JP3781831B2 - Optical switch device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical switch device that switches connection of an optical fiber in a container filled with a refractive index matching liquid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been a demand for an optical switch that can efficiently switch connections between a larger number of terminals as the number of cores to be handled increases in recent years.
[0003]
In general, optical switches are used not only for terminal switching but also for many applications such as active standby switching, transmission line network control, and optical switching. For this reason, many optical switches have been studied and studied in the past. These include mechanical optical switch types that switch optical paths by mechanically driving optical elements such as optical fibers and prisms, non-mechanical optical switch types that use electro-optic effects, magneto-optic effects, and acousto-optic effects. It is.
Among mechanical optical switches, optical switches that mechanically drive optical fibers are characterized by low connection loss, low crosstalk loss, and high extinction ratio. Switching response time is a problem with this optical switch. It was thought that an excellent optical switch could be constructed by improving the slow point.
[0004]
Therefore, we proceeded with the trial improvement of the optical switch of the following method. That is, in order to arbitrarily change the connection between a large number of optical fibers, one of the fixed side optical fibers forming a large number of terminals is identified, and an M × N switch is connected to the moving side optical fiber. In order to complete the connection in a short time, a connection using a V-groove that can be easily and accurately connected is adopted.
[0005]
Specifically, a large number of optical fibers are fixed in parallel on a V-groove serving as a positioning groove, and the connection-side optical fiber for connection is waited at a position slightly higher than these fixed-side optical fibers. Since the optical fiber is moved onto the end face of the optical fiber to be connected and the connection end of the moving side optical fiber is pushed down onto the V-groove for connection, and the refractive index matching agent is always interposed in the connection, the entire apparatus Was sealed and immersed in silicone oil as a refractive index matching agent.
[0006]
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an optical switch provided with a connection device that has been prototyped according to the above specific example. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an optical switch device. The optical switch device 10 is accommodated in a container 12 filled with silicon oil 13 as a refractive index matching agent. A plurality of fixed-side optical fibers 15 to be connected are introduced into the container 12 from the outside, positioned on the support base 14 having positioning V-grooves immersed in the liquid of the silicone oil 13 and arranged in parallel. It is fixed. On the other hand, the moving-side optical fiber 16 is placed on the moving table 20, and is held immediately above the end surface of the fixed-side optical fiber so that its tip end surface is on standby.
[0007]
The moving table 20 is installed on a rail 21, and the moving table 20 has a screw hole 27a, and a ball screw 27 as a moving means is rotatably inserted into the screw hole 27a. One end of the ball screw 27 is supported by a ball bearing 27 b provided on the wall 2 a of the container 12. The other end of the ball screw 27 is connected to a motor 28 that is a driving unit of the moving means. The ball screw 27 is rotated by the motor 28, and the moving base 10 is moved in the direction of arrow XX (direction perpendicular to the V groove). A pin hole 23 a is formed in the pair of projecting portions 22, 22 projecting from the movable table 20, and both the pin hole 23 a and the hole 24 a provided in the arm 24 that holds the optical fiber 16 have a pin 23. Is inserted, and the arm 24 as a butting mechanism is rotatably supported.
[0008]
On the other hand, since the tip of the rotating arm 24 on the V groove side pushes down the tip of the moving optical fiber 16, the rear end opposite to the V groove of the rotating arm 14 rotates a small screw 25 and its screw 25. A motor 26 is provided, the screw 25 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 26, the rear end of the arm 24 is pushed upward, the tip of the arm is lowered, and the tip of the moving optical fiber is the tip of the arm 24. The moving side optical fiber 16 is butt-connected to the fixed side optical fiber 15 on the V groove 14 by being pushed down by the portion.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-described apparatus, the optical fibers are connected by moving the movable optical fiber to the position of the fixed optical fiber to be connected and pressing the movable optical fiber on the same V-groove. According to this method, precise positioning can be performed very quickly, and since the connection portion is immersed in the refractive index matching agent, good connection characteristics can be obtained on average. However, in order to accurately position the optical fiber on the moving side and the fixed side, it is necessary to precisely process the V-groove that supports the fixed side optical fiber. In order to effectively use the limited space in the container, it is desirable to increase the density of the optical fiber by reducing the arrangement pitch of the V grooves as much as possible. There is a problem that it is difficult to process at a cost. Yet another problem is that the arrangement pitch of the fixed-side optical fibers is limited. In other words, the fixed side optical fiber is introduced into the apparatus by an optical fiber tape, but the optical fiber arrangement pitch in the optical fiber tape is not as large as the V groove pitch due to various factors such as mechanical characteristics and manufacturing cost. It means that it cannot be made fine.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can precisely align a moving-side optical fiber with a fixed-side optical fiber, and can fix as many fixed-side optical fibers as possible in a limited space in a container. It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical switch device that can easily form a V-groove for positioning.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the optical switch device according to claim 1 is an optical switch device in which the distal ends of the movable side optical fibers are selectively butted and connected to the distal ends of the plurality of fixed side optical fibers forming the terminals, A container filled with a refractive index matching liquid in which the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers and the connection portion of the moving-side optical fiber are immersed, and the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers are parallel to each other in the same plane by a V-groove. An optical fiber support that is arranged and supported, a moving base that supports the tip of the moving side optical fiber, and that is moved to a standby position along the direction of arrangement of the fixed side optical fiber by the first moving means, And a second moving means for moving the moving optical fiber so that the moving optical fiber supported by the moving optical fiber abuts any one of the fixed optical fibers. Be provided a pair spaced apart from each other, are disposed plane, each include stationary optical fiber group and supports it in parallel to each other, the movable block, said movable between said pair of optical fiber support base An optical fiber is supported , and is supported in a substantially horizontal position by a spring that is swingable and elastically deformed alternately. The first moving means is parallel to the arrangement direction of the fixed-side optical fibers. By rotating the provided shaft by a motor to move the moving table along the axial direction, the second moving means swings the moving table to an upper limit and a lower limit regulated by a stopper, The moving table is moved in the direction of the fixed optical fiber supported by the optical fiber support. By combining the movement by the first moving means and the movement by the second moving means, any fixed-side optical fiber can be abutted at any position in the arrangement direction of the fixed-side optical fibers.
The optical switch device according to claim 2 is an optical switch device in which the distal ends of the movable optical fibers (16) are selectively butted and connected to the distal ends of a plurality of fixed optical fibers (15) forming terminals. A container (30) filled with a refractive index matching liquid in which the connection portions of the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers and the moving-side optical fibers are immersed, and the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers are divided into V-grooves (42). The optical fiber support bases (31, 32) that are arranged parallel to each other in the same plane and support the tip of the moving side optical fiber, and the fixed side optical fiber by the first moving means (34). A moving base (33) that moves to a standby position along the arrangement direction of the second, and a second moving base that moves the moving side optical fiber supported by the moving base to abut one of the fixed side optical fibers. transportation 58) and becomes configured from, the optical fiber support base is provided a pair spaced apart from each other, are disposed plane, each include stationary optical fiber group and supports it in parallel to each other, the mobile The base supports the moving-side optical fiber between the pair of optical fiber support bases, and is supported at a substantially horizontal position by springs (33d, 33e) that are swingable and elastically deformed alternately. The first moving means moves the moving table along an axial direction of an axis provided parallel to the arrangement direction of the fixed side optical fibers, and the second moving means moves the moving table. The movable table is moved in the direction of the fixed optical fiber supported by the optical fiber support by rotating up and down about an axis.
The optical switch device according to claim 3 is characterized in that the first moving means moves the moving base in the axial direction by rotating the shaft.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Reference numeral 30 denotes a container filled with a refractive index matching liquid as in the conventional example of FIG. The container 30 includes a pair of optical fiber support bases 31 and 32 that support a plurality of fixed-side optical fibers arranged in parallel with each other in the same plane, and a tip of the moving-side optical fiber that supports the fixed-side light. A moving table 33 that moves in the fiber arrangement direction, a moving table 33, a drive motor 35 that moves the moving table 33 in the axial direction of the male screw 34, and the moving table 33 that rotates around the male screw 34. The drive motor 36 to be moved is a basic configuration.
