JP2895123B2 - Optical fiber connector connection switching device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector connection switching device that switches an optical transmission line by changing a combination of mating of a connector ferrule attached to an end of an optical fiber. `` Prior art '' A type of optical fiber connector, in which a terminal of an optical fiber is housed in a set of connector ferrules, and a connection end surface of the optical fiber is exposed at a distal end surface of the connector ferrule. There is a configuration in which optical fibers are optically connected to each other by abutting the end faces of a connector ferrule. In this case, the guide holes along the length direction of the optical fiber are provided in the both connector ferrules in a penetrating state, and the positioning pins are tightly inserted into the guide holes so as to extend between the connector ferrules. Accordingly, the two connector ferrules are positioned relative to each other, the occurrence of the deviation is regulated, and the connection state of the optical fiber is maintained. A clip that presses and biases these rear ends in the butting direction is attached to both connector ferrules in the connected state. In such an optical fiber connector, in the case of trouble transfer of a cable or the like, when replacing one connector ferrule with another connector ferrule and switching the optical transmission line,
For example, a clip is removed from the first and second connector ferrules in the connected state, and a third connector ferrule to be newly switched is arranged in parallel beside the first and second connector ferrules. After pulling out the locating pin from the connector ferrule, the first connector ferrule is moved in parallel to a position facing the third connector ferrule, and the first connector ferrule and the third connector ferrule are brought into contact with each other. Insert the positioning pin over the
It is considered that clips should be attached to these two connector ferrules. "Problems to be Solved by the Invention" By the way, such a connection switching operation needs to be performed quickly and reliably. In particular, when the connection switching operation is performed by a hot-line operation, the switching time is shortened as much as possible, It is required to achieve instantaneous interruption switching. However, according to the above-described method, both the connector ferrules are displaced at the time of attaching / detaching the clip to / from the two connector ferrules in the connected state or inserting / removing the positioning pins, so that the connection loss is apt to greatly change, and Before inserting the positioning pins into the third connector ferrule, it is necessary to accurately position the guide holes of both connector ferrules, and these operations are complicated, and the switching time tends to be long. In addition, it is necessary to attach / detach the clip to / from the connector ferrule before and after the switching operation, but the handling is complicated, and the connection loss fluctuates before and after the attachment / detachment. The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances. It accurately positions each connector ferrule to ensure switching operation, minimizes fluctuations in connection loss during clip attachment / detachment work and insertion / removal of positioning pins, and facilitates clip handling. It is another object of the present invention to provide a connection switching device capable of reducing the switching time. [Means for Solving the Problems] The connection switching device according to claim 1, wherein the frame supports the first connector ferrule in the connector fitting recess in the connector fitting recess in a fitted state, and the front end face to each other. A connector support for supporting both the second and third connector ferrules in the connector fitting recess in an aligned state is provided to face each other, and the connectors supported by the connector support are provided on these connector supports. A pin protruding mechanism that presses a positioning pin in a guide hole of the ferrule to move in the axial direction, and the pin protruding mechanism presses a positioning pin that is partially protruded from the guide hole of the connector ferrule to the connector ferrule. A pin insertion mechanism to push in,
A connector switching mechanism for relatively moving the two connector support bases in parallel along the arrangement direction of the second and third connector ferrules, and pressing one of the two connector support bases toward the other by the urging force of a spring. A connector pressing mechanism and a pressing force adjusting mechanism that expands / contracts a spring of the connector pressing mechanism to increase or decrease the urging force thereof are provided in series, and the first and second connector ferrules positioned and arranged on the connector support base are provided with a connector. By the pressing mechanism and the pressing force adjusting mechanism,
With the pressing force greater than that of the clip applied, the clip is removed by the clip attaching / detaching machine, the pin is protruded by the pin protruding mechanism, and the positioning pin is inserted by the pin insertion mechanism after switching the combination of the connector ferrules, and the connector is switched. When the mechanism is driven, a pressing force smaller than that of the clip is applied to the first and second connector ferrules by the connector pressing mechanism and the pressing force adjusting mechanism. Further, in the connection switching device according to the second aspect, a pin protruding mechanism, a pin insertion mechanism, and a connector switching movement mechanism are connected to both connector support bases arranged on the base, and a clip is provided on the base. An attaching / detaching machine is supported so as to be able to be pulled out to the outside. The clip attaching / detaching machine includes a pair of mutually parallel locking pins which are locked to both ends of a clip, and a pressing member which is in contact with a back surface of a central portion of the clip. And a detachable mechanism for moving the two locking pins in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, so that the clip can be held in a warped state by the locking pins and the pressing members of the clip attaching / detaching machine. It is characterized by becoming. Further, in the connection switching device according to the third aspect, a pin protruding mechanism, a pin insertion mechanism, and a connector switching movement mechanism are continuously provided on both connector supports arranged on the gantry, and the connector switching movement mechanism is used. The driven connector support is provided with a connector clamp mechanism for fixing the connector ferrule supported by the connector support in a state of being sandwiched between both side surfaces of the connector fitting recess, and the connector clamp mechanism includes the connector clamp mechanism. A side wall member constituting a part of the side wall surface of the connector fitting concave portion is provided on the support base so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the connector fitting concave portion, and an operation mechanism for moving the side wall member is connected to the side wall member. When the connector switching movement mechanism is driven, the side wall members are brought close to each other to pinch the connector ferrule fitted in the connector fitting recess. And wherein it is in the jar. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to the third aspect, a projection formed by a parting line of the connector ferrule is disposed on both side walls of the side wall member of the connector clamping mechanism and the connector support base opposed to the side wall member. It is characterized in that an escape groove is provided. [Operation] In the connection switching device according to claim 1, each of the connector ferrules is installed on both connector support bases, and after these are arranged in the positioning state, the pressing force greater than the clip is applied to the first and second connectors. The clip is removed in a state in which the ferrule is acted on, and then the combination of the connector ferrules is switched by the pin protrusion mechanism, the connector switching movement mechanism, and the pin insertion mechanism. When driving the connector switching mechanism in the middle, the pressing force of the connector pressing mechanism is made smaller than that of the clip, and the clip is attached in that state. That is, during both operations of removing and attaching the clip, the pressing force in the subsequent process is increased to reduce the fluctuation. Further, in the connection switching device according to the second aspect, the clip is disengaged from the connector ferrule so as to be warped by the locking pin pressing member of the clip attaching / detaching machine, and the clip attaching / detaching machine is pulled out to the outside of the stand while holding the clip. After the connector ferrule is switched, the clip is attached to the connector ferrule again by the clip attaching / detaching machine. Further, in the connection switching device according to the third aspect, the connector ferrule fitted in the connector fitting recess is fixed in a sandwiched state by the side wall member, and the connector ferrule is dropped when the connector support base is moved by the connector switching movement mechanism. Etc. can be prevented. In the connection switching device according to the fourth aspect, the projection by the parting line of the connector ferrule can be arranged in the relief groove, and the connector ferrule can be clamped horizontally. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Optical fiber connector]

First, an example of an optical fiber connector whose connection is switched according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This optical fiber connector 1 has a plurality of optical fibers 2a.
