JP2003329891A - Noise prevention optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a noise prevention optical connector for minimizing noise from an optical connector. <P>SOLUTION: This noise prevention optical connector consists of an optical connector plug 2 having a plug molded body 2h provided with a cable housing part 2a for housing an optical fiber cable 11 and an optical connector socket having a socket molded body 3h provided with a plug housing part 3a for interfitting the optical connector plug 2. A photoelectric converting element assembly 5 is housed in either the optical connector plug 2 or the optical connector socket 3, and a fixing metal fitting 6a for holding the optical fiber cable 11 is inserted into a hole communicating with the cable housing part 2a provided in the plug molded body 2h of the optical connector plug 2. The optical connector socket 3 is provided with a shield cover 3j for covering the socket molded body 3h, and the fixing metal fitting 6a is brought into contact with the shield cover 3j to provide shield effects not only in the circumferential direction but also in the axial direction of the optical fiber 11a by the shield cover 3j and the fixing metal fitting 6a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber cable to an electric signal circuit. Particularly, it relates to an optical connector provided with a noise prevention measure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of optical connector has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
An optical connector plug into which an optical fiber or optical fiber cable is inserted and held, as seen in 157945;
A receptacle (optical connector socket) for fitting and holding the optical connector plug is provided, and the photoelectric conversion element is housed in the receptacle so as to face the tip of the optical fiber held by the optical connector plug. The photoelectric conversion element is packaged with a transparent resin or the like, and this terminal is directly soldered to a wiring board or the like. Further, in order to reduce the optical coupling loss between the optical fiber and the photoelectric conversion element, it is important to manage the dimensions of both the optical connector plug and the receptacle. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion element assembly is housed on the side of the optical connector plug to eliminate direct soldering of the photoelectric conversion element, which causes deterioration of the transmission characteristics of the photoelectric conversion element, which is weak against heat, and to further facilitate dimensional control. Is proposed.

[0003]

However, any of the above-mentioned types of optical connectors has a problem as a noise generation source because it incorporates a photoelectric conversion element that uses electricity. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a noise prevention optical connector that suppresses noise from the optical connector as much as possible.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, in a noise preventing optical connector of the present invention, an optical connector plug having a plug molded body provided with a cable housing portion for housing an optical fiber cable, and the optical connector plug are provided. It includes an optical connector socket having a socket molded body provided with a plug housing for fitting a connector plug, the photoelectric conversion element assembly being housed in either the optical connector plug or the optical connector socket, and the optical fiber cable A fixing metal fitting to hold is inserted into a hole communicating with the cable housing provided in the plug molded body of the optical connector plug, and a shield cover for covering the socket molded body is provided in the optical connector socket, and the fixing metal fitting and the Contact with the shield cover. As a result, it is possible to provide not only the circumferential direction of the optical fiber but also the axial shielding effect by the shield cover and the fixing bracket.

Further, an optical connector plug having a cable housing portion for housing an optical fiber cable and a plug molded body provided with a photoelectric conversion element assembly housing portion facing the cable housing portion for housing a photoelectric conversion element assembly, and the optical connector. An optical connector socket having a socket molded body provided with a plug housing portion for fitting a plug and a socket terminal housing portion for housing a socket terminal electrically connected to an electrical connection terminal of the photoelectric conversion element assembly; A fixing metal fitting for holding the fiber cable is inserted into a hole communicating with the cable housing provided in the plug molded body of the optical connector plug, and the optical connector socket is provided with a shield cover for covering the socket molded body. With a noise-preventing optical connector that makes the metal fittings and the shield cover contact, the shield cover and the fixing metal fittings Not the circumferential direction only of Rihikari fiber,
It also becomes possible to provide a shield effect in the axial direction. Particularly, when the photoelectric conversion element assembly is housed on the optical connector plug side, more noise is emitted in the optical fiber direction (direction in which the optical fiber is inserted), so this configuration is effective. .

