JPH11109178A - Optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an optical fiber connector in which an optical connection mechanism with an optical fiber cord can always be optically connected with constant optical coupling characteristics, and has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. SOLUTION: A plug connector portion for connecting an optical fiber cord is formed by using a special ferrule without a coil spring, and an adapter or a receptacle connector portion optically connected to the plug connector portion is provided with a coil spring. It is formed using a standard ferrule, and the optical connection surfaces of the two ferrules are fixed to each other via the single coil spring by fastening the two connector portions via a single coupling or connection nut member. With a pressing force of.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector, and more particularly to an optical fiber connector suitable for use in deep water such as a trench.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the development of marine resources, for example, it has been proposed to use an optical fiber cord for communication between a motherboard and a seabed search device used on the seabed at a depth of about several hundred to 10,000 meters. Have been.

[0003] When various searchers or detectors are connected to the above-mentioned seabed search device by optical fiber cords, a power distributor, an optical repeater or the like (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate device) is provided between the search device body and each search device. Optical device).

However, the intermediate optical device and the optical fiber cord are subjected to a very large water pressure of about several megapascals to hundreds of megapascals (MPa) during use. In order to protect the intermediate optical device and the optical fiber cord from such a high pressure, the intermediate optical device and the optical fiber cord connected to the intermediate optical device may be completely enclosed in a closed container filled with an appropriate insulating oil. An oil-filled optical cable (OF optical cable) is formed by using a flexible tube filled with an appropriate insulating oil as an oil-filled closed container and enclosing an optical fiber cord in the oil-filled tube. It is conceivable to prevent the breakage by equally applying the water pressure to the entire intermediate optical device and the optical fiber cord.

By the way, as an optical fiber connector for making an optical connection between the two optical fiber cords described above,
For example, as shown in FIG.
It is conceivable to use the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 195972 (JP-A-58-97015).

The known optical fiber connector is connected to one end of the shell 1 with the strand of the optical fiber cord of the oil-filled optical cable 8 so that the optical fiber cable can be attached to the wall of the sealed container in a watertight manner. While the first ferrule 2, the first screw fixing member 3 and the coil spring 4 are mounted, the shell 1
The second ferrule 5, the second screw fixing member 6, and the coil spring 7 connected to the strand of the optical fiber cord 9 arranged inside the closed container are mounted on the other end of the container. The first and second screw fixing members 3 and 6 are individually screwed to compress the coil springs 4 and 7, respectively, and the pressing force corresponding to the spring repulsion force of the compressed coil springs 4 and 7 is used. The first and second optical reference surfaces at the tips of the first and second ferrules 2 and 5 are joined to each other, and thus the optical fiber cord 8 of the oil-filled optical cable and the optical fiber cord 9 in the closed container are connected. It is designed to be optically connected.

[0007] However, the above-mentioned conventionally known receptacle-type fiber connector is designed to adjust the screw tightening of the two first and second screw fixing members 3 and 6 individually in principle, so that it is always constant. However, there is a problem that the setting of the spring repulsive force of the coil springs 4 and 7, that is, the pressing force of the ferrule is troublesome, and it is difficult to use it immediately.

The above-mentioned conventional optical fiber connector is not intended to be used in very deep water such as a trench, that is, under a very high water pressure. The mechanical strength of the connection mechanism with the optical fiber cord 8, particularly the connection between the optical fiber cord 8 and the first ferrule 2, is insufficient, and there is a problem in use in deep water such as a trench.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to enable optical connection with constant optical coupling characteristics, to have a simple structure, and to perform maintenance and inspection. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector which is easy to manufacture and has a low manufacturing cost.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector in which an optical connection mechanism with an optical fiber cord can withstand extremely high water pressure, particularly when used in deep water. .

[0011]

The feature of the present invention to achieve the above object is basically that a plug connector portion to which one optical fiber cord is connected is provided with a special ferrule (no. While using one ferrule, an adapter or receptacle connector part to be optically connected to the plug connector part and to another optical fiber cord is connected to a general-purpose standard ferrule (second part) having a coil spring. Ferrule), and the two shells (first and second shells) of the plug connector part and the adapter or receptacle connector part are fastened via a single coupling or connection nut member. The optical joint surfaces of the first and second ferrules are fixed to each other via a single coil spring mounted on the second ferrule. By bonding with a pressure lies in that it is configured to optically connected to the two optical fiber cord.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of an adapter type optical fiber connector. 1 and 2, an adapter type optical fiber connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention is indicated by the numeral 10 in general. The optical fiber connector 10 generally includes a plug connector portion 11 connected to an optical fiber cord (referred to as a first optical fiber cord) enclosed in one oil-filled closed container, and another oil-filled closed container. An adapter connector section 31 connected to an optical fiber cord (hereinafter referred to as a second optical fiber cord) enclosed in the connector section, and a coupling or connection nut member 66 connecting the connector sections 11 and 31 to each other. You.

