JPH09297246A - Optical transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical transmission device capable of low power consumption, miniaturization and sure data transmission. SOLUTION: In the optical transmission device provided with plural optical transmission modules 20 transmitting or receiving an optical signal, and that a ferrule 13 for putting into the optical transmission module 20 data transmits between with the optical transmission module 20 through an optical fiber 10 with an optical connector provided on the optical connector 12 tip part, a switch part 32 mechanically turning on/off the power source 33 of the optical transmission module 20 based on pressing force at a ferrule put-in time is provided in the vicinity of ferrule put-in part side surface in the optical transmission module 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical transmission device for transmitting data between optical transmission modules via an optical fiber with an optical connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an optical transmission device of this type, there has been one as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a top cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a conventional optical transmission device.

In an optical fiber 100 with an optical connector used in this optical transmission device, an optical connector 102 is attached to an end of a cable 101, and a ferrule 103 is provided in a protruding manner at the center of the optical connector 102. . The ferrule 103 supports and fixes the cable 101.

The ferrule 103 is fitted into the module body 201 of the optical transmission module 200 so as to fit the ferrule 103 into the ferrule 103.
Is formed, and an optical transmission unit 203 is installed at the end of the ferrule fitting portion 202. Inside the optical transmission unit 203, a light emitting element (or a light receiving element) 204 and the like installed on the optical axis are built-in.

In such an optical transmission device, if the power of the product incorporating the optical transmission device is turned on, it is general that the power is turned on even when the product is not used for data transmission. .

On the other hand, when the power of the optical transmission device is turned off when the product is not used even when the power of the product is on, the switch 30 is externally connected as shown in FIG.
1 must be provided. That is, the switch (manual or relay) 301 is interposed in the power supply line between the power supply 302 and the power supply terminal Vcc of the optical transmission module 200, and the switch 301 is used only when the optical transmission device 200 is used.
Is turned on.

[0007]

However, the above conventional optical transmission device has the following problems.

In the conventional device shown in FIG. 5, if the power of the product incorporating the optical transmission device is on, the power is always on regardless of the usage condition of the optical transmission device (for example, not used for a long period of time). Has become. For this reason, the power consumption of the optical transmission device becomes large, and the operating time is shortened particularly in a portable product with a battery power source. Further, the life of the optical transmission device is shortened, and the optical output deterioration of the LED becomes remarkable especially on the transmission side.

In the conventional device shown in FIG. 6, although these problems can be solved, by providing the switch 301 on the outside, not only is there a disadvantage in downsizing the device, but there is a risk that the switch 301 may be operated by mistake. there were.

Further, in the conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the material of the optical fiber is different from that before the modification, the wavelength of the light source is adapted to the material of the modified optical fiber. Without doing so, there is a possibility that transmission loss that cannot be overlooked will occur.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical transmission device capable of reducing power consumption and improving device life. . Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical transmission device that is downsized and enables reliable data transmission. Still another object is to provide an optical transmission device with low transmission loss.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the feature of the first invention is that it has a plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving optical signals, and the optical transmission modules are inserted into the optical transmission modules. In an optical transmission device for performing data transmission between the optical transmission modules via an optical fiber with a connector, when the optical fiber with an optical connector is inserted into the optical transmission module, the optical transmission module is turned on. It is in.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the insertion of the optical fiber with the optical connector into the optical transmission module can be detected, and at this time, the power of the optical transmission module is turned on. As a result, when the optical transmission device in which the optical fiber with the optical connector is removed is not used, the power of the optical transmission module is turned off, and the current consumption of the optical transmission device can be reduced to zero.

A feature of the second invention is that it has a plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving optical signals, and a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmission modules is provided with an optical connector provided at the tip of the optical connector. In an optical transmission device that performs data transmission between the optical transmission modules via an optical fiber, a power supply for the optical transmission module is mechanically provided near a side surface of a ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module based on a pressing force when the ferrule is fitted. This is because a switch unit for turning on / off is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the switch portion provided near the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module has the protruding piece protruding toward the ferrule fitting portion side, and the protruding piece is fitted by fitting the ferrule. When a strong pressing force is applied to the switch, the protruding piece is pressed into the inside of the switch unit to turn on the switch body.

A feature of the third invention is that it has a plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving optical signals, and an optical connector with a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmission modules is provided at an end of the optical connector. In an optical transmission device that performs data transmission between the optical transmission modules via an optical fiber, the ferrule is made of a conductive material, and
A pair of electrodes is provided on a side surface of the ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module, and the ferrule is brought into contact with the pair of electrodes when the ferrule is fitted to turn on the power of the optical transmission module.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the ferrule is fitted into the ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module and abuts against the pair of electrodes, the ferrule is conductive, so that the pair of electrodes is electrically conductive. Then, the power of the optical transmission module is turned on.

