Jig for optical fiber polishing and optical fiber polishing device

Abstract

To provide a jig for optical fiber polishing that can perform fixation and release of fixation of an optical fiber ferrule by only operation of a lever, which appropriately reduces a load for fixing an optical fiber ferrule, and thereby gives an appropriate load to the optical fiber ferrule and can fix the optical fiber ferrule.SOLUTION: A jig for optical fiber polishing used in polishing of an optical fiber ferrule includes a jig body having an insertion hole to which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted, a turning rod which is arranged so as to be turnable around a rotation shaft part with respect to the jig body, and a fixing piece for fixing the optical fiber ferrule inserted into the insertion hole by being pressed and reacted by the turning rod when the turning rod is turned, to the jig body, wherein the turning rod has a cavity in at least a part in a virtual region connecting the action surface of force when pressing the fixing piece when the optical fiber ferrule is fixed and the rotation shaft part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical fiber polishing jig used for polishing an optical fiber, and an optical fiber polishing device equipped with the optical fiber polishing jig. [Background technology]

[0002] When polishing an optical fiber, a plate-shaped optical fiber polishing jig is used to fix an optical fiber ferrule that holds an optical fiber inside. Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which an optical fiber ferrule can be fixed and released from the optical fiber polishing jig by moving a fixing block that is movably installed relative to the optical fiber polishing jig with a rotating rod. This makes it possible to attach and remove the optical fiber ferrule without using tools such as a wrench or screwdriver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6192797 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the optical fiber polishing jig described in Patent Document 1, depending on the type (shape, etc.) of the optical fiber ferrule, the load for fixing the optical fiber ferrule may be too large, resulting in poor polishing characteristics. Manually adjusting the clearance between the swivel rod and the fixing block to reduce the load is time-consuming, and if the clearance is too large, the optical fiber ferrule cannot be fixed properly.

[0005] The present invention provides an optical fiber polishing jig that can fix and release an optical fiber ferrule by simply operating a rotating rod, and that can fix the optical fiber ferrule by applying an appropriate load to it by appropriately reducing the load for fixing the optical fiber ferrule. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The optical fiber polishing jig of the present invention is an optical fiber polishing jig used for polishing an optical fiber ferrule, and comprises a jig body having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted, a pivot rod arranged so as to be able to pivot relative to the jig body around a rotation axis, and a fixing piece that is pushed by the pivot rod when the pivot rod pivots and moves in response to the pivot rod to fix the optical fiber ferrule inserted into the insertion hole to the jig body, and the pivot rod is configured to have a cavity in at least a part of an imaginary area connecting the rotation axis and the surface on which the force acting when pressing the fixing piece when fixing the optical fiber ferrule. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, a cavity is formed in part of the load-bearing area of the pivot rod, thereby reducing the rigidity of the pivot rod and making the tip of the pivot rod more flexible when the pivot rod presses against the fixed block. This reduces the load generated between the pivot rod and the fixed block without shortening the pressure margin when the pivot rod presses against the fixed block.

[0007] In the above-mentioned configuration, a leaf spring may be provided as the biasing means for biasing the fixed piece upward. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the fixed block is biased upward by the leaf spring, so that when no pressing force is applied from the pivot rod to the fixed block, the fixed block moves toward the pivot rod to prevent interference between the fixed block and the optical fiber ferrule, allowing the optical fiber ferrule to be attached to and detached from the jig body.

[0008] In the above configuration, the cavity may be a notch formed from a part of the outer periphery of the rotating rod to at least a part of the imaginary area. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the rigidity of the turning rod is reduced by forming a notch as a cavity.

[0009] In the above configuration, the cavity may be a hole that is not connected to the outer periphery of the rotating rod in a side view. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as above, the rigidity of the turning rod is reduced by forming a hole as a cavity.

[0010] In the above configuration, a reinforcing member may be disposed in the cavity. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the rigidity of the turning rod is reduced by forming the cavity, while the strength of the turning rod is reinforced by the reinforcing member.

[0011] In the above configuration, the reinforcing member may be made of a material having a lower strength than a material of the rotating rod. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the reinforcing member is formed of a material having a lower strength than the material of the turning rod, so that the strength of the turning rod is not excessively reinforced.

