JP2000329966A - Batch holding part and extra length storing case for optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of inserting/extracting an optical connector plug against the female side housing of plurally assembled optical connector adaptors or the like. SOLUTION: This component part 10 is designed so that an optical connector 12, which is freely inserted or extracted against the female side housing 27, is plurally arranged, held together, and made insertable/extractable as a batch. The case 20 is constituted by incorporating the holding part 10 in one side 21a of the case body 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector collectively holding component for collectively holding a plurality of optical connectors which can be inserted into and removed from a female housing, and an extra-length storage in which the optical connector collective holding component is incorporated. It is about the case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a plurality of optical fibers are connected to another optical fiber in a switchable manner, a plurality of optical connector adapters or the like are arranged in an extra-length storage case or the like for storing an extra length of the optical fiber. A structure is often used in which a female optical connector is connected to an end of a female optical connector which is connectable by an optical connector plug of another optical fiber.
By switching the connection of the optical connector plug to the female optical connector, switching connection between optical fibers is made. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the extra-length storage case 1 of the conventional example. In FIG. 5, a plurality of optical connector adapters 3 for terminating the distal end of the optical fiber 2 so as to be connectable to a connector are held at one side of the extra length storage case 1. When an optical connector plug 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as an “optical connector”) for terminating another optical fiber 4 so as to be connectable to a connector is connected to an optical connector adapter 3 at a target optical fiber 2, an optical fiber 2, 4 are connected. The optical connector 5 is usually detachable from the optical connector adapter 3. Examples of the optical connector adapter 3 and the optical connector 5 include, for example, JIS C5973.
SC optical connector (Single fiber Couplin)
g optical fiberconnector) is adopted.

[0003]

However, since the work of attaching and detaching the optical connectors 5 to and from the optical connector adapter 3 needs to be performed one by one, it takes time to attach and detach a large number of optical connectors 5. There was such a problem. Generally, a plurality of optical connector adapters 3 are arranged in a narrow range. Therefore, the work space for attaching and detaching the optical connector 5 to and from the optical connector adapter 3 is narrow, and the optical fiber drawn from each optical connector 5 4 may hinder the work of attaching and detaching the other optical connector 5, which also causes a decrease in workability. A dedicated tool for attaching and detaching the optical connector 5 to and from the optical connector adapter 3 has also been proposed, but since this tool corresponds to one optical connector 5, the number of optical connectors 5 is large. And the number of operations becomes enormous, and the above problem cannot be solved. Conversely, if the spacing between the optical connectors 5 is increased to ensure the workability of attaching and detaching the optical connectors 5, there is a problem that the increase in mounting density is hindered. In the attachment / detachment of the optical connector 5 using a dedicated tool, the optical connector 5 can be attached / detached even if the gap between the optical connectors 5 is small. However, since it is impossible to eliminate the space for inserting the tool, there remains a complaint that the reduction in the arrangement pitch of the optical connector adapters 3 is limited. The above problem is not limited to the SC type optical connector, but is common to various types of optical connectors in which an optical connector plug is attached to and detached from various female optical connectors such as an optical connector receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and enables a plurality of optical connectors to be collectively inserted into and removed from a female housing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector batch holding component and an extra length storage case that can realize improvement in mounting, improvement in mounting density of a female housing, and the like.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a plurality of optical connectors which can be inserted into and removed from a female housing are collectively held, and these optical connectors are collectively mounted on the plurality of arranged female housings. An optical connector collectively holding component characterized in that it can be inserted and removed as a solution to the above problem. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the optical connector collective holding component according to the first aspect is incorporated into one side of the case main body, and an optical connector held by the optical connector collective holding component is provided inside the case main body. An extra length storage case, wherein an extra length of an optical fiber terminated so as to be connectable to a connector is accommodated therein, is provided as means for solving the above problem. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the extra length storage case according to the second aspect, the optical connector held by the optical connector batch holding component and an optical connector separately attached to the case body side portion. Are connected via an optical fiber housed in the case body.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the optical connector batch holding component of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, an optical connector batch holding component 10 includes a fixed platen 11 and an optical connector plug 12 (hereinafter, referred to as
And a pair of fixed blocks 13a and 13b that sandwich the “optical connector”. The fixed blocks 13a and 13b have optical connector storage grooves 15 respectively.
a, 15b are formed in a plurality, and the fixed block 1
When the optical connectors 3a and 13b are integrated, the optical connectors 12 are stored and fixed so as to be sandwiched between the corresponding optical connector storage grooves 15a and 15b.
A plurality of optical connectors 12 can be held and fixed between 13b (see FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, as the integration means for integrating the fixing blocks 13a and 13b, the fixing by the screw 14 is employed, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, various configurations such as a clamp spring are employed. It is possible. When the fixed blocks 13a and 13b are fixed to the fixed platen 11 with the screws 16, these fixed blocks 13a and 13b are fixed.
2a and 13b protrude from the connector hole 17 of the fixed platen 11 (FIG. 2).
reference). In addition, as the optical connector 12, various optical connector plugs such as an SC type optical connector plug and an MU type optical connector plug are employed.

[0007] As shown in FIG.
The engagement protrusion 18 abutting on the recess 12b of the knob 12a of the optical connector 12 and the engagement recess 19 abutting on the protrusion 12c of the knob 12a are formed in the a and 15b. . The optical connector 12, which is housed in the optical connector housing grooves 15a, 15b and is sandwiched from both sides, makes contact between the recess 12b of the knob 12a and the engaging projection 18 of the fixed blocks 13a, 13b, and the knob 12a. Is fixed by abutment between the projection 12c and the engaging recess 19 of the fixed blocks 13a, 13b, and the direction of pulling out from the connector hole 17,
Do not move in any of the pushing directions.

FIG. 2 will be described in detail.
The recess 12b of the knob 12a is located forward of the projection 12c in the connection direction of the optical connector 12 (ferrule 12d).
side. 2 (right side in FIG. 2). Correspondingly,
Optical connector storage groove 15 of each fixed block 13a, 13b
The engagement projections 18 in the portions 15a and 15b are located closer to the fixed platen 11 than the engagement recesses 19 are. Both fixed blocks 13a, 1
3b, the knob 12 of the optical connector 12 is provided between the engagement protrusions 18 of the fixed blocks 13a, 13b.
a of the fixing block 13a,
The protrusion 12c of the knob 12a of the optical connector 12 is sandwiched between the engagement recesses 19 of the connector 13b.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an extra-length storage case 20 in which the optical connector batch holding component 10 is incorporated into one side portion 21a of a case body 21. FIG. 3A shows the inside of the extra-length storage case 20. FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIG. FIG.
1A, a case body 21 has a thin plate shape in appearance, and a plurality of optical connectors 1 held by an optical connector collectively holding component 10 incorporated therein at one side 21a.
2 are arranged, and the other side 21 opposing the one side 21a
In b, a plurality of other optical connectors 23 are arranged. The optical connector 23 is an optical component connected to the opposite end of the optical fiber 12e, which is connected to the optical connector 12 held by the optical connector batch holding component 10, so as to be connectable to the optical connector 12 opposite to the optical connector 12. The distal end of the optical fiber 24 pulled out from 22 is terminated so as to be connectable to a connector. The extra lengths of the optical fibers 12 e and 24 and the optical component 22 are housed inside the case body 21. Optical fiber 12e, 2
The extra length 4 is stored in the case body 21 in a curved state. The connection between the optical connectors 12 and 23 is performed by the optical component 2
2 and may be directly connected only by the optical fiber 12e. That is, the optical connectors 12, 2
Optical connection is made via the optical fiber between the three units regardless of the presence or absence of the optical component 22.

