JPH09243939A - Optical switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized and lightweight device with simple constitution capable of easily and surely switching and connecting an optical connector. SOLUTION: Bearings 21a, 21b are arranged on a first connector holder 16 holding a first optical connector 1 in a device case 13. The bearings 21a, 21b are ratably movably fitted to cam grooves 23a, 23b of a cam groove plate 22. The cam groove plate 22 is vertically moved interlocked with rotation of a connector forward/backward operation lever 25, and the first optical connector 1 is forward/backward moved for a second optical connector 7. A second connector holder 34 holding the second optical connector 7 is moved vertically slidably. The frost optical connector 1 is separated from the second optical connector 7, and the second connector holder 34 is vertically moved, and the switch connective position of the second optical connector 7 is decided by a positioning stopper 50 and engagement between a switch pawl 54 and a recessed part 57, and the first optical connector 1 is advances and abutted on the second optical connector 7, and the optical connectors are connected and switched.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical switch device for collectively switching and connecting an optical fiber group of an optical connector on one side and an optical fiber group of an optical connector on the other side by using an optical connector. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of large-capacity optical communication, a multi-core optical tape core wire is used in constructing an optical line network. An optical switching device for switching is used.

In a conventional general optical switch device, an optical connector is connected and fixed to the connection terminal side of the optical tape core wire, and the optical connector of the optical tape core wire on one side and the optical connector of the optical tape core wire on the other side are connected. When the optical fibers are switched by connecting the connection end faces to each other, the optical connector on one side is slid in the parallel direction of the optical fibers with respect to the optical connector on the other side, and the optical connector on one side is moved. The optical fiber group of the one side optical tape core wire and the optical fiber group of the other side optical tape core wire are collectively switched by changing the abutting combination of the optical fiber and the optical fiber of the other side optical connector.

[0004]

However, the conventional optical switch device has the problems that the device configuration is complicated or large, the optical fiber switching connection loss is large, and the device cost is high. However, it is not completely satisfactory, and its improvement is desired.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to simplify the device, reduce the size and weight of the device, reduce the cost, reduce the connection loss, and facilitate the switching operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical switch device capable of performing the above.

[0006]

The present invention takes the following means in order to solve the above problems. That is,
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first optical connector formed by fixing a plurality of optical fibers in parallel and a second optical connector formed by fixing a plurality of optical fibers in parallel are arranged with their connection end faces facing each other. , At least one of the first optical connector and the second optical connector is relatively moved in the parallel direction of the optical fibers to collectively form the optical fiber group of the first optical connector and the optical fiber group of the second optical connector. An optical switch device of a type for performing switching connection, wherein a first optical connector is held by a first connector holder, a second optical connector is held by a second connector holder, and a first optical connector is provided. Second
The optical connector is housed together with the connector holder in a flat box-shaped device case with the connection end faces facing each other, and the device case is provided with a rotatable connector advance / retreat operation lever. Between the operation lever and the first connector holder, the first optical connector is separated from the second optical connector by the rotation of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever to one side, and is moved backward, and the first optical connector is returned to the opposite side to rotate the first optical connector. A connector advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing and abutting the connector to and from the second optical connector is provided, and a second connector holder is integrally provided with the second optical connector in the device case. Connector switching urging means for urging and moving in the fiber parallel direction,
The second optical connector, which moves in the biasing direction by the biasing force of the connector switching biasing means or moves in the counter biasing direction by the pushing force against the biasing force, is positioned and locked at the selected connection switching position. The structure provided with the positioning locking means serves as means for solving the problem.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the structure including the first aspect of the invention, one end surface of the device case is opened, and a second optical connector is urged to switch the connector on the opening side. A push-in operation portion that pushes against the biasing force of the means and a manual operation portion that releases the positioning locking of the positioning locking means are provided so as to project from the opening, and the connector advancing / retreating operation lever is formed in a lid shape of the opening. However, the structure is such that the opening is rotatably supported on one end side of the opening to function as an opening / closing lid of the opening, which is a means for solving the problem.

