JP2013250368A

JP2013250368A - Optical connector

Info

Publication number: JP2013250368A
Application number: JP2012123953A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kosuke Sone; 康介曽根
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd; AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd; Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd; AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd; Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2013-12-12

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for optical connectors that enables a shutter to be shifted, without having to increase the number of components, from an open position to a closed position when two housings are separated from each other.SOLUTION: An optical connector 10 comprises: a first housing 20 accommodating therein a first ferrule 25 fitted to a terminal of an optical fiber W; a second housing 40 having a hood part 41 allowing the first housing 20 to be fitted inside; and a shutter 50 that is disposed in the first housing 20 and, when the two housings 20 and 40 are separated from each other, is shifted by being pressed by a pressing part 43 to slide along a side wall of the first housing 20 to the closed position of advancing to the front of the first ferrule 25.

Description

本発明は、シャッタを備えた光コネクタに関する。 The present invention relates to an optical connector provided with a shutter.

従来、光ファイバの端末に装着されたフェルールがハウジング内に収容され、光ファイバから出射される出射光を遮ると共に、フェルールが収容された部分に塵埃が浸入することを抑制するシャッタを備えた光コネクタとして、特許文献１記載のものが知られている。シャッタは平板状をなし、ハウジング内における光ファイバが収容された収容部の開口部に回動可能に組み付けられている。このシャッタは、出射光の光路に進入して光路と略直交した状態となることで収容部の開口部を閉止する閉止位置と、出射光の光路から退避して光路と平行した状態となることで開口部を開放する開放位置との間を回動可能とされている。そして、シャッタは、ハウジングと相手側ハウジングとが嵌合する際に、相手側ハウジングによってシャッタの端部が嵌合方向の後方に押圧されることで嵌合方向に開放されて開放位置まで回動し、収容部を開放して出射光を相手側ハウジング側に通過させる。また、シャッタは、相手側ハウジングとハウジングとが離脱する際に、相手側ハウジングによる押圧状態が解除されて、シャッタに組み付けられたばね部材によって付勢されることで閉止位置に回動し、収容部を閉止して防塵すると共に、出射光を遮る。 Conventionally, a ferrule attached to an end of an optical fiber is accommodated in a housing, blocks light emitted from the optical fiber, and includes a shutter that suppresses dust from entering a portion where the ferrule is accommodated. A connector described in Patent Document 1 is known as a connector. The shutter has a flat plate shape and is rotatably assembled to the opening of the housing portion in which the optical fiber is housed in the housing. The shutter enters the optical path of the outgoing light and is in a state substantially orthogonal to the optical path, thereby closing the opening of the housing portion and retracting from the optical path of the outgoing light to be in a state parallel to the optical path. And can be rotated between an open position where the opening is opened. Then, when the housing and the mating housing are fitted, the shutter is opened in the fitting direction by the end of the shutter being pressed rearward by the mating housing and rotated to the open position. Then, the housing portion is opened and the emitted light is allowed to pass to the counterpart housing side. Further, when the mating housing and the housing are separated from each other, the shutter is released from the pressed state by the mating housing and is urged by a spring member assembled to the shutter, so that the shutter rotates to the closed position, and the housing portion Is closed to prevent dust and to block the emitted light.

特開２００４−２４０１６２号公報JP 2004-240162 A

ところで、上記のような閉止位置と開放位置との間を回動するシャッタによると、シャッタが嵌合方向の前方に大きく開放されることから、ハウジング内においてシャッタを嵌合方向の前方に開放された状態で収容するスペースが必要となり、ハウジングが嵌合方向に大きくなってしまう。 By the way, according to the shutter rotating between the closed position and the open position as described above, the shutter is largely opened forward in the fitting direction, so that the shutter is opened forward in the fitting direction in the housing. This requires a space to be accommodated, and the housing becomes larger in the fitting direction.

このため、ハウジングの側壁に沿うように嵌合方向にスライドするシャッタを設け、両ハウジングが嵌合する際に、シャッタが相手側ハウジングによって押圧されてシャッタを閉止位置から開放位置までスライドさせることで、シャッタが嵌合方向の前方に大きく開放されることを抑制することが検討されている。 For this reason, a shutter that slides in the fitting direction along the side wall of the housing is provided, and when the two housings are fitted, the shutter is pressed by the counterpart housing to slide the shutter from the closed position to the open position. It has been studied to suppress the shutter from being largely opened forward in the fitting direction.

しかしながら、上記の構成によると、シャッタを閉止位置から開放位置までスライドさせることはできるものの、ハウジングと相手側ハウジングとを離脱させる際に、シャッタを開放位置から閉止位置まで移動させる手段がない。また、従来のコネクタのように、シャッタを開放位置から閉止位置へ付勢するばね部材を別途装着すると、部品点数が増加し、組立工数が増加することで光コネクタの生産コストが高くなってしてしまう。 However, according to the above configuration, although the shutter can be slid from the closed position to the open position, there is no means for moving the shutter from the open position to the closed position when separating the housing and the counterpart housing. Also, if a spring member that urges the shutter from the open position to the closed position is mounted separately as in the conventional connector, the number of parts increases and the number of assembly steps increases, which increases the production cost of the optical connector. End up.

本発明は上記のような事情に基づいて完成されたものであって、光コネクタについて、部品点数を増加させることなく、両ハウジングが離脱する際にシャッタを開放位置から閉止位置へ移動させる技術を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and a technique for moving the shutter from the open position to the closed position when both the housings are detached without increasing the number of parts of the optical connector. The purpose is to provide.

上記の目的を達成するための手段として本発明の光コネクタは、光接続部材を内部に収容した第一ハウジングと、前記第一ハウジングに嵌合可能な第二ハウジングと、前記第一ハウジングと前記第二ハウジングとが離脱する際に、前記第二ハウジングに押圧されて前記第一ハウジングの側壁に沿うように前記第一ハウジングの嵌合方向の前方にスライドすることで前記光接続部材における前記嵌合方向の前方を開放する開放位置から前記光接続部材における前記嵌合方向の前方を遮る閉止位置に移動するシャッタと、を備えているところに特徴を有する。
このような構成の光コネクタによると、シャッタが第一ハウジングの側壁に沿うように嵌合方向にスライドして開放位置から閉止位置へ移動させることができるので、第一ハウジングが嵌合方向に大きくなることを防止することができる。これにより、光コネクタを小型化することはもちろん、両ハウジングが離脱する一連の過程においてシャッタを開閉させることができる。 As means for achieving the above object, an optical connector according to the present invention includes a first housing in which an optical connecting member is accommodated, a second housing that can be fitted into the first housing, the first housing, and the When the second housing is detached, the fitting in the optical connecting member is slid forward in the fitting direction of the first housing along the side wall of the first housing by being pressed by the second housing. And a shutter that moves from an open position that opens the front in the mating direction to a close position that blocks the front in the fitting direction of the optical connecting member.
According to the optical connector having such a configuration, the shutter can slide in the fitting direction along the side wall of the first housing and can be moved from the open position to the closed position. Can be prevented. As a result, the shutter can be opened and closed in a series of processes in which both housings are detached as well as downsizing the optical connector.

本発明の実施の態様として、以下の構成が好ましい。
前記シャッタは、前記第一ハウジングと前記第二ハウジングとが嵌合する際に、前記第二ハウジングに押圧されて前記第一ハウジングの側壁に沿うように前記嵌合方向の後方にスライドすることで前記開放位置に移動する構成が好ましい。
このような構成によると、シャッタを第二ハウジングによって押圧することで、両ハウジングが嵌合する際にシャッタを閉止位置から開放位置へ移動させ、両ハウジングが離脱する際にシャッタを開放位置から閉止位置へ移動させることができる。これにより、両ハウジングが嵌合もしくは離脱する一連の過程においてシャッタを開閉させることができる。 The following configuration is preferable as an embodiment of the present invention.
When the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the shutter is pressed by the second housing and slides rearward in the fitting direction along the side wall of the first housing. The structure which moves to the said open position is preferable.
According to such a configuration, by pressing the shutter with the second housing, the shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position when both housings are fitted, and the shutter is closed from the open position when both housings are detached. It can be moved to a position. Thereby, the shutter can be opened and closed in a series of processes in which both housings are fitted or detached.