In the present embodiment, the optical component 22
For example, an optical coupler is employed, and the optical line on the optical connector 12 side is branched into a plurality of optical lines on another optical connector 23 side (for example, one-to-two branch). 3A, the optical connectors 12, 2 in the extra-length storage case 20 are shown.
The number of mounted optical fibers 3 is the same, and a part of the optical fiber drawn out from the optical coupler 22 is drawn out of the extra length storage case 20 (optical fiber 24a). In FIG. 3A,
As an example, the extra length storage case 2 for the optical fiber 24a
This illustrates a configuration in which a tip pulled out from 0 is connected to an optical device 30 that performs, for example, branch connection of an optical line. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various configurations such as a configuration in which the distal end of the optical fiber 24a pulled out from the extra-length storage case 20 is connected to a connector by an optical connector are provided. Can be adopted. As the optical connector 23, a female optical connector such as an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle is used.

In FIG. 3 (a), the extra length storage case 25 holds and fixes a plurality of female housings 27, each of which is an optical connector that terminates the end of an optical fiber 26 so that a connector can be connected thereto. It is. Female housing 27
Is a female optical connector such as an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, and the optical connector 12 on the extra length storage case 20 side is detachably connected, that is, detachably connected. As shown in FIG. 4, when the extra length storage cases 20 and 25 are brought close to each other and one side 21 a of the extra length storage case 20 is pressed against the extra length storage case 25, the extra length storage case 20 side The plurality of optical connectors 12 are collectively inserted and connected to the plurality of female housings 27 on the extra length storage case 25 side. Conversely, when the extra length storage case 20 is pulled out from the extra length storage case 25, the optical connector 12 can be pulled out from the female side housing 27, and the connection between them can be released.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of optical connectors 23 on the other side 21b of the extra length storage case 20 are
After connecting the ends of the external optical fibers 28 terminated by the optical connectors 29 to the extra length storage cases 20 and 25, respectively, the plurality of optical connectors 12 on the extra length storage case 20 side are separated. When connected to the female housing 27 on the long storage case 25 side, an external optical fiber 28 is connected to the optical fiber 26 on the extra storage case 25 side via the extra storage case 20. . A plurality of female housings 27 and a plurality of optical connectors 12
Is connected together, the plurality of optical fibers 28 connected to the extra-length storage case 20 can be connected to the optical fiber 26 on the extra-length storage case 25 at the same time. . Conversely, the disconnection between the plurality of female housings 27 and the plurality of optical connectors 12 is also performed collectively in the same manner as the connection, so that the extra-length storage cases 20 and 25 can be collectively released by separating them. Can be done.

To connect the optical fiber 28 to the optical fiber 26 on the extra length storage case 25 side, (1) connect the optical connector 29 at the tip of the optical fiber 28 to the female side housing 27 on the extra length storage case 25 side. (2) The optical connector 29 at the tip of the optical fiber 28 is connected to the female optical connector 23 of the extra-length storage case 20, and a plurality of optical connectors at one side 21a of the extra-length storage case 20 are connected. There are two types of connection modes in which the optical fibers 26 and 28 are connected to each other via the extra-length storage case 20 by collectively connecting the optical fibers 12 to the female-side housing 27 on the extra-length storage case 25 side. .

The connection form (1) is the same as the connection form of the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, and the optical fiber 28 is connected to a plurality of optical fibers 26 on the extra length storage case 25 side. Disconnection can be switched independently. To switch the connection and disconnection of the plurality of optical fibers 28 to and from the plurality of optical fibers 26 on the extra-length storage case 25 side at a time, the female-side housing 27 on the extra-length storage case 25 side is connected. All the optical connectors 29 are pulled out, connected to the optical connector 23 of the extra-length storage case 20, and the plurality of optical connectors 12 of the extra-length storage case 20 are connected to the female-side housing 27 of the extra-length storage case 25, respectively. The connection form of 2) is formed. As a result, the extra-length storage case 20 is inserted between the female-side housing 27 on the extra-length storage case 25 side and the optical connector 29 at the tip of the optical fiber 28. The one side portion 21a is moved toward and away from the extra length storage case 25, and the connection between the plurality of optical connectors 12 on the extra length storage case 20 side and the female side housing 27 on the extra length storage case 25 side is established. By switching between disconnection and connection, a plurality of pairs of optical fibers 26, 28
It is possible to switch between connection and disconnection at once.

