Optical microswitch

Abstract

To provide an optical microswitch inhibiting an optical signal from being degraded when turned on and inhibiting the optical signal from being mis-transmitted when turned off.SOLUTION: The optical microswitch comprises: an input optical fiber; an output optical fiber; an optical path changing optical fiber for changing an optical path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; a movable member holding the optical path changing optical fiber; a holding member for holding each end of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; and a case for supporting the movable member. The movable member moves switchably between a position where an end face of the input optical fiber and one end face of the optical path changing optical fiber face each other and an end face of the output optical fiber and the other end face of the optical path changing optical fiber face each other and a position where the end face of the input optical fiber and the one end face of the optical path changing optical fiber do not face each other. The optical path changing optical fiber is a multi-core fiber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical microswitch. [Background technology]

[0002] As a means for switching an optical signal (ON / OFF switching, optical path switching), for example, there is an optical microswitch which provides a space in part of the internal optical path, arranges an optical direction changing means such as a reflecting mirror, a reflecting plate, a prism, etc. in the space, and switches the optical signal by controlling the optical path by changing the angle or position of the optical direction changing means (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-089727 [Patent Document 2] Application No. 62-200230 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 01-195622 [Patent Document 4] Application No. 60-59437 [Patent Document 5] Application No. 60-12217 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-063830 [Patent Document 7] JP 2006-195078 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The following analysis is provided by the present inventors.

[0005] However, since the light emitted from the optical fiber into space tends to spread (radiate) in space, in an optical microswitch using an optical direction changing means, the optical signal that passes from the input optical fiber through the optical direction changing means and is input to the output optical fiber that should be turned ON may deteriorate (causing connection loss and worsening the S / N (Signal / Noise) ratio), or light (part of the emitted light) may pass from the input optical fiber through space and enter the optical fiber that should be turned OFF, resulting in erroneous transmission of the optical signal.

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to provide an optical micro switch that can contribute to suppressing degradation of an optical signal when it is ON and suppressing erroneous transmission of an optical signal when it is OFF. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An optical microswitch according to one aspect is an optical microswitch configured to switch an optical signal by an external operation, and includes an input optical fiber configured to input the optical signal to the optical microswitch, an output optical fiber configured to output the optical signal from the optical microswitch, an optical path changing optical fiber configured to change an optical path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, a movable member configured to hold the optical path changing optical fiber, a holding member configured to hold each end of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber, and a holding member configured to slidably support the movable member on the inside. and a case configured to switch between a first movable position in which an end face of the input optical fiber faces one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and at least a second movable position in which the end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path or the end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and the optical fiber for changing an optical path is a multi-core fiber having a structure in which a large number of thin cores are closely packed together. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an optical micro switch is provided that can contribute to suppressing deterioration of an optical signal when it is ON and suppressing erroneous transmission of an optical signal when it is OFF. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a movable member in an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure; [Figure 4] 1A is an exploded side view showing a schematic diagram of the operation of an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure when the switch is in an ON state, and FIG. 1B is an exploded side view showing the operation of the example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure when the switch is in an OFF state. [Diagram 5] 1A is an exploded side view showing a schematic diagram of the operation of a first modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure when the switch is in an OFF state, and FIG. 1B is an exploded side view showing the operation of the first modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure when the switch is in an ON state. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical microswitch according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 13A is an exploded side view showing a schematic diagram of the operation of a second modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure, in which (A) is an exploded side view in the OFF state, and (B) is an exploded side view in the ON state. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a third modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an image diagram showing a schematic representation of the optical ranges of the input optical fiber end face, the input side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, the output side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, and the end face of the output optical fiber of the third modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical microswitch according to Comparative Example 2. FIG. [Figure 11]1 is an image diagram showing a schematic representation of the optical ranges of the input optical fiber end face, the input side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, the output side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, and the end face of the output optical fiber of an optical microswitch according to Comparative Example 2. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fourth modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a holding member in a fourth modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a movable member in a fourth modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are exploded side views showing the operation of a fourth modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure, respectively, in an ON state and an OFF state. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an exploded side view showing a schematic configuration of a fifth modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that when reference symbols are used in this application, they are intended to aid understanding only and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiments. In addition, the following embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0011] [Form 1] The optical microswitch according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of a movable member in an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exploded side view that shows a schematic operation of an example of an optical microswitch according to the present disclosure, in (A) an ON state and (B) an OFF state. FIG. 5 is an exploded side view that shows a schematic operation of a first modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure, in (A) an OFF state and (B) an ON state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of an optical microswitch according to a first comparative example.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the side where the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are pulled out in Fig. 1 is described as the back surface, and the side where the operation unit 34 protrudes is described as the top surface (flat surface), but the directionality is not limited. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the front, left side surface, and top surface when there is one each of the input optical fiber 11, the output optical fiber 12, and the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the front, left side surface, and top surface in a state where a first half case (corresponding to 20a in Fig. 1) is removed, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the back, left side surface, and top surface of the movable member 30 to which the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is attached, and Figs. 4 and 5 are side views showing the left side surface (cross section of the holding member 10) in a state where the first half case (corresponding to 20a in Fig. 1) is removed.

[0013] The optical microswitch 1 is a device that switches optical signals (ON / OFF switching in FIG. 1) (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). The optical microswitch 1 is configured to output an input optical signal when ON (open; see FIG. 4(A)) and not output an input optical signal when OFF (closed; see FIG. 4(B)). The optical microswitch 1 comprises a holding member 10, a case 20, a movable member 30, an optical path changing optical fiber 40, and a compression spring 60.

[0014] The holding member 10 is a member that holds the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 (see Figs. 2 and 4). The holding member 10 can be, for example, columnar (rectangular parallelepiped in Fig. 2). The holding member 10 is detachably held (may be fitted or engaged) in the holding portion 22 of the case 20. The holding member 10 may be integrated with the case 20. The holding member 10 may be screwed or glued to the holding portion 22 of the case 20. The holding member 10 is slidable in the rear-to-front direction within the holding portion 22.

