Attachment and detachment mechanism for grinder and end-face polishing device of optical fiber having the same

Abstract

To provide an attachment and detachment mechanism for a grinder which can smoothly detach a grinder from a turntable without applying excessive stress to the grinder with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A turntable 1 includes recesses 12 which are apart from each other at an interval in the circumferential direction and are recessed such that a lower edge 3c of a grinder 3 placed on the turntable 1 is exposed, claw members 13 which can move up and down with respect to the turntable 1 so as to be inserted / withdrawn to and from the recesses 12, and an actuator 14 which moves the claw members 13 to the inside and outside in the radial direction of the turntable 1. A reaction force receiving surface 13a that contacts a bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 when the claw member 13 is inserted to the recess 12 is formed on a lower end of the claw member 13. A riding surface 13b that separates the grinder 3 from the turntable 1 when the claw member 13 is moved to the inside in the radial direction is formed on the claw member 13 on the upper side of the reaction force receiving surface 13a in an inclined manner such that it becomes higher from the inside to the outside in the radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment / detachment mechanism for a polishing disk that polishes the end face of an optical fiber, and an optical fiber end face polishing apparatus equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to transmit light with little loss at the connection between optical fibers, it is necessary to polish the end faces of the optical fibers. Usually, the tip ends of both optical fibers to be connected are glass optical fibers covered with ferrules made of ceramic, resin, etc., and by polishing the end faces of the optical fibers together with the end faces of the ferrules, the optical fibers abut against each other without any gaps when the connection parts are butted together, so that light transmission with little loss is achieved.

[0003] A known device for polishing the end face of an optical fiber together with an optical fiber ferrule is described in Patent Document 1. The end face polishing device in Patent Document 1 includes a plate-shaped holder to which an optical fiber is attached, holding means for holding and releasing the holder in a substantially horizontal position, a turntable disposed below the holder held by the holding means so as to face the end face of the optical fiber, a polishing disk replaceably placed on the turntable, elevating means for raising and lowering the turntable to bring the polishing disk into contact with the end face of the optical fiber, and rotating means for rotating and revolving the turntable to polish the end face of the optical fiber brought into contact with the polishing disk.

[0004] With this type of end face polishing device, a polishing liquid (containing at least water, with abrasive grains added if necessary) is supplied to the top surface of the polishing plate, and the turntable is rotated and revolved, causing the polishing plate mounted on the turntable to perform a compound circular motion that combines rotation and revolution, and the end face of the optical fiber attached to the holder can be appropriately and precisely polished by the polishing plate performing compound circular motion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-154403 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when polishing the end face of an optical fiber, the polishing disk on the turntable is changed from coarse to fine as appropriate, and polishing is performed in stages, such as rough polishing, medium polishing, and finish polishing. In order to change the polishing disk, the used polishing disk must be removed from the turntable and a new polishing disk must be attached to the turntable. Here, as part of the automation of the optical fiber end face polishing work, there is a demand to automate the replacement of the polishing disk by machine, rather than by manual work by workers.

[0007] However, when the end face of the optical fiber is polished by the polishing disk, the polishing liquid supplied to the upper surface of the polishing disk runs down the side of the polishing disk and penetrates between the lower surface of the polishing disk and the upper surface of the turntable, and the capillary phenomenon causes the entire contact surface between the lower surface of the polishing disk and the upper surface of the turntable, generating a strong intermolecular force, which makes it difficult to remove the polishing disk from the turntable. In such a case, if the polishing disk is mechanically gripped and removed from the turntable with a strong force, excessive stress is generated on the polishing disk, which causes the polishing disk to break, or the polishing disk does not come off the turntable, but the polishing disk and the turntable come off together from the polishing device body.

[0008] The object of the present invention, which was devised in consideration of the above circumstances, is to provide a polishing disk attachment / detachment mechanism that has a simple configuration and allows the polishing disk to be smoothly removed from the turntable without placing excessive stress on the polishing disk, thereby contributing to the automation of optical fiber end face polishing work, and an optical fiber end face polishing device equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the present invention, which has been invented to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching and detaching a polishing disk placed on the turntable to polish an end face of an optical fiber, the attachment / detachment mechanism comprising: a plurality of recesses formed at intervals around the turntable so that the lower edge of the polishing disk placed on the turntable is exposed; a plurality of claw members which are arranged to be able to rise and fall freely on the turntable and which move away from the recesses when raised and are inserted into the recesses when lowered; and an actuator which moves the claw members radially inward and outward on the turntable, wherein a reaction force receiving surface is formed on the lower end of at least one of the claw members which comes into contact with the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member is lowered and inserted into the recess, and a riding surface is formed on the claw member above the reaction force receiving surface which slides on the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inward by the actuator, the riding surface being inclined so as to become higher from the radial inner side of the turntable to the radial outer side thereof, for lifting the polishing disk off the turntable.