The plug connector section 11 is formed by using a substantially cylindrical first shell 12 formed of a corrosion-resistant metal material, and a first cylindrical shell is provided in a mounting hole 13 of the first shell 12. The ferrule 20 is fixed. A concave portion 15 provided at the front end of the first shell 12 can be joined to a front end of the adapter connector portion 31 described later in detail, and a female screw 67 of a coupling member 66 described later in detail on the outer periphery of the front end. And a male screw 16 that can be screwed into the screw. As the corrosion-resistant metal material, an aluminum alloy, a stainless alloy, or a titanium alloy can be used.

The rear end of the first shell 12 is connected to a wall of the first oil-filled closed container 72 through a male screw and an annular groove provided on the outer periphery thereof and an O-ring 19 mounted on the annular groove. It can be connected or attached in a tightly sealed manner. In the insulating oil in the first oil-filled sealed container 72, for example, a power distributor formed using a known optical waveguide and a directional optical coupler (not shown) and one output end of the power distributor The first optical fiber cord 73 is immersed. The first
The oil-filled closed container 72 is connected to each of the other output and input ends of the power distributor, and can be connected to a plurality of optical fiber cords other than the first optical fiber cord 73, respectively. Similar to the optical fiber connector of the first embodiment, first shells of a plurality of optical fiber connectors (not shown) are attached.

The first ferrule 20 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape from a stainless steel material, has a through hole 22 through which an optical fiber cord is inserted at its axis, and a flange portion 21 at its rear end. On the other hand, the first ferrule 20 has a through-hole (not shown) at the tip end of the first ferrule 20 through which an optical fiber can be inserted through its axis.
A cylindrical zirconia pin 24 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion 0 is coaxially mounted. Pin 2 above
The outer diameter of 4 is equivalent to the outer diameter of the main body of the second ferrule 47 described later. The outer shape of the first ferrule 20 is circular compared to a standard ferrule having a coil spring that generates a ferrule pressing force, that is, a second ferrule 47 described later in detail, which is widely used in conventional optical fiber connectors. It is a so-called special type (X type) in which the outer diameter of the columnar main body is larger and the mechanical strength is higher. O-rings (first sealing members) 28 are attached to annular grooves 27 (two in this embodiment) provided on the outer periphery of the main body of the first ferrule 20.
Thus, the outer peripheral surface of the first ferrule 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 13 of the first shell 12 are water-tightly sealed.

In assembling the plug connector section 11, first, the insulating sheath at one end of the first optical fiber cord 73 in the first oil-filled closed container 72 is peeled off to expose the optical fiber.

Next, an exposed wire at one end of the first optical fiber cord 73 is inserted into a through hole 22 provided at the axis of the first ferrule 20 from an opening at the rear end surface of the first ferrule 20. After inserting the pin 24 near the distal end face of the first ferrule 20 to the vicinity of the distal end face, the first ferrule 2
An insulating adhesive, for example, an epoxy resin adhesive (sealant) 25 is filled in the periphery of the opening at the rear end surface of the pin 24 to hermetically seal it. A first optical bonding surface 26 is formed.

Next, the mounting hole 13 of the first shell 12
A first ferrule 20 to which the first optical fiber cord 73 is connected is fitted into the opening of the rear end surface of the first shell 12, and the shoulder 14 inside the mounting hole 13 and the retaining ring 1 are fitted.
8, the first ferrule 20 is fixed so as to sandwich the flange portion 21 of the first ferrule 20.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the pin 24 at the tip of the first ferrule 20 is in a state of protruding outward from the front end surface of the first shell 12. Then, the rear end of the first shell 12 is connected to the first oil-filled closed container 7 via a male screw provided on the outer periphery thereof and an O-ring 19 mounted on an annular groove.
2 in a water-tight manner,
The inside is filled with insulating oil by a known method, and the assembly of the plug connector portion 11 is completed.

The adapter connector section 31 is connected to the first
Like the shell 12, the second shell 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape using a corrosion-resistant metal material. This second
The front end of the shell 32 is fitted into the recess at the front end of the first shell 12 and is nested with the front end of the first shell 12. An O-ring 39 is attached to an annular groove 38 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the second shell 32, and the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 15 at the front end of the first shell 12 and the second shell 32 Watertight sealing is provided between the outer peripheral surfaces of the front end. Further, a coupling or connection nut member 66 that engages with the external thread 16 on the outer periphery of the front end of the first shell 12 is mounted on the outer periphery of the second shell 32. By rotating this coupling member 66 relative to the second shell 32 and tightening the screw, the first member
And the second shells 12 and 32 are brought closer to each other, so that the first optical joining surface 26 at the distal end of the first ferrule 20 and the second optical joining surface 53 at the distal end of the second ferrule 47 which will be described later in detail. It has become.

The rear end of the second shell 32 is connected to a second oil-filled closed container 77 via a clamp member (not shown). As the second oil-filled closed container 77, for example, a flexible tube is used, and a desired number (one in this embodiment) of optical fiber cords (second optical fiber cords) 78 are stored in the tube 77. It is sealed and filled with insulating oil 79 to form a so-called single-core oil-filled optical cable.

A cylindrical ferrule holder 42 is fitted into a mounting hole 33 provided in the axis of the second shell 32 from an opening at the front end of the second shell 32, and a front shoulder portion inside the mounting hole 33. While the ferrule holder 42 is fixed between the ferrule holder 42 and the retaining ring 44,
A spacer 55 and an adapter 60, which will be described in detail later, are inserted through the opening at the rear end of the second shell 32, and the flange portion 61 of the adapter 60 is sandwiched between the shoulder 35 inside the mounting hole 33 and the retaining ring 69. Fixed in this way.

The ferrule holder 42 is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape using a hard synthetic resin material. A guide sleeve 45 is attached to a front portion of the mounting hole 43 of the ferrule holder 42 and the guide sleeve 45
The main body of the cylindrical second ferrule 47 is slidably inserted into the inside. Similarly to the first ferrule 20, the second ferrule 47 is formed in a cylindrical shape using a corrosion-resistant metal material, has a zirconia pin at its tip, a flange 48 at its rear end, and an optical fiber at its axis. It has a through hole 52 through which the element wire is inserted, and the coil spring 51 can be mounted on a columnar spring support portion 49 behind the flange portion 48. As the second ferrule 47, a commercially available standard ferrule having a coil spring for pressing a ferrule, which is widely used in a conventional optical fiber connector, can be applied.

The spring support 49 of the second ferrule 47
The one end surface of the coil spring 51 mounted on is supported by one end surface of the spacer 55. As described later, when the distal end of the first ferrule 20 is pushed into the guide sleeve 45, the first optical joining surface 26 of the distal end of the first ferrule 20 is pressed.
The second ferrule 47 in contact with the ferrule holder 42
The second ferrule 47 as it is pressed toward the rear end.
The coil spring 51 is compressed via the flange portion 48 of
The spring repulsive force of the compressed coil spring 51 acts on the second ferrule 47 via the flange portion 48.

The spacer 55 is made of an elastic metal material as shown in FIG.
And a pair of half cylinders 5 formed as shown in FIG.
6, 56 are combined. Each half cylinder 56
Surrounds the second optical fiber cord 78 of the second oil-filled optical cable 76 attached to the second ferrule 47 from the opening in the rear end of the second shell 32 in the attachment hole 33 of the second shell 32 from both sides. And the end faces of these half-cylindrical bodies 56, 56 are
2 and supports the end of the coil spring 51.

The adapter 60 is formed of a corrosion-resistant metal material, for example, a stainless steel material, and has a substantially cylindrical shape similar to that of the first ferrule 20. The adapter 60 has a flange portion 61 at its rear end and an axial center. It has a through hole 62 through which an optical fiber cord is inserted. This adapter 60
An O-ring (second sealing member) 64 is attached to an annular groove 63 (two in this embodiment) provided on the outer periphery of the main body portion, and the outer peripheral surface portion of the adapter 60 and the second The space between the inner peripheral surfaces of the mounting holes 33 of the shell 32 is watertightly sealed.

In assembling the adapter connector portion 31, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the second optical fiber cord 78 of the oil-filled optical cable is inserted into a through hole 62 provided at the axis of the adapter 60. The coil spring 51 is inserted through the opening at the rear end and the second optical fiber cord 78.

Next, the insulating sheath portion at one end of the second optical fiber cord 78 is peeled, and the element wire of the cord 78 is inserted into the through hole 52 of the second ferrule 47. As in the case of the first ferrule 20 described above, an insulating adhesive, for example, a resin adhesive (sealant) 54 is applied to the portion for hermetic sealing, and the tip surface of the second ferrule 47 is polished by a known method. Thus, a second optical bonding surface 53 is formed.

Next, after the adapter 60 into which the second optical fiber cord 78 has been inserted is positioned at a predetermined position in the optical fiber cord 78, an insulating adhesive is applied to the periphery of the opening of the through hole 62 on the rear end face of the adapter 60. For example, a resin adhesive (sealant) 65 is filled and hermetically sealed. As shown in FIG. 2, when the second ferrule 47 is pushed into the mounting hole 43 of the ferrule holder 42 at the maximum, the adapter 60 of the second optical fiber cord 78 is attached to the space of the spacer 55 as shown in FIG. The second optical fiber cord 78 is positioned so as to be slightly slackened.
Next, a two-piece spacer 55 is attached so as to surround the second optical fiber cord 78 extending from the rear end of the second ferrule 47.

After the adapter 60, the spacer 55, the coil spring 51, and the second ferrule 47 are mounted on the second optical fiber cord 78, the mounting holes 43 of the ferrule holder 42 mounted on the second shell 32 are inserted into the mounting holes 43. The second ferrule 47, the coil spring 51, and the spacer 55 are inserted through an opening in the rear end surface of the ferrule holder 42.

