JP2000321466A - Device and method for holding optical fiber and optical fiber connector using them - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the optical fiber holding device and optical fiber holding method which can stably hold an optical fiber with a sufficient holding force and the optical fiber connector which uses them. SOLUTION: The optical fiber holding device is equipped with a base body 1, a plate type elastic member 2, and a pressure member 3. The plate type elastic member 2 is arranged above an optical fiber 5 placed on the top surface of the base body 1 and curves along the length of the optical fiber and includes an extension part 13 which can be brought into contact with the top surface of the optical fiber 5 and an isolated part 12 which is connected to the extension part and separated from the base body. The pressure member 3 can come into contact with the isolated part of the plate type elastic member 2 above the optical fiber 5 and can be fixed to the base body 1. The pressure member 3 comes into contact with the isolated part 12 of the plate type elastic member 2 and then the extension part 13 of the member 2 comes into contact with the optical fiber 5, so that its elastic force can be applied to the optical fiber 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber holding device, an optical fiber holding method, and an optical fiber connector using the same, and more specifically, to stably obtain a sufficiently strong optical fiber holding force. The present invention relates to an optical fiber holding device, an optical fiber holding method, and an optical fiber connector using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of optical fiber connectors used for connecting optical fibers and optical fiber holding devices used in the connectors have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-313873 proposes an optical fiber holding device that holds an optical fiber by bringing a coil spring into close contact with the optical fiber. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In Japanese Patent No. 59, by disposing a film made of an elastic body on the optical fiber arranged inside the V-groove, and further by arranging a member having a V-groove formed on the film made of the elastic body, An optical fiber holding device for holding an optical fiber is disclosed. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-17 / 1994
Japanese Patent No. 4959 also discloses an optical fiber holding device that holds an optical fiber by pressing the optical fiber at an end (free end) of a cantilevered elastic beam. Also, in JP-A-8-240746,
An optical fiber holding device that fixes an optical fiber at the free end of a leaf spring having one end fixed by the elastic force of the leaf spring is disclosed.

[0003]

As described above, various optical fiber holding devices have been conventionally proposed. However, the conventionally proposed optical fiber holding devices have the following problems.

First, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-151807, an optical fiber is held using a coil spring. When the ambient temperature of the optical fiber holding device changes, the volume of the coil spring changes because the coil spring also expands or contracts. As a result of the volume change of the coil spring, the diameter of the coil spring also changes. Then, there is a problem that the pressure applied to the optical fiber from the coil spring fluctuates due to the change in the diameter of the coil spring.
And the contact part between the coil spring and the optical fiber is
Basically, since the point contact is performed, the pressure applied to the optical fiber varies more greatly due to the variation in the diameter of the coil spring. For this reason, it has been difficult to stably hold the optical fiber.

[0005] In addition, when the pressure applied to the optical fiber increases, there has been a problem that the amount of light transmitted through the optical fiber increases due to the pressure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 6-174959 discloses a method for fixing an optical fiber using an elastic film. In this case as well, the elastic film for fixing the optical fiber has both ends. Since the elastic film is fixed to the optical fiber holding device, when the elastic film thermally expands or contracts due to a temperature change, there has been a problem that the pressure applied to the optical fiber varies.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-174959 discloses an optical fiber fixing method using a cantilever made of an elastic material. However, in order to fix an optical fiber, the elasticity of the cantilever is fixed. Because it uses only power,
It has been difficult to obtain sufficient optical fiber holding power.
Further, when the cantilever is deformed while using the optical fiber holding device, there has been a problem that the holding force of the optical fiber is reduced.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-240746, a leaf spring having one end fixed is used to fix an optical fiber. In this case, too, a cantilever made of the above-mentioned elastic body is used. Since the optical fiber is fixed at the free end of the leaf spring like the optical fiber holding device that was
It has been difficult to obtain sufficient optical fiber holding power. Further, when the leaf spring is plastically deformed while the optical fiber holding device is used, there has been a problem that the holding force of the optical fiber is reduced.

As described above, in the optical fiber holding device proposed in the past, a sufficient holding power of the optical fiber can be stably obtained even when the ambient temperature changes or when the device is used for a long period of time. It was difficult.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide:
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber holding device capable of stably obtaining a sufficient optical fiber holding force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber holding method capable of stably obtaining a sufficient optical fiber holding force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector capable of stably obtaining a sufficient optical fiber holding force.

[0013]

According to one aspect of the present invention, an optical fiber holding device includes a base, a plate-like elastic member, and a pressing member. The plate-like elastic member includes an extension portion and a separation portion. The extending portion is disposed above the optical fiber placed on the surface of the substrate, is curved along the length of the optical fiber, and is capable of contacting the surface of the optical fiber. The separation portion is connected to the extension portion and is arranged away from the base. The pressing member can contact the separated portion of the plate-like elastic member above the optical fiber, and
It can be fixed to a substrate. When the pressing member comes into contact with the separated portion of the plate-like elastic member, the extending portion of the plate-like elastic member comes into contact with the optical fiber, and an elastic force can be applied to the optical fiber. 1).

As described above, since the pressing member is used to apply the elastic force to the optical fiber, when applying the elastic force to the optical fiber, the position of the extending portion of the plate-like elastic member can be stably and accurately determined. Can be determined. Therefore, even when there is a dimensional error in the manufacturing process of the plate-like elastic member or a positional accuracy error at the time of installation, a predetermined elastic force can be reliably applied to the optical fiber. Further, even when the plate-like elastic member thermally expands or contracts due to a change in ambient temperature, the extended portion can be reliably brought into contact with the optical fiber. As a result, it is possible to reliably hold the optical fiber.

Further, since the extended portion of the plate-like elastic member is brought into contact with the optical fiber by pressing the plate-like elastic member with the pressing member, the free end of the cantilever made of an elastic body as in the prior art is provided. A larger elastic force can be applied to the optical fiber as compared with the case where the optical fiber is held in the above.

In addition, since a larger elastic force can be applied to the optical fiber than in the prior art, even when the plate-like elastic member expands or contracts (changes in volume) due to a change in ambient temperature, The effect of the volume change on the elastic force can be relatively reduced. As a result, the optical fiber can be stably held even when the ambient temperature changes.

Further, since the extending portion is curved,
The elastic force required for holding the optical fiber can be easily obtained.

Further, even when the position where the pressing member comes into contact with the separated portion fluctuates due to a variation in the processing accuracy of the pressing member or the like, the elastic portion applied to the optical fiber is provided because the extended portion is curved. It is possible to reduce the influence that the force is affected by the change in the position.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the one aspect, a groove may be formed in the base, and the pressing member can be fixed to the base by fitting a part of the pressing member into the groove of the base. (Claim 2).

In this case, the position of the pressing member when the pressing member contacts the separated portion of the plate-like elastic member can be determined with good reproducibility and accurately. Therefore, when the elastic force is applied to the optical fiber, the position accuracy of the extending portion of the plate-like elastic member is improved, and the plate-like elastic member is used even when the optical fiber holding device is used for a long time. It is possible to prevent the positional accuracy of the extending portion from deteriorating. As a result, the accuracy of the elastic force applied to the optical fiber can be improved, and the reproducibility can be improved.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the one aspect, the direction in which the groove extends is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the repulsive force received by the holding member from the separation portion when the pressing member contacts the separation portion of the plate-like elastic member. The direction may be used.

In this case, the position of the pressing member can be reliably fixed in the direction of the repulsive force received by the pressing member. For this reason, during use of the optical fiber holding device, it is possible to prevent such a problem that the position of the pressing member is shifted due to the repulsive force received by the pressing member from the separated portion of the plate-shaped elastic member.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the extending portion of the plate-like elastic member may be curved so as to be convex with respect to the region where the optical fiber is located. .

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the optical fiber holding device may include means for positioning an optical fiber placed on the surface of the base.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the optical fiber may include the strand and a coating film formed on the outer peripheral surface of the strand. The end of the optical fiber may have a portion where the element wire is exposed from the coating film.
The plate-like elastic member may have an opening having an opening width larger than the outer diameter of the strand and smaller than the outer diameter of the coating film.

In this case, if the optical fiber is inserted into the opening of the plate-shaped elastic member from the portion where the wire is exposed, the boundary between the portion where the wire is exposed and the portion where the coating film is formed is formed. The plate-like elastic member can be securely fixed so as to be located at the opening. This is because the portion of the optical fiber where the element wire is exposed can pass through the opening, but the portion where the coating film is formed cannot pass through this opening. As a result, the position of the optical fiber can be accurately determined.

Further, by positioning the opening of such a plate-like elastic member in the insertion hole of the optical fiber in the optical fiber holding device, only the portion where the element wire of the optical fiber is exposed can be surely held. Can be placed inside. As a result, the extended portion of the plate-like elastic member can reliably apply an elastic force to the portion where the element wire of the optical fiber is exposed.

Further, when the opening of the plate-like elastic member is positioned at the insertion hole of the optical fiber in the optical fiber holding device, the portion where the wire is exposed and the portion where the coating film is formed are formed. It is possible to position the boundary at the position of the insertion hole. For this reason, it can prevent that the said boundary part is located outside an optical fiber holding apparatus. As a result,
It is possible to prevent a portion of the optical fiber where the element wire is exposed from being arranged outside the optical fiber holding device. This allows
It is possible to reliably prevent the problem that the exposed portion of the optical fiber is damaged outside the optical fiber holding device.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the base may be provided with a fiber positioning hole into which a portion of the optical fiber at which an element wire is exposed is inserted. An inclined surface may be formed on the side wall of the hole such that the diameter of the fiber positioning hole decreases from the inside to the outside of the substrate (claim 6).

In this case, it is possible to make the diameter of the opening of the fiber positioning hole inside the base larger than the diameter of the fiber positioning hole outside the base. Therefore, when the end of the optical fiber is inserted into the fiber positioning hole from the inside of the base, the operation of inserting the optical fiber into the fiber positioning hole can be easily performed. As a result, the work of installing the optical fiber in the optical fiber holding device can be easily performed.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the plate-like elastic member may include a pedestal portion arranged so as to face the extending portion. It may be located on the surface. The optical fiber may be placed on a pedestal portion of the plate-like elastic member (claim 7).

In this case, since the plate-like elastic member includes the pedestal portion and the extension portion, the distance between the extension portion and the pedestal portion is accurately determined when forming the plate-like elastic member. Can be. Therefore, when the elastic force is applied to the optical fiber, the distance between the pedestal portion and the extended portion is set so that the optical fiber is reliably gripped between the extended portion and the pedestal portion. be able to. Further, since the distance between the extending portion and the pedestal portion can be accurately set, the magnitude of the elastic force can be accurately set without changing the elastic force applied to the optical fiber. As a result, it is possible to reliably hold the optical fiber with a predetermined elastic force.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the extension of the plate-like elastic member may be formed with a convex portion including a substantially flat surface. The substantially flat surface may be capable of contacting the surface of the optical fiber (claim 8).

In this case, the length of the substantially flat surface of the convex portion,
By adjusting the number of protrusions, the elastic force applied to the optical fiber can be easily controlled.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the plate-like elastic member may include a fixing portion to be fixed to the base.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the fixed portion of the plate-like elastic member may include a separated end portion connected to the extending portion and separated from the base.

In the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect, the fixed portion may be formed in a region substantially opposite to the separated portion when viewed from the extending portion.

An optical fiber connector according to another aspect of the present invention may include the optical fiber holding device according to the above aspect (claim 9).

An optical fiber holding method according to another aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber holding method using an optical fiber holding device including a base, a plate-like elastic member including an extended portion and a separated portion, and a pressing member. And includes an arrangement step, a pressing step, and a fixing step. In the arranging step, the optical fiber is arranged on the surface of the base. In the pressing step, the pressing member is brought into contact with the separated portion of the plate-like elastic member located above the optical fiber. In the fixing step, an elastic force is applied to the optical fiber by contacting the extended portion curved along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber with the pressing member in contact with the separated portion. 10).

Therefore, by performing the pressing step of bringing the pressing member into contact with the separated portion, it is possible to reliably apply an elastic force to the optical fiber. As a result, a sufficient elastic force can be stably applied to the optical fiber.

Further, since the extending portion is curved along the length of the optical fiber, the extending portion can be reliably brought into contact with the optical fiber. Therefore, elastic force can be stably applied to the optical fiber.

