JP2591745B2 - Optical connector switching device and switching method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector switching device for connecting an optical fiber cable.

Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method for switching an optical connector using the device.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

In order to connect two optical fibers, it is necessary to first accurately abut the two optical fibers with each other, and when re-coupling with a dissimilar fiber, the coupling state is released and re-coupling is performed. Since optical communication is intermittent during this time, it is necessary to perform the communication as fast as possible. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, guide pin insertion holes 3a, 4a, 3b, 4b are provided in optical fiber connecting members 1, 2 to which optical fibers are connected,
After butting the respective coupling end faces, guide pins 36 and 3
6 was inserted into the guide pin insertion holes 3a, 4a or 3b, 4b to improve the connection accuracy.

That is, it is difficult to achieve the accuracy of a micron unit only by abutting the coupling end surfaces of the optical fiber connecting member to each other. Usually, as shown in FIG. Are not coincident with the end faces of the optical fibers 7, 7, 7,... Connected to the optical fiber connecting member 2. Then, the optical fiber 6,6,
The guide pin 36 is inserted into the guide pin insertion hole of the optical fiber connecting member to improve the accuracy as a means for accurately matching the end faces of the optical fibers 6, 7, 7, ... with the end faces of the optical fibers 7, 7, 7,. .

As a method for switching the optical connector, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the optical fiber connecting members 1 and 2 and the other optical fiber connecting member 5 in the connected state are installed as shown in FIG.
The connection is released by moving the optical fiber connecting member 2 to the right (FIG. 4B). The moving distance in this case is such that one end of the guide pin is
The optical communication is interrupted because it is necessary to clear the coupling end face 1a. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the communication at a high speed because it is necessary to minimize the communication disabled state as much as possible.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Is moved in the direction of another optical fiber connecting member 5. This also has to be moved in a short time for the reasons mentioned above. Therefore, the optical fiber connecting member 2 or its holding member has hit the predetermined fixing member 8 conventionally. Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
Was moved to the left to reconnect with another optical fiber connecting member 5. That is, conventionally, the optical fiber connecting member goes through three steps of rightward movement (FIG. (B)), downward movement (FIG. (C)), and leftward movement (FIG. (D)). The switching has been performed, which has the following disadvantages.

First, since optical communication is interrupted during the above process, the optical fiber connecting member must be moved in a short time, but it is difficult to move the optical fiber connecting member at a high speed in a U-shape throughout the entire process. It is extremely difficult because it involves stopping points.

Secondly, when moving downward (FIG. 7 (c)), the optical fiber connecting member collides with the fixing member at high speed, so that the optical fiber connecting member 2 and the guide pin 36 vibrate,
In this state, it is difficult to accurately insert the optical fiber connection member 5 into the guide pin insertion hole.

Third, since all three processes have different directions and require high speed and precision, the equipment and mechanism required for switching are complicated, and the cost is increased economically.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an optical connector switching device that can shorten the time required for interrupting optical communication by shortening the entire process required for optical connector switching, and furthermore, achieves highly reliable optical connector switching. The purpose is to provide.

Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for switching an optical connector which realizes this object and reduces the time during which optical communication is interrupted.

[Means for solving the problem]

An optical connector switching device according to the present invention includes a pair of optical fiber connecting members that are connected to each other at respective connecting end faces via a connecting member that is movable in an optical axis direction.
In an optical connector switching device for moving one of the optical fiber connecting members and reconnecting to another optical fiber connecting member juxtaposed to the other optical fiber connecting member,
An optical fiber connecting member holding means for holding a pair of optical fiber connecting members and holding another optical fiber connecting member in a state where the coupling end face is retracted as compared with the other optical fiber connecting member; A first coupling member moving means that slides in the optical axis direction while maintaining the coupled state of the pair of optical fiber connection members so as to move one optical fiber connection member in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis; An optical fiber connecting member moving means for moving the fiber connecting member to a position facing another optical fiber connecting member along the coupling end face, and sliding the coupling member or a separately prepared coupling member in the optical axis direction to one of the two. A second coupling member moving unit for coupling the optical fiber connecting member to another optical fiber connecting member, and simultaneously sliding the coupling member by the second coupling member moving unit. It is characterized in that it is configured with an optical fiber connecting member advancing means for advancing the other optical fiber connecting member in the optical axis direction before and after.

Further, according to the method for switching an optical connector according to the present invention, one of the pair of optical fiber connecting members which are connected to each other at respective connecting end faces via a connecting member movable in the optical axis direction. An optical fiber connecting member that moves the connecting member and is re-coupled to another optical fiber connecting member that is juxtaposed with the other optical fiber connecting member and whose coupling end face is retracted compared to the other optical fiber connecting member. A switching method, wherein a coupling member is slid in an optical axis direction while maintaining a coupling state of a pair of optical fiber connection members, and one of the optical fiber connection members is movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. An optical fiber connecting member moving step of moving one optical fiber connecting member along a coupling end surface thereof to a position facing the other optical fiber connecting member; Alternatively, by sliding a separately prepared coupling member, one optical fiber connection member and the other optical fiber connection member are fixed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the separated coupling end faces are brought into contact with each other. And a combining step.

[Action]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the pair of optical fiber connecting members held by the first optical fiber connecting member holding means can be connected by sliding the connecting member by the action of the connecting member moving means. The state is released. Then, one of the optical fiber connecting members is moved to a position facing the other optical fiber connecting member by the optical fiber connecting member moving means.

Since the other optical fiber connecting member is held by the second optical fiber connecting member holding means with the coupling end face retracted as compared with the other optical fiber connecting member, one optical fiber connecting member and the other optical fiber connecting member are held. When the fiber connecting members face each other, these optical fiber connecting members do not come into contact with each other and are not damaged.

Thereafter, the coupling member moving means slides the coupling member held by one optical fiber connection member or a separately prepared coupling member to another optical fiber connection member, so that the coupling member moves to the left, for example, One optical fiber connecting member and another optical fiber connecting member are re-coupled.

In the switching method of the optical connector used in the present invention, the coupling member is moved in the optical axis direction by the coupling member moving step, so that the pair of optical fiber connection members can be moved in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis. Next, one optical fiber connecting member is moved to a position facing the other optical fiber connecting member by the optical fiber connecting member moving means.

Since the other optical fiber connecting member has the coupling end face retreated as compared with the other optical fiber connecting member, when one optical fiber connecting member faces the other optical fiber connecting member, these optical fiber connecting members are connected. The members do not come into contact with each other and are not damaged.

Thereafter, in the re-coupling step, in order to slide the connecting member held by one optical fiber connecting member or the separately prepared connecting member to the other optical fiber connecting member, the connecting member moves to the left, for example, And the other optical fiber connecting member are recombined.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view showing an optical connector switching device as a reference example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and a process diagram showing its operation.

The switching device first includes a pair of optical fiber connecting members 9 and 10 coupled with guide pins with high precision, and connecting member holding portions 12 and 1 for holding another optical fiber connecting member 11.
It has 3,14,15,16. Other optical fiber connecting members are as described in 1 above.
The pair of optical fiber connecting members are held by the connecting member holding portions 13 and 14 in parallel with the optical fiber connecting member 9 that does not rejoin (so that the coupling end faces are on the same plane) (FIG. 2A). . At least two optical fiber connecting members of these connecting member holding portions are moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure (hereinafter, referred to as the arrow).
(Referred to as “y-direction”), and can be applied to optical connectors having different sizes. Note that these connecting member holding portion 12, 13 and 14 has a float mechanism 19, as shown in FIG. 1, the float mechanism 19 is a direction to disconnect the optical fiber connecting member in the bound state (hereinafter, X ₁ direction Fine movement stage
Mounted on 39. As shown in the figure, the fine movement stage has X-direction rails 39a and 39a at the lower part, and is rail-connected to the base 17, so that it can be finely moved in the X direction.

Since the fine movement stage 39 moves within the range δ where optical communication is not interrupted as shown in FIG. 2 (c), it moves at high speed like the optical fiber connecting member moving means 20 described later. You don't have to. the important thing is,
The fine movement stage 39 is provided with a float mechanism and a mechanism for retreating, and the shape is not particularly limited to that of this reference example as long as these fine mechanisms are provided.

The operation of this fine movement stage 39 is shown in FIGS. 2 (c) and 2 (e).
, The push pin 18a of the guide pin moving portion 18
When the guide pin 36 is moved rightward to clear the coupling end face, it retracts together with the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 11 within a range δ (for example, 50 μm) where optical communication is not interrupted. Therefore, a gap of δ is generated between the coupling end surfaces of the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 10. Therefore, the high-speed movement of the optical fiber connecting member 10 is performed smoothly. Further, after the movement, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the fine movement stage 39 advances to the initial position together with the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 11, so that the gap between the coupling end surfaces of the optical fiber connecting members 11 and 10 is increased. δ disappears and the coupling end faces are butted. Thereafter, the guide pin 36 is moved to the same position as shown in FIG.
Pushed in as shown. It should be noted that the guide pin 36 may be slid at the same time as the fine movement stage 39 advances (FIG. 9E).

The guide pin moving section 18 is a push pin that pushes out the guide pin.
It is composed of 18a, 18a and a push pin drive mechanism 18b, and is mounted behind the optical fiber connecting member 9 on a fine movement stage 39 via a float mechanism 19 as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the holding positions of the connection members are slightly different, the guide pins are smoothly moved by the float mechanisms 19, 19. Since the guide pin moving section slides the guide pin connecting the optical fiber connecting member 9 and the optical fiber connecting member 10 (see FIG. 2 (b)), the driving direction of the push pins 18a, 18a is changed. The guide pin moving unit 18 is attached to the fine movement stage 39 so as to match the guide pin insertion direction of the optical fiber connecting member 9.

The optical fiber connecting member 10 to be recombined among the pair of optical fiber connecting members is held by other connecting member holding portions 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. Since one of these connection member holding portions 15 and 16 is configured to be slidable in the direction of the arrow (y direction) in the figure, it can be applied to optical connectors having different sizes. This connection member holding part
15 and 16 are mounted on a high-speed moving stage that can move at high speed in the y direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the high-speed moving stage 20 also has rail portions 20a, 20a at the lower portion, and is connected to the rail base 21 by rails. Since the rail is provided in the y direction, the high-speed moving stage 20 acts to translate the optical fiber connecting member to be recoupled along the coupling end face of the optical fiber connecting member. As a mechanism for realizing this high-speed movement, for example, the high-speed movement stage 20 is urged toward the other optical fiber connecting members 11 by a spring, and when the coupling state of the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 10 is released. A trigger is applied, the rail is slid on the rail by a spring force, and the rail is stopped by, for example, colliding with the fixing member 8. Alternatively, a solenoid or a pulse motor may be used instead of the spring. Precise control is required so that it can be stopped. What is important here is that the uncoupling and reconnection of the optical connectors are performed on the same plane, and the process is performed in the shortest possible time because the optical connector travels the shortest distance at high speed. Therefore, the mechanism is not particularly limited to the above-described reference example as long as the mechanism can achieve the above object.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the other guide pin moving portion 18 is fixed to the fixed base 23 so as to face the other optical fiber connecting member 11 (FIG. 1). Since the guide pin moving section 18 has the same configuration as that described above, the description will be omitted. The push pins 18a, 18a are arranged so that the guide pin insertion holes of the optical fiber connection member 10 and the push pins 18a, 18a face each other after the optical fiber connection member 10 is moved by the high-speed moving stage 20. After the optical fiber connecting member 10 is moved, the guide pin can be moved without contacting the optical fiber cable 24 connected to the optical fiber connecting member 10 (FIG. 2). (F)).
Therefore, the optical fiber cable 24 of the optical fiber connecting member 10
As long as the guide pin can be pressed without contacting the guide pin, the guide pin may be particularly circular or square.

Although the reference example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention has been described above, here, the connecting member holding portion is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, where the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 11 are installed in parallel and adjacent to each other. These may be configured to be fixed by a U-shaped holding member 25 which can be freely opened and closed. In this case, there is no need for a mechanism for moving at least two of the connection member holding parts 12, 13, and 14 in the y direction, and the mechanism can be simplified, which is economically advantageous. Furthermore, the attachment of the optical fiber connecting member is easy, and the reliability as the holding means is improved because the optical fiber connecting member is held from four directions.

Further, the shape of the push pin of the guide pin moving part 18 corresponds to the shape of the guide pin of the optical connector. Number of guide pins.

Next, an embodiment of an optical connector switching device according to the present invention will be described. The optical connector switching device of the present embodiment has many of the same or similar configurations as the optical connector switching device of the reference example shown in FIG. The optical connector switching device of the present embodiment is different from the optical connector switching device shown in FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. An optical fiber connecting member (another optical fiber connecting member) 11 with the coupling end face retracted compared to the optical fiber connecting member 9
Is held.

That is, the optical connector switching device of the present embodiment holds the optical fiber connecting members 9, 10, and 11 and also holds the optical fiber connecting member 11 with the coupling end face retracted as compared with the optical fiber connecting member 9. The optical fiber connecting member 10 can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis by sliding the connecting member holding portions (optical fiber connecting member holding means) 12, 13, 14, 15 and the guide pin 36 in the optical axis direction. Guide pin moving part (first
And a high-speed moving stage (optical fiber connecting member moving means) 20 for moving the optical fiber connecting member 10 to a position facing the optical fiber connecting member 11 along the connecting end face. .

