JP2000098274A - Optical fiber arraying member, its production, method for arraying optical fibers and optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical switch which allows the simple constitution for the purpose of selective operation. SOLUTION: The optical fiber arraying member 1 is prismatic and is radially formed with optical fiber fixing grooves 1a on respective flanks. Array side optical fibers 2 are pressed by a fixing member 3 to the optical fiber fixing grooves in such a manner that these fibers are arrayed and fixed therein. A movable side optical fiber 4 is made movable by a transporting device. The selective connection of this movable side optical fiber to the array side optical fibers is executed by rotating the optical fiber arraying member around its central axis and selecting the flank. The movable side optical fiber is then turned to be positioned at the array side optical fibers and is vertically moved until this fiber comes into contact with the array side optical fiber in a V- groove.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber arrangement member which can be used for selective connection of optical fibers, a method for manufacturing the same, an optical fiber arrangement method, and an optical switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical switch has been used as a device for selectively connecting a small number of optical fibers to a large number of optical fibers in a line connection test, a circuit test, and the like in an optical fiber communication line. .

In the optical switch described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-67101, a flat optical fiber array member in which a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for arranging and fixing optical fibers are formed in multiple stages is arranged. . In each optical fiber array member, the array side optical fiber is arranged in the optical fiber fixing groove, the movable side optical fiber is moved by the transport mechanism, and the movable side optical fiber is selectively connected to the array side optical fiber. It is configured to be. Therefore, the transport mechanism for transporting the movable side optical fiber requires a two-dimensional positioning mechanism for the operation of selecting each stage and the operation of selecting the optical fiber in the selected stage, and the transport mechanism is complicated. Problem.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an optical fiber arrangement member capable of simplifying a mechanism for a selecting operation, a method of manufacturing the same, an optical fiber arrangement method, and an optical fiber arrangement method. And an optical switch.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber arranging member comprising a plurality of optical fiber fixing members, each of which comprises a prismatic base material, and wherein the optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of the base material. The groove is formed radially in the radial direction of the virtual circle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the grinding tool is moved in one direction by using a grinding tool which moves linearly and can grind an optical fiber fixing groove for fixing an optical fiber on a substrate. In the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member in which the optical fiber fixing groove was ground while grinding each side of the prism-shaped base material and the grinding tool relative to each other with the center axis of the prism as a rotation axis, In the state where the optical fiber fixing groove is ground, the grinding of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side surface is performed by rotating the direction of the base material and the moving direction of the grinding tool by a predetermined angle relative to the center of a virtual circle as a rotation center. And forming an optical fiber fixing groove radially on the side surface of the base material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an optical fiber array member is formed of a convex shaped material, and a material to which a concave shape is transferred and formed by pressing the molded material. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member to be manufactured, wherein the mold member has a convex shape capable of transferring and forming an optical fiber fixing groove to which an optical fiber is fixed, and the base material and the mold material are rotated around a central axis of a prism. As a relative rotation, the optical fiber fixing groove can be transferred and formed on each side surface, and the transfer formation of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side surface is performed by setting the direction of the base material and the direction of the mold member to the center of a virtual circle. The optical fiber fixing groove is formed radially on the side surface of the base material by pressing the mold material against the side surface of the base material every time the relative rotation is performed by a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation center. That.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch, the plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fibers on the side surfaces of the prismatic base are formed radially in the radial direction of the virtual circle. An array side optical fiber is arranged and fixed so that a movable side optical fiber can face the optical fiber fixing groove of the fiber array member, and the movable side optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member has a central axis of a prism as a rotation axis. The movable side optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member is rotated around the center of the virtual circle, and the movable side optical fiber is selectively connected to the array side optical fiber. Are connected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch, a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fibers on the side surfaces of the prismatic base material are formed radially in the radial direction of the virtual circle. The array side optical fibers are arranged and fixed so that the movable side optical fibers can face the optical fiber fixing groove of the fiber array member, and the movable side optical fibers are transported by a transport device, and the optical fiber array member has a prism shape. One side is selected by being rotated by a rotating device with the central axis as a rotation axis, and the movable optical fiber is rotated at the center of the virtual circle, and the movable optical fiber is selected as the arrayed optical fiber. The connection is characterized by

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch according to the fourth or fifth aspect, a plurality of movable optical fibers are arranged corresponding to the optical fiber fixing grooves of the optical fiber array member. It is characterized by being configured as a fiber head.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch according to the sixth aspect, the plurality of movable optical fibers are positioned on the optical fiber array member by an arc-shaped pressing member concentric with the virtual circle. It is characterized by the following.

