Optical Fiber Cross Connection Apparatus and Method

摘要

An optical fiber cross connection apparatus is provided for connecting and disconnecting input optical fibers to desired output optical fibers, each of the input optical fibers being equipped with a plug on a tip thereof. The optical fiber cross connection apparatus comprises an arrangement board installed approximately vertically, which has a plurality of alignment holes for releasably holding the plugs and for passing the input optical fibers therethrough, a connection board installed approximately vertically, on which a plurality of connection adapters are positioned to which the output optical fibers are connected and to which the plugs of the input optical fibers are connectable, a handling mechanism for drawing the input optical fibers from the arrangement board so that the input optical fibers are drawn through the alignment holes and for connecting the plugs thereof to desired connection adapters, a roll-up mechanism for paying out the input optical fibers when the fibers are drawn through the alignment holes by the handling mechanism, and traveling mechanisms for moving the handling mechanism and the roll-up mechanism to a desired position with respect to the connection board and the arrangement board.