JPH029321B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a laser hazard prevention mechanism for preventing irradiation of the naked eye with the light output emitted from a light emitting source when an optical fiber is removed in an optical connection device for an optical communication system.

In this type of device, which is expected to be used frequently in the future, it is considered that when the optical fiber is removed, the cap is screwed to a receptacle attached to a unit containing a light emitting section.
However, in this type of system, when the cap is removed, there is a risk that the operator's naked eye may be inadvertently irradiated with laser light from the receptacle side. There is also a risk that the cap may be removed at the same time. Furthermore, there are drawbacks in terms of safety and operation, such as the need to simultaneously remove the cap and connect an optical cord connector or the like. The present invention has been devised to improve this drawback.

Therefore, in the present invention, in an optical connection mechanism comprising a detachable optical U-link plug having an optical fiber, and a light-emitting part and an optical transmission part having a receptacle connectable to the U-link plug, a light-emitting A shielding plate for blocking light is provided on the front surface of the receptacle of the unit, and the shielding plate is rotatable on a support member attached to the outer frame of the unit, and the U-link plug directly presses the shielding plate to open it. At the same time, the shield plate is always biased by an elastic body in a direction to close the window into which the U-link plug is inserted in the outer frame, and can be opened only when the U-link plug is connected to the unit; Furthermore, the shielding plate is provided with a groove for guiding and protecting the end portion of the optical fiber when the U-link plug is connected.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a U-link plug. This U-link plug 1 has knobs 3 and 4 for insertion and removal into the case 2.
is attached thereto, and an optical fiber 5 is built inside, and both terminal portions 6 and 7 of the optical fiber 5 are fixed and protrude to the outside.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a front view of the unit, FIG. 3 shows a sectional view taken along the - line, and FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along the - line of FIG. This unit includes a light emitting section 9 having a receptacle 8;
Optical fiber 11 for transmission having a receptacle 10
An optical transmission section 12 to which the optical transmission section 12 is connected is provided on a printed board 14 for mounting an electronic device, which is provided on the outer frame 13. Further, the outer frame 13 is provided with a window 15 into which a U-link plug is inserted. A shielding plate 16, which is the key point of the present invention, is provided to cover a part of this window 15. This shielding plate 16 is rotatably attached to a support member 17 attached to the outer frame 13 by a pin 18, and is biased in the direction of arrow P by a spring 19. The shielding plate 16 also has the terminal portion 7 of the optical fiber when the U-link plug is connected to the unit.
(See FIG. 1) A groove 20 is formed to guide and protect the end surface. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross section. The wide part of the groove 20 shown in the figure is for guiding the optical fiber, and the narrow part is for protecting the end face of the fiber. Further, a plate 21 provided on the receptacles 8 and 10 is a receiving plate for a U-link plug having a stopper 22.

The operation of the mechanism of the present invention constructed in this way will be explained using FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. First, when using the U-link plug 1 to make an optical connection, use the knobs 3 and 4 to insert the optical fiber terminals 6 and 7 into the receptacles 8 and 10 until the case 2 hits the stopper 22. At this time, the terminal portion 7 of the optical fiber is connected to the shielding plate 16.
is rotated directly around the pressing pin 18 in the direction of the arrow Q against the spring 19. (See FIG. 6) At this time, the groove portion 20 of the shielding plate 16 guides the end portion of the optical fiber and protects the end face to prevent dust, dirt, etc. from adhering. Next, when pulling out the U-link plug to disconnect the optical connection, press knob 3.
and 4 and pull it out. At this time, the shielding plate 16 is immediately rotated in the direction of arrow P by the spring 19 and returns to its original position. As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting section 9 is blocked, and the danger of accidentally receiving direct light into the eyes is completely prevented.

In addition, if the shielding plate 16 is made of a semi-transparent material and a fluorescent substance is applied to its surface, the laser light emitted from the light emitting section will emit fluorescent light, so that it can be seen from the outside that the light emitting section is operating. It can be confirmed.

As explained above, the laser hazard prevention mechanism of the present invention prevents the danger that may occur when the U-link plug is not in use by providing a shielding plate that opens and closes in proper contact with the U-link plug, and also prevents the danger caused when the U-link plug is not used. This makes it possible to do this easily.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an optical U-link plug of an optical connection mechanism, Fig. 2 is a front view of a unit of an optical connection mechanism having a laser hazard prevention mechanism of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along the - line in Fig. 2. Figure 4 is the third
5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the groove of the shielding plate, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the U-link plug connected to the unit of the optical connection mechanism. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Optical U link plug, 6, 7... Optical fiber terminal part, 8, 10... Receptacle, 9... Light emitting part, 12... Optical transmission part, 13... Outer frame, 16...
...shielding plate, 17... support member, 18... pin, 1
9...spring, 20...groove.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an optical connection mechanism comprising a detachable optical U-link plug having an optical fiber, a light-emitting section and an optical transmission section having a receptacle connectable to the U-link plug, A shielding plate for blocking light is provided on the front surface of the receptacle of the unit, and the shielding plate is rotatable on a support member attached to the outer frame of the unit, and the U-link plug directly presses the shielding plate to open it. At the same time, the shield plate is always biased by an elastic body in a direction to close the window into which the U-link plug is inserted in the outer frame, and can be opened only when the U-link plug is connected to the unit; A laser hazard prevention mechanism further comprising a groove provided in the shielding plate to guide and protect the end portion of the optical fiber when the U-link plug is connected. 2. The laser hazard prevention mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shielding plate is made of a translucent material, and a fluorescent substance is coated on the surface of the shielding plate.