前記第二ハウジングに設けられた押圧部と、前記シャッタに設けられ、前記押圧部に押圧される被押圧部とを備えており、前記第一ハウジングと前記第二ハウジングとが嵌合する際に、前記被押圧部が前記押圧部によって前記嵌合方向の前方から押圧されて前記シャッタが開放位置に至った後、前記押圧部および前記被押圧部の少なくとも何れか一方が弾性変形することで前記第二ハウジングによる押圧状態から解除され、前記第一ハウジングと前記第二ハウジングとが離脱する際に、前記被押圧部が前記押圧部によって前記嵌合方向の後方から押圧されて前記シャッタが閉止位置に至った後、前記押圧部および前記被押圧部の少なくとも何れか一方が弾性変形することで弾性変形することで前記第二ハウジングによる押圧状態から解除される構成としてもよい。
このような構成によると、閉止位置から開放位置へシャッタを移動させる押圧部および被押圧部を、開放位置から閉止位置へシャッタを移動させる押圧部および被押圧部として兼用することができる。これにより、シャッタを開放位置へ移動させるものと、シャッタを閉止位置へ移動させるものとを個別に設ける場合に比べて、シャッタの構造を簡素化することができ、シャッタの生産コストを低減させることができる。 A pressing portion provided in the second housing; and a pressed portion provided in the shutter and pressed by the pressing portion; and when the first housing and the second housing are fitted together Then, after the pressed portion is pressed from the front in the fitting direction by the pressing portion and the shutter reaches the open position, at least one of the pressing portion and the pressed portion is elastically deformed. When the first housing and the second housing are released from the pressed state by the second housing, the pressed portion is pressed from the rear in the fitting direction by the pressing portion, and the shutter is closed. Then, at least one of the pressing portion and the pressed portion is elastically deformed to be elastically deformed, thereby releasing the pressed state by the second housing. It may be configured.
According to such a configuration, the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter from the closed position to the open position can be used as the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter from the open position to the closed position. Thereby, the structure of the shutter can be simplified and the production cost of the shutter can be reduced as compared with the case where the shutter is moved to the open position and the shutter is moved individually to the closed position. Can do.

前記被押圧部は、前記嵌合方向に対して傾斜して形成され、前記押圧部に前記嵌合方向の前方から押圧される前側被押圧片と、前記嵌合方向に対して傾斜して形成され、前記押圧部に前記嵌合方向の後方から押圧される後側被押圧片とを備えている構成としてもよい。
このような構成によると、前側被押圧片および後側被押圧片が嵌合方向に対して傾斜していることから第二ハウジングが被押圧部を嵌合方向の前方もしくは後方に押圧して被押圧部を弾性変形させる際に押圧部が摩耗することを抑制することができる。また、前側被押圧片および後側被押圧片の双方とも嵌合方向に対して傾斜して形成されているので、丸みを帯びた形状に形成されるものに比べて、押圧部による押圧力を確実に受けることができる。 The pressed portion is formed to be inclined with respect to the fitting direction, and is formed to be inclined with respect to the fitting direction, and a front-side pressed piece pressed against the pressing portion from the front in the fitting direction. It is good also as a structure provided with the back side pressed piece pressed by the said press part from the back of the said fitting direction.
According to such a configuration, since the front pressed piece and the rear pressed piece are inclined with respect to the fitting direction, the second housing presses the pressed part forward or backward in the fitting direction to be covered. When the pressing portion is elastically deformed, the pressing portion can be prevented from being worn. In addition, since both the front pressed piece and the rear pressed piece are formed to be inclined with respect to the fitting direction, the pressing force applied by the pressing portion is higher than that formed in a rounded shape. I can receive it reliably.

前記被押圧部は、前記前側被押圧片と前記後側押圧片との間に弾性変形可能に設けられたヒンジ部を備えている構成としてもよい。
このような構成によると、前側被押圧片と後側押圧片との間においてヒンジ部を起点に弾性変形させることで、被押圧部を弾性変形させ易くすることができる。これにより、ヒンジ部が設けられていない被押圧部を無理に弾性変形させる場合に比べて、押圧部もしくは被押圧部が磨耗することをさらに抑制することができる。 The said pressed part is good also as a structure provided with the hinge part provided so that elastic deformation was possible between the said front side pressed piece and the said back side pressed piece.
According to such a configuration, the pressed portion can be easily elastically deformed by elastically deforming the hinge portion as a starting point between the front pressed piece and the rear pressed piece. Thereby, compared with the case where the to-be-pressed part in which the hinge part is not provided is forcibly elastically deformed, it can further suppress that a press part or a to-be-pressed part wears.

前記シャッタは、前記第一ハウジングと前記第二ハウジングとが嵌合する際に、前記第一ハウジングに前記嵌合方向の前方から係止して前記シャッタを開放位置に位置決めし、前記第一ハウジングと前記第二ハウジングとが離脱する際に、前記第一ハウジングに前記嵌合方向の後方から係止して前記シャッタを閉止位置に位置決めする係合部を備えている構成としてもよい。
このような構成によると、両ハウジングが嵌合もしくは離脱する際に、係合部が第一ハウジングに係止することで、シャッタを閉止位置および開放位置に位置決めすることができる。これにより、シャッタが不正規な位置に配されて外部へ出射光が漏れたり、外部から塵埃がハウジング内部へ浸入したりすることを抑制することができる。 When the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the shutter is locked to the first housing from the front in the fitting direction to position the shutter in an open position, and the first housing When the first housing and the second housing are separated from each other, the first housing may be provided with an engaging portion that is engaged with the first housing from the rear in the fitting direction to position the shutter in the closed position.
According to such a configuration, when the two housings are fitted or detached, the shutter can be positioned at the closed position and the open position because the engaging portion is locked to the first housing. Thereby, it can suppress that a shutter is distribute | arranged to an irregular position and an emitted light leaks outside, or that dust permeates into the inside of a housing from the outside.

前記係合部は、前記被押圧部に形成されている構成としてもよい。
このような構成によると、シャッタにおいて最も押圧する力が作用する被押圧部に係合部を形成していることから、シャッタにおける被押圧部以外の部分を変形させることなく被押圧部を確実に弾性変形させることができる。これにより、シャッタにおける被押圧部以外の部分が変形してしまうことを抑制することができる。 The engaging portion may be formed on the pressed portion.
According to such a configuration, since the engaging portion is formed in the pressed portion where the most pressing force is applied in the shutter, the pressed portion can be surely deformed without deforming portions other than the pressed portion in the shutter. It can be elastically deformed. Thereby, it can suppress that parts other than the to-be-pressed part in a shutter deform | transform.

本発明によれば、部品点数を増加させることなく、光コネクタについて、部品点数を増加させることなく、両ハウジングが離脱する際にシャッタを開放位置から閉止位置へ移動させる技術を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for moving the shutter from the open position to the closed position when both the housings are detached without increasing the number of parts and without increasing the number of parts. .

第一ハウジングと第二ハウジングとが嵌合する前の状態を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the state before a 1st housing and a 2nd housing fit. 第一ハウジングのハウジング本体が第二ハウジングのフード部内に浅く嵌合された状態を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the state with which the housing main body of the 1st housing was shallowly fitted in the hood part of the 2nd housing 第一ハウジングと第二ハウジングとが嵌合する過程を示す断面図であって、シャッタの被押圧部がフード部の押圧部によって嵌合方向の後方に押圧された状態を示す断面図It is sectional drawing which shows the process in which a 1st housing and a 2nd housing fit, Comprising: Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the to-be-pressed part of the shutter was pressed back of the fitting direction by the press part of the hood part シャッタの被押圧部が弾性変形してフード部の押圧部に乗り上げた状態を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the state which the to-be-pressed part of the shutter elastically deformed, and got on the press part of a hood part 第一ハウジングと第二ハウジングとが正規嵌合した状態を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the state which the 1st housing and the 2nd housing fitted normally 第一ハウジングと第二ハウジングとが離脱する過程を示す断面図であって、シャッタの被押圧部とフード部の押圧部とが当接した状態を示す断面図It is sectional drawing which shows the process in which a 1st housing and a 2nd housing detach | leave, Comprising: Sectional drawing which shows the state which the to-be-pressed part of the shutter and the press part of the hood part contact | abutted 第一ハウジングと第二ハウジングとが離脱する過程を示す断面図であって、シャッタの被押圧部がフード部の押圧部によって嵌合方向の前方に押圧された状態を示す断面図It is sectional drawing which shows the process in which a 1st housing and a 2nd housing detach | leave, Comprising: Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the to-be-pressed part of the shutter was pressed ahead of the fitting direction by the press part of the hood part 第一ハウジングと第二ハウジングとが離脱する過程を示す断面図であって、シャッタの被押圧部が前方に弾性変形して押圧部に乗り上げた状態を示す断面図It is sectional drawing which shows the process in which a 1st housing and a 2nd housing detach | leave, Comprising: Sectional drawing which shows the state which the to-be-pressed part of the shutter elastically deformed ahead and got on the pressing part

＜実施形態１＞
本発明の実施形態１について図１乃至図８を参照して説明する。
本実施形態は、車両に搭載される光通信用の光コネクタ１０を例示しており、この光コネクタ１０は、互いに嵌合可能な第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０とを備えて構成されている。なお、以下の説明において、前後方向については両ハウジング２０，４０の嵌合方向を基準とし、各ハウジング２０，４０の嵌合面側を前方とする。 <Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The present embodiment illustrates an optical connector 10 for optical communication mounted on a vehicle. The optical connector 10 includes a first housing 20 and a second housing 40 that can be fitted to each other. Yes. In the following description, the front and rear direction is based on the fitting direction of both housings 20 and 40, and the fitting surface side of each housing 20 and 40 is the front.

