CN113359239A - Optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to an optical switch, which comprises an optical path conversion component and a switch driving component. The light path conversion component comprises a first light guide piece and a second light guide piece, the first light guide piece is provided with a first end face and a second end face which are opposite, the second light guide piece is provided with a third end face and a fourth end face which are opposite, the second end face and the third end face are opposite and adjacent to each other, when a gap exists between the second end face and the third end face, light beams in the first light guide piece enter the second light guide piece through the third end face after deflection at the second end face, or light beams in the second light guide piece enter the first light guide piece through the second end face after deflection at the third end face. The switch driving assembly is used for driving the first light guide piece and/or the second light guide piece to move so as to change the size of a gap between the second end face of the first light guide piece and the third end face of the second light guide piece. The light path is switched by the light path conversion component and the switch driving component, so that the space of the optical switch can be saved.

Description

Optical switch

Technical Field

The present application relates to the technical field of optical communication, and in particular, to an optical switch.

Background

The optical switch is an important device for switching optical links, and has irreplaceable functions in the field of optical communication. Conventional optical switches are generally classified into mechanical optical switches, acousto-optic modulated optical switches, electro-optic modulated optical switches, micro-precision mechanical optical switches, and the like. Other types of optical switches besides mechanical optical switches have a great majority of markets because of their high cost, especially their poor performance-price ratio and competitiveness when the number of channels to be switched is small and the switching speed is not high.

The traditional mechanical optical switch mainly controls an optical path through a relay, fixes optical elements (such as a dioptric prism, a plane mirror and the like) of the optical path of the optical switch on an armature component of a common relay through extension transformation, and changes optical path transmission by utilizing switching movement of the armature in the working process of the relay, thereby realizing optical path switching. In the optical switch with the traditional structure, the relay and the optical path of the optical element are arranged in the mutually vertical space to form a T-shaped structure, so that the space is large when the optical switch is used, and the optical structure and the optical path are difficult to arrange. In addition, the traditional mechanical optical switch is mainly subjected to extension modification on the traditional relay armature arm and is additionally provided with an optical element to realize the effect of optical path switching, the optimal working load state of the relay is damaged, the defects of long switching response time, high failure rate and poor reliability exist, and the mechanical optical switch has the problem of short service life due to the mechanical contact of the relay.

With the development of optical communication technology, the miniaturization and integration of all optical communication devices have become the development trend of updating various devices, and the traditional mechanical optical switch is more and more limited by use conditions due to relatively large volume and space waste of structural shape, and cannot meet the market demand. Therefore, a new optical switch is needed to be invented to solve the problem that the existing T-shaped mechanical optical switch wastes space during use.

Disclosure of Invention

The application aims at providing an optical switch, contains light path conversion component and switch drive assembly, can carry out optical switch's light path through switch drive assembly drive light path conversion component and switch, and then overcome the big problem of current optical switch T font structure occupation space.

In order to achieve the purpose, the following technical scheme is adopted in the application:

an optical switch, comprising: the light path conversion component and the switch driving component;

the light path conversion component comprises a first light guide piece and a second light guide piece, wherein the first light guide piece is provided with a first end surface and a second end surface which are opposite, the second light guide piece is provided with a third end surface and a fourth end surface which are opposite, the second end surface and the third end surface are opposite and adjacent, when a gap exists between the second end surface and the third end surface, light beams in the first light guide piece deflect at the second end surface and then enter the second light guide piece through the third end surface, or light beams in the second light guide piece deflect at the third end surface and then enter the first light guide piece through the second end surface;

the switch driving assembly is used for driving the first light guide piece and/or the second light guide piece to move so as to change the size of a gap between the second end face of the first light guide piece and the third end face of the second light guide piece.

Preferably, the second end surface of the first light guide member and the third end surface of the second light guide member are respectively wedge-shaped surfaces, and when the second end surface of the first light guide member and the third end surface of the second light guide member are attached, the light beam in the first light guide member does not deflect and enters the second light guide member when passing through the second end surface and the third end surface, or the light beam in the second light guide member does not deflect and enters the first light guide member when passing through the third end surface and the second end surface.

Preferably, the switch driving assembly includes a first driving member and a second driving member, the second driving member includes a second driving block, the second light guide member is disposed on the second driving block, the first driving member is configured to drive the second driving block of the second driving 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 at the initial position and the target position, a gap with a different size is formed between a second end surface of the first light guide member and a third end surface of the second light guide member.

