JP3256533B2 - Light switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an optical scan switch which has a connector table in which a plurality of connectors are arranged in a matrix and is connected to a master connector which can be moved two-dimensionally ("C-449 10-fiber batch 1 ×"). 1000 Optical Scan Switch ”, IEICE Spring National Convention (198
9), p. 4-238).

[0003]

However, in the conventional connector table, a large number of connectors are physically arranged to form a two-dimensional array of optical fibers. Therefore, accuracy between optical fibers held by different connectors is high. There is a drawback that they are not well arranged and cannot be accurately connected to the optical fibers held by the master connector.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical switch having a high positional accuracy of an optical fiber.

[0005]

An optical switch according to the present invention comprises:
A fiber having an optical fiber arrangement member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, and having a plurality of first optical fibers arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers. An array member;
A transport mechanism that transports at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member, and the fiber array member includes the first optical fiber. A substrate divided into a part in which a plurality of fiber fixing grooves to be fixed are formed on the upper surface and a part in which a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber is formed, a first optical fiber fixed in the fiber fixing groove, And, the first optical fiber is constituted by a cover plate joined in a surface contact state to the substrate above the fiber fixing groove to which the first optical fiber is fixed, the fiber fixing groove, and the fiber introduction groove, the front end is formed at an acute angle. It has a V-shaped cross section formed by grinding with the formed cutter, and each of the divided substrates has a guide means serving as a reference for positioning and joining each other. In the substrate on the fiber fixing groove side, the joining end face on the side to which the substrate on the fiber introducing groove side is joined is formed at right angles to the fiber fixing groove, and the plurality of first optical fibers have respective end faces. Are fixed in the fiber fixing grooves so as to coincide with the joining end faces, the matching portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is filled with the matching oil, and the transport mechanism is arranged at the tip of the second optical fiber. Is rotated with respect to the base end side so that the distal end of the second optical fiber is introduced while being in contact with the fiber introduction groove in an inclined state.

Further, the switch of the present invention includes an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, and is arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber array member having a plurality of first optical fibers, and a conveyor for conveying at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member. With a mechanism, the fiber array member, the substrate having a plurality of fiber fixing grooves for fixing the first optical fiber and a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber formed on the upper surface, fixed in the fiber fixing groove A first optical fiber, and a cover plate joined to the substrate in a surface contact state on an upper part of the fiber fixing groove in which the first optical fiber is fixed. Cage, fiber fixing grooves, and the fiber introducing grooves, which front end has a V-shaped cross section formed by being ground by a cutter formed at an acute angle,
The plurality of fiber fixing grooves and the fiber introduction grooves are integrally formed through a slit formed on the substrate so as to be perpendicular to the fiber fixing groove, and the plurality of first optical fibers Are fixed in the fiber fixing grooves so that each end face is aligned with the fiber fixing groove side inner surface of the slit, and the connecting portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is filled with matching oil, and is conveyed. The mechanism is configured to rotate the distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to the proximal end side and to introduce the distal end portion of the second optical fiber while contacting the distal end portion of the second optical fiber in an inclined state with respect to the fiber introduction groove. Features.

The optical switch of the present invention includes an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers,
A fiber array member having a plurality of first optical fibers arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers, and at least one or more connected to the first optical fiber A transport mechanism that transports the second optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member, and the fiber array member is
A substrate divided into a part in which a plurality of fiber fixing holes for fixing the first optical fiber are formed and a part in which a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber is formed, and a substrate fixed in the fiber fixing hole. One optical fiber, and a cover plate joined to the upper surface of the fiber fixing groove to which the first optical fiber is fixed in a surface-contact state with the substrate, and each divided substrate is positioned and joined to each other. The bonding end face of the substrate on the fiber fixing hole side on the side where the substrate on the fiber introduction groove side is bonded is formed at a right angle to the fiber fixing hole. The first optical fiber is fixed in the fiber fixing hole with each end face coinciding with the joint end face, and a matching oil is provided at a connection portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. It is filled, so that the transport mechanism rotates the distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to the base end side so that the distal end of the second optical fiber is in contact with the fiber introduction groove in an inclined state and introduced. It is characterized by being constituted.

