JP2011095493A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector having a structure capable of suppressing inexpensively and efficiently flexural deformation of a housing to a bending force. <P>SOLUTION: This optical connector 10 has a constitution wherein a ferrule 30 having a clamp part is stored in a sleeve-shaped housing 11, which has on the rear end side of a ferrule 31, the clamp part 33 for clamping and fixing a butting connection part between the rear end of a built-in optical fiber 32 inserted and fixed into the ferrule 31 and an inserted optical fiber 1 inserted into the housing 11, on an element part having a half split structure. In the housing 11, a stop ring 13 whose length in the axial direction is shorter than a plug frame 12 is fitted with the rear end of the sleeve-shaped plug frame 12 for storing approximately the full length of the ferrule 30 having the clamp part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector, and more particularly to an on-site assembly type optical connector that can be assembled at the tip of an optical fiber in the field.

  As an example of a field assembly type optical connector (hereinafter also referred to as a field assembly optical connector) that can be assembled at the tip of an optical fiber in the field, a ferrule with a short optical fiber inserted and fixed in advance, and polishing of the ferrule From the rear side of the connector (opposite side to the ferrule) to the rear end of the short optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as the built-in optical fiber) that is assembled on the rear end side opposite to the already joined end face and is inserted and fixed to the ferrule. A mechanical splice type clamp that holds and connects the optical fiber inserted into the optical connector housing (hereinafter also referred to as an inserted optical fiber). The thing of the structure which accommodated the ferrule with a clamp part comprised in the housing is known (for example, patent document 1).Since this field assembly optical connector can be easily assembled to the tip of an optical fiber (insertion optical fiber) without performing a ferrule polishing work in the field, its application range has been rapidly expanding in recent years.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a conventional field assembly optical connector.
An on-site assembly optical connector 100 illustrated in FIG. 13 has a clamp portion formed by assembling a clamp portion 122 on the rear side of the ferrule 121 on a sleeve-like housing 110 formed by fitting a stop ring 112 to a sleeve-like plug frame 111. A ferrule 120 and a spring 130 (coil spring) for elastically urging the ferrule 120 with a clamp portion toward the front side of the connector (left side in FIG. 13) are housed. The field assembly optical connector 100 includes a coupling 140 provided on the outside of the plug frame 111 so as to be slidable with a slight movable range in the axial direction of the housing 110, and a ferrule of a ferrule 120 with a clamp portion. 121 includes a flexible cylindrical boot 150 attached to the rear end portion of the housing 110 opposite to the front end side of the housing 110 where the joint end surface 121a at the front end of the 121 is disposed.

  The field assembly optical connector 100 of the illustrated example is extended into the clamp portion 122 from the rear end of the ferrule 121 of the built-in optical fiber 123 that is a short optical fiber inserted and fixed to the ferrule 121 of the ferrule 120 with a clamp portion. A connecting portion 160 is formed by connecting the end of the optical fiber 210 (optical fiber core wire or optical fiber strand) butt-connected to the rear end of the portion (rear extension portion) of the optical fiber cord 200 to the clamp portion 122. The optical fiber cord 200 is assembled at the front end by being held and fixed by a half-structured holding member (not shown). The optical fiber cord 200 is fastened to the housing 110 by fixing the tensile strength fiber 220 led to the end thereof to the rear end portion of the housing 110 by caulking using a caulking ring 113.

JP-A-10-206688

  In the case of the field assembly optical connector as described above, a ferrule 320 housed in a housing 310 including a plug frame 311 and a stop ring 312 as shown in FIG. Compared to an optical connector 300 (hereinafter also referred to as a direct termination type optical connector) having a structure in which the tip of the optical fiber 210 inserted into the housing 310 is directly inserted and fixed, the stop ring 112 has a length in the axial direction. A configuration using a long one is widely adopted. In addition, the field assembly optical connector has a longer overall connector length than a direct termination type optical connector.

  A direct termination type optical connector 300 illustrated in FIG. 14 has a ferrule 320 that does not have a clamp portion in the sleeve-shaped housing 310, and elastically biases the ferrule 320 toward the front side of the connector (left side in FIG. 14). A coupling 340 that houses a spring 330 (coil spring), and is provided on the outside of the housing 310 so as to be slidable with a slight movable range in the axial direction of the housing 310; A boot 350 is attached to the rear end opposite to the front end where the joint end surface 321 at the front end of the ferrule 320 is disposed. The ferrule 320 has an optical fiber 210 inserted into the end of the optical fiber cord 200 inserted therein. The optical fiber cord 200 is fastened to the housing 310 by fixing the tensile strength fiber 220 led to the end thereof to the rear end of the housing 310 by caulking and fixing using a caulking ring 313 at the rear end of the stop ring 312. .

  By the way, as described above, the field assembly optical connector 100 illustrated in FIG. 13 (hereinafter also simply referred to as an optical connector) has a longer length in the axial direction as the stop ring 112 than the direct termination optical connector 300. Since the ferrule 120 with a clamp portion is housed in the housing 110 using an object, and the total length of the connector is longer than that of the directly terminated optical connector 300, it is fitted to the optical connector adapter 400 (see FIG. 13). In this case, the protruding dimension of the optical connector 100 from the optical connector adapter 400 of the housing 110 is large (the plug frame 111 of the housing 110 is held in the optical connector adapter 400). For this reason, for example, when the optical fiber cord 200 extending from the rear end of the connector is side-pulled, or when the rear end portion of the housing 110 or the boot 150 is pressed by the pressing force acting from the side, this is applied to the housing 110. The effect of bending force is great. For example, when the bending deformation of the housing 110 increases due to the strong bending force, the connector connection may be affected by the tilting of the ferrule 120 with a clamp portion in the housing 110. For this reason, the usefulness of the technique which suppresses the bending deformation of the housing 110 with respect to bending force is increasing about the field assembly optical connector 100. FIG.

  In order to suppress the bending deformation of the housing 110 with respect to the bending force, for example, a material change of the plastic housing 110 may be considered. However, the cost is high, and the rear end portion of the plug frame 111 (the right end of the plug frame 111 in FIG. 13). ) And the front end of the stop ring 112 (the left end of the stop ring 112 in FIG. 13), the deformation of the housing 110 is increased due to the bending force applied by the side pull of the optical fiber cord 200. As a result, it is not easy to suppress the deformation of the entire housing 110 as a result. For this reason, development of the technique which can implement | achieve suppression of the bending deformation of the housing 110 with respect to bending force efficiently at low cost was calculated | required.

