Optical connector

Abstract

To improve cooling efficiency of a boundary portion between a covering area in which a core part of an optical fiber is covered by a covering part and a non-covering area in which the core part of the optical fiber is not covered by the covering part.SOLUTION: An optical connector 100 comprises: an optical fiber 10; an inner sleeve 20; an outer sleeve 30; a light guide member 40; a supply mechanism 50 for supplying a cooling medium to an inflow space S1 inside the inner sleeve 20; and a discharge mechanism 60 for discharging the cooling medium from an outflow space S2 between the inner sleeve 20 and the outer sleeve 30. The optical fiber 10 has a core part 11 and a covering part 12, and the core part 11 is covered by the covering part 12 in a covering area R1 and not covered by the covering part 12 in a non-covering area R2. The supply mechanism 50 supplies the cooling medium to the inflow space S1 in the covering area R1, and the inner sleeve 20 has a communication hole 21 for communicating the inflow space S1 with the outflow space S2 in the non-covering area R2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when transmitting laser light to a laser processing apparatus through an optical fiber, an optical connector for connecting the optical fiber and the laser processing apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The optical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first sleeve supported on the inner surface of a cylindrical housing and a second sleeve supported on the inner surface of the second sleeve, and an optical fiber is disposed inside the second sleeve.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, cooling water is supplied to a cooling water storage portion between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and the cooling water is guided axially by the second sleeve and turned back at the tip of the second sleeve. The cooling water turned back at the tip of the second sleeve flows through both the first cooling water storage portion between the first sleeve and the second sleeve and the inside of the second sleeve, and is discharged from the cooling water storage portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the inventors studied the heat generation state of the optical connector, it was found that the amount of heat generation was particularly large at the boundary between the coated region where the core of the optical fiber is coated by the coating portion and the uncoated region where the core of the optical fiber is not coated by the coating portion. In the optical connector of Patent Document 1, although the coating portion at the boundary position between the coated region and the uncoated region is cooled by the cooling water, there is room for improvement in the cooling efficiency.

[0006] In the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, the cooling water supplied to the cooling water reservoir between the first and second sleeves is guided axially by the second sleeve, folded back at the tip of the second sleeve, and then reaches the coated portion at the boundary between the coated and uncoated regions. However, the cooling water is heated before it reaches the coated portion at the boundary between the coated and uncoated regions, so there was room for improvement in the cooling efficiency of the coated portion at the boundary.

[0007] This disclosure has been made in view of these circumstances and aims to provide an optical connector that improves the cooling efficiency of the coating portion at the boundary between a coated region where the core of the optical fiber is covered by the coating portion and an uncoated region where the core of the optical fiber is not covered by the coating portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An optical connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an optical fiber arranged along an axis, an internal sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holding the optical fiber on its inner circumference, an external sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holding the internal sleeve on its inner circumference, a light guide member having a first end face into which laser light emitted from a light source is incident and a second end face joined to the incident end face of the optical fiber, and guiding the laser light from the first end face to the second end face, a supply mechanism for supplying a cooling medium to the inflow space inside the internal sleeve, and the internal sleeve The optical fiber comprises a discharge mechanism for discharging the cooling medium from the outflow space between the optical fiber and the outer sleeve, the optical fiber having a core portion for transmitting the laser light and a covering portion covering the core portion, the core portion being covered by the covering portion in a covered region along the axis and not covered by the covering portion in an uncovered region between the covered region and the incident end face, the supply mechanism supplying the cooling medium to the inflow space in the covered region, and the internal sleeve having a communication hole in the uncovered region that connects the inflow space and the outflow space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an optical connector that improves the cooling efficiency of the boundary portion between a coated region where the core of the optical fiber is covered by a coating and an uncoated region where the core of the optical fiber is not covered by a coating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an end view of the optical connector as seen through arrow AA. [Figure 3] This is a magnified view of section B in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the optical connector in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the internal sleeve. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an optical connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the optical connector 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 is an end view of the optical connector 100 shown in Figure 1, taken along the AA arrow. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged view of part B in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the optical connector 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the internal sleeve. The arrows shown in Figure 1 indicate the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0012] The optical connector 100 of this embodiment is a device for connecting an optical fiber 10 and a laser processing device (not shown) when transmitting laser light emitted from a light source LS to the laser processing device via the optical fiber 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the optical connector 100 comprises an optical fiber 10, an internal sleeve 20, an external sleeve 30, a light guide member 40, a supply mechanism 50, a flow control valve (supply amount adjustment unit) 55, a discharge mechanism 60, a holding member 70, a front fixing sleeve 72, a rear fixing sleeve 74, a temperature sensor (temperature detection unit) 80, and a control unit (output adjustment unit) 90.

