KR101893103B1 - Automatic alignment system for multi fiber optical switch and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capillary lens automatic alignment system and method for a multi-core rotary optical switch, and a capillary lens automatic alignment system for a multi-core rotary optical switch according to the present invention comprises capillaries M1 and M2 An optical loss measuring device 130 for measuring a light loss value between the first and second capillaries M1 and M2 and the first and second lenses L1 and L2 to be aligned, A three-axis moving actuator 160 for linearly moving the arm 120 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and a three-axis moving actuator 160 for receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss measuring device 130, A motor drive control unit 150 for generating a motor drive control signal in accordance with the coordinate data value received from the control computer 140 and outputting the motor drive control signal to the three-axis movable actuator 160, And,
In the method of automatically aligning a capillary lens of a multi-core rotary optical switch according to the present invention, an optical loss value is input (S614), and based on the input optical loss value, The linear motion in the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis direction is sequentially stopped at the minimum point. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the workability and the production cost by automatically aligning.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an automatic alignment system for a capillary lens of a multi-core rotary optical switch,

The present invention relates to a multi-core rotary optical switch, and more particularly, to a multi-core rotary optical switch which is suitable for automatically aligning the capillary to the lens so as to minimize light loss before bonding the capillary to the lens. And more particularly, to a capillary lens automatic alignment system and method therefor.

In general, an optical switch is used in the test and system fields related to optical communication and optics, and is used between a light tester and an object to be tested.

Prior art related to such an optical switch is disclosed in "Noncontact optical switch and stepping motor control method using a micro optical element and a coaxial holder" in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-0094690, Low-loss small-size optical switch "is known.

"Non-contact optical switch and stepping motor control method using micro optical element and coaxial holder", and "Low-loss small-size optical switch" disclosed in Registration Practical Utility Model No. 20-0243549, which are disclosed in Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-0094620, The present invention is characterized in that a target port of an optical fiber is installed on a horizontal line and a common port is also positioned on a horizontal line to reduce an insertion loss.

In the case of the conventional optical switch including the above-mentioned JP-A 2001-0094620 and JP-A 20-0243549, the capillary provided at the tip of the optical fiber needs to be epoxy-bonded to the lens. The alignment between the capillary and the lens must be performed.

However, all of the conventional optical switches have a disadvantage in that labor required for the aligning operation is high because the operator has to perform the alignment work between the capillary and the lens by the manual operation of the operator.

In addition, there is a disadvantage in that the error range of the alignment operation is large and the work process time is not constant according to the skill level of the technician.

In addition, the production quality is uneven due to the skill of the operator, the psychology and the body, the worker productivity is decreased due to the increase of the fatigue of the worker according to the working time, and the decrease of the concentration due to the long working has become a problem.

Literature 1. Registration Utility Model Bulletin No. 20-0243549 (Notification Date: October 10, 2001) Document 2. Open Patent Publication No. 2001-0094690 (published on November 11, 2001)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a capillary lens automatic alignment system and method therefor,

Alignment between the capillary and the lens Let the control process find the coordinate data with the minimum optical loss (optical characteristics with an average insertion loss of less than 0.8 dB) in the control computer and move the capillary based on this coordinate data Thereby minimizing the working time of the sorting operation and also improving the reliability by reducing the deviation of the optical alignment of the product,

By allowing the control computer to automatically align perfectly without depending on the skill of the operator, the productivity of the sorting operation can be increased by about 30 to 40%

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a capillary lens automatic alignment system and method of a multi-core rotary optical switch, which is suitable for reducing the production cost of a product by reducing labor costs.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capillary lens automatic alignment system for a multi-core rotary optical switch including a base, a switching motor mounted on the base, A plurality of first lenses inserted in the lens array plate; and a plurality of second lenses arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first lenses, a plurality of common port optical fibers having a first capillary attached to the first lens by an adhesive after alignment of the first capillary to the first lens, And a second lens insertion hole for aligning the first lens insertion hole formed in the lens array plate and the second lens insertion hole formed in the other lens array plate; A second lens inserted into the second lens insertion hole of the rotary arm so as to be spaced apart from the first lens, and a second capillary attached to the second lens by an adhesive after being aligned with the second lens, In a multi-core rotary optical switch including a common port optical fiber,