[0012] In the above-mentioned configuration, the rotating rod may be configured so that the lower end of the rotating rod pushes the fixed piece when the upper end of the rotating rod is rotated downward. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the downward rotation of the pivot rod is transmitted to the fixed block, and conversely, when the pivot rod rotates upward, no pressing force is transmitted from the pivot rod to the fixed block.

[0013] In the above-described configuration, the jig body may have a plurality of insertion holes, and the swivel rod and the fixed piece may be provided for each of the plurality of insertion holes. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, an optical fiber ferrule is fixed to each of the multiple insertion holes using a rotating rod and a fixing piece, thereby achieving a structure in which multiple optical fiber ferrules can be fixed to the optical fiber polishing jig.

[0014] In the above configuration, the upper surface of the jig body may have a first support portion that supports the upper end of the swivel rod in an upwardly rotated state, a second support portion that supports the upper end of the swivel rod in a downwardly rotated state, and a swivel opening that communicates with the first support portion and the second support portion, and a raised portion that is formed in a ring shape relative to the multiple insertion holes. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the pivot rod is pivoted up and down within the pivot opening provided in the raised portion, and the pivot rod is supported at two locations, the first support portion and the second support portion, so that the pivot rod can be positioned between a fixed position and an unlocked position.

[0015] The above configuration may also include a slide lock that is inserted around the swivel rod and is slidable in the axial direction of the swivel rod, a coil spring that biases the slide lock toward the lower end of the swivel rod, and a locking portion formed on the raised portion that locks the lower end of the slide lock. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the slide lock is locked to the locking portion by the coil spring, thereby preventing the rotation rod from moving.

[0016] The present invention can also be realized as an optical fiber polishing device equipped with an optical fiber polishing jig. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, in an optical fiber polishing jig that can fix and release an optical fiber ferrule by simply operating a rotating rod, it is possible to provide an optical fiber polishing jig that can fix the optical fiber ferrule by applying an appropriate load to it by appropriately reducing the load for fixing the optical fiber ferrule. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical fiber polishing jig is attached to an optical fiber polishing device. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical fiber polishing jig removed from the optical fiber polishing device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the optical fiber ferrule is released from its fixed state. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the optical fiber ferrule is fixed to the jig body. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a contact state between a rotating rod and a fixed piece. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a pivot rod. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a pivot rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, which show examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber polishing jig 1 (hereinafter, jig 1) attached to an optical fiber polishing apparatus 100 (hereinafter, polishing apparatus 100). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the jig 1 removed from the polishing apparatus 100. The polishing apparatus 100 has a rotatable turntable 101 on its upper surface. An optical fiber ferrule 2 (hereinafter, ferrule 2) is detachably attached to the jig 1, and the jig 1 is detachably attached to the polishing apparatus 100. The ferrule 2 is an MT ferrule that is rectangular in plan view. When the jig 1 is attached to the polishing apparatus 100, the top surface of the turntable 101 faces the bottom surface of the jig 1. A polishing film or the like is placed on the top surface of the turntable 101, and the turntable 101 is rotated. In this state, the ferrule 2 protruding downward from the bottom surface of the jig 1 is polished using the polishing film or the like. The structure for mounting the jig 1 on the polishing apparatus 100, the structure and operation of the polishing apparatus 100, and the like can be conventionally known techniques, and therefore detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0020] 2, the jig 1 includes a plate-shaped jig body 10, a raised portion 20 formed as an annular protrusion on the upper surface of the jig body 10, a pivot rod 30 arranged to be pivotable relative to the jig body 10 and the raised portion 20, a fixing block 40 that fixes the ferrule 2 to the jig body 10 in response to the pivot rod 30, and a pair of handles 50 that an operator grasps when lifting the jig 1. For simplicity's sake, only one ferrule 2 and one pivot rod 30 are shown in FIG. 2, but by arranging multiple pivot rods 30 and multiple fixing blocks 40 in a ring shape, it is possible to fix multiple ferrules 2 to the jig 1 and polish them simultaneously.