Further, a third aspect of the invention is provided with the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, in which each switching connection position of the first and second optical connectors is discriminated and detected, and the detection signal is detected. The configuration in which the output connection position detecting means is provided serves as means for solving the problem.

In the above invention, the connection end surface of the first optical connector and the connection end surface of the second optical connector are butted against each other, and in this state, the optical fiber of the first optical connector and the corresponding second fiber And the optical fibers of the optical connector are abutted with each other in an aligned state, and the optical connection between the optical fiber group of the first optical connector and the optical fiber group of the second optical connector is achieved.

When the connection is switched in this state, the connector advancing / retreating operation lever is separated from the first optical connector and rotated in the backward moving direction. In conjunction with the rotation of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever, the connector advancing / retreating mechanism separates the first optical connector from the second optical connector to move it backward.

In this separated state, the positioning locking state of the positioning locking means is released, and the second optical connector is pushed in the biasing direction by the biasing force of the connector switching biasing means or against the biasing force. To move the second optical connector. Then, when the second optical connector moves to the switching movement position, the second optical connector is set to the switching position by positioning and locking the second optical connector by the positioning and locking means.

Next, by rotating the connector advancing / retreating operation lever in the opposite direction, the rotation of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever is converted by the connector advancing / retreating mechanism into movement in the advancing direction of the first optical connector, and the first optical connector. Moves toward the second optical connector side, and the connection end faces come into contact with each other. Due to the contact of the connection end faces, switching connection between the optical fiber group on the first optical connector side and the optical fiber group on the second optical connector is achieved.

As described above, the connection switching between the first optical connector and the second optical connector is easy and reliable by the two-action operation of the turning operation of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever and the locking operation of the positioning locking means. In this way, the collective connection switching of the optical fibers with small connection loss and excellent reliability is realized. Further, the optical switch device of the present invention has a simple structure, and since those mechanisms are housed in a flat box type device case in a unit form, it is possible to achieve a reduction in size and weight of the device and also to reduce the cost of the device. It can be reduced.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a pair of optical connectors to which optical fibers are to be connected.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 2 are formed in the first optical connector 1, and the optical fiber insertion holes 2 are formed by removing the coating of the first optical tape core wire 3. The optical fibers 4a to 4d are housed and fixed with an adhesive or the like. The tip surfaces of the first optical fibers 4a to 4d are aligned with the connection end surface 5 of the first optical connector 1 (the tips of the optical fibers 4a to 4d should be slightly retracted from the connection end surface 5). There is also).

The parallel pitch intervals of the optical fiber insertion holes 2 are formed at a constant equal pitch interval e. Therefore, the first pitches are accommodated and fixed in the respective optical fiber insertion holes 2.
The parallel pitch interval between the optical fibers 4a to 4d is also set to e.

Two connection pins 6a and 6b are vertically implanted in the connection end face 5 of the first optical connector 1 so as to sandwich the parallel group of the optical fiber insertion holes 2. There is.

On the other hand, a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 8 are formed in the second optical connector 7 at the same equal pitch interval e, and in the case of the first optical connector 1, the optical fiber insertion holes 8 are formed. Similarly, the second optical fibers 11a to 11d with the coating removed from the second optical tape core 10 are inserted and fixed. Then, four pin fitting holes 12a to 12d are formed so as to sandwich the parallel group of the optical fiber insertion holes 8. The arrangement pitch of the pin fitting holes 12a and 12d and the pitch arrangement of the pin fitting holes 12c and 12d are both formed to be equal to the arrangement pitch of the optical fibers, and the pin fitting holes 12a to 12d have the same pitch e. The diameter and depth are set so that the corresponding connection pins 6a and 6b can be fitted together without rattling.

Then, the connection pin 6a has a pin fitting hole 12b.
When the connection pin 6b is fitted in the pin fitting hole 12d,
The first optical fiber 4a is connected to the second optical fiber 11a by the first
The optical fiber 4b is aligned with the second optical fiber 12b, the first optical fiber 4c is aligned with the second optical fiber 11c, and the first optical fiber 4d is aligned with the second optical fiber 11d. The connection pin 6
a is the pin fitting hole 12a, and the connecting pin 6b is the pin fitting hole 12c
, The connection is switched, and the first optical fiber 4b becomes the second optical fiber 11a.
The first optical fiber 4c is connected to the second optical fiber 11b by the first
The optical fibers 4d are connected to the second optical fibers 11c, respectively.

