JP2002048934A - Optical fiber aligning member and adapter for optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber aligning member and an adapter for an optical connector wherein a fiber aligning member is easily manufactured, molding is utilized, an inserting property is excellent and dust is cleaned. SOLUTION: In the optical fiber aligning member for mutually connecting optical fibers 51, 52 at the tip end surfaces, a first holder member 11 in which aligning groove parts 27 for mutually aligning the optical fibers 51, 52 are formed and a second holder member 31 which is freely attached to and detached from the first holder member 11 are provided, and the second holder member 31 is provided with a fiber guide part 48 for guiding the optical fibers 51, 52 to the aligning groove parts 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an optical fiber alignment member for connecting optical fibers to each other, and an optical connector adapter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a conventional optical fiber alignment member comprises a pair of long plate-shaped frame portions 213a and 213b positioned in parallel with each other, and these frame portions 213a and 213b. An elongated plate-shaped base portion 215 connecting the pair of frame portions 213a and 213b to each other at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction, and an elongated plate-shaped fiber alignment portion 217 provided on the base portion 215. Have.

A pair of frame parts 213a and 213b are
They are interconnected by a long plate-shaped base 215. As shown in FIG. 25, the fiber alignment portion 217 has an alignment hole 217a for connecting the end faces of the optical fiber 251 of the optical fiber and the mating fiber 252 of the mating optical fiber. .

At both ends of the alignment hole 217a, tapered portions 217b which are widened outward are formed as guides for inserting the fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252. Here, the inner diameter of the alignment hole 217a is
The diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the fiber 51 and the mating fiber 252. For example, when the diameter of the fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252 is 0.125 mm, the inner diameter of the alignment hole 217a is 0.126 mm.

[0005] Further, if the number of cores (the number of cores) of the fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252 increases,
It is formed so as to narrow the interval in the pitch direction between the alignment holes 217a.

[0006]

However, the inner diameter of the alignment hole 217a is slightly larger than the diameters of the fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252. There is a problem that it is difficult to manufacture the core member.

Further, if the fiber alignment member is made by molding, it is difficult to form the tapered portions 217a of the fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252 on both sides during processing, so that it is not suitable for narrowing the pitch. .

Further, since the structure does not take into account the insertability of the optical fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252, when the fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252 are inserted into the alignment hole 217a, it is like an air piston. It has a problem that it may be difficult to handle.

Further, if dust is present in the alignment hole 217a, the optical fiber 251 and the mating fiber 252 cannot be inserted to predetermined positions. However, it is difficult to clean the dust because of its small diameter. The optical performance of the connection between the optical fiber strand 251 and the mating fiber strand 252 is degraded by the slight foreign matter on the end faces.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber alignment member and an optical connector adapter which can easily manufacture a fiber alignment member, can utilize molding, has good insertability, and can clean dust. To provide.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in an optical fiber alignment member for connecting optical fibers to each other at their distal end surfaces, an alignment groove for aligning the optical fibers is formed. A first holder member, and a second holder member facing the alignment groove and detachably attached to the first holder member, wherein the second holder member includes the optical fiber. An optical fiber alignment member having a fiber guide portion on a surface facing the alignment groove portion so as to guide the optical fiber into the alignment groove portion is obtained.

According to the present invention, in an optical connector adapter having an optical fiber alignment member for connecting optical fibers to each other at their distal end surfaces, an alignment for aligning the optical fibers is provided. A first holder member having a core groove formed therein, and a second holder member opposed to the alignment groove and detachably attached to the first holder member, wherein the second holder member is A fiber guide portion on a surface facing the alignment groove portion for guiding the optical fiber to the alignment groove portion, wherein the adapter has a first
And a first outer shell member including the second holder member;
An adapter for an optical connector characterized by having an outer shell member that is held in cooperation with the first and second holder members is obtained.

[0013]

According to the optical fiber alignment member and the optical connector adapter of the present invention, the alignment of the optical fiber is held in the first holder member having the alignment groove and in the direction facing the first holder member. This is performed by the second holder member. Further, the second holder member is detachable.

In assembling the first and second holder members, the protrusion of the first holder member and the insertion groove of the second holder member are positioned, and the second holder member is inserted in a downward direction.