Preferably, the switch driving assembly further comprises a second driving base, and the second driving block is movably disposed on the second driving base.

Preferably, a first guide portion is arranged on the second driving block, a second guide portion is arranged on the second driving base, and the first guide portion and the second guide portion are matched with each other and guide the second driving block to move along a preset direction under the action force of the first driving piece.

Preferably, the first guide part is a protruding part arranged on the second driving block, the second guide part is a guide groove or a guide hole arranged on the second driving base, and the protruding part on the second driving block is in sliding fit with the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving base;

or, the first guide part is a guide groove or a guide hole arranged on the second driving block, the second guide part is a protruding part arranged on the second driving base, and the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving block is in sliding fit with the protruding part on the second driving base.

Preferably, the cross section of the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving base along the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the guide groove or the guide hole is provided with a contracted opening facing the second driving block, and the shape of the bulge on the second driving block is matched with that of the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving base;

or the section of the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving block along the direction vertical to the length direction of the guide groove or the guide hole is provided with a contracted opening facing the second driving base, and the shape of the bulge on the second driving base is matched with that of the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving block.

Preferably, a magnetic force is applied between the first driving member and the second driving member.

Preferably, the optical switch further comprises a fixed base plate, the fixed base plate is arranged between the first light guide piece and the first driving piece and between the second light guide piece and the first driving piece, the second light guide piece and the fixed base plate are in clearance fit, and part of the second driving base is connected with the fixed base plate.

Preferably, the first driving part is an electromagnet, the second driving part is a permanent magnet, the electromagnet of the first driving part comprises an electromagnetic coil and an iron core, and the electromagnetic coil is sleeved outside the iron core.

Preferably, the iron core extends out of two ends of the electromagnetic coil and clamps the electromagnetic coil, the fixed bottom plate is connected with the electromagnetic coil and/or part of the iron core, the iron core extends to one side of the second driving block, which is back to the second light guide piece, and the part of the iron core extending to the second light guide piece is reused as the second driving base.

Preferably, the first driving member comprises a motor, and a telescopic shaft of the motor is connected with the second driving block.

Preferably, the optical switch further includes an optical path input/output device, the optical path input/output device includes a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber and a converging lens, the first optical fiber is disposed adjacent to the first end face of the first light guide, the second optical fiber is disposed adjacent to the fourth end face of the second light guide, the converging lens is disposed between the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber and the first end face of the first light guide, and the light beam of the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber is converged 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.

Preferably, the first optical fiber is a single-fiber optical fiber head, and the second optical fiber is a single-fiber optical fiber head or a double-fiber optical fiber head.

Preferably, in the working process of the first light guide part and the second light guide part, a gap is always formed between the second end face of the first light guide part and the third end face of the second light guide part.

Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application include at least:

the utility model provides a photoswitch that contains light path conversion components and switch drive assembly can realize photoswitch's light path through switch drive assembly drive light path conversion components and switch, and above-mentioned structure is applicable to various photoswitch structures, has the advantage of saving the photoswitch space, can realize the effect of the whole miniaturization of photoswitch.

Drawings

The present application is further described below with reference to the drawings and examples.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the optical switch of FIG. 1 in another operating state;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a second driving member of an optical switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical switch provided in the embodiments of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic optical path diagram of a switching case (1) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a light beam input to a first optical fiber in the switching case (1) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a second optical fiber for outputting a light beam in the switching case (1) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic optical path diagram of a switching case (2) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a light beam input to a first optical fiber in the switching case (2) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second optical fiber for outputting a light beam in the switching case (2) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic optical path diagram of a switching case (3) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a light beam input to a first optical fiber in the switching case (3) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a second optical fiber for outputting a light beam in the switching case (3) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic optical path diagram of a switching case (4) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a light beam input to a first optical fiber in the switching case (4) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a second optical fiber for outputting a light beam in the switching case (4) of the optical switch provided in the embodiment of the present application.