  Currently, there are SC optical connectors and the like assembling optically assembled optical connectors with a clamp part in the housing. However, the MU optical connectors are thinner than the SC optical connectors, and are less susceptible to the bending force. Practical products are not provided for reasons such as increased flexural deformation of the housing.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector having a structure that can efficiently suppress the deformation of a housing against bending force at low cost.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a built-in light which is an optical fiber which is assembled on a rear end side of a ferrule and inserted into the ferrule in a sleeve-like housing formed by fitting a stop ring to a plug frame. A connecting portion in which the rear end of the fiber is abutted and connected to the tip of an inserted optical fiber, which is an optical fiber separately inserted in the housing, can be held and fixed to an element portion of a half structure housed inside a sleeve-like spring. A clamp part including a ferrule with a clamp part, and the housing has an axial line at a rear end portion of the sleeve-like plug frame that accommodates substantially the entire length of the ferrule with a clamp part as compared with the plug frame. Provided is an optical connector characterized by fitting the stop ring having a short direction length.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector-fitting housing that is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, further comprising a sleeve-like coupling that is provided on the plug frame so as to be movable in the axial direction of the housing. The optical connector according to the first aspect, wherein substantially the entire length of the plug frame is accommodated in the coupling in the inserted and fitted state.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the front end of the plug frame has the same configuration as the plug frame of the MU type optical connector, and the coupling of the MU type optical connector is used as the coupling. An optical connector of the invention is provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the outer periphery of the spring of the clamp portion of the ferrule with the clamp portion is interrupted between a pair of elements constituting the element portion, thereby maintaining an open state between the pair of elements. An opening for passing an insertion member that allows insertion of an insertion optical fiber is formed, and further, an insertion for passing the insertion member through the plug frame and the coupling in the shape of a window hole that opens on the outer peripheral surface thereof. An optical connector according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein insertion member insertion holes are respectively formed.
5th invention comprises the said insertion member interrupted between a pair of elements which comprise the said element part of the said clamp part of the said ferrule with a clamp part, and the said insertion member is formed in the said plug frame. The insertion member insertion hole, which is an inner insertion hole, and the insertion member insertion hole formed in the coupling, the outer insertion hole is provided so as to protrude to the outside of the coupling. The portion protruding to the outside of the ring is provided with a pulling force for pulling out the insertion member from between the pair of elements of the clamp part, so that it can be removed from the element part. 4. An optical connector according to the invention is provided.
6th invention is provided with the fiber connection tool which comprises the said insertion member and the ring-shaped insertion member drive part for giving the said extraction force to this insertion member, The said fiber connection tool is The insertion member is provided so as to penetrate through an insertion member insertion opening formed in a slit shape or a hole shape in the insertion member driving portion, and protrudes outside the insertion member driving portion of the insertion member. The proximal end side opposite to the distal end portion that is interrupted between the pair of elements of the clamp portion is positioned on the opposite side of the insertion member insertion opening through the axis of the insertion member drive portion. The insertion member insertion opening and the intermediate member are supported by an insertion member support portion provided on a base wall portion which is a wall portion, and the insertion member driving portion is acted on from both sides by the side pressure. Deform so that the distance to the insertion member support increases. In the fifth aspect of the invention, the pulling force is applied to the insertion member from the insertion member support portion so that the insertion member can be removed from between the pair of elements. An optical connector is provided.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the stop ring is fitted into a rear end portion of the plug frame and accommodated therein, and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the fitting housing portion. And a boot mounting cylinder provided in a protruding state on the rear side of the plug frame, and the cylindrical boot into which the insertion optical fiber is inserted is directly or directly attached to the boot mounting cylinder. An optical connector according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the optical connector is fitted on a rear end portion of the housing by being externally fitted to a ring fixed to the outside of the cylindrical portion.
8th invention is an optical fiber core wire or an optical fiber strand accommodated in the protection tube which the said insertion optical fiber is an exterior coating of an optical fiber cord, and the said optical fiber cord is inserted in the said protection tube with the said insertion optical fiber. And a tensile strength fiber vertically attached to the inserted optical fiber, and a thread is formed on the outer periphery of the boot mounting cylinder portion of the stop ring, and the tensile strength fiber led to the optical fiber cord end is By screwing a fixing ring that can be screwed into the boot mounting cylinder part into the boot mounting cylinder part in a state of being arranged on the outer periphery of the boot mounting cylinder part, the tensile strength fiber is connected to the boot mounting cylinder part and the fixing ring. An optical connector according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that it can be fixed by being sandwiched between them.
A ninth invention is characterized in that a spring for elastically urging the ferrule with a clamp portion toward the front side opposite to the rear end side of the housing into which the insertion optical fiber is introduced is housed in the housing. An optical connector according to any one of the first to eighth inventions is provided.

According to the optical connector according to the present invention, compared to the optical connector having the conventional structure illustrated in FIG. 13, the fitting coupling portion in which the stop ring is fitted to the rear end portion of the plug frame from the housing front end (plug frame front end). The distance is large, and the position of the fitting coupling portion is shifted to the rear end side of the housing as compared with the optical connector having the conventional structure. That is, compared with the optical connector of the conventional structure, the distance from the housing rear end of a fitting coupling part is short. Therefore, when a bending force is applied to the housing from the rear end of the optical fiber by a side pull of the optical fiber in a state of being fitted to a connector fitting housing such as an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, the housing near the fitting coupling portion Can be kept small. As a result, bending deformation of the entire housing can also be suppressed. Thereby, even if bending force is given to a housing, the effect that it becomes difficult to affect a connector connection state is acquired.
Even when an optical connector housing made of a well-known general-purpose plastic is used, it is possible to efficiently suppress the bending deformation of the housing against the bending force, and to efficiently suppress the bending deformation without using an expensive material. Can be realized well.

It is a perspective view which shows the optical connector with a tool formed by attaching the tool for fiber connection to the optical connector of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the optical connector of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows the state assembled to the optical fiber cord front-end | tip. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view (planar cross-sectional view) illustrating a configuration of the optical connector of FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the ferrule with a clamp part of the optical connector of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is the figure which arranged and showed the opposing surface of each element which comprises the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is sectional drawing (transverse sectional view) which shows the relationship between the insertion member of the tool for fiber connection in the optical connector with a tool of FIG. 1, and the element part of the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of an optical connector. It is a model figure which shows the relationship between the insertion member of the tool for fiber connection in the optical connector with a tool of FIG. 1, and the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of an optical connector. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a rear end portion of the housing of the optical connector of FIG. 2. It is a model figure which shows the state which inserted the optical connector of FIG. 2 in the connector fitting housing, and was fitted. It is a figure explaining the field assembly optical connector of a conventional structure, Comprising: It is a model figure which shows the state inserted and fitted to the optical connector adapter. It is a figure explaining the general optical connector (direct termination type optical connector) of a conventional structure, Comprising: It is a model figure which shows the state inserted and fitted to the optical connector adapter.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, the optical connector 10 described here is used for matching a ferrule 31 with a sleeve-shaped housing 11 in which a stop ring 13 is fitted to a plug frame 12. An optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a built-in optical fiber 32; see FIG. 6) inserted and fixed to the ferrule 31 and the tip of the optical fiber 1 for assembling the optical connector 10 are abutted on the rear end side opposite to the joining end face 31a. A ferrule 30 with a clamp portion that is provided with a clamp portion 33 for holding and fixing the connected connection portion J and is housed in the housing 11, and a ferrule 30 with a clamp portion that is housed in the housing 11 and on the rear side of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion. A spring 40 that is arranged and elastically biases the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion forward (left side in FIGS. 4 and 6) with respect to the housing 11. And a sleeve-like coupling 50 (knob) provided so as to be movable by securing the movable range in the axial direction (connector longitudinal direction) of the housing 11 by being extrapolated to the plug frame 12. 11 has a cylindrical boot 60 to be attached to the rear end portion.
The optical connector 10 will be described with the left side as the front and the right side as the rear in FIGS. 4, 6, 10, and 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the optical connector 10 is interposed between a pair of elements 35 and 36 (see FIG. 9) constituting the element part 39 of the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part. A fiber connecting tool 20 is provided in which the insertion member 21 is attached to a ring-shaped insertion member driving unit 23. The fiber connecting tool 20 includes a pair of elements 35 of a clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion, the tip portion 21c of the tip of the plate-like insert member 21 protruding outside the insert member drive portion 23. , 36 and is attached to the optical connector 10.
The optical connector 10 attached with the fiber connection tool 20 is hereinafter also referred to as a tool-equipped optical connector 10A.