If the fixing metal fitting and the shield cover are brought into contact with each other by providing the shield cover with an elastic leaf spring portion, more reliable contact can be ensured and an effective noise preventing light can be secured. Can be a connector.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show an example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an optical connector with an optical fiber cable inserted. The optical connector plug is placed in the corresponding position in the optical connector socket immediately before the insertion. The optical connector 1 comprises an optical connector plug 2 and an optical connector socket 3 for fitting and holding the optical connector plug 2. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the optical connector showing a state in which the optical connector plug and the optical connector socket are fitted together. Figure 3
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the center plane of the optical connector in the state of FIG. FIG. 4 shows two examples of a fixing member for an optical cable inserted into the hole of the optical connector plug shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 4A is a ring hole type, and FIG. 4B is a four-legged type.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical connector plug 2 is a photoelectric conversion element in which the optical fiber cable 11 including the optical fiber 11a is inserted and accommodated and the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 is inserted and accommodated. Assembly storage part 2
b is provided in the molded plug body 2h.
The cable storage 2a and the photoelectric conversion element assembly storage 2b are connected to each other. Further, in the optical connector plug 2, the plug molded body 2h has a hole 2 communicating with the cable housing portion 2a.
d is provided and the fixing metal fitting (clamper) 6a or 6b having a U-shaped cross section shown in FIG. 4 is inserted into this hole 2d to securely hold the optical fiber cable 11. Fixing bracket (clamper) 6
A copper alloy is desirable as the material of a or 6b. The plug molded body 2h is formed with protrusions 2f on the left and right sides of the center and is engaged with a hooking portion 3c of the optical connector socket 3 described later to ensure the fitting and holding of the optical connector plug 2 to the optical connector socket 3. It is supposed to be.

The photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 has a condenser lens 5a placed at a position facing the end of the optical fiber cable 11 after being housed in the photoelectric conversion element assembly housing portion 2b, and a driving integrated circuit (not shown). ) And a photoelectric conversion element (not shown) such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a photo diode (PD).
And an electric connection terminal 5b (see FIG. 4), which are packaged with a transparent resin to form a cubic shape. The electrical connection terminal 5b of the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 and the socket terminal 3 described later.
b is electrically connected by mechanical elastic pressure. The photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 is press-fitted in the photoelectric conversion element assembly housing portion 2b here, but may be fixed by providing a lock mechanism.

The optical connector socket 3 includes a socket housing 3h in which a plug housing 3a, a hook 3c having elastically extending left and right side walls, and a plurality of socket terminals 3b are inserted. (Not shown in the figure) is integrally formed by molding. The hook portion 3c and the protrusion 2f of the optical connector plug 2 constitute a lock mechanism. The optical connector socket 3 is
The socket molded body 3h is covered with a shield cover 3j made of a metal material except for the opening surface of the plug housing 3a. As the metallic material here, a copper alloy or the like can be used. The base of the shield cover 3j is the shield cover 3j.
The elastic plate spring portion 3k held by j is inserted into the hole 2d of the optical connector plug 2 and the fixing metal fitting 6a or 6b.
Is provided at a position where it abuts on the back of the.

The plurality of socket terminals 3b are respectively inserted in the socket terminal accommodating portions, and the end portions on the left side of FIG. 3 have elasticity and come into contact with the electrical connection terminals 5b of the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 to the outside of the optical connector socket 3. The protruding end is soldered to a wiring board or the like for electrical connection. Since the end portion of the socket terminal 3b shown in FIG. 3 is at the same level as the bottom surface of the socket 3 of the optical connector, surface mounting on a wiring board or the like is easy.

The photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 is stored by being pushed in from below until the upper end of the photoelectric conversion element assembly storage portion 2b is abutted against the ceiling portion. After that, the optical fiber cable 11 is pushed into the cable housing portion 2a up to the vicinity of the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 or until it hits, and the optical axis is aligned with the condenser lens 5a placed at the position facing the end portion.

Next, a method of assembling the optical connector 1 in the above embodiment will be described.

A) The tip of the optical fiber cable 11 is cut.

B) Next, the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 is placed in the photoelectric conversion element assembly storage 2b of the plug molding 2h of the optical connector plug 2 from the substrate surface side.
It is inserted into the ceiling part of and is press-fitted.

C) Next, the clamper 6a is previously provided with the hole 2d.
The optical fiber cable 11 is inserted into the cable housing 2a of the optical connector plug 2 and the clamper 6a is press-fitted into the hole 2d to fix the optical fiber cable 11 to the optical connector plug 2. With the clamper 6b shape, the optical fiber cable 11 may be inserted into the cable housing portion 2a of the optical connector plug 2 and then press-fitted into the hole 2d.

The position of the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 is determined by the position and size of the photoelectric conversion element assembly housing portion 2b formed by molding, and the position of the optical fiber cable 11 is also the position of the cable housing portion 2a formed by molding. Since the dimensions are determined, the optical axes of the condenser lens 5a and the optical fiber 11a can be accurately matched.

D) On the other hand, the plurality of socket terminals 3b are respectively inserted into the socket terminal accommodating portions, and the end portions of the optical connector socket 3 which are exposed to the outside are soldered to a wiring board or the like.
Electrical connection is made. The mounting piece 3g of the optical connector socket 3 is also soldered and fixed to the wiring board or the like.

E) The optical connector plug 2 prepared by the above A), B) and C) is inserted from the left side of FIG. 1 into the plug housing portion 3a of the optical connector socket 3 prepared by the above D), The electrical connection terminal 5b of the photoelectric conversion element assembly 5 is elastically connected to the socket terminal 3b by elastically pressing it, and the projection 2f of the optical connector plug 2 engages with the hook 3c of the optical connector socket 3 to connect the optical connector. The plug 2 is fixed to the optical connector socket 3. Further, the leaf spring portion 3k of the shield cover 3j comes into contact with the back portion of the fixing member 6a or 6b. In this way, the shield cover 3j and the fixtures 6a or 6b are connected to form a noise-preventing shield.

Since the optical connector plug 2 and the optical connector socket 3 are electrically connected, the positional relationship is not so strict as compared with the optical connection between the optical connector plug and the receptacle, and the structure of the optical connector should be flexible. You can

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the shield cover and the fixing metal fitting are used as the shield cover 3j of the optical connector socket 3.
Although the contact is made by the plate spring portion 3k, the fixing metal fitting itself may be provided with an elastic portion so as to contact them.

[0024]

As described above, according to the noise preventing optical connector of the present invention, the fixing metal fitting for holding the optical fiber cable is inserted into the hole communicating with the cable housing portion provided in the plug molded body of the optical connector plug. By providing the optical connector socket with a shield cover for covering the socket molded body, and by bringing the fixing bracket and the shield cover into contact with each other,
With the shield cover and the fixing bracket, not only the circumferential direction of the optical fiber but also the axial shielding effect can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an optical connector in a state where an optical fiber cable is inserted as an embodiment of the present invention. The optical connector plug is placed in the corresponding position in the optical connector socket immediately before the insertion.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the optical connector showing a state in which the optical connector plug and the optical connector socket of FIG. 1 are fitted together.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the center plane of the optical connector in the state of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a fixing bracket of an optical cable to be inserted into the hole of the optical connector plug shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
(A) is a ring hole type, (b) is a four-legged type.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 optical connector, 2 optical connector plug, 2a cable storage section, 2b photoelectric conversion element assembly storage section, 2d
Hole, 2f Projection, 2h Plug molded body, 3 Optical connector socket, 3a Plug storage section, 3b Socket terminal, 3c Hooking section, 3g Mounting piece, 3h Socket molded body, 3j Shield cover, 3k Leaf spring section, 5
Photoelectric conversion element assembly, 5a condenser lens, 5b electric connection terminal, 6a, 6b fixing metal fitting (clamper), 11 optical fiber cable, 11a optical fiber.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector socket having an optical connector plug having a plug housing provided with a cable housing for housing an optical fiber cable and a socket molded body provided with a plug housing for fitting the optical connector plug. Including,
A photoelectric conversion element assembly is housed in either the optical connector plug or the optical connector socket, and a fixing metal fitting for holding the optical fiber cable is communicated with the cable housing portion provided in the plug molded body of the optical connector plug. A noise-preventing optical connector, characterized in that the optical connector socket is provided with a shield cover for covering the socket molded body, and the fixing metal fitting and the shield cover are brought into contact with each other. 2. An optical connector plug having a cable housing portion for housing an optical fiber cable and a plug molded body provided with a photoelectric conversion element assembly housing portion facing the cable housing portion and housing a photoelectric conversion element assembly, and the optical connector. An optical connector socket having a socket molded body provided with a plug housing portion for fitting a plug and a socket terminal housing portion for housing a socket terminal electrically connected to an electrical connection terminal of the photoelectric conversion element assembly; A fixing metal fitting for holding the fiber cable is inserted into a hole communicating with the cable housing provided in the plug molded body of the optical connector plug, and the optical connector socket is provided with a shield cover for covering the socket molded body. A noise prevention optical connector, characterized in that a metal fitting and the shield cover are brought into contact with each other. 3. The noise preventing optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixing metal fitting and the shield cover are brought into contact with each other by providing the shield cover with an elastic leaf spring portion.