In the connection mode (2), if the connection of the external optical fiber 28 to the plurality of optical connectors 23 of the extra length storage case 20 is switched, the external optical fiber 2
8, the connection to the optical fiber 26 on the extra length storage case 25 side can be switched. In FIG. 3A, the arrangement numbers and arrangement pitches of the optical connectors 12 and 23 on both sides of the extra-length storage case 20 are the same, and the arrangement number of the optical connectors 23 and 27 between the extra-length storage cases 20 and 25 is identical. , The arrangement pitch, and the arrangement order are the same, the switching connection operation of the optical connector 29 at the tip of the external optical fiber 28 to the optical connector 23 on the extra length storage case 20 side is performed by the female housing on the extra length storage case 25 side. 27 (female optical connector).

If the extra length storage case 20 is removed and the optical fiber 28 disconnected from the optical connector 23 is connected to the female side housing 27 of the extra length storage case 25, the original connection form (1) can be easily obtained. You can go back.

As described above, the optical connector collectively holding component 10 according to the present invention improves the workability by allowing the plurality of optical connectors 12 to be inserted into and removed from the female housing 27 at a time. is there. Further, the extra length storage case 20 can be provided in a plurality of pairs by merely interposing between the female side housing 27 on the extra length storage case 25 side and the optical connector 29 at the tip of the optical fiber 28 connected thereto. Batch switching of connection and disconnection between the fibers 26 and 28 can be easily realized. The extra length storage case 20 can be easily inserted simply by changing the connection destination of the optical fiber 28 connected to the female side housing 27 to the optical connector 23 of the extra length storage case 20. Optical fibers 12e, 24
Are stored in the case main body 21, so that the plurality of optical connectors 12 of the extra-length storage case 20 are collectively inserted into and removed from the plurality of female housings 27 of the extra-length storage case 25 (detachment and removal).
At the time of work, these optical fibers 12e and 24 do not interfere with each other, and work can be performed efficiently. Also, even if the arrangement pitch of the female housing 27 is reduced,
Since the collective insertion / removal workability of the optical connector 12 is not impaired, the mounting density of the female housing 27 can be improved by reducing the arrangement pitch.

Extra length storage case 2 separately from optical coupler 22
When the optical fiber 24a drawn outside is connected to the optical device 30, the extra fiber is connected to the female housing 27 on the extra length storage case 25 side and the optical connector 12 on the extra length storage case 20 side. If the optical fiber 12e in the extra length storage case 20 is connected to the optical fiber 26 in the extra length storage case 25, the light in the extra length storage case 25 is transmitted through the optical fibers 12e and 24a and the optical component 22. The optical device 30 is connected to the fiber 26. FIG. 3 (a)
Then, the optical fiber 24a drawn out of the optical coupler 22
Is optically connected to the optical fiber 12e on the optical connector 12 side. If the optical fiber 24a corresponding to the external optical fiber 28 is also pulled out from the optical coupler 22, the optical fiber is also connected to the external optical fiber 28. The device 30 can be connected.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various changes are possible. (A) In the above embodiment, the connection target of the optical fiber 24a branched from the optical fiber 12e to the outside of the extra length storage case 20 via the optical coupler is the optical device.
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an optical fiber 28. In this case, the optical connector that terminates the end of the optical fiber 24a so as to be connectable to the connector can be connected to the optical connector 29 at the end of the optical fiber 28 in the extra length storage case 20 without being pulled out from the extra length storage case 20. May be held. (B) As the extra-length storage case, various configurations other than the above embodiment can be adopted. For example, all of the plurality of optical connectors attached to and detached from the female housing are directly connected to another (for example, the other side) optical connector via an optical fiber without using an optical component. Configuration can be adopted. Also at this time, the workability of inserting and removing (removing) the plurality of optical connectors with respect to the plurality of female housings can be improved. (C) The female housing is not limited to a female optical connector such as an optical connector adapter. For example, a housing for storing an unconnected optical connector plug on the optical connector collective holding component side or an optical connector collective holding is provided. A dummy optical connector or the like connected to an unconnected optical connector plug on the component side is also included. (D) The optical components stored in the extra length storage case are not limited to optical couplers, and various configurations such as an optical filter can be adopted. (E) The optical connector batch holding component can be used alone without being incorporated in the extra length storage case. Also at this time, it goes without saying that the workability of inserting and removing (or attaching and detaching) the plurality of optical connector plugs from and to the plurality of female housings can be improved. (F) The extra-length storage case of the present invention is not limited to the external thin plate shape of the above embodiment, and various shapes can be adopted. In addition, the case main body accommodates the extra length of the optical fiber related to the optical connector held by the collective holding component, but does not include an optical connector for connecting an external optical fiber to the optical fiber. It is possible. At this time, a configuration is adopted in which the optical fiber pulled out from the optical connector held by the collective holding component is drawn directly from the case body.

