall having a plurality of first limiting grooves, the second limiting wall having 2x second limiting grooves, the third limiting wall having a plurality of third limiting grooves, the fourth limiting wall having 2x fourth limiting grooves, the plurality of first limiting grooves corresponding to the plurality of third limiting grooves respectively, the 2x second limiting grooves corresponding to the 2x fourth limiting grooves respectively, x being a positive integer.
[0014] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a device for preparing optical fiber array, the device comprising: an assembly stage; the jig as described in the second aspect being arranged on the assembly stage; a control assembly being communicatively connected to the assembly stage; a first identification assembly being communicatively connected to the control assembly, the first identification assembly being configured to identify the optical fiber array; an assembly robot being communicatively connected to the control assembly; wherein the control assembly controls the assembly robot to place the optical fiber array into the jig according to the identification result of the first identification assembly.
[0015] The embodiments of the present application provide a preparation method, a jig and a device for optical fiber array. In the preparation method, the optical fiber is first prearranged in double layers by using a double-layer jig, then 2-layer densely packed optical fiber is formed by brushing glue and curing at the head and tail positions of the prearranged double-layer optical fiber, and finally the 2-layer densely packed optical fiber is taken out from the double-layer jig. The preparation method for optical fiber array is simple, has high assembly efficiency, and the prepared optical fiber array can achieve maximum space ratio, meeting the use requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present application taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an existing hole plate jig; Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an existing hole plate jig with only islands between positioning holes a; Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a double-layer jig of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a 4-layer jig of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a 6-layer jig of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 is a frame schematic diagram of an apparatus for preparing an optical fiber array of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 7 is a preparation method flowchart for preparing a 2-layer densely packed optical fiber of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 8 is a preparation method flowchart for preparing a 2n-layer densely packed optical fiber of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 9 is a preparation method flowchart for performing double-layer pre-arrangement of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 10 is a preparation method flowchart for brushing glue and curing at the head and tail positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fiber of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a plurality of optical fibers installed in a double-layer jig of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a prepared 2-layer densely packed optical fiber of an embodiment of the present application.
[0017] Reference signs: 1 - jig; 11 - base plate; 12 - profiling hole; 2 - first limiting wall; 21 - first limiting groove; 3 - second limiting wall; 31 - second limiting groove; 4 - third limiting wall; 41 - third limiting groove; 5 - fourth limiting wall; 51 - fourth limiting groove; 60 - apparatus; 61 - assembly loading platform; 62 - control assembly; 63 - first identification assembly; 64 - assembly robot; 65 - grinding assembly; 66 - heating assembly; 67 - second identification assembly; a - positioning hole; b - island; c - optical fiber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present application is described below based on embodiments, but the present application is not limited to only these embodiments. In the following detailed description of the present application, some specific details are described in detail. The present application can also be fully understood without the description of these details. In order not to obscure the essence of the present application, well-known methods, processes, flows, elements and circuits are not described in detail.
[0019] Moreover, it is to be understood that the drawings provided herein are for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily to scale.
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, the terms "mounting", "connected", "connecting", "fixed", and "fixedly" are to be construed as broad terms, for example, can be fixed connection, can also be detachable connection, or integral; can be mechanical connection, can also be electrical connection; can be direct connection, can also be indirect connection through an intermediate medium, can be internal communication of two elements or interaction relationship of two elements, unless otherwise explicitly defined. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0021] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the application, the terms "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed as inclusive or open-ended terms (i.e., the terms "comprising", "comprises" and / or "comprised of"), and should be read to mean "including, but not limited to".
[0022] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "first", "second" and the like are only for the purpose of description and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more.
