JP2002311295A - Connector for optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the kinds of components, to prevent an erroneous connection and further to improve dust proofing and dirt proofing for a ferrule. SOLUTION: In a connector 20 for optical fiber, each of housings 21 is respectively provided with a projecting part 22 and a recessed part 23, to which the projecting part 22 can be fitted. The projecting parts 22 of the housings 21 are fitted to the recessed parts 23 of the housings 21 along a prescribed fitting direction (lateral direction in the figure). Thus, in the state of fitting the respective housings 21, the end faces of respective optical fibers 10 exposed from the end face of a ferrule 13 are mutually connected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector.
The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector capable of preventing erroneous connection and improving dustproof and antifouling properties for a ferrule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 12, an optical fiber connector 90 includes a male connector 91 and a female connector 92 that can be fitted to the male connector 91. The male connector 91 and the female connector 92 are respectively
It is attached to the optical fiber 93 to be connected as another part having a different shape.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-81808 discloses an optical fiber connector 10 for preventing erroneous connection as shown in FIG.
As 0, an adapter 103 interposed between the pair of connectors 101 and 102 prevents connector connection in a direction other than the proper orientation.

That is, an erroneous connection prevention guide 104 is provided inside the adapter 103. The misconnection prevention guide 104
Both ends in FIG. 13 formed in different shapes are fitted into corresponding fitting recesses 102a formed in the connectors 101 and 102, respectively, with connection of the connectors. This allows
Even if an attempt is made to connect the connector in a direction other than the proper orientation, the connection cannot be made because the wrong connection prevention guide 104 cannot fit into the fitting recess 102a that does not correspond.

Further, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-81808 discloses a projection 1 provided on each adapter 111 as shown in FIG.
An optical fiber connector 110 for preventing erroneous connection by making the respective widths different from each other by using the connector 12 and the concave portion 114 provided in each plug 113 to which the protrusion 112 can be fitted as a connector fitting guide. Has been described. Each adapter 1
Eleven protrusions 112 and recesses 114 of each plug 113 respectively
Wide width a, a1, narrow width b, b around the center line p, p1
1, formed to correspond to one wide / narrow width c, c1 and one narrow / one wide width d, d1.

[0006]

Among the above-mentioned conventional optical fiber connectors 90, 100 and 110, in the optical fiber connector 90 shown in FIG. 12, the male connector 91 and the female connector 92 have different shapes. Therefore, it has to be manufactured as a completely separate part, and there has been a problem that the cost is increased.

The optical fiber connector 10 shown in FIG.
In the case of 0, since the adapter 103 is interposed between the connectors 101 and 102, there is a problem that the number of components increases and the cost increases as compared with the optical fiber connector 90 shown in FIG. In addition, since the ferrule 105 protrudes outside, there is also a problem that scratches, dust, hand oil, and the like adhere to the optical fiber end face of the protruding portion.

Further, an optical fiber connector 11 shown in FIG.
0, like the optical fiber connector 100 shown in FIG. 13,
Since the adapter 111 is required, the number of components increases as compared with the optical fiber connector 90 shown in FIG. Further, since the ferrule 115 protrudes outside, there is also a problem that dust, hand oil and the like adhere to the optical fiber end face of the protruding portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to reduce the number of types of constituent parts, to reliably prevent erroneous connection, and to prevent dust from being applied to the ferrule. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector capable of improving the performance and antifouling property.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in parallel such that their respective end faces are exposed. And a housing for holding the first
An optical fiber connector connectable via a connection portion of the housing in which an end surface of an optical fiber and an end surface of the second optical fiber are exposed, wherein the first optical fiber projects in a cylindrical shape from the connection portion. And the second optical fiber is provided in the connection portion, is accommodated in a concave portion that is continuous at a predetermined depth along the longitudinal direction of the second optical fiber, and is outside the convex portion. The shape and the inner shape of the recess correspond to each other.

