JP2002169065A - Optical transceiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce loss fluctuation affected by vibration or by an external force imparted to a fiber and also to prevent the end face of the optical fiber from being scratched in fitting a connector. SOLUTION: In connecting a receptacle connector 45 to a plug connector 46, the tip end of the guide cylinder 50B of the receptacle connector 45 is abutted on the difference in level 54D of a ferrule 54 stored in the plug connector 46, so that the relative position of a sleeve 51 and a ferrule 54 is determined. In addition, the abutted place is pushed in the direction of the close contact between the sleeve 51 and the ferrule 54 in each of the connectors 45, 46 by means of a spring 55. The tip end of the guide cylinder 50B of the receptacle housing 50 is not projected from a plug storing space 50A and also, the tip end of the sleeve 51 is stored in the depths from the tip end of the guide cylinder 50B to the extent that the tip end of the ferrule 54 can be stored completely. The tip end of the ferrule 54 is designed to be not projecting from the guide cylinder storing space 53A of the plug housing 53.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a POF for use in a high-speed optical LAN (Local Area Network) for automobiles and the like.
The present invention relates to an optical transceiver for coupling an optical fiber such as a (Plastic Optical Fiber) and a light receiving / emitting element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of an optical communication system such as an optical LAN system. As shown in FIG. 3, in the optical communication system, devices 10A and 10B
They are interconnected via an OF40. Device 10
A, 10B and the POF 40 are interfaced by the optical transceiver 20. The POF 40 is appropriately relayed by a relay connector including a receptacle connector 31 and a plug connector 32, and transmits an optical signal to an arbitrary distance.

The optical transceiver 20 includes a receptacle connector (female connector) 21, a plug connector (male connector) 22, and a receiving module (light receiving element) 2.
3 and a transmission module (light emitting element) 24. Receptacle connector 21 and plug connector 2
2 is P with the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24
This is a connector that couples with the OF40. The receptacle connector 21 includes a receiving module 23 and a transmitting module 24 therein, and a plug connector 22.
Has a POF 40 inserted therein. The receptacle connector 21 and the plug connector 22 are fitted to each other, so that the POF 40 and the transmission / reception module 2
3 and 24 are connected.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a specific structure of a conventional optical transceiver 20. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the receptacle connector 21 has a receiving module 23 inside.
A space 21A into which the housing of the plug connector 22 is inserted is formed on the front side, and a projecting cylinder 22B of the plug connector 22 penetrating the space 21A is formed in the space 21A. An introduction hole 21 </ b> B is formed for bringing the end face into contact with the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24.

[0005] The plug connector 22 has a receptacle connector 21 on its contact surface side with the receptacle connector 21.
A fitting space 22A that fits with the projecting cylinder formed in the space 21A is formed, and a projecting cylinder 22B that is inserted into the introduction hole 21B of the receptacle connector 21 is formed in the fitting space 22A. Have been. The plug connector 22 has a fiber insertion hole 22C into which the POF 40 is inserted. The POF 40 is also inserted inside the protruding cylinder 22B.
The configuration is such that the end face of B and the end face of POF 40 are at the same position.

In the structure of such an optical transceiver, the space 21A of the receptacle connector 21 and the fitting space 22A of the plug connector 22 are fitted to each other.
The groove is formed to have the same width, and the inner diameter of the introduction hole 21B of the receptacle connector 21 is formed to be the same as the outer diameter of the protruding cylinder 22B of the plug connector 22. Further, the receptacle connector 2
The length of one introduction hole 21B is formed to be the same as the length of the protrusion of the protrusion cylinder 22B of the plug connector 22 (the length protruding from the bottom of the fitting space 22A).

When the user inserts the plug connector 22 into the receptacle connector 21, as shown in FIG. 4, the space 21A of the receptacle connector 21 and the fitting space 22A of the plug connector 22 just fit (fit). Further, the projecting cylinder 22B is inserted into the introduction hole 21B, and the POF inside the projecting cylinder 22A of the plug connector 22 is inserted.
The end face of 40 comes into contact with the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24 built in the receptacle connector 21,
Both will be optically coupled.

