JPH09113747A - Holding structure of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the handling of optical fibers, to simplify the assembly of the optical fibers onto a base and to align optical axes thereof with high accuracy. SOLUTION: This structure is so constituted as to hold the optical fibers 2, 3 by disposing the front end face of the one optical fiber 2 and the front end face of the other optical fiber 3 opposite to each other on the surface of the base 40. The optical fibers 2, 3 are supported on a fiber holder 11 and holder metal fittings 12 is engaged and fixed with and to this fiber holder 11. At least either of the fiber holder 11 or the holder metal fittings 12 is fixed to the base 40 in the state of pressing and holding the optical fibers 2, 3 supported on the fiber holder 11 by the holder metal fittings 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for holding an optical fiber used in an optical relay or an optical connector in close contact with a base.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In optical relays and optical connectors that connect optical fibers to each other or connect optical fibers to a laser diode array, it is important to align the optical axes with high precision in order to satisfy the characteristics. For example, in a multimode optical fiber, an optical axis deviation is required to be within a few μm, and in a single mode optical fiber, an accuracy within a subμm is required. Further, particularly in the case of a quartz optical fiber, the optical fiber has a very small diameter and is easily broken, and light loss increases due to extreme stress concentration. Therefore, it is important to easily handle the optical fiber and enhance productivity. .

Conventionally, JP-A-59-22004 and JP-A-5-2004
As shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-22005, a structure has been proposed in which an optical fiber is placed along a V-shaped block and assembled.

[0004]

However, this structure has a problem that the optical axis is displaced and the manufacturing cost is increased depending on the processing accuracy of the V-shaped block. Further, in the optical relay, since the weight of the V-shaped block is heavy, there is a problem in that the operation and recovery time is increased, the response is delayed, and malfunction due to external vibration or shock occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an optical fiber holding structure in which an optical fiber can be easily assembled on a base and the optical axes thereof can be aligned with high precision. This is an issue.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an optical fiber holding structure for holding the front end surface of one optical fiber and the front end surface of the other optical fiber so as to face each other on a base surface. At least one of the fiber holder or the holder fitting is supported in a state where the optical fiber is supported on the fiber holder, the holder fitting is engaged and fixed to the fiber holder, and the optical fiber supported by the fiber holder is pressed and held by the holder fitting. It is fixed to the base.

According to the structure of the present invention, the optical fiber held by the fiber holder and the holder metal fitting is arranged on the base surface, and the front end surface of one optical fiber and the front end surface of the other optical fiber are opposed to each other on the base surface. So let's
It is not necessary to directly arrange the optical fiber when it is assembled to the base, and the optical fiber can be easily handled. Moreover, since either the fiber holder or the holder metal is fixed to the base, it is not necessary to directly fix the optical fiber to the base, and the work is easy.

In the structure of the present invention, it is preferable that the end surface of the optical fiber projects from at least one of the end surface of the fiber holder and the holder metal fitting.
As a result, after the optical fiber is sandwiched between the fiber holder and the holder fitting and assembled, the tip of the optical fiber can be cut, and the contamination of the end face can be reduced.
Further, when there are a plurality of optical fibers, they can be cut at once after assembling, which eliminates the need for alignment work of the end faces, thus significantly improving the productivity.

In the structure of the invention, a groove in which the coating portion of the optical fiber is arranged is formed on the upper surface of the fiber holder, and the optical fiber is arranged at a height approximately equal to the thickness of the coating portion of the optical fiber from the bottom of the groove. A flat part is provided, and holder metal fitting engaging parts are provided on both side surfaces substantially parallel to the optical fiber axis of the optical fiber holder, while the legs are locked to the metal holder engaging part of the fiber holder. Part and a central connecting part for connecting the both connecting parts, the elastic deformation of the central connecting part elastically presses and holds the covering part of the optical fiber, and the central connecting part of the holder fitting faces the tip side of the optical fiber. And a fiber regulation which is located above the flat portion of the fiber holder and which is separated from or closely adheres to the optical fiber at an interval equal to or smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber. It is preferable to extend the. According to this, since the fiber holder has the groove, the work of disposing the optical fiber is easy. Since the optical fibers are arranged on the flat surface of the fiber holder, the heights of the plurality of optical fibers are aligned and the optical axes are easily aligned. In addition, since the optical fiber coating is pressed and held by the central connecting portion of the holder metal fittings, it is possible to
The breakage of the optical fiber is reduced.

In the structure of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of grooves of the fiber holder are provided, and the grooves are inclined so that the interval between the grooves becomes narrower from the coating side of the optical fiber toward the tip side. According to this, since a plurality of optical fibers are attached at an angle, bending stress of the optical fibers is reduced. Further, as a result of the plurality of optical fibers being attached at an angle, the tips of the optical fibers come close to each other, and the work of closely attaching the tips is simplified.