[0015] The holding member 10 has holding holes 10a and 10b penetrating from the back surface to the front surface. The holding holes 10a and 10b are arranged approximately parallel to each other. The holding holes 10a and 10b have a diameter (large diameter) including the sheaths (protective layer, coating layer) of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 from the back surface to the middle part of the holding member 10, and have a diameter (small diameter) excluding the sheaths of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 from the middle part of the holding member 10 to the front surface (see FIG. 4). The holding hole 10a holds the input optical fiber 11. The holding hole 10b holds the output optical fiber 12. The positions of the holding holes 10a and 10b (positions on the front surface of the holding member 10) correspond to the positions of both ends of the optical path changing optical fiber 40 when ON. That is, the end face of the input optical fiber 11 and the end face of the output optical fiber 12 are arranged apart from each other so that the distance between the center of the end face of the input optical fiber 11 and the center of the end face of the output optical fiber 12 is the same as the distance between the centers of both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path. In the first embodiment, the diameter of the input optical fiber 11 (diameter including the sheath) is equal to the diameter of the output optical fiber 12 (diameter including the sheath) and the diameter of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path (diameter of the assembly of cores). In the first embodiment, the central axis of the holding hole 10a (the central axis of the input optical fiber 11) is arranged parallel to the central axis of the holding hole 10a (the central axis of the output optical fiber 12).

[0016] When in the ON state, the holding member 10 holds the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 so that the center of the end face of the input optical fiber 11 coincides with the center of one end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, and the center of the end face of the output optical fiber 12 coincides with the center of the other end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path.

[0017] It is preferable that the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are not in contact with the surface including both end faces of the movable member 30 and the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, and are as close as possible (nearby). In the state of FIG. 4(A), it is preferable that the distance between the center of the output optical fiber 12 (the center of the holding hole 10b) and the bottom surface of the holding member 10 is equal to the distance between the center of the input optical fiber 11 (the center of the holding hole 10a) and the top surface of the holding member 10, plus the moving distance of the movable member 30 in the vertical direction (corresponding to the distance between the bottom surface of the movable member 30 and the inner surface of the case 20). According to such a distance relationship, when the holding member 10 is removed from the case 20 in the state of FIG. 4(A) and the holding member 10 is turned upside down and attached to the case 20, it becomes as shown in FIG. 5(A), and when the movable member 30 is not pressed, the optical microswitch 1 is turned OFF, and when the movable member 30 is pressed, it becomes as shown in FIG. 5(B), and the optical microswitch 1 is turned OFF.

[0018] The case 20 is a member having an internal space 21 inside (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4). The case 20 can be, for example, box-shaped (a rectangular parallelepiped box in Fig. 1). The case 20 can be an assembly of multiple parts (two parts, a first case half 20a and a second case half 20b in Fig. 1). The case 20 has a holding section 22 that opens in the rear side portion. The holding section 22 detachably holds (may be fitted or engaged with) the holding member 10. The holding section 22 is configured so that the holding member 10 can slide in the rear-to-front direction.

[0019] The case 20 has a slide hole 23 that opens in the upper surface portion. The slide hole 23 is a hole that guides the operation part 34 of the movable member 30 so that the operation part 34 can slide up and down. In the internal space 21, the movable member 30 (excluding a part of the operation part 34) with the optical path changing optical fiber 40 is arranged so as to be slidable up and down.

[0020] The case 20 has a spring receiving portion 24 that receives the other end of the compression spring 60 on the bottom side surface of the internal space 21. The spring receiving portion 24 is disposed so as to face the spring receiving portion 35 of the movable member 30. The spring receiving portion 24 has a recess so as to position the other end of the compression spring 60. The compression spring 60 is disposed in the internal space 21 between the spring receiving portion 24 and the spring receiving portion 35 of the movable member 30 so as to be compressed / expanded in the vertical direction.

[0021] The movable member 30 is a member that can move in a predetermined direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) in the internal space 21 of the case 20 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The movable member 30 has a main body 31 that can move linearly in the vertical direction in the internal space 21 of the case 20. The main body 31 has a fiber holding part 32 that holds the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path. The fiber holding part 32 is formed in a semicircular shape (U-shaped or C-shaped) when viewed from the left side. The fiber holding part 32 can be a groove part that can hold the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path as shown in FIG. 3, or may be a through hole. The fiber holding part 32 is formed so that both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path appear on the back surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30. The positions of both ends of the fiber holding portion 32 on the back surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 (the positions of both ends of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path) face the positions of the holding holes 10a, 10b of the holding member 10 (the positions of the ends of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12) when the optical microswitch 1 is ON, and face the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the optical microswitch 1 is OFF.

[0022] When the optical microswitch 1 is ON, the upper surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 abuts (may be pressed against) the inner surface (may be a stopper portion) of the case 20, thereby restricting the upward movement of the movable member 30 relative to the case 20. When the optical microswitch 1 is OFF, the lower surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 abuts (may be pressed against) the inner surface (may be a stopper portion) of the case 20, thereby restricting the downward movement of the movable member 30 relative to the case 20. The vertical movable distance of the movable member 30 within the case 20 can be set to be longer than the diameter of each end of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12. The movable member 30 may have light absorbing portions at least at positions facing each end of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 when the optical microswitch 1 is OFF, or the entire movable member 30 may be configured to absorb light.

[0023] The movable member 30 has an operating part 34 extending upward from the upper surface of the main body 31. The operating part 34 is slidably inserted into the slide hole 23 of the case 20. The operating part 34 protrudes outside the case 20 and can move linearly in the vertical direction.

[0024] The movable member 30 has a spring receiving portion 35 on the lower surface of the main body 31. The spring receiving portion 35 is disposed so as to face the spring receiving portion 24 of the case 20. The spring receiving portion 35 has a recess so as to position one end of a compression spring 60. When the movable member 30 is pressed down, it is urged upward against the case 20 by the compression spring 60. In FIG. 4, the movable member 30 is of a momentary action type (self-returning type) that is ON when not pressed down and OFF when pressed down, but it may be equipped with a mechanism (not shown) that keeps the OFF state even if released after being pressed down and returns to ON when pressed again, that is, an alternate action type (self-retaining type).

