Optical fiber end face detection tool, device, apparatus and method

Abstract

This application proposes a fixture, apparatus, equipment, and method for inspecting the end face of a pigtail. The pigtail end face inspection fixture includes a base plate, a pigtail fixing block, and an angle adjustment component. The base plate has a through hole, and the bottom end of the pigtail fixing block extends into the through hole. The angle adjustment component is installed on the base plate and detachably connected to the pigtail fixing block. The angle adjustment component is used to adjust the tilt angle of the pigtail fixing block relative to the base plate. This pigtail end face inspection fixture, by setting an adjustable tilt angle pigtail fixing structure, can adapt to the precise clamping and angle matching inspection of small-sized finished pigtails with tilt angles. It effectively solves the problems of unstable positioning, incompatible angles, and poor inspection accuracy in traditional fixture-less inspection, improves the accuracy and convenience of pigtail end face defect and first-piece inspection, ensures the optical performance of devices, and improves the product yield.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of inspection of pigtail end faces, and specifically relates to a tooling, apparatus, equipment and method for inspecting pigtail end faces. Background Technology

[0002] Closed-loop interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes are core components in high-precision inertial navigation, widely used in precision measurement and control scenarios such as aviation, aerospace, and maritime applications. Their core performance, including detection accuracy and stability, directly depends on the working quality of their internal optical components. Lithium niobate multifunctional integrated optical components, as key core components of the fiber optic gyroscope, play a crucial role in the input, output, and transmission control of optical signals. The overall optical performance of the device directly determines the overall measurement accuracy and operational reliability of the fiber optic gyroscope. This device mainly consists of a housing, a chip, and a pigtail. The industry commonly uses UV adhesive bonding to achieve the coupling and alignment of the pigtail fiber and the chip waveguide, thereby ensuring stable optical signal transmission. The quality of the pigtail end face and the coupling process are crucial for controlling the device's optical parameters.

[0003] In the mass production process of fiber optic pigtails, the industry-standard workflow includes core steps such as carrier slotting, fiber positioning and bonding, end-face polishing, and carrier segmentation. To reduce the back reflection parameters of the device, the front end face of the pigtail carrier is usually processed into an inclined structure. During the whole-board processing stage before carrier segmentation, a dedicated polishing fixture can be used to fix the workpiece, enabling convenient and accurate end-face quality inspection and effectively identifying appearance defects such as scratches, defects, and cracks. Simultaneously, to control the coupling process quality, the industry generally adopts a first-article acceptance mechanism to inspect the end face and UV adhesive layer condition of the coupled pigtail, avoiding optical loss problems caused by process defects such as uneven adhesive layer thickness and internal bubbles.

[0004] Existing testing processes have significant technical limitations and are ill-suited for the high-precision testing requirements of individual finished fiber optic pigtails. After being segmented and formed by a carrier, the pigtails have a tiny overall structure and tilted end faces. Without specialized tooling, it is impossible to stably fix the pigtails and accommodate their angled structure, making end-face defect detection inefficient and inaccurate. This testing challenge not only fails to effectively screen for inherent end-face defects in finished fiber optic pigtails but also significantly reduces the accuracy of first-piece coupling inspection, easily causing polarization crosstalk and exceeding insertion loss parameters, ultimately affecting the accuracy and stability of the entire fiber optic gyroscope and restricting the yield rate of high-precision integrated optical devices and the level of quality control in mass production.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to design a tooling, device, equipment, and method for inspecting the end face of pigtails to facilitate the inspection of pigtail end faces. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address some or all of the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art, this invention proposes a fixture, apparatus, equipment, and method for inspecting the end face of a pigtail. This pigtail end face inspection fixture, by setting an adjustable-angle pigtail fixing structure, can adapt to the precise clamping and angle matching inspection of small-sized finished pigtails with angles, effectively solving the problems of unstable positioning, mismatched angles, and poor inspection accuracy in traditional fixture-less inspection. It improves the accuracy and convenience of inspecting pigtail end face defects and coupling first-piece inspection, ensuring the optical performance of devices and increasing product yield.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pigtail end face inspection fixture is provided, including a base plate, a pigtail fixing block and an angle adjustment assembly. The base plate has a through hole, the bottom end of the pigtail fixing block extends into the through hole, and the angle adjustment assembly is installed on the base plate and detachably connected to the pigtail fixing block. The angle adjustment assembly is used to adjust the tilt angle of the pigtail fixing block relative to the base plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the angle adjustment assembly includes a support plate, a connecting arm, a lead screw, and a lead screw nut. The lead screw is rotatably mounted on the base plate, and the lead screw nut is threaded onto the outside of the lead screw. The lead screw nut is slidably connected to a guide groove provided in the base plate. One end of the connecting arm is hinged to the lead screw nut, and the other end is hinged to the support plate. The support plate is hinged to the wall of the through hole and detachably connected to the pigtail fixing block.

