JP2001235655A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability in releasing a connecting mechanism for clamping and holding an optical fiber to be connected, in an optical connector having a ferrule with the tip end face ground in which an optical fiber is preliminarily internally loaded and fixed and having the connecting mechanism for butt-connecting the optical fiber to another optical fiber. SOLUTION: The optical connector is constituted such that a port 56 for inserting a separating member is opened on the side of an element 36 having a bisecting structure separable by inserting a releasing member 25, that a size b from this inserting port 56 to the opposing side 58 oppositely facing the inserting port 56 is longer than a size c which is vertical to the size b, and that this opposing side 58 or a spring on the outside of the opposing side 58 is arranged close to the inner face of a stop ring 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector, and more particularly, to a ferrule having an optical fiber internally fixed in advance and having a polished end surface, and a connection mechanism for butt-connecting another optical fiber to the optical fiber. And an optical connector having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, on-site optical connectors for terminating an optical fiber connector at a connection site other than a factory have been proposed. Accordingly, various types of on-site SC optical connectors have been proposed. Is being considered. The on-site optical connector is an optical connector of a type in which an optical fiber is inserted and fixed in advance into a ferrule having a polished tip so that a connector polishing operation after connection is omitted. For the connection work between the SC type optical connector and the optical fiber other than for the on-site installation, the optical fiber is inserted into all the connector housing parts such as rubber boots in advance, and after connecting the tip of the optical fiber to the SC ferrule. This was a step of polishing the connector tip and assembling the entire connector.

[0003]

However, it is not preferable to prepare the polishing equipment at a connection site outside the factory or to carry out the polishing and assembling work in a place where the working environment is not good in terms of working cost and working efficiency. There was a problem.

In view of the above problems, the present applicant has already filed an optical connector described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-5875. This optical connector includes a ferrule in which an optical fiber is internally fixed and a tip end surface is polished in advance, and a connection mechanism disposed at a rear portion (a position facing the tip end surface) of the ferrule. Clamping the optical fiber and another optical fiber abutted on the optical fiber to maintain the butt-connected state enables the assembly in a short time.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of the optical connector. Reference numeral 20 denotes a ferrule, 21 denotes a ferrule hold, 22 denotes a connection mechanism, 23 denotes a stop ring, and 24 denotes a spring. As shown in FIG. 3, the connection mechanism 22 is housed in a cylindrical stop ring 23, and is urged forward by a spring 24 arranged at the rear (the right side in FIG. 3) of the stop ring 23. Stop ring 2
A communication port 26 for inserting a wedge-shaped opening member 25 is opened in a side portion of 3. An optical fiber 33 (bare fiber) is inserted and fixed in the ferrule 20 in advance.
0a is polished. The optical fiber 33 protrudes from the rear end of the ferrule 20 facing the front end face 20a, and the protruding portion of the optical fiber 33 is housed in the connection mechanism 22. In the connection mechanism 22, the optical fiber 33 is butt-connected to another optical fiber 34 (single-core optical fiber; see FIG. 3) inserted from a direction facing the optical fiber 33.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the connection mechanism 22. In FIG. 4, the connection mechanism 22 is a ferrule hold 21
Slender flange 27 projecting rearward from the rear (upper right in FIG. 4)
And an element part 36 having a split structure composed of two lids 29 and 29 placed on the upper surface 28 of the flange part 27, and a sleeve-like spring 30 (in which the integrated element part 36 is inserted and clamped and held). C-shaped spring). Reference numeral 35 in FIG. 4 denotes an opening member insertion port (recess), which opens to the side of the connection mechanism 22 assembled as shown in FIG. The opening 31 of the C-shaped spring 30 matches the opening member insertion port 35, and the opening 31 and the opening member insertion port 35
Since the communication port 26 of the stop ring 23 also matches the opening member 25 from the outside of the stop ring 23 through the communication port 26 to the opening member insertion port 35, the clamping force of the spring 30 is reduced. Resisting element part 36
Can be opened.

