JP2002139655A - Structure for multiple optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the time for polishing the tip end face of a ferrule. SOLUTION: In a multiple optical fiber connector for connecting multiple optical fibers by abutting the ferrule tip faces 10A on each other with a prescribed pressurizing force, the tip face of the ferrule is formed so that its cross sectional area becomes smaller than that of other area. More specifically, with the exception of the proximity to the ferrule 10, where the multiple optical fibers are held penetratingly, the tip of the ferrule is formed in a projected shape, in which a part uncontributing to the connection of the multiple optical fibers is recessed. Thus, the area that needs to be polished is decreased, thereby reducing the time required for polishing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a multi-core optical fiber connector, and more particularly to a technique for shortening a polishing time of a ferrule tip surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multi-core optical fiber connector (hereinafter referred to as "optical connector") for connecting multi-core optical fibers (hereinafter referred to as "optical fibers") by abutting ferrule tips with a predetermined pressing force. It is known. To connect an optical fiber using an optical connector, the optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule, and the tip is made to protrude from the tip surface of the ferrule. Next, the optical fiber tips protruding from the ferrule tip face are trimmed, and the ferrule tip face is polished flat by a polishing machine. At this time, since the optical fiber is harder than the ferrule tip, the tip of the optical fiber projects from the ferrule tip after polishing. Then, while positioning the optical axis of the optical fiber with the guide pin fitted to the ferrule, the tip surfaces of the ferrules are butted by the pressing force of the clamp spring to connect the optical fiber.

[0003]

However, since the ferrule tip surface is formed on the same flat surface as shown in FIG. 7, a portion not involved in the connection of the optical fiber must be polished. There is a problem that polishing takes time. The problem is that the tip of the ferrule is slanted (for example, 8 mm) in order to suppress the connection loss of the optical fiber.
°), which is particularly noticeable when polishing.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a structure of a multi-core optical fiber connector in which the polishing area of a portion not involved in the connection of the optical fiber is reduced and the polishing time is shortened. With the goal.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-fiber optical fiber connector for connecting multi-fiber optical fibers by abutting the ferrule tips with a predetermined pressing force. The ferrule tip has a cross-sectional area smaller than other portions.

[0006] According to this configuration, since the cross-sectional area of the ferrule tip is smaller than other portions, the area that must be polished is reduced, and the polishing time is shortened. In addition, in order to suppress the connection loss of the optical fiber, when the ferrule tip surface is polished obliquely, the polishing amount is significantly reduced compared to a flat tip surface,
Polishing time is further reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the tip of the ferrule is formed in a convex shape in which other portions are concave except for the vicinity of the ferrule through which the multi-core optical fiber is held. . According to such a configuration, the ferrule tip is formed in a convex shape in which other portions are depressed, except for the vicinity of the ferrule through which the multi-core optical fiber is penetrated and held. Will be removed. For this reason, the polished area is effectively reduced while ensuring the strength that can reliably hold the multi-core optical fiber.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the distal end of the ferrule is formed in a convex shape in which at least one side thereof is concave along the row direction of the multi-core optical fiber. According to such a configuration, since the ferrule tip is formed in a convex shape in which at least one side is concave along the row direction of the multi-core optical fiber, a portion that does not contribute to the connection of the multi-core optical fiber is removed. It will be. For this reason, the polished area is effectively reduced while ensuring the strength that can reliably hold the multi-core optical fiber.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The optical connector, as shown in FIG.
A set of ferrules 10 and a substantially cylindrical metal 2
A book guide pin 20, a clamp spring 30 for abutting the ferrule tip surfaces 10A with each other with a predetermined pressing force,
It is comprised including.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ferrule 10 has a shape in which two rectangular parallelepipeds having different cross-sectional areas are connected, and the optical fiber insertion holes 12 through which the optical fibers 40 are inserted are formed in a row along the axial direction. Formed. Further, on both sides of the optical fiber insertion hole 12, there are formed guide pin holes 14 through which guide pins 20 for positioning and aligning the optical axis of the optical fiber 40 with high precision are inserted. Further, an adhesive filling window 16 into which a resin as an adhesive is poured is formed on one end face facing the optical fiber insertion hole 12 so as to fix the optical fiber 40 to the ferrule 10.