The figure is as follows:

1. an optical path conversion component; 11. a first light guide; 12. a second light guide; 111. a first end face; 112. a second end face; 113. a third end face; 114. a fourth end face;

2. a switch drive assembly; 21. a first driving member; 22. a second driving member; 211. an electromagnetic coil; 212. an iron core; 221. a second driving block; 222. a second drive base; 2211. a first guide portion; 2221. a second guide portion;

31. a first optical fiber; 32. a second optical fiber; 33. a converging lens; 311. a first fiber optic head; 321. a second fiber optic head; 322. a third fiber optic head;

41. and fixing the bottom plate.

Detailed Description

The present application is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description, and it should be noted that, in the present application, the embodiments or technical features described below may be arbitrarily combined to form a new embodiment without conflict.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the present application relates to an optical switch including an optical path conversion member 1 and a switch driving member 2. The optical switch to which the present application is directed may be a free space optical switch.

The light 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 surface 111 and a second end surface 112 opposite to each other, and the first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11 can be used for inputting or outputting a light beam. The second light guide 12 has opposite third and fourth end faces 113, 114, and the fourth end face 114 of the second light guide 12 can be used for inputting or outputting light beams. The second end surface 112 and the third end surface 113 are disposed opposite and adjacent to each other, and the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 may be regular surfaces or irregular surfaces, such as wedge surfaces, arc surfaces, and the like. That is to say, when there is a gap between the second end surface 112 and the third end surface 113, the light beam in the first light guide 11 is deflected at the second end surface 112 and then enters the second light guide 12 through the third end surface 113, or the light beam in the second light guide 12 is deflected at the third end surface 113 and then enters the first light guide 11 through the second end surface 112.

The switch driving assembly 2 is used for driving the first light guide 11 and/or the second light guide 12 to move so as to change the size 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. Specifically, when the second light guide 12 is located at the target position, 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 may be larger than 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 at the initial position, or may be smaller than 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 at the initial position.

Take fig. 1 as an initial position and fig. 2 as a target position as an example. Referring to fig. 1, a light beam is input from a first end surface 111 of a first light guide 11 and output from a fourth end surface 114 of a second light guide 12, and since a second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and a third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 are directly attached to each other, there is no optical path deviation in the transmission of the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12, so that the light beam linearly passes through the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 and is output from a point a of the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12. Referring to fig. 2, after the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 keep a certain distance, since an air gap exists between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12, since the refractive index of the air gap is different from that of the first light guide 11 and from that of the second light guide 12, the light beams passing through the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are deflected at the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12, respectively, and the light beams are output from the point b of the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12. Through the above process, the position of the output point of the light beam at the fourth end surface 114 is shifted from the point a to the point b, and the switching of the light beam from the position a to the position b at the output end is realized.

The switch driving assembly 2 can drive the second light guide 12 to move between an initial position and a target position. Specifically, fig. 1 is an initial position, and fig. 2 is a target position. When the second light guide 12 is located at the initial position, the switch driving assembly 2 may act on a forward driving force for moving the second light guide 12 from the initial position to the target position, and 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 is gradually increased. When the second light guide 12 is located at the target position, the switch driving assembly 2 may stop or maintain the forward driving force on the second light guide 12, the second light guide 12 will be maintained at the target position, and the light path will remain unchanged. When the second light guide 12 is located at the target position, the switch driving assembly 2 may further give a reverse driving force to the second light guide 12 toward the initial position, so that the switch driving assembly 2 drives the second light guide 12 to move from the target position to the initial position, 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 gradually decreases until the second light guide 12 moves to the initial position under the driving of the switch driving assembly 2, and the switch driving assembly 2 may stop or maintain the driving force to the second light guide 12, so that the second light guide 12 is maintained at the initial position.

Therefore, the effect that the switch driving assembly 2 drives the second light guide member 12 to move between the initial position and the target position can be achieved by adjusting the direction of the driving force applied to the second light guide member 12 by the switch driving assembly 2. The distance between the first light guide member 11 and the second light guide member 12 is adjusted by the above structure, that is, 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 is adjusted, so that the purpose of adjusting the shift distance of the output light beam relative to the input light beam can be achieved. Because the light path conversion component 1 and the switch driving component 2 are not limited to the arrangement of the mutually vertical space arrangement modes, the structure is suitable for various optical switch structures, has the advantage of saving the optical switch space, and can realize the effect of overall miniaturization of the optical switch.