[0009] In one embodiment, an angle scale is also included, which is fixedly mounted on the base plate and cooperates with the support plate to indicate the adjustment angle of the pigtail fixing block.

[0010] In one embodiment, a first guide is provided on the support plate, and a second guide is provided on the back of the pigtail fixing block, wherein the second guide is adapted to guide the first guide.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first guide is configured as a guide block protruding from the support plate and extending vertically, and the second guide is configured as a guide groove on the pigtail fixing block.

[0012] In one embodiment, the support plate is provided with a first positioning surface, and the pigtail fixing block is provided with a second positioning surface, the second positioning surface being fitted against the first positioning surface to achieve positioning.

[0013] In one embodiment, the pigtail fixing block is provided with adhesive for attaching a single pigtail in the pigtail, or the pigtail fixing block is provided with a magnetic element for adsorbing and connecting multiple pigtails in the pigtail clamp body.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pigtail end face detection device is provided, comprising the above-described pigtail end face detection fixture and a pigtail, wherein the pigtail is placed on the pigtail fixing block and the end face of the pigtail is exposed through the through hole.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a pigtail end face inspection device is provided, comprising a microscope and the aforementioned pigtail end face inspection apparatus, wherein the pigtail end face inspection fixture is placed on the stage of the microscope and the end face of the pigtail faces towards the observation end of the microscope.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for inspecting the end face of a pigtail using the aforementioned pigtail end face inspection device is provided, comprising: Step 1: Place the pigtail onto the pigtail fixing block of the pigtail end face detection fixture. Step two, install the pigtail fixing block onto the angle adjustment assembly. Step 3: Install the fiber optic end face inspection fixture onto the microscope. Step four: Use the microscope to inspect and observe the end face of the pigtail.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are as follows: During operation, the pigtail is set on the pigtail fixing block, and the bottom end of the pigtail fixing block extends into the through hole of the base plate. Then, the tilt angle of the pigtail fixing block is precisely adjusted by the angle adjustment component. This can accurately match the posture of small-sized finished pigtails with tilted end face structures. This tooling can stably complete the detection of pigtail end face scratches, cracks, and process defects such as UV adhesive bubbles and uneven adhesive layers. It effectively avoids missed detections and false detections, improves the accuracy and stability of pigtail end face inspection and first article confirmation, ensures the key optical indicators of lithium niobate optical devices such as polarization crosstalk and insertion loss, and significantly improves the quality and yield of mass production. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A pigtail end face detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a pigtail end face detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A pigtail fixing block according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A support plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A pigtail fixing block according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A pigtail end face detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a pigtail end face detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A fiber optic end face inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 9 A pigtail end face inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 10 This shows a single-fiber structure in the prior art; Figure 11 This demonstrates a multi-fiber tail structure in the prior art.

