JP2008151955A - Optical fiber connection unit, optical transmission line, and optical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique of preventing axial deviation of an optical fiber, in an optical connector adaptor or receptacle and an optical fiber connected therewith by an optical connector engaged therewith, and a technique of rotating them relatively around the axis while highly accurate positioning is maintained. <P>SOLUTION: This is an optical fiber connection unit 30, in which an optical connector 50 with a freely axially rotating rotary section including a ferrule is connected to a receptacle housing such as an optical connector adaptor 31 attached to a connector mounting base 33, and in which a connector-end contact piece 61 integrated with the rotary section is in mutual contact with a unit-end contact piece 35 that rotates around the receptacle housing along the connector mounting base 33. An optical transmission line and optical equipment using this optical fiber connection unit are also provided in the invention. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an optical fiber connection unit for connecting a receiving housing, which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, and an optical fiber having an optical connector attached to the tip thereof so as to be relatively rotatable, and the optical fiber connection unit is incorporated. The present invention relates to optical transmission lines and optical equipment.

For example, in information transmission equipment, various monitor devices such as a surgical field observation monitor device used in a medical field, and a laser irradiation device such as a laser processing machine, an optical fiber is often used for optical transmission. ing.
Several devices using optical fibers (hereinafter referred to as optical transmission devices) are proposed to have a connection unit (optical fiber connection unit) for optically connecting optical fibers so that they can rotate relative to each other. (For example, Patent Document 1).
As an optical fiber connection unit, an optical fiber connection unit that can easily connect an optical fiber by an optical connector has been proposed. As the optical connector, for example, a general-purpose optical connector such as an SC type optical connector is preferable (for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-18507 Japanese Patent No. 3641201

Conventional optical fiber connection units generally have a complicated structure as described in Patent Document 1, for example. In addition, it is necessary to prevent the optical axis misalignment that is likely to occur due to the rotation of the optical fiber, but there are many parts that require machining accuracy and assembly accuracy to prevent the misalignment. There is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the cost.
Further, a configuration in which optical fiber connector connection receptacles are arranged on both sides of an optical component (for example, the prism of Patent Document 1) and optical fibers are optically connected to each other through the optical component is adopted. This increased the number of parts, increased size, complexity, and increased costs. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a structure that realizes relative rotation between optical fibers to be optically connected by relative rotation of the receptacles on both sides of the optical component is required, and a mechanism for rotatably supporting each receptacle is required. In addition, in order to ensure accuracy, it is necessary to use many parts that require machining accuracy.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention can effectively prevent eccentricity of an optical fiber that is rotatably connected to an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle with a simple configuration, and is easy to assemble and easy to reduce costs. The purpose is to provide an optical fiber connection unit, an optical transmission line, and an optical device that can be realized.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber with a connector in which a rotating unit in which a receiving housing which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle is incorporated and an optical connector attached to the tip of the optical fiber are fitted and connected to the receiving housing. The rotating unit includes the receiving housing, a connector mounting base to which the receiving housing is mounted, and a central axis of a positioning sleeve built in the receiving housing on the connector mounting base. A rotating member attached to the rotating member, and a unit-side contact piece that protrudes from the rotating member and rotates around the optical connector by relative rotation of the rotating member with respect to the connector mounting base. And the optical connector is a fitting housing that fits into the receiving housing. A rotating part having a ferrule and a stop ring that accommodates a rear end opposite to the front end side of the connection of the ferrule is configured to be rotatable about an axis. The connector-side contact piece that is in contact with the piece is fixed to the stop ring and protrudes to the side of the optical connector, and the connector-side and unit-side contact pieces are in contact with each other, and the rotation An optical fiber characterized in that one of the receiving housing and the optical fiber can be rotated relative to the other by rotating one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the unit relative to the other. Provide a connection unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber connection unit according to the first aspect, wherein the connector side abutting piece protrudes from a fixed part with an abutting piece assembled to the outside of the stop ring. To do.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the unit-side contact piece is a pin extending along the center axis of the positioning sleeve, and the connector-side contact piece is perpendicular to the pin that is the unit-side contact piece. Provided is an optical fiber connection unit according to the first or second invention, wherein the optical fiber connection unit is a pin extending in a direction.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotating member includes a pair of unit side contact pieces provided at two positions separated from each other, and one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the rotating unit is the other. The optical fiber according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the unit side contact piece for contacting the connector side contact piece can be switched by rotating relatively to the optical fiber. Provide a connection unit.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the receiving housing is an optical connector adapter, and the optical connector adapter is configured such that a clearance is secured between ferrules of the optical connector connected to both sides. The optical fiber connection unit according to any one of the first to fourth inventions.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the optical connector adapter includes a spacer for securing a clearance between the ferrules of the optical connector fitted to each adapter housing between the pair of adapter housings fitted with the optical connector. An optical fiber connection unit according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized by being sandwiched.
A seventh invention provides the optical fiber connection unit according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the optical connector incorporates the ferrule while preventing the ferrule from rotating around the stop ring.
In an eighth aspect of the invention, the receiving housing is an optical connector adapter, and the optical connector connected to the optical connector adapter from the side opposite to the optical connector is connected to the fitting housing that fits the receiving housing. An optical connector in which a rotating part having a ferrule and a stop ring that houses a rear end opposite to the connection front end side of the ferrule is incorporated so as to be rotatable about an axis, and the ferrule is prevented from rotating around the stop ring The optical connector rotating parts on both sides of the optical connector adapter and the optical connector adapter housing rotatably accommodated around the axis, and the ferrules of the optical connectors on both sides of the optical connector adapter fitted The positioning sleeve forms a rotational connection that can rotate together with the optical connector adapter housing. Providing an optical fiber connection unit of the seventh invention, characterized in Rukoto.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical connector, the ferrule is incorporated so as to be rotatable about an axis with respect to the stop ring, and an optical fiber pigtail extending from a rear end portion of the ferrule is provided by a fastener. The optical fiber connection unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is provided, wherein the optical fiber connection unit is prevented from rotating by the stop ring or the rotating member.
A tenth aspect of the invention is an optical transmission line in which a plurality of optical fibers are connected in cascade, and has the optical fiber connection unit of any one of the first to ninth aspects, and a receiving housing for the optical fiber connection unit. Provided is an optical transmission line comprising at least one connection part in which optical fibers are cascade-connected by an optical connector adapter.
An eleventh invention is an optical device provided with a receiving housing which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, and supports the optical fiber connection unit according to any one of the first to ninth inventions and the optical fiber connection unit. An optical device, wherein the optical fiber connection unit is supported by the support member with one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member fixed to the support member. provide.
A twelfth invention is an optical device provided with a receiving housing which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, and supports the optical fiber connection unit according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, and the optical fiber connection unit. And an optical device, wherein the support member is a bracket that rotatably supports one or both of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the optical fiber connection unit. .

  According to the present invention, the unit-side contact piece protruding from the rotating member of the rotating unit of the optical fiber connection unit and the rotating part of the optical connector connected to the receiving housing of the rotating unit are integrated. By rotating one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the rotating unit relative to the other in a state where the rotating connector side contact pieces are in contact with each other, the receiving housing and One of the rotating parts can be rotated relative to the other. That is, the contact piece on the unit side and the connector side is a rotational force transmitting piece for rotating the rotating member of the rotating unit and the rotating part of the optical connector together, or the rotating part of the optical connector and the receiving housing. It functions as a stopper for restricting the rotation, and relative rotation between the rotating part and the receiving housing is realized. Accordingly, one of the optical fiber and the receiving housing connected by fitting the optical connector at the tip to the receiving housing can be rotated relative to the other.

In the optical fiber connection unit according to the present invention, the receiving housing and the rotating portion of the optical connector rotate relative to each other with the same rotation center axis, and therefore are inserted and fixed to the ferrule inserted into the positioning sleeve of the receiving housing. The state in which the optical fiber is positioned on the central axis of the positioning sleeve is maintained. As long as the contact pieces on the unit side and the connector side can contact each other, they can function as a stopper for restricting the rotation between the rotating portion of the optical connector and the receiving housing. For this reason, the accuracy of the position and orientation of the contact pieces on the unit side and the connector side is not required.
For example, when the fixed part with a contact piece according to the third aspect of the present invention is assembled to the outside of the stop ring, accuracy is not required, so that the assembling work is simplified.
As a result, the optical fiber connection unit can reduce assembling work and can easily realize cost reduction.
Further, the optical fiber connection unit according to the present invention can use a general-purpose optical connector adapter and an optical connector receptacle, which is advantageous for cost reduction. A simple configuration is sufficient, and miniaturization is easy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an optical fiber connection unit 30 according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are arrangement examples of unit side contact pieces and connector side contact pieces according to the optical fiber connection unit 30. FIG.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 </ b> A denotes an optical device, which includes an optical fiber connection unit 30 and a support member 11 to which the optical fiber connection unit 30 is attached.

In addition, as an optical apparatus, there exist what was illustrated in FIG. 28, FIG. 32 mentioned later, etc., for example, However, It is not limited to this.
In addition, the optical fiber connection unit according to the present invention is attached to a wall of a building, a casing of an electronic device, and the like other than a support member (a member for supporting the optical fiber connection unit) provided in the optical device. be able to. An attachment object to which the optical fiber connection unit is attached is referred to as a support member.
About an optical apparatus and a supporting member, it is common also about each following embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber connection unit 30 is attached to the rotation unit 32 in which the optical connector adapter 31 is incorporated and the tip of the optical fiber 2, and is fitted and connected to one side of the optical connector adapter 31. An optical connector 50 (optical connector plug), and a fixing part 60 with a contact piece fixed to a stop ring 54 incorporated in the optical connector 50 (see FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B). Configured.
In the optical fiber connection unit 30, the optical connectors 2 and 3 are optically connected to each other by fitting the optical connectors 50 and 70 attached to the tips of the optical fibers 2 and 3 to both sides of the optical connector adapter 31. Is done.

