Patent ID: 6335993
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A rotary switch type optical fiber switch, comprising:a base plate; a fixed side ferrule assembly including a fixed side ferrule mounting plate supported by said base plate; a plurality of sleeves disposed within said fixed side ferrule mounting plate on at least one fixed side concentric circle having a center on a reference axis; and a plurality of fixed side ferrules positioned within said plurality of sleeves, each of said plurality of fixed side ferrules having an optical fiber fixed thereto; a movable side ferrule assembly including a movable side ferrule mounting plate, said movable side ferrule mounting plate being rotatable about said reference axis and displaceable along said axis; and at least one movable side ferrule disposed within said movable side ferrule mounting plate in parallel with said reference axis at a position separated from the reference axis by a distance corresponding to the radius of said fixed side concentric circle, said movable side ferrule having an optical fiber fixed thereto; and a driving unit assembly including a slide block supported by said base plate, said slide block being movable in parallel with said reference axis; and a stepping motor supported by said slide block, said stepping motor having an output shaft, concentric with said reference axis, coupled to said movable side ferrule mounting plate for rotation thereof, whereby rotation of said movable side ferrule mounting plate displaces said movable side ferrule to an angular position in alignment with a selected fixed side ferrule, and movement of said slide block inserts the movable side ferrule into the sleeve of the selected fixed side ferrule for connection of an end of the optical fiber fixed to said movable side ferrule with an end of the optical fiber fixed to said selected fixed side ferrule.