The optical switch according to the present invention comprises an optical switch provided with an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, wherein a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel. A fiber array member having a plurality of first optical fibers arranged in a, and at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member. A transport mechanism for transporting, the fiber array member has a plurality of fiber fixing holes for fixing the first optical fiber and a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber, a substrate formed on the upper surface, and fixed in the fiber fixing hole. The first optical fiber that has been fixed, and a cover plate that is joined to the substrate in a surface-contact state above the fiber fixing groove in which the first optical fiber is fixed. The plurality of fiber fixing holes and the fiber introduction grooves are formed integrally via a slit formed on the substrate so as to be perpendicular to the fiber fixing holes. The plurality of first optical fibers are respectively fixed in the fiber fixing holes so that each end face matches the inner surface of the slit on the fiber fixing hole side,
Matching oil is filled in a connection portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, and the transport mechanism rotates the distal end of the second optical fiber by rotating the distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to the base end side. The fiber introduction groove is configured to be introduced while being in contact with the fiber introduction groove in an inclined state.

In the case where the optical switch has a slit, a plurality of the first optical fibers are fixed with an adhesive, and the end of the optical fiber is ground together with the side wall of the slit. It is preferable that the slit divides a groove formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove.

[0010] Further, here, a storage member is further provided,
It is preferable that the storage member is stored together with the matching oil.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the optical switch shown as the first embodiment. As shown, the optical switch according to the present embodiment includes a substrate 1, an optical fiber (first optical fiber) 2, a cover plate 3, and a fiber introduction groove 1h.
And a transport mechanism 5. Here, the substrate 1, the optical fiber 2, and the cover plate 3 are components of one fiber array unit A, and a plurality of the fiber array units A are laminated (for example, 12 stages) to form a fiber arrangement member.

Here, on the upper surface of the substrate 1, a large number (for example, 80) of fiber fixing grooves (hereinafter referred to as first V-grooves) 1g at a constant pitch interval (for example, 0.25 mm) from the reference end face R.
(Shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Since the substrate 1 is formed of a semiconductor material such as silicon and has the same shape and size, the distances from the reference end face R of the substrate 1 to the individual first V-grooves 1g all correspond to each other. 1
Are the same.

One first optical fiber 2 supplied from the optical cable C is partially inserted into each first V-groove 1g. Therefore, a region in which the first optical fiber 2 is not inserted is formed in front of the end 2a of the first optical fiber 2, and this region functions as a fiber introduction groove (hereinafter, referred to as a second V groove) 1h. Further, since each first optical fiber 2 is inscribed in the bottom side wall of the V-groove, and this state is held by an adhesive, the first optical fiber 2
The distance to all is the same.

A cover plate 3 made of silicon is joined to the upper surface of the substrate 1 to protect the first optical fiber 2 fixed in the first V-groove 1g. Since the cover plate 3 is bonded to the substrate 1 with the end of the first optical fiber 2 exposed, no problem occurs in connection with the second optical fiber 6.
In addition, the first optical fiber 2 is sufficient for the first optical fiber 2.
Is fixed to the bottom of a V-groove large enough to be embedded, so that the cover plate 3 is joined to the upper surface of the substrate 1 in a state close to surface contact. Therefore, the shapes of the fiber array units A joined to the substrate 1 are all the same. For example, the distance of the tenth optical fiber counted from the reference end face R of the substrate 1 is the same for all the fiber array units A. .

In the present embodiment, since the plurality of fiber array units A are stacked with the reference end faces R aligned, the distance from the reference end face R of any first optical fiber 2 having the same order from the reference end face R is: It is the same. Such a plurality of identical substrates form a plurality of V-grooves with a diamond cutter or the like along the longitudinal direction of one elongated substrate,
The substrate can be easily manufactured by cutting the substrate from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, it can be manufactured with high accuracy by a photo-etching technique.

Further, the spacing of the optical fibers in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 1 varies depending on the thickness of the material to be used. However, when a semiconductor such as a silicon wafer is used, the variation is united in lot units. Since it can be controlled at about 1 μm, there is no problem in practical use.

A transport mechanism 5 is disposed in front of the optical fiber arrangement member. The transport mechanism 5 includes two linear guide rails 5a extending in the X direction, two linear guide bearings 5b movable along the linear guide rails 5a in the X direction, and these linear guide bearings. 5b, a linear guide rail 5c that is arranged extending in the Y direction, a linear guide bearing 5d movable in the Y direction along the linear guide rail 5c, and an optical fiber (second light) fixed to the linear guide bearing 5d. A rotating plate 5e for rotating the end of the fiber 6 along the YZ plane is provided. A power transmission mechanism using a ball screw or the like is provided in each axial direction (not shown). Therefore, the second optical fiber 6 can be transported to an arbitrary first V groove 1g. The two linear guide rails 5a are fixed to a moving device (not shown) that can move in the Z direction, and the optical switch is stored in a rectangular storage member 7. By putting matching oil into the housing member 7 or by depositing an anti-reflection film on the coupling end faces of the first and second optical fibers 2 and 6, optical characteristics (switching loss, Reflection loss, etc.).

