JP2010048925A - Optical cable connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical cable connector capable of reducing a step of mounting a guide pin on a ferrule, the guide pin being for positioning when ends of optical fibers are butt-connected with each other so as to transmit optical signals, and capable of reducing the number of required members. <P>SOLUTION: The optical cable connector includes a first connector having a substantially cylindrical ferrule that houses and holds an end of an optical fiber possessed by one optical cable and a second connector having a substantially cylindrical ferrule that houses and holds an end of an optical fiber possessed by the other optical cable, the connectors butted so as to connect the ends of the optical fibers to each other to transmit optical signals. Each ferrule has a butting face for butt-connection; each butting face has a pin hole opened for positioning upon butt-connection and a projected guide pin integrally formed to be inserted into the pin hole; and each ferrule is constituted of common members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical cable connector, and more particularly to an optical cable connector that connects optical fiber ends of an optical cable so that optical signals can be transmitted to each other.

  In general, an optical cable (also referred to as an optical fiber cable) is widely used for home and industrial information communication because it enables high-speed communication of a large amount of information. For example, automobiles are equipped with various electrical components (for example, a car navigation system), and are also used for optical communication of these electrical components. As an optical cable connector (also referred to as an optical fiber connector or an optical connector) for connecting the ends of optical fibers of such an optical cable with each other, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an optical cable connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. As shown in the figure, the optical cable connector 80 includes a ferrule 81 and a ferrule 82 with which the butted surfaces 811 and 821 are butted against each other.

  A fiber insertion hole 812 through which the optical fiber 911 included in the optical cable 901 is inserted is formed in the butting surface 811 of the ferrule 81 attached to the end of one optical cable 901. The butting surface 811 is provided with positioning guide pins 83 that project in the butting direction.

  Similarly, a fiber insertion hole 822 through which the optical fiber 921 of the optical cable 902 is inserted is formed in the butting surface 821 of the ferrule 82 attached to the end of the other optical cable 902. In addition, a pin hole 823 into which the guide pin 83 of the ferrule 81 is inserted is formed in the butting surface 821 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. Each of the ferrules 81 and 82 is attached to a connector housing (not shown).

  Then, by inserting the guide pin 83 of the ferrule 81 into the pin hole 823 of the ferrule 82 and butting the butting surfaces 811 and 821 of the ferrules 81 and 82 together, the optical fiber inserted into the fiber insertion holes 812 and 822 The terminals 911 and 921 are precisely positioned and brought into contact with each other, whereby the terminals of the optical fibers 911 and 921 are connected so as to be able to transmit optical signals. The abutting surfaces 811 and 821 of the ferrules 81 and 82 are formed in a mirror shape by polishing or the like in order to reduce the connection loss at the time of butt connection.

  In this case, the guide pin 83 of the ferrule 81 is attached to the attachment hole 813 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the guide pin 83 by press fitting. Further, the pin hole 823 of the ferrule 82 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide pin 83 to be inserted. Accordingly, the ferrules 81 and 82 are not common members but different members.

JP 2002-258100 A

  However, in the optical cable connector 80 described above, in order to attach the guide pin 83 to the ferrule 81, a jig or the like for press-fitting the guide pin 83 into the attachment hole 813 is necessary, and the cost for assembling the optical cable connector 80 is reduced. In addition, since it is necessary to prepare the guide pin 83 separately and the ferrules 81 and 82 are members having different shapes, it has been desired to reduce the component cost.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the process of attaching the positioning guide pin to the ferrule when the optical fiber ends are connected to each other so that an optical signal can be transmitted, and the number of necessary members It is another object to provide an optical cable connector that can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical cable connector according to the present invention includes a first connector having a substantially cylindrical ferrule that accommodates and holds a terminal of an optical fiber included in one optical cable, and an optical fiber included in the other optical cable. An optical cable connector in which terminals of optical fibers are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit an optical signal by abutting with a second connector having a substantially cylindrical ferrule that accommodates and holds the terminal. A connecting butting surface, and a pin hole for positioning at the time of butting connection is formed on the butting surface, and a guide pin inserted into the pin hole is integrally projected and formed; The gist is that each ferrule is formed of a common member.