In the optical fiber connector thus configured, the corresponding end portions of the first optical fiber and the end portion of the second optical fiber are respectively exposed by fitting the corresponding convex portion and concave portion. The connection can be made via the connection part of the housing. Therefore, in this optical fiber connector, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of manufacturing the male connector and the female connector as separate parts as in the conventional art, thereby achieving the object described above.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a sleeve provided in the recess,
Since the second optical fiber is housed in the sleeve, the second optical fiber can be positioned with high precision with respect to the housing.

Further, in the present invention, since the slit is formed along the longitudinal direction of the sleeve, the inner diameter of the sleeve is made smaller in advance than the outer diameter of the ferrule. When the ferrule is pressed into the sleeve, the sleeve expands to reduce the press-in resistance when the ferrule is pressed into the sleeve, and the sleeve is not plastically deformed. Will not change.

According to the present invention, a guide rail is provided along an axial direction on one of an outer side surface of the convex portion and an inner side surface of the concave portion. Since the other of the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the concave portion is provided with a groove capable of guiding the guide rail, the guide rail is guided by the guide groove when the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted. You. Therefore, the relative positioning of the projection and the recess is accurately performed, and the relative position of the end face of the optical fiber to be connected is accurately performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a pair of parallel slits extending from the open end of the projection to the outer surface of the housing, and the slits on the outer surface of the housing are provided. A claw portion provided between the
Since the claw portion is provided on the inner surface of the concave portion and can be locked by the claw portion, the claw portion is elastically deformed to the Locked. Therefore, a high fitting strength between the convex portion and the concave portion is secured, and a high connection strength of the optical fiber to be connected is secured.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one housing of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the housing of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a sleeve of the optical fiber connector of FIG. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber connector 20 according to the first embodiment holds two core optical fibers 10 in a pair of housings 21 in parallel so that their respective end faces are exposed. The optical fiber connector 20 can connect the end face of each optical fiber 10 with the fitting of each housing 21.

That is, each housing 21 is provided with a projection 22 and a recess 23 into which the projection 22 can be fitted. The convex portion 22 of one housing 21 corresponds to the concave portion of the other housing 21.
The housings 21 are brought into a fitted state by being fitted in the predetermined fitting directions (left and right directions in FIG. 1), and the end faces of the optical fibers 10 are connected to each other.

The convex portions 22 of the housings 21 are each provided in a protruding manner in the form of a rectangular tube, and each of the convex portions 22 has one of two optical fibers 10 therein.
a. That is, the optical fiber 10a is housed in the projection 22 with the fiber main body 12 from which the coating 11 has been removed inserted into the ferrule 13 and exposed on the ferrule 13 end face.

The recesses 23 of each housing 21 are respectively
The other two-core optical fiber 10b is accommodated in a sleeve 24 formed at a predetermined depth in the housing 21 fitting direction and provided inside the housing 21 in the fitting direction.
That is, the optical fiber 10b is inserted into the ferrule 13 with the fiber body 12 having the coating 11 removed, and the ferrule 13
It is inserted into the sleeve 24 while being exposed at the end face.
The sleeve 24 enables highly accurate positioning between the ferrules 13.

The sleeve 24 has a uniform thickness and a substantially C-shaped cross section, and has a split sleeve structure by a slit 24a formed along the longitudinal direction. The sleeve 24 is made with a minus tolerance with respect to the diameter of the ferrule 13 to be accommodated. Reduce dynamic resistance. Therefore, even if the number of times the ferrule 13 is inserted into and removed from the sleeve 24 increases, the sleeve 24 does not undergo plastic deformation, and the performance of the axis deviation such as clearance does not change. As a result, ferrule 13
The axial position between them can be matched with high accuracy. In addition,
By inserting a wedge-shaped pin (not shown) from the rear end into the sleeve 24 after the ferrule 13 has been inserted, the clearance between the ferrule 13 and the sleeve 24 is eliminated,
The gap can be minimized.

A guide rail 25 is provided on the outer surface of the projection 22.
The housing 21 is provided along the fitting direction. Also recess 23
Guide groove 26 that can guide the guide rail 25
Is provided. The guide rail 25 is guided along the guide groove 26 when the housing 21 is fitted. Therefore, the relative positioning of the convex portion 22 and the concave portion 23 is accurately performed, and the relative positioning of the end face of the optical fiber 10 to be connected is accurately performed.