（第一ハウジング２０）
第一ハウジング２０は、合成樹脂製であって、図１に示すように、前後方向に長い略直方体状をなすハウジング本体２１と、ハウジング本体２１の後端部に形成された一対の突出壁２２，２２とを備えて構成されている。
ハウジング本体２１の内部には、前後方向に貫通する円孔形状のキャビティ２３が幅方向横並びに一対形成されている。一対のキャビティ２３，２３は、両キャビティ２３，２３間に形成された前後方向に延びる隔壁２４を中心に線対称な形状とされており、各キャビティ２３内には、第一フェルール（「光接続部材」の一例）２５がハウジング本体２１の後方から収容されている。 (First housing 20)
The first housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 1, a housing body 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and a pair of protruding walls 22 formed at the rear end of the housing body 21. , 22.
Inside the housing main body 21, a pair of circular cavities 23 penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed side by side in the width direction. The pair of cavities 23, 23 have a line-symmetric shape around a partition wall 24 formed between the cavities 23, 23 extending in the front-rear direction, and in each cavity 23, a first ferrule (“optical connection” An example of “member” 25 is accommodated from the rear of the housing body 21.

第一フェルール２５は、光コードＷの端末においてシースが皮剥されて露出した図示しない光ファイバの前端部に外嵌されて、接着剤などの公知の方法によって光ファイバに装着されている。また、第一フェルール２５は、前後方向に細長い形状をなしており、第一フェルール２５の前後方向略中央部には、全周に亘って張り出すフランジ部２５Ａが形成されている。そして、このフランジ部２５Ａがキャビティ２３内に設けられた図示しない保持機構によって保持されることで、第一フェルール２５がキャビティ２３内に抜止された状態で保持されている。また、第一フェルール２５が装着された光ファイバからは、出射光が出射されるようになっている。 The first ferrule 25 is externally fitted to the front end portion of an optical fiber (not shown) exposed by peeling off the sheath at the end of the optical cord W, and is attached to the optical fiber by a known method such as an adhesive. The first ferrule 25 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction, and a flange portion 25A that extends over the entire circumference is formed at the substantially central portion of the first ferrule 25 in the front-rear direction. The flange portion 25 A is held by a holding mechanism (not shown) provided in the cavity 23, so that the first ferrule 25 is held in the cavity 23. Further, outgoing light is emitted from the optical fiber to which the first ferrule 25 is attached.

一対の突出壁２２，２２は、ハウジング本体２１の幅方向両側に位置する側壁から幅方向外側に突出すると共に、ハウジング本体２１の後端位置よりも後方に突出した形態をなしている。 The pair of projecting walls 22, 22 project from the side wall located on both sides in the width direction of the housing body 21 to the outside in the width direction and project backward from the rear end position of the housing body 21.

(第二ハウジング４０)
第二ハウジング４０は、合成樹脂製であって、前後方向に長い略直方体状をなしている。また、第二ハウジング４０は、第一ハウジング２０を内部に収容可能な前後方向に長いフード部４１と、フード部４１の奥壁４１Ａに形成された一対の筒部４２，４２とを備えて構成されている。
フード部４１は略矩形状に開口した形態をなしており、両ハウジング２０，４０の正規嵌合時に第一ハウジング２０を前方からほぼ完全に収容するように形成されている。また、フード部４１における幅方向両側に位置する開口縁部には、内側に向かって突出する一対の押圧部４３，４３が形成されている。 (Second housing 40)
The second housing 40 is made of a synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The second housing 40 includes a hood portion 41 that can be accommodated in the first housing 20 in the front-rear direction, and a pair of cylindrical portions 42 and 42 formed on the inner wall 41A of the hood portion 41. Has been.
The hood portion 41 has a shape that is opened in a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed so that the first housing 20 is almost completely accommodated from the front when both the housings 20 and 40 are properly fitted. In addition, a pair of pressing portions 43 and 43 projecting inward are formed on the opening edge portions of the hood portion 41 located on both sides in the width direction.

一対の筒部４２，４２は円筒状をなし、フード部４１の奥壁４１Ａにおいて幅方向両側に並んで形成されている。また、各筒部４２は、フード部４１の奥壁４１Ａから前方に突出しており、各筒部４２の前後方向略中央部よりも後側の部分には、第二フェルール４４が後方からそれぞれ収容されている。第二フェルール４４は、第一ハウジング２０の第一フェルール２５と同様に、光コードＷの端末においてシースが皮剥されて露出した図示しない光ファイバの前端部に外嵌されて、接着剤などの公知の方法によって光ファイバに装着されている。また、第二フェルール４４も、前後方向に細長い形状をなしており、第二フェルール４４の前後方向略中央部には、全周に亘って張り出すフランジ部４４Ａが形成されている。そして、このフランジ部４４Ａが第二ハウジング４０に設けられた図示しない保持機構によって保持されることで、第二フェルール４４が筒部４２内に抜止された状態で保持されている。 The pair of cylindrical portions 42, 42 has a cylindrical shape, and is formed side by side on both sides in the width direction on the rear wall 41 A of the hood portion 41. Moreover, each cylinder part 42 protrudes ahead from the back wall 41A of the food | hood part 41, and the 2nd ferrule 44 is each accommodated in the rear part rather than the front-back direction approximate center part of each cylinder part 42 from back. Has been. Similar to the first ferrule 25 of the first housing 20, the second ferrule 44 is externally fitted to the front end portion of an optical fiber (not shown) exposed by peeling off the sheath at the end of the optical cord W, and is known as an adhesive or the like. It is attached to the optical fiber by this method. The second ferrule 44 also has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction, and a flange portion 44 A that extends over the entire circumference is formed at the substantially central portion of the second ferrule 44 in the front-rear direction. The flange portion 44 A is held by a holding mechanism (not shown) provided in the second housing 40, so that the second ferrule 44 is held in a state where the second ferrule 44 is retained in the cylindrical portion 42.

また、各筒部４２は、両ハウジング２０，４０が正規嵌合して第一ハウジング２０がフード部４１内に収容されると、第一ハウジング２０のキャビティ２３の前側部分にそれぞれ収容され、各筒部４２内に第一ハウジング２０の第一フェルール２５がそれぞれ収容される。そして、第一フェルール２５は、第二フェルール４４の軸心と一致するように筒部４２内を案内され、第二フェルール４４の前端に突き合わされることで、第二フェルール４４と光学的に接続される。これにより、第一フェルール２５から出射された出射光が第二フェルール４４の装着された光ファイバに伝えられるようになっている。なお、本願明細書において図示省略しているが、例えばハウジング本体２１内において、第一フェルール２５がコイルばねなどの付勢部材によって前方に付勢されており、第一フェルール２５が第二フェルール４４に突き当たって当接位置が前後方向に調整されることで、第一フェルール２５と第二フェルール４４とが確実に接続されるようになっている。 In addition, each tubular portion 42 is accommodated in the front portion of the cavity 23 of the first housing 20 when both the housings 20 and 40 are properly fitted and the first housing 20 is accommodated in the hood portion 41. The first ferrules 25 of the first housing 20 are accommodated in the cylindrical portions 42, respectively. The first ferrule 25 is guided in the cylindrical portion 42 so as to coincide with the axis of the second ferrule 44 and is abutted against the front end of the second ferrule 44 so as to be optically connected to the second ferrule 44. Is done. Thereby, the emitted light emitted from the first ferrule 25 is transmitted to the optical fiber to which the second ferrule 44 is attached. Although not shown in the present specification, for example, in the housing body 21, the first ferrule 25 is biased forward by a biasing member such as a coil spring, and the first ferrule 25 is moved to the second ferrule 44. The first ferrule 25 and the second ferrule 44 are securely connected to each other by adjusting the contact position in the front-rear direction.

さて、第一ハウジング２０は、前後方向（両ハウジング２０，４０の嵌合方向）にスライド可能な一対のシャッタ５０，５０と、一対のシャッタ５０，５０をそれぞれ内部に収容する一対のシャッタ収容部２６，２６を備えている。 The first housing 20 includes a pair of shutters 50 and 50 that are slidable in the front-rear direction (the fitting direction of both housings 20 and 40), and a pair of shutter housing portions that house the pair of shutters 50 and 50, respectively. 26, 26.

