JP2006071888A - Connector plug for optical connector, and optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a connector plug for an optical connector which does not require space for inserting fingers on both sides of the connector, to release the lock of a connector adapter to the connector plug. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector plug which is freely attachable/detachable to/from the connector adapter, comprising a plug housing for holding an optical fiber and a ferrule for connecting the optical fiber and comprising an engagement concave part for latching the ferrule adapter for inserting the ferrule therein and the connector plug, is provided with a cantilever-like bending lever which has a latching claw to be engaged in the engagement concave part of the connector adaptor and is prepared in the plug housing, and an unlocking member, with which the front end is fixed to the bending lever and the rear end part has a long-length arm part extending at least up to the rear end of the plug housing, and which releases engagement between the engaging concave part and the latching claw, bending the bending lever by making the rear end part of the long-length arm part deviate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector for connecting optical fiber terminals or between an optical fiber terminal and an optical communication device and the like, and a connector plug thereof, and particularly relates to an optical connector having a disconnection prevention device.

  In a conventional cable connector, a disconnection preventing device is provided with an engagement groove on both outer surfaces of a plug receiver (adapter) of the cable connector, and a latch having hooks engaged with the engagement groove on both outer surfaces of the plug. When the plug is attached to the plug receiver through the flexible portion, the latch is elastically rotated so that the hook engages with the engaging groove, and the rear ends of the latch are moved closer to each other. When it is rotated, the hook can be detached from the engagement groove (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Further, in the conventional optical fiber connector, in the optical connector in which the plug is connected via the adapter, the adapter and the plug are fastened by a lock spring that also serves to press the ferrule end face. The lock spring has a pair of arm portions located on both sides of the plug, an arc portion, and a pair of locking pieces located on both sides of the plug. When the operator pinches the pair of arm portions, The locking piece is moved to lock and unlock the adapter (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 02-030075 (Claims, FIGS. 1 to 3) JP-A-61-204608 (Claims, page 2, FIG. 1 (a) to FIG. 2 (b))

  However, in any of the conventional connectors described above, the rear end (or arm) of the latch for operating the hook (or locking piece) to lock and unlock the plug receiver (or adapter) is the plug. Since they are located on both sides, fingers must be inserted on both sides of the connector to manipulate them. Therefore, there is a problem that a space for inserting a finger must be secured on both sides of the connector, and the device cannot be downsized. If the space for inserting a finger is reduced, operations for locking and unlocking become difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and does not require a space for inserting fingers on both sides of the connector in order to release the lock (locking) between the connector adapter and the connector plug. It is an object to obtain a connector plug and an optical connector.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the connector plug of the optical connector of the present invention has a plug housing that houses an optical fiber and a ferrule to which the optical fiber is connected, and the ferrule into which the ferrule is inserted. An optical connector connector plug detachably attachable to a connector adapter having an engaging recess for locking the adapter and the connector plug, the locking plug engaging the engaging recess of the connector adapter, the plug A cantilever-shaped flexible lever provided in the housing; a long arm having a front end fixed to the flexible lever and a rear end extending at least to a rear end of the plug housing; Unlocking by disengaging the engaging recess and the locking claw by deflecting the bending lever by displacing the rear end And, equipped with a.

  When the rear end of the unlocking tool is displaced while the engagement recess and the locking claw are engaged and the connector adapter and the connector plug are locked, the bending lever is bent and the locking claw is disengaged from the engagement recess. The release lock is released. In this state, the connector plug can be detached from the connector adapter by pulling the rear end of the unlocking tool backward.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that a connector plug for an optical connector that does not require a space for inserting a finger on both sides of the connector plug in order to unlock the connector adapter and the connector plug can be obtained.

  Embodiments of a connector plug and an optical connector of an optical connector according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a front exploded perspective view of an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear exploded perspective view thereof, FIG. 3-1 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2 is a partially broken side view partially broken along the line AA in FIG. 3-1, FIG. 4-1 is a side view of the unlocking tool, and FIG. FIG. 4-3 is a side view of the plug main body and the socket connected to each other, and FIG. 4-4 is a front view of the socket lid.

