Polishing jig for optical fiber ferrules

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a jig which is for polishing an optical fiber ferrule, and which can fix and remove various types of optical fiber ferrules without using a tool such as a wrench or a driver. [Solution] This jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule is used for polishing the optical fiber ferrule, and comprises: a pedestal having an insertion hole through which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted or extracted; a fixing piece that is mounted on a slide surface on which the pedestal is provided, that is slid in a proximal direction of moving toward the insertion hole to fix the optical fiber ferrule to the insertion hole, and that is slid in a distal direction of moving away from the insertion hole to release the fixation of the optical fiber ferrule with respect to the insertion hole; and an operation unit that is configured separately from the fixing piece and that slides the fixing piece in the proximal direction and the distal direction when being moved while in engagement with the fixing piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule, which is used for polishing an optical fiber ferrule.

Background Art

[0002] When polishing an optical fiber ferrule, a plate-shaped jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule is used to fix the optical fiber ferrule. In Patent Document 1, a structure is proposed in which a fixing piece rotatably installed on a jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule is rotated by a rotating rod to fix and release the optical fiber ferrule with respect to the jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule. Thereby, it is possible to fix and remove the optical fiber ferrule without using tools such as a wrench or a driver.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule described in Patent Document 1 was specialized in a structure for fixing a rectangular optical fiber ferrule having a specific size. For example, when trying to fix an optical fiber ferrule with a short length to the jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule of Patent Document 1, the fixing piece may interfere with the optical fiber ferrule itself when rotating, and it may not be possible to fix the optical fiber ferrule.

[0005] The present invention provides a jig for polishing an optical fiber ferrule that can fix and remove various types of optical fiber ferrules, such as an optical fiber ferrule with a short length, without using tools such as a wrench or a driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig of the present invention is an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig used for polishing optical fiber ferrules, wherein the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig comprises: a base having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted and removed; a fixing piece placed on a sliding surface provided on the base, which slides in an approaching direction toward the insertion hole to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole and slides in an away direction toward the insertion hole to release the optical fiber ferrule from being fixed in the insertion hole; and an operating part, which is configured separately from the fixing piece and operates while engaging with the fixing piece to slide the fixing piece in the approaching and away directions. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, with the optical fiber ferrule inserted into the insertion hole provided in the base of the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig, the optical fiber ferrule is fixed in the insertion hole by sliding a fixed piece, which is placed on a sliding surface provided on the base, in the approaching direction, and the optical fiber ferrule is released from the insertion hole by sliding the fixed piece in the awayward direction. An operating part, which is configured separately from the fixed piece, operates while engaging with the fixed piece, thereby sliding the fixed piece in the approaching and awayward directions.

[0007] In the above configuration, a step in the vertical direction may be formed on the sliding surface so that the fixed piece moves downward when the fixed piece approaches the insertion hole. The step may also have an inclined surface formed so that its height decreases in the approach direction. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the fixing piece moves downward when it approaches the insertion hole. In other words, the fixing piece approaches the insertion hole first, and then moves downward. When an optical fiber ferrule is inserted into the insertion hole, the fixing piece approaches the optical fiber ferrule first, and then moves downward.

[0008] In the above configuration, the operating unit may be capable of rotational movement relative to the base, and the rotational movement may cause the operating unit to slide the fixed piece in the direction of proximity and separation. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the fixed piece moves in the approaching and separating directions simply by rotating the operating part.

[0009] In the above configuration, the fixing piece may have a first projection in the approaching direction, and the operating part may press the first projection in the approaching direction to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the rotating motion of the operating unit pushes a first projection located in the direction of proximity to the fixed piece, thereby sliding the fixed piece in the direction of proximity and fixing the optical fiber ferrule into the insertion hole.

[0010] In the above configuration, the fixing piece may have a second projection in the direction of separation, and the operating part may release the fixing of the optical fiber ferrule to the insertion hole by pushing the second projection in the direction of separation. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the rotational movement of the operating part pushes a second projection located in the opposite direction of the fixed piece, thereby sliding the fixed piece in the opposite direction and releasing it from its fixation to the insertion hole of the optical fiber ferrule.

[0011] In the above configuration, the fixed piece may be connected to a biasing mechanism, and the biasing mechanism may release the fixing of the optical fiber ferrule to the insertion hole by biasing the fixed piece in the separating direction. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, a biasing mechanism connected to the fixed piece biases the fixed piece in the separation direction, thereby sliding the fixed piece in the separation direction and releasing it from its fixation to the insertion hole of the optical fiber ferrule.

[0012] In the above configuration, the fixed piece may have an inclined surface formed such that its height increases in the approach direction, and the optical fiber ferrule may be fixed into the insertion hole by the tip of the operating part contacting the inclined surface after the operating part pushes the first protrusion in the approach direction. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the tip of the operating part contacts the inclined surface formed on the fixed piece, and the operating part pushes the fixed piece diagonally, applying forward and downward forces to the fixed piece.

