JP6356036B2 - Optical fiber short break switching device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber short break switching device.

  Communication networks using optical fiber cables are widely used. In such an optical fiber communication network, it may be necessary to change the route of the optical transmission path for maintenance or construction. When changing the route of an optical transmission line, an operation for instantaneously interrupting the current transmission line is performed in order to temporarily switch the current transmission line to a detouring transmission line (short interruption). A short break switching device has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a “bending” of a predetermined amount or more is compulsorily applied to an optical fiber at a portion to be blocked, and a short break switching operation is performed by leaking light from the optical fiber to the outside at the bent portion. An apparatus for performing is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-081491

  According to the apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is possible to easily switch the optical transmission line. However, even if such an apparatus is used, it is difficult to stably bend the optical fiber when the operation for applying the “bending” is performed manually. For example, there is a possibility that an uneven “bending” is applied to the optical fiber, or that the operation for applying the bending takes a long time and does not result in a “short break”. That is, there are cases where problems arise in terms of stability and reproducibility in the bending operation of the optical fiber.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a short break with good stability and reproducibility when performing a short break switching operation of an optical fiber. It is to provide a switching device.

The main invention for achieving the above object is to move in a bending direction intersecting with an arrangement direction in which an optical fiber is arranged to bend, and to bend the optical fiber, and a permanent magnet for moving the bending part. And a first moving permanent magnet and a second moving permanent magnet, and each of the first moving permanent magnet and the second moving permanent magnet is the permanent magnet. the example Bei and the magnet operating portion movable to a position to be opposed, and the bending portion of the support portion, when the first mobile permanent magnet is opposed to the permanent magnet by the movement of the magnet operating unit, the When the second moving permanent magnet is opposed to the permanent magnet by the movement of the magnet operation unit so as to bend the optical fiber, the bending to the fiber is canceled. An optical fiber TanMadokadan switching apparatus characterized by a bending movement in the opposite direction.

  Other characteristics of the present invention will be made clear by the description and drawings described later.

  According to the present invention, stability and reproducibility can be improved when performing a short break switching operation of an optical fiber.

1 is an overall perspective view of a short break switching device 1 according to a first embodiment. 3 is a three-side view of the clamp guide 20. FIG. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of the short break switching device. It is a figure explaining the short break switching operation | movement by the short break switching apparatus. FIG. 5A is a side view showing the relationship between the parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the open state. FIG. 5B is a side view showing the relationship between the parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the closed state. FIG. 6A is a front view showing the relationship between the respective parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the closed state. FIG. 6B is a front view showing the relationship between the parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the open state. An operation of the clamp guide 20 pressing the optical fiber will be described. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the OPEN position in the first embodiment. FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the CLAMP position in the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the bypass groove 312 formed in the bypass bending portion 31. FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining the loss application groove 322 formed in the loss application bending portion 32. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the OPEN position in the second embodiment. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the CLAMP position in the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the OPEN position in the third embodiment. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the CLAMP position in the third embodiment.

At least the following matters will be apparent from the description and drawings described below.
A bending portion that moves in a bending direction that intersects an arrangement direction in which the optical fiber is arranged to bend the optical fiber, a bending portion that supports the magnet, and a support portion that supports the magnet. An optical fiber short break switching device comprising a magnet, and a magnetic force generated between the magnet and the moving magnet as the support moves in the bending direction. The optical fiber short break switching device, wherein the bending portion moves in the bending direction.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, the same force can be applied to the bent portion at any time by using the magnetic force. This makes it easy to keep the accuracy of bending imparted to the optical fiber uniform when performing the short break switching operation of the optical fiber. In other words, the operation of bending the optical fiber is favorable in terms of stability and reproducibility.

  In this optical fiber short break switching device, the bending portion moves in the bending direction as the support portion moves in the bending direction due to an attractive force by which the magnet and the moving magnet pull. It is desirable to do.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, by using the attractive force between magnets, when bending the optical fiber, the operation of moving the bending portion in the bending direction can be reliably performed. it can. Further, the short interruption switching operation can be completed in a short time.

  In such an optical fiber short break switching device, the bending portion is moved in the direction opposite to the bending direction by the repulsive force of the magnet and the moving magnet repelling. It is desirable to move in the direction opposite to the bending direction.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, by using the repulsive force between magnets, when setting the optical fiber to the short break switching device, the operation of opening the bent portion can be surely executed. it can.

  Such an optical fiber short break switching device includes a magnet operating unit that supports a first moving magnet and a second moving magnet, and the first moving magnet is positioned opposite to the magnet. The direction of the magnetic pole is adjusted so as to generate a repulsive force, and the direction of the magnetic pole of the second moving magnet is adjusted so as to generate an attractive force at a position facing the magnet. It is desirable that the portion causes attraction or repulsion to act on the support portion by causing one of the first moving magnet and the second moving magnet to face the magnet. .

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, the magnetic force acting on the bending portion (supporting portion) can be freely changed simply by moving the magnet operating portion, so that the device has a simple configuration. This makes it easier to achieve a stable bending operation.

  Such an optical fiber short break switching device includes a magnet operating unit that supports the moving magnet, and the magnet operating unit reverses the direction of the magnetic pole of the moving magnet at a position facing the magnet. Thus, it is desirable to apply an attractive force or a repulsive force to the support portion.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, the magnetic force acting on the bending portion (supporting portion) can be freely changed simply by moving the magnet operating portion, so that the device has a simple configuration. This makes it easier to achieve a stable bending operation. In addition, since only one magnet is supported by the magnet operating unit, the number of parts is reduced and the cost can be kept low.

  In this optical fiber short break switching device, it is desirable that the magnet and the moving magnet are permanent magnets.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, a power supply source such as electric power is unnecessary when performing a bending application operation, and a short break switching device that can operate stably with a simple configuration is realized. be able to. In addition, since an electric circuit is unnecessary and failure or the like hardly occurs, the burden of maintenance work can be reduced.

  In this optical fiber short break switching device, after the bending portion has moved in the bending direction, the bending portion temporarily stops at a predetermined position in the bending direction, and the magnet and the moving magnet are in the predetermined position. It is desirable that the optical fiber bend by being further moved in the bending direction by receiving the action of the magnetic force generated between the optical fibers.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, the distance from the start of movement of the bent portion to contact with the optical fiber is shortened, so that the operation of the bent portion is easily stabilized and the bending operation is performed. This makes it difficult for the optical fiber to be displaced. Further, the time until the short break switching operation is completed can be further shortened.

  This optical fiber short break switching device includes a pressing member that presses the optical fiber in a pressing direction that intersects the arrangement direction and the bending direction, respectively, when bending the optical fiber by the bending portion. Is desirable.

  According to such an optical fiber short break switching device, it is possible to make it difficult for the optical fiber to be displaced when bending the optical fiber. This makes it easy to accurately bend the optical fiber.

=== First Embodiment ===
<Basic configuration of instantaneous interruption device>
In the first embodiment, by applying “bending” to the optical fiber, the short interruption switching device 1 that can instantaneously cut (short interruption) the data transmission by the optical fiber and switch to the detour transmission path. Will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a short break switching device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a three-side view of the clamp guide 20. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of the short break switching device 1. For the sake of explanation, each direction is defined as shown in FIG. That is, the direction along the horizontal direction of the short interruption switch 1 is the “X direction”, the direction perpendicular to the X direction along the vertical direction of the short interruption switch 1 is the “Z direction”, the X direction, and the Z direction. And the direction perpendicular to the “Y direction”. The X direction has an upstream side and a downstream side, the Y direction has a front side and a back side, and the Z direction has an upper side and a lower side.

  The short break switching device 1 includes a housing 10, a clamp guide 20, an optical fiber bending mechanism 30, an optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40, a magnet operating mechanism 50, and an optical fiber probe 60.

(Case 10)
The housing 10 is a member constituting the exterior of the short break switching device 1. An optical fiber bending mechanism 30, an optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40, and a magnet operation mechanism 50 shown in FIG. The housing 10 includes a front cover 11, an upper cover 12, and a back cover 13.

  The front side cover 11 is an exterior member on the front side in the Y direction (hereinafter also referred to simply as “front side”) of the short break switching device 1. The upper cover 12 is an exterior member provided to protect the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 from the front side on the upper side in the Z direction of the short break switching device 1. The back side cover 13 is an exterior member on the back side in the Y direction of the short break switching device 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “back side”). The front cover 11 and the upper cover 12 are fixed to the back cover 13 by a plurality of fixing screws.

  In the short break switching device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the width in the X direction is narrower in the upper area in the Z direction than in the lower area, and an optical fiber is set in the upper area. Thus, “bending” can be imparted. At both ends in the X direction of the upper cover 12, upper guide portions 121 are provided that serve as guide walls when setting the optical fiber in the short break switching device 1.

(Clamp guide 20)
The clamp guide 20 is a pressing member that presses the optical fiber so that the set position does not shift when the optical fiber is set in the short break switching device 1 and bent. In addition, the clamp guide 20 has a function as a protective cover that protects the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 and the optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40 from being subjected to external impacts and the like when no optical fiber is set.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the clamp guide 20 includes a cover portion 21, a push portion 22, a pressing portion 23, claw portions 24 a to 24 c, a hook portion 25, a bearing groove 28, and a spring support portion 29. Have The cover portion 21 is formed on the upper side of the clamp guide 20 in the Z direction, and covers the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 and the like housed in the housing 10. The push portion 22 is formed on the lower side of the clamp guide 20 in the Z direction. By pushing the push portion 22 from the front side to the back side in the Y-axis direction, the clamp guide 20 is positioned on the YZ plane with the bearing groove 28 as a base point. The cover portion 21 is lifted to the front side in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 1). In this specification, a state where the cover portion 21 is lifted to the front side (that is, a state where the push portion 22 is pushed) is referred to as an “open state”, and conversely, a state where the push portion 22 is lifted to the front side is referred to as “closed”. Called “state”.

  On the back side of the cover part 21, a pressing part 23 and claw parts 24a to 24c are formed. The holding parts 23 are provided at both ends of the clamp guide 20 in the X direction, and hold the optical fiber set in the short break switching device 1 in the Y-axis direction in the “closed state” so that the position of the optical fiber does not shift. To. The claw portions 24 a to 24 c press the optical fiber set in the short break switching device 1 in the Y-axis direction when in the “closed state”, similarly to the pressing portion 23. The pressing operation of the optical fiber by the pressing portion 23 and the claw portions 24a to 24c will be described later.

  The hook portion 25 engages with an adjustment pin 331 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 described later, and the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 is interlocked with the operation of moving the clamp guide 20 from the “closed state” to the “open state”. Move up and down in the Z direction. Details of this operation will be described later.

  The bearing groove 28 is a groove for receiving the clamp guide support shaft 481 provided in the optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40, and as described above, the clamp guide 20 rotates on the YZ plane with the bearing groove 28 as a base point. Operate. The spring support portion 29 is provided on the back side of the push portion 22 and supports the spring 49. The push portion 22 is biased to the front side in the Y-axis direction by the elastic force of the spring 49. Thereby, when the external force is not acting with respect to the clamp guide 20, it will be in the state by which the push part 22 was lifted to the front side. That is, the clamp guide 20 (short break switching device 1) is in the “closed state” in normal times.

(Optical fiber bending mechanism 30)
The optical fiber bending mechanism 30 imparts “bending” to a predetermined region of the optical fiber set in the short break switching device 1. The optical fiber bending mechanism 30 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “bending mechanism 30”) includes a bypass bending portion 31, a loss application bending portion 32, and a bending portion support portion 33. FIG. 3 shows a state where an optical fiber is set between the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 and the optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40.

  The bypass bending portion 31 applies bending in the Z direction to the optical fiber by pressing the optical fiber set along the X direction downward in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 to be described later, a pressing surface 311 formed in an arc shape having a predetermined curvature is formed on the lower side in the Z direction of the bypass bending portion 31, and the pressing surface The optical fiber is bent in accordance with the arc shape of 311. The pressing surface 311 is provided with a detour groove 312 for fixing the position of the optical fiber in the Y direction when the optical fiber is set (see FIG. 9A).

  The loss application bending portion 32 is provided on the downstream side in the X direction with respect to the bypass bending portion 31, and presses the optical fiber set along the X direction downward in the Z direction. To bend in the Z direction. Similarly to the bypass bending portion 31, the loss application bending portion 32 has an arcuate pressing surface 321 having a predetermined curvature on the lower side in the Z direction. The pressing surface 321 is provided with a loss application groove 322 for preventing the optical fiber from being detached from the loss application bending portion 32 when the optical fiber is set (see FIG. 9B).

  The bending portion support portion 33 slides the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 up and down in the Z direction with respect to the optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40 while supporting the bypass bending portion 31 and the loss application bending portion 32. Thereby, the bypass bending part 31 and the loss application bending part 32 can be moved up and down in the Z direction. The adjustment pin 331 described above is provided on the side surface on the upstream side in the X direction of the bending portion support portion 33, and the vertical position of the bending mechanism 30 in the Z direction is adjusted by the adjustment pin 331. Moreover, the bending mechanism side magnet 71 mentioned later is provided in the lower end part of the Z direction of the bending part support part 33 (refer FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B).

(Optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40)
The optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40 guides the bypass bending portion 31 and the loss applying bending portion 32 of the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 when bending the optical fiber. The optical fiber bending guide mechanism 40 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “guide mechanism 40”) includes a bypass bending guide 41, a loss applying bending guide 42, a bending guide support portion 43, and first to third clamp bases 45. ˜47, a clamp guide support portion 48, and a spring 49.

  The bypass bending guide 41 is a guide member corresponding to the bypass bending portion 31. The guide surface 411 formed so that the Z-direction upper end portion of the bypass bending guide 41 is concave has an arcuate curved surface having the same curvature as the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31, and is formed on the optical fiber. When the bending is applied, the curvature of the guide surface 411 (the pressing surface 311) is obtained by sandwiching the optical fiber between the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 and the guide surface 411 of the bypass bending guide 41 in the Z direction. In response, “bending” is applied to the optical fiber. The bypass bending guide 41 is made of a transparent resin so that light leaked from the bent optical fiber is transmitted and guided to the optical fiber probe 60.

  The loss application bending guide 42 is a guide member corresponding to the loss application bending portion 32. The guide surface 421 formed so that the Z-direction upper end portion of the loss application bending guide 42 is concave has an arcuate curved surface having a curvature substantially equal to the pressing surface 321 of the loss application bending portion 32. The loss application bending guide 42 need not be formed transparently, and may be formed of an opaque resin.

  The bending guide support portion 43 is a member that supports the bypass bending guide 41, the loss application bending guide 42, the first to third clamp tables 45 to 47, and the clamp guide support portion 48. The first clamp table 45, the second clamp table 46, and the third clamp table 47 are support tables that support the optical fiber in the Y direction when the optical fiber is set in the short break switching device 1 (FIG. 3). Reference), in the closed state of the short break switching device 1, the optical fiber is sandwiched in the Y direction by the pressing portion 23 and the claw portions 24a to 24c of the clamp guide 20 and the first to third clamp stands 45 to 47, so that the light Suppress fiber misalignment. The clamp guide support portion 48 is a member that supports the clamp guide 20. When the support shafts 481 provided at both ends in the X direction are inserted into the bearing grooves 28 of the clamp guide 20, the clamp guide support portion 48 is clamped with the bearing groove 28 as a base point. The guide 20 is rotatably supported. The spring 49 is an elastic member provided in a contracted state between the clamp guide support portion 48 and the clamp guide 20, and the push portion 22 of the clamp guide 20 is moved to the front side in the Y direction by the restoring force of the spring 49. Be energized.

(Magnet operation mechanism 50)
The magnet operating mechanism 50 moves the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 up and down in the Z direction by the magnetic force of the magnet. The magnet operation mechanism 50 includes a magnet support portion 51, a changeover switch 52, and a connection portion 53.