Next, when the second holder member is moved to a position where the upper surface of the step faces the lower surface of the projection, the moving operation is completed. At this time, the movement of the pressing portion is regulated by the engagement between the projection and the step, and the holding portion is held. The operating portion is defined by the outer shell member of the adapter using a positioning portion formed at a central portion thereof.

In the optical fiber alignment member, when the first and second holder members are combined at a predetermined position, the posture of the distal end of the optical fiber is corrected by the inclined surface, and the optical fiber alignment member is guided along the fiber guide wall. It is inserted into the groove.

When the mating fiber strand is inserted into the guide groove, the tapered tip surface hits the slope formed in the inner part of the guide groove, and the tip of the mating fiber slides on the slope. While reaching the surface of the fiber holding plate.
Then, when the insertion is further continued, the mating fiber strand is
The tip portion is pushed down to the alignment groove by the fiber holding plate of the second holder member, and moves in the alignment groove.

In this state, when the mating fiber is further pushed in along the guide groove, the front end surface of the mating fiber on the alignment groove is brought into contact with the line end face of the optical fiber already positioned. Moves without misalignment.

When the first and second holder members are held at predetermined positions, the fiber strand and the mating fiber strand that are connected in the alignment groove are pushed down by the second holder member, and the alignment fiber is pressed. Connect with each other above.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an optical fiber alignment member and an optical connector adapter of the present invention will be described below. 1 to 4 show one embodiment of the optical fiber alignment member of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the optical fiber alignment member 1 includes a first holder member 11 and a second holder member 3 detachably mounted on the first holder member 11.
And 1.

The first holder member 11 has a pair of long plate-shaped frame portions 13a, 13
b, a long plate-shaped base portion 15 interconnecting the pair of frame portions 13a, 13b at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the frame portions 13a, 13b, and a long plate provided on the base portion 15. And a fiber alignment part 17 having a shape.

The pair of frame portions 13a and 13b are formed as shown in FIG.
Are long plates in the direction including the X axis indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 1, and are connected to each other by the long plate-shaped base portions 15 in the direction including the Z axis indicated by the arrow in FIG. The fiber alignment portion 17 is a long plate that is long in a direction including the Z axis indicated by an arrow in FIG.
5 are integrally provided on the base portion 15 with a dimension slightly shorter than the dimension. The width of the fiber alignment portion 17 in the direction including the X axis is slightly shorter than the width of the base portion 15 in the direction including the X axis.

The pair of frame portions 13a, 13b are plate-shaped holder support portions 18a, 18b formed at longitudinally intermediate portions of the frame portions 13a, 13b.
In the vicinity of both sides of the holder supporting portions 18a, 18b in the direction including the X-axis, two are formed to protrude from the opposing inner surfaces 13a-1, 13b-1 of the pair of frame portions 13a, 13b, respectively. Four projections 21a,
22a, 21b and 22b.

Each of the holder supporting portions 18a and 18b has a width dimension longer than the width direction including the Y axis of the pair of frame portions 13a and 13b, and adjusts the width direction of the pair of frame portions 13a and 13b. It extends with a dimension larger than the orthogonal upper and lower surfaces, and extends outward with a dimension larger in the direction including the Z axis than the outer surfaces of the pair of frame portions 13a and 13b.

Projections 21a, 22a, 21b, 22b
Has a surface common to the upper surface of the pair of frame portions 13a and 13b orthogonal to the width direction. These projections 21
a, 22a, 21b, 22b are the holder support portions 18;
A positional relationship is established such that the optical fibers are located above the upper surface of the fiber alignment section 17 near both sides in the direction including the X axis of a and 18b.

The inner surface 1 of the pair of frame portions 13a, 13b
3a-1 and 13b-1 and the fiber alignment portion 17
Are formed between both ends in the direction including the Z-axis, and these gaps form concave holder guide portions 25a and 25b for guiding the second holder 31.
It has become. FIG. 4 shows one holder guide portion 25b.

On the upper surface of the fiber alignment section 17, a plurality of V-shaped alignment grooves 27 which are long in the width direction of the fiber alignment section 17 and include the X axis shown by the arrow in FIG. Is formed. The alignment grooves 27 are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction including the Z axis indicated by an arrow in FIG.
7 is formed between both ends in the width direction. The alignment groove 27 is formed by connecting the fiber strand 51 of the optical fiber and the mating fiber strand 52 of the mating optical fiber shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
The end faces serve to perform alignment for connection and perform positioning for connection.