[0019] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not an exhaustive list of all embodiments. Furthermore, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention provide a fixture for inspecting the end face of a pigtail. For example... Figures 1 to 9As shown, the pigtail end-face inspection fixture includes a base plate 1, a pigtail fixing block 2, and an angle adjustment assembly 3. The base plate 1 serves as the basic support structure for the fixture. A through hole 11 is formed at the center of the base plate 1. The through hole 11 is a vertical through structure, providing assembly and clearance space for the pigtail fixing block 2 and exposing the end face of the pigtail. The pigtail fixing block 2 is a vertically arranged block-shaped mounting base. The bottom structure of the pigtail fixing block 2 extends into the through hole 11 of the base plate 1. The angle adjustment assembly 3 is assembled and fixed on the base plate 1. The movable end of the angle adjustment assembly 3 is detachably connected to the outer back wall of the pigtail fixing block 2. The angle adjustment assembly 3 acts as an angle driving and adjustment mechanism, allowing real-time adjustment of the tilt angle of the pigtail fixing block 2 relative to the horizontal plane of the base plate 1 to accommodate pigtails with different tilt angle specifications.

[0023] In actual testing operations, this fixture uses the base plate 1 as the overall bearing reference to ensure the horizontality and stability of the fixture. Before inspecting the end face of the pigtail, the single or multiple pigtails to be inspected are first stably assembled and fixed in the front mounting area of ​​the pigtail fixing block 2. The assembly structure of the bottom end of the pigtail fixing block 2 extending into the through hole 11 ensures the basic assembly accuracy. Addressing the issue of the finished pigtail having an inclined end face and a small overall size, making it difficult to match the inspection posture, the angle adjustment component 3 mounted on the base plate 1 applies an adjustment force. The angle adjustment component 3 causes the detachably connected pigtail fixing block 2 to deflect at an angle, precisely adjusting the inclination angle of the pigtail fixing block 2 relative to the base plate 1. This ensures that the inclination angle of the pigtail end face fixed on the pigtail fixing block 2 is perfectly matched with the microscope inspection reference plane, achieving precise calibration of the pigtail inspection posture and providing a stable and accurate clamping condition for end face microscopic inspection.

[0024] Therefore, this embodiment constructs a dedicated finished fiber optic pigtail clamping and inspection structure through the cooperation of the base plate 1, the pigtail fixing block 2, and the angle adjustment component 3. This completely solves the industry problems of traditional inspection methods, such as the lack of dedicated tooling, difficulty in stably clamping small-sized inclined pigtails, mismatched inspection angles, and chaotic inspection benchmarks. The angle-adjustable assembly structure can adapt to the inspection needs of pigtails with various tilt angles, offering strong versatility. Simultaneously, the detachable connection structure facilitates the disassembly, cleaning, and replacement of the pigtail fixing block 2, reducing the difficulty of tooling maintenance. It effectively avoids the shaking and offset problems inherent in manual handheld inspection, eliminates missed and false detections during pigtail end-face inspection, and significantly improves the detection accuracy of defects such as scratches, cracks, and breaks on the pigtail end-face, as well as process defects such as bubbles in the coupling UV adhesive and uneven adhesive layer thickness. This provides a reliable guarantee for the pre-quality control of lithium niobate multifunctional integrated optical devices.

[0025] In one embodiment, the angle adjustment assembly 3 includes a support plate 31, a connecting arm 32, a lead screw 33, and a lead screw nut 34. The lead screw 33 is rotatably mounted on the base plate 1. The axial direction of the lead screw 33 is parallel to the surface of the base plate 1, allowing it to rotate freely around its own axis. The lead screw nut 34 is threaded onto the outer side of the lead screw 33. A guide groove 12 is provided on the base plate 1 corresponding to the movement path of the lead screw nut 34. The lead screw nut 34 is slidably embedded in the guide groove 12, which restricts the lead screw nut 34 to linear movement only along the axial direction of the lead screw 33, preventing circumferential rotation. The connecting arm 32 is a bar-shaped transmission rod. One end of the connecting arm 32 is hinged to the outer end face of the lead screw nut 34 via a pin, and the other end of the connecting arm 32 is hinged to the back side wall of the support plate 31 via a pin. The bottom corner of the support plate 31 is hinged to the inner wall of the through hole 11 of the base plate 1 via a hinge shaft. The front panel of the support plate 31 is detachably and fixedly connected to the back structure of the pigtail fixing block 2, forming a complete angle transmission adjustment structure.