[0013] The optical fiber 10 is arranged along the axis X and is a component that transmits laser light incident from the light source LS via the light guide member 40 from the incident end face 10a. The optical fiber 10 has a core portion 11 that transmits laser light and has a circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis X, and a covering portion 12 that covers the outer surface of the core portion 11. The output of the laser light irradiated by the light source LS is preferably 1W or more, and more preferably 1kW or more.

[0014] The optical fibers used here are effective for both solid and hollow photonic crystal fibers (PCFs). They are particularly effective for high-power, high-quality lasers, such as single-mode fiber lasers.

[0015] The core portion 11 is a component in which a quartz glass cladding is provided on the outside of a quartz glass core. The coating portion 12 is formed of an ultraviolet curing resin such as polyimide. As shown in Figure 1, the core portion 11 is covered by the coating portion 12 in the covered region R1 along the axis X. On the other hand, the core portion 11 is not covered by the coating portion 12 in the uncovered region R2 along the axis X.

[0016] The internal sleeve 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis X and is a component that holds the optical fiber 10 on its inner circumference. The internal sleeve 20 is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as brass. The inside of the internal sleeve 20 is an inflow space S1 into which a cooling medium such as cooling water flows in by the supply mechanism 50. As shown in Figure 2, the inflow space S1 is a space formed in an annular shape around the axis X.

[0017] The inner peripheral surface of the inner sleeve 20 shown in FIG. 2 is circular in cross-section, but other embodiments are also possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of groove portions 22 spaced apart in the circumferential direction around the axis X may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner sleeve 20. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the inner sleeve 20. The groove portions 22 shown in FIG. 5 are linearly formed so as to extend along the axis X. According to the inner sleeve 20 in which the groove portions 22 are formed on the inner peripheral surface, the cooling medium flowing into the inflow space S1 can be appropriately adjusted to flow toward the communication hole 21 along the axis X.

[0018] The outer sleeve 30 is a member that is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis X and holds the inner sleeve 20 on the inner peripheral side. The outer sleeve 30 is formed of a copper alloy, brass, aluminum alloy, etc. having excellent thermal conductivity. Between the inner sleeve 20 and the outer sleeve 30, there is an outflow space S2 for guiding the cooling medium flowing out from the discharge mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the outflow space S2 is a space formed in an annular shape around the axis X.

[0019] The inner sleeve 20 has a communication hole 21 that connects the inflow space S1 and the outflow space S2 in the non-covered region R2. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication hole 21 is formed in the vicinity of the position where the incident end face 10a of the optical fiber 10 and the second end face 40b of the light guiding member 40 are joined (fusion-bonded). The communication hole 21 may be formed only at one location shown in FIG. 1, or may be formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction around the axis X.

[0020] The light guiding member 40 is a member that guides the laser light emitted from the light source LS along the axis X to the incident end face 10a of the optical fiber 10. The light guiding member 40 has a first end face 40a into which the laser light emitted from the light source LS enters, and a second end face 40b that is joined to the incident end face 10a of the optical fiber 10 by fusion. The light guiding member 40 guides the laser light from the first end face 40a to the second end face 40b.

[0021] The light guide member 40 is a member formed by integrally forming a first member 41 formed in a columnar shape and a second member 42 formed in a substantially conical shape. The light guide member 40 is formed of, for example, quartz. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral surface of the first member 41 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the front fixing sleeve 72 side (one end side) of the inner sleeve 20 via an adhesive.

[0022] The supply mechanism 50 is a mechanism that supplies a cooling medium to the inflow space S1 in the coating region R1. The supply mechanism 50 is a pipe body that circulates the cooling medium supplied from a supply source (not shown) via a flow rate adjustment valve 55. The supply mechanism 50 penetrates the outer sleeve 30 and communicates with the inflow space S1 inside the inner sleeve 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the distance along the axis X between the boundary position X1 between the coating region R1 and the non-coating region R2 and the inflow position X2 where the supply mechanism 50 causes the cooling medium to flow into the inflow space S1 is L. Also, the outer diameter of the core portion 11 is D. The distance L and the outer diameter D are set so as to satisfy the following formula (1). 1≦L / D≦200 (1) Furthermore, it is more preferable that the distance L and the outer diameter D are set so as to satisfy the following formula (2). 10≦L / D≦100 (2)

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, in the radial direction orthogonal to the axis X, the width between the outer peripheral surface of the coating portion 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner sleeve 20 is W. The width W and the outer diameter D are set so as to satisfy the following formula (3). 1≦W / D≦50 (3)

[0025] The flow rate adjustment valve 55 is a valve body whose opening degree is adjusted according to a control signal transmitted from the control unit 90. The flow rate adjustment valve 55 guides the cooling medium from the supply source to the supply mechanism 50 with a supply amount corresponding to the opening degree.