In addition, the optical connector switching device of the present embodiment slides the guide pin 36 in the optical axis direction, and
A guide pin moving part (second connecting member moving means) 18 for connecting the optical fiber connecting member 11 to the optical fiber connecting member 11, and at the same time as or before and after the slide of the guide pin 36 by the guide pin moving part 18, And a fine movement stage (optical fiber connecting member advancing means) 39 for advancing 11 in the optical axis direction.

In this manner, if the configuration is such that the optical fiber connecting member 11 is held in a state where the coupling end face is retracted as compared with the optical fiber connecting member 9, the optical fiber connecting member 10 moves at high speed, and the optical fiber connecting member 11 Even when the optical fiber connecting members 10 and 11 face forward, the optical fiber connecting members 10 and 11 do not come into contact with each other and the optical fiber connecting members 10 and 11 are not damaged.

Next, an embodiment of an optical connector switching method using the optical connector switching device of the present embodiment will be described. The optical fiber connecting members 9 and 10 are held by the connecting member holding portions 12, 13, 15, and 16 in a state of being connected by the guide pins 3b, and the other optical fiber connecting members 11 are compared with the optical fiber connecting member 9. The connection end faces are held by the connection member holding portions 13 and 14 in a state of being retracted (FIG. 4).

In the connecting member moving step, the push pin 18a is inserted into the guide pin insertion hole of the optical fiber connecting member 9 by the operation of the push pin driving section 18b of the guide pin moving section 18. Push pin 18
The tip of a is in contact with one end of the guide pin 3b to slide the guide pin. The push pin 18a is connected to the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 1.
It is pushed down to the 0 end face.

Next, the optical fiber connecting member moving step will be described. In this step, the operation of the high-speed moving stage 20 causes the optical fiber connecting member 10 to move at high speed. On the high-speed moving stage, connecting member holders 15, 1 for holding the optical fiber connecting member 10 are provided.
Since 6 is fixed, the optical fiber connecting member 10 moves together with the high-speed moving stage. During this movement period, the optical communication is interrupted, so it is necessary to move the optical communication in a short time. As a moving mechanism, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, two guide rails 21a are laid,
Is biased in the direction of the other optical fiber connecting member 11 using a spring, and a trigger is applied when the coupling state of the optical fiber connecting members 9 and 10 is released. And suddenly stop by colliding with the fixing member 8.

In this case, a solenoid or a pulse motor may be used in place of the spring to control to stop at a predetermined position. What is important here is that the uncoupling and reconnection of the optical connector are performed on the same straight line, and that the process is performed in the shortest possible time to move the shortest distance at high speed. . Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above mechanism as long as such an object is achieved.

In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the coupling end surface of the optical fiber connecting member 11 is held by being receded by δ from the coupling end surface of the optical fiber connecting member 12 in advance. With this holding, even when the optical fiber connecting member 10 moves at high speed and faces the front of the optical fiber connecting member 11, these optical fiber connecting members 10 and 11 come into contact with each other and the optical fiber connecting member 1
0,11 will not be damaged. Further, after the high-speed movement of the optical fiber connecting member 10 is completed, the fine movement stage is operated, and the coupling end surface of the optical fiber connecting member 10 and the coupling end surface of the optical fiber connecting member 11 are brought into contact with each other.

Next, the guide pin insertion step will be described. The coupling end face of the optical fiber connecting member 10 faces the coupling end face of another optical fiber connecting member 11 at the time when the movement by the high-speed moving stage 20 is completed. At this point, as shown in FIG.
The end faces of the optical fiber do not completely match, and the optical communication remains shut off. Therefore, in this step, the guide pin 36 slid into the optical fiber connecting member 10 is pushed into the guide pin insertion hole of the optical fiber connecting member 11 by the push pin 18a of the guide pin moving unit 18. The optical communication is substantially recovered when the tip of the guide pin enters the optical fiber connecting member 11 as shown in FIG. 6 (b), so that the optical communication can be recovered in a short time. It is.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the present invention has an effect that the optical connector can be switched in a short time by shortening the conventional process. In particular, since the other optical fiber connecting members are held in a state where the coupling end face is retracted as compared with the other optical fiber connecting member, there is little danger of the optical fiber connecting members colliding with each other, and in switching the optical connector. The reliability is remarkably improved.

Even if a process requiring high-speed movement is added, the gap created between the optical fiber connecting members remains within the optical communication range (50μ).
m or less), the reliability is improved without increasing the optical communication cutoff time.