Hereinafter, an optical fiber connection method using the optical switch according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the optical switch according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a connection state of an optical fiber. FIG. 3 clearly shows the positional relationship between the first V-groove 1g and the second V-groove 1h, which are the same V-groove formed on the upper surface of the substrate 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end 6a of the second optical fiber 6 is kept horizontal by the rotating plate 5e. In this state, the transport mechanism 5 is driven, and the end 6a of the optical fiber 6 approaches the predetermined first V groove 1g. After that, the end 6a of the second optical fiber 6 is disposed immediately above the second V-groove 1h formed by a part of the V-groove that fixes the first optical fiber 2 to which the second optical fiber 6 is connected ( (See FIG. 2).
In this case, the positional accuracy is eased by the opening width of the V-groove on the upper surface of the substrate 1, so that the alignment is easy. For example, when V-grooves are formed adjacent to each other at a pitch of 0.25 mm, the transport mechanism 5 is driven so that the center of the core of the second optical fiber 6 is located within the opening width (0.25 mm) of the V-groove. do it.

Next, the end 6a of the optical fiber 6 is engaged with the second V-groove 1h by rotating the rotating plate 5e counterclockwise (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1) (see FIG. 3). Since the optical fiber 6 comes into contact with the second V-groove 1h while being inclined, a reaction force due to elastic deformation of the optical fiber acts on the tip of the optical fiber 6. As a result, the end 6a of the second optical fiber 6 curves along the groove, and the above-described reaction force acts as a bonding force between the V-groove and the second optical fiber 6. Note that a mechanism in which the rotation mechanism is omitted is also conceivable. The same curvature can be given by previously fixing the optical fiber 6 obliquely downward and moving the linear guide bearing 5d in the Y direction.

Then, the moving device of the transport mechanism 5 is driven to move the second optical fiber 6 in the Z direction, and the end 6 a of the second optical fiber 6 is abutted against the end 2 a of the first optical fiber 2. By the above operation, the second optical fiber 6 can be optically coupled to an arbitrary first optical fiber 2.

As described above, according to the optical switch according to the present embodiment, the positioning of the second optical fiber 6 can be made rough, so that the positioning becomes easy. Further, since the connector ferrule is not used, the fiber array unit A becomes compact, and the apparatus can be downsized as a whole.

Next, an optical fiber array member according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the optical fiber array member shown as the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the manufacturing process of the optical fiber array member according to the present embodiment.

First, a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member will be described. First, one Si substrate 1 is prepared. next,
Using a diamond cutter whose tip is formed at an acute angle,
In order to form the fiber fixing portion 1j, four first V grooves (fiber fixing grooves) 1g are ground at a constant pitch.
The depth of the first V-groove 1 g is determined in consideration of the outer diameter of the first optical fiber 2.

Next, four first optical fibers 2 are inserted into the four first V-grooves, and are fixed with an adhesive 8 (FIG. 5A).
In this case, the end of the first optical fiber 2 is arranged in the middle of the first V-groove 1 g so as not to reach the end face 1 e of the substrate 1. Therefore, the first optical fiber 2 is provided in the first V-groove 1g.
There is a case where a part of the adhesive 8 is not fixed, and a part of the adhesive 8 adheres to the first V-groove 1 g in front of the end of the first optical fiber 2.

Next, the end of the first optical fiber 2 and the upper surface of the substrate 1 are ground with a diamond blade D (shown in FIG. 4) from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first V-groove 1g.
As a result, a slit S that bisects the plurality of first V-grooves 1g is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 1 (FIG. 5B). And
V-grooves 1g of the first and second grooves located on both sides of the slit S,
The extension lines of 1h coincide with each other.

As a result of this grinding, the irregularity of the end of the first optical fiber 2 is absorbed by the cutting width of the diamond blade D, so that the end face positions of the first optical fiber 2 can be aligned with high accuracy. The useless adhesive 8 (FIG. 5A) in the first V-groove 1g attached to the front of the end of one optical fiber 2 is removed.

