JPH0675178A - Optical line switching device and position controlling method in it - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an optical line switching device which can precisely align an N-side fiber, which should be coupled, with a master-side fiber at a high speed without storing the position of the N-side fiber. CONSTITUTION:First of all, an LED among an LED array for an X axis 3 corresponding to the position X of the H-side fiber which should be coupled is turned on. Simultaneously, it is judged based on the position X of the master- side fiber before it is moved and the position X of a moving target in which direction out of left and right a substrate for an X axis 1 is moved. Then, an X axis motor 7 is driven and the substrate 1 is moved. While the substrate 1 is moved, it is monitored by a light receiving part for an X axis 4 whether the LED 3 is turned on or not. When it is detected that the LED is turned on, the substrate 1 can be positioned in a direction X by stopping the movement of the substrate 1. The same operation is executed as for the direction of a Y axis.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention selects a connector to be connected from a fixed side connector and connects a movable side connector,
The present invention relates to an optical line switching device for switching optical lines and a method for managing the position of a moving side connector in the optical line switching device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to cope with the era of high-speed, wide-band services for the 21st century, the use of optical fibers in public communication networks is rapidly progressing. In order to construct an extensive optical fiber network, an operating system that can efficiently proceed the construction, maintenance and operation of optical fiber cables is essential. Therefore, conventionally, development and introduction of an optical line test management system, an optical line switching test system, and the like that meet this requirement have been promoted. In such a system, an optical line switching device that selects an arbitrary optical fiber core wire from a large number of optical fiber core wires in an optical fiber cable is becoming an important element in recent years.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of an optical line switching device. In the figure, 111 is a test side optical fiber, 112 is a moving side connector, 113 is a test side optical fiber, 114 is a fixed side connector, and 115 is a sleeve. The fixed-side connector 114 accommodating the optical fiber 113 on the side to be tested is inserted into the sleeve 115.
The sleeve 115 is configured as a split sleeve. In the figure, five fixed-side connectors 1 arranged in the horizontal direction
14 shows the inserted sleeve 115, but in one example, 50 pieces are arranged in the horizontal direction, and this is 2 pieces in the vertical direction.
The optical fibers 113 on the side to be tested having a total of 1000 fibers are arranged in 0 rows. On the other hand, the test-side optical fiber 111 is accommodated in the moving-side connector 112, and is moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the holding means (not shown) so as to face the sleeves 115 arranged in a matrix. It is inserted in the desired sleeve 115 and is adapted to be coupled with the optical fiber 113. In general,
The fixed side is N in number, and a 1: N optical switch is configured, but the fixed side may be referred to as an N side connector and the movable side may be referred to as a master connector.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including a general optical line switching device. In the figure, 121 is an optical cable, 122 is an optical fiber coupler, 123 is a transmission device, 1
24 is an optical line switching device, 125 is a fixed side connector, 12
6 is a split sleeve, 127 is a moving side connector, and 128 is a movable head.

The optical cable 121 is composed of a plurality of optical fiber cores, for example, a relay optical fiber cable or the like. The optical cable 121 is the transmission device 1
The optical fiber coupler 1 is connected to the
22 is inserted, an optical signal is branched, and each optical fiber core wire in the optical cable 121 is introduced into the optical line switching device 124. The optical fiber core wire introduced into the optical line switching device 124 is fixed to the fixed side connector 125, and a split sleeve 126 is provided at the tip thereof. Split sleeve 12
The fixed-side connectors 125 provided with 6 are arranged in a matrix. On the other hand, one or a plurality of moving-side connectors 127 are fixed to the movable head 128, move in the X and Y directions, and identify the fixed-side connector 125 to be coupled. In addition, the movable head 128 is
In the same direction, the moving side connector 127 is inserted into the split sleeve 126 provided on the fixed side connector 125 to be coupled, and both optical fibers are coupled. Moving side connector 1
The optical fiber led from 27 is connected to an optical device such as an optical measuring device.