In a specific embodiment, the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 may be a rectangular parallelepiped or a cylindrical structure as a whole. Preferably, the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 are formed of a material having a 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 may be wedge-shaped surfaces, and 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 to each other, the light beam in the first light guide 11 does not deflect and enters the second light guide 12 when passing through the second end surface 112 and the third end surface 113. According to the reversibility of the optical path, the light beam in the second light guide 12 may not be deflected when passing through the third end surface 113 and the second end surface 112 and enter the first light guide 11. The optical switch formed by the structure is in a linear or linear structure, has a more compact structure and can be applied to various occasions. When the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 is attached to the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12, the optical switch can be made more compact and save more space.

In a specific embodiment, the switch driving assembly 2 may include a first driving member 21 and a second driving member 22, which are used to adjust the size 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, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the transition offset distance of the output light beam relative to the input light beam. The second driving member 22 includes a second driving block 221, the second light guide 12 is disposed on the second driving block 221, the first driving member 21 is configured to drive the second driving block 221 of the second driving member 22 to move and drive the second light guide 12 to move from an initial position to a target position, and when the second light guide 12 is at the initial position and the target position, a gap with a different size is formed 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 drive member 21 may be a pneumatic drive member, an electromagnetic drive member, a motor drive member, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the first driving member 21 is an electromagnetic driving member, and a magnetic force is applied between the first driving member 21 and the second driving member 22. Further, the first driving member 21 may be an electromagnet for switching the magnetic direction, and the second driving member 22 may be a permanent magnet. When the driving force of the first driving member 21 to the second driving member 22 is a magnetic force, the magnetic force is not required to directly contact the force-applying object and the force-receiving object, so that the optical switch has the advantages of faster switching speed, better reliability and longer service life.

Specifically, taking fig. 1 as an initial position and fig. 2 as a target position as an example, the first driving member 21 is disposed on a side of the second driving member 22 close to the first light guide member 11. When the second light guide 12 is at the initial position, the first driving member 21 generates a magnetic repulsion force for driving the second driving member 22 to move to the target position, and the second light guide 12 moves to the target position along with the second driving member 22. When the second light guide 12 is at the target position, the first driving member 21 generates a magnetic attraction force that can drive the second driving member 22 to move to the initial position, and the second light guide 12 moves to the initial position along with the second driving member 22. The first driving member 21 can be disposed at different positions as required, so that the optical switch can be applied to more occasions.

As shown in fig. 3, the switch driving assembly 2 may further include a second driving base 222 for movably disposing the second driving block 221 on the second driving base 222. The second driving block 221 may further include a first guiding portion 2211, the second driving base 222 may further include a second guiding portion 2221, and the first guiding portion 2211 and the second guiding portion 2221 are disposed in a matching manner to guide the second driving block 221 to move in a predetermined direction under the action of the first driving member 21. The first guiding portion 2211 may be a protruding portion disposed on the second driving block 221, and the second guiding portion 2221 may be a guiding slot or a guiding hole disposed on the second driving base 222, so as to realize the sliding fit between the protruding portion on the second driving block 221 and the guiding slot or the guiding hole on the second driving base 222; the first guide portion 2211 may be a guide groove or a guide hole provided in the second driving block 221, and the second guide portion 2221 may be a projection provided on the second driving base 222 to be engaged with the first guide portion, so that the guide groove or the guide hole of the second driving block 221 and the projection of the second driving base 222 are slidably engaged with each other.

In a specific embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, when the second guide portion 2221 on the second driving base 222 is a guide slot or a guide hole and the first guide portion 2211 on the second driving block 221 is a protrusion, the cross section of the guide slot or the guide hole on the second driving base 222 along the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the guide slot or the guide hole is an opening with a contraction toward the second driving block 221, and the shape of the protrusion of the first guide portion 2211 on the second driving block 221 is matched with the shape of the guide slot or the guide hole of the second guide portion 2221 on the second driving base 222; when the first guide portion 2211 of the second drive block 221 is a guide groove or a guide hole, and the second guide portion 2221 of the second drive base 222 is a projection, the guide groove or the guide hole of the second drive block 221 may have a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide groove or the guide hole, which has a narrowed opening toward the second drive base 222, and the projection of the second guide portion 2221 of the second drive base 222 may be matched in shape to the guide groove or the guide hole of the first guide portion 2211 of the second drive block 221. Through the above structure, when the second driving block 221 moves on the second driving base 222, the second driving block 221 does not separate from the second driving base 222, and can move along the preset direction, so as to generate an acting force between the first driving member 21 and the second driving member 22, and further adjust 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 optical switch may further include a fixing base plate 41, the fixing base plate 41 is disposed between the first light guide 11 and the first driving member 21 and between the second light guide 12 and the first driving member 21, the second light guide 12 and the fixing base plate 41 are in clearance fit to avoid friction, and a portion of the second driving base 222 is connected to the fixing base plate 41. The optical switch with the structure is in a straight line shape, so that the whole space of the optical switch is saved.