[0007] As shown in FIG.
The optical fibers 33 and 34 are housed between the positioning groove 37 formed on the flange upper surface 28 and the positioning groove 32 formed on the lid lower surface 29a so as to be sandwiched by the clamping force of the spring 30. Fiber 33, 3
4 is precisely positioned and aligned. The positioning groove 32 is generally formed on both of the two lids 29, 29, and the positioning groove 32 of the lid 29 close to the ferrule 20 is located on the side farther from the ferrule 20. It is general that the alignment accuracy is increased as compared with (not shown). That is, ferrule 20
The positioning groove 32 of the side lid 29 precisely aligns and aligns the bare fiber 34a and the optical fiber 33 exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 34 with the positioning groove 37 on the side of the flange 27, and the side far from the ferrule 20. Lid 29 placed on
The positioning groove of the optical fiber 34 is the bare fiber 34a.
The other part is positioned and aligned with the positioning groove 37 on the flange 27 side. The positioning grooves 32 on the lid 29 side
May be omitted. At this time, the centering accuracy of the positioning groove 37 on the flange 27 side is made different between the ferrule 20 side and the position separated from the ferrule 20 to cope with the positioning centering of the optical fiber 34 and the bare fiber 34a.

In the optical connector, as shown in FIG. 5, when the opening member 25 is inserted into the opening member insertion port 35 to open the element portion 36, the opening member 25 presses the connection mechanism 22. Therefore, there is a concern that the connection mechanism 22 is deformed within the range of the gap in the stop ring 23 due to the pressing force. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the element portion 36 has a substantially circular cross section and is located substantially at the center in the stop ring 23, and communication is established between the periphery of the connection mechanism 22 (the outer surface of the spring 30) and the inner surface of the stop ring 23. Except for the vicinity of the opening 26, the gap a exists almost uniformly. However, as shown in FIG. 5, since the vicinity of the ferrule 20 of the connection mechanism 22 is restrained at a fixed position by the ferrule hold 21 and does not displace, when the opening member 25 is inserted into the element portion 36, the connection is performed by the pressing force from the opening member 25. The mechanism 22 is deformed.

When the connection mechanism 22 is deformed, the element portion 36 moves in a direction away from the communication port 26 to be distant, making it difficult to accurately insert the opening member 25 into the opening member insertion port 35. This may damage the element portion 36 or affect the alignment accuracy. Also, the positioning grooves 32 and 37 are distorted and the optical fibers 33 and 3 are distorted.
The connection accuracy between the four fibers 4 is reduced, and a desired connection loss cannot be secured, or in some cases, the optical fibers 33 and 34 are deformed to affect the optical characteristics.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and (a) when the opening member is inserted, the movement of the connection mechanism in the stop ring is suppressed, and the opening workability of the element portion is improved. (B) Ensures the alignment accuracy of the alignment mechanism in the element section and the optical characteristics of the optical fiber clamped in the connection mechanism during the opening operation. (C) The insertion port of the element section can be stably disposed near the communication port of the stop ring, and the movement of the insertion port when the opening member is inserted can be suppressed. (D) A clamping force is applied from a spring to the tops on both sides in the short-axis dimension direction of the element part having a diamond-shaped cross-section so that the optical fiber clamped to the element part can be further improved. Strength of purpose It is an object to provide an optical connector that the clamping force can be applied to stabilize the.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a ferrule in which an optical fiber is internally fixed in advance and a tip surface of which is polished, and a ferrule having a rear end facing the tip surface of the ferrule. It comprises a connection mechanism for maintaining a connected state by clamping and holding another optical fiber butt-connected to the protruding optical fiber and the optical fiber on the ferrule side, and a stop ring for accommodating the connection mechanism. In the optical connector, the connection mechanism includes a split element portion having an alignment mechanism for positioning and aligning the two optical fibers inserted from opposite sides so that the optical fibers can be abutted with each other, and is mounted on the element section from the outside. A C-shaped or U-shaped spring sandwiched so as to maintain the integrated state of the element portion, and a side portion of the element portion against the urging force of the spring. An opening member that pushes open so as to separate the child part into two parts opens the insertion port inserted from the outside avoiding the spring, aligns the opening of the spring with the insertion port, and connects the stop ring to the stop ring. Is formed by connecting a communication port through which the opening member is inserted with the insertion port, and a separation surface of the element portion when it is separated into two parts coincides with the insertion port, and furthermore, from the insertion port. The dimension up to the opposing side opposite to the insertion port is longer than the dimension perpendicular to the separation surface, and the opposing side or the outer spring of the opposing side is disposed close to the inner surface of the stop ring. An optical connector characterized in that the above-mentioned problem is solved.