[0025] The optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is an optical fiber used for changing an optical path (see Figs. 2 to 4). The optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is held by the fiber holding portion 32 of the movable member 30. The optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is formed in a semicircular shape (U-shaped or C-shaped) along the fiber holding portion 32 when viewed from the left side. The bending radius of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is set according to the type of optical fiber used. For the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, it is preferable to use an optical fiber that has a small bending loss even when the bending radius is 5 mm or less at room temperature. As an optical fiber that satisfies such a condition, a multi-core fiber (see, for example, Patent Document 7) having a cladding material (for example, a cylindrical cladding material) around a large number of thin cores can be used. Since the bending radius of the multi-core fiber is a large ratio to the diameter of each core fiber through which light passes, even if the multi-core fiber is curved at a radius that is considerably smaller than the diameter of the aggregate of core fibers, the attenuation of the passing light is small, and a good optical path direction change portion can be formed. As the multi-core fiber, a fiber having 19 or more cores (for example, cores having the same diameter) can be used. Each core in the multi-core fiber can have the same diameter. However, when a single-core optical fiber (a single-core optical fiber having the same diameter as that of the multi-core fiber) such as the optical path changing optical fiber 42 according to Comparative Example 1 in Fig. 6 is used instead of the multi-core fiber according to the optical path changing optical fiber 40, bending loss tends to increase.

[0026] One end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path faces (faces parallel to) the end face of the input optical fiber 11 held by the holding member 10 when the optical microswitch 1 is ON, and faces the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the optical microswitch 1 is OFF. The other end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path faces (faces parallel to) the end face of the output optical fiber 12 held by the holding member 10 when the optical microswitch 1 is ON, and faces the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the optical microswitch 1 is OFF. Both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path are preferably as close as possible to, and not in contact with, the surface including the end faces of the holding member 10 and the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12.

[0027] The compression spring 60 is a spring that receives a compression load (see Figs. 2 and 4). The compression spring 60 is disposed in the internal space 21 of the case 20 between the spring receiving portion 24 of the case 20 and the spring receiving portion 35 of the movable member 30 such that the compression / extension direction is the up-down direction.

[0028] In the optical microswitch 1 configured as above, when the operation unit 34 is not pressed in and is ON as shown in Fig. 4(A), both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path face each face of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, so that an optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path to the output optical fiber 12. On the other hand, when the operation unit 34 is pressed in and is OFF as shown in Fig. 4(B), the movable member 30 moves downward and both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path no longer face each end face of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, so that an optical signal is not transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 to the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path and the output optical fiber 12. When the operating part 34 is released from being pressed, the movable member 30 returns to the original state shown in FIG. 4(A) due to the spring force of the compression spring 60 and turns ON, so that both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path face the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, and the optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path to the output optical fiber 12.

[0029] 4 is configured to be ON when the operation unit 34 is not pressed and to be OFF when the operation unit 34 is pressed, but it may be configured to be OFF when the operation unit 34 is not pressed (see FIG. 5(A)) and ON when the operation unit 34 is pressed (see FIG. 5(B)) like the optical microswitch 1 in FIG. 5. In other words, when the optical microswitch 1 in FIG. 5 is OFF in the state where the operation unit 34 is not pressed as in FIG. 5(A), both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path do not face the end faces of the optical fiber 11 for input and the optical fiber 12 for output, so that an optical signal is not transmitted from the optical fiber 11 for input to the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path and the optical fiber 12 for output. On the other hand, when the operating unit 34 is pressed in the ON position as shown in FIG. 5(B), the movable member 30 moves downward, and both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path face each of the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, and the optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path to the output optical fiber 12.

[0030] When changing the configuration of the optical microswitch 1 in Fig. 4 to that in Fig. 5, it is preferable to be able to change it using the same components as they are. In other words, it is preferable to be able to reverse ON / OFF simply by removing the holding member 10 in Fig. 4 from the case 20, turning it upside down, and then inserting the holding member 10 back into the case 20 as in Fig. 5.

[0031] According to the first embodiment, the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are opposed to both end faces of the optical path changing optical fiber 40 at close range when ON, and the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are opposed to the movable member 30 at close range when OFF, which contributes to suppressing deterioration of the optical signal when ON and suppressing erroneous transmission of the optical signal when OFF. That is, according to the first embodiment, the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are opposed to both end faces of the optical path changing optical fiber 40 at close range when ON, which differs from a configuration using a light direction conversion means such as a reflector or a prism, and therefore the optical path in the space of the optical signal is only a small gap between the optical fibers, which reduces attenuation of the optical signal and increases the S / N ratio. Also, according to the first embodiment, the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are opposed to the movable member 30 at close range when OFF, which blocks both the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 by the movable member 30, which prevents erroneous transmission of the optical signal.

[0032] Furthermore, according to form 1, the path from the input optical fiber 11 to the output optical fiber 12 does not use a prism or focusing lens, but uses the optical path changing optical fiber 40 which faces closely to each other, so that there is less escape of light outside the path it passes through, and degradation of the optical signal in the optical microswitch 1 can be suppressed.

[0033] Furthermore, according to form 1, a multi-core fiber is used as the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, and the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path is held in the fiber holding portion 32 of the movable member 30 in a bent semicircular shape, making it possible to form a semicircular shape with a small radius, and thus making it possible to miniaturize the optical microswitch 1.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by using a multi-core fiber that is resistant to bending at a short radius as the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, the signal light output from the input optical fiber 11 proceeds while being almost localized in the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, thereby suppressing deterioration of the optical signal in the optical microswitch 1. In other words, since a multi-core fiber that is an assembly of fine core fibers is used as the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, loss due to bending in the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is small, and deterioration of the optical signal in the optical microswitch 1 can be suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, according to form 1, the ON / OFF can be reversed simply by removing the holding member 10 from the case 20, turning it upside down, and then inserting it back into the case 20, so that the ON / OFF polarity can be easily changed according to the user's wishes while keeping the components in use.

