Non-blocking optical switch
By using a non-locking optical switch structure and magnetic drive of the optical path conversion component and switch drive component, the problems of large size and poor reliability of traditional optical switches are solved, realizing the miniaturization of optical communication devices and efficient optical path switching.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202110662755.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-15
AI Technical Summary
Traditional mechanical optical switches are large in size and have a space-wasting structure, which cannot meet the miniaturization and integration requirements of optical communication devices. They also have long switching response times, high failure rates, and poor reliability.
It adopts a non-locking optical switch structure, realizes optical path switching through optical path conversion component and switch drive component, and uses magnetic force to drive the movement of optical path conversion component, avoiding the space occupation of traditional T-shaped structure. It adopts wedge surface and sleeve component design to realize beam deflection and reset.
It achieves miniaturization of optical switches, improves switching speed and reliability, extends service life, reduces space occupation, and is suitable for optical communication applications in a variety of occasions.
Smart Images

Figure CN113359240B_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical communication technology, in particular to a non-locking optical switch. BACKGROUND
[0002] As an important device for optical link switching, the optical switch plays an irreplaceable role in the field of optical communication. The traditional optical switch is usually divided into mechanical optical switch, acousto-optic modulation optical switch, electro-optic modulation optical switch, micro-precision mechanical optical switch and other types. Except for the mechanical optical switch, other types of optical switches are lack of cost performance and competitiveness due to high cost, especially in the case of fewer channel switching numbers and lower switching speed requirements, so the mechanical optical switch occupies a large part of the market.
[0003] The traditional mechanical optical switch mainly controls the optical path through the relay, fixes the optical elements (refracting prism, plane mirror, etc.) of the optical switch optical path on the armature part of the ordinary relay through extension modification, changes the transmission of the optical path by using the switching movement of the armature in the working process of the relay, so as to realize the switching of the optical path. The optical switch with the traditional structure adopts the form of mutual vertical space placement of the relay and the optical path of the optical element to form a T-shaped structure, which occupies a large space in use and is difficult to layout the optical structure and the optical path. In addition, since the traditional mechanical optical switch mainly realizes the effect of optical path switching by extending and modifying the traditional relay armature and installing optical elements, the best working load state of the relay is destroyed, and there are defects of long switching response time, high failure rate and poor reliability. The mechanical contact of the relay also causes the mechanical optical switch to have the problem of short service life.
[0004] With the development of optical communication technology, the miniaturization and integration of all optical communication devices have become the development trend of various device updates. The traditional mechanical optical switch is limited by the use conditions due to its relatively large size and the waste of space in the structure shape, and cannot meet the market demand. SUMMARY
[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a non-locking optical switch containing an optical path conversion assembly and a switch driving assembly, which can drive the optical path conversion assembly to switch the optical path of the non-locking optical switch through the switch driving assembly, thereby overcoming the problem of large space occupation of the T-shaped structure of the existing optical switch.
[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical scheme:
[0007] The non-locking optical switch comprises an optical path switching component and a switch driving component; the optical path switching component comprises a first light guide and a second light guide, the first light guide has opposite first and second end faces, the second light guide has opposite third and fourth end faces, the second and third end faces are opposite and adjacent to each other, when there is a gap between the second and third end faces, the light beam in the first light guide is deflected at the second end face and enters the second light guide through the third end face, or the light beam in the second light guide is deflected at the third end face and enters the first light guide through the second end face; the switch driving component comprises a first driving member, a second driving member and a reset member, the second driving member is arranged on the second light guide, the first driving member is used to drive the second driving member to move and drive the second light guide to move from an initial position to a target position, the second light guide has different gaps between the second end face of the first light guide and the third end face of the second light guide when in the initial position and the target position, and the reset member has an acting force to drive the second driving member to move and drive the second light guide to move from the target position to the initial position.
[0008] Preferably, the second end face of the first light guide and the third end face of the second light guide are wedge-shaped surfaces, when the second end face of the first light guide and the third end face of the second light guide are fitted, the light beam in the first light guide does not deflect when passing through the second end face and the third end face and enters the second light guide, or the light beam in the second light guide does not deflect when passing through the third end face and the second end face and enters the first light guide.