In the optical line switching device used in such a system, it is necessary to accurately position the moving side connector to the fixed side connector to be coupled. However, it is difficult to perform accurate positioning due to an attachment error of the fixed side connector and an error of a drive system for moving the movable head.

Various methods have been conventionally developed for accurate positioning. For example, JP-A-3-21151
In JP-A-3, a reference point is provided for each block, and the error is reduced by moving the movable head a short distance from the reference point. However, even with this technique, some error is included in the movement from the reference point to the fixed-side connector to be connected. Moreover, in particular, it is necessary to refer to and search the reference point every time the block changes, which makes high-speed access impossible.

Further, Japanese Patent Application No. 4-8500 proposes a technique in which a scale is provided around or inside the matrix of the fixed side connector, and the scale is detected by a sensor for positioning. According to this technique, each fixed-side connector can be accurately positioned. However, in the configuration of the fixed side connector currently used,
Since the intervals between the fixed side connectors are not all equal, it is necessary to adjust and store the position of each fixed side connector in order to calculate the movement amount when the movable head is moved. The position information of the fixed-side connector is increasing along with the increase in the number of fixed-side connectors, and the setting labor is also increasing as the storage capacity is increasing.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the fixed-side connector and the moving-side connector which are to be joined to each other are aligned at high speed and accurately without memorizing the position of the fixed-side connector, and the joining is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical line switching device that can be performed and a position management method of a moving side connector in the device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in the invention described in claims 1 to 3, the connector to be coupled is selected from the fixed side connectors and the movable side connectors are coupled to switch the optical lines. In the optical line switching device, the invention according to claim 1 has a plurality of light emitting portions arranged along the arrangement of the connector on the fixed side connector side and a light receiving portion provided on the moving side connector side. The invention according to claim 2 has a plurality of light receiving portions arranged along the arrangement of the connector on the fixed side connector side, and a light emitting portion provided on the moving side connector side. According to the invention of claim 3,
The light-transmitting / transparent switching means is arranged on the fixed side connector side along the arrangement of the connectors, and the photo interrupter is provided on the moving side connector side.

Further, the inventions according to claims 4 to 6 relate to a position management method in the optical line switching device according to claims 1 to 3, respectively.
In the invention described in (1), the light emitting section corresponding to the connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is turned on, the moving side connector is moved, and the light emitted from the light emitting section is received by the light receiving section provided on the moving side connector side. The moving-side connector is positioned by detecting the position where the light is received. Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the light receiving portion corresponding to the connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is selected, and the moving side connector is moved to emit from the light emitting portion provided on the moving side connector side. The moving-side connector is positioned by detecting the position where the light is received by the selected light receiving unit. Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the light-blocking translucent switching means is controlled so that the position corresponding to the connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side becomes the translucent part, and the movable side connector is moved to move the movable side. The moving-side connector is positioned by detecting the light-transmitting portion by a photo interrupter provided on the connector side.

Further, the inventions according to claims 7 to 9 relate to a position management method in the optical line switching device according to claims 1 to 3, respectively.
In the invention described in (1), the light emitting section having a predetermined positional relationship with the light emitting section corresponding to the connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is turned on, and the light emitted from the light receiving section is provided on the moving side connector side. The moving-side connector is moved at high speed to the position where it is received by the light-receiving section, and then the moving-side connector is decelerated so that the light from the light-emitting section corresponding to the connector on the fixed-side connector side to be coupled is moved to the moving-side connector side. It is characterized in that the position of the moving side connector is determined by detecting the position where the light receiving section is provided to receive the light. Further, in the invention according to claim 8, a light receiving portion having a predetermined positional relationship with a light emitting portion corresponding to a connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is selected, and the moving side connector side is selected in the selected light receiving portion. The moving-side connector is moved at high speed to the position where the light emitted from the light-emitting part provided on the side is received, and then the moving-side connector is decelerated and selected according to the fixed-side connector to be connected. The position of the moving side connector is determined by detecting the position at which the light emitted from the light emitting part provided on the moving side connector side is received in the received light receiving part. Further, in the invention according to claim 9, the light-shielding / transmission switching means is controlled so that a position having a predetermined positional relationship with a position corresponding to the connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side becomes the light transmitting part, and The light-blocking translucent switching means, which became the light section, is moved at high speed to the position where the photointerrupter provided on the moving-side connector side detects it, and then the moving-side connector is decelerated to move the fixed-side connector side. It is characterized in that the light-transmitting and light-transmitting switching means, which is a light-transmitting portion corresponding to the connector to be coupled, is detected by a photointerrupter provided on the moving-side connector side to position the moving-side connector.

[0013]

According to the present invention, movement is performed by selective light emission of the light emitting portion corresponding to the connector to be joined on the fixed side connector side, selection of the light receiving portion, or selective formation of the light transmitting portion by the light shielding / transmission switching means. It indicates the position where the side connector should be positioned, and it can be positioned at the position to be stopped by the light receiving part, the light emitting part provided on the moving side connector side, or the photo interrupter, so the scales and marks are counted. Positioning can be performed without the need for storing the position of each fixed-side connector. Further, if the positions of the light emitting portion, the light receiving portion, and the light-shielding / transmissive switching means provided on the fixed side connector side are accurately determined, accurate positioning can be performed.

Further, the light emitting portion is selectively emitted or the light receiving portion is selected at a position having a predetermined positional relationship with the position corresponding to the connector to be connected on the fixed side connector side, or the light transmitting portion is switched by the light shielding / transmission switching means. By forming the deceleration starting point, the moving speed is decelerated by detecting the deceleration starting point according to the high speed movement of the moving side connector, and the light emitting part or the light receiving part corresponding to the connector to be connected on the fixed side connector side. Alternatively, by detecting the light-transmitting portion by the light-shielding / light-transmitting switching means and performing positioning in the same manner, the moving-side connector can be positioned at higher speed and more accurately.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of an optical line switching device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an X-axis substrate, 2 is a Y-axis substrate, 3 is an X-axis LED array, 4 is an X-axis light receiving portion, 5 is an X-axis guide, 6 is a rack gear, 7 is an X-axis motor, 8 Is a Y-axis LED array, 9 is a Y-axis light receiving unit, 10
Is a Y-axis motor, 11 is a Y-axis driving means, 12 is a base plate, and 13 is a fixed side connector (N side connector).