According to this optical connector, the spring on the opposite side of the element section or the outer side of the opposite side is arranged close to the inner surface of the stop ring. Therefore, when the opening member is inserted into the insertion port, the spring is removed from the opening member. The applied pressing force is supported by the stop ring, and the element portion (connection mechanism) does not move in the stop ring. For this reason, the opening member can be efficiently inserted into the insertion port, and the opening workability of the element portion is improved. Further, since the dimension from the insertion port to the opposing side portion is longer than the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the separation surface, the insertion port can be stably arranged close to the communication port of the stop ring. The configuration in which the spring on the opposite side of the element portion or the outer side of the opposite side is disposed close to the inner surface of the stop ring is as follows.
For example, when the opposite side is covered by a spring,
When a part of the opposing side protrudes outward from the spring, the opposing side comes into contact with the inner surface of the stop ring to bear the pressing force from the opening member. As the alignment mechanism, various configurations such as a microcapillary and a precision ball can be adopted in addition to positioning grooves such as a V-groove and a U-groove.

[0013] As described in claim 2, it is more preferable that the dimension from the insertion port to the spring near the opposite side portion substantially coincides with the inner diameter of the stop ring, whereby the insertion port communicates with the stop ring. It is arranged close to the mouth and is advantageous for the insertion work of the opening member. Further, when the opening member is inserted into the insertion port, the movement of the element section in the direction away from the communication port is suppressed, and the insertion port does not move, so that the opening workability of the element section is maintained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cross section of the element section perpendicular to the alignment axis is a rhombus having a major axis dimension and a minor axis dimension shorter than the major axis dimension, and the separation surface is provided. Extends along the long axis dimension direction at the short axis dimension direction center portion, the insertion port opens at one end in the long axis dimension direction,
When a configuration is adopted in which a clamping force is applied from the spring to the tops on both sides in the short axis dimension direction, even if the abutment direction of the tops is slightly inclined with respect to the springs, the element portion is not provided by the springs. It is possible to apply a clamping force of the direction strength, and the clamped state of the optical fiber sandwiched between the element portions is stably maintained. Therefore, when the release member inserted into the element portion is pulled out, a clamping force having a desired direction strength can be reliably applied to the element portion, and the optical fiber can be stably clamped and held.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. This optical connector
A connection mechanism denoted by reference numeral 50 in FIG. 1 is employed instead of the connection mechanism 22 of the optical connector shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the connection mechanism 50. In FIG. 1, a connection mechanism 50 includes an element part 51 having a two-part structure, and the element part 51.
And a sleeve-shaped spring 52 (C-shaped spring) which is mounted from the outside and clamped so as to be sandwiched, and is housed in the stop ring 23.

The element section 51 includes an alignment mechanism 53 formed on one of the elements 51a and 51b constituting the element section 51.
The optical fiber 54 is provided between the (V-groove) and the other element 51b.
(Bare fiber) is clamped and held by the clamping force of the spring 52. The cross-sectional shape of the element portion 51 perpendicular to the alignment axis of the alignment mechanism 53 is a rhombus having a major axis dimension b and a minor axis dimension c shorter than the major axis dimension b. Separation surface 55,
55 extends along the long axis dimension direction at the central portion in the short axis dimension direction. An insertion port 56 into which the opening member 25 is inserted is opened at one end in the major axis dimension direction.
The spring 52 is mounted on the element portion 51 with the C-shaped opening 57 aligned with the insertion port 56, and the opening 57 and the insertion port 56 are aligned with the communication port 26 of the stop ring 23. The opening member 25 inserted into the communication port 26 from the outside of the stop ring 23 can be smoothly inserted into the insertion port 56 without interfering with the spring 52. As the stop ring 23, for example, JIS C 59
A stop ring of the SC type optical connector stipulated in No. 73 is adopted. At this time, for example, the major axis dimension b is 3.3 m.
An element portion having m and a minor axis dimension c of 3.0 mm is employed.

The optical fiber 54 corresponds to one of the optical fiber 33 on the ferrule 20 side shown in FIG. 3 and the other optical fiber 34 connected to the optical fiber 33. In addition, the element portion 51 has various configurations such as a configuration in which one of the elements is a flange portion 27 protruding from the ferrule hold 21 as shown in FIG. 4 or a configuration including two elements separate from the ferrule hold. A configuration can be employed.