[0009] Preferably, the first driving member and the reset member are arranged on the two sides of the second driving member along the optical path direction, or the first driving member and the reset member are arranged on the same side of the second driving member along the optical path direction.
[0010] Preferably, the magnetic force exists between the first driving member and the second driving member, and the magnetic force and / or the elastic force exist between the reset member and the second driving member.
[0011] Preferably, the non-locking optical switch further comprises a sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly comprises a light guide sleeve and a driving member sleeve, the second end face of the first light guide and the third end face of the second light guide are accommodated in the light guide sleeve, the fourth end face of the second light guide is located outside the light guide sleeve, and the second light guide is gap-fitted with the light guide sleeve; the driving member sleeve is connected to the light guide sleeve, the second driving member is located in the driving member sleeve, the first driving member is arranged on the light guide sleeve, and the reset member is close to the driving member sleeve or arranged in the driving member sleeve.
[0012] Preferably, the first driving member is an electromagnet sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve, and the second driving member is a permanent magnet.
[0013] Preferably, the electromagnet of the first driving member comprises a magnetic coil and a core, the core is sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve, and the magnetic coil is sleeved outside the core.
[0014] Preferably, the driving member sleeve is a magnetic conductive sleeve.
[0015] Preferably, the first driving member is an electromagnet sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve, the electromagnet of the first driving member comprises a magnetic coil and a core, the core is sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve, and the magnetic coil is sleeved outside the core, the second driving member is a permanent magnet magnetically attracted to the core, the core is reused as the reset member, and the material of the driving member sleeve can be a magnetic conductive material or a non-magnetic conductive material.
[0016] Preferably, the elastic member of the reset member is a compression spring or a tension spring or a reset elastic air bag.
[0017] Preferably, the light guide member sleeve is provided with a first positioning part, the second light guide member is provided with a second positioning part, and the first positioning part and the second positioning part cooperate to guide the second light guide member to move in a predetermined direction when the second light guide member moves.
[0018] Preferably, the first positioning part is a guide groove or a guide hole provided on the light guide member sleeve, and the second positioning part is a flat key provided on the second light guide member.
[0019] Preferably, the light guide member sleeve is provided with an air guide hole located between the second end face and the third end face.
[0020] Preferably, the non-locking type optical switch further comprises an optical path input and output device, the optical path input and output device comprises a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber and a converging lens, the first optical fiber is arranged adjacent to the first end face of the first light guide member, the second optical fiber is arranged adjacent to the fourth end face of the second light guide member, the converging lens is arranged between the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber and the first end face of the first light guide member, and the light beam of the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber converges on the end face of the optical fiber head of the second optical fiber after passing through the converging lens, the first light guide member and the second light guide member.
[0021] Preferably, the first optical fiber is a single-fiber optical fiber head, and the second optical fiber is a double-fiber optical fiber head.
[0022] Preferably, during the operation of the second light guide member, there is always a gap between the second end face of the first light guide member and the third end face of the second light guide member.
[0023] Compared with the prior art, the application has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0024] The non-locking optical switch provided by the application comprises a light path conversion assembly and a switch driving assembly. The light path conversion assembly is driven by the switch driving assembly to realize light path switching of the non-locking optical switch. The structure has the advantages of saving space of the optical switch and realizing the effect of miniaturization of the non-locking optical switch as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] The application will be further described below in combination with the drawings and examples.
[0026] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0027] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the non-locking optical switch of Figure 1 in another working state;
[0028] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of another non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0029] Figure 4 is a light path schematic diagram of a switching condition (1) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of light beam output from a first optical fiber in the switching condition (1) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of light beam output to a second optical fiber in the switching condition (1) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0032] Figure 7 is a light path schematic diagram of a switching condition (2) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0033] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of light beam output from a first optical fiber in the switching condition (2) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0034] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of light beam output to a second optical fiber in the switching condition (2) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0035] Figure 10 is a light path schematic diagram of a switching condition (3) of the non-locking optical switch provided by an embodiment of the application;
[0036] Figure 11is a schematic view of the light beam output from the first optical fiber in the switching condition (3) of the non-locking optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application;
[0037] Figure 12 is a schematic view of the light beam output to the second optical fiber in the switching condition (3) of the non-locking optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application;
[0038] Figure 13 is a schematic view of the light path in the switching condition (4) of the non-locking optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application;
[0039] Figure 14 is a schematic view of the light beam output from the first optical fiber in the switching condition (4) of the non-locking optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application;
[0040] Figure 15 is a schematic view of the light beam output to the second optical fiber in the switching condition (4) of the non-locking optical switch provided by the embodiment of the present application.