The X-axis LED array 3, the X-axis guide 5, the rack gear 6, and the plurality of fixed-side connectors 13 are fixed to the base plate 12. Fixed side connector 13
Are arranged in a matrix for each block as described later. The X-axis LED array 3 is an LED array that is aligned with the positions of the fixed-side connector rows arranged in the Y direction in the X direction.
Has been placed. The X-axis substrate 1 is placed on the X-axis guide 5 in the X direction.
The rack gear 6 and the X-axis motor 7 on the X-axis substrate 1 move in the X-axis direction. In addition, the X-axis substrate 1 is provided with an X-axis light-receiving section 4 facing the X-axis LED array 3, and the X-axis L array L is provided.
The light of the emitted LED in the ED array 3 is received. Further, the X-axis substrate 1 includes a Y-axis substrate 2, a Y-axis driving unit 11 for driving the Y-axis substrate 2, and a Y-axis motor 1.
0 and Y-axis LED arrays 8 are mounted. The Y-axis substrate 2 is configured to be movable in the Y-axis direction, and the driving force of the Y-axis motor 10 causes the Y-axis driving means 11 to move in the Y direction. In addition, the Y-axis substrate 2 includes
The Y-axis light receiving portion 9 is provided so as to face the Y-axis LED array 8, and the LEDs that have emitted light in the Y-axis LED array 8 are provided.
Receives the light of. Further, a movable head (not shown) is provided on the Y-axis substrate 2 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and
A Z-axis drive mechanism for moving the movable head in the Z-axis direction is mounted. A movable side connector is fixed to the movable head, and the movable side connector (master side connector) is coupled to the fixed side connector selected by positioning in the X and Y directions by movement in the Z axis direction. Positioning in the Z-axis direction is performed using an encoder or the like.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the fixed-side connector used in the present invention. In the figure, 12 is a base plate, and 14
Is an adapter. A plurality of fixed-side connectors are fixed to the adapter 14, and a split sleeve is attached to each fixed-side connector to be fixed to the base plate 12 in adapter units. As a specific example, the width of the adapter 14 is 24.8 m.
In the adapter 14, four fixed-side connectors are arranged in the X direction and two fixed-side connectors are arranged in the Y direction. The fixed-side connectors have an X-direction spacing of 6 mm and a Y-direction spacing of 12 mm. Further, when the plurality of adapters 14 are fixed to the base plate, the distance between the fixed side connectors in the X direction between the adjacent adapters is 6.8 mm. As described above, the arrangement intervals of the fixed side connectors are not all constant. The movable connector is inserted into the split sleeve from the back side of the drawing, and the two connectors are joined together.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the position detecting section in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 15 is a slit, and 16 is a light receiving element. In FIG. 3, the X-axis position detection unit is shown as an example, but the Y-axis position detection unit may have the same configuration. A light-receiving element 16 is provided in the X-axis light receiving portion 4 provided on the X-axis substrate 1, and an X-axis L provided on the base plate 12 is provided.
The light emitted from the LEDs in the ED array 3 is received.
A slit 15 is provided on the surface portion of the X-axis LED array 3, narrows the light of the LED to narrow the width of the light, absorbs an arrangement error of the LED, and enables accurate alignment. . The slit 15 may be omitted if sufficient positioning can be performed by the light of the LED. The LED can also be composed of other light sources such as a light bulb.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the relationship between the fixed side connector and the position detecting section in the first embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, for simplification, only the X-axis direction is shown, and only the X-direction will be described below, but the same applies to the Y-direction. As shown in FIG. 2, four N-side connectors 13 are arranged on the adapter 14 in two rows, and a plurality of adapters are arranged vertically and horizontally and fixed to a base plate (not shown). The fixed side connector does not necessarily have to be attached to the adapter 14. Further, in the figure, the part indicated by a black circle indicates a reset port used for resetting the position of the moving side connector. The X-axis LED array 3 is arranged from the leftmost end to the rightmost end of the fixed-side connector row in accordance with the X-direction position of the fixed-side connector row arranged in the Y-direction. The position of the LED is the position of the fixed connector row in the X direction in consideration of the displacement of the movable connector on the X-axis substrate and the position of the light receiving unit in the X-axis direction. It is also possible to attach them by shifting them. As a specific example, when eight adapters are arranged in the X-axis direction, 32 LEDs are arranged. The light receiving element 16 moves from the right end to the left end of the X-axis LED array 3. In the figure, three light receiving elements are shown. At the time of alignment, it may be selected from these light receiving elements and used. Of course, the number of light receiving elements may be one.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of an example of a control block of the motor of the present invention. In the figure, 21 and 22 are differential amplifiers, 23 is an A / D converter, 24 is a D / A converter, 25 is a servo lock switch, 26 is a motor drive circuit, and 27 is a motor. An electric signal based on the amount of light detected by the light receiving section is input to the differential amplifier 22 and also to a control means (not shown), such as a CPU, via the A / D converter 23 for checking the light receiving level. On the other hand, the lock voltage set by the control means is the D / A converter 24.
Is input to the differential amplifiers 21 and 22 via. In the differential amplifier 21, the signal from the light receiving unit and the D / A converter 2
The comparison voltage with the lock voltage from 4 is output. The servo lock switch 25 selects either the differential amplifier 21 or 22 according to the switching signal of the control means. When the differential amplifier 21 is selected, the comparison voltage between the received light signal and the lock voltage is input to the motor drive circuit 26 via the servo lock switch 25, and the motor 27 can be controlled. In particular, in the first embodiment, the motor can be controlled to decelerate or stop at the position where the light receiving signal from the light receiving section becomes large. Further, when the servo lock switch 25 selects the differential amplifier 22, a signal corresponding to the lock voltage output from the control means is obtained from the differential amplifier 22, and the signal drives the motor drive circuit 26. It can be operated to control the motor 27.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the movable head used in the present invention. In the figure, 28 is a ferrule, 2
Reference numeral 9 is a connector, and 30 is a leaf spring for floating.
The ferrule 28 is the tip of the moving-side connector and is joined to the fixed-side connector via the split sleeve. The connector 29 holds and fixes the ferrule 28. The leaf springs for floating have an elastic force and are arranged in parallel vertically and horizontally. At the time of coupling with the fixed-side connector, for example, the floating leaf spring absorbs the positional shift with respect to a slight positional shift, and the connector can be coupled by performing accurate positioning.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing one operation example of the first embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention. In the following description, the movement in the X-axis direction will be described for simplification, but the movement in the Y-axis direction can be similarly performed. Further, the position of the moving-side connector before the movement is assumed to be stored in the control means. Alternatively, the alignment may be performed from the reset port shown in FIG.

