OPTICAL SWITCH

摘要

An optical switch for switching the light path between collimate lenses (35) optically coupled to the ends of corresponding optical fibers (4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d) by the advancing and retracting movements of a prism (31) is provided comprising an electromagnetic driver (2) having an armature (21) arranged to hold the prism (31) and a coil block (2a) for driving the movement of the armature (21) by means of magnetic actions and a leaf spring (27) consisting mainly of four parallelly extending spring strips (27aa, 27ab, 27ac, and 27ad) and fixedly joined at one end to a body (1) and at the other end to the armature (21) thus to spatially hold the armature (21) and the prism (31) for linear movement. The electromagnetic driver (2) and the prism (31) are disposed next to each other along the moving direction of the armature (21). The armature (21) and the prism (31) can linearly be moved at a right angle to the light path between the lenses (35) when the optical switch is in action. This allows the prism to be linearly moved, unlike any conventional arrangement where a moving member holding the prism is pivotably moved about a pivot. Since dead space for clearing the pivotal movement of the prism is not needed, the body can be minimized in the overall size.