Further, the adapter 60 is fitted through the opening of the mounting hole 33 on the rear end face of the second shell 32, and the front end face of the adapter 60 is brought into contact with the rear end face of the spacer 55, and the flange portion 61 of the adapter 60 is provided. The adapter 60 is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the shoulder 35 inside the mounting hole 33 and the retaining ring 69. Thereafter, a flexible tube (a second oil-filled closed container) 77 for forming an oil-filled optical cable using a clamp member (not shown) is formed in the tube connecting portion 37 formed at the rear end of the second shell 32. Is connected to the tube 77, and the tube 77 is filled with insulating oil by a known method, whereby the assembly of the adapter connector portion 31 is completed.

The second optical fiber cord 78 of the oil-filled optical cable is connected to the recess 15 at the front end of the first shell 12 to which the first optical fiber cord 73 is connected.
The front end of the first shell 12 is inserted into the guide sleeve 45 at the front end of the second shell 32 while the front end of the first shell 12 is fitted into the front end of the second shell 32. Next, while rotating the coupling member 66 attached to the outer peripheral portion of the second shell 32, the female screw 67 of the coupling member 66 and the male screw 16 at the front end of the first shell 12 are engaged and tightened. The first optical joining surface 26 at the tip of the first ferrule 20 is pressed against the second optical joining surface 53 at the tip of the second ferrule 47, and the coil spring 51 attached to the rear end of the second ferrule 47 is moved. Compressed. With the pressing force corresponding to the spring repulsion force of the coil spring 51 having a predetermined length compressed by the predetermined amount of screw tightening of the coupling member 66, the first and second optical joining surfaces 26 and 53 are formed. They are joined so as to press each other, that is, optically connected.

The space around the first and second optical joining surfaces 26 and 53 joined to each other is an O-ring (first and second) attached to the outer periphery of the first ferrule 20 and the adapter 60, respectively. 2 sealing member) 28 and 64 are completely insulated from the insulating oils 74 and 79 in the first and second oil-filled closed containers 72 and 77, and are attached to the outer periphery of the front end of the second shell 32. The first and second optical bonding surfaces 26 and 53 are watertightly sealed by a ring 39.
Is securely protected.

The second optical fiber cord 78 can be inserted into the rear end face of the ferrule holder 42 fixed inside the mounting hole 33 of the second shell 32 and the rear end face of the coil spring 51 can be supported. By mounting a holding plate member (not shown) and designing the inner diameter of the mounting hole 33 between the ferrule holder mounting portion and the adapter mounting portion to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the main body portion of the adapter 60, the spacer 55 is formed. Can be omitted.

Further, the coupling member 66 is not limited to the one mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the second shell 32,
2 may be attached to the outer peripheral portion.

Further, the adapter connector 31 is not limited to the oil-filled optical cable as in the first embodiment,
An oil-filled hermetically sealed container (not shown) in which an intermediate optical device such as a power distributor or an optical repeater is sealed, which is the same as that connected to the plug connector section 11, may be connected. Further, the plug connector section 11 is replaced with the oil-filled sealed container 72 in which the intermediate optical device is sealed, and an optical fiber cord is sealed in the oil-filled sealed container in the same manner as in connection with the adapter connector section 31. Optical cables can be connected.

Furthermore, high water pressure is not applied to the first and second optical fiber cords 73 and 78, that is,
When used at a depth of about several tens of meters, the first and second oil-filled closed containers 72 and 77, the adapter 60
Alternatively, the spacer 55 may be omitted.

Next, a receptacle type optical fiber connector according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The optical fiber connector 80 of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is different from the adapter type optical fiber connector 10 of the first embodiment in that the plug connector section 11 of the first embodiment has a power supply. Instead of the oil-filled airtight container 72 enclosing the distributor, the first optical fiber cord 73 constituting the oil-filled optical cable is connected similarly to the connection with the adapter connector section 31. The adapter connector in the first embodiment Instead of the portion 31, a sealed container, for example, a receptacle connector portion 90 that can be attached to the outer wall portion of the sealed deep sea search device, and a coupling member on the outer peripheral portion of the second shell 92 in the receptacle connector portion 90 The difference is that they are mounted, and the other components are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description thereof is omitted with denoted by No..

As shown in FIG. 6, the receptacle connector section 90 is formed using a cylindrical corrosion-resistant metal second shell 92, like the second shell 32 of the optical fiber connector 10 of the first embodiment. . This second shell 92
A male screw 94 that meshes with the female screw 67 of the coupling or connection nut member 66 attached to the outer circumference of the front end of the first shell 12 of the plug connector section 11 on the outer circumference of the front end of the plug connector 11.
Is formed. An O-ring 85 is mounted in an annular groove 84 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the first shell 12 which is nested with the front end of the second shell 92, and the front end of the first shell 12 is attached by the O-ring 85. Outer peripheral surface and second shell 92
Between the inner peripheral surface portions at the front end portion is watertightly sealed. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the second shell 92, the closed container 81 is provided.
A male screw 96 capable of being screwed is provided in a mounting hole provided in the wall portion of the first member, and an annular groove 97 is provided. An O-ring (second sealing member) 98 is mounted in the annular groove 97, and the O-ring 98 seals the mounting hole of the wall portion in a watertight manner.

The cylindrical ferrule holder 42 is fixed to the mounting hole 93 provided in the axis of the second shell 92 from the opening at the front end of the second shell 92 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, a disc-shaped holding plate 88 is fitted from the opening at the rear end of the second shell 92, and the holding plate 88 is sandwiched between a shoulder portion inside the mounting hole 93 and a retaining ring 99. Fixed. Note that the opening diameter of the mounting hole 93 on the rear end surface of the second shell 92 is reduced, and the coil spring 51 mounted on the second ferrule 47 via a shoulder formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 93 is removed. The support plate 88 may be omitted by supporting.

In assembling the receptacle connector section 90, first, the second optical fiber cord 91 disposed in the inside 82 of the closed container 81 is inserted into the through hole 8 of the holding plate 88.
9 and the coil spring 51, the insulating sheath portion at one end of the second optical fiber cord 91 is peeled off, and the element wire of the cord 91 is inserted into the through hole provided at the axis of the second ferrule 47. After the second optical joint surface 53 is formed at the tip of the second ferrule 47 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second ferrule 47 and the coil spring 51 are formed.
, And a holding plate 88 is fitted into the mounting hole 93 from an opening at the rear end surface of the second shell 92, and the holding plate 88
A rear end of the coil spring 51 is supported by an inner surface of the mounting ring 93, and a front shoulder inside the mounting hole 93 and the retaining ring 9 are supported.
9 to fix the holding plate 88. Thereafter, the through hole 89 of the holding plate 88 is closed with an epoxy resin adhesive (sealant), and the receptacle connector 90 is thereby closed.
Is completed.

First Shell 1 of Plug Connector 11
2 and the second shell 9 of the receptacle connector section 90
2 are brought closer to each other by tightening the coupling member 66, and the first optical joint surface 26 of the first ferrule 20 and the second optical joint surface 53 of the second ferrule 47 are
Are joined and optically coupled to each other with a predetermined pressing force based on the spring repulsion of the single compressed coil spring 51.

The plug connector section 11 in the second embodiment is not limited to an oil-filled optical cable in which an optical fiber cord is sealed in an oil-filled tube 72. Can be connected to a power distributor or an optical repeater or the like in which an intermediate optical device is sealed.

In the first and second embodiments,
The plug connector section 11 and the adapter connector section 31 or the receptacle connector section 90 are provided with single optical fiber cords 73 and 78 or sealed containers 80 enclosed in first and second oil-filled sealed containers 72 and 77, respectively. Instead of being connected to a single optical fiber cord 91, a plurality of first ferrules 20 are arranged in the mounting holes 13 of the first shell 12 while the second shell 32
Alternatively, a plurality of second ferrules 47 corresponding to the plurality of first ferrules 20 are arranged in the ferrule holder 42 attached to the mounting holes 33 or 93 of the 92, and the first and second ferrules 20 and 47 of each pair described above are arranged. Alternatively, one ends of a plurality of optical fiber cords respectively corresponding to the plurality of first and second ferrules 20 and 47 may be connected. Thus, the first shell 12 or the second shell 12
By screwing the coupling member 66 attached to the shell 32 or 92 to bring the first shell 12 and the second shell 32 or 92 closer to each other, the coil springs 5 attached to the plurality of second ferrules 47 respectively.
1 by compressing the first spring of each of the plurality of opposing pairs with a pressing force based on the spring repulsion of the coil springs 51.
And the first and second ends of the second ferrules 20 and 47
The optical joining surfaces 26 and 53 can be optically connected by joining each other.

[0045]

In the optical fiber connector of the present invention,
Only the adapter connector portion or the receptacle connector portion combined with the plug connector portion is provided with a coil spring for pressing a ferrule. Or, between the receptacle connector parts by fastening with one coupling or connection nut member, so as to adjust the spring repulsion force of the single ferrule pressing coil spring, as in the conventional type, Rather than individually adjusting the spring repulsion of the two ferrule pressing coil springs,
A more stable and constant ferrule pressing force can be set, and thus a stable and constant optical coupling characteristic can be obtained.