[0010] In the attachment / detachment mechanism for the grinding disk of the present invention, a positioning portion may be formed above the landing surface of the claw member for positioning the grinding disk that has landed on the landing surface when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inwardly on the turntable by the actuator.

[0011] In the attachment / detachment mechanism for the grinding disk of the present invention, a non-contact portion may be formed above the positioning portion of the claw member, which is configured to move radially outwardly of the turntable so as not to come into contact with the upper edge of the grinding disk when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inwardly of the turntable by an actuator and the positioning portion of the claw member positions the grinding disk.

[0012] In the attachment / detachment mechanism for the grinding disk of the present invention, the actuator may have the function of stopping the claw member inserted into the recess at a position where the positioning portion of the claw member positions the grinding disk placed on the turntable when the claw member is moved radially inwardly of the turntable.

[0013] In the attachment / detachment mechanism for the polishing disk according to the present invention, the polishing disk may have a base pad placed on the turntable, and a polishing film placed on the upper surface of the base pad.

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber end face polishing device equipped with an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching and detaching a polishing disk placed on the turntable to polish the end face of the optical fiber, the device comprising: a plurality of recesses spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the turntable, the recesses being formed so that the lower edge of the polishing disk placed on the turntable is exposed; a plurality of claw members which are arranged to be able to rise and fall freely on the turntable, and which move away from the recesses when raised and are inserted into the recesses when lowered; and an actuator which moves the claw members inward and outward in the radial direction of the turntable, and a reaction force receiving surface is formed on the lower end of at least one of the claw members which comes into contact with the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member is lowered and inserted into the recess, and a mechanism for attaching and detaching the polishing disk is provided on the claw member above the reaction force receiving surface, the reaction force receiving surface sliding on the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inward by the actuator, the reaction force being received by the reaction force receiving surface sliding on the bottom surface of the recess, and the lower edge of the polishing disk rides up on the reaction force receiving surface to lift the polishing disk off the turntable, the reaction force being received by the reaction force receiving surface sliding on the bottom surface of the recess. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The polishing disk attachment / detachment mechanism and the optical fiber end surface polishing apparatus equipped with the same according to the present invention can provide the following actions and effects. (1) A recess is formed in the turntable so that the lower edge of the grinding disk is exposed. A claw member is lowered and inserted into the recess. When the claw member is moved radially inward on the turntable, the reaction force receiving surface formed on the lower end of the claw member slides along the bottom surface of the recess, and the lower edge of the grinding disk rides up on a lift-up surface formed on the claw member which is formed so as to rise from the radially inward to the radially outward of the turntable. The reaction force is supported by the bottom surface of the recess via the reaction force receiving surface, causing the grinding disk to lift off the turntable. (2) That is, the reaction force generated when the grinding disc is lifted upward from the turntable by the riding surface of the claw member is supported by the bottom surface of the recess of the turntable on which the reaction force receiving surface of the claw member slides, and the grinding disc is removed from the turntable by applying a reaction force to the turntable. Therefore, when the claw member is subsequently raised, the grinding disc and the turntable do not come off together from the grinding device body, and only the grinding disc is properly removed from the turntable and lifted up. (3) For example, even if polishing fluid gets between the polishing plate and the turntable and the polishing plate is strongly attached to the turntable due to intermolecular forces, the reaction force receiving surface of the claw member receives a reaction force from the bottom surface of the recess, causing the lower edge of the polishing plate to ride up on the riding surface of the claw member, and the polishing plate is properly peeled off from the turntable due to the wedge effect, and air gets in between the polishing plate and the turntable, destroying the intermolecular forces. Therefore, the polishing plate can be smoothly removed from the turntable without applying excessive stress to the polishing plate, and the automation of the optical fiber end face polishing work can be promoted with a simple and low-cost configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a mounting and dismounting mechanism for a polishing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] This is a partial cross-sectional front view of the polishing plate attachment / detachment mechanism, showing the state in which the polishing plate is placed on the turntable shown in Figure 1, a polishing liquid is supplied to the polishing plate, and a holder with an optical connector attached is separated above the polishing plate. [Diagram 3] 3 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the attachment / detachment mechanism for the polishing plate, showing a state in which the holder shown in FIG. 2 is brought close to and held on the polishing plate. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a partially enlarged view of the turntable portion of FIG. 3, and (b) is a partially enlarged view showing the state in which the turntable of (a) has been raised and pressed against the end face of the optical connector attached to the holder. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state in which the claw member shown in FIG. 1 has been moved upward and away from a turntable on which a polishing disk is placed, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a state in which the claw member has been lowered and inserted into a recess formed in the turntable. [Figure 6] 5(b) is a plan view of the turntable and the claw member in FIG. 5(b) seen from above, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in (a), and (c) is an enlarged view of part c in (b). [Figure 7] 6(a) is a plan view showing a state in which the claw member in FIG. 6(a) has been moved radially inwardly of the turntable, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in (a), and (c) is an enlarged view of part c in (b). [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of a claw member and a polishing disc (base pad, polishing film) in which a non-contact portion is formed on the claw member that does not come into contact with the upper edge portion of the polishing disc. [Figure 9] 1A is an explanatory diagram of another modified example of the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of a claw member and a polishing disk in which a clearance is formed between the side of the polishing disk and the positioning portion of the claw member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a claw member and a polishing disk in which a polishing disk mounting surface is formed between the positioning portion of the claw member and the riding surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0018] (Premise) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an attachment / detachment mechanism 11 for a polishing machine 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention is for attaching and detaching the polishing machine 3, which is placed on a turntable 1 to polish an end face of an optical fiber F of an optical connector 2, to and from the turntable 1. As shown in Figure 2, a typical optical connector 2 has an end of an optical fiber F fixed inside a ferrule 2a and attached to a housing 2b, and when connecting a pair of optical connectors 2 to each other in order to connect optical fibers F to each other, the end faces 2c of the ferrules 2a of both optical connectors 2 are polished, and then the end faces 2c of both ferrules 2a are butted together by the pressure of a spring provided inside the housing 2b, thereby connecting both optical fibers F to each other at their centers, which is an optical communication component.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the attachment / detachment mechanism 11 of the polishing machine 3 according to the present embodiment is incorporated into an end face polishing device 4 of an optical fiber F (hereinafter, also referred to as the end face polishing device 4 of the optical connector 2) that polishes an end face 2c of a ferrule 2a of an optical connector 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as the end face 2c of the optical connector 2). However, the attachment / detachment mechanism 11 of the polishing machine 3 according to the present invention may not only be incorporated into the end face polishing device 4 of a single optical connector 2 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but may also be incorporated into the end face polishing device 4 of the optical connector 2 that constitutes an automatic assembly system for an optical connector 2 that is composed of a plurality of elements having the function of the end face polishing device 4 of the optical connector 2. The end face polishing device 4 of the optical fiber F to which the attachment / detachment mechanism 11 of the polishing machine 3 according to the present invention is applied is not limited to the end face polishing device 4 that polishes the end face of the optical fiber F by polishing the end face 2c of the ferrule 2a described above, but also includes an end face polishing device that polishes the end face of an optical fiber F by polishing the end face of an optical fiber array or the like. First, the end face polishing device 4 of the optical connector 2 will be described.