[0036] [Form 2] The optical microswitch according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is an exploded side view showing the operation of a second modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure, in which (A) is an exploded side view in the OFF state and (B) is an exploded side view in the ON state.

[0037] The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are not parallel to each other. That is, in the second embodiment, the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are held by the holding member 10 so that the central axis of the input optical fiber 11 is not parallel to the central axis of the output optical fiber 12 (so that they form a predetermined angle). In FIG. 7, the central axis of the input optical fiber 11 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the central axis of the output optical fiber 12. The optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is held by the movable member 30 in a state in which it is bent into an L-shape (or a V-shape). One end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path faces the input optical fiber 11 when ON (see FIG. 7(B)) but does not face the input optical fiber 11 when OFF (see FIG. 7(A)), and the other end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is parallel to the output optical fiber 12 regardless of whether it is ON (see FIG. 7(B)) or OFF (see FIG. 7(A)). The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0038] According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the optical fiber is ON, the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are opposed to both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path at close range, and when the optical fiber is OFF, the end face of the input optical fiber 11 is opposed to the movable member 30 at close range, thereby suppressing deterioration of the optical signal when the optical fiber is ON and contributing to suppressing erroneous transmission of the optical signal when the optical fiber is OFF.

[0039] [Form 3] The optical microswitch according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the third modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is an image showing a schematic representation of the optical ranges of the input optical fiber end face, the input side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, the output side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, and the output optical fiber end face of the third modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the optical microswitch according to the second comparative example. FIG. 11 is an image showing a schematic representation of the optical ranges of the input optical fiber end face, the input side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, the output side end face of the optical path changing optical fiber, and the output optical fiber end face of the optical microswitch according to the second comparative example. In FIG. 9, the optical path changing optical fiber 40 is depicted as a multi-core fiber having 1 to 9 fibers.

[0040] The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which the diameters of the input optical fiber 16 and the output optical fiber 17 are smaller than those of the input optical fiber (11 in FIG. 4(A)) and the output optical fiber (12 in FIG. 4(A)) of the first embodiment (half the diameter in FIG. 8). The holding member 10 holds the input optical fiber 16 and the output optical fiber 17 in accordance with their diameters. In this case, too, in the ON state, the center of the end face of the input optical fiber 16 coincides with the center of one end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, and the center of the end face of the output optical fiber 17 coincides with the center of the other end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path. The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The configuration of the third embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment.

[0041] 8, when the light is ON, the light emitted from the end face of the input optical fiber 16 travels through the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path toward the end face of the output optical fiber 17, but since the multi-core fiber related to the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path is an assembly of fine core fibers, the light passes through the fine core fibers near the center in the multi-core fiber and is emitted toward the end face of the output optical fiber 17, so that the light emitted from the input optical fiber 16 is incident on the output optical fiber 17 with almost no loss. In this case, the light ranges of the end face of the input optical fiber 16, the input side end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, the output side end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, and the end face of the output optical fiber 17 are as shown in FIG.

[0042] That is, at the end face of the input optical fiber 16, light is distributed throughout the core diameter as shown in the first row of FIG. 9. At the input side end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, light is irradiated only to the fine core fiber of the portion facing the end face of the input optical fiber 16 as shown in the second row of FIG. 9. At this time, in the fine core fiber of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path facing the edge of the end face of the input optical fiber 16, light is distributed partially at the time of incidence, but as the light travels through the fine core fiber, the light becomes distributed overall. In addition, light is not incident on the fine core fiber of the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path that does not face the edge of the end face of the input optical fiber 16. In general, the multi-core fiber related to the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path is manufactured so that the position of each fine core fiber from the fiber center does not change, so the light emitted from the input optical fiber 16 passes through the fine core fiber near the center of the multi-core fiber related to the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path. The light incident on the input end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path passes through the fine core fibers near the center of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, and at the output end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, the light is distributed only in the fine core fibers into which the light is incident, as shown in the third row of Fig. 9. At the end face of the output optical fiber 17 facing the output end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path, the light is distributed overall, corresponding to the range of the fine core fibers near the center of the multi-core fiber related to the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path through which the light has passed, as shown in the fourth row of Fig. 9.

[0043] As a comparative example, in a configuration in which a single-core optical fiber 42 for optical path changing as in Comparative Example 2 in Fig. 10 is used instead of the optical fiber 40 for optical path changing in Fig. 8, light is distributed over the entire end face of the input optical fiber 16 as shown in the first row of Fig. 11, and light is distributed in a portion facing the end face of the input optical fiber 16 at the input side end face of the optical fiber 42 for optical path changing as shown in the second row of Fig. 11, but as the light travels through the single core of the optical fiber 42 for optical path changing, the light becomes distributed over the entire optical fiber 42 for optical path changing. At the output side end face of the optical fiber 42 for optical path changing, light is distributed over the entire output side end face of the optical fiber 42 for optical path changing as shown in the third row of Fig. 11. Of the light emitted from the output side end face of the optical fiber 42 for changing the optical path, the light in the portion where the output side end face of the optical fiber 42 for changing the optical path and the end face of the output optical fiber 17 face each other is incident on the end face of the output optical fiber 17, and at the end face of the output optical fiber 17, as shown in the third row of Figure 11, the light is distributed over the entire end face of the output optical fiber 17, but the light in the portion where the output side end face of the optical fiber 42 for changing the optical path and the end face of the output optical fiber 17 do not face each other is not incident on the end face of the output optical fiber 17 and is wasted.

[0044] According to the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the end faces of the input optical fiber 16 and the output optical fiber 17 are opposed to both end faces of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path at a close distance when ON, and the end faces of the input optical fiber 16 and the output optical fiber 17 are opposed to the movable member 30 at a close distance when OFF, so that it is possible to suppress deterioration of an optical signal when ON and to contribute to suppressing erroneous transmission of an optical signal when OFF. That is, the light emitted from the end face of the input optical fiber 16 passes only through the fine core fiber in the center of the multicore fiber related to the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path that faces the end face of the input optical fiber 16, and is incident on the end face of the output optical fiber 17 that faces only the fine core fiber through which the light has passed, so that almost no optical signal is wasted.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, a multi-core fiber having a structure in which many thin cores are densely packed is used as the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path. Therefore, even if the optical microswitch 1 uses the input optical fiber 16 and the output optical fiber 17 having a different thickness from the optical fiber 40 for changing the optical path, degradation of the optical signal can be suppressed.