An automatic alignment system for automatically aligning a capillary and a lens,

A first capillary of an ordinary port optical fiber which is not in contact with the first lens and is to be aligned, or a second capillary holding a second capillary of a common port optical fiber which is not adhered to the second lens (L2) The arm and the common port optical fiber of any one of the plurality of ordinary port optical fibers are connected to the air port optical fiber and the optical loss value between the first capillary and the first lens of the general port optical fiber to be aligned, An optical loss meter for measuring a light loss value between a second capillary and a second lens to be aligned in an unbonded state and transmitting the measured optical loss value to a control computer, Axis motor and a Z-axis motor for linearly moving the X-axis motor and the Z-axis motor in the Z-axis direction, and a three-axis moving actuator configured to receive the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter, A control computer for generating and outputting a coordinate data value for minimizing the optical loss value based on the received current optical loss value; and a controller for generating a motor drive control signal in accordance with the coordinate data value received from the control computer, And a motor drive control unit for outputting the driving force to the actuator. The holding arm moves to a position corresponding to the coordinate data in which optical loss is minimized according to the operation of the three-axis moving actuator, whereby the first capillary And the second capillary is aligned at a position where the optical loss value is minimized with respect to the first lens or the second capillary is aligned at a position where the optical loss value is minimum with respect to the second lens.

In order to accomplish the above object, there is provided a method for automatically aligning a capillary lens of a multi-core rotary optical switch, comprising the steps of: setting a reference point (S612); inputting an optical loss value from the optical loss meter to a control computer (S614) A step S616 of inputting an automatic alignment command from the automatic alignment command key input unit, a step S618 of linearly moving the holding arm 120 holding the capillary along the X-axis direction, A step S620 of stopping the linear motion of the X-axis motor at a position of the minimum optical loss of the Y-axis, a step S622 of linearly moving the holding arm holding the capillary along the Y- (S624) of stopping the linear motion of the Y-axis motor at the position of the Y-axis of the minimum optical loss in the direction (S624); a step (S626) in which the holding arm holding the capillary linearly moves along the Z- Z < / RTI > at the position of the Z axis of the minimum optical loss in the axial direction Is characterized in that comprises a step (S628) to the linear motion of the motor is stopped.

The capillary lens automatic alignment system and method of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to the present invention having the above-described configuration has the following effects.

Alignment between the capillary and the lens Let the control process find the coordinate data with the minimum optical loss (optical characteristics with an average insertion loss of less than 0.8 dB) in the control computer and move the capillary based on this coordinate data the operation time of the alignment operation can be minimized.

In addition, there is an effect that reliability can be improved by reducing deviation of optical alignment of the product.

Moreover, the automatic alignment can be performed automatically by the control computer without depending on the skill level of the operator, so that the productivity of the sorting operation can be increased by about 30 to 40% or more.

In addition, there is an effect that the production cost of the product can be reduced by reducing the labor cost of the work.

1 is a perspective view of a main portion of a general multi-core rotary optical switch.
2 is a state diagram of a process of aligning the capillaries M1 and M2 with the lenses L1 and L2 in a general multi-core rotary optical switch.
3 shows a state in which the capillaries M1 and M2 are held by the holding arm 120 in the capillary lens automatic alignment system of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 (a) is a plan view of the main part, and Fig. 3 (b) is a side view of the main part.
4 is a block diagram of a capillary lens automatic alignment system of a multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block configuration diagram of the three-axis moving actuator 160 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart of a method of automatically aligning a capillary lens of a multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a step S620 of stopping the linear movement of the X-axis motor 161 at the position of the minimum optical loss in the X-axis direction in FIG. 6, A step (S624) of stopping the linear movement of the motor 163 and a step (S626) of stopping the linear movement of the Z-axis motor 165 at the position of the Z-axis of the minimum optical loss in the Z-axis direction.
Fig. 8 is a lamp showing the concept of a minimum optical loss value according to a coordinate value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a capillary lens automatic alignment system for a multi-core rotary optical switch according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in the figure, the capillary lens automatic alignment system for a multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base 10, a switching motor 20 mounted on the base 10, A lens array plate 103 provided in front of the switching motor 20 and having a plurality of first lens insertion holes 103a formed at regular intervals along a circumference; A plurality of first lenses L1 that enlarge the light irradiated from the optical fiber C1 and make parallel light at the end thereof and a plurality of second lenses L1 that are provided so as to correspond to the first lens L1 in a one- A plurality of common port optical fibers C1 having a first capillary M1 attached to the first lens L1 by an adhesive (not shown) after being aligned with the lens array L1, One end of the switching motor 20 is fixed to the axis of the switching motor 20, A rotary arm 104 having a second lens insertion hole 104a formed on the other side thereof for aligning with a first lens insertion hole 103a formed in the lens array plate 103, L1 from the first lens L1 and receives the collimated light emitted from the first lens L1 and transmits the received light to the common port optical fiber C2 (C2) through the second lens insertion hole 104a of the rotary arm 104, (Not shown) after the second lens L2 is aligned with the second lens L2. The second lens L2 is disposed on the second lens L2, And a common port optical fiber (C2) having a second capillary (M2) attached to the capillary (M1, M2) attached to the capillary (M1, M2) And an automatic alignment system capable of automatically aligning the lenses L1 and L2.