[0020] (Outline of the end face polishing device 4 for optical connector 2) As shown in Fig. 1, the end face polishing device 4 of the optical connector 2 includes a turntable 1 arranged on the upper surface of the polishing device main body 5, a polishing disk 3 replaceably placed on the turntable 1, a holder 6 to which the optical connector 2 is detachably attached as shown in Fig. 2, a holding means 7 provided on the upper surface of the polishing device main body 5 to hold or release the holder 6 as shown in Fig. 3, a lifting means (not shown) provided inside the polishing device main body 4 shown in Fig. 3 to lift and lower the turntable 1 as shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b), and a polishing liquid supplying means 8 arranged on the side of the polishing device main body 5 to supply a polishing liquid to the polishing disk 3 installed on the turntable 1 as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Each component will be described below.

[0021] (Turntable 1) The turntable 1 shown in FIG. 1 rotates and revolves around its axis due to a rotation drive mechanism (not shown) housed inside the polishing device main body 5. By rotating and revolving the turntable 1 around its axis, the polishing disk 3 mounted on the turntable 1 undergoes a compound circular motion that combines rotation and revolution. The turntable 1 is provided with a mounting recess 1a formed as a circular recess for mounting and removing the polishing disk 3. The inner diameter of the mounting recess 1a is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the polishing disk 3, and as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4(a), when the polishing disk 3 is mounted in the mounting recess 1a, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the disk mounting recess 1a and the side surface of the polishing disk 3.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 4(a), on the radially outer side of the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1, when the polishing liquid supplied to the polishing disc 3 by the polishing liquid supply means 8 moves radially outward due to the centrifugal force of the rotating and revolving turntable 1 as shown in Fig. 2, a storage recess 1b is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the turntable 1 so as to be connected to the mounting recess 1a in a stepped shape for storing the polishing liquid. In addition, on the radially outer side of the storage recess 1b of the turntable 1, a vertical wall portion 1c is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the turntable 1 in order to prevent the polishing liquid stored in the storage recess 1b from overflowing radially outward of the turntable 1.

[0023] (polishing machine 3) 4(a), the polishing plate 3 placed on the turntable 1 has a base pad 3a that is attached to the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1, and a polishing film 3b attached to the upper surface of the base pad 3a. The base pad 3a may be an elastic base pad formed into a disk shape from a rubber-like elastic body, or a glass base pad made of disk-shaped glass with a thin non-slip elastic body attached to it in order to improve flatness accuracy during polishing.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4(b), the polishing film 3b attached to the upper surface of the base pad 3a is used to polish the end face 2c of the optical connector 2 (the end face 2c of the ferrule 2a), and is formed in a circular shape. There are several types, such as for rough polishing, medium polishing, and finish polishing. As shown in Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 6(c), the polishing film 3b is attached to the upper surface of the base pad 3a.

