JP2007121954A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector in which a locked state and a released state of locking between a connector plug and a connector socket can be reliably grasped even in a site with an undesirable work environment. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector 1 has a connector plug 2 and a connector socket 3 which is detachably coupled to the connector plug 2. The connector plug 2 has a plug housing 4 to which a pair of latches 13 holding a fitted state between the plug housing 2 and the connector socket 3 is fixed. Each latch 13 has an elastically deformable latch arm 14 extending from the front end of the plug housing 4 toward the back end, and a locking pawl 15 to engage with the connector socket 3 is formed as protruding on the latch arm 14. Each latch arm 14 is inclined to extend with respect to the plug housing 4, opening toward the back side of the plug housing 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector that includes a connector plug and a connector socket and connects optical fibers to each other.

As a conventional optical connector, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 is known. The optical connector described in this document includes a ferrule that holds an optical fiber, a male housing that houses the ferrule, and a male housing that protrudes from the front end to the rear end of the male housing. And a latch. The latch is provided with an engaging portion that removably engages with the female housing.
JP 2000-147315 A

  For example, when connector connection is performed at a site where the working environment is poor, such as aerial or near the wall, the operator can lock and release the locking of the male housing (connector plug) and the female housing (connector socket) by the latch. It may be difficult to know the state accurately and work may be difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector capable of reliably grasping a locked state and a locked state between a connector plug and a connector socket even in a site where the working environment is poor.

  The present invention provides an optical connector including a connector plug and a connector socket that is detachably coupled to the connector plug. The connector plug includes a plug housing that fits into the connector socket, a plug housing, and a connector socket. A pair of latch portions for holding the fitting state, each latch portion being fixed to the side surface of the plug housing so as to extend toward the rear of the plug housing, and an elastically deformable latch arm, and a latch arm A latching claw that protrudes and engages with the connector socket, and a knob that is provided at the tip of the latch arm and releases the engagement of the latching claw with respect to the connector socket. The plug housing is inclined and extends so as to open toward the rear of the plug housing. It is intended.

  In such an optical connector, when connecting the connector plug and the connector socket, the connector plug is inserted into the connector socket, and the plug housing of the connector plug is fitted to the connector socket. At this time, when the connector plug is pushed into the connector socket, the pair of latch portions come into contact with the inner wall surface of the connector socket and elastically deform toward the plug housing. In this state, when the connector plug is further pushed into a predetermined position, the latching claw of each latch portion is engaged with the connector socket by the elastic force of each latch portion, and the connector plug is engaged with the connector socket. It will be stopped. On the other hand, when disconnecting the connector plug and the connector socket, the knob of each latch part is pushed into the plug housing side to release the engagement of the locking claw with respect to the connector socket. Release the locked state. In this state, the connector plug is pulled out from the connector socket.

  Here, the latch arms of the pair of latch portions extend obliquely with respect to the plug housing so as to open toward the rear of the plug housing. For this reason, in the initial state of the latch portion, the interval between the latch arm and the plug housing becomes longer at the protruding position of the latching claw than when the latch arm extends parallel to the plug housing. The amount of elastic deformation of the latch arm increases by that amount. Therefore, when the latching claw is engaged with the connector socket by the elastic force of the latch portion, the latching claw emits a loud click sound. Also, when the engagement of the locking claw with the connector socket is released, the amount of elastic deformation of the latch arm similarly increases, so that the locking claw makes a loud clicking sound. Thus, not only the appearance but also the sound makes it possible to clearly understand the locked state and the unlocked state of the connector plug and the connector socket. Thereby, even in a site where the working environment is not so good, the worker can accurately know the locked state and the locked state of the connector plug and the connector socket.

  Preferably, the inner surface of the knob is configured to open with respect to the plug housing at an inclination angle larger than the inclination angle of the latch arm. In this case, since the distance between the knob and the plug housing becomes long, the amount of elastic deformation of the latch arm when the knob is pressed against the plug housing further increases. Thereby, when the engagement of the locking claw with respect to the connector socket is released, the locking claw emits a larger click sound.

  Preferably, each latch portion is formed of a material having creep resistance. In this case, for example, even when some stress is applied to the latch portion, the latch portion is less likely to be distorted, and the connector plug can be smoothly locked (latched) to the connector socket. Examples of the material having creep resistance include polyetherimide (PEI) and polyethersulfone (PES).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably grasp the engagement state and the engagement release state between the connector plug and the connector socket, and improve workability even in a site where the working environment is poor, such as an aerial or a wall. Become.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an optical connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention. In the figure, an optical connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a connector plug 2 and a connector socket 3 that is detachably coupled to the connector plug 2. Both the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 are cord gripping types.