When the first driving member 21 is an electromagnet, the electromagnet of the first driving member 21 includes an electromagnetic coil 211 and an iron core 212, and the electromagnetic coil 211 is sleeved outside the iron core 212. The iron core 212 extends out from two ends of the electromagnetic coil 211 and clamps the electromagnetic coil 211, the fixed base plate 41 is connected with the electromagnetic coil 211 and/or a part of the iron core 212, the iron core 212 extends to one side of the second driving block 221, which is back to the second light guide 12, and the part of the iron core 212 extending to the second light guide 12 is reused as a second driving base. The structure is more compact on the premise of ensuring the magnetic induction of the electromagnet.

In another specific embodiment, the first driving member 21 is a motor driving structure, the first driving member 21 includes a motor, a main portion of the motor can be fixed on the first light guide member 11, and a telescopic shaft of the motor is connected to the second driving block 221.

Specifically, when the second light guide 12 is at the initial position, the motor of the first driving member 21 rotates forward and generates a thrust force to drive the second driving member 22 to move to the target position through the telescopic shaft, and then the second light guide 12 moves to the target position along with the second driving member 22. When the second light guide 12 is at the target position, the motor of the first driving member 21 rotates in the opposite direction and generates a pulling force to drive the second driving member 22 to move to the initial position through the telescopic shaft, so that the second light guide 12 moves to the initial position along with the second driving member 22.

In the working process of the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12, a gap may be always formed between the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12. When a gap is formed 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 during the working process of the second light guide member 12, the second light guide member 12 does not collide with the first light guide member 11 during the moving process, so that the damage to the first light guide member 11 and the second light guide member 12 is avoided, and the service life of the optical switch is prolonged.

The optical switch structure described above can also be applied to an optical fiber type optical switch, and an optical switch of another embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, the optical switch further includes an optical path input/output device, the optical path input/output device includes a first optical fiber 31, a second optical fiber 32, and a converging lens 33, the first optical fiber 31 can be used for inputting or outputting light beams, the second optical fiber 32 can be used for inputting or outputting light beams, and the converging lens 33 is used for condensing light beams input by the first optical fiber 31. The first optical fiber 31 is disposed adjacent to the first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11, the second optical fiber 32 is disposed adjacent to the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12, the converging lens 33 is disposed between the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber 31 and the first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11, and the light beam of the optical fiber head of the first optical fiber 31 is converged onto the end surface of the optical fiber head of the second optical fiber 32 after passing through the converging lens 33, the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12. The converging Lens 33 may be a G Lens (G-Lens) or a C Lens (C-Lens), and is preferably a G Lens. The G lens has the advantages of small size, ultra-short focal length and flat end surface, and when the G lens is used as the converging lens 33, the structure of the optical fiber type optical switch is more compact.

In one embodiment, the first optical fiber 31 is a single fiber head and the second optical fiber 32 is a double fiber head, so that the optical switch is a straight type 1 × 2 optical switch.

Referring to fig. 4 to 16, the present application includes an optical path conversion assembly 1, a switch driving assembly 2, and an optical path input/output device, where the optical path conversion assembly 1 includes a first light guide 11 and a second light guide 12, the switch driving assembly 2 includes a first driving member 21 and a second driving member 22, and the optical path input/output device includes a first optical fiber 31, a second optical fiber 32, and a converging lens 33. The first driving member 21 is an electromagnet, and the second driving member 22 is a permanent magnet. The first optical fiber 31 is a single-core optical fiber head having a first optical fiber head 311; the second optical fiber 32 may be a dual-core fiber tip having a second fiber tip 321 and a third fiber tip 322; the condensing lens 33 is a G lens.

