Multi-fiber ferrule
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated process comprising:
- forming a plurality of holes in a substrate, the substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, each of the plurality of holes extending through the top surface and the bottom surface and having a pre-determined position within a predefined tolerance;
gripping a first optical fiber with a gripper, the gripper configured to control a position of the fiber in a plane transverse to a length of the fiber within a predefined tolerance;
guiding the first optical fiber from the top surface of the substrate through a predetermined hole of the plurality of holes and past the bottom surface of the substrate; and
confirming that a length of the first fiber protrudes from the bottom surface of the substrate;
repeating said gripping, said guiding, and said confirming with a second optical fiber;
aligning an optical element so that a contacting surface of the optical element is parallel to the bottom surface of the substrate; and
moving the optical element towards the bottom surface of the substrate so as to push the first fiber and the second fiber back into their corresponding holes.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and method for automatically assembling a multi-fiber optical ferrule. Holes are drilled or etched in a thin, flat substrate. A vacuum gripper and further alignment components are used to provide sufficient lateral alignment for insertion of the optical fibers. The protrusion of each optical fiber is detected on an output side of the substrate, and an adhesive is applied to attach the fibers to the substrate.
34 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. An automated process comprising:
-
forming a plurality of holes in a substrate, the substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, each of the plurality of holes extending through the top surface and the bottom surface and having a pre-determined position within a predefined tolerance; gripping a first optical fiber with a gripper, the gripper configured to control a position of the fiber in a plane transverse to a length of the fiber within a predefined tolerance; guiding the first optical fiber from the top surface of the substrate through a predetermined hole of the plurality of holes and past the bottom surface of the substrate; and confirming that a length of the first fiber protrudes from the bottom surface of the substrate; repeating said gripping, said guiding, and said confirming with a second optical fiber; aligning an optical element so that a contacting surface of the optical element is parallel to the bottom surface of the substrate; and moving the optical element towards the bottom surface of the substrate so as to push the first fiber and the second fiber back into their corresponding holes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification