JPH0990165A - Optical connector with connection sensing function of optical plug - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector having the stable connection sensing function of an optical plug. SOLUTION: A ferrule 2 is held in a form that it moves in the axial direction of an optical receptacle 1 and it connects an optical fiber 2A to a terminal. When the optical plug 10 is connected to the optical receptacle 1, the pressing means 3 gives force for pushing the ferrule 2 to a direction opposite to that where the ferrule 2 moves. An approximate switch 4 is held by the terminal of the ferrule 2. When the optical plug 10 is connected to the optical receptacle 1, the approximate switch 4 is detached from a sensing body 1A formed in the optical receptacle 1 as the shift of the ferrule 2, and the approximate switch 4 is turned off. When the optical plug 10 is removed, the approximate switch 4 approaches the sensing body 1A, and the proximity switch 4 is restored to an on-state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector with a connection sensing function for an optical plug. For example, in an optical communication measuring instrument such as an optical variable attenuator or a light source, an optical connector for optical output is attached to the instrument. When connecting the optical plug to the above-mentioned optical connector and making the light inside the device incident on the optical plug, in order to ensure safety, after detecting that the optical plug and the optical receptacle are securely connected, the light from the inside of the device is detected. Is emitted. The present invention is used when it is necessary to switch the start and the stop of the optical output on the side of such a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Next, a conventional connection detecting mechanism for an optical plug will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the device 30
Incorporates a laser diode 21 that produces output light. An optical receptacle 23 is attached to the panel of the device 30, and the optical receptacle 23 and the laser diode 21 are attached.
Are coupled by an optical fiber 22.

When the optical plug 10 is connected to the optical receptacle 23, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 13 is blocked by the optical plug 10.
4 are arranged.

In FIG. 4, the optical plug 23 is attached to the optical receptacle 23.
It is a state diagram in which 0 is connected. In FIG. 4, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 13 to the photo sensor 14 is blocked, and the photo sensor 14 is in a non-light receiving state. When the photo sensor 14 is in the non-light receiving state, the laser diode 21 can output light by a control circuit (not shown). When the photo sensor 14 is in the light receiving state, the laser diode 21
Cannot output light.

[0005]

FIG. 5 shows another conventional example in which the sensing mechanism of FIG. 3 is improved. In FIG. 5, external light is prevented from entering the photo sensor 14. Further, it prevents the light emitted from the light emitting diode 13 from being blocked by anything other than the optical plug 10. In FIG. 5, the optical axis between the light emitting diode 13 and the photo sensor 14 is set so that the light emitted from the light emitting diode 13 is blocked only when the optical plug 10 is connected. A recess is formed in the block 15 so that external light does not enter the optical axis, and the optical receptacle 23 is attached so as to be surrounded by the recess. Note that FIG.
Then, the optical receptacle 23 does not block the optical axis.

In the structure of FIG. 5, the optical axis for detecting the connection between the optical plug and the optical receptacle is in a very limited and small range. That is, if the optical axis is brought too close to the optical receptacle, the optical receptacle blocks the optical axis. On the contrary, if the optical axis is too far from the optical receptacle, it becomes impossible to detect that the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle. For this reason, the optical axis adjustment in FIG. 5 becomes very delicate.

According to the present invention, when a proximity switch is attached to a ferrule of an optical receptacle and the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle, the ferrule moves to act as a proximity switch, and a stable optical plug connection sensing function of the optical connector is provided. For the purpose of provision.

[0008]

To achieve this object, the present invention is directed to an optical receptacle 1 and a ferrule 2 which is held so as to move in the axial direction of the optical receptacle 1 and which connects an optical fiber 2A to a terminal. When the optical plug 10 is connected to the optical receptacle 1, the pressing means 3 for applying a force to push the ferrule 2 in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the ferrule 2 and the proximity switch 4 held by the terminal of the ferrule 2 are provided. When the plug 10 is connected, the proximity switch 4 is separated from the sensing body 1A formed in the optical receptacle 1 as the ferrule 2 moves.

