CN111247468A

CN111247468A - Optical connector, holding member, and method for manufacturing optical connector

Info

Publication number: CN111247468A
Application number: CN201880068799.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 寺本胜则; 山口敬
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-02
Filing date: 2018-09-14
Publication date: 2020-06-05
Also published as: JP2019086571A; WO2019087585A1; JP6823577B2

Abstract

The invention provides an optical connector, a holding member and a method for manufacturing the optical connector, which lock a fibrous tension body without twisting the fibrous tension body, the method comprising: a holding member that holds an optical cable having an optical fiber; a housing having a fixing portion for fixing the holding member, the holding member including: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover attached to the main body, wherein a slit for drawing the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside is formed in the side wall, and the cover is attached to the main body in a state where the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between an outer surface of the side wall and an inner surface of the cover by sliding the cover relative to the main body.

Description

Optical connector, holding member, and method for manufacturing optical connector

Technical Field

The invention relates to an optical connector, a holding member, and a method of manufacturing the optical connector.

Background

As a device for connecting optical fibers by butting end faces of the optical fibers against each other, for example, a field-assembled optical connector is known. The field-assembled optical connector is an optical connector having a structure that can be easily assembled to a terminal end of an optical cable (including a square optical cable and a round optical fiber cord) at an optical fiber installation site. The embedded fiber is mounted in advance in a factory in an optical connector ferrule before assembly, and an end of the embedded fiber is disposed in a mechanical connection portion. In the assembly work site, the holding member holds the optical cable, and the end of the inserted fiber drawn out from the optical cable is inserted into the mechanical connection portion, and the optical fibers are butted to each other in the mechanical connection portion.

Patent document 1 describes the following: the fixing cover is screwed to a fixing portion having a screw portion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a fibrous tensile member of the optical cable (including an optical fiber cord) is sandwiched between the fixing portion and the fixing cover, thereby locking the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable.

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2010/092657

In the technique described in patent document 1, the fixing cap is screwed when the fibrous tension member is locked, and thus the fibrous tension member sandwiched between the fixing caps is twisted. As a result, there is a concern that an unexpected load may be applied to the optical cable locked by the optical connector.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a structure for locking a fibrous tension body without twisting the fibrous tension body.

The main invention for achieving the above object is an optical connector including: a holding member that holds an optical cable having an optical fiber; and a housing having a fixing portion for fixing the holding member, wherein the holding member includes: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover attached to the main body, wherein a slit for drawing the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside is formed in the side wall, and the cover is attached to the main body in a state where the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between an outer surface of the side wall and an inner surface of the cover by sliding the cover with respect to the main body.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification and the drawings.

According to the present invention, the fibrous tension member can be locked without twisting.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the optical connector 100. Fig. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 100.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the holding member 30, and fig. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the holding member 30.

Fig. 3A to 3C are explanatory views of the gripping member 30. Fig. 3A is a view of the gripping member 30 as viewed from above, and the fixing portion 152 of the rear case 15 and the cover 50 are shown in cross-section. Fig. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the optical fiber cord 6 is held. Fig. 3C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the optical cable 3 is held.

Fig. 4A is an explanatory diagram of an assembling method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the round optical cable 6.

Fig. 4B is an explanatory diagram of an assembling method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the round optical cable 6.

Fig. 4C is an explanatory diagram of an assembling method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the round optical cable 6.

Fig. 5A is an explanatory diagram of an assembling method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the square optical cable 3.

Fig. 5B is an explanatory diagram of an assembling method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the square optical cable 3.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the cover 50 of the second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the holding member 30 according to the third embodiment.

Detailed Description

At least the following matters will be made clear from the description of the specification and the drawings described later.

An optical connector is specified, which comprises: a holding member that holds an optical cable having an optical fiber; and a housing having a fixing portion for fixing the holding member, wherein the holding member includes: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover attached to the main body, wherein a slit for drawing the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside is formed in the side wall, and the cover is attached to the main body in a state where the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between an outer surface of the side wall and an inner surface holder of the cover by sliding the cover relative to the main body. According to such an optical connector, the fibrous tension member can be locked without twisting.

Preferably, the holding member is fixed to the fixing portion of the housing by sliding the holding member relative to the fixing portion in a state where the fibrous tension member is sandwiched between an outer surface of the cover and an inner surface of the fixing portion. This makes it possible to press the gripping member from the outside, and to increase the gripping force of the gripping member on the fibrous tension member.

Preferably, a stepped portion is formed in the main body, the fibrous tensile member sandwiched between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the cover is folded back between the stepped portion and the end surface of the cover, and the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of the fixing portion. This can further improve the holding force of the fibrous tension member.

Preferably, the folded fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between the stepped portion and the end face of the cap. This can further increase the locking force of the fibrous tension member.

Preferably, the part sandwiching the fibrous tensile member is coated with an anti-slip agent for increasing friction. This prevents the fibrous tension member from slipping, and improves the locking force.

Preferably, the main body and the lid each have a lid fixing portion. Thus, the main body and the cover can be fixed with the fibrous tension member sandwiched between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the cover.

Preferably, the housing and the main body have engaging portions, respectively. This enables the housing and the main body to be fixed.

Preferably, the pair of side wall portions have inner surfaces formed with projecting portions projecting inward. This allows the protrusion to bite into the outer cover of the optical cable, thereby allowing the optical cable to be held. In particular, the gripping force of the square optical cable can be improved.

Preferably, the optical fiber cable further includes a plurality of covers corresponding to the amount of the fibrous tensile member of the optical fiber cable. This can improve the compatibility with the type of optical cable.

Preferably, a plurality of the caps are formed by integral molding. This can reduce the cost.

Preferably, the main body and the cover are coupled in advance. This makes it difficult to lose the cover.

Further, there is provided a holding member including a holding portion for holding an optical cable having an optical fiber, the holding member including: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover attached to the main body, wherein a slit for drawing the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside is formed in the side wall, and the cover is attached to the main body in a state where the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between an outer surface of the side wall and an inner surface of the cover by sliding the cover with respect to the main body.

Further, there is provided an optical connector manufacturing method for assembling an optical connector by inserting a holding member holding an optical cable into a main body of the optical connector, the holding member including: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover attached to the body, wherein the optical connector manufacturing method includes: a step of accommodating the optical cable between the pair of side walls of the main body and drawing out the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside of the pair of side walls through a slit formed in the side walls; and a step of mounting the cover to the main body by sliding the cover relative to the main body so that the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the cover.

In the first embodiment, the first embodiment is described as follows

< basic Structure >

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the optical connector 100. Fig. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 100. In the following description, as shown in fig. 1A, the optical axis direction of the optical cable or the optical fiber is referred to as "front-back direction", the side from which the optical cable extends is referred to as "back", and the opposite side (the end face side of the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 100) is referred to as "front".

The optical connector 100 of the present embodiment is a field-assembled optical connector in which optical fibers are connected by a mechanical splicing method, and is an optical connector assembled to a terminal end of an optical cable. The optical connector 100 of the present embodiment is an LC type optical connector which is smaller than the SC type optical connector and can be mounted at high density.

The optical connector 100 includes an optical connector body 10, a holding member 30, and optical cables (a square optical cable 3 and a round optical cable 6).

The optical connector body 10 includes a ferrule 11, a mechanical splice 12, a housing 13, a spring 16, and an intervening member 19.

Here, the ferrule 11 is a cylindrical-shaped ferrule used in a single-core optical connector.

The mechanical connection portion 12 is a member (optical fiber connection device) that fixes an embedded fiber (not shown) and an inserted fiber (the optical fiber 4 of the rectangular optical cable 3 and the optical fiber 7 of the circular optical cable 6) while aligning the embedded fiber and the inserted fiber by a mechanical connection method. The tip of the embedded fiber is inserted into and fixed to the ferrule 11 and is polished together with the ferrule 11. The rear end of the embedded fiber is disposed in the mechanical connecting portion 12.

The mechanical connection portion 12 has an opening 12A at the rear end. The opening 12A is an insertion port into which a fiber is inserted.

The case 13 includes a front case 14 and a rear case 15.

The front case 14 is a part constituting the front side of the case 13, and has a front housing portion 14A. The front housing portion 14A is a portion that houses the front portion of the mechanical joint 12.

The rear case 15 is a portion constituting the rear side of the case 13. The rear case 15 includes a rear housing portion (not shown) and a fixing portion 152.

The rear housing portion is a portion that houses a rear portion of the mechanical connecting portion 12, and is provided on a front side of the rear case 15.

The fixing portion 152 is a portion for fixing the gripping member 30, and is disposed on the rear side of the rear case 15. As shown in fig. 1A, the fixing portion 152 has an inner wall surface 15A and a locking portion 15B.

The inner wall surface 15A is a surface inside the fixing portion 152, and is a surface forming a housing space for housing the gripping member 30. Therefore, the inner wall surface 15A is formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the outer shape (rectangular cross section) of the gripping member 30. The housing space is open at the rear end face of the fixing portion 152, and the holding member 30 is inserted through the opening. The inner wall surface 15A is a sliding surface for sliding the gripping member 30 in the front-rear direction.

When the holding member 30 is inserted into the fixing portion 152, the inner wall surface 15A presses the holding member 30 from the outside. Thus, in the case of the circular optical cable 6, the holding force of the holding member 30 to the fibrous tension member 8 is increased. Further, the force of sandwiching the fibrous tension member 8 between the main body portion 40 of the gripping member 30 and the cover 50 is increased. In the case of the rectangular optical cable 3, the side wall portions 42 (described later) of the holding member 30 are pressed inward, and the force of sandwiching the outer coating of the rectangular optical cable 3 between the side wall portions 42 is increased.

The inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152 also has a function of sandwiching the fibrous tensile member 8 between the holding member 30 (more specifically, the cap 50) and the round optical cable 6.

The locking portion 15B (corresponding to an engagement portion) is formed on a side wall of the fixing portion 152. The locking portion 15B locks a claw portion 441 (described later) formed on the side wall of the gripping member 30.

The spring 16 is a member for biasing the ferrule 11 housed so as to be retractable forward.

The intervening member 19 is a member for opening and closing the slit of the mechanical connection section 12 of the optical connector body 10. The optical connector body 10 is formed with an insertion hole (not shown) through which a wedge portion (not shown) extending from the intervening member 19 is inserted.

The holding member 30 is a member for holding the optical cable. The holding member 30 is inserted into the fixing portion 152 of the optical connector body 10 in a state of holding the optical cable. The gripping member 30 of the present embodiment can grip the rectangular optical cable 3 and the circular optical cable 6 as optical cables. The structure of the gripping member 30 of the present embodiment will be described later.

The square optical cable 3 is, for example, a drop cable, an indoor cable, or the like. The rectangular optical cable 3 is an optical cable having a rectangular cross section in which the optical fiber 4 and the pair of linear tension members are collectively covered with an outer coating. In such a rectangular optical cable 3, since the outer cover is relatively hard, it is relatively easy to grip the optical cable 3 by biting a protrusion 421 (described later) of the gripping member 30 into the outer cover. In the following description, the square optical cable 3 is sometimes simply referred to as "optical cable 3".