[0025] (Holder 6) 4(a) and 4(b), a plurality of optical connectors 2, the end faces 2c of which are polished by the polishing machine 3, are detachably attached to a holder 6. The holder 6 is made of a rectangular plate body formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and a plurality of mounting holes are formed penetrating the rectangular plate body from top to bottom, and the optical connectors 2 are detachably attached to each mounting hole. The end faces 2c of the optical connectors 2 (end faces 2c of the ferrules 2a) polished by the polishing machine 3 protrude from the lower surface of the holder 6.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, when replacing the polishing disk 3, the holder 6 is held by a robot arm or the like (not shown) and waits above the turntable 1. The used polishing disk 3 is removed from the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1 and a new polishing disk 3 is mounted in the mounting recess 1a. Polishing liquid is then supplied to the new polishing disk 3 by a polishing liquid supplying means 8, and the holder 6 is then lowered by the robot arm or the like and held by a holding means 7 provided on the upper surface of the polishing apparatus main body 5, as shown in Figure 3.

[0027] (Holding means 7) 1 to 3, the holding means 7 has four pillars 7a erected at the four corners of the upper surface of the polishing apparatus main body 5, a mounting base 7b on which the four corners of the holder 6 made of a square plate mounted on the pillars 7a are placed, and a lever 7c that presses down the holder 6 placed on the mounting base 7b from above. The lever 7c rotates up and down by air pressure or the like, and when it rotates downward it presses down and holds the holder 6 against the mounting base 7b (see FIG. 3), and when it rotates upward it releases the holder 6. The released holder 6 can be removed upward (see FIG. 2).

[0028] (Lifting means) Inside the polishing device main body 4 shown in FIG. 3, there is provided an elevation means (not shown) for raising and lowering the turntable 1 relative to the holder 6 held by the holding means 7, and pressing the polishing disk 3 placed on the turntable 1 against the end face 2c of the optical connector 2 attached to the holder 6. As shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), in this embodiment, the elevation means raises and lowers the turntable 1 to bring the polishing disk 3 placed on the turntable 1 into contact with and away from the end face 2c of the optical connector 2 attached to the holder 6 held by the holding means 7. However, conversely, the height of the turntable 1 may be fixed, and the end 2c of the optical connector 2 of the holder 6 held by the pillar 7a may be moved up and down, for example, to press the polishing disk 3 of the turntable 1 against the polishing disk 3 of the turntable 1.

[0029] (Polishing liquid supply means 8) As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a polishing liquid supplying means 8 is disposed on the side of the polishing device main body 5 for supplying a polishing liquid containing at least water and, if necessary, abrasive grains to the polishing disk 3 mounted on the turntable 1. The polishing liquid supplying means 8 has a main body 9 for pumping the polishing liquid and a supply pipe 10 from which the polishing liquid pumped from the main body 9 flows out. The supply pipe 10 has a first pipe section 10a extending upward from the main body 9, a second pipe section 10b extending laterally from the top of the first pipe section 10a, and a third pipe section 10c extending downward from the end of the second pipe section 10b. By rotating the first pipe section 10a around a vertical axis relative to the main body 9, the second pipe section 10b rotates in a fan shape as viewed from above, and the third pipe section 10c is moved above the polishing disk 3 while avoiding the columnar body 7a, and the polishing liquid is supplied to the polishing disk 3 from the third pipe section 10c. At this time, the turntable 1 may be rotated and revolved appropriately to supply the polishing liquid to the entire surface of the polishing plate 3 .

[0030] (Outline of attachment / detachment mechanism 11 for polishing disk 3) The end face polishing device 4 of the optical connector 2 described above is provided with a mechanism 11 for attaching and detaching the polishing disk 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the attaching and detaching mechanism) as shown in Fig. 1. The mechanism 11 for attaching and detaching the polishing disk 3 according to this embodiment attaches and detaches the polishing disk 3, which is placed on the turntable 1 that rotates and revolves around its axis, to polish the optical connector 2, to the turntable 1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, this attachment / detachment mechanism 11 is provided with a number of recesses 12 spaced apart circumferentially in the turntable 1, and as shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), is formed so as to expose the lower edge 3c of the polishing disc 3 placed on the turntable 1, a number of claw members 13 which are arranged to be freely raised and lowered relative to the turntable 1, and which move away from the recesses 12 when raised as shown in Figure 5(a) and are inserted into the recesses 12 when lowered as shown in Figure 5(b), and an actuator 14 which moves the claw members 13 radially inward and outward from the turntable 1.