  The optical connector 100 of the first embodiment includes a pair of connector plugs 2 (only one is shown) and a connector adapter 1, and optical connection is made by inserting each connector plug 2 from both sides of the connector adapter 1.

  The connector adapter 1 has an adapter housing 10 formed into a flat rectangular tube shape with resin. A partition wall 10b is formed in the center in the front-rear direction inside the adapter housing 10, and a pair of storage spaces for storing the insertion portions 20c of the pair of connector plugs 2 are formed by the partition wall 10b. Further, the two cylindrical ferrule adapters 11 are separated from each other by the partition wall 10b and are held in parallel. By inserting the ferrule 21 of the pair of connector plugs 2 into the ferrule adapter 11, an optical connection between the pair of connector plugs 2 is made.

  A rectangular engaging hole 10c is formed in the upper housing outer wall 10a as an engaging recess that engages with the locking claw 20b of the connector plug 2 to lock the connector plug 2. A rectangular engagement hole 10d that engages with the protrusion 20j (see FIG. 3-1) is provided. The engagement holes 10c and 10d are provided in front and rear portions of the housing outer wall 10a corresponding to the pair of connector plugs 2, respectively. The engaging recess may not be a hole but an engaging groove formed inside the housing outer wall 10a.

  The connector plug 2 includes a plug body 20d that houses and holds two ferrules 21 therein, an unlocking tool 30 that is fixed to the front end of the bending lever 20a provided in the plug body 20d and extends rearward, The socket 40 is attached to the rear end of the plug main body portion 20d and accommodates and holds the rear portion of the optical fiber 50 and the unlocking tool 30.

  The plug body 20d is formed in a flat box shape with resin. In front of the plug main body portion 20d, the ferrule 21 is inserted so that the front end protrudes forward, and two rectangular tube-like insertion portions 20c spaced apart from each other are formed. The ferrule 21 has an optical fiber 50 connected to the rear side, and is held in the insertion portion 20 c by a holding member 22. The plug housing 20 of the connector plug 2 includes a plug main body portion 20d, an insertion portion 20c, and a socket 40.

  By inserting and fitting the insertion portion 20c into the adapter housing 10 of the connector adapter 1, the front end of the ferrule 21 is inserted into the ferrule adapter 11 and both are optically connected. The connector plug 2 can be inserted into the connector adapter 1 by gripping the recesses 20i formed on the left and right sides of the plug body 20d. Although not shown, an insertion hole through which the unlocking tool 30 is inserted is provided in the center portion in the left-right direction of the front and rear outer walls of the plug main body portion 20d.

  Two slits 20e (see FIG. 3-1) are formed at the center in the left-right direction in front of the plug main body 20d. The two slits 20e are separated from the plug main body 20d to form a cantilever shape. A bending lever 20a is formed. The bending lever 20a extends forward with a substantially central portion of the upper outer wall of the plug main body portion 20d as a base end, and is formed in a step shape so that the front portion is at the same height as the insertion portion 20c. A locking claw 20b that engages with the engagement hole 10c of the connector adapter 1 is provided. A T-shaped groove 20f (see FIG. 3-1) is formed on the upper surface of the locking claw 20b, and the front end T-shaped portion 30b of the unlocking tool 30 is fixed by being fitted into the T-shaped groove 20f. Is done. Since the lock release tool 30 is fixed to the T-shaped groove 20f by an interference fit, the assemblability is better than the screw fastening or the like.

  The upper surface of the front end of the locking claw 20b is an inclined surface 20g. When the insertion portion 20c is inserted into the connector adapter 1, the inclined surface 20g hits the inner edge 10e of the housing outer wall 10a of the connector adapter 1, and the bending lever 20a It can be inserted by bending downward. A pressing protrusion 20h is provided on the rear upper surface of the bending lever 20a. When there is a space for inserting a finger above the connector plug 2, the bending lever 20a is bent downward by pressing the pressing protrusion 20h. The engagement between the engagement hole 10c and the locking claw 20b can be released.