[0013]
Each of the optical fiber support bases 31 and 32 has a plate shape and is supported with a space between the support frames 40 and 41 supported in the container 30 as shown in FIGS. ing. Each of the optical fiber support bases 31 and 32 is provided with a V-groove 42 in parallel for positioning the fixed-side optical fiber 15. These V-grooves 42 are arranged at M places (M is a natural number) in parallel with each other at a pitch of 127 μm, for example, and support the fixed-side optical fiber 15 respectively.
[0014]
The moving table 33 is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail 50 by a rail 50 provided in parallel with the optical fiber arrangement direction in the optical fiber support tables 31 and 32. The male screw 34 is provided in parallel with the rail 50, and is screwed with the female screw 51 on the moving base 33 side by a ball screw method. The male screw 34 is rotatably supported by the container 30, and a pulley 52 is attached to one end thereof. The pulley 52 is connected to a pulley 53 driven by the drive motor 35 via a belt 54 and is driven to rotate by the drive motor 35. The female screw 51 is rotatably supported by the moving table 34. As a result, the rotation of the male screw 34 is converted into a linear motion via the female screw 51, and the moving table 34 is moved to the rail 50. (Along the arrangement direction of the fixed-side optical fibers 15).
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 3, a clamp means 55 that holds N (N is a natural number) movement-side optical fibers 16 is provided on one side portion of the movement table 33. The moving side optical fiber 16 is supported by its own rigidity in a straight state with its tip directed toward the fixed side optical fiber 15. A pair of rollers 56 and 57 are provided on the other side of the movable table 33. These rollers 56 and 57 are both supported so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the male screw 34. By abutting against the operating plate 58, the movable table 33 is moved up and down around the axis 33a. It is designed to rotate. The operation plate 58 is supported by the container 30 so as to be rotatable about an axis 59 parallel to the male screw 34. A pulley 60 is provided at the end of the shaft 59. The pulley 60 is connected to a pulley 61 driven by the drive motor 36 via a belt 62 and is rotated by the drive motor 35. It has become so. The upper and lower limits of the swinging operation are regulated by the clamp means 55 coming into contact with either one of the stoppers 33b and 33c provided above and below the movable table 33. Furthermore, the tip position of the stopper can be adjusted by rotating the nuts 33F and 33G. Further, when the moving base 33 swings in contact with the operation plate 58, the moving base 33 contacts and compresses the coil spring 33d when swinging upward, and contacts the coil spring 33e when swinging downward. Is supposed to compress. The coil springs 33d and 33e are elastically deformed alternately to support the moving table 33 in a substantially horizontal position in a floating state when the moving table 33 is not operated by the operating plate 58.
[0016]
On the upper surface and the lower surface of the moving table 33, swing members 65 and 66 that are movable around shafts 63 and 64 are supported, respectively, and one end of each of the swing members 65 and 66 is connected to a connecting member 67, respectively. , 68 are connected to the moving table 33. The rollers 56 and 57 are rotatably supported by shafts 69 and 70 provided at the other ends of the swing members 65 and 66, respectively.
[0017]
The operation of the optical switch device having the above configuration will be described.
i. When the operation plate 58 is not in contact with any of the rollers 56 and 57, the moving base 33 is supported in a floating state at a substantially horizontal position by the action of the coil springs 33d and 33e, and is intermediate between FIG. 5 and FIG. The moving side optical fiber 16 is not connected to any of the fixed side optical fibers 15.
ii. In this state, when the drive motor 35 is driven, this rotation is transmitted to the male screw 34 via the pulley 53, the belt 54, and the pulley 52, and the moving base 33 moves in any direction depending on the rotation direction of the drive motor 35. And is arranged at a position corresponding to one of the multiple fixed-side optical fibers 15.
iii. Here, the drive motor 36 rotates in either direction based on a command indicating which of the upper and lower fixed optical fibers 15 should be connected. That is, when the operation plate 58 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 according to the rotation direction of the drive motor 36, the roller 57 is pushed downward while rotating, and the tip of the moving base 33 is lifted upward to move the moving side optical fiber 16. Is inserted into one upper V-groove 42 and is abutted against the fixed-side optical fiber 15 in the V-groove 42.
iv. Further, when a command to switch is received, the moving side optical fiber 16 is moved in the direction opposite to that of iii, and is connected to the fixed side optical fiber 15 in the upper V-groove 42 or once returned to the position i. After that, it is arranged at a predetermined position through the process ii. Here, when a command to connect to the lower V-groove 42 is received, the operation plate 58 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6, the roller 56 is pushed up while rotating, and the tip of the movable table 33 is moved downward. The movable optical fiber 16 is lowered and inserted into one lower V-groove 42, and abuts against the fixed optical fiber 15 in the V-groove 42.