The round optical cable 6 has a circular cross section in which a fibrous tension member 8 is disposed around an optical fiber 7 and covered with an outer covering. The fibrous tensile member 8 is, for example, kevlar (registered trademark). In the following description, the round optical fiber cable 6 is sometimes referred to as an "optical fiber cord (optical cord) 6". In such an optical fiber cord 6, since the outer coating is flexible, it is difficult to hold and lock the outer coating like the optical cable 3. Therefore, the holding member 30 holds the fibrous tension member 8 to lock the optical fiber cord 6 to the optical connector 100.

< Structure of the holding member 30 >

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the holding member 30, and fig. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the holding member 30. Fig. 3A to 3C are explanatory views of the gripping member 30. Fig. 3A is a view of the gripping member 30 as viewed from above, and the fixing portion 152 of the rear case 15 and the cover 50 are shown in cross-section. Fig. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the optical fiber cord 6 is held. Fig. 3C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the optical cable 3 is held. In the following description, the left-right direction and the up-down direction are defined as shown in the drawing. That is, the ridge direction of the protrusion 421 is defined as the "up-down direction", the bottom wall 41 side of the protrusion 421 is defined as the "down", and the opposite side (open side) is defined as the up. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction is referred to as the "left-right direction", the right side when the front side is viewed from the rear side is referred to as the "right", and the left side is referred to as the "left".

The gripping member 30 of the present embodiment includes a main body 40 and a cover 50.

The body portion 40 is a portion constituting a body of the grip member 30, and includes a grip portion 40A and an insertion portion 40B.

The grip 40A is a portion for gripping the optical cable 3 and the optical cord 6, and is provided on the rear side of the main body 40. The grip portion 40A has a bottom wall portion 41 and a pair of side wall portions 42.

The bottom wall 41 is a portion constituting a lower portion (bottom portion) of the grip portion 40A.

The pair of side walls 42 are erected from both left and right ends of the bottom wall 41. The pair of side wall portions 42 each have a protrusion 421, a lid claw 422, a slit 423, a grip outer surface 424, and a step portion 425.

The protrusion 421 is a protrusion (a protrusion strip) protruding inward from the facing surface (inner surface) of the side wall 42 and extending in the vertical direction. The protrusion 421 is formed to have a substantially triangular cross section so that the protruding side (inner side) becomes sharp when viewed from above. The ridge of the protrusion 421 is parallel to the vertical direction. The projection 421 of one side wall portion 42 is disposed to face the projection 421 of the other side wall portion 42. When the optical cable (the optical cable 3, the optical cord 6) is accommodated between the pair of side wall portions 42, the protrusion 421 bites into the outer coating of the optical cable. However, in the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the sheath is softer than the optical fiber cable 3 as described above, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient gripping force.

The lid claw portion 422 (corresponding to a lid fixing portion) is a portion for fixing the lid 50. When the cover 50 is attached, the cover claw portion 422 engages with the engagement hole 53A of the cover 50.

The slit 423 is a groove-like portion for discharging the fibrous tension member 8 from the inside to the outside of the pair of side wall portions 42.

The grip portion outer surfaces 424 are outer surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 42. The grip portion outer surface 424 is a surface pressed against an inner surface of the cap 50 (a cap inner surface 53B described later). When pressed by the cover 50, the grip portion outer surface 424 deforms the pair of side wall portions 42 inward, and the left and right protrusions 421 bite into the outer covers of the optical cable 3 and the optical fiber cord 6. This improves the holding force of each optical cable (particularly, the optical cable 3). In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the grip portion outer surface 424 is a portion where the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the cover 50 and the grip portion outer surface. The position of this portion is the outer surface of the side wall portion 42 on the front side of the slit 423 in the grip portion outer surface 424 (see fig. 3B).

The stepped portion 425 is a portion where the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the distal end surface 50B of the cover 50 and the optical fiber cord 6. A stepped portion 425 is provided at the tip of the grip portion outer surface 424. Further, a stepped portion 425 is provided between (a boundary of) the grip portion 40A and the insertion portion 42B.

The insertion portion 40B is a portion through which the optical fiber (the optical fiber 4 of the optical cable 3, the optical fiber 7 of the optical fiber cord 6) is inserted, and is provided on the front side of the grip portion 40A. The insertion portion 40B has a bottom wall portion 43 and a pair of side wall portions 44.

The bottom wall 43 is a part continuous with the bottom wall 41 of the grip portion 40A, and constitutes a lower part (bottom) of the insertion portion 40B.

The pair of side walls 44 are erected on both left and right ends of the bottom wall 43. Further, the pair of side wall portions 44 are provided with claw portions 441 (corresponding to engagement portions).

The claw portions 441 are provided on outer surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 44, respectively. When the grip member 30 is inserted into the fixing portion 152 of the rear housing 15 of the optical connector body 10, the grip outer surface 424 is hooked on the locking portion 15B of the fixing portion 152. This enables the holding member 30 to be fixed to the optical connector body 10.

The cover 50 is a member that fits into the grip portion 40A of the body 40 and covers the grip portion 40A. The cover 50 has a cylindrical portion 50A, a front end surface 50B, and a rear plate portion 50C.

The cylindrical portion 50A is a cylindrical portion of the cap 50. The tube portion 50A of the present embodiment is formed in a square tube shape, and includes an upper plate portion 51, a bottom plate portion 52, and a pair of side plate portions 53.

The upper plate 51 is a plate-like portion constituting an upper portion of the cover 50.

The bottom plate portion 52 is a plate-like portion constituting a lower portion (bottom portion) of the cover 50.

The pair of side plates 53 are plate-shaped portions constituting both right and left side portions of the cover 50. The pair of side plate portions 53 press the pair of side wall portions 42 of the grip portion 40A from the outside. The pair of side plates 53 receive a pressing force from the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152 of the optical connector body 10 (rear housing 15).

The pair of side plate portions 53 have an engagement hole 53A (corresponding to a lid fixing portion) and a lid inner surface 53B, respectively.

The engaging hole 53A engages with the lid claw 422 of the grip portion 40A of the main body portion 40. Thereby, the cover 50 is fixed to the main body 40.

The cover inner surface 53B is a surface (inner surface) of the pair of side plate portions 53 facing each other, and is a surface that presses the outer surfaces (grip outer surfaces 424) of the pair of side wall portions 42 of the grip 40A from the outside. In this way, the cover inner surface 53B presses the grip outer surfaces 424 of the pair of side wall portions 42 of the grip 40A, thereby improving the grip. Further, since the holding force is increased, the pressing force from the fixing portion 152 of the housing 13 (rear side housing 15) of the optical connector body 10 can be set small, and the thickness of the housing 13 (rear side housing 15) can be reduced.

In the case of the optical cable 3, the cover inner surface 53B (the inner surface of the side plate portion 53, particularly the inner surface facing the grip portion outer surface 424) presses the pair of side wall portions 42 of the grip portion 40A from the outside, and the pair of side wall portions 42 are deformed inward, so that the left and right protruding portions 421 bite into the outer coating of the optical cable 3. This improves the gripping force of the optical cable 3.

In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, a portion of the cover inner surface 53B facing the side wall portion 42 (grip portion outer surface 424) on the front side of the slit 423 is a portion where the fibrous tensile member 8 is sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 of the main body 40 (see fig. 3B).

The inner surface of the tube portion 50A is configured to have a shape that fits the outer shape of the grip portion 40A of the body portion 40. This enables the cover 50 to slide (move in parallel) with respect to the grip portion 40A of the body portion 40. In the present embodiment, since the cylindrical portion 50A is formed in a square tube shape, the cap 50 does not rotate with respect to the grip portion 40A when the cap 50 is slid. This prevents twisting of the fibrous tension member 8.

The cover outer surface 53C is an outer surface (outer surface) of the pair of side plates 53, and is a surface that receives a pressing force from the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152 of the optical connector body 10. In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the optical fiber cord and the optical connector main body 10 (the fixing portion 152 of the rear housing 15).

The front end surface 50B is an end surface on the front side of the tube portion 50A. In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the distal end surface 50B is a portion where the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the stepped portion 425 of the main body 40.

The rear plate portion 50C is a portion on the rear side of the tube portion 50A, and the insertion hole 55 is provided to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The insertion hole 55 is a hole for inserting the optical cable 3 and the optical fiber cord 6.

As shown in fig. 3B and 3C, the main body 40, the cover 50, and the case 13 (rear case 15) form a first fitting portion 61, a second fitting portion 62, and a contact portion (folded portion) 63.

The first fitting portion 61 is constituted by the grip portion outer surface 424 of the main body portion 40 and the cover inner surface 53B of the cover 50. The first fitting portion 61 presses (presses) the grip portion outer surface 424 from the outside by the cover inner surface 53B. Thus, in the case of the optical cable 3, the pair of side wall portions 42 are deformed inward, and the left and right protruding portions 421 bite into the outer coating of the optical cable 3. Therefore, the holding force of the optical cable 3 is improved. In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 and the cover inner surface 53B.

The size A, X (see fig. 3A) of the first fitting portion 61 differs depending on the type (outer shape) of the optical cable (the square optical cable 3 or the round optical cable 6). In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the dimension A, X (see fig. 3A) of the first fitting portion 61 differs depending on the amount of the fibrous tensile member 8 even if the external shape is the same.

Dimension a is the length between the left and right cover inner surfaces 53B of the cover 50.

Dimension X is the length between the outer surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 42 (the left and right grip portion outer surfaces 424).

In the case of the optical cable 3, nothing is sandwiched between the cover inner surface 53B and the side wall portion 42. However, since the grip portion 40A has a substantially U-shaped cross section formed by the bottom wall portion 41 and the pair of side wall portions 42, when the optical cable 3 is stored between the pair of side wall portions 42, the interval (particularly, the upper end side) between the pair of side wall portions 42 may become wider. In this case, since the dimension X is large, even if the dimension X and the dimension a have the same design value, the pair of side wall portions 42 can be deformed inward by the attachment cover 50. On the other hand, in the case where the distance between the pair of side wall portions 42 is not wide, the dimension a needs to be slightly smaller than the dimension X to deform the pair of side wall portions 42 inward by the cover 50.

In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 and the cover inner surface 53B, and therefore the appropriate dimension A, X differs depending on the amount of the fibrous tension member 8.

The second fitting portion 62 is constituted by the cover outer surface 53C and an inner surface (inner wall surface 15A) of the fixing portion 152 of the housing 13 (rear housing 15). The second fitting portion 62 is a portion where the holding member 30 is pressed from the outside by the fixing portion 152 of the housing 13 (rear housing 15).

In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the force of the second fitting portion 62 that sandwiches the fibrous tensile member 8 is increased by the second fitting portion 62. Further, the force of the first fitting portion 61 sandwiching the fibrous tensile member 8 is increased. Further, the force of the second fitting portion 62 sandwiching the fibrous tensile member 8 is increased.

In the case of the optical cable 3, the side wall portions 42 of the gripping member 30 (main body portion 40) are pressed inward by the second fitting portion 62, and the force of sandwiching the outer cover between the side wall portions 42 is increased.

The dimension C, Z (see fig. 3A) of the second fitting portion 62 differs depending on the type (outer shape) of the optical cable (the square optical cable 3 or the round optical cable 6).

Dimension C is the length between the left and right cover outer surfaces 53C of the cover 50. The half of the difference between the dimension C and the dimension a is the thickness of the side plate portion 53.

Dimension Z is the length between the left and right inner wall surfaces 15A of the fixing portion 152.

In the case of the optical cable 3, nothing is sandwiched between the cover outer surface 53C and the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152. However, the size C may be increased (expanded) by causing the gripping member 30 to grip the optical fiber cable 3. In this case, even if the dimension C and the dimension Z are the same design value, the fixing portion 152 can press the gripping member 30 from the outside. On the other hand, when the dimension C is not changed, when the holding member 30 (the cover 50) is inserted into the fixing portion 152, the dimension C needs to be slightly smaller than the dimension Z to press the holding member 30 from the outside by the fixing portion 152.

In the case of the optical cord 6, the appropriate dimension C, Z differs depending on the amount of the fibrous tensile member 8 because the fibrous tensile member 8 is sandwiched between the cover outer surface 53C and the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152.

The contact portion 63 (folded portion) is constituted by the stepped portion 425 of the main body portion 40 and the distal end surface 50B of the cover 50. The abutting portion 63 has a function of folding back the fibrous tension member 8 between the stepped portion 425 of the main body portion 40 and the distal end surface 50B of the cover 50. This increases the locking force of the fibrous tension member 8 (the holding force of the first fitting portion 61 and the second fitting portion 62 to the fibrous tension member 8).

The fibrous tensile member 8 can be sandwiched (pressed) between the stepped portion 425 of the main body portion 40 and the distal end surface 50B of the cover 50. In this case, the locking force of the fibrous tension member 8 (the holding force of the fibrous tension member 8 by the first fitting portion 61 and the second fitting portion 62) is further increased.

Since the amount of the fibrous tension member 8 varies depending on the type of the optical fiber cord 6, the appropriate size B, Y varies depending on the type of the optical fiber cord 6.

Dimension B is the length between the front end surface 50B of the cover 50 and the engagement hole 53A.

The dimension Y is a length between the stepped portion 425 of the gripping portion 40A and the lid claw portion 422.

In the case of the optical cable 3, the dimension Y may be slightly larger than the dimension B (approximately the same). In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the fibrous tensile member 8 is disposed (or sandwiched) between the stepped portion 425 of the main body portion 40 and the distal end face 50B of the cover 50, and therefore the appropriate dimension B, Y differs depending on the amount of the fibrous tensile member 8.

Thus, the main body 40 and the cover 50 corresponding to the type of the optical cable (the square optical cable 3, the round optical cable 6) are prepared and appropriately selected for use, thereby improving the correspondence with the type of the optical cable.

In the present embodiment, in the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the portions (the first fitting portion 61, the second fitting portion 62, and the abutting portion 63) where the fibrous tension bodies 8 are sandwiched are coated with an anti-slip agent that increases the frictional force. As the anti-slip agent, for example, an anti-slip agent in which a synthetic resin is mixed in an organic solvent can be used. After the coating of the anti-slip agent by spraying or the like, the resin remaining due to the volatilization of the organic solvent functions as an anti-slip. This prevents the fibrous tension member 8 from slipping, and improves the locking force.

< method of assembling optical connector 1 >

Fig. 4A, 4B, and 4C are explanatory views of an assembly method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the round optical cable 6 (optical fiber cord 6). Further, only (C) of fig. 4C is shown upside down.

In the present embodiment, the assembly tool 70 is used for assembling the optical connector 100. First, the structure of the assembly tool 70 will be briefly described.

The assembly tool 70 is a tool used when assembling the optical connector 100. The assembling tool 70 of the present embodiment is adapted to both the optical cable 3 and the optical fiber cord 6. The assembly tool 70 has a front part 80 and a rear part 90. The front member 80 and the rear member 90 are coupled to be relatively rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown).

The front member 80 has a function of holding the holding member 30 when processing the optical fiber (the optical fiber 4 drawn from the optical cable 3, the optical fiber 7 drawn from the optical cord 6).

The rear member 90 has a function of holding the optical cable when the holding member 30 is inserted into the optical connector body 10 (specifically, the fixing portion 152). Both the optical cable 3 and the optical fiber cord 6 can be held. The rear member 90 includes a cable holding portion 91 and a fibrous tension member holding portion 92.

The cable holding portion 91 is a linear groove-shaped portion into which the optical cable (the optical cable 3, the optical fiber cord 6) is inserted and held.

In the case of the optical fiber cord 6, the fibrous tensile member holding portion 92 is a groove-like portion that holds the fibrous tensile member 8 protruding from the gripping member 30 (between the main body portion 40 and the cover 50). The fibrous tension member holding portions 92 are provided on both left and right sides across the cable holding portion 91.

Hereinafter, an assembling method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the round optical cable 6 (optical fiber cord 6) will be described with reference to fig. 4A, 4B, and 4C.

First, the operator inserts the optical fiber cord 6 into the insertion hole 55 of the cover 50 (fig. 4A (a)). Thus, the optical fiber cord 6 is inserted into the cover 50 (fig. 4A (b)).

Next, the operator removes the outer coating layer on the distal end side (front side) of the optical fiber cord 6, and draws out the optical fiber 7 and the fibrous tensile member 8 (fig. 4A (c)).

Next, the operator sets the optical fiber cord 6 on the body 40 of the holding member 30 (fig. 4A (d)). The distal end portion of the outer coating layer of the optical fiber cord 6 is housed between the pair of side wall portions 42 of the grip portion 40A of the main body portion 40, and the fibrous tensile member 8 is drawn out from the inside of the side wall portion 42 to the outside of the side wall portion 42 via the slit 423 ((e) of fig. 4A). The drawn optical fiber 7 is inserted into the insertion portion 40B of the main body 40.