[0021] The jig body 10 is formed of a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, or a synthetic resin, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, the jig body 10 has an insertion hole 11 into which a ferrule 2 can be inserted. The insertion hole 11 has a rectangular opening and penetrates the jig body 10 in the vertical direction. The jig body 10 has a plurality of insertion holes 11 arranged in a ring shape. When the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11 and fixed by the fixing piece 40, the tip of the ferrule 2 protrudes downward by a predetermined length from the bottom surface of the jig body 10. In this state, the tip of the ferrule 2 is polished by the polishing device 100.

[0022] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the raised portion 20. The raised portion 20 is formed in an annular (donut-shaped) shape and made of a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, or a synthetic resin. The raised portion 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the jig body 10 and fixed to the jig body 10. The raised portion 20 has a swivel opening 21 at a position corresponding to each of the multiple insertion holes 11. A swivel rod 30 is disposed in each swivel opening 21 so as to be swivelable relative to the raised portion 20. Each swivel opening 21 has a first support portion 22 located radially inside the raised portion 20 and a second support portion 23 located radially outside the raised portion 20. The first support portion 22 is formed by a wall surface extending vertically and having a semicircular shape in a plan view. When the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is swiveled upward, the swivel rod 30 abuts against the first support portion 22, thereby supporting (positioning) the swivel rod 30 at an upper position. The second support portion 23 is formed by a wall surface that extends horizontally and has a semicircular shape in a side view. When the upper end of the swivel rod 30 swivels downward, the swivel rod 30 abuts against the second support portion 23, thereby supporting (positioning) the swivel rod 30 at a downward position. The swivel opening 21 communicates with the first support portion 22 and the second support portion 23.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the swivel rod 30. FIG. 5 is a side view of the swivel rod 30. The swivel rod 30 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin (POM resin). The swivel rod 30 has a cylindrical main body 31, a pair of cylindrical rotation shafts 32 extending horizontally from the main body 31, a pressing portion 33 having a flat tip at the lower end of the main body 31, and an intermediate portion 34 located between the rotation shafts 32 and the pressing portion 33. The lower end of the swivel rod 30 is inserted into the rotation opening 21 of the raised portion 20, and the swivel rod 30 is supported by the rotation shafts 32 on the wall surface between the first support portion 22 and the second support portion 23 of the raised portion 20. When an operator operates the upper end of the swivel rod 30 upward or downward, the swivel rod 30 rotates around the rotation shafts 32 relative to the jig main body 10 and the raised portion 20. When the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is rotated downward (radially outward), the pressing portion 33 comes into contact with the fixed block 40 and presses the fixed block 40 radially inward. When the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is rotated upward (radially inward), the pressing portion 33 and the fixed block 40 are no longer in contact with each other. A notch 35 is formed in an intermediate portion 34 between the pressing portion 33 and the rotary shaft portion 32 of the swivel rod 30. The notch 35 is formed in an arc shape extending inward from a part of the outer periphery of the intermediate portion 34. The structure and function of the notch 35 will be described in detail below.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fixed block 40. The fixed block 40 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin (POM resin). The fixed block 40 has a side fixing portion 41 having a vertical wall surface adjacent to the ferrule 2, an upper fixing portion 42 that protrudes slightly horizontally above the side fixing portion 41 toward the ferrule 2, a rotation shaft portion 43 that functions as an axis when the fixed block 40 rotates, an inclined portion 44 that is formed so that its height decreases from the upper fixing portion 42 toward the rotation shaft portion 43, and an abutment portion 45 that abuts against a leaf spring 60, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 and other figures. When the pivot rod 30 pivots, the inclined portion 44 of the fixed block 40 is pressed by the pressing portion 33 of the pivot rod 30, and the fixed block 40 rotates around the rotation shaft portion 43. As a result, the side fixing portion 41 presses the ferrule 2 from the side, and the upper fixing portion 42 is positioned above the ferrule 2 to prevent the ferrule 2 from coming off upward. In other words, when the pivot rod 30 pivots, the fixing piece 40 is pressed by the pivot rod 30 and moves in response, thereby fixing the ferrule 2 inserted into the insertion hole 11 of the jig body 10 to the jig body 10. The abutting portion 45 protrudes in the left-right direction below the inclined portion 44, and is positioned so that the horizontal surface of the lower surface of the abutting portion 45 abuts against the leaf spring 60.

