JPH0299908A - Switching/connecting switch for optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To position optical fibers to be connected speedily and accurately by arranging N optical fiber lines in a matrix by using an (n)-core batch plug, forming an N-core matrix stage, and moving an X.Y stage. CONSTITUTION:The N optical fiber lines 1a-1c are divided to plural (n)-core batch plugs and connected, and they are arranged in the matrix to form the N-core matrix stage 2. Then the X.Y stage 5 and a scanning stage 15 which moves in an X- or Y-axial direction about the X.Y stage 5 are provided and the X.Y stage 5 is moved to select a specific (n)-core batch plug 15, thereby connecting an (n)-core batch joint head 14 provided to the X.Y stage. Consequently, the optical fiber line network sides of the N lines and various measuring instrument sides for inspecting them are connected accurately, speedily, and surely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an optical fiber switching connection switch used, for example, in an inspection system for an optical fiber line network.

[Prior art and its problems] In recent years, the importance of optical fiber communication networks has increased, and in particular, optical fibers installed between stations and general subscribers/specific subscriber stations (hills, offices, etc.) Inspection of line networks (subscriber line networks) is emphasized in order to improve the reliability of communication networks. In order to inspect this optical fiber line network,
An optical fiber switching connection switch is provided between one end of the attached N optical fiber lines and a measuring device such as a light source for optical fiber comparison and a monitor for performing inspection. By switching and connecting the connection switch, laser light or the like is made to enter the optical fiber line from the measuring device in a predetermined order.

A conventional switch for this type of optical fiber has N connectors installed on the optical fiber line side and a connector installed at one end of the measurement line wired from the various measuring instruments. A device in which the connections are switched one by one manually or the like is known.

However, in the conventional optical fiber switching method described above, the connectors are manually switched and connected, which takes time, makes it easy to connect the wrong connector, and makes it difficult to connect the connectors correctly. There was a risk that the connection might not be made.

The present invention is used in a system for solving the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of accurately, quickly, and reliably connecting the N-line optical fiber line network to be tested and the various measuring instruments that test it. The object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber switching connection switch that can perform the following steps.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of n-fiber collective plugs such that one end surface of the N-line optical fiber line is exposed at predetermined intervals and in a straight line. An N-core matrix stage is formed by dividing and connecting the n-core plugs and arranging the n-core plugs in a matrix.・In addition to providing a Y stage, a scanning stage that moves in the X-axis or Y-axis direction with respect to the X-Y stage is provided, and the 011 X-Y stage has each optical fiber with an n-fiber lump plug on one end surface. An n-fiber collective joint head is provided in which n optical fiber lines each connected to the line are arranged, and the n-fiber collective joint head is provided with n optical fiber lines of the n-fiber collective joint head as the scanning stage moves. A monitor head is provided on the other end surface to sequentially connect one end side of the measurement line.

[Function] Since the present invention is configured as described above, in order to connect one end of the measurement line to the target optical fiber, the X-Y stage is moved along the X-axis,
By moving in the Y-axis direction, a predetermined n-fiber batch plug is first selected from the N-fiber matrix stage, and the n-fiber batch joint head provided on the x-Y stage is connected to the n-fiber batch plug. As a result, N
The n optical fibers of the heart matrix stage and the n optical fibers in the n-fiber collective joint head are respectively connected. Furthermore, the scanning stage is
By moving the monitor head in a straight line along the axis or Y-axis direction, the monitor head installed at one end of the measurement line is sequentially connected to the other end surface of the optical fiber of the n-fiber batch joint head. Accordingly, a signal emitted from the measuring instrument, such as a laser beam, is input into a predetermined optical fiber line in the N-core matrix stage.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

1 to 3 show an l:N optical switch which is an embodiment of the optical fiber switching connection switch of the present invention.

This 1:N optical switch is, for example, a subscriber line consisting of an internal office, a premises consisting of general subscribers and specific subscribers such as buildings and offices, and N optical fiber lines connecting these offices and premises. It is installed in a station in an optical fiber line network that consists of approximately It is something. The surface measuring device is
0TDR that measures fault points on optical fiber lines...
.