The opposite side portion 58 opposite to the insertion port 56 of the element portion 51 in the longitudinal direction is disposed close to the inner surface of the stop ring 23. Engagement projections 59, 59 protrude from the opposite side portion 58, and these engagement projections 59, 5
9 is inserted into a hole 60 formed at a position facing the opening 57 of the spring 52. The engaging projections 59, 59 project from each of the elements 51 a, 51 b constituting the element section 51, and when the opening member 25 is inserted into the insertion port 56, the engaging projections 59, 59 engaged with the holes 60 are provided. , The elements 51a and 51b relatively rotate in the direction in which the separation surfaces 55 and 55 are separated from each other, and the element unit 51 is opened. At this time, since the engaging projections 59 and 59 are still engaged with the holes 60, each element 5
1a and 51b rotate stably, and can prevent displacement during rotation. Also, when the opening member 25 is pulled out from the insertion port 56, the rotation stability of the elements 51a and 51b is secured, so that the optical fiber 54 can be stably clamped and held at a predetermined position. In addition, the engagement protrusion 5
The engagement between the holes 9 and 59 and the hole 60 prevents not only the opening and closing of the element portion 51 but also the displacement between the spring 52 and the element portion 51 at all times.

The clamping force of the spring 52 acts on the tops 61 on both sides in the short-axis dimension c. Since the tops 61 are in the shape of a protrusion, the spring 52
The spring 52 remains on the top 6 even if the element 51
The element portions 51 around the first and the first 61 are not brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the clamping force of the spring 52 is
The optical fiber 54 does not act in the direction deviated from the short axis dimension direction between
Can be stably clamped and held by a clamping force having a desired direction strength, and inconveniences such as an uneven distribution of the clamping force in the optical fiber 54 and affecting optical characteristics can be prevented.

The engagement protrusion 5 housed in the hole 60 of the spring 52
The tip of 9, 59 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the spring 52.
The dimension obtained by adding the protruding dimension d of the engaging projections 59 to the major axis dimension b is several hundred μm larger than the inner diameter of the stop ring 23.
The insertion port 56 is disposed close to the communication port 26 because it is small. Therefore, the opening member 25 can be easily inserted into the insertion port 56 from the outside of the stop ring 23 via the communication port 26. When the release member 25 is inserted into the element portion 36, the spring 52 near the opposing side portion 58 comes into contact with the inner surface of the stop ring 23 to support the pressing force applied from the release member 25. 26 is prevented from moving away from the opening member 2.
5 can be easily inserted into the insertion port 56 correctly, and the opening workability of the element portion 51 is improved.

On the other hand, the minor axis dimension c is smaller than the inner diameter of the stop ring 23 even if the thickness of the spring 52 is included, and
A clearance 6 for rotating the elements 51a, 51b is provided between the spring 52 near the first and 61 and the inner surface of the stop ring 23.
2 are formed, so that the element 5
1a and 51b do not interfere with the stop ring 23, and the opening operation can be performed efficiently.

Therefore, according to this optical connector, the following excellent effects can be obtained. (1) When the opening member 25 is inserted into the element portion 51, the element portion 51 (the connection mechanism 50) does not move in the direction away from the communication port 26 even if a pressing force is applied from the opening member 25. Can be prevented. (2) Since the element section 51 is not deformed by (1), the alignment accuracy of the alignment mechanism 53 and the optical fiber 54 in the element section 51 (the optical fibers 33 and 34 shown in FIGS. (Equivalent) can be stably maintained. (3) According to (1), the spring 52 and the spring 24 (FIG. 3)
Characteristic) can be stably maintained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made, for example, by adopting an element portion having a cross-sectional shape other than a diamond shape. As the element portion, for example, an element having an elliptical cross-sectional shape can be adopted.

[0024]

As described above, according to the optical connector of the present invention, the dimension from the insertion port opened on the side of the element portion to the opposite side opposite to the insertion port is the same as that of the optical connector. By disposing the spring outside the opposite side or the opposite side closer to the inner surface of the stop ring longer than the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the surface, (a) when the opening member is inserted into the element portion, Since the element portion (connection mechanism) is prevented from moving in the stop ring, the opening member can be efficiently inserted into the insertion port, and the opening workability of the element portion is improved. Can be stably positioned closer to the communication opening of the stop ring, and the workability of inserting the opening member into the insertion hole is improved. Does not move, and the insertion port is far from the communication port Since Rukoto is prevented, an excellent effect such an insertion work of the opening member can be reliably maintained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a configuration is adopted in which the dimension from the insertion port to the spring near the opposite side portion substantially matches the inner diameter of the stop ring, (d) the insertion port has a stop ring. Since it is arranged close to the communication port, an excellent effect that the workability of inserting the opening member can be further improved can be achieved. In this case, also in this case, since the element portion is prevented from moving and moving away from the communication port when the opening member is inserted into the insertion port, the workability of inserting the opening member is reliably maintained. can do.