Since the extending portion is curved as described above, even when the plate-like elastic member thermally expands or contracts (deforms) due to a change in the ambient temperature of the optical fiber holding device. In addition, the rate at which the elastic force applied to the optical fiber varies due to the deformation of the plate-like elastic member due to heat can be reduced.

Further, since the pressing member is brought into contact with the plate-like elastic member to apply an elastic force to the optical fiber, the optical fiber is held using only the elastic force of the conventional elastic cantilever. In this case, the optical fiber can be fixed with a larger force than when the optical fiber is used.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing Embodiment 1 of an optical fiber connector according to the present invention. The optical fiber connector will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, the optical fiber connector comprises:
The apparatus includes a base 1, a plate spring 2, which is a plate-like elastic member, and a pressing member 3. A leaf spring 2 is fixed to the base 1. The pressing member 3 is formed so as to be fitted into the upper part of the base 1, and can be fixed to the base 1 by frictional force. A core insertion hole 6 for inserting the optical fiber 4 and a wire insertion hole 8 for inserting the optical fiber 5 are formed in the base 1.
Are formed. The wire insertion hole 8 is formed so as to reach from the tip of the optical fiber positioning portion 9 formed in the base 1 to the inside of the base 1. In addition, the optical fiber core wire 4 is obtained by forming a coating film on the surface of the optical fiber strand 5. The coating film is removed from the distal end of the optical fiber 4 inserted into the optical fiber connector, and the optical fiber 5 is exposed. The length of the exposed portion of the optical fiber 5 is such that when the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the optical fiber connector, the optical fiber 5 protrudes by L from the tip of the optical fiber positioning section 9. Will be adjusted to here,
From the tip of the optical fiber positioning section 9 to the optical fiber 5
Is about several cm.

The leaf spring 2 is fixed to the base 1 by being inserted into the leaf spring fixing member 10 of the base 1 as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the opposite direction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a leaf spring used in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. Also,
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the leaf spring shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the opposite direction. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the leaf spring 2 includes an area formed to be curved as an extending part. In a portion of the base 1 to be inserted into the leaf spring fixing member 10, the leaf spring 2 is formed with a wire insertion slit 7 for inserting an optical fiber. here,
As a material of the leaf spring 2, a SUS material, a copper alloy, or the like can be used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the base of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the substrate shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from the opposite direction. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in base body 1, core wire insertion hole 6 is formed in a side wall on which leaf spring fixing member 10 is formed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the leaf spring 2 is fixed to the base 1, the positions of the core wire insertion hole 6 and the wire insertion slit 7 of the leaf spring 2 substantially overlap. Has become. As described above, by inserting the portion where the element wire insertion slit 7 of the leaf spring 2 is formed into the gap between the leaf spring fixing member 10 and the side wall of the base 1, as shown in FIGS. The leaf spring 2 can be fixed to the base 1.
In addition, as a material of the base 1, a plastic such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) or LCP (liquid crystal polymer) can be used.

The leaf spring 2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is fixed to the base 1 shown in FIGS. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical fiber core wire 4 is inserted into the core wire insertion hole 6.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a step of arranging an optical fiber in the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the optical fiber 4,
At the tip, the coating film is removed by a predetermined length, and the optical fiber 5 is exposed. Then, the end of the optical fiber core wire 4 is inserted through the core wire insertion hole 6 of the base 1.
It is inserted into the base 1.

Here, the end of the optical fiber 4 passes through the core wire insertion hole 6 of the base 1, then the wire insertion slit 7 of the leaf spring 2, and then through the wire insertion hole 8 of the base 1. . Finally, the distal end of the optical fiber 5 protrudes from the distal end of the optical fiber positioning section 9 as shown in FIGS.

In this way, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical fiber can be arranged in the optical fiber connector according to the present invention. Then, by pressing and fixing the pressing member 3 on the upper portion of the base 1, the optical fiber can be securely held as described later. In addition,
As a material of the pressing member 3, a plastic such as PBT or LCP can be used.

Next, a method for holding an optical fiber in an optical fiber connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a process flow chart for explaining the optical fiber holding method according to the present invention. Also, FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 1 after performing a step of arranging optical fibers. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after the step of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the optical fiber holding method according to the present invention, an optical fiber arranging step (S1) as an arranging step and a pressing member as a pressing step are brought into contact with a plate-like elastic member (S1). S2) and a step (S3) of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber as a fixing step. Here, the step of arranging the optical fibers (S1) is specifically a step of inserting the optical fiber core wires 4 into the base 1 as shown in FIG. Step of arranging this optical fiber (S1)
FIG. 9 shows the optical fiber connector after performing the above. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector showing a state after an optical fiber arranging step is performed.

