Jig for polishing optical fiber ferrule

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

Optical fiber ferrule polishing jig

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

[0002] A plate-shaped optical fiber ferrule polishing jig is used to fix an optical fiber ferrule when polishing the optical fiber ferrule. Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which an optical fiber ferrule can be fixed and released from the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig by rotating a fixing piece rotatably installed on the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig with a rotating rod. This makes it possible to fix and remove the optical fiber ferrule without using tools such as a wrench or a screwdriver.

[0003] Patent No. 6192797

[0004] The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig described in Patent Document 1 is specialized in a structure for fixing a rectangular optical fiber ferrule having a specific size. For example, when attempting to fix a short optical fiber ferrule to the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig described in Patent Document 1, the fixing piece may interfere with the optical fiber ferrule itself when rotating, making it impossible to fix the optical fiber ferrule.

[0005] The present invention provides an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig that can fix and remove various types of optical fiber ferrules, including short optical fiber ferrules, without using tools such as wrenches or drivers.

[0006] The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig of the present invention is an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig used for polishing optical fiber ferrules, the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig comprising: a base having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted and removed; a fixing block placed on a sliding surface provided on the base and configured to slide in a direction toward the insertion hole to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole and in a direction away from the insertion hole to release the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole; and an operating unit configured separately from the fixing block and operating while engaging with the fixing block to slide the fixing block in the approaching direction and the away direction. 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 fixing block placed on the sliding surface provided on the base is slid in the approaching direction to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole and is slid in the away direction to release the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole. An operating portion formed separately from the fixed piece operates while engaging with the fixed piece, thereby sliding the fixed piece in the approaching direction and the separating direction.

[0007] In the above configuration, a vertical step may be formed on the sliding surface so that the fixed piece moves downward when it approaches the insertion hole. The step may also have an inclined surface formed so that its height decreases toward the approaching direction. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as above, the fixed piece moves downward when it approaches the insertion hole. That is, the fixed piece moves downward after approaching the insertion hole. With an optical fiber ferrule inserted in the insertion hole, the fixed piece moves downward after approaching the optical fiber ferrule.

[0008] In the above-described configuration, the operating unit may be configured to be rotatable relative to the base, and the rotating operation of the operating unit may cause the fixed block to slide in the approaching direction and the separating direction. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the fixed block moves in the approaching direction and the separating direction simply by rotating the operating unit.

[0009] In the above configuration, the fixing block may have a first protrusion in the approaching direction, and the operating unit may push the first protrusion 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 operating unit may be rotated to push the first protrusion provided in the approaching direction of the fixing block, thereby sliding the fixing block in the approaching direction to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole.

[0010] In the above configuration, the fixing block may have a second protrusion in the separating direction, and the operating unit may push the second protrusion in the separating direction to release the fixation of the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, by rotating the operating unit to push the second protrusion provided in the separating direction of the fixing block, the fixing block is slid in the separating direction to release the fixation of the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole.

[0011] In the above configuration, the fixing block may be connected to a biasing mechanism, and the biasing mechanism may bias the fixing block in the separating direction to release the fixing of the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the biasing mechanism connected to the fixing block biases the fixing block in the separating direction, causing the fixing block to slide in the separating direction and release the fixing of the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole.

[0012] In the above configuration, the fixing block may have an inclined surface formed so as to increase in height in the approaching direction, and the operating unit may push the first protrusion in the approaching direction and then the tip of the operating unit may come into contact with the inclined surface to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as above, the tip of the operating unit comes into contact with the inclined surface formed on the fixing block, and the operating unit pushes the fixing block in an oblique direction, applying a forward force and a downward force to the fixing block.

[0013] In the above-described 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 abut against the top surface of the pedestal around the periphery of the insertion hole. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, at least a portion of the bottom surface of each of the first flange, second flange, third flange, and fourth flange forming the four sides of the flange abuts against the top surface of the pedestal around the periphery of 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 pedestal 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 while it is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. Since the upper surface of the pedestal around the insertion hole is perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion hole, by fixing the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole, the optical fiber ferrule is fixed at a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction.

