JP2010072416A - Optical cable connector, and coupling mass of optical fiber cable and optical cable connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupling mass of an optical cable connector, by which coupling strength is enhanced between an optical fiber cable and an optical cable connector. <P>SOLUTION: The optical cable connector includes: an optical fiber cable comprising a coated optical fiber 11, a first sheath material 13a for covering the coated optical fiber 11, a tension member 12 arranged on the outer circumference of the first sheath material 13a to reinforce the coated optical fiber 11, and a second sheath material 13b for covering the outer circumference of the tension member 12; a first support member 21 nearly annularly formed; and a second support member 22 nearly annularly formed. The first support member 21 is inserted between the tip end of the first sheath material and the tip end of the tension member 12, while the second support member 22 is arranged on the outer circumference of the tip end of the tension member 12. The tip end of the tension member 12 is held between the first support member 21 and the second support member 22, and attached to the optical cable connector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical cable connector for connecting optical fiber cables so as to be capable of optical communication, and a combination of an optical fiber cable and an optical cable connector, and is particularly preferably routed inside a vehicle such as an automobile. The present invention relates to an optical cable connector of an optical fiber cable and a combination of an optical fiber cable and an optical cable connector.

  In vehicles such as automobiles, the amount of information communication within the vehicle has increased with the increase in electrical equipment installed. An optical fiber cable using an optical fiber can communicate a large amount of information at a higher speed than an electric wire. For this reason, as a countermeasure against an increase in the amount of information communication within the vehicle, a countermeasure has been taken in which the information communication medium is replaced with an optical fiber cable from an electric wire. As described above, an optical fiber cable is often routed inside the vehicle.

  In general, an optical cable connector is used for connection between optical fiber cables (or optical fiber strands). The optical cable connector here may be referred to as an “optical connector” or an “optical fiber connector”. Specifically, an optical cable connector is coupled and attached to the end portion of the optical fiber cable. Then, the optical cable connectors are physically connected to each other. Thereby, the optical fiber cables are optically connected (that is, capable of transmitting an optical signal).

  As a coupling structure between an optical fiber cable and an optical cable connector, for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Briefly described is as follows. A cable housing hole into which an optical fiber cable can be inserted is formed in the connector housing of the optical cable connector. Further, the connector housing is formed with a slit portion communicating with the cable housing hole. Then, the optical fiber cable is inserted into the cable housing hole, and in this state, the cable holding member is attached to the slit portion.

  Thus, the sheath material (coating material) of the optical fiber cable is sandwiched and held by the cable holding member. Therefore, the optical fiber cable is held so as not to be easily removed from the housing of the optical cable connector. Further, by holding the optical fiber cable, the optical fiber cable is positioned in the axial direction thereof.

  By the way, in the operation | work which routes an optical fiber cable inside vehicles, such as a motor vehicle, tensile force may be added to an optical fiber cable. For example, an optical fiber cable or an optical cable connector attached to the optical fiber cable may be pulled for wiring work. As a result, an external force that causes the optical fiber cable to be pulled out of the housing of the optical cable connector may be applied. Further, an external force that causes the optical fiber cable to be displaced in the housing may be applied. In addition, a similar external force may be applied due to vibrations during traveling of the vehicle. For this reason, in particular, an optical cable connector for a vehicle such as an automobile is preferably firmly attached to and coupled to the optical fiber cable.

  However, when the optical cable connector described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a vehicle or the like, the coupling strength between the optical fiber cable and the optical cable connector may be insufficient. The optical cable connector has a configuration in which a sheath material of an optical fiber cable is clamped from outside by a cable holding member. That is, the optical fiber cable is easily held from the connector housing by the frictional force acting between the sheath material of the optical fiber cable and the contact surface of the cable holding member. Therefore, when this frictional force is small (or small) or when a tensile force exceeding the frictional force is applied, the optical fiber cable is disconnected from the connector housing, or the optical cable connector is positioned inside the connector housing. There is a risk of misalignment.

