JP2013156309A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the entire length of an optical connector to be attached to a terminal of an optical fiber.SOLUTION: An optical connector 3 includes: a ferrule 31 to which a terminal part of an optical fiber is connected; a cap 32 which covers a part or all of the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31; a spring 33 which is loosely inserted into the outer peripheral surface of the cap 32; and a cover 34 which is provided on the outer periphery of the spring 33 in a movable state in a ferrule axis direction to the cap 32, and has a contact part which is brought into contact with one end of the spring 33 as a part of an inner wall. The cap 32 has a cap side contact part with which the other end of the spring is brought into contact with the outer periphery, and has a level difference part 32b which is brought into contact with the end surface 31a on the a non-terminal side of the ferrule 31 as a part of the inner wall. The optical connector 3 pressurizes the ferrule 31 to the connection partner side by elastic force of the spring 33 in a state that a position of a connection partner to the cover is fixed by connection with the connection partner.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector, and more particularly, to a small-sized optical connector for attaching to an end of an optical fiber.

In general, an optical connector employs the following structure in order to obtain stable optical characteristics. The structure is a structure in which a flat part is formed by abutting an optical fiber with a spherical tip on the optical fiber to be connected (optical fiber inserted through a ferrule) and concentrating stress on the abutted tip, that is, fiber coupling It is a structure in which a flat portion due to Hertz stress is formed at the interface.
This structure is expected to continue to be used for the foreseeable future because its reliability and functions are guaranteed, mass production processes are established with the spread, and the cost is stable.

  However, the structure described above requires a force for generating Hertz stress at the tip of the optical fiber, and therefore, a structure having a ferrule and a long spring provided at the rear end is widely adopted (for example, (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector that includes a ferrule and a spring, and mechanically connects the optical fibers by abutting the optical fiber with a counterpart optical fiber via the ferrule. Patent Document 2 discloses an optical connector that includes a ferrule and a spring and mechanically connects an optical fiber to an optical module through the ferrule.

  The optical connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the optical connector 60 is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 4 serving as an optical transmission path, and a cover 65 that covers the insertion portion of the optical fiber 4 is attached to the housing 62. The optical connector 60 is arranged on a ferrule 61 inserted so that an optical fiber element (glass fiber) 64 of the optical fiber 4 is embedded in a housing 62 and a rear end portion (on the optical fiber 4 side) of the ferrule 61. And a provided spring 63. The ferrule 61 is movable and elastically held in the axial direction by a spring 63.

  8 is attached to a package main body (not shown) on which a light emitting element such as an optical module, a light receiving element or the like is mounted. The sleeve portion 70 includes a coupling member 71 that houses and holds a condenser lens and an isolator, for example, and a sleeve member 72 for inserting the ferrule 61 of the optical connector 60. A sleeve 73 into which the ferrule 61 is inserted and a fiber stub 74 in which an optical fiber element (glass fiber) 75 is embedded are inserted into the sleeve member 72. As the sleeve 73, a split sleeve or a precision sleeve is used.

  In the optical connector 60, when the ferrule 61 is inserted into such a sleeve member 72, the optical fiber element 64 in the ferrule 61 abuts against the end face of the fiber stub 74 by the elastic force of the spring 63. The physical contact (PC) that physically contacts 75 is established.

  In this manner, the outer end of the optical fiber element 75 (the end surface opposite to the side where the coupling member 71 is present) is in a state where the ferrule 61 of the optical connector 60 is inserted, and the optical fiber element 64 in the ferrule 61 is inserted. Optically connected to the end face. When the optical module is an optical receiving module, the signal light from the optical fiber 4 enters the inner end (end surface on the coupling member 71 side) of the optical fiber element 75 via the optical fiber element 64. On the other hand, when the optical module is an optical transmission module, the signal light from the package body is collected and incident on the inner end of the optical fiber element 75.

  In addition, in the conventional optical connectors including the optical connectors described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in order to align with the ferrule or stub on the other side, the ferrule requires a certain length or more. It is necessary to arrange a sleeve component (for example, the above-described sleeve 73) serving as a guide around the periphery. Further, a housing (housing) for protecting the optical coupling portion from the influence of the external force that can be generated is required outside the sleeve component. The reason why the spring is provided at the rear end of the ferrule as described above is because of such mechanical limitations.

  Also, the reason why the spring needs a certain length is that in order to obtain stable optical characteristics, the internal ferrule is urged in the direction along the axis by the elastic force of the spring, and the other side is urged. This is because it is necessary to contact the ferrule or stub with a certain load or more.

US Pat. No. 5,481,634 JP 2010-217706 A

  As described above, in the conventional optical connector, it is necessary to provide a spring having a predetermined length at the rear end of the ferrule in order to obtain stable optical characteristics. Therefore, the conventional optical connector becomes long in the central axis direction of the optical fiber. The restriction that the total length of the conventional optical connector is long is less affected as long as it is used in the field or the like, but the optical communication module or optical communication device in which the mounting components are densely packed and the mounting volume and shape are limited. The structure used for inter-device connection is extremely strict.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above actual conditions, The objective is to comprise short length in the optical connector for attaching to the terminal of an optical fiber.

  An optical connector according to the present invention is an optical connector for attaching to an end of an optical fiber, a ferrule connected to the end portion of the optical fiber, a cap covering a part or all of the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule, and an outer peripheral surface of the cap And a cover provided on the outer periphery of the spring so as to be movable in the axial direction of the ferrule with respect to the cap, and having a contact portion for making contact with one end of the spring as a part of the inner wall It is characterized by providing.

Here, the cap has a cap-side abutting portion for abutting the other end of the spring on the outer periphery, and as a part of the inner wall, a step for abutting the end surface on the non-terminal side of the ferrule Part.
Furthermore, the optical connector of the present invention is characterized in that the ferrule is pressed to the connection partner side by the elastic force of the spring in a state where the position of the connection partner with respect to the cover is fixed by connection with the connection partner.

  Moreover, it is preferable that said cap has another level | step-difference part for forming the storage space which accommodates the sleeve for aligning said ferrule as a part of inner wall with the outer peripheral surface of a ferrule.

The connection partner may be an optical receptacle including a sleeve for aligning the ferrules, a holder for holding the sleeve, and an attachment member for attaching the holder and the cover. .
Alternatively, the connection partner may be another optical connector provided with a ferrule, a cap, a spring, and a cover, in the same manner as the optical connector described above, in which case the connection between the optical connector and the other optical connector is If one sleeve is used, one ferrule is inserted from one end of the sleeve, the other ferrule is inserted from the other end of the sleeve, the two are aligned, and the covers are engaged with each other. Good.

  The optical connector according to the present invention uses a cap that covers the periphery of the ferrule and is configured to loosely insert a spring around the outer periphery of the cap, so that the overall length can be shortened.

It is a figure for demonstrating one structural example of the optical connector which concerns on this invention, and is a perspective view which shows one structural example of the fiber connection mechanism which connected the optical connector to the optical component. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the optical connector of FIG. 1 was decomposed | disassembled. It is sectional drawing of the optical connector of FIG. It is a perspective view of the optical connector of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the latch member of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of fiber connection mechanism of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the fiber connection mechanism of FIG. 1 from another direction. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the structure of the conventional optical connector.

  The optical connector according to the present invention is a connector to be attached to the end (that is, the tip) of an optical fiber, and is mainly built in a device such as an optical communication module or an optical communication device, and between the devices built in this device. Used to connect. In addition, the optical connector for such an application does not require as many attachments and detachments, and the risk of external force being applied during actual use is extremely low. Therefore, the protective cover may be simple, and the sleeve for aligning the ferrules may be the minimum necessary size. Hereinafter, the optical connector of the present invention will be described with reference to such a configuration example.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a fiber connection mechanism in which an optical connector is connected to an optical component. FIG. 1 (A) is an exploded view of this mechanism, and FIG. 1 (B) is a completed view showing how the components shown in FIG. 1 (A) are assembled.

As shown in an exploded view of FIG. 1A, the fiber connection mechanism exemplified here is an optical fiber that is obtained by terminating an optical component 1, an optical receptacle 2, and an optical fiber 4 that are optical communication devices. And an optical connector 3 to which 4 is connected.
The optical connector 3 mainly includes a ferrule 31, a cap 32, a spring 33, and a cover 34.

  The ferrule 31 is a cylindrical member for connecting the end portion (tip portion) of the optical fiber 4 as in the conventional ferrule. For this connection, the end portion of the optical fiber 4 may be inserted into a through hole provided in the central axis of the ferrule 31, and the optical fiber 4 protruding from the end face on the end side by insertion may be polished by PC polishing or the like. In such a state, the ferrule 31 is optically connected to the optical receptacle 2 side. The optical fiber element (glass fiber) contained in the optical fiber 4 is usually inserted into the ferrule 31 in the actual case, but the following description will be made assuming that the optical fiber 4 is simply inserted.

  Instead of such a configuration, an optical fiber element or a coated optical fiber is originally embedded in the ferrule 31, and the optical fiber 4 is fused and connected to one end thereof. The fiber can also be the tip portion of the optical fiber 4.

  The optical receptacle 2 is a connection partner of the optical connector 3, and mainly includes a holder 21, a sleeve 22, and an attachment member 23. The holder 21 is a holding member attached to the optical component 1, and the sleeve 22 is a split sleeve or a precision sleeve and is held by the holder 21. The attachment member 23 is a member for latching the cover 34 and the holder 21 of the optical connector 3, and will be hereinafter referred to as a latch member.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the optical receptacle 2 is provided with a stub (fiber stub) in which an optical fiber element is embedded inside the sleeve 22, and this stub is also held by the holder 21. One end of the optical fiber element of the stub is subjected to PC polishing or the like, and is connected to the ferrule 31 in a state where the optical connector 3 is connected to the optical receptacle 2 as shown in FIG. The sleeve 22 is used to align the ferrule 31 and the stub by inserting the ferrule 31 and the stub. Note that the configuration example of the optical receptacle 2 is not limited to this, and for example, a lens can be substituted without a stub.

Next, each component of the optical connector 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
2 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the optical connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the optical connector of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector of FIG. 3A viewed from the BB direction. 4A is a perspective view of the optical connector of FIG. 1 viewed from the connection partner side, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the optical connector of FIG. 1 viewed from the optical fiber side. Here, in FIG. 4B, a cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the ferrule axis and passing through the cover side engaging portion 34d is shown in FIG. 2 to 4, the optical fiber 4 is not shown.

The optical connector 3 illustrated in FIG. 1 is composed of the components shown in FIG. 2, and the ferrule 31 has the same configuration as the conventional one as described above.
The cap 32 is a member that covers the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31. Here, the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31 refers to the periphery of the cylinder constituting the ferrule 31 excluding the ferrule end surfaces 31a and 31b shown in FIG.

  The cap 32 may be configured to cover the entire outer peripheral surface, that is, to cover the entire outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31 in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the cap 32 covers only a part of the outer peripheral surface, that is, covers the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31 with a part of the ferrule end surface 31b side exposed in the longitudinal direction. It may be configured.

  Although the optical fiber 4 is not shown in FIG. 3, it is necessary to insert and fix the tip portion of the optical fiber 4 to the ferrule 31, so that the cap 32 is in a state where the ferrule 31 is connected to the optical fiber 4. The outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31 is covered. Therefore, the cap 32 is formed so as to fit the ferrule 31 to which the optical fiber 4 is connected.

  Here, attachment (terminal processing) of the optical fiber 4 and the ferrule 31 to the cap 32 is performed by first connecting the tip portion of the optical fiber 4 to the through hole for the optical fiber 4 formed on the inner wall of the cap 32 and the ferrule 31. The tip end surface of the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the ferrule 31 with the inner wall of the cap 32 being inserted through the fitting hole. Next, the ferrule 31 is chucked by the chucking mechanism, and the optical fiber 4 protruding from the ferrule end face 31b is polished by PC polishing or the like.

  Then, the ferrule 31 is returned to the fitting hole for the ferrule 31. The inner wall of the cap 32 is provided with a stepped portion (hereinafter referred to as a first stepped portion) 32b for contact with a ferrule end surface 31a that is an end surface of the ferrule 31 on the non-terminal side. The joint hole indicates a portion of the inner wall of the cap 32 that is closer to the terminal side than the first stepped portion 32b. The ferrule 31 is returned to a position where the ferrule end surface 31a is in contact with the first step portion 32b.

  When the ferrule 31 is returned to the fitting hole for the ferrule 31, the ferrule 31 may be fixed to the fitting hole by press-fitting or bonding. Moreover, the part located in the rear end from the ferrule 31 among the front-end | tip parts of the optical fiber 4 may be fixed to the through-hole for optical fibers 4 by adhesion | attachment, and does not need to be fixed.

The spring 33 is loosely inserted into the outer peripheral surface of the cap 32 so as to cover at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31 via the cap 32.
A cover 34 is provided on the outer periphery of the spring 33 so as to be movable with respect to the cap 32 in the axial direction of the ferrule 31 (that is, in the fiber axial direction).

  More specifically, the main body 34b of the cover 34 is provided with a hook portion 34c processed into a U-shape as shown in FIGS. 3 (B) and 4 (A). The hook portion 34 c is formed so as to engage with a long hole 32 d provided on the terminal side of the flange 32 a of the cap 32. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 3B, the tip end portion (and the long hole 32d) of the hook portion 34c has a function as a guide when the position of the cap 32 relative to the cover 34 moves. Therefore, the length of the tip portion of the hook portion 34c is preferably set longer than the stroke of the cap 32 (the distance from the shoulder opening of the cap 32 to the top plate portion 34a when the connection partner is not connected). .

  In this configuration example, the hook portion 34c and the long hole 32d are provided at two positions facing each other. However, in an actual application, this is not limited to this, but the hook portion 34c and the long hole 32d should be installed in a mechanically balanced arrangement. Is preferred. Further, the engaging portion between the cover 34 and the cap 32 is not limited to the configuration of the hook portion and the long hole, but may be any configuration as long as the cover 34 and the cap 32 are engaged.

The cover 34 has an abutting portion for abutting against one end of the spring 33 as a part of its inner wall. In this configuration example, the top plate portion 34a of the cover 34 is cited as the contact portion.
The other end of the spring 33 is in contact with a flange 32 a provided on the cap 32. In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the flange 32a is provided with a wall on the outer peripheral portion so that the spring 33 is held in contact with the flange 32a at the position Pb. The flange 32 a is an example of a cap-side contact portion provided on the outer periphery of the cap 32 for contacting the other end of the spring 33. As an example of the cap-side contact portion, a description will be given by taking a uniform flange 32a over the circumferential direction, but it is only necessary that the other end of the spring 33 can be contacted. For example, protrusions provided at several locations in the circumferential direction are employed. May be. It is desirable that the contact portion on the cover 34 side and the cap-side contact portion have a contact surface in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the ferrule 31 and contact the spring 33 at the contact surface.

  As described above, when the spring 33 is loosely inserted into the outer peripheral surface of the cap 32, the spring 33 is provided at a position that covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31. Therefore, the flange 32a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cap 32 at a position closer to the terminal side (tip side) than at least the first stepped portion 32b.

  As described above, one end of the spring 33 is in contact with the top plate portion 34a and the other end is in contact with the flange 32a. Therefore, by configuring the distance from the top plate portion 34a to the flange 32a to be shorter than the natural length of the spring 33, the elastic force of the spring 33 always acts on the optical connector 3 in the assembled state. Instead, the distance from the top plate portion 34 a to the flange 32 a may be configured to be the same as the natural length of the spring 33.

  In any configuration, when the cap 32 is displaced in the ferrule axial direction and in the non-terminal direction with respect to the cover 34, a repulsive force is exerted on the cap 32 to return to the original position by the spring 33, and the first A pressing force that presses the ferrule 31 to the connection partner side works through the stepped portion 32b.

In order to apply such a pressing force, when the optical connector 3 is connected to the connection partner, the connection partner is pressed against the cover side engaging portion 34d in a state where the stub or ferrule of the connection partner is pressed against the ferrule end surface 31b. What is necessary is just to engage and fix.
The cover side engaging portion 34d is an engaging portion provided on the outer wall side of the cover 34 for engaging with a connection partner, and is formed of, for example, a protrusion as illustrated in FIG. 3B or FIG. . The cover side engaging portion 34d can be formed by, for example, a drawing process of a sheet metal press. The configuration for engaging the cover 34 with the connection partner will be described later.