（シャッタ収容部２６）
一対のシャッタ収容部２６，２６は、ハウジング本体２１の幅方向両側に位置する側壁２１Ａから隔壁２４に向かって凹んだ形態をなし、隔壁２４を中心に線対称な形状とされている。各シャッタ収容部２６，２６は、ハウジング本体２１内のキャビティ２３を幅方向にそれぞれ横断した形態とされており、各シャッタ収容部２６は、ハウジング本体２１の両側壁２１Ａにおいて前後方向に長く開口している。また、各シャッタ収容部２６は、ハウジング本体２１の図示しない天井壁とハウジング本体２１の底壁２１Ｂとの間に形成されており、各シャッタ収容部２６の天井壁（図示せず）と底壁２１Ｂとの間の高さ寸法(図中において紙面と直交する方向の寸法)は、キャビティ２３の内径よりも大きく形成されている。すなわち、キャビティ２３は、シャッタ収容部２６内に円孔状に開口しており、シャッタ収容部２６の内部空間とキャビティ２３の内部空間とは連通した状態となっている。また、各シャッタ収容部２６の前面２６Ａはハウジング本体２１の側壁２１Ａから隔壁２４まで幅方向に真っ直ぐ延びた面とされ、シャッタ収容部２６の後面は隔壁２４の前部から側壁２１Ａにおける前後方向略中央部の位置まで前側に張り出すように延びる弧状の支持曲面２６Ｂとされている。すなわち、支持曲面２６Ｂは、キャビティ２３内に収容された第一フェルール２５から出射される出射光の光路Ｌと交差する方向に延びた形態とされている。 (Shutter accommodating portion 26)
The pair of shutter accommodating portions 26, 26 have a shape recessed from the side walls 21 A located on both sides in the width direction of the housing main body 21 toward the partition wall 24, and have a shape symmetrical with respect to the partition wall 24. Each shutter accommodating portion 26, 26 is configured to cross the cavity 23 in the housing main body 21 in the width direction, and each shutter accommodating portion 26 opens long in the front-rear direction on both side walls 21 A of the housing main body 21. ing. Each shutter accommodating portion 26 is formed between a ceiling wall (not shown) of the housing main body 21 and a bottom wall 21B of the housing main body 21, and a ceiling wall (not shown) and a bottom wall of each shutter accommodating portion 26 are formed. The height dimension between 21B (the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure) is formed larger than the inner diameter of the cavity 23. That is, the cavity 23 is opened in a circular hole shape in the shutter housing portion 26, and the internal space of the shutter housing portion 26 and the internal space of the cavity 23 are in communication with each other. The front surface 26A of each shutter housing portion 26 is a surface that extends straight from the side wall 21A of the housing body 21 to the partition wall 24 in the width direction, and the rear surface of the shutter housing portion 26 is substantially the front-rear direction of the side wall 21A from the front portion of the partition wall 24. An arcuate support curved surface 26 B extends so as to project forward to the center position. That is, the support curved surface 26B is configured to extend in a direction intersecting with the optical path L of the emitted light emitted from the first ferrule 25 accommodated in the cavity 23.

（シャッタ５０）
一対のシャッタ５０，５０は、金属板材をプレス加工することにより形成されており、各シャッタ５０の高さ寸法(図中において紙面と直交する方向の寸法)は、シャッタ収容部２６の高さ寸法とほぼ同じ大きさに形成されている。また、各シャッタ５０は、前後方向に長い略矩形状の平板部５１と、弧状に屈曲する弾性部５２と、平板部５１と弾性部５２との間に設けられた被押圧部５３とを備えて構成されている。また、シャッタ５０は、図１に示すように、第一フェルール２５の前方に進入して光ファイバＷから出射される出射光の光路Ｌを遮る閉止位置と、図５に示すように、第一フェルール２５の前方から退避して出射光の光路Ｌを開放する開放位置との間をスライド可能とされている。 (Shutter 50)
The pair of shutters 50, 50 are formed by pressing a metal plate material, and the height dimension of each shutter 50 (the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the drawing) is the height dimension of the shutter accommodating portion 26. It is formed in almost the same size. Each shutter 50 includes a substantially rectangular flat plate portion 51 that is long in the front-rear direction, an elastic portion 52 that is bent in an arc shape, and a pressed portion 53 that is provided between the flat plate portion 51 and the elastic portion 52. Configured. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the shutter 50 enters the front of the first ferrule 25 and closes the optical path L of the emitted light emitted from the optical fiber W. As shown in FIG. It is slidable from the open position where it retracts from the front of the ferrule 25 and opens the optical path L of the emitted light.

平板部５１は、同平板部５１の板面をハウジング本体２１の側壁２１Ａに沿わせるようにして配されており、平板部５１の後端部は、後方に延びた部分を幅方向外側に向かって僅かに折り返した形態とされている。一方、ハウジング本体２１と突出壁２２との間には、平板部５１を前方から収容可能な後側収容部２７が形成されている。後側収容部２７は第一ハウジング２０を前後方向に貫通して形成されており、後側収容部２７の幅寸法（ハウジング本体２１と突出壁２２との間の寸法）は、平板部５１の後端部の板厚方向の寸法よりも僅かに大きく設定されている。また、平板部５１は、後側収容部２７内において前後方向にスライド可能とされており、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に配されると、図１に示すように平板部５１の略後半分が後側収容部２７に収容された状態となり、シャッタ５０が開放位置に配されると、図５に示すように、平板部５１のほぼ全てが後側収容部２７内に収容された状態となる。 The flat plate portion 51 is arranged so that the plate surface of the flat plate portion 51 extends along the side wall 21A of the housing body 21, and the rear end portion of the flat plate portion 51 has a portion extending rearward toward the outside in the width direction. And slightly folded. On the other hand, between the housing main body 21 and the protruding wall 22, a rear side accommodating portion 27 that can accommodate the flat plate portion 51 from the front is formed. The rear housing part 27 is formed so as to penetrate the first housing 20 in the front-rear direction, and the width dimension of the rear housing part 27 (the dimension between the housing body 21 and the protruding wall 22) is the same as that of the flat plate part 51. It is set slightly larger than the dimension of the rear end portion in the plate thickness direction. Further, the flat plate portion 51 is slidable in the front-rear direction within the rear housing portion 27. When the shutter 50 is disposed at the closed position, the substantially rear half of the flat plate portion 51 is rearward as shown in FIG. When the shutter 50 is disposed in the open position with the side accommodating portion 27 being accommodated, almost all of the flat plate portion 51 is accommodated in the rear accommodating portion 27 as shown in FIG.

被押圧部５３は、平板部５１の前端縁に一体に形成されている。被押圧部５３は、ハウジング本体２１における側壁２１Ａの位置から幅方向外側に向かって二等辺三角状に突出して形成されている。詳細には、各被押圧部５３がハウジング本体２１から離れるように斜め前方に延びた後側被押圧片５５を有して、その前端部がハウジング本体２１に向かって折り返されて斜め前方に延びた前側被押圧片５４を有した形態をなしている。すなわち、前側被押圧片５４および後側被押圧片５５は、両ハウジング２０，４０が嵌合される前後方向（嵌合方向）に対して傾斜した形態となっている。そして、両ヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法Ｄ１は、第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口（両押圧部４３，４３の突出端間）の寸法Ｄ２よりも大きくなるように設定されている。 The pressed portion 53 is formed integrally with the front end edge of the flat plate portion 51. The pressed portion 53 is formed to protrude in an isosceles triangular shape from the position of the side wall 21 A in the housing body 21 toward the outer side in the width direction. Specifically, each pressed portion 53 has a rear pressed piece 55 that extends obliquely forward so as to be separated from the housing body 21, and its front end portion is folded back toward the housing body 21 and extends obliquely forward. The front side pressed piece 54 is included. That is, the front pressed piece 54 and the rear pressed piece 55 are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction (fitting direction) in which the housings 20 and 40 are fitted. And the length dimension D1 between both the hinge parts 56 and 56 is set so that it may become larger than the dimension D2 of the front opening (between the protrusion ends of both the press parts 43 and 43) in the hood part 41 of the 2nd housing 40. Yes.

また、後側被押圧片５５と前側被押圧片５４との間を前後方向に繋ぐ屈曲した部分（被押圧部５３，５３の突出端）は弾性変形可能なヒンジ部５６とされ、被押圧部５３の付け根部分も弾性変形可能とされている。そして、前側被押圧片５４と後側被押圧片５５とが離れるようにヒンジ部５６および被押圧部５３の付け根部分が弾性変形し、被押圧部５３の三角形状が前後方向に広がる（図４参照）ことで、被押圧部５３の突出寸法が小さくなるようになっている。また、前側被押圧片５４と後側被押圧片５５とが近づくようにヒンジ部５６と被押圧部５３の付け根部分とが弾性変形し、被押圧部５３が前方に押し倒される（図８参照）ことで、被押圧部５３の突出寸法が小さくなるようになっている。そして、上記のように被押圧部５３の突出寸法が小さくなることで、図４および図８に示すように、両被押圧部５３，５３のヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなるように設定されている。 Further, a bent portion (protruding end of the pressed portions 53, 53) connecting the rear pressed piece 55 and the front pressed piece 54 in the front-rear direction is an elastically deformable hinge portion 56, and the pressed portion The base portion 53 is also elastically deformable. And the base part of the hinge part 56 and the to-be-pressed part 53 elastically deforms so that the front side to-be-pressed piece 54 and the back side to-be-pressed piece 55 may leave | separate, and the triangular shape of the to-be-pressed part 53 spreads in the front-back direction (FIG. 4). Thus, the protruding dimension of the pressed portion 53 is reduced. Moreover, the hinge part 56 and the base part of the to-be-pressed part 53 elastically deform so that the front side to-be-pressed piece 54 and the back-side to-be-pressed piece 55 approach, and the to-be-pressed part 53 is pushed forward (refer FIG. 8). Thereby, the protrusion dimension of the to-be-pressed part 53 becomes small. And as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.8, the length dimension between the hinge parts 56 and 56 of both the to-be-pressed parts 53 and 53 becomes 2nd because the protrusion dimension of the to-be-pressed part 53 becomes small as mentioned above. It is set to be slightly smaller than the front dimension D2 of the hood portion 41 of the housing 40.

