JP2001059910A - Optical fiber wiring apparatus and optical fiber wiring method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an device for wiring an optical fiber and a method for wiring the optical fiber which precisely follows the movement of a wiring head, enables the multiple wiring and is used for automatic wiring. SOLUTION: This device 100 is the device for wiring an optical fiber which performs the laying of the optical fiber 700 on a substrate 900 on which an adhesive layer 901 is formed. This device 100 has a constitution in which a manipulator 300 which is composed of an optical feeding mechanism 400, an optical fiber cutting mechanism 500, z-axis rotating mechanism 600 and a wiring mechanism 800 is attached to an arm 210 of x-y removing means via a carriage 310.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber wiring board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical fiber wiring board is a group in which a group of optical fibers for optically connecting a plurality of optical components are grouped together as wiring components. In terms of electronic circuits, they are used in electronic circuit wiring. It corresponds to a printed wiring board or a backplane for wiring between boards or between devices. As a method for manufacturing an optical fiber wiring board, a method is known in which an optical fiber is pressed against a substrate surface coated with an adhesive to form a wiring. Japanese Patent No. 2753464 relates to the manufacture of an optical wiring board (referred to as a backplane) for optically connecting boards on which optical components are mounted, "Attaching a rotating wheel to one end of a manipulator", and " Adhering one end of the fiber to the adhesive-coated surface of the substrate "discloses an optical fiber connection apparatus and method. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-181356 discloses a method of automatically arranging an optical fiber (pigtail) extending from an optical element on a substrate. The equipment to be installed at the site is open to the public. Japanese Patent Application No. 9-281645 discloses a through-hole provided at the tip of a wiring head, for bending an inserted optical fiber and pressing the optical fiber against an adhesive sheet by the stress thereof. Is published.

[0003]

In an optical wiring board, a wiring pattern is seldom composed of only parallel straight lines, and it is necessary that an optical fiber can be bent or crossed and laid in a free pattern. In addition, since the terminals of the optical fiber wiring board need to be arranged so that the optical components can be directly attached in accordance with the increase in the number of optical component connection parts accompanying integration, the optical fibers are accurately aligned at a narrow pitch. Wiring technology is also important. The above-mentioned rotating wheels and arrangement wheels,
The through hole is an important component for laying the optical fiber on the adhesive sheet, and its structure affects the pattern accuracy of the wiring and the degree of adhesion to the substrate.

Both the rotating wheel disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2735464 and the wheel provided in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-181356 have a structure in which a groove for holding an optical fiber at a predetermined position is provided on the outer periphery of the rotating wheel (arranged wheel). Features. For this reason,
In the case of a wiring with a bent pattern, if the rotating wheel is directed in the direction of the pattern, the wiring is pushed and disturbed by the edge of the groove, so that the optical fiber once adhered to the substrate is likely to come off. This tendency becomes more remarkable as the radius of curvature of the wiring pattern is reduced or the diameter of the rotating wheel is increased.
On the other hand, the radius of the rotating ring must be designed to be larger than the breaking bend radius of the optical fiber to be laid so that the optical fiber is not damaged. ). Further, in order to reduce the size of the rotating wheel, it is necessary to reduce the size of the bearing of the rotating wheel in order to obtain smooth rotation.

[0005] Also, in Japanese Patent No. 2,735,464,
`` When the manipulator moves, the rotating wheel rotates due to friction, thereby causing tension in the optical fiber, whereby the optical fiber is supplied to the rotating wheel from the reel wound with the optical fiber and wired to the substrate. '' Yes,
In order for the optical fiber to be wired according to the wiring pattern,
It is necessary to rotate the rotating wheel due to friction and draw the optical fiber from the reel by a length corresponding to the pattern. However, actually, it is very difficult to rotate the rotating wheel so that the optical fiber is pulled out by the length according to the pattern. That is, when the optical fiber is laid so as to cross over the already laid optical fiber, the rotating wheel is rotated by the friction with the optical fiber when the optical fiber is crossed, but at this time, sufficient friction is generated. It is possible that it cannot be obtained. In addition, when wiring is performed over an optical fiber while bending, a force is applied in the direction of travel that causes a slip with the lower optical fiber and sufficient friction cannot be obtained. Is even more so. And, in the method using the rotating wheel, the optical fiber is supplied and wired by applying tension to the optical fiber between the rotating wheel and the reel, so when sufficient friction is not obtained as described above, Since sufficient tension is not obtained, the rotating wheel cannot be rotated so that the optical fiber is pulled out by the length according to the pattern. As a result, there is a drawback that wiring cannot be performed according to the pattern. As described above, in the conventional wiring method using the rotating wheel, the pattern of the optical fiber already wired by the rotating wheel is disturbed in the bent wiring pattern portion, and there is a limit in downsizing the rotating wheel. However, there is a drawback that the precision of the bending pattern cannot be improved, and that the pattern cannot be wired according to the pattern in the case of wiring over an already wired optical fiber. These are problems when the length of the optical fiber is made constant or when wiring in a board that requires a very fine pattern is formed.

On the other hand, the through-hole disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-281645, which employs a wiring head mechanism that does not use a rotating wheel, has a simple mechanism, but an optical fiber inserted into the through-hole has a through-hole. , The center axis of the through hole does not coincide with the position where the optical fiber is pressed against the substrate, and the optical fiber is laid at a position deviated from the trajectory of the wiring head. This is similar to the prior art mentioned above,
This is remarkable in the case of so-called multiple wiring in which wiring is performed over a curved wiring or an already-wired optical fiber. As a countermeasure to this problem, a method of estimating the deviation in advance and correcting the movement of the wiring head to make them coincide with each other is conceivable, but the mechanism becomes complicated, and the center axis of the hole and the light at the intersection of the wiring are When the distance from the position where the fiber is pressed against the substrate changes, there has been a problem that more complicated correction must be performed.

Further, although not sufficiently described in each of the above-mentioned prior arts, in order to perform accurate wiring matching a desired wiring pattern on a wiring substrate, an appropriate pressing force is applied to a wiring head. Has been found to be important. Further, as one of such optical wiring boards, there is an optical wiring board of a type having a predetermined length of free optical fiber outside the wiring board. The above-mentioned prior arts do not disclose any method for manufacturing such a special type of optical wiring board. As described above, various problems in the optical wiring board apparatus and the manufacturing method are to improve the wiring accuracy, to automate a series of wiring operations, and to increase the wiring speed to improve productivity. However, sufficient consideration has not been given to the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber wiring apparatus and an optical fiber wiring method for automatic wiring that enable multiple wiring by accurately following the movement of a wiring head.

[0009]

As means for achieving the above object, the present invention employs the following means.
That is, instead of a rotating wheel or an arrangement wheel, a wiring head that guides an optical fiber to be wired and simply presses it against a substrate is employed. As a result, problems such as peeling of the existing optical fiber and limitations for miniaturization, which have been the problems of the rotating wheel and the like, can be solved.

Further, in the present invention, an optical fiber feeding mechanism for sequentially feeding the stocked optical fibers during the wiring work is provided in the wiring head or the optical fiber guide connected to the wiring head. As a result, it is possible to perform automatic wiring for a long time, and it is not possible to perform wiring in a pattern according to the related art when wiring is performed in a bent pattern or over an existing optical fiber. Can be eliminated. That is, during the wiring operation, the optical fiber feeding mechanism feeds only the necessary amount of the optical fiber into the optical fiber guide of the wiring head, thereby reducing the friction shortage during the wiring of the wiring head. Even if it occurs, good tracking of the optical fiber is possible. Further, in this case, even when a wiring head composed of a through-hole in which the substrate contact position of the optical fiber is not strictly defined is used as the wiring head, the through-hole head and the inside of the optical fiber guide are not used. Of the optical fiber can be made substantially constant, the tracking of the optical fiber can be made good as before, and the deviation from the desired pattern can be minimized.