(Ferrule with clamp)
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion includes the ferrule 31 and a built-in optical fiber 32 (here, a fiber hole 31 b (fine hole) formed in the ferrule 31 and fixed). A bare optical fiber), a flange portion 34 that is externally fixed to the rear end portion of the ferrule 31, and the clamp portion 33.
The clamp portion 33 butt-connects the tip end portion of another optical fiber 1 (hereinafter also referred to as an insertion optical fiber) inserted into the housing 11 from the rear end (right side in FIG. 4) to the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 ( The connection portion J (see FIG. 6) that has been optically connected by butting is gripped and fixed between the pair of elements 35 and 36 by the elasticity of the spring 37.

The ferrule 31 (ferrule body) of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion of the optical connector 10 in the illustrated example is a capillary single-core ferrule made of, for example, zirconia ceramics or glass. The fiber hole 31 b of the ferrule 31 is a through hole that penetrates the inside of the ferrule 31.
As the ferrule 31, here, a ferrule for a MU type optical connector (F14 type optical connector established in JIS C 5983, MU: Miniature-Unit coupling optical fiber connector) is used.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the built-in optical fiber 32 includes a portion that is inserted and fixed in the fiber hole 31 b of the ferrule 31, and a rear extension portion 32 a that is a portion protruding from the rear end of the ferrule 31. And have. The rear extension 32 a of the built-in optical fiber 32 is disposed in the clamp 33. The built-in optical fiber 32 is a short optical fiber that extends from a rear end disposed in the clamp portion 33 to a distal end (tip surface) that is provided on the joint end surface 31 a of the ferrule 31 so as to be aligned in position.
The built-in optical fiber 32 is a bare optical fiber here, but is not limited to this, and a single-core optical fiber, an optical fiber, or the like can also be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and the like, the insertion optical fiber 1 is a single-core optical fiber here, and the coating at the tip is removed and the bare optical fiber 1a (hereinafter referred to as the insertion-side bare optical fiber) is used. Is inserted into the housing 11 from the rear end of the housing 11 (the end opposite to the front side where the joining end surface 31a of the ferrule 31 is disposed). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the insertion optical fiber 1 has the end of the bare optical fiber 1 a inserted into the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion from the rear end of the housing 20 in the clamp portion 33. The optical fiber is abutted against the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 and is optically connected to the built-in optical fiber 32.

  As the insertion optical fiber 1, a coated optical fiber having a configuration in which a bare optical fiber is coated with a resin coating material (coating material 1 b), such as an optical fiber core wire or an optical fiber strand, is employed. The coated optical fiber is inserted into the housing 20 from its rear end in a state where the coating (covering material 1b) at the front end portion is removed and the bare optical fiber is exposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with the clamp part is rearward (on the right side in FIG. 6) from the ring-shaped flange part 34 that is externally fixed to the rear end part of the ferrule 31. An element portion 39 having a halved structure composed of an elongated base side element 35 which is an extended portion and a lid side element 36 provided along the base side element 35 is processed into a metal plate. The sleeve is housed and held inside a sleeve-shaped spring 37 having a C-shaped or U-shaped cross section (C-shaped in the illustrated example).

  In the clamp portion 33 of the illustrated example, the base side element 35 is a plastic or metal member formed integrally with the flange portion 34. However, in the present invention, the base side element 35 and the flange portion 34 are not limited to a configuration in which the plastic side or the metal integrally formed product is formed. The element 35 may be integrated by insert molding, adhesive fixing, fitting fixing, or the like.

  The lid side element 36 includes a first lid side element 36a and a second lid side element disposed on the side (rear side) opposite to the ferrule 31 and the flange portion 34 via the first lid side element 36a. 36b. Hereinafter, the first lid side element 36a is also referred to as a front side element, and the second lid side element 36b is also referred to as a rear side element.

The clamp portion 33 closes the opposing surfaces facing each other of the pair of elements 35 and 36 (base side element and lid side element) of the element portion 39 having a halved structure by the elasticity of the spring 37. It is configured to be elastically biased and collectively held inside the spring 37.
7 and 8, reference numeral 35f is attached to the facing surface of the base element 35, reference numeral 36af is attached to the facing surface of the front element 36a, and reference numeral 36bf is attached to the facing surface of the rear element 36b.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the spring 37 has a front spring portion 37 b on the front side (ferrule 31 side) from the slit 37 a by a slit 37 a formed in the center portion in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). It has the structure which has the rear-side rear spring part 37c from the said slit 37a. Further, the spring 37 is formed with a side opening 37d extending over the entire length in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the central axis). The slit 37a is a portion of the spring 37 that is located opposite to the side opening 37d via the element part 39 inside the spring 37 from both ends facing the side opening 37d. Two are formed so as to extend along the circumferential direction of the spring 37 toward 37e). The front spring portion 37b and the rear spring portion 37c of the spring 37 are connected via only the back side continuous portion 37e secured between the two slits 37a and function as independent sleeve-like springs.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, of the two elements (the front element 36 a and the rear element 36 b) constituting the lid side element 36, the rear element 36 b is entirely the rear spring portion 37 c of the spring 37. And is held together with the rear end portion of the base side element 35 by the elasticity of the rear spring portion 37c. On the other hand, the front side element 36 a is housed inside the front side spring part 37 b and the inside of the rear side spring part 37 c of the spring 37, and is held together with the base side element 35 by the elasticity of the spring 37. In addition, as a clamp part, the front side element is accommodated only inside the front side spring part 37 b of the spring 37, and the front side element and the rear side element are in contact with each other at a position corresponding to the slit 37 a of the spring 37. Can also be adopted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the opposing surface 35f of the base side element 35 is adjusted to align the rear extension portion 32a of the built-in optical fiber 32 and the insertion optical fiber 1 so that they can be connected to each other. A fiber positioning groove 38 is formed which includes a core groove 38a and a covering portion receiving groove 38b for storing and positioning a covering portion which is a portion covered with the covering material 1b of the insertion optical fiber 1.

The alignment groove 38a extends from the front end of the base side element 35 (the left end of the base side element 35 in FIG. 8) along the extending direction (longitudinal direction) so as to be continuous with the fiber hole 31b penetrating the ferrule 31. Is formed. The rear extension 32a of the built-in optical fiber 32 is accommodated in the alignment groove 38a. The rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the alignment groove 38a (in the illustrated example, a position slightly shifted from the center in the longitudinal direction to the front side (ferrule 31 side)).
The covering portion receiving groove 38b is formed from the rear end of the alignment groove 38a (the end opposite to the front end on the ferrule 31 side) from the rear side of the base side element 35 along the extending direction of the base side element 35. It extends to the end.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the alignment groove 38a in the illustrated example is a V-groove, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a round groove (groove having a semicircular cross section), a U-groove, or the like can be used.