Next, the operator attaches the cover 50 to the grip portion 40A of the main body portion 40 ((f) of fig. 4A).

When the cover 50 is slid forward, the engagement hole 53A of the cover 50 is engaged with the cover pawl 422 of the grip portion 40A, and the cover 50 is fixed to the main body portion 40. By this attachment of the cover 50, the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 of the main body portion 40 and the cover inner surface 53B of the cover 50 (first fitting portion 61: see fig. 3B). The fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the step portion 425 and the cover inner surface 53B (contact portion 63: see fig. 3B). In the present embodiment, the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 of the main body portion 40 and the cover inner surface 53B of the cover 50 by sliding the cover 50 forward, and thus the fibrous tension member 8 can be locked so as not to be twisted.

Then, the operator folds back the fibrous tensile member 8 drawn out from between the main body 40 and the lid 50 (toward the lid outer surface 53C).

Next, the operator attaches the optical fiber cord 6 to the rear member 90 of the assembly tool 70 (fig. 4B (a)). The optical fiber cord 6 is disposed in the cable holding portion 91 of the rear member 90, and the fibrous tensile member 8 is disposed in the fibrous tensile member holding portion 92 of the rear member 90 (fig. 4B (B)). At this time, the front member 80 of the assembly tool 70 is rotated relative to the rear member 90, and is inclined downward.

Next, the operator rotates the front member 80 upward (fig. 4B (c)), and causes the front member 80 to hold the holding member 30. At this time, the optical fiber 7 drawn out from the optical fiber cord 6 is exposed forward of the front end of the front member 80. The worker removes the coating on the end of the optical fiber 7 and cuts the end of the optical fiber 7.

Next, the operator rotates the front member 80 downward to remove the front member 80 from the holding member 30. Then, the holding member 30 is inserted into the fixing portion 152 of the optical connector body 10 (fig. 4B (d)). When the insertion is continued, the claw portion 441 of the gripping member 30 is hooked on the locking portion 15B of the rear housing 15, and the gripping member 30 is fixed to the optical connector body 10 (fig. 4B (e)). By the insertion of the holding member 30, the end of the optical fiber 7 is inserted into the opening 12A of the mechanical splice 12 and abuts against the built-in fiber of the ferrule 11.

By this insertion, the second fitting portion 62 of the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152 of the housing 13 (rear housing 15) and the lid outer surface 53C is formed, and the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the second fitting portions 62 (between the inner wall surface 15A and the lid outer surface 53C) (see fig. 3B).

Next, the operator removes the intervening member 19 from the optical connector body 10 ((f) of fig. 4B). By pulling out the wedge portion (not shown) of the intervening member 19, the gap of the mechanical splice 12 is closed, and the optical fiber 7 of the optical cord 6 and the internal fiber (not shown) are fixed in a state of abutting against each other.

Next, the worker removes the assembly tool 70 (fig. 4C (a)), and cuts the fibrous tensile member 8 protruding from the optical connector body 10 (fig. 4C (b)). This completes the assembly of the optical connector 100 ((C) of fig. 4C).

< method for assembling optical connector 2 >

Fig. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of an assembly method of the optical connector 100 in the case of using the square optical cable 3 (optical cable 3). Further, only (f) of fig. 5B is shown upside down.

In this assembling method, an assembling tool 70 is also used.

First, the operator removes the outer coating layer at the distal end of the optical cable 3 and draws out the optical fiber 4 (fig. 5A (a)). Then, the optical cable 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 55 of the cover 50 and inserted into the cover 50 ((b) of fig. 5A).

Next, the operator sets the optical cable 3 in the main body 40 ((c) of fig. 5A). The tip of the outer coating of the optical cable 3 is housed between the pair of side walls 42 of the grip portion 40A of the main body 40. Thereby, the protrusions 421 of the pair of side walls 42 bite into the outer coating of the optical fiber cable 3, and grip the optical fiber cable 3. At this time, as described above, the interval between the pair of side wall portions 42 may be widened (the dimension X in fig. 3A may be increased). The drawn optical fiber 4 is inserted into the insertion portion 40B.

Next, the operator attaches the cover 50 to the grip portion 40A of the main body portion 40 (fig. 5A (d)). When the cover 50 is slid forward, the engagement hole 53A of the cover 50 is engaged with the cover pawl 422 of the grip portion 40A, and the cover 50 is fixed to the main body portion 40. At this time, the grip portion outer surface 424 of the main body portion 40 is pressed (pressed) from the outside by the cover inner surface 53B of the cover 50, and the pair of side wall portions 42 are deformed inward. Therefore, the protrusion 421 further bites into the outer coating of the optical fiber cable 3 (the biting becomes large), and the gripping force is improved. In particular, when the gap between the pair of side wall portions 42 is widened when the optical cable 3 is mounted on the main body portion 40, the protrusion 421 bites into the outer coating of the optical cable 3 more largely when the cover 50 is slid. After the cap 50 is attached, the left and right cap outer surfaces 53C may expand (the dimension C in fig. 3A may increase).

Next, the operator attaches the optical cable 3 to the rear member 90 of the assembly tool 70 (fig. 5A (e)). The optical cable 3 is disposed in the cable holding portion 91 of the rear member 90 (fig. 5A (f)). At this time, the front member 80 of the assembly tool 70 is rotated relative to the rear member 90, and is inclined downward.

Next, the operator rotates the front member 80 of the assembly tool 70 upward, and holds the holding member 30 by the front member 80 (fig. 5B (a)). At this time, the optical fiber 4 drawn out from the optical cable 3 is exposed forward of the front end of the front member 80. The worker removes the coating on the end of the optical fiber 4 and cuts the end of the optical fiber 4.