[0046] In addition, in a conventional optical microswitch (see, for example, Patent Document 6) that uses a conventional optical fiber for the light path in the optical microswitch, the diameter of the input / output optical fiber connected to the optical microswitch from the outside must be approximately equal to the diameter of the optical fiber inside the microswitch. Therefore, if the input / output optical fiber is replaced with a thin optical fiber that is easy to wire, there is an inconvenience that light leaks from the end face of the optical fiber inside the microswitch, leading to a significant decrease in performance.

[0047] [Form 4] The optical microswitch according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fourth modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a holding member in the fourth modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a movable member in the fourth modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is an exploded side view showing a schematic operation of the fourth modified optical microswitch according to the present disclosure, in (A) the ON state and (B) the OFF state.

[0048] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the side from which the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12 and 13 in FIG. 12 are pulled out is described as the back surface, and the side from which the operating unit 34 protrudes is described as the top surface (plane surface), but this is not intended to limit the directionality. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the front, left side and top of a state in which one input optical fiber 11, two output optical fibers 12, 13, and two optical fibers 40, 41 for changing optical paths are present with the first half case (corresponding to 20a in FIG. 1) removed; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front, left side and top of a holding member 10 that holds the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12, 13; FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the back, left side and top of a movable member 30 to which the optical fibers 40, 41 for changing optical paths are attached; and FIG. 15 is a side view showing the left side of the holding member 10 with the first half case (corresponding to 20a in FIG. 1) removed (a cross section of the holding member 10 taken along the line X-X' in FIG. 13).

[0049] The fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, which is adapted to switch the optical path of an optical signal. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configurations of the holding member 10 and the movable member 30, and further includes an output optical fiber 13 and an optical path changing optical fiber 41.

[0050] The holding member 10 is a member that holds the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12, 13 (see Figs. 12, 13, and 15). The holding member 10 can be, for example, columnar (rectangular parallelepiped in Fig. 2). The holding member 10 is detachably held (may be fitted or engaged) in the holding portion 22 of the case 20. The holding member 10 may be screwed or glued to the holding portion 22 of the case 20. The holding member 10 is slidable in the rear-front direction within the holding portion 22. The holding member 10 has holding holes 10a, 10b, and 10c that penetrate from the rear to the front. The holding holes 10a, 10b, and 10c are arranged approximately parallel to each other. In Fig. 13, the holding hole 10a is arranged diagonally below the holding hole 10b and diagonally above the holding hole 10c when viewed from the front. In FIG. 13, the holding hole 10b is disposed diagonally above the holding hole 10a and directly above the holding hole 10c when viewed from the front. In FIG. 13, the holding hole 10c is disposed diagonally below the holding hole 10a and directly below the holding hole 10b when viewed from the front. The holding holes 10a, 10b, and 10c have a diameter (large diameter) including the sheaths (protective layer, coating layer) of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12 and 13 from the back surface to the middle part of the holding member 10, and have a diameter (small diameter) excluding the sheaths of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12 and 13 from the middle part to the front of the holding member 10 (see FIG. 15). The holding hole 10a holds the input optical fiber 11. The holding hole 10b holds the output optical fiber 12. The holding hole 10c holds the output optical fiber 13. The positions of the holding holes 10a and 10b (positions on the front surface of the holding member 10) correspond to the positions of both ends of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected (when the output optical fiber 12 is ON and the output optical fiber 13 is OFF; the same applies below). The positions of the holding holes 10a and 10c (positions on the front surface of the holding member 10) correspond to the positions of both ends of the optical fiber 41 for changing an optical path when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected (when the output optical fiber 13 is ON and the output optical fiber 12 is OFF; the same applies below).It is preferable that the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12 and 13 are not in contact with the surfaces including both end faces of the movable member 30 and the optical path changing optical fibers 40 and 41, and are as close as possible to them.

[0051] The movable member 30 is a member that can move in a predetermined direction (vertical direction in FIG. 12) in the internal space 21 of the case 20 (see FIGS. 12, 14, and 15). The movable member 30 has a main body 31 that can move linearly in the vertical direction in the internal space 21 of the case 20. The main body 31 has fiber holding parts 32 and 33 that hold the optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path. The fiber holding part 32 is formed in a semicircular shape (U-shaped or C-shaped) when viewed from the lower left side. The fiber holding part 33 is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the upper left side. The fiber holding parts 32 and 33 can be groove parts that can hold the optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path as shown in FIG. 14, or may be through holes. The fiber holding parts 32 and 33 are formed so that both end faces of the optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path appear on the back surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30.

[0052] The positions of both ends of the fiber holding part 32 on the back surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 (the positions of both ends of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path) face the positions of the holding holes 10a and 10b of the holding member 10 (the positions of the respective ends of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12) when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, and face the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected. The positions of both ends of the fiber holding part 33 on the back surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 (the positions of both ends of the optical fiber 41 for changing an optical path) face the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, and face the positions of the holding holes 10a and 10c of the holding member 10 (the positions of the respective ends of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13) when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected.

[0053] When the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, the upper surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 abuts (may be pressed against) the inner surface (which may be a stopper portion) of the case 20, thereby restricting the upward movement of the movable member 30 relative to the case 20. When the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected, the lower surface of the main body 31 of the movable member 30 abuts (may be pressed against) the inner surface (which may be a stopper portion) of the case 20, thereby restricting the downward movement of the movable member 30 relative to the case 20. The vertical movable distance of the movable member 30 within the case 20 can be set to be longer than the diameter of each end of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12, 13.

[0054] The movable member 30 may have a light absorbing portion at least at a position facing the end of the output optical fiber 12 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected. The entire movable member 30 may be configured to absorb light. The movable member 30 may have a light absorbing portion at least at a position facing the end of the output optical fiber 13 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected. The movable member 30 may be configured to absorb light entirely.