[0026] The discharge mechanism 60 is a mechanism that discharges the cooling medium, which flows from the supply mechanism 50 into the inflow space S1 and is guided to the outflow space S2 through the communication hole 21, to the outside from the outflow space S2 in the covered area R1. The discharge mechanism is a pipe that allows the cooling medium to flow out from the outflow space S2. The discharge mechanism 60 communicates with the outflow space S2 by penetrating the outer sleeve 30.

[0027] The retaining member 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis X and is a member that holds the optical fiber 10. As shown in Figure 1, the outer surface of the retaining member 70 is fixed to the inner surface of the rear fixing sleeve 74 side (other end side) of the inner sleeve 20. The retaining member 70 is attached in a state where it abuts against the rear fixing sleeve 74.

[0028] A sealing material 74a, for example made of silicone resin, is filled to seal the portion where the retaining member 70 and the rear fixing sleeve 74 abut. Also, as mentioned above, the outer surface of the first member 41 is joined to the inner surface of the front fixing sleeve 72 side (one end) of the inner sleeve 20 via adhesive. As a result, the inflow space S1 is a sealed space formed by the light guiding member 40 and the retaining member 70.

[0029] The front fixing sleeve 72 is a member that is attached to the light source LS-side end of the inner sleeve 20 and the outer sleeve 30 and is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis X. The front fixing sleeve 72 has a main body portion 72a, a window member 72b made of quartz, and a fixing member 72c that fixes the window member 72b to the main body portion 72a. Laser light emitted from the light source LS passes through the window member 72b and is guided to the first end face 40a of the light guide member 40.

[0030] The rear fixing sleeve 74 is a cylindrical member that is attached to the ends of the inner sleeve 20 and outer sleeve 30 opposite to the light source LS and is formed along the axis X. The inner sleeve 20 and outer sleeve 30 are attached to the light source LS side of the rear fixing sleeve 74. A fiber optic cable CA is attached to the opposite side of the rear fixing sleeve 74 from the light source LS.

[0031] The temperature sensor 80 is a device that detects the temperature of the cooling medium as it passes through the boundary between the coated area R1 and the uncoated area R2. The temperature sensor 80 detects the temperature of the internal sleeve 20 near the position where the incident end face 10a of the optical fiber 10 and the second end face 40b of the light guide member 40 are joined (fused). By detecting the temperature of the internal sleeve 20, the temperature sensor 80 can detect the temperature of the cooling medium as it passes through the position where the incident end face 10a of the optical fiber 10 and the second end face 40b of the light guide member 40 are fused.

[0032] The control unit 90 is a device that adjusts the output of the flow control valve 55 and the laser light from the light source LS according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 80. If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 80 is higher than the target temperature, the control unit 90 controls the flow control valve 55 to increase its opening. Conversely, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 80 is lower than the target temperature, the control unit 90 controls the flow control valve 55 to decrease its opening.

[0033] The control unit 90 adjusts the light source LS to stop the output of laser light from the light source LS if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 80 is higher than a predetermined threshold temperature. By stopping the output of laser light, it is possible to prevent the optical connector 100 from being damaged by being kept at a temperature higher than the threshold temperature.

[0034] Next, the flow of the cooling medium circulating inside the optical connector 100 of this embodiment will be described. The cooling medium supplied from the supply source has its supply amount adjusted by the flow control valve 55 and is supplied to the inflow space S1 of the coated area R1 by the supply mechanism 50. The cooling medium supplied to the inflow space S1 of the coated area R1 flows along axis X from the coated area R1 to the uncoated area R2 and passes through the boundary position X1 between the coated area R1 and the uncoated area R2. The cooling medium passing through the boundary position X1 cools the coated portion 12 in the vicinity of the boundary position X1.