When an oil-filled airtight container is connected to the plug connector and / or the adapter connector, the outer periphery of the first ferrule mounted on the first shell of the plug connector and the second shell of the adapter connector are mounted. The outer peripheral portions of the adapters to be sealed are water-tightly sealed via first and second sealing members, respectively, so as to be surely isolated from the insulating oil in the oil-filled airtight container, and to receive a very large water pressure during use. Since the coil spring for pressing the ferrule in the ferrule of the plug connector portion is positively omitted, the structure of the optical fiber connection portion is simplified, compared to the conventional type.
It is possible to effectively enhance the mechanical strength, reduce the manufacturing cost, and facilitate the maintenance and inspection work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an overall configuration of an adapter type optical fiber connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the optical fiber connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a pre-assembled part of an adapter connector part of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a half transverse sectional view of a spacer applicable to the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the spacer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of a receptacle-type optical fiber connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a conventionally known optical fiber connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Plug-type optical fiber connector according to first embodiment of the present invention 11 Plug connector section 12 First shell 20 First ferrule 24 Pin 25 Resin adhesive (airtight sealing material) 26 First optical bonding surface 27 Annular groove 28 O-ring (First sealing member) 31 Adapter connector part 32 Second shell 42 Ferrule holder 47 Second ferrule 52 Through hole 53 Second optical bonding surface 55 Spacer 54 Resin adhesive (sealant) 60 Adapter 62 Through hole 63 Annular groove 64 O-ring (second sealing member) 72 first oil-filled airtight container 73 first optical fiber cord 77 second oil-filled airtight container 78 second optical fiber cord 80 Receptacle-type optical fiber connector 81 of the second embodiment of the present invention 81 Closed container 88 Pressing plate 90 Receptacle connector part 92 Second shell