  As described above, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when a tensile force or the like is applied, the optical fiber cable may be detached from the connector housing or may be displaced. The reliability of optical signal transmission / reception may decrease due to the removal or displacement of the optical fiber cable.

JP 2002-333548 A

  In view of the above circumstances, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical cable connector and an optical fiber cable / optical cable connector combination that can increase the coupling strength between the optical fiber cable and the optical cable connector, or an optical fiber. Providing an optical cable connector and a combination of an optical fiber cable and an optical cable connector that can suppress or prevent optical fiber misalignment and optical fiber cable disconnection by increasing the coupling strength between the cable and the optical cable connector, or An object of the present invention is to provide an optical cable connector and a combination of an optical fiber cable and an optical cable connector with high reliability of transmission / reception of an optical signal by an optical fiber by increasing the coupling strength between the fiber cable and the optical cable connector.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an optical fiber, a first sheath material that covers the optical fiber, and an outer periphery of the first sheath material to reinforce the optical fiber. An optical fiber cable having a tension member to be configured and a second sheath material covering the outer periphery of the tension member, a first support member formed in a substantially annular shape, and a second support member formed in a substantially annular shape The tip of the optical fiber cable has a tip of the first sheath material and a tip of the tension member project from the tip of the second sheath material, and the first support member is the first support member. The sheath member is inserted between the distal end portion of the sheath material and the distal end portion of the tension member, the second support member is disposed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the tension member, and the distal end portion of the tension member is It is an Abstract that is held between the support member and the second support member.

  Here, a connector housing capable of accommodating a distal end portion of the optical fiber cable to which the first support member and the second support member are mounted is provided, and the connector housing is engaged with the second support member. And it is preferable that it is the structure which controls the movement to the axial direction of the said optical fiber cable.

  According to the present invention, the optical fiber cable is held by holding the tension member between the first support member and the second support member. That is, the tension member that is a reinforcing member of the optical fiber is directly held by the first support member and the second support member. For this reason, compared with the structure which clamps an optical fiber cable from the outside with the cable holding member like the conventional optical cable connector, the member which contact | abuts to an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber cable (the 1st support member in the meaning of this invention) Further, it is possible to improve the bonding strength with the second support member.

  And a connector housing capable of accommodating a distal end portion of the optical fiber cable to which the first support member and the second support member are mounted, and the connector housing is engaged with the second support member. If so, the strength against the pulling force between the optical fiber cable and the optical cable connector can be improved. And since the strength against the pulling force between the optical fiber cable and the optical cable connector is improved, it is possible to prevent or suppress the optical fiber cable from being removed from the connector housing and the optical fiber cable being displaced in the axial direction within the connector housing. it can. As a result, it is possible to ensure the reliability of transmission / reception of optical signals even when a pulling force is applied during the routing work or when vibrations occur during use (due to traveling of the vehicle, etc.).

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber cable that can be suitably applied to an optical cable connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, an optical fiber cable that can be suitably applied to the optical cable connector according to the embodiment of the present invention may be simply referred to as an “optical fiber cable”. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the optical fiber cable 1 includes an optical fiber 11, a tension member 12, a first sheath material 13 a, and a second sheath material 13 b.

  The optical fiber strand 11 is a member capable of transmitting an optical signal, and various known optical fiber strands can be applied. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. For example, a glass-based material or a synthetic resin-based material can be applied. An optical fiber cable 1 shown in FIG. 1 is of a two-core type and has two optical fiber strands 11. One of the two optical fiber strands 11 functions as a transmission optical fiber strand, and the other one functions as a reception optical fiber strand. Further, the surface of the optical fiber 11 of the optical fiber cable 1 is preferably colored with a colorant or the like. According to such a configuration, the optical fiber 11 that functions as a transmitter and the optical fiber 11 that functions as a receiver can be easily identified visually.