In FIG. 1, the number of the alignment grooves 27 is not shown as four, but the number of the alignment grooves 27 depends on the fiber strand 51 of the optical fiber and the fiber strand of the other optical fiber. What is necessary is just to provide the number corresponding to the number of cores with the line 52,
The alignment grooves 27 can be formed in the fiber alignment portion 17 at a higher density than the illustrated number.

On the other hand, the second holder member 31 is inserted into the space between the long plate-shaped pressing portion 33 and the inner surfaces 13a-1 and 13b-1 of the pair of frame portions 13a and 13b as shown in FIG.
On both sides of the holding portion 33 in the direction including the Z axis shown in FIG.
It has a pair of leg portions 35a and 35b extending in opposite directions from a pair of both side ends of the holding portion 33.

The lower ends of the pair of legs 35a, 35b are connected to the holder guide 25, as best shown in FIG.
a, 25b is a part that goes into one-to-one. Presser part 33
The upper surface 33a, which is the outer surface of the
Is formed to perform an operation for moving the second holder member 31 in a direction including the X axis and to position the second holder member 31 at a predetermined position of the first holder member 11.

The operating portion 37 has a dimension that is long in the middle portion in the direction including the X axis, which is the width direction of the pressing portion 33, and in the direction including the Z axis. The operation portion 37 has a concave positioning portion 37a formed at an intermediate portion in a direction including the Z axis. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Both ends in the direction including the Z-axis are a pair of holder support portions 18.
a and 18b, the first and second
Of the holder members 11 and 31 are combined.

Further, four corner portions of the pair of leg portions 35a and 35b which are on the diagonal line of the holding portion 33 are attached to the holding portion 33.
The four steps 41a, 42a (see FIG. 5), 41b, 42b are formed at a position lower than the upper surface of. The upper surfaces of the step portions 41a, 42a, 41b, 42b are portions to be brought into one-to-one contact with the lower surfaces of the four projections 21a, 22a, 21b, 22b.

The four protrusions 21a, 22a, 21
1, the lower surfaces 21a-1 and 22a- of the two protrusions 21a and 22a in FIG.
1 and the lower surfaces of the other two projections 21b and 22b are the lower surfaces 21a-n of the projections 21a and 22a.
Since the surfaces are similar to 1, 22a-1, illustrations for describing these are omitted.

The pair of legs 35a and 35b has an operation unit 3
A pair of insertion grooves 44a (see FIG. 5) and 44b are formed in the vicinity of one side at both ends in the direction including the Z axis of No. 7. The insertion grooves 44a and 44b receive the two protrusions 22a and 22b facing each other in a direction including the Z axis in a one-to-one manner.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the second holder 31, the end faces 33 of the legs 35a and 35b are formed.
a-1 and 35b-1 have four press-fitting grooves 45a, 46a, 45b and 46 at four locations near both sides in the direction including the X axis.
b is formed. The press-fitting grooves 45b, 46 formed between the press-fitting grooves 45a, 46a formed on the leg 35a on one side and the press-fitting grooves 45b, 46 formed on the leg 35b on the other side.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first holder member 11 and the second holder member are assembled by fitting both ends of a leaf spring-shaped elastic member 47 into each of the spaces between the first and second holder members. 31 are maintained so as to maintain a predetermined interval.

When the first and second holder members 11 and 31 are held at predetermined positions, the elastic member 47 is connected to the fiber strand 51 and the mating fiber strand 52 connected in the alignment groove 27. , Are pressed down by the second holder member 31 to be connected to each other on the alignment groove 27.

Further, as shown in FIG.
On the inner surface 33b, the fiber strand 51 is moved in the direction opposite to the X-axis direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
A long plate-shaped fiber guide portion 48 for guiding the fiber 2 in the X-axis direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is formed.

The fiber guide portion 48 is located above the inner surface 33b so as to face the fiber alignment portion 17 when the second holder member 31 is combined with the first holder member 11 so as to be overlapped. , The fiber pressing plate portion 48a, and both ends of the fiber pressing plate portion 48a in the direction including the X axis, in the direction opposite to the X axis direction,
A plurality of fiber guide walls 48b each extending in the X-axis direction in a comb shape, and a plurality of guide grooves 48c formed in a slit shape between the fiber guide walls 48b by the fiber guide walls 48b. It is constituted by.