被押圧部５３における前側被押圧片５４の高さ方向(図中において紙面と直交する方向)略中央部には、板状の係合片（「係合部」の一例）５４Ａが前側被押圧片５４と一体に形成されている。この係合片５４Ａは前側被押圧片から後側被押圧片にかけて略Ｕ字状にスリットを形成し、そのスリットの中央部分をハウジング本体２１側に折り曲げることで形成されている。詳細には、係合片５４Ａは、前側被押圧片５４からハウジング本体２１側に向かってやや斜め後方に向かって延びて、その後端部が前方に向かって折り返された形態とされている。 A plate-like engagement piece (an example of an “engagement portion”) 54A is disposed at the front side of the pressed portion 53 at a substantially central portion in the height direction of the front-side pressed piece 54 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the drawing). It is formed integrally with the piece 54. The engaging piece 54A is formed by forming a slit in a substantially U shape from the front pressed piece to the rear pressed piece, and bending the central portion of the slit to the housing main body 21 side. Specifically, the engaging piece 54A is configured to extend slightly obliquely rearward from the front pressed piece 54 toward the housing main body 21 side, and the rear end portion thereof is folded forward.

一方、ハウジング本体２１の両側壁２１Ａにおける前後方向略中央部には、内側に向かって凹んだ形状の係合凹部２８が形成されている。この係合凹部２８内には、係合片５４Ａの先端部分が収容されており、係合片５４Ａの先端部分は係合凹部２８内に収容された状態で前後方向に移動可能とされている。 On the other hand, an engagement recess 28 having a shape recessed toward the inside is formed at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction on both side walls 21 A of the housing body 21. The engagement recess 28 accommodates the distal end portion of the engagement piece 54A, and the distal end portion of the engagement piece 54A is movable in the front-rear direction while being accommodated in the engagement recess 28. .

そして、一対の被押圧部５３，５３は、第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０とを嵌合させる過程において、フード部４１の一対の押圧部４３，４３によって前方から押圧され、閉止位置（図２参照）から開放位置（図３参照）まで後方にスライドする。さらに、そのまま両ハウジング２０，４０を嵌合させると、係合凹部２８の後側内面２８Ａに係合片５４Ａが前方から係止してシャッタ５０の後方への移動が規制され、シャッタ５０が開放位置に位置決めされる。この状態で、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３によってさらに前方から押圧されると、シャッタ５０が開放位置に位置決めされたことで、ヒンジ部５６と被押圧部５３の付け根部分が弾性変形して被押圧部５３が前後方向に広がる。そして、図４に示すように、両被押圧部５３，５３のヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法（両押圧部４３，４３の突出端間）Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなることで、被押圧部５３がフード部４１の押圧部４３を乗り越えて弾性復帰し、図５に示すように、シャッタ５０が開放位置に配された状態で、被押圧部５３がフード部４１内に収容されるようになっている。 The pair of pressed portions 53 and 53 are pressed from the front by the pair of pressing portions 43 and 43 of the hood portion 41 in the process of fitting the first housing 20 and the second housing 40 into the closed position (see FIG. 2) to the open position (see FIG. 3). Further, when the housings 20 and 40 are fitted as they are, the engagement piece 54A is locked to the rear inner surface 28A of the engagement recess 28 from the front, and the rearward movement of the shutter 50 is restricted, and the shutter 50 is opened. Positioned. In this state, when the pressed portion 53 is further pressed from the front by the pressing portion 43, the base portion of the hinge portion 56 and the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed due to the positioning of the shutter 50 at the open position, and the covered portion is covered. The pressing part 53 spreads in the front-rear direction. And as shown in FIG. 4, the length dimension between the hinge parts 56 and 56 of the to-be-pressed parts 53 and 53 is the dimension of the frontage in the food | hood part 41 of the 2nd housing 40 (The protrusion end of both the pressing parts 43 and 43). Between) slightly smaller than D2, the pressed portion 53 gets over the pressing portion 43 of the hood portion 41 and elastically returns, and as shown in FIG. 5, the shutter 50 is disposed in the open position. The pressed portion 53 is accommodated in the hood portion 41.

一方、第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０とを離脱させる過程では、一対の被押圧部５３，５３は、フード部４１の一対の押圧部４３，４３によって後方から押圧され、開放位置（図６参照）から閉止位置（図７参照）まで前方にスライドする。さらに、そのまま両ハウジング２０，４０を離脱させると、係合凹部２８の前側内面２８Ｂに係合片５４Ａが後方から係止してシャッタ５０の前側への移動が規制され、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に位置決めされる。この状態で、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３によってさらに後方から押圧されると、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に位置決めされたことで、ヒンジ部５６と被押圧部５３の付け根部分が弾性変形して被押圧部５３が前方に押し倒される。そして、図８に示すように、両被押圧部５３，５３のヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法（両押圧部４３，４３の突出端間）Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなることで、被押圧部５３がフード部４１の押圧部４３に乗り超えて弾性復帰し、図１に示すように、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に配された状態で、両ハウジング２０，４０が完全に離脱した状態となる。 On the other hand, in the process of separating the first housing 20 and the second housing 40, the pair of pressed portions 53, 53 are pressed from the rear by the pair of pressing portions 43, 43 of the hood portion 41, and are opened (see FIG. 6). Slide forward from the reference position to the closed position (see FIG. 7). Further, when both the housings 20 and 40 are detached as they are, the engagement piece 54A is locked to the front inner surface 28B of the engagement recess 28 from the rear, and the movement of the shutter 50 to the front side is restricted, and the shutter 50 is brought into the closed position. Positioned. In this state, when the pressed portion 53 is further pressed from behind by the pressing portion 43, the base portion of the hinge portion 56 and the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed due to the positioning of the shutter 50 at the closed position, and the covered portion is covered. The pressing portion 53 is pushed down forward. And as shown in FIG. 8, the length dimension between the hinge parts 56 and 56 of both the to-be-pressed parts 53 and 53 is the dimension of the frontage in the food | hood part 41 of the 2nd housing 40 (projection end of both the press parts 43 and 43). In the meantime, by being slightly smaller than D2, the pressed portion 53 gets over the pressing portion 43 of the hood portion 41 and elastically returns, and as shown in FIG. 1, the shutter 50 is disposed at the closed position. Both housings 20 and 40 are completely detached.

すなわち、従来の光コネクタによると、ハウジングにシャッタを回動可能に組み付ける回動機構などが必要であると共に、シャッタを開放位置から閉止位置へ付勢する付勢部材を用いることで、両ハウジングが離脱した際に、シャッタを閉止位置へ移動させる必要があるところ、本実施形態によると、フード部４１の押圧部４３によって被押圧部５３を後方に押圧することで、シャッタ５０を閉止位置から開放位置にスライドさせることができる。また、フード部４１の押圧部４３によって被押圧部５３を前方に押圧することで、シャッタ５０を開放位置から閉止位置にスライドさせることができる。つまり、両ハウジング２０，４０の嵌合もしくは離脱における一連の過程においてシャッタを開閉させることができる。これにより、従来に比べて、部品点数を低減させることで光コネクタを小型化することができると共に、部品の組立工数を低減させることで、光コネクタ１０の生産コストを低減させることができる。
また、上記のように、閉止位置から開放位置へシャッタを移動させる被押圧部５３および押圧部４３を、開放位置から閉止位置へシャッタを移動させる押圧部および被押圧部として兼用することができることから、シャッタを開放位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部と、シャッタを閉止位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部とを個別に設ける場合に比べて、シャッタ５０の構造を簡素化することができ、光コネクタ１０の生産コストをさらに低減させることができる。 That is, according to the conventional optical connector, there is a need for a rotation mechanism for assembling the shutter to the housing so that the shutter can be rotated, and by using a biasing member that biases the shutter from the open position to the closed position, When it is necessary to move the shutter to the closed position when it is detached, the shutter 50 is released from the closed position by pressing the pressed portion 53 backward by the pressing portion 43 of the hood portion 41 according to the present embodiment. Can be slid into position. Moreover, the shutter 50 can be slid from the open position to the closed position by pressing the pressed portion 53 forward by the pressing portion 43 of the hood portion 41. That is, the shutter can be opened and closed in a series of processes in fitting or detaching both the housings 20 and 40. As a result, the optical connector can be reduced in size by reducing the number of components, and the production cost of the optical connector 10 can be reduced by reducing the number of assembly steps for components.
Further, as described above, the pressed portion 53 and the pressed portion 43 that move the shutter from the closed position to the open position can be used as the pressed portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter from the open position to the closed position. The structure of the shutter 50 can be simplified compared to the case where the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter to the open position and the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter to the closing position are provided separately. The production cost of the optical connector 10 can be further reduced.