In the using process, the first driving member 21 drives the second driving member 22 and drives the second light guide member 12 to move, so as to change 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 switching function of the 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 optical path switching of the light beam passing through the optical switch is as follows:

(1) referring to fig. 4, 5, 6 and 7, when the light beam is converged from the first fiber head 311 of the first fiber 31 through the converging lens 33 and input into the first light guide 11, the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 is not energized, a magnetic attraction force exists between the iron core 212 of the first driving member 21 and the second driving member 22, and the second light guide 12 connected to the second driving member 22 is locked at an initial position, so that the converged light beam is coupled into the second fiber head 321 of the dual-core fiber head.

(2) Referring to fig. 4, 8, 9 and 10, when the light beam is converged by the converging lens 33 from the first fiber head 311 of the first optical fiber 31 and input to the first light guide 11, the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 is energized to generate a magnetic field in a direction opposite to that of the second driving member 22, and the first driving member 21 generates a magnetic repulsion force to the second driving member 22 to move to the target position, so that the second light guide 12 moves to the target position under the driving of the second driving member 22. As the gap distance between the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12 and the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 increases, the offset distance of the light beam guided out from the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12 with respect to the input light beam from the first end surface 111 of the first light guide 11 increases accordingly. The light beam output through the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12 gradually moves from the second fiber head 321 to the third fiber head 322 of the second optical fiber 32, so as to realize the switching of the light beam.

(3) Referring to fig. 4, 11, 12 and 13, when the light beam is converged by the converging lens 33 from the first fiber head 311 of the first optical fiber 31 and input into the first light guide 11, the second driving member 22 moves to the target position under the driving action of the first driving member 21. The light beam input through the first light guide 11 is deflected by the second end surface 112 of the first light guide 11 and the third end surface 113 of the second light guide 12, and then is input/output to the third fiber head 322 from the fourth end surface 114 of the second light guide 12 in a position shifted from the input light beam. The electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 can be kept energized or de-energized according to the magnetic property selection of the material of the iron core 212 extending to the side of the second driving block 221 facing away from the second light guide 12, and the second light guide 12 connected to the second driving member 22 is locked at the target position so that the converged light beam is continuously coupled into the third fiber head 322 of the second optical fiber 32.

(4) Referring to fig. 4, 14, 15 and 16, when the light beam is converged by the converging lens 33 from the first fiber head 311 of the first fiber 31 and input to the first light guide 11, the power supply direction of the electromagnetic coil 211 of the first driving member 21 is changed, and the second driving member 22 drives the second light guide 12 to move toward the first light guide 11 until the second light guide 12 moves to the initial position due to the magnetic attraction force to the initial position given by the first driving member 21. The first driving member 21 can be kept powered on or powered off according to the magnetic property selection of the material of the iron core 212 extending to the side of the second driving block 221 facing away from the second light guide 12, and the second light guide 12 connected to the second driving member 22 is locked at the initial position so that the converged light beam is coupled into the second fiber tip 321 of the second optical fiber 32.

In the above switching of the optical paths, the second driving element 22 adjusts the distance between the first light guide 11 and the second light guide 12 by the magnetic repulsion or the magnetic attraction of the first driving element 21, that is, the size 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 is adjusted, so that the effect of changing the offset distance of the output light beam relative to the input light beam is realized.

The optical switch adopting the structure has the advantage of saving the space of the optical switch because the optical path conversion component 1 and the switch driving component 2 are not limited to the arrangement of the mutually vertical space arrangement form. Magnetic acting force is used between the first driving piece 21 and the second driving piece 22, and the optical switch is faster in switching speed, better in reliability and longer in service life when the magnetic acting force is applied. Meanwhile, in order to improve understanding of the present application, the present embodiment provides a 1 × 2 optical path switching principle, but the number of optical fiber heads in the optical switch is not limited thereto, and the structure of the optical switch related to the present application can implement an array optical switch from 1 × N to mxn.

While the present application is described in terms of various aspects, including exemplary embodiments, the principles of the invention should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but are also intended to cover various modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. An optical switch, comprising: the light path conversion component and the switch driving component;

the light path conversion component comprises a first light guide piece and a second light guide piece, wherein the first light guide piece is provided with a first end surface and a second end surface which are opposite, the second light guide piece is provided with a third end surface and a fourth end surface which are opposite, the second end surface and the third end surface are opposite and adjacent, when a gap exists between the second end surface and the third end surface, light beams in the first light guide piece deflect at the second end surface and then enter the second light guide piece through the third end surface, or light beams in the second light guide piece deflect at the third end surface and then enter the first light guide piece through the second end surface;

the switch driving assembly is used for driving the first light guide piece and/or the second light guide piece to move so as to change the size of a gap between the second end face of the first light guide piece and the third end face of the second light guide piece.