  2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector plug 2, FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector plug 2, and FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector plug 2 (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3). is there.

  In each figure, the connector plug 2 has a plug housing 4 having a substantially rectangular cross section. In the plug housing 4, a ferrule 5, a spacer 6, a stop ring 7, and a caulking ring 8 are arranged in this order from the front end surface (joint end surface) side to the rear end side of the plug housing 4. Further, a boot 10 for introducing an optical cord 9 incorporating an optical fiber 9 a is inserted into the plug housing 4 from the rear end side of the plug housing 4.

  The ferrule 5 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and holds the distal end portion of the optical fiber 9 a of the optical cord 9 introduced from the rear end side of the plug housing 4. The spacer 6 is a ring-shaped member that defines (adjusts) the distance between the ferrule 5 and the stop ring 7. An annular protrusion 6 a is provided at one end of the spacer 6. The rear end portion of the ferrule 5 is inserted into the spacer 6 from the annular protrusion 6a side.

  The stop ring 7 is fixed to the plug housing 4 by a locking portion 7a provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof. An annular groove 7 b that engages with a locking portion 10 a formed on the boot 10 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stop ring 7.

  A rear end side portion of the stop ring 7 is inserted into the caulking ring 8. A Kepler 9b exposed from the outer cover of the optical cord 9 is sandwiched between the stop ring 7 and the caulking ring 8, and the caulking ring 8 is caulked against the stop ring 7 in this state. The caulking ring 8 is accommodated in the boot 10 via the ring 11.

  Further, at the rear end of the plug housing 4, two anti-bending plates 12 for suppressing the bending of the boot 10 are attached to the left and right sides so as to sandwich the boot 10. By providing such a bend-preventing plate 12, the boot 10 is restrained in the left-right direction with respect to the plug housing 4, so that the strength of the boot 10 against bending is increased and the influence on the optical cord 9 is reduced. can do.

  A pair of latch portions 13 that hold the fitting state of the plug housing 2 and the connector socket 3 are integrally provided on two opposite side surfaces 4 a of the plug housing 4. Each latch portion 13 has a latch arm 14 fixed to the side surface 4a of the plug housing 4 so as to extend from the front end portion of the plug housing 4 toward the rear end side. The latch arm 14 can be elastically deformed in the width direction of the plug housing 4. On the outer surface of the latch arm 14 (surface opposite to the plug housing 4), a locking claw 15 that engages with the connector socket 3 is projected. Further, a knob 16 for releasing the engagement of the locking claw 15 with respect to the connector socket 3 is provided at the tip of the latch arm 14.

  The latch arm 14 of each latch portion 13 extends inclining with respect to the side surface 4 a of the plug housing 4 so as to open toward the rear end side of the plug housing 4. Further, the inner surface of the knob 16 (the surface on the plug housing 4 side) is preferably configured to open at an inclination angle larger than the inclination angle of the latch arm 14 with respect to the side surface 4 a of the plug housing 4. Specifically, the inclination angle α (see FIG. 5) of the latch arm 14 with respect to the side surface 4a of the plug housing 4 is, for example, 2 to 3 degrees. The inclination angle β (see FIG. 5) of the inner surface of the knob 16 with respect to the side surface 4a of the plug housing 4 is, for example, 8 to 12 degrees.

  The plug housing 4 and the latch part 13 are preferably integrally molded as one molded part from the viewpoint of cost reduction. The resin material for forming the plug housing 4 and the latch portion 13 is polyetherimide (PEI) or polyether because it can be precisely molded, has excellent heat resistance and reliability, and has creep resistance. It is preferable to use sulfone (PES) or the like. Thus, when the optical connector 1 is used in an outdoor environment, for example, even if the latch portion 13 is stressed, the latch portion 13 is less likely to be distorted. Therefore, the latch operation between the plug housing 4 and the connector socket 3 is performed. There is almost no loss.

  6 is an exploded perspective view of the connector socket 3, FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector socket 3, and FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the connector socket 3 (sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7). is there.

  In each figure, the connector socket 3 has a socket housing 17 having a substantially rectangular cross section that fits with the plug housing 4 of the connector plug 2. Locking receiving window portions 18 that engage with the locking claws 15 of the latch portion 13 are provided on the two opposing side surfaces 17 a of the socket housing 17. The resin material forming the socket housing 17 is the same as the resin material forming the plug housing 4 and the latch portion 13 of the connector plug 2, for example.