(Optical connector)
The optical connectors 50 and 70 are optical connector plugs that can be attached to and detached from the optical connector adapter 31, respectively.
As the optical connector 70 and the optical connector adapter 31, in the illustrated example, an optical connector plug and an optical connector adapter of an SC type optical connector (F04 type optical connector defined by JIS C 5973, SC: Single fiber Coupling optical fiber connector) are used. Adopted.
In addition, the optical connector denoted by reference numeral 50 has an internal structure of the plug frame of the optical connector plug of the SC type optical connector as will be described later, but the outer shape of the plug frame and the structure of the knob are the same as those of the SC type optical connector. Same as the connector plug. The operation of attaching / detaching the optical connector 50 to / from the optical connector adapter 31 and the accompanying locking / unlocking operation related to the slide lock structure are exactly the same as those of the optical connector plug of the SC type optical connector. The connector 50 is also treated as an SC type optical connector.
The optical connectors 50 and 70 are not limited to optical connector plugs and optical connector adapters of SC type optical connectors. For example, FC type optical connectors (F01 type optical connectors defined in JIS C 5970. FC: Fiber transmission system optical Connector) and other optical connector plugs and optical connector adapters can also be used.
In the present specification, “fitting” includes screwing and tightening of a connection nut of an optical connector plug to an optical connector adapter in an FC type optical connector.

5 to 11 are diagrams showing the configuration of the optical connector 50. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the appearance, FIG. 6 is a front sectional view (with the knob 53 removed), and FIG. 7 is an optical connector. FIG. 8 is a view showing the relationship between the flange portion of the ferrule and the plug frame, and FIG. 9 is a view showing the relationship between the plug frame 52 and the annular protrusion 54 b of the stop ring 54. 10 is an exploded plan view of the optical connector 50, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 50. FIG.
In this specification, the optical connector 50 is described with the front end of the ferrule 51 (the side on which the joining end surface 51c is formed) as “front” and the opposite side as “rear”. The same applies to the optical connector 70 and the optical connector 80 described later.

10 and 11, 51 is a ferrule, 52 is a plug frame, 53 is a knob, 54 is a stop ring, 55 is a spring, and 56 is a boot.
As shown in FIG. 6, the optical connector 50 includes a ferrule 51 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 2, a plug frame 52 containing the ferrule 51, and a rectangular tube-like knob 53 attached to the outside of the plug frame 52. (Coupling), a stop ring 54 inserted and fitted into the plug frame 52 from the rear side (left side in FIG. 6), and a stop ring 54 that prevents the ferrule 51 from being inserted into the stop ring 54. A spring 55 that is biased toward the front side of the connector 50 and a boot 56 that is formed of an elastic material such as rubber and is fitted to the rear end of the stop ring 54 are provided.
A portion (optical fiber pigtail) extending from the rear end of the ferrule 51 of the optical fiber 2 is drawn through a cylindrical stop ring 54, passes through the boot 56, and extends from the rear end of the optical connector 50.
The plug frame 52 and the knob 53 constitute a fitting housing that is inserted and fitted into the optical connector adapter 31. However, the plug frame 52 alone can function as a fitting housing.

Specifically, the ferrule 51 has a capillary shape in which a bare optical fiber 2a, which is a portion from which the coating at the tip of the optical fiber 2 that is a coated optical fiber such as an optical fiber core or an optical fiber, is removed, is inserted and fixed. A ferrule main body 511 and a sleeve-like holder 512 that accommodates and fixes the rear end of the ferrule main body 511 are provided, and a protrusion that functions as a flange portion 51 a is provided on the outer periphery of the holder 512.
However, the configuration of the ferrule 51 is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that, for example, a structure in which a ring-shaped part functioning as the flange portion 51a is fixed to the outside of the ferrule body 511 can be employed.

This optical connector 50 is different from an optical connector plug of a conventionally known general SC type optical connector (for example, an optical connector 70 described in detail later) in the following points.
(A) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a key that enters the key groove 51 b formed in the flange portion 51 a of the ferrule 51 inside the plug frame 52 and prevents the ferrule 51 from rotating (FIG. 12, FIG. 8). 13 is omitted.
(B) As shown in FIG. 7, the locking claw 54 a (see FIG. 11) protruding from the front end of the stop ring 54 is inserted into the key groove 51 b formed in the flange portion 51 a of the ferrule 51, and the ferrule 51 Was stopped against the stop ring 54.
(C) As shown in FIG. 9, an annular protrusion 54 b provided around the entire outer periphery of the front end of the cylindrical stop ring 54 is formed in a slit 52 a formed on the side wall portion of the rear end portion of the rectangular tubular plug frame 52. The stop ring 54 can be freely rotated relative to the plug frame 52 with the slit 52a as a guide. That is, with respect to the stop ring 54, an annular protrusion 54b was formed in place of the key-shaped protrusion for locking against the plug frame (the fitting protrusion 74a in FIG. 14).
The optical connector 50 includes a rotating portion 57 that has the above-described configurations (a) to (c), and the ferrule 51 and the stop ring 54 can be integrally rotated about the axis with respect to the plug frame 52. It is composed.
The optical connector 50 corresponds to an optical connector with a rotating part according to the present invention.

Next, the optical connector 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The optical connector 70 is an example of an optical connector plug of a conventionally known general SC type optical connector.
As shown in FIG. 12, the optical connector 70 includes a ferrule 71 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 3, a plug frame 72 containing the ferrule 71, and a rectangular tube-shaped knob 73 attached to the outside of the plug frame 72. (Coupling), a stop ring 74 inserted and fitted into the plug frame 72 from the rear side (the right side in FIG. 12), and a stop ring 74 that prevents the ferrule 71 from being inserted into the stop ring 74. A spring 75 biased toward the front side of the connector 70 and a boot 76 formed of an elastic material such as rubber and fitted to the rear end of the stop ring 74 are provided.
In this optical connector 70, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a key 72 a protruding from the inside of the plug frame 72 is inserted into a key groove 71 b formed in the flange portion 71 a of the ferrule 71, so that the plug frame The ferrule 71 is prevented from rotating with respect to 72.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, a slit 72 b formed on the side wall portion of the rear end portion of the rectangular tube-shaped plug frame 72 is provided with a fitting projection 74 a that protrudes outside the front end of the cylindrical stop ring 74. It is fitted in. However, the fitting protrusion 74 a is a key-like protrusion provided on the side surface of the stop ring 74, and is fitted between the wall portions on both sides of the slit 72 b of the plug frame 72, so The stop ring 74 is prevented from rotating.

  In the optical fiber connection unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 1, an optical connector adapter 31 includes an optical fiber 2A with a connector in which an optical connector 50 is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 2, and a connector in which the optical connector 50 is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 3. The optical fiber 3A is connected to the connector. In the optical fiber 2A with a connector, the ferrule 51 and the optical fiber 2 are rotatable about the axis with respect to the plug frame 52 of the optical connector 50. In the fiber 3 </ b> A, the rotation of the ferrule 71 and the optical fiber 3 around the axis with respect to the plug frame 72 of the optical connector 70 is not allowed.

(Rotating unit)
Next, the rotation unit 32 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating unit 32 includes the optical connector adapter 31, a connector mounting base 33 to which the optical connector adapter 31 is mounted, and the optical connector adapter 31 to the connector mounting base 33. The rotating member 34 is mounted so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a (see FIG. 4) and a unit-side contact piece 35 protruding from the rotating member 34. ing.
The positioning sleeve 31a is, for example, a split sleeve, but may be a cylindrical positioning sleeve without split.

The connector mounting base 33 includes a base plate 332 in which a connector window 331 for housing the optical connector adapter 31 is formed, and a rotation guide 333 projecting in a ring shape surrounding the connector window 331 on one side of the base plate 332. It has.
The rotating member 34 has a ring shape, is guided by a rotation guide 333, and rotates around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a of the optical connector adapter 31.
In the optical fiber connection unit 30, the side where the rotation guide 333 and the rotation member 34 are provided from the base plate 332 is hereinafter referred to as a rotation mechanism side.
The optical connectors 50 and 70 can be attached to and detached from the optical connector adapter 31 housed in the connector window 331 of the base plate 332 from both sides of the base plate 332.
The stop ring 54 of the optical connector 50 provided on the rotating mechanism side of the base plate 332 connected to the optical connector adapter 31 is in contact with a portion protruding rearward from the fitting housing (plug frame 52, knob 53). The fixed component 60 with a piece is fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 (a) and 2 (b), the unit-side contact piece 35 protrudes from the rotation center axis side of the rotation member 34 (inside the ring-shaped rotation member 34). By rotating the rotating member 34 relative to the connector mounting base 332, the rotating member 34 rotates around the optical connector 50. By this rotational movement, the unit-side contact piece 35 can be brought into contact with the connector-side contact piece 61 protruding from the fixed part 60 with the contact piece and protruding from the side of the optical connector 50.
Specifically, the unit-side contact piece 35 is fixed to a pin holder 36 that protrudes from the rotating member 34 toward the rotation center axis of the rotation member 34, and extends along the rotation center axis of the rotation member 34. It is a pin that is located.

(Fixed part with contact piece)
On the other hand, the connector side contact piece 61 is a pin protruding from the fixed part 60 with the contact piece.
The connector-side contact piece 61 fixes the fixed component 60 with the contact piece to the stop ring 54 of the optical connector 50, so that the rotation center axis line of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 (in other words, in other words, The optical connector adapter 31 is provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the positioning sleeve in the optical connector adapter 31.
That is, the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side are orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fixing component 60 with the contact piece is integrated with the stop ring 54 by sandwiching and fixing the stop ring 54 of the optical connector 50 between the pair of clamping components 62. It is fixed so that it can rotate. However, in the illustrated example, the pair of clamping parts 62 are fixed to the stop ring 54 by sandwiching the stop ring 54 from the outside of the boot 56 fitted to the outside of the rear end portion of the stop ring 54.
The pair of sandwiching parts 62 constitutes a clamp part 62A that sandwiches and fixes the stop ring 54.
In the figure, reference numeral 62a denotes a screw for fastening the pair of clamping parts 62.
However, the clamping part 62A in the fixing part 60 with the abutting piece is not limited to the example shown in the drawing as long as it can fix the fixing part 60 with the abutting piece to the stop ring 54. It is possible to adopt various configurations such as those using the above and a method in which a pair of clamping parts 62 are collectively restrained by a band.

The connector-side abutment piece 61 protrudes from the clamping component 62.
FIG. 2A shows an example of a fixing part 60 with a contact piece in which only one connector-side contact piece 61 is provided protruding (indicated by reference numeral 60a for distinction in FIG. 2), and FIG. An example of a fixing part 60 with a contact piece in which two (two) connector-side contact pieces 61 protrude (indicated by reference numeral 60b for distinction in FIG. 2) is shown. The connector-side contact piece 61 of the fixed part 60b with the contact piece in FIG. 2B is projected one by one (one) on each side via the stop ring 54 assembled with the corresponding fixed part 60b with the contact piece. .

Only one (one) unit-side contact piece 35 may be provided on the rotating member 34, but in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, two unit-side contact pieces 35 are provided on the rotating member 34. (2) The provided structure is illustrated. For distinction, reference numerals 35a and 35b are given to the two unit side contact pieces 35 in the figure.
The two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b are provided at two locations separated from each other.

  In FIG. 2A, one connector-side contact piece 61 is disposed between two unit-side contact pieces 35a, 35b disposed close to each other. The two unit side contact pieces 35 a and 35 b are disposed on both sides of the connector side contact piece 61. However, the positions of the two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b are adjusted so that they do not contact the connector-side contact piece 61 at the same time. The two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b are separated from each other so as to allow slight relative rotation (rotation around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a of the optical connector adapter 31) with respect to the connector-side contact piece 61. Is provided. By switching the rotation direction of the rotating member 34 between forward and reverse, the unit side contact pieces 35a and 35b to be contacted with the connector side contact piece 61 are switched. That is, the two unit side contact pieces 35 a and 35 b are selectively contacted with the connector side contact piece 61.

  In FIG. 2B, the two unit side contact pieces 35 a and 35 b are arranged on both sides via the optical connector 50. However, the positions of the two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b are adjusted so as not to contact the connector-side contact pieces 61 on both sides of the fixed part 60b with the contact piece at the same time. The two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b are selectively brought into contact with the connector-side contact piece 61. By switching the rotation direction of the rotating member 34 between forward and reverse, the connector-side contact pieces 35a and 35b The unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b that contact the contact piece 61 are switched.

  Even if there is only one unit-side contact piece 35, the pressing direction of the connector-side contact piece 61 by the unit-side contact piece 35 is switched by forward / reverse switching of the rotation direction of the rotating member 34. Needless to say, the rotation direction of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 can be switched.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), a flat surface 54c is formed on the side surface of the stop ring 54, and the flat surface 54c is formed on the flat surface 54c. The flat surface 63 formed on the holding part 62 of the fixing part 60 with the abutting piece is brought into contact with the stop ring 54 between the pair of holding parts 62 and fixed, and the fixing part 60 with the abutting piece with respect to the stop ring 54 is fixed. A mode for preventing misalignment and backlash can also be employed.

(Optical transmission line)
By connecting the optical connectors 50 and 70 in the optical connector adapter 31, the optical fibers 2 and 3 are optically connected (cascade connection), whereby the optical transmission line 20 is configured.
The optical transmission line 20 includes a connection portion in which the optical fibers 2 and 3 are connected (connector connection) by the optical connector adapter 31 of the optical fiber connection unit 30.

(Optical equipment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical apparatus 1 </ b> A exemplified in this embodiment has the connector mounting base 33 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 fixed to the support member 11 and the optical fiber connection unit 30 attached to the support member 11. Is.
The rotation member 34 of the rotation unit 32 is not fixed to the support member 11 but is rotatable with respect to the support member 11 and the connector mounting base 33.
In order to rotate the rotating member 34 with respect to the connector mounting base 33, for example, the rotating member 34 is directly manually rotated, or the drive motor 12 (for example, an electric motor such as a stepping motor) mounted on the optical device 1A is used. The rotary drive device is driven to rotate.

(Rotation operation)
In the optical device 1 </ b> A, the optical fiber 2 can be rotated with respect to the optical connector adapter 31 by rotating the rotating member 34 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 with respect to the connector mounting base 33.
That is, the rotation member 34 is rotated, and the rotation member 34 is rotated with respect to the connector mounting base 33 in a state where the unit side contact piece 35 and the connector side contact piece 61 are in contact with each other. The rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 is rotated integrally with the rotating member 34 by the rotational driving force transmitted through the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side, and the optical fiber 2 is connected to the optical connector adapter 31. Can be rotated.

The rotational resistance of the positioning sleeve 31a in the optical connector adapter 31 (in other words, the sliding resistance between the housing 31d of the optical connector adapter 31 and the positioning sleeve 31a accommodated in the housing 31d) is the positioning sleeve 31a, The sliding resistance (rotational resistance) between the ferrules 51 and 71 inserted into the positioning sleeve 31a is much smaller.
Therefore, the rotation of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 is caused by the sliding between the ferrule 51 and the positioning sleeve 31a, and the ferrule 71 and the positioning sleeve of the optical connector 70 that does not rotate with respect to the optical connector adapter 31 on the optical fiber 3 side. This is realized by the occurrence of one or both of sliding with 31a.

The butt connection between the ferrules 51 and 71 of the optical connectors 50 and 70 in the optical connector adapter 31 is a butt connection between ferrules subjected to PC polishing (PC: Physical Contact) or APC polishing (APC: Angular Physical Contact). Adopt connection.
When the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 is rotated, the rotational resistance between the ferrules 51 and 71 that face each other is much smaller than the rotational resistance between the positioning sleeve 31 a and the ferrules 51 and 71.
The butt connection between ferrules in the positioning sleeve of a receiving housing (optical connector adapter or optical connector receptacle) to which an optical connector (optical connector plug) is connected is between ferrules whose tips are PC-polished or APC-polished. The point of the butt connection is common to the embodiments described later.

  In the optical fiber connection unit 30, the rotating member 34 is rotated around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31 a of the optical connector adapter 31 in a state where the unit side contact piece 35 and the connector side contact piece 61 are in contact with each other. By rotating, the optical fiber 2 (specifically, the bare optical fiber 2a) in which the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 is inserted and fixed in the ferrule 51 inserted and fitted into the positioning sleeve 31a is positioned in the positioning sleeve. While maintaining the state of being positioned on the central axis of 31a, it rotates about the axis relative to the optical connector adapter 31. The optical fiber 2 (specifically, the distal end portion accommodated in the optical connector 50) is rotated without being decentered with respect to the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a, thereby preventing axial deviation.

The unit-side and connector-side contact pieces 35 and 61 function as a rotational force transmitting piece that transmits the rotational force of the rotating member 34 to the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50.
Here, the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side can realize the transmission of the rotational force of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 from the rotating member 34, for example, even if the perpendicular directions are not maintained. In addition, a rotational force around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a of the optical connector adapter 31 can always be applied to the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50, and the rotating portion 57 can be rotated without being eccentric. Further, even if the position accuracy of the contact pieces 35 and 61 is not ensured, it is possible to always apply a rotational force around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a of the optical connector adapter 31 to the rotating portion 57. The degree of freedom of installation positions of the contact pieces 35 and 61 in the member 34 and the optical connector 50 is great.

If the unit-side contact piece 35 and the connector-side contact piece 61 are fixed and the rotating member 34 on the rotating unit 32 side and the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 are rotated integrally, the optical connector 50 is used. From the standpoint of preventing eccentricity of the rotating portion 57, it is necessary to ensure the relative positional accuracy of the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side with high accuracy.
On the other hand, according to the optical fiber connection unit 30 according to the present invention, the contact pieces 35 and 61 are not fixed to each other, and the contact pieces 35 and 61 need only be able to contact each other. Regardless of the positional relationship between the contact pieces 35, 61, it is possible to always transmit a rotational force from the unit-side contact piece 35 to the connector-side contact piece 61 in a fixed direction. The part 57 can be rotated without being eccentric. Therefore, it is possible to relax the mounting accuracy of the fixed component 60 with the abutting piece with respect to the stop ring 54 of the optical connector 50 and the assembly accuracy of the rotary unit 32, perform the assembly easily, and easily realize the cost reduction. can get.

In the optical fiber connection unit 30 in the illustrated example, as described above, the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side, which are pins, are oriented perpendicular to each other. This is advantageous in that the degree of freedom of the abutting position is large, and the degree of freedom such as the installation position, orientation and dimensions of the abutting pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side is secured.
Here, the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side are pins whose cross-sectional shape is circular, elliptical or the like, but are not limited to this, for example, various cross-sections such as a pin having a square cross-section. Shape pins can be used.
Furthermore, the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side are not limited to pins, and for example, plate-like protrusions or the like can be used.