[0013] In the above configuration, when the flange of the optical fiber ferrule is divided into a first flange forming one long side of the flange in a top view, a second flange forming the other long side of the flange, a third flange forming one short side of the flange, and a fourth flange forming the other short side of the flange, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first flange, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the second flange, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the third flange, and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the fourth flange may be configured to abut the upper surface of the base around the insertion hole. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, each of the first, second, third, and fourth flanges forming the four sides of the flange contacts the upper surface of the base at least in part of the bottom surface, around the insertion hole.

[0014] In the above configuration, the insertion hole may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the base at a position around the insertion hole may be perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion hole. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above is used for APC polishing, which polishes the optical fiber ferrule at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the vertical. Since the upper surface of the base at the position around the insertion hole is perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion hole, fixing the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole fixes the optical fiber ferrule at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the vertical.

[0015] In the above configuration, it may be configured to have a slide lock that is inserted outside the operation part and slides in the axial direction of the operation part to lock the operation part. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the slide lock inserted outside the operation part locks the operation part by sliding in the axial direction of the operation part.

[0016] In the above configuration, at least one of the operation part and the fixed piece may be formed of an elastic body. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the operation part or the fixed piece elastically deform, so that the operation part and the fixed piece engage more firmly.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig capable of fixing and removing various types of optical fiber ferrules, such as an optical fiber ferrule with a short length, without using tools such as a wrench or a driver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a state where an optical fiber ferrule is attached to an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig. [Figure 2] It is a plan view around the insertion hole of the plate. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view and a plan view of an optical fiber ferrule seen from the tip side. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view and a front view of a state where the fixed piece is removed from the jig. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view near the insertion hole of the raised portion of the pedestal. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of a state where the operation rod is arranged on the pedestal. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the rod body. [Figure 8] It is a diagram schematically showing a state where the fixing of the optical fiber ferrule is released. [Figure 9] This diagram schematically shows the state during the process of fixing the optical fiber ferrule. [Figure 10] This diagram schematically shows the optical fiber ferrule in a fixed position. [Figure 11] This diagram schematically shows the state in the process of releasing the fixation of an optical fiber ferrule. [Figure 12] This diagram schematically shows a modified version of the jig. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings shown as an example. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber ferrule 2 (hereinafter referred to as ferrule 2) mounted on an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig 1 (hereinafter referred to as jig 1). As shown in Figure 1, jig 1 has a plate 10 for arranging the ferrule 2, a raised portion 20 that is annularly raised upward on the upper surface of the plate 10, a fixing piece 30 for pressing and fixing the ferrule 2, and an operating rod (operating part) 40 for operating the fixing piece 30. The plate 10 and the raised portion 20 together are called the base. The plate 10 has an insertion hole 11 for inserting the ferrule 2. The raised portion 20 has an insertion hole 21 for inserting the operating rod 40. In Figure 1, only one fixing piece 30 and one operating rod 40 are shown, but in reality it is possible to place fixing pieces 30 in all insertion holes 11 and operating rods 40 in all insertion holes 21. Furthermore, although the insertion holes 11 are not shown in Figure 1, the same number of insertion holes 11 as the number of insertion holes 21 may be formed. The insertion holes 11 and 21 are arranged in a ring shape centered on the central part of the plate 10. With the ferrules 2 inserted and fixed in the insertion holes 11, the jig 1 is placed in an optical fiber ferrule polishing machine (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as the polishing machine) to polish the ferrules 2. By fixing multiple ferrules 2 in multiple insertion holes 11, it is possible to polish the tips of multiple ferrules 2 that protrude downward from the lower surface of the plate 10 simultaneously.

[0020] The plate 10 is made of a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, has a roughly square shape in plan view, and is formed into a plate shape with a predetermined thickness. Figure 2 is a plan view of the area around the insertion hole 11 of the plate 10. The insertion hole 11 penetrates the plate 10 in the vertical direction and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view. However, the four corners of the inner wall of the insertion hole 11 are formed so that the insertion hole 11 widens slightly outward in an arc shape. The ferrule 2 can be inserted into and removed from the insertion hole 11 from above. The width and depth of the insertion hole 11 are formed to be slightly larger than the width and depth of the ferrule 2, respectively. When the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11, the ferrule 2 is surrounded on all four sides by the vertical walls that form the roughly rectangular insertion hole 11. This structure prevents the fixing piece 30 from contacting the side surface of the ferrule 2 when the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11. On the upper surface of the plate 10, a recess 12 is formed around the insertion hole 11 that is lower in height than other parts. When the ferrule 2 is attached to the jig 1 from above, the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11 and accommodated in the recess 12.