Although the above embodiment shows an example in which a single fiber fixing portion 1j is formed on the substrate 1, a plurality of fiber fixing portions 1j may be provided. For example, M fiber fixing portions 1j each composed of N first V-grooves 1g are arranged in the same direction, and N fibers supplied from the N-core tape-shaped optical fiber core to each fiber fixing portion 1j. , And a structure in which M tape-shaped optical fibers are connected to one substrate.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a fixed side matrix board of an optical switch using an optical fiber array member shown as a third embodiment. The optical fiber arrangement member used here is a fiber fixing portion 1j formed by four V-grooves.
Are formed at five places. In the matrix board M, the cover plate 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the optical fiber array member to form the fiber array unit A, and the fiber array unit A is laminated in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the optical fiber array member. Matrix board M
Is composed. Therefore, the end surface 1e of the substrate 1 and the end of the first V-groove 1g are exposed at the front of the matrix board M.

Next, the connection operation of the optical fiber using the matrix board M will be described. Also in the present embodiment, the connection operation of the optical fiber can be performed using the same transport means as the transport function in the first embodiment.
In this case, the second optical fiber (master optical fiber) 6
When approaching the second V-groove 1h exposed from the substrate 1, the end of the second optical fiber 6 engages with the second V-groove 1h. Next, the robot hand is driven to cut the second optical fiber 6 into the slit S.
Toward the second V-groove 1h along the longitudinal direction. The extension of the second V-groove 1h coincides with the extension of the first V-groove 1g.
Is fixed, the second optical fiber 6 is securely connected to the optical fiber 2.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment,
Since the second optical fibers 6 are arranged without using a connector, high-density mounting is possible. In the past, since the connectors were arranged in units of multi-core connectors, there was a lot of useless space in the case of integration. For example, since a guide pin or the like is used for coupling each connector to the master-side connector, a space for providing a guide hole is required, which hinders miniaturization.
Although the guide pins are not used in the present embodiment, the positioning and coupling are performed for each conventional connector unit, so that the function as an optical switch can be sufficiently performed. Further, since the optical fibers are arranged without using a connector, it is possible to apply a method other than the connector alignment coupling as in the conventional device.

FIG. 7 is a process chart of a method of manufacturing an optical fiber array member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a V-groove substrate on which a lower groove has been formed before slitting with a diamond blade is used.
That is, the substrate 1 on which the lower groove G is formed is prepared, and the first optical fiber 2 is inserted into the V-groove (FIG. 1A). Next, the adhesive 8 is attached to the first optical fiber 2. In this case, since the excess adhesive 8 flows out into the lower groove G, the outflow area of the adhesive 8 on the substrate 1 can be limited (FIG. 2B). After that, the end face of the first optical fiber 2 is cut along the lower groove G using a diamond blade slightly wider than the lower groove G to form a slit S (FIG. 3C). The manufacturing method according to this embodiment is particularly suitable when the optical fiber 2 is bonded and fixed using a low-viscosity adhesive.
This is effective in that the outflow area of the adhesive 8 can be reduced. Further, when the first optical fiber 2 is fixed, it is effective in that the alignment of the distal end becomes easy.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part of an optical fiber array member manufacturing process shown as a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an optical fiber array member according to the present embodiment.

First, a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member will be described with reference to FIG. First, one Si substrate 1 is prepared. Next, in order to form the fiber fixing portion 1j using a diamond cutter having a sharp tip,
One first V-groove (fiber fixing groove) 1g is ground at a constant pitch. The depth of the first V-groove 1 g is determined in consideration of the outer diameter of the first optical fiber 2.

Next, another first guide groove 9 for engaging the guide pin 10 is formed on both sides of the four first V grooves 1g. Since the outer diameter of the guide pin 10 is larger than that of the first optical fiber 2, the depth of the guide groove 9 is increased, and the shape of the guide groove 9 is increased as a whole.

Thereafter, one substrate is cut in a direction perpendicular to the first V-groove 1g and the guide groove 9, thereby dividing one substrate 1 into two. Since the groove was originally formed on one substrate 1, the two divided substrates 1A, 1
The first V groove 1g and the second V groove 1h and the first guide groove 9 and the second guide groove 9a of B completely correspond to each other.