Next, the operator rotates the front member 80 downward to remove the front member 80 from the holding member 30. Then, the holding member 30 is inserted into the fixing portion 152 of the optical connector body 10 (fig. 5B (B)). When the insertion is continued, the claw portion 441 of the gripping member 30 is hooked on the locking portion 15B of the rear housing 15, and the gripping member 30 is fixed to the optical connector body 10 (fig. 5B (c)). By the insertion of the holding member 30, the end of the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the opening 12A of the mechanical splice 12 and abuts against the built-in fiber of the ferrule 11.

By this insertion, the second fitting portion 62 between the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152 of the housing 13 (rear housing 15) and the lid outer surface 53C is formed, and the side plate portion 53 of the lid 50 is pressed inward by the inner wall surface 15A. Thereby, the pair of side walls 42 of the grip portion 40A is pressed further inward. Therefore, the gripping force of the optical cable 3 can be further improved. In particular, even when the left and right lid outer surfaces 53C of the lid 50 expand, the left and right side plate portions 53 of the lid 50 and the pair of side wall portions 42 of the grip portion 40A are pressed inward by the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152. In the present embodiment, even if the pressing force of the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152 toward the inside is small, the grip portion outer surface 424 of the body portion 40 is pressed from the outside by the lid inner surface 53B of the lid 50, and therefore, a sufficient gripping force can be obtained. That is, even if the fixing portion 152 of the rear case 15 is thin and the pressing force of the rear case 15 against the gripping member 30 is weak, the gripping force of the gripping member 30 against the optical cable 3 can be improved.

Next, the operator removes the intervention member 19 from the optical connector body 10 ((d) of fig. 5B). By pulling out the wedge portion (not shown) of the intervening member 19, the gap of the mechanical splice 12 is closed, and the optical fiber 7 of the optical cord 6 and the internal fiber (not shown) are fixed in a state of abutting against each other.

Next, the operator takes down the assembly tool 70 ((e) of fig. 5B). This completes the assembly of the optical connector 100 ((f) of fig. 5B).

< nodules >

According to the present embodiment described above, the optical connector 100 includes: a gripping member 30 that grips an optical fiber cord 6 (corresponding to an optical cable) having an optical fiber 7; and a rear case 15 (case 13) having a fixing portion 152 for fixing the gripping member 30. The gripping member 30 further includes: a main body 40 having a pair of side walls 42; the cover 50 is attached to the body 40. Slits 423 are formed in the pair of side walls 42, and the slits 423 are used to draw the fibrous tensile member 8 of the optical fiber cord 6 from the inside to the outside. As shown in fig. 4A (f), the cover 50 is slid forward relative to the main body 40, whereby the cover 50 is attached to the main body 40 with the fibrous tensile member 8 sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 (corresponding to the outer surface) of the side wall portion 42 and the cover inner surface 53B (corresponding to the inner surface) of the cover 50 (see fig. 3B). This makes it possible to lock the fibrous tension member 8 without twisting it.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4B (d), the gripping member 30 is slid forward relative to the fixing portion 152 of the rear case 15, whereby the gripping member 30 is fixed to the fixing portion 152 in a state where the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the cover outer surface 53C (corresponding to the outer surface) of the cover 50 and the inner wall surface 15A (corresponding to the inner surface) of the fixing portion 152 (see fig. 3B). This can increase the locking force of the fibrous tension member 8.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the stepped portion 425 is formed in the main body portion 40, the fibrous tension member 8 sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 of the side wall portion 42 and the lid inner surface 53B of the lid 50 is folded back between the stepped portion 425 and the distal end surface 50B (corresponding to the end surface) of the lid 50, and the fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the lid outer surface 53C of the lid 50 and the inner wall surface 15A of the fixing portion 152. This can further increase the holding force of the fibrous tension member 8.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the folded fibrous tension member 8 is sandwiched between the stepped portion 425 and the distal end surface 50B of the cap 50. This can further increase the locking force of the fibrous tension member 8.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the portions (the first fitting portion 61, the second fitting portion 62, and the abutting portion 63) where the fibrous tension bodies 8 are sandwiched are coated with the friction-increasing anti-slip agent. This prevents the fibrous tension member 8 from slipping, and improves the locking force.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the body portion 40 of the gripping member 30 has the lid claw portion 422 (corresponding to the lid fixing portion), and the lid 50 has the engagement hole 53A (corresponding to the lid fixing portion) that engages with the lid claw portion 422. This allows the main body 40 and the lid 50 to be fixed with the fibrous tensile member 8 sandwiched between the grip portion outer surface 424 of the side wall portion 42 and the lid inner surface 53B of the lid 50.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the main body portion 40 has the claw portion 441 (corresponding to the engaging portion), and the rear case 15 has the locking portion 15B (corresponding to the engaging portion) that engages with the claw portion 441. This enables the main body 40 and the rear case 15 to be fixed.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the protrusions 421 protruding inward are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 42. Thus, when the optical fiber cord 6 is accommodated between the pair of side wall portions 42, the protrusion 421 can be caused to bite into the outer coating of the optical fiber cord 6 and can be substantially fixed. In particular, the holding force can be increased in the case of the optical cable 3.

In the second embodiment, the first embodiment is described as follows

In the second embodiment, 4 caps 50(501 to 504) are prepared for the gripping member 30 (body 40). The 4 covers 50(501 to 504) are formed by, for example, integral molding using resin, and can be used by cutting.

The shape (the dimension A, B, C described above), the size of the insertion hole 55, and the like of each of the covers 50(501 to 504) are determined according to the type (outer shape) of the optical cable 3 and the optical cord 6.