Note that in the example of FIG. 3, the first optical fibers 4a to 4d and the second optical fiber are used to simplify the description.
11a to 11d have been described in the case of four cores, and the switching of connection has been shown as an example of two-stage switching. In reality, however, the number of cores of the optical tape cores 3 and 10 may be more than that. Many (of course, three or less cores may be used), and the number of connection switching stages may be three or more. In that case, the number of pin fitting holes corresponding to the number of switching stages should be provided. become.

FIG. 1 shows an optical switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a sectional view showing a part of the optical switch device in a sectional view, and FIG. 1B is a plan view. 1 (c) is a left side view, and FIG. 1 (d) is a transverse cross-sectional view on a line passing from the guide pin 28a portion of FIG. 1 (a) to the bearing 21a and the spring accommodating hole 38. . In FIG. 1, the device case 13 has a flat box shape in which a main body case portion 14 and a case plate 15 are integrally connected, and a side end surface thereof, that is, an upper end surface of FIG. In the device case 13, the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 1
A mechanism for switching the connection of the optical connector 7 is accommodated, and the entire device has a unit configuration.

A first optical connector 1 and a second optical connector 7 are housed in the device case 13 with their connection end faces 5 facing each other. In the state of FIG. 1A with the opening side of the device case 13 facing upward, the first and second optical connectors 1 and 7 are accommodated in the lower side of the device case 13, and the first optical connector 1 Are held and fixed to the first connector holder 16. The first optical tape core wire 3 coupled to the first optical connector 1 is passed through the tape insertion hole provided in the first connector holder 16 and the tape insertion hole 17 provided in the left side wall of the device case 13 to the device case. It is pulled out to the outside of 13.

The first connector holder 16 is provided with a pair of cam shafts 18a and 18b at the base end sides thereof which are vertically spaced from each other. The tip ends of the cam shafts 18a and 18b are the first connector holder. It is fixed to a support plate 20 that is fixed by screws or the like at a position not shown in FIG.
Bearings 21a and 21b as cam rollers are provided on a and 18b.
Is rotatably mounted.

On the side of the first connector holder 16 is a cam groove plate extending from the lower side of the device case 13 to the upper end opening.
22 of the cam groove plate 22 is provided.
A pair of cam grooves 23a and 23b are formed on the connector holder 16 side. In the state shown in FIG. 1A, the cam grooves 23a and 23b have oblique groove portions that are closer to the left side as they go downward, and the cam shafts 18a and 18b are provided in the cam grooves 23a and 23b.
The corresponding bearings 21a, 21b of b are the cam grooves 23a, 23
Rolling movement is freely fitted along b. The cam groove plate 22 is installed so as to be vertically slidable, and the upper end side thereof projects upward from the opening of the device case 13,
The engaging groove 24 is formed in this protruding portion, and the engaging groove 24
Engagement pin fixed to connector advance / retreat operation lever 25
26 is engaged.

Guide pins 28a, 28b are provided on the case facing surface 27 side of the first connector holder 16 so as to project horizontally, while the case left side wall 30 side facing the guide pins 28a, 28b. Guide holes 31a and 31b are formed in the guide pins 28a and 28b.
The first optical connector 1 is guided by the guide holes 31a, 31b integrally with the first connector holder 16 by being fitted and guided by the a and 31b and freely slidable in the horizontal direction. The leftward backward movement and the rightward forward movement are performed.

A shaft support plate is provided in an upper region of the device case 13.
32 is protruded above the upper end opening, and a shaft pin 33 is mounted on the protruding tip side of the shaft support plate 32.
A proximal end side of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is rotatably attached to 33. The connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 has a U-shaped cross section and has a function as an opening / closing lid for opening / closing the opening of the device case 13.