Next, the first optical fiber 2 is placed on one of the substrates 1A.
Is fixed with an adhesive, and the guide pin 10 is fixed to the two substrates 1A,
The first and second guide grooves 9 and 9a of FIG. 1B are engaged (shown in FIG. 8). As described above, each first V-groove 1
g, second V-groove 1h, first guide groove 9, and second guide groove 9
Since a corresponds completely, if the first guide groove 9 and the second guide groove 9a coincide with each other by the guide pin 10, the first V groove 1g and the second V groove 1h necessarily coincide (FIG. 9). reference).

In the present embodiment, the first optical fiber 2 is fixed after dividing one substrate, but before the division,
The first optical fiber 2 may be fixed to half of the first V-groove 1g, and the substrate may be cut along with the ends of all the fixed optical fibers. In this case, it is possible to remove the adhesive adhered to the end of the optical fiber and correct the irregularity of the end face.

A plurality of fiber fixing portions 1j may be provided. For example, a fiber fixing portion 1j composed of four first V-grooves 1g is arranged in the same direction, and one fiber fixing portion 1j is provided for each fiber fixing portion 1j. Four optical fibers supplied from the four-core optical fiber ribbon may be fixed.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a fixed-side matrix board of an optical switch using an optical fiber array member shown as a sixth embodiment. The optical fiber arrangement member used here has five fiber fixing portions 1j formed by four first V-grooves 1g, and first guide grooves 9 formed on both sides thereof. In this matrix board M,
The cover plate 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the optical fiber array member to form the fiber array unit A, and the fiber array unit A is laminated in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the optical fiber array member to form the matrix board M. are doing. Therefore, the end surface of the substrate 1B is exposed at the front of the matrix board M.

Next, an operation of connecting an optical fiber using the matrix board M will be described. Also in the present embodiment, the connection operation of the optical fiber can be performed using the same transport means as the transport mechanism in the first embodiment.
In this case, the second optical fiber (master optical fiber) 6
It approaches the first V-groove 1h exposed from the substrate 1B, and the end of the second optical fiber is engaged with the second V-groove 1h. Next, the robot hand is driven to slide the master optical fiber along the longitudinal direction of the second V-groove 1h toward the substrate 1A joined to the substrate 1B. Since the substrate 1A and the substrate 1B are positioned with high precision, the second optical fiber 6 is securely connected to the first optical fiber 2 fixed to the substrate 1A.

Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, an optical fiber array member for fixing a plurality of first optical fibers is formed by a rectangular parallelepiped substrate 11 having a plurality of fiber fixing holes 11g. In this embodiment, a first optical fiber (not shown) is inserted into the fiber fixing hole 11g from one end (the right end in FIG. 11) of the substrate 11, and the end face of the fiber is changed to the end face 11 of the substrate 11.
e. A substrate having a fiber introduction groove for guiding the second optical fiber is disposed in front of the end surface 11e of the substrate 11 (left side in FIG. 11) (not shown).

To mold the optical fiber arrangement member, a molding pin having a small diameter for forming a fiber fixing hole 11g is arranged in a plastic molding die cavity (not shown). The outer diameter of the small-diameter forming pin is set to φ0.125 mm, which approximately matches the outer diameter of the optical fiber. After the mold cavity is filled with the epoxy resin material and cured, the molding pin having a small diameter is pulled out to obtain a fiber array member 12 having a plurality of fiber fixing holes 11g. The first optical fiber (not shown) may be inserted and fixed in the hole 11g.

Optical fiber array member 1 according to the above embodiment
Reference numeral 2 denotes a technique for manufacturing a multi-fiber optical connector in which a plurality of optical fibers are collectively engaged. The manufacturing technique can be performed by transfer molding using a thermosetting epoxy resin, for example.

Next, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

An optical fiber array member according to this embodiment has a substrate 13 (FIG. 1) having the same structure as the substrate 11 shown in FIG.
3 is schematically illustrated) with a cutting process. That is, in the present embodiment, the fiber fixing hole 11 shown in FIG.
A substrate 13 having the same structure as the substrate 11 having g is formed.
Subsequently, a cutting process is applied to the substrate 13 to cut a portion 15 surrounded by a dotted line T in FIG.
The optical fiber array member 16 shown in FIG. 2 is formed.

When cutting the substrate 13, first, the substrate 13 is cut into an L shape, and the upper half of the left side of the substrate 13 is cut off. Thereby, a semicircular fiber introduction groove 13h is formed on the left side from the middle of the substrate 13. Since the fiber fixing hole 13g exists on the right side from the middle of the substrate 13, the first optical fiber 2 is inserted into the fiber fixing hole 13g and fixed with an adhesive. In this case, it is preferable that the end 2a of the first optical fiber 2 slightly protrudes from the end face 13e of the substrate 13.