[0035] The cooling medium that has passed through the boundary position X1 flows along the axis X toward the light guide member 40 and is guided from the communication hole 21 to the outflow space S2 of the uncovered region R2. The cooling medium that has flowed through the inflow space S1 from the covered region R1 toward the uncovered region R2 folds back at the communication hole 21 and flows in the reverse direction through the outflow space S2 toward the covered region R1. The cooling medium that has passed through the boundary position between the uncovered region R2 and the covered region R1 is discharged to the outside from the outflow space S2 by the discharge mechanism 60.

[0036] The optical connector 100 of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following functions and effects. In the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, the optical fiber 10 is held on the inner circumference side of the inner sleeve 20, and the inner sleeve 20 is held on the inner circumference side of the outer sleeve 30. The optical fiber 10 is covered by the covering portion 12 in the covered area R1, and is not covered by the covering portion 12 in the uncovered area R2. Laser light that enters from the first end face 40a of the light guide member 40 and is guided to the second end face 40b enters from the incident end face 10a of the optical fiber 10, passes through the uncovered area R2, and reaches the covered area R1.

[0037] When the laser light passes through the uncoated region R2, the difference in refractive index between the core 11 (made of quartz glass with a refractive index of approximately 1.5 in the 1 μm band) and the cooling medium (if it is water, the refractive index of approximately 1.3 in the 1 μm band) is relatively large, so almost all of the laser light is totally reflected without passing through the core 11.

[0038] On the other hand, the refractive index of the coating portion 12 is approximately 1.4, which is between the value of the core portion 11 and the cooling medium. Because the difference in refractive index between the core portion 11 and the coating portion 12 is relatively small, when the laser light passes through the coating region R1, a portion of it is transmitted to the coating portion 12 and heats it. Therefore, the coating portion 12 generates heat at the boundary between the uncoated region R2 and the coated region R1, and because the coating portion 12 has inferior heat resistance compared to the core portion 11, it is prone to burning out as the temperature rises.

[0039] In the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, the supply mechanism 50 supplies a cooling medium to the inflow space S1 inside the internal sleeve 20 in the covered area R1. The internal sleeve 20 also has a communication hole 21 in the uncovered area R2 that connects the inflow space S1 and the outflow space S2. Therefore, the cooling medium supplied by the supply mechanism 50 moves from the covered area R1 to the communication hole 21 provided in the uncovered area R2 immediately after flowing into the inflow space S1, and cools the covered portion 12 at the boundary position X1 between the uncovered area R2 and the covered area R1. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the covered portion 12 at the boundary position X1 between the uncovered area R2 and the covered area R1 is improved.

[0040] Furthermore, in the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, one end of the internal sleeve 20 is closed by the light guide member 40, and the other end of the internal sleeve 20 is closed by the holding member 70, forming a sealed inflow space S1. Because the inflow space S1 is sealed, all of the cooling medium that flows into the inflow space S1 from the supply mechanism 50 is guided to the outflow space S2 through the communication hole 21. Since a uniform flow is formed from the supply mechanism 50 to the communication hole 21, the cooling medium flows smoothly through the inflow space S1, and the covering portion 12 at the boundary can be cooled efficiently.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, since the discharge mechanism 60 discharges the cooling medium from the outflow space S2 in the covered area R1, the cooling medium that has flowed from the supply mechanism 50 toward the communication hole 21 folds back at the communication hole 21 and flows in the reverse direction toward the discharge mechanism 60 from the communication hole 21. Because the cooling medium flows smoothly through the long channel that folds back at the communication hole 21, each part of the optical connector 100, including the covered portion 12 at the boundary, can be efficiently cooled.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, since a groove 22 extending along the axis X is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the internal sleeve 20, the cooling medium that flows into the inflow space S1 can be appropriately adjusted to flow along the axis X toward the communication hole 21.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, by adjusting the amount of cooling medium supplied from the supply mechanism 50 to the inflow space S1 according to the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the coated portion 12 at the boundary position X1 between the coated area R1 and the uncoated area R2, which generates a large amount of heat, the coated portion 12 at the boundary position can be appropriately cooled according to the amount of heat generated.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, the coated portion 12 at the boundary between the coated area R1 and the uncoated area R2, which generates a large amount of heat, can be appropriately cooled by adjusting the output of the laser light output from the light source LS according to the temperature of the cooling medium used to cool the coated portion 12 at the boundary.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the optical connector 100 of this embodiment, if L is the distance along axis X between the boundary position X1 between the covered area R1 and the uncovered area R2 and the inflow position X2 where the supply mechanism 50 flows the cooling medium into the inflow space S1, and D is the outer diameter of the core portion 11, then by setting the distance L and outer diameter D to satisfy 1 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​200 (more preferably 10 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​100), the cooling medium flows into the vicinity of the boundary position X1 between the uncovered area R2 and the covered area R1, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the covered portion 12.