In the structure of the invention, the holder metal fitting extends from the fiber restricting portion toward the tip of the optical fiber and holds the optical fiber toward the base, and the tip has a flat surface portion of the fiber holder. It is preferable to provide a tongue located above and on either side of the optical fiber. According to this,
Since the tip of the optical fiber is pressed by the fiber pressing portion, the lifting of the tip of the optical fiber is prevented. When the number of optical fibers is one, the position can be adjusted by the tongue, so that the adjustment is easy. Further, when there are a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers on both sides can be pressed to bring the optical fibers into close contact with each other. And with the tongue part that is integrated with the holder fitting, you can press the optical fibers from the side and stick them together.
No separate member is required to bring the optical fibers into close contact with each other.

In the structure of the present invention, the middle of the connecting portion for connecting the fiber restricting portion of the holder metal fitting and the fiber holding portion is fixed to the base to give the connecting portion of the fiber holding portion a bend. preferable. According to this, bending is generated from the fixing portion of the connecting portion of the fiber pressing portion to the tip side, and the fiber pressing portion presses the tip of the optical fiber due to this bending, so that the optical fiber is held in close contact with the base. In addition, bending occurs from the fixing portion to the covering portion side, and the bending causes the holder metal member to press the fiber holder against the base, and as a result, the fiber holder is held in close contact with the base. Therefore, the optical fiber and the fiber holder are held in close contact with the base and become difficult to move, and the handling when incorporating the base into a case or the like becomes easy.

Further, in an optical fiber holding structure in which the tip end surface of one optical fiber and the tip end surface of the other optical fiber are opposed to each other on the base surface and held, the optical fiber is supported on a fiber holder, and a holder metal fitting is attached to the fiber holder. While the optical fiber supported by the fiber holder is pressed and held by the holder metal fitting, the end surface of the optical fiber protruding from at least one of the end surfaces of the fiber holder and the holder metal is cut at once. Alternatively, at least one of the fiber holder and the holder fitting may be fixed to the base. According to this, since the tip of the optical fiber is aligned and cut at the final stage of assembling the optical fiber with the fiber holder and the holder fitting, it is possible to prevent the end surface from being soiled. Further, the assembling work can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show an optical relay to which the optical fiber holding structure of the present invention is applied. This optical relay is composed of an optical fiber unit 1, an electromagnet unit 100 that drives the optical fiber unit 1, and a case 200 that holds and protects these units.

(Optical Fiber Unit) First, the optical fiber unit 1 will be described. The optical fiber unit 1 comprises a fixed optical fiber block 10 holding a fixed optical fiber 2, a movable optical fiber block 30 holding a movable optical fiber 3, and a base 40 fixing the fixed optical fiber block 10 and the movable optical fiber block 30. .

The fixed optical fiber block 10 is for holding the fixed optical fiber 2 by the fiber holder 11 and the holder fitting 12 before disposing the fixed optical fiber 2 on the base 40. Fiber holder 11
As shown in FIG. 4, synthetic resin materials such as polyether sulfone (PES) and polycarbonate (P
C), nylon (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or the like, which is a rectangular plate, and a plurality of (4
A groove 13) and a flat surface portion 14 in which the optical fiber 2 protruding from the coating portion 4 is disposed. The grooves 13 are close to each other and are inclined so that the interval becomes narrower toward the front end side of the optical fiber 2 (hereinafter, the opposite side is referred to as the rear end side). The flat portion 14 is the groove 1
It is provided at a height approximately equal to the thickness of the coating portion 4 of the optical fiber 2 from the bottom of 3. The wall 1 adjacent to the outermost groove 13 of the plurality of grooves 13 and having a height slightly smaller than the diameter of the coating portion 4 of the optical fiber 2 from the bottom of the groove 13
5 are provided. And between these walls 15,
An elongated hole 16 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the groove 13. Further, an inverted T-shaped engaging portion 17 with which the holder fitting 12 is engaged is formed on the outer surface of the wall 15. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a base fitting recess 18 that communicates with the hole 16 and extends toward the tip side of the optical fiber 2 is formed on the lower surface of the fiber holder 11. The bottom of the recess 18 is inclined toward the tip side of the optical fiber 2, that is, inclined with respect to the axis of the optical fiber 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the holder metal fitting 12 is made of elastic synthetic resin (nylon or the like) or metal material (42 alloy, kovar or the like), and engages with the engaging portion 17 of the fiber holder 11. Both legs 19 and both legs 1
It consists of two central connecting parts 20 which connect the upper ends of 9 to each other. A fiber restricting portion 23 is extended from both ends of the central connecting portion 20 via connecting portions 21.
Further, from both ends of the fiber restricting portion 23, the connecting portion 24
The fiber pressing portion 25 is extended through the. Further, a tongue portion 26, which branches inward from a substantially central portion thereof and extends toward the fiber restricting portion 23, is formed on both connecting portions 24 of the fiber pressing portion 25. As shown in FIG. 6, the fiber restricting portion 23 is located above the flat surface portion 14 of the fiber holder 11 when the holder metal fitting 12 is attached to the fiber holder 11, and the flat surface portion 14 is formed.
The optical fiber 2 disposed in the optical fiber 2 and the optical fiber 2 face each other or are in close contact with each other with an interval S equal to or smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber 2. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, a step 27 is formed between the fiber regulating portion 23 and the central connecting portion 20.
Are formed.

The fixed optical fiber block 10 having the above structure
Will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the coating portion 4 at the tip of the optical fiber 2 is removed,
The non-removed covering portion 4 of the optical fiber 2 is arranged in the groove 13 of the fiber holder 11, and the optical fiber 2 is arranged in the flat surface portion 14. Then, the holder metal fitting 12 is covered from above the optical fiber 2, and both legs 19 thereof are engaged with the engaging portions 17 of the fiber holder 11. As a result, due to the bending of the central connecting portion 20 of the holder metal fitting 12, as shown in FIG.
It is sandwiched between the central connecting portion 20 and the groove 13 of the fiber holder 11. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, an adhesive is applied to the desired coating portion 4 of the optical fiber 2 from between the two central coupling portions 20 (shown in FIG. 7) and cured. The adhesive used here is preferably a UV-curable adhesive (eg, epoxy-based or acrylic-based) from the viewpoint of productivity.

Next, the connecting portion 2 of the fiber pressing portion 25
4 and a pair of tongue portions 26 are inserted into a tool, and the pair of tongue portions 26 are bent toward the optical fiber 2. The optical fibers 2 on both sides are pressed to bend the two inner optical fibers 2, whereby the outer peripheral surfaces of the tips of all the adjacent optical fibers 2 are brought into close contact with each other. At this time, the optical fiber 2 on the flat portion 14 of the fiber holder 11
As described above with reference to FIG.
Since the distance S between and is less than or equal to the diameter of the optical fiber 2, the adjacent optical fibers 2 do not intersect each other at this portion. However, since the tip of the optical fiber 2 is separated from the flat surface portion 14 of the fiber holder 11, a problem of crossing the optical fibers 2 occurs. This problem is to provide a jig that is flush with the flat portion 14 of the fiber holder 11,
The problem can be solved by disposing the tip of the optical fiber 2 on this jig.

Then, between the fiber regulating portion 23 of the holder fitting 12 and the central connecting portion 20 (shown in FIG. 7), the desired optical fiber 2, between the fiber regulating portion 23 and the pair of tongue portions 26 (see FIG. 7). 7), the adhesive is applied to the optical fiber 2 and the fiber pressing portion 25 which are desired to adhere to each other on the optical fiber 2 which is in close contact with each other on the rear end side (shown in the figure) of the optical fiber 2. And cure. The adhesive used here may be the same as that used in. Further, in applying the adhesive agent in, it is preferable to use the above-mentioned jig so that the optical fibers 2 do not cross each other.

Of the four adhesive parts, the adhesive part receives an external force (at the time of assembly) which is received at the rear end side of the cover part 4 (a part away from the fixed optical fiber block 10) by fixing the cover part 4 of the optical fiber 2. The tip of the optical fiber 2 is prevented from moving due to external force, external force after completion, external force due to difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the coating portion 4 and the optical fiber 2, and the like. The adhesive portion maintains the bending curve of the optical fiber 2 and prevents the tip portion of the optical fiber 2 from moving due to external force (external force due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the coating portion 4 and the optical fiber 2). The adhesive maintains the flexure curve obtained by the pair of tongues 26. The adhesive portion maintains the state where the tip portions of the optical fibers 2 are in close contact with each other.

When the adhesive portion and the adhesive portion are close to each other, either one can be omitted. Further, the concentration of stress can be eliminated by bending back the tongue portion 26 after adhering and fixing the adhesive portion. As described above, the bonding order is preferably sequentially performed from the coating portion 4 of the optical fiber 2 toward the tip side. This is to prevent residual stress from being accumulated in the optical fiber 2 due to contraction of the adhesive when it is cured, but the present invention is not limited to this. When it is desired to increase the adhesive strength, it is preferable to use an epoxy-based adhesive instead of the UV-curable adhesive, but a thermosetting adhesive is suitable for increasing the productivity, and this is the adhesive part. It is preferable to use either of the above.