In the capillary lens automatic alignment system of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first capillary of the general port optical fiber (C1), which is not in contact with the first lens (L1) A holding arm 120 for holding the second capillary M2 of the common port optical fiber C2 to be aligned and not bonded to the first lens L1 or the second lens L2, One of the ordinary port optical fiber C1 and the common port optical fiber C2 of the fiber C1 is connected and the first capillary M1 of the general port optical fiber C1 to be aligned, The optical loss value between the first lens L1 and the second capillary M2 and the second lens L2 to be aligned is measured and the measured optical loss value is transmitted to the control computer 140 and the holding arm 120 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, respectively, A three-axis moving actuator 160 including an X-axis motor 161, a Y-axis motor 163 and a Z-axis motor 165 that linearly move the optical axis of the X- And generating and outputting coordinate data values (X-axis coordinate data value, Y-axis coordinate data value, and Z-axis coordinate data value) for minimizing the optical loss value based on the received current optical loss value (X-axis motor drive control signal, Y-axis motor drive control signal, Z-axis motor drive control signal) in accordance with the coordinate data value received from the control computer 140, And a motor drive control unit (150) for outputting the signal to the actuator (160).

As the holding arm 120 moves to a position where the optical loss is minimized according to the operation of the triaxial moving actuator 160, the first capillary M1 is moved to the first lens L1, And the second capillary (M2) is aligned at a position where the optical loss value is minimized with respect to the second lens (L2).

In the capillary lens automatic alignment system of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to the embodiment of the present invention, the alignment target for minimizing the optical loss is the alignment between the first capillary M1 and the first lens L1 Or the second capillary M2 has an alignment between the second lenses L2 so that the object to be held by the holding arm 120 can be either the first capillary M1 or the second capillary M2.

In the capillary lens automatic alignment system of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control computer 140 controls the optical loss of the capillary lens according to the current optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130, Axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) received from the control computer 140. The motor drive control unit 150 generates and outputs an X-axis coordinate data value (x, Axis motor 161 to drive the X-axis motor 161 according to the minimum optical loss value (0, 0), and outputs the generated X-axis motor drive control signal to the three- Axis motor driving stop command data to the motor drive control unit 150 in order to stop the driving of the X-axis motor 161 when inputting the minimum optical loss value at the time of driving the X-axis motor) (150) outputs a drive stop control signal to the three-axis moving actuator (160) After the driving of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped and the driving of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped, the optical loss value is minimized based on the current optical loss value received from the optical loss measuring device 130 Axis coordinate data value (0, y, 0) to be received from the control computer 140, and the motor drive control unit 150 generates and outputs the Y-axis coordinate data value (0, Axis motor drive control signal for driving the Y-axis motor 163 and outputs it to the three-axis moving actuator 160. [

When the minimum optical loss value (minimum optical loss value at the time of driving the Y-axis motor) is input while the Y-axis motor 163 is driven, the Y-axis motor drive stop command The motor drive control unit 150 outputs the drive stop control signal to the motor drive control unit 150. The motor drive control unit 150 outputs the drive stop control signal to the three axis movement actuator 160 to stop the driving of the Y axis motor 163, After the driving of the motor 163 is stopped, a Z-axis coordinate data value (0, 0, z) for minimizing the optical loss value is generated based on the current optical loss value received from the optical loss measuring device 130 And the motor drive control unit 150 outputs a Z-axis motor drive control signal for driving the Z-axis motor 165 in accordance with the Z-axis coordinate data value (0, 0, z) received from the control computer 140 And outputs it to the three-axis moving actuator 160. [0033] FIG.

When the minimum optical loss value (minimum optical loss value at the time of driving the Z-axis motor) is input while the Z-axis motor 165 is driven, the Z-axis motor drive stop command The motor drive control unit 150 outputs the drive stop control signal to the motor drive control unit 150. The motor drive control unit 150 outputs the drive stop control signal to the three axis movement actuator 160 to stop the driving of the Z axis motor 165 do.

In the capillary lens automatic alignment system of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control computer 140 receives the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130, Axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) to generate a linear movement in the + X axis direction or the -X axis direction along the X axis, Axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) so as to linearly move in the same direction when the value is smaller than the previous optical loss value, and outputs the X- Axis motor data value (x, 0, 0) so as to linearly move in the opposite direction when the X-axis motor 161 is larger than the minimum optical loss value Axis motor 161 is stopped, the driving of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped Axis motor driving stop command data to the motor driving control unit 150. The motor driving control unit 150 that receives the stopping command data outputs the driving stop control signal to the three axis moving actuator 160 and outputs the driving stop control signal to the X axis motor 161 Is stopped.