[0015] The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig may have a slide lock that is inserted into the outside of the operating part and slides in the axial direction of the operating part to lock the operating part. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the slide lock that is inserted into the outside of the operating part slides in the axial direction of the operating part to lock the operating part.

[0016] In the above-described configuration, at least one of the operating portion and the fixed portion may be formed of an elastic material. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing jig configured as described above, the operating portion or the fixed portion is elastically deformed, thereby more firmly engaging the operating portion and the fixed portion.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig that can fix and remove various types of optical fiber ferrules, including short optical fiber ferrules, without using tools such as wrenches or screwdrivers.

[0018] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical fiber ferrule is mounted on an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the periphery of an insertion hole in a plate; FIG. 3 is a perspective view and a plan view of the optical fiber ferrule as viewed from the tip side; FIG. 4 is a perspective view and a front view of a state in which a fixing piece has been removed from the jig; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the insertion hole in the protruding portion of the base; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an operating rod placed on the base; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rod main body; FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the fixation to the optical fiber ferrule has been released; FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the optical fiber ferrule is in the process of being fixed; FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the optical fiber ferrule has been fixed; FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the fixation of the optical fiber ferrule is in the process of being released; FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a modified example of the jig.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which illustrate examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig 1 (hereinafter, jig 1) with an optical fiber ferrule 2 (hereinafter, ferrule 2) attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1 , jig 1 includes a plate 10 for mounting the ferrule 2, a raised portion 20 that protrudes upward in an annular shape on the upper surface of plate 10, a fixing block 30 for pressing and fixing the ferrule 2, and an operating rod (operating portion) 40 for operating the fixing block 30. The plate 10 and the raised portion 20 are collectively referred to as a base. An insertion hole 11 for inserting the ferrule 2 is formed in the plate 10. An insertion hole 21 for inserting the operating rod 40 is formed in the raised portion 20. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only one fixing block 30 and one operating rod 40, in practice, it is possible to position a fixing block 30 for each of the insertion holes 11 and an operating rod 40 for each of the insertion holes 21. 1 , some insertion holes 11 are not shown, but 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 portion of the plate 10. With ferrules 2 inserted and fixed in the insertion holes 11, the jig 1 is placed in an optical fiber ferrule polisher (hereinafter referred to as the polisher) (not shown), and the ferrules 2 are polished. By fixing multiple ferrules 2 in multiple insertion holes 11, it is possible to simultaneously polish the tip portions of multiple ferrules 2 protruding downward from the underside of the plate 10.

[0020] The plate 10 is made of a metal such as aluminum or an alloy and is formed into a plate shape having a substantially square shape in plan view and 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 into a substantially 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-like shape. The ferrule 2 can be inserted and removed from the insertion hole 11 from above. The width and depth of the insertion hole 11 are formed slightly larger than the width and depth of the ferrule 2, respectively. When the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11, it is surrounded on all four sides by the vertical walls that form the substantially rectangular insertion hole 11. This prevents the fixing block 30 from abutting against the side of the ferrule 2 when the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11. A recess 12, which is lower in height than the rest of the plate 10, is formed around the insertion hole 11 on the top surface of the plate 10. When the ferrule 2 is attached to the jig 1 from above, the ferrule 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11 and housed in the recess 12 .