The covering portion receiving groove 38b has a larger groove width and depth than the aligning groove 38a in order to receive and position the covering portion 1b thicker than the bare optical fiber 1a of the insertion optical fiber 1.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the clamp portion 33 of the optical connector 10 in the illustrated example has a configuration in which a covering portion receiving groove 38 c is also formed in the facing surface 36 bf of the rear element 36 b. The covering portion storing groove 38c formed in the facing surface 36bf of the rear element 36b is formed at a position corresponding to the covering portion storing groove 38b of the base side element 35.
Further, the front end portions of the covering portion receiving grooves 38b and 38c of the base side element 35 and the lid side element 36 (specifically, the rear side element 36b) are formed in a tapered shape, and the fiber from the rear end of the clamp portion 33 is formed. When the insertion optical fiber 1 is inserted into the positioning groove 38 (described later), the bare optical fiber 1a at the tip of the insertion optical fiber 1 can be smoothly introduced into the alignment groove 38a.

  In addition, as a clamp part of the optical connector which concerns on this invention, the structure by which the coating | coated part accommodation groove | channel is formed in one or both of the opposing surface of the base side element 35 and the opposing surface of the rear side element 36b is employable. The covering portion receiving grooves 38 b and 33 c of the elements 35 and 352 of the clamp portion are formed so as to open at the rear end of the clamp portion 33. In addition, the covering portion storage grooves 38b and 33c are V-grooves here, but are not limited thereto, and for example, round grooves (grooves with a semicircular cross section), U-grooves, square grooves, and the like can be employed.

In addition, the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of the optical connector according to the present invention may have a structure in which the element part of the half-structure is housed inside the sleeve-like spring, and the front side element and the rear side as the lid side element A configuration in which the element is integrated can also be adopted.
Furthermore, as a sleeve-shaped spring, what is necessary is just to have the opening part for letting an insertion member pass, and what does not have a side part opening part is also employable.

  As shown in FIG. 9, between the pair of elements 35, 36 (base side element 35 and lid side element 36) of the clamp portion 33 of the optical connector 10 (optical connector with tool 10A), a fiber is connected to the elements 35, 36. The tip end portion 21c of the plate-like insertion member 21 of the connection tool 20 is slightly pushed open by being inserted (interrupted), and the inserted optical fiber 1 is opened from the rear end of the clamp portion 33 to the fiber. The positioning groove 38 can be inserted (pushed). The state of the clamp part 33 at this time is hereinafter referred to as an open state.

(Fiber connection tool)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 10, the insertion member 21 of the fiber connection tool 20 protrudes from an insertion member support portion 23 provided in the ring-shaped insertion member drive portion 22. Plate-shaped piece.
The insertion member driving portion 22 of the fiber connecting tool 20 in the illustrated example is an integrally molded product made of plastic. As shown in FIG. 9, specifically, the insertion member driving unit 22 includes a base wall portion 24 provided with the insertion member supporting unit 23 and an axis of the insertion member driving unit 22. A pair of side wall portions 26A and 26B formed in a generally arch shape are formed on a connector abutting wall portion 25 located on the opposite side and abutted against a side surface of the optical connector 10 (specifically, an outer peripheral surface of the coupling 50). It has a bridged configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the insertion member support portion 23 is formed on the base wall portion 24 in a protruding wall shape that protrudes toward the connector abutting wall portion 25. The insertion member 21 protrudes from the protruding end of the insertion member support portion 23 and is inserted into a slit-shaped or window-hole-shaped (slit shape in the illustrated example) insertion member formed in the connector contact wall portion 25. It penetrates the common opening 25 a and protrudes outward from the insertion member drive unit 22.
As shown in FIG. 10, the connector abutting wall portion 25 of the insertion member driving portion 22 is used for inserting a slit-like insertion member that extends along the axial direction of the insertion member driving portion 22. Although both sides are connected via the opening 25a via the bridging portion 25b, a configuration in which the bridging portion 25b does not exist can be employed.

  The insertion member 21 has a plate-like main body 21a that protrudes from the insertion member support portion 23, and a plate-like protrusion 21b that protrudes from the tip of the plate-like main body 21a. The plate-like protrusion 21b is formed in a plate shape having a thickness dimension smaller than that of the plate-like main body 21a.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the insertion member 21 is configured such that a portion of the plate-like protrusion 21 b that protrudes outward from the insertion member drive unit 22 is connected to the coupling 50 of the optical connector 10. An insertion member insertion hole 51 (hereinafter also referred to as an outer insertion hole; see FIG. 3) formed in a long hole shape opened on the outer peripheral surface, and the plug frame 12 formed in a long hole shape opened on the outer peripheral surface. It penetrates through an insertion member insertion hole 12a (hereinafter also referred to as an inner insertion hole; see FIG. 4) communicated with the outer insertion hole 51 of the coupling 50, so that the plate thickness is smaller than the plate-like protrusion 21b. The formed tip portion 21 c (tip projection) is inserted between the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 of the optical connector 10.

In the fiber connecting tool 20, the distal end portion 21 c of the insertion member 21 interrupted between the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 of the optical connector 10 is clamped by the elasticity of the spring 37 of the clamp portion 33. Are sandwiched and held between the pair of elements 35 and 36, thereby being attached to the optical connector 10.
The fiber connecting tool 20 houses the optical connector 10 between a pair of elastic engagement pieces 27 protruding from the connector abutting wall portion 25 to the outside of the insertion member driving portion 22, and each elastic engagement member 27. The protruding claw 27a protruding from the protruding end of the coupling piece 27 is engaged with the optical connector 10 through the optical connector 10 so as to be disengageable from the side opposite to the connector abutting wall portion 25. Is assembled.

  The elastic engagement piece 27 can be omitted from the fiber connection tool according to the present invention. As the optical connector according to the present invention, the fiber connecting tool is used only by the clamping force in which the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion pinches the distal end portion 21c of the insertion member 21 by the elasticity of the spring 37. An attached configuration (optical connector with a tool) can also be adopted.

The side wall portions 26A and 26B of the insertion member driving portion 22 in the illustrated example are configured such that three plate-like portions 26a are connected in a row via thin-walled portions 26b, and are located in the center of the three plate-like portions 26a. It is formed in a general “<” shape with the top (the central plate-like portion 26a1) as the top.
The base wall portion 24 and the connector abutting wall portion 25 of the insertion member driving portion 22 and the plate-like portions 26a2 at both ends of the side wall portions 26A and 26B are also connected via the thin portion 26b.
The side wall portions 26A and 26B of the insertion member driving unit 22 are not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be, for example, a curved plate shape that is curved in an arc shape.

  For example, an operator using the optical connector 10 with a tool uses the fingers to insert the drive member 22 into the insertion member drive unit 22 in the interval direction between the base wall 24 and the connector abutment wall 25 (hereinafter, A side pressure P is applied from both sides in a direction orthogonal to the height direction (hereinafter also referred to as the drive portion width direction) (specifically, the central plate-like portions 26a1 of the side wall portions 26A and 26B are brought closer to each other). The insertion member drive unit 22 can be deformed so that the dimension in the drive unit width direction is reduced and the height direction dimension is increased. Thereby, by increasing the distance between the base wall part 24 of the insertion member driving part 22 and the optical connector 10, between the pair of elements 35, 36 of the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part of the optical connector 10. The insertion member 21 (specifically, the distal end portion 21 c) sandwiched between the elements 35 and 36 can be removed from between the elements 35 and 36.

  At this time, the height direction dimension of the insertion member drive unit 22 increases in a state where the connector abutment wall portion 25 is pressed against the optical connector 10, so that the base wall portion 24 of the insertion member drive unit 22 and the optical connector are increased. The distance between the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion (specifically, the distal end portion 21c thereof) can be reliably increased. Is surely removed.