The invention according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to an optical fiber array member in which a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing an optical fiber on a side surface of a prismatic base material are formed radially in a radial direction of a virtual circle. In an optical fiber arranging method of arranging and fixing an array side optical fiber so that a movable side optical fiber can face the optical fiber fixing groove, the optical fiber array member is rotatably supported around a central axis of a prism as a rotation axis, After arranging and arranging the array side optical fibers in the optical fiber fixing groove, the optical fiber arranging member is rotated about the central axis of the prism as a rotation axis to select one side surface, and then a cylindrical blade is inserted into the virtual circle. The tip of the array side optical fiber is trimmed while being rotated about the center.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber arranging member, the optical fiber arranging member is formed of a pyramid-shaped base material, and a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fibers on the side surface of the base material have a radius of a virtual circle. It is characterized by being formed radially in the direction.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the grinding tool is moved in one direction by using a grinding tool which moves linearly and can grind an optical fiber fixing groove for fixing an optical fiber on a substrate. In the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member in which the optical fiber fixing groove is ground while the respective sides of the pyramid-shaped base material and the grinding tool are relatively rotated with the center axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis, and on each side. In the state where the optical fiber fixing groove is ground, the grinding of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side surface is performed by rotating the direction of the base material and the moving direction of the grinding tool by a predetermined angle relative to the center of a virtual circle as a rotation center. And forming an optical fiber fixing groove radially on the side surface of the base material.

[0015] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber arranging member is formed of a convex shaped material and a material to which the concave shape is transferred by pressing the molded material. The method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member to be manufactured, wherein the mold member has a convex shape capable of transferring and forming an optical fiber fixing groove to which an optical fiber is fixed, and the central axis of a pyramid is formed by rotating the substrate and the mold member around a rotation axis. As a relative rotation, the optical fiber fixing groove can be transferred and formed on each side surface, and the transfer formation of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side surface is performed by setting the direction of the base material and the direction of the mold member to the center of a virtual circle. The optical fiber fixing groove is formed radially on the side surface of the base material by pressing the mold material against the side surface of the base material every time the base material is rotated by a predetermined angle relative to the rotation center. A.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch, in the optical switch, a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fiber on the side surface of the pyramid-shaped base are formed radially in the radial direction of the virtual circle. An array side optical fiber is arranged and fixed so that the movable side optical fiber can face the optical fiber fixing groove of the fiber array member, and the movable side optical fiber and / or
Alternatively, the optical fiber array member is rotated about the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis to select one side surface, and further, the movable optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member is rotated at the center of the virtual circle. The movable side optical fiber is selectively connected to the array side optical fiber.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch, a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fiber on the side surface of the pyramid-shaped substrate are formed radially in the radial direction of the virtual circle. The array side optical fibers are arranged and fixed so that the movable side optical fibers can face the optical fiber fixing groove of the fiber array member, and the movable side optical fibers are transported by a transport device, and the optical fiber array member has a pyramid shape. One side is selected by being rotated by a rotating device with the central axis as a rotation axis, and the movable optical fiber is rotated at the center of the virtual circle, and the movable optical fiber is selected as the arrayed optical fiber. The connection is characterized by

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the end faces of the array side optical fibers are arranged so as to face the apex side of the pyramidal side surface of the optical fiber array member. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the end faces of the array side optical fibers are arranged so as to face the bottom side of the pyramidal side surface of the optical fiber array member. It is characterized by the following.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects,
A plurality of movable optical fibers are configured as optical fiber heads arranged corresponding to the optical fiber fixing grooves of the optical fiber array member.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical switch according to the sixteenth aspect, the plurality of movable optical fibers are positioned on the optical fiber array member by an arc-shaped pressing member concentric with the virtual circle. It is characterized by the following.

