JP2002023025A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector which can be assembled without lowering the transmission efficiency of signal light. SOLUTION: As an optical connector, a receptacle 1 is provided with a housing 21, an optical receiving device 24a, a lens 23a for receiving, an optical transmitting device 24b, a lens 23b for transmitting and an erroneous assembly blocking means 90. The housing 21 is provided with a first holding cylinder 33a for holding the lens 23a for receiving and a second holding cylinder 33b for holding the lens 23b for transmitting. The lens 23a for receiving optically connects the optical receiving device 24a and an optical fiber. The lens 23b for transmitting optically connects the optical transmitting device 24b and the optical fiber. The erroneous assembly blocking means 90 blocks the mounting of the lens 23a for receiving on the second holding cylinder 33b and blocks the mounting of the lens 23b for transmitting on the second holding cylinder 33a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an optical connector for optically connecting an optical fiber and a light receiving / transmitting module to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wire harness, which is an assembled electric wire, has been used for connecting auxiliary equipment of an automobile. However, with the increase in the number of auxiliary machines and their circuits in recent years, there has been a problem that the wire harness becomes large and heavy. In order to solve such a problem, an optical fiber communication system for transmitting a signal to an auxiliary machine or the like using an optical fiber cable as a part of a wire harness has been proposed.

[0003] In the above-mentioned optical fiber communication system, a signal light transmitted from an optical fiber cable is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is converted into a signal light emitted toward the optical fiber cable. A person has proposed an optical connector described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-33443.

The optical connector described in the above publication has a sleeve for optically connecting an optical fiber and a light receiving / transmitting module to each other. In the optical connector described in the above publication, the diameter of the light guide path of the sleeve is formed to be constant along the optical axis. For this reason, when the light receiving surface of the receiving module is smaller than the light emitting surface of the sleeve, a part of the signal light transmitted through the optical fiber or the like may not be received by the light receiving surface of the optical receiving module, and the transmission efficiency may be reduced. Had a tendency to decrease.

When a light emitting diode (LED) is used as a transmitting module, light emitted from the light emitting diode is diffused, so that part of the light emitted from the light emitting diode cannot enter the light guide path of the sleeve. There is. As described above, the optical connector disclosed in the above publication has a tendency that the transmission efficiency of signal light is reduced.

In order to improve the signal light transmission efficiency, the present applicant has proposed an optical connector (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-115787) illustrated in FIG. An optical plug (not shown) is fitted into the receptacle 103 (device-side connector) as the optical connector illustrated in FIG.

The receptacle 103 includes a housing 107 made of a synthetic resin or the like, and the light receiving / transmitting module 10.
4, 104, and a pair of sleeves 101. The housing 107 is formed in a box shape. The housing 107 includes a pair of storage chambers 108 which are opened on the outer wall located on the near side in FIG. Further, the optical plug described above on the inner side in FIG.

The optical receiving / transmitting modules 104, 104
Each is accommodated in the storage room 108. Each of the pair of sleeves 101 is mounted on the housing 107. The sleeve 101 includes a light guide path 126 having a frusto-conical shape with a tapered side portion 125.

The sleeve 101 is connected to the housing 107.
The light receiving and transmitting surfaces of the light receiving / transmitting modules 104, 104 are respectively disposed between the pair of optical fibers of the optical plug fitted to the optical receiving and transmitting modules 104, 104. The sleeve 101 is arranged so that the diameter of the light guide path 126 gradually decreases as the light guide path 126 moves toward the light receiving / transmitting modules 104.

The housing 107 has a storage room 10.
When the optical receiving / transmitting modules 104 are accommodated in the cap 8, a cap 110 is attached.

The optical plug includes a pair of optical fibers, a pair of ferrules, a plug housing made of synthetic resin,
It has. The pair of optical fibers are juxtaposed to each other. Each of the pair of ferrules is coated with the end face of the optical fiber exposed. The plug housing accommodates the ferrule therein and fits into the housing.

Since the optical connector 102 having the above-described configuration is arranged in such a manner that the diameter of the light guide path 126 is reduced toward the optical receiving module 104, when the signal light transmitted from the optical fiber enters the sleeve 101. The light travels while repeating total reflection on the side portion 125 of the light guide path 126, and gradually converges toward the light receiving module 104.

On the other hand, when the signal light from the optical transmission module 104 is transmitted through the sleeve 101, the signal light is tapered because the sleeve having a constant outer diameter is out of the critical angle range. It is possible to transmit only the amount marked with. Therefore, transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0014]

However, when the sleeve 101 having the truncated conical light guide path 126 is used as in the above-described receptacle 103 as an optical connector, the signal light transmission efficiency is further reduced. In order to suppress this, a light guide path 126 includes a sleeve for transmitting a signal to the optical receiving module 104 (hereinafter, referred to as a receiving sleeve) and a sleeve for transmitting a signal to the optical transmitting module 104 (hereinafter, referred to as a receiving sleeve). May be formed in shapes different from each other.

For example, the small diameter surface 12 of the light guide path 126 of the receiving sleeve facing the light receiving surface of the light receiving module 104
6a may be formed relatively small, and the small-diameter surface 126a of the light guide path 126 of the transmission sleeve facing the light emitting surface of the optical transmission module 104 may be formed relatively large.

In the above-described receptacle 103 as an optical connector, each sleeve is mounted on the housing 107 such that the transmitting sleeve faces the light receiving surface of the optical receiving module 104 and the light receiving sleeve faces the light emitting surface of the optical transmitting module 104. Attachment, so-called erroneous assembly, may occur. If the sleeve is erroneously assembled, the transmission efficiency of the signal light decreases. Further, in the above-described receptacle 103, even if such an erroneous assembly occurs, it is difficult for an operator or the like to grasp.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector that can be reliably assembled without lowering the signal light transmission efficiency.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector comprising: an optical receiving / transmitting module; an optical receiving module and an optical fiber; A receiving sleeve interposed between the optical receiving module and the optical fiber to optically connect the optical receiving module and the optical fiber to each other, and the optical transmitting module and the optical fiber interposed between the optical transmitting module and the optical fiber. A connector comprising: a transmission sleeve that is optically connected to each other; and a housing that houses the light reception / transmission module, the reception sleeve, and the transmission sleeve, wherein the housing holds the reception sleeve. 1 holding part, and a second holding part for holding the transmitting sleeve, when the receiving sleeve is prevented from being mounted on the second holding part. Wherein the transmitting sleeve to be first
Erroneous assembly preventing means for preventing the mounting from being mounted on the holding portion;
It is characterized by having.

An optical connector according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a holding wall connected to the first holding unit and the second holding unit, and the erroneous assembly preventing unit includes an outer peripheral surface of the receiving sleeve. 3. A first protrusion protruding outward from a second protrusion, and a second protrusion protruding outward from an outer peripheral surface of the transmission sleeve and having a shape different from that of the first protrusion;
A first concave portion that is concave from the surface of the holding wall and matches the first convex portion and into which the first convex portion enters when the receiving sleeve is held by the first holding portion; and a surface of the holding wall. And a second concave portion that is concave from the second convex portion and matches the second convex portion, and into which the second convex portion enters when the transmitting sleeve is held by the second holding portion.

The optical connector according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises:
3. The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein a cover member covering the light receiving / transmitting module, the receiving sleeve, and the transmitting sleeve together with the housing is attached to the housing. When the cover member is attached to the housing containing the receiving sleeve and the transmitting sleeve,
The width of each of the first and second convex portions along the direction in which the sleeve is attached to each of the holding portions is larger than the distance between the cover member and the light receiving / transmitting module. .

According to the present invention, the erroneous assembly preventing means prevents the receiving sleeve from being mounted on the second holding portion and the transmitting sleeve from being mounted on the first holding portion. . For this reason, it can suppress that the transmission efficiency of signal light falls.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first convex portion corresponding to the first concave portion concave from the holding wall of the housing and the second convex portion corresponding to the second concave portion are mutually shaped. Since it is different, it is possible to more reliably prevent the receiving sleeve from being attached to the second holding unit and the transmitting sleeve from being attached to the first holding unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the cover member is attached to the housing, the distance between the cover member and the light receiving / transmitting module causes the first and second protrusions to be increased. Each width is large. Therefore, if at least one of the attachment of the receiving sleeve to the second holding portion and the attachment of the transmitting sleeve to the first holding portion occurs, the cover member cannot be attached to the housing.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
A receptacle (device-side connector) 1 as an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, as shown in FIG.
An optical plug 2 as a mating optical connector is fitted. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical plug 2 includes a pair of optical fiber cables 3, a pair of ferrules 4, a pair of direction regulating members 5, a plug housing 6, and a ferrule locking member 7.
And

The optical fiber cable 3 includes an optical fiber 8 made of a light guiding material, a first sheath 9 and a second sheath 1.
0. The optical fiber 8 is a conventionally known multi-mode plastic optical fiber having a core and a clad which are formed so as to have mutually different refractive indexes and are arranged coaxially with each other.