[0023] In the prior art, when preparing a multi-layer optical fiber array, a hole plate jig is usually used to position and arrange multiple optical fibers. Generally, the hole plate jig has multiple positioning holes a arranged in an array, which are arranged at a fixed interval, as shown in Figure 1 When the interval between the positioning holes a is small to a certain extent, there is too little solid material between the positioning holes a, resulting in insufficient mechanical strength, and the processing difficulty increases sharply. Especially when the adjacent positioning holes a tend to be tangent, only a small isolated solid "island b" is left between the positioning holes a, making the hole plate physically unprocessable or unusable, as shown in Figure 2 Therefore, the optical fiber array formed by the hole plate jig cannot achieve the maximum space ratio, that is, it cannot ensure that each optical fiber is tangent to all its adjacent optical fibers, and it cannot prepare an optical fiber array with ultra-high density. On the other hand, the diameter of the optical fiber monomer is generally 100um, 107um, 125um, and it is challenging to assemble the optical fiber monomer into an optical fiber array due to its small size.
[0024] The embodiment of the present application provides a jig for an optical fiber array, which can ensure that each optical fiber is tangent to its adjacent optical fibers (i.e., the gap between adjacent optical fibers is minimized), has the maximum space ratio, and makes the light emitting area point space ratio and light emitting density of the optical fiber array the highest.
[0025] As shown in Figures 3-5As shown, the jig 1 comprises a substrate 11 provided with a profiling hole 12. In an embodiment, the substrate 11 is a glass substrate, a silicon wafer or stainless steel, and the profiling hole 12 can be formed by etching, machining or the like.
[0026] In the embodiment, the first limiting wall 2 and the third limiting wall 4 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the top and bottom directions, and the second limiting wall 3 and the fourth limiting wall 5 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the left and right directions. Figures 3-5 In the embodiment, the first limiting wall 2 and the third limiting wall 4 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the top and bottom directions, and the second limiting wall 3 and the fourth limiting wall 5 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the left and right directions. Figures 3-5 In the embodiment, the first limiting wall 2 and the third limiting wall 4 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the top and bottom directions, and the second limiting wall 3 and the fourth limiting wall 5 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the left and right directions.
[0027] In the embodiment, the first limiting wall 2 and the third limiting wall 4 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the top and bottom directions, and the second limiting wall 3 and the fourth limiting wall 5 refer to two inner wall surfaces oppositely arranged in the left and right directions.
[0028] It should be noted that the number of the second limiting slots 31 and the fourth limiting slots 51 is the same, and both the second limiting slots 31 and the fourth limiting slots 51 are even, i.e., x is a positive integer, which makes it possible to prepare an optical fiber array with an even number of layers by using the jig. That is, the number of the second limiting slots 31 and the fourth limiting slots 51 represents the number of layers of optical fibers in the optical fiber array prepared by using the jig. The number of the first limiting slots 21 and the third limiting slots 41 represents the number of optical fibers in each layer of the prepared optical fiber array. In general, the number of optical fibers in each layer can be tens to hundreds, even thousands, etc. according to requirements, and therefore Figures 3-5 In the embodiment, the number of the first limiting slots 21 and the third limiting slots 41 is only illustrative.
[0029] It should be noted that the definition of the odd and even layers in the embodiment is determined by counting from the bottom layer to the top layer, as shown in the figure. Figures 3-5 In the embodiment, the bottom layer is the first layer, and the counting is from the bottom to the top. Figures 3-5 In the embodiment, the bottom layer is the first layer, and the counting is from the bottom to the top.
[0030] In the embodiment of the present application, the profiled hole 12 is profiled with the outer profile of the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers. Since the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers refer to the arrangement of 2x layers of optical fibers, each optical fiber is tangent to all the adjacent optical fibers, and the cross section of each optical fiber c is circular, therefore the outer profile of the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers is formed by connecting the profiles exposed by all the tangent optical fibers c on the circumference. Therefore, the inner wall surface of the profiled hole 12 is formed by connecting a plurality of circular-arc grooves with the same radius as the optical fibers. That is, the first limiting groove 21, the second limiting groove 31, the third limiting groove 41 and the fourth limiting groove 51 are all circular-arc grooves, and the central angles of the circular-arc grooves are different, i.e. the lengths of the circular arcs are different, according to the different positions. Since the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers have the maximum duty ratio, the optical fiber array prepared by the jig according to the embodiment has the maximum duty ratio (i.e. in terms of the cross section of the optical fiber array, the ratio of the total area of the light emitting of the optical fiber array to the total area of the quadrilateral formed by the four tangent lines on the outermost side of the optical fiber array, and the ratio is ≥ 56%), which can meet the functional requirements of the optical fiber array.