[0026] During operation, the lead screw 33 is manually rotated. As the lead screw 33 rotates, the screw nut 34 moves linearly along the guide groove 12 through thread engagement. The guide groove 12's limiting function ensures that the lead screw nut 34 moves without offset or deflection, maintaining a stable and precise trajectory. As the lead screw nut 34 moves, it causes the hinged connecting arm 32 to simultaneously swing in angle and shift in position. The connecting arm 32 further pushes or pulls the support plate 31, causing the support plate 31 to deflect slightly around the hinge point between its bottom and the side wall of the through hole 11. During this deflection, the detachable fiber optic fixing block 2 is simultaneously tilted, ultimately achieving precise fine-tuning of the fiber optic fixing block 2's tilt angle to match the tilt angle of the fiber optic end face being tested, thus completing the precise calibration of the testing posture.

[0027] This embodiment employs a threaded transmission structure with lead screw 33 and lead screw nut 34, offering advantages such as high fine-tuning precision and strong self-locking. Compared to traditional manual adjustment methods, it enables stepless and precise fine-tuning of the tilt angle of the pigtail fixing block 2, significantly improving angle adjustment accuracy. The limiting structure of the guide groove 12 effectively eliminates transmission backlash, preventing wobbling and offset during angle adjustment and ensuring consistency and repeatability of each adjustment. The linkage-driven transmission method provides smooth transmission and uniform force distribution, preventing squeezing damage to the pigtail fixing block 2 and the clamped pigtail. The overall mechanical transmission structure is stable, reliable, and has a low failure rate, enabling long-term adaptation to high-precision optical inspection conditions, further improving the accuracy and stability of pigtail end-face inspection, and meeting the stringent inspection requirements of high-precision fiber optic devices.

[0028] In one embodiment, an angle scale 35 is added. For example, the angle scale 35 is a metal structure with etched graduations. The angle scale 35 is fixed to the base plate 1 and arranged against the side of the support plate 31. The scale range covers the conventional processing tilt angle range of pigtails. It can cooperate in real time with the side of the support plate 31, which serves as the reading indicator, to accurately indicate the real-time tilt angle between the support plate 31 and the pigtail fixing block 2. When the equipment is working, the operator rotates the lead screw 33 to drive the support plate 31 to deflect at an angle. By observing the corresponding scale value on the side of the support plate 31, the real-time tilt angle can be read intuitively and quantitatively. The equipment parameters can then be precisely fine-tuned by comparing with the standard tilt angle to complete the standardized calibration of the pigtail posture. This structure changes the traditional operation mode of adjustment based on experience, solves the problems of large errors and poor consistency in manual angle adjustment, realizes visual and precise adjustment of the tilt angle, effectively improves the efficiency of tooling debugging and the degree of standardization of testing, ensures the consistency and traceability of test data of different batches and different operators, and improves the batch quality inspection and control effect.