Further, in the present invention, means is provided for controlling the optical fiber pressing force of the wiring head against the wiring substrate within an appropriate range. This enables accurate wiring without damaging the optical fiber to be wired, and furthermore, when wiring is performed over an existing optical fiber, the pressing force of the optical fiber is kept constant. Line head height h
(Wiring height) can be controlled to prevent the existing optical fiber from being peeled off.

Further, according to the present invention, an optical fiber cutting mechanism for cutting an optical fiber at a predetermined length is provided. Thereby, even when creating a plurality of optical fiber patterns on the wiring board, it is possible to perform the wiring work continuously,
Can facilitate automation.

Further, according to the present invention, a special optical wiring board having a free optical fiber of a predetermined length outside the optical wiring board (wiring board) can be manufactured outside the board so that it can be manufactured. Means for feeding the fiber were provided.

In the present invention, various other improvements have been made to improve the wiring accuracy, to automate the wiring work, or to improve the productivity. These improvements are described below. It will be clarified in the description of each embodiment.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of an optical fiber wiring apparatus and an optical fiber wiring method according to the present invention will be described below.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of a main part of the optical fiber wiring device (100). Optical fiber wiring device (10
No. 0) is for wiring an optical fiber to the substrate adhesive layer (901) provided on the wiring substrate (900). The optical fiber wiring device (100) includes an optical fiber feeding mechanism (4).
00), a manipulator (300) composed of an optical fiber cutting mechanism (500), a Z-axis rotation mechanism (600), and a wiring mechanism (800) via a carriage (310).
It has a structure attached to an arm (210) of a moving means (not shown). These are all controlled by a control device (not shown). The arm (210) of the XY moving means is arranged so as to be movable, for example, in the X direction on a plane parallel to the wiring substrate (900) for wiring the optical fiber (700).

The carriage (310) is a member provided so as to be movable on the arm (210) in a direction (for example, Y direction) along the arm (210) by a moving mechanism (not shown). The carriage (310) is located on the side of the arm (210) and is provided with an optical fiber feed mechanism (40).
A support member (320) for supporting the lower part of (0), and an intermediate member (330) located below the support member (320) and incorporating the wiring mechanism (800) and the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500). ing. In addition, this carriage (3
10) includes a Z-axis rotation mechanism (600) and a frame 1
(120) is also attached.

The frame 1 (120) has an optical fiber feed mechanism (4) between its upper part and the upper part of the support member (320).
00) is a member formed in a substantially U-shape so that it can be disposed. On its upper part, a lead wire holding member (11) composed of a rotating body containing an electric contact (brush) for transmitting electricity to the optical fiber feeding mechanism (400) is provided.
0) is provided. Then, the lead wire holding member (1)
10) The center of rotation is the Z-axis rotation center, that is, the Z-axis shaft (620) provided above the support member (320).
(Z-axis rotation mechanism (600), which will be described later), is attached to frame 1 (120) so as to coincide with the axis. Also, the lead wire holding member (110) and the Z-axis shaft (62)
0), two plate-shaped frames 2 (130) are provided, which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, each having an upper end on a rotating portion of the lead wire holding member (110), and a lower end. Are connected to a Z-axis shaft (620).
That is, these frames 2 (130) are arranged to be rotatable in the Z-axis by the Z-axis rotating mechanism (600). Here, the lower ends of these frames 2 (130) are connected to the Z-axis shaft (620) via the feed mechanism connecting portion (321).

Between these frames 2 (130), a delivery reel (42) for delivering the optical fiber (700) is provided.
0), an optical fiber storage reel (440) for winding the optical fiber (700) and supplying the optical fiber (700) to the feed reel (420), and a feed reel (42).
A pinch roller (450) for sandwiching and holding the optical fiber (700) between itself and the circumferential surface of (0), and a flexure sensor (430) for detecting the flexure of the optical fiber (700) fed from the feed reel (420) are attached. Have been. An optical fiber feed motor (410) (drive device) for rotating the feed reel (420) is attached to the outside of one frame 2 (130). The optical fiber feed motor (410) has its rotary shaft passed to the outside of the facing frame 2 (130), and is connected to the feed reel (420) via a gear. Here, these members constitute an optical fiber feeding mechanism (400) for sending out the optical fiber (700).

The delivery reel (420) and the optical fiber storage reel (440) are composed of two frames 2 (130).
The frame 2 is supported at both axial ends.
It is arranged rotatably along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of (130). The feed reel (420) is formed at one end with a flange-like gear portion connected to the gear gear of the optical fiber feed motor (410). The operation of the optical fiber feed motor (410) is controlled by a drive circuit (not shown) based on the detection signal from the deflection sensor (430). The pinch roller (450) is supported on the frame 2 (130) by a rotatable stay that allows the roller itself to rotate and rotates about a position where the diameter of the roller is removed.
The stay is provided with a spring (not shown) for urging the roller to press the roller against the delivery reel (420).

The deflection sensor (430) is a substantially U-shaped photosensor in which the LED element and the PD light receiving element are integrally molded with the LED element and the PD light receiving element facing each other and separated from each other by a predetermined distance.
One end is attached to the frame 2 and an optical fiber (70
0), the tip of which is attached to the frame 2 (130) as a fulcrum,
A detection rod (431) arranged so as to be able to swing in a direction crossing between the element and the PD light receiving element. The deflection sensor (430) is arranged to detect the slack of the optical fiber (700) by detecting the displacement of the tip of the detection rod (431) by a photo sensor in a non-contact manner. The detection rod (431) has an optical fiber (7
00) is formed through which an insertion port (not shown) is inserted.
It is arranged to swing by the tension of the optical fiber (700) inserted into the insertion opening. Here, the detection rod (4
31) reduces friction at the fulcrum and ensures that it can follow the slight slack of the optical fiber (700). Here, the optical fiber feeding mechanism (400)
In order to rotate smoothly by the Z-axis rotation mechanism (600), the components are arranged with the weight of the mounted components balanced around the rotation axis.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the main part of the optical fiber wiring apparatus (100). FIG. 3 is a front view showing the entire carriage (310). Here, as described above, the upper structure of the manipulator (300) (frame 1 (12
0) and frame 2 (130))
Is mounted on the support member (320) of the carriage (310).
It is fixed to the feed mechanism connection part (321) attached via the shaft shaft (620). As shown in FIG. 3, the feed mechanism connecting portion (321) has an optical fiber entrance (322) for guiding an optical fiber (700) (not shown in FIG. 3) drawn out from the upper structure downward. Have been.

As shown in FIG. 3, the center of the support member (320) is hollowed out into a cylindrical shape so that the optical fiber passage 1 is formed.
(710) is formed, and the rotary bearings are fitted at the upper and lower ends, respectively. A Z-axis shaft (620) is mounted on the inner ring of the upper rotating bearing, and an upper gear (323) (Z-axis rotating mechanism (600)) is mounted coaxially on the inner ring of the lower rotating bearing. The inner rings of the rotary bearings are connected so as to rotate integrally with each other while securing the optical fiber path 1. This upper gear (32
3) is configured to engage above a pinion (611) fixedly provided on a drive shaft of a Z-axis motor (610) (Z-axis rotation mechanism (600)) disposed adjacent to the support member (320). Has become. Therefore, the Z-axis motor (610)
, The manipulator upper structure excluding the frame 1 (120), that is, the feed mechanism connection part (321) and the optical fiber feed mechanism (400) attached thereto are Z-shaped.
It is arranged so that the shaft can be rotated. here,
The Z axis refers to an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the wiring board 900.