When the plug connector 22 is inserted into and connected to the receptacle connector 21, a stopper 22D is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the plug connector 22 so that the connection is not easily disconnected. I have.

[0009]

However, the conventional optical transceiver as described above has the following problems. First, although the receptacle connector 21 and the plug connector 22 are formed so as to be perfectly fitted to each other, there is some backlash (out of dimension). , PO
The coupling state between the F40 and the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24 changes, and loss fluctuation occurs. As a result, the optical LAN system itself may become unstable.

Further, the projecting cylinder 22 of the plug connector 22
Since the tip of B is exposed from the end face of the housing of the plug connector 22, when the receptacle connector 21 and the plug connector 22 are mated,
The protruding cylinder 22B comes into contact with any part on the contact surface side of the receptacle connector 21, and the protruding cylinder 22B
The end face of the POF 40 in B may be damaged.

Further, although the housing of the plug connector 22 and the POF 40 are fixed by piercing (not shown), only the jacket portion is fixed, so that the POF 40 in the plug connector 22 moves when an external force is applied. The optical LAN system itself may become unstable due to loss fluctuations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can reduce loss fluctuations due to the effects of vibration and external force applied to a fiber. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical transceiver capable of preventing an end face of an optical fiber from being damaged.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an optical transceiver according to the present invention comprises a receptacle connector having a photoelectric conversion element for performing a conversion operation between an optical signal and an electric signal, and an optical fiber. An optical transceiver that optically couples the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber by coupling the plug connector attached to the end of the optical connector with one end of the optical connector. A connected relay fiber, a sleeve which is sheathed on the relay fiber, and has a cylindrical portion having a distal end portion having a smaller diameter than other portions, and a plug receiving space for receiving the distal end portion of the plug connector at the distal end side. And a receptacle housing having a guide cylinder having an inner hole for accommodating the distal end of the sleeve in the plug accommodating space. A ferrule is provided at the coupling end of the optical fiber, the distal end forms a cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than that of the other portion, and a step portion is formed at a boundary with a base end following the ferrule. The guide tube of the receptacle connector is introduced at the distal end side, and a guide tube receiving space for receiving the distal end of the ferrule is formed, and the base end side of the ferrule is received at the proximal end connected to the guide tube receiving space. A ferrule housing portion having a larger diameter than the guide tube housing space is formed, a plug housing having a step formed between the ferrule housing portion and the guide tube housing space, and a ferrule housing portion of the plug housing. In a state where the step portion of the ferrule is pressed against the step portion with a predetermined spring pressure, the end of the optical fiber in which the ferrule is covered is attached to the plug housing. An optical fiber attachment member to be attached, the distal end of the sleeve being as long as the distal end of the guide cylinder of the receptacle housing does not protrude from the plug accommodating space and can completely receive the distal end of the ferrule from the distal end side. The ferrule tip does not protrude from the guide tube receiving space of the plug housing, and the tip end of the receptacle tube of the receptacle connector is connected to the plug connector when the receptacle connector and the plug connector are connected. The relative position between the sleeve and the ferrule is determined by contacting the step of the accommodated ferrule.

According to the present invention, when the receptacle connector and the plug connector are connected, the distal end of the guide tube of the receptacle connector comes into contact with the step of the ferrule accommodated in the plug connector to determine the relative position of the sleeve and the ferrule. Is done. Further, since the ferrule in the plug connector is pressed in the direction in which the ferrule in the plug connector comes into close contact with the sleeve by the spring, the sleeve and the ferrule are always held at a fixed position. Fluctuations can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the distal end portion of the sleeve is provided so that the distal end of the guide cylinder of the receptacle housing does not protrude from the plug accommodating space and the distal end portion of the ferrule can be completely accommodated from the distal end side. And the end of the ferrule does not protrude from the guide tube housing space of the plug housing, so that the end face of the optical fiber does not come into contact with other members, and as a result, the connector fitting is prevented. In this case, it is possible to prevent the end face of the optical fiber from being damaged.

