JP2003014983A - Optical connector plug - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector plug which permits the mounting of a guide pin when needed after the optical connector plug is assembled, and the easy mounting of the guide pin one by one. SOLUTION: The optical connector plug 1 houses a ferrule 3 which mounts an optical fiber in a plug housing 2, and a coil spring, a supporting member and a boot 4 are arranged by interposing a pin keeper at the rear side of the ferrule 3. A pin insertion part which allows the insertion of the mounting end of a guide pin 5 to be inserted in an axial direction from the front part side of the ferrule and which prevents the pulling-out of the mounting end is formed in a pin keeper. After assembling the optical connector plug 1, the guide pin 5 is selectively inserted in the pin keeper to obtain a male-mold or a bisexual- mold.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector plug used for connecting optical fibers, and more particularly to an optical connector plug having guide pins for positioning the connection of optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the expansion of information transmission capacity, attention has been paid to the opticalization of information communication networks, and various optical connectors important for the construction of optical fiber communication networks have been developed to realize them. MT developed especially for network equipment
Connector (Mechanically Transferable connector)
Is a highly reliable multi-fiber optical connector that has been widely put to practical use mainly in the Japanese optical communication network. This MT connector
A pair of optical connector plugs are detachably connected using guide pins, and are used for connecting optical fiber ribbons or optical fiber cords having 2 to 12 cores.

FIG. 5 shows an external view of an example of an MT-RJ optical connector plug having a conventionally known MT connector as a basic structure. In the figure, 1 is an optical connector plug, 2 is a plug housing, 3 is a ferrule, 4 is a boot, 5 is a guide pin, 6 is a latch arm, 7 is a connector adapter, 8 is a fitting portion, and 9 is a latch engagement hole. Is. An optical plug connector 1 (hereinafter referred to as an optical plug) has a plug housing 2 in which a ferrule 3 designed for an MT connector is housed, and a boot formed of rubber or the like at a rear portion of the ferrule 3 for protecting an introduction portion of an optical fiber core wire. 4 are arranged. The ferrule 3 is provided with a pair of guide pins 5 such that the tips thereof slightly project, and the plug housing 2 is integrally provided with a latch arm 6 for holding the connection.

The connector adapter 7 is attached and fixed to a patch panel or the like, and a latch engagement hole 9 is provided on the upper surface side or the lower surface side of the fitting portion 8 into which the optical plug 1 is inserted from the front surface side and the rear surface side. . The optical plug 1 is inserted and retained by inserting the optical adapter 1 from the front and rear portions of the connector adapter 7 and elastically displacing the latch arm 6 so that the latch arm 6 snaps into the latch engagement hole 9. Optical plug 1
Is a male type with a guide pin 5 and a guide pin 5
And the female type not having the above are paired to form a connection.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the internal structure of the optical plug 1 shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (A) is a view showing components excluding the plug housing, and FIG. 6 (B) is a set of guide pins. FIG. 6C is a view showing the attachment, and FIG. 6C is a view showing the pin keeper holding the guide pin. In the figure, 11 is a pin keeper, 12 is a coil spring, 13 is a support member, 14 is an optical fiber core wire, 15 is an optical fiber cord, 16 is a pin insertion portion, 17
Is a passage part, 18 is an insertion part, and 19 is a spring receiving part. The other components are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6 and their explanations are omitted.

In assembling the optical plug 1, the outer cover of the optical fiber cord 15 is removed by a predetermined length to expose the optical fiber core wire 14, and the coil spring 12, the support member 13, and the boot 4 are previously attached to the optical fiber. Pass it on the cord 15. The exposed end of the optical fiber core wire 14 is processed and mounted in the ferrule 3, and the connection end face is processed. When the optical plug 1 is configured as a female type, the pin keeper 11 is interposed between the ferrule 3 and the coil spring 12 and inserted into the plug housing 2 (see FIG. 5), and the latch arm 13a of the support member 13 is inserted. It is assembled by engaging with the locking hole 2a.

When the optical plug 1 is constructed as a male type,
As shown in FIG. 6B, after the pair of guide pins 5 are attached to the pin keeper 11 by the pin insertion portions 16 provided on the side surfaces, they are inserted between the ferrule 3 and the coil spring 12. The pin keeper 11 having the guide pins 5 attached thereto compresses the coil spring 12 rearward to provide a space for the guide pins 5 to interpose with the ferrule 3, and inserts a pair of guide pins 5 from the rear of the ferrule 3 into the pin insertion holes. It can be arranged by inserting it into 3a.

The pin keeper 11 is formed of, for example, a rectangular block as shown in FIG. 6 (C), and has a passage portion 17 for passing the optical fiber core wire 14 in the central portion and the optical fiber core wire 14 in this passage portion. Insertion part 18 for inserting from the side, spring receiving part 1 for supporting one end of the coil spring 12
9 is provided. The pin insertion portions 16 provided on both side surfaces of the pin keeper 11 have a shape including a pin engagement hole 16a, a tapered insertion groove 16b, and an opening 16c. A small-diameter portion 5a having a diameter smaller than that of the tip portion 5b is provided at the mounting end of the guide pin 5, and the small-diameter portion 5a is pushed into the tapered insertion groove 16b from the side surface side to form the pin engaging hole 16
It is attached by fitting it into a. The tip 5b of the guide pin 5 is formed in a shape having an outer diameter larger than that of the pin engaging hole 16a, and is fitted into the opening 16c.
The guide pin 5 is prevented from slipping out in the axial direction.

The optical plug 1 having the above-described structure is configured to be a male type having no guide pin 5 or a female type having the guide pin 5 before or at the stage of assembling. . Therefore, the optical plug 1
However, after the optical plug 1 is assembled, it is necessary to distinguish between two types of male type and female type for inventory management. Also, when assembling as a male type optical plug,
Since the work is performed by compressing and retracting the coil spring 12 rearward, it is difficult to secure a sufficient space between the coil spring 12 and the ferrule 3, and the two guide pins 5 are attached to the pin insertion holes 3 of the ferrule 3.
The simultaneous insertion into a is a labor-intensive work in addition to requiring skill.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the guide pins can be attached when necessary after the optical connector plug is assembled, and the guide pins can be easily installed one by one. It is an object to provide an optical connector plug that can be attached to the.

[0011]

An optical connector plug of the present invention accommodates a ferrule having an optical fiber mounted in a plug housing and a coil keeper, a support member, and a boot with a pin keeper interposed on the rear side of the ferrule. In the optical connector plug to be arranged, the pin keeper is provided with a pin insertion portion that allows insertion of a mounting end portion of a guide pin axially inserted from the front side of the ferrule and prevents pulling out. It is characterized by After assembling the optical connector plug, the guide pin is selectively inserted into the pin keeper to obtain a male type or a hermaphroditic type.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an optical connector plug, which has the same external shape as FIG. 5 described in the prior art. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those used in FIG. 5, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The optical connector plug (hereinafter, referred to as an optical plug) 1 according to the present invention is formed as a female optical plug having no guide pins 5 in a completely assembled state. Thereafter, if necessary, a pair of guide pins 5 or one is attached from the front surface of the female type optical plug to obtain a male type or a hermaphroditic type optical plug.

The optical plug 1 stores the ferrule 3 with the optical fiber mounted in the plug housing 2 in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, with the pin keeper interposed between the ferrule and the coil spring. A boot 4 made of an elastic material such as rubber that protects the introduction portion of the optical fiber core wire via a support member is arranged in the rear portion. The plug housing 2 is integrally provided with a latch arm 6 for holding the connection, and when the latch arm 6 is inserted into a connector adapter (not shown), the latch arm 6 engages with the engagement hole to hold the insertion. .

The ferrule 3 has a pair of pin insertion holes 3a on both sides where the optical fibers are arranged. When the guide pin 5 is not inserted into the pin insertion hole 3a, it is regarded as a female optical plug, and a guide pin protruding from the front end face of the mating male optical plug is inserted to connect the optical fibers forming the connection. Position. The male optical plug has a pair of guide pins 5 inserted into the female optical plug one by one into the pin insertion hole 3a from the front surface of the ferrule 3 so that the insertion is fixed and prevented from being pulled out. It The guide pin 5 is inserted so as to protrude from the front surface of the ferrule 3 by several mm, and is inserted into the pin insertion hole 3a of the mating female optical plug.
It is inserted to position the connection between optical fibers.

2 and 3 are views showing details of an embodiment of the guide pin 5 and the pin keeper 11, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, FIG. 3 (A) is a detail of the pin insertion portion, and FIG. ) Is a detail of a mounting end portion of the guide pin, and FIG. 3C is a view showing a cross section of the pin insertion portion. In the figure, 20 is a pin insertion portion, 20a is an engagement hole, 20b is a tapered portion, 20c is an opening portion, and 20d is a slot. The other components are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 and their explanations are omitted.

