JP2005099345A - Optical fiber splicing device and optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber splicing device capable of surely preventing the leakage of a laser beam thereby enhancing safety and also improving the precision in an optical connection. <P>SOLUTION: An optical fiber receptacle 600 is provided with a housing 610, a receptacle shutter mechanism 650 and sleeves 660. The receptacle shutter mechanism 650 is provided with shutter doors 651 which are opened and closed in accordance with the insertion and extraction condition of optical fiber plugs 200, hinge springs 652 and rotation stop pines 653. The surfaces of the connection tip sides of the shutter doors 651 are provided with guide marks 651A which are facing to the external from the connection ports while the shutter doors 651 are closed. The guiding marks 651A are arranged on the same side of guiding grooves 631 and the side, where the guiding grooves 631 are provided, is observable from the position of the guiding marks 651A while the shutter doors 651 are closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection device and an optical fiber connector.

An optical fiber cable is used for transmitting laser light in optical communication, and an optical fiber connector is used for detachably connecting the optical fiber cable. The optical fiber connector includes an optical fiber plug provided at an end of the optical fiber cable and an optical fiber receptacle or adapter to which the optical fiber plug is detachably connected. The optical fiber adapter is connected to the other optical fiber plug, and the optical fiber receptacle is connected to an optical fiber cable on the other side where the optical fiber plug is inserted, or a communication device equipped with a light source. Connected.
Conventionally, Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a configuration for preventing an operator's eyes from being accidentally exposed to laser light when connecting or disconnecting an optical fiber connector, or as a configuration for protecting a connection terminal from dust. Yes.

JP-A-8-320424

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a shutter is provided on an optical fiber receptacle to prevent light from leaking from the optical fiber receptacle.
By the way, when connecting an optical fiber plug to an optical fiber receptacle, it is necessary to accurately match the centers of the optical fiber cables. However, Patent Document 1 describes that the optical fiber cable is accurately conducted. There is no suggestion. As a result, it is difficult to improve the accuracy of optical connection while improving safety.
In addition, when the optical fiber receptacle is provided with a shutter, the end face of the ferrule of the optical fiber plug may come into contact with the shutter when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle. Then, since the end surface of the ferrule is damaged, there arises a problem that the accuracy of optical connection is reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector and an optical fiber connector that solve conventional problems, reliably prevent laser light leakage, improve safety, and improve optical connection accuracy. .

  In the optical fiber connection device of the present invention, in an optical fiber connection device in which an optical fiber plug provided at an end of the optical fiber cable is detachably connected, a sleeve into which the optical fiber cable of the optical fiber plug is inserted and fitted A housing having a connection port that holds the sleeve on the inside and communicates with the sleeve, and a light shielding means that is provided in the connection port of the housing and shields light leaking from the sleeve through the connection port to the outside. A guide mark for guiding an appropriate connection posture of the optical fiber plug with respect to the sleeve, the guide mark being visible from the outside at least when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port. It is preferable to be provided.

According to such a configuration, light from the sleeve is shielded by the light shielding means, which is safe. When the optical fiber plug is inserted into the optical fiber connection device and the optical fiber plug is connected to the optical fiber connection device, the relative posture of the optical fiber plug and the optical fiber connection device can be confirmed by the guide mark. it can.
For example, when the ferrule of the optical fiber plug and the ferrule of the optical fiber connection device are brought into contact with each other so that the centers of the optical fiber cables coincide with each other, the eccentric direction of the ferrule must be matched. The orientation with the optical fiber connection equipment must be adjusted to a predetermined appropriate direction. In other words, it is necessary to match the relative posture between the optical fiber plug and the optical fiber connection device to an appropriate posture that corresponds to the eccentric direction of each ferrule.
In the present invention, the guide mark guides an appropriate posture of the optical fiber plug with respect to the sleeve, and this guide mark is hidden by the light shielding means when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port. In addition, since it is visible from the outside, it is possible to improve the accuracy of optical connection by making the direction of connection accurate.

Here, the optical fiber connection device means, for example, a device that includes an optical fiber receptacle, an optical fiber adapter, or the like and connects an optical fiber cable with an optical fiber plug inserted therein.
The guidance mark is visible from the outside means that the guide mark is provided outside the light shielding means, or provided on the outer surface of the light shielding means, and the light shielding means shields light. Even so, it means that a guide mark is provided at a position where it can be visually observed. Alternatively, when the guide mark is provided in the connection port rather than the light shielding unit, the light shielding unit shields light from the sleeve toward the connection port, and includes a transparent member in a portion corresponding to the guide mark, and guides the guide mark. The mark may be visible from the outside.

  In the present invention, the light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing, and that opens and closes the connection port, and the guide mark is located outside the connection port in the shutter door. It is preferable that it is provided on the facing surface.

  According to such a configuration, when inserting the optical fiber plug, the guide mark can be confirmed naturally by looking at the shutter door. Therefore, connection errors can be reduced when the optical fiber plug is connected to the optical fiber connection device.

  In the optical fiber connection device of the present invention, in the optical fiber connection device to which an optical fiber plug including a ferrule provided at an end portion of the optical fiber cable is detachably connected, the ferrule of the optical fiber plug is inserted. A housing having a sleeve, a sleeve that holds the sleeve inside and a connection port that communicates with the sleeve, and a light shield that is provided in the connection port of the housing and shields light leaking outside from the sleeve through the connection port The light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port, and the ferrule is inserted into the connection port. It is pushed by the peripheral edge of the tip of the ferrule during the fitting process and turns to open the connection port. Door is preferable.

According to such a configuration, since the connection port is opened and closed by the shutter door, in the state where the connection port is closed by the shutter door, in addition to shielding light, entry of dust is also prevented. And since the shutter door is automatically opened by being pushed when inserting the optical fiber plug into the connection port, the operation for opening and closing the shutter is not particularly necessary even if the shutter door is provided, and the operability is excellent. It can be an optical fiber connection device.
Further, since the peripheral edge of the ferrule tip contacts the shutter door and pushes the shutter door open, the shutter door does not contact the end surface of the ferrule, and the end surface of the shutter door is protected. Therefore, intrusion of dust can be prevented by the shutter door, and the end face of the ferrule is not damaged, so that the accuracy of optical connection can be improved.
Here, the peripheral edge of the ferrule tip refers to the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the ferrule end face, and when the shutter door and the ferrule abut, the vicinity of the fiber is set so that the shutter door does not contact the fiber located on the ferrule end face. It is intended to push the shutter door at the periphery of the ferrule end face excluding.
In addition, it is preferable to contact | abut to a shutter door at the corner | angular of the front-end | tip of a ferrule so that a shutter door may not contact the fiber located in the ferrule end surface.

  In the present invention, the light shielding means is opened at the line passing through the approximate center point of the cross section of the connection port, and is in contact with the line passing through the approximate center point of the cross section of the connection port. It is composed of a combination of two or more shutter doors that close the connection port, and when the shutter door closes the connection port, the shutter door abuts behind the rotation shaft in the connection port. Is preferred.

  According to such a configuration, when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port, the optical fiber plug pushes the shutter door to the back of the connection port, thereby opening the shutter door. Even when the shutter door is pushed with a ferrule of an optical fiber plug, the corner of the tip of the ferrule comes into contact with the shutter door rather than the tip of the ferrule, so that the tip of the ferrule is not damaged. Protected. As a result, the accuracy of optical connection can be improved.

  In the present invention, the light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing, and opens and closes the connection port. When the shutter door closes the connection port, The angle formed by the shutter doors in contact with each other is preferably about 100 degrees or more and smaller than about 180 degrees.