  In the socket housing 17, a split sleeve 19, a ferrule 20, a spacer 21, a stop ring 22, and a caulking ring 23 are arranged in this order from the front end surface (joint end surface) side to the rear end side of the socket housing 17. Further, a boot 25 for introducing an optical cord 24 in which an optical fiber 24 a is incorporated is inserted into the socket housing 17 from the rear end side of the socket housing 17.

  The ferrule 20 has the same structure as the ferrule 5, for example, and holds the distal end portion of the optical fiber 24 a of the optical cord 24 introduced into the socket housing 17 from the rear end side of the socket housing 17. The front end side portion of the ferrule 20 is inserted into the rear end side portion of the split sleeve 19. The front end portion of the ferrule 5 is inserted into the front end portion of the split sleeve 19 when the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 are coupled. The split sleeve 19 is fixed to the socket housing 17 by a sleeve stopper 26.

  The spacer 21 is a ring-shaped member that defines (adjusts) the distance between the ferrule 20 and the stop ring 22. The spacer 21 has the same structure as the spacer 6 of the connector plug 2. That is, an annular protrusion 21 a is provided at one end of the spacer 21. The rear end portion of the ferrule 20 is inserted into the spacer 21 from the opposite side of the annular protrusion 21a. Thereby, the arrangement direction of the spacer 21 with respect to the front end face of the ferrule 20 is opposite to the arrangement direction of the spacer 6 with respect to the front end face of the ferrule 5. Thus, by making the spacers 7 and 21 have the same structure, the distance between the ferrule 5 and the stop ring 7 and the distance between the ferrule 20 and the stop ring 22 are adjusted using only one type of spacer. This is advantageous in terms of cost. A spring 27 that biases the ferrule 20 is disposed in the spacer 21.

  The front end of the stop ring 22 is fitted into the annular protrusion 21 a of the spacer 21. The stop ring 22 has the same structure as the stop ring 7 of the connector plug 2. That is, the stop ring 22 is fixed to the socket housing 17 by the locking portion 22a provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof. An annular groove 22 b that engages with a locking portion 25 a formed on the boot 25 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stop ring 22.

  A rear end side portion of the stop ring 22 is inserted into the caulking ring 23. A Kepler 24 b exposed from the outer cover of the optical cord 24 is sandwiched between the stop ring 22 and the caulking ring 23, and the caulking ring 23 is caulked against the stop ring 22 in this state. The caulking ring 23 is accommodated in the boot 25 via a ring 28.

  Further, at the rear end of the socket housing 17, two anti-bending plates 29 for suppressing the bending of the boot 25 are attached vertically so as to sandwich the boot 25. The bending prevention plate 29 has the same structure as the bending prevention plate 12 of the connector plug 2. By providing such a bend-preventing plate 29, the boot 25 is restrained in the vertical direction with respect to the socket housing 17, so that the strength of the boot 25 against bending increases and the influence on the optical cord 24 can be reduced. it can.

  When the connector plug 2 configured as described above and the socket housing 3 are coupled, the front end surface of the connector plug 2 and the front end surface of the connector socket 3 are opposed to each other as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the connector plug 2 is inserted and pushed into the connector socket 3 so that the ferrule 5 of the connector plug 2 is inserted into the split sleeve 19 of the connector socket 3. At this time, the latch portion 13 abuts against the inner wall surface of the socket housing 17, so that the latch portion 13 is elastically deformed toward the plug housing 4 against the urging force of the latch portion 13.

  In this state, when the connector plug 2 is further pushed in, the locking claw 15 of the latch portion 13 reaches the position of the locking receiving window portion 18 of the socket housing 17. Then, the latch portion 13 spreads outside the plug housing 4 to return to the initial state due to the urging force of the latch portion 13, so that the latching pawl 15 is caught by the latch receiving window portion 18 as shown in FIG. become. As a result, the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 are locked. In this state, the ferrule 5 hits the ferrule 20, and the optical fibers 9a and 24a are optically connected.

  Here, since the spring 27 for urging the ferrule 20 is interposed between the ferrule 20 and the spacer 21 of the connector socket 3, when the ferrule 5 hits the ferrule 20, the urging force of the spring 27 is applied. On the contrary, the ferrule 20 is slightly retracted. However, there is a small space inside the optical cord 24 to the extent that the optical fiber 24a can be bent somewhat. For this reason, since the optical fiber 24a exposed from the outer sheath of the optical cord 24 is not suddenly bent in the socket housing 17, the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber 24a are hardly adversely affected.

  On the other hand, when the connection between the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 is released, the knob 16 of each latch portion 13 is gripped so as to abut against the side surface 4a of the plug housing 4, and the locking receiving window portion 18 of the socket housing 17 is obtained. The engagement of the locking claw 15 with respect to is released. As a result, the locked state between the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 is released. In this state, the connector plug 2 is pulled out from the connector socket 3 while holding both the knobs 16.

  Here, the latch arm 14 of each latch portion 13 is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the side surface 4 a of the plug housing 4 so as to open toward the rear of the plug housing 4. Moreover, the inner surface of each knob 16 is configured to open with respect to the side surface 4 a of the plug housing 4 at an angle β larger than the inclination angle α of the latch arm 14. For this reason, in the initial state in which each latch part 13 is not elastically deformed, compared with the case where the latch arm 14 extends parallel to the side surface 4a of the plug housing 4, the portion of the latch arm 14 with respect to the locking claw 15 Since the clearance between the plug arm 4 and the plug housing 4 increases, the amount of elastic deformation of the latch arm 14 increases accordingly.

  Thereby, when the latching claw 15 is hooked on the latch receiving window 18 by the urging force of the latch arm 14, the volume of the click sound “click” that is generated when the latching claw 15 strikes the socket housing 17 vigorously. Becomes larger. Further, when the latching claw 15 is released from the latch receiving window 18, the volume of the click sound “click” generated when the latching claw 15 is moved away from the socket housing 17 is increased. .

  Thus, whether the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 are locked or not and whether or not the locked state between the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 is released can be clearly seen not only by appearance but also by clicking sound. become. When working at a site with a poor working environment such as an aerial or near a wall, the coupling state of the optical connector 1 may not be seen well. However, even in such a case, the operator can accurately know the engagement state and the engagement release state of the connector plug 2 and the connector socket 3 by a loud click sound, so that the workability can be improved. It becomes.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent members as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, an optical connector 40 of this embodiment includes a connector plug 41 and a connector socket 42 that is detachably coupled to the connector plug 41. The connector plug 41 and the connector socket 42 are both of a core wire gripping type.

  13 is an exploded perspective view of the connector plug 41, FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector plug 42, and FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the connector plug 42 (cross sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14). is there. In each figure, the connector plug 41 includes the plug housing 4 and a pair of latch portions 13 as in the above-described embodiment.

  A mechanical splice 43 and a stopper 44 are disposed in the plug housing 4. The mechanical splice 43 has a splice member 45 composed of a base portion and a cover portion, and two clamp members 46 that clamp the splice member 45, and is introduced into the plug housing 4 from the rear end side of the plug housing 4. The tip of the optical fiber 47 is held. A short fiber 48 connected to the optical fiber 47 is built in the front end side portion of the splice member 45.

  The mechanical splice 43 is formed with two slits 49 into which wedges (not shown) for pushing open the base portion and the cover portion of the splice member 45 against the pressing force of the clamp member 46 are inserted. ing. Two wedge windows 50 into which wedges are inserted are formed at positions corresponding to the slits 49 in the plug housing 4.

  The stopper 44 is disposed at the rear part of the plug housing 4 and has a cylindrical part 51. The stopper 44 is fixed to the plug housing 4 by a locking part 51 a provided in the cylindrical part 51.

  16 is an exploded perspective view of the connector socket 42, FIG. 17 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector socket 42, and FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view of the connector socket 42 (cross sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17). is there. In each figure, the connector socket 42 has the socket housing 17 similarly to embodiment mentioned above. In the socket housing 17, a split sleeve 53, a mechanical splice 54, and a stopper 55 are sequentially arranged from the front end surface side to the rear end side of the socket housing 17.

  The mechanical splice 54 has a splice member 56 composed of a base portion and a cover portion, and two clamp members 57 that clamp the splice member 56, and is introduced into the socket housing 17 from the rear end side of the socket housing 17. The tip of the optical fiber 58 is held. A short fiber 59 connected to the optical fiber 58 is built in the front end portion of the mechanical splice 54. The mechanical splice 54 is formed with two slits 60 into which the wedges (not shown) are inserted. Two wedge windows 61 into which wedges are inserted are formed at positions corresponding to the slits 60 in the socket housing 17.

  A front end side portion (ferrule portion) 56 a of the splice member 56 is inserted into the rear end side of the split sleeve 53. A front end side portion (ferrule portion) 45 a of the splice member 45 is inserted into the front end side of the split sleeve 53 when the connector plug 41 and the connector socket 42 are coupled. The split sleeve 53 is fixed to the socket housing 17 by a through stopper 62.

  The stopper 55 is disposed at the rear portion of the socket housing 17 and has a cylindrical portion 63. The stopper 55 is fixed to the socket housing 17 by a locking portion 63 a provided on the cylindrical portion 63. In addition, a spring 65 that biases toward the mechanical splice 54 is disposed in the cylindrical portion 63.

  In the optical connector 40 as described above, when the connector plug 41 and the connector socket 42 are coupled, the connector plug 41 is inserted into the connector socket 42 and pushed in as shown in FIG. At this time, when the locking claw 15 of each latch part 13 reaches the position of the locking receiving window 18 of the socket housing 17, the locking claw 15 is caught by the locking receiving window 18, and the connector plug 41 and the connector The socket 42 is locked. On the other hand, when the knob 16 of each latch part 13 is pushed in and the engagement of the locking claw 15 with respect to the socket housing 17 is released, the connector plug 41 and the connector socket 42 are released from the locked state.

  Also in this embodiment, since the latch arm 14 is open toward the rear of the plug housing 4 in the initial state of each latch portion 13, the operator clicks on the connector with the loud click sound generated by the locking claw 15. The locked state and unlocked state of the plug 41 and the connector socket 42 can be accurately known.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent members as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, an optical connector 70 according to the present embodiment includes a jacket grip type connector plug 71 and a core wire grip type connector socket 42 detachably coupled to the connector plug 71.

  21 is an exploded perspective view of the connector plug 71, FIG. 22 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector plug 71, and FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view of the connector plug 71 (cross sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22). is there. In each figure, the connector plug 71 has a plug housing 72 having a substantially rectangular cross section that fits into the connector socket 17, and a cover 73 that can be opened and closed with respect to the plug housing 72. Latch portions 13 are integrally provided at the front end portions of the two opposite side surfaces 72a of the plug housing 72, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 24, the cover 73 is rotatably supported through shaft portions 74 protruding from both side surfaces 72a of the plug housing 72, and covers the rear portion of the plug housing 72 in the closed state. It is configured as follows.

  In the plug housing 72, a mechanical splice 75, a stopper 76, and a cable holder 77 are arranged in this order from the front end surface side to the rear end side of the plug housing 72. The mechanical splice 75 has the same structure as the mechanical splice 43 of the connector plug 41 described above, and holds the distal end portion of the optical fiber 79 of the optical cable 78 introduced into the plug housing 72 from the rear end side of the plug housing 72. A short fiber 80 connected to the optical fiber 79 is built in the front end portion of the splice member 45 of the plug housing 72. Two wedge windows 81 into which the wedges (not shown) are inserted are formed at positions corresponding to the slits 49 of the mechanical splice 75 in the plug housing 72.

  The stopper 76 is fixed to the plug housing 72 by locking projections 76a provided on both side surfaces thereof. A pair of protrusions 82 that can be elastically deformed in the width direction of the stopper 76 are provided at the rear end of the stopper 76, and an opening 82 a is formed in each protrusion 82. A recess may be formed instead of the opening 82a.

  The cable holder 77 is a member that holds the outer sheath of the optical cable 78 in a state where the optical cable 78 is inserted, and is formed of polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or the like. As the optical cable 78, for example, a cable in which one optical fiber 79 and two tension members (not shown) are covered with a jacket is used. On both side surfaces of the cable holder 77, convex portions 77 a that fit into openings 82 a formed in the protruding portions 82 of the stopper 76 are provided.

  When the optical cable 78 is assembled to such a connector plug 71, the plug housing 72 in which the cable holder 77 is not assembled is placed on the optical fiber assembling jig 83 as shown in FIG. At this time, the cover 73 of the connector plug 71 is left open with respect to the plug housing 72. Further, the splice member 45 of the mechanical splice 75 is pushed open by the wedge insertion lever 84 of the optical fiber assembling jig 83. Then, after holding the optical cable 78 containing the optical fiber 79 in a state where the terminal treatment is performed, the cable holder 77 is mounted on the optical fiber assembling jig 83 so as to face the stopper 76. Put.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 26, the cable holder 77 is slid along the upper surface of the optical fiber assembling jig 83 toward the plug housing 72, and the optical fiber 79 is attached to the short fiber 80 built in the mechanical splice 75. The cable holder 77 is inserted into the connector plug 72 so that the two come into contact with each other.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 27, when the cable holder 77 is pushed into the stopper 76, each protrusion 82 of the stopper 76 is spread outward, and the cable is inserted into the opening 82 a formed in each protrusion 82. The convex portion 77a of the holder 77 is fitted. As a result, even when the hand that has moved the cable holder 77 is released, the stopper 76 and the cable holder 77 are maintained in a temporarily fixed state. Therefore, after that, while holding the optical fiber assembling jig 83 with one hand, the wedge pulling lever 85 can be operated with that hand to close the splice member 45 of the mechanical splice 75.

  In the optical connector 70 as described above, when the connector plug 71 and the connector socket 42 are coupled, the connector plug 71 is inserted and pushed into the connector socket 42 as shown in FIG. At this time, when the locking claw 15 of each latch part 13 reaches the position of the locking receiving window 18 of the socket housing 17, the locking claw 15 is caught by the locking receiving window 18, and the connector plug 71 and the connector The socket 42 is locked.

  Here, since the spring 65 is interposed between the mechanical splice 54 and the stopper 55, when the mechanical splice 75 of the connector plug 71 hits the mechanical splice 54 of the connector socket 42, it resists the biasing force of the spring 65. Then, the mechanical splice 54 is slightly retracted. However, since the optical fiber 58 is introduced into the connector socket 42 instead of the optical cord, the optical fiber 58 is only retracted as the mechanical splice 54 is retracted. For this reason, the optical fiber 58 is not suddenly bent in the connector socket 42, and the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber 58 are hardly hindered.

  On the other hand, when the knob 16 of each latch part 13 is pushed in and the engagement of the locking claw 15 with respect to the socket housing 17 is released, the connector plug 71 and the connector socket 42 are released from the locked state.

  Also in this embodiment, since the latch arm 14 is opened toward the rear of the plug housing 72 in the initial state of each latch portion 13, the operator clicks on the connector with the loud click sound generated by the locking claw 15. The locked state and unlocked state of the plug 71 and the connector socket 42 can be accurately known.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the optical connector of the above embodiment connects single optical fibers, but the present invention can also be applied to an optical fiber connecting multiple optical fibers.

It is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an optical connector concerning the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the connector plug shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 1 (sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3). It is an enlarged plan view of the connector plug shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the connector socket shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector socket shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the connector socket shown in FIG. 1 (sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7). FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state before the connector plug and the connector socket shown in FIG. 1 are coupled. It is a horizontal direction sectional view which shows the state in the middle of the connector plug and connector socket shown in FIG. 1 being couple | bonded. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which the connector plug and the connector socket shown in FIG. 1 are coupled. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the optical connector which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the connector plug shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 12 (cross sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14). It is a disassembled perspective view of the connector socket shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector socket shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector socket shown in FIG. 12 (cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17). FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state before and after the connector plug and the connector socket shown in FIG. 12 are coupled together. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the optical connector which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the connector plug shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a vertical sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 20 (sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22). FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is open in the connector plug shown in FIG. 20. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that an optical cable is assembled | attached to the connector plug shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that an optical cable is assembled | attached to the connector plug shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the cable holder shown in FIG. 24 is temporarily fixed to a stopper. FIG. 21 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating a state before and after the connector plug and the connector socket illustrated in FIG. 20 are coupled together.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector, 2 ... Connector plug, 3 ... Connector socket, 4 ... Plug housing, 13 ... Latch part, 14 ... Latch arm, 15 ... Locking claw, 16 ... Knob, 40 ... Optical connector, 41 ... Connector plug, 42 ... Connector socket, 70 ... Optical connector, 71 ... Connector plug, 72 ... Plug housing.

Claims (3)

In an optical connector comprising a connector plug and a connector socket detachably coupled to the connector plug,
The connector plug has a plug housing that fits into the connector socket, and a pair of latch portions that hold the fitting state between the plug housing and the connector socket,
Each of the latch portions is fixed to a side surface of the plug housing so as to extend toward the rear of the plug housing, and an elastically deformable latch arm and a latch projecting from the latch arm and engaging with the connector socket. A pawl, and a knob provided at the tip of the latch arm for releasing the engagement of the locking pawl with respect to the connector socket;
The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the latch arm of each of the latch portions extends with an inclination to the plug housing so as to open toward the rear of the plug housing.   The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the knob is configured to open at an inclination angle larger than an inclination angle of the latch arm with respect to the plug housing.   3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the latch portions is formed of a material having creep resistance.

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