A set of connector ferrules 3A and 3B accommodating the terminals of the optical fiber tape 2 which are collectively covered in a state where
A positioning pin 5 inserted in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 2a so as to be bridged between the connector ferrules 3A and 3B when the tip surfaces 4 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B are brought into abutting state; Clip 7 that presses rear end face 6 of the buckle to urge it in the butting direction
And a configuration including: Each of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B is formed in a rectangular block shape as a whole, and a stepped portion 10 is arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of a central portion in the longitudinal direction so that the front end portion 8 is thinner than the rear end portion 9. The front end surface 4 and the rear end surface 6, at least the upper and lower surfaces 11 and the left and right side surfaces 12 of the front end portion 8 are flat surfaces parallel to each other. Then, the optical fibers 2a are housed in a state where the arrangement direction of the optical fibers 2a is parallel to the upper and lower surfaces 11, and the connection end surfaces of the respective optical fibers 2a are connected to the end surfaces 4a and 4b.
Exposed. In the connector ferrules 3A and 3B, guide holes 13 into which the positioning pins 5 are inserted are provided so as to penetrate the vicinity of both ends of the row of the optical fibers 2a in the length direction. The upper and lower surfaces 11 and left and right side surfaces 12 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B, the guide hole 13 and the optical fiber 2a are connected to both connector ferrules 3A.
・ Front surface 4 with 3B surfaces 11 and 12 aligned with each other
When the guide holes 13 are arranged coaxially, the positional relationship between the optical fibers 2a exposed on the distal end face 4 is accurately determined so that the optical fibers 2a are surely connected one by one. It is set. In the vicinity of the rear end of each of the optical connector ferrules 3A and 3B, the optical fiber 2a is covered with a boot 15 made of rubber or the like, so that the sharp bend is reduced. The positioning pin 5 has an outer diameter that is tightly inserted into the guide hole 13 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B,
The length is set to be longer than the total length of one connector ferrule and shorter than the total length when both connector ferrules 3A and 3B are brought into abutting state. The clip 7 is formed by pressing a leaf spring having the same width as the connector ferrules 3A and 3B with a pressing portion 17 that comes into contact with the rear end surfaces 6 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B in abutting state. Connection located between 17
18 are integrally formed. In this case, the two pressing portions 17 are set so that the distance between them is smaller than the distance between the rear end surfaces 6 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B in the abutting state, and are elastically contacted with the rear end surfaces 6, The portion located between the pressing portion 17 and the connecting portion 18 is folded back to a protruding state, and a locking portion 19 into which a locking pin described later is inserted at the time of attaching and detaching operation to the connector ferrules 3A and 3B. Have been. The pressing portion 17 is bifurcated by a notch 20 so as to be disposed on the left and right sides of the boot 15 when it comes into contact with the rear end surfaces 6 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B.

[One embodiment of connection switching device]

Next, an embodiment of a connection switching device for switching the connection of the optical fiber connector 1 configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 1 to 16 show the connection switching device. The left side of FIG. 2, which shows the entire plan cross section of the connection switching device, is the front, the right is the back, the upper is the right, and the lower is the left. In the following description, the connector ferrule 3A in FIG.
3B will be described as a second connector ferrule, and a third connector ferrule that will be matched with the first connector ferrule 3A instead of the second connector ferrule 3B will be denoted by reference numeral 3C. [Overall Schematic Configuration of Connection Switching Device] This connection switching device includes a switch body 31 and a clip attaching / detaching machine.
The switch body 31 includes a connection side connector support base 34 for supporting the first connector ferrule 3A in a housing 33 thereof, and a second and third connector ferrules.
Switching-side connector supports 35 that support 3B and 3C in a vertically stacked state are arranged in front and back, and these connector supports 34 and 35 have guide holes 13 of connector ferrules 3A to 3C.
A pin protruding mechanism 36 for moving the positioning pin 5 inserted into the inside, a pin insertion mechanism 37 for pushing the positioning pin 5 partially protruded from the guide hole 13 by the pin protruding mechanism 36 again, and movement of these positioning pins 5 Connector clamp mechanism that sometimes fixes the first connector ferrule 3A
38, a connector switching movement mechanism 39 for vertically moving the connection side connector support 34 in a vertical direction, a switching side connector support
A connector pressing mechanism 40 for pressing 35 toward the connection-side connector support base 34 by the urging force of a spring;
A pressing force adjusting mechanism 41 that expands and contracts the spring 40 to increase or decrease its urging force, and releases the pressing force to release both connector supports 34 and 35
The connector has a schematic configuration in which a connector disconnecting mechanism 42 for separating the components is provided in series. Hereinafter, the details will be described separately for each mechanism. [Switching unit main body 31] Housing 33 The housing 33 is provided on the upper surface of the gantry 51 with the two connector support bases
35, a frame 52 surrounding the pin protruding mechanism 36 and the like is provided integrally, and a cover 53 is opened and closed over a central hole 52a of the frame 52, and further, a cover that covers the entire upper surface of the frame 52 54 is provided on the frame 52 so as to be rotatable via a hinge 55 and detachable at the hinge 55. Also, on the upper surface of the frame 52 at the front and rear positions of the lid 53,
A tape guide 56 for positioning and supporting the optical fiber tape 2 of the connector ferrules 3A to 3C to be switched in a state of being inserted into the groove is disposed in series. Connector Supports 34 and 35 The connector supports 34 and 35 are arranged on a main bracket 61 at the center of the gantry 51 of the housing 33. The connection side connector support base 34 is connected to the main bracket via a pair of guide rods 62 projecting vertically downward.