On the outer surface of the projection 22, a claw 27 having a required flexibility is provided. In addition, a locking portion 28 is provided on the inner side surface of the corresponding concave portion 23. The locking part 28 is a housing
21 is fitted while elastically deforming the claw 27 with the fitting.
By fitting the claw portion 27 of the convex portion 22 to the locking portion 28 of the concave portion 23, a high fitting strength of the convex portion 22 and the concave portion 23 is secured, and a high connection strength of the optical fiber 10 to be connected is secured. .

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the optical fibers 10 are connected, the corresponding convex portions 22 and concave portions 23 of the respective housings 21 are fitted to each other, so that the end surfaces of the optical fibers 10 exposed from the ferrule 13 end surfaces are connected in the housing 21 respectively. Is done.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment according to the present invention. Optical fiber connector of the present embodiment
In 30, the guide rail 31 is provided on the inner side surface of the concave portion 23, and the guide groove 32 is provided on the outer side surface of the corresponding convex portion 22. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part showing a third embodiment according to the present invention. Optical fiber connector of the present embodiment
In 40, the claw portion 41 is provided on the inner surface of the concave portion 23, and the locking portion 42 is provided on the outer surface of the corresponding convex portion 22. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is an example of an optical fiber connector 50 for connecting a two-core optical fiber, as in the above embodiments, but is different from the first to third embodiments. Have different shapes of a housing 51, a convex portion 52, and a concave portion 53.

The fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which an optical fiber connector 60 for connecting a three-core optical fiber is provided. In the present embodiment, a third optical fiber 64 is disposed substantially at the center between the convex portion 62 and the concave portion 63 in the housing 61.

The sixth and seventh embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are examples where optical fiber connectors 70 and 80 for connecting four-core optical fibers are used. In each embodiment, the housings 71 and 81 have the projections 72 and 82 and the
3, 83 are provided in pairs. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the first to third embodiments.

The optical fiber connector 20,
According to 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80, the types of component parts can be reduced, and erroneous connection can be reliably prevented. Further, the dust resistance and the stain resistance of the ferrule 13 can be improved.

That is, each of the housings 21, 51, 61, 71,
81 corresponding convex portions 22, 52, 62, 72, 82 and concave portions 23, 53, 6
The end faces of the optical fibers 10 and 64 that are exposed by the mating of
Connected within 21, 51, 61, 71, 81. Therefore, it is not necessary to manufacture the male connector and the female connector as separate parts as in the related art, and the number of types of components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

The projections 22, 52, 62, 72, 82 and the recesses 23,
The differences in the shapes of 53, 63, 73, 83 are clear, and the corresponding convex portions 22, 52, 62, 72, 82 and concave portions 23, 53, 63, 73, 83
Other than the combination of each housing 21, 51, 61, 71,
Since 81 cannot be fitted, erroneous connection (input / output error etc.) can be reliably prevented.

Further, the ferrule 13 is connected to each of the housings 21 and 5.
1, 61, 71, 81, and is not exposed to the outside, so dust and hand oil can be reliably prevented from adhering, ensuring high dust and stain resistance. can do.

Further, the convex portions 22, 52, 62, 72, 82 and the concave portions 23, 53, 63, 73, 83 of the housings 21, 51, 61, 71, 81, respectively.
Guide rail 25 and guide groove 26 provided in each
The convex portions 22, 52, 62, 72, 82 and the concave portions 23, 53, 63, 73, 83 to be fitted are guided by the
The relative positioning of the optical fibers 10, 62, 72, 82 and the concave portions 23, 53, 63, 73, 83 can be accurately performed.
Relative positioning of 64 end faces can be performed accurately

Claws respectively provided on the convex portions 22, 52, 62, 72, 82 and concave portions 23, 53, 63, 73, 83 of each housing.
27, 41 and locking parts 28, 42,
The fitting between 1, 61, 71 and 81 can be in a double locked state. Thereby, the housings 21, 51, 61, 71,
High optical mating strength of 81
A high connection strength of 0, 64 can be ensured.

