JPH03287213A - Switching device for wiring of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize the device and to realize many-input, many-output constitution by forming a specific array of terminals to which photoconductor end parts are connected respectively. CONSTITUTION:(m) Optical fiber conductors Ai on a side A and (n) optical fiber conductors Bj on a side B are switched and connected. Namely, respective terminals ai and bj are movable only in one direction and laminated perpendicu larly to the moving direction. The respective terminals ai and terminal bj are movable on mutually parallel axes without interfering with each other, the moving directions of the respective terminals ai and bj cross each other, and the terminals ai and bj move to the intersection part of the movement axes and are connected by abutting on each other. Then all combinations of connections become possible. Consequently, a many-output large-scale optical switch can be realized while integrated to small size.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a wiring switching device made of optical fiber.
This is useful when performing operations such as fiber switching at optical fiber coupling points in an optical fiber distribution network.

<Prior Art> In the past, optical fiber communications have been introduced into trunk systems, but various studies are currently being conducted to further protect the introduction into wiring systems. Unlike conventional point-to-point relay transmission, wiring networks must provide a network with good serviceability and efficiency for users distributed over a planar area. For such a wiring network configuration, optical cross-connect devices, optical exchanges, etc. that switch paths and lines as optical signals are important.

These optical cross-connect devices are so-called large-scale optical switches, and various studies are currently being carried out, but it is difficult to realize a compact, multi-input, multi-output optical switch, and a sufficient one has not yet appeared. Not yet.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> When attempting to realize a large-scale optical switch as described above, the following problems arise.

The first problem is that when the number of connections increases when optical fibers are connected, the optical fibers become light chains, resulting in extremely poor connection workability or erroneous connections. Moreover, if the coupling point is to be arbitrarily switched to another terminal, the large number of light chains of optical fibers poses a rather serious problem.

The second problem is the miniaturization of the device. In other words, when considering moving and coupling the ends of a large number of optical fibers, providing a moving mechanism such as an actuator to each terminal provided at the end of each optical fiber would lead to an increase in the size of the device. ,
This is a major obstacle to integration. On the other hand, the method of providing a terminal moving mechanism separately from the terminals and using this to grip and move each terminal is convenient for miniaturization, but it also prevents interference with the optical fibers extending from each terminal and It is not easy to do this while avoiding fibers.

In view of these circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber wiring switching device that can be miniaturized and is a large-scale optical switch with multiple inputs and multiple outputs.

Means for Solving the Problems〉 An optical fiber wiring switching device according to the present invention that achieves the above object has m first optical wiring ends made of optical fibers and n
An optical fiber wiring switching device that switches and connects second optical wiring ends of a book in a one-to-one correspondence, the terminal a to which m first optical wiring ends are respectively connected; (
i=1.2. . . .m) are laminated and are each connected to a first terminal assembly movable in one direction orthogonal to the lamination direction, and n second optical wiring ends. A second terminal assembly in which terminals b (j = 1, 2...n) are laminated and each movable in one direction perpendicular to the lamination direction is connected to each other at the ends of each wiring. The terminals can be butt-connected, and are arranged so that the moving direction of terminal a and the moving direction of terminal bj intersect, forming a switching connection part, and are arranged in parallel with the first and second terminal sets, respectively. It is characterized by comprising a drive mechanism that positions and moves each terminal.

The principle of the apparatus of the present invention will be explained below with reference to FIG.

Figure 1 shows m optical fiber wiring A on the A side (i=1.2.
...m) and n optical fiber wiring B4 (J=
1. This conceptually shows an optical fiber wiring switching device that switches and connects "P...n".In the figure, a, (i=
1.2. ...m) is the terminal connected to the end of the optical fiber wiring A, t't (J = 1y 2p...n
) indicate the terminals connected to the ends of the optical fiber wiring B, respectively. Each terminal a, b is stacked in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement, with movement allowed only in one direction, that is, movement only on the - axis. Here, each terminal a can move on one axis parallel to each other without interfering with each other, and on the other hand, each terminal a can also move on one axis parallel to each other without interfering with each other, and each terminal a and each terminal,
The direction of movement is such that it intersects (orthogonally in the figure). Note that in order to shorten the movement range, it is most preferable to use orthogonality. Each terminal a and each terminal A can be butted and connected to each other when they are moved to the intersection of their respective movement axes.

This connection is possible in all combinations, for example terminal a,
One of the terminals, a, is for each terminal.

All terminals can be switched and connected at the intersection with the axis of movement.

By arranging the terminals in this manner, it is possible to avoid light chains caused by movement of the terminals a, b, of each optical fiber wiring A+p BJ. That is, since each terminal a, , b can move only on the - axis, if each optical fiber wiring A, , B is arranged parallel to this moving axis, they will not cross each other.

In addition, each optical fiber wiring A+ p Bh is shown in Figure 2 ta+
As shown in FIG. 2, by arranging the terminals a, , b, parallel to and along the movement axis, it is advantageous to miniaturize the device and drive each terminal a + p b t.