Then, a step (S2) of bringing the pressing member into contact with the plate-like elastic member is performed. Specifically, the pressing member 3 (see FIG. 10) is moved in the direction of the arrow 22 and is fitted into the upper part of the base 1 so that the pressing member 3 comes into contact with the leaf spring 2. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressing member 3 comes into contact with the leaf spring pressed portion 12 as a separated portion. The leaf spring pressed portion 12 is a free end of the leaf spring 2. Then, the curved region of the leaf spring 2 moves in the direction of the arrow 23.
Thereby, the optical fiber pressing portion 13 of the leaf spring 2 comes into contact with the optical fiber 5. As a result, an elastic force can be applied to the optical fiber 5. Thus, the step (S3) of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber is performed. As a result, the optical fiber 5 can be reliably held between the optical fiber pressing portion 13 of the leaf spring 2 and the inner bottom surface 15 of the base 1.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, by adjusting the positions of the core wire insertion hole 6 and the wire insertion hole 8 and the position of the inner bottom surface 15, the optical fiber wire 5 and the base 1 are adjusted. It is preferable that the inner bottom surface 15 is in contact with the inner bottom surface 15. By doing so, the optical fiber can be gripped more reliably.

Here, since the optical fiber 5 is pressed and fixed by the leaf spring 2 by pressing the leaf spring 2 by the pressing member 3, the conventional elastic force of the cantilever is used only. The optical fiber can be fixed with a larger force and more accurately than when the optical fiber is fixed. Then, even when there is a dimensional error in the manufacturing process of the leaf spring 2 or a positional accuracy error at the time of installation, a predetermined elastic force can be reliably applied to the optical fiber.

Also, when the leaf spring 2 thermally expands or contracts (volume change) due to a change in the ambient temperature,
Since a larger elastic force than before can be applied, the effect of this volume change on the elastic force can be made relatively smaller than before. As a result, the optical fiber can be stably held even when the ambient temperature changes.

Further, since the leaf spring 2 is formed to be curved along the length of the optical fiber 5 as described above, it is possible to easily obtain an elastic force for holding the optical fiber 5. it can. Further, even when the leaf spring 2 thermally expands or contracts due to a change in the ambient temperature of the optical fiber connector, the position of the optical fiber pressing portion 13 (see FIG. 10) that presses the optical fiber varies. Can be reduced. For this reason, the variation in the elastic force applied to the optical fiber can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where the optical fiber is pressed by the end of the linear cantilever.

Further, since the leaf spring 2 is formed so as to extend along the length direction of the optical fiber 5, even when the leaf spring 2 is deformed due to a temperature change as described above, The optical fiber 5 can be reliably pressed and fixed by the leaf spring 2.

Since the position of the pressing member 3 with respect to the base 1 is determined by the position of the fitting portion of the pressing portion 3 in the base 1, the pressing member 3 is added to the optical fiber even when the optical fiber connector is used for a long time. The elastic force can be stabilized.

Here, in the optical fiber connector, it is important to position the distal end face of the strand 5 of the optical fiber. Therefore, when fixing the optical fiber, it is necessary to remove the coating film 21 from the optical fiber at the end of the fixed optical fiber and directly press the optical fiber 5 in order to obtain higher positional accuracy. is there. On the other hand, the optical fiber 5 has a high risk of being broken when an external force is applied since the coating film is removed. For this reason, it is preferable to minimize exposure of the optical fiber 5 outside the optical fiber connector.

Therefore, in the optical fiber connector according to the present invention, in the leaf spring 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the width of the wire insertion slit 7 is made larger than the width of the optical fiber The diameter is made smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber core wire 4 composed of the wire 5 and the coating film 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the boundary between the portion where the coating film 21 of the optical fiber core wire 4 remains and the portion where the optical fiber strand 5 is exposed is positioned at the position of the strand insertion slit 7. Can be fixed.