An intermediate member (330) is arranged below the upper gear (323) attached to the support member (320). This intermediate member (330)
Also, the optical fiber passage 1 (71
The optical fiber path 2 (711) coaxial with the optical fiber path 0) is formed so as to be hollow. Further, an optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) for cutting the optical fiber (700) is attached to the intermediate member (330). Intermediate member (33
0) is provided with a lower gear (342) adjacent below and parallel to the upper gear (323). The lower gear (342) is connected to a wiring mechanism (800) described later.
Is fixedly mounted coaxially and fixedly with the upper part of the wiring plunger (810) of the Z-axis motor (6).
10) It is arranged to engage below the pinion (611). The lower gear (342) is provided with a pinion (6).
The upper gear (323) is formed to have the same diameter as that of the upper gear (323) so that the rotation angle becomes equal to that of the upper gear (323) when rotated by 11).

Therefore, the upper and lower gears (323 and 342) can be rotated synchronously by rotating the Z-axis motor (610), and the upper structure of the manipulator, that is, the optical fiber feed mechanism ( 4
00) and a wiring head (830) described later can be rotated synchronously. Here, the wiring mechanism (800) is arranged to be movable up and down in order to efficiently wire the optical fiber (700), and the lower gear (342) is also moved up and down of the wiring mechanism (800). The pinion (611) is moved up and down in response to the movement, so that the lower gear (342) and the pinion (611) are not disengaged at this time.
It is arranged to reach the lower limit position of the movement range of 2).

Next, the wiring mechanism (800) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Wiring mechanism (800)
As shown in the enlarged perspective view of FIG.
0), a Z-axis actuator (820) having a vertically movable elevating part is fixed on a fixed plate (331) integrally provided at the lower end of the Z-axis actuator (82).
The upper and lower plates (340) are attached to the lifting / lowering part of (0). Then, the wiring plunger (810) and the drawing pen (85) are placed on the upper and lower plates (340) as shown in FIG.
0) is mounted.

The wiring plunger (810) is arranged to be rotatable in the Z-axis with respect to the upper and lower plates (340), and the drawing pen (850) is arranged to be detachable from the upper and lower plates (340). ing. A through hole is formed in the fixing plate (331) at a position facing the wiring plunger (810), and the wiring plunger (810) protrudes below the fixing plate (331) through the through hole. I have. In the above configuration, the drawing pen (850) and the wiring plunger (81)
The relationship with (0) is such that the pen tip of the drawing pen (850) is set at a lower position, for example, as shown in FIG.

Here, as shown in FIG.
The lower surface of the upper and lower plates (3) is provided on the lower surface of the lower plate (0) so as to allow only the vertical movement of the upper and lower plates (340) and prevent the rotation of the upper and lower plates (340).
40) is provided with a detent (341) having a vertical end face, and the fixed plate (331) is provided with two rollers (332) for vertically guiding the end face of the detent (341) with the end face interposed therebetween. The roller (3 in FIG. 3)
32) shows only one of them). Further, a detection slit (861) is provided on the lower surface of the upper and lower plates (340), and the fixing plate (33) is provided.
A linear encoder (862) into which the detection slit (861) can enter is provided on the upper surface of 1), and these constitute a height detector. The height detector is configured to obtain an output corresponding to the amount of the detection slit (861) entering the linear encoder (861). That is, they detect the displacement of the upper and lower plates (340) with respect to the fixed plate (331), and the height of the upper and lower plates (340) from the wiring board (900), in other words, the wiring plunger (810) or the drawing pen (850). ) Is configured to act as a height detector.

The wiring plunger (810) includes upper and lower plates (3).
40) through a bearing, through a bearing so as to be rotatable in the Z-axis, fixed to the upper end of the wiring plunger (810) coaxially with the lower gear (342), and the pinion (611) of the Z-axis motor (610). ) Rotation is transmitted. An optical fiber (700) (not shown in FIG. 3) is provided at the tip of the wiring plunger (810).
And a wiring head (830) for pressing the wiring against the wiring substrate (900). Also, the fixing plate (331) and the upper and lower plates (340) of the wiring plunger (810).
And the wiring plunger (810)
The detection collar (8
12) is attached. Here, the upper and lower plates (34
A rotation reference sensor (840) for reading a slit provided in the detection collar (812) is attached to the lower surface of (0). When the slit of the detection collar (812) is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the wiring plunger (810),
Pressing groove (832) of wiring head (830) attached to wiring plunger (810) about the axis.
It is provided at a position having the same phase as that described later. Here, the position where the rotation reference sensor (840) detects this slit is set as the reference position (rotation origin) of the wiring plunger (810).

The lower gear (342) and the wiring plunger (8)
10), as shown in FIG. 3, an optical fiber passage 3 (712) is provided in communication with the optical fiber passage 2 (711) provided in the intermediate member (330). The hole of the optical fiber passage 3 (712) is connected to the wiring plunger (810).
The optical fiber (700) to be inserted is guided to the guide groove (831) of the wiring head (830) by setting the substantially lower half to the rotation center position and the lower half to be inclined away from the rotation center as it goes downward. Is arranged.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the structure of the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500). Optical fiber cutting mechanism (50
0) is provided on the intermediate member (330) located between the upper gear (323) and the lower gear (342). The optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) includes an upper gear (32
2) an optical fiber passage 2 (711) that is in communication with the optical fiber passage 1 (710) and into which the optical fiber (700) (not shown in FIG. 4) is inserted;
A cutter (511) provided so as to be able to cross the optical fiber passage 2 (711) in a through hole (512) communicating with the side of 1), and the cutter (511) is connected to the optical fiber passage 2. And an electromagnetic slider (510) that moves across. Cutter (51
The tip of (1) is formed in an edge shape, and the edge of the optical fiber (700) to be cut is formed in the through hole (512).
The cutting is performed by sliding inside. In this case, the edge shape may be a knife blade shape or a shape used for a blade of a punch for punching (a tip surface of a cylinder is formed into a concave curved shape, and a ridge line at which the tip surface intersects a side surface of the cylinder). (A portion having a cutting edge). The electromagnetic slider (510) instantaneously applies a current to cause the cutter (511) to instantaneously protrude to the right in the figure, and cuts the cutting waste of the optical fiber (700) into the through hole (512). Can be discharged into the large-diameter portion on the right side.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the wiring head. The wiring head (830) is a member having a shape in which two surfaces facing the side surface of the cylinder are formed, and the lower surface (tip) thereof is formed in a hemispherical shape. The tip is located at the rotation center of the wiring plunger (810) (not shown in FIG. 5) to which the wiring head (830) is attached. The material is a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the optical fiber, in this embodiment, Teflon (manufactured by DuPont). A guide groove (831) reaching the lower surface of the hemispherical shape is formed on one side of the curved side surface of the wiring head (830), and the lower surface is continuous with the guide groove (831) on the lower surface. A pressing groove (832) is formed to reach the front end portion. Guide groove (831)
The groove is formed in a shape in which the groove is deepened as going upward from an appropriate position in order to facilitate insertion of the tip of the optical fiber (700). In addition, holding groove (832)
Is formed with a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature at which the optical fiber breaks so as to hold the optical fiber (700) in a bent state to a certain extent and press it onto the wiring substrate (900). Then, the tip of the wiring head (830) is set so that the tip of the wiring head (830) does not contact the substrate adhesive layer (901) at the time of wiring, and the optical fiber (700) does not come close to the tip of the wiring head (830). The groove is formed to be thinner and shallower as approaching.

From the following, an optical fiber wiring device (100)
Will be described below. The drawing pen (850) is detached from the upper and lower plates (340) during the wiring work. First, the manipulator (3) is moved by the arm (210) of the XY moving means.
00) to the wiring start position on the wiring board (900). Then, the optical fiber feed mechanism (40) is set in a state where the holding groove (832) of the wiring head (830) is oriented in the tangential direction of the wiring pattern by the Z-axis rotation mechanism (600).
0) supplies the optical fiber (700) to the wiring head (830) at the tip of the wiring plunger (810).