[0055] The movable member 30 has an operating part 34 extending upward from the upper surface of the main body 31. The operating part 34 is slidably inserted into the slide hole 23 of the case 20. The operating part 34 protrudes outside the case 20 and can move linearly in the vertical direction.

[0056] The movable member 30 has a spring receiving portion 35 on the lower surface of the main body 31. The spring receiving portion 35 is disposed so as to face the spring receiving portion 24 of the case 20. The spring receiving portion 35 has a recess so as to position one end of the compression spring 60. When the movable member 30 is pressed down, it is urged upward by the compression spring 60 against the case 20. In FIG. 4, the movable member 30 is of a momentary action type (self-returning type) that optically connects the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 when not pressed down and optically connects the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 when pressed down. However, the movable member 30 may be provided with a mechanism (not shown) that keeps the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 in an optically connected state even if the hand is released after pressing down, and returns to the optically connected state of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 when pressed again, becoming an alternate action type (self-retaining type).

[0057] The optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path are optical fibers used for changing an optical path (see Figs. 12, 14, and 15). The optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path are held by the fiber holding parts 32 and 33 of the movable member 30. The optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path is formed in a semicircular shape along the fiber holding part 32 when viewed from the lower left side. The optical fiber 41 for changing an optical path is formed in a semicircular shape along the fiber holding part 33 when viewed from the upper left side. The bending radius of the optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path is set according to the type of optical fiber used. For the optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path, it is preferable to use optical fibers that have little bending loss even when the bending radius is 5 mm or less at room temperature. As an optical fiber that satisfies such conditions, a multicore fiber having a cladding material around a large number of thin cores can be used.

[0058] One end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path faces (facing so as to be parallel) the end face of the input optical fiber 11 held by the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, and faces the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected. The other end face of the optical fiber 40 for changing an optical path faces (facing so as to be parallel) the end face of the output optical fiber 12 held by the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, and faces the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected. One end face of the optical fiber 41 for changing an optical path faces the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, and faces (facing in parallel) the end face of the input optical fiber 11 held by the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected. The other end face of the optical fiber 41 for changing an optical path faces the wall surface of the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12 are optically connected, and faces (facing in parallel) the end face of the output optical fiber 13 held by the holding member 10 when the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13 are optically connected. Both end faces of the optical fibers 40 and 41 for changing an optical path are preferably as close as possible (nearby) to the surfaces including the holding member 10 and the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12 and 13 without contacting them.

[0059] The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Moreover, the fourth embodiment may be applied to the third embodiment.

[0060] In the optical microswitch 1 configured as above, when the operation unit 34 is not pressed as shown in Fig. 15(A), an optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical path changing optical fiber 40 to the output optical fiber 12, but is not transmitted to the optical path changing optical fiber 41 and the output optical fiber 13. On the other hand, when the operation unit 34 is pressed as shown in Fig. 15(B), the movable member 30 moves downward and both end faces of the optical path changing optical fiber 40 are disengaged from the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, so that the optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical path changing optical fiber 41 to the output optical fiber 13, but is not transmitted to the optical path changing optical fiber 40 and the output optical fiber 12. When the operation unit 34 is released from being pressed, the state returns to that shown in Fig. 15(A).

[0061] According to the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the optical signal when it is ON, and also to contribute to suppressing erroneous transmission of the optical signal when it is OFF. Furthermore, since the optical fiber for optical path changing 40 is used when optically connecting the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, and the optical fiber for optical path changing 41 is used when optically connecting the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 13, it becomes possible to switch the optical path even if the operating stroke of the operating unit 34 is small.

[0062] Furthermore, according to form 4, the output optical fibers 12, 13 are arranged at an oblique position to the input optical fiber 11, and accordingly, both ends of the optical path changing optical fibers 40, 41 are arranged in an oblique positional relationship, thereby making it possible to reduce the vertical dimension of the optical microswitch 1.

[0063] As an example of an optical microswitch using a means other than a light direction conversion means such as a reflecting mirror, a reflecting plate, or a prism, there is an optical microswitch that provides a gap in the internal optical path, provides a blocking means such as a light blocking member or a light blocking plate in the gap, and switches an optical signal by moving (moving in and out, sliding) the blocking means (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 to 6). An optical microswitch using a blocking means only switches the optical signal ON / OFF, and cannot switch the optical path by operating the operating unit.

[0064] [Form 5] The optical microswitch according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is an exploded side view showing a schematic configuration of a fifth modified example of the optical microswitch according to the present disclosure. In the fifth embodiment, the side from which the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fibers 12 and 13 are pulled out in FIG. 16 will be described as the back surface, and the side from which the operation unit 51 protrudes will be described as the top surface (flat surface), but this does not limit the directionality. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the left side surface (corresponding to the cross section of the holding member 10 taken along the line X-X' in FIG. 13) with the first half case (corresponding to 20a in FIG. 1) removed.

[0065] The fifth embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment, in which the movable member 30 in Fig. 12 is divided into the movable member 30, the leaf spring 61, and the operation member 50 as shown in Fig. 16. Accordingly, a slide shaft member 25 and a slide hole portion 37 are added as shown in Fig. 16.

[0066] Second case half 20b (which may correspond to first case half 20a in FIG. 1) fixes an end portion of slide shaft member 25 extending downward from the ceiling surface of internal space 21. Slide shaft member 25 is slidably inserted into slide hole portion 37 of movable member 30. Second case half 20b (which may correspond to first case half 20a in FIG. 1) has spring fixing portion 26 on the wall surface on the front side of internal space 21 for fixing an end portion of leaf spring 61 extending toward the rear side. The configuration of the other cases (including second case half 20b) is the same as that of embodiment 4.