The optical fiber connector of the present invention
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, forms, numbers, arrangement locations, and the like of the housing, the convex portion, the concave portion, the sleeve, and the like exemplified in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, the corresponding convex and concave portions can be fitted respectively, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber can be fitted.
Each exposed end face of the optical fiber is connected via a connection portion of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of types of component parts, to reliably prevent erroneous connection, and to improve the dust resistance and stain resistance of the ferrule attached to each optical fiber.

According to the present invention, the corresponding projections and depressions can be fitted respectively,
The respective exposed end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are connected via the connecting portion of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types of component parts, to reliably prevent erroneous connection, and to improve the dust resistance and the stain resistance of the ferrule attached to each optical fiber. Further, since the sleeve for accommodating the second optical fiber is provided in the recess, highly accurate positioning between the ferrules can be performed.

According to the present invention, the corresponding projections and depressions can be respectively fitted,
The respective exposed end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are connected via the connecting portion of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of types of component parts, to reliably prevent erroneous connection, and to improve the dust resistance and stain resistance of the ferrule attached to each optical fiber. The sleeve also has
Since the slit is formed along the longitudinal direction, highly accurate positioning between the ferrules can be performed.

According to the present invention, the corresponding projections and depressions can be fitted respectively,
The respective exposed end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are connected via the connecting portion of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types of component parts, to reliably prevent erroneous connection, and to improve the dust resistance and the stain resistance of the ferrule attached to each optical fiber.

A guide rail is provided along one of the outer surface of the projection and the inner surface of the recess along the connector fitting direction, and the other is provided with the guide rail. A guide groove that can be guided is provided. Accordingly, accurate relative positioning of the convex and concave portions can be performed, and accurate relative positioning of the end face of the optical fiber to be connected can be performed.

According to the present invention, as described in claim 5, the corresponding convex and concave portions can be fitted respectively.
The respective exposed end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are connected via the connecting portion of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types of component parts, to reliably prevent erroneous connection, and to improve the dust resistance and the stain resistance of the ferrule attached to each optical fiber.

Further, one of the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the concave portion is provided with a claw having a required flexibility, and the other is provided with the convex portion and the concave portion. A locking portion is provided which is capable of locking the claw portion while elastically deforming the claw portion along with the fitting. Therefore, a high fitting strength between the convex portion and the concave portion can be secured, and a high connection strength of the optical fiber to be connected can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one housing of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the housing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a sleeve of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part showing a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a main part of a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a conventional optical fiber connector.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing another example of a conventional optical fiber connector.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing still another example of the conventional optical fiber connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Optical fiber 13 Ferrule 20 Optical fiber connector 21 Housing 22 Convex part 23 Concave part 24 Sleeve 24a Slit 25 Guide rail 26 Guide groove 27 Claw part 28 Lock part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A housing for holding a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber in parallel so that respective end faces thereof are exposed, wherein the end face of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are held.
An optical fiber connector connectable via a connection portion of the housing in which an end surface of the optical fiber is exposed, wherein the first optical fiber is housed in a convex portion projecting from the connection portion in a cylindrical shape, The second optical fiber is provided in the connection portion and is housed in a concave portion that is continuous at a predetermined depth along the longitudinal direction of the second optical fiber, and has an outer shape of the convex portion and an inner shape of the concave portion. Correspond to each other. 2. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve provided in the concave portion, wherein the second optical fiber is housed in the sleeve. 3. The optical fiber connector according to claim 2, wherein a slit is formed along a longitudinal direction of the sleeve. 4. A guide rail is provided along an axial direction on one of an outer surface of the convex portion and an inner surface of the concave portion, and a guide rail is provided on an outer surface of the convex portion and an inner surface of the concave portion. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein a groove capable of guiding the guide rail is provided on the other side. 5. A pair of parallel slits extending from the open end of the projection to the outer surface of the housing, a claw provided between the slits on the outer surface of the housing, and The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking portion provided on a side surface and capable of locking the claw portion.