According to such a configuration, even when the ferrule of the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port, since the angle formed by the shutter door is smaller than 180 °, the corner of the tip of the ferrule contacts the shutter door first, The tip of the ferrule is protected.
Also, if the angle between the shutter doors is smaller than 100 °, the point where the shutter doors come into contact is the back side of the connection port, and the length from the connection port of the optical fiber connection device to the sleeve is increased. Since the angle between the shutter doors is set to 100 ° or more where it must be taken long, the length from the connection port to the sleeve can be made relatively short, and the optical fiber connection device can be downsized.

  Here, in a state in which the shutter door closes the connection port, the angle formed by the shutter doors that contact each other may be about 100 degrees or more and about 180 degrees or less, and more preferably 100 degrees. It is preferable that it is not less than 110 degrees and not more than 110 degrees.

  In the present invention, the light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port, and is rotated to the connection end face side to which the optical fiber plug is connected. It is preferable that an urging unit that urges the shutter door in a direction and a detent pin that restricts rotation of the shutter door toward the connection end surface at a predetermined position.

  According to such a configuration, in a state where the optical fiber plug is not connected, the connection port is closed by the shutter door by the urging force of the urging means. Then, since light does not leak from the optical fiber connection device, safety is maintained. In addition, since the angle in the closed state of the shutter door is regulated by the non-rotating pin, the shutter door is opened when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port, and the ferrule is inserted into the connection port But the ferrule tip is protected.

  In the present invention, the light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port, and the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port. A guide groove that is recessed along the direction and into which a protrusion protruding from a side surface of the optical fiber plug is fitted is provided. When the shutter door is closed, the guide groove is formed by the shutter door. It is preferable to partition from the outside.

According to such a configuration, since the guide groove is provided in the housing and the protruding portion of the optical fiber plug is guided, the direction when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the optical fiber connection device is uniquely determined. Then, the accuracy of optical connection can be improved.
Further, since the guide groove is provided in the connection port and is partitioned from the outside by the shutter door, the guide groove is superior in dust prevention as compared with the case where the guide groove is guided to the outside by a slit or the like.

  The optical fiber connector of the present invention preferably includes any one of the optical fiber connection devices described above and an optical fiber plug that is detachably connected to the optical fiber connection device.

  According to such a configuration, the same operational effects as the above-described invention can be achieved.

  The optical fiber plug of the present invention accommodates the end of the optical fiber cable, and in the optical fiber plug that is attached to and detached from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the end of the optical fiber cable is accommodated inside the optical fiber plug. A plug main body cylindrical portion capable of deriving the light of the optical fiber cable to the outside from one end face connected to the receptacle or adapter, a movable body provided to be movable relative to the plug main body cylindrical portion, and the movable In a state where the movable body is moved to one side of the plug main body cylindrical portion, the light from the optical fiber cable is shielded against the outside, and the movable body is connected to the plug main body cylindrical portion. Shielding means for allowing light from the optical fiber cable to be led out to the outside in a state where it is moved to the other side, and the plug body tube And a movable body moving means for moving the movable body to one side of the plug main body cylinder portion when it is relatively moved in a direction of being removed from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter. .

  In such a configuration, when the connection is released by removing the optical fiber plug from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the plug body tube portion is moved in the direction of extraction from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter. Then, the movable body is moved by the movable body moving means, and the movable body moves to one side of the plug main body cylindrical portion. When the movable body is moved to one side, the light from the optical fiber cable is shielded by the shielding means, thereby preventing light leakage.

  When the plug body cylinder is pulled out from the state where the optical fiber plug is connected to the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the movable body naturally moves to one side of the plug body cylinder by the movable body moving means. As the movable body moves, the light from the optical fiber cable is naturally shielded by the shielding means. That is, the light is automatically shielded if the connection is released without any particular operation of the shielding means. Therefore, even when the connection is canceled unexpectedly, light from the optical fiber plug can be reliably shielded, and safety can be ensured.

  Further, since the movable body is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the plug main body cylindrical portion, when connecting the optical fiber plug to the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the shielding means as well as the movable body is opposite to the connection end. If moved to the side (the other side), since the shielding means is not disposed at the connection portion between the optical fiber plug and the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the connection portion can be made small.

  In addition, in the plug body cylinder, “the light of the optical fiber cable can be led out from the one end face” means that the optical fiber cable or ferrule is pulled out from the one end face as well as the light is emitted from the one end face. This also includes the case where it is placed in a closed state.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, it is preferable that the movable body moving means includes engagement means for detachably engaging the movable body with the optical fiber receptacle or adapter.

In such a configuration, when the optical fiber plug is connected to the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the movable body and the optical fiber receptacle or adapter are engaged by the engaging means. Then, the plug body cylinder portion is pulled out so that the optical fiber plug is pulled out from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter. Then, since the plug body cylinder is pulled out from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the movable body is engaged with the optical fiber receptacle or adapter by the engaging means, so that the movable body is relative to the plug body cylinder. Moved to one side (connection side). That is, the light from the optical fiber cable is naturally shielded by the shielding means as the movable body moves.
Ensuring that the movable body is engaged with the optical fiber receptacle or adapter by the engaging means, and that light is reliably prevented from leaking from the optical fiber plug even when the connection is unexpectedly released. Can do. As described above, it is possible to achieve an epoch-making effect that the safety can be surely ensured even though the configuration is very simple.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, it is preferable that the engagement means includes an elastic member having an engagement hook portion that engages with an engaged portion of the optical fiber receptacle or adapter.

  According to such a configuration, the elastic member bends and the engaging hook portion is hooked on the engaged portion so that the movable body is engaged with the optical fiber receptacle or the adapter. The hook part comes off. Therefore, the operation of engaging and disengaging the movable body and the optical fiber receptacle or adapter with the engaging means becomes simple, and an optical fiber plug excellent in operability can be obtained.

  Here, as an engaging means, the structure which attracts | engages and engages with the attractive force of a magnet may be sufficient. For example, it may be a magnet disposed on each of the movable body and the optical fiber receptacle or adapter with the opposite poles reversed.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, the plug main body cylindrical portion has a protruding stopper protrusion, and the movable body is engaged with the stopper protrusion when the movable body moves to one side of the plug main body cylindrical portion. It is preferable to have.

  According to such a structure, the range which can move a movable body with respect to a plug main body cylinder part is controlled because the stopper hook of a movable body engages with the stopper protrusion provided in the plug main body cylinder part. When the stopper hook is caught by the stopper projection, the relative movement of the movable body with respect to the plug main body cylinder is stopped, and the movable body moves in a direction to be removed from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter integrally with the plug main body cylinder. Is done. Then, the engagement between the movable body and the optical fiber receptacle or adapter is released. At this time, since the movable body has moved to one side, the light from the optical fiber cable is shielded by the shielding means. As a result, when the optical fiber plug is removed from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the light is shielded by the shielding means, and safety is ensured.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, it is preferable that the movable body moving means includes a biasing means that biases the movable body toward one side of the plug main body cylindrical portion.

  In such a configuration, the movable body is always urged toward one side (connection side) of the plug main body cylindrical portion by the urging force of the urging means. Therefore, unless the movable body is intentionally moved, the movable body is positioned on one side (connection side) of the plug main body cylindrical portion, and the light from the optical fiber cable is shielded by the shielding means. As a result, it is safe because light does not leak from the optical fiber plug unless it is intended.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, the movable body has a shielding means holding cylinder portion which is provided in a cylindrical shape outside the plug main body cylinder portion and accommodates the shielding means inside, and the shielding means includes: A shutter door is provided that is rotatably provided in the shielding means holding cylinder portion, and closes a cylinder hole of the shielding means holding cylinder portion when the movable body is moved to one side of the plug main body cylinder portion. It is preferable.

  According to such a configuration, the one end face of the plug main body cylinder portion is surrounded by the shielding means holding cylinder portion in a cylindrical shape, and the cylinder hole of the shielding means holding cylinder portion is closed by the shutter door. Therefore, the inside of the optical fiber plug is shielded from the outside, and light from the optical fiber cable is not leaked, and in addition, external dust is prevented from entering the inside of the optical fiber plug.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, when the plug main body cylindrical portion is moved in a direction to be connected to the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, a stress that pushes the movable body from one side to the other is applied to the optical fiber receptacle or It is preferable to include a stress transmission means that transmits the adapter toward the movable body.

  According to such a configuration, when the plug main body cylindrical portion is moved toward the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, the stress is transmitted from the optical fiber receptacle or adapter to the movable body by the stress transmission means. Then, the movable body is moved from one side of the plug main body cylindrical part to the other side, and at this time, the shielding means is automatically opened, and light from the optical fiber cable can be led out. Therefore, when connecting the optical fiber plug to the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, there is no need to bother to release the shielding means, and the optical fiber plug need only be naturally inserted into the optical fiber receptacle or adapter. That is, by providing the shielding means, the safety can be ensured and the connection operation can be easily performed.

  In the optical fiber plug of the present invention, the plug main body cylindrical portion includes a storage portion that stores the movable body that has been moved to the other side, and the storage portion externally moves the movable body that has been moved to the other side. It is preferable to provide the outer cylinder part which divides from.

According to such a configuration, since the movable body moved to the other side is stored in the storage portion, it is possible to prevent a failure such as the movable body moving too far to the other side and the movable body coming off the plug main body cylindrical portion. be able to.
Even when the movable body moves to the other side of the plug main body cylindrical portion, the movable body is stored in the storage portion, so that the plug main body cylindrical portion can be pulled by grasping the outer cylindrical portion. In addition, since the movable body is stored in the storage portion, the movable portion is protected from the outside.

  An optical fiber connector according to the present invention includes any one of the optical fiber plugs described above and an optical fiber receptacle or adapter to which the optical fiber plug is attached or detached. In the optical fiber receptacle or adapter, it is preferable that a shutter door provided rotatably is provided at a connection port to which the optical fiber plug is connected. Further, it is preferable that the connection port to which the optical fiber plug is connected is closed by the shutter door in a state where the optical fiber plug is detached, and is pushed open by the optical fiber plug when the optical fiber plug is connected.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated and described with reference to reference numerals attached to respective elements in the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1st Embodiment which concerns on the optical fiber connector of this invention is described.
FIG. 1 shows a front view (A) and a side view (B) of the optical fiber connector 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber connector 100 includes an optical fiber plug 200 and an optical fiber receptacle (optical fiber connection device) 600. In the following description, an optical fiber receptacle 600 will be described as an example of an optical fiber connection device, but an optical fiber adapter may be used instead of the optical fiber receptacle.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view (A) when the optical fiber plug 200 is viewed from the front, and a cross-sectional view (B) when the optical fiber plug 200 is viewed from the side.
The optical fiber plug 200 is provided at the end of the optical fiber cable 210 and is detachably connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600.
The optical fiber plug 200 includes a ferrule 220, a plug rear portion 230, and a plug front portion 240.
In the following description, in the optical fiber plug 200, the connection end side (one side) connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600 is the front part of the optical fiber plug 200, and the ferrule 220 to the optical fiber cable 210 in the optical fiber plug 200. Is the rear part (the other side) of the optical fiber plug 200.

  The ferrule 220 is provided at the end of the optical fiber cable 210 covered with the sheath 211. When the ferrule 220 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, light from the optical fiber cable 210 is conducted to the optical fiber receptacle 600 side. Is done.

  The plug rear portion 230 constitutes the optical fiber cable 210 side with respect to the ferrule 220, and is constituted by a member through which the optical fiber cable 210 is inserted in advance before the ferrule 220 is attached to the optical fiber cable 210. The plug rear portion 230 is disposed at the rear portion of the ferrule 220 and urges the ferrule 220 toward the front portion, a stop ring 232 that contacts the rear portion of the spring 231 and positions the spring 231, and a stop ring 232, a caulking ring 233 caulking the sheath 211, and a boot 235 that covers the outer periphery of the caulking ring 233 from the middle of the stop ring 232 and further covers the optical fiber cable 210 extending toward the rear in a predetermined range. And is configured.

  The plug front part 240 is configured by a member that is fitted from the front part side after the ferrule 220 is attached to the optical fiber cable 210. The plug front part 240 includes the plug frame 300 and a knob body (plug body cylinder part). 400 and a plug shutter unit 500.

  The plug frame 300 is a substantially square frame-shaped cylinder covering the outer periphery of the ferrule 220, and the reduced diameter portion 301 provided inside the plug frame 300 abuts the ferrule 220 from the front side to position the plug frame 300. Is decided. The front portion side of the plug frame 300 has an inner diameter enough to have a predetermined gap between the ferrule 220. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), protruding projections 303 are provided on both outer side surfaces 302 when the plug frame 300 is viewed from the front. Note that the tip of the ferrule 220 protrudes slightly forward from the connection end side opening of the plug frame 300.

The knob body 400 is a substantially square frame-shaped tube that covers the optical fiber plug 200 from the front to the rear, and covers the plug frame 300 to the middle of the boot 235. The knob body 400 includes a knob cylinder 410, a storage space portion (storage portion) 420, a stopper recess 430 (see FIG. 3), and a stopper protrusion 440.
The knob cylinder 410 is a rectangular frame-shaped cylinder having a predetermined length from the front part to the rear part of the optical fiber plug 200, and its outer surface is substantially flat enough to allow the sliding body to slide on the surface. Is formed. In addition, windows 414 are formed on both side surfaces of the knob cylinder 410 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 2A) on the front side of the knob cylinder 410, and the plug frame 300 is connected to the window 414. The engaging claw 303 faces the outside.

  The storage space 420 is a pocket provided at the rear end of the knob cylinder 410. An end plate portion 421 erected in a flange shape continuously from the rear end of the knob cylinder 410 is provided. Further, the knob cylinder 410 is moved in a predetermined range from the outer peripheral end of the end plate portion 421 toward the front. A cylindrical outer cylinder portion 422 is provided so as to cover. A storage space 420 is formed in a space sandwiched between the outer cylinder 422 and the knob cylinder 410. Further, the outer surface of the outer cylindrical portion 422 is provided with unevenness that prevents slipping when pinched with a finger.

The stopper recess 430 is provided on the outer surface of the knob cylinder 410 as shown in the front view of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view in which the optical fiber plug 200 is partially broken along a line that crosses the stopper recess 430.
As shown in FIG. 3, the stopper recesses 430 are respectively provided in the top plate 411 and the bottom plate 412 when the knob cylinder 410 is viewed from the side. Two stopper recesses 430 are provided side by side on the front side of the knob cylinder 410, and are further provided side by side in the storage space 420 on the rear side of the knob cylinder 410.

  As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, the stopper protrusion 440 is formed on the front side of the knob cylinder 410 so as to protrude from the top plate 411 when the knob cylinder 410 is viewed from the side. Yes.