However, in case of B, each optical fiber wiring A, B.

If a portion of the optical fiber wirings A and B are fixed, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), slack will occur in the optical fiber wirings A and B by the amount of movement d of the terminals a and b. Therefore, in this case, each terminal a,,b.

Process the surplus length of each optical fiber A, B, as the surplus length moves. For example, if the surplus length is short, the optical fiber is pulled out, and if the surplus length is long, the optical fiber is wound or stored. It is necessary to provide an extra length processing section.

In such a configuration, the means for moving each terminal may be self-propelled or a drive mechanism installed in parallel.
In order to achieve miniaturization, it is advantageous to arrange the drive mechanisms in parallel, and with the above configuration, the drive mechanisms can be easily arranged in parallel. In the case of B, by arranging the optical fiber wiring A, , B along the movement axis of each terminal a1゜b, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the butt connection of each terminal a, , b is made. Drive space can be taken on the opposite side (rear), which is advantageous for downsizing. And each terminal a, p b
The optical fiber wirings A, B are connected to a drive mechanism placed at the rear and moved.

Terminals a, b, can be moved to any position without interfering with the terminals.

In addition, in the device described above, when one terminal ak among terminals a and one terminal bk among terminals bj are butt-connected at the intersection of their moving axes, the moving axes are particularly perpendicular to each other. In this case, the connection location is retained. That is,
The movement of terminals a, bk to the intersection is performed using the coordinates provided in the drive mechanism, but even if there is some error in the coordinates, the absolute coordinate position of the connection position is always constant due to mutual butt connection. becomes. That is, the butt position is determined by the intersection of the re-movement axes, and that position is maintained by the butt connection.

Embodiment> Hereinafter, an optical fiber wiring switching device according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the optical fiber wiring switching device of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, a substantially rectangular support frame 11,
12 are fixedly installed facing each other, the support frame 11 has one terminal a (i=1, 2...m), and the support frame 12 has the other terminal a (i=1, 2...m). i=1, 2...n
) are arranged movably. To comment further, both ends of a thin plate-shaped guide rail 13 are supported and fixed to the left and right support members 11a in the figure of the support frame 11,
A large number of such guide rails 13 are arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction in the figure (Y direction in the figure). Each terminal a is supported between adjacent guide rails 13 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction in the figure (X direction in the figure). on the other hand,
Similarly, guide rails 14 are stacked on the upper and lower support members 12a in the figure of the support frame 12, with both ends supported, and between each adjacent guide rail 14, there are terminals, is supported slidably in the Y direction.

The guide rails 13 and 14 are stacked in parallel at the same pitch, and the terminals a and bl J held by the guide rails 13 and 14 respectively move in parallel, and the terminals a and bJ (
They can move in directions perpendicular to each other.

Here, FIGS. 4 and 5 show the state in which the terminals a1 and 1 are completely removed. As shown in both figures, each terminal a, b is connected to a main body 15a, 15b held between guide trays) L, 13, 14, and this main body 15a, 15b.
A movable head 16a is provided to be able to move forward and backward in the Z direction in the figure.

16b, and ferrules 17a and 17b are fixed to the tips of the movable heads 16a and 16b, respectively. These ferrules 17a.

One ends of optical fibers A, B, which are the optical fiber wiring of this embodiment, are fixed to the main body 15a in a penetrating state 17b, and the optical fiber A+pBr is connected to the main body 15a.

The optical fibers protrude from the rear end surface of the optical fibers 15b and are arranged along each guide rail 13 and 14 so as not to interfere with other adjacent optical fibers. That is, all the optical fibers A are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other in the left direction in FIG. 3, while the optical fibers B are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other in the downward direction in FIG. 3. has been done.

Each movable head 16a, 16b has two head guides 18.
The movable head 16'a is connected to the movable heads 16a and 16b through the movable heads 16a and 18b so as to be movable in the Z direction.

The operation rods 19a, 19b fixed to the main body 16b slidably pass through the main bodies 15a, 15b to open the main body 15a.
, 15b. In addition, this operating rod 19
a, 19b are connected to each terminal a, b, by a drive mechanism described later.
It is for moving. Furthermore, ferrule 17
a.

In the figure, a split sleeve 20 for positioning and connecting the ferrules 17a and 17b is fixed to one of the ferrules 17b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a moving rail 21a is provided on the upper and lower support members 11b of the support frame 11 in the drawing, and is provided so as to be slidable in the X direction in the drawing. A gripping and moving device 22a is supported on 21a so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (Y direction in the figure).

Further, a movable rail 21b is similarly provided on the left and right support members 12b in the figure of the support frame 12, and is provided so as to be slidable in the Y direction in the figure. The gripping and moving device 22b is supported so as to be slidable in the X direction (in the figure). In this embodiment, these moving rails 21a, 21b and gripping and moving devices 22a, 22
b is a drive mechanism for terminals a and b. In addition, the moving rail 21a.

The gripping and moving mechanisms 22a and 22b of 21b1 are each equipped with a pulse motor (not shown), and are capable of positioning and movement under open loop control.