The second optical connector 7 arranged facing the connection end surface 5 of the first optical connector 1 is held by the second connector holder 34. The second connector holder 34 has a substantially U-shaped holding portion 35, and the second optical connector 7 has the connection end face 5 in the connector fitting opening 36 of the holding portion 35 and the first optical connector. It is slidably held so as to oppose the connection end surface 5 of No. 1.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second optical connector 7 can be slightly moved in the vertical direction by the gap with the connector fitting opening 36, that is, in the vertical direction. The play movement is freely held, and the play movement allows the connection pin 6 of the first optical connector 1 to be connected before the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 are connected.
Fitting holes 12a, 12c or 12b, 12d where a and 6b face each other
(See Fig. 3) Even if some axis deviation occurs,
The connection pins 6a and 6b are smoothly fitted into the corresponding pin fitting holes, and the fitting of the connection pins 6a and 6b corrects the axial deviation of the second optical connector 7 due to the vertical play movement. As a result, the axial alignment connection between the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 can be reliably achieved.

In the holding portion 35 of the second connector holder 34, spring holders 37a, 37b are provided on the back side of the second optical connector 7.
Are arranged. A spring accommodating hole 38 is formed in each of the spring holders 37a and 37b, and a compression spring 40 is accommodated in the spring accommodating hole 38. One end side of the compression spring 40 is locked to the spring holder 37a side, and the other end side of the compression spring 40 is locked to the spring holder 37b side, so that the biasing force of the compression spring 40 passes through the spring holder 37b. It is designed to be added to the optical connector 7.

The second connector holder 34 has a locking step portion 41 of the second optical connector 7 and a locking step portion of the spring holder 37b.
42 is provided (see FIG. 4), and the locking step portion 41 is provided with a second
The stepped portion 39 of the optical connector 7 is locked to prevent the second optical connector 7 from coming off in the forward direction.
42 is a stopper for the leftward movement of the spring holder 37b. The spring holders 37a, 37b and the second connector holder 34 are provided with holes through which the second optical tape core wire 10 of the second optical connector 7 is inserted, and the second optical tape core wire 10 has these holes. Through the hole 44 provided in the case right side wall 43 of the device case 13. The hole 44 has an opening diameter in the vertical direction of the second optical tape core wire so that the second optical tape core wire 10 can be moved in the vertical direction.
It is formed larger than the band width of 10.

A spring receiving recess 45 is formed on the lower side wall surface of the device case 13, and a spring receiving recess 46 is also formed on the side of the second connector holder 34 facing the spring receiving recess 45. A compression spring 47 functioning as a connector switching urging means is interposed between 45 and 46, and the urging force of this compression spring 47 causes the second connector holder 34 to be constantly urged upward (to the opening side of the device case 13). Energized, second
The connector holder 34 of, by the biasing force of this compression spring 47,
Sliding in the urging direction and returning sliding in the opposite direction to the urging direction are freely possible.

The device case 13 is attached to the second connector holder 34.
A push-in operation section 48 that protrudes into the opening of
By pushing in the pushing operation portion 48, the second connector holder is pushed and moved integrally with the second optical connector 7 against the biasing force of the compression spring 47 in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the compression spring 47. Is possible.

A positioning stopper 50 for restricting the upper limit sliding position of the second connector holder 34 is provided on the inner surface of the right side wall 43 of the case so as to project. The shoulder portion 51 is locked to the positioning stopper 50 so that the upward movement of the second connector holder 34 beyond it is restricted. Second connector holder
When 34 is locked to this positioning stopper 50,
As shown in FIG. 2, the connection pin 6a of the first optical connector 1 is connected to the pin fitting hole 12b of the second optical connector, and the connection pin 6b is connected to the pin fitting hole 12d. It is in the position.