[0021] Adjacent to the insertion hole 11, a rectangular installation hole 13 for installing a fixed piece 30 (described later) is formed vertically through the plate 10. Adjacent to the installation hole 13, an installation recess 14 is formed, which is lower in height than the rest of the top surface of the plate 10. The fixed piece 30 is installed in the installation hole 13 and the installation recess 14. The plate 10 has sliding surfaces 15 and 17 on both the left and right sides of the installation hole 13. The sliding surface 15 is formed lower in height than the sliding surface 17 (i.e., the plate is thinner). In other words, a vertical step is formed between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17. Furthermore, a sliding surface 16 is formed between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17 as a surface connecting the sliding surfaces 15 and 17. The sliding surface 16 is an inclined surface whose height decreases from the sliding surface 17 toward the sliding surface 15. The fixed piece 30 contacts the plate 10 and slides along the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 in a direction approaching the insertion hole 11 (approaching direction, nearby direction, forward) and in a direction away from the insertion hole 11 (away direction, remote direction, rearward). The sliding movement of the fixed piece 30 will be described later; the fixed piece 30 is configured to slide along the sliding surface 16, so that the fixed piece 30 moves downward as it approaches the insertion hole 11. When the fixed piece 30 slides in the approaching direction, it starts from a position on the sliding surface 17, and moves along the sliding surface 17, sliding surface 16, and sliding surface 15 in that order. When the fixed piece 30 slides in the away direction, it moves along the sliding surface 15, sliding surface 16, and sliding surface 17 in that order.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view and a plan view of the ferrule 2 as viewed from the tip side. The ferrule 2 is a rectangular MT ferrule in a plan view. The ferrule 2 has a ferrule body 2A having a rectangular shape smaller than the dimensions of the insertion hole 11, an optical fiber 2B adhesively fixed to the ferrule body 2A, and a flange 2C having a rectangular shape larger than the dimensions of the insertion hole 11. The ferrule body 2A is the portion that is inserted into the insertion hole 11 when the ferrule 2 is attached to the jig 1. The optical fiber 2B is the portion that is polished by a polishing machine together with the ferrule body 2A. The flange 2C is the portion that is received in the recess 12 when the ferrule 2 is attached to 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 convenience of explanation, the flange 2C is divided into a first flange 2C1 forming one long side 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 short side 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 the recess 12, which is part of the top surface of the plate 10 around the insertion hole 11. In other words, the flange 2C abuts against the top surface of the plate 10 in all four directions (front, back, left, and right). The plate 10 abuts against the flange 2C in all four directions around the insertion hole 11 to support the flange 2C.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view and a front view of the fixed block 30 removed from the jig 1. The fixed block 30 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal (POM). The fixed block 30 is placed on one of the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 of the plate 10 at a position adjacent to the insertion hole 11 and slides on the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 in the approaching and separating directions. The fixed block 30 has a substantially 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 a vertical plane in the approaching direction of the base 31 or the first protrusion 33. The first protrusion 33 and the second protrusion 34 are disposed in the approaching direction and the separating direction, respectively, with the operating rod 40 sandwiched between them. That is, the base 31, the first protrusion 33, and the second protrusion 34 form a U-shape with a recess facing upward, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 is disposed in the recess. For convenience of explanation, the base 31, the bottom 32, the first protrusion 33, the second protrusion 34, and the pressing portion 35 are shown separately, but these are all integrally formed. The bottom 32 has a rectangular shape in a 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 approaching direction and the separating direction.

[0024] The first protrusion 33 has a vertical wall 33A extending upward from the upper surface of the base 31 in the approaching direction. It also has an inclined surface 33B that is continuous with the vertical wall 33A and increases in height toward the front. Furthermore, a horizontal surface 33C is formed continuous with the inclined surface 33B. A protrusion 33D is formed that protrudes forward and upward from the horizontal surface 33C. The inclined surface 33B, horizontal surface 33C, and protrusion 33D are wider than the base 31 and the vertical wall 33A. In other words, at the top of the base 31, the first protrusion 33 has a wide portion 33E that is wider than the base 31. The base 31 and wide portion 33E are perpendicular to each other in a front view, forming an inverted L-shape above the base 31. The lower surface of the wide portion 33E slides on 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, causing the fixed block 30 to move downward when it approaches the insertion hole 11. The lower end of the operating rod 40 (described later) pushes the vertical wall 33A of the first protrusion 33 forward, causing the fixed block 30 to move forward. After pushing the vertical wall 33A, the lower end of the operating rod 40 climbs over the vertical wall 33A and abuts against the inclined surface 33B. As a result, the lower end of the operating rod 40 presses the fixed block 30 downward and forward via the inclined surface 33B.