The control computer 140 receives the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130 and then controls the holding arm 120 so that the holding arm 120 performs linear movement in the + Y axis direction or the -Y axis direction along the Y axis If the optical loss value received from the optical loss measuring device 130 is smaller than the previous optical loss value after generating and outputting the axis coordinate data value (0, y, 0), the Y axis coordinate data value Axis coordinate data values (0, y, 0) so as to linearly move in the opposite direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is larger than the previous optical loss value, Axis motor 163 to stop driving when the minimum optical loss value (minimum optical loss value at the time of driving the Y-axis motor) is inputted while the Y-axis motor 163 is driven Y-axis motor drive stop command data to the motor drive control unit 150, and at this time, Such controller 150 is driven in the Y-axis motor 163 is stopped hayeoseo outputs a drive stop control signal to the three-axis moving actuator 160. The

After receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss measuring device 130, the control computer 140 causes the holding arm 120 to move in the + Z-axis direction or the -Z-axis direction along the Z- If the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is smaller than the previous optical loss value after generating and outputting the axis coordinate data value (0, 0, z), the Z axis coordinate data value 0, 0, z), and outputs the Z axis coordinate data values (0, 0, 0, 0, z) so as to linearly move in the opposite direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is larger than the previous optical loss value. axis motor 165 to stop driving the Z-axis motor 165 when the minimum optical loss value (minimum optical loss value at the time of driving the Z-axis motor) is input while the Z-axis motor 165 is driven The Z-axis motor drive stop command data is output to the motor drive control section 150. At this time, Drive control system 150 is driven in the Z-axis motor 165 is stopped hayeoseo outputs a drive stop control signal to the three-axis moving actuator 160. The

Accordingly, the control computer 140 adjusts the X-coordinate value of the instant at which the optical loss value is the smallest in the process of linear motion of the holding arm in the X-axis (left-right direction) It is determined as a data value and the drive stop command data is output at this time.

Likewise, the control computer 140 sets the Y coordinate value at the instant of the smallest optical loss value as the Y axis coordinate data value of the minimum optical loss value in the process of linearly moving the holding arm (Y) along the Y axis (front and rear) And at this time, the driving stop command data is output, and the Z coordinate value at the moment when the holding arm () moves linearly in the vertical direction along the Z axis (up and down direction) Z axis coordinate data value, and at this time, the drive stop command data is output.

In the capillary lens automatic alignment system of the multi-core rotary optical switch according to the embodiment of the present invention, when generating the coordinates corresponding to the minimum optical loss value, the control computer 140 controls the X, Y, Z motor (161, 163, 165) is divided into a plurality of stages and generated. In particular, the scale of the motor moving step is narrowed from a larger one to a smaller one.

For example, in the case of generating by dividing into four steps, the first stage search (Here, the term "search" means searching for a coordinate value corresponding to the minimum optical loss value, which generates a coordinate data value, , The coordinate of the coordinate movement is the largest search. For example, the coordinate is generated and output in units of 100 motor moving steps, and the two-step search is performed on the scale The three-step search is a search with a smaller scale than the two-step search, and generates and outputs coordinates in units of 10 motor move steps. Coordinates are generated and outputted in units of one motor moving step as a search with a small scale.

As described above, when the scale is divided and the coordinate data value is generated and output so that the scale of the motor moving step becomes larger and the scale of the motor moving step becomes smaller, the coordinate data value that minimizes the optical loss is found There is an advantage to be able to.

In a capillary lens automatic alignment system of a multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, a movement limit setting unit 141 for setting a movement limit in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z- And an automatic alignment command key input unit 142, which is a user interface for inputting an automatic alignment command.

In the capillary lens automatic alignment system of a multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, the three-axis moving actuator 160 may include various known arrangements in which linear movement is performed in three axes known before application of the present invention Lt; / RTI >

The three-axis moving actuator 160 includes, for example, a Z-axis motor 165 for moving the holding arm 120 in the + Z or -Z direction along the Z axis, and a Z- Axis linear motion module 166 that converts the rotational motion of the Z-axis motor 165 into a linear motion and includes the holding arm 120 and linearly moves along the Z axis, A Y-axis motor 163 for moving the Y-axis motor 163 in the + Y or -Y direction along the Y axis, and a Y-axis motor 163 connected to the Y-axis motor 163 for converting the rotational motion of the Y- A Y axis linear motion module 164 having the holding arm 120 and linearly moving along the Y axis and an X axis motor for moving the holding arm 120 in the + X or -X direction along the X axis, (161), a holding arm (120) connected to a rotation axis of the X-axis motor (161) Axis linear motion module 162 may be configured as a linear motion module and the Y axis linear motion module 164 may be mounted on the Z axis linear motion module 166. In this case, The motion module may be configured to be mounted on the Y axis linear motion module 164.