Also, since a mechanism that requires high-speed movement (for example, an optical fiber connecting member moving means) and a mechanism that does not require low-speed movement (for example, an optical fiber connecting member advancing means) are separately used, the configuration of the apparatus itself is simplified. Since the structure is not complicated, the manufacture of the device becomes easy. In other words, precision control in a high-speed moving mechanism is generally not easy,
Conversely, precision control in the low-speed moving mechanism can be performed more easily than in the former. In the present invention, a low-speed moving mechanism can be used as the optical fiber connecting member advancing means that requires precise control, and a high-speed moving mechanism can be used as the optical fiber connecting member moving means that does not require relatively precise control. There is an advantage that a low-speed moving mechanism is used and the mechanism is not complicated. Therefore, this also reduces costs economically.

Further, an optical connector switching method using the present invention achieves the above-mentioned object, and achieves switching of an optical connector in a short time by shortening a conventional multi-step to a minimum necessary step. In particular, since the other optical fiber connecting member is held in a state where the coupling end face is retracted as compared with the other optical fiber connecting member, collision between the optical fiber connecting members during high-speed movement of the optical fiber connecting member can be prevented. In addition, the reliability in switching optical connectors is significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector switching device according to a reference example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing the switching method, and FIG. 3 is holding an optical fiber connecting member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the means, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a main part of the optical connector switching device according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional optical connector, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a guide pin inserted state, and FIG. 7 is a process diagram for explaining a conventional optical connector switching device. 1,2,5 ... optical fiber connecting member, 3,4 ... guide pin insertion hole, 6,7 ... optical fiber, 8 ... fixing member, 9 ... optical fiber connecting member (other optical fiber connecting member) ),Ten……
Optical fiber connection member (one optical fiber connection member), 11
…… optical fiber connecting members (other optical fiber connecting members),
12,13,14,15,16 …… Connecting member holder, 17… Base, 18…
... Guide pin moving part, 19 ... Float mechanism, 20 ... High speed moving stage, 21 ... Rail stand, 22 ... Guide pin insertion part, 23 ... Fixed stand, 24 ... Optical fiber cable, 25 ...
U-shaped holding member, 32, 33 ... Guide pin insertion hole, 34 ...
End face of optical fiber, 39: moving stage, 40: guide pin withdrawal section, 41: guide pin.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasuji Hattori 1 Tayacho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (56) References JP-A-63-231308 (JP, A) JP-A-63 -271303 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of optical fiber connecting members coupled to each other at respective coupling end faces via a coupling member movable in an optical axis direction, one of the pair of optical fiber connecting members is moved, and the other is moved. An optical connector switching device for reconnecting to another optical fiber connecting member juxtaposed to an optical fiber connecting member, wherein the pair of optical fiber connecting members is held and compared with the other optical fiber connecting member. An optical fiber connecting member holding means for holding the other optical fiber connecting member in a state where the connecting end face is retracted, and sliding the connecting member in the optical axis direction while maintaining the connected state of the pair of optical fiber connecting members. A first connecting member moving means for moving the one optical fiber connecting member in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis; and connecting the one optical fiber connecting member to its connecting end. An optical fiber connecting member moving means for moving the optical fiber connecting member to a position facing the other optical fiber connecting member along the optical fiber connecting member; and sliding the connecting member or a separately prepared connecting member in the optical axis direction to the one optical fiber connecting member. And a second coupling member moving unit for coupling the other optical fiber connecting member to the other optical fiber connecting member; and simultaneously or before and after the sliding of the coupling member by the second coupling member moving unit, the other optical fiber connecting member. An optical connector switching device, comprising: an optical fiber connecting member advancing means for advancing in an optical axis direction. 2. A pair of optical fiber connecting members which are coupled to each other at respective coupling end faces via a coupling member movable in the optical axis direction, and one of the pair of optical fiber connecting members is moved, and the other is moved. A method for switching an optical fiber connecting member, which is juxtaposed to the optical fiber connecting member and is re-coupled to another optical fiber connecting member whose coupling end face is retracted compared to the other optical fiber connecting member, A coupling member moving step of sliding the coupling member in the optical axis direction while maintaining the coupling state of the pair of optical fiber connection members, and allowing the one optical fiber connection member to move in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis; An optical fiber connecting member moving step of moving one optical fiber connecting member to a position facing the other optical fiber connecting member along the connecting end face thereof; Is to fix the one optical fiber connecting member and the other optical fiber connecting member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis by sliding a separately prepared connecting member, and to bring the separated connecting end faces into contact with each other. A method for switching an optical connector, comprising a coupling step.