[0031] The first limiting wall 2 is formed by connecting the exposed profiles of the optical fibers in the uppermost layer, and the third limiting wall 4 is formed by connecting the exposed profiles of the optical fibers in the lowermost layer. Since each layer of optical fibers is tangent to each other, the first limiting wall 2 is formed by connecting a plurality of semicircular grooves with the same radius as the optical fibers, and the third limiting wall 4 is formed by connecting a plurality of semicircular grooves with the same radius as the optical fibers. That is, the first limiting groove 21 and the third limiting groove 41 are both semicircular grooves.
[0032] It should be noted that each optical fiber c in the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers in the embodiment is tangent to all the adjacent optical fibers c. That is, each layer of optical fibers c is tangent to each other, and each optical fiber c in each layer except the lowermost layer is located in the recess groove (V groove) formed by the two adjacent optical fibers c in the lower layer, so that each optical fiber c is tangent to all the adjacent optical fibers c, at this time the optical fiber array has the maximum duty ratio, which can meet the functional requirements of the optical fiber array.
[0033] Further, the adjacent layers of optical fibers in the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers in the embodiment are arranged with a radius distance of one optical fiber staggered. When x is equal to 1, i.e. the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers have 2 layers, the first and last optical fibers of the two layers are staggered by a radius of one optical fiber, as shown in Figure 3 When x is greater than 1, i.e. the 2x layer closely packed optical fibers have at least 4 layers, the adjacent layers of optical fibers are arranged with a radius distance of one optical fiber staggered, the optical fibers in the odd layers are arranged with the first and last optical fibers aligned, and the optical fibers in the even layers are arranged with the first and last optical fibers aligned, as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 .
[0034] The profiling hole 12 of the embodiment is formed according to the outer contour of the 2x layer closely packed optical fiber, which makes the optical fiber array prepared from such profiling hole 12 have the same structure as the 2x layer closely packed optical fiber, thereby achieving the maximum space ratio (i.e., in terms of the cross section of the optical fiber array, the ratio of the total area of the light-emitting area of the optical fiber array to the total area of the quadrilateral formed by the four tangent lines of the outermost side of the optical fiber array, which is ≥ 56%).
[0035] It should be noted that the profiling hole 12 is formed according to the outer contour of the 2x layer closely packed optical fiber, which makes the first limiting groove 21 and the third limiting groove 41 correspond to the outer contour of the even layer and the odd layer optical fiber, respectively, and the first limiting groove 21 and the third limiting groove 41 formed by the first limiting groove 21 and the third limiting groove 41 are staggered. Specifically, the first limiting groove 21 and the third limiting groove 41 are staggered by one radius distance of the optical fiber. Since the first limiting groove 21 and the third limiting groove 41 are both semicircular grooves of the same size, the connecting points of adjacent first limiting grooves 21 correspond to the centers of the third limiting grooves 41, and the connecting points of adjacent third limiting grooves 41 correspond to the centers of the first limiting grooves 21. At the same time, the second limiting grooves 31 of the odd layer and the second limiting grooves 31 of the even layer are staggered by one radius distance, and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the odd layer and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the even layer are staggered by one radius distance.
[0036] According to the characteristics of the 2-layer closely packed optical fiber, the profiling hole 12 profiled with the outer contour thereof includes the following characteristics: As shown in Figure 3 When x is equal to 1, the jig is a double-layer jig; that is, the second limiting wall 3 of the profiling hole 12 has two second limiting grooves 31, and the fourth limiting wall 5 has two fourth limiting grooves 51. The oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the lowermost layer form a semicircular groove, and the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the uppermost layer form a semicircular groove, that is, each layer of second limiting grooves 31 and fourth limiting grooves 51 can form a semicircular groove. The height of the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the lowermost layer is the same as the height of the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the uppermost layer. Here, the height refers to Figure 3 the height between the two adjacent boundary lines, that is, the vertical distance between the upper and lower endpoints of the second limiting grooves 31 and the vertical distance between the upper and lower endpoints of the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the corresponding layer. Via the double-layer jig, a 2-layer closely packed optical fiber can be prepared, which has a maximum space ratio.