  According to the optical cable connector having the above-described configuration, a positioning pin hole is formed in each abutment surface of each ferrule having an abutment surface for abutment connection, and a guide pin inserted into the pin hole is provided. Since the protrusions are integrally formed, the cost for attaching the optical cable connector can be reduced by reducing the step of attaching a separately prepared guide pin to the ferrule by press fitting or the like as in the prior art. Further, since the guide pin is integrally formed on the ferrule, a member called a guide pin as in the prior art becomes unnecessary, and the number of parts is reduced accordingly. Furthermore, since each ferrule has a configuration in which a pin hole and a guide pin are formed, each ferrule can be configured as the same member having the same shape. Thereby, each ferrule can be shared and the part cost can be reduced correspondingly.

  In this case, if the refractive index matching body having a refractive index equivalent to the refractive index of the optical fiber is interposed between the butted surfaces of the ferrules, the ends of the optical fibers are butt-connected, Connection loss at the time of butt connection can be reduced, and the butt surface of each ferrule need not be mirror-polished. Even when it is difficult to polish the butt surface into a mirror surface by integrally forming the guide pins on the butt surface of each ferrule in this way, the connection at the time of butt connection is achieved by interposing a refractive index matching body. Loss can be reduced. As such a refractive index matching body, for example, a commercially available refractive index matching agent such as silicon-based oil or silicon gel applied to the abutting surface, or a film-like refractive index matching film attached to the abutting surface is suitable. Used for.

  According to the optical cable connector of the present invention, each ferrule having a butt connection butt surface is formed with a positioning pin hole and a guide pin inserted into the pin hole integrally projects. Since it is formed, the number of steps for attaching the guide pin to the ferrule as in the prior art is reduced, and a member called a guide pin is not required. Can be reduced. Moreover, since each ferrule can be shared as the same shape, it is possible to further reduce the part cost.

  Hereinafter, an optical cable connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an optical cable connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a state before the first connector (male connector 10 in this embodiment) and the second connector (female connector 20 in this embodiment) included in the optical cable connector 1, and FIG. 3 shows the optical cable. It is sectional drawing which showed the state after the fitting of the male connector 10 with which the connector 1 is equipped, and the female connector 20. FIG.

  As illustrated, the optical cable connector 1 includes a first connector (male connector 10 in this embodiment) and a second connector (female connector 20 in this embodiment). Is assembled to one optical cable 901, and the female connector 20 is assembled to the other optical cable 902.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the optical cable 901 (902) in an enlarged manner. In this embodiment, the optical cable 901 (902) is a two-core type having two optical fibers 911 (921) for transmission and reception for transmitting an optical signal, and is made of a glass-based material or a synthetic resin-based material. Is used. The optical fiber 911 (921) can be distinguished for transmission and reception by a colorant applied to the surface.

  The optical cable 901 (902) has a configuration in which two optical fibers 911 (921) are disposed at the center of the cross section and the periphery thereof is covered with a synthetic resin sheath material 913 (923). In this case, the cross section of the optical cable 901 (902) is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the mechanical strength of the optical cable 901 (902) is increased in the left and right sides of the optical fiber 911 (921) in the optical cable 901 (902). Two tension members (strength lines) 912 (922) are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 911 (921). As a member constituting the tension member 912 (922), for example, a bundle of high-strength fibers such as Kevlar (registered trademark) is used.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the male connector 10 includes a connector housing 12 and a ferrule 14 that is attached to and supported by the connector housing 12.

  The connector housing 12 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material into a substantially cylindrical shape, and an optical cable housing hole 121 having a rectangular cross section for housing the optical cable 901 is formed therein. Further, a ferrule accommodation hole 122 is formed which communicates with the distal end side of the optical cable accommodation hole 121 and accommodates the ferrule 14. The ferrule housing hole 122 includes a ferrule housing portion 122a having a circular cross section for housing the ferrule 14, and a stopper housing portion 122b having a rectangular cross section provided above the ferrule housing portion 122a. As shown in the drawing, a stopper 125 for preventing the ferrule 14 housed in the ferrule housing portion 122a from falling off is formed in the stopper housing portion 122b.

  As shown in the figure, the female connector 20 includes a connector housing 22, a ferrule 24 attached to and supported by the connector housing 22, and a biasing force that biases the ferrule 24 toward the distal end side (male connector 10 side). And a coil spring 26 as a member.

  The connector housing 22 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material into a substantially cylindrical shape, and an optical cable housing hole 221 having a rectangular cross section for housing the optical cable 902 is formed therein. In addition, a coil spring accommodation hole 221 a that accommodates the coil spring 26 is formed in communication with the tip end side of the optical cable accommodation hole 221. A ferrule accommodation hole 222 for accommodating the ferrule 24 is formed in communication with the tip end side of the coil spring accommodation hole 221a.

  The ferrule housing hole 222 includes a ferrule housing portion 222a having a circular cross section in which the ferrule 24 is housed, and a stopper housing portion 222b having a rectangular cross section provided above the ferrule housing portion 222a. As shown in FIG. 1, a stopper 225 for preventing the ferrule 24 housed in the ferrule housing portion 222a from falling off is formed in the stopper housing portion 222b.

  The coil spring 26 is a member that is disposed in the coil spring accommodation hole 221a and biases the ferrule 24 toward the distal end side (male connector 10 side). The coil spring 26 was compressed between the step formed at the boundary between the optical cable housing hole 221 having a rectangular cross section and the coil spring housing hole 221a having a circular cross section and the rear end surface of the ferrule 24. It is arranged in a state.

  The ferrule 14 included in the male connector 10 is integrally formed in a substantially cylindrical shape using a synthetic resin material. In this case, one end surface of the ferrule 14, that is, the butting surface X <b> 1 is a butting of the ferrule 24 included in the female connector 20. In order to prevent the connection loss from being caused by axial misalignment, positional misalignment, or the like when the optical fibers are butted due to deformation of the ferrule 14 itself, it is made of a relatively hard material. Is formed. As this material, PPT (polypropylene terephthalate) or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) containing glass and having increased hardness are preferably used.

  5A and 5B are external perspective views of the ferrule 14, wherein FIG. 5A is an external perspective view viewed from the abutting surface X1, and FIG. 5B is an external perspective view viewed from the rear. 6A is a top view of the ferrule 14, FIG. 6B is a transverse sectional view, and FIG. 6C is a longitudinal sectional view. The ferrule 24 included in the female connector 20 has the same shape as the ferrule 14, and therefore the ferrule 14 will be mainly described.

  As shown in the drawing, the ferrule 14 (24) has two fiber insertion holes through which optical fibers 911, 911 (921, 921) for reception and transmission are inserted along the axial direction thereof. 141, 141 (241, 241) are formed. The fiber insertion hole 141 (241) is formed in a shape considering workability when the optical fiber 911 (921) is inserted.

  Specifically, the fiber insertion hole 141 (241) is formed with an opening larger than the diameter of the optical fiber 911 (921) on the entrance side when the optical fiber 911 (921) is inserted. In this case, the entrance side of the fiber insertion hole 141 (241) is opened in a rectangular shape, and the opening diameter is sufficiently large so that the end of the optical fiber 911 (921) having a small diameter can be inserted smoothly and smoothly. Have

  The fiber insertion hole 141 (241) is provided with a guide portion 141a (241a) formed in a tapered shape at the tip so that the diameter gradually decreases from the midway position toward the tip. An opening at the tip of the guide portion 141a (241a) is formed in the butting surface X1 (X2) so as to have a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the optical fiber 911 (921). Therefore, the optical fiber 911 (921) inserted from the entrance is smoothly guided to the exit at the abutting surface X1 (X2) by the guide portion 141a (241a).

  An adhesive injection hole 142 (242) communicating with the fiber insertion hole 141 (241) is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 14 (24). As shown in FIG. 6C, after the end of the optical fiber 911 (921) is inserted into the fiber insertion hole 141 (241), the adhesive 401 is poured from the adhesive injection hole 142 (242). When the inside of the fiber insertion hole 141 (241) is filled and the adhesive 401 is cured, the end of the optical fiber 911 (921) is accommodated and held in the fiber insertion hole 141 (241).

