JP3781846B2 - Optical connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical connector that connects optical fibers in a switchable manner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an optical connector that connects optical fibers in a switchable manner, for example, a so-called MT (Mechanically Transfer-able) type optical connector established by JISC 5981 or the like is provided.
[0003]
FIG. 7 shows an example of an MT type optical connector.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an optical fiber (tape core), 2 is a ferrule (optical connector plug), 3 is a boot, 4 is a guide pin, 5 is a guide pin hole, and 6 is a clamp spring.
This MT-type optical connector has a structure in which a plurality of bare fibers 7 exposed at the tip of an optical fiber 1 are inserted and fixed in an optical fiber insertion hole 9 formed in a resin ferrule 2 molded using a precision mold. It has become. The optical fiber insertion hole 9 opens to a joining end face 8 that is abutted with another ferrule 2, and the bare fiber 7 is precisely positioned flush with the joining end face 8. The guide pin hole 5 is extremely precise in relative position and parallelism with respect to the optical fiber insertion hole 9, and the guide pins on both joint end faces 8 in which the metal guide pins 4 having precise cylindrical side faces are opposed to the pair of ferrules 2. The bare fibers 7 exposed on the joint end faces 8 of both ferrules 2 are precisely positioned by being inserted so as to span between the holes 5 and 5.
Then, after bringing the joint end faces 8 of the ferrules 2 into contact with each other, the clamp spring 6 is fitted between the rear end faces 10 of the ferrules 2. Thereby, the pressure contact state between the joining end faces 8 is maintained by the spring force of the clamp spring 6, and a desired connection loss is stably ensured between the bare fibers 7 that are abutted.
[0004]
By the way, since the MT type optical connector requires a dedicated jig for attaching and detaching the clamp spring 6, it is unsatisfactory in workability, and development of an optical connector that can easily perform operations such as connection and connection switching. Was demanded. Further, in order to prevent the ferrule 2 from being exposed, it is necessary to provide a protective means such as a cap, and there is a complaint that the handling is troublesome.
[0005]
In view of the above problems, in recent years, so-called MPO connectors (optical connectors in which an optical connector ferrule established in JIS C 5981 is housed in a housing) have been provided.
8 and 9 show the MPO connector 11. In the figure, this MPO connector 11 includes a pin housing 12 in a cylindrical housing 13 that clamps a ferrule 2 of an MT type optical connector and a guide pin 4 protruding from the rear end (right side of FIG. 9) of the ferrule 2. The rear end portion of the housing 13 is internally supported by a cylindrical coupling 14, and a spring 15 for generating a butt force is accommodated in the coupling 14. The ferrule 2 is movable in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 9) in the housing 13, and the housing 13 is urged forward by a separately installed housing spring 16, so that the ferrule 2 is not driven. If the MPO connector 11 is at the tip position, the entire ferrule 2 enters the inside of the housing 13 and is protected. As shown in FIG. 8, the coupling 14 is detachably engaged with a receiving-side housing such as the optical connector adapter 17 or the like, and maintains the inserted state of the MPO connector 11 inserted into the receiving-side housing.
[0006]
According to the MPO connector 11, the optical fibers 1 can be easily connected to each other, connected and switched, and the like simply by being inserted into and removed from the receiving housing. In addition, since the ferrule 2 is housed and protected in the housing 13, it is not necessary to separately take ferrule protection means.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the MPO connector 11 as described above has a large number of parts and a complicated structure, so that it takes time to assemble and is unsatisfactory. Further, since it is considerably larger than the MT type optical connector shown in FIG. 7, it is unsuitable for mounting on a device at a high density, and there has been a limit to improving the mounting density. Further, when the dedicated adapter 17 is mounted on the apparatus, the adapter 17 becomes deep, and there is a complaint that it takes time to clean the joining end surface 8 of the ferrule 2.
Further, in the housing 13 and the optical connector adapter 17, since there are many man-hours for taking out and re-storing the incorporated ferrule 2, for example, in the work such as replacement of the ferrule 2, there is a complaint that the working time becomes long.
For this reason, this MPO connector 11 has not led to a fundamental solution to the problems of the MT type optical connector.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, has a low number of parts, has a simple configuration, is easy to assemble, and can easily perform operations such as connecting and switching optical fibers. An object is to provide an optical connector.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The optical connector according to claim 1 is an optical connector for butting and connecting a pair of optical fibers in the central axis direction, and has an internal storage space that opens in the central axis direction. A housing for accommodating the first and second ferrules, which are terminated so that the optical fibers can be butted and connected, in a butted state, and disposed at one end side in the central axis direction of the internal housing space of the housing. Urging means for urging the first ferrule on the side toward the second ferrule on the other end side, and the housing is located on the other end side in the central axis direction of the internal storage space. An opening / closing portion for enabling insertion and removal of the second ferrule from the other end side, and the housing includes a main body portion for holding the first ferrule, and a front portion with respect to the main body portion. A distal end portion connected to the other end side, and the distal end portion is divided into a plurality of parts, and these divided bodies are connected to the joining end surface of the first ferrule housed in the housing. It is characterized by being openable and closable so as to be exposed from the internal storage space.