[0032] At least one lower end of the claw member 13 is formed with a reaction force receiving surface 13a that contacts the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 when the claw member 13 is lowered and inserted into the recess 12, as shown in Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 6(c). In addition, the claw member 13 above the reaction force receiving surface 13a is formed with a riding surface 13b that is inclined so as to become higher from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction of the turntable 1, so that the lower edge 3c of the polishing disc 3 rides up on the reaction force receiving surface 13a that slides on the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 when the claw member 13 inserted into the recess 12 is moved radially inward by the actuator 14, as shown in Fig. 7(b) and Fig. 7(c). Each component will be described below.

[0033] (Recess 12) As shown in Figures 5(a) and 6(a), three recesses 12 are recessed at equal intervals (120 degree intervals) in the circumferential direction of the turntable 1 in the storage recess 1b of the turntable 1. The number of recesses 12 is not limited to three, and may be any number of recesses greater than or equal to two, as long as it satisfies that the polishing disk 3 does not tilt and fall when the polishing disk 3 is lifted by the claw members 13 inserted into the recesses 12 as shown in Figure 5(b), and the recesses 12 do not necessarily have to be disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the turntable 1.

[0034] These recesses 12 are sized to allow the claw members 13 to be inserted from above as shown in Fig. 6(c), and are sized to allow the inserted claw members 13 to move in the radial direction of the turntable 1 as shown in Fig. 7(c). Also, as shown in Fig. 6(c), the recesses 12 are formed to bite into the lower part of the polishing disc 3 so that the lower edge 3c of the base pad 3a of the polishing disc 3 mounted in the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1 is exposed.

[0035] (Claw member 13) 5(a) and 5(b), three claw members 13 are provided to match the number of recesses 12, and each is attached to the tip of an arm portion 15 extending radially outward from the center of the turntable 1 above the stopped turntable 1. In this embodiment, three claw members 13 are provided at equal intervals (120 degree intervals) around the circumference of the turntable 1, but any number of claw members 13 greater than or equal to two may be used as long as they match the number and positions of the recesses 12, and they do not necessarily have to be provided at equal intervals around the circumference of the turntable 1.

[0036] (Actuator 14) As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the base of the arm portion 15 is attached to a cylindrical actuator 14, and the actuator 14 moves each arm portion 15 in the radial direction of the turntable 1, thereby moving each claw member 13 inward and outward in the radial direction of the turntable 1, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a). The actuator 14 is adapted to be vertically raised and lowered relative to the turntable 1 by a moving means (such as a robot arm) (not shown), and when raised as shown in Figure 5(a), the claw member 13 is separated from the recessed portion 12, and when lowered as shown in Figure 5(b), the claw member 13 is inserted into the recessed portion 12.

[0037] (Rotation drive unit) A rotation drive unit (not shown) that rotates and revolves the turntable 1 is housed inside the polishing apparatus main body 4 shown in Fig. 1. The rotation drive unit has an origin return function that stops the turntable 1 at a predetermined rotation position and a predetermined revolution position when the rotation and revolution of the turntable 1 are stopped, so that the recesses 12 are positioned vertically below the raised claw members 13, as shown in Fig. 5(a). As a result, when the actuator 14 to which the claw members 13 are attached is lowered after the turntable 1 is stopped, each claw member 13 is accurately inserted into each recess 12.

[0038] (Reaction force receiving surface 13a) As shown in Figures 6(c) and 7(c), a reaction force receiving surface 13a is formed at the lower end of each claw member 13, which contacts the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 when the claw member 13 is lowered and inserted into the recess 12. The reaction force receiving surface 13a of the claw member 13 and the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 are formed parallel to the moving direction of the claw member 13 which is moved in the radial direction of the turntable 1 by the actuator 14 shown in Figures 6(b) and 7(b). Note that, although the reaction force receiving surface 13a is formed at the lower end of all the claw members 13 in this embodiment, it may be formed at the lower end of at least one of the claw members 13.

[0039] (Riding surface 13b) 6(c) and 7(c), the claw member 13 above the reaction force receiving surface 13a has a riding surface 13b formed thereon, which is inclined so as to become higher from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction of the turntable 1. When the claw member 13 inserted into the recess 12 is moved radially inward by the actuator 14, the riding surface 13b receives a reaction force at the reaction force receiving surface 13a sliding on the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12, and the lower edge 3c of the base pad 3a of the polishing disc 3 rides up to lift the polishing disc 3 off the turntable 1. Considering the riding property of the polishing disc 3, it is desirable that the lower end of the riding surface 13b be located below the lower edge 3c of the polishing disc 3 (the lower edge 3c of the base pad 3a).

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6(c) and Fig. 7(c), the riding surface 13b is a linear inclined surface in this embodiment, but may be an inclined surface curved convexly upward or concavely downward as long as it is inclined so as to become higher from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the turntable 1. Note that the riding surface 13b is formed on all the claw members 13 in this embodiment, but when a reaction force receiving surface 13a is formed on the lower end of at least one of the claw members 13, the riding surface 13b may be formed on the claw member 13 on which the reaction force receiving surface 13a is formed. This is because even if the reaction force receiving surface 13a and the riding surface 13b are formed on only one claw member 13, the polishing disc 3 can be tilted and peeled off from the turntable 1 by the wedge effect described later.

[0041] (positioning portion 13c) As shown in FIG. 6(c) and FIG. 7(c), a positioning portion 13c is formed in the portion above the riding surface 13b of the claw member 13 for positioning the polishing disk 3 riding on the riding surface 13b when the claw member 13 inserted into the recess 12 is moved radially inward of the turntable 1 by the actuator 14. The inner diameter of the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1 on which the polishing disk 3 is placed is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the polishing disk 3, and a gap is generated between the two, so that the position of the polishing disk 3 after polishing may be biased with respect to the center of the mounting recess 1a depending on the situation. In such a case, the positioning portion 13c exerts a function of determining the position of the polishing disk 3 when it is held by the claw member 13. In addition, by forming the positioning portion 13c, it is possible to position the polishing disk 3 with respect to the center of the turntable 1 when mounting it in the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1. For example, when the polishing disk 3 is held by a robot arm or the like to automate the replacement work, the positioning portion 13c also performs the function of determining the position when the most suitable polishing disk 3 is selected from a storage section (not shown) for the polishing disk 3 and attached to the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1.

[0042] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 13c is composed of a vertical wall that contacts and holds the side surface of the polishing disk 3 entirely, but is not limited to such a vertical wall. As long as the lower edge portion 3c of the polishing disk 3 can be held at the corner portion connecting the upper end of the riding surface 13b and the lower end of the positioning portion 13c to position the polishing disk 3, the shape may not contact the side surface of the polishing disk 3 entirely. The positioning portion 13c is for positioning along the side surface of the base pad 3a of the polishing disk 3, and is formed on all the claw members 13. However, when positioning, the side surface of the polishing disk 3 does not need to contact all the positioning portions 13c, and it is sufficient that the side surface of the polishing disk 3 contacts at least one position of the positioning portion 13c and can function to move the deviation of the polishing disk 3 after polishing to the center of the turntable 1. The inner diameter of the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1 on which the polishing disk 3 is placed is larger than the outer diameter of the polishing disk 3, and a gap occurs between the two, so that the position after polishing may be biased depending on the situation. The positioning portion 13c fulfills the function of determining the position when the claw member 13 holds it.

[0043] (Action and effect) According to the attachment / detachment mechanism 11 for the polishing disk 3 according to this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the following actions and effects can be achieved.

[0044] As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c), a recess 12 is formed in the turntable 1 so that the lower edge 3c of the base pad 3a of the polishing disc 3 is exposed. When a claw member 13 is lowered and inserted into the recess 12 and moved radially inward of the turntable 1, as shown in Figures 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c), a reaction force receiving surface 13a formed on the lower end of the claw member 13 slides over the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12, and the lower edge 3c of the base pad 3a of the polishing disc 3 rides up on a riding surface 13b formed on the claw member 13 so as to rise from the radial inner side to the radial outer side of the turntable 1. The reaction force is supported by the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 via the reaction force receiving surface 13a, causing the polishing disc 3 to lift off the turntable 1.

[0045] That is, as shown in Fig. 7(c), the reaction force generated when the polishing disc 3 is lifted upward from the turntable 1 by the riding surface 13b of the claw member 13 is supported by the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12 of the turntable 1 on which the reaction force receiving surface 13a of the claw member 13 slides, and the polishing disc 3 receives the reaction force from the turntable 1 and is removed from the turntable 1. Therefore, when the actuator 14 shown in Fig. 7(b) is subsequently raised by a moving means (such as a robot arm) to raise the claw member 13, the polishing disc 3 and the turntable 1 are not detached together from the polishing device main body 4 (see Fig. 2), and only the polishing disc 3 is appropriately removed from the turntable 1 and lifted up.

[0046] For example, even if the polishing liquid gets between the base pad 3a of the polishing plate 3 and the mounting recess 1a of the turntable 1 shown in FIG. 6(b) and FIG. 6(c) during polishing and the polishing plate 3 is strongly attached to the turntable 1 by intermolecular forces, as shown in FIG. 7(b) and FIG. 7(c), the reaction force receiving surface 13a of the claw member 13 receives a reaction force from the bottom surface 12a of the recess 12, and the lower edge portion 3c of the base pad 3a of the polishing plate 3 rides on the riding surface 13b of the claw member 13, and the polishing plate 3 is appropriately peeled off from the turntable 1 by the wedge effect, and air enters between the polishing plate 3 and the turntable 1, destroying the intermolecular forces. Therefore, the polishing plate 3 can be smoothly removed from the turntable 1 without applying excessive stress to the polishing plate 3. Therefore, by using the attachment / detachment mechanism 11 of the polishing plate 3, the automation of the end face polishing work of the optical connector 2 can be promoted with a simple and low-cost configuration.

[0047] In addition, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the turntable 1 is raised by the lifting means (not shown) housed inside the polishing device main body 4 shown in Figure 3, and the polishing disk 3 placed on the turntable 1 is pressed against the end face 2c of the optical connector 2, and in this state, the turntable 1 is rotated and revolved to polish the end face 2c of the optical connector 2, so that the polishing disk 3 is pressed against the turntable 1 during polishing, and in combination with the intermolecular force of the polishing liquid described above, the polishing disk 3 may stick to the turntable 1 with a considerable force. Even in this case, by moving the claw member 13 inserted into the recess 12 of the turntable 1 as shown in Figure 6(c) inward in the radial direction as shown in Figure 7(c), the reaction force receiving surface 13a and the riding surface 13b of the claw member 13 exert a wedge effect that pulls the polishing disk 3 off the turntable 1, so that the polishing disk 3 can be smoothly removed from the turntable 1 without applying excessive stress to the polishing disk 3.

[0048] (Variation 1) As shown in Figure 5(b), the polishing disk 3 is gripped and lifted by three claw members 13. However, if the material of the base pad 3a constituting the polishing disk 3 shown in Figure 7(c) is soft rubber or the like, when the base pad 3a is elastically deformed by the gripping amount of the three claw members 13 (the amount that the claw members 13 move radially inward after coming into contact with the side of the base pad 3a), the base pad 3a will be deformed in a twisted manner as a whole, and there is a risk that the polishing film 3b will peel off from the base pad 3a.

[0049] In order to avoid such a situation, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), it is preferable that the actuator 14, which moves the three claw members 13 radially inward and outward of the turntable 1, has a function of stopping the claw members 13 at a position where the positioning portion 13c of the claw members 13 positions the polishing disk 3 placed on the turntable 1, as shown in Figure 7(c), when moving the claw members 13 inserted into the recesses 12 radially inward of the turntable 1, as shown in Figure 6(c).

[0050] Specifically, the radial movement stroke (movement stroke in Fig. 6(c) to Fig. 7(c)) of each claw member 13 by the actuator 14 is set in advance to a predetermined stroke at which the positioning portion 13c of the claw member 13 contacts the side surface of the base pad 3a according to the diameter of the base pad 3a of the polishing board 3. As a result, when the polishing board 3 is gripped and lifted by the three claw members 13, the gripping allowance of the three claw members 13 becomes substantially zero. As a result, even if the base pad 3a is made of a soft material, it will not twist, and it is possible to prevent the polishing film 3b from peeling off from the base pad 3a.

[0051] (Variation 2) Also, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the polishing disk 3 is pressed against the end face 2c of the optical connector 2 attached to the holder 6 and the turntable 1 is rotated (rotated and revolved) to polish the end face 2c of the optical fiber 2, the polishing film 3b of the polishing disk 3 may be slightly shifted from the base pad 3a and protrude outside the base pad 3a. In this case, when the turntable 1 is stopped after polishing is completed, the claw member 13 is inserted into the recess 12 as shown in FIG. 6(c), and the claw member 13 is moved radially inward as shown in FIG. 7(c), if the polishing film 3b protrudes outward from the outer edge of the base pad 3a, the protruding polishing film 3b may come into contact with the positioning portion 13c of the claw member 13 and bend, causing the polishing film 3b to peel off from the base pad 3a. The same problem also occurs when an operator mistakenly applies the polishing film 3b to the base pad 3a so that the polishing film 3b protrudes outward from the outer edge of the base pad 3a.

[0052] In order to avoid the problem of the polishing film 3b peeling off when the polishing disk 3 with the polishing film 3b protruding from the base pad 3a is grasped and lifted by the claw member 13, it is preferable to form a non-contact portion 13d, as shown in Figure 8, above the positioning portion 13c of the claw member 13, which is formed to move radially outward of the turntable 1 so as not to come into contact with the upper edge of the polishing disk 3 (the portion of the polishing film 3b attached to the upper surface of the base pad 3a) when the claw member 13 inserted into the recess 12 is moved radially inward of the turntable 1 by the actuator 14 and the positioning portion 13c of the claw member 13 moves to a position to position the polishing disk 3 (when the positioning portion 13c comes into contact with the side of the base pad 3a of the polishing disk 3). As a result, even if the polishing film 3b protrudes outward from the outer edge of the base pad 3a as shown in Fig. 8, when the claw members 13 are moved radially inward to grip the side surface of the base pad 3a of the polishing disc 3 with the positioning portions 13c of the claw members 13, the polishing film 3b protruding from the base pad 3a does not come into contact with the claw members 13, and the polishing film 3b is prevented from bending and peeling off from the base pad 3a. Furthermore, when the base pad 3a is an elastic base pad, by providing the non-contact portions 13d as shown in Fig. 8, the polishing film 3b can be prevented from peeling off from the base pad 3a even if the positioning portions 13c deform and grip the lower portion of the polishing disc 3.