In this state, the optical fiber (700) is pressed against the adhesive layer (901) of the wiring substrate (900) by bringing the wiring plunger (810) close to the wiring substrate (900). Then, the manipulator (300) is moved along the wiring pattern by the arm (210) of the XY moving means, and the optical fiber (700) is wired along the wiring pattern. When finishing the wiring, the optical fiber (700) is cut into the same length as the wiring pattern by the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500), and the wiring mechanism (800) is cut.
Thus, the optical fiber (700) remaining in the optical fiber passage 2 (711) and the optical fiber passage 3 (712) is wired to the end of the wiring pattern. Thereafter, the wiring plunger (810) is separated from the wiring substrate (900), the wiring head (830) is separated from the wiring substrate (900),
The wiring work is completed, or the above procedure is repeated to perform a wiring work of a new wiring pattern.

Hereinafter, each step of the procedure for wiring the optical fiber (700) by the above-described optical fiber wiring apparatus (100) will be described in detail. The rotation operation of the wiring plunger (810) by the Z-axis rotating mechanism (600) is performed by a pinion (611) by a Z-axis motor (610).
Is rotated, thereby driving the lower gear (342) to rotate the wiring plunger (810) connected to the lower gear (342). At this time,
Since the pinion (611) also rotates the upper gear (323) at the same time, the optical fiber feed mechanism (400) is also rotated in synchronization with the wiring plunger (810). The origin of rotation of the wiring plunger (810) is determined by the position of a slit provided in the detection collar (812). Therefore, in the optical fiber wiring apparatus (100) of the present embodiment, prior to the start of wiring, the Z-axis motor (610) is rotated with the rotation reference sensor (840) operated to recognize the rotation origin. After that, by further rotating the Z-axis motor (610) by a necessary amount from the rotation origin, the pressing groove (83) of the wiring plunger (810) is rotated.
2) is oriented in the tangential direction of the wiring pattern.

The feed of the optical fiber (700) by the optical fiber feed mechanism (400) is performed by driving the optical fiber feed motor (410) to rotate the feed reel (420). Thereby, the optical fiber (700) is pulled out from the optical fiber storage reel (440), and the optical fiber passages 1, 2, 3 (710, 711,
712) to the wiring head (830) at the tip of the wiring plunger (810) of the wiring mechanism (800). Here, the bend of the optical fiber (700) is detected by the bend sensor (430) so as to keep the tension of the optical fiber (700) to be sent out within a certain range, and a drive circuit (not shown) based on this detection signal. Feed reel (420) by controlling the operation of the optical fiber feed motor (410)
To control the rotation of More specifically, the feeding reel is rotated when there is no deflection so as to have a constant deflection at the time of wiring, and the rotation is stopped when the deflection exceeds a certain amount. Further, in this case, if the change of the deflection does not occur for a predetermined time during the wiring work, the wiring is determined to have failed, an error signal is output, and the wiring operation is stopped.

The wiring plunger (810) is connected to the wiring board (9).
00) is moved toward or away from the fixed plate (33).
Z-axis actuator (820) provided on the upper surface of 1)
The wiring plunger (810) together with the upper and lower plates (340) is moved closer to or away from the wiring substrate (900) without shifting the axis. Here, the distance between the wiring plunger (810) and the wiring substrate (900), that is, from the wiring substrate (900) to the wiring head (830).
Are separated by a height detector (860), that is, a detection slit (86) provided on the lower surface of the upper and lower plates (340).
1) and a linear encoder (862) fixed to the fixed plate (331). Then, based on this height information, the wiring head (830) is positioned at an appropriate height by a control device (not shown), and at the time of wiring, the wiring head (830) is moved to the wiring board (900). ) With a constant pressing force.
Operation 0) is controlled.

The wiring head (83) of the wiring mechanism (800)
0) supply of optical fiber (700) and wiring work,
This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the wiring head (830) in a series of wiring operations. FIG.
(A) is a state prior to the wiring work. At this stage, the wiring head (830) is in the up position (position away from the substrate).

Next, the optical fiber (700) is fed out by the optical fiber feed mechanism (400), and the wiring head (8) is fed out.
The optical fiber (700) is fed into the guide groove (831) of 30), and the tip of the optical fiber (700) abuts on the substrate adhesive layer (901) as it is. Here, FIG. 6B shows the wiring head (83
0) is located at the top, and the optical fiber (700) guided by the guide groove (831) is in a state of starting wiring where the optical fiber (700) is abutted against the substrate adhesive layer (901). Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the wiring head (830) is advanced in the wiring direction while being lowered, and the optical fiber (700) abutted against the substrate adhesive layer (901) is tilted while holding down the holding groove (). 832)
Take in. Here, the optical fiber (700) is held in a state of being constantly bent by the holding groove (832), and is pressed against the wiring substrate (900) by the bending stress. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6D, the descent of the wiring head (830) is completed at a position where the optical fiber (700) is grounded to the substrate adhesive layer (901) immediately below the wiring head (830). To the constant pressing control, and the wiring head (8
30) is continuously advanced in the wiring direction to perform wiring.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6D, the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) is driven at a position of a predetermined length from the end of the wiring to cut the optical fiber (700). As shown in (e), the remaining wiring up to the wiring end is executed. After completion of the wiring, as shown in FIG. 6F, the wiring head (830) is retracted upward at the end of the wiring. By repeating the above operation a plurality of times, a plurality of optical fibers (700) can be wired in a plurality of patterns.

Here, the drawing pen (850) is connected to the upper and lower plates (3).
40), and by moving the manipulator (300) along the wiring pattern,
Before the actual wiring operation of the optical fiber (700), the wiring pattern can be confirmed by writing on the recording paper or the like with the drawing pen (850).

When a curved pattern is to be wired in such an optical fiber wiring operation, as shown in FIG. 5B, the direction of the holding groove (832) is oriented in the tangential direction of the wiring pattern. This makes it possible to create high-quality curve patterns. As described above, the structure above the wiring mechanism (800) and the manipulator (300) is the Z-axis rotation mechanism (60).
0) and the upper and lower gears (323, 342), so that when the wiring head (830) is sequentially turned in the tangential direction in order to perform a curved wiring during the wiring work, the optical fiber is unreeled. (700) can be operated continuously without twisting.

Further, the optical fiber feeding mechanism (400)
Since the stocked optical fiber (700) is configured to be sent out so as to keep the slack of the optical fiber (700) to be wired constant, the wiring head (830) is communicated with during the wiring operation. The optical fibers (700) between the respective optical fiber paths (optical fiber guides) can be maintained in a substantially constant state. Therefore, even when a curved pattern is laid, good tracking of an optical fiber can be realized by laying a straight line pattern. Furthermore, since the lower end of the wiring head is processed into a hemispherical shape, the existing optical fiber can be peeled off even when the existing optical fiber (700) is crossed.
Does not hurt.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The optical fiber wiring device (105) shown in FIG.
0) at a predetermined position. In addition, the wiring board (9
00) There is a pit (102) near the support.
In the optical fiber wiring device (105), the trap holes (102) are provided along three sides of the rectangular wiring substrate (900). And each pitfall (10
At least the corners of the side edge of the wiring substrate (900) of 2) are chamfered and smoothly processed. Further, in the optical fiber wiring device (105), an adhesive tape is attached to each of these edges to form a temporary fixing portion (103) for an optical fiber to be dropped, which will be described later.

On the table (101), it is stretched in the direction (Y direction) crossing the table (101), and the position is controlled in the X direction under wiring instruction means including an X motor, a controller, etc., not shown. Bar (2)
10) is provided. This Y bar (210)
Through the carriage (315), the manipulator (30
1) is mounted movably in the Y direction. In addition,
This manipulator (301) is also configured to move while being position-controlled in the Y direction under a wiring commanding means including a Y motor, a controller, and the like (not shown). That is, the manipulator (301) is configured to be freely movable in the X and Y directions in response to a combination of unit movement commands in the X and Y directions (for example, movement length commands every 0.1 mm) of the wiring command means. I have.

