JPH10170759A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the cleaning of the connection end face of the ferrule inside an adapter, by constituting an optical connector so that a guide pin relatively protrudes from the connection end face and to move into the guide pin hole of the ferrule on the opposite side corresponding to the backward movement of the ferrule inside the adapter when the ferule on the opposite side is inserted into the adapter. SOLUTION: When a ferrule 2 of an optical connector plug 20B is inserted from an inserting port 4 in the case of connector connection, the ferrule 2 inside the adapter 3 is pushed by the top end of the inserted ferrule 2, and the ferrule 2 is moved back against the energizing force of an energizing means 16. At such a time, the guide pin 8 relatively protrudes from a connection end face 10 and moves into the guide pin hole of the optical connector plug 20B on the opposite side corresponding to the backward movement of the ferrule 2. Thus, both the ferrules 2 are abutted and connected while being aligned. Then, by engaging an elastic pawl 9 with a rear end flange part 2a of the ferrule 2 on the opposite side, the ferrules 2 are prevented from being dropped and the state of stable connection is maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector for butt-connecting ferrules having the ends of optical fibers to the inside of an adapter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an optical connector for switchably connecting optical fibers to each other, for example, a plastic multi-core optical connector (so-called MT type optical connector: Mechanically Transferable) as provided in JIS C 5981 or the like is provided. ing. FIG. 2 shows an optical connector (MT receptacle) 20 as an application example. FIG. 2A shows a state before connection, and FIG. 2B shows a connection state.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an optical fiber (tape core), 2 denotes a ferrule (optical connector plug), and 3 denotes an adapter. One ferrule 2 is housed and held in the cylindrical adapter 3, thereby forming an optical connector jack (female side connector) 20 </ b> A having an insertion port 4 of a mating ferrule at the front end. The other ferrule 2
It is an optical connector plug (male connector) 20B by itself. This optical connector 20 is an optical connector jack 2
0A and the optical connector plug 20B.

[0004] The ferrule 2 terminates the end of the optical fiber 1 so that the optical fiber 1 can be butt-connected by internally fixing the end thereof, and the end face of the bare fiber is exposed at the connection end face 10. A rear end flange portion 2a is provided at a rear end portion of the ferrule 2, and a boot 2b is provided behind the rear end flange portion 2a. The optical fiber 1 extends behind the boot 2b. A pin clamp 5 having a guide pin 8 is disposed inside the adapter 3 at the rear side of the ferrule 2.
An urging means (spring) 6 for applying a butting force between the connection end faces 10 of the ferrules 2 by pushing the pink lamp 5 forward is provided. Also, at the rear end of the adapter 3,
A receiving member 7 for receiving the rear end of the urging means 7 is provided. When the ferrule 2 is pushed forward by the urging means 7, the rear end flange portion 2a accommodated in the adapter 3 is not connected to the other ferrule 2 (when not connected). Is pressed against a stopper 3 a provided on the inner periphery of the adapter 3. Further, at the front end of the adapter 3, there is provided an elastic locking claw 9 which locks the rear end flange portion 2a of the ferrule 2 of the optical connector plug 20B inserted into the insertion port 4 to lock the optical connector plug 20B. Is provided.

The guide pin 8 is penetrated from the rear through a guide pin hole (not shown) of the ferrule 2 housed in the adapter 3, and the tip protrudes from the connection end face 10 of the ferrule 2. Then, by fitting the guide pin hole of the mating ferrule 2 into the protruding end, the two ferrules 2 are aligned.

[0006]

When the optical connector is connected, the connection end face 10 of the ferrule 2 (particularly, the exposed end face 11 of the bare fiber) is cleaned. Since the pin 8 penetrates through the ferrule 2 in the adapter 3 and protrudes from the connection end face 10, there is a problem that cleaning is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an optical connector which can facilitate cleaning of a ferrule in an adapter incorporating a biasing means.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector for butt-connecting ferrules provided at the tip of an optical fiber to be connected, wherein one of the butt-connected ferrules is accommodated and held movably in the axial direction. At the same time, a cylindrical adapter having an insertion opening for the other ferrule and a cylindrical adapter provided in the adapter in front of one ferrule, and urging one ferrule forward so that one ferrule is disconnected when not connected. The one ferrule, which is pressed against a stopper portion in the adapter and, at the time of connection, is retracted by being pushed by the other ferrule inserted into the insertion port,
Urging means for applying a predetermined butt force between the connection end faces with the other ferrule, and fixedly supported by the adapter,
When one ferrule is slidably inserted from the rear into the guide pin hole of one ferrule, and one ferrule is pressed against the stopper portion, the tip is flush with the connection end face of one ferrule or is a position where it is recessed from the same end face. When one ferrule is pushed by the other ferrule and retreats, a guide pin whose length is set so that the tip enters a guide pin hole of the other ferrule is provided on the adapter, and the insertion is provided. An elastic locking claw that locks the other ferrule inserted into the mouth.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the one ferrule is inserted into the adapter from the rear, an urging means is inserted into the adapter from the rear, and the guide pin is fixed from the rear. And a pin clamp attached to the rear end of the adapter.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a sectional view showing a state before connection of the optical connector 21 of the embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view showing a state after connection. This optical connector 21 is a jack 21 in which one ferrule 2 is mounted on an adapter 3.
A and an optical connector plug 20B. The optical connector plug 20B is composed of the other ferrule 2 alone. In this optical connector 21, a part of the configuration of the jack 21A is the same as that of FIG.
Unlike the above, the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions, and only different portions will be described.

