JPH06208045A - Optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the optical switch which has optical fibers arrayed totally precisely and also has small connection loss. CONSTITUTION:At right angles to the length direction of a slit 7 formed in the top surface of a substrate 6, 1st fiber fixation grooves 8 and 2nd fiber fixation grooves 9 which are sectioned nearly in a V shape are formed across the slit 7. The lengthwise prolongation of the 1st and 2nd fiber fixation grooves 8 and 9 are aligned with each other. Then 1st optical fibers 2 are fixed in the 1st fiber fixation grooves 8 and their tip end surfaces 2a are arranged facing the slit 7 and pressed with a cover plate 10. An optical fiber array member 3 is constituted including the substrate 6, the 1st optical fiber 2, and cover plate 10. A conveying means 5 which is provided in front of the optical fiber array member 3 in multistage stack structure conveys the tip end parts of the 2nd optical fibers 4 to the 2nd fiber fixation grooves 9 and the tip end surfaces 4a are optically coupled with the tip end surfaces 2a of the 1st optical fibers 2 at the slit part 7 without contacting.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical switch having an optical fiber array member for arraying a plurality of optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical scan switch having a connector table in which a large number of connectors are arranged in a matrix is connected to a two-dimensionally movable master connector is known ("C-449, 10-core package 1"). × 1000 Optical Scan Switch ”, IEICE Spring National Convention (19
1998), P4-238).

[0003]

In the conventional connector table, a plurality of connectors are physically arranged to form a two-dimensional array of optical fibers. Therefore, the optical fibers held by different connectors are not accurately arranged, and there is a drawback that the optical fibers held by the master connector cannot be maintained accurately.

The applicant has previously proposed an optical switch in which the above-mentioned drawbacks are improved and an optical fiber can be accurately connected (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-123,750, unpublished). It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical switch that further improves this.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention makes a plurality of n-side optical fibers provided in a predetermined array face a master-side optical fiber and moves the master-side optical fiber. Then, in the optical switch for switching to the n-side optical fiber, the slit formed in the upper surface of the substrate extends in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction with the slit sandwiched therebetween, and the extension lines of the respective grooves in the longitudinal direction coincide with each other. An optical fiber arranging member having a first fiber fixing groove and a second fiber fixing groove, and an optical fiber is fixed to the first fiber fixing groove with its front end face facing the slit, and a master-side optical fiber Is provided to the second fiber fixing groove.

The optical fiber arranging members are provided in multiple stages with a predetermined stacking interval therebetween, and the conveying means is a moving mechanism for moving the master side optical fiber to the second fiber fixing groove of the optical fiber arranging member at each stage. It may be configured to include.

It is desirable that the bottom surface of the slit is deeper than the bottoms of the first and second fiber fixing grooves.

Further, the tip of the master side optical fiber may be located in the slit so as not to contact the optical fiber of the first fiber fixing groove.

Further, it is preferable that a condenser lens is provided at the tip of the master side optical fiber located in the slit, or the edge of the fiber tip surface is provided in a spherical shape by heating and melting.

[0010]

According to the above construction, since the plurality of fiber fixing grooves are formed on the same substrate, the shape and intervals of the fiber fixing grooves are accurately defined. Also, dust and dirt flying to the tip of the optical fiber fixed in the first fiber fixing groove is immediately removed from the substrate through the slit and does not adhere to the tip of the optical fiber, resulting in a connection loss between the opposing optical fibers. Does not increase.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols in the description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the optical switch according to this embodiment. As shown, the optical switch of the present embodiment includes an optical fiber array member (optical fiber unit) 3 of a plurality of first optical fibers (n-side optical fibers) 2 led out from an end of an optical fiber tape 1. The second optical fiber (master-side optical fiber) 4 and the carrier means 5 are provided.

The optical fiber array member 3 has a substrate 6, a slit 7 formed on the upper surface of the substrate 6, and a first slit 7 extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit 7 with the slit 7 interposed therebetween. The fiber fixing groove 8 and the second fiber fixing groove 9, the first optical fiber 2 fitted into the first fiber fixing groove 8, and the cover plate 10 that presses the first optical fiber 2 from above. . In the illustrated example, the optical fiber array members 3 are stacked in seven layers, but may be stacked in multiple layers such as 12 layers.