The magnet support portion 51 is a support member that is slidable in the X direction while supporting the two magnets of the first operation mechanism side magnet 81 and the second operation mechanism side magnet 82 on the upper surface side in the Z direction. The first operating mechanism side magnet 81 and the second operating mechanism side magnet 82 are moving magnets for moving the bending mechanism 30 along the Z direction, and are supported side by side in the X direction. In the present embodiment, the position of the magnet support portion 51 that is in a positional relationship in which the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and the first operating mechanism side magnet 81 face each other in the Z direction is defined as an “OPEN” position (see FIG. 8A). In the “OPEN” position, the first operating mechanism-side magnet 81 has the magnetic poles oriented so as to generate a “repulsive force” repelling with the bending mechanism-side magnet 71 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30. It has been adjusted. On the other hand, the position of the magnet support portion 51 in which the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and the second operation mechanism side magnet 82 are in the positional relationship facing each other in the Z direction is defined as a “CLAMP” position (see FIG. 8B). Then, at the “CLAMP” position, the direction of the magnetic pole is adjusted so that the second operating mechanism side magnet 82 generates “attracting force” attracted to the bending mechanism side magnet 71.
In the short break switching device 1, by moving the magnet support 51 in the X direction and switching between the “OPEN” position and the “CLAMP” position, “repulsive force” generated between the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and “ By reversing the “attractive force”, the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 can be moved up and down in the Z direction.

  The changeover switch 52 is an operation switch for sliding the magnet operating mechanism 50 in the X direction to switch between the “OPEN” position and the “CLAMP” position, and is connected to the magnet operating mechanism 50 via the connection portion 53. ing. The user can operate the magnet operation mechanism 50 by the changeover switch 52.

(Optical fiber probe 60)
The optical fiber probe 60 is a probe for condensing the light leaked from the optical fiber by being bent and guiding it to the detour transmission path. Since the configuration of the optical fiber probe 60 itself is known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

<About short break switching operation>
Next, an operation when performing a short break switching operation using the short break switching device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a short break switching operation performed by the short break switching device 1.

  In the short break switching device 1, by bending the optical fiber, light is leaked from the current transmission path to the outside of the optical fiber, and a short break switching operation is performed. When performing the short break switching operation, first, an optical fiber to be bent is set at a predetermined location of the short break switching device 1. In the short break switching device 1 of the present embodiment, an optical fiber is disposed along the X direction between the bending mechanism 30 and the guide mechanism 40 as shown in FIG. 3 described above. That is, the X direction is the arrangement direction of the optical fiber. At this time, the optical fiber is arranged so that the light transmission direction is a direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the X direction. In this state, the bending mechanism 30 is moved downward in the Z direction with respect to the guide mechanism 40.

  FIG. 4A shows a state before the bending mechanism 30 is moved. As shown in FIG. 4, in the bending mechanism 30, both the Z-direction lower end portion of the bypass bending portion 31 is positioned lower than the Z-direction lower end portion of the loss application bending portion 32 in the Z direction. The bend is supported. Therefore, when the bending mechanism 30 starts to move downward in the Z direction, the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 comes into contact with the optical fiber before the pressing surface 321 of the loss application bending portion 32. The detour bending part 31 in contact with the optical fiber moves downward in the Z direction while bending the optical fiber downward in the Z direction along the curved surface of the pressing surface 311 around the contact part. That is, the Z direction is a bending direction for bending the optical fiber. Further, the loss application bending portion 32 comes into contact with the optical fiber behind the bypass bending portion 31 and moves downward along the curved surface of the pressing surface 321 while bending the optical fiber downward along the Z direction. In the present embodiment, the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 starts to bend the optical fiber before the pressing surface 321 of the loss application bending portion 32. The optical fiber is restrained from being pulled between the loss application bending portion 32. This makes it possible to bend the optical fiber with an accurate curvature along the pressing surface 311 while suppressing damage to the optical fiber.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the bending mechanism 30 has moved to the lower end in the Z direction. When the bypass bending portion 31 (bending mechanism 30) moves to the lower end in the Z direction, the optical fiber is sandwiched between the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 and the guide surface 411 of the bypass bending guide 41 and pressed. A “bend” along the curved surface of the surface 311 (guide surface 411) is given. In general, an optical fiber transmits light so as not to leak to the outside while totally reflecting light within the core by making the refractive index of the “core” higher than that of the “cladding”. When “bending” is applied to such an optical fiber, the incident angle of light from the core to the cladding increases. When the optical fiber is bent with a curvature of a predetermined size or more, the incident angle of light from the core to the cladding exceeds the critical angle, and the light is not totally reflected in the core, and the outside of the core Light leaks into the water. By using such a property, the bypass bending portion 31 applies a bend having a curvature exceeding the critical angle to the optical fiber to forcibly leak light. In the example of FIG. 4B, the bending portion B1 is formed in the optical fiber by the bypass bending portion 31 and the bypass bending guide 41, and light is leaked from the bending portion B1. The leaked light passes through the bypass bending guide 41, is guided in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4B, and is collected by the optical fiber probe 60 provided at the tip of the arrow, and then bypassed. To the transmission line.

  At this time, a part of the light transmitted through the optical fiber may not be leaked at the curved portion B1, and may be transmitted as it is downstream in the transmission direction (that is, the X direction). In other words, there is a case where light transmission through the current transmission path cannot be completely blocked. In this case, light is transmitted from the two transmission paths of the current transmission path and the detour transmission path after branching, and there is a possibility that noise is generated due to mutual interference and accurate communication cannot be performed. is there. Therefore, in the short break switching device 1, in addition to the bypass bending portion 31, the loss application bending portion 32 is provided to block light transmission through the optical fiber and suppress the generation of noise.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the loss application bending portion 32 moves together with the bypass bending portion 31 to the lower side in the Z direction, and the bending portion B2 is inserted into the optical fiber on the downstream side in the transmission direction (X direction) of the bending portion B1. Form. The curved portion B2 is bent with a curvature larger than the critical angle of total reflection similarly to the curved portion B1, and light can be leaked at the curved portion B2. That is, by applying a loss to the data transmission at the bending portion B2, the amount of light that has not leaked at the bending portion B1 is leaked at the bending portion B2, and transmission of light downstream from the transmission path thereafter is blocked. be able to.