On the opening side of the device case 13, a switching lever 52 is arranged in the vicinity of the right side of the pushing operation portion 48 of the second connector holder 34. This switching lever 52
Is rotatably attached to the device case by a shaft pin 53, and a switching claw 54 is provided on the lower end side of the switching lever 52.
Are projected toward the pushing operation unit 48 side. Also,
A spring receiving recess 55 is formed on the lower side of the switching lever 52, and the tip end side of the compression spring 56 is locked and accommodated in the spring receiving recess 55, and the other end of the compression spring 56 is formed on the inner surface of the case right side wall 43. The switching lever 52 is locked and is constantly biased clockwise by the biasing force of the compression spring 56 with the shaft pin 53 as a fulcrum. The position where the switching claw 54 is locked in the positioning notch 57 provided in the pushing operation portion 48 becomes the switching connection position of the first stage of the optical connectors 1 and 7, and the position of the first optical connector 1 in FIG. The connection pin 6a is connected to the pin fitting hole 12a of the second optical connector 7 and the connection pin 6b.
Is configured to be aligned with the pin fitting hole 12c.

A switching lever provided with the switching claw 54
52, the notch 57 of the second connector holder 34, and the positioning stopper 50 constitute positioning locking means for positioning and locking the second optical connector at the selected connection switching position.

On the upper end side of the switching lever 52, there is formed a manual operation part 58 protruding upward from the opening of the device case 13. By operating the manual operation part 58, the switching lever 52 is operated.
By rotating 52 in the counterclockwise direction against the urging force of the compression spring 56, the switching claw 54 comes out of the notch 57,
It is possible to release the positioning locking of the positioning locking means.

In the present embodiment, a micro switch (limit switch) 60 functioning as a connection position detecting means is arranged near the left side of the push-in operation portion 48 of the second connector holder 34. This microswitch 60 is provided with a switch contact piece (movable contact piece) 61, while a depression 62 is provided on the push-in operation section 48 side to provide a contact piece drive section.
63 is formed, and as shown in FIG. 1A, at the first stage connector connection position where the switching claw 54 is locked in the notch 57, the switch contact piece 61 pushes the switch contact piece 61. ON signal is output from the micro switch 60, and as shown in FIG.
(C), the switch contact piece 61 enters the recess 62 at the second-stage connector connecting position where the second connector holder 34 is locked to the positioning stopper 50, and the switch contact piece 61 is inserted.
The push switch is released and the micro switch 60 outputs an off signal. As described above, the switch switching signal from the micro switch 60 allows the connection switching position between the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 to be discriminated and determined. By providing a display portion for the output signal, it is possible to configure the switch connection position of the connector so that it can be seen at a glance from the outside.

The example of the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the switching connection operation of the connector will be described.
FIG. 1 (a) shows a connection state of the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 in the first stage.
The switching claw 54 of 52 is locked in the notch 57, and the positioning of the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 at the first-stage connection switching position is achieved. In this connection state,
The connection pin 6a of the first optical connector 1 is in the pin fitting hole 12a of the second optical connector 7, and the connection pin 6b is in the pin fitting hole 12c.
To the first stage connection of the optical connector, that is, the optical fibers 4b, 4c, 4d of the first optical connector 1.
And the optical fiber 11 of the second optical connector 7 facing this
The optical fiber groups a, 11b, and 11c are connected.

In this connection state, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the compression spring 40 between the spring bearing holders 37a and 37b.
The second optical connector 7 is brought into pressure contact with the first optical connector 1 side by the biasing force of, and an appropriate pressure contact force for optical fiber connection is applied. Then, the micro switch 60 outputs an ON signal indicating the switching state of the first stage of the optical connector. In the first-stage switching state, the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is rotated in a direction of closing the opening of the device case 13, and the opening of the device case 13 is closed, and the pushing operation of the second connector holder 34 is performed. The portion 48 and the manual operation portion 58 of the switching lever 52 are covered by the lid of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 and are accommodated in the lid.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is rotated counterclockwise, that is, in the direction of opening the lid, the engaging pin 26 provided on the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is moved. The cam groove plate 22 is pulled up and driven.
By the lifting movement of the cam groove plate 22, the bearings 21a and 21b provided on the first connector holder 16 are moved to the cam groove 23.
The first connector holder 16 moves relatively to the lower side of the cam grooves 23a and 23b along a and 23b, and the first connector holder 16 moves to the left in the drawing. In this leftward movement, the guide pins 28a, 28b are horizontally guided by the guide holes 31a, 31b to move leftward, whereby the first optical connector 1 moves away from the second optical connector 7. Moves backward, connecting pins 6a, 6b
Goes out of the corresponding pin fitting holes 12a, 12c.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the connector advance / retreat operation lever 25 is rotated to the end point position,
The bearings 21a and 21b roll to the end positions of the lower ends of the cam grooves 23a and 23b, and the connecting pin 6 of the first optical connector 1
a and 6b are completely removed from the pin fitting holes 12a and 12c.
When the pins 6a and 6b are pulled out, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second optical connector 7 and the spring holder are
A slight gap is created between 37b, and the spring holder 37b becomes
The second optical connector 7 is locked by the second optical connector 7 and the biasing force of the compression spring 40 does not act on the second optical connector 7.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, the manual operating portion 58 of the switching lever 52 is operated to operate the switching lever 52.
Is rotated counterclockwise to pull out the switching claw 54 from the notch 57, so that the second connector holder 34 slides upward due to the urging force of the compression spring 47, and the shoulder portion of the second connector holder 34. 51 is locked to the positioning stopper 50 and positioned at the second stage switching connection position of the optical connector.

