| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To facilitate switching an optical path between optical fibers by fitting ball bodies having the same diameter which are arranged in front end parts of a fixed coupling member and a mobile coupling member so that each ball body in the front end part of one of these members is circumscribed to ball bodies in the front end part of the other at two points. CONSTITUTION:Ball bodies 19' in the front end part of a mobile coupling member 16 are moved along ball bodies 19 in the front end part of a fixed coupling member 15 in accordance with rotation of the mobile coupling member 16 when the optical path is switched, and thereby, the mobile coupling member 16 compresses a push spring 23 and is moved backward. The end face of an optical fiber terminal 14' inserted and fixed to an optical fiber terminal insertion hole 17' of the mobile coupling member 16 is separated from the end face of an optical fiber terminal 14 inserted and fixed to an optical fiber terminal insertion hole 17 of the fixed coupling member 15, and in this state, the optical path is switched. Consequently, end faces of optical fibers in optical fiber terminals are not damaged when the optical path is switched. Since ball bodies 19 in the front end part of the fixed coupling member 15 and ball bodies 19' in the front end part of the mobile coupling member 16 are kept in geometrically stable positions where they are brought into contact with each other at two points in each switching position, both coupling members are rotated and positioned accurately. |