The fiber guide wall 48b is
Are formed to have a long dimension in the direction including the X-axis and in the opposite direction in a state of being erected on the inner surface 33b, and are formed at predetermined intervals in the direction including the Z-axis to form the guide groove portion 48c. ing.

An inclined portion at the back of the guide groove 48c for guiding the fiber strand 51 or the mating fiber strand 52 one by one into the alignment groove 27 of the first holder member 11 in the guide groove 48c. 48f are formed.

The inclined portion 48f has a function of improving the insertability of the fiber strand 51 or the mating fiber strand 52 in the direction opposite to the Y-axis direction (the direction of the alignment groove 27).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the thickness h1 of the pressing plate portion 48a is formed to be 0.2 mm, and the inclination angle of the inclined portion 48f is set within the range of this dimension h1. .

Further, at the tip of the fiber guide wall portion 48b, a guide inclined surface 48g having an R of 0.005 mm or less is formed at the tip to improve the insertability in the direction including the X axis. .

Fiber strand 51 and mating fiber strand 5
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the tip of 2 is formed into a tapered shape in order to improve the insertability and stabilize the connection. As a specific example, the tips of the fiber strand 51 and the mating fiber strand 52 in this embodiment have a tapered tip of 0.08 mm. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the dimension P1 in the pitch direction (the direction including the Z axis) is 0.25 mm, and as shown in FIG. 9, the dimension P2 in the pitch direction of the guide groove 48c is 0.16 mm. Then, the radius P of the fiber strand 51 and the mating fiber strand 52 is reduced to about 0.08 mm in one dimension P3 in the pitch direction of the guide groove 48c.
4 can be inserted into the guide groove 48c even if the axis shift occurs.

Next, the assembly with the first and second holders will be described with reference to FIG. First, the projections 22a, 22 of the first holder member 11 are changed from the state shown in FIG.
2b and the insertion grooves 44a and 44b of the second holder member are positioned, and the second holder member 31 is inserted in a downward direction opposite to the Y direction in FIG. At this time, the dimension from the insertion grooves 44a, 44b to the tip end surface in the X-axis direction is between the protrusions 21a, 22a and the protrusions 21a.
Since the second holder member 31 is formed to have a slightly smaller dimension than the dimension between b and 22B, the second holder member 31 can be inserted in the downward direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the second holder member 31 is configured such that the upper surfaces of the step portions 41a, 42a, 41b, and 42b are formed on the lower surfaces 21a-1 and 22a of the projection portions 21a.
2a-1, if it is moved in the X-axis direction until it comes into contact with the lower surfaces of the projections 21b and 22b, the movement is completed as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the movement of the pressing portion 33 is restricted in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and is held. The Z-axis direction is defined by an outer shell member described later using a positioning portion 37a formed at the center of the operation portion 37.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show an optical fiber connection operation. First, referring to FIG. 11, the optical fiber alignment member 1 is placed in a state where the first and second holder members 11 and 31 are combined at predetermined positions as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the tip of the line 51 is corrected by the inclined surface 48g, and is gradually inserted along the fiber guide wall portion 48b into the depth of the guide groove portion 48c.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the fiber strand 51 is inserted to a predetermined position of the alignment groove 27.
A mating fiber strand 52 connected to this fiber strand 51
Shows a state in which the tip of is inserted to the middle of the guide groove 48c.

When the mating fiber strand 52 is further inserted into the guide groove 48c from the position shown in FIG. 11, the tapered distal end surface hits the inclined part 48f formed in the inner part of the guide groove 48c. As shown in FIG. 12, while the tip end of the mating fiber strand 52 slides on the inclined portion 48f, A
The light reaches the surface of the fiber pressing plate 48a from the point. When the insertion is further continued, the mating fiber strand 52 becomes
The tip portion is pushed down to the alignment groove 27 by the fiber pressing plate portion 48a of the second holder member 31, and the alignment groove 2
Move 7 At this time, specifically, the mating fiber strand 52
Has a diameter of 0.125 mm and a height h1 of the inclined portion 48f.
Is 0.2 mm, the amount of depression is 0.05 mm.