For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the cover 501 fits a 3.1 × 2.0mm square optical cable 3, and the cover 502 fits a 2.0 × 1.6mm square optical cable 3. The cover 503 is adapted to a round optical cable 6 (optical fiber cord 6) having a diameter of 2mm, and the cover 504 is adapted to a round optical cable 6 having a diameter of 3 mm.

The worker can select and use a cover corresponding to the optical cable (the optical cable 3, the optical fiber cord 6) used in the optical connector 100.

In this way, by integrally forming a plurality of (4 in this case) caps 50 having different shapes, it is possible to improve the compatibility with respect to the type of optical cable and to reduce the cost.

In the third embodiment, the first and second embodiments are described below

As described above, since the optical connector 100 of the present embodiment is a small LC type optical connector, the size of the cover 50 used for the holding member 30 is extremely small. There is a fear that the cover 50 is lost.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the body portion 40 of the gripping member 30 and the cover 50 are coupled to each other by the coupling portion 32. When the optical connector 100 is assembled, the coupling portion 32 is cut, and the body 40 and the cover 50 are cut.

This makes the lid 50 less likely to be lost.

In the fourth embodiment, the first and second embodiments are described below

In the optical connector 100 described above, the cap 50 is fixed to the body portion 40 of the gripping member 30, and the body portion 40 (gripping member 30) to which the cap 50 is fixed to the fixing portion 152 of the housing 13 (rear side housing 15). However, the cover 50 may not be directly fixed to the body portion 40 of the holding member 30.

For example, a cover engaging hole (corresponding to a cover fixing portion) may be formed in the fixing portion 152 of the case 13 (rear case 15), and a cover side claw portion (corresponding to a cover fixing portion) may be formed on the outer surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 50. The lid-side claw portion is engaged with the lid engagement hole, whereby the holding member 30 (the main body portion 40 and the lid 50) can be fixed to the fixing portion 152 of the case 13.

The term "other" means

The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

< about the holding member 30 >

The gripping member 30 is configured to be able to grip both the rectangular optical cable 3 and the circular optical cable 6 (optical fiber cord 6). However, the gripping member 30 may be configured to be able to grip the round optical cable 6 but not the square optical cable 3.

The gripping member 30 is configured to be able to grip a plurality of types of circular optical cables 6, but may have a shape corresponding to only a specific type of circular optical cable 6.

Description of reference numerals:

3 … optical cable (square optical cable); 4 … optical fiber; 6 … optical fiber cord (round optical cable); 7 … optical fiber; 8 … fibrous tensile body; 10 … optical connector body; 11 … core insert; 12 … mechanical splice; 12A … opening part; 13 … a housing; 14 … front shell; 14a … front-side storage section; 15 … rear side housing; 15a … inner wall surface; 15B … locking part; 16 … spring; 19 … an intervening component; 30 … a gripping member; 32 …, a joint; 40 … a body portion; a 40a … grip; 40B … insertion part; 41 … bottom wall portion; 42 … side wall portions; 44 … side wall portions; a 50 … cover; a 50A … cartridge portion; 50B … front face; a 50C … rear panel portion; 51 … upper plate portion; 52 … bottom panel portion; 53 … side plate parts; 53A … engagement hole; 53B … cover inner surface; 53C … cover outer surface; 55 … inserting through hole; 61 … first fitting part; 62 … a second fitting part; 63 … abutment (folded back portion); 70 … assembly tool; 80 … front piece; 90 … rear side members; 91 … cable holding part; 92 … fibrous tensile member-retaining parts; 100 … optical connector; 421 … projection; 422 … claw part for cover; 423 … slit; 424 … grip outer surface; 425 … step portion; 441 … claw portion; 501. 502, 503, 504 ….

Claims

1. An optical connector is provided with:

a holding member that holds an optical cable having an optical fiber; and

a housing having a fixing portion for fixing the holding member,

the optical connector is characterized in that it is,

the holding member includes: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover mounted on the main body portion,

a slit for leading out the fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside is formed in the side wall portion,

by sliding the cover with respect to the main body, the cover can be attached to the main body with the fibrous tensile member sandwiched between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the cover.

2. The optical connector of claim 1,

the holding member can be fixed to the fixing portion of the housing by sliding the holding member relative to the fixing portion in a state where the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of the fixing portion.

3. The optical connector of claim 2,

a stepped portion is formed in the main body portion, the fibrous tensile member sandwiched between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the cover is folded back between the stepped portion and the end surface of the cover, and the fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of the fixing portion.

4. The optical connector of claim 3,

the folded fibrous tensile member is sandwiched between the stepped portion and the end surface of the cap.

5. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the part sandwiching the fibrous tensile body is coated with a friction-increasing anti-slip agent.

6. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the main body and the lid have lid fixing portions, respectively.

7. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the housing and the main body have engaging portions, respectively.

8. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the pair of side wall portions have inner surfaces formed with projecting portions projecting inward.

9. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

the optical connector has a plurality of the caps corresponding to the amount of the fibrous tensile bodies of the optical cable.

10. The optical connector of claim 9,

a plurality of the caps are formed by integral molding.

11. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

the main body portion and the cover are coupled in advance.

12. A holding member having a holding portion for holding an optical cable having an optical fiber,

comprising: a main body portion having a pair of side wall portions; and a cover mounted on the main body portion,

13. An optical connector manufacturing method for assembling an optical connector by inserting a holding member holding an optical cable into a main body of the optical connector,

the optical connector manufacturing method performs the following steps:

a step of receiving the optical cable between the pair of side walls of the main body, and drawing out a fibrous tensile member of the optical cable from the inside to the outside of the pair of side walls through a slit formed in the side walls; and

and a step of mounting the cover to the main body by sliding the cover relative to the main body so as to sandwich the fibrous tensile member between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the cover.