[0037] According to the characteristics of the 2-layer closely packed optical fiber, the profiling hole 12 profiled with the outer contour thereof includes the following characteristics: As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, when x is greater than 1, the jig is at least a 4-layer even-layer jig. That is, the second limiting wall 3 of the profiling hole 12 has at least 4 second limiting grooves 31, and the fourth limiting wall 5 has at least 4 fourth limiting grooves 51. The oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the lowermost layer enclose a semicircular groove, the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the uppermost layer enclose a semicircular groove, and the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of each of the intermediate layers enclose a circular groove. Via the even-layer jig, at least 4 densely packed optical fibers can be prepared, with the maximum space ratio. The height of the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the lowermost layer is equivalent to half the height of the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of each of the intermediate layers, and / or the height of the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of the uppermost layer is equivalent to half the height of the oppositely arranged second limiting grooves 31 and the fourth limiting grooves 51 of each of the intermediate layers. Here, the height refers to the vertical distance between the upper and lower endpoints of the second limiting grooves 31 of the corresponding layer, and the vertical distance between the upper and lower endpoints of the fourth limiting grooves 51.
[0038] Meanwhile, when x is greater than 1, the outermost sides of the second limiting grooves 31 of all the odd layers are aligned, the outermost sides of the fourth limiting grooves 51 of all the odd layers are aligned, the outermost sides of the second limiting grooves 31 of all the even layers are aligned, and the outermost sides of the fourth limiting grooves 51 of all the even layers are aligned.
[0039] The jig of the optical fiber array of the embodiment has a profiling hole that is profiled with the outer contour of the 2x-layer densely packed optical fiber. The jig has a simple structure and can meet the processing and mechanical strength requirements. Meanwhile, the optical fiber array can be mass-produced via the jig, and the prepared optical fiber array can ensure that each optical fiber is completely tangent to its adjacent optical fiber (i.e., the gap between adjacent optical fibers is minimized), with the maximum space ratio, so that the light-emitting area point space ratio and the light-emitting density of the optical fiber array are the highest.
[0040] The embodiment also provides a device for preparing an optical fiber array. The device 60 includes an assembly loading table 61, a control assembly 62, a first identification assembly 63, an assembly robot 64, and the jig 1 of the above embodiment, as shown. Figure 6 The jig 1 is arranged on the assembly loading table 61, and the control assembly 62 is communicatively connected to the assembly loading table 61, the first identification assembly 63, and the assembly robot 64.
[0041] The assembly platform 61 is generally equipped with positioning pins, clamps, guide rails, fine adjustment mechanisms, etc. The control assembly 62 controls the assembly platform 61 to achieve clamping and positioning of the jig 1. The first identification assembly 63 is used to take photos of the jig and the optical fiber, and send the photos to the control assembly 62. The control assembly 62 calculates the size of the profiling hole in the jig according to the photo of the jig, and obtains the end face diameter of the optical fiber according to the photo of the optical fiber. Meanwhile, the first identification assembly 63 can also assist in positioning during optical fiber assembly. The assembly robot 64 picks up the optical fiber or 2-layer densely packed optical fiber under the control of the control assembly 62, and installs the optical fiber or 2-layer densely packed optical fiber in the profiling hole of the corresponding jig according to the identification result of the first identification assembly 63.
[0042] As shown in Figure 6 The device further comprises a grinding assembly 65, a heating assembly 66 and a second identification assembly 67, and the control assembly 62 is in communication connection with the grinding assembly 65, the heating assembly 66 and the second identification assembly 67. Since the end face of the optical fiber is generally not flush, it is difficult for the first identification assembly 63 to identify it as a perfect circle, and subsequent step operations cannot be performed. Therefore, before double-layer pre-arrangement, the control assembly 62 controls the grinding assembly 65 to grind the end faces of the plurality of optical fibers in sequence. After coating, the control assembly controls the heating assembly 66 to heat the optical fiber array to achieve preliminary curing and complete curing. Specifically, the control assembly can control the preliminary curing and complete curing by controlling the heating temperature and heating time of the heating assembly 66.