[0021] Adjacent to the insertion hole 11, a rectangular installation hole 13 for installing a fixing piece 30 (described later) is formed, penetrating the plate 10 vertically. Adjacent to the installation hole 13, an installation recess 14 is formed on the upper surface of the plate 10, which is lower in height than the rest of the plate. The fixing piece 30 is installed in the installation hole 13 and the installation recess 14. The plate 10 has sliding surfaces 15 and 17 provided on both the left and right sides of the installation hole 13. Sliding surface 15 is lower in height (thinner in thickness) than sliding surface 17. In other words, a vertical step is formed between sliding surface 15 and sliding surface 17. A sliding surface 16 is formed between sliding surface 15 and sliding surface 17 as a surface connecting sliding surface 15 and sliding surface 17. Sliding surface 16 is an inclined surface that decreases in height from sliding surface 17 towards sliding surface 15. The fixed piece 30 contacts the plate 10 and slides along the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 in directions approaching the insertion hole 11 (proximity direction, near direction, forward) and in directions moving away from the insertion hole 11 (reverse direction, far direction, rear). The sliding operation of the fixed piece 30 will be described later, but the fixed piece 30 is configured to move downward when it approaches the insertion hole 11 by sliding against the sliding surface 16. When the fixed piece 30 slides in the proximity direction, it moves sequentially from the state in which it is positioned on the sliding surface 17 to the sliding surface 17, then to the sliding surface 16, and then to the sliding surface 15 as it slides. When the fixed piece 30 slides in the reversal direction, it moves sequentially to the sliding surface 15, then to the sliding surface 16, and then to the sliding surface 17.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a perspective view and a plan view of the ferrule 2 as seen from the tip side. The ferrule 2 is a rectangular MT ferrule in plan view. The ferrule 2 has a rectangular ferrule body 2A that is smaller than the dimensions of the insertion hole 11, an optical fiber 2B that is bonded and fixed to the ferrule body 2A, and a rectangular flange 2C that is larger than the dimensions of the insertion hole 11. The ferrule body 2A is the part that is inserted into the insertion hole 11 when the ferrule 2 is mounted on the jig 1. The optical fiber 2B is the part that is polished together with the ferrule body 2A by the polishing machine. The flange 2C is the part that is housed in the recess 12 when the ferrule 2 is mounted on the jig 1. In other words, the bottom surface of the flange 2C abuts against the recess 12, which is part of the upper surface of the plate 10. For the sake of explanation, here we divide flange 2C into a first flange 2C1 forming one of the long sides of the flange in a plan view (top view), a second flange 2C2 forming the other long side of the flange, a third flange 2C3 forming one of the short sides of the flange, and a fourth flange 2C4 forming the other short side of the flange. At this time, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first flange 2C1, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the second flange 2C2, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the third flange 2C3, and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the fourth flange 2C4 abut against a recess 12 which is part of the upper surface of the plate 10 surrounding the insertion hole 11. In other words, flange 2C abuts against the upper surface of plate 10 in all four directions: front, back, left, and right. Plate 10 abuts against flange 2C in all four directions around the insertion hole 11 and supports flange 2C.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a perspective view and a front view of the fixed piece 30 after it has been removed from the jig 1. The fixed piece 30 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal (POM). The fixed piece 30 is placed on one of the sliding surfaces 15, 16, or 17 of the plate 10 at a position adjacent to the insertion hole 11, and is a member that slides along the sliding surfaces 15, 16, or 17 in the approaching and separating directions. The fixed piece 30 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped base 31 in the center, a bottom 32 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base 31 in the approaching direction and is inserted into the installation hole 13 of the plate 10, a first protrusion 33 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base 31 in the approaching direction, a second protrusion 34 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base 31 in the separating direction, and a pressing portion 35 that protrudes forward from the vertical surface of the base 31 or the first protrusion 33 in the approaching direction. The first protrusion 33 and the second protrusion 34 are positioned in the direction of proximity and separation, respectively, with the operating rod 40 in between. In other words, the base 31, the first protrusion 33, and the second protrusion 34 form a U-shape with the recess facing upward, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 is positioned in this recess. For the sake of explanation, the base 31, bottom 32, first protrusion 33, second protrusion 34, and pressing part 35 are separated, but these are all formed as a single unit. The bottom 32 has a rectangular shape in plan view and a width slightly smaller than the width of the installation hole 13. This allows the bottom 32 to move within the installation hole 13 in the direction of proximity and separation.