[0067] The main body 31 of the movable member 30 does not have an operation portion 34 as shown in FIG. 12, but has a leaf spring engagement portion 36 and a slide hole portion 37. The leaf spring engagement portion 36 is a portion that engages with the tip of the leaf spring 61 with some play. The leaf spring engagement portion 36 can be a groove or a recess formed in the wall surface on the front side of the main body 31, and the vertical width of the groove or recess is set to be larger than the thickness of the leaf spring 61. The slide hole portion 37 is a hole portion opened in the upper surface of the main body 31. The slide shaft member 25 is slidably inserted into the slide hole portion 37. The other configurations of the movable member 30 are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

[0068] The operating member 50 is a member that can be moved in a predetermined direction (vertical direction in FIG. 16) in the internal space 21 of the case (corresponding to 20 in FIG. 1; including the second half case 20b) by the user's operation. The operating member 50 can be moved linearly in the vertical direction in the internal space 21 of the case 20. The operating member 50 has an operating part 51 that extends upward from the upper surface. The operating part 51 is slidably inserted into the slide hole part 23 of the case 20. The operating part 51 protrudes outside the case 20 and can be moved linearly in the vertical direction. The operating member 50 has leaf spring engaging parts 52a, 52b that engage with the leaf spring 61 with some play when moving in the vertical direction. The leaf spring engaging parts 52a, 52b can be configured as pins protruding to the left side (or right side). The leaf spring engaging part 52a is disposed on the leaf spring engaging part 52b. The interval between the leaf spring engagement portion 52a and the leaf spring engagement portion 52b is set to be larger than the thickness of the leaf spring 61.

[0069] The leaf spring 61 is a leaf-shaped spring. An end portion of the leaf spring 61 is fixed to the spring fixing portion 26 of the case (corresponding to 20 in FIG. 1; including the second case half 20b). The leaf spring 61 extends to the rear side in the internal space 21. An intermediate portion of the leaf spring 61 passes between the leaf spring engagement portions 52a, 52b of the operating member 50, and a tip portion of the leaf spring 61 is inserted into the leaf spring engagement portion 36 of the movable member 30. A pin-shaped spring may be used instead of the leaf spring 61. When the middle portion of the leaf spring 61 is pressed down by the leaf spring engagement portion 52a of the operating member 50, the tip portion of the leaf spring 61 descends below the middle portion, and the operating member 50 is pressed down until it abuts against the case 20, and when the middle portion of the leaf spring 61 is pressed down further by the leaf spring engagement portion 52a of the operating member 50, the leaf spring 61 elastically deforms without pressing down the operating member 50.

[0070] The other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment. Moreover, the fifth embodiment may be applied to the third embodiment.

[0071] In the optical microswitch 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, when the operation unit 51 is not pressed, an optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical path changing optical fiber 40 to the output optical fiber 12, but is not transmitted to the optical path changing optical fiber 41 and the output optical fiber 13. On the other hand, when the operation unit 51 is pressed, the operation member 50 moves downward, and the tip of the leaf spring 61 moves downward accordingly, and the movable member 30 moves downward accordingly, so that both end faces of the optical path changing optical fiber 40 are disengaged from the end faces of the input optical fiber 11 and the output optical fiber 12, and the optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical path changing optical fiber 41 to the output optical fiber 13, but is not transmitted to the optical path changing optical fiber 40 and the output optical fiber 12. When the operation unit 51 is released from being pressed, the optical signal is transmitted from the input optical fiber 11 through the optical path changing optical fiber 40 to the output optical fiber 12, and returns to a state in which it is not transmitted to the optical path changing optical fiber 41 and the output optical fiber 13.

[0072] According to the fifth embodiment, like the fourth embodiment, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the optical signal when the optical switch is ON and to contribute to suppressing erroneous transmission of the optical signal when the optical switch is OFF, and it is also possible to tolerate an error in the depression position of the operating portion 51 when the optical microswitch 1 is installed on-site.

[0073] Some or all of the above aspects may be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0074] [Appendix 1] An optical microswitch configured to switch an optical signal by an external operation, an input optical fiber configured to input the optical signal to the optical microswitch; an output optical fiber configured to output the optical signal from the optical microswitch; an optical path changing optical fiber configured to change an optical path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; A movable member configured to hold the optical path changing optical fiber; a holding member configured to hold each end of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; A case configured to slidably support the movable member on the inside thereof; Equipped with The movable member is a first movable position in which an end face of the input optical fiber faces one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path; a second movable position in which at least an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, or an end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path; and configured to switchably move between The optical micro switch, wherein the optical fiber for changing an optical path is a multi-core fiber having a structure in which a large number of thin cores are densely packed together. [Appendix 2] the holding member is detachable from the case and can be attached in either a first state or a second state obtained by inverting the first state; When the holding member is in the first state, When the movable member is in a first position with respect to the case, an end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, thereby entering an ON state; and when the movable member is in a second position slid from the first position with respect to the case, an OFF state is established in which an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, When the holding member is in the second state, When the movable member is at the first position with respect to the case, an OFF state is entered in which an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and when the movable member is in the second position with respect to the case, an ON state is reached in which an end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path. 2. The optical microswitch of claim 1, configured as follows: [Appendix 3] the holding member holds the optical fiber for changing an optical path such that, when in the ON state, a center of an end face of the input optical fiber coincides with a center of the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and a center of an end face of the output optical fiber coincides with a center of the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path. Attachment 2: Optical microswitch. [Appendix 4] a diameter of each of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber is smaller than a diameter of the optical path changing optical fiber; Attachment 3: An optical microswitch. [Appendix 5] an output optical fiber other than the output optical fiber, configured to output the optical signal from the optical microswitch; Another optical path changing optical fiber, different from the optical path changing optical fiber, configured to change an optical path between the input optical fiber and the other output optical fiber; Equipped with the holding member is configured to hold each end of the input optical fiber, the output optical fiber, and the other output optical fiber; the movable member is configured to hold the optical fiber for changing an optical path and the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, The movable member is the first movable position in which an end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the other output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path; the second movable position in which the end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, the end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, the end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, and the end face of the other output optical fiber faces the other end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path; and configured to switchably move between Attachment 1: Optical microswitch. [Appendix 6] The holding member is The case is detachable from the case, When the movable member is in the first movable position, the center of the end face of the input optical fiber coincides with the center of the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and the center of the end face of the output optical fiber coincides with the center of the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and holding the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber such that, when the movable member is in the second movable position, a center of an end face of the input optical fiber coincides with a center of the one end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, and a center of an end face of the other output optical fiber coincides with a center of the other end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path; It is configured as follows: Attachment 5. An optical microswitch as described in claim 5. [Appendix 7] 7. The optical microswitch according to claim 6, wherein the diameters of the input optical fiber, the output optical fiber, and the other output optical fiber are smaller than the diameters of the optical path changing optical fiber and the other optical path changing optical fiber. [Appendix 8] the movable member has an operation part that moves a main body of the movable member linearly by being pushed, The optical microswitch includes an elastic member disposed between the movable member and the case so as to be compressed in a direction in which the movable member is pushed in. 8. An optical microswitch according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Appendix 9] an operating member having an operating part that moves the main body linearly when pressed; a compression spring disposed inside the case between the movable member and the case so as to compress the movable member in a sliding direction; a leaf spring fixed to the case on the inside of the case; Equipped with The leaf spring is configured to be elastically deformed by receiving a pushing force from the operating member so as to push the movable member in a direction in which the compression spring is compressed. 8. An optical microswitch according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0075] The disclosures of the above patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention as necessary. Within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims and drawings), and further based on the basic technical idea, modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible. Furthermore, within the framework of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (or non-selection as necessary) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art would be able to make according to the entire disclosure, including the claims and drawings, and the technical idea. Furthermore, with regard to the numerical values ​​and numerical ranges described in this application, any intermediate value, lower numerical value, and small range are deemed to be described even if not specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above cited documents may be used in part or in whole in combination with the descriptions in this document as part of the disclosure of the present invention as necessary, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, and are deemed to be included (belong) in the disclosures of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Optical micro switch 10 Retaining member 10a, 10b, 10c retaining holes 11, 16 Input optical fiber 12, 13, 17 Output optical fiber 20 cases 20a 1st and 2nd case 20b 2nd half case 21 Interior Space 22 Holding part 23 Slide hole 24 Spring receiving part 25 Slide shaft member 26 Spring fixing part 30 Movable parts 31 Main unit 32, 33 Fiber holder 34 Control section 35 Spring bearing part 36 Leaf spring engagement part 37 Slide hole 40, 41, 42 Optical fiber for changing optical path 50 Operation member 51 Operation section 52a, 52b Leaf spring engagement portion 60 Compression spring 61 Leaf Spring