When the optical fiber plug 200 is detached from the optical fiber receptacle 600, the plug shutter unit 500 shields the light emitted from the optical fiber cable 210 so as not to leak to the outside, and the optical fiber plug 200 covers the optical fiber receptacle 600. When connected, the shielding is released so that light is conducted between the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle.
The plug shutter unit 500 includes a movable cylinder (movable body) 510, a plug shutter mechanism 540, and an engagement piece (movable body moving means, engagement means, stress transmission means) 550. .

The movable cylinder 510 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped cylinder that covers the outer periphery of the knob cylinder 410 in a ring shape and is provided on the outer surface of the knob cylinder 410 so as to advance and retract from the front to the rear. A perspective view of the movable cylinder 510 is shown in FIG.
The movable cylinder 510 includes a sliding cylinder 520 and a shutter holding cylinder (shielding means holding cylinder) 530.

The sliding cylinder portion 520 constitutes the rear side of the movable cylinder 510 and has an inner diameter that surrounds the knob cylinder 410 with almost no gap.
The sliding cylinder portion 520 is provided with a slit 523, a stopper chip 524, and a stopper hook 525.
The slits 523 are respectively provided on surfaces corresponding to the top plate 521 and the bottom plate 522 when the sliding cylinder portion 520 is viewed from the side. The slits 523 are formed by cutting forward from the rear end of the sliding cylinder portion 520, and two slits 523 are provided on the top plate 521 and two on the bottom plate 522.

  The stopper chip 524 is provided at the rear end of the inner wall surface of the sliding cylinder portion 520. The stopper chips 524 are formed to protrude from the top plate 521 and the bottom plate 522 to the inside of the sliding tube portion 520 on the inner peripheral side of the sliding tube portion 520. Two stopper chips 524 are provided on the top plate 521 and two on the bottom plate 522. It has been. In FIG. 4, the stopper chip 524 provided on the top plate 521 does not appear as a shadow of the top plate 521. The stopper chip 524 corresponds to the stopper recess 430, and when the movable cylinder 510 slides on the knob cylinder 410, the stopper chip 524 fits into the stopper recess 430 and the position of the movable cylinder 510 temporarily changes. Can be decided.

  The stopper hook 525 is provided at the rear end of the inner wall surface of the sliding cylinder portion 520 and is formed to protrude from the top plate 521 on the inner peripheral side of the sliding cylinder portion 520. A recess is formed in the top plate 521 so that the inner diameter is expanded along the sliding direction of the movable cylinder 510 including the vicinity of the position where the stopper hook 525 is provided, and the stopper hook 525 is connected to the movable cylinder 510. There is no hindrance to sliding. The stopper hook 525 is provided in correspondence with the stopper protrusion 440. When the movable cylinder 510 is slid toward the front of the knob cylinder 410, the stopper hook 525 is caught by the stopper protrusion 440, and the movable cylinder. The movement of 510 forward of the stopper projection 440 is reliably restricted.

The shutter holding cylinder portion 530 is provided continuously from the front portion of the sliding cylinder portion 520 and constitutes the front portion side of the movable cylinder 510. The shutter holding cylinder portion 530 has an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the sliding cylinder portion 520, and the inner diameter increases from the sliding cylinder portion 520 to the shutter holding cylinder portion 530 with a step 531 (FIG. 2A). )reference).
The shutter holding cylinder portion 530 is provided with an engagement piece attachment portion 532. The engagement piece mounting portion 532 has a groove shape formed by recessing the outer surface from the front portion to the rear portion of the top plate 535 and the bottom plate 536 when the shutter holding cylinder portion 530 is viewed from the side. The engagement piece mounting portion 532 includes a pin 533 protruding from the groove-shaped bottom, and side protrusions 534 protruding from both side surfaces of the groove shape toward the center.

  Here, a state where the movable cylinder 510 is moved toward the rear side of the knob cylinder 410 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when the movable cylinder 510 is located at the rear part of the knob cylinder 410, the sliding cylinder 520 is stored in the storage space 420.

The plug shutter mechanism 540 is a shutter mechanism that is opened and closed according to the movement of the movable cylinder 510, and includes a shutter door (shielding means) 541 and a hinge spring 542.
As shown in FIG. 2, two shutter doors 541 are arranged on the rear side inside the shutter holding cylinder 530. Each shutter door 541 is provided in the vicinity of the side plate 537 of the shutter holding cylinder 530 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 544 installed on the top plate 535 and the bottom plate 536. The shutter door 541 has a width substantially equal to the interval between the top plate 535 and the bottom plate 536 of the shutter holding cylinder portion 530 and is slightly longer than approximately half the interval between the side plates 537.

The hinge spring 542 is a linear elastic member provided on the rotation shaft side 544 of the shutter door 541. One end of the hinge spring 542 is in contact with the side plate 537, and the other end engages with the shutter door 541, and urges the shutter door 541 in a direction to rotate toward the rear side.
The shutter door 541 is in contact with a convex portion (not shown) provided on the inner wall side of the movable cylindrical body 510, and the rotation toward the rear side of the ferrule 220 is restricted.

In a state where the two shutter doors 541 are positioned on the rear side by the biasing force of the hinge spring 542, the ferrule 220 cannot be seen from the connection end side by the both shutter doors 541 as shown in FIG. The light from the optical fiber cable 210 is shielded. When the two shutter doors 541 are rotated forward against the urging force of the hinge spring 542, as shown in FIG. 6B, the connection end side of the shutter holding cylinder 530 is opened and the ferrule is opened. 220 enters the outside, and light from the optical fiber cable 210 is emitted to the outside.
When the shutter door 541 is rotated forward, the shutter door 541 is in a state along the side plate 537 of the shutter holding cylinder 530, but the shutter holding cylinder 530 is sufficient to accommodate the shutter door 541. The shutter door 541 does not come out of the shutter holding cylinder 530 even if the shutter door 541 is rotated forward.

The engaging piece 550 engages with the optical fiber receptacle 600 when the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600. The engagement piece 550 is configured by a leaf spring as an elastic member attached to the top plate 535 and the bottom plate 536 of the shutter holding cylinder portion 530. The engagement piece 550 is attached to the engagement piece attachment portion 532 of the shutter holding cylinder portion 530 in a cantilever shape protruding forward from the shutter holding cylinder portion 530. The engaging piece 550 is bent in a dogleg shape on the front side projecting from the shutter holding cylinder 530 toward the surface contacting the shutter holding cylinder 530, and the engagement hook portion is bent by this bending. 551 is formed.
The engagement piece 550 has a bored hole 552 (see FIG. 4). Then, the pin 533 is inserted into the hole 552 and the engagement piece 550 is fixed to the engagement piece attachment portion 532 while being pressed by the side protrusion 534.

The optical fiber receptacle 600 is connected to the optical fiber plug 200 by inserting the optical fiber plug 200. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view (A) when the optical fiber receptacle 600 is viewed from the front and a cross-sectional view (B) when viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 7, the optical fiber receptacle 600 will be described by taking a two-core type having two connection ports as an example.
In the following description, in the optical fiber receptacle 600, the connection end side to which the optical fiber plug 200 is connected is assumed to be the front, and the opposite side of the connection side is assumed to be the rear.
The optical fiber receptacle 600 is configured to include a housing 610, a receptacle shutter mechanism 650, and a sleeve 660.

The housing 610 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped cylinder having a through hole continuous from the connection end side to which the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the end opposite to the connection end side.
The housing 610 includes a sleeve holding cylinder 620, a shutter storage cylinder 630, and an engaging claw 640.

  The sleeve holding cylinder 620 is a cylinder having a through-hole enough to insert the sleeve 660 inward, and constitutes the rear side of the housing 610. The shutter storage cylinder 630 is a cylinder continuously provided from the front of the sleeve holding cylinder 620 and constitutes the front of the housing 610. The inner diameter of the shutter storage cylinder 630 is larger than that of the sleeve holding cylinder 620 and is large enough to allow the front part of the knob body 400 to be inserted. The opening on the front side of the shutter storage cylinder 630 serves as a connection port to which the optical fiber plug 200 is connected, and the connection port communicates with the sleeve 660.

  The top plate 633 when viewed from the side surface on the inner wall of the shutter storage cylinder 630 is provided with a guide groove 631 that is recessed in a groove shape from the front to the rear. When the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600, the stopper protrusion 440 of the knob body 400 is fitted into the guide groove 631, thereby guiding the insertion direction of the optical fiber plug 200.

The engaging claw 640 hooks the engaging hook portion 551 of the engaging piece 550 when the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, and integrates the plug shutter unit portion 500 with the optical fiber receptacle 600.
The engaging claws 640 are respectively provided on the top plate 633 and the bottom plate 634 when viewed from the side surface on the outer periphery of the shutter storage cylinder portion 630. In the top plate 633 and the bottom plate 634 of the shutter storage cylinder portion 630, a part of the outer surface on the front side is recessed, and the engaging claw 640 is formed by raising the front side end portion.

The receptacle shutter mechanism 650 is a shutter mechanism that is opened and closed according to the insertion / removal state of the optical fiber plug 200, and includes a shutter door (light shielding means) 651, a hinge spring 652, and a detent pin 653. ing.
As shown in FIG. 7, two shutter doors 651 are disposed on the front side inside the shutter storage cylinder 630. Each shutter door 651 is provided in the vicinity of the side plate 635 of the shutter storage cylinder portion 630 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 654 provided on the top plate 633 and the bottom plate 634. The shutter door 651 has a width substantially equal to the distance between the top plate 633 and the bottom plate 634 of the shutter storage cylinder 630 and is slightly longer than substantially half the distance between the side plates 635.
A guide mark 651A formed by protruding from a position close to the top plate 633 is provided on the connection end side surface of the shutter door 651. That is, the guide mark 651A is connected in a state where the shutter door 651 is closed. Facing the outside from the mouth. The guide mark 651A is disposed on the same side as the guide groove 631, and when the shutter door 651 is closed, the side where the guide groove 631 is provided can be determined from the position of the guide mark 651A. it can.

The hinge spring 652 is a linear elastic member disposed adjacent to the rotation shaft 654 at approximately the middle between the top plate 633 and the bottom plate 634, and has one end abutting on the side plate 635 and the other end. The shutter door 651 is urged in a direction that engages with the shutter door 651 and rotates toward the front side.
The anti-rotation pin 653 is provided so as to protrude from the top plate 633 along the rotation shaft 654 in the top plate 633 of the shutter storage cylinder portion 630. The shutter door 651 is restricted from rotating toward the front side with respect to the anti-rotation pin 653, and is rotated toward the rear side with respect to the anti-rotation pin 653 by a force against the urging force of the hinge spring 652.
Here, as shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the rotation toward the front side of the shutter door 651 is restricted by the rotation prevention pin 653, the tips of the two shutter doors 651 come into contact with each other to store the shutter. The opening of the cylinder part 630 is closed. When the shutter doors 651 are brought into contact with each other, the contact point between the shutter doors 651 is located on the back side of the rotation shaft 654, and the angle θ formed by the two shutter doors 651 is: It is about 110 degrees. Note that the angle θ formed by the two shutter doors 651 is an angle at which the tip of the ferrule 220 abuts the shutter door 651 instead of the tip of the ferrule 220 when the ferrule 220 is inserted into the shutter storage cylinder 630. Any angle may be taken, for example, an angle smaller than 100 degrees to 180 degrees.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the connection end of the optical fiber receptacle 600. As shown in FIG. 8, two detent pins 653 projecting from the top plate 633 are provided on the inner wall of the top plate 633 on the connection end side with a guide groove 631 therebetween.
Further, the guide mark 651A formed on the shutter door 651 functions as a guide mark for aligning the orientation of the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 when the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted.

  In a state where the two shutter doors 651 are located on the front side by the biasing force of the hinge spring 652, as shown in the upper side in FIG. 8, the optical fiber receptacle 600 is connected from the connection end side by the both shutter doors 651. And the light from the optical fiber receptacle 600 is shielded. When the two shutter doors 651 are rotated rearward against the biasing force of the hinge spring 652, the connecting end side of the shutter storage cylinder 630 is opened as shown in the lower side in FIG. The inside of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is in a state of communicating with the outside.

  Here, when the shutter door 651 is rotated backward, the shutter door 651 is in a state along the side plate 635, but the shutter storage cylinder portion 630 has a degree corresponding to the rotation radius of the shutter door 651. Has a depth length of.

The sleeve 660 is a cylindrical body that is disposed in the housing 610 and into which the ferrule 220 is inserted when the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600.
The sleeve 660 includes an outer sleeve 670 and an inner sleeve 680.
As shown in FIG. 7, the outer sleeve 670 has a through hole in the center and includes an engagement hook 671 at the front and rear. Here, when the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, the engagement hook 671 on the front side is hooked on the engagement claws 303 of the plug frame 300, and the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle. 600.
The inner sleeve 680 is disposed in the outer sleeve 670 and has an inner diameter that allows the ferrule 220 to be smoothly inserted.

  Here, although not shown in FIG. 7, the optical fiber receptacle 600 is an optical fiber adapter, and an optical fiber plug can be inserted from the rear side opening of the optical fiber adapter, and the front and rear portions of the optical fiber receptacle 600 are In the state where the optical fiber plugs 200 are inserted, the optical fiber cables 210 of the two optical fiber plugs 200 are conducted.

Next, the operation of the optical fiber connector 100 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 9, the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 before being connected are shown.
At this time, the movable cylindrical body 510 of the optical fiber plug 200 is located on the front side, and the shutter door 541 is rotated to the rear side by the force of the hinge spring 542. Then, the leading ends of the two shutter doors 541 overlap to close the opening of the shutter holding cylinder 530, and the light from the optical fiber cable 210 is shielded and the leakage from the opening of the shutter holding cylinder 530 is shielded. Intrusion of dust from the outside is prevented

  Further, in the optical fiber receptacle 600, the shutter door 651 is rotated to the front side by the biasing force of the hinge spring 652, and the connection side opening of the housing 610 is closed. In FIG. 9, the optical fiber plug 600 is not connected to the rear side of the optical fiber receptacle 600, but even if the optical fiber plug is connected to the rear side of the optical fiber receptacle 600, the shutter door 651 The light is shielded, and further, the entry of dust from the outside is prevented.

  Next, when connecting the optical fiber plug 200 to the optical fiber receptacle 600, as shown in FIG. 10, the movable cylinder 510 of the optical fiber plug 200 is moved to the rear side. At this time, when the movable cylinder 510 is moved toward the rear side, the shutter door 541 hits the corner of the ferrule 220 and is rotated toward the front of the movable cylinder 510. When the movable cylinder 510 is further moved to the rear, the shutter door 541 becomes parallel to the side plate 537 of the shutter holding cylinder 530, and a gap formed between the knob cylinder 410 and the shutter holding cylinder 530 by the step 531. It will be in the state stored in. When the movable cylinder 510 is moved toward the rear part of the knob cylinder 410, the sliding cylinder 520 is in a state of being accommodated in the accommodation space 420. When the stopper chip 524 of the sliding cylinder 520 is fitted into the stopper recess 430 provided on the rear side of the knob body 400, the position of the movable cylinder 510 is temporarily held.