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kyoji Yoshikawa 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasutaka Suenaga 689- Nojin, Isetaku-ji, Ritsuto-cho, Kurita-gun, Shiga Prefecture 1. Inside Daitron Technology Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A first shell (12) formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material, wherein a first hole (13) of the first shell (12) has a flange portion (21) at a rear end. The first ferrule (20) having a columnar shape formed therein is inserted, and the tip of the first ferrule (20) projects outward from the front end face of the first shell (12) and is fixed. The first optical fiber cord (7) extends from the rear end of the through hole (22) provided along the longitudinal axis of the ferrule (20).
3) Insert the wire at one end and insert the first ferrule (2
A first optical joining surface (26) is formed at the front end of the first ferrule (20), and the periphery of the opening of the through hole (22) at the rear end surface of the first ferrule (20) is sealed via a sealing material (25). A first shell (12) made of metal, thereby forming a plug connector portion (11); formed into a cylindrical shape using a metal material so as to have an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the first shell (12). A second shell (32) formed,
The front end of the second shell (32) is connected to the first shell (1).
The front end of the second shell (32) is nested and watertightly sealed to enable joining, while the mounting hole (3) of the second shell (32) is provided.
3) A cylindrical ferrule holder (42) is detachably mounted on the ferrule holder (42), and the ferrule holder (42) has a mounting hole (4).
In 3), a second cylindrical ferrule (47) having a flange (48) formed at the rear end and a spring member (51) attached through the flange (48) is inserted into the second ferrule (47). The distal end of the ferrule (47) is mounted so as to be movable coaxially with the first ferrule (20) in the longitudinal direction, and is provided after the through hole (52) provided along the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule (47). Insert a wire at one end of the second optical fiber cord from the end and insert a second wire into the end of the second ferrule (47).
The adapter connector portion (31) is formed by forming an optical bonding surface (53) and sealing the periphery of the opening of the through hole (52) at the rear end surface of the second ferrule (47) via a sealing material (54). And a coupling member (66) attached to the outer periphery of the joint between the first and second shells (12) and (32). Then, the coupling member (66) is screwed into the first and second shells (1).
By bringing 2) and (32) closer to each other, the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) at the tips of the first and second ferrules (20) and (47) are brought into contact with each other and The first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) are compressed with a pressing force based on a spring repulsion force of the compressed spring member (51).
An optical fiber connector characterized in that the optical fiber connector is configured to be optically connected by joining the optical fibers to each other. 2. A first shell (12) formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material, wherein a rear end of the first shell (12) can be connected to a first oil-filled closed container (72). On the other hand, in the mounting hole (13) of the first shell (12),
A first ferrule (20) having a cylindrical shape with a flange portion (21) formed at a rear end portion is inserted thereinto to insert the first ferrule (20).
The tip of the first ferrule (2) projects outward from the front end face of the first shell (12) and is fixed.
The first ferrule (20) is provided along the longitudinal axis of the first ferrule (20) by sealing the outer peripheral surface of the first ferrule (20) with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (13) through a first sealing member (28). The first oil-filled closed container (72) from the rear end of the through hole (22)
A wire at one end of a first optical fiber cord (73) sealed in the inside is inserted to form a first optical joining surface (26) at the tip of the first ferrule (20), and the first ferrule ( 20) a metal first shell (11) in which a plug connector part (11) is formed by sealing the periphery of the opening of the through hole (22) on the rear end face via a sealing material (25); 12) a second shell (32) formed of a metal material and having a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the first shell (12), and a front end of the second shell (32); Portion can be nested and watertightly sealed with the front end of the first shell (12), while the rear end of the second shell (32) can be joined to the second oil-filled closed container (7).
7), a cylindrical ferrule holder (42) is detachably mounted in the mounting hole (33) of the second shell (32), and the ferrule is mounted on the rear end of the mounting hole (33). A column-shaped adapter (60) having a flange (61) is detachably attached to a rear end formed of a metal material at a distance from the holder (42), and an outer peripheral surface of the adapter (60) is attached. And the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (33) of the second shell (32) is sealed via a second sealing member (64), and the rear hole is attached to the mounting hole (43) of the ferrule holder (42). A flange (48) is formed at the end, and a second cylindrical ferrule (47) to which a spring member (51) is attached is inserted through the flange (48) to insert the second ferrule (47). Tip up in longitudinal direction Movably mounted with coaxial first ferrule (20), the through hole of the adapter (60) (6
2), one end of the second optical fiber cord (78) sealed in the second oil-filled closed container (77) is inserted, and the peripheral edge of the opening at the rear end of the through hole (62) is sealed. (6
5) and hermetically sealed at one end of the second optical fiber cord (78) with the second ferrule (4).
7) Inserting from the rear end of the through hole (52) provided along the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule (47) to form a second optical joining surface (53) at the tip of the second ferrule (47); 47) A second metal shell (see FIG. 4) in which an adapter connector portion (31) is formed by sealing the periphery of the opening of the through hole (52) on the rear end surface via a sealing material (54). 32); and a coupling member (66) attached to the outer periphery of the joint of the first and second shells (12) and (32). First
By bringing the second and second shells (12) and (32) closer to each other, the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) at the tips of the first and second ferrules (20) and (47) are brought together. The spring members (5
1) is compressed, and the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) are optically connected to each other by pressing the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) with a pressing force based on the spring repulsion of the compressed spring member (51). An optical fiber connector, characterized in that: 3. A mounting hole (3) for a second shell (32).
A two-piece spacer (55) having a space through which the second optical fiber cord (78) can be inserted is arranged between the second ferrule (47) attached to 3) and the adapter (60). 3. The pressure-resistant optical fiber connector according to item 2. 4. A mounting hole (1) for a first shell (12).
3), a plurality of first ferrules (20) are arranged, and a ferrule holder (42) attached to the mounting hole (33) of the second shell (32) corresponds to the plurality of first ferrules (20). A plurality of second ferrules (4
7) and arrange the first and second ferrules (2
0) and (47), one ends of a plurality of optical fiber cords corresponding to the plurality of first and second ferrules (20) and (47) are connected, and the coupling member (66) is screwed. The first and second shells (1