It consists of a light source for fiber comparison, a monitor for monitoring, etc., and is connected to I (fil+) of the l:N optical switch.For example, the 0TDR is a high-output, narrow-pulse A beam of laser light with a width of 100 mm is sent into an optical fiber line, and the Ray scattering that occurs in the optical fiber line and the Fresnel reflection that occurs at the optical fiber connection and break points are measured, and the measured waveform is compared with a predetermined standard waveform. Based on the results, the presence or absence of faults in the optical fiber line is measured.

Here, the initial number S in the figure is the device main body of the IN optical switch, and the panel surface of the device main body S has the N of the subscriber line.
(For example, 1000.2000, 3000°...) One end of the optical fiber line 1a, Ib,... is grouped into n (for example, +0.20, 30...) lines each. are connected to a plurality of n-fiber collective plugs 1, and the n-fiber collective plugs 1 are further arranged in a matrix to form an N-fiber matrix stage 2.

In addition, on the surface of the n-fiber collective plug I, one end surface of each optical fiber line 1a, Ib, . be exposed. It is in a state where it is placed in the middle of the day. The N-core matrix stage 2 is moved up and down by a stage lifting device 3 installed inside the main body S of the device.
- It is movable in the downward direction (X-axis direction) and is biased upward by a spring 4 provided at the bottom of the N-core matrix stage 2. When the n-fiber batch plug 1 and the n-fiber batch joint head described later are connected, the connection end faces are crimped.

An xy stage 5 that moves parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis along the surface of the N-core matrix stage 2 is arranged on the −1-plane side (X-axis direction) of the N-core matrix stage 2. There is. That is, the X-Y stage 5 is installed on the surface of the N-core matrix stage 20 on two parallel Y-axis guides 66 extending in the Y-axis direction, and its two parts are slidable. At the same time, each Y-axis guide 6 is fixed to the main body S of the apparatus, and is provided on the surface of the N-core 7-trix stage 2, extending in the X-axis direction. 7, by sliding the N
The surface of the cardiac matrix stage 2 is movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. And, "- Y-axis guide 6
On the top is a driving means for moving the X-Y stage 5 with the Y-axis guide 6'', ie, a Y-axis stepping motor 8.
and the Y-axis miniature ball screw 9 are installed on the side of the device main body S.
A driving means for moving the shaft stepping motor 8, Y screw screw 9, etc. on the X-axis guide 7, that is, the X
The shaft stepping motor 10 and the X-axis mini dual ball screw 11 are removed.

A drive source 12 provides an
- A pulse stage 13 is attached to the Y stage 5 so as to be movable linearly in the X-axis direction.
Furthermore, on the side (Y-axis side) of the X-Y stage 5, there is a song n
An n-fiber joint head 14 connected to the heart-bundle plug 1 is fixed, and a scanning stage 15 is fixed to the side (Y-axis side) of the pulse stage 13. The above n-fiber batch joint henode 1
A monitor head holding part shrine 16 is fixed at a position corresponding to 4. Inside the n-fiber collective joint head 14, there are optical fibers la, Ib, . , 0 lights arranged at regular intervals (0.25 mm pitch) in the X-axis direction and whose both end surfaces are exposed to both end surfaces (two lower surfaces in the X-axis direction) of the n-fiber collective nozzle head 14. The optical fibers 14a, 14t+, . 14
a, 14b, . . . by moving linearly in the X-axis direction along the other end surface of the optical fiber +4a, 14b.
It is possible to install multiple non-contact type monitor heads for monitoring every -6 of . In this embodiment, the monitor head holding part +4'16 has 0 'r
I) A monitor head 17a attached to the tip of the measurement wire 17 directly wired from R, a fiber contrast light source, and a monitor head 17a attached to the tip of the measurement wire 18 connected to the monitor, etc. A monitor head 18a is attached to the monitor head 18a.

Note that the other end surfaces of the optical fibers 14a, ]4b, . It's okay. Furthermore, the scanning stage 1
5 has a skip function that allows only necessary core wires to be monitored.

