JP3045870B2 - Optical switch manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a so-called 2.times.2 optical switch for simultaneously switching a pair of optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical switch is a device for switching an optical fiber connection core constituting an optical communication network. Therefore, from the viewpoint of shortening the interruption time of optical communication and applicability to long-distance communication such as submarine cables, high-speed operation is required. Low loss and miniaturization are required. Further, with an increase in the capacity of communication data, an optical switch that realizes switching from a plurality of multi-core optical fibers to a plurality of optical fibers is desired.

A conventional optical switch, as shown in FIG.
An arrangement member holding a plurality of tape-shaped optical fibers arranged along the same arrangement surface is faced with another arrangement member arranged with a plurality of tape-like optical fibers along the same arrangement surface, and along this arrangement surface. By moving one of the array members,
Switching was performed between multi-core optical fibers.

According to a first prior art (FIG. 7A),
On the upper surface of one arrangement member, the four-core tape-shaped optical fiber 1, the four-core tape-shaped optical fiber 2, and the four-core bypass fiber B are arranged in order from the end, and on the upper surface of the other arrangement member,
From the same end, a 4-core bypass fiber B, a 4-core tape-shaped optical fiber 4, and a 4-core tape-shaped optical fiber 3 are sequentially arranged. Therefore, the tape-like optical fiber 1 is switched from the tape-like optical fiber 3 to the tape-like optical fiber 4 by moving one of the arrangement members in parallel along the upper surface.

According to a second prior art (FIG. 7B),
Three types of optical fibers, optical fibers 1a, 1b, 1
c, 1d, optical fibers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and bypass fiber B are alternately arranged on the same plane.

[0006]

However, according to the first prior art, a tape-shaped optical fiber which can be used for large-capacity optical communication can be used. However, since the moving distance between the fibers depends on the number of cores, As the number of cores increases, the moving distance becomes longer and the speed is lacking. Further, since the moving distance becomes longer, the impact at the time of switching is large, and it takes a long time for the vibration due to the impact to converge, and during that time, the accuracy of the communication data is reduced.

According to the second prior art, the moving pitch between the fibers is small, which is suitable for high-speed operation. However, since three kinds of optical fibers are alternately arranged, a plurality of optical fibers are collectively stored. There is a problem that the tape-shaped optical fiber cannot be used alone, and it has a drawback that it is not suitable for large-capacity optical communication.

Therefore, the present inventor has referred to a parallel fiber in which a pair of optical fibers are disposed in parallel between a first pair of optical fibers and a second pair of optical fibers (hereinafter, referred to as “straight fiber”). ) And a cross fiber in which a pair of optical fibers cross each other (hereinafter, “cross fiber”)
That. ) Are stacked and arranged, and by moving the straight fiber and the cross fiber in the stacking direction simultaneously, an optical switch that switches the first pair of optical fibers with respect to the second pair of optical fibers has been proposed (not disclosed). ).

An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method which can easily manufacture this optical switch with good reproducibility.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cross fiber chip for holding a pair of optical fibers crossing each other and a pair of optical fibers using the following five steps. An optical switch having a moving element in which straight fiber chips held in a state of being arranged in parallel with each other are stacked is manufactured.

Here, in the first step, the first optical fiber is held linearly by a pair of fiber holding members arranged at a predetermined interval, and in the second step, at least one of the pair of fiber holding members is held. Is moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the first optical fiber, whereby the first optical fiber is bent into a substantially S-shape. Further, in the third step, the second optical fiber held in a straight line is converted into a first S-shaped bent optical fiber.
In the fourth step, by moving at least one of the pair of fiber holding members, the radius of curvature of the first optical fiber bent in a substantially S-shape is reduced, and the second optical fiber is moved in the fourth step. Bend in an S shape. Further, in the fifth step, a cross fiber chip in which the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber cross each other is formed by fixing the pair of fiber holding members while maintaining the relative positions.

[0012]

According to the present invention, one of the pair of fiber holding members is moved while holding the first optical fiber at two locations, and then the fiber holding is performed with the second optical fiber superimposed on the first optical fiber. Since the optical fibers are held by the members, a pair of optical fibers crossing in an X-shape are formed uniformly.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing an optical switch according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Here, FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing the manufacturing steps (a) to (c) of the optical switch, FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing the manufacturing steps (d) and (e) of the optical switch, and FIG. 3 is a manufacturing process of the optical switch. Step (f)-
It is a process drawing showing (h). In this embodiment, four optical fibers are used as the optical fibers.

First, a configuration example of an optical switch that can be manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the optical switch. In FIG. 6, the tape-shaped optical fiber 12 held by the cross fiber tip and the straight fiber tip,
In order to clarify the positional relationship between 14, 17, and 18 and the tape-like optical fibers 22, 23, 24, and 25 held by the fixed chip 21, the distance between the cross fiber chip and the straight fiber chip and the fixed chip is set. Wide.

Here, a pair of fixed tips 21 are arranged at both ends of the guide pin 20 inserted into the guide hole A. A pair of V-grooves 21a are formed on the upper surface of the fixed chip 21, and the guide pins 20 are formed in these V-grooves 21a.
Are fixed at both ends with an adhesive or the like. A pair of tape-shaped optical fibers (first pair of optical fibers) 22 and 23 positioned parallel to each other between a pair of V-grooves 21 a are fixed to the upper surface of one fixed chip 21, and the other fixed chip 21 is fixed. A pair of tape-shaped optical fibers (a second pair of optical fibers) 24 and 25 positioned parallel to each other between a pair of V-grooves 21a are fixed to the upper surface of the pair. Tape optical fibers 22, 23 and tape optical fiber 2
The arrangement intervals of the tape optical fibers 12 and 14 held by the cross fiber chip and the tape optical fibers 1 held by the straight fiber chip 16
7 and 18. Therefore, by moving the integrated cross fiber chip and straight fiber chip 16 around the guide pin 20 in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement plane of the optical fibers, the pair of tape-shaped optical fibers 22 and 23 are moved. A pair of tape-shaped optical fibers 2
4, 25 can be switched.

More specifically, the guide pin 20 is
When in contact with the upper part of the tape-shaped optical fiber 22,
23 is connected to the tape-shaped optical fibers 18 and 17 held by the straight fiber chip 16 (see FIG. 4), so that the tape-shaped optical fiber 22 is connected to the tape-shaped optical fiber 2.
4. The tape-like optical fiber 23 is a tape-like optical fiber 25.
And each connected.

When the guide pin 20 is in contact with the lower portion of the guide hole A, the tape-shaped optical fibers 22, 23
Is connected to the tape-like optical fibers 12 and 14 held by the cross fiber chip (see FIG. 3 (f)), so that the tape-like optical fiber 22 is a tape-like optical fiber 25, and the tape-like optical fiber 23 is a tape-like optical fiber. Each is connected to a fiber 24.

Next, a manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a rectangular chip (fiber holding member) 10 having a large number of V grooves (first grooves) 10a, a pair of guide grooves (second grooves) 10b, and a pair of positioning grooves (third grooves) 10c on the upper surface. Prepare two sheets. here,
One of the two chips 10 is fixed, and the other is fixed to the moving stage 11.

In the chip 10, the guide groove 10b has V
A groove 10c is formed on both sides of the groove 10a, and a positioning groove 10c is formed on both sides thereof. Each chip 1
Numerals 0 are arranged at intervals so that at least the V-grooves 10a are parallel and a part of the extension lines coincide (see FIG. 1A). In the present embodiment, four V-grooves are formed on the upper surface of the chip 10 at intervals. For that reason,
A total of eight V-grooves 10a are formed on the upper surface, so that a pair of tape-shaped optical fibers can be positioned. Note that at least the portion of the tape-shaped optical fiber held in the V-groove 10a has the coating removed, so that the V-groove 10a
Is inserted with a bare fiber.

Next, the four-core tape-shaped optical fiber (first optical fiber) 12 is engaged with the V-groove 10a of the two chips 10 whose extension lines coincide with each other (FIG. 1).
(A)). In this case, the tape-shaped optical fibers 12 are arranged linearly. Thereafter, the flat plate 13 is pressed against the upper surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber 12 engaged with the V-shaped groove 10a, and is fixed with an adhesive (FIG. 2B).