By bringing 2) and (32) closer to each other, the spring members (51) mounted on the plurality of second ferrules (47) are compressed, and the pressing force based on the spring repulsion force of these spring members (51) is applied. The first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) at the tips of the plurality of first and second ferrules (20) and (47) facing each other are optically connected. Item 4. The optical fiber connector according to any one of Items 3 to 3. 5. A second oil-filled closed container (72) and / or a second oil-filled closed container (77) enclosing an optical distributor and an optical fiber cord connected to the optical distributor. Item 5. The optical fiber connector according to any one of Items 4 to 4. 6. An oil-filled optical cable, wherein the first oil-filled closed container (72) and / or the second oil-filled closed container (77) is a flexible tube, and an optical fiber cord is sealed in the tube. The optical fiber connector according to any one of items 2 to 4, wherein the optical fiber connector is formed. 7. A first shell (12) formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material, wherein a first hole (13) of the first shell (12) has a flange portion (21) at a rear end. The first ferrule (20) having a columnar shape formed therein is inserted, and the tip of the first ferrule (20) projects outward from the front end face of the first shell (12) and is fixed. The first optical fiber cord (7) extends from the rear end of the through hole (22) provided along the longitudinal axis of the ferrule (20).
3) Insert the wire at one end and insert the first ferrule (2
A first optical joining surface (26) is formed at the front end of the first ferrule (20), and the periphery of the opening of the through hole (22) at the rear end surface of the first ferrule (20) is sealed via a sealing material (25). A first shell (12) made of metal, thereby forming a plug connector portion (11); formed into a cylindrical shape using a metal material so as to have an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the first shell (12). A second shell (92) formed,
The front end of the second shell (92) is connected to the first shell (1).
The front end of the second shell (92) can be joined in a nested manner and water-tightly sealed, while the rear end of the second shell (92) is provided on the wall of the closed container (81). The second shell (9)
A cylindrical ferrule holder (42) is detachably mounted in the mounting hole (93) of 2), and the ferrule holder (4) is attached.
At the rear end of the mounting hole (43) of 2), a flange (4
8), and a cylindrical second ferrule (47) to which a spring member (51) is attached is inserted through the flange portion (48), and the tip of the second ferrule (47) is moved in the longitudinal direction. Along the first ferrule (20) so as to be movable coaxially with the first ferrule (20), and a second through-hole (52) provided along the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule (47).
A wire at one end of the optical fiber cord (91) is inserted, and a second optical bonding surface (53) is attached to the tip of the second ferrule (47).
And sealing the periphery of the opening of the through hole (52) in the rear end surface of the second ferrule (47) via a sealant (54) to form the receptacle connector portion (90). A second shell (92) made of metal; and a coupling member (66) mounted on an outer periphery of a joint between the first and second shells (12) and (92). (66) and tighten the first
By bringing the second and second shells (12) and (92) closer to each other, the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) at the tips of the first and second ferrules (20) and (47) are changed. The spring members (5
1) is compressed, and the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) are optically connected to each other by pressing the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) with a pressing force based on the spring repulsion of the compressed spring member (51). An optical fiber connector, characterized in that: 8. A first shell (12) formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material, wherein a rear end of the first shell (12) can be connected to a first oil-filled closed container (72). On the other hand, in the mounting hole (13) of the first shell (12),
A first ferrule (20) having a cylindrical shape with a flange portion (21) formed at a rear end portion is inserted thereinto to insert the first ferrule (20).
The tip of the first ferrule (2) projects outward from the front end face of the first shell (12) and is fixed.
The first ferrule (20) is provided along the longitudinal axis of the first ferrule (20) by sealing the outer peripheral surface of the first ferrule (20) with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (13) through a first sealing member (28). The first oil-filled closed container (72) from the rear end of the through hole (22)
A wire at one end of a first optical fiber cord (73) sealed in the inside is inserted to form a first optical joining surface (26) at the tip of the first ferrule (20), and the first ferrule ( 20) The plug connector part (11) is formed by sealing the periphery of the opening of the through hole (22) on the rear end face through a sealing material (25).
A first shell (12) made of metal; a second shell (92) formed of a metal material into a cylindrical shape so as to have an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the first shell (12); The front end of the two shells (92) is nested and watertightly sealed with the front end of the first shell (12) to enable joining, while the rear end of the second shell (92) is sealed in a closed container ( A watertight seal that can be connected to the inside of the airtight container (82) so as to be attachable to the wall of (81), and a cylindrical ferrule holder (42) is mounted in the mounting hole (93) of the second shell (92). The ferrule holder (42) is removably mounted, a flange (48) is formed at the rear end of the mounting hole (43) of the ferrule holder (42), and a spring member (5) is inserted through the flange (48).
A second cylindrical ferrule (47) to which the first ferrule (47) is mounted is inserted, and a distal end of the second ferrule (47) is mounted so as to be coaxially movable with the first ferrule (20) along the longitudinal direction. A wire at one end of the second optical fiber cord (91) is inserted from the rear end of the through hole (52) provided along the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule (47), and the second ferrule (47) is inserted. ), A second optical bonding surface (53) is formed at the front end, and the periphery of the opening of the through hole (52) at the rear end surface of the second ferrule (47) is sealed via a sealing material (54). A second shell (92) made of metal, which forms a receptacle connector part (90) by the following; and a coupling mounted on the outer periphery of the joint of the first and second shells (12) and (92) A member (66); The grayed member (66) by screwing the first
By bringing the second and second shells (12) and (92) closer to each other, the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) at the tips of the first and second ferrules (20) and (47) are changed. The spring members (5
1) is compressed, and the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) are optically connected to each other by pressing the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) with a pressing force based on the spring repulsion of the compressed spring member (51). An optical fiber connector, characterized in that: 9. A mounting hole (1) for a first shell (12).
3), a plurality of first ferrules (20) are arranged, and a plurality of first ferrules (20) corresponding to the plurality of first ferrules (20) are mounted on a ferrule holder (42) mounted in a mounting hole (93) of a second shell (92). A plurality of second ferrules (4
7) and arrange the first and second ferrules (2
0) and (47), one ends of a plurality of optical fiber cords corresponding to the plurality of first and second ferrules (20) and (47) are connected, and the coupling member (66) is screwed. The first and second shells (1
By bringing 2) and (92) close to each other, the spring members (51) attached to the plurality of second ferrules (47) are compressed, and the pressing force based on the spring repulsion force of these spring members (51) is applied. A seventh optical joint is formed by joining the first and second optical joining surfaces (26) and (53) at the tips of the plurality of first and second ferrules (20) and (47) facing each other. Item 9. The optical fiber connector according to item 8 or 8. 10. The optical fiber connector according to claim 8, wherein the first oil-filled closed container (72) encloses an optical distributor and an optical fiber cord connected to the optical distributor. 11. The oil-filled optical cable according to claim 8, wherein the first oil-filled closed container (72) is a flexible tube, and an optical fiber cord is sealed in the tube to form an oil-filled optical cable. Item 10. An optical fiber connector according to Item 9.