It is desirable that the optical fiber and the ferrule provided on the coupling end of the optical fiber be fixed with, for example, an adhesive. In this case, even if an external force is applied to the optical fiber, the optical fiber does not move, and thus loss fluctuation does not occur.

[0017]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing components of an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a specific structure of the optical transceiver. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 2B shows a state before the optical transceiver is fitted, and FIG. 2B shows a state when the optical transceiver is fitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this optical transceiver is a receptacle connector 4 having a receiving module 23 and a transmitting module 24 as photoelectric conversion elements.
5 and a plug connector 46 which is coupled to the receptacle connector 45 and couples the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24 to the plastic optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as POF) 40. The receptacle connector 45 is connected to the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24.
And a POF as a relay fiber disposed in front of the
40, a sleeve 51 for enclosing the same, a receptacle housing 50 for accommodating the POF 40 on which the sleeve 51 is encased, and a receptacle housing 5 for accommodating the POF 40.
0, a POF 40 with a sleeve 51 and a cover member 52 for fixing the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24. Further, the plug connector 46 includes a ferrule 54 provided on the connecting end of the POF 40, a plug housing 53 for housing the connecting end of the POF 40 on which the ferrule 54 is provided, and a ferrule 54 inside the plug housing 53. The POF 40 is provided with a spring 55 and a stopper member 56 that serve as an optical fiber attachment member for fixing the coupling end of the POF 40.

The sleeve 51 is composed of a cylindrical portion 51A having a smaller diameter at the distal end side than the proximal end portion, followed by a large-diameter flange portion 51B, and has a fiber insertion hole formed inside. A step 51C is formed at the boundary between the distal end and the proximal end. The ferrule 54 attached to the end of the POF 40 has a cylindrical portion 54A having a smaller diameter at the distal end than at the proximal end, and a fiber insertion hole 54B is formed inside the cylindrical portion 54A. A step 54D is formed at the boundary between the distal end and the proximal end. The POF 40 is formed by covering the central fiber 41 with a covering 43. The covering 43 is removed at the distal end, and the fiber 41 is directly adhered to the inner surface of the fiber insertion hole 54B of the ferrule 54. It is fixed at 42.

The receptacle housing 50 has a plug accommodating space 50A for accommodating the distal end of the plug connector 46 on the distal end side. Two guide cylinders 50B protrude from the plug housing space 50A. The guide cylinder 50B has a cylindrical portion 51 at the tip of the sleeve 51.
An inner hole 50C into which A can be inserted is formed. Two guide cylinders 50 are provided at the base end side of the receptacle housing 50.
A transmission / reception module storage section 50D is formed to communicate with the inner hole 50C of B. A step 50E is formed at the boundary between the transmitting / receiving module storage section 50D and the inner hole 50C of the guide cylinder 50B.

The sleeve 51 is inserted from the proximal end of the receptacle housing 50, and has a cylindrical portion 51A at the distal end.
Is accommodated in the inner hole 50C of the guide cylinder 50B, and the flange portion 51B
Of the housing 50 is in contact with the step 50E of the housing 50. In this state, the receiving module 23 and the transmitting module 24 are mounted on the base end side of the sleeve 51, and the rear side thereof is closed with the lid member 52.

On the other hand, the distal end of the plug housing 53 has a shape that can be inserted into the plug housing space 50A of the receptacle housing 50, and the cylindrical guide tube housing space 5 for housing the guide tube 50B on the receptacle connector 45 side.
3A is formed. A ferrule housing hole 53B having a larger diameter than the guide cylinder housing space 53A is formed on the base end side of the plug housing 53. A step 53C is formed at the boundary between the ferrule housing hole 53B and the guide cylinder housing space 53A.

The ferrule 54 includes a plug housing 53
The cylindrical portion 54A on the distal end side is housed in the guide cylinder housing space 53A, and the base end side is housed in the ferrule housing hole 53B. In this state, the spring 55 and the stopper member 56 are inserted from the proximal end side of the plug housing 53. A spring mounting hole 54C is formed on the base end side of the ferrule 54, and the spring 55 is mounted in the spring mounting hole 54C. Stopper member 5
6 has a shape in which a pair of U-shaped members whose upper parts are open in the figure are connected horizontally, and the spring 55 is pressed from the base end side, and the engagement projection 56A protruding from the side face is inserted into the plug. The housing 53 is fixed to the housing 53 by engaging with an engagement hole 53 </ b> E formed on a side surface of the housing 53.
As a result, the ferrule 54 is mounted in the housing 53 in a state where the step 54D is pressed against the step 53C of the housing 53 with the spring force of the spring 55.