Next, a capillary lens automatic alignment method of a multi-core rotary optical switch according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, a step S610 of setting a limit range to be moved in the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis is performed through the movement limit setting unit 141 of the control computer 140.

The reference point is set by initializing the current position coordinates (e.g., (0, 0, 0)) by inputting the initialization key (not shown) of the control computer 140 (S612).

Now, the optical loss value is inputted in real time from the optical loss meter 130 to the control computer 140 (S614).

Alignment is automatically performed between the capillaries M1 and M2 and the lenses L1 and L2 when an automatic alignment command is input from the automatic alignment command key input unit 142 in step S616.

As described above, when the holding arm 120 holds the first capillary M1, the first capillary M1 is aligned with the first lens L1, and the second capillary M2 The second capillary M2 is aligned with the second lens L2. Hereinafter, the first capillary M1 will be referred to as the first lens L1 so as to minimize the light loss An example of alignment is described below.

The holding arm 120 holding the first capillary M1 is linearly moved along the X-axis direction by the linear movement of the X-axis motor 161 (S618).

In the course of the linear motion of the X-axis motor 161, the control computer 140 finds the X-axis coordinate data value (the coordinate value of x3 in FIG. 8) that minimizes the optical loss, The linear motion of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped at the position of the axis (S620), as described below.

The flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is applied to both the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.

As shown in Fig. 7, the step (S620) of stopping the linear movement of the X-axis motor 161 at the position (for example, x3) of the X-axis of the minimum optical loss in the X-axis direction is performed by the following steps.

First, the control computer 140 receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130 sets the X axis coordinate data value (X axis coordinate value) so that the holding arm 120 performs a linear movement in the + X axis direction or the -X axis direction along the X axis (x, 0, 0) is generated and output (S710).

The motor drive control unit 150 generates an X axis motor drive control signal for driving the X axis motor 161 based on the X axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) from the control computer 140, And outputs it to the actuator 160 (S712).

Then, the X-axis motor 161 receives the X-axis motor drive control signal and rotates so that the X-axis linear motion module 162 linearly moves in the X-axis direction (S714).

The holding arm 120 linearly moves in the X-axis direction in accordance with the linear movement of the X-axis linear motion module 162 (S716).

After the holding arm 120 linearly moves in the X-axis direction (S716), the current optical loss value and the X-axis coordinate data value (x, 0,0) received from the optical loss meter 130 are generated (S718) of comparing the magnitude of the received optical loss value (hereinafter referred to as the previous optical loss value) by the control computer 140 is performed before the step S710.

When the present optical loss value is larger by comparing the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value (for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding arm moves in the x4-> x5 direction (+ X axis direction) Of the holding arm 120 is x4 and the current X coordinate is x5) and the X axis coordinate data value (in the direction opposite to the direction [x4 -> x5 direction (+ X axis direction) (For example, any one of x1, x2, and x3) (S720).

When the X axis coordinate data value in the direction opposite to the direction in which the holding arm 120 is moved is output as described above (S720), the motor drive control unit 150 receiving the X axis coordinate data outputs the X axis motor drive control signal again The X-axis motor 161 rotates (S714), and the holding arm 120 moves linearly in the opposite direction (S716)

Then, the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value are again compared (S718).

The above process is repeated n times (n: two or more natural numbers) because the X axis coordinate data value (x3) having the minimum loss value can be found by increasing the number of iterations repeatedly.

If the current optical loss value is smaller than the previous optical loss value by comparing the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value, the holding arm moves in the x1 -> x2 direction (+ X axis direction) (For example, n: 2 or more natural number) of the optical loss value (step S722), and determines whether the optical loss value (For example, 20 times), the X axis coordinate data value in the direction in which the holding arm 120 moves (the holding arm is x1 - > x2 direction (+ X axis direction) so that the previous X coordinate is x1, and the current X coordinate is x3 when x is 2) (S723).

After outputting the X-axis coordinate data value (x3 in the above example) in the moving direction of the holding arm 120 (S712), the X-axis motor drive control signal is outputted (S712) S714), the holding arm 120 moves linearly (S716), the current optical loss value is compared with the previous optical loss value (S718), and the step of comparing the optical loss value magnitude difference comparison judgment number : A natural number of 2 or more) (S722) is repeated n times.

(S722). If it is determined that the number of times of comparison of magnitude difference between the optical loss values has reached the set number of times (S722) Axis motor drive stop command to the motor drive control unit 150 (S726). The motor drive control unit 150 outputs the X-axis motor drive stop command to the motor drive control unit 150 The control unit 150 outputs the X-axis motor drive stop control signal to the X-axis motor 161, whereby the X-axis motor 161 is stopped.

After the linear movement of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped on the basis of the X-axis coordinate data value having the minimum optical loss as described above, in order to prevent collision with the first lens L1, Axis direction may be slightly retracted in the -X-axis direction.