  With the configuration described above, in the optical fiber connection unit 30, when the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 is rotated, the ferrule 51 of the rotating portion 57 is moved relative to the ferrule 71 of the optical connector 70 by the positioning sleeve 31 a of the optical connector adapter 31. Thus, it rotates while keeping the state positioned so as to be optically connectable. Since the ferrule 51 of the rotating portion 57 rotates around the axis about the central axis of the positioning sleeve 31a, the optical fiber 2, 3 with respect to the optical connector adapter 31 while the optical connection state between the optical fibers 2, 3 is maintained. The rotating part 57 can be rotated.

(Optical connector adapter with spacer)
The ferrules 51 and 71 of the optical connectors 50 and 70 connected to each other by the optical connector adapter 31 may be butt-connected to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. An optical connector adapter 31A (optical connector adapter with a spacer) having a structure in which a spacer 31c for securing a minute clearance C is sandwiched between the ferrules 51 and 71 of the optical connectors 50 and 70 is adopted between the adapter housing 31b. It is also possible to do.
In this case, since the rotating part 57 rotates in a state where the ferrules 51 and 71 are not in contact with each other, there is an advantage that the rotating part 57 can be rotated with a light force.
In addition, as a structure for ensuring the minute clearance C between the ferrules 51 and 71 of the optical connectors 50 and 70, for example, the other side joined to one or both of the pair of adapter housings 31b joined to each other. It is also possible to project a protrusion that secures the clearance C by contacting the adapter housing 31b, or to change the dimension of the adapter housing 31b itself.
However, if the spacer 31c is sandwiched between the pair of adapter housings 31b, there is an advantage that the existing adapter housing 31b can be used as it is.

(Connection between optical connectors with rotating parts)
FIG. 16 shows an optical connector (optical connector plug) connected to the optical connector adapter 31 from the side opposite to the rotation mechanism side of the connector mounting base 33 (left side in FIG. 16) instead of the optical connector 70 described above. An example using 50 is shown. In other words, the optical connector adapter 31 connects the optical connectors 50 that are optical connectors with rotating parts.
In this case, the positioning sleeve 31a in which the ferrules 51 of both optical connectors 50 fitted and connected to both sides of the optical connector adapter 31 are inserted and fitted, and the rotating portions 57 of the optical connectors 50 on both sides, Collectively, a rotation connecting portion 58 that can rotate with respect to the housing 31d (integrated adapter housing 31b) of the optical connector adapter 31 that accommodates the positioning sleeve 31a so as to be rotatable about its axis is formed.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 16 is suitable when the optical fibers 2 and 3 connected by the optical connector adapter 31 are rotated together.
The sliding resistance (rotational resistance) between the positioning sleeve 31a of the optical connector adapter 31 and the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 inserted and fitted in the positioning sleeve 31a is the resistance of the positioning sleeve 31a in the optical connector adapter 31. Since the rotational resistance is greater than the rotational resistance, when the rotation portion 57 of the optical connector 50 on the rotation mechanism side of the connector mounting base 33 is rotated by the rotation operation of the rotation member 34 of the optical fiber connection unit 30, the entire rotation connection portion 58 is rotated about its axis. The optical fibers 2 and 3 that are rotated and connected to the connector by the optical connector adapter 31 rotate together. At this time, the ferrules 51 of both optical connectors 50 connected to both sides of the optical connector adapter 31 rotate together while being positioned with high accuracy by the positioning sleeve 31a, and therefore are not easily misaligned.

  Further, in the aspect in which the optical connectors 50 are connected to each other, the optical fiber 3 (specifically, the pigtail portion extending from the rear end of the optical connector 50 of the optical fiber 3) is used, for example, by using a rotation restricting fastener. It is possible to make only the optical fiber 2 rotatable by fixing to the support member 11 and the connector mounting base 33 to prevent rotation.

In the first embodiment described above, the connector mounting base 33 is fixed to the support member 11 of the optical device, the optical fiber connection unit 30 is provided in the optical device 1, and the optical connector is rotated by rotating the rotating member 34 with respect to the connector mounting base 33. The configuration in which the rotating portion 57 (including the optical fiber 2) of the optical connector 50 can be rotated with respect to the adapter 31 has been described.
However, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and the optical fiber connection unit 30 is
(I) A configuration in which the connector mounting base 33 is rotatable with respect to the rotating member 34 that is fixed to the support member 11 and whose rotation is restricted.
(Ii) Using a bearing or the like, one or both of the connector mounting base 33 and the rotation member 34 are supported by the support member 11 so as to be rotatable with respect to the support member 11, and a lock mechanism for switching between rotation permission and regulation is provided. Using, one or both of the connector mounting base 33 and the rotating member 34, the configuration for switching the rotation permission / regulation,
Etc. can also be adopted.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 17, the second embodiment (optical device 1B) described here is the same as the first embodiment in that the optical fiber connection unit 30 is attached to the support member 11 of the optical device. However, the rotation member 34 of the rotation unit 32 is fixed to the support member 11, and the connector mounting base 33 to which the optical connector adapter 31 is attached is not fixed to the support member 11 but can be rotated with respect to the rotation member 34. There is a difference from the first embodiment. An optical fiber connection unit 30 is attached.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 6 denotes a fixing member that restricts rotation by fixing the rotating member 34 to the support member 11.
The rotation of the connector mounting base 33 can be realized by, for example, a manual direct rotation operation by an operator, a rotational drive by the rotational drive device 12 (see FIG. 17), or the like.
In place of the fixed member 6, as shown in FIG. 18, a bearing 5 that rotatably supports the rotating member 34 with respect to the support member 11 is adopted, and further, the rotation of the rotating member 34 with respect to the support member 11 is permitted. A configuration (optical device 1B ′) provided with a lock mechanism 7 for switching the regulation can also be adopted. Reference numeral 7 a denotes a lock piece of the lock mechanism 7, which is driven so as to be in contact with and away from the rotation member 34, and switches between permission and restriction of rotation of the rotation member 34. In this case, the support member 11 functions as a bracket that rotatably supports the rotating member 34 by a bearing.

  In the second embodiment, the rotating member 34 is in a state where the rotation of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 relative to the optical connector adapter 31 is restricted by the contact between the unit-side and connector-side contact pieces 35, 61. The optical connector adapter 31 can be rotated with respect to the optical fiber 2 by rotating the connector mounting base 33 with respect to the optical fiber 2. That is, the unit-side contact piece 35 functions as a stopper that restricts the rotation of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 relative to the optical connector adapter 31, thereby rotating the optical connector adapter 31 relative to the optical fiber 2. Can do.

In order to prevent the optical fiber 2 from being rotated as much as possible when the connector mounting base 33 is rotated, the optical fiber connection unit 30 has a unit side contact as illustrated in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). It is preferable to employ a rotating unit 32 having a rotating member 34 provided with two contact pieces 35.
In this case, the unit-side contact piece 35 with which the connector-side contact piece 61 contacts the two unit-side contact pieces 35a, 35b is switched by forward / reverse switching of the rotation direction of the connector mounting base 33. However, the two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b have a movable range of the fixed part 60 with the contact piece, that is, an idle section where the connector-side contact piece 61 does not contact any unit-side contact piece 35. Adjust the installation position so that it is as small as possible.

For example, in the configuration of FIG. 2A, two unit-side contact pieces 35a, so that the movable range of the connector-side contact piece 61 between the two unit-side contact pieces 35 is as narrow as possible. The position of 35b is adjusted.
In the configuration of FIG. 2B, one of the two connector-side contact pieces 61 is replaced with two unit-side contact pieces 35a by switching the forward / reverse direction of the rotation of the fixed component 60a (60) with the contact piece. , 35b, and a state where the other connector side contact piece 61 is in contact with the other unit side contact piece 35, the fixed part 60 with one contact piece ( 60a) is brought into contact with one of the two unit-side contact pieces 35a and 35b, the connector-side contact piece 61 on the opposite side and the unit side via the rotating portion 57 in the fixed component 60a with the contact piece. The positions of the two unit side contact pieces 35 are adjusted so that the gap generated between the contact pieces 35 is as small as possible. As a result, the movable range of the fixed component 60 with the abutting piece accompanying the forward / reverse switching of the rotation direction of the connector mounting base 33, that is, the idle rotation in which the connector side abutting piece 61 does not abut on any unit side abutting piece 35. The section can be narrowed.

  The second embodiment is configured to restrict the rotation of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 relative to the optical connector adapter 31 by the contact between the unit-side and connector-side contact pieces 35, 61. If the connector-side contact piece 61 can be brought into contact with the unit-side contact piece 35 by the rotation of 33, the unit-side contact piece 35 is attached to the optical connector adapter 31 with the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50. It can function as a stopper that restricts the rotation. For this reason, also in this 2nd Embodiment, the freedom degree, such as an installation position, direction, a dimension, etc. of the contact pieces 35 and 61 on the unit side and the connector side, can be ensured largely. As a result, for example, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of ensuring the accuracy of the mounting position of the fixing component 60 with the abutting piece with respect to the stop ring 54 of the optical connector 50, and the labor required for assembling the optical fiber connection unit 30 can be reduced. Cost can be easily realized.