Subsequently, a corner portion where the end of the fiber fixing hole 13g is connected to the semicircular fiber introduction groove 13h is cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the fiber introduction groove 13h, and slits are formed. Form S. At the time of forming the slit S, the end faces 2a of the second optical fibers 2 projecting from the fiber fixing holes 13g are aligned, and excess adhesive attached to the ends is removed.

In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the optical fiber array member 16 in which the fiber introduction groove 13h and the fiber fixing hole 13g are integrated is configured.

Next, a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

This embodiment shows a structural example of a fiber array member with guide. In this embodiment, the fiber fixing substrate 21A and the fiber introduction substrate 21B are divided, and both substrates are connected by a guide means. The fiber fixing substrate 21A has a plurality of fiber fixing holes 21g and guide pin holes 24. Fiber introduction board 21
B has a plurality of semicircular fiber introduction grooves 21h and guide pin grooves 24a on the upper surface.

By inserting the guide pins 26 into the guide pin grooves 24a and the guide pin holes 24, the fiber fixing substrate 21A and the fiber introducing substrate 21B are coupled, and the fiber fixing hole 21g and the fiber introducing groove 21h are connected.
Are positioned coaxially. The first optical fiber 2 is inserted into the fiber fixing hole 21g, and the second optical fiber (not shown) is guided to the first optical fiber 2 fixed to each fiber fixing hole 21g via the fiber introduction groove 21h. Optically coupled.

FIG. 1 shows a process of preparing the optical fiber array member.
5 and FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, using a molding die, an optical fiber insertion hole 27g and a guide pin insertion hole 27k are used.
Is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped substrate 27 having Next, the substrate 27 is divided right and left at the position of the solid line (W) in FIG. Next, one of the divided upper halves of the substrate 27 is cut off, and a plurality of semicircular fiber introduction grooves 21g and guide pin grooves 24 are formed.
The fiber introduction substrate 21B having a is formed. The second optical fiber 2 is inserted into the fiber fixing hole 21g of the other divided substrate 27 to form the fiber fixing substrate 21A.

The fiber fixing substrate 21A thus formed
The fiber-introduced board 21B is coupled to the fiber introduction board 21B by using the guide pins 26, whereby the fiber array member with guide shown in FIG.

Next, a tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a known multi-core optical connector 28 is used as a fiber array member with a guide.
Fiber introduction substrate 29 having 0 and guide pin groove 31
An example is shown in which.

Generally, the multi-core optical connector 28 is positioned by a guide pin and connected to a mating multi-core optical connector (not shown). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 17, the multi-core optical connector 28 includes the first optical fiber 2, the end 2a of the fiber is exposed on the end face 28e of the connector, and has the guide pin 32. I have.

Therefore, by fitting and fixing the guide pin grooves 31 of the fiber introduction board 29 to the guide pins 32 provided on the multicore connector 28, a fiber array member with a guide can be manufactured. Also in the present embodiment, the connection operation of the optical fiber can be performed using the same transport means as the transport mechanism in the first embodiment.

The respective embodiments described above can be classified as follows by systematically organizing them.

First, it can be distinguished that the fixing portion and the introduction portion of the optical fiber of the optical fiber array member are formed by V-grooves and formed by holes (round holes and semicircular grooves). Second, an integrated type in which the optical fiber fixing portion and the optical fiber introduction portion of the optical fiber array member are formed by an integral member (substrate), and a guide in which these are formed separately and both are connected by a guide pin. Can be distinguished from the type. These differences will now be described.

First, the difference between grooves and holes (round holes and semicircular grooves) for fixing and introducing optical fibers will be described. There is no difference between the groove and the hole in the function of fixing or introducing (guiding) the optical fiber. In the case of a groove, there is a V-groove cutting or photo-etching of the Si substrate as described in the first embodiment, and in the case of a hole, there is an epoxy resin molding as described in the seventh embodiment. . However, the groove processing is easier to achieve straightness regardless of the groove length. Therefore, when the fiber fixing means and the fiber introduction groove are integrally formed, the groove tends to be processed more easily than the hole.

Next, the difference between the integral type in which the fiber fixing means and the fiber introduction groove are integrally formed and the guide type in which the two are joined by a guide pin will be described.