  In the state where the bending mechanism 30 has moved to the lower end in the Z direction, there is a gap as shown in FIG. 4B between the pressing surface 321 of the loss application bending portion 32 and the guide surface 421 of the loss application bending guide 42. Is formed. This is to prevent a large tension from acting on the optical fiber when the bypass bending portion 31 and the loss application bending portion 32 are operated simultaneously. In the short break switching operation of the present embodiment, the optical fiber is sandwiched and fixed by the bypass bending portion 31 and the bypass bending guide 41 in the bending portion B1. If the optical fiber is sandwiched and fixed by the loss applying bending portion 32 and the loss applying bending guide 42 in the bending portion B2, a large tension is generated between the bending portion B1 and the bending portion B2, and the light The fiber may be damaged. Therefore, by providing a gap larger than the diameter of the optical fiber between the loss application bending portion 32 and the loss application bending guide 42 so that the optical fiber is not fixed at the bending portion B2, excessive tension is applied to the optical fiber. Suppressing the action. Since the bending portion B2 is formed for the purpose of applying a loss to data transmission, the bending portion B2 is less required to strictly define the curvature at the time of bending compared to the bending portion B1. Even if such a gap is provided, problems are unlikely to occur.

  Further, in the short break switching device 1, since the bypass bending guide 41 and the loss applying bending guide 42 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction, the bending portion B3 is between the bending portion B1 and the bending portion B2. Is formed (see FIG. 4B). The curved portion B3 is formed along the guide surface 411 of the bypass bending guide 41 and the guide surface 421 of the loss application bending guide 42, and is bent with a curvature larger than the critical angle of total reflection in the core. Therefore, it is possible to leak light even in the curved portion B3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, light that has not leaked at the bending portion B1 is leaked at two places, that is, the bending portion B3 and the bending portion B2, so that transmission of light can be more reliably blocked.

<Specific description of optical fiber bending operation>
The operation of the short break switching device 1 when bending the optical fiber will be specifically described. The operation of applying a bend to the optical fiber using the short interruption switch 1 includes the steps of setting the optical fiber to be bent to the short interruption switch 1 and bending the set optical fiber. It can be considered that the process is divided into Hereinafter, each step will be described.

(Optical fiber setting process)
As described above, the short break switching device 1 is in the “closed state” in which the cover portion 21 of the clamp guide 20 is closed in normal times. The user first needs to set the optical fiber in the short break switching device 1 with the clamp guide 20 in the “open state”. In the optical fiber setting step, the magnet operating mechanism 50 is set to the “OPEN” position so that repulsive repulsive force acts between the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and the first operating mechanism side magnet 81. That is, in the optical fiber setting process, the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 is pushed upward in the Z direction with respect to the magnet operating mechanism 50.

  FIG. 5A is a side view showing the relationship between the parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the open state. FIG. 5B is a side view showing the relationship between the parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the closed state. FIG. 6A is a front view showing the relationship between the respective parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the closed state. FIG. 6B is a front view showing the relationship between the parts when the clamp guide 20 is in the open state.

  When the user pushes the push portion 22 toward the back side in the Y direction in order to place the clamp guide 20 in the “open state”, the clamp guide 20 rotates around the bearing groove 28 and the cover portion 21 moves to the front side in the Y direction. open. At this time, the position of the bending mechanism 30 in the Z direction varies depending on the relationship between the adjustment pin 331 provided on the bending mechanism 30 side and the hook portion 25 provided on the clamp guide 20 side. In FIG. 5A, a force directed upward in the Z direction is applied to the bending mechanism 30 by the repulsive force of the magnet. However, since the adjustment pin 331 is engaged with the lower end portion of the hook portion 25, The upward movement is restricted by the hook portion 25. When the push portion 22 is pushed in this state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lower end portion of the hook portion 25 is lifted upward in the Z direction in accordance with the rotation of the clamp guide 20. As a result, the adjustment pin 331 also moves upward in the Z direction while engaging with the lower end portion of the hook portion 25. That is, the bending mechanism 30 (adjustment pin 331) also moves up and down in the Z direction in conjunction with the hook portion 25 moving up and down in the Z direction.

  In this way, the clamp guide 20 is opened, and the bypass bending portion 31 and the loss applying bending portion 32 of the bending mechanism 30 are lifted upward in the Z direction, and the bypass bending guide 41 and the bending guide mechanism 40 The distance (interval in the Z direction) between the loss application bending guide 42 is increased. For example, in FIG. 6A, the interval between the lower end position of the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 and the upper end position of the guide surface 411 of the bypass bending guide 41 when the clamp guide 20 is in the closed state is represented by h1. ing. On the other hand, in FIG. 6B, the distance between the lower end position of the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 and the upper end position of the guide surface 411 of the bypass bending guide 41 when the clamp guide 20 is in the open state is h2. (H1 <h2). Thus, by making the clamp guide 20 from the closed state to the open state, the distance between the bypass bending portion 31 (loss application bending portion 32) and the bypass bending guide 41 (loss application bending guide 42) becomes wide. Easy to set optical fiber. 6B, when the bending mechanism 30 is lifted to the upper side in the Z direction, the lower end portion in the Z direction of the bypass bending portion 31 (and the loss applying bending portion 32) is the upper guide portion of the upper cover 12. The position is higher than 121. In other words, when the clamp guide 20 is in the open state, the bypass bending portion 31 is hidden in the upper cover 12. Therefore, in the open state, the user can clearly see the space between the bypass bending portion 31 (and the loss application bending portion 32) and the bypass bending guide 41 (the loss application bending guide 42). This makes it easier to set the optical fiber in the correct position.