[0043] Further, the jig 1 has an identification tag, and the identification tags of different layers of jigs 1 are unique. When preparing the optical fiber array, the control assembly identifies the identification tag of the jig 1, and the assembly robot 64 places the optical fiber array into the corresponding jig 1.
[0044] The following describes a method for preparing an optical fiber array by using the jig and the device of the present application. The preparation method can prepare 2-layer, 4-layer, 6-layer, etc. even-layer densely packed optical fibers according to requirements, and the prepared densely packed optical fibers can achieve high-precision positioning and high consistency of the distance between the optical fibers, thereby achieving maximum space ratio.
[0045] As shown in Figure 7 The preparation method comprises: Step S100, double-layer pre-arrangement of optical fibers is performed by using a double-layer jig, and the first and last ends of the optical fibers extend from the two ends of the profiling hole of the double-layer jig.
[0046] In the preparation of even-layer close-packed optical fibers, the double-layer jig of the above embodiment is used to pre-arrange the optical fibers in double layers. The structure of the double-layer jig is not repeated. It should be noted that the number of the first limiting grooves 21 and the third limiting grooves 41 of the double-layer jig and other even layers in the subsequent steps is the same, and the number is the same as the number of each layer of optical fibers in the even-layer close-packed optical fiber to be prepared.
[0047] In the double-layer pre-arrangement, the jig 1 is first positioned and fixed on the assembly loading table 61, and then a plurality of optical fibers are inserted into the corresponding hole positions of the profiling holes of the double-layer jig by manual or assembly robot 64. The profiling holes of the double-layer jig can position the optical fibers from four sides, i.e. up, down, left and right, as shown in Figure 11 The first and last ends of the plurality of optical fibers extend from the two ends of the profiling holes of the double-layer jig to facilitate subsequent operation steps.
[0048] The double-layer pre-arrangement can be automatically performed by the equipment of the above embodiment, which can improve the accuracy and stability of the pre-arrangement and improve the assembly efficiency. As shown in Figure 9 The step S100 includes: Step S110, grinding the end faces of the plurality of optical fibers respectively.
[0049] Since the end faces of the optical fibers are generally not flush, it is difficult for the first identification component 63 to identify them as a perfect circle, and subsequent step operations cannot be performed. Therefore, before the double-layer pre-arrangement, the control component 62 controls the grinding component 65 to grind the end faces of the plurality of optical fibers in sequence.
[0050] Step S120, calculating the size of the profiling hole of the double-layer jig.
[0051] The control component 62 controls the first identification component 63 to take a picture of the double-layer jig, and then calculates the size of the profiling hole 12 in the double-layer jig to determine the diameter, number and insertion position of each optical fiber. The first identification component 63 is a high-definition camera. It should be noted that the order of steps S120 and S110 can be changed.
[0052] Step S130, calculating the end face diameter of the plurality of optical fibers in sequence.
[0053] The control component 62 controls the assembly robot 64 to grab the optical fiber. The assembly robot 64 grabs one optical fiber at a time. After grabbing, the control component 62 controls the first identification component 63 to take a picture of the grabbed optical fiber and calculate the end face diameter of the optical fiber.
[0054] Step S140, inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the corresponding positions of the profiling holes of the double-layer jig in sequence to complete the double-layer pre-arrangement.
[0055] When the end face diameter of the optical fiber meets the diameter of the optical fiber that can be inserted into the profiling hole in the double-layer jig, the control assembly 62 controls the assembly robot 64 to insert the optical fiber into the corresponding hole position of the double-layer jig. Repeat this step until a sufficient number of optical fibers are inserted into the double-layer jig, thereby completing the installation of the double-layer optical fiber. The assembly robot 64 can be a six-axis adjustable robot.