The invention according to claim 18 is an optical fiber array member in which a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fiber on the side surface of the pyramid-shaped substrate are formed radially in the radial direction of the virtual circle. In an optical fiber arranging method of arranging and fixing an array side optical fiber so that a movable side optical fiber can face the optical fiber fixing groove, the optical fiber array member is rotatably supported around a central axis of a pyramid as a rotation axis, After arranging and arranging the array side optical fibers in the optical fiber fixing groove, the optical fiber arranging member is rotated about the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis to select one side surface, and then a cylindrical blade is formed on the virtual circle. The tip of the array side optical fiber is trimmed while being rotated about the center.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an optical fiber arrangement member, 1a is an optical fiber fixing groove, 2 is an arrangement side optical fiber, 2a is an optical fiber end face, 3 is a fixing member, and 4 is a movable side optical fiber.

The optical fiber arranging member 1 is made of a suitable material capable of forming the optical fiber fixing groove 1a, such as a synthetic resin, glass, silicon, or the like, and is formed in a prismatic shape. The cross section of the prism is desirably a regular polygon. In this embodiment, the shape is square. The shape of the optical fiber fixing groove 1a is V
The groove is a groove, and the axis of the groove is radial, and a straight line passing through the center of the optical fiber disposed in the groove is radial so as to intersect at one point. If this intersection is called a center point, the optical fiber fixing groove 1a is on the radius of a circle centered on the center point. In this specification, this circle is called a virtual circle. The virtual circle is the same plane as the surface of the optical fiber array member 1 if the difference in height between the center line of the optical fiber arranged in the optical fiber fixing groove 1a and the surface of the optical fiber array member 1 is ignored. It can be said that. The array-side optical fibers 2 are arranged with one side facing such that the optical fiber end faces 2a are located on the same circumference of the virtual circle, and are pressed in the vicinity of the distal end so as to be fastened by the ring-shaped fixing member 3. Is positioned. Since the fixing member 3 presses the vicinity of the optical fiber end surface 2a of the array side optical fiber 2 on each side surface, the front end surface of each side surface has an arc shape. The rear end face may be straight, but in this embodiment, it is arc-shaped. Although the arrangement side optical fibers 2 are shown only partway in the figure, they are bundled behind the rear end of the optical fiber arrangement member 1 so as to be bundled.

Although one movable optical fiber 4 is shown in the drawing, two or more movable optical fibers 4 may be used. A required number of movable optical fibers 4 are moved by a transport device (not shown) and contact the optical fiber end face 2 a of the arrayed optical fibers 2. In this state, the movable optical fiber 4 is preferably pressed by a pressing member (not shown).

The optical fiber arranging member 1 is rotatably supported around a central axis of the prism as a rotation axis. Therefore,
In order to selectively connect the movable optical fiber 4 to the array side optical fiber, the optical fiber array member 1 is rotated to a desired rotation position, and the side face on which the array side optical fiber 2 to be connected is arrayed is selected. Next, the movable optical fiber 4 is transported by a transport device (not shown). The conveying device rotates the movable optical fiber 4 about a center line passing through the center of the virtual circle and orthogonal to the virtual circle as a rotation axis to select the arrayed optical fiber 2 to be contacted, and It is configured to perform a forward / backward movement with a vertical movement so as to be positioned in the optical fiber fixing groove 1a and to be removed from the optical fiber fixing groove 1a. Instead of rotating the array side optical fiber 2 around the center of the virtual circle, the optical fiber array member 1 may be rotated around a center axis passing through the center of the virtual circle and orthogonal to the virtual circle. In this case, the transfer device of the movable optical fiber 4 only needs to be able to perform a contact operation on the selected optical fiber end face. Therefore, with the simplest mechanism, the transport device for the movable-side optical fiber 4 can perform the connection operation only by the vertical movement. When the rotation of the optical fiber array member 1 is allowed to rotate by 360 ° or more, the bundle of the array side optical fibers is unnecessarily twisted. In order to prevent this, it is preferable to provide a mechanism for limiting the rotation angle of the rotation axis of the optical fiber array member 1. As a simple mechanism, a stopper may be provided.

