JPH06138405A - Optical fiber connection switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the small-sized optical fiber connection switching device which performs automatic switching between two groups of plural coated optical fibers without any slide mechanism so that optical fibers do not entwine with one another. CONSTITUTION:This connection switching device is equipped with a coated optical fibers for connection having connector ferrules 5A at coated optical fiber ends 1A' of plural optical fibers 1A a group of coated optical fiber bolder 6A wherein parts 1A'' close to coated optical fiber ends of the coated optical fibers for connection are held, numbered, and arrayed in a multiple state, a divisional lift mechanism 8 which separate a group of coated optical fiber holders 6B into two groups at a desired position and freely divides the group, a coupling part 6B where connector adapters 5B which can freely be coupled with the connector ferrules 5A and given numbers corresponding to the coated optical fiber holders 6A are arranged in array, and a robot hand 7 which grips and connects a connector ferrule 5A having a desired number to a connector adapter 5B having a desired number in a space formed at the part 1A'' close to the coated optical fiber end 1A' by an opening Y formed by dividing the group of coated optical fiber holders 6A by the divisional lift mechanism 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection switching device for switching a connection state between two groups of opposing optical fiber cores, which is used for a wide range of applications such as optical communication systems and optical transmission systems. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of optical changeover switch, which is inserted into an optical transmission line to change a signal propagation route of an optical fiber, has low loss, wavelength independent, polarization independent, low crosstalk, and no power consumption. Since it is desirable to maintain the state, the method of mechanically switching the connection of the optical connector that guarantees these characteristics is the most studied at present.

As a specific example, Japanese Patent Application No. 1-14848
There is a switching device as described in No. 8 and Japanese Utility Model Application No. 1-148489. This allows the cores to be freely connected and the connection can be switched between the two groups of optical fiber cores facing each other in any combination. The following English papers have been published.

T. Katagiri, Y. Koyamada, M. Tachikura AND
Y.Katsuyama: “Nonblocking 100X100 optomechanical
matrix switch for subscriber networks ”, Proceedin
gs of the 40th International Wire and Cable Sympos
ium, pp.285-290 (Nov. 1991).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional orthogonal movement type optical fiber switching device, and FIG. 3 is the same optical fiber switching device in the case of manual switching. In the figure, α is an orthogonal movement type optical fiber switching device, 1A and 1B are optical fibers, 2A and 2B.
Is a vertical / horizontal lattice groove facing each other, and 3 is a switching device body.

As shown in FIG. 2, the principle of the conventional orthogonal movement type optical fiber switching apparatus α for optical fibers is as shown in FIG. 2, in which a slide chip 2A 'having an optical fiber 1A core wire end 1A' is attached to a vertical grating groove 2A. Movable along the optical fiber 1B
The slide tip 2B 'to which the core wire end 1B' is attached can be moved along the horizontal lattice groove 2B in the right and left directions at right angles,
The respective vertical and horizontal lattice grooves 2A and 2B are moved oppositely to each other and connected to each other by a connector (not shown). The slide chips 2A 'and 2B' guided by the vertical and horizontal lattice grooves 2A and 2B, which are arranged in a pair in the vertical and horizontal crossing directions, can be independently stopped at predetermined positions.

The slide tips 2A 'and 2B' are slid together with the core wire ends 1A 'and 1B' at the intersections of the vertical and horizontal lattice grooves 2A and 2B in the desired column and row, respectively, to connect to the connector. As a result, both ends of the core wire 1
A'and 1B 'can be connected in any combination, and naturally, the vertical and horizontal lattice grooves 2A and 2B can be slid to move to different vertical and horizontal lattice grooves.
The connection can be freely switched by interposing a connecting connector between the transverse lattice grooves 2A and 2B orthogonally facing each other.

A drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the sillard chips 2A 'and 2B' to which the core wire ends 1A 'and 1B' are attached is common to each core wire group, and a total of two sets (upper and lower, for left and right).
is there. The vertical / horizontal lattice grooves 2A, 2B are formed by separating the moving paths of the individual slide chips 2A ', 2B' groups, that is, the core wire end 1A 'groups of the vertical lattice grooves 2A are aligned vertically.
Never twist with the other core wire end 1A 'groups, and similarly, the core wire end 1B' groups of the transverse lattice grooves 2B are aligned side by side.