[0041] Fig. shows:
[0042] 1, light path conversion assembly; 11, first light guide; 12, second light guide; 111, first end face; 112, second end face; 113, third end face; 114, fourth end face;
[0043] 2, switch driving assembly; 21, first driving member; 22, second driving member; 23, reset member; 211, electromagnetic coil; 212, iron core;
[0044] 3, sleeve assembly; 31, light guide sleeve; 32, driving member sleeve;
[0045] 41, first optical fiber; 42, second optical fiber; 43, converging lens; 411, first optical fiber head; 421, second optical fiber head; 422, third optical fiber head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] In the following, the present application will be further described in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments, and it should be noted that the following described embodiments or technical features can be combined in any manner to form new embodiments without conflict.
[0047] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the present application relates to a non-locking optical switch, comprising a light path conversion assembly 1 and a switch driving assembly 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The non-locking optical switch shown in the present application can be a free-space non-locking optical switch.
[0048] The optical path conversion assembly 1 includes a first light guide 11 and a second light guide 12. The first light guide 11 has a first end face 111 and a second end face 112 opposite to each other. The first end face 111 of the first light guide 11 can be used for input or output of a light beam. The second light guide 12 has a third end face 113 and a fourth end face 114 opposite to each other. The fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12 can be used for input or output of a light beam. The second end face 112 and the third end face 113 are opposite to each other and are arranged adjacent to each other. The second end face 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide 12 can be regular surfaces or irregular surfaces, such as wedge-shaped surfaces, arcuate surfaces, etc. That is to say, when there is a gap between the second end face 112 and the third end face 113, the light beam in the first light guide member 11 is deflected at the second end face 112 and then enters the second light guide member 12 through the third end face 113; it is also possible that the light beam in the second light guide member 12 is deflected at the third end face 113 and then enters the first light guide member 11 through the second end face 112.
[0049] The switch drive assembly 2 includes a first drive member 21, a second drive member 22, and a reset member 23. The second drive member 22 is arranged on the second light guide member 12, for example, the second drive member 22 is sleeved and fixed on the second light guide member 12, and the first drive member 21 is used to drive the second drive member 22 to move and drive the second light guide member 12 to move from an initial position to a target position. When the second light guide member 12 is in the initial position and the target position, there are gaps of different sizes between the second end face 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide member 12. Specifically, when the second light guide member 12 is in the target position, the gap between the second end face 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide member 12 can be larger than the gap between the second end face 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide member 12 in the initial position, and can also be smaller than the gap between the second end face 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide member 12 in the initial position.
[0050] by Figure 1 is the initial position, Figure 2 Take the target position as an example. The first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are made of materials with the same refractive index. Figure 1 The light beam is input from the first end face 111 of the first light guide 11 and output from the fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12. Since the second end face 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide 12 are directly attached, there is no light path deflection during the transmission of the light path between the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12. Therefore, the light beam passes through the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 in a straight line and is output from point a of the fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12. Please refer toFigure 2 When the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 are kept at a distance, the light beams passing through the first light guide member 11 and the second light guide member 12 are deflected at the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 respectively due to the air gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 and the difference in refractive index between the air gap and the first light guide member 11 and the second light guide member 12, and the light beams are output from the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide member 12 at the point b. Through the above process, the output point position of the light beams at the fourth end surface 114 is shifted from the point a to the point b, and the switching of the light beams from the point a to the point b at the output end is realized.
[0051] When the second light guide member 12 is located at the target position, the reset member 23 has a driving force to drive the second driving member 22 to move and drive the second light guide member 12 to move from the target position to the initial position. Specifically, when the second light guide member 12 is located at the target position, if the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 is larger than the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 at the initial position, the reset member 23 has a driving force to reduce the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12; when the second light guide member 12 is located at the target position, if the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 is smaller than the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12 at the initial position, the reset member 23 has a driving force to increase the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12.