Next, by rotating the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 in the closing direction (clockwise direction), the cam groove plate 22 moves downward in association with the rotation of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25, and the bearings 21a, 21b is a cam groove 23a, 23b
Rolls along the upper end of the groove. Then, the first connector holder 16 and the first optical connector 1
Of the first optical connector 1 into the pin fitting hole of the second optical connector 7.
The connecting pin 6b and the connecting pin 6b enter into the pin fitting hole 12d. Then, the connection end surface 5 of the first optical connector contacts the connection end surface 5 of the second optical connector 7. further,
When the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is rotated in the closing direction and rotated to the final position, the upper end opening of the device case 13 is closed by the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 to be in the closed state.

At this time, the connection end face 5 of the first optical connector
Comes into contact with the connection end face of the second optical connector 7 and moves slightly further to push the second optical connector 7 rearward, and as a result, as in the case of FIG. Since the connector 7 pushes the spring holder 37b rearward from the locking step portion 42, the urging force of the compression spring 40 between the spring holders 37a and 37b is directly applied to the second optical connector, which causes the first optical connector 37b.
Appropriate contact pressure is applied to the connection end surface 5 of the optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7, and the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 are brought into a reliable second-stage connection state.

When the connection position of the second stage is switched to the connection position of the first stage, the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is rotated in the lid opening direction to move the first optical connector 1 to the second optical connector. After disconnecting from the 7 side and pulling out the connection pins 6a and 6b from the corresponding pin fitting holes 12b and 12d, the second
The push-in operation portion 48 of the connector holder 34 is pushed downward to move. This pushing movement causes the pushing operation unit 48
The switching claw 54 of the switching lever 52 is inserted into the side cutout 57, thereby positioning the second optical connector 7 at the connection switching position of the first stage. In this positioning state, by rotating the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 and closing the upper end opening of the device case 13, the first optical connector 1 advances to the second optical connector 7 side and abuts, and the connecting pin is moved. 6a and 6b and pin fitting holes 12a and 12c have been fitted to each other, and the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 are connected to each other.
The connection is switched to the stage.

As described above, in this embodiment, the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 is rotated and the compression spring 47 of the second connector holder 34 is moved upward in the biasing direction or the pushing operation portion 48 is pushed downward. Move to (compression spring 47
The first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 are
A reliable connection switching with can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, the optical connectors 1,
When switching the connection of the second optical connector 7, the second optical connector 7 is moved in the vertical direction with the first optical connector 1 side completely separated from the second optical connector 7 side. Therefore, the connection end surfaces 5 of the first and second optical connectors 1 and 7 do not rub against each other, and the rubbing damages the end surface of the optical fiber or the optical connectors 1 and 7.
It is possible to prevent the problem that the connection end surface 5 of 7 is worn and dust generated by the wear has a bad influence on the optical connection.

Further, when the connection between the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 is switched, the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 must be always rotated to open the lid, and the push-in operation unit must be opened after the lid is opened. Since the 48 and the switching lever 52 cannot be operated, it is impossible to reverse the order of the disconnection operation of the first optical connector 1 and the vertical switching movement of the second optical connector 7, and always follow the correct procedure first. Since the forward / backward movement of the first optical connector 1 side and the vertical sliding movement of the second optical connector 7 side are performed, the connector connection can be reliably switched without malfunction.