The optical connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is the optical connector according to the first aspect, wherein the first and second ferrules are pressed against the opening / closing portion in an arcuate shape toward the internal storage space. The pressing part formed in is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical connector according to the first or second aspect, the opening / closing portion is seated on a divided body different from the divided body provided with the opening / closing portion among the plurality of divided bodies. A seating portion is provided, and the projections provided on the opening / closing portion and the holes provided on the seating portion are unevenly fitted to maintain the closed state of the opening / closing portion. Yes.
[0010]
According to the present invention, the first ferrule of the optical fiber is arranged in a state of being urged toward the other end side by the urging means on one end side in the central axis direction of the internal storage space of the housing. Then, the second ferrule is inserted into the internal storage space of the housing through the opening / closing part from the other end side. Thereby, termination of a pair of optical fibers in a state where the ferrules are butted together with a butting force is achieved. Conversely, the second ferrule is easily taken out by extracting the second ferrule through the opening / closing part. Therefore, connection switching of optical fibers can be easily achieved. According to the present invention, the front end portion of the housing is divided into a plurality of parts, and these divided bodies can be opened and closed. Therefore, when these divided bodies are opened, the first ferrule housed in the housing is provided. The joint end face is exposed from the internal storage space. Therefore, the joining end surface of the first ferrule is easily cleaned.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an optical connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the optical connector of the present invention. In the drawing, the optical connector includes a housing 20.
[0013]
The housing 20 is made of, for example, plastic, and mainly includes a main body portion 21 and a tip portion 22.
The distal end portion 22 is constituted by an upper member 30 and a lower member 40 that are divided in the vertical direction in the figure.
[0014]
The upper member 30 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion 21 by a hinge portion 31. Further, the upper member 30 includes an opening / closing portion 33 that can be opened and closed by a hinge portion 32 on the distal end side.
[0015]
The lower member 40 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion 21 by a hinge portion 41. Further, the lower member 40 has a seating portion 42 for seating the opening / closing portion 33 on the distal end side.
[0016]
Such an optical connector is mounted with high density in a matrix on a terminal board A (shown in FIG. 4) in which a plurality of mounting holes are formed. The optical connector includes a mounting portion 23 and a mounting wing 24 for mounting.
An attachment hole 23a is formed in the attachment portion 23. By using the attachment hole 23a, the optical connector can be fixed to the terminal plate A by, for example, screwing or the like.
The mounting wing 24 is movable in the B direction (shown in FIG. 4), and prior to fixing the optical connector, the optical connector is moved in the C direction (shown in FIG. 4) with respect to the hole A1 of the terminal plate A. ), The optical connector can be inserted by moving and being flush with the side surface 20a of the optical connector while passing through the hole A1, and the mounting portion 23 is connected to the terminal plate A through the hole A1. When locked, it spreads as shown in the figure and is used to mount the optical connector on the terminal board A.
[0017]
2 to 4 show sectional views of the optical connector of the present invention.
[0018]
In the figure, reference numerals 50 and 51 denote a pair of optical fibers (tape core wires) to be butt-connected in the central axis direction. Reference numerals 52 and 53 are first and second ferrules (optical connector plugs), 54 and 55 are boots, 56 is a guide pin, 57 is a guide pin hole, and 58 is a pin clamp.
[0019]
Further, as shown in the figure, the housing 20 is formed with an internal storage space 25 that opens in the direction of the central axis of the optical fibers 50 and 51 in the length direction across the main body 21 and the tip 22. A biasing means (coil spring) 26 that biases the first ferrule 52 toward the second ferrule 53 is disposed in the internal storage space 25 in the main body 21.
[0020]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, an optical fiber connecting method using the optical connector of the present invention will be described.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, a first ferrule 52 is disposed in the internal storage space 25 of the optical connector housing 20. In this state, the first ferrule 52 is urged toward the second ferrule 53 by the coil spring 26.
[0022]
In this state, the hinge part 32 is used to open the opening / closing part 33, and the second ferrule 53 is inserted into the internal storage space 52 of the housing 20 from the right side in the figure. Then, the guide pin 56 and the guide pin hole 57 are aligned, and the second ferrule 53 is abutted against the first ferrule 52 against the biasing force of the coil spring 26.
[0023]
In this state where the ferrules are in contact with each other, the opening / closing part 33 is closed while pressing the arc-shaped pressing part 34. In this case, since the slit 33 a is formed in the opening / closing part 33, the opening / closing part 33 can be closed in a state where the optical fiber 51 is inserted. Further, the closing of the opening / closing part 33 is ensured by the concave / convex fitting between the projection 33a of the opening / closing part 33 and the hole 42a of the seating part 42, more specifically by snap fitting. .
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the first and second ferrules 52 and 53 are in contact with each other, the coil spring 26 is in a contracted state from the normal state, and the first and second ferrules. A butting force is provided to 52 and 53.