  In addition, on the upper surfaces of the left and right insertion portions 20c of the locking claw 20b, a ridged protrusion 20j (see FIG. 3-1) that engages with a second engagement hole 10d provided in the connector adapter 1 is provided. . When the insertion portion 20 c is inserted into the connector adapter 1, the hook-like protrusion 20 j engages with the second engagement hole 10 d and strengthens the connection between the connector adapter 1 and the connector plug 2. When the connector plug 2 is pulled out from the connector adapter 1, the ridge-like projection 20j is not caught in the second engagement hole 10d.

  The unlocking tool 30 is formed of a resin into a generally flat rectangular bar shape, and its front end 30c is bent upward in a side view as viewed from the side, and is fitted into the above-mentioned T-shaped groove 20f by an interference fit. A front end T-shaped portion 30b is formed. The long arm portion 30d connected to the front end portion 30c is formed in a straight flat rectangular bar shape, and the rear end portion 30a includes a tapered arm portion 30e extending right and left at right angles to the long arm portion 30d, and an arm portion 30e. And two locking pieces 30f provided at right angles to both ends of the. On the inner side of the front end of the locking piece 30f, a claw 30g for locking the rear end portion 30a to a socket 40 to be described later is provided, and on the outer side of the rear portion, a finger slip prevention portion 30h is provided. The taper portion of the arm portion 30 e has a low rigidity to form a flexible portion, and the claw 30 g is urged inward by the elastic force of the flexible portion and is locked to the socket 40. When the two locking pieces 30f are picked by the anti-slip portion 30h, the flexible portion bends and the locking side 30f swings, the interval between the two claws 30g and 30g is opened, and the socket 40 of the rear end portion 30a is opened. The lock on is released.

  A resin socket 40 having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a plan view and a hollow inside is attached to the rear end of the plug body 20d. This attachment is performed by engaging the claws 40i provided on the upper and lower outer walls at the center of the front end of the socket 40 in the claw holes 20n formed in the upper and lower outer walls of the center of the rear end of the plug body 20d.

  On the front side of the left and right inclined side surfaces 40a of the socket 40, a hole 40b (see FIG. 4-3) through which the optical fiber 50 is inserted and supported is provided. On the rear side of the inclined side surface 40a, a substantially parallelogram is formed such that the upper and lower sides are inclined upward as it is rearward, and an inclined hole 40c for passing the arm portion 30e of the unlocking tool 30 is provided. . The inclined hole 40 c communicates with the rear end opening 40 d of the socket 40. A socket lid 40e is attached to the rear end opening 40d. The socket lid 40e is provided with a lid claw 40f (see FIG. 3-1). The socket claw 40f is engaged with the claw hole 40g of the socket 40 to attach the socket lid 40e. The lid claw 40f is released by pressing the claw protrusion 40h.

  Next, a method for assembling the socket 40 and the lock release tool 30 to the plug body 20d will be described. First, the tip of the optical fiber 50 is passed through the hole 40 b of the socket 40, and this tip is inserted into the rear side of the ferrule 21 to connect the optical fiber 50 and the ferrule 21. Next, the socket 40 is attached to the rear end of the plug body 20d, the socket lid 40e is removed, and the front end 30c of the lock release tool 30 is inserted from the rear end opening 40d. The entire unlocking device 30 is pushed forward, the long arm portion 30d is inserted into the plug housing 20, and the arm portion 30e of the rear end portion 30a is inserted into the inclined hole 40c.

  The rear end portion 30a extends to the rear end portion of the plug housing 20 via the long arm portion 30d. The front end T-shaped portion 30b of the front end 30c is fitted into the T-shaped groove 20f of the bending lever 20a, and the unlocking tool 30 is fixed to the bending lever 20a. Further, the claw 30g of the rear end portion 30a is engaged with the claw groove 40i (see FIG. 4-3) of the socket 40, and the rear end portion 30a is fixed to the socket 40. Thereafter, the socket lid 40e is attached to the rear end opening 40d. Thus, the assembly to the plug body 20d is completed.

