Optical fiber connecting structure, optical switch and optical connector

A method for bringing end portions of individual optical fibers constituting an optical fiber array into close contact with one another on an optical fiber fitting surface of a base, the method comprising steps of:

• holding the optical fiber array and a pair of stopper members having spring property and located on both sides of the optical fiber array so that the end portions of its individual optical fibers and the stopper members are arrayed in generally parallel with one another and in close contact with the fitting surface of the base;
• sandwiching the stopper members from both sides between holding portion and end portion of the optical fiber array and the stopper members so that spacings between the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array and the stopper members are narrowed stepwise, and maintaining the spacings in a state that the end portions of the individual optical fibers are in close contact with one another and that the end portions of the optical fibers located on both sides are in close contact with the stopper members;
• and
• bonding the individual optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array with one another as well as the stopper members, at at least one place between the holding portion and the end portion of the optical fiber array.

A method for bringing end portions of individual optical fibers constituting an optical fiber array into close contact with one another on an optical fiber fitting surface of a base, the method comprising steps of:

• holding the optical fiber array and a pair of stopper members having spring property and located on both sides of the optical fiber array so that the individual optical fibers and the stopper members are arrayed in generally parallel with one another and in close contact with the fitting surface of the base;
• pivoting the stopper members so that end portions of the stopper members approach their adjacent optical fibers;
• stopping the pivoting of the stopper members in a state that the end portions of the individual optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array are in close contact with one another and that the end portions of the optical fibers on both sides are in close contact with the stopper members;
• and
• bonding the individual optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array with one another as well as the stopper members, at at least one place between the holding portion and the end portion of the optical fiber array and the stopper members.

A method for bringing end portions of individual optical fibers constituting an optical fiber array into close contact with an optical fiber fitting surface of a base as well as into close contact with one another, the method comprising the steps of:

• holding the optical fiber array and a pair of stopper members having spring property and located on both sides of the optical fiber array so that end portions of the individual optical fibers and the stopper members are arrayed in generally parallel with one another and positioned away from the fitting surface of the base;
• depressing the optical fiber array toward the fitting surface of the base by using a depressing member, between holding portion and end portion of the optical fiber array, so that the optical fiber array is flexed;
• stopping the depressing member in a state that the end portion of the optical fiber array is in close contact with the fitting surface of the base;
• sandwiching the optical fiber array from both sides between holding portion and end portion of the optical fiber array so that spacings between the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array are narrowed stepwise, and maintaining the spacings with the end portions of the individual optical fibers kept in close contact with one another;
• and
• bonding the individual optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array with one another, at at least one place between the holding portion and the end portion of the optical fiber array, and fixing the optical fiber array and the base to each other.

A method for bringing end portions of individual optical fibers constituting an optical fiber array into close contact with an optical fiber fitting surface of a base as well as into close contact with one another, the method comprising the steps of:

• holding the optical fiber array and a pair of stopper members having spring property and located on both sides of the optical fiber array so that end portions of the individual optical fibers and the stopper members are arrayed in generally parallel with one another and positioned away from the fitting surface of the base;
• depressing the optical fiber array and the stopper members toward the fitting surface of the base by using a depressing member, between holding portion and end portion of the optical fiber array and the stopper members, so that the optical fiber array and the stopper members are flexed;
• stopping the depressing member in a state that the end portions of the optical fiber array and the stopper members are in close contact with the fitting surface of the base;
• sandwiching the stopper members from both sides between holding portion and end portion of the optical fiber array and the stopper members so that spacings between the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array and the stopper members are narrowed stepwise, and maintaining the spacings in a state that the end portions of the individual optical fibers are in close contact with one another and that the end portions of the optical fibers located on both sides are in close contact with the stopper members;
• and
• bonding the individual optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array with one another as well as the stopper members, at at least one place between the holding portions and the end portions of the optical fiber array and the stopper members, and fixing the optical fiber array and the stopper members to the base.

An optical switch, comprising:

• a base having a planar-shaped optical fiber fitting surface;
• a fixed optical fiber composed of a plurality of optical fibers, peripheral surfaces of end portions of the optical fibers being in close contact with the fitting surface of the base and in close contact with one another;
• a pair of stopper members which are in close contact with peripheral surfaces of end portions of optical fibers located on both sides, respectively, out of the individual optical fibers constituting the fixed optical fiber;
• a movable optical fiber composed of optical fiber with the number smaller than that of the fixed optical fiber, peripheral surface of end portion of the movable optical fiber being in close contact with the fitting surface of the base, end face of the end portion of the movable optical fiber being opposed to an end face of an end portion of the fixed optical fiber with a minute spacing;
• and
• drive means for reciprocatingly moving the movable optical fiber along a direction perpendicular to its optical axis within a range restricted by projecting portions of the pair of stopper members that are projected from the end face of the fixed optical fiber.