JPH1042493A - Optical connection drawer structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size of an electronic apparatus having a drawer-type housing for containing electronic circuits, while enhancing the reliability by employing no cable in the circuit connection between the housing and other parts in the electronic apparatus. SOLUTION: The housing 201 for an electronic apparatus comprises an inner housing 204 of drawer freely drawable in an outer housing 205 of a drawer. An I/O signal to/from a circuit unit 206 in the inner housing 204 of drawer is converted temporarily into an optical signal which is transmitted between the rear inner face of the outer housing 205 of drawer and the facing part of the inner housing of drawer, without passing through any cable. Collimator lenses 214, 216 are employed in order to use a parallel beam and optical wavelength filters 209, 207 prevent mixing of different signals. This structure eliminates the need for replacing a cable damaged through the operation for drawing or pushing the inner housing 204 of drawer and reduces the size of the outer housing 205 of the drawer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connection drawer structure having a drawer in a part of an electronic device, and more particularly to a connection between a circuit provided in the drawer portion and a circuit on a main body side of the device. The present invention relates to an optical connection drawer structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of signal cables are used for connecting signal lines in a frame of an electronic device. These cables may be enormous in a complicated electronic device, and there has been a problem that the outer shape of the housing of the device becomes large in order to secure a space for the cables. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 290198/1990 discloses an in-building wiring technique in which the number of cables can be significantly reduced using an optical fiber cable.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the optical connection drawer disclosed in this publication. The housing 101 of this device
Inside, a first optical fiber cable 102 is provided along one side thereof. A box-shaped drawer external housing 103 having one end cut out is provided in the housing 101.
_1, 103 _2, ... are a plurality spaced above and below and right-left direction so as to match their open end with the front panel of the housing 101 (direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) interval, these Drawer outer housing 103 ₁ , 103
_2, ... (FIG display only drawer outer housing 103 _1, 103 _2.) Drawer inside the housing 104 ₁ Inside of 104
₂ , ... are housed in a freely drawable manner. Case 101
The control interface unit 105 is arranged near the bottom inside. Drawer inner casings 104 ₁ , 104 ₂ , ...
, Accommodate a plurality of interface units 106, respectively. This drawer inner casing 104 ₁ , 10
4 ₂ ,... (Drawer outer casings 103 ₁ , 10
3 _2, on the surface) opposite the open end of ..., in response to these interfaces 106, an electrical signal electricity to be converted into an optical signal - an optical conversion unit 107 and the optical signal into an electric signal A plurality of photoelectric conversion units 108 for conversion are arranged.

The optical-electrical conversion unit 107 for converting an optical signal into an electric signal has a second optical fiber 11
One end of the first optical fiber cable 102 is connected, and the other end is connected to a corresponding one of the electro-optical converters 114 each having an end fixed to the first optical fiber cable 102. Similarly, one end of a second optical fiber 111 is connected to an electro-optical converter 108 for converting an electric signal into an optical signal, and the other end is connected to a first optical fiber cable 102.
Are connected to corresponding ones of the optical-electrical converters 115 whose ends are fixed.

In such an optical connection drawer structure, by connecting the second optical fiber cable 111 branched from the first optical fiber cable 102 to the optical-electrical converter 108, the connection of each signal line is established. First and second
Of the optical fiber cables 102 and 111. Therefore, the number of cables is greatly reduced as compared with a conventional drawer in which cables are connected one-to-one.

[0006]

However, in the conventional structure shown in FIG. 3, the drawer outer casing 103 and the drawer inner casing 104, which are drawers (drawers) that can be pulled out in the operating state, are installed in the electronic device. Have. Since the drawer unit is pulled out and used as needed, the mechanical deterioration is remarkable as compared with other parts constituting the apparatus. The second optical fiber cable 111 is also bent or stretched with the pulling-out operation of the drawer unit. Therefore, there is a problem that the selection of the material is restricted in order to obtain the optical fiber cable 111 which can endure this for a relatively long time. In addition, the second optical fiber cable 111 needs to be periodically replaced for maintenance, which is not only troublesome, but also increases the cost of replacement.

In the conventional optical connection drawer structure,
The drawer inner casing 104 needs to have a length such that a load is not applied to the second optical fiber cable 111 in a state where the drawer inner casing 104 is pulled out most, and the drawer inner casing 104 is completely housed in the drawer outer casing 103. Therefore, a space where the second optical fiber cable 111 bends smoothly is required. When such a movable space is secured, there is a problem that the space for the cable cannot always be effectively reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a drawer-type housing for housing an electronic circuit, and to use a cable for circuit connection between the housing and other parts in the electronic device. There is no optical connection drawer structure to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to secure the reliability of a circuit connection portion between an electronic device having a drawer-type housing for housing an electronic circuit, and another portion in the electronic device. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connection drawer capable of simplifying maintenance.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a space required for a circuit connecting portion between the housing and another part in the electronic device in an electronic device having a drawer-type housing for housing an electronic circuit. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connection drawer structure capable of reducing the number of optical connections.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a first housing and (b) a predetermined circuit are incorporated,
A second housing having a depth shorter than the depth of the first housing by a predetermined length and being disposed inside the first housing so as to be able to be drawn out in the depth direction when the predetermined circuit is in operation; (C) are arranged in pairs at opposing positions on the inner surface of the second housing and the opposing surface of the first housing, and a signal between each pair of positions is provided. The optical connection drawer structure is provided with an optical signal transmitting means for transmitting the optical signal through the air.

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, signal transmission in the space on the back side of the first housing and the second housing housed therein so as to be freely drawn out is performed by air propagation of an optical signal. This eliminates various inconveniences that occur when this portion is connected by a cable.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) a first housing and (b) a predetermined circuit are built in, and the depth is shorter than the depth of the first housing by a predetermined length. A second housing disposed inside the first housing so as to be freely drawn out in the depth direction when a predetermined circuit is operating;
Are arranged in pairs at opposing positions on the inner surface of the inside of the housing and the opposing surface of the first housing, and convert the electric signal into an optical signal and face the opposing position. An optical connection drawer comprising: an optical signal emitting unit that emits light into the air; and an optical signal transmitting unit that receives an optical signal emitted from the optical signal emitting unit at an opposing position and converts the optical signal into an electric signal. Provide for the structure.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, signal transmission in the space on the back side of the first housing and the second housing housed in the first housing so as to be freely drawn out is performed by air propagation of an optical signal. This eliminates various inconveniences that occur when this portion is connected by a cable. The invention according to claim 2 deals with the point that the optical signal is always transmitted between the first housing and the second housing based on the electric signal and returned to the electric signal again. This is different from the first aspect of the present invention in which the optical signal is still good in some cases.

In the optical connection drawer structure according to the third aspect, a plurality of pairs of the optical signal transmitting means are arranged with respect to one set of the first housing and the second housing which can be freely pulled out of the first housing. The optical signal emitting means is characterized in that adjacent ones emit optical signals having different wavelengths at least.
As a result, even if the signals are mixed, it is possible to identify them.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical connection drawer structure, the optical signal receiving means has a wavelength filter for passing only the optical signal of the wavelength output from the paired optical signal emitting means, and has passed through the wavelength filter. It is characterized by receiving an optical signal and converting it into an electric signal. This makes it possible to select a necessary optical signal from the mixed optical signals.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical connection drawer structure, the optical signal emitting means has a collimator lens for transmitting the emitted optical signal to the opposing position as parallel light. Thus, no matter what position the second housing is located, that is, even if there is a change in the transmission distance of the optical signal between the first housing and the second housing, a large difference is not caused in the intensity of the optical signal. In addition, since light diffusion is unlikely to occur, it is possible to suppress mixing of optical signals of other systems.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an optical connection drawer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic device of this embodiment, a back wiring
One substrate called a board (BWB) 202 is arranged. In the housing 201, box-shaped drawer external housings 203 ₁ , 203 ₂ ,..., With one end cut out, have their open ends aligned with the front panel of the housing 201. A plurality of drawer outer casings 203 ₁ , 203 ₂ ,... (Only the drawer outer casings 203 ₁ , 203 ₂ are shown in the figure) are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). Drawer internal housings 204 ₁ , 204 ₂ ,...

A control interface 205 of the electronic device is arranged near the bottom inside the housing 201. The drawer inner casings 204 ₁ , 204 ₂ ,... Are provided with circuit units 206 such as subscriber circuit units, these interface units 207, and optical signals sent from the back wiring board 202. And an optical-electrical conversion unit 208 for converting only light of a specific wavelength component of the transmitted optical signal into an optical-electrical conversion unit 2.
08, an optical wavelength filter 209 for inputting light into
An optical fiber 210 that connects the electrical conversion unit 208 and the optical wavelength filter 209 is accommodated. The drawer inner casings 204 ₁ , 204 ₂ ,... Have an electric-optical converter for converting an electric signal into an optical signal as a means for transmitting a signal toward the back wiring board 202. 212, an optical fiber 213 for transmitting the converted optical signal, and a collimator lens 214 for converting the optical signal obtained from the optical fiber 213 into parallel light.
Is also housed. The control interface unit 205 includes:
This is a circuit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a circuit unit 206 such as a subscriber circuit unit via the back wiring board 202.

Drawer outer casings 203 ₁ , 203 ₂ ,...
A collimator lens 216 is disposed at a position facing the optical wavelength filter 209 and a light wavelength filter 217 is disposed at a position facing the collimator lens 214. In the former case, the optical signal 21 emitted from the collimator lens 216
8 is incident on the opposing optical wavelength filter 209, and in the latter case, the optical signal 219 emitted from the collimator lens 214 is incident on the opposing optical wavelength filter 217.

The back wiring board 202 includes:
Electrical wiring is performed like a normal printed circuit board. The back wiring board 202 includes an electro-optical converter 221 for converting an electric signal to an optical signal.
And an optical-electrical converter 222 for converting an optical signal into an electric signal are arranged at predetermined positions. Electricity-
Light conversion unit 221 and corresponding collimator lens 21
6, an optical fiber 223 for guiding the converted optical signal to the collimator lens 216 is connected. Similarly, an optical fiber 224 for guiding the optical signal selected by the optical wavelength filter 217 to the optical-electrical converter 222 is connected between the optical-electrical converter 222 and the corresponding optical wavelength filter 217. I have.

In this embodiment, the two types of electro-optical converters 212 and 221 use a laser for converting an electric signal into a laser beam, but other electro-optical converters such as a light emitting diode. Conversion means may be used. The two types of light-to-electricity conversion units 208 and 222 use a photodiode or a phototransistor for converting a laser beam into an electric signal by inputting the laser light. The good thing is, of course. Optical signal 218, 2
Reference numeral 19 changes the wavelength of at least adjacent signals so that they do not interfere with each other. The optical wavelength filters 209 and 217 for inputting and passing these optical signals 218 and 219 are filters configured to pass only optical signals of wavelengths that should be passed and to block optical signals of other wavelengths. Have been.

[0025] In the optical connection drawer structure of this embodiment, for example be or push pull the drawer inside the housing 204 ₁ drawer is outer housing 203 ₁ inside housing, electrical - optical conversion section 221 and the light - electric No cable is arranged between the converters 208. Therefore, bend inside the cable of the drawer the outer housing 203 ₁ with the pushing of the drawer inside the housing 204 _1, there is no possibility that the movement of the middle portion of the cable occurs due to the bending. Particularly, in the case of an optical fiber, if the degree of bending of the fiber is extremely high, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of durability. In this embodiment, since no cable is used, the drawer inner casing 2
04 be ₁ or push pull out, any deterioration in the portion for transmitting the optical signal nor generated.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, for example it is or push pull the drawer inside the housing 204 _1,
Since a cable is not used in a portion where the moving distance changes, there is no need to secure a space for these bendings or moving in accordance with expansion and contraction of the distance. When the conventional using cables especially large amount, since required a considerable space, with the size of only drawer outer housing 203 ₁ this amount can be made small, the drawer external housing 2
03 ₁ interval pull-out direction both when pushed drawer inside the housing 204 ₁ completely against it can be narrowed. As a result, not only the height and width of the housing 201 but also the depth can be reduced, which greatly contributes to downsizing of the electronic device.

First Modified Example

FIG. 2 shows a first modification of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same portions as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the first modified example, the drawer outer casing 2
03 ₁ of each electric in place of the back - light conversion unit 2
21 and an optical-electrical conversion unit 222 are attached, and the electric-optical conversion unit 221 and the back wiring board 2
02 and between the optical-to-electrical converter 222 and the back wiring board 202.
Connected by Drawer respective electrical outer housing 203 ₁ - optical conversion unit 221 or optical - A hole is drilled for each of the plate surfaces of the attached position of an electric conversion unit 222 transmitting light, through the holes A collimator lens 216 or an optical wavelength filter 217 is attached at a position facing the same.

Further, the optical wavelength filter 209 is disposed at a position facing the collimator lens 216 in the same manner drawer inside the housing 204 _1, the optical wavelength filter 21
A collimator lens 214 is disposed at a position facing the lens 7. Holes for transmitting light are formed in the plate surface of the drawer inner casing 204 _{1 at positions where} the optical wavelength filter 209 or the collimator lens 214 is disposed, and positions facing each other through these holes are provided. Is the optical-electrical converter 208 or the electrical-optical converter 2
12 are arranged respectively. Cables 311 and 312 are connected between the interface unit 207 of the circuit unit 206 such as a subscriber circuit unit and the optical-electrical conversion unit 208 or the electrical-optical conversion unit 212. Drawer outer casing 203 ₂ and back wiring board 20
2 connections and drawer outer housing 203 ₂ and the drawer state of the housing 204 _{and second} connection includes a connection and drawer outer housing 203 _first drawer outer housing 203 ₁ and back wiring board 202 of FIG. 2 Drawer inner housing 204
_This is the same as the connection in ₁ .

In the optical connection drawer structure of this modified example, the electric signal obtained from the control interface unit 205 passes through the back wiring board 202 and the cable 3
01 is input to the electro-optical converter 221. The electrical-optical converter 221 converts this into an optical signal. The converted optical signal 218 is applied to the optical wavelength filter 20
9, and after the removal of optical signals of other wavelengths, the light enters the optical-electrical conversion unit 208. Then, the converted electric signal is input to the corresponding circuit unit 206 via the cable 311.

On the contrary, the electric signal output from the circuit unit 206 is transmitted through the cable 312 to the electro-optical converter 2.
12 and is converted into an optical signal. This optical signal is
The light is converted into parallel light by the collimator lens 214 and is incident on the optical wavelength filter 217 as an optical signal 219. The optical wavelength filter 217 passes only the optical signal 219 in order to eliminate the passage of another adjacent optical signal. The optical signal that has passed through the optical wavelength filter 217 is
Is converted into an electric signal, and transmitted from the cable 302 to the control interface unit 205 through the back wiring board 202.

Although the embodiments and the modified examples have been described above, the optical connection drawer structure of the present invention can be variously modified. For example, if there is no danger of mixing adjacent light beams, there is no need to change the wavelength of the optical signal or use an optical wavelength filter. Also, even if there is a risk that adjacent light beams are mixed, if the timing of the transmitted optical signal is made different between adjacent ones,
Naturally, it is possible to remove the mixed signal, and it is not necessary to change the wavelength of the optical signal or use an optical wavelength filter.

In the embodiment, the back wiring
Although the signal is transmitted through the board 202,
These signals may be transmitted using an optical fiber as in the example shown in FIG. In this case, the part where the electric signal output from the back wiring board 202 is converted into an optical signal is the part which converts the optical signal into an electric signal or outputs the amplified optical signal. The portion to be input to the board 202 is a portion to input the optical signal as it is or to change the amplification factor of the input optical signal and input.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, since the optical signal directly propagates in the air, there is no need to use a cable, and trouble due to breakage of the cable is eliminated. Not only can be prevented, but also there is no need to replace the cable, and it is possible to reduce costs required for maintenance and to avoid a situation in which the electronic device stops operating during maintenance.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the optical signal is propagated at different wavelengths, it is possible to determine which system signal has been received. Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, it becomes possible to select only necessary optical signals from the mixed optical signals. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, even if the transmission distance of the optical signal between the first housing and the first housing changes, the intensity of the optical signal does not greatly differ and the signal processing is easy. In addition, since diffusion of light is less likely to occur, mixing of optical signals of other systems can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an optical connection drawer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical connection drawer structure according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventionally proposed optical connection drawer structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 201 housing 202 back wiring board 203 drawer outer housing 204 drawer inner housing 205 control interface unit 206 circuit unit 209, 217 optical wavelength filter 214, 216 collimator lens 218, 219 optical signal

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first housing having a predetermined circuit built therein, a depth shorter than the depth of the first housing by a predetermined length, and the first housing being in an operating state of the predetermined circuit; A second housing which is disposed inside so as to be able to be pulled out in the depth direction; and positions at which a rear surface inside the second housing and a surface facing the first housing oppose each other And an optical signal transmission means for transmitting a signal between the positions of each pair by aerial propagation of an optical signal. 2. A first housing, wherein a predetermined circuit is built-in, a depth of the first housing is shorter than a depth of the first housing by a predetermined length, and the first housing is in an operating state of the predetermined circuit. A second housing which is disposed inside so as to be able to be pulled out in the depth direction; and positions at which a rear surface inside the second housing and a surface facing the first housing oppose each other Optical signal emitting means for converting an electric signal into an optical signal and emitting the air signal toward the opposed position; and outputting the optical signal emitted from the optical signal emitting means to the opposed position. An optical signal transmitting means comprising: an optical signal receiving means for receiving the light and converting it into an electric signal. 3. A plurality of pairs of the optical signal transmitting means are arranged with respect to one set of a first housing and a second housing which is arranged so as to be able to be drawn out of the first housing, and the optical signal emitting means is adjacent to the first housing. 3. The optical connection drawer structure according to claim 2, wherein the optical connection drawers emit at least optical signals having different wavelengths. 4. The optical signal receiving means has a wavelength filter for passing only an optical signal having a wavelength output from the pair of optical signal emitting means, and receives the optical signal passing through the wavelength filter. The optical connection drawer structure according to claim 3, wherein the optical connection drawer structure is converted into an electric signal. 5. The optical connection drawer structure according to claim 2, wherein said optical signal emitting means has a collimator lens for transmitting the emitted optical signal as a parallel light to a position facing the optical signal emitting means.