The first connector ferrule 3A is supported on the top 61 so as to be vertically movable, and has a connector fitting recess 63A for mounting the first connector ferrule 3A in a fitted state. This connector fitting recess 63A
Is formed in a groove shape with the front-rear direction open as shown in FIG.
A pair of support protrusions that contact both sides of the lower surface 11 of the tip 8 of the 3A
64 are arranged along the length direction to support the distal end portion 8 of the connector ferrule 3 on the upper surface of the support protrusion 64 in a mounted state, and to restrain the movement in the left and right direction by the left and right side wall surfaces 65. It has become. The support projection 64 is formed to have a length slightly shorter than the distal end portion 8 of the connector ferrule 3A, and is mounted with the distal end surface 4 of the connector ferrule 3A protruding from the connector support base 34. The end of the support protrusion 64 is locked to the step 10 of 3A, so that movement in the distal direction can be regulated,
Further, a stopper 66 is provided on the front end face (left end face in FIG. 1) of the connector support base 34 for restricting the movement of the connector ferrule 3A toward the rear end. In addition, a vertical groove 67 is formed so as to cut out one of the side wall surfaces 65 at the center in the length direction, and a side wall member 68 that forms the side wall surface 65 of the notched portion is provided in the vertical groove 67. ing.
The side wall member 68 constitutes a part of the connector clamp mechanism 38, and a description thereof will be given later together with the connector clamp mechanism 38. On the other hand, the switching-side connector support base 35 is supported by the guide block 72 on the main bracket 61 via a pair of guide rods 71 projecting toward the horizontal rear thereof so as to be freely movable back and forth. A lower connector fitting recess 63C for supporting the third connector ferrule 3C in a fitted state is formed, and the second connector ferrule 3C is covered with the connector fitting recess 63C.
An intermediate support member 73 interposed between the third connector ferrules 3B and 3C is rotatably supported by pins 74, and the second connector ferrule 3B is fitted on the upper surface of the intermediate support member 73. Upper connector fitting recess 63B to support in the state
Are formed. (See FIG. 6, etc.) As shown in FIG.
As in the case of the connector fitting recess 63A of the connection side connector support base 34, the connector ferrule 3C is placed on the support protrusion 64, the movement in the left and right direction is restrained by the side wall surfaces 65, and the end of the support protrusion 64 Section of connector ferrule 3C step 10
And the stopper 75 attached to the rear surface of the switching-side connector support 35 restricts the rearward movement of the connector ferrule 3C. Further, the intermediate support member 73 is formed of a magnetic material, and the magnet of the switching-side connector support base 35 is formed.
As shown in FIG. 16, a support projection 64 and a side wall surface 65 are formed in the upper connector fitting concave portion 63B, and a stopper 77 is formed in the upper connector fitting concave portion 63B. Are integrally formed. The connector support bases 34 and 35 expose the connector fitting recesses 63A to 63C upward from the holes 52a of the frame 52 of the housing 33 and arrange the grooves of the tape guide 56 on the frame 52. They are arranged facing each other in a state of being arranged in series along the direction. The pin protruding mechanism 36 has an outer diameter that can be inserted into the guide hole 13 of the connector ferrules 3A to 3C, for example, a protruding pin 81 having the same outer diameter as the positioning pin 5, and the protruding pin 81 is Each of the guide holes of the second and third connector ferrules 3B and 3C supported by the switching-side connector support base 35 is provided on a support block 82 disposed behind the switching-side connector support base 35.
At the same interval as 13, four are fixed in parallel to each other and toward the connector support base 35, and are moved in the front-rear direction by the projecting drive unit 83. As shown in FIG. 1, the projecting drive unit 83
A first drive unit 84 such as a motor fixed to the first drive unit;
It has two driving sources with a second driving unit 85 such as a solenoid that is moved in the front-rear direction by 84. First drive unit
84 is fixed to a rear bracket 86 disposed opposite to the main bracket 61 of the gantry 51, and drives a lead screw 87 between the rear bracket 86 and the main bracket 61 via a gear 88. The slide table 89 is moved in the front-rear direction by the lead screw 87.
The second drive unit 85 is fixed to the support block 82.
And a mounting bracket 90 that is integral with the main body. As shown in FIG. 3, a guide groove 91 is formed in the guide block 72 on the main bracket 61 to support the distal end of each push-out pin 81 and guide the movement.
The guide block 72 and the support block 82
Similarly to the tape guide 56, a groove 92 for inserting the optical fiber tape 2 pulled out from the connector ferrules 3B and 3C is formed (see FIG. 7 for the support block 82). A return spring 93 is provided on the front surface of the mounting bracket 90 toward the mounting bracket 90. Pin Insertion Mechanism 37 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the pin insertion mechanism 37 includes an insertion drive unit 101 such as a solenoid provided on the main bracket 61 of the gantry 51 in a fixed state.
An insertion member 103 that presses the positioning pin 5 of the connector ferrule 3A is attached to a support block 102 that is moved in the front-rear direction by the insertion drive unit 101,
Front bracket fixed in front of main bracket 61
A guide rod 105 at the back of the support block 102 is inserted through 104 to guide the back and forth movement of the support block. The insertion member 103 has a pair of claws 106 facing the connection-side connector support base 34 and guide holes 13 of the connector ferrules 3A to 3C.
And are formed at the same mutual interval. These claws 106
These guide holes are inserted into the guide holes 13 of both the second and third connector ferrules 3B and 3C supported in a stacked state on the switching-side connector support base 35 so that the positioning pins 5 can be inserted. 13 is set to have a height larger than the vertical interval, and the front end is partially cut away so as to avoid the stopper 66 attached to the connection side connector support base 34, as shown in FIG. The upper part is projected from the lower part. A groove 92 for inserting the optical fiber tape 2 is formed between the claws 106 in the same manner as the tape guide 56 and the like. Connector ramp mechanism 38 The connector ramp mechanism 38 drives the side wall member 68 of the connection side connector support base 34 to
The first connector ferrule 3A mounted on the first connector ferrule 3A is fixed and released. The side wall member 68 is connected to the connection side connector support base as described above.