  The tension member 12 is a member for reinforcing the optical fiber 11. Various known tension members can be applied to the tension member 12 of the optical fiber cable 1. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. For example, a bundle of fibers made of Kevlar (registered trademark) resin or a bundle of fine wires made of steel or the like can be applied.

  The first sheath material 13 a is a material filled inside the tension member 12. The first sheath material 13 a integrates the optical fiber strand 11 and the tension member 12 and covers the optical fiber strand 11. The second sheath material 13 b is a material that covers the outer periphery of the tension member 12. The first sheath material 13a and the second sheath material 13b are formed of a material that can be easily bent and deformed. As the material of the first sheath material 13a and the second sheath material 13b, the same materials as various known sheath materials can be applied. Specifically, for example, materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and non-halogen flame-retardant polyethylene can be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tension member 12 is formed in a substantially tubular shape (in other words, a substantially cylindrical shape). Inside the tension member 12, an optical fiber 11 that functions as a transmitter and an optical fiber 11 that functions as a receiver are disposed. The tension member 12 is filled with a first sheath material 13a. A layer of the second sheath material 13 b is formed on the outer periphery of the tension member 12. Thus, the first sheath material 13a, the second sheath material 13b, and the tension member 12 are formed substantially concentrically.

  The optical fiber cable 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a configuration having two optical fiber strands 11 (a transmission optical fiber strand and a reception optical fiber strand), but the optical fiber cable 1 has. The number of the optical fiber 11 is not limited. That is, the optical fiber cable 1 may have a configuration having one optical fiber strand 11 or a configuration having three or more optical fiber strands 11. In addition, the optical fiber cable 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which two optical fiber strands 11 are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined distance, but the optical fiber strands 11 need to be separated from each other. For example, it may be in contact (or densely).

  In short, the tension member 12 may be configured to surround one or more optical fiber strands 11.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the optical cable connector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical cable connector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first support member 21, a second support member 22, a third support member 23, a ferrule 24, and a connector housing 25. With.

  The first support member 21 is a member formed in an annular shape or a cylindrical shape. The first support member 21 is preferably formed of a high-strength material (a material that is difficult to deform). For example, it is preferably formed of a metal or the like. The first support member is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the tension member 12 formed in a tube shape.

  The second support member 22 is also a member formed in an annular shape or a cylindrical shape. The second support member 22 is preferably formed of a high-strength material (a material that is difficult to deform). For example, it is preferably formed of a metal or the like. The inner diameter of the second support member 22 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the first support member 21. That is, the second support member 22 is formed in a dimension that allows the first support member 21 to be inserted into the inside (opening) thereof.

  The third support member 23 is a member formed in a substantially U shape. In other words, it has two substantially parallel arms 231. The third support member 23 is also preferably formed of a high-strength material (a material that is difficult to deform). For example, it is preferably formed of a metal or the like. The interval between the two arms 231 is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the second support member 22 and larger than the outer diameter of the first support member 21. That is, the first support member 21 can be loosely inserted between the two arms 231, but the second support member 22 cannot be inserted.

  The ferrule 24 is a member that holds the optical fiber 11. And the optical fiber strands 11 are connected so that an optical signal can be transmitted by abutting the front end surfaces of the ferrules 24 of the two optical cable connectors 2 connected to each other. For this reason, the ferrule 24 is preferably formed of a material having high hardness and capable of maintaining dimensional accuracy. For example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PPT (polypropylene terephthalate), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), and the like can be suitably applied as materials having increased hardness.

  The ferrule 24 shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Of these, one end surface is a surface that abuts the ferrules 24 (hereinafter may be referred to as “abutting surface 242”. Also, a surface that is back-to-back with this “abutting surface 242” may be referred to as a rear end surface). The ferrule 24 is formed with two optical fiber strand insertion holes 241 into which the optical fiber strand 11 that functions as a receiver and the optical fiber strand 11 that functions as a transmitter can be inserted. These optical fiber strand insertion holes 241 are formed so as to penetrate the ferrule 24 from the rear end surface (hidden in FIG. 2 and not visible) to the butting surface 242.

  The optical fiber strand insertion holes 241 are formed in a shape that takes into consideration the workability of the operation of inserting the optical fiber strands 11 into these optical fiber strand insertion holes 241. Specifically, the entrance of the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 (that is, the opening on the rear end surface) is formed to have a dimension sufficiently larger than the diameter of the optical fiber strand 11. A tapered portion having a gradually decreasing diameter is formed from the rear end surface side toward the butting surface 242 side in the middle of the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 in the axial direction. Further, from the tapered portion to the butting surface 242, the inner diameters of these optical fiber strand insertion holes 241 are formed to have substantially the same dimensions as the outer diameter of the optical fiber strand 11.

  By setting it as such a structure, the optical fiber strand 11 of a minute diameter can be inserted into the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 without difficulty. The optical fiber strand 11 inserted into the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 from the rear end face side has a tip that is substantially the same diameter as the tapered portion of the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 and the optical fiber strand 11. Through the portion formed on the ferrule, the ferrule butt face 242 is positioned and protrudes at a predetermined position.

  An adhesive injection hole 243 is formed on the outer peripheral surface (so-called side surface) of the ferrule 24. The adhesive injection hole 243 communicates with the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 inside the ferrule 24. After the optical fiber strand 11 is inserted into the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241, an adhesive is injected from the adhesive injection hole 243, whereby the optical fiber strand 11 is fixed to the ferrule 24.

  On the butting surface 242 of the ferrule 24, a positioning pin 244 is erected and a positioning hole 245 is formed. The positioning pin 244 is preferably formed by a member different from the main body of the ferrule 24. For example, a configuration in which a hole is formed in the abutting surface 242 of the ferrule 24 and a base end portion of the positioning pin 244 is inserted into the hole can be suitably applied. When the ferrules 24 of the two optical cable connectors 2 connected to each other are brought into contact with each other, the positioning pin 244 of one ferrule 24 is engaged with the positioning hole 245 of the other ferrule 24.

  When the ferrules 24 of the two optical cable connectors 2 connected to each other face each other, an optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 formed in the ferrule 24 of one optical cable connector 2 (here, an optical fiber element functioning for transmission) An optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 that can accommodate the wire 11, and an optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 of the ferrule 24 of the other optical cable connector 2 (here, the optical fiber strand 11 that functions as a receiver can be accommodated). The optical fiber strand insertion hole 241) communicates (the axes substantially coincide). Also, an optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 formed in the ferrule 24 of the other optical cable connector 2 (here, an optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 that can accommodate the optical fiber strand 11 functioning for transmission), The optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 of the ferrule 24 of one optical cable connector 2 (here, the optical fiber strand insertion hole 241 that can receive the optical fiber strand 11 functioning for reception) communicates (the axis is substantially omitted). Match).

  A locking protrusion 246 for locking the ferrule 24 to the connector housing 25 is formed on the rear end surface side of the ferrule 24. FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a hook-shaped locking projection 246 is formed. The locking protrusion 246 is a portion locked by a locking piece of the connector housing 25 described later. And if it is the structure which can be latched by the latching piece of the connector housing 25, a shape etc. will not be limited.

  The connector housing 25 is a member formed integrally with a resin material or the like, or a member formed substantially integrally. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the connector housing 25. (A) And (b) is a cut surface of a surface which is substantially parallel to the axis of the optical fiber cable 1 to be connected and which is perpendicular to each other.

  A ferrule housing part 251 and an optical fiber cable housing hole 252 are formed inside the connector housing 25. The ferrule housing portion 251 is an opening capable of housing the ferrule 24, and is open to the front end surface side of the connector housing 25 (side where the optical cable connectors are butted together). The optical fiber cable accommodation hole 252 is an opening that can accommodate the optical fiber cable, and is open to the rear end face side of the connector housing 25. The ferrule housing part 251 and the optical fiber cable housing hole 252 communicate with each other inside the connector housing 25.

  Further, a locking piece 253 capable of locking the locking projection 246 of the ferrule 24 is formed on the side portion of the ferrule housing portion 251. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking piece 253 is a tongue-like portion extending from the front end surface side of the connector housing 25 to the rear end surface side. The front end side (the rear end surface side with respect to the connector housing 25) is configured to be elastically deformable toward the outside of the connector housing 25.

  The inner diameter of the optical fiber cable housing hole 252 is formed such that the second support member 22 can be inserted. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3B, a third support member insertion hole 254 is formed on the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the connector housing 25 (see particularly FIG. 3B). The third support member insertion hole 254 is a hole into which the two arms 231 of the third support member 23 can be inserted. The third support member insertion hole 254 communicates with the optical fiber cable accommodation hole 252.

  The assembly structure of the optical cable connector 2 having such a member is as follows. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration in which the first support member 21 is assembled to the distal end portion of the optical fiber cable 1. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration in which the second support member 22 is further assembled.

  First, the connector housing 25 is inserted through the tip of the optical fiber cable 1 in advance (not shown).

  Next, the first support member 21 is inserted through the distal end portion of the optical fiber cable 1. And the 2nd sheath material 13b front-end | tip part is peeled, and the tension member 12 and the 1st sheath material 13a are made to protrude from the 2nd sheath material 13b. Further, the optical fiber 11 is projected from the tip of the first sheath material 13a.

  The first support member 21 is inserted between the protruding tension member 12 and the first sheath material 13a. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second support member 22 is disposed outside the protruding tension member 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the arranged second support member 22 is crimped to the outer peripheral surface of the protruding tension member 12. That is, a compressive force is applied to the second support member 22 from the outer peripheral side toward the center to reduce the inner diameter of the second support member 22. As a result, the protruding tension member 12 is sandwiched between the first support member 21 and the second support member 22.

  The optical fiber 11 protruding from the end of the first sheath material 13 a is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 241 of the ferrule 24. The tip of the inserted optical fiber 11 protrudes from the abutment surface 242 of the ferrule 24. Then, an adhesive is injected into the adhesive injection hole 243 of the ferrule 24. As a result, the optical fiber 11 is fixed to the ferrule 24. Then, the optical fiber 11 protruding from the abutting surface 242 of the ferrule 24 (that is, the surplus portion of the optical fiber 11) is cut, and the abutting surface 242 of the ferrule 24 is polished by a process or the like. Mirror finish including the end face. After the mirror finish, a positioning pin 244 is erected at a predetermined position on the abutting surface 242.

  Next, the connector housing 25 previously inserted into the optical fiber cable 1 is moved to the distal end side of the optical fiber cable 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the connector housing 25 is attached to the optical fiber cable 1. As a result, the ferrule 24 is accommodated in the ferrule accommodating portion 251 of the connector housing 25. Further, the distal end portion of the optical fiber cable 1 is accommodated in the optical fiber cable accommodation hole 252 of the connector housing 25. When the ferrule 24 is housed in the ferrule housing portion 251, the locking protrusion 246 of the ferrule 24 is locked by the locking piece 253 of the connector housing 25. As a result, the ferrule 24 is held in the connector housing 25 so as not to be easily removed.

  Then, the third support member 23 is inserted into the third support member insertion hole 254 of the connector housing 25. The third support member 23 is engaged with the rear end surface of the second support member 22. According to such a configuration, when a tensile force is applied between the connector housing 25 and the optical fiber cable 1 (that is, when a force in the direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 5 is applied), the second support member Since 22 is locked to the third support member 23, the optical fiber cable 1 is prevented from being detached from the connector housing 25. Since the second support member 22 is directly coupled to the tension member 12 of the optical fiber cable 1, the resistance force against the disconnection of the optical fiber cable 1 is applied to the tension member 12. For this reason, compared with the structure concerning a sheath material, the improvement of the joint strength of the optical fiber cable 1 and the connector housing 25 can be aimed at. Therefore, even when an external force is applied during the routing work or when vibration is applied during use, the optical fiber cable 1 can be prevented from being disconnected or displaced.

  In addition, the tension member 12 is sandwiched between a first support member 21 and a second support member 22 that are formed of a strong material. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a tensile force or the like from being applied to the optical fiber 11.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the said embodiment, although the optical cable connector for optical fibers provided with two optical fiber strands was shown, the number of cores (the number of optical fiber strands) of an optical fiber cable is not limited. For example, the present invention can be applied to one single-core type optical fiber cable or a multi-core type optical fiber cable having three or more optical fibers. In this case, what is necessary is just to increase / decrease the number of the optical fiber strand layer through-holes 241 formed in the ferrule 24 according to the number of the optical fiber strands 11 to connect.

It is sectional drawing which showed typically the cross-section of the optical fiber cable which can be applied suitably for the optical cable connector concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed typically the structure of the optical cable connector 2 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the internal structure of the connector housing typically, and (a) and (b) are the planes substantially parallel to the axis of the optical fiber cable 1 to be connected, and are cut planes perpendicular to each other. is there. (A) is sectional drawing which showed typically the structure by which the 1st support member was assembled | attached to the front-end | tip part of an optical fiber cable, (b) is a model with the structure by which the 2nd support member was further assembled | attached. FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the state by which the connector housing was mounted | worn with the optical fiber cable.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber cable 11 Optical fiber strand 12 Tension member 13 Sheath material 2 Optical cable connector 21 1st support member 22 2nd support member 23 3rd support member
24 Ferrule 241 Optical fiber strand insertion hole 242 Butting surface 243 Adhesive injection hole 244 Positioning pin 245 Positioning hole 246 Locking protrusion 25 Connector housing 251 Ferrule housing portion 252 Optical fiber cable housing hole 253 Locking piece 254 Third support member Insertion hole

Claims (4)

An optical fiber, a first sheath material that covers the optical fiber, a tension member that is disposed on the outer periphery of the first sheath material and reinforces the optical fiber, and covers the outer periphery of the tension member An optical fiber cable having a second sheath material to be
A first support member formed in a substantially annular shape;
A second support member formed in a substantially annular shape;
With
The distal end portion of the optical fiber cable projects from the distal end portion of the first sheath material and the distal end portion of the tension member from the distal end of the second sheath material,
The first support member is inserted between the distal end portion of the first sheath material and the distal end portion of the tension member,
The second support member is disposed on the outer periphery of the tip of the tension member;
An optical cable connector, wherein a tip end portion of the tension member is sandwiched between the first support member and the second support member.   A connector housing capable of accommodating a distal end portion of the optical fiber cable to which the first support member and the second support member are mounted; and the connector housing engages with the second support member to The optical cable connector according to claim 1, wherein movement of the optical fiber cable in the axial direction is restricted. An optical fiber, a first sheath material that covers the optical fiber, a tension member that is disposed on the outer periphery of the first sheath material and reinforces the optical fiber, and covers the outer periphery of the tension member An optical fiber cable having a second sheath material to be
A first support member formed in a substantially annular shape;
A second support member formed in a substantially annular shape;
With
The distal end portion of the optical fiber cable projects from the distal end portion of the first sheath material and the distal end portion of the tension member from the distal end of the second sheath material,
The first support member is inserted between the distal end portion of the first sheath material and the distal end portion of the tension member,
The second support member is disposed on the outer periphery of the tip of the tension member;
A combined optical fiber cable and optical cable connector, wherein a tip end portion of the tension member is sandwiched between the first support member and the second support member.   A connector housing capable of accommodating a distal end portion of the optical fiber cable to which the first support member and the second support member are mounted; and the connector housing engages with the second support member to The combined optical fiber cable and optical cable connector according to claim 3, wherein movement of the optical fiber cable in the axial direction is restricted.

Images