In this manner, the exposed portion of the optical fiber 5 can be reliably positioned inside the base 1, so that the optical fiber 5 is exposed outside the core insertion hole 6 of the base 1. Can be prevented. Further, the optical fiber 5 can be reliably pressed by the leaf spring 2.

For example, consider the case of a general plastic-clad quartz fiber. In this case, the diameter of the optical fiber 5 is 0.23 mm, and the diameter of the optical fiber 4 is 0.5 mm. Therefore, by setting the width of the wire insertion slit 7 formed in the leaf spring 2 to, for example, 0.3 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less, and making the diameter of the core wire insertion hole 6 of the base 1 about 0.6 mm, The effect as described above can be reliably obtained.

After fixing the optical fiber 5 in this manner, the distal end of the optical fiber 5 is cut in accordance with the distal end surface of the optical fiber positioning section 9. In this case, the cut surface may be further polished.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing Embodiment 2 of an optical fiber connector according to the present invention. The optical fiber connector will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, the optical fiber connector basically has the same structure as the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 11, the leaf spring, which is a plate-like elastic member, is an integral leaf spring 14. The shape of the leaf spring 14 is shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a leaf spring used in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a base used in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the base shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 12, Embodiment 2 of the present invention
The leaf spring 14 of the optical fiber connector has a leaf spring base 16 which is a pedestal portion. Then, the leaf spring base 16 is bonded and fixed to the inner bottom surface of the base 1 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, with reference to FIG.
Since such a fixing method is adopted, the plate spring fixing member 10 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is not formed on the base 1. However, when the leaf spring 14 is fixed to the base 1, similarly to the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the position of the wire insertion slit 7 of the leaf spring 14,
The leaf spring 1 is adjusted so that the position of the core insertion hole 6 of the base 1 matches.
Adjust the installation position of 4.

As shown in FIG. 15, the optical fiber 4 with the optical fiber 5 exposed at the end thereof is inserted into the base 1 to which the leaf spring 14 is fixed. It is inserted into the base 1 of the fiber connector. FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing a step of arranging an optical fiber in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 15 is basically the same as the process of arranging optical fibers in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17,
An optical fiber is fixed in the same manner as the optical fiber holding method of the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 16 and 17 show basically the same steps as the steps shown in FIGS. FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the optical fiber connector after the step of arranging the optical fiber, and FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of the optical fiber connector after the step of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber. FIG.

Here, since the leaf spring 14 has the leaf spring base 16, the distance between the optical fiber pressing portion 13 of the leaf spring 14 and the leaf spring base 16 can be determined accurately. As a result, when the optical fiber 5 is arranged on the leaf spring base 16 and the optical fiber pressing portion 13 is pressed against the optical fiber 5 from above, the optical fiber 5 is fixed. The elastic force applied to the optical fiber 5 can be accurately and constantly maintained. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the holding force for fixing the optical fiber from fluctuating.

Further, since the optical fiber pressing portion 13 and the leaf spring base 16 are integrally formed as described above, the distance between the optical fiber pressing portion 13 and the bottom surface of the base 1 is changed as in the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical fiber pressing portion 1 of the leaf spring 2 (see FIG. 1) is different from the case where the optical fiber 5 is sandwiched and pressed by
3, it is possible to prevent the installation position accuracy with respect to the base 1 from varying. For this reason, the optical fiber is the optical fiber pressing portion 1
Variations in the elastic force received from 3 can be easily prevented.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical fiber connector after a step of arranging optical fibers in Embodiment 3 of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after the step of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. The optical fiber connector will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the optical fiber connector basically has the same structure as the optical fiber connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. However, in the optical fiber connector shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the pressing member 17 is fixed by being inserted into the pressing member insertion portions 18a and 18b including the grooves formed in the side wall of the base 1. As a result, the positional accuracy when fixing the pressing member 17 to the base 1 can be improved. That is, as in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, in the case where the pressing member 3 is fitted over the base 1, the position of the pressing member 3 after the pressing member 13 is attached to the base 1 is changed. There was a possibility that it would vary depending on the operator. However, in a case where the slide method in which the pressing member 17 is inserted into the pressing member insertion portions 18a and 18b as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, variation in the position of the pressing member by the operator hardly occurs.