[0053] (Variation 3) As shown in FIG. 9(a), when the claw members 13 are moved radially inward to lift the polishing disk 3, a small clearance C (for example, about 0 to 2 mm) may be formed between the positioning portion 13c of the claw members 13 and the side surface of the base pad 3a of the polishing disk 3. Even in this case, the polishing disk 3 is lifted by the claw members 13 with the lower edge portion 3c of the polishing disk 3 resting on the riding surface 13b of the claw members 13. When the polishing disk 3 is lifted by three claw members 13, the clearance C may be different or the same for the three claw members 13. For example, the clearance C of any one of the claw members 13 may be zero, and a predetermined clearance C may be formed in the remaining claw members 13.

[0054] (Variation 4) 9(b), in consideration of stability when the claw members 13 are moved radially inward to lift the polishing disk 3, a polishing disk mounting surface 13d may be formed horizontally between the lower end of the positioning portion 13c of the claw members 13 and the upper end of the riding surface 13b. Since the polishing disk mounting surface 13d supports the lower surface of the polishing disk 3, by forming a clearance C between the positioning portion 13c and the side surface of the polishing disk 3, the polishing disk 3 can be lifted while applying as little stress as possible to the polishing disk 3.

[0055] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, Modification 1 and Modification 2 may be adopted in combination. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an attachment / detachment mechanism for a polishing disk that polishes an end face of an optical connector, and in an optical connector end face polishing device equipped with the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Turntable 2 Optical Connector 2a Ferrule 2b Housing 2c end face 3 Polishing machine 3a Base Pad 3b Polishing film 3c Lower edge 4 Edge polishing device 11 Polishing plate attachment / detachment mechanism 12 Recess 13 Claw member 13a Reaction surface 13b Riding surface 13c Positioning part 13d Non-contact part 14 Actuator

Claims

1. A mounting / dismounting mechanism for mounting / dismounting a polishing disk placed on a turntable for polishing an end face of an optical fiber to / from the turntable, comprising: a plurality of recesses formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the turntable so that the lower edge of the polishing disk placed on the turntable is exposed; a plurality of claw members provided so as to be able to rise and fall on the turntable, which are separated from the recesses when raised and are inserted into the recesses when lowered; and an actuator for moving the claw members inward and outward in the radial direction of the turntable, A mechanism for attaching and detaching a polishing disk, characterized in that a reaction force receiving surface is formed on the lower end of at least one of the claw members which contacts the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member is lowered and inserted into the recess, and a riding surface is formed on the claw member above the reaction force receiving surface which slides along the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inward by the actuator, the riding surface being inclined so as to become higher from the radial inner side to the radial outer side of the turntable, for lifting the polishing disk off the turntable.

2. The polishing disk attachment / detachment mechanism of claim 1, characterized in that a positioning portion is formed above the riding surface of the claw member for positioning the polishing disk that rides up on the riding surface when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inwardly of the turntable by the actuator.

3. The attachment / detachment mechanism for a polishing disk as described in claim 2, characterized in that a non-contact portion is formed in a portion of the claw member above the positioning portion, the non-contact portion being formed so as to move radially outwardly of the turntable so as not to come into contact with the upper edge of the polishing disk when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inwardly of the turntable by the actuator and the positioning portion of the claw member positions the polishing disk.

4. The polishing machine attachment / detachment mechanism of claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the actuator has a function of stopping the claw member inserted into the recess at a position where the positioning portion of the claw member positions the polishing machine placed on the turntable when the claw member is moved radially inward of the turntable.

5. 5. The mechanism for attaching and detaching a polishing disk according to claim 4, wherein the polishing disk has a base pad placed on the turntable, and a polishing film placed on an upper surface of the base pad.

6. An optical fiber end face polishing apparatus comprising an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching and detaching a polishing disk, which is placed on a turntable to polish an end face of an optical fiber, to the turntable, a plurality of recesses formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the turntable so that the lower edge of the polishing disk placed on the turntable is exposed; a plurality of claw members provided so as to be able to rise and fall on the turntable, which are separated from the recesses when raised and are inserted into the recesses when lowered; and an actuator for moving the claw members inward and outward in the radial direction of the turntable, an actuator for rotating the actuator so that the lower edge of the polishing disk moves up against the reaction force received by the reaction force received by the reaction force receiving surface sliding along the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member is lowered and inserted into the recess, and a mechanism for attaching and detaching the polishing disk is provided on the claw member above the reaction force receiving surface, the reaction force being received by the reaction force receiving surface sliding along the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inward by the actuator, the reaction force being received by the reaction force receiving surface sliding along the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member inserted into the recess is moved radially inward by the actuator, the reaction force being received by the reaction force receiving surface sliding along the bottom surface of the recess when the claw member is inserted into the recess,

Images