Further, since the microswitch 60 detects the connection switching position of the optical connector and outputs the detection signal, the optical switch device determines the connection switching position of the first stage and the second stage based on the signal. It becomes clear whether or not they are connected, and especially when the optical switch devices of the present embodiment are housed in a large number of closures in a high density, the switching connection position of each optical switch device can be seen at a glance, so maintenance and inspection are required. It will be very convenient to perform, and it will be possible to greatly improve the work efficiency of the maintenance and inspection.

Furthermore, the connection switching operation of the optical connectors 1 and 7 is extremely easy, and the connection switching operation of the optical connectors can be reliably performed without requiring skill.

Further, in the optical switch device of the present embodiment, the optical connectors 1 and 7, the connector holders 16 and 34, and various mechanical parts are housed in the device case 13, and the opening thereof is formed by the lid of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever. Since it is closed and configured as a unit structure, and the device case 13 has a flat box shape, the device can be thinned, the device can be made smaller and lighter, and a large number of optical switch devices for closures and the like can be provided. High density mounting is possible, and it is very easy to carry and handle such as mounting to a closure.

Furthermore, when the optical switch device is in use,
Since the opening of the device case 13 is covered by the lid of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25, harmful substances such as dust can be prevented from entering the device case 13 from the outside, and reliability of long-term use can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first optical connector 1 and the second optical connector 7 have a two-stage switching configuration, but this may have a three-stage or more switching configuration. In that case, the notches 57 corresponding to the number of switching steps are provided on the push-in operation section 48 side, and the microswitches 60 are also provided in the number corresponding to the number of switching steps. Further, the number of pin fitting holes 12 on the second optical connector 7 side is set and formed according to the number of connection switching steps of the optical connector.

The connection position detecting means for detecting the connection switching position of the optical connectors 1 and 7 may be constituted by means other than the microswitch 60. For example, a magnetic piece is formed on the push-in operation unit 48 side, a proximity switch is provided at each connection switching position of the optical connector, and the position of the magnetic piece is detected by the corresponding proximity switch so that the detection signal is output. May be.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connector advancing / retreating mechanism is provided on the side of the first connector holder 16 with the bearings 21a, 21b and the cam groove plate 22 having the cam grooves 23a, 23b, and the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25. Although the connector groove 24 and the engaging pin 26 for converting the rotational movement into the vertical movement of the cam groove plate 22 are constituted by the interlocking means, the connector advancing / retreating mechanism is interlocked with the rotational movement of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 to generate the first light. Various known means can be adopted as long as the connector 1 can be separated from the second optical connector to perform the backward movement and the advancing abutting movement to the opposite side. The connector advancing / retreating mechanism may be formed by a link mechanism that converts forward / backward rotational movement of the advancing / retreating operation lever 25 into advancing / retreating movement on the first optical connector 1 side.

Further, the connector advancing / retreating operation lever 25 does not necessarily have to have a function as an opening / closing lid for opening / closing the opening of the device case 13. However, by providing the function of the opening / closing lid, as described above, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect of preventing harmful substances such as dust from entering the device case 13 from the outside.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, the connection switching between the first optical connector and the second optical connector is performed by the forward / backward operation lever.
Is performed by a two-action operation including an operation of advancing and retreating the optical connector of 2) toward the second optical connector side and an operation of a positioning locking means for positioning and locking the second optical connector moving in the parallel direction of the optical fibers. Since it is configured, the halfway connection state of the first optical connector and the second optical connector does not occur, and it is possible to reliably perform the switching connection between the first optical connector and the second optical connector. Becomes Further, the connection switching operation is easy, and the switching operation can be speedily performed without requiring any skill.