[0052] Thus, the distance between the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 can be adjusted by adjusting the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12, so as to adjust the shift distance of the output light beam relative to the input light beam. Since the light path conversion assembly 1 and the switch driving assembly 2 are not limited to the perpendicular spatial arrangement, the above structure has the advantage of saving the space of the non-locking optical switch, and can realize the effect of miniaturization of the non-locking optical switch. The second light guide 12 is reset to the initial position when the first driving member 21 stops driving, i.e., when the second light guide 12 is located at the target position, the reset member 23 can drive the second driving member 22 to move and drive the second light guide 12 to move from the target position to the initial position, thereby realizing the non-locking function of the non-locking optical switch without adding additional devices.
[0053] In actual application, the initial position can be Figure 2 , and the target position can be Figure 1 , so as to realize the light path switching of the non-locking optical switch by driving the light path conversion assembly through the above switch driving assembly, and realize the effect of miniaturization of the non-locking optical switch.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 can be in the form of a cuboid or a cylinder, and the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are preferably formed of a material with uniform refractive index, such as glass or quartz. The second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 are wedge-shaped surfaces. When the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 are attached, the light beam in the first light guide 11 does not deviate when passing through the second end surface 112 and the third end surface 113 and enters the second light guide 12. According to the reversibility of the light path, the light beam in the second light guide 12 also does not deviate when passing through the third end surface 113 and the second end surface 112 and enters the first light guide 11. The non-locking optical switch formed by the above structure is in the form of a character or a straight line, and has a more compact structure, which can be applied in various occasions. When the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 are attached, the non-locking optical switch can be made more compact and save more space.
[0055] The first driving member 21 and the reset member 23 can be arranged on both sides of the second driving member 22 along the light path direction respectively. The first driving member 21 and the reset member 23 can also be arranged on the same side of the second driving member 22 along the light path direction respectively. The first driving member 21 and the reset member 23 mainly provide driving forces in different directions to the second driving member 22 to control the size of the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide member 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide member 12. The first driving member 21 and the reset member 23 can be arranged at different positions according to requirements, which can make the non-locking optical switch be applied to more occasions.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the force between the first driving member 21 and the second driving member 22 is magnetic force, and the force between the reset member 23 and the second driving member 22 is magnetic force and / or elastic force. When the driving force provided by the first driving member 21 to the second driving member 22 is magnetic force, because the force applying object and the force receiving object of the magnetic force do not need to be in direct contact, the switching speed of the non-locking optical switch is relatively higher, the reliability is better, and the service life is longer compared with mechanical force driving.
[0057] Specifically, taking Figure 1 as the initial state, Figure 2 as the target state as an example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Among them, when the first driving member 21 and the reset member 23 are arranged on the same side of the second driving member 22 respectively, the first driving member 21 generates magnetic repulsion force to drive the second driving member 22 to move at the initial position, and the reset member 23 generates magnetic attraction force or elastic attraction force to drive the second driving member 22 to move at the target position; when the first driving member 21 and the reset member 23 are arranged on both sides of the second driving member 22 respectively (not shown), the first driving member 21 generates magnetic repulsion force to drive the second driving member 22 to move at the initial position, and the reset member 23 generates magnetic repulsion force or elastic repulsion force to drive the second driving member 22 to move at the target position.