In addition, when moving the movable cylinder 510 toward the rear, the slit 523 of the sliding cylinder 520 is appropriately opened, so that the movable cylinder 510 is moved without receiving a large resistance.
When the movable cylinder 510 moves to the rear side, as shown in FIG. 10, the ferrule 220 is exposed to the outside.

Next, the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted toward the optical fiber receptacle 600, and the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600 as shown in FIG.
First, the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 are made to face each other in a direction in which the stopper protrusion 400 of the knob body 400 is fitted into the guide groove 631 of the shutter housing cylinder portion 630. At this time, the direction of the guide groove 631 may be confirmed by the guide mark 651A of the shutter door 651 provided on the guide groove 631 side. In this way, even the guide groove 631 is blocked from the outside, so that light leakage and dust intrusion can be prevented more reliably.

  When the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600 with the movable cylinder 510 moved to the rear as shown in FIG. 10 and the ferrule 220 exposed, the tip of the ferrule 220 has a corner at the tip of the optical fiber receptacle 600. The shutter door 651 comes into contact. When the ferrule 220 is inserted into the shutter storage cylinder 630, the shutter door 651 is pushed toward the rear by the ferrule 220 and the plug frame 300, and the shutter door 651 is connected to the side plate 635 of the shutter storage cylinder 630 and the plug frame. It will be in the state accommodated in the clearance gap between 300. Further, the ferrule 220 is inserted into the inner sleeve 680.

Then, the engaging claws 303 of the plug frame 300 are engaged with the engaging hooks 671 of the outer sleeve 670, and the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 are connected. Further, the engagement hook portion 551 of the engagement piece 550 is hooked and engaged with the engagement claw 640 of the housing 610. Then, the plug shutter unit 500 is engaged with the optical fiber receptacle 600.
In this state, the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600.

  Next, when the optical fiber plug 200 is pulled out from the optical fiber receptacle 600 to release the connection, the knob body 400 is pulled out toward the rear. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the plug frame 300 is pulled out together with the knob body 400, and the engagement between the engagement claw 303 and the engagement hook 671 is released. Then, the ferrule 220 together with the knob body 400 is pulled out from the optical fiber receptacle.

  When the knob body 400 is pulled out from the housing 610, the shutter door 651 of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is rotated by the biasing force of the hinge spring 652. Then, the opening on the connection side of the housing 610 is closed by the shutter door 651.

  On the other hand, the plug shutter unit 500 is engaged with the optical fiber receptacle 600 by the engagement of the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640. Therefore, the knob body 400 does not move integrally. That is, the stopper tip 524 is removed from the stopper recess 430 at the rear of the knob cylinder 410, and the movable cylinder 510 is relatively moved to the front of the knob cylinder 410 as the knob cylinder 410 moves rearward. The

  At this time, when the shutter holding cylinder portion 530 comes out in front of the plug frame 300, the shutter door 541 is rotated by the biasing force of the hinge spring 542 as shown in FIG. The opening is closed.

Further, when the movable cylinder 510 is relatively moved to the front part of the knob cylinder 410, the stopper hook 525 of the sliding cylinder part 520 is hooked on the stopper projection 440, and the stopper chip 524 is further attached to the knob cylinder 410. It fits into the front stopper recess 430. Then, the movable cylinder 510 is restricted from moving relative to the front and rear parts of the knob cylinder 410, particularly the front part, and is moved toward the rear integrally with the knob cylinder 410. At this time, the engagement between the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640 of the housing 610 is released.
9, the connection side opening of the optical fiber plug 200 is closed by the shutter door 541, and the connection side opening of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is closed by the shutter door 651.

According to the optical fiber connector 100 having such a configuration, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) The optical fiber plug 200 is provided with the plug shutter unit 500, and the connection side opening of the optical fiber plug 200 is closed by the shutter door 541 when the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 are not connected. . The shutter door 541 shields light from the optical fiber cable 210. Then, in a state where the connection is released, light is not emitted from the optical fiber plug 200, and the light does not enter the eyes, which is safe.
Also, the connection side opening of the optical fiber plug 200 is isolated from the outside by the shutter door 541 and the movable cylinder 510. Therefore, intrusion of dust from the outside is prevented. As a result, the end face of the optical fiber plug 200 (the end face of the ferrule 220) is protected, and connection failure is prevented.

(2) The optical fiber receptacle 600 is provided with a receptacle shutter mechanism 650, and the connection side opening of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is closed by a shutter door 651. Therefore, even when an optical fiber cable is connected to the other connection end of the optical fiber receptacle 600, light does not leak from the optical fiber receptacle 600, so safety can be ensured. Further, the opening on the connection side of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is isolated from the outside by the shutter door 651 and the housing 610. Therefore, intrusion of dust from the outside is prevented. As a result, the inside of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is protected and connection failure is prevented.

(3) The movable cylinder 510 is provided with a stopper chip 524, a stopper recess 430 is provided on the front side of the knob body 400, and the stopper chip 524 is movable by fitting into the stopper recess 430 on the front side. The position of the cylinder 510 is maintained. Therefore, unless it is intended, the movable cylinder 510 is not relatively moved to the rear part of the knob body 400. As a result, the situation where the movable cylinder 510 is erroneously moved to the rear part of the knob body 400 and the shutter door 541 is opened can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.

(4) When the knob body 400 is pulled out from the state in which the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, the plug shutter unit 500 is engaged with the knob body 400 by the engagement between the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640. It is naturally moved relatively to the front. In the state where the connection is released, the shutter door 541 is automatically closed by the relative movement of the plug shutter unit 500 forward. The shutter door 541 is automatically closed if the connection is released without any particular operation of the plug shutter unit 500. Therefore, even when the connection is canceled unexpectedly, the light from the optical fiber plug 200 can be reliably shielded, and safety can be ensured.

(5) Since the sliding cylinder part 520 is provided with the slit 523, the resistance when the movable cylinder 510 moves relative to the knob body 400 can be reduced. Then, the movable cylinder 510 can be easily moved relative to the knob body 400 by the engagement between the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640. As a result, the plug shutter unit 500 is reliably moved forward and the shutter door 541 is closed by pulling the knob body 400 backward when releasing the connection. Then, safety is further improved.

(6) Since the knob body 400 is provided with the storage space portion 420 and the end plate portion 421 is provided at the rear end of the storage space portion 420, the movable cylinder body 510 is pulled too far backward. Can be prevented from coming off from the knob cylinder 410. Even when the movable cylinder 510 is moved to the rear part of the knob cylinder 410, the sliding cylinder 520 is stored in the storage space 420, so that the knob 400 is pulled by grasping the outer cylinder 422. Can do. Moreover, by accommodating the sliding cylinder part 520 in the storage space part 420, the sliding cylinder part 520 can be protected, and in particular, the fitting portion between the stopper chip 524 and the stopper recess 430 can be protected.

(7) Since the guide groove 631 is provided in the housing 610 and the stopper protrusion 440 of the knob body 400 is guided, the orientation of the ferrule 220 when the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600 is uniquely determined. The Then, the connection with the other optical fiber cable connected to the rear end side of the optical fiber receptacle 600 can be ensured. Further, since the guide groove 631 is provided inward of the housing 610 and is partitioned from the outside by the shutter door 651, for example, the guide groove 631 is superior in dustproofness as compared with a case where the guide groove 631 is guided by a slit communicating to the outside.