  The user confirms that the optical fiber is correctly set between the bypass bending portion 31 (loss application bending portion 32) and the bypass bending guide 41 (loss application bending guide 42), and then the clamp guide. The 20 push portions 22 are released, and the clamp guide 20 is set to the “closed state” again. At this time, the clamp guide 20 presses the optical fiber in the Y direction, thereby making it difficult for the optical fiber to be displaced. That is, the Y direction is the pressing direction of the optical fiber. FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the clamp guide 20 pressing the optical fiber. FIG. 7 shows the AA cross section of FIG. 5A when the optical fiber is set, and shows the positional relationship between the clamp guide 20 and the guide mechanism 40.

  With respect to the optical fiber supported in the Y direction by the first to third clamp bases 45 to 47, the pressing portion 23, 23 formed at both ends in the X direction on the back side of the clamp guide 20 faces the back side in the Y direction. The power of is added. As a result, the optical fiber is pressed in the Y direction at both ends of the clamp guide 20 in the X direction. Further, the same force is applied to the optical fiber by the claw portions 24a to 24c between the holding portions 23 and 23 in the X direction. As a result, the optical fiber is pressed against the first clamp base 45 by the claw portion 24a and is pressed against the second clamp base 46 by the claw portion 24b. That is, the optical fiber is pressed in the Y direction on both sides in the X direction of the bypass bending portion 31. Similarly, the optical fiber is pressed against the third clamp base 47 by the claw portion 24c. That is, the optical fiber is pressed in the Y direction on one side in the X direction of the loss application bending portion 32. As described above, since the optical fiber can be stably held by pressing a plurality of locations in the X direction, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber from being displaced.

  Here, the both sides in the X direction of the bypass bending portion 31 are pressed, so that when the bending operation is performed by the bypass bending portion 31, the optical fiber is less likely to be displaced, so that the bypass bending portion 31 is pressed. This is because the fiber is bent accurately along the surface 311. On the other hand, in the bending portion 32 for loss application, only one side in the X direction is pressed, but this is intentionally made free without pressing one side, thereby allowing a slight positional deviation of the optical fiber and performing a bending operation. This is to prevent excessive tension from acting on the optical fiber during the process.

  In addition, when the clamp guide 20 is changed from the “open state” to the “closed state”, the bending mechanism 30 also moves downward in the Z direction in conjunction with the lower end portion of the hook portion 25 being lowered in the Z direction, and detours are made. After the bending portion 31 for loss and the bending portion 32 for loss application are lowered to the position shown in FIG. 6A, they are temporarily stopped. As a result, the Z-direction positions of the bypass bending portion 31 and the loss application bending portion 32 and the optical fibers held by the first to third clamp bases 45 to 47 and the clamp guide 20 become closer. For example, in the case of FIG. 6A, the Z-direction interval between the optical fiber and the bypass bending portion 31 is within h1. In this way, by making the distance between the bypass bending portion 31 and the optical fiber as small as possible, the bending operation in the next step can be stably performed.

(Bending process)
After confirming that the optical fiber is properly set in the short break switching device 1, the user performs an operation of bending the optical fiber.

  FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the OPEN position in the first embodiment. FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the CLAMP position in the first embodiment. In a state immediately before performing the operation of bending the optical fiber by the short break switching device 1, the bypass bending portion 31 (and the loss applying bending portion 32) and the bypass bending guide 41 (the loss applying bending guide 42). Is a positional relationship as shown in FIG. 8A. As described above, at the OPEN position, the bypass bending portion is caused by the repulsive force acting between the bending mechanism side magnet 71 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 and the first operation mechanism side magnet 81 provided in the magnet operation mechanism 50. 31 is pushed upward in the Z direction.

  During the bending application operation, the user slides the magnet operation mechanism 50 from the OPEN position to the CLAMP position via the changeover switch 52. At the CLAMP position, an attractive force acts between the second operating mechanism side magnet 82 and the bending mechanism side magnet 71 arranged so that the polarity is opposite to that of the first operating mechanism side magnet 81, and the detour bending portion 31 (light The fiber bending mechanism 30) is drawn at a stretch downward in the Z direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the optical fiber can be bent by the bypass bending portion 31 and the loss applying bending portion 32, and the transmission of light can be blocked.

  Further, in the short break switching device 1, the bending can be applied while the position of the optical fiber is not shifted by the bypass groove portion 312 formed on the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31. FIG. 9A shows a cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 7, and is a diagram illustrating a bypass groove portion 312 formed in the bypass bending portion 31. FIG. 9B shows a CC cross section of FIG. 7 and is a diagram for explaining the loss application groove 322 formed in the loss application bending portion 32. When bending an optical fiber, first, the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31 is in contact with the optical fiber, and the bypass bending portion 31 and the optical fiber are in contact with the optical fiber along the pressing surface 311. Moves downward in the Z direction integrally. At this time, the optical fiber is fitted into the detour groove portion 312 formed on the pressing surface 311 so that the position of the optical fiber in the Y direction does not shift during the downward movement in the Z direction. The bypass groove 312 is a groove formed in a V shape on the surface of the pressing surface 311 as shown in FIG. 9A, and the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber in the Y direction is the second clamp base 46 (and the first clamp base). 45) so that the optical fiber can be held at a position in contact with the surface. By moving the optical fiber downward in the Z direction while fixing the Y-direction position of the optical fiber, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the optical fiber in the bending application operation by the bypass bending portion 31.