[0025] The second protrusion 34 protrudes upward and slightly in the width direction of the base 31 in the separation direction. The second protrusion 34 has a vertical wall 34A extending upward from the upper surface of the base 31 in the separation direction. The lower end of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 34A of the second protrusion 34 rearward, causing the fixed block to move rearward. The pressing portion 35 is a portion that presses the ferrule 2 against the plate 10. The pressing portion 35 has a U-shape in plan view. That is, the pressing portion 35 has a shape with both left and right sides extending forward. The portion extending forward has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. By sliding the fixed block 30 so that the lower surface (horizontal surface) of this substantially rectangular parallelepiped abuts against the upper surface of the flange 2C of the ferrule 2, the pressing portion 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 (annular) outer shape with a circular cavity in the center in a plan view. The raised portion 20 is detachably fixed to the plate 10 with bolts or the like, and together with the plate 10, forms a base. The raised portion 20 has a plurality of annular insertion holes 21 for inserting the operating rods 40. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the insertion holes 21 in the raised portion 20 of the base. As shown in FIG. 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 in the horizontal direction and an upper wall 21B with an arc-shaped cross section that penetrates the raised portion 20 in the vertical direction. The operating rod 40 is attached to the insertion hole 21 in a manner that allows it to pivot relative to the raised portion 20. The operating rod 40 can pivot between a horizontal position in which it abuts against the inner surface of the lower wall 21A and an upright position in which it abuts against the inner surface of the upper wall 21B.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operating rod 40 placed on the base (the plate 10 and the raised portion 20). To make the drawing easier to understand, hatching is applied only to some of the components. The operating rod 40 is configured separately from the fixed block 30 and operates while engaging with the fixed block 30. More specifically, the operating rod 40 can pivot relative to the base. As the operating rod 40 pivots, it presses the fixed block 30, causing it to slide in the approaching and separating directions. The operating rod 40 includes a rod main body 41 that contacts the fixed block 30 to transmit a force applied to the operating rod 40 to the fixed block 30, a slide lock 42 inserted through the outside of the rod main body 41, a coil spring 43 that biases the slide lock 42 toward the raised portion 20, a spring retainer 44 that receives the coil spring 43 from above, and a bolt 45 that secures the spring retainer 44 to the rod main 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 a position (recess 12) around the insertion hole 11 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion hole 11.

[0028] FIG. 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 includes 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 disposed between the tubular portion 41A and the pressing portion 41B. The pressing portion 41B presses the fixed link 30 forward and backward and is inclined rearward at a predetermined angle relative to the tubular portion 41A. A flat portion 41B1 formed on the front side of the pressing portion 41B contacts the vertical wall 33A of the first protrusion 33 of the fixed link 30 to press the fixed link 30 forward. A curved portion 41B2 formed on the rear side of the pressing portion 41B contacts the vertical wall 34A of the second protrusion 34 of the fixed link 30 to press the fixed link 30 rearward. The flat surface portion 41B3 formed between the flat surface portion 41B1 and the curved surface portion 41B2 is positioned parallel to the inclined surface 33B of the fixed block 30 after the fixed block 30 moves forward. The flat surface portion 41B3 abuts parallel to the inclined surface 33B, thereby restricting the movement of the fixed block 30. The shaft portion 41C functions as a rotation axis when the operating rod 40 makes a pivoting (rotating) motion. 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 pivot about the shaft portion 41C relative to the raised portion 20 (base) between the lower wall 21A and the upper wall 21B.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6 , a bolt hole is formed on the top 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 inserted sequentially around the outer periphery of the rod body 41, the spring retainer 44 is positioned at the upper end, and the bolt 45 is inserted into the spring retainer 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, thereby pressing and fixing the rod body 41 against the raised portion 20. When the slide lock 42 is slid upward toward the spring retainer 44, it is released from the biasing force of the coil spring 43, and the operating rod 40 becomes able to pivot upward around 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 moves the slide lock 42 toward the raised portion 20. This fixes the operating rod 40 in the position where it has been rotated upward. The same applies when the slide lock 42 is moved from the top to the bottom.