弾性部５２は、被押圧部５３の前端縁に一体に形成されており、板厚方向に弾性変形可能とされている。また、弾性部５２は、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に配された状態では、シャッタ収容部２６の支持曲面２６Ｂに沿うように被押圧部５３の前端縁からハウジング本体２１の幅方向略中央部に向かって円弧状に延びた形態とされており、支持曲面２６Ｂによって内側から支持された状態となっている。また、弾性部５２の前端部は、シャッタ収容部２６の奥部に設けられた前側収容部２９に収容されている。つまり、一対のシャッタ５０におけるそれぞれの弾性部５２は、ハウジング本体２１における隔壁２４を挟んで、互いを付き合わせるように配された形態とされており、シャッタ収容部２６内に開口したキャビティ２３は弾性部５２によって塞がれた状態となっている。 The elastic portion 52 is formed integrally with the front end edge of the pressed portion 53, and can be elastically deformed in the plate thickness direction. In addition, the elastic portion 52 extends from the front edge of the pressed portion 53 toward the substantially central portion in the width direction of the housing body 21 along the support curved surface 26B of the shutter housing portion 26 in a state where the shutter 50 is disposed at the closed position. In this state, the shape is extended in an arc shape, and is supported from the inside by the support curved surface 26B. Further, the front end portion of the elastic portion 52 is accommodated in a front accommodating portion 29 provided at the back of the shutter accommodating portion 26. That is, the respective elastic portions 52 in the pair of shutters 50 are arranged so as to be attached to each other across the partition wall 24 in the housing main body 21, and the cavity 23 opened in the shutter accommodating portion 26 is It is in a state of being blocked by the elastic portion 52.

そして、弾性部５２は、シャッタ５０が閉止位置から開放位置に至る過程では、僅かに支持曲面２６Ｂに沿うように後方にスライドし、その後、弾性部５２における被押圧部５３側の後端部が支持曲面２６Ｂによって幅方向外側に押圧されてハウジング本体２１から離れる方向(板厚方向）に弾性変形し、弾性部５２がハウジング本体２１の両側壁２１Ａとほぼ平行状態となる。また、このとき、弾性部５２の前端部は、隔壁２４から幅方向にシャッタ収容部２６の前面２６Ａに沿ってほぼ真っ直ぐ移動する。 The elastic portion 52 slides rearward slightly along the support curved surface 26B in the process of the shutter 50 from the closed position to the open position, and then the rear end portion of the elastic portion 52 on the pressed portion 53 side. The support curved surface 26B is pressed outward in the width direction and elastically deforms in a direction away from the housing body 21 (plate thickness direction), so that the elastic portion 52 is substantially parallel to both side walls 21A of the housing body 21. At this time, the front end portion of the elastic portion 52 moves substantially straight from the partition wall 24 along the front surface 26A of the shutter accommodating portion 26 in the width direction.

一方、シャッタ５０が開放位置から閉止位置に至る過程では、弾性部５２は、閉止位置から開放位置へ移動する軌跡を逆に移動して、シャッタ収容部２６の支持曲面２６Ｂに沿うようにして支持曲面２６Ｂによって内側から支持され、弾性部５２の前端部が前側収容部２９に収容される。 On the other hand, in the process of the shutter 50 from the open position to the closed position, the elastic part 52 moves in the reverse direction along the trajectory moving from the closed position to the open position, and is supported along the support curved surface 26B of the shutter housing part 26. It is supported from the inside by the curved surface 26 B, and the front end portion of the elastic portion 52 is accommodated in the front accommodating portion 29.

（作用および効果）
本実施形態の光コネクタ１０は、以上のような構成であって、次に、第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０とが嵌合する際のシャッタ５０の動作について、簡単に説明すると共に、その作用および効果について説明する。 (Function and effect)
The optical connector 10 of this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the shutter 50 when the first housing 20 and the second housing 40 are fitted together will be briefly described. The operation and effect will be described.

光コネクタ１０において、第一ハウジング２０と、第二ハウジング４０とが嵌合前の状態では、図１に示すように、第一ハウジング２０のシャッタ５０は、閉止位置に配されており、弾性部５２がシャッタ収容部２６の支持曲面２６Ｂによって内側から支持されると共に、弾性部５２の前端部をシャッタ収容部２６の前側収容部２９に収容されている。つまり、弾性部５２が正規の位置に配されることで、シャッタ収容部２６内に開口したキャビティ２３が弾性部５２によって塞がれ、外部に出射光が漏れることが抑制されると共に、外部から塵埃がキャビティ２３内へ浸入することが抑制されている。 In the optical connector 10, in the state before the first housing 20 and the second housing 40 are fitted, the shutter 50 of the first housing 20 is disposed at the closed position as shown in FIG. 52 is supported from the inside by the support curved surface 26 B of the shutter accommodating portion 26, and the front end portion of the elastic portion 52 is accommodated in the front accommodating portion 29 of the shutter accommodating portion 26. That is, by arranging the elastic portion 52 at a proper position, the cavity 23 opened in the shutter accommodating portion 26 is blocked by the elastic portion 52 and leakage of emitted light to the outside is suppressed, and from the outside. Intrusion of dust into the cavity 23 is suppressed.

第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０の準備ができたところで、図１に示すように、第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０とを向かい合わせに配置し、第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１内に第一ハウジング２０のハウジング本体２１を挿入して両ハウジング２０，４０を嵌合させる。この嵌合過程において、図２に示すように、シャッタ５０の被押圧部５３における前側被押圧片５４とフード部４１の押圧部４３とが当接し、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３によって前方から押圧されることで、図３に示すように、シャッタ５０が後方にスライドして開放位置に移動する。このとき、平板部５１は、ハウジング本体２１の側壁２１Ａに沿うように後方にスライドして後側収容部２７内に収容され、弾性部５２はシャッタ収容部２６の支持曲面２６Ｂに沿って僅かに後方にスライドした後、弾性部５２の後端部がシャッタ収容部２６の支持曲面２６Ｂによって幅方向外側に押圧されることで、ハウジング本体２１の両側壁２１Ａとほぼ平行状態となるように弾性変形する。すなわち、シャッタ５０が閉止位置から開放位置に至る際に、シャッタ５０が幅方向および前方向に大きくなることを抑制することができるようになっている。 When the first housing 20 and the second housing 40 are ready, as shown in FIG. 1, the first housing 20 and the second housing 40 are arranged facing each other, and are placed in the hood portion 41 of the second housing 40. The housing body 21 of the first housing 20 is inserted, and both the housings 20 and 40 are fitted. In this fitting process, as shown in FIG. 2, the front-side pressed piece 54 in the pressed portion 53 of the shutter 50 and the pressing portion 43 of the hood portion 41 come into contact with each other, and the pressed portion 53 is pushed from the front by the pressing portion 43. When pressed, the shutter 50 slides rearward and moves to the open position as shown in FIG. At this time, the flat plate portion 51 slides rearward along the side wall 21 A of the housing body 21 and is accommodated in the rear accommodating portion 27, and the elastic portion 52 is slightly along the support curved surface 26 B of the shutter accommodating portion 26. After sliding backward, the rear end portion of the elastic portion 52 is pressed outward in the width direction by the support curved surface 26B of the shutter accommodating portion 26, so that it is elastically deformed so as to be substantially parallel to both side walls 21A of the housing body 21. To do. That is, when the shutter 50 reaches the open position from the closed position, the shutter 50 can be prevented from increasing in the width direction and the front direction.

そのまま、更に両ハウジング２０，４０を嵌合させると、被押圧部５３の係合片５４Ａが係合凹部２８の後側内面２８Ａに前方から係止して、シャッタ５０の後方への移動が規制され、シャッタ５０が開放位置に位置決めされる。この状態で、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３によってさらに前方から押圧されると、シャッタ５０が開放位置に位置決めされたことで、ヒンジ部５６と被押圧部５３の付け根部分が弾性変形して被押圧部５３が前後方向に広がり、図４に示すように、両被押圧部５３，５３のヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなる。 If the two housings 20 and 40 are further fitted as they are, the engaging piece 54A of the pressed portion 53 is locked to the rear inner surface 28A of the engaging recess 28 from the front, and the rearward movement of the shutter 50 is restricted. Then, the shutter 50 is positioned at the open position. In this state, when the pressed portion 53 is further pressed from the front by the pressing portion 43, the base portion of the hinge portion 56 and the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed due to the positioning of the shutter 50 at the open position, and the covered portion is covered. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing portion 53 spreads in the front-rear direction, and the length dimension between the hinge portions 56, 56 of both pressed portions 53, 53 is larger than the front dimension D 2 in the hood portion 41 of the second housing 40. Slightly smaller.