  And, on the butting surface X1 (X2) of the ferrule 14 (24), a guide pin 144a (244a) for positioning and a pin hole 144b (244b) are provided one by one. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the guide pin 144a (244a) has a cylindrical shape and is integrally formed so as to protrude outward from a position slightly above the center of the butting surface X1 (X2). Yes. Further, the pin hole 144b (244b) has a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide pin 144a (244a), and is opened inwardly from a position slightly below the center of the butting surface X1 (X2). Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the abutment surfaces X1 and X2 of the ferrule 14 and the ferrule 24 are abutted with each other, the guide pin 144a formed to project from the abutment surface X1 of the ferrule 14 The guide pin 244a inserted into the pin hole 244b formed in the opening and protruding from the abutting surface X2 of the ferrule 24 is inserted into the pin hole 144b formed as an opening in the abutting surface X1 of the ferrule 14.

  Thereby, the ends of the optical fibers 911 and 921 accommodated and held in the respective fiber insertion holes 141 and 241 of the ferrules 14 and 24 are precisely positioned and abutted on the abutting surfaces X1 and X2, and the optical fibers 911 and 921 are abutted. The terminals are connected (optically connected) so as to be able to transmit optical signals.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, after the optical fiber 911 (921) is accommodated and held, the tip of the optical fiber 911 (921) at the position of the butting surface X1 (X2) of the ferrule 14 (24) The refractive index matching body 402 is provided in order to suppress the connection loss of the transmission of the optical signal when the ends of the optical fibers 911 (921) are matched. As such a refractive index matching body 402, one having a refractive index equivalent to the refractive index of the optical fiber 911 (921) is applied, for example, applied to the butting surface X1 (X2) of the ferrule 14 (24). A commercially available refractive index matching agent such as silicon-based oil or silicon gel, or a film-like refractive index matching film attached to the butting surface X1 (X2) is preferably used.

  As described above, since the positioning guide pins 144a and 244a are integrally formed on the butting surfaces X1 and X2 of the ferrules 14 and 24, it becomes difficult to polish the butting surfaces X1 and X2 in a mirror shape. By interposing such a refractive index matching body 402, the loss of transmission of the optical signal when the ends of the optical fibers 911 and 921 are connected to each other is reduced.

  In addition, a key 143 (243) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 14 (24) on the front end side so as to protrude sideways. Correspondingly, a key groove 122c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ferrule housing portion 122a of the connector housing 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7A (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3). Has been. Therefore, since the ferrule 14 is attached to the connector housing 12 with the key 143 engaged with the key groove 122c, the ferrule 14 may rotate in the circumferential direction in the ferrule housing portion 122a of the connector housing 12. It is prevented. Further, although not shown, a key groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ferrule housing portion 222a of the connector housing 22 so that the key 243 of the mounted ferrule 24 is engaged with the ferrule housing portion of the connector housing 22. The ferrule 24 is prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction within 222a.

  Note that the outer shape of the ferrule 14 (24) described above is not necessarily a columnar shape, and if a fiber insertion hole 141 (241) having a predetermined shape through which the optical fiber 911 (921) is inserted can be formed. For example, a rectangular column shape or an elliptic column shape may be used. In such a case, it is possible to eliminate the configuration corresponding to the key 143 (243) formed for rotation prevention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6C, a substantially rectangular recess 145 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 14 (24). Correspondingly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the ferrule 14 is attached to the ferrule housing portion 122a, the engaging portion 125a of the stopper 125 provided so as to face the ferrule housing portion 122a is provided. The ferrule 14 is prevented from falling off by being engaged with the recess 145.

  In this case, since the recessed portion 145 has a predetermined length along the axial direction of the ferrule 14, the ferrule 14 can slide in the axial direction within the ferrule housing portion 122a by this length. It becomes.

  A recess 245 is also formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 24 having the same shape as the ferrule 14, but as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ferrule 24 is mounted on the ferrule housing portion 222a as shown in FIGS. In this case, the engagement portion 225a of the stopper 225 is engaged with the adhesive injection hole 242. Thereby, dropping of the ferrule 24 urged to the front end side by the coil spring 26 is prevented.

  Also in this case, since the adhesive injection hole 242 has a predetermined length along the axial direction of the ferrule 24, the ferrule 24 slides in the axial direction within the ferrule housing portion 222a by this length. It becomes possible to do.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the ferrule 24 biased by the coil spring 26 has advanced to a position where the engaging portion 225 a of the stopper 225 is caught by the side wall on the rear end side of the adhesive injection hole 242. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the female connector 20 is fitted to the male connector 10, the ferrule 24 is slightly pushed backward by the ferrule 14 so as to oppose the bias of the coil spring 26. Put into a state.

  The fitting of the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an elastically deformable locking piece 124 is cantilevered from the front end side to the rear end side at the top of the connector housing 12 of the male connector 10. It is formed in a shape. The locking piece 124 is formed with a locking recess 124a at the approximate center thereof, and with a locking release operation part 124b at the rear end.

  On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the connector housing 22 of the female connector 20 is formed with a hood-shaped fitting portion 224 into which the front portion of the connector housing 12 of the male connector 10 enters, and this fitting portion 224. A locking projection 224a protruding downward is formed inside the tip.

  When the male connector 10 is inserted into the fitting portion 224 of the female connector 20 having such a shape, the locking piece 124 of the male connector 10 is deformed so as to sink into the inside of the fitting portion 224. Then, the elastic deformation of the locking piece 124 of the male connector 10 is released at a position where the butting surface X1 of the ferrule 14 included in the male connector 10 and the butting surface X2 of the ferrule 24 included in the female connector 20 abut. The locking projection 224a of the female connector 20 is locked to the locking recess 124a of the locking piece 124. As a result, the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 are fitted together, and the ends of the optical fiber 911 and the optical fiber 921 are butt-connected so as to transmit an optical signal. The fitting between the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 is performed in a state where the locking recess 124a and the locking projection 224a are unlocked by pushing down the locking release operation portion 124b of the locking piece 124. The male connector 10 and the female connector 20 can be released by pulling apart.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7A (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3), an engagement protrusion 17 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male connector 10 on the distal end side of the connector housing 12. Correspondingly, an engagement groove 27 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 224 of the connector housing 22 of the female connector 20. By engaging the male connector 10 and the female connector 20, the engaging protrusion 17 engages with the engaging groove 27, so that rattling between the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 is prevented.

  Further, the optical cable connector 1 according to the present embodiment prevents the attached optical cables 901 and 902 from being pulled out, so that the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 are used as shown in FIGS. A cable holding member 301 is attached to each of these. In this case, a slit portion 123 opened in a slit shape is formed on the rear lower surface of the connector housing 12 of the male connector 10. The slit portion 123 communicates with the optical cable housing hole 121. By attaching the cable holding member 301 to the slit portion 123, the optical cable 901 is held in a non-detachable manner. A slit portion 223 that is opened in a slit shape is also formed on the lower rear surface of the connector housing 22 of the female connector 20. The slit portion 223 communicates with the optical cable housing hole 221. By attaching the cable holding member 301 to the slit portion 223, the optical cable 902 is held in a non-detachable manner.

  A structure for holding the optical cables 901 and 902 by the cable holding member 301 will be described with reference to FIG. 7B (a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3). Since the holding structure of the optical cable 901 and the holding structure of the optical cable 902 by the cable holding member 301 are the same, the holding structure of the optical cable 901 attached to the male connector 10 will be described below, and the optical cable attached to the female connector 20 will be described. Description of the holding structure 902 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the cable holding member 301 is a metal member having a substantially U-shaped side surface. In addition, as a metal which comprises the cable holding member 301, although copper, stainless steel, etc. are mentioned, for example, it is not specifically limited. The cable holding member 301 has bifurcated sandwiching portions 32 and 32 at both ends. The sandwiching portion 32 is formed so that the side surface shape is substantially V-shaped, and the interval gradually increases from the proximal end side toward the distal end side. Further, the interval between the sandwiching portions 32 and 32 is substantially the same as the interval between the tension members 912 and 912 included in the optical cable 901.

  The cable holding member 301 having such a shape is attached from a slit portion 123 formed in the connector housing 12 of the male connector 10. Specifically, by pushing the cable holding member 301 into the slit portion 123, the cable holding member 301 enters while breaking through the sheath material 913 of the optical cable 901 by the tip portion formed in a sharp shape. Then, the tension members 912, 912 and the sandwiching portions 32, 32 are pushed to a position where they come into contact with each other, so that the tension members 912 are formed on the respective crotch portions of the sandwiching portions 32, 32 having a substantially V-shaped side surface shape. , 912 enters. In this way, the tension members 912 and 912 included in the optical cable 901 are held by the cable holding member 301.

  According to the configuration of the optical cable connector 1 described above, positioning pin holes 144b and 244b are opened on the abutting surfaces X1 and X2 of the ferrules 14 and 24 having the abutting surfaces X1 and X2, respectively. Since the guide pins 144a and 244a inserted into the pin holes 144b and 244b are integrally formed so as to be formed, a guide pin separately prepared as in the prior art shown in FIG. 8 is used as a ferrule. By reducing the step of attaching by press-fitting or the like, the cost for assembling the optical cable connector 1 can be reduced.

  Further, since the guide pins 144a and 244a are integrally formed on the ferrules 14 and 24, a member called a guide pin as in the prior art becomes unnecessary, and the number of parts is reduced accordingly.

  Furthermore, since each of the ferrules 14 and 24 is configured to have pin holes 144b and 244b and guide pins 144a and 244a, the ferrules 14 and 24 can be configured as the same member having the same shape. Thereby, each ferrule 14 and 24 can be shared, and parts cost can be reduced by that much.

  Further, a refractive index matching body 402 having a refractive index equivalent to the refractive index of the optical fibers 911 and 921 is interposed between the butted surfaces X1 and X2 of the ferrules 14 and 24, so that the ends of the optical fibers 911 and 921 are connected to each other. Since they are butt-connected, connection loss at the time of butt connection can be reduced, and it is not necessary to polish the butt surfaces X1 and X2 of the ferrules 14 and 24 into a mirror shape.

  As described above, the guide pins 144a and 244a are integrally formed on the abutting surfaces X1 and X2 of the ferrules 14 and 24, so that even if it is difficult to polish the abutting surfaces X1 and X2 into a mirror surface, the refractive index matching is achieved. By interposing the body 402, connection loss at the time of butt connection can be reduced.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the optical cables 901 and 902 connected to the optical cable connector 1 are two-core optical cables having two optical fibers 911 and 921 for transmission and reception, respectively. The present invention can be applied to a single-core optical cable having only one optical fiber and a multi-core optical cable having three or more optical fibers.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the optical cable connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the optical cable connector shown in FIG. 1, and is the figure which showed the state before the fitting of a male connector (1st connector) and a female connector (2nd connector). It is the figure which showed the state after the fitting of the male connector and female connector which were shown in FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the terminal part of the optical cable to which the optical cable connector shown in FIG. 1 is attached. It is an external appearance perspective view of the ferrule with which the optical cable connector shown in FIG. 1 is provided, (a) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the abutting surface side, (b) is the external appearance perspective view seen from back. (A) is a top view of the ferrule shown in FIG. 5, (b) is a transverse sectional view, and (c) is a longitudinal sectional view. (A) is the sectional view on the AA line of the optical cable connector shown in FIG. 3, (b) is the figure which showed the holding structure of the tension member of the optical cable shown in FIG. 4, and the optical cable connector of FIG. It is a BB sectional view. It is the external appearance perspective view which showed schematic structure of the optical cable connector used conventionally.

Explanation of symbols

1 Optical cable connector 10 Male connector (first connector)
20 Female connector (second connector)
12, 22 Connector housing 121, 221 Optical cable housing hole 122, 222 Ferrule housing hole 14, 24 Ferrule 141, 241 Fiber insertion hole 141a, 241a Guide portion 142, 242 Adhesive injection hole 144a, 244a Guide pin 144b, 244b Pin hole 26 Coil springs 301 and 302 Cable holding member 401 Adhesive 402 Refractive index matching body X1 and X2 Abutting surfaces 901 and 902 Optical cables 911 and 921 Optical fibers 912 and 922 Tension members 913 and 923 Sheath material

Claims (2)

  A first connector provided with a substantially cylindrical ferrule that accommodates and holds the end of the optical fiber of one optical cable, and a second connector provided with a substantially cylindrical ferrule that receives and holds the end of the optical fiber of the other optical cable. The optical fiber connector in which the optical fiber terminals are connected so as to be able to transmit optical signals by matching with the connector of the optical fiber, each ferrule has a butt connection surface for butt connection, and the butt surface includes: A pin hole for positioning at the time of butt connection is formed as an opening, a guide pin inserted into the pin hole is integrally formed, and the ferrules are formed of a common member. Optical cable connector.   The end of the optical fiber is butt-connected by interposing a refractive index matching body having a refractive index equivalent to the refractive index of the optical fiber between the butted surfaces of the ferrules. The optical cable connector according to 1.

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