[0046] The optical connector described in this embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows. The optical connector (100) according to this disclosure includes an optical fiber (10) arranged along an axis (X), an internal sleeve (20) formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holding the optical fiber on its inner circumference, an external sleeve (30) formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holding the internal sleeve on its inner circumference, a light guide member (40) having a first end face (41) into which laser light emitted from a light source is incident and a second end face joined to the incident end face (10a) of the optical fiber, and guiding the laser light from the first end face to the second end face, and a supply mechanism (50) that supplies a cooling medium to the inflow space (S1) inside the internal sleeve, and The optical fiber comprises a discharge mechanism (60) for discharging the cooling medium from an outflow space (S2) between an internal sleeve and an external sleeve, the optical fiber having a core portion (11) for transmitting laser light and a covering portion (12) covering the core portion, the core portion being covered by the covering portion in a covering region (R1) along the axis and not covered by the covering portion in an uncovered region (R2) between the covering region and the incident end face, the supply mechanism supplying the cooling medium to the inflow space in the covering region, and the internal sleeve having a communication hole (21) in the uncovered region that connects the inflow space and the outflow space.

[0047] According to the optical connector of this disclosure, the optical fiber is held on the inner circumference side of the inner sleeve, and the inner sleeve is held on the inner circumference side of the outer sleeve. The optical fiber is covered by the covering portion in the covered region and not covered by the covering portion in the uncovered region. Laser light, which is incident from the first end face of the light guide member and guided to the second end face, is incident from the incident end face of the optical fiber, passes through the uncovered region and reaches the covered region.

[0048] When laser light passes through the uncoated region, most of it is reflected without passing through the core because the difference in refractive index between the core and the cooling medium is relatively large. On the other hand, the refractive index of the coated region is the same as that between the core and the cooling medium, and the difference in refractive index between the core and the coated region is relatively small. Therefore, when laser light passes through the coated region, some of it passes through the coated region and heats it. Consequently, the coated region heats up at the boundary between the uncoated and coated regions, and because the coated region has lower heat resistance than the core, it is prone to burning out as the temperature rises.

[0049] According to the optical connector of this disclosure, a supply mechanism supplies a cooling medium to the inflow space inside the internal sleeve in the covered area. The internal sleeve also has a communication hole in the uncovered area that connects the inflow space and the outflow space. Therefore, the cooling medium supplied by the supply mechanism moves from the covered area to the communication hole in the uncovered area immediately after flowing into the inflow space, and cools the covered portion at the boundary between the uncovered and covered areas. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the covered portion at the boundary between the uncovered and covered areas is improved.

[0050] In the optical connector according to this disclosure, the outer surface of the light guide member, which is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis, is joined to the inner surface of one end of the internal sleeve, and the outer surface of the retaining member (70), which is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holds the optical fiber, is joined to the inner surface of the other end of the internal sleeve, and the inflow space may be configured to be a space sealed by the light guide member and the retaining member. In this optical connector configuration, one end of the internal sleeve is closed by a light guide member, and the other end of the internal sleeve is closed by a retaining member, forming a sealed inflow space. Because the inflow space is sealed, all of the cooling medium that flows into the inflow space from the supply mechanism is guided to the outflow space through the communication hole. A uniform flow is formed from the supply mechanism to the communication hole, so the cooling medium flows smoothly through the inflow space and can efficiently cool the covering portion at the boundary.

[0051] In the optical connector according to this disclosure, the discharge mechanism may be configured to discharge the cooling medium from the outflow space in the covering region. In this optical connector configuration, the discharge mechanism discharges the cooling medium from the outflow space in the covering area. As a result, the cooling medium that flows from the supply mechanism towards the communication hole folds back at the communication hole and flows in the reverse direction from the communication hole towards the discharge mechanism. Because the cooling medium flows smoothly through the long channel that folds back at the communication hole, each part of the optical connector, including the covering portion at the boundary, can be efficiently cooled.

[0052] In the optical connector according to this disclosure, the inner circumferential surface of the inner sleeve may be configured to have a groove (22) extending along the axis. With this optical connector configuration, a groove extending along the axis is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the internal sleeve, allowing the cooling medium that flows into the inflow space to be properly adjusted to flow along the axis towards the communication hole.