Therefore, the optical fibers 1A and 1B have the effect of preventing the entanglement of the core wires, and the vertical and horizontal lattice grooves 2A and 2B are also provided.
Supports the mating condition of the connector, that is, keeps the mated condition without slipping.

A disadvantage of this type of conventional device is that the guide rail mechanism of the vertical and horizontal lattice grooves 2A and 2B for moving the respective core wire ends 1A 'and 1B' (with connector ferrule) is complicated and highly accurate. Since a large number of parts are required, it takes time and cost to process and assemble and adjust the parts, and it is difficult to reduce the price of the device. In addition, slide chips 2A ', 2B'
Since a space for a driving mechanism such as a motor or gear or belt of a guide rail mechanism for moving the slide chips 2A 'and 2B' is required between them, it is difficult to narrow the arrangement interval of the connection connector terminals, which leads to downsizing of the device. There are large restrictions.

[0011]

If it is premised that the switching work is carried out manually, it is easy to simplify the conventional device. Here, a manual switching device will be described as an example with reference to FIG. In the figure, 4 is a switching board, 5A is a connector ferrule, 5B is a connector adapter, and 6 is a guide hole.

This is a manual switching device β as shown in FIG.
As described above, a switching board 4 having an appropriate size is prepared, and connection switching between mutual connection and fixed side optical fibers 1A and 1B is performed at the connection ends on the switching board opposing wall surfaces 4A and 4B. The connector ferrule 5A and the connector adapter 5B that is the coupling end (or the sleeve that is the basic component thereof) are arranged in order, and the connector ferrule 5A and the connector adapter 5B are fitted together.

A side wall 4A of the connecting optical fiber 1A is provided with a guide hole 6 which is smaller than the connector ferrule 5A and larger than the optical fiber 1A.
When the connector ferrule 5A is attached to the core end 1A 'of the optical fiber through the through end, the optical fibers 1A are arranged in order and do not fall apart, and the optical fiber 1A does not fall off.

Then, paying attention to the desired connector ferrule 5A and connector adapter 5B, taking them out, and connecting the ferrule adapters to each other, the optical fiber 1
Since A and 1B communicate with each other, connection switching can be sequentially performed.
However, in this case, the connecting / fixed side optical fibers 1A, 1B
By repeating switching between the optical fibers, the optical fibers 1A intersect and are intricately entangled with each other along the locus of the optical fibers 1A due to the work of the connecting operation.

However, when a person works, the problem of the entanglement of the optical fibers 1A can be dealt with relatively flexibly, but the upper and lower relation of the entangled optical fibers 1A can be grasped and the gap between the optical fibers 1A can be grasped. The workability is unavoidable because it is connected and disconnected by pulling.

Since it is necessary to widen the space between the fixed side connector adapters 5B so that human hands can enter, there is a limit to miniaturization. Even if this device is automated and a switching device is to be constructed, in order to replace this manual work with a machine, in order to replace this manual work with a machine, a complicated mechanism with a large degree of freedom like human motion, many judgment functions, and state detection functions are required. It requires a robot arm, which is very difficult to realize.

In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a means for preventing the entanglement of optical fibers, which is a fundamental problem, by further improving the configuration and principle of FIG. It is intended to provide a small-sized optical fiber connection switching device that can be switched dynamically.

[0018]

The solution of the above-mentioned problems can be achieved by adopting the novel characteristic construction means enumerated below by the present invention. That is, the first feature of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connection switching device for switching a transmission line of a core wire by switching between two sets of optical fiber core wire groups facing each other, in which a plurality of core wire ends are provided. A connecting core wire having a connecting end portion, a core wire holder group in which a portion near the core wire end of the connecting core wire is held and arranged in multiple order, and two core wire holder groups are arranged at desired positions. A holder dividing means for freely dividing the core wire, a connecting portion which is connectable with the connecting end portion, and which has core wire connecting end portions arranged in a line in an order corresponding to the core wire holder, and the holder dividing means. The core wire connecting end portion of the desired number is pinched in the space created near the core wire end by the opening between the core wire holder groups formed by dividing the core wire holder group by A light comprising a robot hand connected to the line coupling end It is a Aiba connection switching device.

A second feature of the present invention is that the holder dividing means in the first feature interrupts from both sides between the desired steps of the core wire holder group arranged in a multi-layered arrangement so that both side edges of the core wire holder are hooked. It is an optical fiber connection switching device that is a split lift mechanism having a latching claw that can be held and lifted to a desired level or higher.