  In this way, the optical connector 3 has the first step portion 32b by the elastic force of the spring 33 (the urging force by the elasticity of the spring 33) in a state where the position of the connection partner with respect to the cover 34 is fixed by the connection with the connection partner. The ferrule 31 is pressed to the connection partner side via In this state, as described above, one end of the spring 33 contacts the top plate portion 34a, the other end of the spring 33 contacts the flange 32a (the contact position is shown as Pb), and the first step 32b. The ferrule end face 31a is in contact with the contact.

  Further, the cap 32 is provided with another stepped portion (hereinafter referred to as a second stepped portion) 32c as a part of the inner wall at a position closer to the connection partner side (terminal side) than the first stepped portion 32b. Is preferred. The second step portion 32 c is a step portion for forming a storage space for storing a sleeve for aligning the ferrule 31 with the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31.

  Due to the inner wall of the sleeve, the ferrule 31 is aligned with the stub or ferrule of the connection partner. The optical connector 3 and the optical receptacle 2 are connected in a state where the sleeve is inserted up to a position (for example, position Pa) where the tip of the sleeve does not contact the second stepped portion 32c in the storage space. Thereby, the elastic force of the spring 33 becomes effective. An example of installing the sleeve will be described later.

The optical connector 3 according to the present invention having the configuration as described above has the following effects.
In the conventional optical connector, the entire spring is arranged on the non-terminal side (rear side) of the ferrule, and the position Pb of one end of the spring 33 is on the non-terminal side with respect to the first step portion 32b as described with reference to the components of FIG. Therefore, an extra length corresponding to the spring 33 is required.
On the other hand, the optical connector 3 of the present invention is configured so that the spring 33 is loosely inserted on the outer periphery of the cap 32 using the cap 32 that covers the periphery of the ferrule 31, and the position Pb of one end of the spring 33 is Since it exists in the front end side rather than the 1st level | step-difference part 32b, the full length of the optical connector 3 can be shortened, ie, the optical connector 3 can be reduced in size. Further, the spring 33 is configured so that the contact portion on the cover 34 side and the cap-side contact portion are in contact with each other on a surface orthogonal to the axis of the ferrule 31, so that the spring 33 moves the ferrule 31 in the direction along the axis. Can be energized.

In addition, by forming such a storage space by the second stepped portion 32c, the ferrule 31 is inserted into the sleeve so that the second stepped portion 32c is not provided and the ferrule 31 protrudes from the cap 32. When the connector 3 and the optical receptacle 2 are connected, the connection state becomes strong, and the external force from directions other than the ferrule axial direction becomes strong.
In the case where the entire outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 31 is covered, the position Pc of the ferrule end surface 31b is different from that shown in FIG. The second step portion 32c is essential for connection with the connection partner.

  In this configuration example, since the position Pb of one end of the spring 33 is on the tip side of the second stepped portion 32c, the total length in a state where the optical connector 3 and the optical receptacle 2 are connected has the same strength. Compared to the conventional connection state, it can be shortened. Further, in the present configuration example, the position Pb is on the tip side with respect to the position Pa, so that the overall length can be further shortened.

Next, the engagement between the optical connector 3 and the optical receptacle 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the latch member of FIG. 1. Here, FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the latch member, and is a perspective view seen from an angle different from FIG. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the latch member is attached to the holder.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the fiber connection mechanism of FIG. 1B and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical connector is connected to the optical component. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fiber connection mechanism of FIG. 1 viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. In FIG. 6, the optical fiber 4 is not shown.

The optical receptacle 2 of this configuration example includes the latch member 23 for engaging with the cover 34 of the optical connector 3 as described above. The latch member 23 is engaged with the holder 21 before the engagement with the cover 34. Combined.
First, an example of the engaging portion between the latch member 23 and the holder 21 in this configuration example will be described. However, the configuration is not limited to the example described here, and any configuration in which the latch member 23 and the holder 21 are engaged may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (B), a stub 24 is press-fitted into the holder 21, and the holder 21 and the optical component 1 are welded by means such as YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) at the welded portion 21a. The stub 24 is exposed from the holder 21 by a distance sufficient to fit the sleeve (sleeve 22 in FIG. 6) by providing the holder 21 with a storage space 21 b for the sleeve 22.