As a feature of the present invention, the tip of the ferrule is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions. In order to form the cross-sectional area at the tip of the ferrule smaller than other portions, as shown in FIG.
10 and guide pin hole 14 through which holes are held
Except for the vicinity, other portions are formed in a concave shape. Here, at least the reason why the vicinity of the ferrule 10 through which the optical fiber 40 is penetrated and held is excluded is to secure a strength that can hold the optical fiber 40 reliably. As another shape, as shown in FIG. 3, except for the vicinity of the ferrule 10 through which the optical fiber 40 is held, the other portion may be formed to have a concave shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one side of the optical fiber insertion hole 12 may have a concave shape along the row direction.

The clamp spring 30 has a shape in which claw portions 30B are integrally connected to four corners of a substantially rectangular base 30A. Tip surface 10A
Butts are pressed against each other with a predetermined pressing force. Next, a procedure for connecting the optical fiber 40 using the optical connector having such a configuration will be described.

First, the optical fiber 40 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 12 formed in the ferrule 10, and the optical fiber 40 is projected from the distal end face 10A. In this state,
The resin is poured from the adhesive filling window 16 of the ferrule 10, and the optical fiber 40 is fixed to the ferrule 10. Then, the distal end portion of the optical fiber 40 protruding from the ferrule distal end surface 10A is trimmed, and the ferrule distal end surface 10A is polished by a polishing machine (not shown). At this time, the tip of the ferrule is formed so that the cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the other portions, so that the area that must be polished is reduced, and the polishing time can be shortened.
And, by shortening the polishing time, the cost required for connecting the optical fiber 40 can also be reduced.

In this case, when the ferrule tip surface 10A is polished obliquely, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the amount of polishing is remarkably reduced as compared with the case where the tip surface is flat, and the polishing time is shortened. The effect appears remarkably. Then, after inserting the guide pin 20 into the guide pin hole 14 of the ferrule 10, the ferrule tip surfaces 10A are brought into contact with each other while positioning the optical axis of the optical fiber 40 with high accuracy by the guide pin 20. Thereafter, by attaching the clamp spring 30 to the ferrule 10, the ferrule tip surfaces 10A press against each other with a predetermined pressing force, and a stable connection state is maintained.

[0015]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the area to be polished is reduced, and the polishing time can be shortened. Further, by reducing the polishing time, the cost required for connecting the multi-core optical fiber can be reduced. According to the second or third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to effectively reduce the polished area while securing the strength for reliably holding the multi-core optical fiber.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed shape of a ferrule, wherein (A) is a top view, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a front view.

FIG. 3 shows another shape of the ferrule, (A) is a front view, and (B) is a side view.

4A and 4B show other shapes of the ferrule, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a side view.

5A and 5B show an example in which the present invention is applied to an optical connector in which a ferrule tip surface is polished obliquely, where FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG.

6A and 6B show another example in which the present invention is applied to an optical connector in which a ferrule tip surface is polished obliquely, wherein FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG.

7A and 7B show a detailed shape of a ferrule according to the related art, where FIG. 7A is a top view and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Ferrule 10A Ferrule tip 40 Optical fiber

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A multi-fiber optical fiber connector for connecting multi-core optical fibers by abutting ferrule tip surfaces with a predetermined pressing force, wherein the ferrule tip has a cross-sectional area larger than that of another part. The structure of a multi-core optical fiber connector characterized in that it is also formed small. 2. The multi-layered ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule tip portion is formed in a convex shape in which other portions are depressed except for the vicinity of the ferrule through which the multi-core optical fiber is held. Structure of fiber optic connector. 3. The multi-core optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule tip is formed in a convex shape in which at least one side thereof is concave along the row direction of the multi-core optical fiber. Fiber connector structure.