The side wall surface 65 of the portion of the vertical groove 67 is formed (see FIG. 14), and is rotatably supported in the vertical groove 67 by a shaft 111 extending in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 5 is urged by the spring 112 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5, that is, in the direction in which it is pushed out toward the connector fitting recess 63A of the connection-side connector support base. It should be noted that an elastic member 113 such as rubber is adhered to the side wall surface 65 facing the side wall member 68 and the connection side connector support base. A pin 1 for pressing the lower surface of the side wall member 68 against the urging force of the spring 112 is provided on the connection side connector support base 34.
14 is inserted movably up and down.
34 is driven by a cam 115 below. As shown in FIG. 1, the cam 115 has a rod-shaped bracket 116 fixed to a slide base 89 of the pin projecting mechanism 36.
The rod-shaped bracket 116 is formed at the tip of
A cam 115 is disposed between the main bracket 61 and the guide block 72 and below the connection-side connector support base 34 via below the switching-side connector support base 35, and a guide formed on the main bracket 61. It can be moved in the front-back direction along the groove 117. When the pin 114 is pushed up by the cam 115, the connector fitting concave 6
The side wall member 68 is rotated so as to retract the side wall surface 65 to the side of 3A, and when the pin 114 is lowered, the side wall surface 65 of the side wall member 68 faces the connector fitting recess 63A, and The connector ferrule 3A is sandwiched between the side wall surface 65 of the connector fitting recess 63A. That is, in this embodiment, the first drive section 84, the slide base 89, the rod-shaped bracket 116, the cam 1
The operation mechanism according to the present invention is constituted by the pin 15, the pin 114, and the spring 112. Connector switching movement mechanism 39 The connector switching movement mechanism 39 is for moving the connection side connector support base 34 up and down. As shown in FIG. A connecting plate 121 is integrally fixed to a lower end portion of the guide rod 62, and a driving shaft 124 of a switching drive unit 123 such as a solenoid is connected to a pin 122 inserted into the connecting plate 121, and the connecting member 12
The configuration is such that a spring 126 is provided between 5 and the connecting plate 121. In this case, the raised position of the connection-side connector support base 34 is determined by the stopper 127 attached to the main bracket 61.
The lowering position is regulated by abutting on the upper surface of the main bracket 61 at a position below the connector support base 34. The connector fitting recess 63A of the connection-side connector support base 34 is provided with an upper connector fitting recess 63B of the switching-side connector support base 35 at the ascending position, and a lower connector fitting recess 63C at the descending position, respectively. They are positioned so as to be in series. Connector pressing mechanism 40 The connector pressing mechanism 40 is connected to the switching-side connector support 35.
Spring 131 arranged between the guide block 72 and the
And a link mechanism 132 that engages with the switching-side connector support 35 and urges it toward the connection-side connector support 34. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG.
2 is rotatably supported, and a crank link 134 disposed on the right side of the switching-side connector support base 35 is fixed to the tip of the shaft 133, and the roller 135 at the tip of the crank link 134 is connected to the switching-side connector. It is engaged with a slide groove 136 along the vertical direction of the support base 35. In this case, the shaft 133 is disposed at a position below the switching-side connector support base 35, and one of the two bent portions of the crank link 134 is fixed to the shaft 133, and the shaft 133 and the roller 135 are arranged in a vertical positional relationship. A pin 137 is movably inserted into a crank link 134 at a position rearward of the shaft 133, and a pressing force adjusting mechanism 41 described later is connected to the pin 137. The connecting member 138 and the crank link 134 4, the crank link 134 is moved clockwise in FIG. 4, that is, the switching-side connector support 35 is connected to the connection-side connector support 34.
A spring 139 is provided to urge in the direction of pressing toward. That is, the connector pressing mechanism 40 applies a pressing force by the urging force of both the spring 139 for urging the crank link 134 and the pressing spring 131 between the switching-side connector support base 35 and the guide block 72. Is what it is. Further, the slide table 89 of the pin protrusion mechanism 36 includes:
A stopper 141 is provided which comes into contact with the roller 140 at the other bent portion of the crank link 134 and restricts the rotation of the crank link 134 in the clockwise direction in FIG. The stopper 141 has a distal end portion formed to be bent downward, and a lower end surface formed with a pressing surface 141a that abuts against the roller 140 of the crank link 134.
At the retracted position of 89, the pressing surface 141a presses the roller 140 from above, restrains the rotation, and moves the roller 14 with the advance of the slide table 89 by the pin protrusion mechanism 36.
The pressing surface 141a is separated from 0 to release the restrained state on the crank link 134. Pressing force adjusting mechanism 41 The pressing force adjusting mechanism 41 includes a pin 137 inserted through a crank link 134 of the connector pressing mechanism 40, and
The drive shaft 14 of the adjustment drive unit 145 such as a solenoid via 138
6 is connected, and the adjusting drive section 145 is fixed to the gantry 51 of the housing 33. That is, the pressing force is adjusted by expanding and contracting the spring 139 that presses and biases the crank link 134. When the spring 139 is contracted by the adjusting drive unit 145, the clip 7 of the connector ferrule is pressed. Pressure force greater than
Further, when the spring 139 is extended, a pressing force smaller than that of the clip 7 acts. Connector disconnecting mechanism 42 The connector disconnecting mechanism 42 is
At the rear end of the crank link 134,
The drive shaft 148 of the disconnecting drive unit 147 such as a solenoid, which is in a fixed state, is brought into contact with the crank link 134 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The switching-side connector support 35 with which the 134 is engaged is rotated in a direction away from the connection-side connector support 34. [Clip attaching / detaching machine 32] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 has a shaft 152 attached to a mounting bracket 151 on an outer surface of the switching device main body 31 along a vertical direction. Arm 153 along the horizontal direction at the upper end of shaft 152
Are supported so as to be freely rotatable and movable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 152, and a slide block 155 is horizontally supported by a guide 154 integral with the arm 153. A holding member 156 abutting on the back surface of the connecting portion 18 of the clip 7 is fixed forward, and a pair of mutually parallel locking pins 157 inserted from the side into the locking portion 19 of the clip 7 is attached and detached. The slide block 155 is supported via a mechanism 158 so as to be vertically movable. The mounting bracket 151 is fixed to the outer surface of the gantry 51 in the housing 33 of the switching device main body 31, and a V-shaped groove 159 for engaging a shaft is formed along the up-down direction. With the shaft 152 attached, the holding plate 160 attached to the outside of the shaft 152
52 is fixed. The attachment / detachment mechanism 158 has a support bracket 171 supported by the slide block 155 so as to be vertically movable by a guide rod 172, and the support bracket 171 is formed with a cutout portion 173 so as to open the lower part, An eccentric cam 175 disposed in the notch 173 of the support bracket 171 is provided on a rod 174 that passes through the slide block 155 via the notch 173. The eccentric cam 175 is
The support bracket 171 is moved up and down by being rotated together with the rod 174 so as to lift the support bracket 171 from below, and both locking pins 157 are directed forward on the front surface of the support bracket 171 in parallel with the pressing member 156. It is protruding. In this case, the pressing member 156 is set to a length protruding forward from the locking pin 157. The rod 174 protrudes rearward of the slide block 155, and an operation lever 176 is provided at a protruding end thereof.