  The latch member 23 is provided with an opening 23 e in the bottom surface portion 23 d of the latch member 23 in order to facilitate engagement with the holder 21. The width of the opening 23e formed by the bottom 23d is configured to be smaller than the outer diameter of the holder 21. For example, the latch member 23 is formed by sheet metal processing and is elastically deformed so that the opening 23e opens to the outer diameter of the holder 21, that is, has a function of a spring. Can be expected.

  The opening 23e includes an opening in the circumferential direction of the cylinder of the latch member main body 23a in addition to the opening at the bottom surface 23d. This opening is for inserting the holder 21 from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the stub 24. By such insertion, a fitting state as shown in FIG. 5B is obtained.

The holder 21 is provided with a latch contact surface 21c that is in contact with the engagement surface of the latch member 23 (inside the portion functioning as a spring of the bottom surface portion 23d) and serves as a mechanical reference. In addition, the holder 21 is provided with a chamfered portion for assisting engagement with the latch member 23. As the chamfered portion, a tapered portion 21d for facilitating assembly work when engaged with the latch member 23, and a chamfered portion 21e where the leaf spring 23f of the latch member 23 contacts when engaged are provided. ing.
Here, the leaf springs 23f are provided at two locations as shown in FIG. The leaf spring 23f is pressed against the holder 21 when the holder 21 and the latch member 23 are fitted.

  As described above, the opening 23e of the latch member 23 is smaller than the outer diameter of the holder 21, and the latch member 23 is elastically deformed when the holder 21 is inserted, so that the latch member 23 and the holder 21 are engaged. Made.

After engaging the latch member 23 and the holder 21 in this way, the sleeve 22 is inserted into the storage space 21b of the holder 21 in the cylindrical axis direction (that is, the fiber axis direction) of the latch member 23, and then the optical connector. By engaging 3 and the latch member 23, the fiber connection mechanism is completed.
The sleeve 22 is used to align the stub 24 and the ferrule 31 so that the ferrule 31 and the stub 24 of the optical connector 3 are in contact with each other when the latch member 23 and the holder 21 are engaged. .

  The cap 32 is formed with a storage space larger than the sleeve 22 by the second step portion 32 c, and the sleeve 22, the stub 24, and the ferrule 31 are aligned by the engagement between the optical connector 3 and the latch member 23. Does not interfere. Further, the positional relationship between the leaf spring 23f and the engagement hole 23b described later is formed so that a gap is formed between the holder 21 and the optical connector 3, thereby preventing the influence of the interference between the two on the fitting. be able to.

  Further, since the stub 24 is exposed from the holder 21 by a sufficient distance for the sleeve 22 to be fitted, the ferrule 31 on the optical connector 3 side and the stub 24 can be aligned with necessary and sufficient mechanical performance. It has become.

The engagement between the latch member 23 and the optical connector 3 will be specifically described.
As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the latch member 23 is provided with an engagement hole 23b for engaging with the cover side engagement portion 34d shown in FIG. 4 (B). In this configuration example, the cover side engaging portion 34d and the engaging hole 23b are formed so as to be fitted to each other, and are provided so as to be positioned at approximately the central portion of the entire length of the optical connector 3 when fitted to each other. ing. In this configuration example, the cover-side engagement portion 34d and the engagement hole 23b are triangular in shape, but the cover-side engagement portion 34d and the engagement hole 23b on the other side may be formed in other shapes. Any shape that engages can be used. Alternatively, the cover-side engagement portion 34d may be used as an engagement hole, and a protrusion may be formed on the latch member 23.

  In this configuration example, the latch member 23 is formed of a cylinder having an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the main body of the optical connector 3. On the other hand, the circumscribed circle around the ferrule shaft center by the cover side engaging portion 34d is larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder of the latch member 23. Therefore, when both are engaged, the latch member 23 and / or the cover side engaging portion 34d needs to be elastically deformed. As an example, in the present configuration example, a thin portion 23c is provided on the cylindrical end side in the vicinity of the engagement hole 23b in the latch member main body 23a so as to be easily deformed at the time of engagement so that the engagement can be easily performed.