  The fiber connecting tool 20 is formed by removing the insertion member 21 from the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part of the optical connector 10 and then between a pair of elastic engagement pieces 27 that are elastically deformable plate-like pieces. Is disengaged from the optical connector 10 by releasing the engagement of the projection claw 27a with the optical connector 10.

The insertion member 21 is provided integrally with the insertion member support portion 23 such that the base end portion opposite to the distal end portion 21 c is supported by the insertion member support portion 23 of the insertion member drive portion 22. Therefore, when the insertion member drive unit 22 is deformed by the side pressure P applied from both sides of the drive unit width direction and the height direction dimension is increased, the connector contact wall portion 25 of the insertion member drive unit 22 On the other hand, it can be displaced together with the base wall portion 24 and the insertion member support portion 23.
Further, the insertion member 21 may be either integral or separate from the insertion member drive unit 22. The insertion member 21, which is a separate member from the insertion member drive unit 22, may have a proximal end fixed to the insertion member support portion 23, but is interposed with respect to the insertion member support portion 23. The insertion member drive unit 22 may be attached while allowing a slight displacement in the height direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the fiber connection tool 20 in the illustrated example includes the insertion member 21 at two positions spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the insertion member drive unit 22. Each of the two insertion members 21 protrudes from the insertion member support portion 23.
The two insertion members 21 of the fiber connecting tool 20 are provided in correspondence with the front side element 36a and the rear side element 36b constituting the lid side element 36 of the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with the clamp part of the optical connector 10. ing. The fiber connecting tool 20 has one distal end portion 21c of two insertion members 21 between the front side element 36a and the base side element 35 of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion, and the other insertion member. 21 is attached to the optical connector 10 with the tip 21c of the clamp 21 interposed between the front element 36a and the base element 35 of the clamp 33, respectively.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 21 </ b> A in the drawing indicates the insertion member 21 in which the tip 21 c is inserted between the front element 36 a and the base element 35 of the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part, and the front element of the clamp part 33. Reference numeral 21B in the drawing is added to the insertion member 21 in which the tip 21c is interrupted between 36a and the base-side element 35.
As shown in FIG. 9, the insertion members 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B reach the fiber positioning groove 38 from the outer peripheral surface of the element portion 39 so as not to hinder the insertion of the optical fiber 1 into the fiber positioning groove 38. It is inserted between the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp part 34 within the range not to be.

  In the above-described embodiment, an optical connector (an optical connector with an insertion member) having a configuration in which an insertion member is inserted between the elements in advance and the elements are opened is exemplified. The insertion member is not inserted between the elements of the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part, and the insertion member is inserted between the elements when the insertion optical fiber is inserted between the elements. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the work for opening the elements can be performed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the elements 35 and 36 of the clamp part 33 of the ferrule with a clamp part of the optical connector 10 exemplified in the above-described embodiment are inserted (inserted) between the elements 35 and 36. Insertion recesses 35a and 36c in which the distal end portion 21c of the insertion member 21 is disposed are formed so as to open at positions facing the side opening 37d of the spring 37 (in FIG. 8, the insertion recesses). The places 35a and 36c are not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion recesses 35 a and 36 c are formed by recessing the end portions on the side opening 37 d side of the facing surfaces of the elements 35 and 36. After the insertion member 21 inserted between the elements 35 and 36 in a state where the distal end portion 21c is housed in the insertion recesses 35a and 36c, the insertion member 21 is pulled out from between the elements 35 and 36, and then the insertion The elements 35 and 36 can be opened by inserting the insertion member 21 into the recesses 35a and 36c and causing them to be interrupted between the elements 35 and 36. That is, in the optical connector 10 of the above-described embodiment, the insertion member 21 is inserted between the elements 35 and 36 from the state where the insertion member 21 is not inserted between the elements 35 and 36, and the elements 35 and 36 are inserted. It can be in an open state.

As an insertion member inserted between the elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion of the optical connector according to the present invention, a fiber connecting device including the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion as described above. It is not limited to the thing protruding from the tool.
Moreover, as an insertion member, the open state between a pair of elements 35 and 36 can be maintained against the elasticity of the spring 35 of the clamp part 33, and extraction operation from between a pair of elements 35 and 36 is carried out. Any configuration is possible. In this regard, as the insertion member, like the insertion member 21 of the fiber connection tool 20 in the illustrated example, the element 35 of the clamp portion 33 from the outside of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion of the optical connector 10, In order to enable insertion between the elements 35 and 36 by being pushed into the insertion recesses 35a and 36c, the distal end portion 21c is not limited to a wedge shape. Or a rod-shaped one. However, as an insertion member, an insertion member insertion hole 51 formed in the coupling 50 and the plug frame 12 of the optical connector 10 in order to allow the clamping portion 33 to be removed from between the pair of elements 35 and 36. , 12a and having a protruding portion protruding outside the optical connector 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the optical connector 10 has a boot attachment tube portion 13 b for fixing the tensile strength fiber 2 a struck to the end of the optical fiber cord 2 at the rear end of the housing 11. It can be assembled at the tip of the optical fiber cord 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the stop ring 13 of the housing 11 of the optical connector 10 is a rectangular tubular fitting housing portion that can be fitted into the rear end portion of the plug frame 12 from the rear side of the plug frame 12. 13a and the cylindrical boot mounting cylinder part 13b extended from the rear end of the fitting housing part 13a to the rear side. The housing 11 is assembled by fitting a fitting housing portion 13a (front end portion of the stop ring 13) of the stop ring 13 into the rear end portion of the plug frame 12 from the rear side of the plug frame 12.

  The stop ring 13 has engaging protrusions 13c protruding from both sides of the fitting housing portion 13a so as to enter the window holes (rear end window holes 12d) formed on both sides of the rear end portion of the plug frame 12. The plug frame 12 is engaged with the plug frame 12, thereby restricting the plug frame 12 from coming out to the rear side. Further, in the housing 11, the entire stop housing 13 of the stop ring 13 is accommodated in the plug frame 12, and the entire length of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13 b is disposed so as to protrude rearward from the plug frame 12.

  Note that the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b of the stop ring 13 is formed in a sleeve shape (cylindrical shape in the illustrated example) that is thinner than the fitting housing portion 13a. Further, the inner diameter of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b is narrower than the inner hole of the fitting housing portion 13a, and the boundary between the inner hole of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b and the inner hole of the fitting housing portion 13a is formed. The step surface is a spring receiving surface 13d that restricts the spring 40 (coil spring) from coming out to the rear side of the housing 11.

FIG. 2 shows a state where the optical connector 10 is assembled at the tip of the optical fiber cord 2 (optical connector with cord).
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber cord 2 is one in which the insertion optical fiber 1 and tensile strength fibers 2a vertically attached to the insertion optical fiber 1 are accommodated in a protective tube 2b.

  In order to assemble the optical connector 10 at the tip of the optical fiber cord 2 using the optical connector 10 with a tool, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber cord 2 is inserted with an optical fiber 1 and a tensile fiber 2a at its end. As shown in FIG. 6, a fiber connecting step is performed in which the tip of the inserted optical fiber 1 is butted and connected to the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion, and is held and fixed between the elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the housing 11 is used by using a fixing ring 71 capable of screwing the tensile strength fiber 2 a extending from the end of the optical fiber cord 2 to the boot mounting cylinder 13 b at the rear end of the housing 11 of the optical connector 10. Cord retention for securing the optical fiber cord 2 to the housing 11 by being fixed to the rear end (specifically, the boot mounting cylinder 13b) Perform step and then mounted by attaching to fit outside the boot 60 in the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b.