[0030] The operation of each component when the ferrule 2 is attached to or detached from the jig 1 will be described below. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the ferrule 2 has been released from its fixed position. In FIG. 8 , the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is rotated upward (counterclockwise in FIG. 8 ) around the shaft portion 41C, and the cylindrical portion 41A is in contact with the upper wall 21B of the raised portion 20. The curved surface portion 41B2 at the lower end of the operating rod 40 is in contact with the vertical wall 34A of the fixed block 30. The fixed block 30 has moved in the separation direction (rearward) and is in contact with the rear end wall of the installation recess 14. In this state, the fixed block 30 does not interfere with the ferrule 2, and the ferrule 2 can be inserted into the insertion hole 11 from above. The ferrule 2 can also be removed upward from the insertion hole 11. In other words, FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the ferrule 2 can be attached to or detached from the jig 1.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in the middle of fixing the ferrule 2. After inserting the ferrule 2 into the insertion hole 11 in the state shown in FIG. 8, the slide lock 42 (FIG. 6) is slid upward while the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is moved downward (clockwise in FIG. 9). The operating rod 40 rotates downward about 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 fixed block 30 in the approaching direction (forward). As a result, the fixed block 30 slides along the sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 in the approaching direction.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the ferrule 2 is fixed. The operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) moves further downward from the state shown in FIG. 9 . The operating rod 40 further pivots downward about the shaft portion 41C as the axis of rotation, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 moves further forward. As shown in FIG. 10 , the cylindrical portion 41A of the operating rod 40 abuts against the lower wall 21A of the raised portion 20. At this position, the force applied to the slide lock 42 is released, and the operating rod 40 is fixed in abutting contact with the lower wall 21A. The pivoting of the operating rod 40 further pushes the vertical wall 33A of the fixed block 30 in the approaching direction. As described above, the upper surface of the plate 10 is formed with the inclined sliding surface 16 between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17 on which the fixed block 30 slides. That is, the fixed piece 30 slides on the upper track (sliding surface 17) when it is separated from the flange 2C, and then moves to the lower track (sliding surface 15) after it approaches the flange 2C. As the fixed piece 30 moves downward after approaching the flange 2C, the pressing portion 35 of the fixed piece 30 is guided above the flange 2C of the ferrule 2. That is, 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 had been pushing the vertical wall 33A of the fixed block 30 forward, is released from its engagement with the vertical wall 33A when it rotates clockwise by a certain amount or more, and then the flat portion 41B3 of the operating rod 40 slides diagonally upward (forward) along the inclined surface 33B of the fixed block 30. When the operating rod 40 completes its rotation, the flat portion 41B3 abuts (engages) substantially parallel to the inclined surface 33B. The abutment of the flat portion 41B3 with the inclined surface 33B causes the operating rod 40 to press the fixed block 30 forward and downward. Because the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 abuts only against the lower surface of the pressing portion 35, no forward force is transmitted from the fixed block 30 to the flange 2C, and only downward force is transmitted to the flange 2C. As a result, the pressing portion 35 of the fixed block 30 presses the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 downward, thereby fixing the ferrule 2 in the insertion hole 11. 10, the tip of the operating rod 40 and the fixed block 30 overlap because at least one of the tip of the operating rod 40 (the portion that abuts against the fixed block 30) and the inclined surface 33B of the fixed block 30 is formed of an elastic body, and the abutting portion between them is elastically deformed. By abutting them so that the elastic member is elastically deformed, a structure is realized in which the tip of the operating rod 40 presses against the fixed block 30.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in the middle of releasing the ferrule 2. To remove the ferrule 2 from the insertion hole 11, the slide lock 42 is slid upward from the state shown in FIG. 10 while the operating rod 40 (cylindrical portion 41) is moved upward (counterclockwise in FIG. 11 ). The operating rod 40 rotates upward about the shaft portion 41C as the axis of rotation, and the lower end of the operating rod 40 moves rearward. The curved surface 41B2 provided at the lower end of the operating rod 40 pushes the vertical wall 34A of the fixed block 30 in the separating direction. This causes the fixed block 30 to slide along the sliding surface 15 in the separating direction. As described above, the sliding surface 16, which is an inclined surface, is formed on the upper surface of the plate 10 between the sliding surface 15 and the sliding surface 17 on which the fixed block 30 slides. That is, when the fixing block 30 separates from the flange 2C, it moves from the lower track (sliding surface 15) to the upper track (sliding surface 17). This forms a track along which the fixing block 30 moves in the separation direction while avoiding the flange 2C of the ferrule 2. When the fixing block 30 moves until it abuts against the rear end wall of the installation recess 14 of the plate 10, the ferrule 2 can be attached or detached, as shown in FIG.

