JPH09251116A - Holding structure of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformly depress a plurality of optical fibers. SOLUTION: A plurality of stationary optical fibers of which the outer peripheral surfaces are brought into tight contact with each other and moving optical fibers 3 of which the outer peripheral surfaces are brought into tight contact with each other and which are smaller in the number than the number of the stationary optical fibers are respectively brought into tight contact with the surface of a base 40 by a fiber retaining member 25 extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fibers and these front end faces face each other apart a prescribe spacing. Spacers 60 having the thickness smaller than the diameter of the fibers are interposed between both ends of this fiber retaining member 25 and the base 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber holding structure used for optical relays and optical connectors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 20, in order to hold a plurality of optical fibers 301 in close contact with a base 302, a fiber pressing member 303 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber 301 presses the optical fiber 301,
Both ends of the fiber pressing member 303 are fixed to the base 302.

[0003]

However, since the fiber pressing member 303 is slid so that the central portion thereof rises, the pressing force of the optical fiber 301 at the center becomes insufficient as compared with the optical fibers 301 at both ends, and the optical fiber 301 is applied with a uniform force. It was not possible to press 301. For this reason, the posture of the optical fiber 301 becomes unstable, and the characteristics as an optical relay or an optical connector may deteriorate.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical fiber holding structure capable of uniformly pressing a plurality of optical fibers.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, a first invention is to provide a plurality of fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other and the fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other. The smaller number of movable optical fibers are closely attached to the surface of the base by fiber pressing members extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber, and are made to face each other at predetermined intervals so that their tip surfaces face each other. A spacer having a thickness smaller than the diameter of the fiber is interposed between both ends of the portion and the base. According to the first aspect of the invention, since the spacer is interposed between both ends of the fiber pressing member and the base, the fiber pressing member presses the plurality of optical fibers with almost no slack. Therefore, the optical fiber is pressed uniformly.

In the second invention, a plurality of fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other and a smaller number of movable optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fibers. The extending fiber pressing members are closely attached to the surface of the base, and are made to face each other at a predetermined interval so that their tip surfaces face each other, and the surface of the base facing the fiber pressing portion has a depth smaller than the diameter of the fiber. A concave portion having a height is formed. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the concave portion having a depth smaller than the diameter of the fiber is formed on the surface of the base facing the fiber pressing portion, when the optical fiber is pressed by the fiber pressing member, the optical fiber faces the bottom surface of the concave portion. The outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber is substantially flush with the surface of the base, and the fiber pressing member presses the optical fiber with almost no bending. Due to me, the optical fiber is pressed uniformly. According to the second aspect of the invention, since the recess is formed in the base and no special member is required, the cost is low.

Further, in a third aspect of the invention, a plurality of fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other and movable optical fibers whose number is smaller than the fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fibers. The extended fiber pressing members are closely attached to the surfaces of the bases, and the tip surfaces are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and the fiber pressing portions are provided with a warp convexly curved toward the fiber. is there. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the fiber pressing portion is provided with a warp that is convexly curved toward the fiber, when the both ends of the fiber pressing portion are fixed to the base, the fiber pressing portion is almost flat and the optical fiber Press. Therefore, the optical fiber is pressed uniformly. Further, also in the third aspect of the invention, no special member is required, so that the cost is low.

[0007]

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, on the lower surface of the fiber holder 11, as shown in FIG.
2, the optical fiber 2 communicates with the hole 16
A base fitting recess 18 extending toward the tip side of the base is formed. 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. A claw portion 16a with which the tip of the base 40 is engaged is formed at the edge of the hole 16 on the lower surface side of the fiber holder 11.

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 construction
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 assembling) 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 with the fiber holder 11 and the holder 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.

If 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. further,
A long hole 47 is formed from the bent portion 41 of the base 40 to both sides to facilitate bending and, if necessary, monitor the state of the movable optical fiber 3 with transmitted light.

