Optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary tool and optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary device

Abstract

To provide an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary tool and an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary device that, when placing an optical fiber ferrule in an insertion hole formed in an optical fiber polishing holder, enables the optical fiber ferrule to be securely inserted to the depth of the insertion hole. [Solution] An optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary tool used when mounting an optical fiber ferrule on an optical fiber polishing holder, the tool having a negative pressure inlet that is connectable to an aspirator to introduce negative pressure from the aspirator, a negative pressure guide recess that communicates with the negative pressure inlet and opens upward, and a sealing surface around the negative pressure guide recess that can directly or indirectly abut against the bottom surface of the optical fiber polishing holder.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig used when mounting an optical fiber ferrule on an optical fiber polishing holder, and an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary device equipped with the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig. [Background technology]

[0002] When polishing an optical fiber ferrule, the optical fiber ferrule may be fixed to a plate-shaped optical fiber polishing holder. In Patent Document 1, the optical fiber ferrule is placed in an insertion hole formed in the optical fiber polishing holder and a bolt is tightened to fix the optical fiber ferrule to the optical fiber polishing holder. In Patent Documents 2 and 3, the optical fiber ferrule is placed in an insertion hole formed in the optical fiber polishing holder and a rod is rotated to fix the optical fiber ferrule to the optical fiber polishing holder without using tools or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4074812 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6192797 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7505833 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the optical fiber polishing holders described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, if the optical fiber ferrule is positioned at an angle or not fully inserted into the insertion hole formed in the optical fiber polishing holder, the optical fiber ferrule may not be fixed at the correct position or angle relative to the optical fiber polishing holder.

[0005] The present invention provides an optical fiber ferrule installation auxiliary tool and an optical fiber ferrule installation auxiliary device that enable an optical fiber ferrule to be reliably inserted to the back of an insertion hole formed in an optical fiber polishing holder when placing the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole formed in the optical fiber polishing holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The optical fiber ferrule installation auxiliary jig of the present invention is an optical fiber ferrule installation auxiliary jig used when installing an optical fiber ferrule in an optical fiber polishing holder, and is configured to have a negative pressure inlet that is connectable to an aspirator to introduce negative pressure from the aspirator, a negative pressure guide recess that communicates with the negative pressure inlet and opens upward, and a sealing surface around the negative pressure guide recess that can abut directly or indirectly against the bottom surface of the optical fiber polishing holder. In the optical fiber ferrule attachment auxiliary jig configured as described above, the seal surface formed around the negative pressure guide recess that opens upward is brought into direct or indirect contact with the bottom surface of the optical fiber polishing holder. In this state, negative pressure introduced from the negative pressure introduction port is applied to the negative pressure guide recess. This applies negative pressure to the bottom surface of the optical fiber polishing holder, and the optical fiber ferrule placed in the optical fiber polishing holder is sucked downward.

[0007] In the above configuration, when the optical fiber polishing holder is placed on the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig, the negative pressure guide recess may be configured to be located directly below the optical fiber ferrule in a plan view. In the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig configured as described above, a negative pressure is applied to the optical fiber ferrule placed in the optical fiber polishing holder from directly below the optical fiber ferrule.

[0008] In the above configuration, a negative pressure path may be provided that communicates with the negative pressure inlet and the negative pressure guide recess. In the optical fiber polishing jig configured as described above, the negative pressure introduced into the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig from the negative pressure introduction port is introduced into the negative pressure guide recess via the negative pressure path.

[0009] In the above configuration, the negative pressure paths may intersect at a center of the negative pressure guide recess. In the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig configured as described above, the negative pressure introduced into the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig from the negative pressure inlet via the center of the negative pressure guide recess is applied to the negative pressure guide recess.

[0010] In the above configuration, a positioning portion may be provided that protrudes above the seal surface. In the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig constructed as described above, the optical fiber polishing holder is positioned relative to the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig by the positioning portion that protrudes above the sealing surface.