[0029] In one embodiment, a first guide member 36 extending vertically is provided on the front panel of the support plate 31. Simultaneously, a second guide member 21, with a matching structure and size, is provided on the back sidewall of the fiber optic fixing block 2. The first guide member 36 and the second guide member 21 form a vertically sliding guide mating pair, achieving precise guidance and positioning during the assembly process without damaging the detachable assembly structure of the fiber optic fixing block 2 and the support plate 31. During assembly, the operator vertically attaches the fiber optic fixing block 2 to the front of the support plate 31, allowing the second guide member 21 and the first guide member 36 to interlock. The guiding structure automatically corrects lateral assembly deviations, restricting the fiber optic fixing block 2 from misalignment in other directions, retaining only vertical assembly and disassembly freedom, effectively ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the assembly position of the fiber optic fixing block 2 and the support plate 31. Throughout the subsequent angle adjustment and end-face inspection process, the guide mating structure maintains the relative assembly accuracy of the two, ensuring that the angle adjustment of the support plate 31 is completely and accurately transmitted to the fiber optic fixing block 2, eliminating angle transmission lag and deviation. This structure effectively reduces the operational difficulty of tooling assembly, improves assembly efficiency and repeatability accuracy, and significantly improves structural stability after multiple disassembly and assembly.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the specific construction of the guide structure is further defined, employing a combination structure of protruding guide blocks and embedded guide grooves to achieve high-precision guiding and positioning. Specifically, the first guide member 36 is a vertically extending trapezoidal protruding guide block, which can be securely assembled to the front panel surface of the support plate 31 via integral molding or bolt fixing. The second guide member 21 is correspondingly configured as a vertical guide groove formed on the back of the pigtail fixing block 2. The guide groove can be a through groove or a blind groove structure, and its width, depth, and other dimensional parameters precisely match the shape of the guide block of the first guide member 36, allowing the guide block to be completely and tightly fitted into the guide groove, forming a stable vertical sliding guide mating pair. During actual assembly and operation, the operator aligns the guide groove on the back of the pigtail fixing block 2 with the vertical guide block on the support plate 31, completing the insertion assembly from top to bottom. Relying on the omnidirectional limiting effect of the trapezoidal structure, the pigtail fixing block 2 is restricted from offset and misalignment in the front-back and left-right directions relative to the support plate 31, retaining only vertical assembly and disassembly freedom. Throughout the angle adjustment and end-face inspection process, the guide block and guide groove remain tightly engaged, ensuring a constant relative position between the fiber optic fixing block 2 and the support plate 31. This guarantees synchronized and uniform angle adjustment actions without transmission deviation. The guide structure features a simple overall design and convenient manufacturing, offering advantages such as small gaps, precise positioning, high wear resistance, and stable operation. It completely eliminates assembly wobbling and misalignment issues, effectively ensuring assembly accuracy and angle transmission accuracy. Furthermore, its easy disassembly and assembly facilitates maintenance and specification replacement of the fiber optic fixing block, significantly improving tooling adaptability, practicality, and service life, meeting the requirements of high-precision batch testing.

[0031] A flat first positioning surface 37 is machined onto the front panel of the support plate 31. Simultaneously, a second positioning surface 22, precisely matching the first positioning surface 37, is machined onto the back sidewall of the fiber optic fixing block 2. Both the first positioning surface 37 and the second positioning surface 22 are manufactured using precision machining processes, resulting in low flatness error and extremely high planar fit accuracy and structural flatness. During tooling assembly, the operator aligns the guide groove on the back of the fiber optic fixing block 2 with the vertical guide block on the support plate 31, completing the insertion assembly from top to bottom until the second positioning surface 22 sits on the first positioning surface 37, thus completing the precise assembly of the fiber optic fixing block 2. Based on the initial alignment and limiting of the guide structure, the positioning method of double-plane rigid fit completely eliminates problems such as assembly gaps, loose fits, and alignment misalignment existing in traditional assembly structures, achieving precise omnidirectional positioning of the fiber optic fixing block 2 and effectively limiting minor wobbling and displacement deviations in the front-back and left-right directions. Throughout the subsequent angle adjustment and end-face microscopic inspection process, relying on the rigid bonding and positioning effect of the dual planes, the angle adjustment action of the support plate 31 can be completely transmitted to the pigtail fixing block 2 without gaps, loss, or deviation, ensuring that the angle deflection height of the two is synchronized and unified, effectively avoiding the angle transmission error and detection reference offset problems caused by structural gaps.