The n-fiber collective joint head 14 includes each n-fiber joint head 14.
It is possible to accurately position the n-fiber batch join I/head 14 and the n-fiber batch plug l by fitting with the fitting pins I9 that are fixed and protruding in the Z-axis direction at both ends of the core batch plug 1. Fitting holes 20, 20 are formed. For this reason, each n-fiber batch plug 1 is set in a floating state within the N-fiber matrix stage 2, and thereby the n-fiber batch plug 1 and the n-fiber batch joint head 14
This makes it easy to connect with. The switching and connection work of the IN optical switch and the operation of the 0TDR1 fiber reference light source, monitor, etc. are controlled by a CPU (not shown) according to a preset program.

Next, the operation of the 12N optical switch according to the present embodiment having the structure shown in "-" will be explained along with its function in the order of steps.

■ By driving the X-axis stepping motor 1O1 and the Y-axis step-sopping motor 8 according to a program preset in the CPU, the X-Y stage 5 is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions by the
- Take the n-fiber batch joint head 14 into the Y stage 5 and position it on the n-fiber batch plug l which is to be monitored in the N-fiber matrix stage 2.

■ By driving the stage lifting device 3 to raise the N-core matrix stage 2 in the Z-axis direction, the n
The all-core plug 1 and the all-n-core joint head 14 are connected. At this time, the mating pin 19.1 of the n-core collective plug
9 is the fitting hole 20, 20 of the n-core joint head 14.
Since it is fitted to the holder, accurate positioning U is possible.

■ We decided to move the traveling stage 15 relative to the X-Y stage 5 in the X-axis direction.
a, 18a are run along the other end surfaces of the optical fibers 14a, 14b, .
) The laser light emitted from R etc. is manually monitored one by one.

■Each optical fiber la within a predetermined n-fiber collective plug l.

After the monitoring of Ib, .

Thereafter, the steps (1) to (4) above are repeated in the same manner.

In this way, in the INN optical switch of this example,
In order to connect the measurement line monitor heads 17a, 18a to predetermined optical fibers Ia, Ib, . . . , the X-Y stage 5 is moved on the surface of the N-core matrix stage 2 along the First, a predetermined n-fiber batch plug l is selected from the N-fiber matrix stage 2, and the n-fiber batch joint head fixed to the X-Y stage 5 is attached to the n-fiber batch plug l by moving the n-fiber batch plug l in the N-fiber matrix stage 2. 14 are connected, and as a result, the n optical fibers in the N-fiber matrix stage 2 and the n optical fibers in the n-fiber collective joint head are connected, so alignment can be performed accurately, quickly, and reliably. In addition, the number of contacts of the optical fibers on the n-fiber batch monitor head 14 side is reduced to I/n compared to the single-fiber contact type, and high durability can be maintained. Furthermore, if the scanning stage 15 is moved in only one axis (X axis) with respect to the x-y stage 5, the tips of the monitor heads 17a, 18a can be connected to the optical fibers 14a, 14b, . . . in the n-fiber collective joint head 14.・Sequentially connected to the other end surface, thereby, for example, 0TDR
Laser beams emitted from the N-core matrix stage 2 are inputted to predetermined optical fibers la, lb, . . . , and position control is performed relatively easily. Further, a plurality of monitor heads can be connected to the monitor head holding member 16, and various different monitors can be quickly performed without switching between various measuring instruments.

Furthermore, the optical fibers are arranged in the N-core matrix stage 2 in such a way that the end faces of the optical fibers are directly exposed, which increases the degree of optical fiber integration, and also directly connects the optical fibers to the N-core joint head 14. These N-core matrix stage 2 and n
It becomes possible to make the central joint head 14, etc. smaller and lighter by about 4 degrees.

In addition, other embodiments other than those shown in Example 111j will be described below, with some 0 being technical matters.

■ In the above embodiment, N-core 7-trix stage, n
The numerical values of N and n for the all-heart blank and the all-n heart all-into hesode can be set to optimal values as appropriate.