Also, when switching the connection between the first and second optical connectors, the switching movement of the second optical connector is always performed with the first optical connector disconnected from the second optical connector. , The connection end faces of the first optical connector and the second optical connector do not rub against each other, and it is possible to prevent the abrasion of the end face of the optical fiber and the abnormal deformation of the end face of the optical connector due to the rubbing, and to switch the connector connection. The reliability can be improved over a long period of time. Furthermore, reliable connection switching can reduce the connection loss of the optical fiber and achieve high-quality connection switching.

Furthermore, in addition to the simple device configuration, the first and second optical connectors and their connector holders, the first optical connector side forward / backward moving mechanism, and the second optical connector side connector switching are provided. Since the mechanical parts of the biasing means and the positioning and locking means are housed in the flat box-shaped device case, the entire device can be made into a thin unit structure, and in combination with the simplification of the device structure. The size and weight can be reduced, and the device cost can be reduced.

Moreover, due to the thin unit configuration of the device,
A large number of optical switch devices of the present invention can be mounted and housed in, for example, a closure at a high density, the handling of the optical switch devices at that time can be facilitated, and the mounting work efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the structure in which the connector advancing / retreating operation lever has a function as an opening / closing lid for opening / closing the opening of the device case, the opening of the device case can be kept in a closed state when the optical switch device is in use. This makes it possible to prevent harmful substances such as dust from entering the device case during use of the device, and improve the reliability of long-term use of the optical switch device.

Further, in the structure provided with the connection position detecting means for detecting the connection switching position of the optical connector and outputting the detection signal, the optical switch being used by the signal of the connection position detecting means. The connector connection switching position of the device can be easily discriminated and judged, which is very advantageous for maintenance and inspection of the optical switch device. Especially,
In a usage pattern in which a large number of optical switch devices are housed in a closure or the like at high density, it is very convenient to improve the efficiency of maintenance and inspection work by knowing the connection switching state of each optical switch device from the outside. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a connector switching operation of the device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a first optical connector and a second optical connector used in this embodiment example.

FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a connected state and a disconnected state of the first and second optical connectors.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 1st optical connector 7 2nd optical connector 13 Device case 16 1st connector holder 21a, 21b Bearing 22 Cam groove plate 23a, 23b Cam groove 25 Connector advance / retreat lever 34 Second connector holder 40 Compression spring 48 Push in Control unit 52 Switch lever 54 Switch claw 57 Notch 60 Micro switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first optical connector formed by fixing a plurality of optical fibers in parallel and a second optical connector formed by fixing a plurality of optical fibers in parallel are arranged with their connection end faces facing each other. At least one of the first optical connector and the second optical connector is relatively moved in the parallel direction of the optical fibers to collectively switch the optical fiber group of the first optical connector and the optical fiber group of the second optical connector. An optical switch device of a connection type, wherein a first optical connector is held by a first connector holder, a second optical connector is held by a second connector holder, and a first optical connector and a first optical connector are connected. Two
The optical connector is housed together with the connector holder in a flat box-shaped device case with the connection end faces facing each other, and the device case is provided with a rotatable connector advance / retreat operation lever. Between the operation lever and the first connector holder, the first optical connector is separated from the second optical connector by the rotation of the connector advancing / retreating operation lever to one side, and is moved backward, and the first optical connector is returned to the opposite side to rotate the first optical connector. A connector advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing and abutting the connector to and from the second optical connector is provided, and a second connector holder is integrally provided with the second optical connector in the device case. Connector switching urging means for urging and moving in the fiber parallel direction,
The second optical connector, which moves in the biasing direction by the biasing force of the connector switching biasing means or moves in the counter biasing direction by the pushing force against the biasing force, is positioned and locked at the selected connection switching position. An optical switch device provided with positioning locking means. 2. An end face on one side of the device case is opened, and a pushing operation portion for pushing the second connector against the urging force of the connector switching urging means and a positioning locking means are positioned on the opening side. A manual operation part for unlocking is provided so as to project from the opening, and a connector advancing / retreating operation lever is formed in a lid shape of the opening, and is pivotally supported at one end side of the opening to rotatably support the opening / closing lid of the opening. The optical switch device according to claim 1, which is made to function as the optical switch device. 3. The optical switch device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising connection position detection means for detecting the switching connection positions of the first and second optical connectors and outputting a detection signal thereof. .