As shown in FIG. 9, the manipulator (301) includes a base (311) connected to the carriage (315), and a wiring mechanism (801) configured based on the base (311). , Carriage (315)
And an optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) attached to the relay member holder (313) and disposed immediately above the wiring mechanism (801). Mechanism (500)
And an optical fiber feed mechanism (408) partially attached to the relay member holder (313). FIG. 8 also shows these arrangements except for the base (311).

The carriage (315) is formed in a key shape, and the upper piece is in sliding contact with the Y bar (210), and the lower piece is the base (3).
11). In addition, a relay member holder (313) is attached to a connecting piece that connects the upper piece and the lower piece.

The wiring mechanism (801) includes a base (311)
As shown in FIG. 9, an upper and lower member (340) holding the wiring head (835) between the cover and the cover (312), and the wiring head (830) is moved up and down through the upper and lower members (340). Z-axis actuator (820) and wiring head (8) moved up and down by this actuator (820)
35) a height detector (860) for detecting the height. In this embodiment, the Z-axis actuator (82
No. 0) is a type in which the amount of vertical displacement (vertical moving force) varies according to the applied current.
35) It is also used for the optical fiber pressing force control action on the wiring board (900).

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) has the same optical fiber path as the optical fiber wiring device (100) shown in the first embodiment.
For example, an electromagnetic slider (510) made of a solenoid or the like is included. However, the movable piece cutter (511) of the electromagnetic slider (510) is shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and (b).
The cutter has the shape shown in FIG. In this cutter, a so-called punch blade is formed by processing an edge portion (513) of a cylindrical front end with an edge blade. With such a blade shape, the optical fiber can be cut cleanly without breaking the cut surface of the optical fiber. Therefore, when the optical fiber is continuously fed into the thin guide groove (831), it can be fed without any delay. In addition, 514 is a hollow part. The optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) cuts the optical fiber (700) in the optical fiber path according to a command from the wiring commanding means. These optical fiber passages and the electromagnetic slider (51)
0) is attached to the relay member holder (313) provided upright on the carriage (315) so as to be disposed immediately above the wiring head (835).

As shown in FIG. 8, the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) includes a feed motor (40) attached to the relay member holder (313) via the roller holding structure (405).
1) a feed roller (402) that is held rotatably about an axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction and is driven to rotate by a feed motor (401); In this state, a driven roller (403) held so as to be able to rotate around the axis and move in a direction approaching or moving away from the feed roller (402), a drive shaft of the feed motor (401) and the feed roller (402) And a one-way clutch (404) interposed therebetween, and an electromagnetic slider composed of, for example, a solenoid, for pressing or pulling the driven roller (403) so as to approach or separate from the feed roller (402). (406), as shown in FIG. 7, a head-side fiber holder (314) provided above these, and a reel-side fiber holder provided at one end of the Y bar (210). (441) and an optical fiber (70
0), and an optical fiber storage reel (440) serving as a stock unit. A feed motor (401) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) is controlled by a controller of a wiring commanding means (not shown).
0) to the lower wiring mechanism (801).

As shown in FIG. 11, in the optical fiber wiring device (105), the wiring head (835)
The lower end has a trumpet-shaped optical fiber passage (713) that smoothly expands outward. The optical fiber passage (713) serves as a guide for the optical fiber (700). As described later, the optical fiber 700 from above is connected to the wiring mechanism (801) ( Pressing is performed with a predetermined pressing force G by the action of the Z-axis actuator 820). At this time,
The optical fiber (700) below the wiring head (835) is bent and the adhesive layer (901) of the wiring substrate (900) is bent.
With a predetermined force. In this state (the state of the wiring height h), by moving the wiring head (835) (manipulator 301) in the wiring direction, the optical fiber (7) is moved.
00).

Here, looking at the optical fiber (700), the optical fiber (700) is composed of the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (4) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408).
03), the desired amount is fed from the optical fiber reel (440) into the optical fiber path (713) (optical fiber guide) of the wiring head (835). On the other hand, at the time of wiring work in which the wiring head (835) moves in the wiring direction, the wiring head (835)
When the lower end moves while pressing the optical fiber (700) against the wiring board (900), the optical fiber (700) in the wiring head (835) is pulled out by the tension generated in the optical fiber (700). Therefore, in the optical fiber wiring device (105), the wiring head (835) for the pattern to be wired is set in advance by the wiring instruction means.
Before the wiring of each unit movement command, the optical fiber (700) having a length corresponding to the unit movement command is sequentially fed into the optical fiber path (713) of the wiring head (835). The motor (401) is excited to cause the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (403) to act.

For this reason, during the wiring operation, the distance from the lower end of the wiring head (835) (the position where the optical fiber contacts the wiring substrate) to the feed roller (402) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) is set. The state of the optical fiber in the optical fiber path (713) (optical fiber guide) is substantially constant. Therefore, the wiring quality can be kept constant.

In this case, in the optical fiber wiring device (105), the feed motor (401)
The one-way clutch (404) is inserted into the feed roller (402) rotated by the motor (see FIG. 8). The one-way clutch (404) is rotatable with little resistance in the forward direction for transporting the optical fiber (700) downward, and prevents the rotation in the reverse direction. Therefore,
Even if the feed amount of the optical fiber (700) by the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (403) becomes insufficient due to some factor, the one-way clutch (40) is not used.
4) Sliding rotation in the forward direction and the adhesive layer (90
By the optical fiber drawing action accompanying the holding action of the optical fiber (1) of 1), the following wiring can be continued without interruption.

Further, in this case, when wiring with a curved pattern as shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the feeding of the optical fiber (700) by the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (403) is performed in a corresponding wiring pattern. May be slightly larger than that of each unit movement command. In the case of such a configuration, the wiring head (83
5) Optical fiber (700) due to tension caused by movement
When the pull-out operation of the optical fiber (700) works, the occurrence of the deviation of the optical fiber (700) to be wired from the desired pattern due to the pull-out resistance as shown by the broken line in FIG. 12 is prevented without lowering the wiring speed. it can.

The radius of curvature of the flared portion of the wiring head (835) is usually about 3 mm. Therefore, in order to perform good wiring, it is necessary that the optical fiber (700) almost follows (extends along) the expanded portion of the wiring head (835) as shown in FIG. FIG.
Has a diameter .phi. Of 250 .mu.
FIG. 4 is a relationship diagram between the radius of curvature (mm) of the optical fiber of m and the optical fiber of φ = 125 μm, and the force (N) ((gf)) generated on the optical fiber at that time to push back the wiring head. Since the radius of curvature at the lower end of the wiring head (835) is about 3 mm, the optical fiber bent in this way overcomes the force of pushing back the wiring head, and the optical fiber to be wired is connected to the wiring substrate ( 900)
The pressing force G to be applied to the wiring head (835) must be at least 9.8 × 10 ^-2 (N) (10 (gf)) or more.

When a further optical fiber is to be laid over an already laid optical fiber such as a multi-wiring, if the pressing force of the wiring head (835) is too large, the wiring is already made. The resulting optical fiber is caught and the pattern is destroyed. FIG.
It shows the relationship between the pressing force of the wiring head (835) and the number of pattern breaks in multiple wiring. When the head pressing force is about 2.0 (N) (200 (gf)) or less,
No destruction of the pattern occurred in any case.

Further, in this case, in the case of going over an already laid optical fiber, the Z-axis actuator works to raise the wiring head (835) in order to keep the pressing force constant as the bending stress increases. This can reliably prevent the existing pattern from being broken or damaged. At this time, the pressing force of the wiring head (835) may be set to be smaller than that of the other wiring portions in the portion that goes over the existing optical fiber. In this case, the pressure on the already laid optical fiber can be made smaller, and the protection of the existing optical fiber can be made more reliable. Also,
The pressing force in the case of forming a bent pattern is made larger than that in the case of forming a non-bend pattern, and the optical fiber (70) of the substrate adhesive layer (901) is formed.
The holding force of 0) may be controlled to be larger. In this case, the wiring speed of the bent pattern may be made lower than the wiring speed of the unbent pattern. As a result, even if the wiring has a bent pattern, the wiring can be steadily made according to the pattern.