[0024] The first projection 33 has a vertical wall 33A extending upward from the upper surface of the base 31 in the direction of proximity. It also has an inclined surface 33B that is continuous with the vertical wall 33A and is formed to increase in height toward the front. Furthermore, a horizontal surface 33C is formed continuous with the inclined surface 33B. A projection 33D is formed that protrudes forward and upward from the horizontal surface 33C. The portions of the inclined surface 33B, the horizontal surface 33C, and the projection 33D are formed to be wider than the portions of the base 31 and the vertical wall 33A. In other words, above the base 31, the first projection 33 has a wide portion 33E that is wider than the base 31. The base 31 and the wide portion 33E are perpendicular in a front view and form an inverted L shape above the base 31. The lower surface of the wide portion 33E slides against the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 of the plate 10. The lower surface of the wide portion 33E has an inclined surface 33F that slopes upward at the rear end. The inclined surface 33F slides against the sliding surface 16, so that the fixed piece 30 moves downward when it approaches the insertion hole 11. The lower end of the operating rod 40, which will be described later, pushes the vertical wall 33A of the first protrusion 33 forward, causing the fixed piece 30 to move forward. After the lower end of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 33A, it moves over the vertical wall 33A and comes into contact with the inclined surface 33B. As a result, the lower end of the operating rod 40 presses the fixed piece 30 downward and forward by the inclined surface 33B.

[0025] The second projection 34 protrudes slightly in the width direction from left to right in the direction of separation from the base 31, and also protrudes upward. The second projection 34 has a vertical wall 34A extending upward from the upper surface of the base 31 in the direction of separation. The lower end of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 34A of the second projection 34 backward, causing the fixing piece to move backward. The pressing part 35 is the part that presses the ferrule 2 against the plate 10. The pressing part 35 has a U-shape in plan view. That is, the pressing part 35 has a shape in which both the left and right sides extend forward. The parts that extend forward have a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. By sliding the fixing piece 30 so that the lower surface (horizontal plane) of this roughly rectangular parallelepiped abuts against the upper surface of the flange 2C of the ferrule 2, the pressing part 35 presses the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 from above downward.

[0026] The raised portion 20 is made of a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, or a synthetic resin, and has a circular cavity in the center when viewed from above, with a circular (ring-shaped) outer form. The raised portion 20 is detachably fixed to the plate 10 by bolts or the like, and together with the plate 10 forms a base. Multiple insertion holes 21 for inserting the operating rod 40 are arranged in a ring shape on the raised portion 20. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the area around the insertion holes 21 of the raised portion 20 of the base. As shown in Figure 5, the insertion hole 21 has a shape that combines a lower wall 21A with an arc-shaped cross-section that penetrates the raised portion laterally, and an upper wall 21B with an arc-shaped cross-section that penetrates the raised portion 20 vertically. The operating rod 40 is mounted in the insertion hole 21 in a state in which it can pivot relative to the raised portion 20. The operating rod 40 can pivot between a horizontal state in contact with the inner surface of the lower wall 21A and an upright state in contact with the inner surface of the upper wall 21B.

[0027] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operating rod 40 positioned on the base (plate 10 and raised portion 20). Note that hatching is shown only on some of the components for clarity. The operating rod 40 is constructed separately from the fixed piece 30 and operates while engaging with the fixed piece 30. More specifically, the operating rod 40 is capable of pivoting relative to the base. When the operating rod 40 pivots, it presses against the fixed piece 30, causing the fixed piece 30 to slide in the direction of proximity and separation. The operating rod 40 includes a rod body 41 that transmits the force applied to the operating rod 40 to the fixed piece 30 by contacting the fixed piece 30, a slide lock 42 inserted on the outside of the rod body 41, a coil spring 43 that biases the slide lock 42 toward the raised portion 20, a spring receiver 44 that receives the coil spring 43 from above, and a bolt 45 that fixes the spring receiver 44 to the rod body 41. The insertion hole 11 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ (approximately 8 degrees) with respect to the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the plate 10 (base) at the position around the insertion hole 11 (recess 12) is perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion hole 11.