The outer shape of the base 40, the through holes 44, 46, 47 and the bent portion 41 are formed by press molding. By this press forming, as shown in FIG. 9A, the sliding surface 45 has a roundness due to the occurrence of sagging or burrs at the edges of the through holes 44 and 46. If there is such a roundness of the sliding surface 45, the support point of the movable optical fiber 3 changes, so that the fixed optical fiber 2 and the core cannot be aligned. Therefore, after the press molding, as shown in FIG.
0 is applied, and the lower surface on the side opposite to the sliding surface 45 is lined with a press 71 to flatten the sliding surface 45. As shown in FIG. 10, instead of the flat base 70, by using a base 70a having a corrugated surface, a corrugated line 48 extending in the width direction of the base 40 on the sliding surface 45 (see FIG. 11). ) May be formed. As a result, the resistance of the movable optical fiber 3 in the sliding directions O and R is reduced, and the operation is smoothly performed. Further, instead of performing the pressing described above, the sliding surface 45 may be polished. In this case, it is preferable to reduce the sliding resistance by making the polishing direction coincide with the sliding directions O and R of the movable optical fiber 3.

A pair of stoppers 50 connected to each other in a substantially U shape for restricting the positions of the fixed optical fiber 2 and the movable optical fiber 3 are fixed to the upper surface of the fixed side of the base 40 by welding. As shown in FIG. 8, the stopper 50 is arranged such that both ends of its U-shape are directed to the movable optical fiber 3 side and the through hole 44 is located between both ends thereof. The distance between both ends of the stopper 50 is four fixed optical fibers 2 that are in close contact with each other.
The size is the product of the diameter of the fixed optical fibers 2 and the number of the fixed optical fibers 2 so that the fixed optical fibers 2 are in close contact with the optical fibers 2.
In addition, 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, and the optical axis is minimized from being displaced due to a slight angle change due to variations in assembly and bending of the movable optical fiber 3. I have to. Further, projecting pieces 51 are extended outward at both ends of the stopper 50. The protrusion 51 is formed on the base 40.
It protrudes from both side edges and can be easily positioned by a jig. 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, as shown in FIG. 1, a spacer 60 for evenly pressing the movable optical fiber 3 by the holder fitting 12 is fixed to the upper surface of the movable side of the base 40 by welding. The spacer 60 is made of a U-shaped plate having a thickness smaller than the diameter of the core wire of the optical fiber 3, and projecting pieces 61 projecting outward at both ends thereof.
Are formed. The spacer 60 is arranged such that both ends thereof face the side opposite to the tip of the optical fiber 3, and when the fiber holder 11 is attached to the base 40, both ends of the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder fitting 12 and the protrusion 61. Are fixed to the base 40 so as to face each other.

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 of the
And the end of the fixed optical fiber 2 engages with the stopper 5
Both sides are sandwiched by 0, and the tip end surface is positioned at the position of 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 metal fiber block 10 is fixed to the base 40 by welding the holder metal member 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 member 12. To do. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, at the welded portion a of the holder metal fitting 12, the base 40 has the holder metal fitting 1
The upper surface of the base 40 is pressed against the bottom surface of the recess 18 of the holder fitting 12 while being pulled toward the second side in the F ₁ direction, and the tip of the base 40 is pressed against and engaged with the claw portion 16a in the F ₂ direction. The optical fiber block 10 has a base 40
Securely fixed to. On the other hand, bending occurs in the connecting portion 24 from the welded portion a to the fiber pressing portion 25, and the bending causes the fiber pressing portion 25 to press the tip portion of the fixed optical fiber 2. Further, a bending also occurs in the connecting portion 24 from the welded portion a to the fiber regulating portion 23, and this bending causes the fiber metal fitting 12 to fix the fixed fiber block 10.
Is pressed 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 side portion 42 of the fixed side of the base 40 is fitted to the claw portion 16a so that the tip of the movable optical fiber 3 is sandwiched by the stoppers 50 on both sides, and the tip surface of the fixed optical fiber is fixed. Position the block 10 so that it faces the tip end surface of the fixed optical fiber 2 at a predetermined interval,
In this state, the base 40 and the holder fitting 12 are welded and fixed at the connecting portion 24 (shown by b in FIG. 2) of the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder fitting 12. As a result, like the fixed optical fiber block 10, at the welded portion b of the holder fitting 12, the base 40 is attracted to the holder fitting 12 side, and the upper surface of the base 40 is recessed in the holder fitting 12.
Since the tip end of the base 40 is brought into pressure contact with and engages with the claw portion 16a, the fixed optical fiber block 30 is securely fixed to the base 40. On the other hand, bending occurs in the connecting portion 24 from the welded portion b to the fiber pressing portion 25, and the fiber pressing portion 25 presses the tip portion of the fixed optical fiber 2 due to this bending. Further, the connecting portion 24 from the welded portion b to the fiber regulating portion 23 is also bent, and the bending causes the fiber fitting 12 to press the movable fiber block 30 against the base 40.