[0053] The optical connector according to this disclosure may also be configured to include a temperature detection unit (80) that detects the temperature of the cooling medium as it passes through the boundary between the covered area and the uncovered area, and a supply amount adjustment unit (55) that adjusts the amount of the cooling medium supplied from the supply mechanism to the inflow space according to the temperature of the cooling medium detected by the temperature detection unit. With this optical connector configuration, the amount of cooling medium supplied from the supply mechanism to the inflow space can be adjusted according to the amount of heat generated by adjusting the amount of cooling medium supplied to the inflow space according to the temperature of the cooling medium that cools the coated portion at the boundary between the coated area and the uncoated area where heat generation is high.

[0054] The optical connector according to this disclosure may also be configured to include a temperature detection unit (80) that detects the temperature of the cooling medium as it passes through the boundary between the coated area and the uncoated area, and an output adjustment unit (90) that adjusts the output of the laser light emitted from the light source according to the temperature of the cooling medium detected by the temperature detection unit (80). With this optical connector configuration, the coated portion at the boundary between the coated and uncoated areas, which generates a large amount of heat, can be appropriately cooled according to the amount of heat generated by adjusting the output of the laser light emitted from the light source according to the temperature of the cooling medium used to cool the coated portion at the boundary.

[0055] In the optical connector according to this disclosure, if L is the distance along the axis between the boundary position between the covered area and the uncovered area and the inflow position where the supply mechanism flows the cooling medium into the inflow space, and D is the outer diameter of the core, then the configuration may satisfy 1 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​200. It is even more preferable to have a configuration that satisfies 10 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​100. By setting the distance L and outer diameter D to satisfy 1 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​200 (more preferably 10 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​100), the cooling medium flows into the vicinity of the boundary between the uncoated and coated areas, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the coated portion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10 Optical Fibers 10a Incidence end face 11 Core 12 Covering part 20 internal sleeves 21 Communication hole 22 Groove 30 external sleeves 40 Light guide member 40a 1st end face 40b 2nd end face 41 First Member 42 Second Member 50 Supply mechanism 55 Flow control valve 60 Ejection mechanism 70 Retaining member 72 Front fixing sleeve 72a Main body 72b Window components 72c Fixing member 74 Rear fixing sleeve 74a Sealant 80 Temperature Sensor 90 Control Unit 100 Optical Connectors CA Fiber Cable D Outer diameter L distance LS light source R1 Covered area R2 Uncovered region S1 Inflow space S2 outflow space X axis X1 boundary position X2 Inflow position

Claims

1. Optical fibers arranged along the axis, An internal sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holding the optical fiber on its inner circumference, An outer sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape along the aforementioned axis and holding the inner sleeve on its inner circumference, A light guide member having a first end face into which laser light emitted from a light source is incident and a second end face joined to the incident end face of the optical fiber, and guiding the laser light from the first end face to the second end face, A supply mechanism that supplies cooling water to the inflow space inside the internal sleeve, The system includes a discharge mechanism for discharging the cooling water from the outflow space between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, The optical fiber has a core portion that transmits the laser light and a covering portion that covers the core portion. The core portion is covered by the covering portion in the covering region along the axis, and is not covered by the covering portion in the uncovered region between the covering region and the incident end face. The supply mechanism supplies the cooling water to the inflow space in the covered area. The outer surface of the light guide member, which is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis, is joined to the inner surface of one end of the inner sleeve. The outer surface of a retaining member, which is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis and holds the optical fiber, is joined to the inner surface of the other end of the inner sleeve. The inflow space is a space in which one end of the internal sleeve is closed by the light guide member, and the other end of the internal sleeve is closed by the holding member. The internal sleeve is an optical connector having a communication hole on the side corresponding to the uncovered area that connects the inflow space and the outflow space.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the discharge mechanism discharges the cooling water from the outflow space in the covering region.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a groove extending along the axis is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the internal sleeve.

4. A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the cooling water that has passed through the boundary between the covered area and the uncovered area, The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a supply amount adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of cooling water supplied from the supply mechanism to the inflow space according to the temperature of the cooling water detected by the temperature detection unit.

5. A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the cooling water that has passed through the boundary between the covered area and the uncovered area, The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an output adjustment unit that adjusts the output of the laser light emitted from the light source according to the temperature of the cooling water detected by the temperature detection unit.

6. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein L is the distance along the axis between the boundary position between the covered area and the uncovered area and the inflow position where the supply mechanism flows the cooling water into the inflow space, and D is the outer diameter of the core, such that 1 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​200.

7. The optical connector according to claim 6, satisfying 10 ≤ L / D ≤ ​​100.

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