(8) By engaging the stopper hook 525 of the movable cylinder 510 with the stopper protrusion 440 provided on the knob body 400, the range in which the movable cylinder 510 can move forward is reliably regulated. be able to. Therefore, even if the engagement between the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640 is strengthened, the forward movement of the movable cylinder 510 is reliably restricted at a predetermined position. By strengthening the engagement between the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640, when the connection between the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 is released, the movable cylinder 510 is directed toward the front of the knob body 400. Relative movement can be ensured. Since the engagement piece 550 is strongly attached by fitting the hole 552 and the pin 533, the engagement piece 550 is engaged with the engagement piece even if the engagement between the engagement piece 550 and the engagement claw 640 is strong. There is no risk of detachment from the attachment portion 532.

(9) Both the shutter door 541 of the optical fiber plug 200 and the shutter door 651 of the optical fiber receptacle 600 are pushed open by the corners of the ferrule 220. Here, the shutter door 541 is maintained at a predetermined angle by a projection (not shown) provided on the inner wall of the movable cylinder 510, and the shutter door 651 is maintained at a predetermined angle by a rotation stopper pin 653. The corners of the ferrule 220 abut on the shutter doors 541 and 651, and the end surface of the ferrule 220 is prevented from abutting. Thereby, the end face of the ferrule 220 is protected, and the accuracy of optical connection when connecting the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 can be improved.

(10) The very simple configuration of engaging the plug shutter unit 500 with the optical fiber receptacle 600 ensures that light leaks from the optical fiber plug 200 even when the connection is unexpectedly released. Can be prevented. As described above, it is possible to achieve an epoch-making effect that the safety can be surely ensured even though the configuration is very simple.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the optical fiber connector 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Although the basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the second embodiment includes a spring as a biasing unit that biases the plug shutter unit unit 500 toward the front portion of the knob body 400. It is characterized in that it is equipped.

  In FIG. 14, a helical spring 7 is provided, and the spring 7 is wound around the knob cylinder 410 in a helical form. The rear end of the spring 7 is stored in the storage space 420 and is hidden by the outer tube portion 422 in FIG. 14, but the rear end of the spring 7 is in contact with the end plate portion 421. Further, the front end of the spring 7 is in contact with the rear end of the sliding cylinder portion 520. The spring 7 has a substantially natural length in a state where the movable cylinder 510 is located at the front portion of the knob cylinder 410, and when the movable cylinder 510 moves relative to the knob body 400 toward the rear, the movable cylinder 510 Is urged forward of the knob body 400.

  The plug shutter unit 500 does not include an engagement piece, and the housing 610 does not include an engagement claw. Even when the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, the plug shutter unit Part 500 and optical fiber receptacle 600 are not engaged.

  In such a second embodiment, when the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle are not connected, the plug shutter unit 500 is positioned in front of the knob body 400 by the biasing force of the spring 7. Then, the opening on the connection side of the optical fiber plug 200 is closed by the shutter door 541 and the light is shielded.

  When connecting the optical fiber plug 200 to the optical fiber receptacle 600, the movable cylinder 510 is moved to the rear of the knob body 400 against the biasing force of the spring 7. Then, the shutter door 541 is opened. When the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600, the ferrule 220 is inserted from the housing 610 into the sleeve 660. At this time, the movable cylinder 510 is pushed backward by the front end of the housing 610.

  When the optical fiber plug 200 is pulled out from the optical fiber receptacle 600, the movable cylinder 510 is also moved forward by the biasing force of the spring 7 as the housing 610 moves relative to the knob body 400 forward. To do. When the connection between the optical fiber plug 200 and the optical fiber receptacle 600 is released, the movable cylinder 510 is positioned at the front of the knob cylinder 410, and the opening on the connection side of the optical fiber plug 200 is opened by the shutter door 541. Closed.

According to such 2nd Embodiment, in addition to the effect (1)-(3) (5)-(7) (9) of the said embodiment, there can exist the following effect.
(11) The plug shutter unit 500 is always biased toward the front portion of the knob body 400 by the biasing force of the spring 7. Therefore, unless the movable cylinder 510 is intentionally moved rearward, the movable cylinder 510 is positioned at the front portion of the knob body 400, and the opening on the connection side of the optical fiber plug is closed by the shutter door 541. As a result, it is safe because light does not leak from the optical fiber plug 200 unless intended.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment according to the optical fiber connector of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the third embodiment has a configuration in which magnets are provided at the front end of the plug shutter unit 500 and the front end of the optical fiber receptacle 600 to attract each other. It has the feature in the point.
That is, in FIG. 15, the magnet 8 </ b> A is provided at the front end of the shutter holding cylinder 530, and the magnet 8 </ b> B is provided at the front end of the housing 610. The magnet 8A provided in the shutter holding cylinder 530 and the magnet 8B provided in the housing 610 are arranged so that opposite magnetic poles face each other and attract each other.
The magnet 8A and the magnet 8B constitute an engaging means (movable body moving means).

  In such a configuration, the movable cylinder 510 can be moved integrally with the optical fiber receptacle 600 as in the first embodiment by attracting and adhering the two magnets 8A and 8B. Accordingly, when the optical fiber plug 200 is pulled out from the optical fiber receptacle 600 from the connected state, the movable cylinder 510 located at the rear of the knob body 400 is moved forward, and the shutter door 541 is closed.

  According to such a configuration, the same effects as the effects (1) to (10) of the above embodiment can be achieved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the edge of the ferrule 220 is pressed against the shutter door 651, but the peripheral edge of the end surface of the ferrule 220 may be in contact with the shutter door 651. That is, the shutter door 651 may be configured not to contact the fiber 210 located on the end face of the ferrule 220.
For example, although the movable body has been described as the cylindrical movable cylinder 510, it is not always necessary to surround the connection side opening of the optical fiber plug 200 in a cylindrical shape, and can be slid on the knob body 400. Any structure that can hold the mechanism 540 may be used.
However, if the movable body is cylindrical, it is convenient when the connection side opening of the optical fiber plug 200 is partitioned from the outside to prevent intrusion of dust.

As the shielding means, the shutter door 541 has been described as an example. However, the shape and material are not particularly limited as long as the shutter door 541 is not limited to the shutter and may be a member that shields light or a member that shields dust. For example, a soft material such as a leaf spring or rubber can be used.
The type of the optical fiber connector 100 is not particularly limited, and can be used for SC type, MU type, FC type, ST type, optical connection terminals for personal computers, and terminals using USB ports.

  In the first embodiment, it has been described that the engagement piece 550 is attached to the movable cylinder 510 and the engagement claw 640 that engages the engagement piece 550 is formed in the housing 610 of the optical fiber receptacle 600. For example, the engagement piece is attached to the housing 610, the engagement claw is provided on the movable cylinder 510, and the engagement piece and the engagement claw engage with each other to light the movable cylinder 510. The fiber receptacle 600 may be engaged.

In the first embodiment, when the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600 in a state where the movable cylinder 510 is moved to the rear part of the knob body 400 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the optical fiber plug 200 may be inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600 while the movable cylindrical body 510 is positioned at the front portion of the knob body 400. In this case, if the knob body 400 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600, the movable cylinder 510 is pushed by the housing 610 and moved to the rear of the knob body 400. At this time, the engagement piece 550 functions as a stress transmission unit that transmits stress from the housing 610 of the optical fiber receptacle 600 to the movable cylinder 510.
In the case of the second embodiment or the third embodiment, when the optical fiber plug 200 is inserted into the optical fiber receptacle 600, the front end portion of the movable cylinder 510 and the housing 610 of the optical fiber receptacle 600 are brought into contact with each other. become. At this time, the front end portion of the movable cylinder 510 functions as a stress transmission means for transmitting stress from the housing 610 of the optical fiber receptacle 600 to the movable cylinder 510.