The guide pin 5 is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, and the tip end portion 5b is provided at the mounting end portion on the insertion side of the guide pin 5.
A small diameter portion 5a is provided adjacent to. Pinkie 1
1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 5 except for the configuration of the pin insertion portion 20, which is formed by a rectangular block, and has a passage portion 17 for passing an optical fiber core wire in the center portion, and an optical fiber in this passage portion. Insertion portion 18 for receiving the core wire from the side surface, and spring receiving portion 1 for supporting one end of the coil spring 12.
9 is provided.

The pin inserting portion 20 is provided on the front portion 11a side of both side wall portions of the passage portion 17, and as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging holes 20a having a diameter slightly larger than the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5 are engaged. It is formed by a tapered portion 20b having a centering function for guiding the insertion of the guide pin 5 in the attachment hole 20a, and a rectangular opening 20c provided so as to penetrate the side wall. Further, the slots 20d are inserted in three directions so as to cross the engagement hole 20a and the tapered portion 20b to form two ¼ circular locking pieces 20e and one ½ circular locking piece 20f. Divide.

In the above structure, the guide pin 5 has the tip portion 5b inserted from the pin insertion hole 3a of the ferrule 3.
It is pushed into the pin insertion portion 20 of the pin keeper 11 arranged on the back surface of the ferrule 3. The tip portion 5b of the guide pin 5 is
The tip is formed in a taper, and is guided by the engagement hole 20a by sliding the taper portion 20b of the pin insertion portion 20.
The divided locking pieces 20e and 20f are elastically pushed open to be deformed and inserted. The entire tip portion 5b is the opening portion 20c.
When entering, the deformation of the locking pieces 20e, 20f elastically returns, and the engagement hole 2 is formed in the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5.
0a fits to release the stress when inserting the guide pin,
The tip portion 5b of the guide pin 5 is set free in the opening 20c. An engaging hole 20a is formed in the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5.
After fitting, the tip 5b of the guide pin 5 is engaged with the engaging hole 2
0a to prevent the guide pin 5 from pulling out.

By using the pin keeper 11 configured as described above, the optical plug 1 can be assembled as a female type optical plug having no guide pins 5. When a male optical plug having the guide pin 5 is required, the male optical plug is simply inserted by inserting the guide pin 5 into the pin insertion hole 3a of the ferrule 3 from the front surface of the female optical plug and fixing the male optical plug. You can get a plug. Further, by pressing and fixing only one of the two left and right guide pins 5 and leaving the other pin insertion hole 3a in an empty state, it is possible to form a male and female optical plug.

As a result, conventionally, when assembling a male optical plug, the plug pin 5 and the pin keeper 11 are assembled in advance, the coil spring 12 is compressed, and the plug pin 5 is inserted from the rear of the ferrule 3. It is not necessary to perform the required work, and workability can be improved. Moreover, since only one type of female optical plug needs to be managed, inventory management can be facilitated.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another embodiment of the pin inserting portion 20. The pin insertion portion 20 shown in FIG.
The point that the engagement hole 20a, the tapered portion 20b, and the opening 20c are provided is the same as in the case of FIG. In the example of FIG. 4A, a groove 20g communicating with the passage portion 17 and a tapered groove 20h communicating with the outer side surface are linearly formed instead of the slot 20d in the three directions shown in FIG. Then, it has a shape having two 1/2 circular locking pieces 20f. When inserting the guide pin 5, the locking piece 20f divided into two parts
Is opened and elastically deformed to allow the insertion of the tip portion 5b of the guide pin 5, and the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5 is inserted.
The engaging hole 20a is fitted in the. In addition, the tapered groove 20h
The reason is that the forming die used in FIG. 6 of the conventional example can be used as it is, and it is not particularly required to have a tapered shape and may be formed with a linear groove.

The pin insertion portion 20 shown in FIG. 4B is the same as the case of FIG. 3 in that the engagement hole 20a, the taper portion 20b, and the opening portion 20c are provided. In the example of FIG. 4B, the slot 20d shown in FIG. 3 is set in two directions, and the groove 20g communicating with the passage portion 17 and the groove 20i communicating with the outer side surface.
And 4 are linearly formed to form four 1/4 circular locking pieces 20.
The shape has e. When inserting the guide pin 5, the gap between the four divided locking pieces 20e is pushed open and elastically deformed to allow the insertion of the tip portion 5b of the guide pin 5, and the engagement with the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5 is performed. Hole 20a
Fit together.