The first and second sheath portions 9 and 10 are each formed of an insulating synthetic resin. The first sheath portion 9 covers and protects the optical fiber 8.
The second sheath section 10 includes the optical fiber 8 and the first sheath section 9.
To protect it.

The first and second optical fiber cables 3 are so formed that the optical fiber 8 and the first sheath 9 are exposed stepwise from the distal end toward the proximal end at the distal end. The sheath parts 9 and 10 have been peeled off.

The ferrules 4 are each formed of a synthetic resin. The ferrule 4 is formed in a tubular shape whose outer diameter changes stepwise. Each ferrule 4
Is provided with a flange portion 11 formed in an annular shape and protruding most outwardly. Each ferrule 4 covers the optical fiber cable 3 in a state where the end face of the optical fiber 8 located at the distal end is exposed. Each ferrule 4 is fixed to the optical fiber cable 3.

The direction restricting member 5 is made of a synthetic resin, and is curved so that a line segment along one end surface and a line segment along the other end surface are orthogonal to each other. The direction restricting member 5 has a U-shaped cross section. The direction regulating member 5
One end is fixed to the base end of the ferrule 4.

The direction regulating member 5 accommodates the optical fiber cable 3 fixed to the ferrule 4 inside to protect it from the outside. The curvature from the one end surface to the other end surface is determined so that the optical fiber cables 3 housed inside the pair of direction regulating members 5 are parallel to each other.

The plug housing 6 is made of a synthetic resin and is formed in a box shape. The plug housing 6 has formed therein a pair of storage chambers 12 that are parallel to each other. Each of the storage chambers 12 includes a first opening 12a opened on one end face of the plug housing 6, and a second opening 12b opened on the other end face opposite to the one end face. Penetrates.

In the storage room 12, the first opening 12a is provided.
, And the ferrule 4 fixed to the optical fiber cable 3 is inserted from the tip. The storage chambers 12 each have an optical fiber cable 3 and a fixed ferrule 4.
To accommodate.

An insertion hole 13 extends through one outer wall of the plug housing 6. In FIG. 1, an insertion hole 13 is provided in an outer wall located above. Further, a flexible lock arm 15 having a locking projection 14 with respect to the receptacle 1 is provided on another outer wall of the plug housing 6.

A part of the ferrule locking member 7 is inserted into the storage chamber 12 through the insertion hole 13. When a part of the ferrule locking member 7 is inserted into the storage chamber 12, the ferrule locking member 7 is fixed by locking to the plug housing 6.

When a part of the ferrule locking member 7 is inserted into the storage chamber 12, the ferrule 4 locks the flange portion 11 of the ferrule 4 to restrict the ferrule 4 from coming out of the storage chamber 12. The ferrule locking member 7 allows the ferrule 4, the optical fiber cable 3 and the direction regulating member 5 to rotate around the axis when the ferrule 4 is locked.

The optical plug 2 described above is assembled as follows. The distal end of the optical fiber cable 3 and the ferrule 4 are fixed to each other, the optical fiber cable 3 is inserted into the direction restricting member 5, and the ferrule 4 and the direction restricting member 5 are fixed to each other.

Thereafter, the ferrule 4 fixed to the optical fiber cable 3 and the like is passed through the first opening 12a.
It is inserted into the storage chamber 12 from the tip. The ferrule 4 and the like are attached to the plug housing 6 by inserting and locking the ferrule locking member 7 into the insertion hole 13. Thus, the optical plug 2 is obtained.

Further, the optical plug 2 is covered and protected by a synthetic resin dustproof case 20 shown in FIG. 1 and the like at the stage of transport and storage before fitting the connector to the receptacle 1.

The receptacle 1 is a printed circuit board (Printed Circuit Board) of various electronic devices as the above-mentioned auxiliary equipment.
ard: PCB). Receptacle 1
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a housing 21 made of synthetic resin, a pair of ground terminals 22, a receiving lens 23a as a receiving sleeve, a transmitting lens 23b as a transmitting sleeve, Receive module (Fibe
r Optical receiving device 24a as an Optic Transceiver (FOT) and an optical transmitting module (Fiber Optic Transceiv)
er: FOT), and a cap 25 as a cover member.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the housing 21 has a bottom wall 26 disposed along the printed wiring board,
A ceiling wall 27 opposed to the bottom wall 26 with an interval.
And a pair of side walls 28 connected to both the bottom wall 26 and the ceiling wall 27 and facing each other with an interval therebetween, and are formed in a box shape. The base material of the housing 21 is made of a conductive synthetic resin, and an insulating thin film is formed on the surface of the conductive synthetic resin.