A feature of the fourth invention is that it has a plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving optical signals, and an optical connector with a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmission modules is provided at the tip of the optical connector. In an optical transmission device that performs data transmission between the optical transmission modules via an optical fiber, the optical transmission module is provided with through holes orthogonal to the ferrule fitting portion, and both ends of the through holes are constantly driven. Install a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit,
The power of the optical transmission module is turned on when the ferrule in which the output light of the light emitting unit is blocked is inserted.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the ferrule is fitted into the ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module, the output light from the light emitting portion to the light receiving portion is blocked and the optical transmission module is powered on.

A fifth aspect of the present invention has an optical transmitting module for transmitting an optical signal and an optical receiving module for receiving an optical signal from the optical transmitting module, and is for at least fitting into the optical transmitting module. In an optical transmission device in which a ferrule transmits data between the optical transmission module and the optical reception module via an optical fiber with an optical connector provided at the tip of an optical connector, the ferrule is made conductive and non-conductive. And the two types of ferrules are combined with optical fibers made of different materials as the optical fiber with the optical connector, the optical transmission module has a pair of electrodes arranged on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion, and when the ferrule is fitted, Bring the ferrule into contact with the pair of electrodes and illuminate the optical fiber according to the material of the optical fiber. In switching the emission wavelength of the light source.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the ferrule is fitted into the ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module and abuts against the pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes are brought into an electrically conductive state if the ferrule is conductive. If the ferrule is non-conductive, the pair of electrodes will be electrically non-conductive. Thereby, the material of the optical fiber can be detected, and the emission wavelength of the light source of the optical transmission module can be switched according to the detection result.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top sectional view of an optical transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The optical transmission device according to the present embodiment performs data transmission between the optical transmission modules 20 via the optical fiber 10 with an optical connector. The optical fiber cable 11 used in this optical transmission device is provided at the tip thereof. Is the optical connector 12
Is attached. A ferrule 13 is projectingly provided at the center of the optical connector 12, and the ferrule 13 supports and fixes the tip end portion of the optical fiber cable 11 and is fitted into a ferrule fitting portion 22 provided in the module body 21 of the optical transmission module 20. To do.

Module body 2 of optical transmission module 20
1 is a concave ferrule fitting portion 22 matching the shape of the ferrule 13 to fit the ferrule 13.
And an optical transmission unit 23 is installed at the end of the ferrule fitting portion 22. The light transmission unit 23 includes a light emitting element (or light receiving element) 24 installed on the optical axis, a drive IC, a chip capacitor, and the like (not shown).

Further, a switch portion, which is a feature of the present invention, is installed near the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion 22. The switch portion includes a tapered protrusion 31 that protrudes from the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion 22 into the fitting portion 22, and a switch body 32 that is turned on / off by the pressing force of the protrusion 31. The projecting piece 31 is always elastically pushed to the inside of the ferrule fitting portion 22 by a spring force or the like.

The switch main body 32 is connected between the power supply 33 and the power supply terminal Vcc of the optical transmission module 20 to turn on / off the power supply to the optical transmission module 20.

According to the optical transmission device configured as described above, the ferrule 13 of the optical fiber with an optical connector 10 is inserted into the ferrule insertion portion 22 so that the ferrule 13 is inserted into the ferrule insertion portion 22 of the optical transmission module 20. Then, the tip of the ferrule 13 comes into contact with the protrusion 31 and presses the protrusion 31 toward the switch body 32. As a result, the switch main body 32 is turned on, and the power supply to the optical transmission module 20 that has been stopped before the insertion is started.

As described above, in this embodiment, the insertion of the optical fiber 10 with the optical connector into the optical transmission module 20 can be mechanically detected, and the power of the optical transmission module 20 is turned on for the first time at this time. Therefore, when the optical transmission device in which the optical fiber with optical connector 20 is removed is not used, the power of the optical transmission module 20 is turned off, and the current consumption of the optical transmission device 20 can be reduced to zero. Further, the size can be reduced as compared with the conventional type (FIG. 6) in which a switch is externally provided, and the malfunction of the switch can be prevented.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of an optical transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

In the present embodiment, the ferrule is made conductive and the presence or absence of the ferrule is detected depending on whether or not there is electrical conduction, and the power supply to the optical transmission module is turned on / off. That is, as a specific configuration of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the ferrule 13 is made of a conductive material, and the pair of electrodes 41, 42 is provided on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion 22 of the optical transmission module 20. , One electrode 41 of which is connected to the power supply 33 and the other electrode 42
Is connected to the power supply terminal Vcc of the optical transmission module 20.