The ferrule 2 is accommodated and held in the adapter 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction. A biasing means (spring) 16 for applying a butting force is provided in the adapter 3, and its rear end is received by a pin clamp 17 fitted and fixed to the rear end of the adapter 3.
A pressing member 18 is provided at the front end of the urging unit 16, and a pressing force of the urging unit 16 is applied to the ferrule 2 via the pressing member 18. Therefore, when not connected, the ferrule 2 is pressed against the stopper 3a in the adapter. Further, the urging means 16 includes a ferrule 2 in the adapter 3 which is pushed by the mating ferrule 2 inserted from the insertion slot 4 and retreats during connection, and a ferrule 2 of the mating side.
A predetermined abutting force is applied between the connection end faces 10 of the contact holes.

The pin clamp 17 is provided with two guide pins 8 projecting forward.
Is slidably inserted from the rear into a guide pin hole (not shown) of the ferrule 2 in the adapter 3. The guide pin 8 is configured such that the ferrule 2 in the adapter 3 is
a, the tip is flush with the connection end face 10 of the ferrule 2 or at a position where it is sunk from the same end face,
The length is set such that when the ferrule 2 in the adapter 3 is pushed by the mating ferrule 2 and retreats, the tip enters the guide pin hole of the mating ferrule 2.

Next, the operation will be described. When disconnected, Figure 1
As shown in (a), since the tip of the guide pin 8 does not protrude from the connection end face 10 of the ferrule 2 in the adapter 3, the connection end face 10 can be easily cleaned without being obstructed by the guide pin 8. .

When a connector is connected, the ferrule 2 of the optical connector plug 20B is inserted from the insertion port 4. Then, the tip of the inserted ferrule 2 pushes the ferrule 2 in the adapter 3 and the ferrule 2 is retracted against the urging force of the urging means 16. At this time, the guide pin 8 relatively protrudes from the connection end face 10 in accordance with the retreat of the ferrule 2 and enters the guide pin hole of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector plug 20B. Thereby, the two ferrules 2 are butt-connected while being aligned. When the elastic locking claw 9 engages with the rear end flange portion 2a of the mating ferrule 2, the ferrule 2 is prevented from coming off, and a stable connection state is maintained.

In this embodiment, the adapter 3 and
Since the pin clamp 17 to which the guide pin 8 is fixed is formed separately and fitted and fixed to be integrated, the manufacture is easy and the accuracy of the guide pin 8 is easily obtained. Note that a structure in which the guide pin 8 is directly supported by the adapter 3 may be employed. In any case, the guide pin 8 may be fixed so as not to move with the movement of the ferrule 2.

[0016]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, before the connection, the tip of the guide pin does not protrude from the connection end face of the ferrule in the adapter, and the mating ferrule is inserted into the adapter. Then, the guide pin relatively protrudes from the connection end face in accordance with the retreat of the ferrule in the adapter, and enters the guide pin hole of the mating ferrule. Therefore, not only the guide pin can surely fulfill the function of positioning the ferrule, but also the connection end face can be easily cleaned without disturbing the guide pin when cleaning the ferrule in the adapter before connection. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pin clamp having the guide pin fixed thereto is attached to the rear end of the adapter, the guide pin can be easily attached and the accuracy of the guide pin can be easily improved. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;
(A) is a sectional view showing a state before connection, and (b) is a sectional view showing a connection state.

2A and 2B are views showing a conventional optical connector, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before connection, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... optical fiber, 2 ... ferrule, 2a ... rear end flange portion, 3 ... adapter, 3a ... stopper portion, 4 ... insertion port, 8
... Guide pin, 9 ... Elastic locking claw, 10 ... Connection end face, 16
... urging means, 17 ... pin clamp.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector for butt-connecting ferrules (2) provided at the tip of an optical fiber (1) to be connected, wherein one of the butt-connected ferrules is accommodated and held movably in the axial direction and one of the butt-connected ferrules. In front of the ferrule,
A cylindrical adapter (3) having an insertion port (4) for the other ferrule; and a ferrule attached to the adapter, for urging the one ferrule forward, so that when not connected, one ferrule is inserted into the adapter. A predetermined butt force between the one ferrule, which is pushed by the other ferrule inserted into the insertion opening and retreats, and the connection end face (10) of the other ferrule at the time of connection. And an urging means (16) that is fixedly supported by the adapter, is slidably inserted into the guide pin hole of the one ferrule from the rear, and one ferrule is pressed against the stopper. The tip is flush with the connection end face of one ferrule or at a position recessed from the same end face, and one ferrule is pushed by the other ferrule. When retraction, as the tip enters the guide pin holes in the other ferrule,
A guide pin (8) having a length set; and an elastic locking claw (9) provided on the adapter for locking the other ferrule inserted into the insertion opening. Optical connector (21). 2. The one ferrule is inserted into the adapter from the rear, a biasing means is inserted into the adapter from the rear, and a pin clamp (17) fixing the guide pin from the rear is provided in the adapter. 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector is mounted on a rear end.