[0058] As Figure 1As shown, the non-locking optical switch can further comprise a sleeve assembly 3, which can be integrally formed or in a combined form comprising a light guide sleeve 31 and a driving sleeve 32. When the sleeve assembly 3 is in a combined form comprising a light guide sleeve 31 and a driving sleeve 32, the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 are accommodated in the light guide sleeve 31, avoiding foreign matters from the external environment to enter the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12. The first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11 and the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12 are located outside the light guide sleeve 31, and the second light guide 12 can be in a clearance fit with the light guide sleeve 31, so that the second light guide 12 can move along the axial direction of the light guide sleeve 31, and the friction between the second light guide 12 and the sleeve assembly 3 can be avoided when the second light guide 12 is driven to move by the second driving member 22. The driving sleeve 32 is connected to the light guide sleeve 31, the second driving member 22 is located in the driving sleeve 32, and the first driving member 21 is arranged on the light guide sleeve 31, for example, is fixedly sleeved on the light guide sleeve 31. The sleeve assembly 3 is arranged in a structure in which the light guide sleeve 31 and the driving sleeve 32 are separate, which is more convenient for the assembly and later maintenance of the non-locking optical switch. The reset member 23 is arranged close to or in the driving sleeve 32, which can reduce the volume of the non-locking optical switch compared to arranging the reset member 23 on the periphery of the driving sleeve 32.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment, as Figure 1As shown, the first driving member 21 can be an electromagnet sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve 31, the second driving member 22 can be a permanent magnet, and the reset member 23 can be an elastic member or a permanent magnet. When the reset member 23 is a permanent magnet, the reset member 23 can be inlaid on the end face of the light guide member sleeve 31 or the inner wall of the driving member sleeve 32. When the first driving member 21 is an electromagnet, the electromagnet of the first driving member 21 can include an electromagnetic coil 211 and an iron core 212, the iron core 212 is sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve 31, and the electromagnetic coil 211 is sleeved outside the iron core 212. In use, as an example, the first driving member 21 separates the first light guide member 11 and the second light guide member 12 because the electromagnetic coil 211 generates a magnetic field when powered on, and after the electromagnetic coil 211 is powered off, the second driving member 22 and the second light guide member 12 are reset under the driving of the reset member 23, and the second light guide member 12 approaches the first light guide member 11; or, as another example, the first driving member 21 causes the first light guide member 11 and the second light guide member 12 to approach because the electromagnetic coil 211 generates a magnetic field when powered on, and after the electromagnetic coil 211 is powered off, the second driving member 22 and the second light guide member 12 are reset under the driving of the reset member 23, and the second light guide member 12 separates from the first light guide member 11. That is, for the non-locking type optical switch of the present application, after the electromagnetic coil 211 is powered off, the non-locking type optical switch can return to the working state before being powered on, and the electromagnetic coil 211 has different working states in the powered-on and powered-off cases.
[0060] The driving member sleeve 32 can be a magnetic conductive sleeve, when the driving member sleeve 32 is a magnetic conductive sleeve, the divergent magnetic field can be guided to a concentrated direction through the driving member sleeve 32 arranged, so that the magnetic induction intensity of the second driving member 22 is increased, and the driving effect of the first driving member 21 on the second driving member 22 is enhanced.
[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the first driving member 21 is an electromagnet sleeved outside the light guide sleeve 31, the electromagnet of the first driving member 21 comprises a magnetic coil 211 and a core 212, the core 212 is sleeved outside the light guide sleeve 31, the magnetic coil 211 is sleeved outside the core 212, the second driving member 22 is a permanent magnet magnetically attracted to the core 212, and the core 212 is multiplexed as the reset member. The material of the driving member sleeve 32 can be selected from magnetic or non-magnetic materials, and is preferably a non-magnetic material. The driving member sleeve 32 made of non-magnetic material is not magnetized by the reset member 23, and there is no force between the reset member 23 and the driving member sleeve 32 after the first driving member 21 is powered on and powered off. Before the magnetic coil 211 is powered on, the core 212 multiplexed as the reset member is attracted to the second driving member 22 by the magnetic attraction force, so that the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are close to each other; after the magnetic coil 211 is powered on, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coil 211 causes the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 to separate; after the magnetic coil 211 is powered off, the core 212 multiplexed as the reset member is attracted to the second driving member 22 by the magnetic attraction force, so that the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are close to each other again, and the reset of the second light guide 12 is completed. The core 212 multiplexed as the reset member exerts a force in the reset direction of the second driving member 22 after the electromagnet of the first driving member 21 is powered off, so as to reset the second driving member 22 and the second light guide 12. In the case of achieving the purpose of resetting the second light guide 12 of the non-locking optical switch, the weight of the non-locking optical switch can also be reduced.
