An imaging system for a fiber fusion splicer

Abstract

The utility model discloses an imaging system of optical fiber fusion splicer, including microscope and microscope support, the microscope is installed on the microscope support, its characterized in that: the microscope support opposite face is equipped with lighting device, the lighting device include lighting support, LED light source and convex lens, and LED light source and convex lens are installed in lighting support, and lighting support, microscope support are installed on the corresponding position of the frame of optical fiber fusion splicer respectively, and the object plane of microscope stays on the welding position of optical fiber, and the light that the LED light source on lighting device sends is refracted after passing through convex lens and is gathered to the welding position of optical fiber, makes the microscope can observe the core of optical fiber, guarantees the stability and accuracy of welding, improves the quality of two optical fiber fusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic fusion splicers are mainly used for the construction and maintenance of optical cables in optical communication. They use a high-voltage electric arc to melt the cross-sections of two optical fibers while a high-precision motion mechanism smoothly advances the two optical fibers to fuse them into one, thereby achieving the coupling of the optical fiber mode field. During fiber coupling, it is necessary to observe and precisely align the position through an imaging device.

[0003] The optical imaging system is an important component of the fiber optic fusion splicer. When splicing optical fibers, the fiber optic fusion splicer uses an optical microscopic imaging system to obtain the alignment error of the two optical fibers to be spliced. After adjusting this error to the allowable range, it uses electric arc heating and a collimation mechanism to bring the end faces of the two optical fibers closer together and fuse them into a whole.

[0004] Imaging devices generally adopt an adjustable mode, as shown in patent number CN201620347560, entitled "Adjustment Structure of Imaging Device for Fiber Optic Fusion Splicer", as follows: As described in the embodiments and figures of the patent specification, the fiber optic fusion splicer includes two microscope imaging devices and a fusion splicer mounting bracket.

[0005] Current imaging devices have the following technical problems: 1) Microscopes typically have an optical magnification of 7.5x, which is relatively small and results in unclear images; 2) With only ordinary lighting, the light cannot be focused at the fiber welding position, resulting in low light energy and unclear imaging. Consequently, the fiber core cannot be seen on the fiber fusion splicer, affecting the stability and accuracy of the welding. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer, which solves the technical problem that in the prior art, microscope imaging devices only have ordinary lighting lamps, the light cannot be focused on the fiber welding position, the light energy is small, the imaging is unclear, and the fiber core cannot be seen on the fiber optic fusion splicer, thus affecting the stability and accuracy of the welding.

[0007] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows:

[0008] An imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer includes a microscope and a microscope support. The microscope is mounted on the microscope support. The system is characterized by an illumination device mounted directly opposite the microscope support. The illumination device includes an illumination support, an LED light source, and a convex lens. The LED light source and the convex lens are mounted on the illumination support. The illumination support and the microscope support are respectively mounted at corresponding positions on the frame of the fiber optic fusion splicer. The object plane of the microscope rests on the welding position of the optical fiber. The light emitted by the LED light source on the illumination device is refracted by the convex lens and focused onto the welding position of the optical fiber, enabling the microscope to observe the fiber core and improving the quality of the fusion splice of two optical fibers.

[0009] Preferably, a microscope and its corresponding illumination device are arranged along a straight optical axis L.

[0010] Preferably, the lighting bracket has a protruding cylinder in the middle, a convex lens is nested inside the cylinder and pressed tightly with a pressure ring, and an LED light source is set in the LED light source.

[0011] Preferably, mounting holes are provided on the lighting brackets on both sides of the cylinder, and the lighting brackets are installed on the frame of the fiber optic fusion splicer by screws passing through the mounting holes.

[0012] Preferably, the microscope includes a base, a stepper motor, a guide post, a focusing bracket, a focusing lens, a microscope tube adjustment seat, a microscope tube, and several lenses installed inside the microscope tube. The tail end of the microscope tube is mounted on the microscope tube adjustment seat, which is mounted on the end face of the base. A focusing lens is arranged behind the microscope tube and mounted on the focusing bracket. The guide post passes through both sides of the focusing bracket. Both the focusing bracket and the guide post are installed inside the base. An image sensor is arranged behind the focusing lens and mounted on the bottom of the base. The stepper motor drives the focusing bracket to move back and forth along the guide post through a transmission mechanism to achieve focusing.

[0013] Preferably, the magnification of the microscope reaches 9±0.5 times.

[0014] Preferably, the plurality of lenses include a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens. The first lens is cemented with the second lens, the second lens is separated from the third lens by a first spacer, the third lens is separated from the fourth lens by a second spacer, the fourth lens is cemented with the fifth lens, the fifth lens is separated from the sixth lens by a third spacer, and a locking ring is installed at the front end of the lens barrel.