After finding the minimum optical loss position of the X-axis as described above, the step S622 of linearly moving the Y-axis motor 163 linearly along the Y-axis direction is performed by linearly moving the Y-axis motor 163, The linear motion of the Y-axis motor 163 is stopped at the position of the Y-axis of the minimum optical loss of the X-axis linear motion (S624), which is the same method as the X-axis linear motion.

The step (S624) of stopping the linear movement of the Y-axis motor 163 at the position of the Y-axis of the minimum optical loss in the Y-axis direction is performed as the following steps.

That is, the control computer 140 receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130 determines that the holding arm 120 performs a linear movement in the + Y axis direction or the -Y axis direction along the Y axis, (0, y, 0) is generated and output (S710).

The motor drive control unit 150 generates a Y-axis motor drive control signal for driving the Y-axis motor 163 based on the Y-axis coordinate data value (0, y, 0) from the control computer 140, And outputs it to the actuator 160 (S712).

The Y-axis linear motion module 164 linearly moves in the Y-axis direction by rotating the Y-axis motor 163 which received the Y-axis motor drive control signal (S714).

The holding arm 120 moves linearly in the Y-axis direction in accordance with the linear motion of the Y-axis linear motion module 164 (S716). When the holding arm 120 linearly moves in the Y-axis direction, Will be.

Before the step S710 of generating and outputting the current optical loss value (actually, the changed optical loss value) received from the optical loss meter 130 and the Y axis coordinate data value (0, y, 0) And compares the magnitude of one optical loss value (hereinafter referred to as a previous optical loss value) (S718).

If the current optical loss value is larger by comparing the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value (S718), the Y axis coordinate data value in the opposite direction to the direction in which the holding arm 120 is moved is output (S720).

After the Y-axis coordinate data value in the opposite direction to the direction in which the holding arm 120 is moved, the Y-axis motor drive control signal is output (S712), the Y-axis motor 163 rotates (S714 , The holding arm 120 performs a linear movement (S716), and the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value are compared (S718) n times, and the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value If the current optical loss value is smaller than the previous optical loss value by the size comparison (S718), it is determined whether or not the number of times of judging whether or not the magnitude difference of the optical loss value reaches the set number of times (for example, natural number of n: 2 or more) S722). If it is determined that the number of times of judging the magnitude difference of the optical loss value has not reached the preset number of times (S722), the Y axis coordinate data value in the moving direction of the holding arm 120 is outputted (S723).

After the step S723 of outputting the Y-axis coordinate data in the moving direction of the holding arm 120, the Y-axis motor driving control signal is outputted (S712), the Y-axis motor 163 is rotated (S714), the holding arm 120 moves linearly (S716), the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value are compared (S718), and the optical loss value magnitude difference comparison judgment number is set to a predetermined number n: a natural number of 2 or more) (S722) is repeated n times.

If it is determined in step S722 that the number of times of comparing the optical loss value has reached the preset number of times, the optical loss value of the current Y axis is Y (S724) of outputting Y-axis motor drive stop command data to the motor drive control section 150 (S726); and a motor drive control section 150 The step 728 of outputting the Y-axis motor drive stop control signal to the Y-axis motor 163 is performed, and then the Y-axis motor 163 is stopped.

After the position of the holding arm 120 is set at the minimum optical loss position of the Y axis as described above, the holding arm 120 is stopped at the position of the minimum optical loss of the Z axis.

The holding arm 120 linearly moves along the Z-axis direction to find the minimum optical loss position of the Z-axis (S626), and the linear motion of the Z-axis motor 165 stops at the position of the minimum optical loss in the Z- (S628).

The step S624 of stopping the linear movement of the Z-axis motor 165 at the position of the Z-axis of the minimum optical loss in the Z-axis direction is performed in the following procedure.

The control computer 140 that has received the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130 sets the Z axis coordinate data value 0 (zero) so that the holding arm 120 performs linear movement in the + Z axis direction or the -Z axis direction along the Z axis , 0, z) is generated and output (S710).

The motor drive control section 150 generates a Z-axis motor drive control signal for driving the Z-axis motor 165 based on the Z-axis coordinate data value (0, 0, z) received from the control computer 140, And outputs it to the axial movement actuator 160 (S712).

The Z-axis linear motion module 166 linearly moves in the Z-axis direction by rotating the Z-axis motor 165 that has received the Z-axis motor drive control signal (S714).

The holding arm 120 linearly moves in the Z-axis direction according to the linear movement of the Z-axis linear motion module 166 (S716).

Generating and outputting a current optical loss value and a Z axis coordinate data value (0, 0, z) received from the optical loss meter 130 after the holding arm 120 performs linear movement in the Z axis direction (S716) (Hereinafter referred to as the previous optical loss value) received before the step S710 (S718).