[0028] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rod body 41. The rod body 41 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal (POM). The rod body 41 has a cylindrical tubular portion 41A, a plate-shaped pressing portion 41B formed at the tip of the tubular portion 41A, and a shaft portion 41C provided between the tubular portion 41A and the pressing portion 41B. The pressing portion 41B is a member that presses the fixed piece 30 forward and backward, and is inclined at a predetermined angle backward with respect to the tubular portion 41A. The flat portion 41B1 formed on the front side of the pressing portion 41B is the part that contacts the vertical wall 33A of the first protrusion 33 of the fixed piece 30 and pushes the fixed piece 30 forward. The curved portion 41B2 formed on the rear side of the pressing portion 41B is the part that contacts the vertical wall 34A of the second protrusion 34 of the fixed piece 30 and pushes the fixed piece 30 backward. The flat portion 41B3 formed between the flat portion 41B1 and the curved portion 41B2 is positioned parallel to the inclined surface 33B of the fixed piece 30 after the fixed piece 30 moves forward. The movement of the fixed piece 30 is restricted by the flat portion 41B3 contacting the inclined surface 33B parallel to it. The shaft portion 41C is the part that functions as the axis of rotation when the operating rod 40 rotates. When the operating rod 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 of the raised portion 20, the operating rod 40 is supported by the raised portion 20 by the shaft portion 41C and can rotate relative to the raised portion 20 (base) between the lower wall 21A and the upper wall 21B with respect to the shaft portion 41C.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, a bolt hole is formed on the upper surface of the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41A). The rod body 41 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 of the raised portion 20, the slide lock 42 and coil spring 43 are sequentially inserted around the outer circumference of the rod body 41, the spring receiver 44 is placed at the upper end, and the bolt 45 is inserted into the spring receiver 44 and the bolt hole of the rod body 41. This installs the operating rod 40 on the raised portion 20. The slide lock 42 is slidable in the axial direction of the rod body 41. The coil spring 43 biases the slide lock 42 toward the raised portion 20, pressing the rod body 41 against the raised portion 20 and fixing it in place. When the slide lock 42 is slid toward the spring receiver 44, it is released from the biasing force of the coil spring 43, and the operating rod 40 becomes capable of swiveling upward with the shaft portion 41C as the pivot axis. When the force applied to the slide lock 42 is released after the operating rod 40 has been rotated upward, the biasing force of the coil spring 43 causes the slide lock 42 to move toward the raised portion 20. This fixes the operating rod 40 in the upward-rotated position. The same applies when moving the slide lock 42 from above downward.

[0030] The operation of each component when attaching and detaching the ferrule 2 to the jig 1 will be described below. Figure 8 schematically shows the state in which the fixing to the ferrule 2 has been released. In Figure 8, the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is rotated upward (counterclockwise in Figure 8) around the shaft portion 41C as the axis of rotation, and the cylindrical portion 41A is in contact with the upper wall 21B of the raised portion 20. Also, the curved portion 41B2 at the lower end of the operating rod 40 is in contact with the vertical wall 34A of the fixing piece 30. The fixing piece 30 is in contact with the rear end wall of the installation recess 14 in a state where it has moved in the direction of separation (rearward). In this state, the fixing piece 30 does not interfere with the ferrule 2, and it is possible to insert the ferrule 2 into the insertion hole 11 from above. It is also possible to remove the ferrule 2 upward from the insertion hole 11. In other words, Figure 8 shows the state in which the ferrule 2 can be attached to and detached from the jig 1.

[0031] Figure 9 schematically shows the state in which the ferrule 2 is being fixed. After inserting the ferrule 2 into the insertion hole 11 in the state shown in Figure 8, the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is moved downward (clockwise in Figure 9) while sliding the slide lock 42 (Figure 6) upward. The operating rod 40 rotates downward around the shaft portion 41C as the axis of rotation, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 moves forward. The flat portion 41B1 provided at the lower end of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 33A of the fixing piece 30 toward (forward). As a result, the fixing piece 30 slides toward the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17.

[0032] Figure 10 schematically shows the state in which the ferrule 2 is fixed. From the state shown in Figure 9, the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is moved further downward. The operating rod 40 pivots further downward around the shaft portion 41C as the axis of rotation, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 moves further forward. As shown in Figure 10, the cylindrical portion 41A of the operating rod 40 comes into contact with the lower wall 21A of the raised portion 20. By releasing the force applied to the slide lock 42 at this position, the operating rod 40 is fixed in contact with the lower wall 21A. The rotation of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 33A of the fixed piece 30 further toward the adjacent direction. As described above, on the upper surface of the plate 10, a sliding surface 16 is formed between the sliding surface 15 and the sliding surface 17 on which the fixed piece 30 slides. In other words, the fixed piece 30 slides along the upper track (sliding surface 17) when it is spaced away from the flange 2C, and then moves to the lower track (sliding surface 15) when it approaches the flange 2C. As the fixed piece 30 approaches the flange 2C and moves downward, the pressing portion 35 of the fixed piece 30 is guided above the flange 2C of the ferrule 2. In other words, the lower surface of the pressing portion 35 of the fixed piece 30 comes into contact with the upper surface of the flange 2C of the ferrule 2.

[0033] The operating rod 40, which was pushing the vertical wall 33A of the fixed piece 30 forward, is released from engagement with the vertical wall 33A when it has rotated a certain amount clockwise, and then the flat portion 41B3 of the operating rod 40 slides diagonally upward (forward) along the inclined surface 33B of the fixed piece 30. When the rotation of the operating rod 40 is complete, the flat portion 41B3 is in contact with (engaged to) the inclined surface 33B in a state approximately parallel to it. As the flat portion 41B3 contacts the inclined surface 33B, the operating rod 40 presses the fixed piece 30 forward and downward. Since the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 is in contact only with the lower surface of the pressing portion 35, no forward force is transmitted to the flange 2C from the fixed piece 30, only a downward force is transmitted. As a result, the pressing portion 35 of the fixed piece 30 presses the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 from above downward, fixing the ferrule 2 in the insertion hole 11. In Figure 10, the overlap between the tip of the operating rod 40 and the fixed piece 30 indicates that at least one of the tip of the operating rod 40 (the part that contacts the fixed piece 30) and the inclined surface 33B of the fixed piece 30 is made of an elastic material, and the contact portion of both is elastically deformed. By bringing the two into contact in such a way that the elastic material undergoes elastic deformation, a structure is achieved in which the tip of the operating rod 40 presses against the fixed piece 30.