The stopper 178 that abuts the pin 177 integral with the 74
The pair of rods 1
The rotation range of 74, in other words, the vertical movement range of the support bracket 171 is regulated. In this case, the lowering position of the support bracket 171 is a position where the vertical distance from the lower surface of the pressing member 156 to the locking pin 157 is substantially equal to the distance from the back surface of the connecting portion 18 of the clip 7 to the locking portion 19. On the other hand, the rising position is a position where the locking pin 157 is disposed above the holding member 156. Also,
In this raised position, the eccentric cam 175 is held at a position beyond the top dead center by the eccentric cam 175 so that the eccentric cam 175 does not return unless an artificial operation is performed. On the other hand, between the base end of the arm 153 and the holding base 181 fixed to the shaft 152 and the switching device main body 31, an arm 153 is provided.
Lock pin 18 for fixing the clip to a position where the clip can be removed
Two are provided. When the arm 153 is fixed by the lock pin 182, the guide 154 of the arm 153 is arranged orthogonally to the connector fitting recesses 63A to 63C of the connector support bases 34 and 35, and the connector fitting is performed. Connector ferrule clip 7 supported in recesses 63A to 63C
The pressing member 156 and the locking pin 157 are arranged outside the. Further, a stopper 183 for regulating the forward position of the slide block 155 is also provided on the arm 153 and the slide block 155.
In the forward position, a pressing member 15 is provided on the back surface of the connecting portion 18 of the clip 7 of the connector ferrule.
6 come into contact with each other, and the locking pins 157 are inserted into the locking portions 19, respectively.

[Connection switching method]

Next, a method of switching the connection of the optical fiber connector 1 using such a connection switching device will be described in the order of steps with reference to FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (f). [Connector Ferrule Installation Step] First, the cover 54 of the housing 33 is removed, and the shaft 1 of the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 is attached to the mounting bracket 151 on the outer surface of the gantry 51.
While fixing 52, the lid 53 is opened to expose the connector fitting recesses 63A to 63C of both connector support bases 34 and 35, and the connector ferrules 3A to 3C are supported by the connector fitting recesses 63A to 63C, respectively. In this case, the switching-side connector support base 35
The third connector ferrule 3C is supported by the lower connector fitting concave portion 63C, and the third connector ferrule 3C is
With the intermediate support member 73 put on the 3C, the clip 7 attached to the connected first and second connector ferrules 3A and 3B is turned upward, and Then, the second connector ferrule 3B and the first connector ferrule 3A of the connection-side connector support stand 34 are respectively placed thereon. Fig. 17 (a) shows the connector ferrule.
3A to 3C are shown. [Connector Pressing Step] First, the slide table 89 is slightly advanced by the first driving unit 84 in the pin protruding mechanism 36 of the switching device main body 31, and the stopper 141 and the connector clamp mechanism that press the crank link 134 of the connector pressing mechanism 40. The cam 115 of 38 is moved together with the slide base 89 to release the restrained state of the crank link 134 and the side wall member 68 of the connector clamp mechanism 38. By this operation, the crank link 134 is urged by the spring 139, and presses the switching-side connector support 35 toward the connection-side connector support 34. in this case,
The spring 139 is contracted by the adjusting drive unit 145 of the pressing force adjusting mechanism 41, and the two connector support bases 34, 35 are pressed with a pressing force larger than the clip 7 of the connector ferrule.
Is pressed. The side wall member 68 of the connector clamp mechanism 38 fixes the first connector ferrule 3A between the side wall surface 65 and the side wall surface 65 of the connection-side connector support base 34 in a sandwiched state. [Clip Removal Step] Next, the drive of the pin protrusion mechanism 36 is stopped, and the
Arm of the clip detacher 32 retracted to the outside of the
153 is turned, and its guide 154 is
After being arranged orthogonally to the 35 connector fitting concave portions 63A to 63C and fixing the turning movement of the arm 153 by the lock pin 182,
When the slide block 155 is moved forward and the slide block 155 is brought into contact with the stopper 183 while the distal end of the holding member 156 is brought into contact with the back surface of the connecting portion 18 of the clip 7, the locking pin 157 is engaged with the locking portion of the clip 7. Insert in 19. When the operation lever 176 of the rod 174 is rotated, the pressing member 156
While the supporting portion 18 of the clip 7 is
Lifts the locking portion 19 upwards, so that the clip 7
Is bent so as to be warped, and both pressing portions 17 are separated from the rear end surfaces 9 of the connector ferrules 3A and 3B. In this way, clip 7 is connected to connector ferrule 3A
After detaching from the 3B, the arm 153 is turned to retract the detachable machine 32 to the outside of the gantry 51 while supporting the clip 7.
In this state, the clip 7 is exposed.
And can take measures such as replacement if necessary. [Connector Ferrule Switching Step] (i) Positioning Pin Movement By driving the slide base 89 again by the first drive unit 84 of the pin protrusion mechanism 36, the protrusion pins 81 are gently advanced to connect the two connector ferrules in the connected state.