In this embodiment, the optical fiber array member 1 is rotated about a rotation axis passing through the central axis of the prism.
The transport device may be configured to be rotatably supported on a rotation axis passing through the central axis, and to perform a side selecting operation by rotating the movable optical fiber 4. Alternatively, the selection operation may be performed by rotating both the optical fiber array member 1 and the movable optical fiber 4 about a rotation axis passing through the central axis of the optical fiber array member 1. By using a rotation mechanism, a ball screw, a linear guide, and the like necessary for parallel movement are not used, so that the simplification and cost reduction of the transport mechanism are facilitated.

When the movable side optical fiber 4 is brought into contact with the array side optical fiber 2, a matching liquid may be used. Alternatively, the entire optical fiber array member 1 may be immersed in the matching liquid.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a cutting blade for cutting the end face of the array side optical fiber. 7 is a cutting blade, 7a is a rotating shaft,
7b is a blade portion. The cutting blade 7 is a tool provided with a blade portion 7b on a cylindrical peripheral end surface like a lid of a tea caddy, and is rotated by a rotary shaft 7a having the center thereof. The rotation axis 7a of the cutting blade 7 is made to coincide with the central axis passing through the center of the virtual circle and orthogonal to the virtual circle. The radius of the blade portion 7b is the length from the center of the virtual circle to the position where the end face of the array side optical fiber is cut.
By rotating the cutting blade 7, the optical fibers arranged in the optical fiber array member can be cut concentrically, and the optical fiber end faces of the array side optical fibers 2 can be aligned on the circumference centered on the center of the virtual circle. When the cutting operation for one side is completed, the optical fiber array member is rotated about its central axis so that the next side faces the cutting blade 7, and the same cutting is performed to cut the required side. The cutting blade 7 may be moved around the optical fiber array member so as to face the side surface to be cut and perform cutting.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the optical switch according to the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 is a cutting groove. In this embodiment, the end faces of the array side optical fibers 2 are trimmed using the cutting blade described in FIG. Since the accuracy of the attachment position of the optical fiber end face 2a of the arrangement side optical fiber 2 can be improved and the end face can be polished at once after arrangement, it is not necessary to perform end face polishing before arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 5 is a holding member. The holding member 5 is supported by the transport device of the movable optical fiber 4, but may be supported by a support mechanism that is not related to the transport device. In a state where the movable side optical fiber 4 is in contact with the array side optical fiber 2, the connection state can be stabilized by pressing the position near the connection point with the pressing member 5. Movable optical fiber 4 pressed by holding member 5
When the number is larger, that is, when the width of the pressing area is large, the shape of the pressing surface of the pressing member 5 is preferably an arc shape centered on the center of the virtual circle. Holding member 5
It is preferable to press the movable optical fiber with elasticity.
The holding member 5 may be formed of an elastic material, for example, phosphor bronze, or an elastic body, for example, rubber or synthetic resin may be attached to the pressing surface.

Although two movable optical fibers 4 are shown in the figure, the number may be one or three or more.
When a plurality of movable optical fibers 4 are used, they may be located in adjacent optical fiber fixing grooves 1a, or may be located in remote optical fiber fixing grooves 1a as shown in the figure. These selections are appropriately determined depending on the purpose of use. When a plurality of movable optical fibers 4 are used, a plurality of movable optical fibers 4 may be integrally attached to one support member to form an optical fiber head. Since a plurality of movable-side optical fibers 4 can be simultaneously connected to a plurality of array-side optical fibers 2, the time for a connection test and a circuit test can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 5a and 5b are holding members. In this embodiment, the holding member 5
Each of the movable optical fibers 4 is pressed down by using a and 5b. It is advantageous when each movable optical fiber 4 is individually connected to the arrayed optical fiber 2.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 8 is a cutting blade. While supporting the base material of the optical fiber array member 1, V is moved on the side surface while moving the cutting blade 8 in a linear direction.
Cut the groove. The cutting blade 8 is a rotary blade, and the blade has a sectional shape corresponding to the sectional shape of the optical fiber fixing groove 1a. The optical fiber array member 1 is rotatably supported with its center axis as a rotation axis. The optical fiber array member 1 is rotated about a rotation axis to select one side surface, and the cutting blade 8 is moved in the radial direction of the virtual circle to perform cutting. After forming one V-groove, the V-groove is cut by rotating the central axis direction of the optical fiber array member 1 by a predetermined angle around the center of the virtual circle. By repeating this, the optical fiber fixing groove 1a is formed radially on one side surface. When the optical fiber array member 1 is rotated around the center of the virtual circle at regular intervals, the optical fiber fixing grooves 1a formed are formed at a constant center angle interval. If desired, the angle interval between the optical fiber fixing grooves 1a is
It does not necessarily have to be constant. Further, instead of rotating the optical fiber array member 1, the moving direction of the cutting blade 8 may be rotated with respect to the center of the virtual circle, or both may be rotated.