[0011] The present invention can also be realized as an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary device including an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary tool and a suction device. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical fiber ferrule installation auxiliary tool and an optical fiber ferrule installation auxiliary device that enable an optical fiber ferrule to be reliably inserted to the back of an insertion hole formed in an optical fiber polishing holder when placing the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole formed in the optical fiber polishing holder. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical fiber polishing holder is attached to an optical fiber polishing apparatus. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical fiber polishing holder. [Diagram 3] 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical fiber ferrule has been released from the optical fiber polishing holder; FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which an optical fiber ferrule is fixed to an optical fiber polishing holder. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which an optical fiber ferrule is fixed in an inclined state relative to an optical fiber polishing holder. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig disposed below an optical fiber polishing holder. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig taken along line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber ferrule attachment auxiliary jig with an optical fiber polishing holder placed on the optical fiber ferrule attachment auxiliary jig and an optical fiber ferrule placed in an insertion hole. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig in the line BB of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 13 is a plan view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig according to still another embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig in the CC line of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig according to yet another embodiment, disposed below an optical fiber polishing holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber polishing holder 10 (hereinafter, holder 10) attached to an optical fiber polishing device 1 (hereinafter, polishing device 1). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder 10. The polishing device 1 has a turntable 2 that can be rotated on the upper surface. An optical fiber ferrule 3 (hereinafter, ferrule 3) is detachably attached to the holder 10, and the holder 10 is detachably attached to the polishing device 1. The ferrule 3 is an MT ferrule that is rectangular in plan view. When the holder 10 is attached to the polishing device 1, the upper surface of the turntable 2 and the bottom surface of the holder 10 face each other. A polishing film or the like is placed on the upper surface of the turntable 2, and the turntable 2 is rotated. In this state, the ferrule 3 protruding downward from the bottom surface of the holder 10 is polished by the polishing film or the like. Since the structure for attaching the holder 10 to the polishing device 1 and the structure and operation of the polishing device 1 can use conventionally known technology, detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the holder 10 has a holder body 11 formed in a plate shape, a raised portion 12 formed in an annular manner on the upper surface of the holder body 11, a pivot rod 13 arranged to be pivotable with respect to the holder body 11 and the raised portion 12, a fixed piece 14 that fixes the ferrule 3 to the holder body 11 in response to the pivot rod 13, and a pair of handles 15 that an operator grasps when lifting the holder 10. In Fig. 2, only one ferrule 3 and one pivot rod 13 are shown for the sake of simplicity, but by arranging multiple pivot rods 13 and multiple fixed pieces 14 in an annular shape, it is possible to fix multiple ferrules 3 to the holder 10 and polish them simultaneously.

[0016] The holder body 11 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. The raised portion 12 is formed of a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, or a synthetic resin, and has a ring shape (donut shape). The raised portion 12 is disposed on the upper surface of the holder body 11 and is fixed to the holder body 11. The swivel rod 13 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin (POM resin). The swivel rod 13 is disposed so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction relative to the raised portion 12. The fixed piece 14 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin (POM resin). As described later, as the pivot rod 13 pivots, the ferrule 3 is fixed by the fixed piece 14 .

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3 etc., the holder body 11 is formed with an insertion hole 16 into which the ferrule 3 can be inserted. The insertion hole 16 opens in a rectangular shape and penetrates the holder body 11 in the vertical direction. The holder body 11 has a plurality of insertion holes 16 arranged in an annular shape. When the ferrule 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 16 and fixed by the fixing piece 14, the tip of the ferrule 3 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the holder body 11 by a predetermined length. In this state, the tip of the ferrule 3 is polished by the polishing device 1. The bottom surface of the holder body 11 is a horizontal plane.