In the integrated type of the fiber fixing means and the fiber introduction groove, when the integrated type optical fiber arranging member is stacked in multiple stages to fix a plurality of fibers, the positional accuracy of the fiber fixing means is not limited. Good. The reason is that, in front of the end face position of the optical fiber fixed to the individual fiber fixing means, the same fiber introduction groove is always formed on its axis extension, so that another optical fiber transport This is because a highly accurate fiber connection is guaranteed in the optical switch to be used.

On the other hand, in the guide type in which the fiber fixing means and the fiber introduction groove are connected by a guide pin, a slight accuracy change factor such as a positional shift when the guide pin is engaged is added. However, since the fiber end face can be easily processed by ordinary polishing means after bonding and fixing the fiber to the fiber fixing means, it is relatively simple to finish the surface roughness of the fiber end face with higher precision than grinding with a blade. is there.

Referring to the drawings, in the case of the guide type, as shown in FIGS.
The second optical fiber 2 is inserted into the third fiber fixing hole 33g, and the end 2a of the optical fiber 2 fixed with the adhesive 8 can be polished by the lapping polishing plate 34.

On the other hand, in the case of the integral type, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when forming the slit S in the substrate 35 having the fiber introduction groove 37 and the fiber fixing hole 35g,
The end 2a of the optical fiber 2 protruding from the fiber fixing hole 35g on the side surface of the thin rotating blade 36 is cut.

The embodiment has been described above. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. Importantly, whether the optical fiber array member is of the integral type or the guide pin coupled type, a fiber having a fixing means for the first optical fiber and an introduction groove for guiding the second optical fiber to the end of the first optical fiber. That is, it has an introduction means. Thus, either the groove or the hole (or semi-circular groove) can fix or introduce the fiber. Further, the fiber fixing means and the fiber introduction groove may be either integrally formed or may be formed separately by using guide means.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, individual optical fibers can be arranged with high density and high precision, and the second optical fiber can be accurately moved by a simple operation to achieve the second optical fiber. Optical connection to the fiber with high accuracy is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical switch shown as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the optical switch of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an operation of connecting an optical fiber in the optical switch of FIG. 1, as viewed from an arrangement direction of fiber fixing grooves.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of an optical fiber array member shown as a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of a manufacturing process of the optical fiber array member.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a fixed-side matrix board of an optical switch using the optical fiber array member shown as a third embodiment, as viewed from an optical fiber optical axis direction.

FIG. 7 is a process chart showing a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member shown as a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one step of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member shown as the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the optical fiber array member according to the embodiment, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a fixed-side matrix board of an optical switch using an optical fiber array member according to the sixth embodiment as viewed from the optical axis direction.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an optical fiber array member shown as a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an optical fiber array member shown as an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing process of the optical fiber array member.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a perspective view of an optical fiber array member shown as a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a first manufacturing step of the optical fiber array member.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second manufacturing step of the optical fiber array member.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an optical fiber array member shown as a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an optical fiber fixing substrate of a guide pin engagement type.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the optical fiber fixing substrate in an optical fiber end face polished state.

FIG. 20 is a side view of an integrated optical fiber array member of an optical fiber fixing means and an optical fiber introduction groove.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the optical fiber array member in an optical fiber end surface polished state.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Substrate, 1g ... Fiber fixing groove, 2 ... First optical fiber, 4 ... Fiber introduction groove, 5 ... Transport mechanism, 6 ... Second optical fiber, 9 ... Guide pin groove, 10 ... Guide pin, 11
A, 11B: substrate, 13: substrate, 13g: fiber fixing hole, 14: fiber introduction groove, 16: optical fiber arrangement member, 17: fiber introduction substrate, 21A: fiber fixing groove, 21B: fiber fixing substrate, 24: fiber Introducing groove, 25 ... Guide for guide pin, 26 ... Guide pin, 27 ...
Substrate, 28: Multi-core optical connector, 29: Fiber introduction substrate, 31: Guide pin groove, 32: Guide pin, 33 ...
Fiber fixing substrate, 33g: Fiber fixing hole.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazumasa Ozawa 1, Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Shunichi Mizuno 1, Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Izumi Mikawa 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 26 / 08