When the formation of the V-groove on one side is completed, the optical fiber arranging member 1 is rotated around the central axis of the optical fiber arranging member 1 to select the next side, and the optical fiber fixing groove is similarly formed. 1a is formed. The rotation angle is 360 ° / n when the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber array member 1 is a regular n-gon. Instead of rotating the optical fiber array member 1, the support mechanism of the cutting blade is rotated around the central axis of the optical fiber array member 1, and the optical fiber fixing groove 1 is rotated.
You may make it select the side which forms a. Also,
You may make it rotate both the optical fiber array member 1 and the support mechanism of a cutting blade relatively. Repeat this,
A desired optical fiber fixing groove 1a can be formed on a necessary side surface.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member. In the figure, 1 is an optical fiber arrangement member, and 9 is a mold. The optical fiber array member 1 is a front view showing only a part. In this embodiment,
In this method, the optical fiber fixing groove 1a is formed by plastic deformation by pressing a mold member 9 having at least the length of the optical fiber fixing groove against the base material of the optical fiber arrangement member 1. Therefore, a material capable of making plastic deformation possible is used as the base material of the optical fiber array member 1. For example, when glass is used as the base material, the base material is heated to near the softening point, and the mold material 9 is pressed while maintaining the temperature at a constant temperature. The cross-sectional shape of the portion of the molding 9 pressed against the base material is
A convex shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber fixing groove 1a is prepared. A hard material such as steel is used as the material of the molding 9. When a synthetic resin is used as the base material, for example, the mold material 9 may be heated and pressed against the base material.

The optical fiber array member 1 is rotatably supported with its center axis as a rotation axis. The optical fiber array member 1 is rotated about a rotation axis to select one side, and
Is positioned in the radial direction of the virtual circle, and then pressed against the base material to form the optical fiber fixing groove 1a. After one optical fiber fixing groove 1a is formed, the center axis of the optical fiber array member 1 is rotated by a predetermined angle around the center of the virtual circle for positioning, and the next optical fiber fixing groove 1a is formed by the mold material 9. I do. By repeating this, the optical fiber fixing groove 1a is radially formed on one side surface. When the optical fiber array member 1 is rotated around the center of the virtual circle at regular intervals, the optical fiber fixing grooves 1a formed are formed at a constant center angle interval. If desired, the angle interval between the optical fiber fixing grooves 1a does not necessarily have to be constant. Instead of rotating the optical fiber array member 1, the center axis of the mold member 9 may be rotated with respect to the center of the virtual circle, or both may be rotated.