In such a device, in order to switch and connect each terminal a and each terminal bJ, for example, the terminals a and terminals to be connected are moved to the intersection of their movement axes. This movement is performed by operating rods 19a and 19 of terminals a, b,
This is carried out by gripping the bag 22a, 22b with the gripping and moving devices 22a and 22b, and moving the bag 22a and 22b in the x and y directions in the figure. Further, the butt connection after positioning is also performed by the movable head 16a via the gripping and moving devices 22a and 22b.

This is done by protruding 16b in the Z direction.

At this time, the final alignment of the butt connection is done by the split sleeve 2.
This is done via 0. Note that the butt connection can also be performed by moving only one movable head. By repeating such operations, it is possible to switch and connect the terminals a and b in any desired combination.

In such a switching connection, optical fiber A.

As shown in FIG. 6, B is arranged along guide rails 13, 14 inside the movement area S of the drive mechanism, and is guided to an extra length processing section (not shown). At this time, the optical fibers A, B must not be accompanied by an increase in loss or deterioration in strength due to bending, so the minimum bending radius R shown in the figure is 251.
It is desirable to set it to 1101 or more. In addition, in the extra length processing section, a tensile force of about 50 gf is always generated on each optical fiber A, B, and this tensile force is always almost constant regardless of the position of terminals a and b. . Therefore, depending on the position of terminals a, ,b, optical fiber A1B
, will not sag or be subjected to strong tensile force, and the crossing, breakage, etc. of the optical fibers A and B are prevented.

Further, as described above, the drive mechanism does not need to be highly accurate, and in this embodiment, the accuracy is about ±100 μm.

This is because the terminals a 1p b J are provided with a mechanism that absorbs the positional deviation when they are matched, and if the connection with the gripping and moving devices 122a and 22b is lost, the ferrules 17a and 17b Since only the coupling force acts, each terminal a,,b, is positioned at the intersection of its moving axes. This position is then maintained.

Such absolute position maintenance is based on the fact that the guide rails 13 and 14 intersect with each other, and the gripping and moving devices 22a, 22b at the time of the next switching.
This is important in ensuring the connection with the

Furthermore, the fact that there is no need to add a special mechanism to maintain the connection position is also advantageous for downsizing the device. That is, normally, in order to maintain the absolute coordinate position of each connection position, a matrix port 100 as shown in FIG. Although a method of inserting the matrix port 100a into the matrix port 100a is conceivable, it is possible to achieve the effect of miniaturization without providing such a matrix port 100. Moreover, when the matrix port 100 is used, the precision of the processing position of the through hole 100a and the ferrule 101
There is also the problem that the alignment accuracy of a and 101b must be high.

In the above configuration, there are 100 terminals a, b, each, and one single mode optical fiber (core diameter 9 μm, cladding diameter 125 μm, core diameter 250 μm) is attached to each terminal a, b.
) was installed to configure an optical fiber wiring switching device with 100 manpower and 100 outputs, and the switching connection was 350 mm.
It fit in an area of x350m+. The ferrules 19a and 19b used were single-core ferrules of 2 mφ, and the split sleeve 20 was 2.6+w+nφ.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, an optical fiber wiring switching device, which is a large-scale optical switch with multiple inputs and multiple outputs, can be realized in a compact and integrated state. It is useful when performing operations such as fiber switching at optical fiber coupling points in an optical fiber distribution network.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing the principle of an optical fiber wiring switching device of the present invention, FIGS. 3 to 6 are explanatory diagrams of an optical fiber wiring switching device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a conventional diagram. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of connection of ferrules according to the technique. In the drawing, A, B are optical fiber wiring, a + p b J is a terminal, 11.12 is a support frame, 13.14 is a guide rail, 15 a, 15 b are terminal bodies, 16 a, 16 b are movable heads, 17a, 17b
is a ferrule, 18a and 18b are herpet guides, 19a and 19b are operating rods, and 20 is a split sleeve. 1 -80- A1 (BJ')

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) m first optical wiring ends consisting of optical fibers and n
An optical fiber wiring switching device that switches and connects the second optical wiring ends of the books in a one-to-one correspondence, the terminals a_i() to which m first optical wiring ends are respectively connected. i=1, 2, . are connected to terminals b_j (j=1,
2, .
It is arranged so that the moving direction of i and the moving direction of terminal b_j intersect, forming a switching connection part, and is arranged in parallel with the first and second terminal assemblies, respectively, and positions and moves each terminal, respectively. An optical fiber wiring switching device characterized by comprising a drive mechanism. (2) In the optical fiber wiring switching device according to claim 1, as each terminal of the first and second terminal aggregates moves, the surplus length of the wiring connected to each terminal is processed. An optical fiber wiring switching device equipped with a processing section. (3) In the optical fiber wiring switching device according to claim 1 or 2, the wiring connected to each terminal of the first and second terminal aggregates is arranged along the moving direction of each terminal. Optical fiber wiring switching device.