JP2006091354A - Optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber connector capable of uniformly attaining the identification of a coated optical fiber or the confirmation of plug insertion independently of differences of types. <P>SOLUTION: The optical fiber connector comprises a plug 10 for holding a coated optical fiber and a ferrule and an adaptor 30 provided with a socket part for receiving a ferrule side insertion end part of the plug 10. The plug 10 has a housing 20 with which the plug 20 is engaged. The housing 20 comprises a plug side electric circuit part constituting a part of a detection circuit and electrodes 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d connected to the plug side electric circuit part. The adaptor 30 comprises electrodes 31b<SB>1</SB>, 32b<SB>2</SB>, 32b<SB>3</SB>, 32b<SB>4</SB>brought into contact with the electrodes formed on the insertion end part of the inserted plug 10 and an adaptor side electric circuit part constituting a part of the detection circuit. When the plug 10 is inserted into the adaptor 30, the plug side electrodes and the adaptor side electrodes are brought into contact with each other and the detection circuit is closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber used for connecting optical fiber cores in various facilities in a communication line such as an optical fiber cable termination rack (CTF), an optical fiber cable termination rack (FTM), and an optical wiring box (PD). Concerning connectors.

  In general, an optical fiber connector has a plug having a ferrule for optical fiber butt-matching, and a socket-shaped adapter into which the tip of the plug is inserted. By inserting the portion, the optical fiber core wire of the plug and the opposite optical fiber core wire attached to the adapter are joined to each other at the ferrule.

  When such optical fiber cores are joined, for example, in order to identify the joined optical fiber cores, the plug is provided with an electric circuit having passive elements such as an electric resistance, and the electric circuit. Is provided with an electrode for connecting the adapter to the electrical circuit on the adapter side, while the adapter is provided with an electrode that comes into contact with the plug-side electrode, and both electrodes come into contact when the plug is inserted into the adapter. Thus, the electric circuit on the plug side and the adapter side are connected, and the detection circuit such as the optical fiber core identification circuit is closed.

  The following Patent Documents 1 to 3 show optical fiber connectors having a plug and an adapter that provide the above-described action.

  According to the optical fiber connector shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of Patent Document 1, the plug has an electrode protruding from the plug housing, and this electrode has an arrangement configuration unique to this plug. On the other hand, the adapter has a corresponding arrangement of receiving electrodes for receiving the plug-side electrode.

  FIG. 7 of Patent Document 2 shows a plug in which two lead electrodes protrude from the package in the same direction as the ferrule, and FIG. 8 similarly shows three lead electrodes protruding from the package. A plug is shown. Although the adapter is not shown, the adapter is provided with a receiving electrode for inserting the two or three lead electrodes (paragraph 0033). 16 and 17 of Patent Document 3 also show a plug having the same configuration as that of Patent Document 2.

JP-A-5-173042 JP-A-5-75697 JP-A-6-223922

  International standard optical fiber connectors currently in widespread use include SC type, FC type, MU type, and LC type. When these are used, the detection circuit is closed as described above. Regardless of the type, the current state of the art is brought about by each individual connector configuration as described above, and thus such technical status dictates the various types of fiber optic connectors on packaging. This is a great constraint on the desire to use selectively in consideration of spatial limitations or differences in operability between each other.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is achieved uniformly by plugging the adapter into the adapter, regardless of the connector type, such as optical fiber core identification, confirmation of erroneous connection, confirmation of complete insertion. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber connector that can selectively use various types of optical fiber connectors.