[0062] The elastic member of the reset member 23 can be a compression spring, a tension spring or a resettable elastic air bag. One end of the compression spring, the tension spring or the resettable elastic air bag can be fixed to the inner wall of the light guide sleeve 31 or the inner wall of the driving member sleeve 32, and the other end of the compression spring, the tension spring or the resettable elastic air bag is used to abut against the second driving member 22. When the second light guide 12 is located at the target position, the reset member 23 can provide a force to the second driving member 22 pointing to the initial position. When the reset member 23 is a passive device such as a compression spring, a tension spring or a resettable elastic air bag, the reset member 23 of the non-locking optical switch can not be affected by external power supply, and the reset member 23 can provide driving force to the second driving member 22 at any time to move the second light guide 12 to the initial position.
[0063] In order to prevent the second light guide 12 from rotating radially during movement, a first positioning part (not shown) can be provided on the light guide sleeve 31, and a second positioning part (not shown) can be provided on the second light guide 12, the first and second positioning parts cooperating to guide the second light guide 12 to move in a predetermined direction during movement of the second light guide 12. Preferably, the first positioning part is a guide groove or a guide hole provided on the light guide sleeve 31, the guide groove can be provided on the inner wall of the light guide sleeve 31, and the guide hole can pass through the inner wall and the outer wall of the light guide sleeve 31, and the second positioning part is a flat key provided on the second light guide 12, the flat key can be provided on the outer wall of the second light guide 12. At the same time, the guide hole can guide the gas between the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 out when the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are close to each other, thereby smoothly adjusting the gap size between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12. Alternatively, the first positioning part can be a flat key provided on the inner wall of the light guide sleeve 31, and the second positioning part can be a guide groove or a guide hole provided on the second light guide 12.
[0064] Similarly, a gas guide hole can be provided on the light guide sleeve 31 between the second end surface 112 and the third end surface 113, the gas guide hole guiding the gas between the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 out when the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are close to each other, thereby smoothly adjusting the gap size between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12.
[0065] In a preferred embodiment, there is always a gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 during operation of the second light guide 12. When there is always a gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 during operation of the second light guide 12, the second light guide 12 will not collide with the first light guide 11 during movement, thereby avoiding damage to the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12, and prolonging the service life of the non-locking optical switch.
[0066] The non-locking optical switch structure described above can also be applied to a fiber type non-locking optical switch, which will be described below with reference to Figure 3 A non-locking optical switch according to another embodiment of the present application will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 6, the non-locking optical switch according to the embodiment of the present application includes a first light guide 11, a second light guide 12, a light guide sleeve 31, and a light guide sleeve 32. Figure 3As shown, the non-locking optical switch further comprises an optical path input and output device, which comprises a first optical fiber 41, a second optical fiber 42 and a converging lens 43. The first optical fiber 41 can be used for input or output of the light beam, the second optical fiber 42 can be used for input or output of the light beam, and the converging lens 43 is used for converging the light beam input by the first optical fiber 41. The first optical fiber 41 is arranged at the first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11, the second optical fiber 42 is arranged at the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12, and the converging lens 43 is arranged between the fiber head of the first optical fiber 41 and the first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11. The light beam of the fiber head of the first optical fiber 41 converges on the end surface of the fiber head of the second optical fiber 42 through the converging lens 43, the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12. The converging lens 43 can be a G lens or a C lens, and is preferably a G lens. The G lens has the advantages of small volume, ultra-short focal length and flat end surface. When the G lens is used as the converging lens 43, the structure of the optical fiber type locking optical switch is more compact.
[0067] In an embodiment, the first optical fiber 41 can be a single-fiber fiber head, and the second optical fiber 42 can be a double-fiber fiber head, so that the non-locking optical switch becomes a one-letter optical fiber type 1x2 non-locking optical switch.
[0068] Please refer to Figures 3 to 15 , the application comprises an optical path conversion assembly 1, a switch driving assembly 2, a sleeve assembly 3 and an optical path input and output device. The optical path conversion assembly 1 comprises a first light guide 11 and a second light guide 12, the switch driving assembly 2 comprises a first driving member 21, a second driving member 22 and a reset member 23; the sleeve assembly 3 comprises a light guide sleeve 31 and a driving member sleeve 32; and the optical path input and output device comprises a first optical fiber 41, a second optical fiber 42 and a converging lens 43. The first optical fiber 41 is a single-core fiber head having a first fiber head 411; the second optical fiber 42 is a double-core fiber head having a second fiber head 421 and a third fiber head 422; and the converging lens 43 is a G lens.