According to the optical transmission device of this embodiment, when the ferrule 13 of the optical fiber 10 with an optical connector is fitted into the ferrule fitting portion 22 of the optical transmission module 20, the ferrule 13 is brought into contact with the pair of electrodes 41 and 42. It As a result, a current path is formed in the power supply line of the optical transmission module 20 via the conductive ferrule 13, and power supply to the optical transmission module 20 is started.

In the present embodiment, a pair of electrodes 41 and 42 are provided on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion 22 and wiring of the power supply line is simply provided thereto, so that the structure can be simpler than that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of an optical transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which elements common to FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a ferrule is optically detected, and the power supply to the optical transmission module is turned on / off. That is, as a specific configuration of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the module body 21 is provided with a through hole 51 orthogonal to the ferrule fitting portion 22, and both end portions of the through hole 51 are provided. A light emitting section 52 and a light receiving section 53, which are constantly driven by power supplies 52a and 53a, are installed.

According to the optical transmission device of this embodiment, the output light from the light emitting portion 52 reaches the light receiving portion 53 on the opposite side through the through hole 51 before the ferrule 13 is fitted.
Therefore, as a result of the light receiving unit 53 continuing to output the optical sensor output to the power supply switch 54, the power supply switch 54 is in the off state, and the power supply to the optical transmission module 20 is stopped.

When the ferrule 13 is fitted into the ferrule fitting portion 22 of the optical transmission module 20 in such a state, the output light from the light emitting portion 52 to the light receiving portion 53 is blocked. As a result, the optical sensor output from the light receiving unit 53 is stopped, the power supply switch 54 is turned on, and the power supply to the optical transmission module 20 is started.

Also in this embodiment, the same advantages as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of an optical transmission device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

In the present embodiment, the material of the optical fiber is detected and the emission wavelength of the light source in the optical transmission module is switched according to the material.

More specifically, as the optical fiber of this embodiment, for example, a plastic optical fiber (AP
F) 11a and quartz glass optical fiber (PCF) 11b 2
There are types. In this case, the optical connector 12 is A
Non-conductive plastic ferrule 13a for PF11a
And a conductive metal ferrule 13b is combined with the PCF 11b.

On the other hand, on the side of the optical transmission module 20, in addition to the mechanical switch portion composed of the projecting piece 31 and the switch body 32 shown in FIG. 1, a mechanism characterizing the present embodiment is installed. There is.

That is, a pair of electrodes 61 and 62 are arranged on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion 22, and in addition, inside the optical transmission unit 23a, the APF is used so as to be used properly depending on the wavelength dependence of the transmission loss of the optical fiber. LED (λ
p = 660 nm) 24a and PCF LED (λp = 8
50 nm) 24b are juxtaposed. Normally, in APF and PCF, the fiber diameter is APF (~ φ1mm)> PC
Since it is F (-φ0.2 mm), there is a difference, so L for APF
The PCF LED is required to have higher positional accuracy than the ED. Therefore, the PCF LED 24b is installed on the optical axis, and the APF LED is installed beside it.

Then, the LED 24a and the LED 24b
Are used by switching depending on whether or not there is electrical conduction of the ferrule in contact with the pair of electrodes 61, 62.

According to the optical transmission device of this embodiment, when the conductive metal ferrule 13b is fitted into the ferrule fitting portion 22 of the optical transmission module 20 and abuts against the pair of electrodes 61, 62, the pair of electrodes 61, 62 is the ferrule 13b
To become electrically conductive. As a result, the inserted optical fiber is found to be the PCF 11b, and the LED of the optical transmission unit 23a is switched to the PCF LED 24b.

On the other hand, the non-conductive plastic ferrule 13a is attached to the ferrule fitting portion 22 of the optical transmission module 20.
When the pair of electrodes 61 and 62 are inserted into the contact and come into contact with the pair of electrodes 61 and 62, the pair of electrodes 61 and 62 become electrically non-conductive. As a result, it was found that the inserted optical fiber was the APF 11a, and the LED of the optical transmission unit 23a was the LE for APF.
Switch to D24a.

In this way, the material of the optical fiber is detected, and the emission wavelength of the light source of the optical transmission module 20 is switched according to the detection result. Thereby, the wavelength of the light source can be adapted to the material of the optical fiber to reduce the transmission loss. Further, also in the present embodiment, since the switch portion including the projecting piece 31 and the switch main body 32 is provided as in the first embodiment, the same advantages as the first embodiment are provided.

[0047]

As described in detail above, according to the first invention, when the optical fiber with the optical connector is inserted into the optical transmission module, the power of the optical transmission module is turned on. Only when the optical transmission device is used, the power of the optical transmission module is turned on, and the power consumption of the optical transmission device can be reduced. As a result, even when the optical transmission device is incorporated in a battery-powered product, the operating time can be extended and the life of the optical transmission device can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the switch portion for mechanically turning on / off the power of the optical transmission module based on the pressing force at the time of inserting the ferrule is provided near the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion in the optical transmission module. In addition to the same effects as the first aspect of the invention, the size can be reduced as compared with the conventional type in which a switch is externally provided, and moreover, reliable data transmission is possible.