Insert into the guide holes 13 of 3A and 3B and shift the positioning pin 5. Immediately before passing through the abutting portion of the distal end surfaces 4 of both connector ferrules 3A and 3B (for example, 2
The protruding pin 81 is driven at a high speed by the second driving unit 85 at a distance of about 3 mm before the positioning pin 5 is pulled out of the guide hole 13 of the second connector ferrule 3B, and is inserted into the guide hole 13 of the first connector ferrule 3A. Let it be placed. That is, since the positioning pins 5 may be in a fixed state after being left for a long time, the positioning pins 5 are moved at a low speed without difficulty at first. Note that the protruding pin 81
Is pulled out from the guide hole 13 of the first connector ferrule 3A and retracted into the second connector ferrule 3B. This state is shown in FIG. 17 (b). Since such a moving operation of the positioning pin 5 is performed in a state where the two connector ferrules 3A and 3B are positioned on the connector support bases 34 and 35, fluctuations in transmission loss can be reduced. In the state shown in FIG. 17 (b), the positioning pin 5 is connected to the second connector ferrule 3B.
The connector ferrules 3A and 3B are slightly pulled out from the connector ferrules 3A and 3B, but the connector ferrules 3A and 3B are fitted into the connector support base 34 and the connector fitting recesses 63A and 63B of the intermediate support member 73. In this state, the abutting state of the distal end face 4 is maintained, so that the transmission performance can be maintained at a level that does not hinder practical use. (Ii) Movement of the first connector ferrule Next, the connector disconnecting mechanism 42 is driven, and the end of the crank link 134 is pressed by the drive unit 147 so that the crank link 134 is moved in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. After rotating to separate the switching-side connector support 35 from the connection-side connector support 34, the connector switching moving mechanism 39
To push down the first connector ferrule 3A for each connection-side connector support base 34,
3A and lower connector fitting recess 63 on switching side connector support base 35
The third connector ferrule 3C in C is opposed to
Thereafter, the pressing state of the crank link 134 by the connector disconnecting mechanism 42 is released, and the switching-side connector support 35 is released.
Is pressed against the connection-side connector support base. 17th
FIG. 7C shows a state after the switching movement. During this movement, the first connector ferrule 3A is pulled down together with the connector support base 34.
Since it is fixed in the sandwiched state by 39, it does not fall out of the connector fitting recess 63A during movement. Further, the pin 137 engaged with the crank link 134 is lowered by the drive unit 145 of the pressing force adjusting mechanism 41 at the same time as the connector switching movement mechanism 39, and the spring 139 is extended, in other words, the urging force on the crank link 134 To a weakened state. (Iii) Positioning Pin Insertion Next, the insertion member 103 is advanced by the insertion driving unit 101 of the pin insertion mechanism 37, and the first connector ferrule 3A
The positioning pin 5 projecting rearward from the rear end of the
By pressing the positioning pins 5 all the way into the guide holes 13 of the first connector ferrule 3A,
As shown in FIG. 17 (d), the first and third connector ferrules 3A and 3C are extended over the guide holes 13 of the ferrules 3A and 3C.
In the state shown in FIG. 17 (d), the first connector ferrule 3A is precisely positioned by the positioning pin 5 with the third connector ferrule 3C. [Second Connector Ferrule Ejection Step] The ejecting pin 81 is retracted by the first driving portion 84 of the pin ejecting mechanism 36 and pulled out from the guide holes 13 of the connector ferrules 3B and 3C as shown in FIG. 17 (e). Thereafter, the second connector ferrule 3B placed on the intermediate support member 73 is taken out, and the intermediate support member 73 is rotated to open the third connector ferrule 3C. I do. [Clip Attaching Step] Next, the arm 153 of the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 retracted to the outside of the switching machine main body 31 is turned again, and the clip 7 is applied to the upper surfaces of the switched connector ferrules 3A and 3C. After the contact, the operation lever 176 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above-described [clip removing step], and the clip 7 in the warped state returns to the original state by the restoring force, and the clip 7 is returned to the original state.
As shown in FIG. 17 (f), it is attached to both connector ferrules 3B and 3C. In this case, since the urging force of the spring 139 of the connector pressing mechanism 40 is weakened during the first connector ferrule movement in the [connector ferrule switching step], the pressing force is smaller than the urging force of the clip 7. The clip 7 having an urging force larger than the pressing force is attached to the two connector ferrules 3B and 3C which are brought into contact with each other by the pressure. [Connector Ferrule Removal Step] The locking pin 157 of the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 is pulled out from the engaging portion 19 of the clip 7, and the arm 153 is turned to retract the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 to the outside of the gantry 51. The upper portions of the connector ferrules 3B and 3C are open, and can be easily taken out. As described above, this connection switching operation includes: (1) When removing the clip 7, the connector 7 is removed with the connector ferrules 3A and 3B being pressed with a pressing force larger than the urging force of the clip 7, At the time of attachment, the clip 7 is attached with a pressing force smaller than the urging force of the clip 7 acting on the connector ferrules 3A and 3C, so that the pressing force is increased in a state of a post-process. . (2) With the connector ferrules 3A, 3B, and 3C positioned by the connector support bases 34 and 35, the positioning pin 5 is inserted and removed, so that both operations of attaching and detaching the clip 7 and moving the positioning pin 5 are performed. Can reduce the variation in connection loss. Also, after the positioning pin 5 is displaced from the first and second connector ferrules 3A and 3B, or after the first connector ferrule 3A is moved in parallel and disposed opposite to the third connector ferrule 3C, Connector support
The axes of the optical fibers 2a can be kept aligned with each other by 34 and 35, so that the actual non-transmission time can be substantially only during the translation of the first connector ferrule 3A. In addition, the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 facilitates the attaching / detaching operation of the clip 7, and the clip attaching / detaching machine 32 is pivotally supported by the switching unit main body 31.
Inspection, replacement, and the like of the removed clip 7 can be performed.

[Other embodiments of connector clamp mechanism]

FIGS. 19 to 22 show another embodiment of the connector clamping mechanism. In the connector clamping mechanism 191, the side wall member 192 of the connection side connector support base 34 is movable on a guide rod 193 along the left and right direction. , It can move forward and backward with respect to the connector fitting recess 63A. A vertical wall 194 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the connector support base 34 near the back surface of the side wall member 192, and a bolt member 195 rotatably supported by the side wall member 192 is screwed to the vertical wall 194. By rotating a lever 196 connected to the bolt member 195, the bolt member 195 is rotated.