The housing 21 is provided with the walls 26, 2
A central wall 29 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) as a holding wall provided at a central portion in the direction from the near side to the rear side in FIGS. 1 to 3 of FIGS. 2 to 5) and a receiving device accommodation room 31a (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
Etc.), a transmitting device housing chamber 31b (shown in FIG. 5), a partition wall 32 (shown in FIG. 5, etc.), and a first receiving cylinder 33a as a first holding portion (FIGS. 4 and 5). Shown),
A second receiving cylinder 33b as a second holding portion.

The center wall 29 is housed in a space surrounded by the walls 26, 27, 28. Center wall 29
Is orthogonal to each of the walls 26, 27, 28, and is connected to each of the walls 26, 27, 28.

The fitting chamber 30 is a space surrounded by the walls 26, 27 and 28, communicates with the outside, and is provided on one surface side of the central wall 29. In the fitting chamber 30, the optical plug 2 is provided with the second opening 12b.
Inserted from.

The receiving device accommodating room 31a and the transmitting device accommodating room 31b are arranged side by side along the walls 26, 27 and 29. These accommodation rooms 31a, 31b
Is a space surrounded by the walls 26, 27 and 28 and communicates with the outside, respectively, and is provided on the other surface side of the central wall 29.

As shown in FIG. 5, the partition wall 32 extends from the other surface of the center wall 29 to the space between the center wall 29 and the edges of the walls 26, 27 and 28 located on the other surface side. It extends to the center. The partition wall 32 is disposed at the center between the pair of side walls 28, and extends along the pair of side walls 28. The partition wall 32 includes a receiving device accommodation room 31a and a transmission device accommodation room 31b.
And are partitioned from each other.

Each of the first and second receiving cylinders 33a and 33b is formed in a cylindrical shape whose inner diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tip of the ferrule 4. The first and second receiving cylinders 33a,
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the ends 33 b has one end connected to the center wall 29 and the other end extending from the center wall 29 toward the opening of the fitting chamber 30. I have.

The first and second receiving cylinders 33a and 33b are respectively along the walls 26, 27 and 28, and the pair of side walls 28 are arranged side by side along the direction facing each other. Further, the first receiving cylinder 33a communicates the receiving device housing chamber 31a and the fitting chamber 30 with each other. Second
The receiving cylinder 33b includes the transmitting device housing chamber 31b and the fitting chamber 3
0 communicate with each other.

Also, the housing 21 is shown in FIGS.
As shown, a pair of engagement holes 34 for the locking projections 14 of the lock arm 15 of the optical plug 2 inserted into the fitting chamber 30, a pair of ground terminal press-fitting portions 35, and the locking holes 3
6, a guide projection 50, and an extension 51 (shown in FIG. 5)
And

One engaging hole 34 penetrates the housing 7 across the ceiling wall 27 and one side wall 28, and the other engaging hole 34 connects the bottom wall 26 and one side wall 28. And penetrates the housing 7. The engaging projection 34 of the lock arm 15 of the optical plug 2 inserted into the fitting chamber 30 is engaged with the engaging hole 34.

The pair of ground terminal press-fit portions 35 are provided at the edges of the respective side walls 28 near the bottom wall 26. The ground terminal press-fit portions 35 are respectively provided on the bottom wall 26 of the side wall 28.
It is formed in a slit shape opened on the side.

The locking holes 36 are provided at the end of each side wall 28 near the accommodation chamber 31. The locking hole 36 is
A pair of locking holes 36 are provided on each of the side walls 28, and the pair of locking holes 36 are juxtaposed along the direction in which the bottom wall 26 and the ceiling wall 27 come into contact with or separate from each other. The locking hole 36 penetrates the side wall 28 and communicates the inside and the outside of the storage chamber 31 with each other. The locking holes 36 are each formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

The guide projections 50 are provided at the ends of the side walls 28 near the accommodation chambers 31a and 31b.
The guide projections 50 move away from the central wall 29 from the above-mentioned edge near the end of each side wall 28, that is,
1 protrudes outward. Each guide projection 50 is formed on each side wall 28 and
6 and the ceiling wall 27 are provided between a pair of locking holes 36 arranged side by side along a direction in which the ceiling wall 27 comes in contact with and separate from the ceiling wall 27.