[0035] As described above, in the jig 1 of the present invention shown in the embodiment, with the ferrule 2 inserted into the insertion hole 11 formed in the base of the jig 1, the fixing block 30 is slid toward or away from the insertion hole 11 to fix or release the ferrule 2 in the insertion hole 11. The operating rod 40, which is installed on the base separately from the fixing block 30, operates while engaging with the fixing block 30, thereby sliding the fixing block 30 toward or away from the insertion hole 11. This makes it possible to fix and remove the ferrule 2 without using tools such as a wrench or screwdriver.

[0036] A sliding surface 16 is formed between the sliding surface 15 and the sliding surface 17 of the plate 10 so that the fixed piece 30 moves downward when it approaches the insertion hole 11. This allows for a path along which the fixed piece 30 moves downward after approaching the insertion hole 11. By sliding the fixed piece 30 along this path, interference between the fixed piece 30 and the ferrule 2 can be avoided when sliding in the approaching direction. Furthermore, by moving the fixed piece 30 from above downward near the insertion hole 11, the ferrule 2 can be reliably pressed downward. This configuration is particularly effective in APC polishing, in which the ferrule 2 is polished at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. The sliding surface 16 is an inclined surface formed so that its height decreases toward the approaching direction, and the inclined surface 33F of the fixed piece 30 can smoothly ride over the inclined surface of the sliding surface 16.

[0037] The operating rod 40 is rotatable relative to the base (plate 10, raised portion 20), and the rotating operation causes the operating rod 40 to slide the fixed block 30 in the approaching and separating directions. This allows the ferrule 2 to be fixed to and released from the insertion hole 11 simply by rotating the operating rod 40. In addition, a slide lock 42 is inserted onto 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 block 33 has a first protrusion 33 in the approaching direction and a second protrusion 34 in the separating direction, and the operating rod 40 presses the first protrusion 33 in the approaching direction to fix the ferrule 2 in the insertion hole 11, and presses the second protrusion 34 in the separating direction to release the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole. The first protrusion 33 and the second protrusion 34 make it easy to realize a structure in which the operating rod 40 operates while engaging with the fixed block.

[0039] After the tip of the operating rod 40 presses the first protrusion 33 in the approach direction, the tip of the operating portion comes into contact with the inclined surface 33B. This causes the operating rod 40 to press the fixed block 30 forward and downward. Because the flange 2C of the ferrule 2 abuts only against the underside of the pressing portion 35, no forward force is transmitted from the fixed block 30 to the flange 2C, and only downward force is transmitted. This makes it possible to suppress displacement of the ferrule 2 compared to a structure that applies a force to the ferrule 2 in the forward and backward directions. Furthermore, by forming at least one of the operating rod 40 and the fixed block 30 from an elastic body, a structure can be achieved in which, when the tip of the operating rod 40 abuts against the inclined surface 33B, the operating rod 40 presses the inclined surface 33B with its elastic force to fix it.