  Since the socket 40, that is, the plug housing 20 accommodates the rear portion of the unlocking tool 30, it is possible to prevent an inadvertent force from being applied to the unlocking tool 30 except during the unlocking operation. Further, since the claw 30g is engaged with the claw groove 40i of the socket 40, even if the optical connector 100 vibrates, the rear end 30a is staggered and the locking claw 20b is unlocked. There is no such thing.

  Next, the connection between the connector plug 2 and the connector adapter 1, the locking thereof, and the unlocking method will be described. The concave portions 20 i formed on the left and right sides of the plug housing 20 of the connector plug 2 are gripped, and the insertion portion 20 c is inserted into the adapter housing 10 of the connector adapter 1. At this time, since the upper surface of the front end of the locking claw 20b is an inclined surface 20g, the inclined surface 20g hits the inner edge 10e of the housing outer wall 10a of the adapter housing 10, and the bending lever 20a bends downward together with the insertion portion 20c. The bending lever 20 a is inserted into the adapter housing 10. At the same time, the front end of the ferrule 21 is inserted into the ferrule adapter 11 and both are optically connected.

  When the insertion portion 20c is completely inserted to the base, the locking claw 20b and the hook-like projection 20j snap into the engagement hole 10c and the second engagement hole 10d, respectively, to engage the connector plug 2 with the connector. Lock to the adapter 1.

  In order to release the locking of the connector plug 2 to the connector adapter 1, first, the two locking pieces 30f of the rear end 30a of the unlocking tool 30 are picked at the non-slip portion 30h, and the two claws 30g The engagement with the claw groove 40i of the socket 40 is released. When the rear end 30a is displaced upward (substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the bending lever 20a) in the inclined hole 40c in this state, a bending moment downward is applied to the bending lever 20a via the long arm 30d. Thus, the bending lever 20a is bent downward (inward direction of the adapter housing 10), the locking claw 20b is released from the engaging hole 10c, and the engagement is released. When the rear end 30a of the unlocking tool 30 is pulled rearward in this state, the connector plug 2 is detached from the connector adapter 1. As described above, by displacing the rear end 30a of the lock release tool 30, the locking of the connector plug 2 to the connector adapter 1 can be released.

  According to the optical connector 100 and the connector plug 2 of the first embodiment, an optical connector that does not require a space for inserting a finger on both sides of the connector in order to unlock the connector adapter 1 and the connector plug 2. And a connector plug is obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
5 is a front exploded perspective view of an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a rear exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 7-1 is a plan view of a connector plug. 7-2 is a side view thereof, FIG. 7-3 is a rear view thereof, FIG. 8-1 is a side view of the unlocking tool, and FIG. 8-2 is a plan view thereof. In these drawings, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3-2 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The optical connector 200 according to the second embodiment includes a pair of connector plugs 3 (only one is shown) and the connector adapter 1, and optical connection is made by inserting each connector plug 3 from both sides of the connector adapter 1.

  The connector plug 3 includes a plug main body portion 20d equivalent to the connector plug 2 of the first embodiment, the insertion portion 21 and the bending lever 20a, and the lock release that is fixed to the front end of the bending lever 20a and extends to the rear of the plug main body portion 20d. It is comprised from the tool 60 grade | etc.,. The unlocking tool 60 is different in shape from the unlocking tool 30 of the first embodiment. The connector plug 3 does not include the socket 40. The plug housing 20 in the connector plug 3 includes a plug main body portion 20d and an insertion portion 20c.