[0018] Hereinafter, the operation of each part when the ferrule 3 is fixed to the holder body 11 by the rotating rod 13 and the fixed piece 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fixing of the ferrule 3 to the holder 10 is released. The fixed piece 14 is installed at a position adjacent to each insertion hole 16 formed in the holder body 11. The rotating rod 13 is installed so that its lower end is located above the fixed piece 14. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the rotating rod 13 is rotated upward as shown by the arrow. At this time, the lower end of the rotating rod 13 moves to the radially outer side of the holder body 11 (to the left in FIG. 3), and the lower end of the rotating rod 13 does not abut against the fixed piece 14 and does not press the fixed piece 14. Between the upper surface of the holder body 11 and the fixed piece 14, a leaf spring 17 is arranged as a biasing means for biasing the fixed piece 14 upward. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the fixed piece 14 is biased upward by the leaf spring 17. The fixed block 14 does not abut against the ferrule 3, and an operator can place the ferrule 3 in the insertion hole 16 or remove the ferrule 3 from the insertion hole 16 by moving the ferrule 3 vertically.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ferrule 3 is fixed to the holder 10. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the pivot rod 13 is pivoted downward as indicated by the arrow. As the upper end of the pivot rod 13 pivots downward, the lower end of the pivot rod 13 gradually moves radially inward (to the right in FIG. 4) of the holder body 11. At this time, the lower end of the pivot rod 13 presses the fixed piece 14. The fixed piece 14 pressed by the pivot rod 13 rotates (moves) radially inward of the holder body 11 against the biasing force of the leaf spring 17. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the fixed piece 14 presses the ferrule 3 from the side and above, thereby fixing the ferrule 3 to the holder body 11. The ferrule 3 is fixed to the holder body 11 in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and in this state, the ferrule 3 is polished (APC polished).

[0020] A cylindrical slide lock 18 is inserted around the swivel rod 13. The slide lock 18 is biased downward by a coil spring 19. When the upper end of the swivel rod 13 is rotated upward (inward in the radial direction) or downward (outward in the radial direction), the operator slides the slide lock 18 upward to compress the coil spring 19. When the operator releases the slide lock 18 with the upper end of the swivel rod 13 rotated upward (inward in the radial direction), the slide lock 18 is pressed against the protruding portion 12 by the biasing force of the coil spring 19, and the swivel rod 13 is fixed in the state shown in FIG. 3. When the operator releases the slide lock 18 with the upper end of the swivel rod 13 rotated downward (outward in the radial direction), the slide lock 18 is pressed against the protruding portion 12 by the biasing force of the coil spring 19, and the swivel rod 13 is fixed in the state shown in FIG. 4.

[0021] The ferrule 3 is fixed to the holder body 11 by the above-mentioned procedure, but there are cases where the ferrule 3 is fixed to the holder body 11 in a tilted state with respect to the holder body 11 or in a state where the ferrule 3 is not fully inserted into the insertion hole 16. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the ferrule 3 is fixed in a tilted state with respect to the holder body 11. If the ferrule 3 is polished in the state shown in FIG. 5, the position and angle of the ferrule 3 with respect to the polishing surface of the polishing device 1 will not be constant, and the polishing characteristics may deteriorate. In order to avoid such a situation, in this application, an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig 20 (hereinafter, jig 20) is used.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the jig 20 placed below the holder 10. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the jig 20. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the jig 20 taken along line AA in FIG. 7. The jig 20 is used together with an aspirator 30 that generates negative pressure by electricity to suck air. The jig 20 has a negative pressure inlet 21 that is configured to be connectable to the aspirator 30, a negative pressure guide recess 22 that communicates with the negative pressure inlet 21 and opens upward, a seal surface 23 that can come into contact with the bottom surface of the holder 10 around the negative pressure guide recess 22, and a positioning portion 24 that positions the position of the holder 10 relative to the jig 20 on the outside of the seal surface 23. Note that in the figures following FIG. 6, the handle 15 of the holder 10 is omitted.

[0023] The negative pressure inlet 21 has a cylindrical shape with a cavity inside. The negative pressure inlet 21 is configured to introduce negative pressure from the suction device 30 to the jig 20 by connecting the suction device 30 to the negative pressure inlet 21 and operating the suction device 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the negative pressure inlet 21 communicates with a negative pressure path 25 formed as a cavity inside the jig 20. The negative pressure path 25 also communicates with the negative pressure guide recess 22. That is, the negative pressure inlet 21 communicates with the negative pressure guide recess 22 via the negative pressure path 25. The negative pressure inlet 21 and the negative pressure path 25 are formed in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the jig 20.