In this optical transceiver, the distal end of the guide cylinder 50B of the receptacle housing 50 does not protrude from the plug accommodating space 50A, and can only completely accommodate the cylindrical portion 54A of the distal end of the ferrule 54 from the distal end side of the guide cylinder 50B. The distal end surface of the cylindrical portion 51 </ b> A at the distal end of the sleeve 51 is housed deep. Also, the tip of the ferrule 55 is set so as not to protrude from the guide cylinder housing space 53A of the plug housing 53.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the connectors 45 and 46 are fitted, first, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the plug connector 46 is fitted to the inner surface of the plug accommodating space 50A of the receptacle connector 45. Connector 45,
The tips of the connectors 46, 46 are fitted together.
After the relative position is determined to the home position, the distal end 54A of the ferrule 54 is inserted into the inner hole 50C at the distal end of the guide tube 50B, and the distal end of the plug connector 46 is connected to the receptacle connector 45 as shown in FIG. Plug accommodation space 50
The fitting is completed at the stage where it comes into contact with the base end of A.

Therefore, in the initial state of fitting, both connectors 4
Even if the tip portions of the POFs 40 and 46 are rubbed, the end faces of the POF 40 located at the tip ends of the sleeve 51 and the ferrule 54 are deep and do not hit other members. FIG.
As shown in (A), when the distal ends of the receptacle connector 45 and the plug connector 46 start to be fitted with each other, the guide cylinder 50B and the cylindrical portion 54A at the distal end of the ferrule 54 are positioned substantially coaxially. The end face of the POF 40 does not hit the tip face of the guide cylinder 50B when the guide 54 and the guide cylinder 50B are fitted.

In the above optical transceiver, when the connectors 45 and 46 are connected, the tip of the guide tube 50B is
The distance between the end face of the sleeve 51 and the ferrule 54, that is, the end face of the POF 40 is determined by contacting the step portion 54 </ b> D of the ferrule 54. Guide tube 5
In this example, the length of the guide tube 50B is the depth of the guide tube receiving space 53A of the plug housing 53, ie, the length of the plug housing 53B.
Is set to be longer than the distance from the tip of the to the step 53C. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), when the connectors 45 and 46 are completely fitted, the distal end of the guide cylinder 50B moves the stepped portion 54D of the ferrule 54 and the spring 55
In a state of being slightly pressed to the proximal end side against the spring pressure of. In this state, the end faces of the POF 40
They face each other with a slight gap. The positions of both end surfaces are determined by the cylindrical portions 51A, 54 at the tips of the sleeve 51 and the ferrule 54.
It is determined only by the length of A and the distance from the tip of the guide cylinder 50B to the step 51E.

According to such a configuration, the sleeve 51 and the ferrule 54 are pressed against each other by the spring force of the spring 55 with the guide cylinder 50B interposed therebetween. When applied, even if the connectors 45 and 46 are slightly loosened due to the influence of vibration or the like, the relative position of the end face of the POF 40 is kept constant. Therefore, loss fluctuation due to vibration is small. Also, P
Since the dimensions are such that the end faces of the OF 40 do not contact each other, the end faces are not damaged by vibration.