The pin insertion portion 20 shown in FIG. 4C is the same as that of FIG. 3 in that the engagement hole 20a, the taper portion 20b, and the opening portion 20c are provided. In the example of FIG. 4 (C), in addition to the slots 20d in the three directions shown in FIG. 3, a groove 20g communicating with the passage portion 17 is formed to form four quarters.
It has a shape having a circular locking piece 20e. When the guide pin 5 is inserted, the gap between the four locking pieces 20e is pushed open and elastically deformed to allow the insertion of the tip portion 5b of the guide pin 5 as in the example of FIG. 4B. ,
The engagement hole 20a is fitted into the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5.

The pin insertion portion 20 shown in FIG. 4D is the same as the case of FIG. 3 in that the tapered portion 20b and the opening 20c are provided. In the example of FIG. 4D, FIG.
Unlike the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a three-leaf-shaped engagement hole 20j is provided, and the slot 20d and the grooves 20g and 20h are provided.
It has a shape without. Trefoil engagement hole 2
0j is such that the circle 20m in contact with the inner circumference has the same diameter as the engagement hole 20a, and the outer circumference is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the taper portion 20b so that three locking pieces 20k are formed. There is. When inserting the guide pin 5, the three locking pieces 20k are elastically deformed to allow the tip 5b of the guide pin 5 to be inserted.
Is allowed, and the locking piece 2 is attached to the small diameter portion 5a of the guide pin 5.
0k is engaged.

All of the pin insertion portions 20 provided on the pin keeper 11 described above must be constructed so that the pulling-out force is larger than the insertion force of the guide pin 5. The insertion force and the withdrawal force of the guide pin 5 are determined in consideration of physical shapes such as the type of molding resin of the pin keeper 11, the engaging holes 20a of the guide pin 5 and the thickness of the passage portion 17, and the formation position of the slot 20d. It can be set by appropriately selecting the presence or absence of the grooves 20g and 20h and the number of locking pieces. The pull-out force of the guide pin 5 is preferably 1.5 times or more the insertion force, and more preferably 5 times or more.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the optical connector plug can be assembled without distinguishing between the male type and the female type, and only one type of optical connector plug can be managed. Since it is sufficient, inventory management can be facilitated. Further, in assembling the optical connector plug, it is not necessary to assemble the plug pin and the pin keeper in advance, compress the coil spring, and insert the plug pin 5 from the rear side of the ferrule 3, thus eliminating the labor-intensive work, and the workability is improved. Can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an optical connector plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of a pink keeper according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of an embodiment of a pink keeper according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another embodiment of the pink keeper according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an appearance of a conventional optical connector plug.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of a conventional optical connector plug.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector plug, 2 ... Plug housing, 3 ... Ferrule, 4 ... Boots, 5 ... Guide pin, 6 ... Latch arm, 11 ... Pin keeper, 12 ... Coil spring, 1
3 ... Support member, 14 ... Optical fiber core wire, 15 ... Optical fiber cord, 17 ... Passage part, 18 ... Insertion part, 19 ... Spring receiving part, 20 ... Pin insertion part.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Ishida             Sumitomoden 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa             Ki Industry Co., Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Nobunao Oki             1-226, Higashi 1-226, Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture             Within Denryo Corporation F-term (reference) 2H036 JA01 QA03 QA43 QA46 QA50                       QA57

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule having an optical fiber mounted therein is housed in a plug housing, and a pin keeper is interposed on the rear side of the ferrule to form a coil spring, a supporting member,
An optical connector plug for arranging boots, wherein the pin keeper allows insertion of a mounting end of a guide pin axially inserted from the front side of the ferrule and prevents pull-out. An optical connector plug characterized in that a portion is formed. 2. The mounting end of the guide pin has a small diameter portion, and the pin insertion portion of the pin keeper elastically deforms when the guide pin is inserted from the axial direction, and the mounting end of the guide pin. The optical connector plug according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector plug is formed of a plurality of locking pieces that are locked to a small-diameter portion of the portion and prevent pulling out in the axial direction. 3. The mounting end portion of the guide pin has a small diameter portion, and the pin insertion portion of the pin keeper has an engagement hole that engages with the small diameter portion of the installation end portion of the guide pin, and the engagement portion. 2. The optical connector plug according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector plug is formed by providing a taper portion that guides insertion into the hole and a slot or groove that elastically opens the engagement hole and allows deformation. 4. The pulling force in the axial direction of the guide pin is
2. The insertion force is 1.5 times or more the insertion force.
The optical connector plug according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. An optical connector plug is assembled, and then a guide pin is selectively inserted into the pin keeper to form a male type or a hermaphroditic type. Optical connector plug described in.