A third feature of the present invention is that the first or second
In the robot hand having the feature of (1), a slider that can be reciprocally moved in parallel along the connecting portion is provided with a hand portion that holds the connecting end portion of the connecting core wire and can be inserted into and removed from a desired connecting end portion of the connecting wire. It is an optical fiber connection switching device that is provided so as to project.

[0021]

According to the present invention, by taking the above-mentioned means, the core connecting end is moved only for one of the optical fiber core groups facing each other, and the connecting ends are fixedly arranged in a row for the other one. The core end portions of both core wires are fitted and connected at the joined portion.

By grabbing and moving the connecting end of the core wire with a robot hand, it is possible to perform a sliding operation such as an orthogonal grid for slidingly moving each core wire end portion as typified by a slide rail mechanism. Without using any large-scale mechanism or parts, the connection end is moved to perform the connection operation at the fixed side optical fiber coupling section. In this case, in order to prevent the core wires from being entangled by the core wire holder group that holds the core wire near the core end, the vertical relationship of each core wire group is defined so that the vertical relationship is not changed by the switching operation.

That is, core wire holders, each of which holds one core wire group in order near the end of the core wire in order, are stacked in multiple layers, and the core wire holders are moved up and down at desired levels by a split lift mechanism as holder splitting means. It is divided into two groups and opened, a space is provided in the part near the end of the core wire, parallel movement is possible in the alignment direction of the connection end of the other core wire group, and the connection end part is gripped and can be inserted and removed to the connection end With such a robot hand, it is possible to perform the attachment / detachment and the movement operation of the connection end portion and the connection end portion in the work space created by the division operation of the one core wire group.

In this way, the entanglement of the connecting cords can be avoided. For example, if it is necessary to switch the core wire, at the desired stage of the connection core wire, the part near the core wire end is divided into upper and lower parts integrally with the core wire holder to create a workspace for the robot hand, and the switching operation is performed in this space. I do. The connecting core wire group to be moved near the end of the core wire is located at the top of the lower core wire group divided into upper and lower two groups or at the bottom of the upper core wire group. Never entangle with the connection cord

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connection switching device in this embodiment. In the figure, γ is the optical fiber connection switching device of the present embodiment, 6A is a core holder, 6B is a connecting portion, 7 is a robot hand, 8 is a split lift mechanism as holder splitting means, and 9 is a frame. The same members as the conventional ones are designated by the same reference numerals.

The optical fiber connection switching device γ of this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of optical fibers, an optical fiber coupling portion 6B in which fixed side optical fibers 1B each having a connector adapter 5B attached to one end thereof are arranged in a horizontal row, and a connector ferrule 5A attached to each end Optical fiber 1
A core wire holder 6A group holding A at a part 1A ″ near the core wire end 1A ′, and a robot hand 7 for connecting the connecting optical fiber 1A to the fixed side optical fiber 1B in an arbitrary combination.
Further, a split lift mechanism 8 for vertically splitting the core wire holder 6A group at a desired step position is provided on an appropriate frame 9.

The optical fiber holder 6A may be held by connecting an optical fiber on the transmitting side to the optical fiber 1A for connection at a portion 1A "near the optical fiber end using a separate connector. This optical fiber on the fixed side At the 1B coupling portion 6B, the fixed-side optical fiber 1B and the connecting optical fiber 1A are connected.

For the connection, a connector ferrule 5A is attached to the core end 1A 'of the connecting optical fiber 1A, and the fixed side optical fiber 1B on the side of the optical fiber coupling section 6B is connected with a connector adapter 5B to connect the connecting optical fiber. The portion 1A ″ of the fiber 1A near the core end 1A ′ is held by the multi-layered core holders 6A. Such a structure is the most basic structure, and the following example assumes that case. Explain.

In the figure, for simplification, the optical fiber 1A,
1B core is thinned out. Further, neither the connecting optical fiber 1A core wire nor the fixed-side optical fiber 1B core wire is shown on the opposite side of the core wire holder group 6A or the optical fiber coupling portion 6B.
In the former case, a connector ferrule 5A is attached to the core end 1A ', and the connector ferrule 5A is connected to an optical connector adapter 5B which is fixedly arranged in a row in the optical fiber coupling portion 6B. The latter differs depending on the form of the optical fiber coupling section 6B.