When the bonding of the optical fiber 2 is completed, the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the optical fiber 2 protruding from the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder fitting 12 is scratched with a knife edge W of diamond or super steel, and cut by cleavage. At this time, if the above-mentioned jig is used, cutting becomes easy. In the case of plastic fiber, it can be cut directly. In this way, the fixed optical fiber block 10
After assembling the optical fiber 2, the tip of the optical fiber 2 can be cut and aligned at once, so that the fiber holder 11
It is not necessary to position the optical fibers 2 so that the tips of the optical fibers 2 are aligned when they are arranged, and the assembly can be performed easily.

As described above, after holding the plurality of optical fibers 2 by the fiber holder 11 and the holder metal fitting 12,
Since bending and adhesion of the optical fiber 2 are sequentially performed,
The optical fiber 2 is a fiber holder 11 or a holder metal fitting 1.
It is protected by 2 and there is no risk of breakage. Further, since the tip ends of the optical fibers 2 are collectively cut after the assembly, the end faces can be easily aligned and the end faces can be prevented from being soiled.

On the other hand, the movable optical fiber block 30 is
As shown in FIG. 1, the movable optical fiber 3 is held before it is mounted on the base 40. Since the structure and assembly of the movable optical fiber 3 are the same as those of the fixed optical fiber block 10 described above, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Is attached and the description is omitted. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, the number of the movable optical fibers 3 is one less than that of the fixed optical fibers 2 (three in the embodiment), and thus the groove 1 of the fiber holder 11 is used.
3 is one less than the fiber holder 11 of the fixed optical fiber block 10.

Further, in the movable optical fiber block 30, it is necessary to extend the movable optical fiber 3 from the distal end of the holder fitting 12 in order to make the distal end of the movable optical fiber 3 movable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Part 2
The bending process of No. 6 is unnecessary. This is because it is sufficient that the tips of the movable optical fibers 3 are brought into contact with and in close contact with each other by being arranged in the inclined groove 13 of the fiber holder 11. In addition, the vicinity of the tip of the movable optical fiber 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the movable optical fiber 3 is integrally bonded to each other at the bonding parts on both sides of the driving part 5 and at the time of driving.
It prevents it from falling apart.

When the covering portion 4 of the movable optical fiber 3 is displaced from the groove 13 due to the curl of the movable optical fiber 3 or the like, the fixed optical fiber block 10 may be assembled in the same procedure. On the contrary, also in the fixed optical fiber block 10, the tip can be brought into close contact only by the inclination of the groove 13 without bending the pair of tongue portions 26, but in this case, the tip of the fixed optical fiber 2 is held by the holder metal fitting 12. May intersect inside, thus requiring a work for canceling the intersection when mounting on the base 40.

Next, the base 40 is made of metal (42 alloy,
It is a strip-shaped plate made of a material having relatively high rigidity such as Kovar, Super Invar, etc.) and other plastics, glass, Si, ceramics and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 40 is bent in a V shape about the center thereof, and the fixed optical fiber block 10 and the movable optical fiber block 30 are attached to both ends of the bent portion 41 with a narrow width. The part 42 is formed. The length from the bent portion 41 to the tip of the narrow portion 42 to which the fixed optical fiber block 10 is attached (hereinafter referred to as the fixed side) is the tip of the narrow portion 42 to which the movable optical fiber block 30 is attached (hereinafter referred to as the movable side). It is longer than the length up to. This base 4
Protrusions 43 that engage with positioning protrusions 205 of the case 200, which will be described later, are provided at both ends of the edge on one side of 0.

On the fixed side of the base 40, a rectangular through hole 44 is formed at a position facing the end portion of the fixed optical fiber 2 and the end surface of the movable optical fiber 3 facing each other. The through hole 44 enables measurement of the distance between the front end surfaces of the fixed optical fiber 2 and the movable optical fiber 3 due to transmitted light, and prevents wear of the base 40 and adhesion of wear powder due to edges on the end surfaces of the optical fibers 2 and 3. It is for. Around the through hole 44 is the movable optical fiber 3
Is a sliding surface 45 on which is slid. In addition, base 4
On the fixed side of 0, a through hole 46 is also formed at a position facing the drive unit 5 of the movable optical fiber 3. The through hole 46 is provided to allow the finger portion 157 at the tip of the movable piece 154 of the electromagnet unit 100, which will be described later, to escape. The width of the through hole 46 is, as shown in FIG. 9, a movable range A of the pair of finger portions 157 of the movable piece 154 inserted into the through hole 46.
A little wider than that, with a gap ΔA on both sides,
When the movable piece 154 overtravels, the movable piece 154 moves within the elastic range of the movable optical fiber 3 by the gap Δ.
By moving by A and contacting the edge of the through hole 44,
This prevents excessive force from being applied to the movable optical fiber 3 and breaking. Further, elongated holes 48 for facilitating bending and for monitoring the state of the movable optical fiber 3 with transmitted light are formed from the bent portion 41 of the base 40 to both sides.