In any case, the pressing force of the wiring head (835) during the wiring operation is 9.8 × 10 ^-2 (N) or more and 2.0 (N) or less (10 (gf) or more and 200 or less). (Gf). Note that the wiring head (83
The application of the pressing force to 5) is performed by controlling the amount of current applied to the Z-axis actuator (820) of the wiring mechanism (801).

Next, the operation of the optical fiber wiring device (105) having the above configuration will be described. Here, it is assumed that an optical wiring board as shown in FIG. 15 is created.
That is, it is an optical wiring board having an optical fiber (700) in a free state of a predetermined length outside the opposite side of the wiring substrate (900).

As shown in FIG. 7, the wiring board (900) is set at a predetermined position on the table (101). And
With the point B as a wiring start point, wiring is sequentially performed between BC, DE,..., And furthermore, an optical wiring board is provided so that a free optical fiber of a predetermined length is provided at both ends of each wiring. Shall be created.

First, the manipulator (301) is moved to position the wiring head (835) of the wiring mechanism (801) at the position of the point A immediately above the pit (102) close to the wiring start point B. At this time, the feed motor (401) and the electromagnetic slider (406) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) shown in FIG. 8 and the like are in a non-excited state. For this reason, the feed roller (232) does not rotate, especially in the reverse direction (the direction in which the optical fiber is fed upward) does not rotate by the one-way clutch (404), and the driven roller (403) does not rotate by the spring (not shown). The fiber (700) is fed to the feed roller (40).
2), these feed rollers (40
2) and the driven roller (403) serve here as a stopper for the optical fiber (700). Therefore, when the manipulator (301) in FIG. 7 moves in a direction away from the optical fiber storage reel (440) as in this movement, the manipulator moves while pulling out the optical fiber (700) from the optical fiber reel (440). It will be. The optical fiber storage reel (440) shown in FIG.
In the optical fiber wiring device (105), a light-weight material such as paper is attached so as to be freely rotatable, so that the optical fiber (700) can be easily pulled out.

The wiring head (83) of the wiring mechanism (801)
When 5) is positioned at the point A, the feed motor (401) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) is excited to rotate the feed roller (402). Therefore, the optical fiber (700) sandwiched between the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (403) is pulled out from the optical fiber storage reel (440) and hangs down in the pit (102). Although not shown, an encoder is attached to the feed motor (231) so that the rotation amount of the feed motor can be managed. Therefore, the optical fiber (700)
, That is, the amount of droop can be controlled.

The optical fiber (70) in the pit (102)
0) reaches a predetermined value, the feed motor (40)
Stop the rotation of 1). And the manipulator (3
01) is slowly moved to position the wiring head (835) at the wiring start point B. At this time, the hanging optical fiber (700) also moves in the direction of the point B, but this optical fiber (700) temporarily stops at the side edge of the dropping hole (102) on the wiring board (900) side. 103) and is temporarily fixed. When the wiring head (835) is positioned at the point B, the Z-axis actuator (820) of the wiring mechanism (801) is driven to drive the wiring head (83).
5) is gradually lowered so that, at the position of the point B, the height thereof becomes an appropriate wiring height h (see FIG. 11), and the pressing force thereof becomes an appropriate value. Further, in this case, the feed motor (401) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) is stopped, but the feed roller (402 (see FIG. 8)) moves the optical fiber (700) downward. Is configured to be freely rotatable, so that even if a shortage occurs in the temporarily fixed optical fiber (700), the shortage can be pulled out from the optical fiber storage reel (440). Has become.

Since the above operation is performed in the process of reaching the point B, when the wiring head (835) is positioned on the point B, the optical fiber below the wiring head (835) is connected to the point B. is there. In this state, wiring between BCs is started. The wiring trajectory between the BCs (that is, the manipulator (30
Since the movement trajectory of 1) is known and programmed in advance, the combination of unit movements necessary for wiring between the BCs and the length of the optical fiber required for each unit movement must also be calculated. Can be. Therefore, in this optical fiber wiring device (105),
The manipulator (30) is rotated while sequentially rotating the feed motor (401) of the optical fiber feed mechanism according to the required amount.
1) is sequentially moved along the wiring trace. During the wiring operation, the wiring head (83
The height and pressing force of 5) are maintained at the appropriate values shown above.

When the wiring head (835) reaches the point C, the wiring head (835) is moved as it is to a position on an adjacent pit (the pit 102 opposite to the pit).
Then, at this position, the feed motor (401) of the optical fiber feed mechanism is driven, and the optical fiber (700) having a predetermined length is drooped into the hole (102).

When the optical fiber (700) is pulled out by a required length, the operation proceeds to the wiring operation between DEs. The wiring operation between DEs is almost the same as the wiring operation between BCs described above except that the direction is reversed. That is, the optical fiber (700) is moved at a slow speed from the pit 102 where the optical fiber (700) hangs down to the point D, and the wiring head (835) is moved so that the height and the pressing force at the point D are appropriate. The optical fiber (700) hung in the pit (102) is temporarily fixed to the temporary fixing portion (103), and is reliably positioned at the wiring start point D. In this state, the manipulator (301) is moved along the wiring traces D to E, and the wiring operation between DEs is completed.

As described above, when all the wirings are completed on the wiring board (900) according to the program created in advance, the wiring head (835) is placed immediately above the pit (102) close to the end point. ). Then, the feed motor (401) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) is rotated to create the last optical fiber hanging state in the pit (102). Next, the electromagnetic slide (510) of the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) provided on the wiring head (835) is operated to cut and drop the optical fiber (700), and the optical fiber wiring is Complete. At this time, for the next wiring work, the Z-axis actuator (820) of the manipulator (301) is used.
(See FIG. 9)) to raise the wiring head (835) to the uppermost position, rotate the feed motor (401), and feed the optical fiber (700) for the next wiring to the wiring head. (835).

In the above-described second embodiment, the method of continuously performing each wiring (in a state where the optical fibers hanging down in the respective pits (102) are connected) has been described. Pitfalls corresponding to each line operation (102)
The optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) may be operated at the upper position to separate them. By doing in this way, after completion of the wiring work, it is possible to omit the work of cutting the connected optical fiber (700) of each hanging part which must be performed by the operator.

As for the wiring board (900) for which the wiring work has been completed, as shown in FIG. The core tape is an optical fiber (910). Then, a multi-core connector (920) is connected to the tip,
Complete the optical wiring board.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The optical fiber wiring device shown in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The main difference between the optical fiber wiring device (106) shown in the present embodiment and the optical fiber wiring device (105) shown in the second embodiment is as follows. The optical fiber cutting mechanism (500), the optical fiber feeding mechanism (408), and the optical fiber reel (4) stocking the optical fiber (700).
40) is provided on the relay member holder (313), and the relay member holder (313) is provided on the cover (312) of the manipulator (301). The driven roller (403) of the optical fiber feed mechanism (408) is separated from the feed roller (402) by the electromagnetic slider (406) during the wiring operation, that is, the optical fiber (700) during the wiring operation. ) To the wiring head (835) is at a point due to the tension of the optical fiber wired to the wiring substrate (900). The details will be described below.

The relay member holder (313) is mounted on the cover (312) of the manipulator (301). Then, an optical fiber cutting mechanism (50
0), an optical fiber feeding mechanism (408) is formed. An optical fiber reel (440) is attached to the rear end of the relay member holder (313). That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the optical fiber (700) from the optical fiber reel (440) is supplied to the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (403) of the optical fiber feed mechanism, and the light of the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500). It is configured to be fed into the wiring head (835) via the fiber passage.