When the formation of the V-groove on one side is completed, the optical fiber array member 1 is rotated about the central axis of the optical fiber array member 1 as a rotation axis to select the next side surface, and the optical fiber fixing groove is similarly formed. 1a is formed. The rotation angle is 360 ° / n when the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber array member 1 is a regular n-gon. Instead of rotating the optical fiber arranging member 1, the support mechanism of the mold member 9 is rotated around the central axis of the optical fiber arranging member 1 so that the optical fiber fixing groove 1 is rotated.
You may make it select the side which forms a. Also,
Both the optical fiber array member 1 and the support mechanism for the mold member 9 may be relatively rotated. Repeat this,
A desired optical fiber fixing groove 1a can be formed on a necessary side surface.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, a pyramidal substrate is used as the substrate of the optical fiber array member 1. A regular polygonal pyramid is desirable as the pyramid. The optical fiber fixing groove 1a is formed radially on the side of the pyramid. The radial shape is in the radial direction of the virtual circle, as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the optical fiber fixing groove 1a formed on the side surface in this embodiment is the same as the optical fiber fixing groove 1a formed on the side surface of the prismatic optical fiber array member 1. In other words, it may be considered that a truncated pyramid is formed by obliquely dropping both side edges of each side surface of the above-mentioned prismatic optical fiber array member 1. Therefore, the description of FIGS. 1 to 7, such as the connection structure and connection operation in the optical switch, the method of manufacturing the optical fiber array member, and the method of arraying the optical fibers, can be applied to this embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. I do. Since the truncated pyramid is obtained by simply dropping the top of the pyramid, the pyramid used in the present invention is used as a term including the truncated pyramid.

In the embodiment using the optical fiber array member in which a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing the optical fiber on the side surface of the pyramidal base material are formed radially, Compared to a case where a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves in which optical fibers are fixed are used in a radial manner, a cross-sectional area at one end and a cross-sectional area at the other end are different from each other. Regarding the arrangement of the side optical fibers, there are two forms. The first mode is an array mode in which the optical fiber end surface 2a of the array side optical fiber 2 is arranged so as to face the vertex of the pyramid of the optical fiber array member 1, and is the mode shown in FIG. The second aspect is an aspect in which the arrangement-side optical fibers are arranged in a direction opposite to that of the first aspect, that is, an aspect in which the end faces of the arrangement-side optical fibers are arranged so as to face the bottom side of the pyramid of the optical fiber arrangement member. It is. In either case, an optical switch can be configured.

As a method of arranging the optical fibers on the arrangement side, the method of aligning the tip positions using a cutting blade has been described with reference to FIG. 2, but a plurality of optical fibers in which the optical fibers are fixed on the side surfaces of a pyramidal base material are described. As described above, the arrangement method can be adopted in the embodiment using the optical fiber arrangement member in which the fixing grooves are radially formed.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first or ninth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves are formed on a prismatic base material or a pyramidal base material. Therefore, one side can be selected by rotating the optical fiber array member and the movable optical fiber relative to each other with the central axis as the rotation axis, and the optical fiber fixing groove is formed on each side in the radial direction of the virtual circle. Thus, the arrangement-side optical fiber can be selected by rotating the optical fiber arrangement member and the movable-side optical fiber about a rotation axis passing through the central axis of the virtual circle.

According to the second or tenth aspect of the present invention, the side can be selected by rotating the grinding tool and the base relative to the center axis of the base, and the selected side can be selected. The plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves can be easily formed by performing grinding each time the center axis direction of the base material and the moving direction of the grinding tool are relatively rotated about the center axis of the virtual circle as the rotation axis. it can.

According to the third or eleventh aspect of the present invention, a mold material having a convex shape and a base material of which a concave shape is transferred and formed by pressing the mold material are used to form the mold material and the base material. By rotating the base material relative to the center axis of the base material, the side surface can be selected. With respect to the selected side surface, the center axis direction of the base material and the shape material are set relative to the center axis of the virtual circle as the rotation axis. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves can be easily formed by pressing the mold against the base material every time it is rotated.

According to the fourth, fifth or twelfth aspect of the present invention, the optical fiber arranging member and / or the movable optical fiber is rotated about the central axis by the rotating device to select the side surface, and the optical fiber arranging member is provided. By rotating the movable optical fiber and the movable optical fiber about a rotation axis passing through the central axis of the virtual circle, the movable optical fiber is selectively connected to the arrayed optical fiber, so that the transport device can be simplified and reduced in cost.

According to the present invention, the plurality of movable optical fibers are constituted as an optical fiber head arranged corresponding to the optical fiber fixing groove of the optical fiber array member. By doing so, in multiple grooves,
A plurality of movable fibers can be accurately positioned.