[0015] Preferably, the frame is equipped with two microscopes and two lighting devices, with the two microscopes installed vertically at a 90-degree angle to each other.

[0016] Preferably, the rack is also equipped with two fusion electrodes, which are located on opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0017] Preferably, the first lens, second lens, third lens, fourth lens, fifth lens, and sixth lens are glass spherical mirrors; the focusing lens and convex lens are plastic aspherical mirrors.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0019] Effect 1: The microscope holder of this utility model has an illumination device installed directly opposite it. The illumination device includes an illumination bracket, an LED light source, and a convex lens. The LED light source and the convex lens are installed on the illumination bracket. The illumination bracket and the microscope holder are respectively installed at corresponding positions on the frame of the fiber optic fusion splicer. The object plane of the microscope rests on the welding position of the optical fiber. The light emitted by the LED light source on the illumination device is refracted by the convex lens and focused on the welding position of the optical fiber, so that the microscope can clearly observe the fiber core, ensuring welding stability and accuracy, and improving the quality of fusion splicing two optical fibers.

[0020] Other beneficial effects of this invention will be described in more detail in the embodiments section. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optical fiber fusion splicer of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the imaging system of the fiber optic fusion splicer of this utility model from one angle.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the imaging system of the fiber optic fusion splicer of this utility model from another angle;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural cross-sectional view of the imaging system of the fiber optic fusion splicer of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the illumination device of the imaging system of the fiber optic fusion splicer of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 An exploded view of the microscope of the imaging system of the fiber optic fusion splicer of this invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the microscope structure of the imaging system of the fiber optic fusion splicer of this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0029] Example 1:

[0030] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, this embodiment provides an imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer, including a microscope 1 and a microscope support 2. The microscope 1 is mounted on the microscope support 2. The key feature is that an illumination device 3 is mounted directly opposite the microscope support 2. The illumination device 3 includes an illumination bracket 31, an LED light source 32, and a convex lens 33. The LED light source 32 and the convex lens 33 are mounted on the illumination bracket 31. The illumination bracket 31 and the microscope support 2 are respectively mounted at corresponding positions on the frame 100 of the fiber optic fusion splicer. The object plane of the microscope 1 rests on the welding position of the optical fiber 20. The light emitted by the LED light source 32 on the illumination device 3 is refracted by the convex lens 33 and focused onto the welding position of the optical fiber 20, enabling the microscope 1 to observe the fiber core of the optical fiber 20, thus improving the quality of the fusion splicing of the two optical fibers. This ensures welding stability and accuracy, and improves the quality of the fusion splicing of the two optical fibers.

[0031] Preferably, a microscope 1 and its corresponding illumination device 3 are arranged on a straight optical axis L. The arrangement is reasonable, so that the light emitted by the LED light source 32 on the illumination device 3 is focused on the object surface, and the object surface of the microscope 1 is fixed on the welding position of the optical fiber 20 (i.e., on the object surface).

[0032] Preferably, the lighting bracket 31 has a protruding cylinder 310 in the middle, and the convex lens 33 is nested inside the cylinder 310 and pressed tightly by the pressure ring 34. The LED light source 32 is then installed. The structure is simple and easy to install.

[0033] Preferably, mounting holes 311 are provided on the lighting brackets 31 on both sides of the cylinder 310, and the lighting brackets 31 are mounted on the frame 100 of the fiber optic fusion splicer by screws passing through the mounting holes. Installation is simple.

[0034] Preferably, the microscope 1 includes a base 10, a stepper motor 11, a guide post 12, a focusing bracket 13, a focusing lens 14, a microscope tube adjustment seat 15, a microscope tube 16, and several lenses 17 installed inside the microscope tube 16. The tail of the microscope tube 16 is mounted on the microscope tube adjustment seat 15, which is mounted on the end face of the base 10. The focusing lens 14 is positioned behind the microscope tube 16 and mounted on the focusing bracket 13. The guide post 12 passes through both sides of the focusing bracket 13. Both the focusing bracket 13 and the guide post 12 are installed inside the base 10. An image sensor 18 is positioned behind the focusing lens 14 and mounted on the bottom of the base 10. The stepper motor 11 drives the focusing bracket 13 to move back and forth along the guide post 12 via a transmission mechanism to achieve focusing. The transmission mechanism can be a lead screw and nut mechanism, where a nut is mounted on the focusing bracket 13, and the stepper motor 11 drives the lead screw to rotate, causing the nut and the focusing bracket 13 to move back and forth to achieve focusing. It has a simple structure and a reasonable layout.

[0035] Preferably, the microscope 1 has a magnification of 9 ± 0.5 times. This increased magnification allows for clearer observation of the fiber core at the welding position of the optical fiber 20.