[0069] In use, the first driving member 21 drives the second driving member 22 to move the second light guide 12 from the initial position to the target position, and the reset member 23 applies a force to the second driving member 22 towards the initial position. The switching function of the non-locking optical switch is realized by the change of the gap between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12. The light path switching of the non-locking optical switch is as follows:
[0070] (1) Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 ,Figure 5 and Figure 6 When the light beam is converged by the converging lens 43 and input into the first light guide 11 from the first fiber head 411 of the first fiber 41, the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 is not energized, and the reset member 23 applies a driving force to the second driving member 22, so that the second light guide 12 is kept in the initial position under the action of the second driving member 22. Thus, the converged light beam is coupled into the second fiber head 421 of the double-core fiber head 42.
[0071] (2) Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 When the light beam is converged by the converging lens 43 and input into the first light guide 11 from the first fiber head 411 of the first fiber 41, the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 is energized and generates a magnetic field opposite to the direction of the second driving member 22, and the first driving member 21 generates a magnetic repulsive force to the second driving member 22 to move to the target position. The magnetic force of the first driving member 21 to the second driving member 22 is greater than the force of the reset member 23 to the second driving member 22, so that the second light guide 12 is driven by the second driving member 22 to move to the target position. As the gap distance between the third end face 113 of the second light guide 12 and the second end face 112 of the first light guide 11 increases, the offset distance of the light beam from the fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12 to the input light beam of the first end face 111 of the first light guide 11 also increases accordingly. The light beam output through the fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12 gradually moves from the second fiber head 421 to the third fiber head 422 of the second fiber 42, realizing the switching of the light beam.
[0072] (3) Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 When the light beam is converged by the converging lens 43 and input into the first light guide 11 from the first fiber head 411 of the first fiber 41, the second driving member 22 is driven by the first driving member 21 to move to the target position. The light beam input through the first light guide 11 is deflected by the second end face 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end face 113 of the second light guide 12, and then output from the fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12 to the third fiber head 422 relative to the input light beam. As long as the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 is energized, the force of the first driving member 21 to the second driving member 22 is greater than the force of the reset member 23 to the second driving member 22, so that the converged light beam is continuously coupled into the third fiber head 422 of the second fiber 42.
[0073] (4) Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 andFigure 15 When the light beam passes through the converging of the converging lens 43 and is input into the first light guide 11 from the first fiber head 411 of the first optical fiber 41, the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 stops power supply, and the second driving member 22 is driven to move the second light guide 12 to the first light guide 11 direction by the force to the initial position given by the reset member 23, until the second light guide 12 moves to the initial position, so that the converging light beam is coupled into the second fiber head 421 of the second optical fiber 42.
[0074] The above switching, maintaining or resetting of the optical path is realized by the second driving member 22 moving the second light guide 12 by the force of the first driving member 21 or the reset member 23.
[0075] The non-locking optical switch with the structure has the advantage of saving space of the non-locking optical switch, because the optical path switching assembly 1 and the switch driving assembly 2 are not limited to the form of being placed perpendicular to each other in space. The magnetic force is used between the first driving member 21 and the second driving member 22, and the switching speed of the non-locking optical switch is higher, the reliability is better, and the service life is longer. Meanwhile, in order to improve the understanding of the application, the embodiment provides the optical path switching principle of the non-locking optical switch × 2, but the number of fiber heads in the non-locking optical switch is not limited to this. Through the structure of the non-locking optical switch involved in the application, the array type non-locking optical switch of 1 × N to M × N can be realized.
[0076] The application is described from the viewpoints of use purpose, efficiency, progress and novelty, and meets the functional improvement and use requirements emphasized by the Patent Law. The above description and drawings are only the preferred embodiments of the application, and are not limited to the application. Therefore, all the similar, identical and similar structures, devices and features, and the equivalent replacement or modification made according to the patent application scope, shall be within the scope of the patent application protection.