Further, when the pressing member is fixed in a fitting manner as in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the pressing member 3 may be detached from the base 1 during use by the elastic force of the leaf spring 2. Problems could occur. However, when the pressing member is fixed in a sliding manner as in the third embodiment of the present invention, the above-described problem does not occur.

In Embodiment 3 of the present invention,
Although the slide method is adopted as a method of fixing the pressing member, a latch mechanism for preventing the pressing member from being detached from the base 1 may be provided on the pressing member or the base in order to prevent the above-described problem from occurring. Good.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical fiber connector after a step of arranging optical fibers in an optical fiber connector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 20 after the step of applying the elastic force of the optical fiber is performed. The optical fiber connector will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 correspond to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the optical fiber connector basically has the same structure as the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, FIG.
In the optical fiber connectors shown in FIGS. 0 and 21, the leaf spring 19 fixed to be in contact with the inner side wall 11 has a convex portion 2.
0 is formed. A substantially flat surface is formed on the convex portion 20, and the flat surface is
Contact The flat surface is the optical fiber 5
The elastic force is applied to the body. As a result, the area of the surface where the leaf spring 19 contacts the optical fiber 5 can be increased, so that the optical fiber 5 can be held more reliably.

The elastic force for fixing the optical fiber 5 can be easily controlled by changing the length of the flat surface of the projection 20 and the number of the projections 20.

The optical fiber connector described in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention may be used as it is as a connector, or may be incorporated in an appropriate housing to form a connector.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view showing Embodiment 5 of an optical fiber connector according to the present invention. The optical fiber connector will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 22, optical fiber connector 2
5 has basically the same structure as the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, in the optical fiber connector 25, the wire insertion hole 8 inside the base 1 is used.
The tapered portion 29 machined so that the diameter of the wire insertion hole 8 decreases from the inside to the outside of the base 1.
Are formed. Therefore, the optical fiber connector 25
The workability of the process of inserting the optical fiber 5 into the optical fiber can be improved.

For example, the inner diameter of the wire insertion hole 8 at the distal end of the optical fiber positioning portion needs to have a tolerance of about 0.01 mm or less with respect to the diameter of the optical fiber 5 in order to improve the positioning accuracy of the optical fiber. is there. on the other hand,
The inside diameter of the portion of the wire insertion hole 8 facing the inside of the base 1 is set to be somewhat larger than the diameter of the optical fiber 5 as shown in FIG. The workability at the time of performing can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 23, a locking projection 28a for fixing the optical fiber connector 25 to the adapter is provided on the optical fiber positioning portion of the optical fiber connector 25.
28b are formed.

The optical fiber core 4 is fixed to such an optical fiber connector 25 in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, the optical fiber can be connected by fixing the optical fiber connector 25 to the relay adapter. Here, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where optical fibers are connected using the optical fiber connector shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 23, optical fiber connectors 25a and 25b are fixed to relay adapter 24.
The optical fiber connectors 25a and 25b have the structure shown in FIG.

The relay adapter 24 has a holding opening 27a for fixing the optical fiber connectors 25a and 25b.
To 27d are formed. The optical fiber connector 25a has locking projections 28a and 28b. The optical fiber connector 25b has a locking projection 28.
c and 28d are formed. And relay adapter 2
4, the optical fiber connectors 25a, 2a
5b are respectively inserted and butted substantially at the center of the relay adapter 24. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the locking projections 28a to 28d of the optical fiber connectors 25a and 25b are respectively connected to the holding openings 27a to 27d of the relay adapter 24.
d. As a result, the optical fiber connectors 25a and 25b can be securely fixed to the relay adapter 24. Then, the optical fiber connector 25
a, 25b can be accurately butted at the center of the relay adapter 24, so that the optical fiber strands 5a,
5b can be connected substantially concentrically.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0091]

As described above, according to the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, when the pressing member contacts the separated portion of the plate-like elastic member, the extending portion of the plate-like elastic member is connected to the optical fiber. Since the elastic force can be applied to the optical fiber upon contact, a sufficient elastic force can be stably applied to the optical fiber.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing Embodiment 1 of an optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a reverse direction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a leaf spring used in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the leaf spring shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from a reverse direction.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a base of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the opposite direction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a step of arranging an optical fiber in the optical fiber connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a process flow chart for explaining an optical fiber holding method according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector, showing a state after a step of arranging optical fibers in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 shows an optical fiber connector shown in FIG.
It is a cross section of an optical fiber connector after performing a process of applying elastic force to an optical fiber.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing Embodiment 2 of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

12 is a schematic perspective view showing a leaf spring used in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG.