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical switch having an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, wherein a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber array member having a first optical fiber, and a transport mechanism that transports at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member. The fiber array member is divided into a part in which a plurality of fiber fixing grooves for fixing the first optical fiber are formed on the upper surface and a part in which a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber is formed. Substrate, the first optical fiber fixed in the fiber fixing groove, and the substrate on the fiber fixing groove in which the first optical fiber is fixed. The fiber fixing groove, and the fiber introduction groove, the front end is formed by grinding with a cutter having an acute angle formed a V-shaped cross-section Each of the divided substrates has a guide means serving as a reference for positioning and bonding each other, and bonding of the fiber fixing groove side substrate to which the fiber introduction groove side substrate is bonded. An end face is formed at a right angle to the fiber fixing groove, and the plurality of first optical fibers are fixed in the fiber fixing groove, with each end face coinciding with the joining end face, The connecting portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is filled with matching oil, and the transport mechanism rotates the distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to the proximal end side. An optical switch, characterized by being composed of the distal end portion of the second optical fiber by so as to introduce while contacting in a state of being inclined with respect to the fiber introducing grooves. 2. An optical switch comprising an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, wherein a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber array member having a first optical fiber, and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member. A substrate having a plurality of fiber fixing grooves for fixing the first optical fiber and a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber formed on an upper surface, and fixed in the fiber fixing groove. A first optical fiber that has been joined, and a fiber that is bonded to the substrate in a surface-contact state above the fiber fixing groove in which the first optical fiber is fixed. The fiber fixing groove, and the fiber introduction groove has a V-shaped cross-section formed by grinding with a cutter having a front end formed at an acute angle, the plurality of fibers The fixing groove and the fiber introduction groove are formed integrally via a slit formed on the substrate so as to be perpendicular to the fiber fixing groove, and a plurality of the first optical fibers Are fixed in the fiber fixing groove so that each end face is aligned with the fiber fixing groove side inner surface of the slit, and a connecting portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is filled with matching oil. Wherein the transport mechanism rotates the distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to the proximal side to tilt the distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to the fiber introduction groove. An optical switch, wherein the optical switch is configured to be introduced while being brought into contact with the optical switch. 3. An optical switch having an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, wherein a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber array member having a first optical fiber, and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member. The fiber array member is divided into a part in which a plurality of fiber fixing holes for fixing the first optical fiber are formed and a part in which a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber is formed. The substrate, the first optical fiber fixed in the fiber fixing hole, and the substrate above the fiber fixing groove in which the first optical fiber is fixed. The divided substrates each have a guide means serving as a reference for positioning and joining each other, and each of the divided substrates has a guide plate serving as a reference. The joining end face on the side where the substrate on the introduction groove side is joined is formed at a right angle to the fiber fixing hole, and the plurality of first optical fibers have the respective end faces coincident with the joining end face, and Each is fixed in a fiber fixing hole, and a connecting portion between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is filled with matching oil, and the transport mechanism is configured such that a distal end of the second optical fiber is a proximal end side. The light is configured to be introduced while being rotated with respect to the second optical fiber so that the tip end of the second optical fiber is in contact with the fiber introduction groove in an inclined state. switch. 4. An optical switch having an optical fiber arranging member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers, wherein a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers having a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel by arranging a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber array member having a first optical fiber, and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one or more second optical fibers connected to the first optical fiber to a position corresponding to each first optical fiber of the fiber array member. A substrate having a plurality of fiber fixing holes for fixing the first optical fiber and a fiber introduction groove for introducing the second optical fiber formed on the upper surface, and fixed in the fiber fixing hole. A first optical fiber that has been joined to a surface of the substrate above the fiber fixing groove in which the first optical fiber is fixed. A plurality of the fiber fixing holes and the fiber introduction grooves are integrally formed through slits formed on the substrate so as to be perpendicular to the fiber fixing holes. Wherein the plurality of first optical fibers are fixed in the fiber fixing holes with their respective end faces coinciding with the inner surface of the slit on the fiber fixing hole side, and the first optical fiber and the second Matching oil is filled in a connection portion with the optical fiber, and the transport mechanism rotates a distal end of the second optical fiber with respect to a proximal end side to cause a distal end portion of the second optical fiber to enter the fiber introduction groove. An optical switch characterized in that the optical switch is configured to be introduced while being brought into contact with the device in an inclined state. 5. The slit, wherein the tips of the plurality of first optical fibers are fixed with an adhesive, and the end of the optical fiber is ground together with the side wall of the slit, so that the slit is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the groove. 5. The optical switch according to claim 2, wherein the optical switch is a slit that divides the groove formed in a direction in which the optical switch is formed. 6. 6. The optical switch according to claim 1, further comprising a storage member, wherein the storage member is stored together with the matching oil.