  On the other hand, the loss application groove portion 322 formed in the loss application bending portion 32 holds the optical fiber while allowing the movement so that the optical fiber is not detached from the pressing surface 321 of the loss application bending portion 32. The loss applying groove 322 is a groove formed in a rectangular shape on the surface of the pressing surface 321 as shown in FIG. 9B, and the optical fiber moves in the Y direction within the range where the rectangular groove is formed. Is acceptable. This movable range functions as “play” in the Y direction. Therefore, by moving the optical fiber downward in the Z direction without fixing the position of the optical fiber in the Y direction, it is possible to prevent an excessive tension from being applied to the optical fiber in the bending applying operation by the loss applying bending portion 32. Thus, the optical fiber is prevented from being damaged.

  Further, in the short break switching device 1, by closing the clamp guide 20, the detour bending part 31 (optical fiber bending mechanism 30) is moved to the lower end position in the Z direction (see FIG. 6A), The operation of bending the optical fiber is started. Accordingly, as compared with the case where the bypass bending portion 31 (optical fiber bending mechanism 30) is lowered from the upper end position in the Z direction (see FIG. 6B), the bypass bending portion 31 starts to descend until it contacts the optical fiber. The distance becomes shorter. As a result, the optical fiber is likely to be fitted into the loss applying groove 322, and the movement distance of the detour bending portion 31 during the bending application operation is shortened, so that the operation is easily stabilized and the optical fiber is displaced. Can be difficult. Furthermore, by shortening the distance between the bypass bending portion 31 and the optical fiber to be bent, it is possible to further shorten the time until the short break switching operation is completed. However, it is possible to bend the optical fiber even when the bypass bending portion 31 is processed directly from the position at the upper end in the Z direction, that is, from the position in the open state, to the lower side in the Z direction.

  In addition, when performing the "short instantaneous interruption switching operation | movement" of an optical fiber, it is desirable to complete | finish operation | movement in about 1.5-100 ms after starting the operation | movement which provides bending to an optical fiber. In the short break switching device 1 of the present embodiment, after the magnet operating mechanism 50 is moved to the “CLAMP” position by operating the changeover switch 52, the optical fiber can be bent in a time of about 50 ms. it can.

  In the short break switching device 1 of the present embodiment, the bending mechanism side magnet 71, the first operation mechanism side magnet 81, and the second operation mechanism side magnet 82 are all formed of permanent magnets. Neodymium magnets are used. And by changing the position of these magnets by the magnet operation mechanism 50, the optical fiber can be instantaneously interrupted. By using a permanent magnet, it is possible to realize a short break switching device that can operate stably with a simple configuration that does not require electric power or the like. In addition, since the electric power or the like is not consumed when performing the short interruption switching operation, the cost is low and the trouble such as a failure is less likely to occur, so that the burden of the maintenance work or the like can be reduced. However, as long as the functions described in the present specification can be realized, a configuration using an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet is also possible.

=== Second Embodiment ===
In the second embodiment, a short break switching device in which the configuration of the magnet operation mechanism 50 is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The configuration other than the magnet operation mechanism 50 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The optical fiber setting step in the operation for bending the optical fiber is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the operation in the bending step is different from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  The magnet operation mechanism 50 of the second embodiment has a magnet support roll 55. The magnet support roll 55 is a cylindrical roll body that can rotate on the YZ plane about the rotation axis 55C along the X direction, and the first operation mechanism is located at a position that forms a predetermined angle on the peripheral surface of the roll body. The side magnet 81 and the second operation mechanism side magnet 82 are supported. For example, in FIG. 10A described later, the two magnets are arranged so that the angle formed by the first operating mechanism side magnet 81 and the second operating mechanism side magnet 82 is about 90 ° on the peripheral surface of the magnet support roll 55. Has been. In the magnet support roll 55, the first operation mechanism side magnet 81 adjusts the direction of the magnetic pole so as to generate repulsive forces that repel each other with the bending mechanism side magnet 71 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30. Has been placed. On the other hand, the second operating mechanism side magnet 82 is arranged by adjusting the direction of the magnetic pole so as to generate an attractive force pulling each other with the bending mechanism side magnet 71.

(Explanation of bending operation)
FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the OPEN position in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10A, at the OPEN position, the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and the first operation mechanism side magnet 81 are in a positional relationship facing each other in the Z direction. At this time, the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 is pushed upward by the repulsive force in the Z direction.

  FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operation mechanism 50 is in the CLAMP position in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the user can switch from the OPEN position to the CLAMP position by rotating the magnet support roll 55. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the CLAMP position, the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and the second operation mechanism side magnet 82 are in a positional relationship facing each other in the Z direction. At this time, the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 is attracted downward in the Z direction by attractive force. Accordingly, the optical fiber is sandwiched between the bypass bending portion 31 and the bypass bending guide 41 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30, and the optical fiber is bent along the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31. Is granted.

  In the short break switching device of the second embodiment, the operability when performing the short break switching operation can be improved by rotating the magnet operation mechanism 50.

=== Third Embodiment ===
In the third embodiment, a short break switching device in which the configuration of the magnet operation mechanism 50 is different from that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. The configuration other than the magnet operation mechanism 50 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The optical fiber setting step in the operation for bending the optical fiber is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the operation in the bending step is different from that in the first embodiment.

  The magnet operating mechanism 50 of the third embodiment has a magnet reversing unit 56. The magnet reversing unit 56 supports the first operating mechanism side magnet 81. The first operating mechanism-side magnet 81 is supported so that the direction of the magnetic pole in the Z direction is reversed by rotating the rotating shaft 56C along the X direction. The first operating mechanism side magnet 81 is supported so as to be in a positional relationship facing the bending mechanism side magnet 71 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 in the Z direction.