The extension portion 51 is formed integrally with the partition wall 32 as shown in FIGS.
Extends from the end near the bottom wall 26 toward the outside of the housing 21. The extension portion 51 is formed in a plate shape whose surface is substantially flush with the partition wall 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing 21 has a first recess 61a and a second recess 61b. The first recess 61a is provided in the accommodation chamber 31 of the central wall 29.
The first receiving cylinder 33a is formed on the edge of the first receiving cylinder 33a. First recess 61a
Is formed to have a plane shape equal to a plane shape of a first flange portion 74a described later. That is, the first concave portion 61a
Is formed in a shape that matches the first flange portion 74a.

The first concave portion 61a has a first flange portion 74a capable of entering the inside thereof. The depth De1 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) from the surface of the central wall 29 of the first concave portion 61a near the accommodation chambers 31a and 31b is equal to the first flange portion 74.
The thickness T1 is substantially equal to the thickness T1 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 9).

The second recess 61b is provided in the accommodation room 3 of the central wall 29.
1a, 31b are formed concavely from the surface thereof, and the second
It is provided on the edge of the receiving cylinder 33b. Second recess 61b
Is formed to have a plane shape equal to a plane shape of a second flange portion 74b described later. That is, the second concave portion 61b
Is formed in a shape that matches the second flange portion 74b.

The second concave portion 61b has a second flange portion 74b capable of entering the inside thereof. The depth De2 (shown in FIG. 5) from the surface of the central wall 29 of the second recess 61b near the accommodation chambers 31a and 31b is formed substantially equal to the thickness T2 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 9) of the second flange portion 74b. Have been. In the illustrated example, the depth De2 is substantially equal to the above-described depth De1.

Each of the pair of ground terminals 22 is made of a conductive metal. As shown in FIG. 1, the ground terminal 22 includes a housing press-fitting portion 37, a board insertion portion 38,
Is provided integrally. The housing press-fit portion 37 is formed as a flat plate having a rectangular planar shape.

The housing press-fit portion 37 is press-fitted into the ground terminal press-fit portion 35 from the bottom wall 26 side. When the housing press-fit portion 37 is press-fitted into the ground terminal press-fit portion 35, the insulating film formed on the surface of the housing 21 is scraped off.
It comes into contact with a base material made of a conductive synthetic resin constituting housing 21.

The board insertion section 38 is provided with a housing press-fitting section 37.
Is press-fitted into the ground terminal press-fitting portion 35 to form a blade extending in a direction away from the bottom wall 26. The central portion along the longitudinal direction of the substrate insertion portion 38 is wider, and both the base end portion connected to the housing press-fitting portion 31 and the distal end portion farthest from the bottom wall 26 have a width greater than the central portion. It is formed narrow.

The board insertion section 38 is provided with a housing press-fitting section 37.
Is press-fitted into the ground terminal press-fitting portion 35 and projects downward from the bottom wall 26 to the housing 21. The board insertion portion 38 is engaged with the above-mentioned slit of the printed wiring board (not shown) or the like, and is electrically connected to the conductor pattern of the printed wiring board. The board insertion part 38 is fixed to the printed wiring board by engaging or the like.

The optical receiving device 24a is accommodated in the receiving device accommodation room 31a. The optical receiving device 24a
A device that converts received signal light into electrical signals.
A light receiving surface for receiving the signal light;
a.

When the light receiving device 24a is housed in the receiving device housing chamber 31a, the light receiving surface of the housing 21
Is opposed to the end face of the optical fiber cable 3 of the optical plug 2 fitted into the optical plug 2. The lead terminal 41a is connected to the optical receiving device 24a.
And a terminal for electrically connecting the above-described conductor pattern of the printed wiring board to the above-described printed wiring board. When the optical receiving device 24a is housed in the receiving device housing chamber 31a, the housing 21
Projecting away from the bottom wall 26.

The optical transmission device 24b is accommodated in the transmission device accommodation room 31b. The optical transmission device 24b
A device that converts an electric signal into a signal light, and includes a light emitting surface for emitting the signal light, and a lead terminal 41b.