[0032] The front mounting area of ​​the pigtail fixing block 2 is adapted to two different clamping structures, allowing for switching between precise clamping of a single pigtail and batch clamping of multiple pigtails as needed. Specifically, there are two types: adhesive clamping structure and magnetic clamping structure. The first type is the adhesive fixing structure for a single pigtail 50. Specifically, the front of the pigtail fixing block 2 has a bonding surface 24, while the bottom has a positioning ridge 23. A special optical heat-resistant adhesive is evenly coated on the bonding surface. The adhesive used is a fiber-specific curing adhesive that leaves no residue and does not corrode the outer cladding of the pigtail; this adhesive is a commonly used adhesive in the field. During operation, the edge 51 of the single pigtail 50 to be tested is directly aligned with the positioning ridge 23 of the pigtail fixing block 2 and then bonded to the bonding surface. The adhesive bonding effect achieves flexible fixing of the single pigtail 50 without compression, avoiding damage to the outer wall and end face of the tiny pigtail by rigid clamping. After bonding, the end face 52 of the single pigtail 50 is exposed at the through hole 11. The second type is a multi-fiber pigtail magnetic fixing structure. The multi-fiber pigtail 80 includes a pigtail clamp body 81, a carrier 82 mounted on the pigtail clamp body 81, and optical fibers 83 mounted on the carrier 82. A magnetic suction element 25 is embedded in the front of the pigtail fixing block 2. The magnetic suction element 25 contains a permanent magnet for adsorption connection to the pigtail clamp body 81. Multiple optical fibers 83 are uniformly arranged and fixed on the pigtail clamp body 81. During operation, the pigtail clamp body 81, loaded with multiple optical fibers 83, is directly attached to the pigtail fixing block 2, and quick alignment and adsorption are achieved by the magnetic force of the magnetic suction element 25. A positioning pin 26 is vertically positioned on the front of the pigtail fixing block 2. Simultaneously, a positioning pin hole 84 is provided on the pigtail clamp body 81. During installation, the positioning pin 26 is inserted into the positioning pin hole 84 to guide assembly and limit the connection.

[0033] It needs to be further explained that in the actual production process, two independent pigtail fixing blocks 2 can be equipped. One is dedicated to the detection of a single pigtail 50, and the other is dedicated to the detection of multiple pigtails 80. They can be disassembled and replaced as needed, and the adaptation method is flexible to meet different on-site testing needs.

[0034] This application also relates to a device for detecting the end face of a pigtail. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 10 and Figure 11The device includes the pigtail end-face inspection fixture described in any of the above embodiments and the pigtails to be inspected. The pigtails are divided into two categories: single pigtails 50 and multiple pigtails 80 integrating multiple optical fibers 83. During assembly, the single pigtail 50 or the multiple pigtails 80 with clamp body 81 are respectively installed on the front of the pigtail fixing block 2, and a stable clamping is achieved by adhesive bonding or magnetic adsorption. After assembly, the inspection end faces of all pigtails are exposed through the through holes 11 of the base plate 1, facilitating direct observation of end-face defects under a microscope. During the inspection process, the pigtail tilt angle is accurately calibrated using the angle adjustment component 3. This device integrates an adjustable angle fixture and a pigtail clamping structure compatible with two specifications. The overall assembly is simple, the clamping stability is strong, and it is compatible with single-pipe sampling inspection and multi-pipe batch inspection scenarios. End-face observation is unobstructed, effectively avoiding blind spots and further improving the inspection accuracy and universal adaptability of the entire inspection device.

[0035] This application also relates to a fiber optic pigtail end-face inspection device. The device includes a microscope 90 and the aforementioned fiber optic pigtail end-face inspection apparatus. A detachable support leg 13 is mounted on the bottom of the base plate 1, adaptable to two observation conditions. The first is a conventional upward-viewing inspection condition, where the base plate 1 of the fiber optic pigtail end-face inspection fixture is placed directly flat on the stage 91 of the microscope 90, with the fiber optic pigtail end-face facing downwards, directly facing the observation end of the microscope 90, and the microscope 90 observes the fiber optic pigtail end-face from bottom to top. The second is a downward-viewing inspection condition, where the fixture is inverted, supported by the support leg 13 of the base plate 1, achieving reverse mounting of the fixture. In this case, the fiber optic pigtail end-face is horizontally facing the lens of the microscope 90, and the microscope observes the end face. In both conditions, the fiber optic pigtail end-face always faces the microscope observation end, and the through-hole 11 avoids obstruction of observation. The added support leg allows for quick switching between upright and inverted mounting of the fixture without additional adjustment of the fixture's tilt angle, adapting to microscope equipment with different lens layouts.

[0036] This application also relates to a method for inspecting the end face of a pigtail using the aforementioned pigtail end face inspection equipment.