At the start of the wiring operation, the operator pulls out the optical fiber (700) from the optical fiber reel (440), and connects the optical fiber via the optical fiber feeding mechanism (408) and the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500). It is inserted into the head (835). Then, the wiring head (835) is positioned on the pit (102) near the wiring start point,
By rotating the feed motor (401), the optical fiber (70
0) is dropped by a predetermined amount into the pit (102).

Then, the feed motor (401) is stopped, moved toward the wiring start point and positioned, and then the wiring head (835) is set at an appropriate height and pressing force.
For this reason, at the wiring start point, the optical fiber (700) is in a state of being pressed against the wiring substrate (900).
0) is in a state of being held by a sufficient holding force.

Next, the driven roller (403) of the optical fiber feeding mechanism (408) is separated from the feeding roller (402) by the electromagnetic slider (406). That is, the feed roller (402) and the driven roller (403) are unrelated to the feeding of the optical fiber (700) at this point. In this state, the manipulator (301) is moved according to a predetermined wiring trace to perform a wiring operation.

As described above, in the optical fiber wiring device (106), the optical fiber feeding mechanism is deactivated during wiring. In this way, during wiring work,
In this optical fiber wiring apparatus (105) that does not feed the optical fiber (700), the wiring head (835)
The optical fiber pressing force of the optical fiber wiring device shown in the second embodiment is made larger within an appropriate range,
The holding power of the wired optical fiber (700) to the substrate (900) is increased, and the wiring speed of the curved pattern is reduced so that a stable wiring is performed.

In both the second and third embodiments, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence or the amount of the optical fiber (700) stored in the optical fiber reel (440) is provided.
If the optical fiber (700) runs out or there is not enough optical fiber to complete the next wiring, a warning means may be provided to notify the operator of the fact. Furthermore, in the optical fiber wiring device shown in each of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which the optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) is configured by a cutter, but the present invention is not limited to this, and fiber optics using commercially available ultrasonic waves may be used. It is also possible to use Lever (FK11 manufactured by York Corporation). Further, in order to manufacture an optical wiring board having free optical fibers of a predetermined length outside the substrate, in the second and third embodiments described above, the table is provided with a pit for retracting the optical fibers. Although an example has been shown, the manipulator may be configured to be movable outside the substrate, and an optical fiber of a predetermined length may be sent out outside the substrate. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a substrate having an adhesive layer on the surface is used as the wiring substrate of the optical fiber. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following methods may be employed. a) In an optical fiber wiring device, an adhesive application device is provided near a wiring head, and when the optical fiber to be wired is wired, the adhesive is applied to the wiring substrate. Method). b) A configuration in which an adhesive is previously applied to the optical fiber itself to be wired. In this case, it is desirable to use a pressure-sensitive adhesive that generates an appropriate pressure when a proper pressing force is applied.

[0077]

As described above, in the conventional optical fiber wiring apparatus, the accuracy of the wiring pattern at the bent portion is reduced, or a series of cutting and wiring when wiring multiple optical fibers is performed. The work could not be automated. In the present invention, by making the tension at the time of wiring almost zero using the automatic feeding mechanism of the optical fiber, the curved portion can be wired according to the design pattern. Further, by mounting an optical fiber cutting mechanism, a Z-axis rotation mechanism, and the like on the manipulator, a series of wiring operations can be automated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration and a structure of an optical fiber wiring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration and structure of a wiring mechanism of the optical fiber wiring device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration and a structure of a main part of the optical fiber wiring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a configuration and a structure of an optical fiber cutting mechanism of the optical fiber wiring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration and structure of the wiring head of the optical fiber wiring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the operation during wiring.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a wiring head in a wiring operation of the optical fiber wiring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical fiber wiring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a manipulator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a configuration of a manipulator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an optical fiber cutting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a principle of wiring an optical fiber according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating wiring of a curved pattern.

FIG. 13 is a relationship diagram between a bending stress and a radius of curvature of an optical fiber.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the pressing force of the wiring head and the wiring quality.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an example of an optical wiring board produced according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a manipulator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 105, 106: Optical fiber wiring device 300, 301: Manipulator 400, 408: Optical fiber feeding mechanism 500: Optical fiber cutting mechanism 600: Z axis rotation mechanism 700: Optical fiber 800, 801: Wiring mechanism 90
0: Wiring board

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Sasaki 503-110 Shinanomachi, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Graphtec Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mamoru Hirayama 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Koichi Arishima 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Date Within the Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (31)