As shown in FIG. 12, the optical connector 10 that has been assembled to the tip of the optical fiber cord 2 is inserted and fitted into a connector fitting housing 4 such as an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle with the fiber connection tool 20 removed. In addition, it is used for connector connection of optical fibers.
A thread 13e for screwing the fixing ring 71 is formed on the outer periphery of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b of the stop ring 13.

  In the fiber connecting step, as shown in FIG. 11, the insertion optical fiber 1 extending from the end of the optical fiber cord 2 is inserted into the opening at the rear end of the housing 11 of the optical connector 10 (the rear end opening 11a in FIGS. 4 and 11). ) Into the housing 11 and fed into the fiber positioning groove 38 of the element portion 39 of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion, and exposed to the tip of the inserted optical fiber 1 as shown in FIG. The tip of the fiber 1a is butted against the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32. The inserted optical fiber 1 inserted into the housing 11 from the rear end opening 11 a of the housing 11 passes through the inside of the coil spring 40 and is inserted into the fiber positioning groove 38 from the rear end of the element portion 39 of the clamp portion 33. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, expansion portions 38b1 and 38c1 are formed at the rear end of the element portion 39. The extended portions 38b1 and 38c1 are formed with tapered rear ends of the covering portion receiving grooves 38b and 38c. The insertion operation of the insertion optical fiber 1 into the positioning groove 38 can be performed easily.

  Next, while maintaining this abutted state, as shown in FIG. 9, the insertion member drive unit 22 is deformed by applying lateral pressure P to the insertion member drive unit 22 of the fiber connecting tool 20 from both sides in the drive unit width direction. Then, the insertion members 21A and 21B of the fiber connecting tool 20 are removed from between the elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion. Thereby, the rear extension part 32a of the built-in optical fiber 32 and the part inserted between the elements 35 and 36 of the clamp part 33 of the insertion optical fiber 1 are connected to the elements 35 and 36 by the elasticity of the spring 37 of the clamp part 33. The butt connection between the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 and the front end of the insertion optical fiber 1 (specifically, the front end of the bare optical fiber 1a) is maintained.

  In the cord retaining process, as shown in FIG. 11, the tensile fiber 2a extending from the end of the optical fiber cord 2 is arranged on the outer periphery of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b of the stop ring 13 of the housing 11 of the optical connector 10, and in this state A fixing ring 71 is screwed onto the boot mounting cylinder 13b, and the tensile strength fiber 2a is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the boot mounting cylinder 13b and the fixing ring 71.

  In the illustrated example, the tensile strength fiber 2a is also fixed between the auxiliary fixing ring 72 inserted in the fixing ring 71 and the rear end surface of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b of the stop ring 13. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the fixing auxiliary ring 72 is an annular member having a circular cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the tensile strength fiber 2 a passes through the inside of the fixing auxiliary ring 72.

As shown in FIG. 11, the fixing auxiliary ring 72 is arranged along the rear end surface of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13 b of the stop ring 13, and inside the rear end of the fixing ring 71 (the right end of the fixing ring 71 in FIG. 11). It is pressed toward the rear end face of the boot attachment tube portion 13b by the peripheral auxiliary ring pressing protrusion 71a, and thereby, between the protective tube 2b end of the optical fiber cord 2 of the tensile strength fiber 2a and the outer periphery of the boot attachment tube portion 13b. The part located at is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the rear end face of the boot mounting cylinder part 13b.
At the rear end of the fixing ring 71, the optical fiber cord 2 is passed through the space inside the auxiliary ring pressing projection 71a.

The fixing ring 71 and the fixing auxiliary ring 72 are placed outside the optical fiber cord 2 and separated from the end of the optical fiber cord 2 before performing the fiber connecting step. It moves to the fiber cord 2 terminal side and is used for the cord retaining process.
Further, the flexible boot 60 is also arranged at a position separated from the end of the optical fiber cord 2 by extrapolating the optical fiber cord 2 to the optical fiber cord 2 before performing the fiber connecting step. The boot 60 moves to the end of the optical fiber cord 2 after the cord retaining process is completed, and fixes one end (front end) of the boot 60 to the fixing ring 71 as shown in FIG. As a result, the boot 60 is attached to the housing 11 via the fixing ring 71.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the housing 11 of the optical connector 10, the entire fitting housing portion 13a of the stop ring 13 is accommodated in the plug frame 12, and the entire length of the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b of the stop ring 13 is the plug frame. 12, the front end of the boot 60 fitted on the rear end of the housing 11 by being fitted to the boot mounting cylinder 13b of the stop ring 13 is in contact with the rear end of the plug frame 12. Arranged in close proximity.

In the present invention, the tensile strength fiber 2a can be fixed to the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b in place of the fixing ring 71 that can be screwed to the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b. Caulking and fixing using a caulking ring can also be employed.
That is, in the present invention, it is also possible to use a caulking ring in addition to the fixing ring 71 as a ring for fixing the tensile strength fiber 2a to the boot mounting cylinder portion 13b.

As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the plug frame 12 of the housing 11 of the optical connector 10 has a sleeve shape (specifically, a figure in a dimension in the axial direction) that accommodates the substantially entire length of the ferrule 30 with the clamp portion. 3 is formed in a rectangular tube shape.
The stop ring 13 is formed in a sleeve shape whose length in the axial direction is much shorter than that of the plug frame 12. In the housing 11 of the optical connector 10, the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion is accommodated only in the plug frame 12, and the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion is not accommodated in the stop ring 13.

In the optical connector 10 of the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion is a portion (element portion main body 39b) to which a sleeve-like spring 37 of the element portion 39 is attached. The spring mounting portion 39a, which is a portion formed thinner than the spring 37, protrudes rearward from the spring 37. The spring mounting portion 39a is inserted into the front end portion of the coil spring 40.
In the optical connector 10, even if the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion is pushed back by pressing the coil spring 40 when the connector is connected, the element main body 39 b of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion and the element The spring 37 attached to the part main body 39 b does not enter the stop ring 13. Only the spring mounting part 39a thinner than the element part main body 39b of the element part 39 is accommodated in the stop ring 13.

Further, the front end portion of the plug frame 12 of the optical connector 10 in the illustrated example has the same configuration as the plug frame of the MU type optical connector, and a connector fitting housing such as an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle for the MU type optical connector. 4 (see FIG. 12) is inserted and fitted into a front end fitting to be engaged with an elastic engagement claw (not shown) projecting in the connector fitting housing 4 (optical connector adapter in FIG. 12). Part 12e.
The plug frame 12 is configured to have the front end fitting portion 12e on the front side of a sleeve-like main body 12f formed in a sleeve shape.

In the illustrated optical connector 10, a MU-type optical connector coupling is used as the coupling 50.
The coupling 50 has a length (dimension in the axial direction) that is substantially the same as that of the plug frame 12 and accommodates substantially the entire length of the plug frame 12.
In the illustrated optical connector 10, the length of the coupling 50 is slightly shorter than the plug frame 12.