The substrate 6 is rectangular when viewed from above in FIG. 1, and the slit 7 extends from one side surface 6a of the substrate 6 to the other side surface 6b. The cross-sectional shape of the slit 7 is substantially concave. On the other hand, the first fiber fixing groove 8 and the second fiber fixing groove 9 are juxtaposed (for example, 80) in parallel at a constant pitch interval (for example, 0.25 mm) from the one side surface (reference end surface) 6a. . Since the substrates 6 stacked in a plurality of stages are each made of a Si material and have the same shape and the same size, the distances from one side surface 6a of each substrate 6 to each fiber fixing groove are all the same.

The first and second fiber fixing grooves 8 and 9 are also provided.
Is a V groove in the embodiment, and the extension lines in the longitudinal direction of the respective fiber fixing grooves are provided so as to coincide with each other. The first optical fiber 2 led out from the optical fiber tape 1 is inserted into the first fiber fixing groove 8 from the rear of the fixing groove so that the fiber tip surface is flush with one vertical wall of the slit 7. It is installed in. The slit 7 is substantially concave as described above, and its depth is formed to be slightly deeper than the V-groove-shaped fiber fixing groove.

The first optical fiber 2 is inscribed in the bottom side wall of the V groove and is held by an adhesive in this state. A silicon cover plate 10 is joined to the upper surface of the substrate 6 to protect the first optical fiber 2 fixed in the first fiber fixing groove 8. The cover plate 10 is the first
Since the front end surface of the optical fiber 2 is bonded to the substrate 6 in an exposed state, the connection with the second optical fiber 4 is not hindered. Further, since the first optical fiber 2 is fixed to the bottom of the V groove having a size capable of sufficiently embedding the optical fiber, the cover plate 10 is bonded to the upper surface of the substrate 6 in a state of near surface contact. There is. Therefore, the optical fiber array members 3 stacked in multiple stages are all in the same array state,
For example, 1 counting from one side surface (reference end surface) 6a of the substrate 6
The distance to the 0th first optical fiber 2 is the same for all optical fiber array members 3.

In this embodiment, since the plurality of optical fiber arranging members 3 are stacked with the one side surface 6a aligned as described above, one side surface of any first optical fiber 2 in the same order from the one side surface 6a. The distance from 6a is the same for all substrates 6. In each substrate 6, a slit 7 is formed by cutting the upper surface of one substrate from one side surface 6a to the other side surface 6b with a diamond cutter or the like. Also, this slit 7
A plurality of V-grooves are cut with a diamond cutter or the like along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction to form the first and second fiber fixing grooves 8 and 9. Then, the substrate 6 shown in the drawing can be easily manufactured by cutting the substrate at an appropriate position. Further, it can be manufactured with high precision by a photo etching technique (however, not shown).

The second fiber fixing groove 9 functions as an introduction groove for the second optical fiber 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a conveying means 5 for conveying the second optical fiber 2 to each groove of the second fiber fixing groove 9 is arranged in front of the fiber array member 3.

The conveying means 5 includes two upper and lower linear guide rails 11 arranged in the X arrow direction in FIG. 1, and two linear moving members 12 movable along the linear guide rails 11 in the X direction. A linear guide rail 13 held by the upper and lower linear moving members 12 and a linear moving member 14 movable along the linear guide rails 13 in the Z direction are provided.

The linear moving member 14 has the second optical fiber 4
A rotating plate 15 for supporting the is provided. This rotating plate 1
5, the tip of the second optical fiber 4 can be rotated along the YZ plane. Each linear moving member 12, 1
4 is moved by a power transmission mechanism (not shown) including a ball screw or the like, whereby the second optical fiber 4 can be conveyed to an arbitrary second fiber fixing groove 9.

The above-mentioned optical switch has a rectangular housing member 1
It is stored in 6. By inserting matching oil into the storage member 16 or by depositing an antireflection film on the coupling end faces of the first and second optical fibers 2 and 4, the optical characteristics (switching loss, reflection) between the optical fibers in switching Loss).

Next, the first and second optical switches
Details of the optical coupling portions of the optical fibers 2 and 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical coupling portion, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view. Each drawing shows the positional relationship between the slit 7 formed on the upper surface of the substrate 6, the V-shaped first and second fiber fixing grooves 8 and 9, and the first and second optical fibers 2 and 4. ing.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tip surface 2a of the second optical fiber 2 is
Is located in the slit 7 and is not in contact with the tip surface 2a of the first optical fiber 2. In this state, the first and second optical fibers 2 and 4 are optically coupled, and optical transmission can be performed from one to the other.

