JP2004227179A - Data tag for optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data tag capable of easily and rapidly performing collation of an optical connector to be attached/detached. <P>SOLUTION: This data tag has a recording part 15 mountable on an optical connector housing 2 for inserting an optical connector plug 1 and recording information related to the optical connector plug 1 and/or the optical housing 2 such as line information. The recording part 15 uses an optical connector data tab 10 formed readably in a state where the optical connector plug 1 is inserted and connected to the optical connector housing 2. This data tag 10 has an installation part 11 to be installed on the optical connector housing 2 to enclose it from the outside. The installation part 1 may have a protruding part 13a engageable with a recessed part 2b formed on the side surface of the optical connector housing 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for managing an optical connector to be optically connected by inserting an optical connector plug into an optical connector housing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in the case of optical terminations and termination boxes, when optical fibers are switchably connected using a large number of optical connectors, an identification code is attached by printing or the like as a method of identifying and managing each optical fiber. When the data tag is attached to the optical fiber and the wiring of the optical fiber is switched, there is a method of identifying the optical fiber by reading the identification code of the data tag by a reading device such as a code reader.
As tags used for such identification, for example, there are tags described in Patent Documents 1 to 5.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-63-102119 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-005723 [Patent Document 3]
JP 05-101718 A [Patent Document 4]
JP-A-10-308115 [Patent Document 5]
JP 2001-154581 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a wiring management method using a data tag, since the distance between the tag attached to the optical fiber and the optical connector is considerably large, the optical fiber to be subjected to the wiring switching operation by reading the data tag is determined. Even if the optical fiber can be identified, the optical connector to which the optical fiber is connected cannot be easily found and collated, so that the optical connector cannot be immediately attached or detached. It takes time to find the target optical connector by following the optical fiber wiring path from the data tag to the optical connector. Also, in optical terminations and the like, a large number of optical connectors are arranged on a panel or the like, and it is a general situation that optical fibers are drawn from the rear end of each optical connector. If the correspondence is misunderstood, an optical connector irrelevant to the optical fiber whose wiring is to be switched may be operated and may be erroneously disconnected, and improvement has been demanded.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a data tag capable of easily and quickly collating an optical connector to be detached.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a recording unit that can be attached to an optical connector housing into which an optical connector plug is inserted, and records information such as line information on the optical connector plug and / or the optical connector housing. An optical connector data tag, wherein the recording unit is formed so as to be readable in a state where the optical connector plug is inserted and connected to the optical connector housing.
[0007]
In this data tag, it is preferable that the data tag has a mounting portion that is mounted so as to be held by the optical connector housing from the outside, and the mounting portion includes a convex portion that can be engaged with a concave portion formed on a side surface of the optical connector housing. preferable.
Further, it is preferable that the mounting portion has a detachment restricting portion that restricts detachment of the optical connector plug inserted into the optical connector housing.
It is preferable that a two-dimensional code is applied as the recording unit.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
FIG. 1 is an orthographic view showing a data tag for an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) a front view, (b) a plan view, (c) a bottom view, and (d). It is a left side view, (e) right side view, (f) rear view. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an optical connector plug and an optical connector housing (adapter) to which the optical connector data tag of the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the optical connector data tag is attached to the optical connector housing, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state after the attachment.
[0009]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the optical connector 1 and the optical connector housing 2 to which the optical connector data tag (hereinafter simply referred to as a data tag) of the present embodiment is applied are JIS C 7953, ISO / IEC 60874-14 and other known SC type optical connector (SC: Single fiber Coupling) optical connectors and adapters or receptacles.
The optical connector 1 (plug) includes a ferrule 1a through which a fine hole (not shown) into which an optical fiber (bare optical fiber) is inserted and fixed, and a connector housing 1b (knob) that houses the ferrule 1a. It is configured.
[0010]
The optical fiber 3 inserted into the connector housing 1b of the optical connector 1 from the rear side is an optical fiber cord, and the ferrule 1a allows a bare fiber exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 3 to penetrate through the fine hole, The optical fiber is fixed and held in the fine hole. A boot 3a for housing and protecting the optical fiber 3 is attached to the rear side of the connector housing 1b in the connection direction.