On the upper surface of the base 40 on the fixed side, a pair of stoppers 50 connected in a substantially U shape for restricting the positions of the fixed optical fiber 2 and the movable optical fiber 3 are fixed by welding. As shown in FIG. 10, the stopper 50 has both ends of the U-shape directed toward the movable optical fiber 3 side, and the through hole 44 is provided between both ends thereof.
Are arranged so as to be positioned. The distance between both ends of the stopper 50 is determined by multiplying the diameter of the fixed optical fibers 2 by the number of the fixed optical fibers 2 so that the optical fibers 2 on both sides of the four fixed optical fibers 2 are in close contact with each other. Further, the planar shape of the edge of the portion of the stopper 50 that comes into close contact with the fixed optical fiber 2 is formed into an arc shape,
The deviation of the optical axis due to a slight change in angle due to variations in assembly and bending of the movable optical fiber 3 is minimized. Further, projecting pieces 51 are extended outward at both ends of the stopper 50. The projecting piece 51 projects from both side edges of the base 40 and can be easily positioned by a jig.

As shown in FIG. 11, the thickness of the stopper 50 is less than or equal to the diameter of the optical fibers 2 and 3, which prevents the optical fibers 2 and 3 from coming off the stopper 50. Further, the upper edge 52 of the end surface of the stopper 50 that is in close contact with the optical fibers 2 and 3 projects toward the optical fiber 2 more than the lower edge 53 that contacts the base 40, and has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 2. This further prevents the optical fiber 2 from jumping out of the stopper 50. The shape of the upper edge 52 of the stopper 50 is formed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, one side of the stopper material 54 is masked according to the stopper shape, the other side is entirely masked, and then etching is performed from one side. As a result, the entire masking side is etched more than the partial masking side, and as a result, one edge is processed into a protruding shape. Since such a stopper 50 has a directional property on the front surface and the back surface, and there is a risk of erroneous assembly, a small hole 55 is provided on one end side so that the direction can be discriminated, as shown in FIG. Is preferred.

The assembling of the optical fiber unit 1 having the above construction will be described. In advance, as shown in FIG. 1, the base 4
As described above, one end of the stopper 50 is fixed to the position 0 at a predetermined position. Then, the fixed optical fiber block 10 and the movable optical fiber block 30 assembled as described above are attached to the fixed-side and movable-side narrow portions 42 of the base 40, respectively. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the base 40 is formed in the recess 18 formed on the bottom surface of the fiber holder 11 of the fixed fiber block 10.
The narrow portion 42 on the movable side is fitted, and both ends of the fixed optical fiber 2 are sandwiched by the stoppers 50, and the leading end surface is positioned at the through hole 44 of the base 40.

Since the bottom surface of the recess 18 of the fiber holder 11 is inclined with respect to the axis of the fixed optical fiber 2,
When the fixed optical fiber block 10 is positioned on the base 40 as described above, the tip of the fixed optical fiber 2 comes into contact with the base 40 and the fixed optical fiber 2 is bent. Further, the fiber pressing portion 25 at the tip of the holder metal fitting 12 presses the base 40 via the fixed optical fiber 2, and the connecting portion 24 from the fiber restriction portion 23 of the holder metal fitting 12 to the fiber holding portion 25 is bent.

In this state, the fixed optical fiber block 10 is fixed to the base 40 by welding the holder metal 12 to the base 40 at the connecting portion 24 (shown by a in FIG. 2) of the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder metal 12. To do. As a result, from the welded portion a to the fiber pressing portion 2
Bending occurs in the connecting parts 24 up to 5, and the fiber pressing part 25 presses the tip part of the fixed optical fiber 2 by this bending. Further, the connecting portion 24 from the welded portion a to the fiber restricting portion 23 is also bent, and the bending causes the fiber fitting 12 to press the fixed fiber block 10 against the base 40.

Similarly, the movable optical fiber block 3
Recessed portion 18 formed on the bottom surface of the fiber holder 11
The narrow portion 42 on the fixed side of the base 40 is fitted to the end portion of the movable optical fiber 3, and the distal end portion of the movable optical fiber 3 is sandwiched between the stoppers 50.
Further, the tip end surface is positioned so as to face the tip end surface of the fixed optical fiber 2 of the fixed optical fiber block 10 with a predetermined gap, and in that state, the connecting portion 24 of the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder fitting 12 (indicated by b in FIG. 2). Show.)
At, the base 40 and the holder fitting 12 are fixed by welding.