■ In the above embodiment, the fitting pin 19 and the fitting hole 20 to be fitted thereto were used for the (ζI alignment U) between the n-fiber lump plug and the n-fiber lump joint bottom, but the invention is not limited to this. Instead, it is sufficient to use a means A1 that can accurately align the optical fibers on the plaque side and the joint head side.

■1); In the embodiment described in j, the n-core collective plug and the n-core
Although the diameter of the optical fiber attached to the core head is set to 0.25 mm, it is not limited to this, and the design can be changed as appropriate.

(2) The monitor head holding member of the above embodiment can also be adapted to hold two or more monitor heads.

■In the above embodiment, the scanning stage was moved relative to the X-Y stage in the X-axis direction, but the optical fibers of the n-fiber collective plug were arranged in a straight line along the Y-axis direction. When arranged, the scanning stage may be moved relative to the X-Y stage in the Y-axis direction.

■In the above embodiment, as a drive means for the X-Y stage,
A stepping motor, a mini, a cheer ball neno, etc. were used, but the X-Y stage was N
Any driving means that moves along the surface of the central 7-trix stage may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, an N-fiber matrix stage is formed by arranging N optical fiber lines in a matrix using n-fiber collective plugs, and the N-fiber matrix stage is An X-Y stage is provided on the surface of the ZOX stage, and a scanning stage that moves in the X-axis or Y-axis direction is provided with respect to the XY stage. An n-fiber collective joint head is provided with 0 optical fiber lines connected to each optical fiber line of the n-fiber bundle plug, and an n-fiber collective joint head as described above is provided on the scanning stage. A monitor head is provided at the other end of the 0 optical fiber lines to connect the - and ends of the measurement lines in order (this also produces the following effects).

■Every time the X-Y stage is moved along the X and Y axes, a predetermined n-fiber block is selected from the N-fiber matrix stage, and the n-fiber batch plug and n-fiber batch joint head are connected. All you have to do is connect them, and the alignment U can be done quickly and accurately.

(2) During scanning, only the monitor head or IM (XM, 6 or Y axis) is controlled, so position control is relatively easy.

(2) If multiple monitor heads are set on the scanning stage side, multiple measurements can be performed simultaneously without switching the measurement line for various measuring instruments.

■Since an n-fiber bundle plug and a II-fiber joint head are used, the number of contacts of the optical fiber on the n-fiber bundle monitor head side is reduced to I/n compared to the single-fiber contact type.
Can maintain high durability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a plan view of an IN optical switch, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of an IN optical switch.
A side view of the S optical switch, FIG. 3 shows the N core 7, which is the main part of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an n-fiber all-in-one plug disposed in a trix steno, an n-in-one all-in joint head connected to the n-in-one all-in-one plug, and a scanning stage. S・・・・・・INNN optical switch unit, l・・n
Core bundle plug, Ia, Ib,... ・Optical fiber line, 2...N-core matrix stage,
5...X-Y stage, 14. n-fiber batch joint head, 15... scanning stage, 17.18=-
...Measurement line, 17a, I8a...Monitor head.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical fiber switching connection switch used for connecting measurement lines whose other ends are connected to various measuring instruments to a target optical fiber line in an N-line optical fiber line network in a predetermined order. , the N-line optical fiber line is divided into a plurality of n-fiber bundle plugs and connected so that one end surface thereof is exposed in a straight line at predetermined intervals, and the n-fiber bundle plugs are arranged in a matrix. By doing so, an N-core matrix stage is formed, and an X/Y stage that moves in the X-axis and Y-axis directions along the surface of the N-core matrix stage is provided, and
A scanning stage that moves in the axial or Y-axis direction is provided, and the X/Y stage is equipped with an n-core optical fiber line having n optical fiber lines each connected to each optical fiber line having an n-core bulk plug on one end surface. A batch joint head is provided, and the scanning stage has a monitor head that sequentially connects one end side of the measurement line to the other end surface of the n optical fiber lines of the n-fiber batch joint head as the scanning stage moves. An optical fiber switching connection switch characterized by being provided with.