If the current optical loss value is larger by comparing the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value at step S718, the control computer 140 controls the Z Axis coordinate data value is output (S720).

After outputting the Z axis coordinate data value in the direction opposite to the direction in which the holding arm 120 is moved, the Z axis motor drive control signal is output (S712), and the Z axis motor 165 rotates ( S714), the holding arm 120 moves linearly (S716), and the step S718 of comparing the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value is repeated n times.

If the current optical loss value is smaller than the previous optical loss value by comparing the current optical loss value and the previous optical loss value at step S718, (S722). If the number of times of judging whether or not the magnitude difference of the optical loss value has not reached the set number of times (S722), it is determined whether the Z axis coordinate data in the direction in which the holding arm 120 moves (S723).

After the step of outputting the Z axis coordinate data value in the moving direction of the holding arm 120, the Z axis motor driving control signal is outputted (S712), the Z axis motor 165 rotates (S714 (S718) comparing the current optical loss value with the previous optical loss value, and comparing the current optical loss value with the previous optical loss value (S718) (A natural number of 2 or more) (S722) is repeated n times.

If it is determined in step S722 that the number of times of comparison of the size difference of the optical loss value has reached the set number of times (for example, n: natural number of 2 or more) (S722) (S724) judging the optical loss value of the current Z axis as the minimum optical loss value of the Z axis, outputting the Z-axis motor drive stop command data to the motor drive control section 150 (S726), and stopping the Z- The motor drive control unit 150 that has received the Z-axis motor drive stop control signal outputs the Z-axis motor drive stop control signal to the Z-axis motor 165 (step 728). As a result, the Z-axis motor 165 stops.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It is self-evident to those who have.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the present invention is not limited to the above description, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

10: Base 20: Switching motor
103: lens array plate 103a: first lens insertion hole
L1: first lens M1: first capillary
C1: Common port optical fiber
104a: second lens insertion hole 104: rotary arm
L2: second lens M2: second capillary
C2: common port optical fiber 110: multi-core rotary optical switch
120: Holding arm 130: Optical loss meter
140: control computer 150: motor drive control unit
160: Three-axis moving actuator 161: X-axis motor
163: Y-axis motor 165: Z-axis motor

Claims (4)