[0034] Figure 11 schematically shows the state in the process of releasing the ferrule 2. In order to remove the ferrule 2 from the insertion hole 11, the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is moved upward (counterclockwise in Figure 11) while sliding the slide lock 42 upward from the state shown in Figure 10. The operating rod 40 rotates upward around the shaft portion 41C as the axis of rotation, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 moves backward. The curved portion 41B2 provided at the lower end of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 34A of the fixed piece 30 in the direction of separation. As a result, the fixed piece 30 slides in the direction of separation on the sliding surface 15. As described above, on the upper surface of the plate 10, a sliding surface 16 is formed between the sliding surface 15 on which the fixed piece 30 slides and the sliding surface 17, which is an inclined surface. In other words, as the fixed piece 30 moves away from the flange 2C, it moves from the lower track (sliding surface 15) to the upper track (sliding surface 17). This creates a track in which the fixed piece 30 moves away from the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 while avoiding it. When the fixed piece 30 moves until it contacts the rear end wall of the mounting recess 14 of the plate 10, the ferrule 2 becomes detachable, as shown in Figure 8.

[0035] As described above, in the jig 1 of the present invention shown in the above embodiment, the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11 formed in the base of the jig 1, and the fixing piece 30 is slid in the direction of proximity and separation to fix or release the ferrule 2 in the insertion hole 11. An operating rod 40, which is installed on the base separately from the fixing piece 30, operates while engaging with the fixing piece 30, thereby allowing the fixing piece 30 to slide in the direction of proximity and separation. This makes it possible to fix and remove the ferrule 2 without using tools such as wrenches or screwdrivers.

[0036] Between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17 of the plate 10, a sliding surface 16 is formed such that the fixed piece 30 moves downward when it approaches the insertion hole 11. This creates a path for the fixed piece 30 to approach the insertion hole 11 and then move downward. By sliding the fixed piece 30 along such a path, interference between the fixed piece 30 and the ferrule 2 during sliding in the approach direction can be avoided. Furthermore, by moving the fixed piece 30 from above to below near the insertion hole 11, the ferrule 2 can be reliably pressed from above to below. This configuration is particularly effective in APC polishing, where the ferrule 2 is polished at a predetermined angle inclined with respect to the vertical. The sliding surface 16 is an inclined surface formed so that its height decreases in the approach direction, and the inclined surface 33F of the fixed piece 30 can smoothly overcome it by utilizing the inclined surface of the sliding surface 16.

[0037] The operating rod 40 is capable of pivoting relative to the base (plate 10, raised portion 20), and this pivoting motion causes the operating rod 40 to slide the fixed piece 30 in both the approaching and separating directions. As a result, the ferrule 2 can be fixed and released in the insertion hole 11 solely by the pivoting motion of the operating rod 40. Furthermore, a slide lock 42 is inserted on the outside of the operating rod 40, and the operating rod 40 can be locked simply by sliding the slide lock 42. This further improves operability.

[0038] The fixed piece 33 has a first projection 33 in the approaching direction and a second projection 34 in the moving-away direction. The operating rod 40 pushes the first projection 33 in the approaching direction to fix the ferrule 2 in the insertion hole 11, and the operating rod 40 pushes the second projection 34 in the moving-away direction to release the optical fiber ferrule from being fixed in the insertion hole. The first projection 33 and the second projection 34 make it easy to realize a structure in which the operating rod 40 operates while engaging with the fixed piece.

[0039] After the tip of the operating rod 40 pushes the first projection 33 in the approaching direction, the tip of the operating part contacts the inclined surface 33B. As a result, the operating rod 40 presses the fixed piece 30 forward and downward. Since the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 is in contact only with the lower surface of the pressing part 35, no forward force is transmitted to the flange 2C from the fixed piece 30, only a downward force is transmitted. Compared to a structure that applies force in the front-rear direction to the ferrule 2, it is possible to suppress displacement of the ferrule 2. Furthermore, by forming at least one of the operating rod 40 and the fixed piece 30 from an elastic material, a structure can be created in which the operating rod 40 presses and fixes the inclined surface 33B by elastic force when the tip of the operating rod 40 contacts the inclined surface 33B.