Also in the second embodiment, it is possible to employ the optical connector adapter 31A with a spacer described in the first embodiment.
Moreover, the aspect which connects the optical connectors 50 with the optical connector adapter 31 is also employable. In this case, the rotating portion 57 of both optical connectors 50 connected to each other by the optical connector adapter 31 and the positioning sleeve 31a in the optical connector adapter 31 are relative to the optical connector adapter 31 (specifically, the housing 31d). In order to form the rotational connection portion 58 that can rotate relative to each other, the optical fiber adapters 31 can be connected to the optical fiber adapters 31 without rotating the optical fiber connectors 2 and 3. 33 and the optical connector adapter 31 (specifically, the housing 31d) can be rotated.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
19 and 20, as an optical connector connected to the rotation mechanism side of the optical connector adapter 31 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 17, instead of the optical connector with a rotating unit illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 11, An example (optical fiber connection unit 30A, optical device 1C) employing the optical connector 80 described later is shown.

30 A of optical fiber connection units employ | adopt the rotation unit 32 demonstrated in the optical fiber connection unit 30 demonstrated in 2nd Embodiment. Also in the optical apparatus 1C according to this embodiment, the rotation member 34 of the rotation unit 32 is fixed to the support member 11 and the connector mounting base 33 is rotatable with respect to the rotation member 34 and the support member 11, and the optical fiber connection unit. 30A is attached to the support member 11.
However, an optical connector 80 described later is connected to the optical connector adapter 31 of the rotating unit 32 in place of the optical connector 50, and the optical fiber pigtail is a portion where the optical fiber 2 extends from the rear end of the optical connector 80. The anti-rotation fastener 81 is connected to the rotation member 33 of the rotation unit 32 to prevent rotation.
The second embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that the optical connector 80 and the fastener 81 are employed.
A fixing part 60 with a contact piece is fixed to a stop ring 84 (to be described later) incorporated in the optical connector 80 so as to be rotatable about its axis, a connector side contact piece 61 of the fixing part 60 with a contact piece, and a unit of the rotating member 34. The configuration in which the stop ring 84 incorporated in the optical connector 80 so as to be rotatable about the axis by the contact with the side contact piece 35 is also the same as in the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment, an optical connector (optical connector plug) attached to the tip of the optical fiber 2 and connected to the optical connector adapter 31 from the rotation mechanism side of the connector mounting base 33 has a structure shown in FIGS. An optical connector 80 (optical connector with a rotating part) is employed.
The optical connector 80 will be described with the front end of the ferrule 51 (the side on which the joining end surface 51c is formed) as “front” (right side in FIGS. 22 to 24) and the opposite side as “rear”.

An optical connector 80 (an optical connector with a rotating portion) shown in FIGS. 22 to 27 has a locking claw 54a instead of the stop ring 54 having the locking claw 54a of the optical connector 50 illustrated in FIGS. The optical connector 50 is different from the optical connector 50 in that a stop ring 84 is used and the ferrule 51 is assembled to the stop ring 84 so as to be rotatable about its axis.
The stop ring 84 of the optical connector 80 has the same configuration as the stop ring 54 of the optical connector 50 except that the above-described locking claw 54a is not provided.
23 and 27, the optical connector 80 is assembled using the same ferrule 51, plug frame 52, knob 53, spring 55, and boot 56 as the optical connector 50 except for the stop ring 84. . 22 to 27, the arrangement of the ferrule 51, the plug frame 52, the knob 53, the stop ring 84, the spring 55 (specifically, the coil spring), and the boot 56 in the optical connector 80 is also optical. Similar to the connector 50.

However, in this optical connector 80, the contact surface 51d (rear end surface) with which the spring 55 in the flange portion 51a of the ferrule 51 is contacted and the contact surface 84a with which the spring 55 in the stop ring 84 is contacted, The spring 55 is formed on a smoothly formed sliding surface so that the spring 55 can smoothly rotate around the axis with a light force while sliding. The spring 55 smoothly rotates with a light force around the axis relative to the ferrule 51 and the stop ring 54. Is possible. As a result, the ferrule 51 and the stop ring 54 can be relatively rotated about the axis smoothly with a light force.
The ferrule 51, the spring 55, and the stop ring 84 can rotate about the axis independently of the plug frame 52. The ferrule 51 (including the optical fiber 2), the spring 55, and the stop ring 84 constitute a rotating portion of the optical connector 80.

Inside the cylindrical stop ring 84, a through-hole 84d is formed through which a front large-diameter portion 84b and a rear small-diameter portion 84c formed smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portion 84b communicate coaxially. ing. The contact surface 84a of the stop ring 84 is a flat step surface perpendicular to the central axis of the stop ring 84 at the boundary between the large diameter portion 84b and the small diameter portion 84c of the through hole 84d. It is installed along. The spring 55 which is a coil spring is extrapolated to an optical fiber pigtail which is a portion where the optical fiber 2 extends from the rear end portion of the ferrule 51, and the flange portion 51 a of the ferrule 51 and the stop ring 54. It arrange | positions between the contact surfaces 84a.
The front end portion of the spring 55 is brought into contact with the flange portion 51 a of the ferrule 51 from the rear end side of the optical connector 80. A rear end portion of the spring 55 accommodated in the large diameter portion 84b of the through hole 84d is brought into contact with the contact surface 84a of the stop ring 54 from the front side of the optical connector 80.

In this optical connector 80, a ferrule 51 is inserted into a ferrule insertion hole 52c secured on the inner side of a projecting wall-like stopper wall 52b provided around the inner surface of the front end portion (right side in FIG. 23) of the rectangular tubular plug frame 52. The ferrule main body 511 is inserted, and the flange portion 51a of the ferrule 51 biased by the spring 55 is brought into contact with the stopper wall 52b from the rear end side of the optical connector 80. Further, the ferrule 51 can be slightly pushed to the rear end side of the optical connector 80 while pushing and contracting the spring 55 (this is the same for the optical connectors 50 and 70).
When the optical connector 80 is connected to another optical connector (optical connector plug, for example, the optical connector 70 described above, the optical connector 50 with a rotating portion, etc.) by the optical connector adapter 31, the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 80 is connected to the other party. When the flange portion 51a of the ferrule 51 is separated from the stopper wall 52b of the plug frame 52 by being abutted against the ferrule of the side optical connector and pushed into the rear end side of the optical connector 80, the ferrule 51 has a small rotational resistance and is light. It can be rotated around the axis by force.

In the optical connector 80, a smooth contact surface (sliding surface) that allows the ferrule 51 to rotate smoothly with respect to the plug frame 52 also on the flange portion 51a and the stopper wall 52b of the ferrule 51 that are in contact with each other. May be formed.
In this case, even if the flange portion 51a of the ferrule 51 is in contact with the stopper wall 52b of the plug frame 52, the rotation of the ferrule 51 around the axis can be realized with a light force. Not only when the optical connector 80 is connected to another optical connector (mating optical connector plug), but also when the optical connector adapter 31 is not connected to the optical connector 80 that should be connected to the optical connector 80. The ferrule 51 can be rotated around the axis with a light force.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in the optical connector 80, the boot 56 extends the optical fiber 2 (optical fiber pigtail) extending from the rear end of the ferrule 51 and extending from the rear end of the optical connector 80. Although stored, the optical fiber 2 is stored without constraining rotation about the axis. The optical fiber 2 drawn through the boot 56 can rotate around its axis within the boot 56.

(Fastener)
In the optical fiber connection unit 30 </ b> A, a pigtail portion (optical fiber pigtail) extending from the rear end portion of the optical connector 80 of the optical fiber 2 is connected to the rotating member 34 of the rotating unit 32 by the fastener 81. , Regulate the rotation. The fastener 81 is attached to the optical fiber 2 in the vicinity of the rear end of the optical connector 80 and functions as a detent for the optical fiber 2.
The fastener 81 functions as a rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the optical fiber 2, and extends from the rear end portion of the optical connector 80 in order to restrict the rotation of the optical fiber 2. The connection object for connecting the optical fiber pigtail is not limited to the rotating member 34. For example, the stop ring 84 of the optical connector 80, the fixing part 60 with the contact piece fixed to the stop ring 84, the support member 11 and the like. There may be.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the fastener 81.
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the fastener 81 fixes an attachment fixing portion 81 b provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of an elongated body portion 81 a to a connection object such as the rotating member 34. The optical fiber gripping part 81c provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main body part 81a is fixed to the optical fiber 2 (optical fiber pigtail extending from the rear end part of the optical connector 80). 2 is connected to the connection object to prevent rotation.
As an example of the optical fiber gripping portion 81c, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the other end portion 81d in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 81a, and a plate-like gripping piece 81f fastened to the other end portion 81d with a screw 81e. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be adopted.
It is also possible to employ a boot that fixes and stores the optical fiber 2 while restricting rotation around the axis, and this boot itself can function as a stopper for preventing the optical fiber 2 from rotating.

(Rotation operation)
In this embodiment as well, the optical connector adapter 31 can be rotated relative to the optical fiber 2 by rotating the connector mounting base 33, as in the second embodiment described above.
However, in this embodiment, the unit-side contact piece 35 is a stopper that restricts the rotation of the stop ring 84 and the fixed component 60 with the contact piece by the contact between the unit-side contact piece 35 and the connector-side contact piece 61. The optical connector 80 is configured to accommodate the ferrule 51 so as to be rotatable with respect to the stop ring 84, and the rotation of the ferrule 51 and the optical fiber 2 is the same as in the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the optical fiber 2 is prevented from rotating by the fastener 81.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the optical connector 80 is connected to the optical connector 80 at the tip of the optical fiber 2 and the optical connector 70 at the tip of the optical fiber 3, the connector mounting base 33 is rotated. Then, the optical connector 70 rotates integrally with the optical connector adapter 31. Since the ferrules 51 and 71 of the optical connectors 80 and 70 are held in the positioning sleeve 31a of the optical connector adapter 31, a rotational force is applied to the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 80. The ferrule 51 of the optical connector 80 is rotatable about its axis with respect to the stop ring 84 and is rotated by the rotational force.
The pigtail portion extending from the rear end of the ferrule 51 of the optical fiber 2 is located between the ferrule 51 and the fastener 81 of the optical fiber 2 that is prevented from rotating by the fastener 81 when the ferrule 51 rotates about its axis. Twist is given to the part. The twisted optical fiber 2 generates a reaction force in a direction to eliminate the twist due to the rigidity of the optical fiber 2 itself. When the reaction force that gradually increases with the progress of twisting of the optical fiber 2 exceeds the rotational resistance when the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 80 is rotated relative to the ferrule 71 of the optical connector 70, the optical connector 80 A slip (relative rotation) occurs between the ferrule 51 and the positioning sleeve 31a and / or between the ferrule 71 of the optical connector 70 and the positioning sleeve 31a.