As an example, when the optical fiber coupling section 6B has a structure in which a general connector plug is inserted and coupled, this optical fiber core wire can be omitted from the components of the switching device. A general cable with an optical connector can be directly connected to the optical fiber coupling portion 6B from the outside.

On the other hand, when this is not the case (for example, when a special connector connecting part or a connecting form is adopted), a general external connector can be connected,
Similar to the case of the connecting optical fiber core, the optical fiber adapter may be connected to the optical connector adapter fixedly arranged in the optical fiber coupling portion 6B. Yes, the structure may be such that the end of the core wire is not fixed but is taken out of the apparatus.

The robot hand 7 includes the fixed-side optical fiber 1
Connector ferrule 5 to be switched from the B coupling part 6B
A is grasped by the two-limb hand portion 7A and pulled out, and this is carried by the slider 7B in the arrangement direction of the connector adapter 5B to the position of the connector adapter 5B which is a new fitting destination and inserted into the connector adapter 5B. In addition, the core wire holder 6A group includes the connecting optical fiber 1A, the core wire end 1A ', and the portion 1A "
Are individually held, and these are stacked on the frame 9.

At this time, components for stacking and aligning the core wire holder 6A group are essentially required, but they are omitted in the drawing. In this mechanism, two holes of appropriate size are opened from the thickness direction of the core wire holder 6A, and two pillars penetrating them are connected in a standing manner. To pass through, surround the corners of the core holder 6A group so as to slide from the four corners with struts having an L-shaped cross section, or leave the exit of the optical fiber and slide vertically into a hollow rectangular tube. It can take various forms such as surrounding the sides.

On the other hand, the split lift mechanism 8 includes the core wire holder 6
It has a function to grab any number of groups A from above and lift them. This is also hung from an appropriate column, and it is a little sturdy so that it does not bend even if you grab the whole core wire holder group 6A as much as possible, and it firmly holds it so that the gripping position does not shift, and it does not shake even if lifted Thus, a crane mechanism (not shown) is used.

The core wire holder 6 is used for grasping at any place.
The shape of group A itself has some improvements. This is also omitted in the figure and is shown as a simple square plate. Although various methods can be adopted, for example, if the width dimension of the core wire holder 6A group is made larger as it goes up, the width of the portion of the latch claw 8A gripped by the split lift mechanism 8 becomes a predetermined shape. All you have to do is adjust the entrance / exit and lift it from below.

Then, the core wire holder 6A having a specific width or more is caught and lifted. At this time, the core wire holder 6A
The group includes an upper core wire holder 6A 'group and a lower core wire holder 6A.
It is divided into A "groups. Further, the split lift mechanism 8 is provided with hooks 8a.
Attach A, and close it from both sides at a specified height in an interrupted manner and pinch it. Since the core wire holders 6A have different heights stacked from the frame 9, the core wire holders 6A are numbered according to the heights.

The specifications of the present embodiment present such a concrete embodiment, and the switching operation procedure will be described with reference to the drawings. How to avoid the entanglement of the optical fiber cores with such a configuration will be described below. First, the core holder 6A group in which the connecting optical fibers 1A are put together is sequentially numbered from the bottom (number #), and the bottom is # 1. The connector numbers of the coupling section 6B of the fixed-side optical fiber 1B are also numbered sequentially from the front (number $) (there may be the reverse), and the front is $ 1.

When the number of connecting optical fibers 1A is the same as the number of fixed side optical fibers 1B (that is, # N = $ N).
Requires at least one extra connector adapter 5B. Further, it is not necessary when there are few connecting optical fibers 1A. (Although it is possible to make the connecting optical fiber 1A core wire more than the fixed side optical fiber 1B core wire, in that case, since the number of the connector adapters 5B is at least one more than the connecting optical fiber 1A core wire, It is not a good idea because it requires more connector adapters 5B even with the same function.)

If the connector ferrule 5A is already attached to the mating connector adapter 5B at the time of switching as will be described later, an empty connector adapter 5B is available for connection in order to retract the connector ferrule 5A. It is necessary (the robot hand 7 can hold only one connector ferrule 5A).

First, as an initial state at the time of manufacturing the device, the connector ferrule 5A corresponding to the number of the core holder 6A of the switching optical fiber 1A is attached to the fixed side optical fiber 1B of the same number.
Is attached and connected to the connector adapter 5B of the coupling portion 6B (# i = $ i [1 to N]). At this time, it is important to attach them in order from young to old.