Claims
1. A non-locking optical switch, characterized in that: include: Optical path conversion components and switch drive components; The optical path conversion assembly includes a first light guide and a second light guide, the first light guide having a first end face and a second end face opposite to each other, the second light guide having a third end face and a fourth end face opposite to each other, the second end face and the third end face being opposite to each other and adjacent to each other, and when there is a gap between the second end face and the third end face, a light beam in the first light guide is deflected at the second end face and then enters the second light guide via the third end face, or a light beam in the second light guide is deflected at the third end face and then enters the first light guide via the second end face; The switch drive assembly includes a first drive member, a second drive member, and a reset member, wherein the second drive member is disposed on the second light guide member, the first drive member is configured to drive the second drive member to move and drive the second light guide member to move from an initial position to a target position, and when the second light guide member is in the initial position and the target position, a second end face of the first light guide member and a third end face of the second light guide member have gaps of different sizes between them, and when the second light guide member is in the target position, the reset member has a force that drives the second drive member to move and drives the second light guide member to move from the target position to the initial position; The second end surface of the first light guide and the third end surface of the second light guide are respectively wedge-shaped surfaces, and when the second end surface of the first light guide and the third end surface of the second light guide are in contact with each other, a light beam in the first light guide is not deflected when passing through the second end surface and the third end surface and enters the second light guide, or a light beam in the second light guide is not deflected when passing through the third end surface and the second end surface and enters the first light guide; The first driving member and the restoring member are respectively arranged on both sides of the second driving member along the optical path direction, or the first driving member and the restoring member are respectively arranged on the same side of the second driving member along the optical path direction.
2. A non-locking optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: A magnetic force acts between the first driving member and the second driving member, and a magnetic force and / or an elastic force acts between the reset member and the second driving member.
3. A non-locking optical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The non-locking optical switch further includes a sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly comprising: a light guide sleeve and a driver sleeve, the second end face of the first light guide and the third end face of the second light guide being accommodated in the light guide sleeve, the fourth end face of the second light guide being located outside the light guide sleeve, and the second light guide and the light guide sleeve being clearance-fitted; The driving member sleeve is connected to the light guide member sleeve, the second driving member is located in the driving member sleeve, the first driving member is arranged on the light guide member sleeve, and the reset member is close to the driving member sleeve or arranged in the driving member sleeve.
4. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 3, wherein: The first driving member is an electromagnet sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve, the second driving member is a permanent magnet, and the reset member is an elastic member or a permanent magnet.
5. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 4, wherein: The electromagnet of the first driving member includes an electromagnetic coil and an iron core. The iron core is sleeved outside the light guide member sleeve, and the electromagnetic coil is sleeved outside the iron core.
6. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 5, wherein: The driving element sleeve is a magnetic conductive sleeve.
7. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 3, wherein: The first driving member is an electromagnet mounted on the outside of the light guide member sleeve. The electromagnet of the first driving member includes an electromagnetic coil and an iron core. The iron core is mounted on the outside of the light guide member sleeve, and the electromagnetic coil is mounted on the outside of the iron core. The second driving member is a permanent magnet magnetically attracted to the iron core, and the iron core is reused as the reset member.
8. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 4, wherein: The elastic member of the reset member is a compression spring or a tension spring or a resettable elastic airbag.
9. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 3, wherein: The light guide sleeve is provided with a first positioning portion, and the second light guide is provided with a second positioning portion. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion cooperate to guide the second light guide to move along a preset direction when the second light guide moves.
10. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 9, wherein: The first positioning portion is a guide groove or a guide hole provided on the light guide sleeve, and the second positioning portion is a flat key provided on the second light guide.
11. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 3, wherein: The light guide sleeve is provided with an air guide hole located between the second end surface and the third end surface.
12. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The non-locking optical switch also includes an optical path input and output device, which includes a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a converging lens. The first optical fiber is arranged adjacent to the first end face of the first light guide, and the second optical fiber is arranged adjacent to the fourth end face of the second light guide. The converging lens is arranged between the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber and the first end face of the first light guide. The light beam from the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber converges onto the end face of the optical fiber head of the second optical fiber after passing through the converging lens, the first light guide, and the second light guide.
13. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 12, wherein: The first optical fiber is a single-fiber optical fiber head, and the second optical fiber is a dual-fiber optical fiber head.
14. The non-locking optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: During operation of the second light guide member, there is always a gap between the second end surface of the first light guide member and the third end surface of the second light guide member.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Non-locking optical switch
CN215005969U