When the optical fiber connector 100 is actually used, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, an optical fiber receptacle 600 is connected to an outlet provided on the wall or floor of a building or a connection terminal of an electronic device such as a communication device. May be provided.
In FIG. 16, an optical fiber receptacle 600 is disposed in a connection port 910 provided in an outlet 900 as an insertion port of an indoor wiring connector. The front end of the optical fiber receptacle 600 is slightly inside the opening than the opening end of the connection port 910.
When the optical fiber plug 200 is connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600, as shown in FIG. 16, the front end of the movable cylinder 510 abuts against the opening end of the outlet 900, so that the inside of the connection port 910 is external. It is divided from. Then, intrusion of dust into the connection port 910 is prevented.
In the above embodiment, a two-fiber optical fiber receptacle has been described as an example. However, a single-fiber optical fiber receptacle may be used. Moreover, you may use the optical fiber adapter which can insert an optical fiber plug from both directions.
The optical fiber plug 200 is not limited to the structure of the above embodiment, and may be configured to be connected to the optical fiber receptacle 600.

  The only difference between the optical fiber plug and the optical fiber receptacle is whether the plug is inserted or the plug is inserted, and since both are interchangeable, the shutter is placed toward the optical fiber receptacle 600 of the above embodiment. Such a modification that the unit portion 500 is provided is naturally included in the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for an optical fiber connector for connecting an optical fiber for optical communication.

(A) It is the figure seen from the front in 1st Embodiment which concerns on the optical fiber connector of this invention. (B) It is the figure seen from the side surface in the said 1st Embodiment. (A) In the said 1st Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which looked at the optical fiber plug from the front. (B) In the said 1st Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which looked at the optical fiber plug from the side surface. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the optical fiber plug at a predetermined position in the first embodiment. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a perspective view of a movable cylinder. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows an optical fiber tag when moving a movable cylinder to the rear part. (A) In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the connection side end surface of the optical fiber plug of the state in which the shutter door is closed. (B) In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the connection side end surface of the optical fiber plug of the state by which the shutter door was open | released. (A) In the said 1st Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which looked at the optical fiber receptacle from the front. (B) In the said 1st Embodiment, it is sectional drawing when an optical fiber receptacle is seen from the side surface. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the connection side end surface of an optical fiber receptacle. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state before connecting an optical fiber plug to an optical fiber receptacle. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which moved the movable cylinder, before connecting an optical fiber plug to an optical fiber receptacle. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which connected the optical fiber plug to the optical fiber receptacle. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which pulled out the optical fiber plug from the state which connected the optical fiber plug to the optical fiber receptacle. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which pulled out the optical fiber plug from the state which connected the optical fiber plug to the optical fiber receptacle. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the optical fiber connector of this invention. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the optical fiber connector of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example which actually uses the optical fiber connector of this invention in the state which has arrange | positioned the optical fiber receptacle to the outlet socket.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Optical fiber connector, 200 ... Optical fiber plug, 210 ... Optical fiber cable, 211 ... Sheath, 220 ... Ferrule, 230 ... Plug rear part, 231 ... Spring, 232 ... Stop ring, 233 ... Ring, 235 ... Boot, 240 ... Plug front part, 300 ... plug frame, 301 ... reduced diameter part, 302 ... outer surface, 303 ... engagement claw, 400 ... knob body, 410 ... knob cylinder, 411 ... top plate, 412 ... bottom plate, 414 ... window part , 420 ... Storage space part, 421 ... End plate part, 422 ... Outer cylinder part, 430 ... Stopper recess, 440 ... Stopper projection, 500 ... Plug shutter unit part, 510 ... Movable cylinder (movable body), 520 ... Sliding Tube portion, 521 ... Top plate, 522 ... Bottom plate, 523 ... Slit, 524 ... Stopper tip, 525 ... Stopper hook, 530 ... Jatter holding cylinder part (shielding means holding cylinder part), 531... Step, 532. Engagement piece mounting part, 533... Pin, 534 .. Side projection, 535 ... Top plate, 536 ... Bottom plate, 537 ... Side plate, 540. Plug shutter mechanism, 541 ... shutter door (shielding means), 542 ... hinge spring, 544 ... rotating shaft, 550 ... engagement piece (engagement means, movable body moving means), 551 ... engagement hook, 552 ... hole, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 600 ... Optical fiber receptacle, 610 ... Housing, 620 ... Sleeve holding cylinder part, 630 ... Shutter storage cylinder part, 631 ... Guide groove, 633 ... Top plate, 634 ... Bottom plate, 635 ... Side plate, 640 ... Engagement claw, 650 ... Receptacle shutter mechanism, 651 ... shutter door, 652 ... hinge spring, 653 ... pin, 654 ... rotating shaft, 660 ... sleeve, 670 ... outer sleeve, 67 ... engagement hook, 680 ... inner sleeve, 7 ... spring, 8A ... magnets, 8B ... magnet 900 ... outlet, 910 ... connecting port

Claims (8)

In an optical fiber connection device in which an optical fiber plug provided at an end of an optical fiber cable is detachably connected,
A sleeve into which the optical fiber cable of the optical fiber plug is inserted,
A housing that holds the sleeve inside and has a connection port communicating with the sleeve;
A light shielding means that is provided in the connection port of the housing and shields light leaking outside from the sleeve through the connection port;
A guide mark for guiding an appropriate connection posture of the optical fiber plug with respect to the sleeve, and
The guide mark is provided so as to be visible from the outside at least when the optical fiber plug is inserted into the connection port. The light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port.
The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark is provided on a surface of the shutter door that faces the outside from the connection port. In an optical fiber connection device in which an optical fiber plug including a ferrule provided at an end of an optical fiber cable is detachably connected,
A sleeve into which the ferrule of the optical fiber plug is inserted;
A housing that holds the sleeve inside and has a connection port communicating with the sleeve;
Light shielding means that is provided in the connection port of the housing and shields light leaking outside from the sleeve through the connection port,
The light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port.
The optical fiber connection device, wherein the shutter door is pushed and rotated by a peripheral edge portion of a tip of the ferrule in a moving process in which the ferrule is inserted into the connection port. The light shielding means opens the connection port by cleaving along a line passing through a substantially central point of the cross section of the connection port, and abuts the connection port by a line passing through a substantially central point of the cross section of the connection port. Consists of a combination of two or more shutter doors that close
The optical fiber connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shutter door abuts in the interior of the connection port behind the rotation shaft in a state where the shutter door closes the connection port. The light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port.
5. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the shutter door closes the connection port, an angle formed by the shutter doors that contact each other is approximately 100 degrees or more and smaller than approximately 180 degrees. Connected equipment. The light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port.
An urging means for urging the shutter door in a direction to rotate to a connection end face side to which the optical fiber plug is connected;
The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a detent pin that restricts rotation of the shutter door toward the connection end face at a predetermined position. The light shielding means includes a shutter door that is rotatably provided in the connection port of the housing and opens and closes the connection port.
A guide groove is provided in the connection port so as to be recessed along a direction in which the optical fiber plug is inserted and into which a protruding portion protruding from a side surface of the optical fiber plug is fitted. The shutter door is closed. The optical fiber connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide groove is partitioned from the outside by the shutter door in a state where the guide groove is provided.   An optical fiber connector comprising: the optical fiber connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and an optical fiber plug detachably connected to the optical fiber connection device.

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