[0040] The flange 2C of the ferrule 2 abuts against the upper surface of the plate 10 (base) on 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. In other words, the flange 2C abuts against the recess 12 of the plate 10 on the four outer peripheries of the insertion hole 11. This allows the ferrule 2 to be more reliably fixed in the insertion hole 11 when the fixing piece 30 presses the flange 2C from above.

[0041] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a modified jig. In FIG. 12, the plate 10 of the above-described embodiment is replaced with a plate 110, and the fixed piece 30 is replaced with a fixed piece 130. The raised portion 20 and the operating rod 40 are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. Below, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described. The fixed piece 130 has the same configuration as the fixed piece 30, except that the second protrusion 34 is removed. By removing the second protrusion 34, the top surface of the fixed piece 130 is 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 is added to the plate 10. The insertion hole 111 is formed horizontally in the vertical wall that the fixed piece 130 abuts against when it moves rearward. A coil spring 50 serving as a biasing mechanism is connected between the vertical wall at the rear end of the fixed 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 block 130 rearward.

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

[0043] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the operating rod 40 directly contacts the fixed block 30 has been described, but the configuration in which the operating part engages with the fixed block is not limited to this. Even if another member is disposed between the operating part and the fixed block and the operating part and the fixed block are indirectly engaged with each other, as long as the operation of the operating part is transmitted to the fixed block and moves the fixed block, it can be interpreted that the operating part is engaged with the fixed block.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the fixed block 30 is slid forward and backward by pivoting the operating rod 40 in the up and down direction, but the operation of the operating unit is not limited to pivoting. For example, the fixed block may be slid forward and backward by reciprocating the operating unit in the up and down direction. Also, a rack and pinion gear may be used to convert the rotational movement of the operating unit into reciprocating movement of the fixed block. The shape of the operating unit is not limited to a rod shape. For example, the operating unit may be formed as a circular rotary knob or the like.

[0045] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the coil spring 50 is used to bias the fixed block 130 rearward, but the biasing structure is not limited to a coil spring. A biasing structure using an elastic material such as rubber or resin may also be used. Furthermore, while a configuration has been described in which a biasing structure is connected to the rear end of the fixed block 130 to pull the fixed block rearward, a biasing structure may also be connected to the front end of the fixed block 130 to push the fixed block rearward. Furthermore, a biasing mechanism may be used to bias the fixed block forward. In this case, the fixed block is pushed rearward by an operating rod.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the bottom surface of the fixed block 30 is supported by sliding surfaces 15, 16, and 17 formed on both the left and right sides of the insertion hole 11, but the structure of the sliding surfaces is not limited to this. For example, a sliding surface may be formed in a straight line on an extension of the center line of the insertion hole, supporting the center of the bottom surface of the fixed block. Alternatively, sliding protrusions may be formed on both the left and right side surfaces of the fixed block, protruding in the left-right direction, and these sliding protrusions may be supported by sliding surfaces formed on the base. In either configuration, a sliding surface can be formed on the sliding surface.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the sliding surface 16 between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17 is formed as an inclined surface. However, the inclined surface is not necessarily limited to a linearly inclined slope. A curved slope may also be used as long as the height decreases toward the approaching direction. As long as a vertical step is formed between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17 to guide the fixed piece 30 to the upper surface of the flange 2C of the ferrule 2, a sliding surface that is not necessarily inclined between the sliding surfaces 15 and 17 is not necessarily formed. A 90° inclined surface is also included in the present invention. Note that, 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 low position (sliding surface 15) before sliding in the forward / backward direction. A structure in which the sliding of the fixed piece ends at a low position immediately after climbing over 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 was 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 toward the ferrule. Other configurations that achieve a similar effect are conceivable. For example, by providing an upwardly curved rounded corner on the lower surface of the front side of the pressing portion, it is possible to configure the pressing portion to move over the side of the flange and move to the upper surface of the flange even if the pressing portion slightly comes into contact with the flange of the ferrule.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the jig used for APC polishing, in which the ferrule 2 is polished while tilted at a predetermined angle relative to the vertical direction, has been described, but the use of the jig of the present invention is not limited to APC polishing. The jig of the present invention is also effective in the case of flat polishing, in which the ferrule is positioned vertically and polished at a right angle.