Next, when the distance between the stoppers 50 is set narrower than the width of the fixed optical fiber 2, the non-fixed side sandwiching the fixed optical fiber 2 (for example, FIG. 1).
The end portion of the stopper 50 (lower side at 0) is moved in the direction in which the distance becomes wider. As a result, when the fixed optical fibers 2 are in a state of riding on each other at the stage of block assembly, all the fixed optical fibers 2 are on the surface of the base 40 by the urging force due to the bending of the holder metal fitting 12 from the welding portion a. It is pressed against and closely adhered to eliminate the riding condition. After that, when the end portion of the stopper 50 is returned to its original position, the stopper 50 comes into close contact with both sides of the fixed optical fiber 2 by its spring force and is held at a predetermined interval (the number of fixed optical fibers × outer diameter). If the distance between the tip surfaces of the fixed optical fiber 2 and the movable optical fiber 3 is outside the specified value, the angle of the bent portion 41 of the base 40 may be finely adjusted.

The procedure of assembling the optical fiber blocks 10 and 30 to the base 40 described above is not limited to this, and the movable optical fiber block 300 may be arranged before the fixed optical fiber block 10 or the stopper 50. The optical fiber block 1 can be attached to the base 40 without welding, or the base 40 can be bent.
It may be performed after the assembly of 0 and 30.

(Electromagnet Unit) Next, the electromagnet unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This electromagnet unit 1
00 includes an iron core 120 that penetrates the coil 110, a pair of permanent magnets 130, a yoke 140, and an iron piece 150.

The iron core 120 penetrating the coil 110 has a first bent portion 121 whose both ends are bent substantially at right angles to the axis of the coil 110, and the tip of the first bent portion 121 further has the coil 110. And a second bent portion 122 that is bent at a substantially right angle in the axial direction. Second bent portion 12
On the surface parallel to the axis of the second coil 110, the iron core magnetic pole 12
3 are formed. The second bent portion 122 is provided to expand the magnetic pole area of the iron core magnetic pole 123 and reduce the magnetic resistance of the working gap.

The pair of permanent magnets 130 have the same rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each of the permanent magnets 130 is arranged at both ends of the iron core 120 so as to have a predetermined distance from the first bent portion 121. In addition, each permanent magnet 130
Is such that the side facing the iron core 120 is the same north pole and the opposite side is the south pole, or vice versa.
The direction connecting the magnetic poles of S and S (direction of magnetic pole) is the coil 110.
Is magnetized so as to be orthogonal to the axis line of.

The iron core 120 and the pair of permanent magnets 130.
13 is insert-molded integrally with the spool 160, as shown in FIG. The spool 160 is provided with flange portions 161 near both ends of the iron core 120, and the coil 110 is wound between the flange portions 161. Further, the iron magnetic pole 123 of the iron core 120 and the S pole of the permanent magnet 130 are exposed from the spool 160. Between the first bent portion 121 of the iron core 120 and the permanent magnet 130, the iron magnetic pole 1
The projected portion 162 slightly protruding from the surface of 23 is
It is provided integrally with the spool 160. The permanent magnet 130 has four faces other than the N-pole and S-pole faces of the spool 1.
Since it is integrated with 60, the position is stable.

The yoke 140 is formed of a rectangular plate, and both ends thereof are provided so as to face the south poles of the pair of permanent magnets 130 and to connect the south poles of the permanent magnets 130. . The center portion of the yoke 140 has projecting pieces 141 projecting to both sides in the width direction, and is slightly wider than both ends. Then, on the surface of the wide center portion opposite to the surface facing the S pole of the permanent magnet 130, two rotation fulcrums 142 protruding in a spherical shape are orthogonal to the axial center of the coil 10. It is arranged in the direction.

The iron piece 150 is made of a plate that is slightly longer than the yoke 140 but has substantially the same shape, and has projecting pieces 151 projecting to both sides in the central portion. The yoke 140 is formed on the surface of the iron piece 150 facing the yoke 140 at the center thereof.
Two recesses 152 that fit into the two rotation fulcrums 142 of
Are formed. Further, both ends of the iron piece 150 are iron piece magnetic poles 153. The iron piece 150 is held rotatably around the rotation fulcrum 142 by fitting the recess 152 into the rotation fulcrum 142 of the yoke 140. Since there are two rotation fulcrums 142, a stable rotation operation of the iron piece 150 is ensured. The iron piece magnetic poles 153 at both ends of the iron piece 150 are opposed to the iron core magnetic pole 123 with a space corresponding to the movable distance.

The length from the rotation fulcrum 142 of the iron piece 150 to the tip on the left side (hereinafter referred to as the operating side) in FIG. 13 is shorter than the length from the tip on the right side (hereinafter referred to as the returning side). ing. Therefore, in the iron piece 150, the facing area between the iron piece magnetic pole 153 and the iron core magnetic pole 123 is different between the operating side and the returning side, and magnetic imbalance occurs,
Single operation is possible, which operates when excited and returns when not excited.