According to the third invention, the ferrule is made of a conductive material, a pair of electrodes is provided on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module, and the ferrule is brought into contact with the pair of electrodes when the ferrule is fitted. Since the power of the optical transmission module is turned on, the same effect as the first and second inventions can be obtained, and the structure can be simpler than that of the second invention.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the optical transmission module is provided with the through hole which is orthogonal to the ferrule fitting portion, and the light emitting section and the light receiving section which are always driven are installed at both ends of the through hole, respectively. Since the power of the optical transmission module is turned on when the ferrule in which the output light of the light emitting unit is blocked is inserted, the same effects as those of the first and second inventions can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the ferrule is made of two types, conductive and non-conductive, and the two types of ferrules are combined with an optical fiber made of a different material as an optical fiber with an optical connector. A pair of electrodes is arranged on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion, the ferrule is brought into contact with the pair of electrodes when the ferrule is fitted, and the emission wavelength of a light source for irradiating the optical fiber is switched according to the material of the optical fiber. As a result, the emission wavelength of the light source of the optical transmission module can be switched according to the material of the optical fiber. Thereby, the wavelength of the light source can be adapted to the material of the optical fiber to reduce the transmission loss, and the reliability of data transmission by the optical transmission device can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top view of an optical transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top sectional view of an optical transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of an optical transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of an optical transmission device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view showing a configuration example of a conventional optical transmission device.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a main part of another conventional optical transmission device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Optical Fiber with Optical Connector 11 Optical Fiber Cable 11a Plastic Optical Fiber (APF) 11b Quartz Glass Optical Fiber (PCF) 12 Optical Connector 13 Ferrule 13a Plastic Ferrule 13b Metal Ferrule 20 Optical Transmission Module 21 Module Body 22 Ferrule Fitting Part 23 Light transmission unit 23a Light transmission unit 24 Light emitting element (or light receiving element) 24a LED for APF 24b LED for PCF 31 Projection piece 32 Switch body 33 Power source 41, 42 Electrode 51 Through hole 52a, 53a Power source 52 Light emitting section 53 Light receiving section 54 Power source Supply switch 61, 62 electrode

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An optical transmission device having a plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving an optical signal, and performing data transmission between the optical transmission modules via an optical fiber with an optical connector fitted in the optical transmission module. The optical transmission device according to claim 1, wherein when the optical fiber with the optical connector is fitted into the optical transmission module, the optical transmission module is turned on. 2. A plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving an optical signal are provided, and a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmission modules is provided via an optical fiber with an optical connector provided at a tip of an optical connector. In an optical transmission device for transmitting data between optical transmission modules, a switch for mechanically turning on / off a power source of the optical transmission module near a side surface of a ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module based on a pressing force at the time of fitting the ferrule. An optical transmission device having a section. 3. A plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving an optical signal are provided, and a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmission modules is provided via an optical fiber with an optical connector provided at a tip of an optical connector. In an optical transmission device for performing data transmission between optical transmission modules, the ferrule is made of a conductive material, and a pair of electrodes is provided on a side surface of a ferrule fitting portion of the optical transmission module, and the ferrule is inserted into the pair of ferrules when the ferrule is fitted. An optical transmission device, which is brought into contact with an electrode to turn on the power of the optical transmission module. 4. A plurality of optical transmission modules for transmitting or receiving an optical signal are provided, and a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmission modules is provided through an optical fiber with an optical connector provided at an optical connector tip portion. In an optical transmission device for performing data transmission between optical transmission modules, the optical transmission module is provided with a through hole orthogonal to the ferrule fitting part, and a light emitting part and a light receiving part that are constantly driven are provided at both ends of the through hole. An optical transmission device, which is installed respectively, and turns on a power source of the optical transmission module when the ferrule in which the output light of the light emitting unit is blocked is inserted. 5. An optical transmission module for transmitting an optical signal,
An optical receiving module for receiving an optical signal from the optical transmitting module, at least a ferrule for fitting into the optical transmitting module is provided through an optical fiber with an optical connector provided at an optical connector tip portion, In an optical transmission device that performs data transmission between a transmission module and the optical reception module, the ferrule is of two types, conductive and non-conductive, and the two types of ferrules are the optical fibers with the optical connector. Combining optical fibers of different materials, the optical transmission module arranges a pair of electrodes on the side surface of the ferrule fitting portion, abuts the ferrule on the pair of electrodes during ferrule fitting, and depending on the material of the optical fiber. An optical transmission device, characterized in that the emission wavelength of a light source for irradiating the optical fiber is switched.