The cross section of the element section perpendicular to the alignment axis is a rhombus having a major axis dimension and a minor axis dimension shorter than the major axis dimension, and the separation surface is formed. Extends along the long axis dimension direction at the short axis dimension direction center portion, the insertion port opens at one end in the long axis dimension direction,
When a configuration is adopted in which a clamping force is applied from the spring to the tops on both sides in the short-axis dimension direction, (e)
Even if the abutment direction of the top part is slightly inclined with respect to the spring, the clamping force of the intended direction acts on the element part from the spring, so the clamping force is unevenly distributed on the optical fiber sandwiched between the element parts. Inconvenience can be prevented, and the optical fiber can be clamped and held stably by the clamping force of the desired direction. (F) The clamping force of the desired direction can be applied to the element even after repeatedly opening and closing the device. An excellent effect such that the optical fiber can be reliably actuated and the optical fiber can be stably clamped and held.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of an optical connector of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a connection mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a conventional optical connector and showing a stop ring of the optical connector having a connection mechanism on a rear end side of a ferrule.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection mechanism of the optical connector of FIG.

5 is a front sectional view showing a problem to be solved by the present invention and showing a state in which an opening member is inserted into a stop ring of the optical connector of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a connection mechanism of the optical connector of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 20: ferrule, 20a: tip surface, 23: stop ring, 25: open member, 26: communication port, 33: optical fiber (ferrule side optical fiber, bare fiber), 34: optical fiber (single optical fiber), 50 connection mechanism, 51
... Element part, 52 ... Spring (C-shaped spring), 53 ... Centering mechanism (V groove), 55 ... Separation surface, 56 ... Inlet, 57 ... Opening part, 58 ... Opposite side part, 61 ... Top part.

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tamaki 1440 Mukurosaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Toru Arikawa 1440 Musaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Fujikura Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Person Masaaki Takaya 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Shinji Nagasawa 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F Terms (reference) 2H036 NA01 QA02 QA22 QA44 QA53

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule (20) having an optical fiber (33) preliminarily fixed inside and having a polished end surface (20a).
And a connection for holding the optical fiber protruding from the rear end of the ferrule facing the distal end face and another optical fiber (34) butt-connected to the optical fiber on the ferrule side to maintain a connected state. Mechanism (50)
And a stop ring (23) accommodating the connection mechanism, wherein the connection mechanism aligns and aligns both optical fibers inserted from opposite sides so as to be able to butt each other. 5
3) a split element portion (51) having an internal portion, and a C-shaped or U-shaped spring which is attached to the element portion from the outside so as to maintain the integrated state of the element portion ( 52), and an opening member (2) is provided on a side portion of the element portion to open the element portion in such a manner as to separate the element portion into two parts against the urging force of the spring.
5) opening the insertion port (56) inserted from the outside avoiding the spring, aligning the opening (57) of the spring with the insertion port, and inserting the opening member through the stop ring. A communication port (26) is formed so as to communicate with the insertion port, and the element portion is separated into two parts (55, 55).
55) coincides with the insertion port, and a dimension (b) from the insertion port to the opposite side portion (58) opposite to the insertion port is a dimension (c) perpendicular to the separation surface. An optical connector characterized in that the opposing side portion or a spring outside the opposing side portion is disposed close to the inner surface of the stop ring. 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a dimension from the insertion port to a spring near the opposite side portion substantially coincides with the inner diameter of the stop ring. 3. A cross-sectional shape of said element portion perpendicular to said centering axis is a rhombus having a major axis dimension and a minor axis dimension (c) shorter than said major axis dimension (b), and said separation surface. Extends along the long axis dimension direction at the center of the short axis dimension direction,
The insertion port is opened at one end in the major axis dimension direction, and a clamping force is applied from the spring to the tops (61, 61) on both sides in the minor axis dimension direction. 3. The optical connector according to 1 or 2.