[0025] The operation of each component when the ferrule 2 is fixed to the jig body 10 by the swivel rod 30 and the fixed block 40 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the ferrule 2 is released from its fixed position. The fixed block 40 is installed in a position adjacent to each insertion hole 11 of the ferrule 2 in the jig body 10. The swivel rod 30 is installed so that its lower end is located above the inclined portion 44 of the fixed block 40. In the state shown in FIG. 7, the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is rotated upward as indicated by the arrow. At this time, the pressing portion 33 located at the lower end of the swivel rod 30 has moved radially outward (to the left in FIG. 7) of the jig body 10, and the pressing portion 33 is not in contact with the inclined portion 44 of the fixed block 40 and is not pressing the fixed block 40. A leaf spring 60 is disposed between the upper surface of the jig body 10 and the abutting portion 45 of the fixed block 40 as a biasing means for biasing the fixed block 40 upward. 7, the fixed block 40 is rotated upward around the rotation shaft 43 by the leaf spring 60. The side fixing portion 41 and the upper fixing portion 42 of the fixed block 40 are not in contact with the ferrule 2, and the worker can attach or detach the ferrule 2 by moving the ferrule 2 in the vertical direction.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the ferrule 2 is fixed to the jig body 10. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is swung downward as indicated by the arrow. As the upper end of the swivel rod 30 swivels downward, the pressing portion 33 located at the lower end of the swivel rod 30 gradually moves radially inward (to the right in FIG. 8) of the jig body 10. At this time, the pressing portion 33 of the swivel rod 30 presses the inclined portion 44 of the fixed block 40. The fixed block 40 pressed by the swivel rod 30 rotates (moves) radially inward of the jig body 10 around the rotation shaft portion 43 against the biasing force of the leaf spring 60. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the side fixing portion 41 of the fixed block 40 presses the side of the ferrule 2, and the upper fixing portion 42 is positioned above the ferrule 2, thereby fixing the ferrule 2 to the jig body 10. The length from the rotating shaft 32 of the swivel rod 30 to the tip of the pressing portion 33 is set slightly longer than the distance between the rotating shaft 32 and the inclined portion 44 of the fixed block 40 when the swivel rod 30 is pressing the fixed block 40. As a result, when the pressing portion 33 and the inclined portion 44 come into contact with each other, the tip of the swivel rod 30 elastically deforms. The force generated by this elastic deformation is received by the rotating shaft 32, so that the swivel rod 30 does not easily move from its fixed state. The ferrule 2 is fixed to the jig body 10 in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and in this state the ferrule 2 is polished (APC polished).

[0027] A cylindrical slide lock 70 is inserted around the main body 31 of the swivel rod 30. A large-diameter portion 71, which has a larger diameter than the main body 31, is fixed to the upper end of the swivel rod 30. The slide lock 70 has a main body 70A and a knob portion 70B, which has a larger diameter than the main body 70A. A coil spring 72 is disposed between the knob portion 70B and the large-diameter portion 71 of the slide lock 70, and the slide lock 70 is biased downward by the coil spring 72. In other words, the slide lock 70 is biased toward the lower end of the swivel rod 30. To rotate the upper end of the swivel rod 30 upward (radially inward), the operator grasps the knob portion 70B and slides the slide lock 70 upward to compress the coil spring 72. The raised portion 20 has a first locking portion 24 adjacent to the first support portion 22 and a second locking portion 25 adjacent to the second support portion 23. As shown in Fig. 7, when the operator releases the knob portion 70B with the upper end side of the swivel rod 30 rotated upward (radially inward), the biasing force of the coil spring 72 presses the slide lock 70 against the first locking portion 24, thereby fixing the swivel rod 30. As shown in Fig. 8, when the operator releases the knob portion 70B with the upper part of the upper end side of the swivel rod 30 rotated downward, the biasing force of the coil spring 72 presses the slide lock 70 against the second locking portion 25, thereby fixing the swivel rod 30. As described above, by pressing the slide lock 70 against the first locking portion 24 or the second locking portion 25 with the biasing force of the coil spring 72, the swivel rod 30 is prevented from rotating and the fixed state of the ferrule 2 is maintained.

