JPH0610325Y2 - Optical fiber cable connection mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention moves one of the optical fiber cables connected to each other toward the other fixed optical fiber cable, and abuts the connection end faces of the two. The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable connection mechanism for aligning optical axes with each other.

[Prior Art] In the case of n ₁ : n ₂ (mainly n ₁ = 1 and n ₂ ≧ 1) optical path switching in an optical fiber cable (hereinafter abbreviated as optical fiber), the mutual connecting surfaces of the optical fibers to be connected. Alignment of
That is, in the optical axis alignment, high accuracy is required because the axis deviation directly leads to a great connection loss. For this purpose, generally, one optical fiber (n ₁ side) to be connected is incorporated into a slide mechanism formed by combining a ball screw, a stepping motor, etc., and the other optical fiber (n _{1
The second} side) is fixed and the slide mechanism is operated to move one optical fiber to the other optical fiber to be connected to perform optical axis alignment.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in the above case, the following problems to be solved remain.

The movement resolution is limited by the stepping motor.

The weight of the slide mechanism increases to ensure high accuracy.

When referring to the light level for optical axis alignment, a complicated field back mechanism is required.

In particular, if the number of optical fibers on the n ₂ side is large, the above tendency becomes remarkable and the practicality is lacking.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, in which one optical fiber cable of optical fiber cables connected to each other is used as a mobile unit and the other optical fiber cable is used. Are installed on the fixed unit so that they are parallel to each other, and the moving unit is moved so that the connecting end faces of both optical fiber cables are butted to match the optical axes, and the moving unit is an optical fiber. It comprises a connector into which a cable is inserted and a casing into which this connector is inserted, and a predetermined distance between the connector and the casing is such that both can be relatively moved in the radial direction of the optical fiber cable. And the optical axis alignment on either side of the connector and the fixed unit facing each other. It is characterized in that the mating convex portion has a concave portion that fits into the convex portion on the other side, and that at least one of the convex portion and the concave portion is tapered so as to guide the connector. .

[Operation] According to the optical fiber cable connection mechanism of the present invention, the moving unit is moved until the optical axes of the optical fiber cables on the moving unit side and the fixed unit side are substantially aligned, and then the moving unit is fixed unit. Move closer to the side.
At this time, the radial deviation of the optical axes of the two optical fiber cables is caused by the convex portion formed on either the connector or the fixed unit being guided by the concave portion on the other side by the tapered surface to move the connector in the radial direction. It is corrected by. The connector can be moved by the gap provided between the connector and the casing. As a result, the optical axes of the two optical fiber cables coincide with each other.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a moving unit, and 2 is a flat plate-shaped fixed unit which is arranged so as to face the moving unit 1.

The moving unit 1 includes a casing structure 3 having a U-shaped cross section.
A cylindrical casing 3 formed by combining a and 3a and a cylindrical connector 4 inserted coaxially with the casing 3 are provided inside the casing 3. Mobile unit 1
Are moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) along the surface of the fixed unit 2 and the directions orthogonal thereto (the directions indicated by arrows A and B, respectively).

An optical fiber F ₁ is inserted into the connector 4 from a hollow portion 5 as a guide formed on the rear side (left side in the drawing), and the connecting end face of the optical fiber F ₁ is connected to the connector 4. 4 is exposed in a recess 6 (an end surface on the right side in the figure) formed at the tip. A lens 7 whose optical axis matches that of the optical fiber F ₁ is arranged in the recess 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the end face of the outer peripheral portion 6a forming the recess 6 at the tip of the connector 4 is divided into four equal parts (upper, left, right) of the circumference thereof in an inverted V shape (tapered shape) along the radial direction. ) Convex part 8
Are provided integrally with the connector 4.

The axial length of the connector 4 is slightly longer than that of the casing 3, both ends of which project from both ends of the casing 3, and in this state, the inner peripheral surface of the opening at both ends of the casing 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the connector 4 are connected. The connector 4 is set in the casing 3 so that there is a gap of length d ₁ therebetween.

In addition, in the axial center of the connector 4 and the outer periphery on the slightly tip side,
A flange portion 10 is formed to extend into a space 9 between the outer peripheral surface of the connector 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the casing 3. A plurality of columnar spring holders 11 having large diameters at both ends (only two can be seen in FIG. 1) are inserted in the space 10 in parallel with the axial direction of the connector 4 and in the collar portion 10. It is distributed in the state. A coil spring 12 in a natural length state is interposed between the large diameter portion 11a on the rear end side of the spring holder 11 and the collar portion 10. In addition, lengths d ₂ and d ₃ are respectively provided between the ends of the spring holder 11 and the axial direction of the casing.
The gap is set.