  The cover side engaging portion 34d and the engaging hole 23b are engaged with each other, and the end surface of the ferrule 31 and the end surface of the stub 24 are opposite to the opening portion 23e of the latch member 23 so as to be matched with each other inside the sleeve 22. By inserting the optical connector 3 from the opening on the side, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical receptacle 2 including the holder 21 and the stub 24 and the sleeve 22 held by the holder 21 and the optical connector 3 are engaged. . As a result of such engagement, the appearance of the fiber connection mechanism is as shown in FIG.

  The optical connector of the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which an optical receptacle is employed as a connection partner. The connection partner includes a ferrule 31, a cap 32, a spring 33, and a cover 34, as in the optical connector 3 described above. Other optical connectors may be used. In that case, the connection between the optical connector and the other optical connector uses one sleeve, one ferrule 31 is inserted from one end of the sleeve, the other ferrule 31 is inserted from the other end of the sleeve, and both are aligned. It suffices to make a match by engaging the covers 34 with each other. For the engagement between the covers 34, a mechanism for directly engaging the covers 34 may be provided, or a latch member 23 may be used separately.

  Alternatively, the connection partner may be an optical adapter. This optical adapter may be provided with a sleeve for inserting the ferrule 31 from one end and inserting a ferrule included in another optical connector from the other end and abutting the two in an aligned state. With this optical connector, the optical connector can be connected to another optical connector via the sleeve. Of course, this optical adapter is provided with an engaging portion for engaging with both optical connectors. For example, the latch member 23 described above can be used for this engagement.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the optical fiber is a single-core optical fiber. However, the optical connector according to the present invention mainly employs a multi-core compatible ferrule, and accordingly, a cap, a spring, a cover, etc. By changing the shape of each of the components, it can be configured to be attached to the end of an optical fiber cable containing a plurality of single optical fibers, or one or a plurality of optical fiber ribbons can be included. It can also be configured to be attached to the end of an optical fiber cable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical component, 2 ... Optical receptacle, 3 ... Optical connector, 4 ... Optical fiber, 21 ... Holder, 21a ... Welding part, 21b ... Storage space, 21c ... Latch contact surface, 21d ... Tapered part, 21e ... Chamfering part, 22 ... Sleeve, 23 ... Mounting member (latch member), 23a ... Latch member body, 23b ... Engagement hole, 23c ... Thin wall part, 23d ... Bottom part, 23e ... Opening part, 23f ... Leaf spring, 24 ... Stub, 31 ... ferrule, 31a, 31b ... ferrule end face, 32 ... cap, 32a ... flange, 32b ... first step portion, 32c ... second step portion, 32d ... long hole, 33 ... spring, 34 ... cover, 34a ... top plate portion , 34b ... cover body, 34c ... hook part, 34d ... cover side engaging part.

Claims (4)

An optical connector for attaching to an end of an optical fiber,
A ferrule connecting the end portions of the optical fiber, a cap covering a part or all of the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule, a spring loosely inserted in the outer peripheral surface of the cap, and an axial direction of the ferrule with respect to the cap A cover provided on the outer periphery of the spring in a movable state, and having a contact portion for contacting the one end of the spring as a part of the inner wall,
The cap has a cap-side abutting portion for abutting the other end of the spring on the outer periphery, and a stepped portion for abutting the non-terminal side end surface of the ferrule as a part of the inner wall. Have
The optical connector is configured to press the ferrule toward the connection partner side by the elastic force of the spring in a state where the position of the connection partner with respect to the cover is fixed by connection with the connection partner. connector.   The said cap has another level | step-difference part for forming the storage space which accommodates the sleeve for aligning the said ferrule with the outer peripheral surface of the said ferrule as a part of inner wall. The optical connector described.   The connection partner is an optical receptacle including a sleeve for aligning the ferrules, a holder for holding the sleeve, and an attachment member for latching the holder and the cover. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2. The connection partner is another optical connector including the ferrule, the cap, the spring, and the cover, like the optical connector,
For connection between the optical connector and the other optical connector, one sleeve is used, one of the ferrules is inserted from one end of the sleeve, and the other ferrule is inserted from the other end of the sleeve. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector is abutted in an aligned state and engaged with the covers.

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