A plurality of first lens insertion holes 103a formed in the front of the switching motor 20 along the circumference of the switching motor 20 at equal intervals A plurality of first lenses L1 inserted in the lens array plate 103 and a plurality of second lenses L1 arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first lenses L1, A plurality of common port optical fibers C1 having a first capillary M1 attached to the first lens L1 by an adhesive after being aligned with the first lens L1, One side of the front end is fixed to the axis of the switching motor 20 and rotated according to the rotation of the switching motor 20 and the other side is aligned with the first lens insertion hole 103a formed in the lens array plate 103 A rotary arm 104 having a second lens insertion hole 104a formed therein and a second lens 102a of the rotary arm 104 spaced apart from the first lens L1, A second lens L2 inserted into the insertion hole 104a and a second capillary M2 attached to the second lens L2 by an adhesive after the alignment with the second lens L2, And a single common port optical fiber (C2) provided in the multi-core rotary optical switch (110)
A1 The present invention relates to an automatic alignment system for automatically aligning capillaries M1, M2 and lenses L1, L2,
The first capillary M1 of the general port optical fiber C1 or the second port L2 of the common port optical fiber C1 to be aligned, which is not bonded to the first lens L1, A holding arm 120 for holding a second capillary M2 of the first and second capillaries C2,
Any one ordinary port optical fiber C1 and the common port optical fiber C2 of the plurality of common port optical fibers C1 are connected and the first capillary of the general port optical fiber C1 to be aligned, The optical loss value between the second capillary (M2) and the second lens (L2), which is an object to be aligned, is measured between the first lens (M1) and the first lens (L1) An optical loss meter 130 for transmitting a value to the control computer 140,
An X-axis motor 161 that linearly moves the holding arm 120 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, a Y-axis motor 163, and a Z-axis motor 165, (160)
A control computer 140 for receiving a current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130 and generating and outputting a coordinate data value for minimizing the optical loss value based on the received current optical loss value,
And a motor drive control unit (150) for generating a motor drive control signal in accordance with the coordinate data value received from the control computer (140) and outputting the motor drive control signal to the three-axis movable actuator (160)
The holding arm 120 is moved to a position corresponding to the coordinate data in which the optical loss is minimized according to the operation of the three-axis moving actuator 160, whereby the first capillary M1 is moved to the position Or the second capillary (M2) is aligned at a position where the optical loss value is minimized with the second lens (L2), and the second capillary
The control computer (140)
Axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) for minimizing the optical loss value based on the current optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130,
The motor drive control unit 150 generates an X axis motor drive control signal for driving the X axis motor 161 in accordance with the X axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) received from the control computer 140 And outputs it to the three-axis moving actuator 160,
When the minimum optical loss value is input during the driving of the X-axis motor 161, the X-axis motor drive stop command data is output to the motor drive control section 150 to stop the driving of the X-axis motor 161, The motor drive control unit 150 outputs the drive stop control signal to the three-axis moving actuator 160, so that the driving of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped,
After the driving of the X-axis motor 161 is stopped, the Y-axis coordinate data value (0, y, 0) for minimizing the optical loss value based on the current optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 And outputs it,
The motor drive control unit 150 generates a Y axis motor drive control signal for driving the Y axis motor 163 in accordance with the Y axis coordinate data value (0, y, 0) received from the control computer 140 And outputs it to the three-axis moving actuator 160,
When the minimum optical loss value is input while the Y-axis motor 163 is driven, the Y-axis motor drive stop command data is output to the motor drive control section 150 to stop the drive of the Y-axis motor 163, The motor drive control section 150 outputs a drive stop control signal to the three-axis moving actuator 160, so that the driving of the Y-axis motor 163 is stopped,
After the driving of the Y axis motor 163 is stopped, the Z axis coordinate data value (0,0, z) for minimizing the optical loss value based on the current optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 And outputs it,
The motor drive control unit 150 generates a Z-axis motor drive control signal for driving the Z-axis motor 165 in accordance with Z-axis coordinate data values (0, 0, z) received from the control computer 140 And outputs it to the three-axis moving actuator 160,
When the minimum optical loss value is inputted while the Z-axis motor 165 is driven, the Z-axis motor drive stop command data is outputted to the motor drive control section 150 to stop the driving of the Z-axis motor 165, The motor drive control section 150 outputs a drive stop control signal to the three-axis moving actuator 160, so that the driving of the Z-axis motor 165 is stopped,
The control computer (140)
After receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130, the X axis coordinate data values (x, 0, 0, 0, 0, (X, 0, 0) so as to linearly move in the same direction as the moving direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is smaller than the previous optical loss value after generating and outputting the X- Axis coordinate data value (x, 0, 0) so as to linearly move in a direction opposite to the moving direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is larger than the previous optical loss value, And outputs it,
When the minimum optical loss value is inputted while the X-axis motor 161 is driven, the X-axis motor drive stop command data is outputted to the motor drive control section 150 to stop the driving of the X-axis motor 161,
The control computer (140)
After receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130, the Y axis coordinate data value (0, y, y) is adjusted so that the holding arm 120 performs a linear movement in the + Y axis direction or- (0, y, 0) so as to linearly move in the same direction as the movement direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is smaller than the previous optical loss value after generating and outputting the Y- (0, y, 0) so as to linearly move in a direction opposite to the moving direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is larger than the previous optical loss value, And outputs it,
When the minimum optical loss value is inputted while the Y-axis motor 163 is driven, Y-axis motor drive stop command data is outputted to the motor drive control unit 150 to stop the driving of the Y-axis motor 163,
The control computer (140)
After receiving the current optical loss value from the optical loss meter 130, the Z axis coordinate data values (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, (0, 0, z) so as to linearly move in the same direction as the moving direction when the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is smaller than the previous optical loss value after generating and outputting the Z- If the optical loss value received from the optical loss meter 130 is larger than the previous optical loss value, the Z axis coordinate data value (0, 0, z) is calculated so as to linearly move in a direction opposite to the moving direction And outputs it,
And outputs the Z-axis motor drive stop command data to the motor drive control unit 150 to stop the driving of the Z-axis motor 165 when the minimum optical loss value is inputted while the Z-axis motor 165 is driven,
In the control computer 140,
A movement limit setting section 141 for setting a movement limit in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions,
An automatic sorting command key input unit 142, which is a user interface for inputting an automatic sorting command,
The three-axis moving actuator 160,
A Z-axis motor 165 for moving the holding arm 120 in the + Z or -Z direction along the Z axis,
A Z-axis linear motion module (not shown) which is connected to the rotation axis of the Z-axis motor 165 and converts the rotational motion of the Z-axis motor 165 into a linear motion and has the holding arm 120 and linearly moves along the Z- 166,
A Y-axis motor 163 for moving the holding arm 120 in the + Y or -Y direction along the Y axis,
A Y-axis linear motion module 170 connected to the rotation axis of the Y-axis motor 163 to convert a rotational motion of the Y-axis motor 163 into a linear motion, (164)
An X-axis motor 161 for moving the holding arm 120 in the + X or -X direction along the X axis,
And an X-axis linear motion module (162) connected to the rotation axis of the X-axis motor (161) and provided with the holding arm (120) and linearly moving along the X axis. Capillary lens automatic alignment system.
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