A movable piece 154 that engages with the movable optical fiber 3 is attached to one end of the iron piece 150. The movable piece 154 has a fixed portion 155 fixed to the iron piece 150 by welding or the like, and a slight angle with the iron piece 150 so that the distance from the fixed portion 155 to the tip of the iron piece 150 becomes wider. With a piece of iron 1
It is bent in a direction almost perpendicular to 50. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the distal end portion of the movable piece 155 extends downward, and a notch 156 is provided at the lower end thereof to form two finger portions 157. These two fingers 157
B is equal to or slightly larger than the dimension of the movable optical fiber 3 multiplied by the number thereof. The relationship between the two fingers 157 and the through hole 46 of the base 40 is as described above.

At the rotation fulcrum 142 of the iron piece 150,
As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge spring 170 is in pressure contact. In this hinge spring 170, a tongue piece 172 having a slit 171 is extended from the inner edge of a rectangular frame, the tip of the tongue piece 172 is bent at 90 °, and the tip edge is formed in an arc.

(Case) Next, the case 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the case 200 has a substantially rectangular box shape and is covered with a cover (not shown). The inside of the case 200 has an optical fiber unit housing portion 201 in which the optical fiber unit 1 is housed.
And an electromagnet unit accommodating portion 2 in which the electromagnet unit 100 is accommodated beside the optical fiber unit accommodating portion 201.
02 and are provided. At the bottom of the optical fiber unit accommodating portion 201, the base 40 is provided by the two claw portions 203.
A pair of U-shaped ribs 204 for holding the ridge are provided so as to project. One U-shaped rib 204 and the other U-shaped rib 204
The distance between and is the same as the distance between the pair of protrusions 43 of the base 40. Positioning projections 205 for positioning the corners of both ends of the spool 160 of the electromagnet unit 100, and a pair of projecting pieces 206 for fixing the hinge spring 170 are provided on the bottom of the electromagnet unit housing 202. . A slit 207 into which a hinge spring 170 is inserted is formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of projecting pieces 206. Notches 208 for drawing out the fixed optical fiber 2 and the movable optical fiber 3 are formed at the edges of both ends of the case 200, respectively.

The assembling of the optical fiber unit 1 and the electromagnet unit 100 into the case 200 having the above structure will be described. First, the optical fiber unit 1 in which the fixed optical fiber block 10 and the movable optical fiber block 30 are assembled to the base 40 as described above is attached to the base 40.
With the bent portion 41 of the U-shaped rib 20 facing downward, the pair of U-shaped ribs 20 is provided from above the optical fiber unit accommodating portion 201.
4 between the claw portions 203, and the pair of protrusions 4 of the base 40.
Position 3 between the U-shaped ribs 204. At this time, both ends of the base 40 are arranged so as to incline about the bent portion 41. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the height h ₁ from the bottom of the case 200 to the fixed side end of the base 40 and the height h ₂ from the bottom of the case 200 to the movable side end of the base 40. Are almost the same, in other words, the fixed optical fiber 2 and the movable optical fiber 3 drawn from both sides of the optical fiber unit 1 have the same height at the edge of the case 200, so that the case 200 can be low in height and thin. Become. The optical fibers 2 and 3 of each optical fiber block 10 and 30 are pulled out from the notch 208 of the case 200 to the outside.

Next, the yoke 140 of the electromagnet unit 100 in a state before the iron piece 150 is assembled is attached to the base 4 of the electromagnet unit 100.
The electromagnet unit accommodating portion 20 so as to face the side edge of 0.
2 housed. After that, the iron piece 150 to which the movable piece 154 is attached is inserted along the yoke 140, and the movable piece 1
The position of the movable piece 254 is adjusted so that the pair of fingers 157 of 54 sandwiches the drive unit 5 of the movable optical fiber 3. After that, the hinge spring 170 is attached to the slit 2 of the pair of protrusions 206.
Plug in 07. As a result, the iron piece 150 is biased toward the yoke 140 by the tip of the tongue piece 172 of the hinge spring 170, and as a result, the iron piece 150 becomes rotatable about its rotation fulcrum 142.

After assembling the optical fiber unit 1 and the electromagnet unit 100 in the case 200 as described above, the operation of the movable optical fiber 3 and the bending amount of the movable optical fiber 3 at the return position are inspected, and the movable optical fiber 3 operates and returns to the return position. Adjust so that a slight amount of bending is given and the stopper 50 is surely contacted. Finally, the case 200 is covered with a cover (not shown) from above and sealed.

Next, the operation of the optical relay will be described with reference to FIG. In the iron piece 150 of the electromagnet unit 100, the magnetic pole 153 on the side where the movable piece 154 is attached is separated from the iron magnetic pole 123 due to the asymmetry of the magnetic path as described above, and the magnetic pole 153 on the opposite side is attracted to the iron magnetic pole 123. There is. At this time, the movable optical fiber 3 is pushed in the R direction in FIG. 2 by the movable piece 154, and its tip end is in contact with one side of the stopper 50. As a result, the three fixed optical fibers 2 from the bottom in FIG. 2 face the movable optical fiber 3 to form a first optical path.