Claims

1. An optical microswitch configured to switch an optical signal by an external operation, an input optical fiber configured to input the optical signal to the optical microswitch; an output optical fiber configured to output the optical signal from the optical microswitch; an optical path changing optical fiber configured to change an optical path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; A movable member configured to hold the optical path changing optical fiber; a holding member configured to hold each end of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; A case configured to slidably support the movable member on the inside thereof; Equipped with The movable member is a first movable position in which an end face of the input optical fiber faces one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path; a second movable position in which at least an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, or an end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path; and configured to switchably move between The optical micro switch, wherein the optical fiber for changing an optical path is a multi-core fiber having a structure in which a large number of thin cores are densely packed together.

2. the holding member is detachable from the case and can be attached in either a first state or a second state obtained by inverting the first state, When the holding member is in the first state, When the movable member is in a first position with respect to the case, an end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, thereby entering an ON state; and when the movable member is in a second position slid from the first position with respect to the case, an OFF state is established in which an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, When the holding member is in the second state, When the movable member is in the first position with respect to the case, an OFF state is established in which an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and when the movable member is in the second position with respect to the case, an end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, thereby entering an ON state.

2. The optical microswitch according to claim 1, wherein said optical microswitch is configured as follows.

3. the holding member holds the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber such that, when in the ON state, a center of an end face of the input optical fiber coincides with a center of the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and a center of an end face of the output optical fiber coincides with a center of the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path.

3. The optical microswitch according to claim 2.

4. a diameter of each of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber is smaller than a diameter of the optical path changing optical fiber; 4. The optical microswitch according to claim 3.

5. an output optical fiber other than the output optical fiber, configured to output the optical signal from the optical microswitch; Another optical path changing optical fiber, different from the optical path changing optical fiber, configured to change an optical path between the input optical fiber and the other output optical fiber; Equipped with the holding member is configured to hold each end of the input optical fiber, the output optical fiber, and the other output optical fiber; the movable member is configured to hold the optical fiber for changing an optical path and the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, The movable member is the first movable position in which an end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, an end face of the output optical fiber faces the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, an end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, and an end face of the other output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path; the second movable position in which the end face of the input optical fiber does not face the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, the end face of the output optical fiber does not face the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, the end face of the input optical fiber faces the one end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, and the end face of the other output optical fiber faces the other end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path; and configured to switchably move between 2. The optical microswitch according to claim 1.

6. The holding member is The case is detachable from the case, When the movable member is in the first movable position, the center of the end face of the input optical fiber coincides with the center of the one end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, and the center of the end face of the output optical fiber coincides with the center of the other end face of the optical fiber for changing an optical path, holding the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber such that, when the movable member is in the second movable position, a center of an end face of the input optical fiber coincides with a center of the one end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path, and a center of an end face of the other output optical fiber coincides with a center of the other end face of the other optical fiber for changing an optical path; It is configured as follows:

6. The optical microswitch according to claim 5.

7. each of the input optical fiber, the output optical fiber, and the other output optical fiber has a smaller diameter than each of the optical path changing optical fiber and the other optical path changing optical fiber; 7. The optical microswitch according to claim 6.

8. the movable member has an operation part that moves a main body of the movable member linearly by being pushed, The optical microswitch includes an elastic member disposed between the movable member and the case so as to be compressed in a direction in which the movable member is pushed in.

8. The optical microswitch according to claim 1.

9. an operating member having an operating part that moves the main body linearly when pressed; a compression spring disposed inside the case between the movable member and the case so as to compress the movable member in a sliding direction; a leaf spring fixed to the case on the inside of the case; Equipped with The leaf spring is configured to be elastically deformed by receiving a pushing force from the operating member so as to push the movable member in a direction in which the compression spring is compressed.

8. The optical microswitch according to claim 1.

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