First, in S31, the LED corresponding to the X position of the fixed side connector to be connected is turned on. At the same time, in S32, X of the moving side connector before movement
Based on the position and the X position of the movement target, it is determined which of the left and right the X-axis substrate 1 should be moved. And S
At 33, the X-axis substrate 1 is moved. During the movement, the presence / absence of the lit LED is monitored in S34, and if the lit LED is not detected, the process returns to S33 and the movement is further performed. When the lit LED is detected, the movement of the X-axis substrate 1 is stopped in S35. In this way, the fixed side connector to be joined is positioned at the X position.

Thus, according to the method of the present invention, FIG.
Even if the fixed-side connector spacing between the adapters as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 4 is different from the fixed-side connector spacing inside the adapter, the positioning of each fixed-side connector can be performed without storing the position of each fixed-side connector. Can be done. However, in the positioning method based on such an operation, there is no serious problem when the moving speed is slow, but it takes a long time until the joining in the case of moving a long distance. When the X-axis substrate 1 is moved at a high moving speed, it may stop after a predetermined stop position due to the inertia of the motor. In order to avoid the problem, it is possible to shift the position where the LED is arranged. However, for example, when moving to an adjacent fiber, the moving speed may not be so fast, and it cannot be solved by uniformly shifting the position of the LED.

Therefore, the deceleration start point is set at a position having a predetermined positional relationship with the moving target, the deceleration starting point is first detected to reduce the moving speed, and the moving target is detected in the low speed moving state. be able to. If you do this,
Even if the moving distance is long, the user can move at high speed and will not pass the moving target. The positioning method using the deceleration start point will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing another operation example of the first embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention. Figure 7
Similarly, the movement in the X-axis direction will be described, but the movement in the Y-axis direction can be similarly performed. First,
In S41, the LED at the deceleration start point is turned on, and in S42, the moving direction of the X-axis board 1 is determined from the X position of the moving side connector before the movement and the X position of the movement target. Then, in S43, high speed movement is performed in the movement direction. During the high speed movement, the presence or absence of the lit LED is monitored in S44, and the high speed movement of S43 is performed while the lit LED is not detected. When the lit LED is detected, the moving speed is decelerated, the LED at the deceleration start point is turned off, and the LED at the moving target position is turned on in S45. In S46, the X-axis substrate 1 is moved at a low speed. During the low speed movement, in S47, the presence or absence of the lit LED is monitored, and when the lit LED is not detected, the low speed movement of S46 is performed.
When the lit LED is detected, in S48,
Stop moving. In this way, the fixed side connector to be joined is positioned at the X position.

