JP2009211034A - Connection device of optical fiber plug - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection device of an optical fiber plug, which facilitates connection of an optical fiber cable with a protective cover-attached plug. <P>SOLUTION: A plug 21 installed in an optical fiber cable 20 is provided with a ferrule 23 and a protective cover 24 for protecting the tip end face 23a of the ferrule 23. The connection device 30 is equipped with: an engaging pawl 34 which, before the ferrule 23 is inserted into an insertion opening 32, abuts on the tip end edge 24a of the protective cover 24 for moving the protective cover 24 from a closed position to an opened position; a protective cover housing part 35 which houses the protective cover 24 in accordance with the insertion operation of the ferrule 23 into the insertion opening 32; and a protective cover receiving part 36 which holds the protective cover 24 at the opened position against return force to the closed position. A stopper 37 receives the tip end 22a of a plug body 22 to restrict the insertion length of the plug 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection device into which an optical fiber plug is inserted, and in particular, an optical fiber plug connection device that can open a protective cover that protects the tip surface of a ferrule provided on the optical fiber plug with a simple operation. It is about.

  An optical fiber used for optical communication is, for example, in the form of a wire having an outer diameter of 125 μm or 250 μm consisting of a core having a diameter of about 10 μm and a cladding layer provided on the outer periphery thereof, and a ferrule for connection is provided at the tip. Yes. The outer side of the cladding layer is covered and protected by an exterior covering material. An optical fiber cable in which a plug with a cover for protecting an end surface is attached to the tip of an optical fiber is known.

  The end surface of the ferrule includes a polished surface that is orthogonal or oblique to the optical axis, and a spherical surface that increases the degree of adhesion of the tip surface. Regarding the shapes of these tip surfaces, not only the accuracy of the center position but also the curvature of the spherical shape, for example, is determined with high accuracy on the order of microns according to JIS standards. A microscopic interferometer device may be used to check whether the end face of the ferrule conforms to a standard. The microscopic interferometer device shown in Patent Document 1 below includes a clamp device that holds the ferrule with high accuracy, and an optical fiber ferrule without a plug is inserted into the insertion hole, and the inserted ferrule Measure the end face shape.

Some optical fiber cables are detachable from measuring instruments and connectors. In the case of an optical fiber, even if there is a slight contamination on the connected end face, it will cause a large transmission loss. If there is a possibility of detachment, a plug with a cover for protecting the end face is attached to the end of the optical fiber. An optical fiber cable is used. The cover for protecting the end face is good in that it protects the end face of the optical fiber, but when the ferrule as a connection portion is inserted into the sleeve of the connector, it must be moved so that the end face of the optical fiber is exposed. Patent Document 2 below discloses a plug connector for connecting two optical fiber cables, and a plug with a cover for protecting the end face is provided at the tip of each optical fiber cable. The ferrule arranged on the plug is inserted from both sides of one sleeve provided in the connector housing and is abutted at the center, and the plug is provided with an opening / closing device that automatically opens the protective cover in accordance with the insertion operation. ing.
JP 2004-184686 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-281055

  The measurement of the end face shape of the ferrule is necessary not only when manufacturing an optical fiber cable but also when using it. In particular, when two optical fiber cables are connected and used, it must be confirmed that the shape of each end face is the same. However, the microscopic interferometer device described in Patent Document 1 cannot connect an optical fiber cable with a plug, and the sleeve member described in Patent Document 2 has a control passage for opening and closing the protective cover. It is necessary to provide a mechanism in which the plug and the connector main body are related to each other, and the structure becomes complicated, requiring a large space and an increase in cost.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide an optical fiber plug connecting device that can be easily connected even with an optical fiber cable provided with a plug with a protective cover.

  An optical fiber plug connecting device according to the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as a connecting device) contains and holds a ferrule fixed to the tip of an optical fiber, and has a plug body having an opening for exposing the tip of the ferrule. And a protective cover that is rotatable between a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that opens the opening about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule, and is provided with a normally closed property by a spring bias And receiving and holding an optical fiber plug.

  The connection device includes a sleeve into which the ferrule is inserted and the protective cover while maintaining the engagement of the optical fiber plug inclined so that the front end edge of the protective cover is in contact with the front end edge of the protective cover. An engaging claw for moving the protective cover to the open position to open the opening when operated to rotate toward the open position against the spring bias, and a ferrule exposed from the opening When the posture of the plug body is adjusted so that the front end surface faces the inlet of the sleeve, the engagement with the engaging claw is released and the inner wall surface of the protective cover that rotates in the closing direction by spring bias is received and protected. A protective cover receiver that prevents the cover from rotating to the closed position, and a protective cover that is provided on the upper surface of the protective cover receiver and moves in the same direction when the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve. Comprising a protective cover housing portion for receiving the bar, a.

  The connection device includes a sleeve into which the ferrule is inserted and the protective cover while maintaining the engagement of the optical fiber plug inclined so that the front end edge of the protective cover is in contact with the front end edge of the protective cover. When operated to rotate toward the open position against the spring bias, the protective cover is moved to the open position to open the opening and receive the inner wall surface of the opened protective cover. A pair of receiving ribs that prevent the protective cover from rotating to a closed position, and a front end surface of a ferrule that is provided on the upper surface side of the pair of receiving ribs and that is exposed from the opening faces the inlet of the sleeve. A protective cover receiving the protective cover that moves in a direction in which the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve when the attitude of the plug body is adjusted to And parts may be configured to include.

  The connection device is provided with a stopper that receives the tip of the plug body that is exposed when the protective cover is opened and limits the insertion length of the optical fiber plug. Rotation adjustment is possible around two axes orthogonal to each other with respect to the axial direction of the sleeve. The receiving rib contacts the protective cover in the open position when the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve, and moves the protective cover in a direction opposite to the direction in which the ferrule is inserted. May be.

  A device equipped with the optical fiber plug connection device of the present invention can be easily connected even if it is an optical fiber cable provided with a plug with a protective cover.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment suitable for the connection device of a measuring instrument for measuring the shape and surface accuracy of a ferrule will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the microscopic interferometer apparatus 10 includes a power source unit, a control box, and an interferometer main body unit (not shown) in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 11. A front plate 12 constituting one surface of the housing 11 is provided with a focus adjustment knob 13 for adjusting the focus of the interferometer body and an inclination adjustment device 14. The tilt adjusting device 14 includes an L-shaped base member 15 fixed to the front plate 12 and an F-shaped tilt adjusting plate 16 provided with an attachment portion 16a in the L-shape so as to face the base member 15. Has been provided. The tilt adjustment plate 16 is supported so as to be tiltable with respect to the base member 15 about the fulcrum portion 17, and extends from the fulcrum portion 17 in a substantially vertical direction by a first tilt adjustment screw 18 and a second tilt adjustment screw 19. The inclination with respect to the base member 15 can be adjusted by rotating around the axis and around the axis extending in the substantially horizontal direction from the fulcrum portion 17. An optical fiber plug connecting device (hereinafter simply referred to as a connecting device) to which an optical fiber plug (hereinafter simply referred to as a plug) 21 at the tip of the optical fiber cable 20 is connected to the attachment portion 16a of the inclination adjusting plate 16 is provided. 30) is provided. The connecting device 30 is disposed so as to be positioned on the front side of the objective lens unit of the interferometer main body. In addition, the front plate 12 is provided with a power switch for turning on / off the power source of the microscopic interferometer apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the plug 21 includes a plug main body 22 and a protective cover 24 that covers the opening 21 a that exposes the front end surface 23 a of the ferrule 23 fixed to the plug main body 22 and protects the front end surface 23 a. . The protective cover 24 is rotatable between a closed position that covers the opening 21a and an open position that opens the opening 21a around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 23, and is normally urged by a spring 25. Closeness is given. Moreover, in the open position, it can be translated along the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 23. When the plug 21 contacts the connection device 30 when connected to the connection device 30, it is opposite to the insertion direction. Move in the direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting device 30 includes a sleeve 33 having an insertion opening (sleeve inlet) 32 into which a ferrule 23 is inserted in the center, and the protective cover 24 disposed above the sleeve 33. A rail-like engaging claw 34 that engages with the leading edge 24a of the protective cover 24 to release the protective cover 24 and the protective cover 24 of the plug 21 when the ferrule 23 is inserted into the insertion opening 32 are received. A protective cover housing portion 35; and a protective cover receiver 36 that abuts the protective cover 24 to be rotated to a closed position by a spring 25, prevents the rotation to the closed position, and holds the protective cover 24 in the open position. And a stopper 37 for receiving the tip 22a of the plug body 22 and limiting the insertion length of the plug 21.

  Next, the operation of the connection device 30 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the plug 21 is tilted in one direction, and the leading edge 24 a of the protective cover 24 is engaged with the engaging claw 34. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the protective cover 24 is relatively moved against the bias of the spring 25 while tilting the plug 21 in the direction opposite to the one direction while maintaining the engagement. As shown in FIG. 7, the protective cover 24 is moved to the open position to open the opening 21a. The protective cover 24 in the open position is shifted slightly downward and removed from the engaging claw 34, the engagement with the engaging claw 34 is released, and the protective cover 24 is rotated in the closing direction by the bias of the spring 25. The inner wall 24b is received and the protective cover 24 is prevented from rotating to the closed position, and the tip of the inner wall 24b of the protective cover 24 is placed on the protective cover receiver 36 as shown in FIG. After the front end of the protective cover 24 is placed on the protective cover receiver 36, the front end surface 23a of the ferrule 23 is aligned with the insertion opening 32 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the plug 21 is pushed in until the tip 22a of the plug main body 22 abuts against the stopper 37 as shown in a cross section in FIG. The ferrule 23 is accommodated in the insertion opening 32 up to a predetermined position. The protective cover 24 is accommodated in the protective cover accommodating portion 35 and is held in the open position by the protective cover receiver 36.

  The plug 21 is attached to the microscopic interferometer device 10 and the surface accuracy of the tip surface 23a of the ferrule 23 is measured. At this time, the first inclination adjusting screw 18 and the second inclination adjusting screw 19 can be adjusted to adjust the inclination of the tip end surface 23a to the interferometer body.

  Next, another embodiment of the connection device will be described. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the connecting device 40 includes a sleeve 43 having an insertion opening (sleeve inlet) 42 into which the ferrule 23 is inserted in the center, and the protective cover 24 disposed above the sleeve 43. When the ferrule 23 is inserted into the insertion opening 42 and the pair of receiving ribs 46 that receive the inner wall surface of the opened protective cover 24 and prevent the protective cover 24 from rotating to the closed position. A protective cover housing portion 45 for housing the protective cover 24 of the plug 21, and a stopper 47 for receiving the tip 22 a of the plug body 22 and limiting the insertion length of the plug 21.

  Next, the operation of the connection device 40 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the plug 21 is tilted in one direction so that the leading edge 24 a of the protective cover 24 is engaged with the pair of receiving ribs 46. Next, while maintaining the engagement, the protective cover 24 is rotated toward the opening position relatively against the spring bias while tilting the plug 21 in the direction opposite to the one direction ( 14), the protective cover 24 is moved to the open position to open the opening 21a (see FIG. 15). While the inner wall surface 24b of the protective cover 24 in the open position is pressed against the pair of receiving ribs 46, the plug 21 is leveled and placed on the receiving rib 46 (see FIG. 16). After the front end of the protective cover 24 is placed on the rib 46, the front end surface 23a of the ferrule 23 is aligned with the insertion opening 42 while the protective cover 24 is inserted into the protective cover housing 45 (see FIG. 17). Thereafter, when the plug 21 is pushed in until the tip 22a of the plug body 22 contacts the stopper 47, the ferrule 23 is accommodated in the insertion opening 42 to a predetermined position. When the plug 21 is pushed in, the stepped portion 24c of the protective cover 24 abuts against the pair of receiving ribs 46, and in the accommodated open position, is opposite to the insertion direction relative to the plug body 22. (Refer to FIG. 18).

  The protective cover 24 includes a stepped portion 24c, and when the plug 21 is inserted, the stepped portion 24c abuts on the pair of receiving ribs 46 so as to move in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. However, the stopper 47 is also extended to the protective cover housing portion 45 of the connecting device 40, and the leading edge 24a of the protective cover 24 contacts the extended portion of the stopper 47 at the position shown in FIG. You may make it touch.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to a connection device attached to an optical connector end face measuring instrument such as a microscopic interferometer device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may apply to the connection apparatus which connects the provided plugs.

1 is a perspective view of a microscopic interferometer device and a plug provided with a connection device according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an optical fiber plug. It is a front view of the connection apparatus by this invention. It is sectional drawing of the center position of FIG. It is explanatory drawing when the protective cover of an optical fiber plug is engaged with the engaging claw of a bracket. It is explanatory drawing of how to open a protective cover. It is explanatory drawing when a protective cover is opened. It is explanatory drawing when a protective cover is received by the protective cover receptacle. It is explanatory drawing when aligning a ferrule with the insertion opening of a sleeve. It is the figure which inserted the ferrule in the insertion opening of a sleeve. It is a front view of the connection apparatus by another embodiment by this invention. It is sectional drawing of the center position of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of operation which inserts an optical fiber plug in the connection apparatus by another embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of how to open the protective cover in FIG. It is explanatory drawing when the protective cover in FIG. 13 opens. It is explanatory drawing when the protective cover in FIG. 13 is received by the receiving rib. It is explanatory drawing when a ferrule is aligned with the insertion opening of the sleeve in FIG. It is the figure which connected the optical fiber plug to the connection apparatus by another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Microscopic interferometer apparatus 12 Front board 14 Inclination adjustment apparatus 15 Base member 16 Inclination adjustment board 16a Mounting part 17 Starting point 18 First inclination adjustment screw 19 Second inclination adjustment screw 20 Optical fiber cable 21 Plug (optical fiber plug)
21a Opening 22 Plug body 22a Tip 23 Ferrule 23a Tip surface 24 Protective cover 24a Tip edge 24b Inner wall surface 24c Stepped portion 25 Spring 30, 40 Connecting device (connecting device for optical fiber plug)
32, 42 Insertion opening (sleeve inlet)
33, 43 Sleeve 34 Engagement claw 35, 45 Protective cover housing part 36 Protective cover receiver 37, 47 Stopper 46 Receiving rib

Claims (5)

A plug main body having an opening for receiving and holding a ferrule fixed to the tip of the optical fiber and exposing the tip of the ferrule, and a closed position covering the opening around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule And an optical fiber plug connecting device that receives and holds an optical fiber plug, which is provided with a protective cover that is rotatable between an open position that opens the opening and is provided with a normally closed property by a spring bias.
A sleeve into which the ferrule is inserted;
The optical fiber plug inclined so that the front end edge of the protective cover abuts is directed toward the open position against the spring bias while maintaining the engagement with the front end edge of the protective cover. An engaging claw that moves the protective cover to an open position to open the opening when operated to rotate
When the posture of the plug body is adjusted so that the front end surface of the ferrule exposed from the opening faces the inlet of the sleeve, the engagement with the engaging claw is released and the spring is biased to rotate in the closing direction. A protective cover receiver for receiving the inner wall surface of the protective cover and preventing the protective cover from rotating to the closed position;
A protective cover storage portion that is provided on the upper surface of the protective cover receiver and receives a protective cover that moves in the same direction when the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve;
An optical fiber plug connection device comprising: A plug main body having an opening for receiving and holding a ferrule fixed to the tip of the optical fiber and exposing the tip of the ferrule, and a closed position covering the opening around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule And an optical fiber plug connecting device that receives and holds an optical fiber plug, which is provided with a protective cover that is rotatable between an open position that opens the opening and is provided with a normally closed property by a spring bias.
A sleeve into which the ferrule is inserted;
The optical fiber plug inclined so that the front end edge of the protective cover abuts is directed toward the open position against the spring bias while maintaining the engagement with the front end edge of the protective cover. The protective cover is moved to the open position to open the opening, and the protective cover is rotated to the closed position by receiving the inner wall surface of the opened protective cover. A pair of receiving ribs to prevent
When the attitude of the plug body is adjusted so that the front end surface of the ferrule exposed from the opening faces the proximity of the inlet of the sleeve, the ferrule is provided on the upper surface side of the pair of receiving ribs. A protective cover storage for receiving the protective cover that moves in the direction in which it is inserted;
An optical fiber plug connection device comprising:   The receiving rib contacts the protective cover in the open position when the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve, and moves the protective cover in a direction opposite to the direction in which the ferrule is inserted. The optical fiber plug connection device according to claim 2.   4. The optical fiber plug according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper configured to receive an end of the plug body that is exposed when the protective cover is opened to limit an insertion length of the optical fiber plug. Connected device. The optical fiber plug connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical fiber plug can be adjusted to rotate around two axes orthogonal to each other with respect to the axial direction of the sleeve.

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