JP2006039085A - Optical connector adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive non-physical contact type optical connector adaptor which is for connecting between optical fiber cables and which has a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A sleeve 15 is arranged in the adaptor housing 10 of the optical connector adaptor. A ferrule type connecting member 16 with a thin film-shaped refractive index matching member 17 fixed to the tip end is inserted from one end of the sleeve 15. The optical fiber 21 of the optical fiber cable having no optical connector plug is held by being inserted into the ferrule type connecting member 16 to the position where the tip end of the optical fiber reaches the face on one side of the refractive index matching member 17. When an optical connector plug 30 of an optical fiber cable 3 with an optical connector adaptor is attached to the optical connector plug housing part 11a of the adaptor housing 10, the ferrule 32 is fitted onto one end of the sleeve 15, and the tip end of an optical fiber 31 reaches the face on the other side of the refractive index matching member 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an optical connector adapter for connecting an optical fiber cable with a connector plug and an optical fiber cable without a connector plug.

In general, an optical fiber cable has an optical connector plug with a ferrule and a plug housing. Optical fiber cables having optical connector plugs are shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-106419 (Patent Document 1) and FIG. 6 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-206673 (Patent Document 2). As shown, PC (Physical Contact) connection is made by an optical connector adapter provided with optical connector plug accommodating portions on both sides.

By the way, in order to perform PC connection using two optical connector plugs, the specularity of the front end surface of the optical fiber held by the ferrule of the optical connector plug of the optical fiber cable and the precision of the installation position thereof. Is required. For this reason, the optical connector plug has a problem that the structure is complicated and the price is considerably high.

Moreover, the optical connector adapter which carries out non-PC connection of the optical fiber cables which have an optical connector plug is also disclosed by FIGS. The optical connector adapter includes a sleeve portion that penetrates the optical connector plug accommodating portions on both sides. When the optical connector plugs are respectively attached to the optical connector plug accommodating portions on both sides, the ferrules are inserted into the sleeve portions. These ferrules are held in the sleeve portion with a predetermined gap so as not to directly contact the tip portion. A thin plate-shaped refractive index matching member is disposed in the gap.

Since it is a non-PC connection, it is not necessary to require the specularity of the end face of the optical fiber and the precision of the installation position, but two optical connector plugs must also be used for this optical connector adapter. So there is a price problem. That is, in an optical wiring board having several tens or hundreds of optical connector adapters, the number of optical connector plugs is twice that of the optical connector adapter, and thus the price of the optical wiring board cannot be reduced. Also, there is a problem that the optical connector adapter cannot be downsized due to its structure.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention is that the ferrule-type connection member holding the optical fiber of one of the optical fiber cables to be connected is inserted into the sleeve-type connection member from one side and the other optical fiber cable to be connected. An optical connector adapter having an optical connector plug housing portion to which an optical connector plug is mounted, wherein an optical connector adapter in which a thin film-like refractive index matching member is arranged at an intermediate portion of the sleeve type connection member is developed. A patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-360495) was filed. With the optical connector adapter having such a configuration, the optical fiber cable having no optical connector plug and the optical fiber cable having the optical connector plug are non-PC-connected to each other with the fiber strand inserted and held in the ferrule-type connection member. .

With this optical connector adapter, the optical fiber cables can be non-PC-connected with only one optical connector plug, and cost saving for one optical connector plug can be realized. However, this optical connector adapter has a problem that it is difficult to dispose a thin film-like refractive index matching member in the middle part of the sleeve-type connecting member having a special structure, which increases the manufacturing cost.

JP 62-106419 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-206673 Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-360495

  A first problem to be solved by the present invention is an optical connector adapter for connecting an optical fiber cable with a connector plug and an optical fiber cable without a connector plug, which has a simple structure and a low-cost non-PC connection. It is to provide a connector adapter.

An optical connector adapter that solves the above-described problems includes an adapter housing that includes an optical connector plug housing portion on one side, and a sleeve that is disposed in the adapter housing, and an optical connector plug attached to one side of the sleeve. A ferrule into which an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable is inserted is inserted, and a ferrule connection member into which the fiber of an optical fiber cable without an optical connector plug is inserted is inserted into the other side of the sleeve, An optical connector adapter for non-PC-connecting an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable with an optical connector plug and an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable without the optical connector plug.
A thin film-like refractive index matching member is fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connecting member.

According to the present invention, a low-cost non-PC connection optical connector adapter that has a simple structure and can be configured using commercially available parts is provided. Further, since the method of arranging the thin film-like refractive index matching member at a predetermined position of the optical connector adapter is not special, the manufacturing cost of the optical connector adapter can be reduced. Furthermore, the price of the optical wiring board provided with the optical connector adapter according to the present invention could be reduced.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention is an optical connector adapter as shown in FIGS. That is, the optical connector adapter according to the present invention has an adapter housing 10 having a sleeve 15 into which a ferrule is inserted. The adapter housing 10 is configured by integrally connecting a housing forming body 11 having a flange portion 11b and a housing forming body 12 having no flange portion.

One housing forming body 11 is a cylindrical body in which an optical connector plug housing portion 11a opened on the opposite side of the flange portion 11b is formed. The other housing forming body 12 has an outer shape having a shape and dimensions corresponding to the outer shape of the flange portion 11b of the housing forming body 11, and is formed with a cable housing port 12a for housing the cable 2 having no optical connector plug. .

The cylindrical portion for holding the sleeve 15 on the adapter housing 10 has a pair of outer flanges formed at one end of the outer peripheral surface and an inner flange formed at the end of the inner peripheral surface opposite to the outer flange. The flanged cylindrical members 13 and 14 are formed. One flanged cylindrical member 13 is press-fitted into a through-hole formed in the flange portion 11 b of the housing forming body 11. The other flanged cylindrical member 14 is press-fitted into a through-hole formed in the housing forming body 12. These through holes are formed at positions that are coaxial when the housing forming body 11 and the housing forming body 12 are joined together.

The sleeve 15 is fitted and held in a cylindrical portion formed by a pair of flanged cylindrical members 13 and 14, and FIG. 3 (A) shows a left side view (a), a front view (b), and a right side surface. As shown in the figure (c), it is a split sleeve having slits 15a in the axial direction.

The ferrule-type connection member 16 is a member for connecting an optical fiber cable having no connector plug to the optical connector adapter according to the present invention. FIG. 3B shows a left side view (a) and a front view (b). ) And right side view (c). That is, the ferrule-type connecting member 16 is a ferrule-type connecting member in which a through hole 16a into which a fiber strand is inserted and an opening 16b for receiving the inner covering portion of the fiber cable is formed, and is opposite to the opening 16b. A thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip, which is the end on the side.

The ferrule-type connecting member 16 is fitted from one end of the sleeve 15 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 15 in which the ferrule-type connection member 16 is inserted is inserted into a cylindrical portion formed by a pair of flanged cylindrical members 13 and 14. The sleeve 15 is a split through-being, and an inner flange is formed on the front and rear of the cylindrical portion formed by the pair of cylindrical members 13 and 14 with a flange. 10.

The cable 2 without the connector plug, that is, the first optical fiber cable, is directly attached and connected to the optical connector adapter according to the present invention as follows. That is, the cable 2 composed of the fiber strand 21, the inner sheath 22 and the sheath 23 is held by being fitted into the sleeve 15 via the cable housing port 12a of the optical connector adapter according to the present invention. The ferrule-type connecting member 16 is inserted into the through hole 16a. In this case, the fiber strand 21 is inserted to a position where the tip of the fiber strand 21 comes into contact with the right side surface of FIG. 4 of the thin film-like refractive index matching member 17. At this position, a part of the inner sheath 22 of the cable 2 is accommodated in the opening 16 b of the ferrule-type connecting member 16. In this state, the cable 2 fixes the inner coating 22 to the housing forming body 12 with the adhesive 18. Thus, the cable 2 without the connector plug is directly attached to the optical connector adapter according to the present invention, and the fiber strand 21 is connected to the ferrule-type connection member 16.

When the optical fiber cable 3 with the connector plug and the cable 2 without the connector plug are connected to the optical connector adapter according to the present invention in which the cable 2 without the connector plug is directly attached, as described below, the fiber element of the cable 2 Non-PC connection is realized between the wire 21 and the fiber strand 31 of the optical fiber cable 3.

The optical fiber cable 3 with the connector plug, that is, the second optical fiber cable is one in which a commercially available optical connector plug 31 is attached to one end. The optical connector plug 30 has a plug housing 34 in which an inner housing 33 is disposed. The inner sheath of the optical fiber of the optical fiber cable 3 and the ferrule 32 supporting the fiber strand are engaged with the inner housing 33 by applying a pressing force by a spring. Further, the ferrule 32 is fixed to the inner housing 33 by caulking or the like. In short, the second optical fiber cable is an optical fiber cable having an optical connector plug provided with a ferrule into which an optical fiber is inserted at one end.

When the connector plug 30 of the optical fiber cable 3 with the connector plug having the above-described structure is attached to the optical connector adapter of FIG. 2 according to the present invention, the ferrule 32 is shown in the optical connector adapter sleeve 15 as shown in FIG. It is inserted on the left side. Then, the tip of the fiber strand 31 of the optical fiber cable 3 inserted and supported in the through-hole of the ferrule 32 is the thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 fixed to the tip of the ferrule connection member 16. It contacts the left side of the figure. As described above, the ferrule-type connecting member 16 is fitted on the right side of the sleeve 15 in the figure. The tip of the fiber strand 21 of the cable 2 is in contact with the right side of the illustrated refractive index matching member 17 fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connecting member 16. Therefore, non-PC connection is realized between the fiber strand 21 of the optical fiber cable 2 and the fiber strand 31 of the optical fiber cable 3.

As described above, in the best mode for carrying out the present invention, the sleeve 15 is disposed in the adapter housing 10 of the optical connector adapter. A ferrule-type connection member 16 having a thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 fixed to the distal end portion is fitted from one side of the sleeve 15. The optical fiber strand 21 of the optical fiber cable 2 without the optical connector plug is inserted into and supported by the ferrule-type connection member 16 until the tip reaches the one surface of the refractive index matching member 17. When the optical connector plug of the optical fiber cable 3 with the optical connector adapter is attached to the optical connector plug housing portion 11 a of the adapter housing 10, the ferrule 32 is inserted into one side of the sleeve 15, and the tip of the optical fiber strand 31. Reaches the other surface of the refractive index matching member 17.

The tip of the optical fiber 21 of the optical fiber cable 2 without the optical connector plug does not need to contact one surface of the refractive index matching member 17 and may have a gap of about several tens of microns. Good. Similarly, the tip of the optical fiber strand 21 of the optical fiber cable 3 with the optical connector plug does not need to contact the other surface of the refractive index matching member 17 and has a gap of about several tens of microns. Also good.

Further, as a method of directly attaching the optical fiber cable 2 without the optical connector plug to the adapter housing 10 of the optical connector adapter, it is possible to adopt a method other than the above-described adhesive.

In the first embodiment in which the thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the distal end portion of the ferrule-type connection member 16, the thin-film refractive index matching block 17 prepared in advance is connected to the distal end portion of the ferrule-type connection member 16 as shown in FIG. Adhesive fixing.

Example 2 in which a thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connection member 16 is as shown in FIG. That is, the step (a) of attaching the ferrule-type connecting member 16 to the vertical fixing pin 41, applying the liquid refractive index matching adhesive 17a to the tip surface of the ferrule-type connecting member 16 and rotating the fixing pin 41 at a high speed. Through the step (b) of forming a thin film by centrifugal force, the step (c) of curing the thin film-like refractive index matching adhesive 17a, and the step (d) of removing the fixing pin 41, the ferrule-type connecting member 16 A thin film refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip.

A third embodiment in which the thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connection member 16 is as shown in FIG. That is, the step (a) of closing the front end surface of the ferrule type connection member 16 with the molding plate 42, and a liquid refractive index matching adhesive with the injection needle 44 from the side opposite to the front end surface of the ferrule type connection member 16 The tip of the ferrule-type connection member 16 is passed through a step (b) of injecting a prescribed amount of 17a, a step (c) of curing the injected refractive index matching adhesive 17a, and a step of removing the molding plate. A thin film refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the portion.

Example 4 in which the thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connection member 16 is as shown in FIG. That is, the step (a) of attaching the ferrule-type connecting member 16 to the vertical fixing pin 41, the step (b) of attaching the mask 43 to the distal end surface of the ferrule-type connecting member 16, and the liquid form on the mold part of the mask 43 Step (c) for injecting refractive index matching adhesive, step (d) for molding refractive index matching adhesive 17a into a thin film by pressing molding plate 42 against mask 43, thin film refractive index matching adhesion After the step (d) of curing the agent 17a and the step (e) of removing the fixing pin, the mask with mold and the molding plate, the thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is formed at the tip of the ferrule-type connection member 16. Is fixed.

1 is a perspective view of an optical connector adapter and a plugless cable 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the optical connector adapter of one Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the main components of the optical connector adapter of one Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the left view (a) of the sleeve 15, the front view (b), and the right view (c), (B). FIG. 4A shows a left side view (a), a front view (b), and a right side view (c) of the ferrule-type connecting member 16, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule-type connecting member 16 fitted into the sleeve 15. Respectively. It is sectional drawing which showed the state in which the optical fiber cable 3 with a connector plug and the cable 2 without a connector plug are non-PC-connected by the optical connector adapter of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining Example 1 in which a thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip of a ferrule-type connection member 16. It is a figure explaining Example 2 which adheres the thin-film-like refractive index matching member 17 to the front-end | tip part of the ferrule type | mold connection member 16. FIG. It is a figure explaining Example 3 which adheres the thin-film-like refractive index matching member 17 to the front-end | tip part of the ferrule type | mold connection member 16. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment in which a thin film-like refractive index matching member 17 is fixed to the tip of a ferrule-type connection member 16.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical connector adapter 2 1st optical fiber cable 3 2nd optical fiber cable 10 Adapter housing 11 Housing formation body 11a Optical connector plug accommodating part 11b Flange part 12 Housing formation object 12a Cable accommodation port 13, 14 Cylindrical member 15 with a flange Sleeve 16 Ferrule-type connecting member 17 Thin-film refractive index matching member 18 Adhesive 19 Mounting screw hole 21 Optical fiber strand 22 Inner coating 23 Cover 31 Optical fiber strand 32 Ferrule 33 Internal housing 34 Plug housing 41 Fixing pin 42 Molding Plate 43 Mask 44 Injection needle

Claims (8)

An optical connector plug having a ferrule into which a cable receiving port for receiving the optical fiber of the first optical fiber cable is formed on one side and into which the optical fiber of the second optical fiber cable is inserted is attached and detached. An adapter housing in which an optical connector plug housing portion that is freely mounted is formed on the other side;
A sleeve that is disposed in the adapter housing and into which the ferrule is inserted when the optical connector plug of the second optical fiber cable is attached to the optical connector plug housing portion;
A ferrule-type connection member that is inserted into the sleeve from the cable housing port side and into which the optical fiber of the first optical fiber cable is inserted;
An optical connector adapter comprising a thin film-shaped refractive index matching member fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connection member. An adapter housing in which the optical connector plug housing part is formed only on one side and an optical connector plug ferrule mounted on the optical connector plug housing part are disposed at positions where the optical connector plug housing part is fitted from one side and fixed in the adapter housing. An optical connector adapter comprising a sleeve and a ferrule-type connecting member fitted from the other side of the sleeve,
In an optical connector adapter for non-PC-connecting an optical fiber cable without an optical connector plug, in which a fiber strand is inserted and held in the ferrule-type connection member, and an optical fiber cable with the optical connector plug,
An optical connector adapter, wherein a thin-film refractive index matching member is fixed to the tip of the ferrule-type connection member. 3. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1, wherein the thin-film refractive index matching member is obtained by bonding a thin-film refractive index matching block prepared in advance to a tip surface of a ferrule-type connection member. The thin film-shaped refractive index matching member is a step of attaching a ferrule-type connecting member to a vertical fixing pin, and applying a liquid refractive index matching adhesive to the front end surface of the ferrule-type connecting member to move the fixing pin at a high speed A thin film-like refractive index matching block generated through a step of rotating and forming a thin film by centrifugal force, a step of curing a thin film-like refractive index matching adhesive, and a step of removing the fixing pin The optical connector adapter according to claim 1 or 2. The thin-film refractive index matching member includes a step of attaching a ferrule-type connection member to a vertical fixing pin, a step of attaching a mask to the distal end surface of the ferrule-type connection member, and a liquid-like refraction at the mask mold part. Injecting a rate matching adhesive, pressing a molding plate against the mask to mold the refractive index matching adhesive into a thin film, curing the thin film refractive index matching adhesive, and 3. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector adapter is a thin-film refractive index matching block generated through a step of removing the fixing pin, the mask with mold, and the molding plate. The thin film-like refractive index matching member is a step for closing the front end surface of the ferrule-type connection member with a molding plate, and for liquid refractive index matching with an injection needle from the side opposite to the front end surface of the ferrule-type connection member. It is a refractive index matching block generated through a step of injecting a predetermined amount of adhesive, a step of curing the injected refractive index matching adhesive, and a step of removing the molding plate. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1 or 2. 3. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is a split sleeve. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ferrule-type connecting member fitted into the sleeve is fixed to the adapter housing.

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