At the same time, the side wall member 192 is moved along the guide rod 193. Further, a return spring 197 is interposed between the opposing portions of the side wall member 192 and the connector support base. That is, in this embodiment, the operating mechanism according to the present invention is constituted by the bolt member 195, the lever 196, and the return spring 197.
The cam 115 and the pin 114 are unnecessary. Further, on both side wall surfaces 65 of the connector support base 34 and the side wall member 192 facing each other via the connector fitting concave portion 63A, there is a manufacturing party in the connector ferrule 3A fitted into the connector fitting concave portion 63A. An escape groove 199 is formed along the length direction (front-back direction) in order to avoid the projection 198 caused by the running line (joint of the mold). With such a connector clamp mechanism 191, it is possible to clamp the connector ferrule 3 </ b> A without giving a twist or the like, and it is possible to suppress a change in loss during the clamp operation. Further, even when the projection 198 due to the parting line is formed on the connector ferrule 3A, the projection 198 can be arranged in the escape groove 199, and the connector ferrule 3A can be clamped horizontally. "Effects of the Invention" As is clear from the above description, the connection switching device of the present invention can provide the following effects. (I) Since the relative positional relationship of the connector ferrule is fixed to the connector support base and the positioning pins are inserted and removed, fluctuations in connection loss during the movement of the positioning pins are reduced, and the positioning pins are moved. Can be maintained so that the axes of the optical fibers in the two connector ferrules are aligned. (Ii) By the connector pressing mechanism and the pressing force adjusting mechanism,
Since the pressing force on the connector ferrule at the time of attaching and detaching the clip is adjusted to increase the pressing force in the subsequent process, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation of the connection loss when attaching and detaching the clip. (Iii) According to the above (i) and (ii), the actual transmission cutoff time can be set substantially only during the linear parallel movement of the first connector ferrule, and the switching time can be reduced. (Iv) In the connection switching device according to the second aspect, the clip attaching / detaching machine can efficiently attach and detach the clip by holding the back surface of the clip so that the clip is warped by the locking pins locked at both ends. The clip can be pulled out outward from the gantry, so that the detached clip can be easily inspected and replaced during the switching operation. (V) In the connection switching device according to the third aspect, the connector ferrule moved by the connector switching movement mechanism can be effectively fixed by the connector clamp mechanism, and the connector ferrule can be prevented from falling off during the switching movement. it can. (Vi) In the connection switching device according to the fourth aspect, even if a projection due to a parting line is formed on the connector ferrule, the projection can be arranged in the clearance groove, and the connector ferrule is accurately clamped without tilting. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 16 show an embodiment of a connection switching device for an optical fiber connector according to the present invention. 1 to 8 are assembly drawings of the switch body, FIG. 1 is an overall vertical sectional view of the switch body, FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a front view of a connector pressing mechanism, its pressing force adjusting mechanism, and a connector disconnecting mechanism, and FIGS. 5 to 8 are VV of FIG. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along a line or a line VIII-VIII. 9 to 12 are assembly views of the clip attaching / detaching machine. FIG. 9 is a plan view, FIG. 10 is a front view, FIG. 11 is a side view, and FIG. 12 is XII-XII of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along a line. 13 to 16 are detailed views of components arranged in the switch body. FIG. 13 is a connection side connector support, FIG. 14 is a side wall member, and FIG. 15 is a switch side connector support. And FIG. 16 show the intermediate support members, wherein (a) is a front view and (b) is a plan view. 17 (a) to 17 (f) are process diagrams illustrating the procedure for switching the connector ferrule, and FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an optical fiber connector which is switched by the connection switching device of the present invention. It is. 19 to 22 show another embodiment of the connector clamping mechanism, FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view, FIG. 20 is a top view,
FIG. 21 is a side view, and FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1 ... optical fiber connector, 2 ... optical fiber tape,
2a: Optical fiber, 3A to 3C: Connector ferrule, 4
... front end face, 5 ... positioning pin, 6 ... rear end face, 7 ...
... Clip, 8 ... Top end, 9 ... Back end, 10 ... Step, 11 ... Top and bottom, 12 ... Side, 13 ... Guide hole, 17 ...
... Pressing part, 18 ... Connecting part, 19 ... Locking part, 31 ... Switching machine body, 32 ... Clip attaching / detaching machine, 33 ... Housing, 34 ...
... Connecting-side connector support, 35 ... Switching-side connector support, 36 ... Pin protrusion mechanism, 37 ... Pin insertion mechanism, 38
…… Connector ramp mechanism, 39 …… Connector switching and moving mechanism, 40 …… Connector pressing mechanism, 41 …… Pressing force adjustment mechanism,
42: Connector disconnection mechanism, 51: Stand, 56: Tape guide, 61: Main bracket, 63A to 63C: Connector fitting recess, 64: Support projection, 65: Side wall surface, 66: Stopper , 68 ... Side wall member, 72 ... Guide block, 73 ...
Intermediate support member, 75/77 Stopper, 81 Projection pin, 83 Projection drive unit, 84 First drive unit, 85
... Second drive unit, 87 Lead screw, 89 Slide base, 92 Groove, 101 Insert drive unit, 103 Insert member, 106 Claw, 112 Spring, 114 Pin, 115: Cam, 116: Bar bracket, 123: Switching drive unit, 13
1 ... Pressing spring, 132 ... Link mechanism, 134 ... Crank link, 135 ... Roller, 136 ... Slide groove, 139 ...
... Spring, 141 ... Stopper, 145 ... Adjustment drive unit, 147
…… Driver for detachment, 151 …… Mounting bracket, 152…
… Shaft, 153… arm, 154 …… guide, 155 ……
Slide block, 156 ... Pressing member, 157 ... Locking pin, 158 ... Removal mechanism, 171 ... Support bracket, 174 ...