As the deceleration start point, for example, an LED adjacent to the moving target LED can be used. Alternatively, LEDs at certain intervals may be used. For the LED to be turned on as the deceleration start point, it is only necessary to turn on the LED before the moving target when viewed from the moving direction of the X-axis board 1. For example, when the adjacent LEDs are turned on as the deceleration start point, when the X-axis board 1 moves from the left to the right, only the LED on the left side of the movement target needs to be turned on. In this case, the determination of the moving direction in S42 in FIG. 6 is made at a stage before the lighting of the LED at the deceleration start point in S41. However, in order to simplify the lighting control, the LEDs on both sides of the moving target may be turned on. Furthermore, the LED of the movement target is the LE of the deceleration start point.
It is not always necessary to turn on the light when D is turned on, and it can be configured to turn on when the deceleration start point is detected.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of a second embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 51 is a light receiving element group, 52 is a light emitting portion, and 53 is an LED. In the second embodiment, the light receiving element group 51 is arranged on the base plate 12 side, and the light emitting section 52 is arranged on the X axis substrate 1 side. The LED 53 is built in the light emitting portion 52 and is configured to emit light toward the light receiving element group 51 on the base plate 12. Each light receiving element of the light receiving element group 51 is arranged in accordance with the position in the X direction of the fixed-side connector row arranged in the Y direction. This configuration can be applied not only in the X-axis direction but also in the Y-axis direction. In this case, a Y-axis light receiving element group is used instead of the Y-axis LED array, and
A Y-axis light emitting section may be used instead of the axis light receiving section.
The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and its explanation is omitted. Slits may also be provided on the light receiving element side.

The operation of the second embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference is that the light receiving unit is selected instead of lighting the LED, and the light receiving unit detects the light emitted from the moving light emitting unit.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. First, the operation when the deceleration start point is not used will be described. First, in S61,
The light receiving element corresponding to the X position of the fixed side connector to be coupled is selected, and the light emitting portion on the X axis substrate 1 is turned on. At the same time, in S62, the moving direction of the X-axis substrate 1 is determined. Then, in S63, the X-axis substrate 1 is moved. During the movement, the presence or absence of the light emitted from the light emitting unit by the selected light receiving element is monitored in S64, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is not detected in S64.
Return to 3 and move further. When the light emitted from the light emitting unit is detected, the movement of the X-axis substrate 1 is stopped in S65. In this way, the fixed side connector to be joined is positioned at the X position.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another example of the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the operation when the deceleration start point is used will be described. First, in S71, the light receiving element at the deceleration start point is selected and the light emitting unit is turned on, and in S72, the moving direction of the X-axis substrate 1 is determined. Then, in S73, high speed movement is performed in the movement direction. During the high speed movement, the output from the selected light receiving element is monitored in S74, and the high speed movement is performed in S73 while the light emitted from the light emitting unit is not detected. When the light emitted from the light emitting unit is detected, the moving speed is decelerated and the light receiving element at the moving target position is selected in S75. In S76, the X-axis substrate 1 is moved at a low speed, and during the low speed movement, the output of the light receiving element at the selected movement target position is monitored in S77, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is not detected. Move. When the light emitted from the light emitting unit is detected, in S78,
Stop moving. In this way, the fixed side connector to be joined is positioned at the X position. The selection of the light receiving element at the deceleration start point can be determined similarly to the selection of the LED to emit light in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the embodiment. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 81 is a light receiving element, 82 is a light emitting element, 83 is a light-blocking / transparent switching means,
Is a light transmitting part. The light receiving element 81 and the light emitting element 82 are
The photo interrupters are provided on the X-axis substrate 1 and face each other with the light shielding / transmission switching unit 83 interposed therebetween. The light-shielding / transmissive switching means 83 is fixed to the base plate 12, and the translucent portion 84 can be arranged according to the position in the X direction of the fixed-side connector rows arranged in the Y direction.
Specifically, a hole is made in the plate at a position that can be the light transmitting portion 84, a shutter for opening or closing the hole is provided for each hole, and the shutter is mechanically opened and closed to a predetermined position. It can be configured to form the light transmitting portion 84.
Further, it is possible to electrically control so that only the position where the light transmitting portion 84 is formed has a light transmitting property by using a liquid crystal shutter. Also in this configuration, it is possible to apply not only to the X-axis direction but also to the Y-axis direction. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and its explanation is omitted.