When the optical transmitting device 24b is accommodated in the transmitting device accommodating chamber 31b, the light emitting surface of the housing 21
Is opposed to the end face of the optical fiber cable 3 of the optical plug 2 fitted into the optical plug 2. The lead terminal 41b is connected to the optical transmission device 24b.
And a terminal for electrically connecting the printed circuit board to the conductor pattern of the printed wiring board. When the optical transmission device 24b is accommodated in the transmission device accommodation room 31b, the housing 21
Projecting away from the bottom wall 26.

The receiving lens 23a is made of a light guiding material, and as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and the like, a circular outer tube portion 71a, a light guiding path 72a, a lens portion 73a, and a first convex portion as a first convex portion. And a flange portion 74a. The outer diameter of the outer pipe portion 71a is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first receiving cylinder 33a.

The light guide path 72a is formed in a truncated conical shape and is disposed inside the outer tube 71a, and its skirt is connected to the outer tube 71a. The light guide path 72 a is
It is arranged coaxially with a. An end surface 75a on the small diameter side of the light guide path 72a (hereinafter, referred to as a small diameter surface) is formed relatively small.

The lens portion 73a is provided at the end 76a of the light guide 72a located on the opposite side of the small diameter surface 75a of the light guide 72a. The lens portion 73a is formed in a spherical shape convex from the end portion 76a in a direction away from the small diameter surface 75a.

The first flange portion 74a protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 71a. The first flange portion 74a includes a first annular portion 81 and a second annular portion 82 which are coaxially arranged and have different outer diameters. The first annular portion 81 and the second annular portion 82 form an outer tube portion 71.
It is arranged coaxially with a.

Each of the first annular portion 81 and the second annular portion 82 is formed in an arch shape obtained by bisecting a ring, and both edges are connected to each other. The first flange portion 74a is arranged over the entire circumference of the outer tube portion 71a by connecting both edges of the first annular portion 81 and the second annular portion 82 to each other.

The receiving lens 23a has a small-diameter surface 75a facing the light receiving surface of the optical receiving device 24a housed in the receiving device housing chamber 31a, and a lens portion 73a facing the end surface of the optical fiber 8. It is inserted (attached) and held in the first receiving cylinder 33a. Receiving lens 23a
Connects the optical fiber cable 3 of the optical plug 2 and the light receiving surface of the optical receiving device 24a optically to each other.

The transmission lens 23b is made of a light guide material, and as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a circular outer tube portion 71b, a light guide path 72b, a lens portion 73b, and a second convex portion as a second convex portion. And a flange portion 74b. The outer diameter of the outer tube portion 71b is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first receiving cylinder 33b.

The light guide path 72b is formed in the shape of a truncated cone and is disposed inside the outer tube 71b, and its skirt is connected to the outer tube 71b. The light guide path 72b includes the outer tube 71
It is arranged coaxially with b. The light guide path 72b has a relatively large end surface 75b (hereinafter, referred to as a small diameter surface) on the small diameter side. The area of the small diameter surface 75b of the light guide path 72b is formed larger than the area of the small diameter surface 75a of the receiving lens 23a. That is, the light guide path 72b is connected to the receiving lens 23a.
Of the light guide path 72a.

The lens portion 73b is provided at the end 76b of the light guide path 72b located on the opposite side of the small diameter surface 75b.
The lens portion 73b is formed in a spherical shape convex from the end portion 76b in a direction away from the small diameter surface 75b.

The second flange portion 74b protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 71b. The second flange portion 74b includes a pair of annular portions 83a, 83b located on opposite sides of the optical axis of the light guide path 72b, and a pair of linear portions 84a, 84a connecting the annular portions 83a, 83b to each other.
84b, and the plane shape is formed in a substantially oval / large format.

The second flange portion 74b is formed with a pair of annular portions 8
3a, 83b and a pair of linear portions 84a, 84b are provided over the entire circumference of the outer tube portion 71b. Further, in the illustrated example, the thickness T2 of the second flange portion 74b is
The first flange portion 74a is formed to have substantially the same thickness T1.

As described above, the first flange portion 74a and the second
The flange portion 74b is formed in a shape different in planar shape from each other.

The transmitting lens 23b is arranged such that the small-diameter surface 75b faces the light emitting surface of the optical transmitting device 24b accommodated in the transmitting device accommodating chamber 31b, and the lens portion 73b faces the end surface of the optical fiber 8. It is inserted (mounted) and held in the second receiving cylinder 33b. Transmission lens 23b
Optically connects the optical fiber cable 3 of the optical plug 2 and the light emitting surface of the optical transmission device 24b to each other.