The ferrule 51 of the optical connector 80 rotates with the ferrule 71 of the optical connector 70 until the slip occurs.
However, in the optical fiber 2, the pigtail portion extending from the rear end portion of the ferrule 51 is prevented from rotating by the fastener 81 near the rear end portion of the optical connector 80. About the part extended to the other side, rotation is controlled reliably.
Moreover, in this embodiment, since the accompanying rotation of the ferrules 51 and 71 is permitted until the said slip occurs, the connector mounting base 33 and the optical connector adapter 31 maintain the accompanying rotation of the ferrules 51 and 71, for example. In the case of reversing forward and reverse repeatedly within the range, the above-mentioned slip does not occur, so that the wear of the ferrule due to contact with the inner surface of the positioning sleeve 31a can be prevented, and the long-term durability can be improved. An effect is also obtained.

In this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the optical connector adapter 31A with a spacer is used, and the optical connector adapter 31 is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 3 on the side opposite to the rotation mechanism side. Needless to say, a mode in which the optical connector 50 is connected can be adopted.
In the aspect employing the optical connector adapter 31 </ b> A with the spacer, the rotational resistance when rotating the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 80 relative to the ferrule 71 of the optical connector 70 can be reduced. The maximum amount of twist can be kept small.
When the optical connector 80 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 2 and the optical connector 50 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 3 are connected by the optical connector adapter 31, for example, the optical fiber 3 (in detail, the optical fiber 3 The optical connector adapter 31 is prevented from rotating by, for example, fixing the pigtail portion extending from the rear end of the optical connector 50 to the support member 11 and the connector mounting base 33 by using a rotation restricting fastener. It is possible to rotate the optical connector adapter 31 with respect to the optical fibers 2 and 3 in a state where the rotation of both the optical fibers 2 and 3 connected in the above is restricted.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the embodiment described here, an optical connector receptacle is used as a receiving housing.
28 and 29 show examples in which an optical connector receptacle 91 is incorporated in place of the optical connector adapter 31 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 (optical equipment 1D, optical fiber connection unit 30B). Indicates.
In the optical fiber connection unit 30B, the optical connector 50 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 2 is fitted and connected to the optical connector receptacle 91.

A housing 911 of the optical connector receptacle 91 accommodates a positioning sleeve 912 for positioning the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 and a ferrule 913 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 3 and incorporated in the positioning sleeve 912. Yes. In the optical apparatus 1D illustrated in FIG. 28, the pigtail portion of the optical fiber 3 extending from the rear end of the ferrule 913 and extending outward from the optical connector receptacle 91 is connected to the light receiving / emitting module 914. .
In the optical connector receptacle 91 illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29, the positioning sleeve 912 is a split sleeve here, and is housed in the housing 911 so as to be rotatable about its axis.
The rotation member 34 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 </ b> B rotates around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 912 with respect to the connector mounting base 33.
The light receiving / light emitting module 914 is a photoelectric conversion unit in which light receiving means / light emitting means 914a which is a light emitting means such as LD or LED or a light receiving means such as PD is incorporated, and an optical connector receptacle of the optical fiber connection unit 30B. It is possible to output the incoming light to the optical fiber 2 connected to the connector 91 or to receive the transmission light of the optical fiber 2.

A ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 connected to the optical connector adapter 91 is abutted against the tip of the ferrule 913 inserted into the positioning sleeve 912 from the rotation mechanism side of the connector mounting base 33.
However, the optical connector receptacle 91 secures a minute gap between the ferrule 51 and the ferrule 913 of the optical connector 50 fitted and connected to the housing 911 so that the optical fibers 2 and 3 can be optically coupled to each other. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that is adapted to the above. This configuration can be realized, for example, by adjusting the installation position of the ferrule 913 in the positioning sleeve 912 and adjusting the design dimension of the housing 911.

The ferrule 913 may be incorporated into the optical connector receptacle 91 so as to be rotatable about the axis, or may be incorporated while restricting rotation around the axis.
In the former case (when the ferrule 913 is incorporated so as to be rotatable about its axis), when the rotating member 34 of the rotating unit 32 is rotated, the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50, the ferrule 913, and both ferrules 51, 913 are used. The positioning sleeve 912 holding the inside rotates together around the axis. Accordingly, the optical fibers 2 and 3 can be rotated with respect to the optical connector receptacle 91 (specifically, the housing 911).
When the optical connector receptacle 91 in which the ferrule 913 restricts rotation around the shaft is adopted as the receiving housing of the optical fiber connection unit 30B, the rotating member 34 of the rotating unit 32 is connected to the connector mounting base 33. When rotated, the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50, the ferrule 913, and the positioning sleeve 912 holding the ferrules 51 and 913 inside rotate together around the axis. Thereby, the optical fibers 2 and 3 can be rotated with respect to the optical connector receptacle 91.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the tip of the optical fiber 2 (optical fiber pigtail) extending from the rear end of the optical connector 50 (what is the optical connector 50? The opposite end) is supported by a support head 93 attached to the rotating member 34 of the optical fiber connection unit 30B.
As an example, in the case where the output light from the light receiving / emitting module 914 is irradiated to the irradiation object 94 from the tip of the optical fiber 2 supported by the support head 93 (the light receiving / emitting module here includes a light emitting means). Light emitting module) will be described.
The support head 93 places the tip of the optical fiber 2 at a position shifted from the rotation center axis of the rotation member 34 and the rotation part 57 of the optical connector 50 (in other words, the center axis of the positioning sleeve 912 of the optical connector receptacle 91). I support it. However, in the support head 93, the optical axis (specifically, on the extension of the optical axis) of the tip end of the optical fiber 2 is the rotation axis of the rotating member 34 and the rotating part 57 of the optical connector 50 (specifically, the extension thereof). The tip of the optical fiber 2 is supported so as to intersect with the above.
For this reason, if the rotation member 34 is rotated, the irradiation direction with respect to the irradiation target 94 of the emitted light from the tip part of the optical fiber 2 can be changed.

This can be applied to, for example, a type of analyzer that uses the reflected light of the laser beam irradiated to the specimen (irradiation target 94) for analysis, such as protein analysis and surface condition analysis of a metal deposition film. It can also be applied to laser processing of metals and resins.
In the illustrated example, the optical fiber connection unit is installed in such a direction that the rotation center axis of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 is in the vertical direction, and the emitted light from the distal end portion of the optical fiber 2 is transmitted to the distal end portion of the optical fiber 2. The structure which irradiates the irradiation target 94 installed below is illustrated. However, the installation direction of the optical fiber connection unit (in other words, the rotation center axis of the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50) and the positional relationship between the tip end portion of the optical fiber 2 and the irradiation object 94 are not limited thereto.
The configurations illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 are also used for receiving light transmitted through the specimen (irradiation target 94) or reflected light, such as analysis of light transmission characteristics of an optical filter. it can. In this case, a light receiving module incorporating a light receiving means is employed as the light receiving / light emitting module.
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the application to various analyzers as described above can also be applied to the optical apparatus according to the first embodiment.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment described here uses an optical connector receptacle as a receiving housing. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the optical connector of the optical fiber connection unit 30A of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. In this example, an optical connector receptacle 92 described later is incorporated instead of the adapter 31 (optical fiber connection unit 30C, optical device 1E).

  The optical connector receptacle 92 houses a positioning sleeve 922 for positioning the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 and a fiber stub 923 incorporated in the positioning sleeve 922 in the housing 921. The housing 921 of the optical connector receptacle 92 is assembled with a light receiving / light emitting module 924. The light receiving / light emitting means 924a incorporated in the light receiving / light emitting module 924 is connected to the ferrule of the optical connector 50 of the fiber stub 923. The end surface of the optical fiber 923a exposed on the rear end side opposite to the front end side facing the front end 51 is disposed to face and optically couple.

In the optical connector receptacle 92, the positioning sleeve 922 is a split sleeve here, and is housed in the housing 921 so as to be rotatable about its axis.
The connector mounting base 33 of the optical fiber connection unit 30 </ b> C rotates around the central axis of the positioning sleeve 922 with respect to the rotating member 34.
The light receiving / light emitting module 924 is a photoelectric conversion unit in which a light receiving means / light emitting means 924a which is a light emitting means such as an LD or LED or a light receiving means such as a PD is incorporated, and is connected to the optical connector receptacle 92 of the optical fiber connection unit 30C. The output of the incoming light to the optical fiber 2 connected to the connector or the reception of the transmitted light of the optical fiber 2 can be performed.

The ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 connected to the optical connector adapter 92 from the rotation mechanism side of the connector mounting base 33 is abutted with the tip of the fiber stub 923 inserted into the positioning sleeve 922.
However, the optical connector receptacle 92 has a minute gap between the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 fitted and connected to the housing 921 and the fiber stub 923 so that the optical fibers 2 and 923a can be optically coupled to each other. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that ensures the above. This configuration can be realized, for example, by adjusting the position where the fiber stub 923 is assembled in the positioning sleeve 922 and adjusting the design dimensions of the housing 921.