[0056] Step S200, glue is brushed at the head and tail positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fiber and is cured to form 2 layers of densely arranged optical fiber.
[0057] After the plurality of optical fibers are pre-arranged in the double-layer jig, the two ends of all the optical fibers protrude from the two ends of the profiling hole; then glue is brushed at the head and tail positions of the double-layer optical fiber and is cured, thereby forming 2 layers of densely arranged optical fiber. The cured 2 layers of densely arranged optical fiber are in an integral structure and can be taken out from the jig as a whole. In the 2 layers of densely arranged optical fiber, each optical fiber is tangent to all adjacent optical fibers, and the number of optical fibers in each layer is the same and is staggered by a distance of half the radius of an optical fiber.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, specifically, step S200 includes: Figure 10 Step S210, a predetermined thickness of glue is applied at the head and tail positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fiber.
[0059] In an embodiment, a thermosetting glue with a thickness of 1 to 5 um is applied at the head and tail positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fiber. The glue can be epoxy resin, etc. The glue can be applied manually or by a glue applicator.
[0060] Step S220, the double-layer optical fiber after brushing glue is preliminarily cured.
[0061] The double-layer optical fiber after brushing glue needs to be preliminarily cured. The glue after preliminary curing needs to have slight elasticity to facilitate subsequent fine adjustment of the position of the optical fiber. The slight elasticity means that the hardness of the glue after preliminary curing is slightly flexible and not brittle, and the optical fiber array can be lifted without falling apart. Through tests, it can be determined that when the glue after preliminary curing can reach a Shore hardness of 40A, the glue can meet the use requirements after preliminary curing.
[0062] Specifically, in actual operation, preliminary curing only needs to control the heating temperature and heating time of the heating assembly 66. In an embodiment, the double-layer optical fiber after brushing glue is heated at a temperature of 65 to 70°C for 30 min, thereby completing preliminary curing. In this embodiment, the heating assembly 66 is an electric baking plate without light source.
[0063] Step S230, fine adjustment is performed on the optical fiber with position deviation in the double-layer optical fiber after preliminary curing.
[0064] When the primary curing is completed and the individual fiber spacing is deviated, a steel needle can be used to push the fiber end face with the aid of a microscope or other equipment to achieve the position fine adjustment of the fiber, which is used to ensure that the 2-layer densely packed fiber formed after complete curing meets the requirements.
[0065] Step S240, the fine-adjusted double-layer fiber is completely cured to form a 2-layer densely packed fiber.
[0066] After fine adjustment, all the fibers are in the corresponding positions of the profiled holes, and at this time, the double-layer fiber needs to be further cured to form a 2-layer densely packed fiber.
[0067] In an embodiment, the fine-adjusted double-layer fiber is continuously heated at a temperature of 65-70°C for 30-60 min to complete the complete curing. After complete curing, the glue can reach a Shore hardness of 80A.
[0068] Step S300, the 2-layer densely packed fiber is taken out from the double-layer jig.
[0069] The 2-layer densely packed fiber after complete curing is an integral structure and will not spread out when taken out from the jig, as shown in Figure 12 .
[0070] As shown in Figure 8 , the preparation method further comprises: Step S400, repeating the above steps to prepare n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers.
[0071] When 2n-layer densely packed fibers need to be prepared, n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers are prepared by repeating steps S100-S300, and n is a positive integer greater than 1. For example, when 4-layer densely packed fibers are finally prepared, 2 groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers need to be prepared; when 6-layer densely packed fibers are finally prepared, 3 groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers need to be prepared; when 8-layer densely packed fibers are finally prepared, 4 groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers need to be prepared; and so on. According to the number of layers of the densely packed fiber to be prepared, the number of 2-layer densely packed fibers to be prepared is determined for standby use.
[0072] Step S500, n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers are sequentially inserted into the profiled holes of a 2n-layer jig, and the first and last ends of the n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers extend from both ends of the profiled holes of the 2n-layer jig.