The thickness T1 of the first flange portion 74a
And the thickness T2 of the second flange portion 74b,
The lenses 23a, 23b have a width along the direction in which the lenses 23a, 23b are mounted on the receiving cylinders 33a, 33b. The first and second recesses 61a and 61b and the first and first flanges 7
4b and 74b are erroneous assembly preventing means 9 described in this specification.
0.

The cap 25 is made of an elastically deformable synthetic resin and is formed in a plate shape. Cap 25
The accommodation rooms 31a, 31b, that is, the light receiving / transmitting devices 24a,
It is attached to the housing 21 so as to cover 24b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cap 25 has a plurality of locking claws 42 which can be locked in the locking holes 36, respectively.
And a groove 46. The locking claws 42 respectively protrude outward from the cap 25, and a pair of locking claws 42 are provided at both ends of the cap 25. The groove 46 is provided at the center of the cap 25. When the cap 25 is attached to the housing 21, the groove 46
The extension part 51 invades.

The receptacle 1 having the above-described structure is assembled as follows. Receiving cylinder 33 of housing 21
A part of each of the lenses 23a and 23b is inserted into each of the lenses a and 33b to make a half-inserted state. Optical receiving / transmitting device 2
4a and 24b are arranged at appropriate positions with respect to the lenses 23a and 23b. Thereafter, the cap 25 is moved closer to the openings of the storage chambers 31a and 31b.

The guide projection 50 is provided between the pair of locking claws 42.
With the extension 51 invading the groove 46, the light receiving / transmitting devices 24a, 24a,
24b and lenses 23a, 23b
1b and the back of the receiving cylinders 33a, 33b, ie, the housing 21
Press toward the back of. Then, the locking claws 42 are locked in the locking holes 36, and the cap 25 is attached to the housing 21.

Thus, the receptacle 1 is assembled. In this state, the optical plug 2 is
Can be fitted. In the state described above, the first flange portion 74a has penetrated into the first concave portion 61a, and the second flange portion 74b has penetrated into the second concave portion 61b. Further, the distance between the cap 25 and the light receiving / transmitting devices 24a, 24b is determined by the thickness T1, T2.
It is smaller than 2. In the illustrated example, the cap 25 and the light receiving / transmitting devices 24a and 24b are in contact with each other, and there is almost no space between them.

Further, the receptacle 1 having the above-described configuration
At the stage of transport and storage before the connector is fitted to the optical plug 2, it is covered and protected by a synthetic resin dustproof case 60 shown in FIG.

Further, when attaching to the above-described printed wiring board, first, the ground terminal 2 is inserted into the ground terminal press-fitting portion 35.
2. Press-fit. The ground terminal 22 is passed through the slit of the printed wiring board, and the lead terminals 41a and 41b are passed through the holes of the printed wiring board, so that the bottom wall 26 is overlaid on the printed wiring board.
While engaging the ground terminal 22 with the slit,
The lead terminals 41a and 41b are fixed to the conductor pattern of the printed wiring board by brazing using solder or the like, and the receptacle 1 is attached to the printed wiring board.

According to the present embodiment, when the transmitting lens 23b is inserted into the first receiving cylinder 33a and the receiving lens 23a is inserted into the second receiving cylinder 33b, as shown in FIG. , And the flange portions 74b, 74a are formed in different shapes from each other.
74a cannot enter the concave portions 61a and 61b.

Therefore, a part of the flange portions 74b, 74a comes into contact with the surface of the central wall 29 near the accommodation chambers 31a, 31b. Then, the cap 2 is attached to the housing 21.
The distance between the cap 25 and the light receiving / transmitting devices 24a and 24b in a state where the light emitting device 5 is attached is determined by the thickness T.
1, T2, so the cap 25 is
1 cannot be attached.

Therefore, even if the transmitting lens 23b is erroneously inserted into the first receiving cylinder 33a and the receiving lens 23a is inserted into the second receiving cylinder 33b, the cap 25 must be attached to the housing 21. Can not do
An operator who assembles the receptacle 1 has the lens 23a,
An erroneous assembly of 23b can be easily grasped. In addition, lens 2
Since it can be determined whether or not the correct receiving cylinders 33a and 33b are inserted into the receiving cylinders 3a and 23b, these lenses 23a and 23b can be grasped.
a and 23b can be reliably mounted on the correct receiving cylinders 33a and 33b.