[0024] The negative pressure guide recess 22 is formed in a circular (annular) shape. In other words, the negative pressure guide recess 22 is a region recessed downward in a circular (annular) shape from the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the jig 20. The ferrules 3 are arranged in a circular shape in the holder 10. Therefore, when the holder 10 is placed on the jig 20 and aligned by the positioning unit 24, the negative pressure guide recess 22 is formed directly below the ferrules 3 arranged in a circular shape in a plan view. The negative pressure path 25 communicates with the negative pressure guide recess 22 at two positions in the center of the negative pressure guide recess 22 in the width direction. In other words, the negative pressure guide recess 22 communicates with the negative pressure path 25 at two positions 180° apart on the circumference.

[0025] In plan view, the seal surface 23 can be divided into a first seal surface 23A located inside the negative pressure guide recess 22 and a second seal surface 23B located outside the negative pressure guide recess 22. The outer periphery of the first seal surface 23A is formed in a circular shape, and the outer periphery of the first seal surface 23A constitutes the inner end of the negative pressure guide recess 22. The inner periphery of the second seal surface 23B is formed in a circular shape, and the inner periphery of the second seal surface 23B constitutes the outer end of the negative pressure guide recess 22. The outer periphery of the second seal surface 23B is formed in a roughly circular shape, but protrudes slightly outward at two points located in the longitudinal direction of the jig 20 and two points located in the width direction of the jig 20. The first seal surface 23A and the second seal surface 23B are horizontal surfaces. When the holder 10 is placed on the jig 20 , the bottom surface of the holder 10 comes into contact with the sealing surface 23 of the jig 20 , forming an airtight space between the bottom surface of the holder 10 and the upper surface of the jig 20 .

[0026] The positioning portions 24 are located at four positions on the outer side of the second sealing surface 23B, and protrude above the sealing surface 23 at positions corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular holder 10. The holder 10 can be positioned relative to the jig 20 by abutting the cut-out portions at the four corners of the holder 10 against the four positioning portions 24.

[0027] The procedure for mounting the ferrules 3 in the holder 10 using the jig 20 will be described below. First, the holder 10 is placed on the jig 20 with the four corners of the holder 10 aligned with the positioning portions 24 of the jig 20. At this time, the upper end of the pivot rod 13 is pivoted upward, and the pivot rod 13 does not press the fixed block 14. The ferrules 3 are inserted into the insertion holes 16 of the holder 10 from above. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the state in which the holder 10 is placed on the jig 20 and multiple ferrules 3 are placed in the insertion holes 16. In the state shown in FIG. 9, the suction machine 30 is operated. Negative pressure generated by the suction machine 30 is introduced into the jig 20 from the negative pressure introduction port 21. Since the bottom surface of the holder 10 and the seal surface 23 of the jig 20 are in contact with each other to form a sealed space, the negative pressure introduced from the negative pressure inlet 21 acts between the outer periphery of the first seal surface 23A and the inner periphery of the second seal surface 23B, that is, on the negative pressure guide recess 22, via the negative pressure path 25. The insertion hole 16 of the holder 10 is located above the negative pressure guide recess 22. The ferrule 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 16, and the lower end of the ferrule 3 is exposed below the insertion hole 16. When negative pressure acts on the negative pressure guide recess 22 in this state, the ferrule 3 is sucked downward by the negative pressure. As a result, the ferrule 3 is reliably inserted to the bottom of the insertion hole 16. Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the rotating rod 13 is rotated downward. As a result, the lower end of the rotating rod 13 presses the fixed block 14, and the fixed block 14 fixes the ferrule 3 to the holder 10.