ところで、上記の過程において、シャッタ５０を開放位置に位置決めした状態で被押圧部５３を弾性変形させようとすると、係合凹部２８に係止される係合片５４Ａに押圧力が最も作用することになる。このため、例えば被押圧部以外の部分に係合片を設けると、係合片が設けられた被押圧部以外の部分が変形してシャッタが損傷してしまう虞がある。ところが、本実施形態によると、シャッタ５０において最も押圧する力が作用する被押圧部５３に係合片５４Ａを形成していることから、シャッタ５０を開放位置に位置決めした状態で、シャッタ５０における被押圧部５３以外の部分を変形させることなく被押圧部５３を確実に弾性変形させることができる。これにより、シャッタ５０における被押圧部以外の部分が変形してシャッタ５０が破損してしまうことを抑制することができる。 By the way, in the above process, if the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed in a state where the shutter 50 is positioned at the open position, the pressing force is most exerted on the engaging piece 54A locked to the engaging recess 28. become. For this reason, for example, when the engagement piece is provided in a portion other than the pressed portion, the portion other than the pressed portion provided with the engagement piece may be deformed and the shutter may be damaged. However, according to the present embodiment, since the engagement piece 54A is formed in the pressed portion 53 where the most pressing force is applied in the shutter 50, the cover 50 in the shutter 50 is positioned with the shutter 50 positioned at the open position. The pressed portion 53 can be reliably elastically deformed without deforming portions other than the pressing portion 53. Thereby, it can suppress that parts other than the to-be-pressed part in the shutter 50 deform | transform, and the shutter 50 will be damaged.

そして、ヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなると、被押圧部５３がフード部４１の押圧部４３を乗り越えて弾性復帰する。 And if the length dimension between hinge parts 56 and 56 becomes slightly smaller than the dimension D2 of the frontage in the hood part 41 of the 2nd housing 40, the to-be-pressed part 53 will overcome the pressing part 43 of the hood part 41, and will elastically return. To do.

ところで、押圧部４３によって被押圧部５３を弾性変形させる際に、例えば被押圧部を無理に弾性変形させると、被押圧部を押圧する押圧部が磨耗する虞がある。ところが、本実施形態の被押圧部５３は、前側被押圧片５４と後側被押圧片５５との間においてヒンジ部５６を起点に弾性変形することから、ヒンジ部が設けられていない被押圧部を無理に弾性変形させる場合に比べて、被押圧部５３を弾性変形し易くさせることができ、押圧部４３が磨耗することを抑制することができる。
さらに、本実施形態の前側被押圧片５４は、押圧部４３が前側被押圧片５４を押圧する方向（前後方向）に対して傾斜した形態とされていることから、丸みを帯びた形状に前側被押圧片が形成される場合に比べて、押圧部４３による押圧力が効率良く受けられるようにしつつ、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３を円滑に乗り越えるようにすることができる。これにより、押圧部４３の押圧力を効率良く受けつつ、押圧部４３が磨耗することをさらに抑制するといった相反する特性を両立させることができる。 By the way, when the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed by the pressing portion 43, for example, if the pressed portion is forcibly elastically deformed, the pressing portion that presses the pressed portion may be worn. However, since the pressed portion 53 of the present embodiment is elastically deformed from the hinge portion 56 between the front pressed piece 54 and the rear pressed piece 55, the pressed portion without the hinge portion is provided. Compared to the case where the elastically deformed portion is forcedly deformed, the pressed portion 53 can be easily elastically deformed, and the pressing portion 43 can be prevented from being worn.
Furthermore, since the front side pressed piece 54 of the present embodiment is configured to be inclined with respect to the direction in which the pressing portion 43 presses the front side pressed piece 54 (front-rear direction), the front side has a rounded shape. Compared with the case where the pressed piece is formed, the pressed portion 53 can smoothly get over the pressed portion 43 while efficiently receiving the pressing force by the pressing portion 43. Thereby, it is possible to satisfy both conflicting characteristics such as further suppressing the wear of the pressing portion 43 while efficiently receiving the pressing force of the pressing portion 43.

最後に、シャッタ５０が開放位置に配された状態で、第一ハウジング２０がフード部４１内に収容されて、図５に示すように、両ハウジング２０，４０が正規嵌合状態に至ることで、第一フェルール２５と第二フェルール４４とが光学的に接続される。 Finally, with the shutter 50 in the open position, the first housing 20 is accommodated in the hood portion 41, and as shown in FIG. The first ferrule 25 and the second ferrule 44 are optically connected.

次に、第一ハウジング２０と第二ハウジング４０とが離脱する際のシャッタ５０の動作について、簡単に説明すると共に、その作用および効果について説明する。 Next, the operation of the shutter 50 when the first housing 20 and the second housing 40 are separated will be briefly described, and the operation and effect thereof will be described.

図５に示すように、正規嵌合状態の両ハウジング２０，４０を離脱させるには、第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１から第一ハウジング２０を引き出して両ハウジング２０，４０を離脱させる。詳細には、フード部４１から第一ハウジング２０を引き出して、フード部４１から第一ハウジング２０の突出壁２２がほぼ完全に引き出されたときに、図６に示すように、シャッタ５０の被押圧部５３における後側被押圧片５５がフード部４１の押圧部４３に当接する。そして、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３によって後方から押圧されることで、図７に示すように、シャッタ５０が前方にスライドして閉止位置に移動する。このとき、弾性部５２は、閉止位置から開放位置へ移動する軌跡を逆に移動して、シャッタ収容部２６内に開口したキャビティ２３を塞いだ状態となる。 As shown in FIG. 5, in order to detach both the housings 20 and 40 in the normally fitted state, the first housing 20 is pulled out from the hood portion 41 of the second housing 40 and both the housings 20 and 40 are detached. Specifically, when the first housing 20 is pulled out from the hood portion 41 and the protruding wall 22 of the first housing 20 is almost completely pulled out from the hood portion 41, as shown in FIG. The rear pressed piece 55 in the portion 53 abuts on the pressing portion 43 of the hood portion 41. Then, as the pressed portion 53 is pressed from behind by the pressing portion 43, the shutter 50 slides forward and moves to the closed position as shown in FIG. At this time, the elastic portion 52 moves in the reverse direction along the trajectory moving from the closed position to the open position, thereby closing the cavity 23 opened in the shutter accommodating portion 26.

そのまま、更に、フード部４１から第一ハウジング２０を引き出すと、被押圧部５３の係合片５４Ａが係合凹部２８の前側内面２８Ｂに後方から係止して、シャッタ５０の前方への移動が規制され、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に位置決めされる。この状態で、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３によってさらに後方から押圧されると、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に位置決めされたことで、ヒンジ部５６と被押圧部５３の付け根部分が弾性変形して被押圧部５３が前方に押し倒され、図８に示すように、両被押圧部５３，５３のヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法（両押圧部４３，４３の突出端間）Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなる。
ところで、上記の過程において、シャッタ５０を閉止位置に位置決めする係合片５４Ａには、両ハウジング２０，４０を離脱させる時と同様に、押圧する力が最も作用することになる。しかしながら、本実施形態の係合片５４Ａは、被押圧部５３に形成されていることから、シャッタ５０を開放位置に位置決めしたときと同様に、シャッタ５０における被押圧部５３以外の部分を変形させることなく被押圧部５３を確実に弾性変形させることができる。 If the first housing 20 is further pulled out from the hood portion 41 as it is, the engagement piece 54A of the pressed portion 53 is locked to the front inner surface 28B of the engagement recess 28 from the rear, and the shutter 50 moves forward. It is regulated and the shutter 50 is positioned at the closed position. In this state, when the pressed portion 53 is further pressed from behind by the pressing portion 43, the base portion of the hinge portion 56 and the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed due to the positioning of the shutter 50 at the closed position, and the covered portion is covered. As shown in FIG. 8, the pressing portion 53 is pushed forward, and the length dimension between the hinge portions 56, 56 of both pressed portions 53, 53 is the dimension of the frontage in the hood portion 41 of the second housing 40 (both pressing (Between projecting ends of the portions 43, 43) slightly smaller than D2.
By the way, in the above process, the pressing force is most applied to the engaging piece 54A for positioning the shutter 50 at the closed position, as in the case where both the housings 20 and 40 are detached. However, since the engaging piece 54A of the present embodiment is formed in the pressed portion 53, the portion other than the pressed portion 53 in the shutter 50 is deformed similarly to when the shutter 50 is positioned at the open position. The pressed portion 53 can be reliably elastically deformed without any problem.