Thereafter, the moving stage 11 is moved in the -Y direction so that the extension of the V-shaped groove 10a into which the tape-shaped optical fiber is not inserted is aligned, and the chip 10 is arranged. As a result, the tape-shaped optical fiber 12 is constricted in a substantially S-shape (FIG. 3C). In this case, the moving stage 11 has a mechanism that can move not only in the direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 12 (Y direction) but also in the optical axis direction (−X direction). No excessive tension is applied.

Next, the V-groove 10a with the newly extended line coincides.
The other tape-shaped optical fiber (second optical fiber) 14 is inserted into the tape-shaped optical fiber 14, and the tape-shaped optical fiber 14 is arranged so as to intersect with one of the tape-shaped optical fibers 12 arranged in a substantially S-shape (FIG. )). In this state, the flat plate 13 is pressed against the upper surface of the tape-shaped optical fiber 14 engaged with the V-shaped groove 10a, and is fixed with an adhesive (FIG. 9E). In this case, if the surface of the flat plate 13 is cut off after the flat plate 13 is fixed and the thickness of the flat plate 13 is reduced, the moving stroke can be reduced, and the switching time can be shortened.

Thereafter, the moving stage 11 is moved in the Y direction so that the extension lines of the V-shaped grooves 10c of the two chips 10 coincide with each other, and the positioning pins 15 are inserted into the V-shaped grooves 10c. Position 10. As a result, the two tape-shaped optical fibers 12 and 14 are held in a state of crossing each other in an X-shape, and a cross fiber chip is manufactured (FIG. 1F). As described above, since the moving stage 11 is provided with a mechanism that can also move in the −X direction, no excessive tension is applied to the tape-shaped optical fiber 12 constituting the cross fiber chip.

Next, a straight fiber chip 16 is prepared and fixed to the upper surfaces of the chips 10 positioned with respect to each other (FIGS. 9G and 9H). The straight fiber chip 16 includes a number of V grooves (first grooves) 16a, a pair of guide grooves (second grooves) 16b, and a pair of positioning grooves (third grooves).
One flat plate 16 having grooves (grooves) 16c formed at both ends can be used. In this case, the arrangement surface of the pair of tape-like optical fibers 17 and 18 constituting the straight fiber chip 16 is different from the arrangement surface of the tape-like optical fibers 12 and 14 held by the cross fiber chip manufactured in the above-described process. The straight fiber chip 16 is stacked on the cross fiber chip while being kept parallel. The distance between the arrangement surfaces coincides with the movement stroke of the guide pin 20.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the straight fiber chip 16 using a flat plate. The straight fiber chip 16 is provided with a pair of tape-shaped optical fibers 17, 18 in a pair of V-grooves 16a formed at both ends of the flat plate.
Are positioned in parallel, and are fixed by a flat plate 13 via an adhesive. As described above, after the flat plate 13 is fixed, its surface may be cut off to reduce its thickness.

The cross fiber chip and the straight fiber chip 16 are positioned via positioning pins 15, and an adhesive 19 is filled in the vicinity of the flat plate 13.
Therefore, the cross fiber chip and the straight fiber chip 16 are integrally held, and the guide grooves 10b, 16
The guide hole A is formed by c. The guide pin 20 is inserted into the guide hole A. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the cross fiber chip and the straight fiber chip are integrated with an adhesive, and the guide pin 20 is inserted.

Here, when the guide pin 20 is in contact with the upper part of the guide hole A, the center of the guide pin 20 and the centers of the individual optical fibers constituting the tape-shaped optical fibers 17 and 18 coincide with each other. When the guide pin 20 is in contact with the lower part of the guide hole A, the center of the guide pin 20 and the centers of the individual optical fibers constituting the tape-shaped optical fibers 12 and 14 coincide. Accordingly, the distance between the arrangement surfaces of the tape-shaped optical fibers 17 and 18 and the tape-shaped optical fibers 12 and 14 coincides with the movement stroke of the guide pin 20. A plunger (not shown) mounted on a solenoid or the like is attached to the integrated cross fiber chip and straight fiber chip, so that the structure can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical fiber arrangement surface. ing.

As described above, in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, an optical switch having excellent mass productivity and high reproducibility can be easily manufactured by uniformly manufacturing a cross fiber chip in a stable process. became.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, a tape-shaped optical fiber is used as the optical fiber, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a single-core optical fiber.