  The unlocking device 60 is formed of a resin into a generally flat rectangular bar shape, and its front end portion 60c is bent upward in a side view when viewed from the side, and is fitted into the T-shaped groove 20f of the flexible lever 20a at its upper end. A front end T-shaped portion 60b is formed to be fitted. The long arm portion 60d connected to the front end portion 60c is formed in a straight flat bar shape, and the rear end portion is a spherical knob 60a. Below the long arm portion 60d in front of the knob 60a, there is a "H" shaped locking piece 60f for locking the rear portion of the unlocking tool 60 to the plug housing 20 (ie, the connector plug 3). It is slidably connected via a flexible portion 60e at the center. A claw 60g is provided above the front end of the locking piece 60f, and a finger slip prevention part 60h is provided below the rear part. The claw 60g is biased upward by the elastic force of the flexible portion 60e, and engages with the claw groove 20k provided at the lower rear portion of the plug housing 20 to lock the rear portion of the lock release tool 60 to the plug housing 20. . When the anti-slip portion 60h and the knob 60a are picked, the flexible portion 60e is bent, the locking piece 60f is swung, the engagement between the claw 60g and the claw groove 20k is released, and the locking is released.

  In order to assemble the lock release tool 60 to the plug housing 20, the front end portion 60 c of the lock release tool 60 is inserted from the rear end opening 20 m (see FIG. 6) of the plug housing 20. The entire lock release tool 60 is pushed forward, and the long arm portion 60 d is inserted into the plug housing 20. The knob 60 a at the rear end portion extends in the rear of the plug housing 20. The front end T-shaped portion 60b of the front end portion 60c is fitted into the T-shaped groove 20f of the bending lever 20a to fix the unlocking tool 60 to the bending lever 20a. Further, the claw 60 g of the locking piece 60 f is engaged with the claw groove 20 k of the plug housing 20 to lock the rear part of the lock release tool 60 to the plug housing 20. The assembly to the plug housing 20 is thus completed. Since the claw 60g is locked in the claw groove 20k of the plug housing 20, even if the optical connector 200 is vibrated, the knob 60a at the rear end is fluttered and the engagement of the locking claw 20b is released. There is no such thing as being done.

  Next, the connection between the connector plug 3 and the connector adapter 1, the locking thereof, and the locking release method will be described. The concave portions 20 i formed on the left and right sides of the plug housing 20 are gripped, and the insertion portion 20 c is inserted into the adapter housing 10 of the connector adapter 1. At this time, since the top surface of the front end of the locking claw 20b is an inclined surface 20g, the inclined surface 20g hits the inner edge 10e of the adapter housing 10, the bending lever 20a is bent downward, and the bending lever 20a is bent together with the insertion portion 20c. It is inserted into the adapter housing 10. At the same time, the front end of the ferrule 21 is inserted into the ferrule adapter 11 and both are optically connected.

  When the insertion portion 20c is completely inserted to the base, the locking claw 20b and the hook-like projection 20j snap into the engagement hole 10c and the second engagement hole 10d, respectively, and the connector plug 3 is connected to the connector. Lock to the adapter 1.

  In order to release the locking of the connector plug 3 to the connector adapter 1, first, the anti-slip portion 60h and the knob 60a of the unlocking tool 60 are picked, the locking piece 60f is swung, and the claw 60g and the claw groove 20k are moved. The engagement is released and the lock between the plug housing 20 and the lock release tool 60 is released. If the knob 60a is displaced upward (substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the bending lever 20a) in this state, a bending moment downward (inward direction of the adapter housing 10) is applied to the bending lever 20a via the long arm portion 60d. , The bending lever 20a is bent downward, the locking claw 20b is released from the engaging hole 10c, and the engagement is released. When the knob 60a is pulled rearward in this state, the connector plug 3 is detached from the connector adapter 1. In this way, by locking the knob (rear end portion) 60a of the unlocking tool 60, the locking of the connector plug 3 to the connector adapter 1 can be released.

  The optical connector 200 and the connector plug 3 according to the second embodiment also provide an optical connector that does not require a space for inserting a finger on both sides of the connector in order to release the locking between the connector adapter 1 and the connector plug 3. A connector plug is obtained.

  The optical connectors 100 and 200 and the connector plugs 2 and 3 according to the first and second embodiments have been described above. However, the adapter housing 10, the plug housing 20, and the lock release tools 30 and 60 may be made of metal instead of resin. . Moreover, although it was set as the form provided with the two ferrule adapters 11 and the ferrules 21, these are good also as one and it is good also as three or more. If the number is two or more, the connector plugs 2 and 3 including a plurality of ferrules 21 can be unlocked with one unlocking tool 30 or 60, so the efficiency of unlocking is good.