[Claims] A substrate (90) having an adhesive layer (901) formed thereon.
0) An optical fiber wiring apparatus (100) for laying an optical fiber (700) on the substrate, the optical fiber wiring apparatus (100) being movably arranged on a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, and being provided on the substrate. A manipulator (300) for performing a laying operation, wherein the manipulator feeds the optical fiber and an optical fiber feeding mechanism (400); and a wiring for feeding the optical fiber sent from the optical fiber feeding mechanism onto the substrate. A mechanism (800); a Z-axis rotating mechanism (600) that changes the direction of the wiring of the wiring mechanism by rotating about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; An optical fiber cutting mechanism (500) for cutting the optical fiber. 2. The wiring mechanism further comprises a wiring plunger (810) arranged movably in a direction approaching or separating from the substrate and pressing the optical fiber against the substrate while guiding the optical fiber in a predetermined direction. The optical fiber feeding mechanism and the wiring plunger are Z
2. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber wiring device is arranged so as to be spaced apart in the axial direction and is simultaneously rotatable by the Z-axis rotating mechanism. 3. An optical fiber feeding mechanism, wherein the optical fiber feeding mechanism is rotatably driven by a driving device (410) to send out the optical fiber, and detects a deflection amount of the optical fiber fed from the feeding reel. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 1, further comprising: a flexure sensor (430); and a drive circuit that controls an operation of the drive device based on a detection signal from the flexure sensor. 4. An optical fiber cutting mechanism comprising: an optical fiber passage 2 (711) through which the optical fiber is inserted; a cutter (511) movably arranged in a direction crossing the optical fiber passage 2; 2. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic slider for instantly moving a cutter in a direction crossing the optical fiber passage. 5. A wiring plunger (810), wherein the wiring mechanism is movably disposed in a direction toward or away from the substrate so as to press the optical fiber against the substrate.
The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 1, further comprising a Z-axis actuator (820) for controlling movement of the wiring plunger. 6. A wiring head (830) for pressing the optical fiber against the substrate by the wiring plunger, and a rotation reference sensor (840) for detecting rotation of the wiring plunger by the Z-axis rotation mechanism. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 2, wherein the optical fiber wiring device is provided. 7. A holding groove (832) for holding the optical fiber in a state where the optical fiber is bent to a certain degree with respect to the surface of the substrate and guiding the optical fiber to be pressed against the substrate; Guide groove (8
The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 6, further comprising (31). 8. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 7, wherein the holding groove is formed so as to be shallow and narrow toward the tip of the wiring head. 9. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 7, wherein the pressing groove is formed with a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of the optical fiber at which the optical fiber breaks. 10. The optical fiber wiring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a tip of said wiring head is located at a rotation center of said wiring plunger rotated by said Z-axis rotating mechanism. 11. The wiring head according to claim 6, wherein the entire wiring head or at least a portion in contact with the optical fiber is made of a material having a smaller coefficient of friction than the optical fiber. Optical fiber wiring equipment. 12. A wiring method for laying an optical fiber on a substrate on which an adhesive layer is formed, wherein the optical fiber is fed by an optical fiber feeding mechanism so that the tension of the optical fiber is within a certain range. Adjusting the optical fiber, the optical fiber sent from the optical fiber feeding mechanism is wired on the substrate by a wiring mechanism, and the optical fiber is cut by a predetermined length by an optical fiber cutting means. Fiber wiring method. 13. A manipulator movably disposed on a plane substantially parallel to a surface of a substrate on which an adhesive layer is formed, wherein the manipulator is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate by a Z-axis rotation mechanism. An optical fiber, comprising: a wiring plunger disposed so as to be movable in a direction to approach or separate from the substrate, and a holding groove for guiding the optical fiber and pressing the optical fiber against the substrate is provided at a tip of the wiring plunger. An optical fiber wiring method using a wiring device, wherein at the start of wiring, the manipulator is moved to a wiring start position, and a holding groove of the wiring plunger is directed in a tangential direction of a wiring pattern. Abutting the tip of the optical fiber on the substrate, moving the manipulator forward while bringing the wiring plunger close to the substrate, sandwiching the optical fiber in the holding groove Nde pressed against the substrate, an optical fiber wiring method of starting the wiring. 14. The optical fiber tension is detected based on a deflection amount of the optical fiber measured by a deflection sensor, and the optical fiber feed mechanism is configured to detect the optical fiber so that the optical fiber always has a predetermined deflection. 14. The optical fiber wiring method according to claim 12, wherein the optical fiber is sent out. 15. A movement of the wiring plunger in a direction approaching or separating from the substrate by a Z-axis actuator, and at the time of wiring, adjusting a pressure for pressing the optical fiber against the substrate by the wiring plunger. 14. The optical fiber wiring method according to claim 12, wherein the wiring plunger is separated from the substrate except for the wiring operation. 16. A table (101) having a pit (102) formed thereon, a wiring board (900) placed near the pit in the table, and a relatively XY direction on the table. A manipulator for laying the optical fiber on the wiring board in a manner to be movably supported and dropping a part of the optical fiber into the pit, and an optical fiber, Wiring equipment. 17. A temporary fixing portion (103) for adhering and temporarily fixing an optical fiber to an edge portion on a side on which the wiring board is mounted, wherein the drop hole is a through hole, The drooping optical fiber is configured to hang down, and further, when the manipulator moves on the wiring board for the hanging down optical fiber to perform wiring, the hanging down optical fiber is temporarily fixed at the temporary fixing portion. 17. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 16, wherein: 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a contact portion of the pit with the optical fiber is processed smoothly.
An optical fiber wiring device as described in the above. 19. A manipulator for holding a wiring head having an optical fiber guide for guiding an optical fiber,
Wiring command means for issuing a command to the manipulator according to a desired wiring pattern, and under the command of the wiring command means, the wiring head is brought closer to the wiring substrate to thereby control the optical fiber guide. In an optical fiber wiring apparatus configured to perform an optical fiber wiring operation of a desired pattern by relatively moving in an XY direction while an optical fiber is in contact with the wiring board, the manipulator is An optical fiber feeding mechanism for sequentially feeding the optical fiber into the optical fiber guide of the wiring head during the wiring operation in accordance with a command from the wiring commanding means. 20. The wiring head has an optical fiber passage whose lower end smoothly expands outward and guides an optical fiber to be wired inside the wiring head. An optical fiber fed into the optical fiber passage of the wiring head by moving the optical fiber in the optical fiber passage relatively close to the wiring substrate in the X and Y directions with the optical fiber in contact with the wiring substrate. 20. The optical fiber wiring apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the optical fiber wiring apparatus is configured to draw out the optical fiber wiring in a desired pattern. 21. The optical fiber feeding mechanism includes a reverse rotation preventing mechanism that prevents reverse feeding of the optical fiber and that can pull out the optical fiber in a forward direction without resistance. Item 20. An optical fiber wiring device according to item 19. 22. A manipulator for holding a wiring head having an optical fiber guide for guiding an optical fiber;
Wiring command means for issuing a command to the manipulator according to a desired wiring pattern, and under the command of the wiring command means, the wiring head is brought closer to the wiring substrate to thereby control the optical fiber guide. In a state where the optical fiber is in contact with the wiring substrate, the wiring operation of the optical fiber having a desired pattern is performed by relatively moving in the XY directions, and when the wiring operation is completed, An optical fiber wiring device configured to cut an optical fiber relating to wiring by using a cutter, wherein the cutter is obtained by processing a cylindrical distal end portion with an edge blade. . 23. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 22, wherein the cutter is a punch cutter. 24. A wiring head having an optical fiber guide for guiding an optical fiber is brought closer to the wiring substrate, and the optical fiber of the optical fiber guide is brought into contact with the wiring substrate, and is relatively XY. An optical fiber wiring apparatus configured to perform an optical fiber wiring of a desired pattern by performing a wiring operation of moving the optical fiber in the direction, wherein the wiring head contacts the optical fiber with the wiring substrate. Pressing force is 9.8 × 10 ^-2 (N) or more 2.0
(N) or less (10 (gf) or more and 200 (gf) or less). 25. When a new optical fiber is laid over an already laid optical fiber, the pressing force of the wiring head at the crossed portion is within the above range and the pressing force at a portion other than the crossed portion. 25. The optical fiber wiring device according to claim 24, wherein the value is equal to or lower than the value. 26. When wiring is performed along a bent pattern, the pressing force of the wiring head at the bent portion is increased within the range from the pressing force at portions other than the bent portion, and the bent portion is formed. 25. The optical fiber wiring apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the wiring speed is smaller than the wiring speed other than the bent portion. 27. A wiring board, and a wiring head that presses an optical fiber against the wiring board with a predetermined pressure, and relatively moves the wiring board and the wiring head in the XY directions. In the optical fiber wiring apparatus for laying an optical fiber pressed by the wiring head on the wiring substrate to form a desired wiring pattern by the optical fiber, during the wiring work, An optical fiber wiring device comprising an optical fiber feeding mechanism for feeding an optical fiber toward the wiring head. 28. The wiring head and the optical fiber feeding mechanism are mounted on a manipulator, and the manipulator and the wiring substrate are sequentially moved relatively in the X and Y directions to form a desired wiring pattern. Claim 27
An optical fiber wiring device as described in the above. 29. A manipulator holding a wiring head having an optical fiber guide for guiding an optical fiber,
Wiring command means for issuing a command to the manipulator in accordance with a desired wiring pattern, and, under the command of the wiring command means, approaching the wiring head to the wiring substrate to thereby adjust the optical fiber guide. In an optical fiber wiring apparatus configured so that an optical fiber is wired in a desired pattern by relatively moving the optical fiber in the X and Y directions while being in contact with the wiring substrate, the manipulator includes a cloth An optical fiber feeding mechanism for sequentially feeding the optical fiber into the optical fiber guide of the wiring head in accordance with a command of the wiring command means during the wire work; The optical fiber fed into the fiber guide is drawn out by relative movement between the wiring board and the wiring board to form an optical fiber wiring in a desired pattern. Optical fiber wiring apparatus according to claim. 30. A wiring board, a wiring head for pressing an optical fiber against the wiring board with a predetermined pressure, and an optical fiber feeding mechanism for feeding a stock optical fiber, wherein the wiring board and the cloth An optical fiber wiring method using an optical fiber wiring apparatus for forming a wiring pattern of a desired optical fiber on the wiring substrate by relatively moving the wiring head in the X and Y directions. Operate the optical fiber feeding mechanism so that a free optical fiber of a predetermined length is sent out of the wiring board, using the wiring head to send out the end of the optical fiber sent out of the wiring substrate outside. Pressing the wiring board with a predetermined pressure, relatively moving the wiring board and the wiring head within the range of the wiring board, and wiring pattern of a desired optical fiber on the wiring board. To create Optical fiber wiring method characterized by fabricating the optical wiring board having a free optical fiber having a predetermined length to be connected to the outer line substrate to the wiring pattern. 31. After the completion of the wiring of the optical fiber onto the wiring board, the optical fiber feeding mechanism is operated so as to send out a free optical fiber of a predetermined length to the outside of the wiring board. 31. The optical fiber wiring method according to claim 30, wherein a free optical fiber having a predetermined length is provided before and after the wiring pattern on the wiring substrate.