[0028] The structure and function of the notch 35 formed in the swivel rod 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 illustrates the contact state between the swivel rod 30 and the fixed block 40. The contact area between the pressing portion 33 of the swivel rod 30 and the inclined portion 44 of the fixed block 40 is shown enlarged. While FIG. 9 shows an overlapping portion between the pressing portion 33 and the inclined portion 44, when the pressing portion 33 and the inclined portion 44 come into contact, the tip of the swivel rod 30 elastically deforms toward the rotating shaft 32 by the width of this overlapping portion. The force exerted by the inclined portion 44 on the tip of the swivel rod 30 is received by the rotating shaft 32. In other words, the swivel rod 30 presses against the fixed block 40. If the force exerted by the swivel rod 30 against the fixed block 40 is too strong, the polishing characteristics are inevitably affected, and the desired polishing performance may not be achieved. The reason for this is that if the pressing force is too strong, depending on the type (shape, etc.) of the ferrule 2, the ferrule 2 may be fixed to the jig body 10 in a state where the shape of the ferrule 2 is deformed by the strong pressing force. To solve this problem, in the present invention, a notch 35 is formed in the swivel rod 30, thereby reducing the rigidity of the tip end (lower end) of the swivel rod 30. By reducing the rigidity of the swivel rod 30, the force with which the swivel rod 30 presses the fixed block 40 can be reduced while maintaining the conventional gap between the swivel rod 30 and the fixed block 40.

[0029] The notch 35 is a portion cut out from the bottom surface toward the inside (upward) at a position slightly above the tip of the swivel rod 30 in the intermediate portion 34 between the pressing portion 33 and the rotary shaft portion 32. That is, the notch 35 has a U-shape with an opening facing downward. The entrance portion (lower side) of the notch 35 is linear, and the inner portion (upper side) is arc-shaped. The position where the notch 35 is formed needs to be between the rotary shaft portion 32, which receives the load for fixing the ferrule 2 on the rotary rod 30 side, and the contact surface where the load is generated between the rotary rod 30 and the fixed block 40. The position where the notch 35 is formed will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 9. The area where the rotary shaft portion 32 of the swivel rod 30 is formed (the width where the rotary shaft portion 32 is formed in FIG. 9) is designated 32A. The action surface (contact area) where the rotary rod 30 and the fixed block 40 come into contact and a force is applied when the rotary rod 30 presses the fixed block 40 is designated CA. The widthwise center of the rotating shaft 32 is defined as 32C, and the center of the action surface CA is defined as CC. A notch 35 is formed in at least a part of an imaginary area VA (the area shown by the dashed line in FIG. 9) connecting the area 32A of the rotating shaft 32 and the action surface CA. More preferably, the notch 35 is formed in at least a part of an imaginary line VL connecting the center 32C of the rotating shaft 32 and the center CC of the action surface CA.

[0030] Several samples of the pivot rod 30 with different depths 36 of the notch 35 were prepared, and an experiment was conducted to compare the changes in the load generated at the tip of the pivot rod 30 while varying the amount of pushing in of the tip of the pivot rod 30. The results are shown in Table 1. "None" indicates a conventional product without a notch. In Table 1, each value other than the pushing amount (mm) shown in the first column, the notch depth (mm) shown in the first and second rows, and the ratio (%) shown in the last row indicates the load (kgf) generated at the tip of the pivot rod 30. The ratio indicates the proportion of the load of each sample when the load of the pivot rod 30 without a notch is taken as 100%. The inner part of the notch 35 was made arc-shaped. The shaded columns indicate conditions where the load was too weak to measure. The experimental results shown in Table 1 indicate that the load generated at the tip of the pivot rod 30 decreases as the notch depth increases. The sample with the arch-shaped notch 35 1.5 mm deep had a load of 14% compared to the sample without the notch, demonstrating the effect of the present invention of reducing the load with which the swivel rod 30 presses against the fixed block 40. [Table 1]