[0031]

As described above, the present invention is excellent in mass productivity,
An optical switch with good reproducibility can be easily manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing steps (a) to (c) showing a method for manufacturing an optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing steps (d) and (e) showing a method for manufacturing an optical switch according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing steps (f) to (h) showing a method for manufacturing an optical switch according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a straight fiber chip that can be used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an integrated cross fiber chip and a straight fiber chip that can be used in the embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane orthogonal to an optical axis shown together with a guide pin.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an optical switch manufactured by a method for manufacturing an optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional optical switch.

[Explanation of Signs] 1, 2, 3, 4, 17, 18 ... tape-shaped optical fiber, 1
0: chip (fiber holding member), 11: moving stage, 12: tape-shaped optical fiber (first optical fiber), 1
3 ... flat plate, 14 ... tape-shaped optical fiber (second optical fiber), 15 ... positioning pin, 16 ... straight fiber chip, 20 ... guide pin, 21 ... fixed chip, 2
2, 23: tape-shaped optical fiber (first pair of optical fibers), 24, 25: tape-shaped optical fiber (second pair of optical fibers), A: guide hole, B: bypass fiber.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kazuo Ikegaya 1-chome, Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Masatoshi Shimizu 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Hideo Kobayashi 1-6-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) References JP-A-54-13349 (JP, A) JP-A-58- 105108 (JP, A) JP-A-1-319012 (JP, A) JP-A-1-313523 (JP, A) JP-A-3-204609 (JP, A) JP-A-4-44611 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 26/08 G02B 6/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. Manufacture of an optical switch having a moving element in which a cross fiber chip holding a pair of optical fibers crossing each other and a straight fiber chip holding a pair of optical fibers parallel to each other are stacked. A method comprising: a first step of linearly holding a first optical fiber by a pair of fiber holding members arranged at a predetermined interval; and at least one of the pair of fiber holding members being a first optical fiber. A second step of bending the first optical fiber into a substantially S-shape by moving in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the second optical fiber; and bending the second optical fiber held linearly into the substantially S-shape. A third step of superimposing the first optical fiber on the first optical fiber, and moving at least one of the pair of fiber holding members, thereby forming the first optical fiber bent into the substantially S-shape. A fourth step of relaxing the radius of curvature of the fiber and bending the second optical fiber into a substantially S-shape; and fixing the first optical fiber while holding the pair of fiber holding members in a relative position. And the second
A fifth step of forming a cross fiber chip in which optical fibers cross each other. 2. A state in which an arrangement surface of a pair of optical fibers constituting the straight fiber chip is kept parallel to an arrangement surface of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber held by the cross fiber chip. And laminating the straight fiber chip on the cross fiber chip. 3. A cross fiber chip for holding a pair of optical fibers crossing each other between a first pair of optical fibers and a second pair of optical fibers, and connecting a pair of optical fibers in parallel with each other. The first pair of optical fibers is switched with respect to the second pair of optical fibers by moving the moving element in the stacking direction with a moving element in which straight fiber chips that are held in an arranged state are stacked are interposed. A method for manufacturing an optical switch, comprising: a pair of fiber holding members formed with a plurality of first grooves, a pair of second grooves, and a pair of third grooves, respectively, and a pair of second grooves and a pair of third grooves. Forming a parallel fiber holding member integrally holding the parallel fiber,
A second step of arranging the pair of fiber holding members at an interval with the first grooves facing each other in the same direction; and A third step of positioning in one groove, a fourth step of moving one of the pair of fiber holding members in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the first groove, along an arrangement surface of the first groove, A fifth step of positioning the other second optical fiber constituting the cross fiber chip in the first groove so as to cross the first optical fiber; and a step of positioning the second optical fiber in the first groove of the pair of fiber holding members. A sixth step of holding the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in a flat plate, and engaging a positioning pin in a second groove of the pair of fiber holding members and the parallel fiber holding member, A seventh step of integrally fixing the pair of fiber holding members and the parallel fiber holding member while holding the relative positions of the pair of fiber holding members; and An eighth step of inserting a guide pin into the guide hole formed by the third groove, a first fixing element for fixing the first pair of optical fibers, and a second fixing for fixing the second pair of optical fibers. And a ninth step of fixing both ends of the guide pin using an element.