JPS607415A - Two-way type rotary joint for optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform two-way communication by composing one communication line of internal element wires arranged at the centers of a fixed and a rotary side, and forming another communication line so that one of external element wires on the rotary side faces external element wires on the fixed side. CONSTITUTION:The end surfaces of optical connectors 13 and 14 face each other in housing 10 and 11 at a specific interval, and internal element wires 23 and 26 are coupled together optically to one communication path. One of rotary-side external element wire 27 faces a fixed-side external element wire 24 to form another communication path. All external element wires 27 are coupled with a common transmitter or receiver. Even when the rotary housing 11 rotates, the transmission and reception of a light signal by the external element wires 24 and 27 is not interrupted. Further, when the external element wires 27 are coupled with individual transmitters or receivers, the communication lines formed of the external element wires 24 and 27 are switched by rotating the rotary housing 11 by a specific angle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Application This invention relates to a bi-directional vari-rotary joint for optical fiber.

(b) Prior Art A conventional rotary joint for optical fiber cables has been of the single-core type as shown in FIG.

That is, in this rotary joint, a fixed housing 1 and a rotary housing 2 are fitted in the same state through a bearing 3, and an optical connector 5 attached to the tip of an optical fiber cord 4 is connected to each of the housings 1 and 2, facing each other. The rotating housing 2 is inserted into the fixed housing sink 1.
can rotate freely once.

(c) While trying to solve the problem by invention -+14 points 1 as above, conventional lore join l-11,11
1. Since it is a core type, only one-way communication is possible.
(There is 1.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coterie joint in which the lips can be recirculated in both directions.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an internal wire for one of the two optical fiber wires inserted into the optical connector of one of the housings. Mainly as a connector,
The other one is placed as an external wire at a certain distance from the center in the radial direction, and the inner wire facing the inner wire is connected to the optical connector of the other housing, and the outer wire is placed around it. This is a structure in which a large number of external strands are arranged in the radial direction at the same intervals as the strands.

In the rotary joint with the above configuration, one communication path is formed by each internal strand placed at the center of the stationary side and the rotating side. Since one of the external wires faces each other to form another communication path, a total of two communication paths are formed.

(E) Embodiment FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a fixed housing 101 and a rotary housing 11 are fitted together via bearings 12, and each housing 10. It has a structure in which optical connectors 13 and 14 are inserted and fixed in 11.

Each optical connector 13.14 is supported in a symmetrical manner by an annular wall 15.16 provided inside the housing 10. The abutment 1 is positioned in the axial direction and is fixed with cap nuts 19 and 20.

Note that the rotation 111. inserted into the fixed housing 10. i
A sleeve 21 with a flange is inserted into the end of the ζ housing 11, and the flange prevents the bearing 12 from being pulled out.

Optical connector 13 mounted on the fixed housing 10
Two fiber bundles 23 and 24 exposed from the optical fiber cord 22 are inserted into the connector 13, one of which is inserted into the center of the connector 13 as an internal wire 23.
The other one is inserted at a constant interval in the radial direction from the center with an external zero wire of 24 degrees (see FIG. 4).

In addition, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 2, another external strand may be inserted at a position centrally symmetrical to the external zero wire 24.

On the other hand, the optical connector 14 inserted into the rotating housing 11
The three fibers exposed from another optical fiber 25 are shown in FIG.
Two fiber strands are inserted, one of which is inserted into the center of the connector 14 as an internal strand 26, facing the inner strand 23 in the same window. Further, a plurality of other strands are inserted as outer strands 27 around the inner strand 26 at the same intervals as the above-mentioned outer strands 24 in the radial direction from the center. (See Figure 3) The ends of each of these optical connectors 13.14 are opposed to each other at regular intervals within the housing 10.11.
The internal wires 23 and 26 are optically coupled to each other to form one communication path. Further, another communication path is formed by the fixed outer external wire 24 and one of the rotating external wires 27 facing each other.

Therefore, if the external strands 27 on the rotating side are closely arranged in the circumferential direction and all the external strands 27 are connected to a common transmitting or receiving device, even if the rotating housing 11 rotates, the external Optical signals can be transmitted and received by the wires 24 and 27 without interruption.

Moreover, if all the external strands 27 on the rotating side are connected to respective independent transmitting or receiving devices, the external strands 24. ．． 2
7 can be used to switch the communication path.

In addition, although the above description shows the relationship in which the number of optical fiber strands on the fixed side is smaller than that on the rotating side, this relationship may be reversed.

(F) Effect As described above, this invention is an optical connector that is placed in each housing on the stationary side and the rotating side, and internal and external wires are inserted in opposing positions, respectively. , since at least two communication paths are ensured by the rotation of the rotating housing.

It is possible to perform two-way communication or one-way two-way communication.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the conventional example, Figure 2 is a tlii side view of the embodiment, Figure 3 is a 11'fr side view of the fixed side optical connector, and Figure 4 is a 11'fr side view of the fixed side optical connector.
The figure is a sectional view of the rotating side optical connector. 10... Fixed housing, 11... Rotating housing. 12... Bearing, 13, 14... Optical connector, 22.
25...Optical fiber bar cord, 23.26...Internal tension line, 24.27...External strand special 51 output jI11'' (person)
Agent Sickle 1) Bun 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a bidirectional rotary joint for optical fibers, in which a rotary housing is fitted into a fixed housing, and optical connectors are inserted and fixed in the respective housings in the same state, with their tip surfaces facing each other, the optical connector 1 of one of the housings is Of the two optical fiber strands to be inserted, one is placed at the center of the connector as an internal strand, and the other is placed as an external strand at a constant distance from the center in the radial direction. , and an optical fiber characterized in that the optical connector of the other housing has an internal strand facing the above-mentioned internal strand, and a large number of external strands arranged around it in the radial direction at the same intervals as the above-mentioned external strand. Bidirectional low rigidity joint for use.