The movable optical fiber block 30 is used as a base 4
In the state of being fixed to 0, as shown in FIG. 14, since the spacer 60 is interposed between both ends of the fiber holding portion 25 of the holder fitting 12 and the base 40, the fiber holding portion 25 hardly bends and the optical fiber 3 Press uniformly. As a result, the three movable optical fibers 3 have uniform sliding resistance when operating in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and the operation is performed smoothly.

As a method for uniformly pressing the movable optical fiber 3 by the fiber pressing portion 25, there are the following two methods in addition to the method using the spacer 60. 1
As shown in FIG. 15, one method is to provide a concave portion 49 on the upper surface of the base 40 facing the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder fitting 12. The recess 49 has a depth smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber 3. As a result, when the holder fitting 12 is fixed to the base 40, the fiber pressing portion 25 presses the optical fiber 3 against the bottom surface of the recess 49, as shown in FIG. To do. As another method, as shown in FIG. 17, a warp that is convex downward is formed in advance in the fiber pressing portion 25 of the holder fitting 12. According to this, as shown in FIG. 18, when the holder metal member 12 is fixed to the base 40, both ends of the fiber pressing portion 25 are displaced, and the fiber pressing portion 25 becomes substantially horizontal so that the optical fiber 3 is made uniform. Press.

Next, when the distance between the stoppers 50 is set to be 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 disposed 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 is further 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.
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 which 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. 19 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, the tip of the movable piece 155 extends downward, and a notch 156 is provided at the lower end thereof to form two finger portions 157.

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 assembly 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
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 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 an enlarged plan view showing a state of an optical fiber arranged between stoppers.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressing step for improving the flatness of the base.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the pressing process for improving the flatness of the base.

11 is a perspective view of a base pressed in the pressing process of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fiber holder as seen from the lower surface side.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing how the fiber block is attached to the base.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which fibers are uniformly pressed by a fiber pressing portion of a holder fitting.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing another structure for uniformly pressing the fibers by the fiber pressing portion of the holder fitting.

16 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing still another structure in which the fiber is pressed uniformly by the fiber pressing portion of the holder fitting.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 (A) is an exploded perspective view of an electromagnet unit,
(B) is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnet unit with the spool omitted.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional optical fiber holding structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Fixed optical fiber, 3 ... Movable optical fiber, 12 ...
Holder metal fitting (fiber holding member), 25 ... Fiber holding portion (fiber holding member), 40 ... Base,
60 ... Spacer.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other, and movable optical fibers whose number is smaller than the fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other are respectively held by a fiber pressing member extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber. They are closely attached to the surface of the base, and are made to face each other at a predetermined interval so that their tip surfaces face each other, and a spacer having a thickness smaller than the diameter of the fiber is interposed between both ends of the fiber pressing portion and the base. A holding structure for optical fibers. 2. A plurality of fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other, and movable optical fibers whose number is smaller than the fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other are respectively held by a fiber pressing member extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber. A recess having a depth smaller than the diameter of the fiber is formed on the surface of the base facing the fiber pressing portion while closely adhering to the surface of the base and facing each other at predetermined intervals so that their tip surfaces face each other. An optical fiber holding structure characterized by the above. 3. A plurality of fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other and a movable optical fiber whose number is smaller than the fixed optical fibers whose outer peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other are respectively held by a fiber pressing member extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber. An optical fiber holding device characterized in that it is closely attached to the surface of the base and is made to face each other at a predetermined interval so that their tip surfaces face each other, and that the fiber pressing portion is provided with a warp that is convexly curved toward the fiber. Construction.