  The coupling 50 of the optical connector 10 is formed in a rectangular tube shape. The optical connector 10 that has been assembled to the tip of the optical fiber cord 2 is formed at the front end of a pair of side walls 52 (walls) located on both sides of the coupling 50 among the four walls constituting the coupling 50. When the fiber fitting tool 20 is removed and inserted into the connector fitting housing 4 (see FIG. 12) and fitted, it is projected into the connector fitting housing 4 (optical connector adapter in the illustrated example). A long hole-like engaging hook that allows an elastic engaging claw (not shown) to enter the inside of the coupling 50 and engage with engaging protrusions 12b provided on both sides of the front end of the plug frame 12. A window hole 53 is formed.

  The insertion member insertion hole 51 (outer insertion hole) of the coupling 50 is perpendicular to the pair of side wall portions 52 in which the engagement window hole 52 is formed among the four wall portions constituting the coupling 50. One of the two wall portions (hereinafter also referred to as the main wall portion 55) is formed in a slit shape extending in the front-rear direction of the coupling 50 (direction along the axis).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in the illustrated optical connector 10, the coupling 50 has a stopper protrusion 12 c that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the plug frame 12 into the engagement window hole 52. The front end surface of the coupling 50 (specifically, the side wall portion 52) that is housed in the rear end portion of the engagement window hole 53 and that faces the engagement window hole 53 in the portion located on the rear side of the engagement window hole 53. A position where a certain stopper contact surface 54 contacts the stopper protrusion 12c from the rear side of the connector (right side in FIG. 4) is a forward movement limit position (front movement limit position) with respect to the plug frame 12. In addition, the coupling 50 is located on the front side of the engagement window hole 52 in the side wall portion 52 and bridges the pair of main wall portions 55 to form a part of the frame-like portion at the front end of the coupling 50. The position where the stopper front end piece 56 (hereinafter referred to as a stopper front end piece 56) abuts (engages) from the front side of the connector (left side in FIG. 4) to the stopper projection 12c of the plug frame 12 is the rearward movement limit with respect to the plug frame 12. It is a position (rear movement limit position).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the coupling 50 is in the forward movement limit position with respect to the plug frame 12 (the state shown in FIG. 4), the stopper front end piece 56 of the coupling 50 is the stopper protrusion 12 c of the plug frame 12. It is in the position away from the connector front side. The distance between the stopper front end piece 56 of the coupling 50 and the stopper projection 12c of the plug frame 12 at this time corresponds to a movable amount (displaceable distance) of the coupling 50 in the front-rear direction with respect to the plug frame 12. To do.

  The coupling 50 constitutes a slide lock mechanism for the connector fitting housing 4 in cooperation with the plug frame 12. That is, in the coupling 50, when the optical connector 10 is inserted and fitted into the connector fitting housing 4, the elastic engagement claws (not shown) of the connector fitting housing 4 are inserted from the engagement window holes 53 of the coupling 50. The engagement projection 12b of the plug frame 12 can be engaged, and when the elastic engagement claw of the connector fitting housing 4 is engaged with the engagement projection 12b of the plug frame 12, it slides rearward with respect to the plug frame 12. By moving, the elastic engagement claw of the connector fitting housing 4 is released from the engagement protrusion 12b of the plug frame 12, and the engagement state is released.

  As described above, the housing 11 of the optical connector 10 has a structure in which the stop ring 13 having a length shorter than that of the plug frame 12 is attached to the rear end portion of the plug frame 12. Compared with the optical connector of the conventional configuration, the distance from the rear end of the housing (the rear end of the boot mounting cylinder 13b in the case of this optical connector 10) of the fitting coupling portion in which the front end of the stop ring is fitted to the rear end of the plug frame Is short. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, in this optical connector 10, the rear end portion of the plug frame 12 and the fitting housing portion 13a of the stop ring 13 fitted in the rear end portion of the plug frame 12 overlap each other. The portion having a double structure is the fitting joint.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the optical connector 10 is inserted into the connector fitting housing 4, and the rear end of the housing 11 is attached by the side pull of the optical fiber cord 2 extending from the rear end of the boot 60. When a force (bending force) is applied in a direction in which the housing 11 is bent and deformed, the bending moment acting on the fitting and coupling portion can be suppressed smaller than that of the optical connector of the conventional configuration, and the housing 11 is bent and deformed. Hard to occur. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult for the inconvenience that the bending deformation of the housing of the optical connector affects the connector connection state in the connector fitting housing 4.

  As described above, the optical connector 10 has a configuration in which the coupling 50 accommodates substantially the entire length of the plug frame 12 (see FIG. 4). The portion in which the coupling 50 accommodates the plug frame 12 has a double structure in which the coupling 50 and the plug frame 12 overlap each other. As shown in FIG. 12, the optical connector 10 is inserted into and fitted into the connector fitting housing 4, and the rear of the housing 11 is formed by a side pull of the optical fiber cord 2 extending from the rear end of the boot 60, as shown in FIG. This effectively contributes to suppression of bending deformation of the plug frame 12 with respect to bending force (bending load) applied to the end and suppression of bending deformation of the entire housing 11.

  When the optical connector 10 is inserted and fitted into the connector fitting housing 4, the coupling 50 of the optical connector 10 is disposed at the front side movement limit position (or the vicinity thereof) shown in FIG. Even when the is at the front movement limit position, a state in which the substantially entire length of the plug frame 12 is accommodated in the coupling 50 is ensured.

  As described above, the optical connector 10 has a structure that is advantageous for suppressing bending deformation due to bending force applied to the rear end of the housing 11 by a side pull of the optical fiber cord 2 extending from the rear end of the boot 60, and the bending. It is possible to easily suppress or prevent the inconvenience that the deformation of the housing due to the force affects the connector connection state in the connector fitting housing 4.

Conventionally, there has been no on-site assembly optical connector of the MU type optical connector. However, as described above, this optical connector 10 can easily suppress the bending deformation of the housing 11 against the bending force applied to the rear end of the housing 11. A field assembly type MU type optical connector employing the plug frame 12 having the front end fitting portion 12e having a configuration corresponding to the plug frame of the MU type optical connector and the coupling 50 of the MU type optical connector can be realized by the realizable configuration. .
In addition, the optical connector 10 does not need to house the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp (specifically, the element portion main body 39b to which the sleeve-like spring 37 is attached) in the stop ring 13, so that the plug frame It is possible to secure a sufficient thickness of a portion (fitting housing portion 13a) that is fitted to the rear end portion of 12 and the rear end portion of the plug frame 12 of the stop ring 13 and constitutes the fitting coupling portion. It is easy to secure the strength of the part itself.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A design change is possible suitably in the range which does not deviate from the main point.
The plug frame of the optical connector housing is not limited to the configuration having the front end fitting portion similar to the plug frame of the MU type optical connector. As the front end fitting portion of the plug frame, for example, the same one as the plug frame of the SC type optical connector can be adopted.
Further, the optical connector to which the present invention is applied includes a configuration that does not include a coupling, such as a so-called SC2 type optical connector (a configuration in which the coupling is omitted from the SC type optical connector).