From this state, the mating fiber 5
13 is pushed along the guide groove 48c, and as shown in FIG. 13, the distal end face of the counterpart fiber strand 52 on the alignment groove 27 has the optical fiber strand 51 already positioned.
Is connected to the wire end face without any axial deviation.

FIG. 14 shows the fiber 5 in FIG.
1 or a state in which the mating fiber strand 52 has been inserted into the alignment groove 27. For example, the fiber holding plate 4
8c, fiber strand 51 and mating fiber strand 5
2 clearance C1 between the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction
Is set to about 0.03 mm in advance, the clearance C1 is large, and the insertability is improved. However, it is conceivable that the alignment of the fiber strand 51 and the mating fiber strand 52 on the alignment groove 27 is slightly shifted.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the clearance C2 between the upper surface of the fiber pressing plate 48c and the outer peripheral surfaces of the fiber strand 51 and the mating fiber strand 52 in the radial direction is set to 0. If it is set to about 001 mm, the clearance C2 is small and the insertability is slightly inferior, but the alignment work for aligning the fiber strand 51 or the mating fiber strand 52 on the alignment groove 27 is simple. Can be. Therefore, the clearances C1 and C2 described above may be appropriately selected at the design stage according to the diameter of the fiber strand 51 or the mating fiber strand 52.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an embodiment of an optical connector adapter device provided with the optical fiber alignment member 1 described above. In the optical connector adapter device employing the configuration of the optical fiber alignment member 1 shown in FIG. 16 and FIG.
This shows a state in which the fiber and the mating fiber strand 52 of the mating fiber are aligned and connected. 18 and 19
Indicates an adapter.

Referring to FIG. 16 and FIG.
1 is an optical fiber alignment member 1 and an optical fiber alignment member 1
And a second outer shell member 73 that covers the optical fiber alignment member 1 and is fixed to the first outer shell member 61.

The first outer shell member 63 includes the first and second holder members 11 and 31, and the first and second outer shell members 73 and 73 define the first and second holder members. In cooperation with the holder members 11 and 31 of FIG.

The first outer shell member 63 has a long cubic shape and a cylindrical shape, and has an upper surface 63a and a pair of side wall portions 63a, 63a parallel to each other so that the optical fiber alignment member 1 can be incorporated therein. 63b has a large opening 63c.

At the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the pair of side wall portions 63a, 63b, the first engagement portions 65a, into which the pair of holder support portions 18a, 18b of the optical fiber alignment member 1 are fitted one-to-one, respectively. 65b extends outward from each of the pair of side wall portions 63a, 63b.

The first engaging portions 65a and 65b are
Notch 6 continuously cut from the edge of 3c
7a and 67b. Notches 67a, 67b
The second outer shell member 7 is provided on the side wall portions 63a and 63b near the
3 for locking a pair of first locking portions 68 having a concave shape.
a, 69a and 68b, 69b are formed.

The second outer shell member 73 has a plate-shaped closing portion 74 having a plate size fitted into the opening 63c, and a pair of side edges of the closing portion 74, each of which is substantially perpendicular to the closing portion 74. Second engaging portions 75 extending and facing each other
a, 75b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the second outer shell member 73 has a pair of second locking portions 78a protruding inside the distal end portions of the second engaging portions 75a and 75b. , 7
9b, 78b and 79b are formed. Further, a pair of engaging pieces 81a and 81b that engage with the positioning portion 37a formed on the operation portion 37 of the optical fiber alignment member 1 are formed at the center of the back surface of the closing portion 74. These engagement pieces 81a and 81b are thin small pieces and have some flexibility.

At the time of assembling, the optical fiber alignment member 1 is set into the first outer shell member 63 from the opening 63c. At the same time, the pair of holder support portions 18a, 18b are inserted into the cutout portions 67a, 67b which are cut out continuously from the opening 63c in the pair of side wall portions 63a, 63b.
Of the holder supporting portion 18 by the engaging portions 65a and 65b of the
a, 18b are supported and fixed. At this time, the engaging pieces 81a and 81b of the second outer shell member 73 sandwich and engage the positioning portion 37a of the second holder member 31.

Here, when the second holder member 31 is not inserted to the predetermined position of the first holder member 11, the optical performance may be deteriorated. However, as a preventive measure, the engagement pieces 81a of the second outer shell member 73,
The second outer shell member 73 cannot be attached to the first outer shell member 63 because 81 b cannot be inserted into the positioning portion 37 a of the second holder member 31.