The fiber strand 41 of the POF 40 and the inner surface of the fiber insertion hole 54B of the ferrule 54 are bonded with an adhesive 4
2, the POF 40 does not move even when an external force is applied to the POF 40,
As a result, loss fluctuation does not occur. further,
Since the double locking arm system is used, loss fluctuation is small.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the receptacle connector and the plug connector are connected, the distal end of the guide tube of the receptacle connector comes into contact with the step portion of the ferrule housed in the plug connector and the sleeve is brought into contact with the sleeve. The relative position of the ferrule and the ferrule is determined, and the contact point is pressed in the direction in which the ferrule in the plug connector comes into close contact with the sleeve, so that the sleeve and the ferrule are always held at a fixed position. Even if received, loss fluctuation can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the distal end of the guide cylinder of the receptacle housing does not protrude from the plug accommodating space, and the distal end of the sleeve is recessed from the distal end so that the distal end of the ferrule can be completely accommodated. The ferrules are housed and the tip of the ferrule does not protrude from the guide tube housing space of the plug housing. Can be prevented from being damaged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an optical transceiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a specific structure of the optical transceiver of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an optical communication system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific structure of a conventional optical transceiver.

[Explanation of symbols]

10A, 10B: device, 20: optical transceiver, 2
1, 31, 45 ... receptacle connector, 22, 32,
46: plug connector, 40: POF (plastic optical fiber), 42: adhesive, 50: receptacle housing, 50A: plug housing space, 50B: guide cylinder, 5
0D: transmitting / receiving module housing part, 51: sleeve, 52
... lid member, 53 ... plug housing, 53A ... guide cylinder housing space, 54 ... ferrule, 55 ... spring, 56
... Stopper member.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04B 10/13 10/12 F-term (Reference) 2H036 QA03 QA12 QA13 QA23 QA32 QA43 QA44 2H037 AA01 BA04 BA13 DA04 DA06 DA13 DA15 DA17 5F088 BA10 BB01 JA14 JA20 5K002 BA32 FA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] A receptacle connector having a built-in photoelectric conversion element for performing a conversion operation between an optical signal and an electric signal;
In an optical transceiver, wherein a plug connector attached to an end of an optical fiber is coupled to optically couple the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber, one end of the receptacle connector has an optical connection with the photoelectric conversion element. A relay fiber, which is externally connected to the relay fiber, a sleeve which is sheathed in the relay fiber, and has a cylindrical portion having a distal end portion having a smaller diameter than other portions, and a plug accommodation space for accommodating the distal end portion of the plug connector at the distal end side. And a receptacle housing formed by projecting a guide tube having an inner hole for accommodating the distal end of the sleeve in the plug accommodating space, wherein the plug connector is provided at a coupling end of the optical fiber. A ferrule which is externally formed and has a cylindrical portion having a distal end portion having a smaller diameter than other portions, and a step portion formed at a boundary with a base end portion which follows the ferrule; A guide tube for accommodating the guide tube of the receptacle connector and a guide tube accommodating space for accommodating a distal end portion of the ferrule, and a guide tube for accommodating a proximal end of the ferrule at a proximal end connected to the guide tube accommodating space. A plug housing formed with a ferrule housing portion having a diameter larger than the housing space, and a step portion formed between the ferrule housing portion and the guide tube housing space; and a step portion of the ferrule housing portion of the plug housing. An optical fiber attachment member for attaching an end of the optical fiber with the ferrule to the plug housing in a state where the stepped portion of the ferrule is pressed with a predetermined spring pressure, wherein the tip of a guide cylinder of the receptacle housing is Do not protrude from the plug accommodating space, and completely close the tip of the ferrule from the tip side. The distal end of the sleeve is recessed and accommodated as much as it can be accommodated, the distal end of the ferrule does not protrude from the guide cylinder accommodating space of the plug housing, and when the receptacle connector is connected to the plug connector, the guide of the receptacle connector An optical transceiver, wherein a distal end of a cylinder abuts on a step of a ferrule accommodated in the plug connector to determine a relative position between the sleeve and the ferrule. 2. The optical fiber mounting member, comprising: a stopper member mounted on the plug housing at a base end side of the ferrule with the ferrule accommodated in the ferrule accommodating portion; 2. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring mounted between the ferrules and biasing the stepped portion of the ferrule to press the stepped portion of the ferrule receiving portion. 3. The optical transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber and a ferrule that is provided at a coupling end of the optical fiber are fixed with an adhesive. 4. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein a length of the guide cylinder of the receptacle housing is set to be longer than a depth of a guide cylinder accommodation space of the plug housing. Optical transceiver.