The operation of the third embodiment is also similar to that of the first embodiment. The difference is that the light-transmitting portion of the light-shielding light-transmitting switching means is selected instead of lighting the LED.
Also, the light transmissive portion is detected by the photo interrupter.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. First, the operation when the deceleration start point is not used will be described. First, in S91,
The light-transmitting portion is provided at a position corresponding to the X position of the fixed-side connector to be coupled, and the light-emitting portion of the photo interrupter is turned on. At the same time, in S92, the moving direction of the X-axis substrate 1 is determined. Then, in S93, X
The axis substrate 1 is moved. During the movement, the output of the photo interrupter is monitored in S94, and when the light passing through the light transmitting portion is not detected, the process returns to S93 and the movement is further performed. When the light passing through the transparent portion is detected, the movement of the X-axis substrate 1 is stopped in S95. In this way, the fixed side connector to be joined is positioned at the X position.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing another example of the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the operation when the deceleration start point is used will be described. First, in S101, a light-transmitting portion is provided at a position serving as a deceleration start point, and the light-emitting portion of the photo interrupter is turned on, and in S102, the moving direction of the X-axis substrate 1 is determined. And
In S103, high speed movement is performed in the movement direction. During the high speed movement, the output from the photo interrupter is monitored in S104, and the high speed movement of S103 is performed while the light passing through the light transmitting portion is not detected. When the light passing through the light transmitting portion is detected, in S105, the moving speed is decelerated, the light transmitting portion at the deceleration start point is shielded, and the light transmitting portion is provided at the movement target position. In S106, the X-axis substrate 1 is moved at a low speed, the output of the photo interrupter is monitored in S107 during the low speed movement, and the low speed movement in S106 is performed while the light passing through the light transmitting portion is not detected. When the light that has passed through the transparent portion is detected, the movement is stopped in S108. In this way, the fixed side connector to be joined is positioned at the X position. The formation position of the translucent portion as the deceleration start point can be determined similarly to the selection of the LED to emit light in the first embodiment.

The first to third embodiments described above are as follows.
It is possible to apply it only to the X-axis direction or only the Y-axis direction, and it is also possible to apply it to both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Further, it is of course possible to apply and configure the configuration of another embodiment in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the light emission section or the light reception section corresponding to the connector to be joined on the fixed connector side is selected, or the light receiving section is selected, or the light-shielding / transmission switching is performed. By forming the translucent portion by the means, it is possible to indicate the position where the moving side connector should be positioned, and to position the moving side connector at the position where it should be stopped by the light receiving part or the light emitting part provided on the moving side connector side, or the photo interrupter Positioning can be performed without storing the position of the fixed-side connector.

Further, by providing the deceleration start point before the movement target position, it is possible to move the moving side connector up to the deceleration start point at high speed, and perform positioning at low speed after passing through the deceleration start point. The effect is that accurate positioning can also be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of an optical line switching device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixed-side connector used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a position detection unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a fixed-side connector and a position detection unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of an example of a motor control block of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a movable head used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing one operation example of the first embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another operation example of the first embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a second embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a third embodiment of the optical line switching device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an optical connector coupling device.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including a general optical line switching device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 X-axis substrate 2 Y-axis substrate 3 X-axis LED array 4 X-axis light receiving part 5 X-axis guide 6 Rack gear 7 X-axis motor 8 Y-axis LED array 9 Y-axis light receiving part 10 Y-axis motor 11 Y Shaft driving means 12 Base plate 13 Fixed-side connector 12 Base plate 14 Adapter 15 Slit 16 Light receiving element