[0040] The flanges 2C of the ferrule 2 are in contact with the upper surface of the plate 10 (base) at least on a portion of the bottom surface of the first flange 2C1, at least on a portion of the bottom surface of the second flange 2C2, at least on a portion of the bottom surface of the third flange 2C3, and at least on a portion of the bottom surface of the fourth flange 2C4. In other words, the flanges 2C and the recesses 12 of the plate 10 are in contact with the outer circumference of the insertion hole 11 on all four sides. This allows the ferrule 2 to be more securely fixed in the insertion hole 11 when the fixing piece 30 presses the flanges 2C from above.

[0041] Figure 12 schematically shows a modified version of the jig. In Figure 12, the plate 10 of the above embodiment is replaced with plate 110, and the fixing piece 30 is replaced with fixing piece 130. The raised portion 20 and the operating rod 40 are the same as in the above embodiment. Below, only the differences from the above embodiment will be explained. The fixing piece 130 has the same configuration as the fixing piece 30 except that the second protrusion 34 has been removed. By removing the second protrusion 34, the upper surface of the fixing piece 130 is formed flat from the center to the rear end. The plate 110 has the same configuration as the plate 10 except that an insertion hole 111 has been added. The insertion hole 111 is formed horizontally in the vertical wall that the fixing piece 130 contacts when it moves backward. A coil spring 50 as a biasing mechanism is connected between the vertical wall at the rear end of the fixing piece 130 and the vertical wall at the rear end of the insertion hole 111 of the plate 110. The coil spring 50 constantly biases the fixed piece 130 backward.

[0042] The operation of sliding the fixed piece 130 will now be described. The operation of sliding the fixed piece 130 forward is the same as the operation of sliding the fixed piece 30 forward. When the operating rod 40 is rotated clockwise, the lower end of the operating rod 40 presses the first protrusion 133 of the fixed piece 130 forward, causing the fixed piece 130 to slide forward and fix in place. When the operating rod 40 is rotated counterclockwise from this state, the lower end of the operating rod 40 moves backward. As a result, the fixed piece 130, released from the pressure of the operating rod 40, slides backward due to the biasing force of the coil spring 50. The operating rod 40 rotates until it contacts the upper wall 21B of the raised portion 20. The fixed piece 130 slides until it contacts the rear end wall of the mounting recess 114 of the plate 110. In this state, the ferrule 2 can be attached to and detached from the jig 1. By adopting the above structure, it is possible to realize a structure that allows the fixed piece 130 to slide in the front-rear direction without providing the second protrusion 34.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the operating rod 40 directly contacts the fixed piece 30, but the configuration in which the operating part engages with the fixed piece is not limited to this. Even if another member is placed between the operating part and the fixed piece and the operating part and the fixed piece are indirectly engaged, the operating part can be interpreted as being engaged with the fixed piece as long as the movement of the operating part is transmitted to the fixed part and moves the fixed part.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the operating rod 40 rotates vertically to slide the fixed piece 30 in the front-rear direction. However, the operation of the operating part is not limited to rotational motion. For example, the fixed piece may be slid in the front-rear direction by making the operating part reciprocate. Alternatively, a rack and pinion gear may be used to convert the rotational motion of the operating part into the reciprocating motion of the fixed piece. The shape of the operating part is not limited to a rod shape. For example, the operating part may be formed as a circular rotary knob or the like.

[0045] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which a coil spring 50 is used to bias the fixed piece 130 backward, but the biasing structure is not limited to a coil spring. It is also possible to use a biasing structure made of an elastic material such as rubber or resin. Furthermore, although a configuration was described in which the biasing structure is connected to the rear end of the fixed piece 130 to pull the fixed piece backward, it is also possible to connect the biasing structure to the front end of the fixed piece 130 to push the fixed piece backward. Moreover, it is also possible to configure the fixed piece to be biased forward by a biasing mechanism. In this case, the fixed piece is pressed backward by an operating rod.

[0046] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the bottom surface of the fixed piece 30 is supported by sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 formed on both the left and right sides of the insertion hole 11. However, the structure of the sliding surfaces is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be described in which a sliding surface in a straight line is formed on the extension of the center line of the insertion hole, supporting the center of the bottom surface of the fixed piece. Alternatively, a configuration may be described in which sliding protrusions are formed on both the left and right sides of the fixed piece in the left and right directions, and these sliding protrusions are supported by sliding surfaces formed on the base. In any of these configurations, it is possible to form sliding surfaces on the sliding surfaces.

[0047] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the sliding surface 16 between the sliding surface 15 and the sliding surface 17 is formed as an inclined surface. However, the inclined surface is not necessarily limited to a straight-line inclined slope. As long as it is formed so that the height decreases in the direction of approach, it may also be a curved-line inclined slope. As long as the structure guides the fixed piece 30 to the upper surface of the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 by forming a vertical step between the sliding surface 15 and the sliding surface 17, it is not necessarily required that an inclined sliding surface be formed between the sliding surface 15 and the sliding surface 17. The present invention also includes cases where the inclined surface is inclined at 90°. Furthermore, as long as the fixed piece 30 moves from a high position to a low position, it is not necessarily required that it move to the lower position (sliding surface 15) before sliding in the front-back direction. A structure in which the sliding of the fixed piece ends at the lower position immediately after overcoming a step or inclined surface is also included in the structure in which a step or inclined surface is formed on the sliding surface.