[0025]
Further, the second ferrule 53 can be easily extracted by a procedure reverse to the above.
[0026]
Next, a method for cleaning the ferrule end face will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
First, as shown in the figure, the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are opened by using the hinge portions 31 and 41. Then, the first ferrule 52 is biased rightward in the drawing by the coil spring 26, so that the joining end surface 52 a of the first ferrule 52 is exposed from the internal storage space 25 of the housing 20.
Thus, the ferrule end face can be easily cleaned by exposing the joining end face 52a.
[0028]
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the optical connector of the present invention.
[0029]
The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment only in that an engagement recess 60 is provided in the upper member 30 and an engagement protrusion 65 is provided in the lower member 40.
The engagement recess 60 is formed on both sides of the upper member 30. The engagement protrusion 65 is formed so as to be aligned with the engagement recess 60 and to be engageable with the engagement recess 60. Further, the engagement protrusion 65 can be opened and closed elastically by the hinge portion 66.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, when cleaning the ferrule end face, the opening / closing part 33 is first opened. Then, for example, the rod 70 is inserted from the direction D shown in the figure, the engagement protrusion 65 is elastically deformed in the direction E, and the engagement between the engagement protrusion 65 and the engagement recess 60 is released. Subsequently, the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 can be easily opened by lifting the rod 70 in the direction F shown in the figure.
In this case, as the rod 70, for example, a cotton swab for use in cleaning can be used.
Other functions and effects are the same as in the above embodiment.
[0031]
In addition, in the said embodiment, a division body is not limited to dividing | segmenting into the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, It can be set as arbitrary division | segmentation numbers and division | segmentation forms.
Further, the housing may be configured to include an internal storage space corresponding to a plurality of pairs of connections so as to correspond to a butt connection of a plurality of pairs of ferrules.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
The optical connector of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) The ferrule can be inserted into and removed from the housing through the opening / closing portion, and the optical fiber can be easily connected and switched.
(2) It can be formed in a very small size, can be easily mounted where necessary, and is highly versatile. Further, when a large number are assembled, the mounting density can be improved as compared with the conventional optical connector.
(3) By simply inserting and removing the ferrule in and out of the housing, it can be easily stored and taken out, workability such as connection and connection switching between optical fibers terminated by the ferrule is improved, and work time is shortened.
(4) The ferrule can be accommodated as it is without separately installing a fixing part.
(5) Since the number of parts is small and the structure is simple, it is advantageous for manufacturing and the cost can be reduced.
(6) The urging means can provide a butt force between the ferrules, and a desired connection loss can be stably and reliably obtained between the optical fibers terminated by the ferrule.
(7) The ferrule can be easily taken out from the housing and stored again.
[0033]
In addition, according to the optical connector of the present invention, the front end portion of the housing is divided into a plurality of parts, and these divided bodies can be opened and closed. It can be exposed from the storage space and can be easily and reliably cleaned.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical connector of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a method of using the optical connector of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the optical connector of FIG. 1, showing a state in which an optical fiber is accommodated.
4 is a plan sectional view of FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the optical connector of FIG. 1, showing a state where one optical fiber is used for cleaning.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the optical connector of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional optical connector, and is an exploded perspective view showing an MT type optical connector.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical connector and showing an MPO connector.
9 is a front sectional view of the MPO connector of FIG. 8. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Housing, 21 ... Main-body part, 22 ... Tip part, 25 ... Internal storage space, 26 ... Energizing means, 30 ... Divided body (upper member), 33 ... Opening / closing part, 40 ... Divided body (lower member), 50 , 51 ... optical fiber, 52, 53 ... ferrule, 52a ... joining end face.

Claims (3)

An optical connector for butt-connecting a pair of optical fibers (50, 51) in the central axis direction,
The first and second ferrules (52, 53) that have an internal storage space (25) that opens in the direction of the central axis, and that terminate the optical fiber so as to be able to butt and connect to each other. A housing (20) for storage in a housing;
A biasing means (26) disposed on one end side in the central axis direction of the internal storage space of the housing and biasing the first ferrule on the one end side toward the second ferrule on the other end side. And comprising
The housing includes an opening / closing part (33) for enabling the insertion and removal of the second ferrule from the other end side on the other end side in the central axis direction of the internal storage space.
The housing includes a main body (21) that holds the first ferrule, and a tip (22) that is connected to the other end with respect to the main body.
The tip portion is divided into a plurality of parts, and these divided bodies (30, 40) are configured to expose the joining end surface (52a) of the first ferrule housed in the housing from the internal housing space. An optical connector characterized by being freely opened and closed. The optical connector according to claim 1,
The opening / closing part is provided with a pressing part (34) formed in an arc shape toward the internal storage space, which presses the first and second ferrules in a state of abutting each other. Optical connector. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2,
A seating part (42) for seating the opening / closing part is provided in a split body different from the split body provided with the opening / closing part among the plurality of split bodies,
The optical connector is characterized in that the closed state of the opening / closing part is maintained by engaging the protrusions provided in the opening / closing part and the holes provided in the seating part.

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