On the other hand, the fixed unit 2 has a plurality of circular recesses 14 along the vertical direction on the entire surface side (left side in the drawing) facing the moving unit 1 of the unit plate 13 fixed upright on a base (not shown) or the like. Optical fibers F ₂ and F ₃ are inserted into the unit plate 13 from the tapered recesses 15 formed as guides on the rear surface side of the unit plate 13 toward the respective recesses 14, These optical fibers F ₂ ,
The joint end face of F ₃ is exposed at the center of the bottom surface of the recess 14.

Further, an inside the recess 14, wherein the connection end face in front of each of the optical fiber F _2, F _3, the optical axis is lens 16 matches that of the optical fiber F _2, F ₃ is provided There is.

On the front surface of the unit plate 13, as shown in FIG.
A V-shaped (tapered) vertical groove 17 extending between the recesses 14 and passing through the center of the recesses 14, and a V-shaped vertical groove 17 passing through the center of the recesses 14 at right angles to the vertical groove 17 ( A lateral groove 18 having a tapered shape is formed. The spread angles of the vertical groove 17 and the horizontal groove 18 are the same as those of the connector 4 of the moving unit 1.
A little wider than the angle of the inverted V-shaped convex portion 8 protruding from the tip,
These four convex portions 8 are respectively the vertical groove 17 and the horizontal groove 18.
It is designed to fit in. At this time, the optical axes of the optical fiber F ₁ and the lens 7 on the moving unit 1 side and the optical axes of the optical fiber F ₂ (F ₃ ) and the lens 16 on the fixed unit 2 side are positioned so as to coincide with each other. It is like this.

Next, the operation of the optical fiber connecting mechanism having the above configuration will be described by taking the case of connecting the optical fibers F ₁ and F ₂ as an example.

The moving unit 1 is moved along the surface of the unit plate 13 of the fixed unit 2 so that the optical axes of both the optical fibers F ₁ and F ₂ are substantially aligned. At this time, the tip of each convex portion 8 of the connector 4 is located within the range of the vertical groove 17 and the horizontal groove 18 of the corresponding unit plate 13 (within both ends in the width direction).

Then move the moving unit 1 to the unit plate 13 side,
The respective convex portions 8 of the connector 4 are fitted into the corresponding vertical grooves 17 and horizontal grooves 18, respectively. At this time, the tip of each convex portion 8 and the vertical groove 1
7. When the bottom of the lateral groove 18 is displaced in the radial direction, the gap d ₁ set between the connector 4 and the casing 3
As a result, the connector 4 is moved in the casing 3 in the radial direction opposite to the displacement, and the tips of the respective convex portions 8 are respectively formed in the vertical groove 1
7. Contact the bottom of the lateral groove 18. Thereby, the optical axis of the optical fiber F ₁ and the lens 7 of the mobile unit 1 side,
And the optical axis of the fixed unit 2 side of the optical fiber F ₂ and the lens 16 coincide with each other.

From this state, further move the moving unit 1 to the unit plate 1
Move to side 3. Then, only the casing 3 moves and the gap d ₂ disappears due to the gap d ₂ set between the large-diameter portion 11 a on the rear end side of the spring holder 11 in the moving unit 1 and the inner surface of the casing 3. Then, the connector 4 is pressed against the unit plate 13 by the coil spring 12, and when the pressing pressure reaches a certain value, the movement of the moving unit 1 to the unit plate 13 side is stopped.

As described above, the optical axes of the two optical fibers F ₁ and F ₂ are aligned with each other, and the coil spring 12 holds this state with an appropriate force. When the optical fiber F ₁ is connected to the optical fiber F ₃ , the moving unit 1 is moved to the optical fiber F ₃ side and the same operation as above is performed.

In the above connecting operation, it is not necessary to move the moving unit 1 with high precision until the optical axes of the optical fibers F ₁ and F ₂ are aligned with each other. 8 and the vertical groove 17 and the horizontal groove 18 of the unit plate 13 are engaged with each other. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the moving mechanism of the moving unit 1 without particularly setting it with high precision, and to reduce the weight and size. In addition, since the optical axis is aligned by the mechanical mechanism of fitting the convex portion 8 of the connector 4 with the vertical groove 17 and the horizontal groove 18, when the number of branches for the optical fiber F ₁ (two in the above embodiment) is large. However, the moving mechanism of the moving unit 1 does not need a feedback circuit.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify the description.

In the case of the present embodiment, as the moving unit 20, the one in which the ready-made optical fiber connector 21 is inserted into the casing 3 is used, while the fixed unit 22 corresponds to the unit plate 13 and the connector 21. Adapter 2
3 is attached.

The connector 21 has a ferrule (projection) 25 attached to the tip of the connector body 24, and the connection end face of the optical fiber F ₁ inserted from the rear end of the connector body 24 is supported by the ferrule 25. The ferrule 25 is attached to the tip of the connector body 24 so as to be radially movable within a predetermined range.