そして、ヒンジ部５６，５６間の長さ寸法が第二ハウジング４０のフード部４１における間口の寸法Ｄ２よりも僅かに小さくなることで、被押圧部５３がフード部４１の押圧部４３に乗り越えて弾性復帰し、図１に示すように、シャッタ５０が閉止位置に配された状態で、両ハウジング２０，４０が完全に離脱する。また、このとき、被押圧部５３は、シャッタ５０がフード部４１内に収容されるときと同様に、シャッタ５０をフード部４１から引き出す際にも、ヒンジ部５６を起点に弾性変形することから、押圧部４３が磨耗することを抑制することができるようになっている。
さらに、被押圧部５３の後側被押圧片５５は、前側被押圧片５４と同様に、押圧部４３が後側被押圧片５５を押圧する方向（前後方向）に対して傾斜した形態とされていることから、押圧部４３による押圧力が効率良く受けられるようにしつつ、被押圧部５３が押圧部４３を円滑に乗り越えるようにすることができる。すなわち、本実施形態によると、両ハウジング２０，４０を嵌合させる時だけでなく、両ハウジング２０，４０を離脱させる時にも、押圧部４３の押圧力を効率良く受けつつ、押圧部４３が磨耗することをさらに抑制するといった相反する特性を両立させることができるようになっている。 And the length dimension between hinge parts 56 and 56 becomes slightly smaller than the dimension D2 of the frontage in the hood part 41 of the 2nd housing 40, and the to-be-pressed part 53 gets over the press part 43 of the hood part 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the two housings 20 and 40 are completely detached in a state where the shutter 50 is disposed at the closed position. At this time, the pressed portion 53 is elastically deformed starting from the hinge portion 56 when the shutter 50 is pulled out from the hood portion 41 as in the case where the shutter 50 is accommodated in the hood portion 41. It is possible to suppress the pressing portion 43 from being worn.
Further, the rear pressed piece 55 of the pressed portion 53 is inclined with respect to the direction (front-rear direction) in which the pressing portion 43 presses the rear pressed piece 55, similarly to the front pressed piece 54. Therefore, the pressed portion 53 can smoothly get over the pressing portion 43 while efficiently receiving the pressing force by the pressing portion 43. That is, according to the present embodiment, the pressing portion 43 is worn while efficiently receiving the pressing force of the pressing portion 43 not only when the housings 20 and 40 are fitted but also when the housings 20 and 40 are detached. It is possible to achieve both conflicting characteristics such as further suppressing the above.

以上のように、本実施形態の光コネクタ１０によると、シャッタ５０の被押圧部５３を押圧部４３によって押圧することで、両ハウジング２０，４０が嵌合する際にシャッタ５０を閉止位置から開放位置へ移動させ、両ハウジング２０，４０が離脱する際にシャッタ５０を開放位置から閉止位置へ移動させることができる。すなわち、従来のコネクタのように、シャッタの回動機構やシャッタの付勢部材を設けなくとも、両ハウジング２０，４０が嵌合もしくは離脱する一連の過程においてシャッタを開閉させることができる。これにより、光コネクタ１０を小型化すると共に、シャッタ５０の開閉構造を簡素化することができ、光コネクタの生産コストを低減させることができる。 As described above, according to the optical connector 10 of the present embodiment, the pressed portion 53 of the shutter 50 is pressed by the pressing portion 43 so that the shutter 50 is released from the closed position when the housings 20 and 40 are fitted. The shutter 50 can be moved from the open position to the closed position when both the housings 20 and 40 are detached. That is, unlike the conventional connector, the shutter can be opened and closed in a series of processes in which the housings 20 and 40 are fitted or detached without providing a shutter rotation mechanism or a shutter urging member. As a result, the optical connector 10 can be downsized, the opening / closing structure of the shutter 50 can be simplified, and the production cost of the optical connector can be reduced.

また、本実施形態によると、シャッタ５０を開放位置から閉止位置へ移動させる押圧部４３および被押圧部５３を、シャッタ５０を閉止位置から開放位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部として兼用することができることから、シャッタを開放位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部と、シャッタを閉止位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部とを個別に設ける場合に比べて、シャッタ５０の構造を簡素化することができ、光コネクタ１０の生産コストをさらに低減させることができる。
＜他の実施形態＞
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれる。 Further, according to the present embodiment, the pressing portion 43 and the pressed portion 53 that move the shutter 50 from the open position to the closed position are also used as the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter 50 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, the structure of the shutter 50 is simplified as compared with the case where the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter to the open position and the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter to the closing position are provided separately. The production cost of the optical connector 10 can be further reduced.
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

（１）上記実施形態では、被押圧部５３を三角形状に構成したが、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、被押圧部を板状や丸みを帯びた形状に構成してもよい。
（２）上記実施形態では、シャッタ５０を開放位置に移動させる押圧部４３および被押圧部５３を、シャッタ５０を閉止位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部として兼用させた構成としたが、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、シャッタを閉止位置へ移動させる押圧部および被押圧部を別途形成してもよい。
（３）上記実施形態では、被押圧部５３を弾性変形可能に構成したが、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、押圧部が幅方向外側に弾性変形する構成にしてもよい。
（４）上記実施形態では、ハウジング本体２１内に２つのキャビティ２３を構成したが、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、ハウジング本体内に１つや３つ以上のキャビティを構成してもよい。
（５）上記実施形態では、係合片５４Ａを被押圧部５３に形成した構成としたが、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、平板部の剛性を高くして、剛性を高くした平板部に係合片を形成してもよい。
（６）上記実施形態では、係合片５４Ａを板状に構成したが、本発明はこのような態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、係合片を円柱や角柱のボス状に形成してもよい。 (1) In the said embodiment, although the to-be-pressed part 53 was comprised in the triangle shape, this invention is not limited to such an aspect, For example, a to-be-pressed part is made into plate shape or a rounded shape. It may be configured.
(2) In the above embodiment, the pressing portion 43 and the pressed portion 53 that move the shutter 50 to the open position are configured as the pressing portion and the pressed portion that move the shutter 50 to the closed position. The invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and for example, a pressing portion and a pressed portion for moving the shutter to the closing position may be separately formed.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the pressed portion 53 is configured to be elastically deformable. However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. For example, the pressed portion is configured to be elastically deformed outward in the width direction. May be.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the two cavities 23 are formed in the housing main body 21, but the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. For example, one or three or more cavities are formed in the housing main body. May be configured.
(5) In the above embodiment, the engaging piece 54A is formed in the pressed portion 53. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the rigidity of the flat plate portion is increased. The engaging piece may be formed on the flat plate portion having increased rigidity.
(6) In the above embodiment, the engagement piece 54A is formed in a plate shape, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the engagement piece is formed in a cylindrical or prismatic boss shape. May be.

２０：第一ハウジング
２５：第一フェルール（光接続部材）
４０：第二ハウジング
４３：押圧部
５０：シャッタ
５３：被押圧部
５４：前側被押圧片
５４Ａ：係合片（係合部）
５５：後側被押圧片
５６：ヒンジ部 20: First housing 25: First ferrule (optical connection member)
40: second housing 43: pressing portion 50: shutter 53: pressed portion 54: front pressed piece 54A: engaging piece (engaging portion)
55: Rear pressed piece 56: Hinge part

Claims

A first housing containing an optical connection member therein;
A second housing that can be fitted to the first housing;
When the first housing and the second housing are separated, the first housing is pressed by the second housing and slides forward in the fitting direction of the first housing along the side wall of the first housing. An optical connector comprising: a shutter that moves from an open position that opens the front of the optical connecting member in the fitting direction to a closed position that blocks the front of the optical connecting member in the fitting direction.

When the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the shutter is pressed by the second housing and slides rearward in the fitting direction along the side wall of the first housing. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector moves to the open position.

A pressing portion provided in the second housing;
A pressing portion provided on the shutter and pressed by the pressing portion;
When the first housing and the second housing are fitted, after the pressed portion is pressed from the front in the fitting direction by the pressing portion and the shutter reaches the open position, the pressing portion and When at least one of the pressed parts is elastically deformed, the pressed state is released from the second housing, and when the first housing and the second housing are separated, the pressed part is the pressing part. After the shutter is pressed from the rear in the fitting direction to reach the closed position, at least one of the pressing portion and the pressed portion is elastically deformed to release the pressing state by the second housing. The optical connector according to claim 2.

The pressed portion is formed to be inclined with respect to the fitting direction, and a front pressed piece that is pressed against the pressing portion from the front in the fitting direction;
The optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the optical connector includes a rear pressed piece that is formed to be inclined with respect to the fitting direction and is pressed to the pressing portion from the rear in the fitting direction.

The optical connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pressed portion includes a hinge portion that is provided between the front pressed piece and the rear pressed piece so as to be elastically deformable.

The shutter is engaged with the first housing from the front in the fitting direction when the first housing and the second housing are fitted, and the shutter is positioned at an open position,
4. An engaging portion that engages the first housing from the rear in the fitting direction to position the shutter at a closed position when the first housing and the second housing are separated from each other. The optical connector according to claim 5.

The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the engaging portion is formed in the pressed portion.