According to the invention described in claim 8 or 18, in the method of arranging optical fibers in the optical fiber fixing groove of the optical fiber arranging member, the optical fibers are arranged in the optical fiber fixing grooves. After the fibers are arranged and fixed, the tips of the arrayed optical fibers are trimmed while rotating the cutting blade, so that the tips of the plurality of fixed fibers can be easily aligned on the same circumference.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a cutting blade for cutting an end face of an array side optical fiber.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the optical switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optical switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber arrangement member, 1a ... Optical fiber fixing groove, 2
... Arrangement side optical fiber, 2a ... end face of optical fiber, 3 ... fixing member, 4 ... movable side optical fiber, 5 ... holding member, 6 ... cutting groove, 7 ... cutting blade, 7a ... rotating shaft, 8 ... grinding blade, 9 ... molds.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeo Komiya 1-term Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works 2H041 AA14 AB19 AZ08

Claims (18)

[Claims] An optical fiber fixing groove is formed on a side surface of the substrate, and a plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves for fixing an optical fiber are formed radially in a radial direction of an imaginary circle. Optical fiber array member. 2. A grinding tool which moves linearly and can grind an optical fiber fixing groove to which an optical fiber is fixed on a base material, and grinds the optical fiber fixing groove while moving the grinding tool in one direction. In the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member, each side of the prismatic base material and the grinding tool are relatively rotated about the central axis of the prism as the rotation axis, and the optical fiber fixing groove is ground on each side. In the state, grinding of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side surface is performed each time the direction of the base material and the moving direction of the grinding tool are rotated relative to a center of a virtual circle by a predetermined angle, and the base material is ground. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member, comprising forming an optical fiber fixing groove radially on a side surface. 3. An optical fiber arranging member for producing an optical fiber arranging member using a prismatic base material, comprising a convex shaped material and a material whose concave shape is transferred and formed by pressing the molded material. The manufacturing method, wherein the mold has a convex shape capable of transferring and forming an optical fiber fixing groove to which an optical fiber is fixed, and the base material and the mold are relatively rotated about a central axis of a prism as a rotation axis. In a state where the optical fiber fixing groove can be transferred and formed on each side surface, the transfer formation of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side surface is performed at a predetermined angle relative to the center of the imaginary circle with respect to the direction of the base material and the direction of the mold. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member, wherein an optical fiber fixing groove is radially formed on the side surface of the base by pressing the mold against the side surface of the base every time it is rotated. 4. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves on which optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of a prism-shaped base member are movable in the optical fiber fixing grooves of an optical fiber array member radially formed in a radial direction of a virtual circle. The array side optical fibers are arranged and fixed so that the side optical fibers can face each other, and the movable side optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member is rotated about the central axis of the prism as a rotation axis, and one side is selected. An optical switch, wherein the movable optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member is rotated around the center of the virtual circle, and the movable optical fiber is selectively connected to the array optical fiber. . 5. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves on which optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of a prism-shaped base member are movable in said optical fiber fixing grooves of an optical fiber array member radially formed in a radial direction of a virtual circle. The array side optical fibers are arranged and fixed so that the side optical fibers can face each other, the movable side optical fibers are transported by a transport device, and the optical fiber array member is rotated by a rotating device around the central axis of the prism as a rotation axis. The movable side optical fiber is rotated about the center of the virtual circle, and the movable side optical fiber is selectively connected to the array side optical fiber. switch. 6. The optical fiber head according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of movable optical fibers are configured as optical fiber heads arranged corresponding to the optical fiber fixing grooves of the optical fiber array member. Light switch. 7. The optical switch according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of movable optical fibers are positioned on the optical fiber array member by an arc-shaped pressing member concentric with the virtual circle. 8. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves on which optical fibers are fixed on the side surfaces of a prism-shaped substrate are movable in the optical fiber fixing grooves of an optical fiber array member formed radially in the radial direction of a virtual circle. In an optical fiber arranging method of arranging and fixing the array side optical fibers so that the side optical fibers can face each other, the optical fiber arranging member is rotatably supported around a central axis of a prism as an axis of rotation, and is arranged in the optical fiber fixing groove. After arranging and fixing the side optical fibers, the optical fiber arranging member is rotated about the center axis of the prism as a rotation axis to select one side surface, and then the cylindrical blade is rotated around the center of the imaginary circle. A method for arranging optical fibers, characterized in that the ends of the arrangement-side optical fibers are trimmed. 9. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves formed of a pyramid-shaped base material, on which optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of the base material, are formed radially in a radial direction of a virtual circle. Optical fiber array member. 10. A grinding tool that moves in a straight line and can grind an optical fiber fixing groove to which an optical fiber is fixed on a substrate, and grinds the optical fiber fixing groove while moving the grinding tool in one direction. In the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member, each side of the pyramid-shaped base material and the grinding tool are relatively rotated about the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis to grind the optical fiber fixing groove on each side. In the state,
The grinding of the optical fiber fixing groove on each side is performed each time the direction of the base material and the moving direction of the grinding tool are rotated relative to each other by a predetermined angle around the center of the virtual circle as a rotation center. Forming an optical fiber fixing groove in the optical fiber array member. 11. A mold material having a convex shape, and a material whose concave shape is transferred and formed by pressing the mold material,
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber array member using a pyramid-shaped substrate, wherein the mold member has a convex shape capable of transferring and forming an optical fiber fixing groove to which an optical fiber is fixed. The material and the molding material are relatively rotated about the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis, so that the optical fiber fixing groove can be transferred and formed on each side surface. The optical fiber is fixed radially on the side surface of the base material by pressing the shape material against the side surface of the base material every time the direction of the shape material and the direction of the shape material are rotated relative to each other by a predetermined angle around the center of the virtual circle. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber array member, comprising forming a groove. 12. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves on which optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of a pyramid-shaped substrate are movable in the optical fiber fixing grooves of an optical fiber array member formed radially in a radial direction of a virtual circle. The array side optical fibers are arranged and fixed so that the side optical fibers can face each other, and the movable side optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member is rotated about the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis, and one side is selected. An optical switch, wherein the movable optical fiber and / or the optical fiber array member is rotated around the center of the virtual circle, and the movable optical fiber is selectively connected to the array optical fiber. . 13. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves on which optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of a pyramid-shaped base member are movable in the optical fiber fixing grooves of an optical fiber array member radially formed in a radial direction of a virtual circle. The array side optical fibers are arranged and fixed so that the side optical fibers can face each other, the movable side optical fibers are transported by a transport device, and the optical fiber array member is rotated by a rotating device around the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis. The movable side optical fiber is rotated about the center of the virtual circle, and the movable side optical fiber is selectively connected to the array side optical fiber. switch. 14. The optical switch according to claim 12, wherein the end faces of the array side optical fibers are arranged so as to face the apex side of the pyramidal side surface of the optical fiber array member. 15. The optical switch according to claim 12, wherein the end faces of the arrangement side optical fibers are arranged so as to face the bottom side of the pyramidal side surface of the optical fiber arrangement member. 16. The optical fiber head according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of movable optical fibers are configured as optical fiber heads arranged corresponding to the optical fiber fixing grooves of the optical fiber array member. Item 2. The optical switch according to item 1. 17. The optical switch according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of movable optical fibers are positioned on the optical fiber array member by an arc-shaped pressing member concentric with the virtual circle. 18. A plurality of optical fiber fixing grooves on which optical fibers are fixed on side surfaces of a pyramid-shaped base member are movable in the optical fiber fixing grooves of an optical fiber array member formed radially in a radial direction of a virtual circle. In an optical fiber arranging method of arranging and fixing the array side optical fibers so that the side optical fibers can face each other, the optical fiber arranging member is rotatably supported around a central axis of a pyramid as a rotation axis, and is arranged in the optical fiber fixing groove. After arranging and fixing the side optical fibers, the optical fiber arranging member is rotated around the central axis of the pyramid as a rotation axis to select one side surface, and then the cylindrical blade is rotated around the center of the imaginary circle. A method for arranging optical fibers, characterized in that the ends of the arrangement-side optical fibers are trimmed.