In this optical connector adapter, since the first and second outer shell members 63 and 73 are detachable, the first holder member 11 to the second holder member 31 also
Since it can be removed by the reverse procedure of the installation shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to clean the centering groove 27 of the first holder member 11.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show the plugs 83, 83 'also shown in FIGS. Two plugs 83 and 83 ′ are connected to the adapter 61. As shown in FIG. 16, one of the two plugs 83, 83 'holds the fiber strand 51 in a fixed state, and the other shows a state in which the mating fiber strand 52 is bent. It is a configuration that is held by. Since the other configuration is the same except for a part, only one plug 83 will be described, and the same members of the other plug 83 'will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the one plug 83, and the dashed reference numeral " The description excluding the main part will be omitted by distinguishing with “′”.

Referring to FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, a plug 81 is a tape-shaped two bundle of 12 optical fiber wires 51 covered by a shrinkable tube 99. A plurality of optical fibers 55 put together
And a fixing plug frame member 87 combined with the plug frame member 85, and a first clamp member 91 provided on the plug frame member 85 to clamp the optical fiber 55. (See FIG. 16) and the first clamp member 91.
A second clamp member 93 for holding the upper optical fiber so as to sandwich the same is provided near the optical fiber alignment member 1 so that the optical fiber strands 51 are aligned and extended to the optical fiber alignment member 1. Optical fiber alignment member 95
And a sliding spring 96 (see FIG. 16).

The plug frame member 85 includes a frame cylindrical portion 85a for incorporating the optical fiber alignment member 95 having a plurality of alignment holes 95a, and a plug holding portion 85b for holding the first and second clamp members 91 and 93. And a frame opening 85c (see FIG. 21) formed on the upper surface between the frame cylinder portion 85a and the clamp holding portion 85b. The pair of frame side walls 85f of the plug frame member 85 are formed with a shaft portion 86g that protrudes outward.

On the other hand, the fixing plug frame member 87 includes:
A flat frame closing portion 87a for closing the frame opening 85c, and frame leg portions 87c extending in opposite directions from both sides of the frame closing portion 87a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the frame closing portion 87a. A fiber fixing portion 87j is formed on the upper surface of the plug frame member 85 and from the inner surface of the frame closing portion 87a so as to fix the optical fiber 51 without bending.

A plug frame member 85 'is provided above the mating optical fiber 52. The plug frame member 85' has a structure in which the fixing plug frame member 87 'has no fiber fixing portion 87j. And the other optical fiber 52 is bent and held.

A slit 87m is formed in the frame leg 87c from the tip to both sides of the frame closing portion 87a. A shaft hole 87p that receives the shaft portion 86g of the plug frame member 85 is formed at an intermediate portion of the slit 87m so as to be continuous with the slit 87m. Therefore, when the fixing plug frame member 87 is pushed in from the upper surface direction of the plug frame member 85, the shaft hole 87p is engaged with the shaft portion 86g, so that the mounting can be performed in a stable state.

Further, the adapter 61 and the plugs 83, 8
The cover 3 'is covered by a cover 101 as shown in FIG. 16, and the cover 101 and the plugs 83 and 83' are urged by a locking spring 97 having a leaf spring shape.

Further, the first and second holder members 11,
31, the first and second outer shell members 63 and 73, the plug frame member 85, the fixing plug frame member, the first and second clamp members, the optical fiber alignment member 95, the cover 101, and the like are made of a resin material. It is possible to mold.

[0072]

As described above, according to the optical fiber alignment member and the optical connector adapter of the present invention, since the second holder member is detachable from the first holder member, the adjustment is possible. It is easy to clean the core groove portion, and it is possible to provide an optical fiber alignment member and an optical connector adapter suitable for mass production of the optical fiber and the mating optical fiber with high performance.

In the second holder member, since the inclined portion is formed in the guide groove, the insertability of the optical fiber is improved, and the guide groove can be formed at a narrow pitch.

Further, the optical connector adapter narrows in cooperation with the first holder member and the second holder member, the first outer shell member including these members, and the first and second holder members. Since it is composed of the second outer shell member and the second outer shell member, it is possible to provide an optical connector adapter which is economical due to relaxation of component accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of an optical fiber alignment member of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG. 1 is assembled.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG. 2, taken along the line III-III.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the second folder member shown in FIG. 1 in an inverted state;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the second folder member shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of the second folder member shown in FIG. 6 and a fiber strand of an optical fiber.

FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining a dimensional relationship between a main part of the second folder member shown in FIG. 7 and an optical fiber of the optical fiber.

FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining a dimensional relationship between a main part of the second folder member shown in FIG. 7 and an optical fiber of the optical fiber.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG. 1 in a state in which the optical fiber alignment member is being assembled.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial stage of inserting a mating optical fiber of the mating optical fiber into the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG.

12 is a cross-sectional view showing a stage in the process of inserting a mating optical fiber of the mating optical fiber into the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG. 11;

13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after a mating optical fiber of a mating optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG. 12 and connected to the mating optical fiber.

FIG. 14 is a front view for explaining a dimensional relationship between the fiber strand shown in FIG. 13 or a counterpart fiber strand and a second folder member.

FIG. 15 is a front view for explaining a dimensional relationship between the fiber strand or the mating fiber strand shown in FIG. 13 and a second folder member.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing one embodiment of the optical connector adapter device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows the optical connector adapter device shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line XVI-XVI.

18 is an exploded perspective view showing an adapter of the optical connector adapter device shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state where the adapter shown in FIG. 18 is assembled.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the second outer shell member shown in FIG. 18 in an inverted manner.

21 is an exploded perspective view showing a plug of the optical connector adapter device shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state where the adapter shown in FIG. 21 is assembled.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical fiber alignment member.

24 is an XXVI-X of the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG.
It is XVI sectional drawing.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the mating optical fiber of the mating optical fiber and the mating optical fiber of the mating optical fiber are connected to the optical fiber alignment member shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber alignment member 11 1st holder member 31 2nd holder member 13a, 13b Frame part 15 Base part 17 Fiber alignment part 18a, 18b Holder support part 21a, 22a, 21b, 22b Projection part 25a, 25b Holder Guide part 27 Alignment groove part 51 Fiber strand 52 Companion fiber strand 33 Holding part 35a, 35b Leg 37 Operation part 41a, 42a Step part 44a, 44b Insertion groove part 45a, 46a, 45b, 46b Press-fitting groove 47 for pressurization Elasticity Member 48a Fiber holding plate portion 48b Fiber guide wall portion 48c Guide groove portion 48f Inclined portion 37a Positioning portion 48g Inclined surface 61 Adapter 63 First outer shell member 73 Second outer shell member 65a, 65b First engagement portion 67a, 67b Notch 68a, 69a, 68b, 69b 1 locking portion 63c opening 74 closing portion 75a, 75b second engaging portion 83 plug 85 plug frame member 87 fixing plug frame member 91 first clamp member 93 second clamp member 95 optical fiber alignment member 96 Slide spring 86g Shaft part 87j Fiber fixing part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tadashi Harada 1-21-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Ando 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Nobuo Sato 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2H036 JA04 LA03 LA08 NA01 QA12 QA32

Claims (14)