When the coil 110 of the electromagnet unit 100 is excited, the iron piece 150 moves around the rotation fulcrum 142 as shown in FIG.
At, the iron piece magnetic pole 153 on the side having the movable piece 154 is attracted to the iron core magnetic pole 123. As a result, the movable optical fiber 3 is pulled in the O direction in FIG. 2, and its tip end contacts the other side of the stopper 50. As a result, the three fixed optical fibers 2 from the top in FIG. 2 face the movable optical fibers 3 to form a second optical path. Then, when the excitation of the coil 110 is released, the iron piece 150 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 due to the asymmetry of the magnetic path, and the movable optical fiber 3 is pushed in the R direction to return to the original state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an optical relay to which a structure of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the optical relay shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical relay of FIG. 2 in the longitudinal direction.

4A is an exploded perspective view of a fixed optical fiber block, and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of a movable optical fiber block.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state of bonding and cutting fibers of a fixed optical fiber block.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an engaged state of a movable piece of the electromagnet unit and a movable side optical fiber.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an engaged state of a movable piece of the electromagnet unit and a through hole of the base.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view showing a state of an optical fiber arranged between stoppers.

11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a method of manufacturing a stopper.

FIG. 13 (A) is an exploded perspective view of an electromagnet unit,
(B) is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnet unit with the spool omitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Fixed optical fiber, 3 ... Movable optical fiber, 4 ... Coating part, 11 ... Fiber holder, 12 ... Holder metal fitting, 1
3 ... Groove, 14 ... Plane part, 17 ... Engagement part, 19 ... Both leg parts,
20 ... Central connection part, 23 ... Fiber control part, 24 ... Connection part, 25 ... Fiber pressing part, 26 ... Tongue part, 40 ...
base.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber holding structure for holding the tip end surface of one optical fiber and the tip end surface of the other optical fiber so as to face each other on a base surface, wherein the optical fiber is supported on a fiber holder, and a holder metal fitting is attached to the fiber holder. An optical fiber holding structure, characterized in that at least one of the fiber holder and the holder fitting is fixed to a base while the optical fiber supported by the fiber holder is pressed and held by the holder fitting. 2. The optical fiber holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the end surface of the optical fiber projects from at least one of the end surface of the fiber holder and the holder metal fitting. 3. A groove on which the coating portion of the optical fiber is arranged, and a flat portion on which the optical fiber is arranged at a height from the bottom of the groove to approximately the thickness of the coating portion of the optical fiber, on the upper surface of the fiber holder. While providing the holder metal fitting engaging portions on both side surfaces substantially parallel to the axis of the optical fiber of the optical fiber holder, the holder metal fitting is provided with both leg portions that are locked to the holder metal engaging portion of the fiber holder, A central connecting portion that connects both legs is provided, and the bending of the central connecting portion elastically presses and holds the covering portion of the optical fiber, and the fiber holder extends from the central connecting portion of the holder metal fitting toward the tip side of the optical fiber. Of the optical fiber, which is located above the flat surface of the optical fiber, and which is extended from the optical fiber and a fiber regulating portion that is separated from or adheres to the optical fiber at a distance equal to or less than the diameter of the optical fiber. Optical fiber holding structure of claim 1,. 4. A plurality of grooves of the fiber holder are provided,
4. The optical fiber holding structure according to claim 3, wherein the grooves are inclined so that the interval between the grooves becomes narrower from the coating side of the optical fiber toward the tip side. 5. A fiber holding portion extending from the fiber restricting portion toward the tip side of the optical fiber in the holder metal fitting and holding the optical fiber toward the base, and the tip is located on a flat portion of the fiber holder. The optical fiber holding structure according to claim 3, further comprising: tongues located on both sides of the optical fiber. 6. A bend is imparted to the connecting portion of the fiber pressing portion by fixing an intermediate portion of the connecting portion connecting the fiber restricting portion of the holder metal fitting and the fiber pressing portion to a base. The optical fiber holding structure according to item 5. 7. An optical fiber holding structure for holding the tip end surface of one optical fiber and the tip end surface of the other optical fiber so as to face each other on a base surface, wherein the optical fiber is supported on a fiber holder, and a holder metal fitting is attached to the fiber holder. While fixing and holding the optical fiber supported by the fiber holder by the holder metal fitting, the end faces of the optical fibers protruding from at least one of the end faces of the fiber holder and the holder metal are collectively cut. An optical fiber holding structure, characterized in that at least either a fiber holder or a holder fitting is fixed to a base.