[0028] As described above, in the jig 20 of the present invention, the negative pressure introduced into the jig 20 from the suction device 30 is applied to the negative pressure guide recess 22 while the bottom surface of the holder 10 and the seal surface 23 of the jig 20 are in contact with each other. This causes the ferrule 3 exposed downward from the bottom surface of the holder 10 to be sucked downward. Even if the ferrule 3 is inclined or not fully inserted when the ferrule 3 is placed in the insertion hole 16 at an initial stage, the ferrule 3 can be placed and fixed in the correct position relative to the holder 10 by applying negative pressure to the ferrule 3 by the jig 20. As a result, the position and angle of the ferrule 3 relative to the polishing surface of the polishing device 1 can be kept constant, and the polishing characteristics can be improved. For the ferrules 3 arranged in the holder 10 in an annular shape, the negative pressure guide recess 22 is made circular with approximately the same diameter as the annular arrangement of the ferrules 3, so that when the holder 10 is placed on the jig 20 and positioned, the negative pressure guide recess 22 is positioned directly below the ferrules 3. By applying negative pressure directly below the ferrules 3, it is possible to more reliably apply negative pressure to the ferrules 3. Since the holder 10 and the jig 20 are positioned by a positioning portion 24 provided on the jig, it is possible to prevent the position of the ferrules 3 from shifting from the position of the negative pressure guide recess 22.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig 120 (hereinafter, jig 120) according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the jig 120 taken along line BB in FIG. 10. The jig 120 has a negative pressure inlet 121 configured to be connectable to the aspirator 30, a negative pressure guide recess 122 communicating with the negative pressure inlet 121 and opening upward, a seal surface 123 capable of contacting the bottom surface of the holder 10 around the negative pressure guide recess 122, positioning parts 124 for positioning the position of the holder 10 relative to the jig 120 at four points outside the seal surface 123, and a negative pressure path 125 formed inside the jig 120. The jig 120 differs from the jig 20 in that the negative pressure path 125 intersects (is perpendicular to) the center of the negative pressure guide recess 122. In FIG. 10, the negative pressure path 125 is indicated by a dashed line. The negative pressure path 125 is formed in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the jig 120 and in a straight line along the width direction of the jig 120. The negative pressure introduced from the negative pressure introduction port 121 branches into the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the jig 120 at a position corresponding to the center of the negative pressure guide recess 122, and each of them communicates with the negative pressure guide recess 122. That is, the negative pressure is introduced into the negative pressure guide recess 122 at four positions spaced by 90 degrees on the circumference of the negative pressure guide recess 122. This makes it possible to supply the negative pressure to the negative pressure guide recess 122 more stably than the jig 20. Note that the center of the negative pressure guide recess 122 does not necessarily mean that it is located strictly in the center, but means that it is located approximately in the center based on the outer periphery of the negative pressure guide recess 122. The configurations of negative pressure introduction port 121, negative pressure guide recess 122, seal surface 123 and positioning portion 124 are the same as the configurations of negative pressure introduction port 21, negative pressure guide recess 22, seal surface 23 and positioning portion 24, respectively.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a plan view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig 220 (hereinafter, jig 220) according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the jig 220 taken along line CC in FIG. 12. The jig 220 has a negative pressure inlet 221 configured to be connectable to the aspirator 30, a negative pressure guide recess 222 communicating with the negative pressure inlet 221 and opening upward, a seal surface 223 capable of contacting the bottom surface of the holder 10 around the negative pressure guide recess 222, positioning parts 224 for positioning the position of the holder 10 relative to the jig 220 at four points on the outside of the seal surface 223, and a negative pressure path 225 formed inside the jig 220. The seal surface 223 can be divided into a first seal surface 223A located inside the negative pressure guide recess 222 and a second seal surface 223B located outside the negative pressure guide recess 222 in a plan view. Jig 220 differs from jig 20 and jig 120 in that first seal surface 223A has a small area and negative pressure guide recess 222 is formed over almost the entire inner circumference of second seal surface 223B. Negative pressure path 225 extends linearly from negative pressure introduction port 221 and communicates with negative pressure guide recess 222. By using jig 220, negative pressure can be applied to the bottom surface of holder 10 over almost the entire inner circumference of second seal surface 223B. The configurations of negative pressure introduction port 221 and positioning portion 224 are the same as those of negative pressure introduction port 21 and positioning portion 24, respectively.