Further, the receptacle 1 of the present embodiment
Since the small diameter surface 75a of the receiving lens 23a is formed relatively small, the signal light transmitted from the optical fiber 8 or the like can be transmitted to the light receiving surface of the optical receiving device 24a with low loss. Further, since the small diameter surface 75b of the transmitting lens 23b is formed relatively large, the signal light emitted from the light emitting surface of the optical transmitting device 24b can be transmitted with low loss.

Therefore, the receptacle 1 can be reliably assembled without lowering the signal light transmission efficiency.

[0092]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the erroneous assembly preventing means, the receiving sleeve is mounted on the second holding portion and the transmitting sleeve is mounted on the first holding portion. To prevent that. Therefore, the optical connector can be assembled without lowering the transmission efficiency of the signal light.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first convex portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the receiving sleeve and the second convex portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the transmitting sleeve have different shapes. It is possible to more reliably prevent the receiving sleeve from being mounted on the second holding portion and the transmitting sleeve from being mounted on the first holding portion. Therefore, the assembling can be performed reliably without lowering the transmission efficiency of the signal light more reliably.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the cover member is attached to the housing, the distance between the cover member and the light receiving / transmitting module is increased by the distance between the first and second convex portions. Large width. Therefore, if at least one of the attachment of the receiving sleeve to the second holding portion and the attachment of the transmitting sleeve to the first holding portion occurs, the cover member cannot be attached to the housing.

Therefore, it is possible for the operator to reliably grasp that at least one of the mounting of the receiving sleeve on the second holding portion and the mounting of the transmitting sleeve on the first holding portion has occurred. As a result, the assembling can be surely performed without further lowering the transmission efficiency of the signal light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a receptacle as an optical connector and an optical plug as a mating optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the receptacle of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the receptacle of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view as seen from a direction of an arrow VI in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a receiving lens of the receptacle of the embodiment.

8 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a transmission lens of the receptacle of the embodiment.

11 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the lens is erroneously assembled in the receptacle of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a receptacle as a conventional optical connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 receptacle (optical connector) 8 optical fiber 21 housing 23a receiving lens (receiving sleeve) 23b transmitting lens (transmitting sleeve) 24a optical receiving device (optical receiving module) 24b optical transmitting device (optical transmitting module) 25 cap ( Cover member) 29 Central wall (holding wall) 33a First receiving cylinder (first holding portion) 33b Second receiving cylinder (second holding portion) 61a First concave portion 61b Second concave portion 74a First flange portion (first) Convex part) 74b Second flange part (Second convex part) 90 Misassembly prevention means

Claims (3)

[Claims] An optical receiving / transmitting module; a receiving sleeve interposed between the optical receiving module and the optical fiber for optically connecting the optical receiving module and the optical fiber to each other; A transmission sleeve interposed between the module and the optical fiber to optically connect the optical transmission module and the optical fiber to each other, and the optical reception / transmission module, the reception sleeve, and the transmission sleeve are accommodated. An optical connector comprising: a housing, wherein the housing holds the receiving sleeve;
A second holder configured to hold the transmitting sleeve, wherein the receiving sleeve is prevented from being mounted on the second holder, and the transmitting sleeve is mounted on the first holder. An optical connector comprising erroneous assembly preventing means for preventing the optical connector from being mounted. 2. The housing has a holding wall connected to the first holding portion and the second holding portion, and the erroneous assembly preventing means is directed outward from an outer peripheral surface of the receiving sleeve. A first protruding portion, a second protruding portion protruding outward from an outer peripheral surface of the transmitting sleeve and having a shape different from that of the first protruding portion, and a A first concave portion that matches the first convex portion and into which the first convex portion enters when the receiving sleeve is held by the first holding portion; and a concave portion from the surface of the holding wall and matches the second convex portion. A second concave portion into which the second convex portion enters when the transmitting sleeve is held by the second holding portion;
The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A cover member for covering the optical receiving / transmitting module, the receiving sleeve, and the transmitting sleeve together with the housing is attached to the housing, and the optical receiving / transmitting module, the receiving sleeve, and the transmitting sleeve are attached to the housing. When the cover member is attached to the housing containing the credit sleeve, the sleeve of each of the first convex portion and the second convex portion depends on the distance between the cover member and the light receiving / transmitting module. 3. The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein a width of the holding portion along a direction in which the holding portion is mounted is large.