  In the above embodiment, the connector adapter 1 is provided with the connector plug housing space, the engagement holes 10c and the like on both sides of the connector adapter 1 so that the pair of connector plugs 2 and 3 can be attached and detached. The adapter 1 may be directly fixed to the optical communication device or the control device. In the connector adapter in this case, the housing space for the connector plugs 2 and 3, the engagement hole 10 c and the like are provided only on one side, and when the ferrule 21 of the connector plug 2 and 3 is inserted into the ferrule adapter 11, the connector The ferrule 21 of the plugs 2 and 3 is optically connected to the optical fiber on the optical communication device and control device side.

  As described above, the optical connector and the connector plug according to the present invention are useful as an optical connector and a connector plug for a device that requires a reduction in size of the apparatus and cannot secure a space for inserting a finger into the optical connector mounting portion. is there.

1 is a front exploded perspective view of an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the same rear exploded perspective view. It is the same top view. It is the same part fracture side view. It is a side view of a lock release tool. It is the same top view. It is a side view of the state which connected the plug main-body part and the socket. It is a front view of a socket lid. It is a front disassembled perspective view of Embodiment 2 of the optical connector concerning this invention. It is the same rear exploded perspective view. It is a top view of a connector plug. It is the same side view. It is the same rear view. It is a side view of a lock release tool. It is the same top view.

Explanation of symbols

1 Connector adapter 2, 3 Connector plug 10c Engagement hole (engagement recess)
11 Ferrule adapter 20 Plug housing 20a Deflection lever 20b Locking claw 20f T-shaped groove 21 Ferrule 30, 60 Unlocking tool 30a, 60a Rear end portion 30c, 60c Front end portion 30d, 60d Long arm portion 30f, 60f Locking piece 30g, 60g Claw 40 Socket 50 Optical fiber 100, 200 Optical connector

Claims (6)

An optical fiber and a plug housing that accommodates a ferrule to which the optical fiber is connected, and a light that is detachable from a connector adapter having a ferrule adapter into which the ferrule is inserted and an engaging recess for locking the connector plug. In the connector plug of the connector,
A locking claw that engages with an engagement recess of the connector adapter, and a cantilever-shaped bending lever provided in the plug housing;
A front end portion is fixed to the bending lever, a rear end portion has a long arm portion extending at least to a rear end portion of the plug housing, and the bending is performed by displacing the rear end portion of the long arm portion. A lock release tool for bending the lever to release the engagement between the engagement recess and the locking claw;
Connector plug of optical connector with   The bending lever extends forward with the plug housing as a base end, and the rear end of the long arm portion is displaced in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the bending lever, and the displacement causes the bending lever to The connector plug according to claim 1, wherein the connector plug is bent by applying a bending moment.   The connector plug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a front end portion of the unlocking tool is fixed to a groove formed in the flexible lever by an interference fit.   The unlocking device has a locking piece that is swingably connected to a rear portion of the long arm portion via a flexible portion, and is locked to the plug housing by a claw provided on the locking piece. The connector plug according to claim 1, wherein the connector plug is provided.   The connector plug according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plug housing includes a socket that accommodates and locks a rear portion of the unlocking tool. A ferrule adapter into which the ferrule is inserted and a connector adapter having an engaging recess for locking the connector plug;
An optical fiber and a ferrule to which the optical fiber is connected are housed, and a front end side of the plug housing is detachable with respect to the connector adapter, and a locking claw that engages with an engagement recess of the connector adapter, A cantilever-like flexible lever provided in the plug housing, a front end portion fixed to the flexible lever, and a rear end portion extending at least to the rear end portion of the plug housing, A connector plug having a lock release tool that releases the engagement between the engagement recess and the locking claw by deflecting the bending lever by displacing the rear end portion of the scale arm portion;
An optical connector comprising:

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