The connector 21 is inserted into a tubular connector support 26 and is inserted into the casing 3 together with the support 26. At this time, the inner peripheral surfaces of the openings at both ends of the casing 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the connector 21 are separated from each other. The connector 21 is set in the casing 3 so that there is a gap of length d ₁ therebetween.

In addition, the tip of the connector body 24 of the connector 20 (projection)
Protrudes slightly forward from the tip of the support tool 26, and the tip 24a is formed in a tapered shape. Further, the tip portion 25a of the ferrule 25 is also formed in a tapered shape.

A flange portion 27 similar to that of the connector 4 of the previous embodiment is formed on the outer periphery of the connector support tool 26.
In the space 9 between the casing 1 and the casing 3, a spring holder 11 inserted in the collar portion 27 is arranged.
The coil spring 12 is interposed between the rear-end large-diameter portion 11a and the collar portion 27 in a natural length state. A gap of length d ₂ and d ₃ is set between the ends of the spring holder 11 and the axial direction of the casing.

On the other hand, the adapter 23 on the side of the fixed unit 22 has a concave portion 28a and a hollow portion (concave portion) 28 into which the distal end portion of the connector body 24 of the connector 20 and the ferrule 25 are respectively fitted.
b, a cylindrical adapter body 28, a split sleeve 29 mounted around the hollow portion 28b, and a hollow portion 2
8b and a ferrule 30 into which an optical fiber F ₂ (not shown) is inserted from the rear end side (right side in the drawing). The adapter 23 directs the concave portion 28a toward the moving unit 20 side, and the optical fiber F
₂ is embedded in the unit plate 13 so as to be parallel to the optical fiber F ₁ .

According to the optical fiber connection mechanism of the present embodiment having the above configuration, the moving unit 20 is moved in the same manner as in the previous embodiment, so that the optical fibers F of both units 20 and 21 are moved.
_{Even if} the optical axes of ₁ and F ₂ are displaced from each other in the radial direction, the tapered distal end portion 24a of the connector body 24 and the tapered distal end portion 25a of the ferrule 25 serve as a guide, so that the connector 20 is a connector support tool. By moving the 26 together in the casing 3 in the radial direction, the tip of the connector 20 is fitted into the concave portion 28a of the adapter body 28, and the ferrule 25 is further inserted into the split sleeve 29 mounted in the hollow portion 28b of the adapter body 28. Mating.

At this time, the ferrule 25 is attached to the distal end portion of the connector body 24 so as to be movable in the radial direction within a predetermined range, so that the ferrule 25 moves in the radial direction and is inserted into the split sleeve 29 of the adapter 23. It is easy to fit.

As described above, the ferrules 25 and 30 on the moving unit 20 side and the fixed unit 21 side are brought into abutment with each other, and the optical fibers F ₁ and F ₂ have their optical axes aligned with each other.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the optical fiber cable connection mechanism of the present invention, it is not necessary to move the moving unit with high precision until the optical axes of the optical fiber cables to be connected coincide with each other. Since the optical axis alignment is performed by fitting the convex portion and the concave portion provided on the facing surface of the connector on the moving unit side and the fixed unit, the mechanism for moving the moving unit is set with high accuracy. It can be simplified without need, and even if there are a large number of branches, a feedback circuit is not required in the moving mechanism of the moving unit, so the structure does not become complicated, and therefore various effects such as weight reduction and size reduction are possible. Play.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 is a side sectional view, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an essential part, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of another embodiment. Is. 1, 20 ... Moving unit, 2, 22 ... Fixed unit, 3 ... Casing, 4, 21 ... Connector, 8 ... Convex portion, 17 ... Vertical groove (recessed portion), 18 ... Horizontal groove (recessed portion) , the tip of the 24a ...... connector body (convex portion), 25 ...... ferrule, 28a ...... recesses, 28b ...... hollow section, F _1, F ₂ ...... optical fiber cable, d ₁ ...... gap.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A fiber optic cable connected to each other (F _1, F _2, F ₃₎ into one optical fiber cable (F ₁₎ the mobile unit (1) of the other optical fiber cables (F _2, F ₃ ) is installed on the fixed unit (2) so as to be parallel to each other, and the moving unit is moved so that the connecting end faces of both optical fiber cables are butted against each other so that the optical axes coincide with each other. The moving unit comprises a connector (4) into which an optical fiber cable is inserted and a casing (3) into which the connector is inserted, and between the connector and the casing, an optical fiber cable is provided between them. Is provided with a predetermined gap (d ₁ ) so that it can be relatively moved in the radial direction of the connector, and either of the opposing surfaces of the connector and the fixed unit. A convex portion (8) for aligning the optical axis is provided on one side, and a concave portion (1) fitted to this convex portion is provided on the other side.
7, 18) is formed, and at least one of the convex portion and the concave portion is formed in a tapered shape so as to guide the connector.