(Explanation of bending operation)
FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the OPEN position in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, at the OPEN position, the direction of the magnetic pole of the first operating mechanism side magnet 81 is supported in a direction in which repulsive force is generated between the bending mechanism side magnet 71 and the OPEN position. Therefore, the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 is pushed upward in the Z direction.

  FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a state when the magnet operating mechanism 50 is in the CLAMP position in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the user can reverse the direction of the magnetic pole of the first operating mechanism side magnet 81 by switching the OPEN position to the CLAMP position by rotating the rotating shaft 56C. As a result, at the CLAMP position, an attractive force acts on the optical fiber bending mechanism 30 and is attracted downward in the Z direction. Accordingly, the optical fiber is sandwiched between the bypass bending portion 31 and the bypass bending guide 41 provided in the optical fiber bending mechanism 30, and the optical fiber is bent along the pressing surface 311 of the bypass bending portion 31. Is granted.

In the short break switching device of the third embodiment, only one magnet is provided in the magnet operation mechanism 50, so that the configuration of the short break switching device becomes simpler and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
=== Other Embodiments ===

  The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

<Optical fiber bending device>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the short interruption switching device that performs the short interruption switching operation by applying a bend to the optical fiber has been described. However, the bending application method described above is other than the short interruption switching device. It can also be applied as an optical fiber bending apparatus. For example, by applying a bend to the optical fiber by the above-described method, light is leaked from the bent portion, and the leaked light is received by the detection element and measured from the upstream side of the optical fiber. It is possible to apply the optical fiber signal for contrasting optical fibers to the optical signal receiving device for optical fiber contrast for detecting the leaked optical signal for contrasting, by leaking the optical signal for contrasting optical fiber that has been leaked out of the optical fiber.

1 short break switching device,
10 housing,
11 Front cover, 12 Upper cover, 121 Upper guide part, 13 Back cover,
20 Clamp guide,
21 cover part, 22 push part, 23 pressing part, 24a-24c claw part,
25 hook part, 28 bearing groove, 29 spring support part,
30 Optical fiber bending mechanism,
31 Bending part for detouring, 311 pressing surface, 312 groove part for detouring,
32 loss application bending part, 321 pressing surface, 322 loss application groove part,
33 Bending part support part, 331 Adjustment pin,
40 Optical fiber bending guide mechanism,
41 Detour bending guide, 411 guide surface,
42 bending guide for loss application, 421 guide surface,
43 bending guide support,
45 1st clamp stand, 46 2nd clamp stand, 47 3rd clamp stand,
48 Clamp guide support part, 481 Support shaft,
49 Spring,
50 Magnet operating mechanism,
51 magnet support, 52 selector switch, 53 connection,
55 magnet support roll, 55C rotating shaft,
56 magnet reversing part, 56C rotating shaft,
60 optical fiber probe,
71 Bending mechanism side magnet,
81 first operation mechanism side magnet, 82 second operation mechanism side magnet,
B1 bending part, B2 bending part, B3 bending part

Claims (6)

A support part having a bending part that moves in a bending direction intersecting with an arrangement direction in which the optical fiber is arranged to impart bending to the optical fiber, and a permanent magnet for moving the bending part ;
A first moving permanent magnet and a second moving permanent magnet are provided, and each of the first moving permanent magnet and the second moving permanent magnet can be moved to a position facing the permanent magnet. A magnet operating part ,
Bei to give a,
The bent portion of the support portion is
When the first moving permanent magnet is opposed to the permanent magnet by the movement of the magnet operating unit, it moves in the bending direction so as to bend the optical fiber,
When the second moving permanent magnet is opposed to the permanent magnet by the movement of the magnet operation unit, the second moving permanent magnet moves in a direction opposite to the bending direction so as to release the bending to the fiber. Optical fiber short break switching device. The optical fiber short break switching device according to claim 1,
The attraction between the permanent magnet and the first mobile permanent magnets is mutually pull, as the said supporting portion is moved to the bending direction, the bending portion is moved to the bending direction, characterized in that Optical fiber short break switching device. The optical fiber short break switching device according to claim 1 or 2,
As the supporting portion moves in a direction opposite to the bending direction due to repulsive force between the permanent magnet and the second moving permanent magnet, the bending portion moves in a direction opposite to the bending direction. An optical fiber short break switching device characterized by moving. The optical fiber short break switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Prior Symbol second moving permanent magnet, which is adjusting the direction of the magnetic pole so as to generate a repulsive force in a position facing the permanent magnet,
The direction of the magnetic pole is adjusted so that the first moving permanent magnet generates an attractive force at a position facing the permanent magnet,
The magnet operating unit is configured to apply an attractive force or a repulsive force to the support unit by causing one of the first moving permanent magnet and the second moving permanent magnet to face the permanent magnet. An optical fiber short break switching device characterized in that it operates. An optical fiber short break switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
After the bending portion has moved in the bending direction, it temporarily stops at a predetermined position in the bending direction,
By receiving the action of the magnetic force generated between the permanent magnet and the first moving permanent magnet in the predetermined position, further movement to impart bending to said optical fiber to said bending direction, characterized in that An optical fiber short break switching device. An optical fiber short break switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An optical fiber short break switching, comprising: a pressing member that presses the optical fiber in a pressing direction that intersects the arrangement direction and the bending direction, respectively, when bending the optical fiber by the bending portion. apparatus.

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