Then, the vertical relationship of the optical fibers 1A is determined by the number of the optical fiber holder 6A group. That is, the core wire having a large core wire holder 6A group number is above the small core wire. At that time, when viewed from above, the cores do not intersect, but when the switching operation is repeated thereafter, this upper and lower relation is always maintained.

Therefore, the switching operation will be described step by step.
For example, assume that the switching optical fiber core wire of the core wire holder number #i is switched from the above state to the connector adapter 5B of the $ j-th coupling portion 6B. Considering the case of a #N to $ N optical fiber connector and adapter, an extra empty connector adapter 5B is required, so the number is set to $ (N + 1).

Since the connector ferrule 5A of the core holder number #j is already attached to the connector adapter 5B of $ j, it is necessary to remove it and attach the optical fiber 1A of the connecting optical fiber 1A. For this purpose, first, the group of cord holders 6A of # (j + 1) or more is lifted by the split lift mechanism 8. As a result, the connecting optical fiber 1A core wire is divided into upper and lower holders 6A 'and 6A "two groups, and the optical fiber 1A core wire of the core holder number #j is included in the lower holder 6A" core group. At the top.

Then, the robot hand 7 is divided into upper and lower core cord holders 6A ', 6A "by opening Y to separate the core cord end 1 from each other.
Insert it into the space created in the portion 1A "near the A'group, remove the connector ferrule 5A of this core wire holder number #j from the connector adapter 5B of $ j, and carry it to the connector adapter 5B of $ (N + 1) The core wire to be moved in the operation of the robot hand 7 advances in a space divided into upper and lower parts so that it can be easily grasped, so that the core wire comes into contact with other core wires but is not entangled.

Next, the robot hand 7 is retracted from between the core wires and the split lift mechanism 8 is moved to move the upper holder 6A '.
And bring it back to its original state. Then, this time, the split lift mechanism 8 lifts the core wire holder 6A group having a number of # (i + 1) or more. Then, as before, the robot hand 7 is inserted into the space between the upper and lower cords, and the cord holder number #i
Connector ferrule 5A for $ i connector adapter 5
Remove from B, carry to $ j connector adapter 5B, and install. As a result, the fixed-side optical fiber core wire 1B and the connecting optical fiber core wire 1A are connected to each other without entwining the $ j and # i-th core wires. Finally, the robot hand 7 is retracted from between the core wire groups and the split lift mechanism 8 is moved to lower the core wire holder 6A group to the original position.

In this switching, the empty connector adapter 5B is changed from the initial $ (N + 1) to $ i. If you want to fix the empty connector adapter 5B, replace the core wire of the core wire holder number #j with the connector adapter 5 of $ i.
Just attach it to B ($ N + 1 will be empty). Since the operation becomes unnecessary, the switching operation time becomes long, but the connection can be changed without being entangled with other core wires.

Subsequent switching can be performed in the same manner. A combination of numbers that are larger than the numbers of the cores you want to reconnect If you separate all the cores of the number in the upward direction, the target core will be on top of the other cores, so it will entangle with other cores. Without changing, it is possible to reconnect while maintaining the vertical relationship of each other.

In the above description, the core wire to be reconnected is located at the top of the lower core wire holder 6B ″ group, but it is located at the bottom of the upper core wire holder 6A ′ group. For example, when moving the core wire holder 6A with the number #i, the core wire holders 6A with the numbers #i and above may be moved up. There is a certain difference in extracting the core wire from the robot hand 7 from the 6A group.

In the above example, the core holders 6A group are vertically stacked. You may make it the structure which put this in a horizontal direction. The arranging direction of this core wire holder 6A group is the same as the arranging direction of the connector adapters 5B of the coupling portion 6B arranged in order from the front side. In this case, the frame 9 of the core wire holder 6A
Since the height from the top is the same, the optical fiber 1A
The hierarchical relationship of the core lines has a logical meaning, and does not necessarily match the physical hierarchical relationship.

For example, if the number of the core wire holder 6A is given in the same direction as the number of the connector adapter 5B, in the initial state, the connecting optical fibers 1A are all aligned in the same direction, so there is no physical vertical relationship. . However, by defining the optical fiber 1A of the optical fiber holder 6A group having a small number as being logically below the optical fiber having a large number, the switching operation can be performed in exactly the same operation as the above-described embodiment.