[0031] 14 is a perspective view of an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig 320 (hereinafter, jig 320) according to yet another embodiment, disposed below an optical fiber polishing holder 310 (hereinafter, holder 310). The jig 320 has a negative pressure introduction port 321 configured to be connectable to the suction device 30, a negative pressure guide recess 322 communicating with the negative pressure introduction port 321 and opening upward, a seal surface 323 capable of contacting the bottom surface of the holder 310 around the negative pressure guide recess 322, positioning parts 324 for positioning the position of the holder 10 relative to the jig 320 at four points outside the seal surface 323, and a negative pressure path (not shown) formed inside the jig 320. The holder 310 differs from the holder 10, which has a substantially rectangular outer shape, in that the outer shape of the holder 310 is substantially circular. The jig 320 differs from the jig 20 in that the positioning portion 324 is formed at only one location in the center of the negative pressure guide recess 322, in that the positioning portion 324 is formed at four locations around the negative pressure guide recess 22. Although not shown, a recess recessed upward is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the holder 310. A positioning portion 324 protruding upward is formed at the center of the sealing surface 323 of the jig 320. When the holder 310 is placed on the jig 320, the positioning portion 324 of the jig 320 is inserted into the recess on the bottom surface of the holder 310, so that the holder 310 can be positioned relative to the jig 320. The configuration of the negative pressure introduction port 321 is the same as the configuration of the negative pressure introduction port 21.

[0032] In the above embodiment, a rectangular MT ferrule in plan view is exemplified, but the type of ferrule is not limited to this. The jig of the present application can be used as long as the ferrule with an optical fiber built in is fixed to a holder and polished. Recently, polishing using small ferrules (ferrules shorter in length and width than normal ferrules) has been on the rise. When fixing a small ferrule to a holder, it is easily affected by the tensile force of the optical fiber bonded to the small ferrule, and there is a tendency that it is not fixed at the correct position or angle. Since polishing in such a state can be avoided, the jig of the present application is particularly effective for small ferrules.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the holder in which the raised portion is formed in an annular shape and the ferrule is fixed to the holder in an annular shape has been described as an example, but the holder in which the jig of the present application can be used is not limited to this. For example, the jig of the present application can also be used for a holder in which the raised portion is formed in a straight line on the holder body and multiple ferrules are arranged in a straight line. The jig of the present application can also be used for a holder in which the ferrule is fixed directly to the jig body without forming a raised portion. It is possible to attach the holder to the jig with the ferrule set in the holder in advance and suck the ferrule, and it is also possible to set the ferrule in the holder with the holder attached to the jig in advance and suck the ferrule. In either case, the ferrule can be securely attached to the holder before attaching it to the polishing device.

[0034] In the above embodiment, a holder having a structure in which the lower end of the swivel rod presses the fixed piece when the upper end of the swivel rod is rotated downward has been described as an example, but the holder to which the jig of the present application can be applied is not limited to this. The jig of the present application can also be used for a holder having a structure in which the lower end of the swivel rod presses the fixed piece when the upper end of the swivel rod is rotated upward. The jig of the present application can also be used for a holder having a structure in which the ferrule is fixed by a bolt or the like without using a swivel rod.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the holder used for APC polishing, in which the ferrule is polished in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, is described, but the holder for which the jig of the present invention is used is not limited to the holder used for APC polishing. The jig of the present invention can also be used for a holder used for flat surface polishing, in which the ferrule is arranged vertically and polished at a right angle.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the bottom surface of the holder and the seal surface of the jig directly contact each other is described as an example. However, it is not necessary that the bottom surface of the holder and the seal surface of the jig directly contact each other. For example, it is also possible to indirectly contact the bottom surface of the holder and the seal surface of the jig by interposing a seal member such as an O-ring between them. In other words, as long as the structure is such that the bottom surface of the holder and the seal surface of the jig can directly or indirectly contact each other to form a sealed space, it is possible to obtain the effect of the present application. In addition, the seal surface of the jig and the bottom surface of the holder do not necessarily need to be horizontal in the entire area. As long as the seal surface of the jig can contact the bottom surface of the holder to form a sealed space, the shape of the seal surface of the jig and the bottom surface of the holder is not particularly limited.