[0018]
In the above embodiment, the fixed-side optical fiber is positioned by the V-groove, but it goes without saying that the optical fiber positioning structure is not limited to this.
Of course, the driving method of the movable table is not limited to the above embodiment.
Moreover, the number of optical fiber support bases is not necessarily limited to a pair, and can be changed according to design needs.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the fixed-side optical fibers are distributed and arranged in a pair of upper and lower optical fiber support bases, as optical fiber positioning means provided on the optical fiber support bases. The fixed-side optical fiber can be arranged at a higher density than the pitch of the V-groove, etc., and therefore, an optical switch device having a high density and a reduced overall size can be easily manufactured. It is done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an optical fiber support of one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Fixed side optical fiber 16 Movement side optical fiber 30 Container 31, 32 Optical fiber support stand 33 Movement stand 34 Male screw 35, 36 Drive motor 42 V groove 51 Female screw 55 Clamp means 56 Roller 58 Actuation plate 59 Axis

Claims (3)

An optical switch device for selectively abutting and connecting the distal end of a moving side optical fiber (16) to the distal ends of a plurality of fixed side optical fibers (15) forming terminals,
A container (30) filled with a refractive index matching liquid in which the connection portions of the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers and the moving-side optical fibers are immersed;
An optical fiber support (31, 32) for supporting the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers by arranging them in parallel in the same plane by a V-groove (42) ;
A movable table (33) that supports the tip of the movable optical fiber and moves to a standby position along the arrangement direction of the fixed optical fibers by the first moving means (34), and is supported by the movable table Second moving means (58) for moving the moving base to bring the moving optical fiber into any of the fixed optical fibers;
Consisting of
A pair of the optical fiber support bases are provided at an interval from each other, and the planes including the fixed-side optical fiber groups supported by the optical fiber support bases are arranged in parallel to each other,
The moving table supports the moving-side optical fiber between the pair of optical fiber support tables , and is substantially horizontally positioned by springs (33d, 33e) that are swingable and alternately elastically deformed. Supported by
The first moving means moves the moving table along the axial direction by rotating a shaft provided parallel to the arrangement direction of the fixed-side optical fibers by a motor.
The second moving means moves the moving table in the direction of the fixed optical fiber supported by the optical fiber support by swinging the moving table to an upper limit and a lower limit regulated by a stopper. An optical switch device. An optical switch device for selectively abutting and connecting the distal end of a moving side optical fiber (16) to the distal ends of a plurality of fixed side optical fibers (15) forming terminals,
A container (30) filled with a refractive index matching liquid in which the connection portions of the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers and the moving-side optical fibers are immersed;
An optical fiber support (31, 32) for supporting the plurality of fixed-side optical fibers by arranging them in parallel in the same plane by a V-groove (42) ;
A movable table (33) that supports the tip of the movable optical fiber and moves to a standby position along the arrangement direction of the fixed optical fibers by the first moving means (34), and is supported by the movable table Second moving means (58) for moving the moving base to bring the moving optical fiber into any of the fixed optical fibers;
Consisting of
A pair of the optical fiber support bases are provided at an interval from each other, and the planes including the fixed-side optical fiber groups supported by the optical fiber support bases are arranged in parallel to each other,
The moving table supports the moving-side optical fiber between the pair of optical fiber support tables , and is substantially horizontally positioned by springs (33d, 33e) that are swingable and alternately elastically deformed. Supported by
The first moving means moves the moving table along an axial direction of an axis provided in parallel with an arrangement direction of the fixed side optical fibers,
The second moving means moves the moving table in the direction of the fixed side optical fiber supported by the optical fiber supporting table by rotating the moving table up and down around an axis. An optical switch device.   The optical switch device according to claim 2, wherein the first moving unit moves the moving table in the axial direction by rotating a shaft.

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