[0031] As described above, in the jig 1 of the present invention shown in the embodiment, the notch 35 is provided in a portion of the intermediate portion 34 of the pivot rod 30 that receives the load between the pressing portion 33 and the rotating shaft portion 32, thereby reducing the rigidity of the pivot rod 30 against the load. This allows the tip of the pivot rod 30 to bend easily when the pivot rod 30 presses the fixed block 40, thereby reducing the load applied to the fixed block 40. Since the pivot rod 30 does not press the fixed block 40 too strongly, deterioration of the polishing characteristics can be prevented. Furthermore, since there is no need to manually adjust the gap between the pivot rod 30 and the fixed block 40, and there is no need to make the gap larger than necessary, the ferrule 2 can be reliably fixed. With the above configuration, a jig 1 capable of properly fixing various types of ferrules 2 can be provided. This feature is particularly effective when fixing small ferrules 2. Even if there are individual differences among multiple ferrules 2, the load required to fix the optical fiber ferrules 2 can be appropriately generated.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a side view of a pivot rod 130 according to another embodiment. The pivot rod 130 has a notch 135, similar to the pivot rod 30. A cylindrical reinforcing member 136 is disposed inside the notch 135. The reinforcing member 136 is formed of a material that is weaker (softer) than the material of the pivot rod 130. For example, the pivot rod 130 is formed of polyacetal resin (POM resin), and the reinforcing member 136 is formed of urethane resin. This makes it possible to reduce the rigidity of the pivot rod 130 while still maintaining a certain level of strength. Except for the reinforcing member 136 being disposed inside the notch 135, the pivot rod 130 has the same structure as the pivot rod 30. Note that the reinforcing member 136 does not necessarily have to be cylindrical. Further, the reinforcing member 136 may fill a part of the notch 135, or a reinforcing member 136 having substantially the same shape as the notch 135 may be used to fill the entire notch 135.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a side view of a pivot rod 230 according to another embodiment. The pivot rod 230 has a hole 235. The hole 235 differs from the notch 35 or the notch 135 in that it is not connected to the outer periphery of the pivot rod 230 in a side view. However, the hole 235 has the same effect as the notch 35 or the notch 135 in that it reduces the rigidity of the pivot rod 230 and the load on the fixed block 40. The effects of the present invention can be achieved if a cavity such as the notch 35, 135, or the hole 235 is provided between the point of application of the force when the rotation shaft portion 32 of the pivot rod 30, 130, or 230 presses the fixed block 40. In other words, the concept of a cavity includes notches and holes. The pivot rod 230 has the same structure as the pivot rod 30 except that the hole 235 is formed instead of the notch 35. The hole 235 is formed in the same position as the notch 35. The hole 235 is formed in at least a part of an imaginary area VA connecting the area 32A and the action surface CA shown in Fig. 9. More preferably, the hole 235 is formed in at least a part of an imaginary line VL connecting the center 32C of the rotation shaft portion 32 and the center CC of the action surface CA.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, an MT ferrule having a rectangular shape in plan view is used as an example, but the type of ferrule is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any structure in which a ferrule having an optical fiber built therein is fixed to a jig and polished.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the raised portion 20 is formed in an annular shape and the ferrule 2 is fixed to the jig 1 in an annular shape, but the arrangement of the ferrules is not limited to this. For example, the raised portion may be formed linearly on the jig body 10, and multiple ferrules may be arranged linearly. It is also possible to use a structure in which a swivel rod or the like is arranged directly on the jig body without forming a raised portion.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the fixed block 40 is pushed by the lower end of the swivel rod 30 when the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is pivoted downward. However, it is also possible to configure the fixed block 40 to be pushed by the lower end of the swivel rod 30 when the upper end of the swivel rod 30 is pivoted upward.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the leaf spring 60 is used as the biasing means for biasing the fixed block 40 upward, but the biasing structure is not limited to a leaf spring. Instead of a leaf spring, a coil spring or an elastic member such as rubber or resin may also be used.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the jig used for APC polishing, in which the ferrule 2 is polished while tilted at a predetermined angle relative to the vertical direction, was described, but the use of the jig of the present invention is not limited to APC polishing. The jig of the present invention is also effective in the case of flat polishing, in which the ferrule is positioned vertically and polished at a right angle.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a structure for preventing rotation of the swivel rod 30 using the slide lock 70, coil spring 72, first locking portion 24, and second locking portion 25 has been described, but this structure is not essential. The force of elastic deformation of the swivel rod 30 caused by contact between the swivel rod 30 and the fixed block 40 is received by the rotation shaft portion 32, thereby preventing rotation of the swivel rod 30.