… Rod, 175… Eccentric cam, 178… Stopper, 182…
… Lock pin, 183… stopper, 191… connector clamp mechanism, 192… side wall member, 195… bolt member, 196
…… Lever, 197 …… Return spring, 198 …… Protrusion, 199 …… Escape groove.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tamaki 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura-shi, Chiba Fujikura Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Hideo Kobayashi 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (56) References JP-A-64-46710 (JP, A) JP-A-2-34810 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G02B 26/08 G02B 6/36-6/40

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An end face (4) of a first connector ferrule (3A) housing a terminal of a pair of optical fibers (2a) and a front end face (4) of a second connector ferrule (3B) are brought into contact with each other. The exposed optical fibers are connected to each other, and a positioning pin (5) is inserted between the two connector ferrules in a guide hole (13) formed along the length of the optical fiber. Is inserted, and the connection state of the two connector ferrules is released from the state in which the clip (7) for pressing and urging the two connector ferrules in the butting direction is attached to the surfaces of the two connector ferrules. The connection switching device (3) of the optical fiber connector (1) for connecting the optical fibers with each other by abutting the ferrule with the third connector ferrule (3C).
1) wherein the mounting surface (51) and the connector support base (34) for supporting the first connector ferrule in the connector fitting recess (63A) in a fitted state are aligned with the tip end surfaces. A connector support (35) for supporting the second and third connector ferrules in the connector fitting recesses (63B, 63C) is provided to face each other. A pin protruding mechanism (36) that presses a positioning pin in a guide hole of the supported connector ferrule to move in the axial direction, and a positioning pin that is partially protruded from the guide hole of the connector ferrule by the pin protruding mechanism. A pin insertion mechanism (37) for pressing and pushing into the connector ferrule; and a connector for relatively translating the two connector support bases along the arrangement direction of the second and third connector ferrules. A connector switching mechanism (39), a connector pressing mechanism (40) for pressing one of the two connector supports toward the other by the biasing force of the springs (131, 139), and a spring (139) of the connector pressing mechanism. A pressing force adjusting mechanism (41) that expands and contracts to increase or decrease the urging force is continuously provided. The first and second connector ferrules positioned and arranged on the connector support base are provided with a connector pressing mechanism and a pressing force adjusting mechanism. With the pressing force greater than that of the clip applied, the clip is removed by the clip attaching / detaching machine, the pin is protruded by the pin protruding mechanism, and the positioning pin is inserted by the pin insertion mechanism after switching the combination of the connector ferrules. When the mechanism is driven, the connector pressing mechanism and the pressing force adjusting mechanism apply a first pressing force smaller than that of the clip. An optical fiber connector connection switching device adapted to act on a second connector ferrule. 2. A front end face (4) of a first connector ferrule (3A) and a second connector ferrule (3B) respectively housing terminals of a pair of optical fibers (2a) are abutted against each other. The exposed optical fibers are connected to each other, and a positioning pin (5) is inserted between the two connector ferrules in a guide hole (13) formed along the length of the optical fiber. Is inserted, and the connection state of the two connector ferrules is released from the state in which the clip (7) for pressing and urging the two connector ferrules in the butting direction is attached to the surfaces of the two connector ferrules. The connection switching device (3) of the optical fiber connector (1) for connecting the optical fibers with each other by abutting the ferrule with the third connector ferrule (3C).
1) wherein the mounting surface (51) and the connector support base (34) for supporting the first connector ferrule in the connector fitting recess (63A) in a fitted state are aligned with the tip end surfaces. A connector support (35) for supporting the second and third connector ferrules in the connector fitting recesses (63B, 63C) is provided to face each other. A pin protruding mechanism (36) that presses a positioning pin in a guide hole of the supported connector ferrule to move in the axial direction, and a positioning pin that is partially protruded from the guide hole of the connector ferrule by the pin protruding mechanism. A pin insertion mechanism (37) for pressing and pushing into the connector ferrule; and a connector for relatively translating the two connector support bases along the arrangement direction of the second and third connector ferrules. And a clip attaching / detaching machine (32) is supported on the gantry so as to be able to be pulled out outward, and the clip attaching / detaching machine is engaged with both ends of the clip. A pair of mutually parallel locking pins (157), a pressing member (156) abutting on the back surface of the center portion of the clip, and a detachable mechanism for moving both locking pins in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. (158), wherein the clip is held in a deflected state by the locking pin and the pressing member of the clip attaching / detaching machine, wherein the connection switching device of the optical fiber connector is provided. 3. A front end face (4) of a first connector ferrule (3A) and a second connector ferrule (3B) respectively housing terminals of a pair of optical fibers (2a) are abutted with each other. The exposed optical fibers are connected to each other, and a positioning pin (5) is inserted between the two connector ferrules in a guide hole (13) formed along the length of the optical fiber. Is inserted, and the connection state of the two connector ferrules is released from the state in which the clip (7) for pressing and urging the two connector ferrules in the butting direction is attached to the surfaces of the two connector ferrules. The connection switching device (3) of the optical fiber connector (1) for connecting the optical fibers with each other by abutting the ferrule with the third connector ferrule (3C).
1) wherein the mounting surface (51) and the connector support base (34) for supporting the first connector ferrule in the connector fitting recess (63A) in a fitted state are aligned with the tip end surfaces. A connector support (35) for supporting the second and third connector ferrules in the connector fitting recesses (63B, 63C) is provided to face each other. A pin protruding mechanism (36) that presses a positioning pin in a guide hole of the supported connector ferrule to move in the axial direction, and a positioning pin that is partially protruded from the guide hole of the connector ferrule by the pin protruding mechanism. A pin insertion mechanism (37) for pressing and pushing into the connector ferrule; and a connector for relatively translating the two connector support bases along the arrangement direction of the second and third connector ferrules. A connector ferrule supported by the connector support base, the connector ferrule supported by the connector support base driven by the connector switching movement mechanism, between both side surfaces (65) of the connector fitting recess. A connector clamp mechanism (38, 191) for fixing the connector in a sandwiched state is provided on the connector support base. , 192) are provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the connector fitting concave portion, and an operation mechanism for moving the side wall member is connected to the side wall member. When the connector switching movement mechanism is driven, the side wall members are brought closer to each other. A connector ferrule fitted in the connector fitting concave portion to be clamped. 4. An escape groove (199) for disposing a projection (198) by a parting line of a connector ferrule is provided on both side walls of a side wall member of the connector clamp mechanism and a connector support opposed to the side wall member. 4. The optical fiber connector connection switching device according to claim 3, wherein: