JPS62166313A - Code conversion optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily generate a code signal of light by arranging an end part of a light source optical means and respective end parts of photodetection paths as many as bits opposite each other across a hollow, and forming light guide holes in a movable shield body provided in the hollow. CONSTITUTION:When the shield movable body 8 is at a stand-by position, a code signal from the photodetection paths 4A-4D is '0000' and when a key 10 is pressed, the movable shield body 8 is lowered and respective light guide holes 9A, 9C, and 9D are aligned with optical transmission paths 6A, 6C, and 6D, and the photodetection paths 4A, 4C, and 4D. In this state, light from the optical transmission paths 6A, 6C, and 6D is transmitted as a light signal to the photodetection paths 4A, 4C, and 4D through the light guide holes 9A, 9C, and 9D. At this time, light from the optical transmission path 6B is cut off by the movable shield body 8 and not transmitted to the photodetection path 4B. The code conversion optical switch, therefore, transmits the light code signal '1011' to the photodetection paths 4A-4D with the key 10. This 4-bit code conversion optical switch generates 2<4>-1=15 kinds of code signals by shifting the light guide hole in position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a code conversion optical switch that forms an optical code signal.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, input keyboards have been composed of a plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of keys for operating them.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, electrical signal input means have problems such as being susceptible to the effects of electromagnetic induction and being unable to be used in environments where there is a risk of explosion due to the generation of sparks. There was a point.

The purpose of the present invention is to have a simple configuration, strong resistance to electromagnetic induction interference, and
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a code conversion optical switch having explosion-proof characteristics.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The structure of the present invention for achieving the above objects will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 corresponding to the embodiments.
In the present invention, each end face of the light receiving paths 4A to 4H, whose number corresponds to the number of bits of the code signal, is arranged on one side, and on the opposite side, a light source optical path means for supplying light to each of the light receiving paths 4A to 4H. 7 is disposed apart from the space 2, and in the space 2, the light receiving paths 4A to 4H are connected from the light source optical path means 7 to the light receiving paths 4A to 4H during standby.
A blocking mover 8 is movably disposed to block light transmission to the blocking mover 8, and when the blocking mover 8 receives a pressing operation, at least one light receiving path and at most a number corresponding to the number of light receiving paths are formed. 4
It is characterized in that light guide holes 9A to 9 are provided for supplying optical signals to A to 4H.

(Function) In such a code conversion optical switch, when the cutoff movable element 8 is in the standby position, no optical code signal is sent to each of the light receiving paths 4A to 4H. When the blocking mover 8 is pressed and moved, the light guiding holes 9A to 9H provided in the blocking mover 7 are aligned with the end faces of the corresponding light receiving paths 4A to 4H, and the light from the light source optical path means 7 is blocked. Light guide holes 9A to 9 of mover 8
The light is transmitted to the corresponding light receiving paths 4A to 4H via H. That is, when the cutoff movable element 8 is operated, a combination of presence or absence of an optical signal, that is, an optical code signal, is formed in each of the aligned light receiving paths 4A to 4H, and this is generated after four days have elapsed in each of the light receiving paths 4A to 4H. Transmitted to the necessary part.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an example in which the present invention is applied to a 4-bit code conversion optical switch. In this embodiment, a rectangular void 2 is provided at a specific location of the substrate 1 so as to penetrate through the substrate 1 in the thickness direction. Parallel 2 of the empty space 2
Four grooves 3 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 1 on one side.
A, 3B, 3G, and 3D are formed alternately at a predetermined pitch, and light receiving paths 4A, 4B, 4G, and 4D each consisting of four optical fibers are housed and fixed in each of these 3A to 3D. The end faces of these light receiving paths 4A to 4D are arranged at the edge of the cavity 2. Four grooves 5A,
5B, 5C, and 5D are formed alternately to correspond to the light receiving paths 4Δ to 4D on the opposite side, and these grooves 58 to
5D has light transmission paths 6A and 6B consisting of four optical fibers.

6C and 6D are housed and fixed. These light transmission paths 6A to 6D constitute a light source optical path means 7 that supplies light to each of the light reception paths 4A to 4D. Note that this light source optical path means 7 can also be constituted by a single light transmitting path as long as it is large enough to simultaneously cover each of the light receiving paths 4A to 4D. Light is supplied to each of the light transmission paths 6A to 6D from a light source external to the substrate 1 via an optical cable (not shown) or the like.

In the empty space 2, each light receiving path 4A is connected from the light source optical path means 7 to the light receiving path 4A during standby.
A blocking movable element 8 that blocks transmission of light to ~4D is movably arranged. The cutoff movable element 8 is provided with light guide holes that supply optical signals to at least one light receiving path and a maximum number of light receiving paths 4A to 4D corresponding to the number of light receiving paths when pressed. In this embodiment, the light guide holes 9Δ, 9C, and 9D correspond to the light receiving paths 4A, 4C, and 4D, and the cutoff movable element 8 is at f'4.
It is provided through.

The cutoff movable element 8 is suspended and supported on the lower surface of a rubber key 10. The key 10 is supported by a spring leg 12 rising from a pad 11, and in this state the 11XKfIi mover 8 is held at the standby position.

In such a code conversion optical switch, when the cutoff movable element 8 is in the standby position, the code signal from the light receiving paths 4A to 4D is rooooJ. In this state, when the key 10 is pressed, the spring leg 12 is bent and the cutoff movable element 8 is lowered to close each light guide hole 9A.

90.90 matches the pair 15 of the transmission lines 316A, 6C, 6[) and the light receiving paths 4A, 4C, 4D.

In such a state, the light from the light transmitting paths 6A, 6G, 6D passes through the light guide holes 9A, 9G, 9D and enters the light receiving paths 4A, 4G, 4.
The signal is transmitted to D as an optical signal. At this time, the light in the light sending path 6B is blocked by the blocking mover 8 and is not transmitted to the light receiving path 4B. Therefore, in the case of this code conversion optical switch, by operating the key 10, the rl
The ollJ optical code signal is now transmitted. In the case of such a 4-bit code conversion optical switch, 2'-1=15 types of code signals can be generated by changing the position of the light guide hole.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example in which the present invention is applied to an 8-bit code conversion optical switch.

In this embodiment, on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 1 on one side of the two parallel sides of the space 2 of the substrate 1, eight grooves 3 to 3 are formed at a predetermined pitch, facing each other vertically. , these grooves 38~
Light receiving paths 4A to 4 made up of eight optical fibers are housed and fixed in 3H. These light receiving paths 4A to 4H are disposed at the edge of the cavity 2 at the end faces thereof. Eight grooves (not shown) are formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 1 on the opposite side to the side where these light receiving paths 4A to 4 are provided, corresponding to the light receiving paths 4A to 4H, and these grooves are not shown in the figure. Although not included, a light transmission path consisting of eight optical fibers is housed and fixed. A light source optical path means for supplying light to each of the light receiving paths 4A to 4H using these light sending paths is constructed in the same manner.

In the empty space 2, each light receiving path 4△ is connected from the light source optical path means 7 to the light receiving path 4△ during standby.
A blocking movable element 8 that blocks transmission of light to 4H is movably disposed. The cutoff movable element 8 is provided with light guide holes that supply optical signals to at least one light receiving path and a maximum number of light receiving paths 4A to 4H corresponding to the number of light receiving paths when pressed. In this embodiment, light guide holes 9A to 9 are provided to penetrate through the cutoff movable element 8, corresponding to the light receiving paths 4A to 4H.

In such a code conversion optical switch, when the cutoff movable element 8 is in the standby position, the code signal from the light receiving paths 4A to 4H is roooooooOJ. In this state, when the key 10 is pressed, the cutoff movable element 8 descends, and each light guide hole 9A
~9H corresponds to each light transmitting path and each light receiving path 4A to 41-1
The light in each light transmission path is transmitted as an optical signal to the light reception paths 4A to 4T1 through the light guide holes 9A to 9H.

Therefore, in the case of this code conversion optical switch, key 1
0 operation, "11111111" is added to the light receiving paths 4A to 4H.
optical code signals will be transmitted. like this,
In the case of an 8-bit code conversion optical switch, the light guide hole 9
By changing the Km of A to 9H, 2B-1=255 types of code signals can be generated.

Note that the light source optical path means 7 and each of the light receiving paths 4A to 4 may be configured as optical cables, and the cutoff movable element 8 may be disposed in the space 2 between the end faces of the respective cables.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, in the code conversion optical switch according to the present invention, the end of the light source optical path means and each end of the number of light receiving paths corresponding to the number of bits are arranged opposite to each other with a space between them. A blocking movable element is movably disposed in the space to block transmission of light from the light source optical path means to each light receiving path during standby, and the blocking movable element receives a pressing operation. Since light guide holes are provided for supplying optical signals to the number of light receiving paths corresponding to the number of light receiving paths at the maximum, it is possible to easily form an optical code signal. Since this optical switch does not use electricity, it is resistant to electromagnetic interference, and since it does not generate sparks, it can be used without any problems even in environments where there is a risk of explosion.

Further, this optical switch has a simple structure and can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are a vertical cross-sectional view and a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an optical switch according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an optical switch according to the present invention, and FIG. The figure is a front view of the cutoff movable element of the second embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Board, 2... Blank space, 4A to 4H... Light receiving path, 6A to 6H... Light sending path, 7... Light source optical path means, 8
...Blockable %) J child, 9A-9H...Light guide hole, 10
···Key. Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] The end faces of the light receiving paths, the number of which corresponds to the number of bits of the code signal, are arranged on one side, and on the opposite side, the end faces of the light source optical path means for supplying light to each of the light receiving paths are arranged across a space. A blocking movable element is movably disposed in the empty space to block transmission of light from the light source optical path means to each of the light receiving paths during standby, and the blocking movable element has a movable element that blocks transmission of light from the light source optical path means to each of the light receiving paths during standby. 1. A code conversion optical switch, comprising at least one light guide hole and a maximum number of light guide holes that supply optical signals to the number of light receiving paths corresponding to the number of light receiving paths.