According to the above construction, when the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle, the ferrule of the optical plug is pushed by the ferrule of the optical plug and the proximity switch is separated from the sensing body. The proximity switch is turned off, and the laser diode inside the device can output light. When the optical plug is detached from the optical receptacle, the ferrule of the optical receptacle returns to the initial state by the compression coil spring serving as the pressing means. The proximity switch is turned on and the laser diode inside the device cannot output light.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an optical connector with a connection sensing function for an optical plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an optical receptacle, and a sensing body 1A of a proximity switch is formed in a flange shape on the device side. If the proximity switch is for metal detection, the sensor 1
The outer body of the optical receptacle including A is made of metal. If the proximity switch is for magnetic sensing, the sensing body 1A is made of magnetic material.

The flange 1B of the optical receptacle 1 of FIG. 1 is for fixing to the panel, and the flange 1B is shown as a round shape, but it is not functionally different from the rectangular flange of FIG. Sleeve 1C on the optical plug connection side
Is formed.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a ferrule, which is an optical receptacle 1.
It is held so that it moves in the axial direction of. An optical fiber 2A is coupled to the device-side terminal of the ferrule 2. The laser diode 21 shown in FIG. 3 is coupled to the end of the optical fiber 2A.

Reference numeral 3 is a compression coil spring which serves as a pressing means. The compression coil spring 3 is provided on the optical receptacle 1 and the optical plug 1.
When 0 is connected, a force is applied to push the ferrule 2 in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the ferrule 2. In FIG. 1, a compression coil spring 3 is wound around a ferrule 2 and is installed inside an optical receptacle 1. In the state of FIG. 1, the ferrule 2 is pushed by the compression coil spring 3 and is stationary.

A proximity switch 4 is held at the terminal of the ferrule 2 via an arm 4A. In the state of FIG. 1, the proximity switch 4 and the sensing body 1A are close to each other, and the proximity switch 4 is turned on. When the proximity switch 4 is on, the laser diode 21 cannot output light by a control circuit (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows an optical receptacle 1 and an optical plug 10.
Is connected. In FIG. 2, the ferrule 2 is pushed by the ferrule 11 of the optical plug 10 and moves backward.
The proximity switch 4 moves away from the sensor 1A, and the proximity switch 4
Turns off. When the proximity switch 4 is off, the laser diode 21 can output light by a control circuit (not shown), and outputs the output light via the optical fiber 2A.
Send to the 0 side. When the optical plug 10 is attached and detached, the state of FIG. 1 is restored by the force of the compression coil spring 3. Although a compression coil spring is used as the pressing means 4 in the embodiment,
It may be an elastic body such as rubber.

[0017]

According to the present invention, since the proximity switch detects the attachment / detachment of the optical plug, the operation of adjusting the optical axis, such as the optical sensing mechanism, is released, and the attachment / detachment of the optical plug can be reliably detected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an optical connector with a connection sensing function of an optical plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a state diagram in which the optical receptacle 1 and the optical plug 10 according to the same embodiment are connected.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a connection sensing mechanism of an optical plug according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 4 is a state change diagram of FIG. 3;

5 is a view of another conventional example in which the sensing mechanism of FIG. 3 is improved.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Optical Receptacle 1A Sensor 1B Flange 1C Sleeve 2 Ferrule 2A Optical Fiber 3 Compression Coil Spring (Pressing Means) 4 Proximity Switch 4A Arm 10 Plug 11 Ferrule 12 Optical Fiber

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule (2), which is held so as to move in the axial direction of the optical receptacle (1) and which connects an optical fiber (2A) to a terminal, and an optical plug (10) to the optical receptacle (1). When connected, it comprises a pressing means (3) for applying a force to push the ferrule (2) in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the ferrule (2), and a proximity switch (4) held by the terminal of the ferrule (2), When the optical plug (10) is connected to the optical receptacle (1), the proximity switch (4) moves away from the sensor (1A) formed on the optical receptacle (1) as the ferrule (2) moves. Optical connector with plug connection detection function.