[0037] Step 1: Clamp the pigtails. Based on the testing requirements, install a single pigtail 50 or multiple pigtails 80 with the pigtail clamp body 81 onto the pigtail fixing block 2. Fix them using adhesive or magnetic attraction, ensuring the pigtail end face is exposed through the through hole 11 in the base plate 1. Step 2: Assemble the pigtail fixing block 2. Using the guide components 36, 21 and the positioning surfaces 37, 22, precisely assemble the pigtail fixing block 2 with the pigtails installed onto the support plate 31 of the angle adjustment component 3, completing the positioning and limiting. Step 3: Position the fixture. Depending on the observation method of the microscope 90, select a flat or inverted leg support for the fixture. Place the entire fixture on the stage 91 of the microscope 90, ensuring the pigtail end face is precisely aligned with the observation end of the microscope 90. Step 4: Microscopic inspection. Rotate the lead screw to adjust the pigtail tilt angle to match the testing reference. Observe the pigtail end face defects through the microscope 90. This method features a simple and orderly process, high assembly and positioning accuracy, convenient angle calibration, and adaptability to two observation angles and two types of pigtail detection. It avoids the problem of hand-held shaking throughout the process, and the standardized operation process effectively improves detection efficiency and the accuracy of detection results.

[0038] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and / or modifications falling within the scope of the invention, and all changes and / or modifications made according to embodiments of the invention should be covered within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fixture for inspecting the end face of a fiber optic pigtail, characterized in that, The device includes a base plate, a pigtail fixing block, and an angle adjustment assembly. The base plate has a through hole, and the bottom end of the pigtail fixing block extends into the through hole. The angle adjustment assembly is installed on the base plate and detachably connected to the pigtail fixing block. The angle adjustment assembly is used to adjust the tilt angle of the pigtail fixing block relative to the base plate.

2. The fiber optic tail end face inspection fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle adjustment assembly includes a support plate, a connecting arm, a lead screw, and a lead screw nut. The lead screw is rotatably mounted on the base plate, and the lead screw nut is threaded onto the outside of the lead screw. The lead screw nut is slidably connected to a guide groove provided in the base plate. One end of the connecting arm is hinged to the lead screw nut, and the other end is hinged to the support plate. The support plate is hinged to the wall of the through hole and detachably connected to the pigtail fixing block.

3. The fiber optic end face inspection fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes an angle scale, which is fixed on the base plate and cooperates with the support plate to indicate the adjustment angle of the pigtail fixing block.

4. The fiber optic tail end face inspection fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support plate is provided with a first guide member, and the back of the pigtail fixing block is provided with a second guide member, which is adapted to guide the first guide member.

5. The pigtail end face inspection fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first guide is a guide block that protrudes from the support plate and extends vertically, and the second guide is a guide groove on the pigtail fixing block.

6. The fiber optic end face inspection fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support plate is provided with a first positioning surface, and the pigtail fixing block is provided with a second positioning surface. The second positioning surface fits against the first positioning surface to achieve positioning.

7. The fixture for inspecting the end face of a pigtail according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The pigtail fixing block is provided with adhesive for attaching a single pigtail in the pigtail, or the pigtail fixing block is provided with a magnetic element for adsorbing and connecting multiple pigtails in the pigtail clamp body.

8. A device for detecting the end face of a pigtail, characterized in that, The device includes a pigtail end face inspection fixture and a pigtail according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pigtail is placed on the pigtail fixing block and the end face of the pigtail is exposed through the through hole.

9. A device for inspecting the end face of a pigtail, characterized in that, The device includes a microscope and a pigtail end face inspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pigtail end face inspection fixture is placed on the stage of the microscope and the end face of the pigtail faces the observation end of the microscope.

10. A method for inspecting the end face of a pigtail using the pigtail end face inspection device according to claim 9, characterized in that, include: Step 1: Place the pigtail onto the pigtail fixing block of the pigtail end face detection fixture. Step two, install the pigtail fixing block onto the angle adjustment assembly. Step 3: Install the fiber optic end face inspection fixture onto the microscope. Step four: Use the microscope to inspect and observe the end face of the pigtail.

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