Further, by providing the slit 7, it is possible to reduce the connection loss of the tip surfaces 2a, 4a of the first and second optical fibers 2, 4. This is for the following reason. That is, when there is no slit 7, when dust or dirt collects in the V-groove-shaped first and second fiber fixing grooves 8 and 9, the dust and dirt have a place to escape only in the longitudinal direction of the V-groove. in this case,
When the second optical fiber 2 moves in each V-groove for each switch operation to perform optical coupling, the first and second optical fibers 2, 4
The tip ends 2a, 4a of the above are misaligned, and the connection loss increases.

However, the slit 7 according to this embodiment is
Since it extends in the direction orthogonal to the first and second fiber fixing grooves 2 and 4, and the tip surface 2a of the first optical fiber 2 is provided on the same surface as one vertical wall 7a of the slit 7. The dust and dirt flying near the tip surface 2a easily escape to the outside of the substrate 6 through the slit 7, and it is possible to suppress an increase in connection loss at the optical coupling portion at the tip of each optical fiber. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the bottom of the slit 7 has the first and second
It is formed deeper than the groove bottoms of the optical fiber fixing grooves 8 and 9, and the tip surfaces 2a and 4a of the first and second optical fibers 2 and 4 are located in the slit 7 and float from the bottom of the slit 7. Since the light is optically coupled at the open position, dust and
Even if it collects at the bottom of the, the optical coupling is not hindered by this dust.

FIG. 3 exemplarily shows the relationship between the width L of the slit 7 and the fiber protrusion length L ₁ in the slit 7 of the second optical fiber 4. In the illustrated example, L; L ₁ = 5: 4.
Is shown in the relationship. Further, in this embodiment, the tip end surface 4a of the second optical fiber 4 is cut smoothly and is not specially processed.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment in which a condenser lens 17 is provided at the tip of the second optical fiber 4. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. This second
According to the embodiment, the light emitted from the second optical fiber 4 is
The condenser lens 17 allows light to be condensed on the tip surface 2 a of the first optical fiber 2. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, even if there is a slight misalignment between the first optical fiber 2 and the second optical fiber 4, the connection loss at the optical coupling portion can be suppressed.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment in which a spherical portion 18 is formed on the tip end surface of the second optical fiber 4 by heating and melting. The spherical portion 18 has a light-collecting function similar to that of the collective lens 17 in the second embodiment, and is also free from defects such as scratches and scratches produced on the end face of the fiber by the heating and melting process. That is, the end face edge of the optical fiber may be damaged and chipped when the optical fiber is cut by a grinder or the like. In this case, in addition to causing connection loss due to light scattering, since the optical fiber is a brittle material, chipping may occur on the fiber end face due to chipping or damage. However, by heating and melting the end face of the optical fiber, the damage of the end face edge is corrected to become a smooth surface, and the problems of light loss and cracks can be solved. in this way,
Also according to the connection method of the third embodiment, the optical connection between the first optical fiber 2 and the second optical fiber 4 can be surely performed, and the presence of the slit 7 causes a connection loss due to dust or dirt in the optical coupling portion. It can be lost.

Next, the operation of the conveying means 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

The tip surface 4a of the second optical fiber 4 is kept horizontal by the rotating plate 15. In this state, the conveying means 5 is driven and the tip end surface 4a of the second optical fiber 4 approaches the predetermined optical fiber fixing groove 9. After that, the tip of the second optical fiber 4 is placed on the second fiber fixing groove 9 corresponding to the first fiber fixing groove 8 to which the first optical fiber 2 to which the second optical fiber 4 is connected is fixed (FIG. 2). reference). In this case, since the positional accuracy is relaxed by the opening width of the V groove of the second fiber fixing groove 9, the positioning is easy. For example, when the V-grooves are formed adjacent to each other with a pitch of 0.25 mm, the carrier means 5 is driven so that the center of the core of the second optical fiber 4 is positioned within the opening width (0.25 mm) of the V-groove. Good.

Further, by rotating the rotary plate 15 counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the tip of the second optical fiber 4 is engaged with the second fiber fixing groove 9 (see FIG. 3).
At this time, since the second optical fiber 4 contacts the second fiber fixing groove 9 in an inclined state, a reaction force due to elastic deformation of the optical fiber acts on the tip of the second optical fiber 4. As a result, the tip portion of the second optical fiber 4 is curved along the groove, and the above-mentioned reaction force acts as a joining force between the V groove and the second optical fiber 4.