2. An optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the second end surface of the first light guide and the third end surface of the second light guide are wedge surfaces, respectively, and when the second end surface of the first light guide and the third end surface of the second light guide are attached to each other, the light beam in the first light guide does not deflect and enters the second light guide when passing through the second end surface and the third end surface, or the light beam in the second light guide does not deflect and enters the first light guide when passing through the third end surface and the second end surface.

3. An optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch driving assembly includes a first driving member and a second driving member, the second driving member includes a second driving block, the second light guide is disposed on the second driving block, the first driving member is configured to drive the second driving block of the second driving member to move and drive the second light guide to move from the initial position to the target position, and when the second light guide is at the initial position and the target position, a gap with a different size is formed between the second end surface of the first light guide and the third end surface of the second light guide.

4. An optical switch according to claim 3, wherein the switch drive assembly further comprises a second drive base, the second drive block being movably disposed on the second drive base.

5. An optical switch according to claim 4, wherein the second driving block is provided with a first guiding portion, the second driving base is provided with a second guiding portion, and the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion are disposed in cooperation with each other and guide the second driving block to move along the predetermined direction under the action of the first driving member.

6. An optical switch according to claim 5, wherein the first guide portion is a protrusion provided on the second driving block, the second guide portion is a guide groove or a guide hole provided on the second driving base, and the protrusion on the second driving block is slidably engaged with the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving base;

or, the first guide part is a guide groove or a guide hole arranged on the second driving block, the second guide part is a protruding part arranged on the second driving base, and the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving block is in sliding fit with the protruding part on the second driving base.

7. An optical switch according to claim 6, wherein the guide slot or guide hole of the second driving base has a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the guide slot or guide hole, which has a constricted opening facing the second driving block, and the protrusion of the second driving block and the guide slot or guide hole of the second driving base are matched in shape;

or the section of the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving block along the direction vertical to the length direction of the guide groove or the guide hole is provided with a contracted opening facing the second driving base, and the shape of the bulge on the second driving base is matched with that of the guide groove or the guide hole on the second driving block.

8. An optical switch according to claim 4, wherein said first and second actuators are magnetically biased.

9. An optical switch according to claim 8, further comprising a fixed base plate, the fixed base plate being disposed between the first light guide and the first driving member and between the second light guide and the first driving member, the second light guide and the fixed base plate being in a clearance fit, and a portion of the second driving base being connected to the fixed base plate.

10. An optical switch according to claim 9, wherein the first driving member is an electromagnet, the second driving member is a permanent magnet, and the electromagnet of the first driving member includes an electromagnetic coil and an iron core, and the electromagnetic coil is sleeved on the iron core.

11. An optical switch according to claim 10, wherein the iron core extends from two ends of the electromagnetic coil and clamps the electromagnetic coil, the fixed base plate is connected to the electromagnetic coil and/or a part of the iron core, the iron core extends to a side of the second driving block facing away from the second light guide, and a part of the iron core extending to the second light guide is reused as the second driving base.

12. An optical switch according to claim 3, wherein the first driving member comprises a motor, and a telescopic shaft of the motor is connected with the second driving block.

13. An optical switch according to claim 1, further comprising an optical path input/output device, wherein the optical path input/output device comprises a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber and a converging lens, the first optical fiber is disposed adjacent to the first end surface of the first light guide, the second optical fiber is disposed adjacent to the fourth end surface of the second light guide, the converging lens is disposed between the fiber head of the first optical fiber and the first end surface of the first light guide, and the light beam of the fiber head of the first optical fiber is converged onto the end surface of the fiber head of the second optical fiber through the converging lens, the first light guide and the second light guide.

14. An optical switch according to claim 13, wherein said first optical fiber is a single fiber head and said second optical fiber is a single fiber head or a dual fiber head.

15. An optical switch according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide and the second light guide have a gap between the second end surface of the first light guide and the third end surface of the second light guide during operation.

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