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shunichi Mizuno 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Naoshi Hakada 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Ki Industry Co., Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Koki Sato 1-6, Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yuatsu Matsumoto 1-6, Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Arimoto 7-6-3 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo Sumitomo Opcom Corporation

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. In an optical line switching device for selecting a connector to be connected from a fixed side connector and connecting a movable side connector to switch optical lines, the optical line switching device is arranged on the fixed side connector side along the arrangement of the connectors. An optical line switching device having a plurality of light emitting units and a light receiving unit provided on the moving side connector side. 2. In an optical line switching device for selecting a connector to be connected from a fixed side connector and connecting a movable side connector to switch the optical lines, the optical line switching device is arranged on the fixed side connector side along the arrangement of the connectors. An optical line switching device having a plurality of light receiving parts and a light emitting part provided on the moving side connector side. 3. An optical line switching device for selecting a connector to be connected from a fixed side connector and connecting a movable side connector to switch optical lines, the optical line switching device being arranged on the fixed side connector side along the arrangement of the connectors. An optical line switching device comprising a light-shielding / transmissive switching means and a photointerrupter provided on the moving side connector side. 4. The position management method for an optical line switching device according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting section corresponding to a connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is turned on, and the moving side connector is moved to move the moving side connector side. A position management method in an optical line switching device, characterized in that the position of the moving side connector is determined by detecting the position at which the light emitted from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit provided in. 5. The position management method in the optical line switching device according to claim 2, wherein a light receiving unit corresponding to a connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is selected, and the moving side connector is moved to move side connector side. A position management method in an optical line switching device, characterized in that the position of the moving side connector is determined by detecting the position where the light emitted from the light emitting section provided in the light receiving section is received by the selected light receiving section. 6. The position management method in the optical line switching device according to claim 3, wherein the light-shielding / transmission switching unit is controlled so that the position corresponding to the connector on the fixed side connector side to be coupled becomes the light transmission part. A position management method in an optical line switching device, wherein the moving-side connector is positioned by moving the moving-side connector and detecting a light-transmitting portion by a photo interrupter provided on the moving-side connector side. 7. The position management method for an optical line switching device according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting section having a predetermined positional relationship with a light emitting section corresponding to a connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is turned on, and the light receiving section receives the light. The moving side connector should be moved at a high speed to a position where the light emitted from the moving part is received by the light receiving part provided on the moving side connector side, and then the moving side connector should be decelerated to join the fixed side connector side. 2. The optical line switching according to claim 1, wherein the position of the moving side connector is determined by detecting the position where the light from the light emitting part corresponding to the connector is received by the light receiving part provided on the moving side connector side. Location management method in device. 8. The position management method in the optical line switching device according to claim 2, wherein a light receiving unit having a predetermined positional relationship with a light emitting unit corresponding to a connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is selected, The moving side connector is moved at high speed to the position where the light emitted from the light emitting part provided on the moving side connector side in the selected light receiving part is received, and then the moving side connector is decelerated to the fixed side connector side. Of the light receiving section selected corresponding to the connector to be coupled, the position of the moving side connector is determined by detecting the position where the light emitted from the light emitting section provided on the moving side connector side is received. The position management method in the optical line switching device according to claim 1. 9. The position management method for an optical line switching device according to claim 3, wherein a position having a predetermined positional relationship with a position corresponding to a connector to be coupled on the fixed side connector side is a light transmitting part. The light-blocking / transmissive switching means is controlled, the light-transmitting / light-transmissive switching means serving as a light-transmitting part is moved at high speed to a position where a photointerrupter provided on the mobile-side connector side detects the light-transmitting / transparent switching means, and then the mobile-side connector The moving-side connector is positioned by decelerating and detecting the light-shielding / transmissive switching means, which is a light-transmitting portion corresponding to the connector to be coupled on the fixed-side connector side, by the photointerrupter provided on the moving-side connector side. The position management method in the optical line switching device according to claim 1, wherein the position management method is performed.