  The optical device 1E according to the fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the connector mounting base 33 can be rotated with respect to the rotating member 34 in the optical fiber connection unit 30C. With this configuration, the optical connector receptacles 91 and 92 can be rotated without moving the optical fiber 2.

As an example, as the light receiving / emitting module 924, one having a light emitting means 924a (light receiving / light emitting means) which is a polarized light source is adopted, and the output light from the light emitting means is passed through the optical fiber 923a to the optical fiber 2. The case of sending in will be described.
As the optical fiber 923a and the optical fiber 2, a polarization maintaining optical fiber such as a PANDA (PANDA: Polarization-maintaining AND Absorption-reducing) type optical fiber is adopted.

The fiber stub 923 may be incorporated into the optical connector receptacle 92 so as to be rotatable about the axis, or may be incorporated while restricting rotation around the axis.
When the optical connector receptacle 92 in which the fiber stub 923 is incorporated while restricting rotation around the axis is adopted, the connector mounting base 33 is rotated with respect to the rotating member 34 fixed to the support member 11 by the optical fiber connection unit 30C. As a result, the fiber stub 923 of the optical connector receptacle 92 is rotated about the axis with respect to the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50, and is incident on the optical fiber 2 from the optical fiber 923a without rotating the optical fiber 2. The polarization direction of incoming light can be adjusted.

  When the optical connector receptacle 92 incorporating the fiber stub 923 so as to be rotatable about its axis is employed, the fiber stub 923 and the ferrule 51 of the optical connector 50 are positioned by positioning the optical connector receptacle 92 when the connector mounting base 33 is rotated. The housing 921 of the optical connector adapter 92 rotates around the center axis of the positioning sleeve 922 with respect to the positioning sleeve 922 while being held by the sleeve 922 and the relative rotation is restricted. As a result, the receiving / emitting module 924a assembled to the optical connector receptacle 92 rotates around the optical axis of the fiber stub 923 integrally with the optical connector receptacle 92. The polarization direction of incoming incoming light changes.

  In the fourth and fifth embodiments, which are examples in which an optical connector receptacle is applied to the optical fiber connection unit, the optical connector receptacle 91 of the optical fiber connection unit 30B of the fourth embodiment is replaced with the fifth embodiment. Applying the optical connector receptacle 92 exemplified in the fourth embodiment, and conversely, applying the optical connector receptacle 91 exemplified in the fourth embodiment instead of the optical connector receptacle 92 of the optical fiber connection unit 30C of the fifth embodiment. Needless to say, it is possible.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, as a sixth embodiment according to the present invention, an example of an optical transmission facility 10 and an optical transmission line 20 configured by applying the above-described optical fiber connection unit 30 will be described.
FIG. 32 is an overall view showing an example of the optical transmission facility 10 and the optical transmission path 20.
32, the optical transmission facility 10 includes an optical transmission line 20 formed by cascading a plurality of optical fibers 21 (three optical fibers 211 to 213 in the illustrated example), and one end of the optical transmission line 20. And a light source 22 (light receiving / emitting module) connected on the side, and an optical fiber support device 40 that supports a head 41 that holds the tip of the optical fiber 213 on the other end side of the optical transmission line 20. Yes.

The optical fiber support device 40 is configured by connecting the head 41 and a plurality of connecting members 42 (three in the illustrated example, first to third connecting members 421 to 423) so as to be rotatable relative to each other, It is a multi-axis support device that supports the head 41 so as to rotate and rotate about its axis.
The optical fiber support device 40 illustrated in FIG. 32 fixes a first connecting member 421 (hereinafter also referred to as a machine base 421) that functions as a machine base fixed to a wall, floor, ceiling, or the like of a building to the ceiling 4 of the building. And it is provided under the ceiling 4. In FIG. 32, description will be made with the upper side as the upper side and the lower side as the lower side.

Specifically, the optical fiber support device 40 includes a first connecting member 421 (machine base) fixed to the ceiling 4, and extends from the first connecting member 421 in the lateral direction (horizontal direction), and is in the vertical direction. The beam-like second connecting member 422 attached to the axis (indicated by arrow a in FIG. 32) and the tip of the second connecting member 422 (tip away from the turning center) A third connecting member 423 having a shaft shape (specifically, a pipe) pivotally attached in a direction (arrow b in FIG. 32), and the third connecting member 423 at the tip of the third connecting member 423. The head 41 is configured to be rotatable about an axis (arrow c in FIG. 32).
A vertical column portion 422a extending in the vertical direction is provided at the tip of the second connection member 422, and the third connection member 423 is connected to the second connection member by the pivot 43 provided at the lower end of the vertical column portion 422a. It is pivotally attached to 422 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis.
The head 41 also functions as one of the connecting members that constitute the optical fiber support device 40.

  The turning of the second connecting member 422, the rotation of the third connecting member 423 around the pivot 43, and the rotation of the head 41 around the axis are realized by, for example, manual operation or driving of a driving device such as an electric motor.

  An optical transmission line 20 is attached to the optical fiber support device 40 along the optical fiber support device 40. The optical fibers 21 of the optical transmission line 20 are wired to the connecting members 421 to 423 and the head 41 constituting the optical fiber support device 40, respectively. The optical fiber 21 of the optical transmission line 20 is attached to each of the connecting members 421 to 423 using, for example, a fastener (not shown).

Further, the optical fiber connection unit 30 is attached to the first connection member 421 and the second connection member 422 of the optical fiber support device 40.
In addition, about the two optical fiber connection units 30 provided in the optical fiber support device 40 (optical equipment), for the sake of distinction, hereinafter, the optical fiber connection unit 30 attached to the first connecting member 421 is denoted by reference numeral 301 (hereinafter, The optical fiber connection unit 30 attached to the second coupling member 422 may be described with reference numeral 302 (hereinafter also referred to as the second optical fiber connection unit 302). is there.

Each optical fiber connection unit 30 fixes the connector mounting base 33 to the first and second connecting members 421 and 422, and the optical fiber support device 40 with the rotating member 34 being rotatable with respect to the connector mounting base 33. It is attached to.
The optical fiber support device 40 functions as an optical device according to the present invention, and the first and second connecting members 421 and 422 function as support members of the optical device (support members to which an optical fiber connection unit is attached).

In each optical fiber connection unit 30, an optical connector adapter 31 connects the optical fibers 21 constituting the optical transmission path 20 with a connector.
The connector connection between the optical fibers 21 of the optical transmission path 20 in the optical connector adapter 31 is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 21 on one end side (receiving / light emitting module 22 side) of the optical transmission path 20 from the optical connector adapter 31. The optical connector 70 is connected to the optical connector 70 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 21 on the other end side (head 41 side) of the optical transmission line 20.
In the first optical fiber connection unit 301, the optical connector 70 attached to the optical connector 70 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 211 and the optical connector 50 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 212 are connected by the optical connector adapter 31. .
In the second optical fiber connection unit 302, the optical connector 70 is connected to the optical connector 70 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 212 and the optical connector 50 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 213. .
The optical fiber 212 wired between the first optical fiber connection unit 301 and the second optical fiber connection unit 302 has an optical connector 50 on one end side (receiving / light emitting module 22 side) and the other end side (head 41 side). ) Is attached with an optical connector 70.

  In FIG. 32, the fixed parts with contact pieces, the contact pieces on the unit side, and the connector side are not shown, but in each optical fiber connection unit 30, the fixed parts with contact pieces, the unit side, and the connector side The use of the contact piece is the same as in FIG.

In the first optical fiber connection unit 301, the rotating member 34 is connected to the second connecting member 421 and is rotated integrally with the turning of the second connecting member 421.
For this reason, when the second connecting member 421 is turned, the rotating member 34 connected to the second connecting member 421 is rotated, and the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 at the tip of the optical fiber 212 is also rotated. . On the other hand, the optical fiber 211 does not follow and rotate even when the rotating portion 57 of the optical connector 50 at the tip of the optical fiber 212 is rotated.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the optical fiber 212 is damaged by twisting as the second connecting member 421 rotates. Inconveniences such as an increase in loss due to axial misalignment between the optical fibers 211 and 212 connected by the optical connector adapter 31 can also be prevented.

  In the second optical fiber connection unit 302, the rotating member 34 is connected to the end of the protective hose 23 that houses the optical fiber 213. The end of the protective hose 23 opposite to the second optical fiber connection unit 302 is attached to the head 41. When the head 41 is swung, it rotates integrally with the swiveling of the head 41. Is done. Since the rotating member 34 is rotated with the rotation of the protective hose 23, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the optical fiber 213 accompanying the turning of the head 41 is damaged by twisting. Inconveniences such as an increase in loss due to axial misalignment between the optical fibers 212 and 213 connected by the optical connector adapter 31 can also be prevented.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an optical transmission path is configured by optical connection between optical fibers in a receiving housing which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle.
In the optical connector adapter, the optical fibers are optically connected by connecting the optical connectors (optical connector plugs) attached to the tips of the optical fibers to form an optical transmission path.
In the optical connector receptacle, the optical fiber in the fiber stub built in the optical fiber provided in the tip or the optical connector receptacle, and the optical fiber fitted in the optical connector receptacle and connected to the optical connector receptacle. An optical fiber having a connector (optical connector plug) attached to the tip is optically connected to form an optical transmission line.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, the specific configuration of the rotating unit of the optical fiber connection unit and the fixing component with the contact piece attached to the stop ring of the optical connector with the rotating unit is not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiment, and various configurations are adopted. it can.
The attachment object to which the optical fiber connection unit is attached is not limited to an optical device such as the optical fiber support device 40 illustrated in FIG. 32, and may be, for example, a building wall, a housing of an electronic device, or the like.
In the optical apparatus 1B ′ illustrated in FIG. 18, the bearing 5 that rotatably supports the rotation member 34 with respect to the support member 11 is employed, and further, a lock that switches permission / restriction of rotation of the rotation member 34 with respect to the support member 11. Although the structure provided with the mechanism 7 is illustrated, as an optical apparatus according to the present invention, the connector mounting base 33 is rotatably supported with respect to the support member 11 by the bearing 5, and the connector mounting base 33 is further rotated. A configuration provided with a lock mechanism 7 for switching between permission and regulation can also be adopted.
The optical fibers 2 and 3 are, for example, coated optical fibers such as optical fiber cores, optical fiber strands, and optical fiber cords, and may be either single mode optical fibers or multimode optical fibers. It is also possible to employ a polarization maintaining optical fiber such as a PANDA (PANDA: Polarization-maintaining AND Absorption-reducing) type optical fiber.