[Claims] An optical fiber alignment member for connecting optical fibers to each other at their distal end surfaces, wherein: a first holder member formed with an alignment groove for aligning the optical fibers; A second holder member opposed to the core groove and detachably attached to the first holder member, wherein the second holder member guides the optical fiber to the alignment groove. An optical fiber alignment member having a fiber guide portion on a surface facing the alignment groove portion. 2. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 1, wherein said first holder and said second holder are attached to said second holder member.
An optical fiber alignment member, wherein an elastic member that holds the holder member so as to maintain a predetermined interval is provided. 3. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 1, wherein the fiber guide has a guide groove formed in a slit shape to guide the optical fiber in the direction of the alignment groove. The optical fiber alignment member, wherein the guide groove has an inclined portion for guiding the optical fiber onto the alignment groove in order to align the optical fiber. 4. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 3, wherein the first holder member connects the pair of frame portions positioned in parallel with each other and the frame portion at an intermediate portion between the frame portions. And a fiber alignment portion provided on the base portion, wherein the alignment groove portion is formed in the fiber alignment portion, and wherein the second holder member is A holding section provided with the long plate-shaped fiber guide section on the upper surface, and a pressing section which is positioned so as to face the fiber alignment section when the first holder member is combined with the second holder member. A fiber pressing plate portion, and a plurality of fiber guide walls extending from both side ends of the fiber pressing plate portion, wherein the guide groove is formed between the fiber guide wall portions; 2 holder part When the material is held at a predetermined position, the inclined portion is guided by the guide so that the optical fiber connected to the alignment groove portion is pressed down by the fiber pressing plate portion and connected to each other on the alignment groove portion. An optical fiber alignment member formed at a depth of a groove. 5. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 4, wherein a gap for guiding the second holder member is provided between an inner surface of the frame portion and both ends of the fiber alignment portion. A pair of holder guide portions are formed, and the second holder member extends on both sides of the holding portion so as to enter between inner surfaces of the frame portion, in opposite directions from a pair of both ends of the holding portion. An optical fiber alignment member, comprising: a pair of leg portions; and a lower end portion of the leg portion enters the holder guide portion one-to-one. 6. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 4, wherein the frame portion is opposed to a holder support portion formed at an intermediate portion and near the both sides of the holder support portion. A plurality of protrusions protruding from each of the inner surfaces, wherein the protrusions are formed in a positional relationship such that the protrusions are located above the upper surface of the fiber alignment section near both sides of the holder support section. An optical fiber alignment member characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 4, wherein the leg has a pair of insertion grooves for receiving the pair of projections facing each other one by one. Optical fiber alignment member. 8. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 5, wherein the leg portion is brought into contact with at least a corner portion on a diagonal line of the holding portion in one-to-one contact with the lower surface of the projection. An optical fiber alignment member, wherein a step portion lower than the upper surface of the holding portion is formed. 9. The optical fiber alignment member according to claim 5, wherein the first and second holder members are provided on the second holder member.
An elastic member that holds the holder member so as to maintain a predetermined interval is provided, and a press-fitting groove for pressurization is formed on an end surface of the leg portion, and between the press-fitting grooves for pressurization, The first and second elastic members are assembled by fitting both ends of the elastic member.
Wherein the holder member is held so as to maintain a predetermined interval. 10. An optical connector adapter comprising an optical fiber alignment member for connecting optical fibers to each other at their tip surfaces, wherein an alignment groove for aligning the optical fibers is formed. A first holder member, and a second holder member facing the alignment groove and detachably attached to the first holder member.
The holder member has a fiber guide portion on a surface facing the alignment groove portion so as to guide the optical fiber to the alignment groove portion, and the adapter includes a first and a second holder member including the first and second holder members. An adapter for an optical connector, comprising: an outer shell member according to (1), and a second outer shell member held in cooperation with the first and second holder members. 11. The optical connector adapter according to claim 10, wherein the first holder member has a pair of frame portions located parallel to each other, and the frame portion is formed in an intermediate portion. With a holder support that is
The optical connector, wherein the holder supporting portion extends with a dimension larger than an upper surface and a lower surface orthogonal to the width direction of the frame portion, and extends outward with a size larger than an outer surface of the frame portion. Adapter. 12. The optical connector adapter according to claim 10, wherein the first outer shell member has an opening formed in a pair of side walls, and the holder support is fitted into the side walls. A first engaging portion is formed, the first engaging portion has a notch continuously cut from an edge of the opening, and a first portion near the notch is provided. A first wall for locking the second shell member is provided on the side wall.
The second outer shell member has a plate-shaped closing portion having a plate size to be fitted into the opening, and extends from a pair of sides of the closing portion to face each other. And a pair of second locking portions protruding inward from a tip portion of the second engaging portion are formed on the second outer shell member. An adapter for an optical connector, comprising: 13. The optical connector adapter according to claim 10, wherein the second holder member includes a holding portion provided with the long plate-shaped fiber guide portion on an upper surface, and the first holding member.
A fiber pressing plate portion which is positioned so as to face the fiber alignment portion when the second holder member is combined with the holder member, and an upper surface which is an outer surface of the pressing portion, An operation unit for performing an operation for moving the second holder member and for positioning the second holder member at a predetermined position of the first holder member is formed. Adapter for optical connector. 14. The optical connector adapter according to claim 13, wherein the closing portion is formed with a pair of engaging pieces that engage with a positioning portion formed on the operation portion. Adapter for optical connectors.