In this case, the split lift mechanism 8 is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment, but it is a small matter such that the gripping method is changed, for example, the holder 6A group is slid from a predetermined position to be divided into front and rear. Therefore, the explanation is omitted. In the description of the above operation, what should be divided into upper and lower parts may be read as being divided into front and rear parts. Also in this case, the holder 6
The shape of the group A may be changed to one suitable for the split slide mechanism.

By the way, in the above vertical / horizontal switching operation, if the same operation as the previous switching operation, that is, #p and $ q are connected and then #p and $ q are connected again, Also, it is time consuming to divide the holder 6A group by $ q, connect #p to $ N + 1, and so on, so it is better to omit this. To this end, the connection between the connecting optical fiber 1A and the fixed side optical fiber 1B is stored in a computer or the like, and the mutual connection positions are monitored, and if the positions are the same, the operation is omitted.

Similarly, the movement path of the robot hand 7 with the connector ferrule 5A to be gripped next from the retracted position should be reduced, that is, the robot hand 7 does not move to the neutral position each time, and also the split lift of the core wire holder 6A. The same applies to mechanism 8. That is, if the last divided position is the same as the next divided position, this operation can be omitted.

In the above embodiments, the connector adapter 5B and the connector ferrule are premised on the fact that the optical connectors are connected to the ends of the fixed-side optical fiber 1B and the connecting optical fiber 1A. The switching operation using 5A has been described. However, the present embodiment group is not limited to such a connection method.

Even if the optical connector connection is adopted, the sleeve which is the basic component thereof may be attached to the optical fiber coupling portion 6B without using the connector adapter 5B. Instead of the connector ferrule 5A, the optical fiber 1A itself may be used, or a reinforcing material may be wound around the end of the optical fiber 1A for reinforcement. As a guide for connecting the optical fiber 1A at that time, a small diameter hole, a V groove, or the like can be used.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, by realizing the means for avoiding the entanglement of the connecting optical fiber core wires which divides the core wire holder which cannot be dealt with by the prior art and makes the core wires easy to grasp. Since the mechanism of the optical fiber switching device can be simplified and downsized, the work efficiency can be improved, and the cost of the device can be lowered, which is excellent for the construction of future large-scale optical fiber communication networks. Has sex and usefulness.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connection switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional orthogonal movement type optical fiber switching device.

FIG. 3 is an optical fiber switching device in the case of switching manually by the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 α ... Orthogonal movement type optical fiber switching device β ... Manual switching device γ ... Optical fiber connection switching device 1A ... Optical fiber for connection 1B ... Fixed side optical fiber 1A ', 1B' ... Core end 1A "... Near core end Part 2A, 2B ... Vertical / horizontal lattice groove 3 ... Switching device body 4 ... Switching board 4A, 4B ... Wall surface 5A ... Connector ferrule 5B ... Connector adapter 6 ... Guide hole 6A ... Core wire holder 6B ... Optical fiber coupling part 7 ... Robot Hand 8 ... Split lift mechanism 9 ... Frame

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ishihara 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber connection switching device for switching a transmission line of a core wire by switching between two sets of optical fiber core wire groups facing each other, wherein a connection end portion is provided at a core wire end of the plurality of core wires. And a core wire holder group in which the portion of the connection core wire near the end of the core wire is held and arranged in multiple order, and the core wire holder group is not drawn into two groups at a desired position. A holder dividing means that divides freely, a connecting portion that is connectable with the connecting end portion, and has a core wire connecting end portion arranged in a line in an order corresponding to the core wire holder; The core wire connecting end portion of the desired number is pinched and the core wire connecting end portion of the desired number is pinched in the space created in the portion near the core wire end by opening the core wire holder group formed by dividing the core wire holder group. Characterized by having a robot hand connected to the section That the optical fiber connection switching device. 2. A holder splitting means is provided so as to be interrupted from both sides between desired steps of a group of core holders which are arranged in a multi-stage stack, and both side edges of the core holder are hooked and held so as to be capable of lifting above the desired step. The optical fiber connection switching device according to claim 1, which is a split lift mechanism having a claw. 3. A robot hand in which a connecting end of a connecting core wire is gripped by a slider which can reciprocate in parallel along a connecting part and which can be freely inserted into and removed from a desired core connecting end of the connecting part. The optical fiber connection switching device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion is provided so as to project.