  The present invention can be widely applied to various analyzers such as a laser processing machine, a fiberscope, and a protein analyzer.

It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view which shows an optical fiber connection unit vicinity. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the unit side contact piece and connector side contact piece which concern on an optical fiber connection unit. (A), (b) is a figure which shows an example of the fixing structure which fixes a fixing component with a contact piece to a stop ring. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ferrule of the optical connector mutually connected by the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. 1, a stop ring, and the positioning sleeve in the said optical connector adapter. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the optical connector with a rotation part connected to the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. 1 from the rotation mechanism side. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the optical connector of FIG. 5 (with the knob removed). It is a figure which shows the rotation part integrated in the optical connector of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flange part of the ferrule of the optical connector of FIG. 5, and a plug frame. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the plug frame of the optical connector of FIG. 5, and the cyclic | annular protrusion of a stop ring. FIG. 6 is an exploded plan view of the optical connector of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector of FIG. 5. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a configuration of an optical connector connected to the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. 1 from the side opposite to the rotation mechanism side (however, a state where a knob is removed). It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flange part of the ferrule of the optical connector of FIG. 12, and a plug frame. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the plug frame of the optical connector of FIG. 12, and the cyclic | annular protrusion of a stop ring. It is a figure which shows the example which applied the optical connector adapter with a spacer of the structure which inserted | pinched the spacer between a pair of adapter housings as an optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the optical connectors illustrated in FIGS. 5-11 in the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view which shows the optical fiber connection unit vicinity. It is a figure which shows another aspect of the optical equipment of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view which shows the optical fiber connection unit vicinity. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: In the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of 2nd Embodiment, it replaces with the optical connector with a rotation part illustrated in FIGS. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the optical connector with a rotation part illustrated to 27. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the ferrule of the optical connector mutually connected by the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. 19, a stop ring, and the positioning sleeve in the said optical connector adapter. It is a figure which shows an example of the fastener applied to the optical fiber connection unit of FIG. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the optical connector with a rotation part of the structure which accommodated the ferrule in the stop ring rotatably assembled | attached to the plug frame so that rotation around an axis was possible. FIG. 23 is a front sectional view of the optical connector of FIG. 22 (with the knob removed). It is a figure which shows the rotation part integrated in the optical connector of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flange part of the ferrule of the optical connector of FIG. 22, and a plug frame. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the plug frame of the optical connector of FIG. 22, and the annular protrusion of a stop ring. It is a disassembled perspective view of the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an optical device and an optical fiber connection unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and an optical connector incorporating a ferrule instead of the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical fiber connection unit and optical apparatus which employ | adopted the receptacle. It is a figure which shows the optical equipment and optical fiber connection unit of 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It replaced with the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of 1st Embodiment illustrated in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical fiber connection unit and optical equipment which employ | adopted the connector receptacle. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an optical device and an optical fiber connection unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and an optical connector incorporating a ferrule instead of the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical fiber connection unit and optical apparatus which employ | adopted the receptacle. It is a figure which shows the optical apparatus and optical fiber connection unit of 5th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It replaced with the optical connector adapter of the optical fiber connection unit of 2nd Embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, and the light incorporating the fiber stub It is sectional drawing which shows the optical fiber connection unit and optical equipment which employ | adopted the connector receptacle. It is a figure which shows the optical equipment and optical transmission line which concern on 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A-1E ... Optical equipment, 2, 3 ... Optical fiber, 2A, 3A ... Optical fiber with a connector, 20 ... Optical transmission line, 21, 211-213 ... Optical fiber, 30, 30A-30C, 301, 302 ... Optical fiber connection unit 31, 31A ... receiving housing (optical connector adapter), 31a ... positioning sleeve, 31b ... adapter housing, 31c ... spacer, 32 ... rotating unit, 33 ... connector mounting base, 34 ... rotating member, 35, 35a 35 ... Unit side contact piece, 40 ... Optical device (optical fiber support device), 50 ... Optical connector (optical connector with rotating part), 51 ... Ferrule, 52 ... Fitting housing (plug frame), 53 ... Fitting Housing (knob) 54 ... Stop ring 57 ... Rotating part 58 ... Rotating connecting part 60, 60a, 60b ... Abutting , Fixing part, 61 ... connector side contact piece, 80 ... optical connector (optical connector with rotating part), 81 ... fastener, 87 ... rotating part, 91, 92 ... receiving housing (optical connector receptacle), 91a, 92a ... Positioning sleeve.

Claims (12)

An optical connector adapter (31, 31A) or a rotating unit (32) incorporating a receiving housing which is an optical connector receptacle (91, 92), and an optical connector (50, 80) attached to the tip of the optical fiber (2) And an optical fiber with a connector (2A) connected to the receiving housing by fitting,
The rotating unit includes the receiving housing, a connector mounting base (33) to which the receiving housing is mounted, and positioning sleeves (31a, 912, 922) built in the receiving housing on the connector mounting base. ) And a rotating member (34) mounted so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the optical connector, and a rotation of the rotating member relative to the connector mounting base. A unit-side contact piece (35) that rotates and moves,
The optical connector includes a fitting housing (52, 53) fitted to the receiving housing, a ferrule (51), and a stop ring (54) for housing a rear end opposite to the connection front end of the ferrule. Rotating parts (57, 87) having
In the optical connector, a connector side contact piece (61) to be contacted with the unit side contact piece is fixed to the stop ring and protruded to a side portion of the optical connector,
By rotating one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the rotating unit relative to the other in a state where the connector side and unit side abutting pieces are in contact with each other, the receiving housing An optical fiber connection unit (30, 30A-30C), wherein one of the optical fibers can be rotated relative to the other.   2. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector-side contact piece protrudes from a fixed part (60, 60a, 60b) with a contact piece assembled to the outside of the stop ring. A pin on which the unit-side contact piece extends along a central axis of the positioning sleeve;
The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector side contact piece is a pin extending in a direction perpendicular to a pin that is the unit side contact piece. The rotating member includes a pair of unit side contact pieces (35a, 35b) provided at two locations separated from each other.
By rotating one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the rotating unit relative to the other, it is possible to switch the unit-side contact piece that contacts the connector-side contact piece. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber connection unit is provided. The receiving housing is an optical connector adapter;
The optical fiber adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical connector adapter has a clearance (C) secured between ferrules of optical connectors connected to both sides. Connection unit.   The optical connector adapter has a spacer (31c) for securing a clearance (C) between the ferrules of the optical connector fitted to each adapter housing between a pair of adapter housings into which the optical connector is fitted. 6. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 5, wherein the optical fiber connection unit is sandwiched.   The optical fiber connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the optical connector incorporates the ferrule while preventing the ferrule from rotating around the stop ring. The receiving housing is an optical connector adapter;
An optical connector that is connected to the optical connector adapter from the side opposite to the optical connector, a fitting housing that fits into the receiving housing, the ferrule, and a rear end portion opposite to the connection front end side of the ferrule A rotating part having a stop ring for storing the optical ring, and an optical connector in which the ferrule is fixed to the stop ring.
Rotating portions of the optical connectors on both sides of the optical connector adapter, and the positioning sleeves that are housed in the optical connector adapter housing so as to be rotatable about the axis and fitted with ferrules of the optical connectors on both sides of the optical connector adapter; 8. The optical fiber connection unit according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber connection unit comprises a rotary connection portion (58) that can rotate together with respect to the housing of the optical connector adapter. In the optical connector (80), the ferrule is incorporated so as to be rotatable about an axis with respect to the stop ring,
The optical fiber pigtail extending from the rear end portion of the ferrule is locked to the stop ring or the rotating member by a fastener (81). The optical fiber connection unit described.   An optical transmission line (20) in which a plurality of optical fibers (21) are connected in cascade, comprising the optical fiber connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a receiving housing for the optical fiber connection unit An optical transmission line comprising at least one connection portion in which optical fibers are cascade-connected by an optical connector adapter. An optical device provided with a receiving housing which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle,
The optical fiber connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a support member that supports the optical fiber connection unit,
The optical device (1, 1A-1E, 40), wherein the optical fiber connection unit is supported by the support member with one of the connector mounting base and the rotating member fixed to the support member. . An optical device provided with a receiving housing which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle,
The optical fiber connection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a support member that supports the optical fiber connection unit,
The optical device (1B '), wherein the support member is a bracket that rotatably supports one or both of the connector mounting base and the rotating member of the optical fiber connection unit.

Images