  The invention according to claim 1, which achieves the above object, comprises: a plug having a plug frame for holding an optical fiber core and a ferrule; and an adapter having a socket portion for receiving a ferrule side insertion end of the plug. The plug has an electric circuit portion constituting a part of a detection circuit for optical fiber core wire identification or optical fiber core wire connection confirmation, and an electrode coupled to the plug-side electric circuit portion, The adapter has a part or all of the other electric circuit portion of the detection circuit and an electrode coupled to the adapter-side electric circuit portion, and the plug insertion end is inserted into the socket portion of the adapter. When the plug-side optical fiber connector is configured such that the plug-side electrode and the adapter-side electrode are in contact with each other and the detection circuit is closed, A housing fitted in a rear portion of the insertion end, the plug-side electric circuit portion being provided in the housing, and the electrode coupled to the plug-side electric circuit portion projecting from the housing and It extends in the plug insertion direction along the outer surface of the insertion end, and the adapter-side electrode portion on the inner wall surface of the socket portion of the adapter is inserted into the insertion end of the plug inserted into the socket portion. It is provided in the position which contacts a plug side electrode.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the housing fitted in the plug frame has the electric circuit portion and the electrode, and the electrode is plugged along the outer surface of the plug-in end portion of the plug. The socket part and the electrode on the adapter side are connected to the plug-side electrode on the inner wall surface of the socket part when the plug insertion end part is inserted into the socket part. The configuration in which electrical contact is made is a common configuration of each optical fiber connector, and thus various optical fiber connectors can be selectively used. Confirmation and / or optical fiber core identification is equally achievable.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the housing has a substantially U-shaped cross section having a top wall, a bottom wall, and one side wall, the electrodes are provided on the top wall and the bottom wall, The side wall is substantially formed by a printed circuit board that holds the plug-side electric circuit portion.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the housing has a substantially U-shaped cross section, one side surface of the housing is opened, and the housing is connected to the plug frame using the opened side surface. Can be fitted in a predetermined part of the plug frame by moving in the axial direction after aligning the axes of each other, so that the housing can be easily mounted, and the side wall is a printed circuit board. Thus, the installation of the electric circuit portion with respect to the housing can be easily performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is very easy to attach the housing having the electric circuit portion and the electrodes to each type of pre-made optical fiber connector by retrofitting.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the printed circuit board includes a plurality of chip resistors for identifying optical fiber core wires, and these chip resistors are connected to circuit constituent members of the plug-side electric circuit portion. It is characterized by becoming.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, a plurality of chip resistors for identifying an optical fiber core wire can be easily provided on the plug.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the adapter includes a printed circuit board that holds the adapter-side electric circuit portion, and the printed circuit board includes a light-emitting diode chip connected to the adapter-side electric circuit portion. The plug-side electric circuit portion and the adapter-side electric circuit portion are connected to the optical fiber core wire when the plug insertion end is inserted into the socket portion and the plug-side electrode is brought into contact with the adapter-side electrode. The detection circuit for junction confirmation is closed, and the light emitting diode is turned on.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the plug is inserted into the adapter, the optical fiber core connection confirmation detecting circuit is closed and the light emitting diode is turned on. It can be confirmed visually that this has been done. In this case, by changing the color tone of the light emission of the diode, in addition to visual confirmation of the achievement of the optical fiber core wire connection, the connected optical fiber core wire is a special line for government offices, for example, an important line for police, fire fighting, etc. It is also possible to call attention to the situation.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the adapter includes a printed circuit board that holds the adapter-side electric circuit portion, and the printed circuit board connects the adapter-side electric circuit portion of the optical fiber core wire identifying circuit. An electrical connector for connecting to the control circuit section is mounted.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the optical fiber relating to the plug inserted into the socket portion of the adapter by connecting the electrical connector of the adapter to the control circuit portion of the optical fiber core wire identifying circuit. The identification of the core is immediately achieved.

  According to the present invention, various types of standard optical fiber connectors on the market can be mounted and installed so that optical fiber core identification, optical fiber core connection confirmation, etc. can be achieved. In view of the operability in the above, it can be selectively used as appropriate, so that it is extremely effective in terms of economy and convenience.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of plug>
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a housing 20 that is mounted on a plug 10 as shown in FIG. 4 below. As shown in FIG. 1A, the housing 20 includes a top wall 21a, a bottom wall 21b, and pillars 21c and 21d (two pillars 21c adjacent to each other in the plug insertion direction) that connect the two walls at two corners. 21d) as a main component. A printed circuit board 23 as a side wall is attached between the column bodies 21c and 21d as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, and the opposite side of the side wall 23 is open. Accordingly, the housing 20 having the top wall 21a, the bottom wall 21b, and the side wall 23 has a substantially U-shape when viewed in a common cross section perpendicular to the entire wall body.

The top wall 21a and the bottom wall 21b are ribs 21a that stand upright with respect to the respective wall surfaces on the open side edge and on the column body 21c side (rear side as viewed in the plug insertion direction D) end edge. ₁ , 21 a ₂ , 21 b ₁ , 21 b ₂ , and these ribs are used for positioning the housing 20 with respect to the plug 10 as will be described later.

Two grooves 21a ₃ , 21a ₄ , 21a ₅ , 21a ₆ are provided on the top surface of the top wall 21a, and the thickness and width dimensions of the following thin plate-like electrical contact fittings 22a, 22b are provided. It has a slightly larger depth and width dimension, so that the electrical contact fitting can fit in the middle of the groove. Distance between longitudinal grooves _21a 3, 21a ₄ is determined to correspond to the desired spacing to be brought between the electrodes _22a 1, 22b _1, also the distance between the lateral grooves _21a 5, 21a _6, for thin-plate electric contact The contact pieces 22a ₂ and 22b _{2 of the} metal fittings 22a and 22b are determined so that they can be inserted into the contact holes 23a and 23b (FIG. 1C) provided in the printed board 22 below. The lateral grooves 21a ₅ and 21a ₆ end at the end on the side where the side wall 22 is provided before the side wall 22, and notches 21a ₇ and 21a ₈ are provided between the end and the side wall 22. .

The electrical contact fittings 22a and 22b are provided in the above-mentioned longitudinal grooves 21a ₃ and 21a ₄ and the intermediate grooves fitted in the lateral grooves 21a ₅ and 21a ₆ and in the direction D from the frame member 21, that is, in the plug 10 insertion direction. the electrode portions _22a 1, 22b ₁ which projects, and a connecting portion _22a 2, 22b ₂ extending through the notches _21a 7, 21a _8. The electrode portions 22a ₁ and 22b ₁ are stepped with respect to the intermediate portion so that the inner surface (lower surface) thereof is flush with the inner surface of the top wall 21a. On the other hand, the connection portions 22a ₂ and 22b ₂ bend at right angles at the notches 21a ₇ and 21a ₈ , pass through these notches, slightly extend along the column bodies 21c and 21d, and then bend outward at a right angle. .

  Grooves similar to the vertical and horizontal grooves provided on the top wall 21a are also provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall 21b, and the vertical and horizontal grooves include contact fittings 22c similar to the electrical contact fittings 22a and 22b, 22d is attached. The grooves in the top wall 21a and the bottom wall 21b and the metal fittings for electrical contact are formed symmetrically with each other.

  FIG. 1B shows a state in which the electrical contact fittings 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d are attached to the frame member 21 configured as described above.

  FIG. 1C shows a state in which the printed circuit board 22 is attached to the assembly of the frame member 21 and the electrical contact fittings 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d assembled in this way.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the printed board 22. According to this example, the printed circuit board has three chip resistors 24a, 24b, and 24c on one side and through-hole connection contacts 23a to 23d. These chip resistors and connection contacts are connected by a printed wiring (not shown) so as to form a part of the optical fiber core wire identification detection circuit shown in FIGS. The circuit formed on the printed circuit board 22 may be a part of the detection circuit for confirming the bonding of the optical fiber core shown in FIG. 10, and in that case, the above chip resistor is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the connection parts 22a ₂ , 22b ₂ , 22c ₂ and 22d ₂ of the electrical contact metal fittings are arranged in correspondence with the through-hole connection contacts 23a to 23d on the printed circuit board 22. Therefore, by moving the printed circuit board 22 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1C, the connection portions 22a ₂ , 22b ₂ , 22c ₂ , 22d ₂ are connected to the through-hole connection contacts 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d is inserted.

FIG. 1 (d) shows a state in which such insertion work has been completed and the printed circuit board 22 has been placed in a predetermined position. In this state, the connection portions 22a ₂ , 22b ₂ , 22c ₂ and 22d ₂ are soldered to the through-hole connection contacts 23a, 23b, 23c and 2d, respectively. The electrode portions 22a ₁ , 22b ₁ , 22c ₁ , and 22d ₁ are connected to each other, and thus the housing 20 is configured.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing 20 thus configured as viewed from the open portion side.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B show a situation where the housing 20 configured as described above is attached to the plug 10.

The plug 10 shown in the figure is of the SC type, and this plug has a plug frame 10a for holding an optical fiber core and a ferrule inside, and a bending limit boot 10b for protecting the optical fiber behind the plug frame. Is distracted. The plug frame 10a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, as insertion end 10a ₁ which encloses a ferrule front side of the plug frame, the rear side serves as a housing mounting portion 10a ₂ of the housing 20 is fitted.

The housing 20 is mounted on the housing mounting portion 10a _{2 as} follows. That is, for the small diameter of the boot 10b as compared to the housing mounting portion 10a _2, a housing 20, by lateral movement toward the opening in the boot side, in the housing 20 (top wall 21a and bottom wall 21b and side walls 23 The boot 10b is fitted into the slot 25). Next, the housing 20 is moved in the axial direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4A, and the housing mounting portion 10 a ₂ is fitted into the slot 25. When the housing is moved for the fitting, the ribs 21a ₁ and 21b ₁ provided on the top wall and the bottom wall prevent the housing 20 from being detached from the housing mounting portion 10a _{2 in the} lateral direction, and the rib 21a. ₂ and 21b ₂ collide with the rear end edge 10a ₂₁ of the housing mounting portion 10a ₂ at the final stage of housing movement, and perform axial positioning with respect to the housing mounting portion 10a ₂ .

Prior to the fitting of the housing 20, an adhesive is attached to the multiple ridge forming portions 10 a ₃ provided in the housing mounting portion 10 a ₂ , and the housing 20 is fitted by this adhesive after the fitting. It is bonded to the housing mounting portion 10a _2.

FIG. 4B shows the plug 10 with the housing 20 attached. From this figure, the electrode portions 22a ₁ and 22b ₁ are in contact with the upper end surface of the insertion end portion 10a ₁ of the plug 10, and the plug 10 It is clear that it extends in the insertion direction. Although not shown, also the electrode portions _22c 1, 22 d ₁ comes into contact with the lower end surface of the insertion end portion 10a _1, it is extending the insertion direction of the plug.

  In the above description, the SC type plug is taken as an example, but the housing 20 can be similarly mounted on other types of plugs.

<Adapter configuration>
Next, an embodiment of the adapter 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the adapter 30 includes a plastic receptacle 31 and a printed circuit board 32.

The receptacle 31 is two socket 31b flanges 31a as the boundary, have 31c, socket portions 31b, shown in front are adapted to insertion end portion 10a ₁ of the plug is inserted. The insertion end portion of the opposite plug is inserted into the socket portion 31c on the opposite side, and the optical fiber core wires are joined at the ferrules of both inserted plugs. The opposed plug may be the same shape as the plug 10 or may be different.

The socket portion 31b is formed in a rectangular tube shape and has a rectangular socket hole 31b ₁ for receiving the insertion end portion 10a ₁ of the plug. The width of the socket hole 31b ₁ is substantially the same as the width of the plug insertion end 10a ₁ , but the height is slightly larger than the height of the plug insertion end 10a _1. ing. On one side of the socket portion 31b and the slit 31d is formed at an intermediate position in the vertical direction, protrusions 10a ₁₁ in this slit provided on the side of the insertion end portion 10a ₁ of the plug are substantially snugly It is made to engage. Therefore, the insertion end portion 10a ₁ of the plug when plugged into the socket hole 31b _1, the difference in height between the socket hole 31b ₁ and the insertion end portion 10a _1, the insertion end of the plug A small gap is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the socket hole 31b ₁ above and below 10a ₁ , and electrodes 32b _{15 to} 32b ₄₅ having a spring action are disposed below these gaps as described below.

The printed circuit board 32 is formed in a frame shape having a window hole 32a sized to fit into the receptacle of the flange 31a, the window hole 32a of the upper and lower side of the frame bracket 32 b 1 for electrical contact to the _portion, 32b ₂ , 32b ₃ and 32b ₄ are attached to one side of the printed circuit board 32 in parallel, two in the vertical direction as shown.

The electrical contact fitting 32b ₁ is a so-called cantilever contact spring, and is bent at a right angle to the front at the height of the upper edge of the mounting portion 32b ₁₁ soldered to the substrate 32 and the window hole 32a. A support portion 32b ₁₂ , a connecting portion 32b ₁₃ bent downward at a right angle from the support portion, an arm portion 32b ₁₄ bent forward at a right angle from the connecting portion, and an arm portion from the arm portion of has an electrode portion 32 b ₁₅ that is folded 180 ° to the lower electrode portions 32 b ₁₅ is bent in shape of substantially L, it has been made to provide a spring action. The length of the arm portion 32b ₁₄ is substantially the same as or slightly longer than the axial length of the socket portion 31b.

The electrical contact metal fitting 32b ₂ has the same shape as the electrical contact metal fitting 32b ₁ and is attached to the printed circuit board 32 in parallel with the metal fitting 32b ₁ at a predetermined interval. The distance between the two corresponds to the distance between the electrodes 22a ₁ and 22b _{1 of the} plug 10.

Lower electrical contact bracket _{32 b} 3, 32 b ₄ also lower side of the printed circuit board 32 to the electrical has a contact bracket 32 b ₁ and the same shape, the upper electrical contact bracket _{32 b} 1, 32 b ₂ and confronts Soldered to the frame. As can be easily understood, the support portions 32b ₃₂ and 32b ₄₂ of the lower electric contact metal fittings 32b ₃ and 32b ₄ are bent at a right angle to the front at the height of the lower edge of the window hole 32a. The distance between the lower electrical contact fittings 32b ₃ and 32b ₄ is made to correspond to the distance between the electrodes 22c ₁ and 22d _{1 of the} plug 10.

Distance between the arms _32b 34, _{32b 44} of the upper arm portion _32b 14, _{32b 24} and the lower is substantially the same as the spacing between the upper and lower surfaces of the socket 31b, the arm portion _{32 b 14} and the electrodes _{32 b 15} The upper wall portion of the socket 31b can be inserted and fitted between them, and this is the same between the arm portion 32b ₂₄ and the electrode 32b ₂₅ . In the lower electrical contact metal fittings 32b ₃ and 32b ₄ , the lower side wall portion of the socket 31b can be inserted and fitted between the arm portion 32b ₃₄ and the electrode 32b ₃₅ and between the arm portion 32b ₄₄ and the electrode 32b _45. Has been made.

  Further, on the printed circuit board 32, the circuit portion shown in FIG. 8 or the circuit portion shown in FIG. 10 is formed by printed wiring, and the LEDs 32d1, 32d2 or LED 32e connected to these circuit portions are mounted.

The printed circuit board 32 formed as described above is united with the receptacle 31 described above to form the adapter 30 shown in FIG. Coalescence, insert the flange 31a of the receptacle 31 to the window hole 32a of the printed circuit board 32, further connecting portions _{32b 13, 32b 23, 32b 33} , 32b 43 pushes the printed circuit board 32 so as to be in contact with the front surface of the flange 31a. At the time of insertion, the upper side wall portion of the socket 31b is inserted and fitted between the arm portion 32b ₁₄ and the electrode 32b ₁₅ of the electrical contact metal fitting 32b ₁ . This operation is the same for the electrical contact fitting 32b ₂ and the electrical contact fittings 32b ₃ and 32b ₄ are the same except that the object to be inserted is the lower wall portion of the socket 31b.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the printed circuit board 32 is placed so that the electrical contact fittings 32b ₁ , 32b ₂ , 32b ₃ , 32b ₄ are in close contact with the surface of the receptacle 31, and the electrodes 32b ₁₅ , 32b ₂₅ , 32b ₃₅ , 32b ₄₅ is placed on the upper and bottom surfaces of the socket hole 31b ₁ .

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the adapter 30 configured as described above is attached to the connector panel 40 and a state in the middle of attachment. In the connector panel 40, for each adapter 30, an opening 40a into which the socket portion 31c can be inserted and an opening 40b into which the electric connector 34 can be inserted are aligned, and the openings 40a and 40b are paired. For example, one connector panel 40 is provided with, for example, 32 pairs of openings. As illustrated, the adapter 30 is attached so that the socket portion 31c and the electrical connector 34 are fitted into the openings 40a and 40b, and the printed circuit board 32 is in contact with the front surface of the connector panel 40. The socket portion 31c and the electrical connector 34 Projects to the back side of the panel 40. A plug on the connection partner side is inserted into the socket portion 31c protruding to the back surface side, and the electrical connector 34 is connected to the control module 60 shown in FIG.

Insertion end portion 10a ₁ of the plug 10 to the adapter 30 attached to the connector panel 40 as described above is inserted, joining of the coated optical fiber is achieved between the ferrule of the ferrule and mating plug. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the plug 10 provided at the end of the optical fiber 50 is attached to the second adapter 30 from the end.

Thus, in the state where the plug 10 is attached to the adapter 30, the electrodes 22a to 22d on the plug 10 side are in contact with the electrodes 32b _{15 to} 32b ₄₅ on the adapter 30 side that face each other. In that case, the electrodes 32b _{15 to} 32b ₄₅ are formed in a U shape as described above, and therefore, the spring action ensures the contact with the electrodes 22a to 22d. In this case, the contact is made as much as possible immediately before the optical fiber core bonding as long as the stability and reliability of the contact are not impaired.

  As a result of the above electrode contact, the circuit portion provided on the printed board 23 on the plug 10 side and the circuit portion provided on the printed board 32 on the adapter 30 side are connected, and the circuit shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 10 is closed. The

<Configuration of optical fiber identification circuit>
8 and 9 show circuit diagrams in the case of the optical fiber identification connector.

FIG. 8 shows a coupling state of the circuit portions on the plug-side printed board 23 and the adapter-side printed board 32 and the circuit portions when the plug 10 is inserted into the adapter 30 and the optical fiber core wires are connected. . One end of each of the three optical fiber identifying chip resistors 24a, 24b, 24c on the plug-side printed circuit board 23 is connected to the electrodes 22a ₁ , 22b ₁ , 22c ₁ through the printed wiring, and the other end are multi-connected via the printed wiring is connected to the electrode 22 d _1. On the other hand, the adapter side printed circuit board 32 has circuit portions 32c ₁ , 32c ₂ , 32c ₃ , 32c ₄ connected to the electrode portions 32b ₁₅ , 32b ₂₅ , 32b ₃₅ , 32b ₄₅ of the electrical contact metal fittings. The circuit unit is connected to the control module 60 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the plug 10 is inserted into the adapter 30 to connect the optical fiber core wires, the electrodes 22a ₁ , 22b ₁ , 22c ₁ , 22d ₁ are connected to the electrode portions 32b ₁₅ , 32b ₂₅ , 32b ₃₅ , 32b ₄₅ , respectively. Thus, the resistance values of the three resistors 24a, 24b, and 24c are output.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) 32d ₁ and 32d ₂ are further mounted on the adapter side printed circuit board 32, and these LEDs are also connected to the control module 60 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a circuit for identifying the optical fiber identification resistors 24a, 24b, and 24c having the configuration shown in FIG. 8, and is particularly adapted to identify an extremely large number of optical fiber identification resistors. Yes. Further, according to this circuit, it is possible to confirm whether or not the two plugs coupled to both ends of the optical fiber are respectively connected to the two determined adapters.

As shown in FIG. 9, the adapter having the number m of one row is attached to the connector panel 40 in a matrix form over n stages. For example, the top adapter is 30a ₁₁ -30a _m1 from left to right, the left end adapter is 30a ₁₁ -30a _1n from top to bottom, the right end adapter is 30a _m1 -30a _mn from top to bottom, and the bottom adapter Are arranged from left to right as 30a _1n -30a _mn . The adapters 30a ₁₁ , 30a _m1 , 30a _1n , and 30a _mn at the four corners are shown with plugs connected thereto, and the resistors of the plugs connected to the adapter 30a ₁₁ are denoted by 24a ₁₁ , 24b ₁₁ , 24c ₁₁ Similarly, the plug resistors connected to the adapter 30a _m1 are 24a _m1 , 24b _m1 , 24c _m1 , and the plug resistors connected to the adapter 30a _1n are 24a _1n , 24b _1n , 24c _1n , adapter 30a _nm The resistor of the plug connected to is indicated by 24a _mn , 24b _mn , 24c _mn .

Looking at the row of the topmost adapters, one end of the resistors 24a ₁₁ -24a _m1 is connected to the printed wiring 41a ₁ provided on the connector panel 40. Similarly, one end of the resistors 24b ₁₁ -24b _m1 is connected to the printed wiring 41b. _1, one end of the resistor _24c 11 _{-24c m1} are connected to the printed wiring 41c _1. These printed wiring _{41a 1,} the 41b 1, 41c ₁ end (left end) is connected to the control module 60 reference resistor _61a 1 _provided, 61b 1, 61c _1, these reference resistance switch 62a ₁ collectively To the power source 70. On the other hand, the other ends (right ends) of the printed wirings 41a ₁ , 41b ₁ , 41c ₁ are connected to multiplexers 63a, 63b, 63c provided in the control module 60, respectively. These connections are similar for all adapter rows. In addition, the locations of 41a ₁₁ , 41b ₁₁ , and 41c ₁₁ in FIG. 9 correspond to points U, T, and V in FIG. 8, respectively.

On the other hand, the multi-connection portion 42a _{1 at} the other end of the plug resistors 24a ₁₁ , 24b ₁₁ , 24c ₁₁ inserted into the adapter 30a ₁₁ is connected to a printed wiring 42a provided on the connector panel 40. The multi-connection section 42a ₁ corresponds to position of W in FIG. The printed wiring 42a is commonly connected to a multi-connector of resistors provided in the left end column adapters 30a _{11 to} 30a _1n, and the lower end of the printed wiring is connected to a switch 62′a ₁ provided in the control module 60. It is connected. Printed wiring common to multi-connecting portion of the resistors in the rightmost column of the adapter _30a 1 m -30A _mn is 42m, its lower end is connected to the switch 62'a _m. Similar printed wiring, is provided with each for all the columns of the adapter in the middle, each of which is connected to the same switch as the switch 62'A ₁ at its lower end.

  The control module 60 further includes A / D converters 64a, 64b, and 64c. These A / D converters are connected to the multiplexers 63a, 63b, and 63c on one side, and connected to the CPU 65 on the other side. Yes.

Additional switches _62a 1 _{-62a n} and 62'a ₁ -62'a _m is formed by, for example, transistors, the timing of the switching of the transistors switches, all plug-in resistors connected to the adapter, for example, 30m sec Done to be scanned. These switching timings are provided by the CPU 65.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, for example between the adapter 30a ₁₁ and the adapter 30a _mn for optical fiber connection confirmation when connecting the optical cable will be described.

  Resistors 24a, 24b, and 24c are mounted in the same combination of resistance values on plugs (10) provided at both ends of the optical cable, respectively, and the combination of resistance values is different from other optical cables. This makes it possible to identify the optical cable currently provided for connection.

The connection target adapter is indicated by a wiring table created in advance on the PC. For example, it instructs the connection between the adapter _{30a 11} and the adapter _{30a mn} is performed have been made. Based on this instruction, one plug of the optical cable is inserted into the adapter 30a ₁₁ , and the resistance value of the resistor mounted on this plug is measured in this state.

The resistance value is measured by dividing the voltage of the power source 70 by the reference resistors 61a ₁ , 61b ₁ , 61c ₁ and the resistors 24a ₁₁ , 24b ₁₁ , 24c ₁₁ when the switch 62a ₁ and the switch 62′a ₁ are turned on. The voltage is input to the A / D converters 64a, 64b and 64c via the printed wirings 41a ₁ , 41b ₁ and 41c ₁ and the multiplexers 63a, 63b and 63c, and a signal is sent to the CPU 65 to read the voltage. Is done by. Since the power supply voltage and the resistance value of the reference resistance are known, the resistance value of the resistor mounted on the plug is known by the divided voltage. Accordingly, A / D converters 64a, 64b, the magnitude of the input voltage to 64c, one of the plug of the optical cable that is confirmed plugged into the adapter _{30a 11.} Confirmation signal shown in FIG. 8, is sent to the green light emitting LED32d ₁ provided in the adapter 30a _11, the LED lights up, the plug that is inserted into the correct adapter is also confirmed visually.

Next, the other plug (10) is inserted into the adapter 30a _mn . When the switch 62a _n and 62'A _n are turned on, as in the case of one of the plugs described above, the resistance value of the resistor mounted on the other plug is measured. This measurement value confirms that the same optical cable is connected to the adapter 30a _mn , and this is visually confirmed by lighting of the green light emitting LED 32d ₁ provided in the adapter 30a _mn .

If any plug is accidentally inserted into another adapter, the voltages divided by only the reference resistors 61a ₁ , 61b ₁ , 61c ₁ are applied to the A / D converters 64a, 64b, 64c. Therefore, the voltage read by the CPU 65 becomes larger than the target value, and the PC outputs an alarm signal indicating that it is erroneously connected, and displays it on the PC. The alarm signal is also sent to the red light emitting LED32d ₂ provided on the adapter _{30a 11} or _{30a mn,} it lights the LED, visually indicating that the plug is erroneous connection. This can be notified by an alarm sound.

  In this way, if an optical matrix switch is configured using an optical connector with an identification circuit having a resistor, the above-described identification circuit can be formed by attaching the plug to the adapter, the corresponding optical fiber can be confirmed instantaneously, and erroneous connection It is possible to prevent human error such as disconnection.

  If 16 types of resistors of several tens to several K ohms including shorts and opens are prepared as the resistors mounted on the above plugs, the number of discernable optical fibers is 16 to the cube of 1, that is, 4095.

<Configuration of plug installation confirmation circuit>
Next, an embodiment of a circuit configuration for confirming that the plug is securely attached when the plug is inserted into the adapter will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a coupling state of the circuit parts on the plug-side printed board 23 and the adapter-side printed board 32 and the circuit parts when the plug 10 is inserted into the adapter 30 and the optical fiber core wires are connected. Show.

  In the plug-side printed board 23, the electrical contact fittings 22a and 22b are open, and the electrical contact fittings 22c and 22d are short-circuited by the printed wiring 23e.

On the other hand, in the adapter side printed circuit board 32, a light emitting diode (LED) 32e is mounted on the circuit board, and circuit portions 32c ₃ and 32c ₄ similar to those shown in FIG. 8 are formed by printed wiring. The circuit portion 32c ₃ is connected to a power source 45 provided on the connector panel 40, and the circuit portion 32c ₄ is connected to the LED 32e via a resistor 46 provided on the connector panel 40.

Therefore, when the connector is configured by the combination of the plug 10 and the adapter 30 having the configuration shown in FIG. 10, when the plug 10 is inserted into the adapter 30, the power source 45, the circuit portion 32 c ₃ , the electrode 32 b ₃₅ , and the electrical contact fitting 22c, printed wiring 23e, electrical contacts bracket 22 d, the electrodes _{32 b 45,} circuit portion 32c _4, resistor 46, circuit constituted by LED32e is closed, LED32e is turned. By this lighting, it can be visually confirmed that the plug 10 is securely attached to the adapter 30. The lit LED 32e is set to be turned off after the plug insertion work scheduled for the day is completed. However, in the case of a connector related to an important line, for example, a police line or a fire fighting line, the LED 32e is kept lit. In some cases, the light emission color at the time of lighting can be made different from that of the other, so that attention is paid to the important line.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention. For example, the number of the resistors 24a to 24c may be two, or four or more. The housing 20 may have a shape other than a rectangle, for example, a cylindrical shape.

It is a perspective view which shows the assembly process of the component of the printed circuit board holding | maintenance housing with which a plug is mounted | worn, and these components. It is an inner surface side perspective view of the printed circuit board which is a component of the said housing. It is a perspective view which shows the inner side of the housing after an assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the plug in the middle of the said housing installation, and after the installation. It is a perspective view which shows the component of an adapter. It is a perspective view which shows the adapter after an assembly. It is a partial perspective view of the connector panel holding an adapter. It is a connection diagram of the optical connector incorporating the resistor for identifying an optical fiber. It is a circuit diagram for identifying the resistor for optical fiber identification. It is a connection diagram of the optical connector provided with the LED for confirming the insertion of the plug into the adapter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Plug 10a Plug frame 10a ₁ Insertion end part 10a ₂ Housing mounting part 20 Housing 21 Frame member 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Thin plate-shaped electrical contact metal fitting 23 Printed circuit board 24a, 24b, 24c Chip resistor 25 Groove hole 30 Adapter 31 Receptacles 31b socket portion 32 the printed circuit board 32a window hole _{32b 1, 32b 2, 32b 3} , 32b 4 electrical contacts bracket 32e emitting diode (LED)
34 Electrical connector 40 Connector panel 50 Optical fiber 60 Control module

Claims (5)

A plug having a plug frame for holding an optical fiber core wire and a ferrule; and an adapter having a socket portion for receiving a ferrule side insertion end portion of the plug, the plug being used for identifying an optical fiber core wire or an optical fiber An electric circuit portion constituting a part of the detection circuit for confirming the bonding of the fiber core wire and an electrode coupled to the plug-side electric circuit portion, and the adapter is a part of the other electric circuit portion of the detection circuit Or an electrode coupled to the adapter-side electric circuit portion, and the plug-side electrode and the adapter-side electrode are in contact with each other when the plug insertion end portion is inserted into the socket portion of the adapter. In the plug-in optical fiber connector in which the detection circuit is closed,
The plug frame has a housing fitted in a portion rearward from the insertion end, the plug-side electric circuit portion is provided in the housing, and the electrode coupled to the plug-side electric circuit portion has the electrode Projecting from the housing and extending in the plug insertion direction along the outer surface of the insertion end,
The adapter side electrode portion is provided on the inner wall surface of the socket portion of the adapter at a position in contact with the plug side electrode of the plug insertion end of the plug inserted into the socket portion.
An optical fiber connector characterized by that.   The housing has a substantially U-shaped cross section having a top wall, a bottom wall, and one side wall, the electrodes are provided on the top wall and the bottom wall, and the side wall is formed on the plug-side electric circuit portion. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber connector is substantially formed of a printed circuit board that holds the optical fiber.   The printed circuit board includes a plurality of chip resistors for identifying optical fiber core wires, and these chip resistors are circuit constituent members of the plug-side electric circuit portion. Item 3. The optical fiber connector according to Item 2.   The adapter includes a printed circuit board that holds the adapter-side electric circuit portion, and the printed circuit board includes a light-emitting diode chip connected to the adapter-side electric circuit portion. When the plug portion is inserted into the socket portion and the plug side electrode is brought into contact with the adapter side electrode, the plug side electric circuit portion and the adapter side electric circuit portion close the detection circuit for confirming the optical fiber core wire connection. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode is turned on. The adapter has a printed circuit board that holds the adapter-side electric circuit portion. The printed circuit board is an electric circuit for connecting the adapter-side electric circuit portion to the control circuit section of the optical fiber core identification circuit. The optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a connector is mounted.

Images