[0040] In the above-described embodiments, the notches 35, 135, and the hole 235 have been described as examples of cavities. The shapes of the notches and holes are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Furthermore, cavities other than notches and holes are also included in the present invention. Here, the term "cavity" refers to a cavity that is intentionally formed in the design, and is not intended to include cavities that are unavoidably formed inside the resin when the resin is cooled, for example, when the pivot rod is formed from resin.

[0041] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The mutually replaceable components and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately changed and applied. Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, members and configurations that are publicly known and can be mutually substituted for the members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately substituted, and their combinations may be changed and applied. - Substitute components and configurations, etc. that are not disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments but that a person skilled in the art can imagine as substitutes for the components and configurations, etc. disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments based on publicly known technology, as appropriate, and change and apply the combinations thereof. is disclosed as one embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1...optical fiber polishing jig, 2...optical fiber ferrule, 10...jig body, 11...insertion hole, 20...raised portion, 21...swivel opening, 22...first support portion, 23...second support portion, 24...first locking portion, 25...second locking portion, 30...swivel rod, 31...main body portion, 32...rotating shaft portion, 33...pressing portion, 34...middle portion, 35...notch, 36...notch depth, 40...fixing block, 41...side fixing portion, 42...upper fixing portion, 43...rotating shaft portion, 44...inclined portion, 45...abutment portion, 50...handle, 60...leaf spring, 70...slide lock, 71...large diameter portion, 72...coil spring, 100...optical fiber polishing device, 101...turntable, 130...swivel rod, 135...notch, 136...reinforcing member, 230...swivel rod, 235...hole.

Claims

1. An optical fiber polishing jig used for polishing an optical fiber ferrule, comprising: a jig body having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted; a rotating rod arranged to be capable of rotating around a rotation shaft portion relative to the jig body; a fixing piece that is pushed by the pivoting rod when the pivoting rod pivots and moves in response to the rotation of the rod, thereby fixing the optical fiber ferrule inserted into the insertion hole to the jig body, the rotating rod has a cavity in at least a part of a virtual area connecting the rotating shaft portion and a surface on which a force acts when pressing the fixing piece when fixing the optical fiber ferrule.

2. 2. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 1, further comprising a leaf spring as a biasing means for biasing the fixed piece upward.

3. 2. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is a notch formed from a part of the outer periphery of the rotating rod to at least a part of the imaginary area.

4. 2. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is a hole that is not connected to the outer periphery of the rotating rod in a side view.

5. 2. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing member is disposed in the cavity.

6. 6. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing member is made of a material having a strength lower than that of the material of the rotating rod.

7. 2. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein the pivot rod is configured so that the lower end of the pivot rod presses the fixed piece when the upper end of the pivot rod is pivoted downward.

8. The jig body has a plurality of insertion holes, 8. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein the rotating rod and the fixed piece are provided for each of the plurality of insertion holes.

9. 9. The optical fiber polishing jig of claim 8, characterized in that the upper surface of the jig body has a first support portion that supports the upper end of the swivel rod in an upwardly rotated state, a second support portion that supports the upper end of the swivel rod in a downwardly rotated state, and a rotation opening communicating with the first support portion and the second support portion, which are formed in a ring shape relative to the plurality of insertion holes.

10. 10. The optical fiber polishing jig according to claim 9, further comprising: a slide lock that is slidable in the axial direction of the pivot rod when inserted around the pivot rod; a coil spring that urges the slide lock toward the lower end of the pivot rod; and a locking portion that is formed on the raised portion and locks the lower end of the slide lock.

11. An optical fiber polishing device comprising the optical fiber polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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