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

[0051] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples. It goes without saying that a person skilled in the art would understand that the following are disclosed as embodiments of the present invention: - Applying mutually replaceable components and configurations disclosed in the above-described examples by appropriately changing their combinations; - Applying mutually replaceable components and configurations disclosed in the above-described examples by publicly known techniques that are not disclosed in the above-described examples, and applying such combinations by appropriately changing them; - Applying mutually replaceable components and configurations disclosed in the above-described examples by publicly known techniques that are not disclosed in the above-described examples, and applying such combinations by appropriately changing them.

[0052] 1...optical fiber ferrule polishing jig, 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 portion (base), 21...insertion hole, 30...fixing block, 31...base, 32...bottom, 33...first protrusion, 34...second protrusion, 35...pressure portion, 40...operating rod, 41...rod main body, 42...slide lock, 43...coil spring, 44...spring holder, 45...bolt, 50...coil spring.

Claims

1. In the optical fiber ferrule polishing tool used for polishing an optical fiber ferrule, The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig is a base having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber ferrule can be inserted and removed; a fixing piece that is placed on a sliding surface provided on the base and that fixes the optical fiber ferrule to the insertion hole by sliding in a direction approaching the insertion hole and releases the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole by sliding in a direction away from the insertion hole; an operating unit that is formed separately from the fixed piece and operates while engaging with the fixed piece to slide the fixed piece in the approaching direction and the separating direction, a step formed on the sliding surface in a vertical direction so that the fixed piece moves downward when the fixed piece approaches the insertion hole, said optical fiber ferrule polishing jig being characterized in that

2. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 1, 4. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein the step has an inclined surface formed so as to decrease in height in the approaching direction.

3. 2. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 1, The operation unit is capable of rotating relative to the base, the operating portion causes the fixed piece to slide in the approaching direction and the separating direction by the rotating motion.

4. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 3, The fixed piece has a first protrusion in the approach direction, The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion presses the first protrusion in the approaching direction to fix the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole.

5. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 4, the fixed piece has a second protrusion in the separating direction, the operating portion presses the second protrusion in the separating direction to release the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole.

6. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 4, The fixed piece is connected to a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism biases the fixing piece in the separating direction to release the optical fiber ferrule from the insertion hole.

7. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to claim 4, The fixed piece has an inclined surface formed so as to increase in height in the approaching direction, a polishing jig for an optical fiber ferrule, characterized in that the operating portion pushes the first protrusion toward the approach direction and then the tip of the operating portion contacts the inclined surface, thereby fixing the optical fiber ferrule in the insertion hole.

8. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a polishing jig for an optical fiber ferrule, characterized in that 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 a bottom surface of the first flange, at least a portion of a bottom surface of the second flange, at least a portion of a bottom surface of the third flange, and at least a portion of a bottom surface of the fourth flange abut against an upper surface of the base around the insertion hole.

9. 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, 13. An optical fiber ferrule polishing jig, comprising: an upper surface of said base around said insertion hole, said upper surface being perpendicular to an axial direction of said insertion hole.

10. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a slide lock that is inserted into the outside of the operating portion and slides in the axial direction of the operating portion to lock the operating portion,

11. The optical fiber ferrule polishing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 4. An optical fiber ferrule polishing jig, wherein at least one of said operating portion and said fixed piece is formed of an elastic material.