The present invention relates to a sleeve-like connector housing which is a housing itself configured using a rectangular tube-shaped plug frame, or a housing configured using a rectangular tube-shaped plug frame and a rectangular tube shape provided on the outside thereof. The present invention can be suitably applied to an optical connector having a sleeve-like connector housing composed of the above-described coupling, and being inserted and fitted into a square hole-like connector fitting hole formed in the connector fitting housing.
However, the optical connector according to the present invention includes a latch that engages and disengages from the connector fitting housing when inserted into the connector fitting housing, and a connector of the latch, such as an LC type optical connector (trademark of Lucent Technology). It does not include a configuration in which a lever for performing an engagement releasing operation with respect to the fitting housing from the outside of the connector fitting housing is protruded from the housing. An optical connector using a housing in which a latch and a disengagement lever are protruded requires a connector fitting housing formed in a structure that allows the latch and the disengagement lever to be inserted and removed. A displacement force in the direction deviating from the axis of the housing (particularly a latch or a lever protrudes from the housing rear end by an optical fiber side pull or the like extending from the rear end of the connector fitting housing in the inserted and fitted state. When the displacement force is applied to the connector fitting housing, the connector fitting housing is easily tilted. Therefore, the prevention of the tilting of the optical connector with respect to the displacement force becomes a problem.
The present invention has a housing itself formed by fitting a stop ring at the rear end of a plug frame, or a sleeve-like connector housing comprising the housing and a coupling provided outside the housing, An optical connector having a structure in which a latch that engages and disengages and a disengagement lever are not projected from the connector housing is an object.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an optical connector, in order to assemble at the front end of the optical fiber cord, a configuration in which the rear end of the housing is provided with a boot mounting cylindrical portion used for fixing the tensile strength fiber struck to the optical fiber cord terminal, The optical connector according to the present invention may be assembled at the tip of an optical fiber core or an optical fiber. As the optical connector according to the present invention, it is possible to adopt a housing (stop ring) having a configuration in which the boot mounting cylinder portion is omitted, assuming assembly to the tip of the optical fiber core wire or the optical fiber strand. . In a housing with a configuration in which the boot mounting cylinder is omitted, the stop ring fitted into the rear end of the plug frame does not necessarily have a portion protruding rearward from the plug frame. The structure accommodated in the end part inside may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Insertion optical fiber, 2 ... Optical fiber cord, 2a ... Tensile fiber, 2b ... Protection tube, 4 ... Connector fitting housing,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Optical connector, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Plug frame, 12a ... Insertion member insertion hole, inner insertion hole, 13 ... Stop ring, 13a ... Fitting housing part, 13b ... Boot attachment cylinder part, 13e ... Screw thread,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Fiber connection tool 21, 21A, 21B ... Insertion member, 22 ... Insertion member drive part, 23 ... Insertion member support part, 24 ... Base wall part, 25a ... Opening part for insertion member insertion,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Ferrule with a clamp part, 31 ... Ferrule, 32 ... Built-in optical fiber, 33 ... Clamp part, 35 ... Element (base side element), 36 ... Element (lid side element), 37 ... Spring, 37d ... (of spring) Opening (side opening), 39 ... element part,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... Spring (coil spring), 50 ... Coupling (knob), 51 ... Insertion member insertion hole, outer insertion hole, 60 ... Boot, 71 ... Fixing ring.

Claims (9)

A ferrule (31) and a rear end side of the ferrule are assembled to a sleeve-like housing (11) formed by fitting a stop ring (13) to a plug frame (12), and are inserted and fixed to the ferrule. A connecting portion (J) in which the rear end of the built-in optical fiber (32), which is an optical fiber, is abutted and connected to the tip of an insertion optical fiber (1), which is an optical fiber separately inserted into the housing, is connected to a sleeve-like spring (37 ) And a ferrule (30) with a clamp portion that includes a clamp portion (33) that can be gripped and fixed to a half-divided element portion (39) housed inside the
The housing is formed by fitting the stop ring, which is shorter in the axial direction than the plug frame, to a rear end portion of the sleeve-like plug frame that accommodates substantially the entire length of the ferrule with a clamp portion. Optical connector (10) featuring.   Further, the connector fitting housing (4), which is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, is provided with a sleeve-like coupling (50) that is provided on the plug frame so as to be movable in the axial direction of the housing. 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein substantially the entire length of the plug frame is accommodated in the coupling in the inserted and fitted state.   3. The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein the front end of the plug frame has the same configuration as that of the plug frame of the MU type optical connector, and the coupling of the MU type optical connector is used as the coupling.   The outer periphery of the spring of the clamp part of the ferrule with the clamp part is inserted between the pair of elements (35, 36) constituting the element part so as to maintain an open state between the pair of elements. An opening (37d) is formed through which the insertion member (21, 21A, 21B) that allows insertion of an optical fiber is passed. Further, the plug frame and the coupling have a window hole shape that opens to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The optical connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein insertion member insertion holes (12a, 51) for allowing the insertion member to pass therethrough are formed respectively.   The ferrule with a clamp portion includes the insertion member inserted between a pair of elements constituting the element portion of the clamp portion, and the insertion member is inserted through the insertion member formed in the plug frame. An inner insertion hole (12a) which is a hole and an outer insertion hole (51) which is the insertion member insertion hole formed in the coupling, and is provided to protrude to the outside of the coupling. The pulling-out force for pulling out the insertion member from between the pair of elements of the clamp part is given to the part protruding to the outside of the ring, so that the part can be pulled out from the element part. Item 5. The optical connector according to Item 4. A fiber connection tool (20) comprising the insertion member and a ring-shaped insertion member drive unit (22) for applying the pulling force to the insertion member;
The fiber connecting tool is provided such that the insertion member passes through an insertion member insertion opening (25a) formed in a slit shape or a hole shape in the insertion member driving portion. The insertion member protrudes to the outside of the insertion member driving portion and is arranged on the base end side opposite to the distal end portion inserted between the pair of elements of the clamp portion via the axis of the insertion member driving portion. It is configured to be supported by an insertion member support portion (23) provided on a base wall portion (24) which is a wall portion located on the side opposite to the insertion opening portion, and the insertion member drive portion is provided from both sides thereof. By changing the distance between the insertion member insertion opening and the insertion member support portion to be increased by the applied side pressure (P), the insertion member support portion changes the distance between the insertion member support portion and the insertion member. The insertion member is provided between the pair of elements when the pulling force is applied. The optical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that there is a possible drained off.   The stop ring is fitted into the rear end portion of the plug frame and accommodated inside, and the stop ring projects rearward from the rear end of the fitting housing portion. A boot mounting tube portion (13b) provided in a protruding state on the rear side, and a cylindrical boot (60) in which the insertion optical fiber is inserted is directly or directly on the boot mounting tube portion. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector is attached to a rear end portion of the housing by being externally fitted to a ring fixed to the outside of the boot mounting cylinder portion. The insertion optical fiber is an optical fiber core or an optical fiber strand housed in a protection tube (2b) that is an outer sheath of the optical fiber cord (2), and the optical fiber cord is inserted into the protection tube. And a tensile fiber (2a) vertically attached to the inserted optical fiber,
A thread (13e) is formed on the outer periphery of the boot mounting tube portion of the stop ring, and the boot fiber is disposed in the outer periphery of the boot mounting tube portion with the tensile strength fiber pierced to the optical fiber cord end. A fixing ring (71) that can be screwed to the mounting cylinder part is screwed into the boot mounting cylinder part so that the tensile strength fiber can be fixed between the boot mounting cylinder part and the fixing ring. The optical connector according to claim 7.   The spring (40) for elastically urging the ferrule with a clamp portion toward the front side opposite to the rear end side of the housing into which the insertion optical fiber is introduced is housed in the housing. The optical connector in any one of 1-8.

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