13 is a schematic perspective view showing a base used in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the opposite direction.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing a step of arranging an optical fiber in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after performing a step of arranging optical fibers.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after performing a step of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical fiber connector after a step of arranging optical fibers in a third embodiment of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after performing a step of applying elastic force to the optical fiber in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after a step of arranging optical fibers in Embodiment 4 of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector after performing a step of applying an elastic force of the optical fiber in the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view showing Embodiment 5 of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where optical fibers are connected using the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 22;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Substrate 2, 19, 14 Leaf spring 3, 17 Pressing member 4, 4a, 4b Optical fiber core wire 5, 5a, 5b Optical fiber strand 6, 6a, 6b Core insertion hole 7 Element insertion slit 8, 8a, 8b Wire insertion hole 9 Optical fiber positioning part 10 Leaf spring fixing member 11 Inner side wall 12 Leaf spring pressed part 13 Optical fiber pressing part 15 Inner bottom surface of base 16 Leaf spring base 18a, 18b Depressed member insertion part 20 Leaf spring convex Part 21, 21a, 21b Coating film 22, 23 Arrow 24 Relay adapter 25a, 25b Optical fiber connector 27a-27d Holding opening 28a-28d Locking projection 29, 29a, 29b Tapered part

Claims (10)

[Claims] A substrate disposed above an optical fiber placed on a surface of the substrate, curved along the length of the optical fiber, and
A plate-like elastic member including an extension portion capable of contacting the surface of the optical fiber and a separation portion connected to the extension portion and separated from the base; and a separation of the plate-like elastic member above the optical fiber. A pressing member capable of contacting a portion of the plate-shaped elastic member, wherein the pressing member comes into contact with a separated portion of the plate-shaped elastic member, so that the extending portion of the plate-shaped elastic member has light. An optical fiber holding device capable of contacting a fiber and applying an elastic force to the optical fiber. 2. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in the base, and the pressing member can be fixed to the base by fitting a part of the pressing member into a groove of the base. Optical fiber holding device. 3. The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1, wherein the extending portion of the plate-like elastic member is curved so as to be convex with respect to a region where the optical fiber is located. 4. The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for positioning an optical fiber placed on the surface of the base. 5. The optical fiber includes a wire and a coating film formed on an outer peripheral surface of the wire, and the end of the optical fiber has a portion where the wire is exposed from the coating film. 5. The plate-shaped elastic member according to claim 1, wherein an opening having an opening width that is larger than the outer diameter of the strand and smaller than the outer diameter of the coating film is formed. Optical fiber holding device. 6. A fiber positioning hole into which a portion where an element wire is exposed at an end of an optical fiber is inserted in the base, and a side wall of the fiber positioning hole inside the base is formed inside the base. The optical fiber holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an inclined surface is formed such that the diameter of the fiber positioning hole becomes smaller from the outside toward the outside. 7. The plate-like elastic member includes a pedestal portion arranged to face the extending portion, the pedestal portion of the plate-like elastic member is arranged on a surface of the base, and an optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber holding device is placed on a pedestal portion of the plate-shaped elastic member. 8. An extension portion including a substantially flat surface is formed on the extension portion of the plate-like elastic member, and the extension portion of the plate-like elastic member has a surface of the optical fiber on the substantially flat surface. 9. Contactable with
The optical fiber holding device according to claim 1. 9. An optical fiber connector having the optical fiber holding device according to claim 1. 10. An optical fiber holding method using an optical fiber holding device including a base, a plate-shaped elastic member including an extended portion and a separated portion, and a pressing member, wherein light is applied to a surface of the base. An arranging step of arranging a fiber, a pressing step of bringing the pressing member into contact with a separated portion of the plate-shaped elastic member located above the optical fiber, and a state in which the pressing member is in contact with the separated portion, A fixing step of applying an elastic force to the optical fiber by bringing the extending portion curved along the length direction of the optical fiber into contact with the optical fiber.