[0073] The control assembly 62 controls the assembly robot 64 to sequentially grasp n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers. Among them, the assembly robot 64 grasps 1 group of 2-layer densely packed fibers each time. After grasping, the n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers are sequentially inserted into the profiled holes of a 2n-layer jig in the first recognition assembly positioning mode, and the 2n-layer jig positions the n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers in the up, down, left and right four directions. Among them, the first and last ends of the n groups of 2-layer densely packed fibers extend from both ends of the profiled holes of the 2n-layer jig.
[0074] For example, when preparing 4-layer densely packed optical fibers, 2 sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers are needed; the control assembly 62 controls the assembly robot 64 to sequentially pick up the 2 sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers and install them into a 4-layer jig. For another example, when preparing 6-layer densely packed optical fibers, 3 sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers are needed; the control assembly 62 controls the assembly robot 64 to sequentially pick up the 3 sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers and install them into a 6-layer jig.
[0075] Step S600, glue is brushed at the head and tail positions of the n sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers and is cured to form 2n-layer densely packed optical fibers.
[0076] After the n sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers are inserted into the profiled holes of the 2n-layer jig, glue is brushed at the head and tail positions of the n sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers (avoiding the positions of the jig) and is cured to form 2n-layer densely packed optical fibers. The brushing and curing methods are the same as those for the 2-layer densely packed optical fibers, and will not be described here again. In the 2n-layer densely packed optical fibers, each optical fiber is tangent to all adjacent optical fibers, the number of optical fibers in each layer is the same, and adjacent layers of optical fibers are arranged with a one-fiber radius distance offset, and the optical fibers in the odd-numbered layers are arranged with the head and tail aligned, and the optical fibers in the even-numbered layers are arranged with the head and tail aligned.
[0077] The optical fiber array of the embodiment of the present application is prepared by first using a double-layer jig to pre-arrange the optical fibers in double layers, then brushing glue at the head and tail positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers and curing to form 2-layer densely packed optical fibers, and finally taking out the 2-layer densely packed optical fibers from the double-layer jig. When preparing 2n-layer densely packed optical fibers, n sets of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers are stacked one by one, and a jig with corresponding layers is used to prepare each set of 2-layer densely packed optical fibers. The preparation method of the optical fiber array is simple, the assembly efficiency is high, and the prepared optical fiber array can achieve the maximum space ratio and meet the use requirements.
[0078] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A method for fabricating an optical fiber array, characterized in that, The preparation method includes: A double-layer fixture is used to pre-arrange optical fibers in a double layer. The two ends of the optical fibers extend from the two ends of the contour hole (12) of the double-layer fixture. The inner wall surface of the contour hole (12) of the double-layer fixture has a first limiting wall (2), a second limiting wall (3), a third limiting wall (4), and a fourth limiting wall (5) connected together. The first limiting wall (2) faces the third limiting wall (4), and the second limiting wall (3) faces the fourth limiting wall (5). The first limiting wall (2) has a plurality of first limiting grooves (21), the second limiting wall (3) has two second limiting grooves (31), the third limiting wall (4) has a plurality of third limiting grooves (41), and the fourth limiting wall (5) has two fourth limiting grooves (51). The plurality of first limiting grooves (21) correspond to the plurality of third limiting grooves (41), and the two second limiting grooves (31) correspond to the two fourth limiting grooves (51). Apply adhesive to the beginning and end of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers and cure them to form two layers of closely packed optical fibers. Remove the two layers of closely packed optical fibers from the double-layer fixture.
2. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preparation method further includes: Repeat the above steps to prepare n sets of two-layer close-packed optical fibers; n sets of two-layer densely packed optical fibers are sequentially inserted into the contour hole (12) of the 2n-layer fixture. The beginning and end ends of the n sets of two-layer densely packed optical fibers extend from both ends of the contour hole (12) of the 2n-layer fixture. The inner wall of the contour hole (12) of the 2n-layer fixture has a connected first limiting wall (2), a second limiting wall (3), a third limiting wall (4), and a fourth limiting wall (5). The first limiting wall (2) faces the third limiting wall (4), and the second limiting wall (3) faces the fourth limiting wall (5). The first limiting wall (2) has a plurality of first limiting grooves (21), the second limiting wall (3) has 2n second limiting grooves (31), the third limiting wall (4) has a plurality of third limiting grooves (41), and the fourth limiting wall (5) has 2n fourth limiting grooves (51). The plurality of first limiting grooves (21) correspond to the plurality of third limiting grooves (41), and the 2n second limiting grooves (31) correspond to the 2n fourth limiting grooves (51), where n is a positive integer greater than 1. Apply adhesive to the beginning and end positions of n groups of 2-layer close-packed optical fibers and cure to form 2n-layer close-packed optical fibers.
3. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the two layers of closely packed optical fibers, each optical fiber is tangent to all adjacent optical fibers, and the number of optical fibers in each layer is the same and they are staggered by one optical fiber radius distance. In the 2n-layer close-packed optical fiber, each optical fiber is tangent to all adjacent optical fibers. The number of optical fibers in each layer is the same, and the optical fibers in adjacent layers are staggered by one optical fiber radius distance. The optical fibers in odd-numbered layers are aligned end to end, and the optical fibers in even-numbered layers are aligned end to end.
4. The preparation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method of using a double-layer fixture to pre-align optical fibers in a double layer includes: The end faces of multiple optical fibers are polished separately; Calculate the dimensions of the contour hole (12) of the double-layer fixture; Calculate the end face diameters of multiple optical fibers sequentially; Multiple optical fibers are inserted sequentially into the corresponding positions of the contour holes (12) of the double-layer fixture to complete the double-layer pre-arrangement.
5. The preparation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The step of applying adhesive to the beginning and end positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers and curing it to form two layers of closely packed optical fibers includes: Apply adhesive of a predetermined thickness to the beginning and end of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers. Preliminary curing of the double-layer optical fiber after applying adhesive; Fine-tuning is performed on the fiber with positional deviation in the pre-cured double-layer optical fiber; The finely tuned double-layer optical fiber is completely solidified to form two layers of closely packed optical fiber.
6. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of applying adhesive of a predetermined thickness to the beginning and end positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers includes: Thermosetting adhesive with a thickness of 1µm to 5µm is applied to the first and last positions of the pre-arranged double-layer optical fibers.
7. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The preliminary curing of the double-layer optical fiber after applying adhesive includes: The double-layered optical fiber after applying adhesive is heated at 65℃ to 70℃ for 30 minutes to complete the initial curing.
8. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The process of completely solidifying the fine-tuned double-layer optical fiber to form two layers of close-packed optical fiber includes: The finely tuned double-layer optical fiber was heated at 70℃ for 30 to 60 minutes to complete the curing process.
9. A fixture for an optical fiber array, characterized in that, The fixture (1) includes a base plate (11), the base plate (11) is provided with a contour hole (12), the inner wall surface of the contour hole (12) has a first limiting wall (2), a second limiting wall (3), a third limiting wall (4) and a fourth limiting wall (5) connected to each other, the first limiting wall (2) faces the third limiting wall (4), the second limiting wall (3) faces the fourth limiting wall (5), the first limiting wall (2) has a plurality of first limiting grooves (21), the second limiting wall (3) has 2x second limiting grooves (31), the third limiting wall (4) has a plurality of third limiting grooves (41), the fourth limiting wall (5) has 2x fourth limiting grooves (51), the plurality of first limiting grooves (21) respectively correspond to the plurality of third limiting grooves (41), the 2x second limiting grooves (31) respectively correspond to the 2x fourth limiting grooves (51), where x is a positive integer.
10. An apparatus for fabricating fiber optic arrays, characterized in that, The device includes: Assembly loading platform; The fixture (1) as described in claim 9 is disposed on the loading platform; Control components, which are communicatively connected to the loading platform; A first identification component is communicatively connected to the control component, and the first identification component is used to identify the fiber optic array; Assemble the robotic arm and connect it to the control component via communication; The control component controls the assembly robot to place the fiber optic array into the fixture (1) based on the recognition result of the first recognition component.