[0037] In the above embodiment, a circular negative pressure guide recess has been described as an example. However, the shape of the negative pressure guide recess is not limited to a circle. When the ferrule is arranged linearly in the holder instead of annularly, the negative pressure guide recess may be formed linearly or rectangularly. It is also possible to configure the holder to apply negative pressure to almost the entire bottom surface, regardless of the arrangement of the ferrule relative to the holder. In addition, the negative pressure guide recess does not necessarily have to be connected in a plan view. It is sufficient that the negative pressure guide recess is formed at least directly below the position where the ferrule is arranged. For example, it is also possible to form a shape in which a plurality of negative pressure guide recesses are formed on the upper surface of the jig and the plurality of negative pressure guide recesses are arranged in a circle.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the suction machine that generates negative pressure by electricity is described as an example. However, the means for driving the suction machine is not limited to electricity. A device that can introduce negative pressure into the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig is called a suction machine, and the structure of the suction machine is not particularly limited. In addition, in the above embodiment, the explanation is given on the premise that a suction machine separate from the jig is connected to the jig, but the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig and the suction machine may be integrally formed. The present invention can also be realized as an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary device that includes an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig and a suction device. Note that the boundary between the suction machine and the negative pressure introduction port, and the boundary between the negative pressure introduction port and the negative pressure path may not be necessarily clear, but as long as the jig has a structure that introduces negative pressure into the jig, it can be interpreted that the jig has a negative pressure introduction port.

[0039] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. -Appropriately change and apply the mutually replaceable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments. · Appropriately replacing members and configurations that are not disclosed in the above embodiments but are publicly known and can be mutually substituted for the members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments, and changing the combinations thereof for application. - Substitute members and configurations, etc. that are not disclosed in the above embodiments but that a person skilled in the art could imagine as substitutes for the members and configurations, etc. disclosed in the above embodiments based on publicly known techniques, and change the combinations and apply the present invention. is disclosed as one embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1...optical fiber polishing device, 2...turntable, 3...optical fiber ferrule, 10, 310...optical fiber polishing holder, 11...holder body, 12...raised portion, 13...rotating rod, 14...fixed block, 15...handle, 16...insertion hole, 17...leaf spring, 18...slide lock, 19...coil spring, 20, 120, 220, 320...optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig, 21, 121, 221, 321...negative pressure introduction port, 22, 122, 222, 322...negative pressure guide recess, 23, 123, 223, 323...sealing surface, 24, 124, 224, 324...positioning portion, 25, 125, 225...negative pressure path, 30...aspirator.

Claims

1. An optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary tool used when fixing an optical fiber ferrule in a state in which the optical fiber ferrule is placed in an insertion hole formed in a plate-shaped optical fiber polishing holder, comprising: a negative pressure inlet configured to be connectable to an aspirator and configured to introduce negative pressure from the aspirator; a negative pressure guide recess communicating with the negative pressure inlet and opening upward; a seal surface that can directly or indirectly come into contact with a bottom surface of the optical fiber polishing holder around the negative pressure guide recess; having an optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig configured such that, when the optical fiber polishing holder is placed on the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig, the negative pressure guide recess is positioned directly below the optical fiber ferrule in a planar view.

2. 2. The optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig according to claim 1, further comprising a negative pressure path communicating with the negative pressure inlet and the negative pressure guide recess.

3. 3. The optical fiber ferrule mounting aid according to claim 2, wherein the negative pressure paths cross at a center of the negative pressure guide recess.

4. 2. The optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning portion protruding above the sealing surface.

5. 5. An optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary device comprising: the optical fiber ferrule mounting auxiliary jig according to claim 1; and the suction device.

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