[0048] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which an inclined surface is formed to guide the pressing portion 35 to the upper surface of the flange 2C while avoiding interference with the ferrule 2 when the fixed piece 30 slides in the approaching direction. Other configurations that achieve similar effects can be considered. For example, by rounding the corner of the lower surface on the front side of the pressing portion so that it curves upward, a configuration can be made in which the pressing portion moves to the upper surface of the flange even if the pressing portion slightly contacts the flange of the ferrule, by overcoming the side of the flange.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the jig used for APC polishing, in which the ferrule 2 is polished at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, was used for explanation. However, the application 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 planar polishing, in which the ferrule is positioned vertically and polished at a right angle.

[0050] In the above embodiment, a structure was described in which the raised portion 20 is formed in an annular shape and the ferrule 2 is fixed to the jig 1 in an annular shape. However, the arrangement of the ferrules is not limited to this. For example, the raised portion may be formed linearly on the plate and multiple ferrules may be arranged linearly.

[0051] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It goes without saying that those skilled in the art will understand this, - Apply the mutually interchangeable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments by appropriately changing their combinations. • Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, it is possible to appropriately substitute and modify the combinations of publicly known components and components that are interchangeable with those disclosed in the above embodiments. • Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, the members and components that a person skilled in the art could conceive of as substitutes for those members and components disclosed in the above embodiments based on prior art, etc., may be appropriately substituted, and their combinations may be modified for application. This is disclosed as one embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1…Jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, 2…Optical fiber ferrule, 10…Plate (base), 11…Insertion hole, 12…Recess, 13…Installation hole, 14…Installation recess, 15…Sliding surface, 16…Sliding surface, 17…Sliding surface, 20…Raised part (base), 21…Insertion hole, 30…Fixing piece, 31…Base, 32…Bottom, 33…First protrusion, 34…Second protrusion, 35…Pressing part, 40…Operating rod, 41…Rod body, 42…Slide lock, 43…Coil spring, 44…Spring holder, 45…Bolt, 50…Coil spring.

Claims

1. In a jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules used for polishing optical fiber ferrules, The aforementioned optical fiber ferrule polishing jig is A base having an insertion hole from which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted and removed, A fixing piece is placed on a sliding surface provided on the base, and by sliding in a direction approaching the insertion hole, fixes the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole, and by sliding in a direction away from the insertion hole, releases the optical fiber ferrule from being fixed to the insertion hole. It has an operating part that is separate from the fixed piece and operates while engaging with the fixed piece to slide the fixed piece in the approaching and separating directions, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the sliding surface has a step in the vertical direction such that the fixing piece moves downward when the fixing piece approaches the insertion hole.

2. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to Claim 1, The aforementioned step has an inclined surface formed such that its height decreases in the direction of proximity, making it a jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules.

3. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 1, The operating unit is capable of rotational movement relative to the base, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the operating part slides the fixed piece in the approaching direction and the separating direction by the aforementioned rotational movement.

4. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to Claim 3, The fixed piece has a first projection in the proximity direction, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the operating part presses the first protruding part toward the approach direction to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole.

5. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to Claim 4, The fixed piece has a second projection in the direction of separation, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the operating part pushes the second protrusion in the direction of separation to release the fixation of the optical fiber ferrule to the insertion hole.

6. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 4, The aforementioned fixed piece is connected to the biasing mechanism, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the biasing mechanism biases the fixed piece in the separation direction, thereby releasing the fixation of the optical fiber ferrule to the insertion hole.

7. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to Claim 4, The fixed piece has an inclined surface formed such that its height increases in the direction of proximity, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the operating part presses the first protruding part toward the approaching direction, and then the tip of the operating part contacts the inclined surface to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole.

8. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that when the flange of the optical fiber ferrule is divided in a top view into a first flange forming one long side of the flange, a second flange forming the other long side of the flange, a third flange forming one short side of the flange, and a fourth flange forming the other short side of the flange, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first flange, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the second flange, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the third flange, and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the fourth flange abut the upper surface of the base around the insertion hole.

9. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The insertion hole is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that the upper surface of the base at a position around the insertion hole is perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion hole.

10. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized by having a slide lock that is inserted outside the operating part and slides in the axial direction of the operating part to lock the operating part.

11. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A jig for polishing optical fiber ferrules, characterized in that at least one of the operating section and the fixed piece is made of an elastic material.

Images