[0036] Preferably, the plurality of lenses 17 include a first lens 171, a second lens 172, a third lens 173, a fourth lens 174, a fifth lens 175, and a sixth lens 176. The first lens 171 is cemented to the second lens 172. The second lens 172 and the third lens 173 are separated by a first spacer 81. The third lens 173 and the fourth lens 174 are separated by a second spacer 82. The fourth lens 174 and the fifth lens 175 are cemented together. The fifth lens 175 and the sixth lens 176 are separated by a third spacer 83. A locking ring 84 is installed at the front end of the lens barrel 16. The structure is simple and easy to install.

[0037] Preferably, two microscopes 1 and two lighting devices 3 are provided on the frame 100, and the two microscopes 1 are installed vertically at a 90-degree angle to each other.

[0038] Preferably, the rack 100 is also equipped with two fusion electrodes 101, which are located on both sides of the optical fiber 20.

[0039] Preferably, the first lens 171, the second lens 172, the third lens 173, the fourth lens 174, the fifth lens 175, and the sixth lens 176 are glass spherical mirrors; the focusing lens 14 and the convex lens 33 are plastic aspherical mirrors. This can effectively reduce manufacturing costs.

[0040] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present utility model, but the embodiments of the present utility model are not limited thereto. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present utility model are equivalent substitutions and are included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer, comprising a microscope (1) and a microscope support (2), wherein the microscope (1) is mounted on the microscope support (2), characterized in that: An illumination device (3) is installed directly opposite the microscope support (2). The illumination device (3) includes an illumination support (31), an LED light source (32), and a convex lens (33). The LED light source (32) and the convex lens (33) are installed on the illumination support (31). The illumination support (31) and the microscope support (2) are respectively installed on the corresponding positions of the frame (100) of the fiber optic fusion splicer. The object plane of the microscope (1) rests on the welding position of the fiber optic (20). The light emitted by the LED light source (32) on the illumination device (3) is refracted by the convex lens (33) and focused on the welding position of the fiber optic (20), so that the microscope (1) can observe the fiber core of the fiber optic (20) and improve the quality of the fusion splicing of the two fibers.

2. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A microscope (1) and its corresponding illumination device (3) are arranged on a straight optical axis L.

3. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lighting bracket (31) has a protruding cylinder (310) in the middle. The convex lens (33) is nested inside the cylinder (310) and pressed tightly with a pressure ring (34). The LED light source (32) is set in the LED light source (32).

4. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 3, characterized in that: Mounting holes (311) are provided on the lighting brackets (31) on both sides of the cylinder (310). The lighting brackets (31) are installed on the frame (100) of the fiber optic fusion splicer by screws passing through the mounting holes.

5. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The microscope (1) includes a base (10), a stepper motor (11), a guide post (12), a focusing bracket (13), a focusing lens (14), a microscope tube adjustment seat (15), a microscope tube (16), and several lenses (17) installed inside the microscope tube (16). The tail of the microscope tube (16) is mounted on the microscope tube adjustment seat (15), which is mounted on the end face of the base (10). The focusing lens (14) is located behind the microscope tube (16) for focusing. The lens (14) is mounted on the focusing bracket (13). The two sides of the focusing bracket (13) pass through the guide post (12). The focusing bracket (13) and the guide post (12) are both installed inside the base (10). An image sensor (18) is set behind the focusing lens (14). The image sensor (18) is installed at the bottom of the base (10). The stepper motor (11) drives the focusing bracket (13) to move back and forth along the guide post (12) through the transmission mechanism to achieve focusing.

6. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The magnification of the microscope (1) reaches 9 ± 0.5 times.

7. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 6, characterized in that: Several lenses (17) include a first lens (171), a second lens (172), a third lens (173), a fourth lens (174), a fifth lens (175), and a sixth lens (176). The first lens (171) is cemented with the second lens (172). The second lens (172) and the third lens (173) are separated by a first spacer (81). The third lens (173) and the fourth lens (174) are separated by a second spacer (82). The fourth lens (174) and the fifth lens (175) are cemented together. The fifth lens (175) and the sixth lens (176) are separated by a third spacer (83). A locking ring (84) is installed at the front end of the lens barrel (16).

8. The imaging system for a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 7, characterized in that: Two microscopes (1) and two lighting devices (3) are installed on the frame (100), with the two microscopes (1) installed vertically at a 90-degree angle to each other.

9. The imaging system of a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The rack (100) is also equipped with two fusion electrodes (101), which are located on both sides of the optical fiber (20).

10. The imaging system of a fiber optic fusion splicer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first lens (171), the second lens (172), the third lens (173), the fourth lens (174), the fifth lens (175), and the sixth lens (176) are glass spherical mirrors; the focusing lens (14) and the convex lens (33) are plastic aspherical mirrors.

Images