After that, the moving mechanism of the conveying means 5 is driven to move the second optical fiber 4 in the Y direction, and the tip surface 4a thereof is moved.
Close to the tip surface 2a of the first optical fiber 2 (however,
It is in a non-contact state). With the above operation, the second optical fiber 4 can be optically coupled to the arbitrary first optical fiber 2.

As described above, according to the optical switch of this embodiment, the positioning of the second optical fiber 4 can be roughened, which facilitates the positioning. Further, since the connector ferrule is not used, the optical fiber array member 3 becomes compact and the entire apparatus can be miniaturized.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and a mechanism in which the above-mentioned rotating mechanism such as the rotating plate 15 is omitted may be considered. For example, the second optical fiber 4 is tilted and fixed downward obliquely in advance, and the linear movement member 14d is moved in the Z direction of FIG. 1 to give the same curvature as the above to the tip portion of the second optical fiber 4. You can
In this case, other operations of the transport means 5 may be the same as above.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first fiber fixing groove 8 and the second fiber fixing groove 9 are formed in the V groove having the same cross section, but they may not be the same V groove.

Importantly, the second fiber fixing groove 9
The point is that a mechanism for guiding the tip of the second optical fiber 4 to a position where it is optically coupled to the first optical fiber 2 is provided. Therefore, for example, the first and second optical fiber fixing grooves 8 and 9 have the same apex angle, but V grooves having different groove heights or V grooves having different apex angles may be used. Further, the shape of the groove may be a part of an ellipse instead of the V shape.

The first optical fiber 2 may be not only the optical fiber tape 1 shown in the figure but also an optical fiber led from an optical cable.

[0038]

As described above, according to the optical switch of the present invention, the individual optical fibers can be accurately arranged and the optical fibers can be surely optically coupled with a simple structure. Moreover, when the optical fibers are optically coupled to each other in a non-contact manner, it is possible to eliminate abrasion, damage, etc. of the fiber tip surface during the switching operation, and the durability is improved.

Further, since the optical fiber is fixed by utilizing the fiber fixing groove formed on the same substrate, high density and high precision mounting is possible. Furthermore, since a slit is formed at the connecting portion between the optical fibers, dust, dust, etc. flying to the connecting portion can be easily removed through this slit,
It is possible to reduce connection loss due to dust and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of an optical switch according to an example.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the fiber fixing groove in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a tip portion of a second optical fiber in a fiber fixing groove as another embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a fiber fixing groove and a second fixing groove according to still another embodiment.
It is a sectional side view which shows the front-end | tip part of an optical fiber.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... 1st optical fiber, 2a ... Tip surface, 3 ... Optical fiber arrangement member, 4 ... 2nd optical fiber, 4a ... Tip surface, 5 ... Conveying means, 6 ... Substrate, 7 ... Slit, 8 ... 1st fiber fixing Groove, 9 ... second fiber fixing groove, 10 ... cover plate,
17 ... Condensing lens, 18 ... Spherical part.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazumasa Ozawa 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Izumi Mikawa 1-1-6, Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical switch that opposes a plurality of n-side optical fibers provided in a predetermined array and a master-side optical fiber, and moves the master-side optical fiber to switch to the n-side optical fiber. In, a plurality of first fiber fixing grooves and second fiber fixing grooves that extend in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit formed on the upper surface of the substrate by sandwiching the slit and the extension lines of the respective grooves in the longitudinal direction coincide with each other. An optical fiber arranging member having a groove and having a front end surface facing the slit and fixing an n-side optical fiber in the first fiber fixing groove, and a master-side optical fiber are conveyed to the second fiber fixing groove. An optical switch comprising a carrier. 2. The optical fiber arranging member is provided in multiple stages with a predetermined stacking interval, and the conveying means transfers the master side optical fiber to a second fiber fixing groove of the optical fiber arranging member of each stage. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the optical switch is configured to include a moving mechanism for moving to. 3. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the slit is provided deeper than the bottoms of the first and second fiber fixing grooves. 4. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the master-side optical fiber is located in the slit and is provided in a non-contact manner with the optical fiber in the first fiber fixing groove. . 5. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein a condensing lens is provided at the tip of the master side optical fiber located in the slit. 6. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the front end surface of the master side optical fiber is provided in a spherical shape by heating and melting.