[0020]

As described above, according to the optical connector collectively holding component of the present invention, a plurality of optical connectors which can be inserted into and removed from the female housing are collectively held, and the plurality of female connectors are arranged. Since it is characterized in that it can be inserted into and removed from the side housing at a time, it is possible to improve the operability of insertion and removal and to achieve an excellent effect of realizing high density by reducing the arrangement pitch of the female side housing.

According to the extra length storage case of the second aspect,
The optical connector collective holding component is incorporated into one side of the case main body, and the inside of the case main body has an extra portion of an optical fiber terminated by the optical connector held by the optical connector collective holding component so as to be connectable to the connector. Since the length is stored, the excess length processing of the optical fibers related to the plurality of held optical connectors can be efficiently performed, and the optical fibers interfere with the work of inserting and removing the optical connectors with respect to the female side housing, thereby causing an obstacle. An excellent effect is achieved that inconvenience can be prevented and the workability of insertion and removal can be further improved.

According to the extra length storage case of the third aspect,
Apart from the optical connector held by the optical connector batch holding component, an external optical fiber is connected to the optical connector attached to the case body side by connector connection,
Through this extra-length storage case, a plurality of external optical fibers are terminated so as to be connectable to a connector by an optical connector held by a collective holding component, and the optical connector as a female housing and the external optical fiber are collectively connected. You can connect. By changing the connection of the external optical fiber from the female side housing to the extra length storage case, there is an excellent effect that it is easy to change to a state in which the optical fiber can be collectively inserted and removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an optical connector batch holding component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a holding state of the optical connector in the optical connector batch holding component of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing an extra-length storage case incorporating the optical connector collectively holding component of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view showing the inside, and FIG. 3B is a bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which a plurality of optical connectors of the extra-length storage case of FIG. 3 are inserted into and connected to the female housing of another extra-length storage case.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a conventional example, and is a front view showing connection of an optical connector plug to an optical connector adapter which is a female housing.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Optical connector collective holding part, 12 ... Optical connector (optical connector plug), 12e ... Optical fiber, 20 ... Extra length storage case, 21 ... Case main body, 21a ... One side part, 23 ...
Optical connector (optical connector adapter), 24 optical fiber, 27 female side housing (female optical connector).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Furukawa 1440, Mukurosaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Nomura 1440, Musaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant F Terms (reference) 2H036 QA41 QA48 QA56 RA25 2H038 CA37 CA38

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of optical connectors (12) that can be inserted and removed from a female housing (27) are arranged and held together,
An optical connector batch holding component (10), characterized in that these optical connectors can be collectively inserted into and removed from a plurality of the arranged female housings. 2. One side (21a) of the case body (21).
An optical fiber bundle (12e), wherein the optical connector batch holding component according to claim 1 is incorporated therein, and an optical fiber (12e) terminated so as to be connectable to the connector by the optical connector held by the optical connector batch holding component. An extra-length storage case (20), wherein the extra length is stored. 3. The optical connector held by the optical connector batch holding component and an optical connector (23) separately attached to a side of the case main body are housed in the case main body. Optical fiber (12e, 24)
3. The extra-length storage case according to claim 2, wherein the storage case is connected via a cable.