As the type of the optical fiber 3, a type corresponding to the type of the optical connector is used. Specifically, a single-core optical fiber core, a single-core or multi-core optical fiber tape core (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a tape core), an optical fiber strand, and the like are exemplified.
[0011]
The optical connector housing 2 is a substantially sleeve-shaped member having a connector housing hole 2a for housing the optical connector 1. In FIG. 2A, the optical connector 1 is inserted and housed from both sides of the connector housing hole 2a. FIG. 2B shows a receptacle that can receive the optical connector 1 inserted from one side of the connector receiving hole 2a. The data tag 10 of the present invention can be attached to both the adapter 2 and the receptacle 2R.
[0012]
In the optical connector housing 2, by inserting the optical connector 1 from both sides of the connector receiving hole 2a, the tip of the optical fiber (bare optical fiber) projecting to the tip of the ferrule 1a of the optical connector 1 is abutted, and optical connection is made. You.
A recess 2 b is formed on a pair of side surfaces of the optical connector housing 2. The recess 2b is conventionally provided for fitting a stainless steel plate 4 for attaching the optical connector housing 2 to a back plane or the like.
[0013]
On the other side of the optical connector housing 2, which is different from the side on which the concave portion 2 b is provided, there is formed a cutout 2 c that can be fitted with the projection 1 c protruding from the side of the optical connector 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutout portion 2c is formed to extend along the connection direction in which the optical connector 1 is inserted into the connector housing hole 2a. When the optical connector 1 is inserted into the connector receiving hole 2a of the optical connector housing 2, the projection 1c of the optical connector 1 is inserted along the notch 2c, so that the optical connector 1 is inserted straight into the connector receiving hole 2a. Will be accommodated.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1F and 3, the data tag 10 for an optical connector according to the present embodiment includes a mounting portion 11 that is mounted so as to be held from outside the optical connector housing 2. And a recording section holding section 14 provided to protrude outward from the mounting section 11.
The data tag 10 can be integrally formed of, for example, plastic.
[0015]
The mounting portion 11 includes a substantially sleeve-shaped sleeve portion 12 having a plug housing space 12a for housing the rear end of the optical connector 1 when the data tag 10 is mounted on the optical connector housing 2, and a plug housing of the sleeve portion 12. A pair of protruding portions formed so as to protrude from one end edge of the space in the connection direction of the optical connector.
[0016]
The sleeve portion 12 has a slit 12b formed along the center axis direction of the sleeve (the left-right direction in FIG. 1A). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, when the data tag 10 is mounted on the optical connector housing 2 in which the optical connector 1 is housed, interference with the optical fiber 3 exposed on the rear end side of the optical connector 1 is prevented. The data tag 10 can be attached to the optical connector housing 2 without removing the optical connector 1 from the optical connector housing 2.
[0017]
At the end edge 12d of the sleeve portion 12, a detachment restricting portion 12c that can be engaged with the cutout portion 2c of the optical connector housing 2 is formed.
When the detachment restricting portion 12c of the data tag 10 is engaged with the notch 2c of the optical connector housing 2, the detachment restricting portion 12c engaged with the notch 2c is connected to the optical connector 1 engaged with the notch 2c. Of the projection 1c is restricted.
[0018]
On the inner side in the tip direction (right side in FIG. 1A) of the protruding portion 13, a protruding portion 13a that can be engaged with the concave portion 2b formed on the side surface of the optical connector housing 2 is provided in a protruding manner. As a result, when the data tag 10 is mounted on the optical connector housing 2, the protruding portion 13 sandwiches the side surface of the optical connector housing 2 and the convex portion 13 a is engaged with the concave portion 2 b of the optical connector housing 2. The optical connector housing 2 is firmly attached to the optical connector housing 2 without shaking, so that the optical connector housing 2 does not easily fall off even when touched by a finger or the like.
[0019]
The recording section holding section 14 is formed so as to protrude outward on the side face of the optical connector housing 2 when the data tag 10 is mounted on the optical connector housing 2. On a front surface 14a (left side in FIG. 1A) of the recording unit holding unit 14, a recording unit 15 in which data for identifying an optical connector or an optical fiber is recorded is provided.
[0020]
The recording section 15 is not particularly limited, but is preferably formed by a recording method capable of recording data of a sufficient amount of information in a small space of the recording section holding section 14 at a high density. For example, a printing unit in which an identification code represented by a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (QR: Quick Response) specified in JIS X 0510 or ISO / IEC 18004 is formed by a method such as printing, or a known RF- An example is an IC chip of an ID system (RF: Radio-frequency, ID: Identification).
In particular, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code can be easily attached to the front surface 14a of the recording unit holding unit 14 by printing or attaching a seal. In addition, since electromagnetic waves are not required for reading, it can be applied to an optical connector installed in an environment where the influence of electromagnetic waves is a problem, such as an electronic device, without any problem.
[0021]
Such a data tag 10 is inserted into the optical connector housing 2 in which the optical connector 1 is inserted and accommodated from the rear end side of the optical connector housing 2, so that the optical connector 1 is inserted into the plug accommodating space 12 a of the sleeve portion 12. The rear end of the optical connector housing 2 is accommodated, the protruding portion 13 is elastically deformed, and the convex portion 13a engages with the concave portion 2b on the side surface of the optical connector housing 2, and the mounting portion 11 as shown in FIG. Attached to the outer surface of the As a result, the recording unit 15 is disposed facing the outer front surface of the side surface of the optical connector housing 2 (toward the operator operating the optical connector 1 of the optical connector housing 2).
[0022]
By reading the record in the recording unit 15 with a predetermined reader (such as a code reader), information on the optical fiber can be obtained, and whether or not the optical fiber should be switched can be easily and reliably identified. Since the recording unit holding unit 14 is disposed at a position very close to the optical connector 1 and the optical connector housing 2, the comparison between the optical fiber and the optical connector becomes extremely easy as compared with a tag attached to a conventional optical fiber. Inconveniences such as erroneous disconnection by operating a wrong optical connector are effectively reduced.
[0023]
Since the data tag 10 is fixed to the optical connector housing 2 by the engagement between the projection 13a and the recess 2b, the interval between the projections 13 is increased, and the engagement between the projection 13a and the recess 2b is appropriately released. By doing so, the data tag 10 can be removed from the optical connector housing 2. For example, as compared with a conventional adhesive tag, the data tag 10 of the present embodiment is detachable from the adapter 2, so that the record in the recording unit 15 can be deleted and updated as necessary, It can be reused repeatedly, and low-cost operation is realized.
[0024]
Further, since the detachment restricting portion 12c of the data tag 10 is engaged with the notch 2c of the optical connector housing 2, detachment of the protrusion 1c of the optical connector 1 engaged with the notch 2c is restricted. Unless the data tag 10 is removed, the optical connector 1 cannot be removed from the optical connector housing 2. Accordingly, an accident that the optical connector 1 is accidentally pulled out contrary to the reading result of the recording unit 15 is suppressed.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is an orthographic view showing a data tag for an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d). It is a left side view, (e) right side view, (f) rear view. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical connector data tag of the present embodiment is attached to the optical connector housing, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state after the attachment.
The optical connector 1 and the optical connector housing 2 to which the data tag 20 of the present embodiment is applied are the SC optical connectors (plugs, adapters, receptacles) shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B described above.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F and 6, the data tag 20 includes a substantially U-shaped groove-like mounting portion 21, a recording portion holding portion 24 protruding outward from the outer surface of the mounting portion 21, and It is composed of The data tag 20 can be integrally formed of, for example, plastic.
[0027]
More specifically, the mounting portion 21 has a zigzag shape opening downward, and has a side wall 21a on which the recording portion holding portion 24 is protruded and the other side wall disposed opposite to the side wall 21a. 21b, an upper wall 21c connecting the side walls 21a, 21b at upper ends thereof, and a protruding wall 21d protruding from the lower end of the side wall 21a toward the side wall 21b. A convex portion 21e that can be engaged with the concave portion 2b formed on the side surface of the connector housing 2 is provided in a protruding manner.
Thus, when the data tag 10 is mounted on the optical connector housing 2, the mounting portions 21 elastically deform the side walls 21 a and 21 b to sandwich both side surfaces of the optical connector housing 2. Since the data tag 20 is engaged, the data tag 20 is firmly attached to the optical connector housing 2 without shaking, and it is difficult for the data tag 20 to come off easily even when touched by a finger or the like.
[0028]
Further, at the lower end of the side wall 21b, a detachment restricting portion 21f capable of engaging with the cutout portion 2c of the optical connector housing 2 is formed. When the detachment restricting portion 21f engages with the notch 2c of the optical connector housing 2, the detachment restricting portion 21f engaged with the notch 2c becomes a protrusion 1c of the optical connector 1 engaged with the notch 2c. Regulation of withdrawal. As a result, the optical connector 1 cannot be removed from the optical connector housing 2 unless the data tag 20 is removed. Therefore, an accident that the optical connector 1 is accidentally pulled out contrary to the reading result of the recording unit 25 is suppressed.
[0029]
Here, the recording unit holding unit 24 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a recessed hole 24a, and serves as an IC chip housing hole in which an IC chip can be embedded and held as the recording unit 25. However, as shown in the first embodiment, the recording unit holding unit 24 can be formed to have a printing surface on which an identification code represented by a two-dimensional code such as a QR code is printed.
[0030]
In the data tag 20 of the present embodiment, the mounting portion 21 is conjugated to the optical connector housing 2 by inserting the optical connector 1 into the optical connector housing 2 in which the optical connector 1 is inserted from one side of the optical connector housing 2. At the same time, the interval between the side walls 21a and 21b is widened, and the convex portion 21e is engaged with the concave portion 2b on the side surface of the optical connector housing 2, and is mounted on the outer surface of the optical connector housing 2 in a state as shown in FIG. As a result, the recording section 25 is disposed so as to protrude outward from the side surface of the optical connector housing 2.
[0031]
By reading the record of the recording unit 25 with a predetermined reader (such as a code reader), information on the optical fiber can be obtained, and whether or not the optical fiber should be switched can be easily and reliably identified. Since the recording unit holding unit 24 is disposed at a position very close to the optical connector 1 and the optical connector housing 2, the comparison between the optical fiber and the optical connector becomes extremely easy as compared with a conventional tag attached to an optical fiber. Inconveniences such as erroneous disconnection by operating a wrong optical connector are effectively reduced.
[0032]
FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a data tag for an optical connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing a state after attachment.
The optical connector 1 and the optical connector housing 2 to which the data tag 30 of the present embodiment is applied are the SC type optical connectors (plugs, adapters, receptacles) shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B described above.
[0033]
The data tag 30 has substantially the same configuration as the data tag 20 of the above-described second embodiment except that the data tag 30 does not include the detachment restricting portion 21f. And a recording section holding section 34 protruding outward from the outer surface of the mounting section 31.
More specifically, the mounting portion 31 is shaped like a zigzag open downward, and has side walls 31a and 31b arranged opposite to each other, an upper wall 31c connecting the side walls 31a and 31b at upper ends thereof, and a side wall. A projecting wall 31d projecting from the lower end of the optical connector housing 31 toward the side wall 31b is provided on the inner surface of the side wall 31a and the projecting wall 31d. Are protruded.
Thereby, the mounting portion 31 is mounted so as to hold the outer surface of the optical connector housing 2.
[0034]
Further, the recording section holding section 34 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a recessed hole 34a, and serves as an IC chip accommodation hole in which an IC chip can be embedded and held as the recording section 35.
According to the data tag 30 configured as described above, similarly to the data tags 10 and 20 described above, the recording unit 35 can be arranged close to the optical connector housing 2, and the optical fiber 3 and the optical connector Collation becomes extremely easy, and inconveniences such as erroneous disconnection caused by operating an erroneous optical connector are effectively reduced.
[0035]
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the SC type optical connector has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the FC type optical connector (Fiber transmission system optical Connector, JIS C 5970 and the like), MT type optical connector (MT: Mechanically Transferable, JIS C 5981 etc.), MPO type optical connector (MPO: Multifiber Push-On, JIS C 5982 etc.), MU type connector (MU: Miniature- Unit coupling, such as those specified in JIS C5983), and Mini-MPO optical connectors (MPO: Multifiber Push-On, such as those specified in JIS C5984). It can be applied to the optical connector.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the optical connector data tag of the present invention can be attached to the optical connector housing into which the optical connector plug is inserted, and the information such as the line information related to the optical connector plug and / or the optical connector housing can be transmitted. It has a recording part on which the recording is performed, and the recording part is formed so as to be readable in a state where the optical connector plug is inserted and connected to the optical connector housing, so that the recording part is identified at a position extremely close to the optical connector. Signs can be placed. As a result, after the identification code is read by the reader, the collation of the optical connector to be subjected to the attaching / detaching operation can be performed extremely easily and quickly. Moreover, since it can be attached to an existing optical connector housing such as an optical termination frame or an optical termination box, there is no need to replace equipment, and the identification and management of wiring using this data tag can be performed at low cost. .
[0037]
Further, the optical connector data tag has a mounting portion which is mounted on the optical connector housing so as to be held from the outside, and the mounting portion has a convex portion which can be engaged with a concave portion formed on a side surface of the optical connector housing. According to this, the data tag can be firmly and removably attached to the optical connector housing, and the data tag is effectively prevented from falling off.
[0038]
According to the data tag, wherein the mounting portion has a detachment restricting portion that regulates detachment of the optical connector plug inserted into the optical connector housing, the optical connector plug can be removed from the optical connector housing unless the data tag is removed. Since it becomes impossible, it is possible to suppress an accident that the optical connector plug is accidentally pulled out contrary to the reading result of the recording unit.
[0039]
According to the data tag for optical connectors provided by the two-dimensional code, the recording section can encode and display information on the wiring of the optical fiber at a high density. The optical connector housings can be mounted on a densely arranged optical connector housing without interfering with each other.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an orthographic view showing a data tag for an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a left view. FIG. 4 is a front view, (e) a right side view, and (f) a rear view.
2A is a perspective view showing an optical connector housing (adapter) and an optical connector (plug) to which the data tag shown in FIG. 1 is applied. (B) It is a perspective view which shows an optical connector housing (receptacle).
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the data tag shown in FIG. 1 is attached to an optical connector housing.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state after the data tag shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the optical connector housing.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic view showing a data tag for an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a left side view. FIG. 4 is a front view, (e) a right side view, and (f) a rear view.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the data tag shown in FIG. 5 is attached to the optical connector housing.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state after the data tag shown in FIG. 5 is attached to the optical connector housing.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing an optical connector data tag according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a perspective view showing the state after attaching a data tag to an optical connector housing.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector plug (optical connector), 2 ... Optical connector housing (adapter), 2R ... Optical connector housing (receptacle), 2b ... Recessed part, 10 ... Optical connector data tag (data tag), 11 ... Mounting part, 12c ... Detachment restricting part, 13a ... Convex part, 15 ... Recording part, 20 ... Optical connector data tag (data tag), 21 ... Mounting part, 21e ... Convex part, 21f ... Detachment restricting part, 25 ... Recording part, 30 ... Data tag (data tag) for optical connector, 31 mounting part, 31e convex part, 35 recording part.

Claims (4)

It can be attached to the optical connector housing (2, 2R) into which the optical connector plug (1) is inserted,
A recording unit (15, 25, 35) in which information such as line information relating to the optical connector plug and / or the optical connector housing is recorded, wherein the recording unit is connected to the optical connector housing by inserting the optical connector plug into the optical connector housing; A data tag (10, 20, 30) for an optical connector, which is formed so as to be readable in a state in which it is inserted. A mounting portion (11, 21, 31) mounted on the optical connector housing so as to be held from the outside, and the mounting portion can be engaged with a concave portion (2b) formed on a side surface of the optical connector housing. The data tag for an optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising (13a, 21e, 31e). The data tag for an optical connector according to claim 2, wherein the mounting portion has a detachment restricting portion (12c, 21f) for restricting detachment of the optical connector plug inserted into the optical connector housing. The data tag for an optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recording unit is a two-dimensional code.

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