JP2014137530A - Optical connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector device in which relative positioning accuracy of one lens and the other lens (one ferrule and the other ferrule) in the optical axis direction is high.SOLUTION: The optical connector device comprises: an emission side ferrule 2 having, on its tip, an emission side lens 222 through which light emitted from an emission side optical fiber 2f passes; and an incident side ferrule 3 having, on its tip, an incident side lens 322 for collecting light having passed through the emission side lens 222 on an incident side optical fiber 3f. On at least one of the tips of the emission side ferrule 2 and the incident side ferrule 3, contact projections 223, 323 are formed for setting the distance between the emission side lens 222 and the incident side lens 322 in the optical axis direction by being brought into contact with the other ferrule.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector device in which ferrules having lenses are arranged to face each other.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration in which a lens is provided on the distal end side of a ferrule to which an optical fiber is fixed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a ferrule with a lens).

  An optical connector device in which such a ferrule with a lens is used has a collimator lens in which the outgoing side (upstream side) ferrule collimates the light emitted from the optical fiber, and the incident side (downstream side) ferrule has A structure having a focusing lens that focuses the parallel light toward the end of the optical fiber is generally used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the entrance-side ferrule 91 to which the entrance-side optical fiber 91f is fixed and the exit-side ferrule 92 to which the exit-side optical fiber 92f is fixed approach each other by the biasing members 91s and 92s. There is known an optical connector device that is disposed so as to be opposed to the inside of a cylindrical sleeve member 93 in a state of being biased. In such an optical connector device, the hook-shaped stopper portions 911 and 921 provided on both ferrules 91 and 92 come into contact with the end surface of the sleeve member 93, so that the lenses 910 and 920 in the optical axis X direction (between the ferrules 91 and 92). ) Is determined.

JP 2005-92120 A

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the lenses 910 and 920 depends on the positioning accuracy of the ferrules 91 and 92 and the stopper portions 911 and 921 and the dimensional accuracy in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve member 93 (the dimensional change due to deformation due to heat or the like). In other words, the distance between the lenses 910 and 920 in the direction of the optical axis X varies.

  In the case of a configuration in which parallel light is emitted toward the entrance-side ferrule, it is known that the light propagating in the space between the two lenses is parallel to the optical axis, so that the positioning accuracy in the optical axis direction can be tolerated to some extent. However, even if the light propagating in such a space is parallel to the optical axis, it is difficult to make the emitted light completely parallel light. Therefore, an excellent optical connector device with extremely low connection loss can be obtained. In order to obtain it, it is necessary to increase the positioning accuracy in the optical axis direction.

  In view of the above situation, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical connector device in which the relative positioning accuracy of one lens and the other lens (one ferrule and the other ferrule) in the optical axis direction is high. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, an optical connector device according to the present invention is a ferrule to which an emission side optical fiber is fixed, and has an emission side lens through which light emitted from the emission side optical fiber passes at the tip. A ferrule to which a side ferrule and an incident side optical fiber disposed opposite to the output side ferrule are fixed, and an incident side that condenses the light that has passed through the output side lens at the tip thereof onto the incident side optical fiber An entrance-side ferrule having a lens, and at least one of the tip of the exit-side ferrule and the tip of the entrance-side ferrule is in contact with the counterpart ferrule, and the exit-side lens and the entrance side in the optical axis direction Contact projections for setting the distance between the lenses are formed.

  The contact protrusion may be formed so as to surround the exit-side lens or the entrance-side lens, and the entire circumference thereof may be configured to contact the counterpart ferrule.

  The exit-side ferrule and the entrance-side ferrule may have the same shape.

  In the optical connector device according to the present invention, a contact protrusion that contacts the counterpart ferrule is provided at the tip of at least one of the ferrules. That is, since the contact protrusion is provided at the tip of the ferrule on which the lens is provided, the relative positioning accuracy of one lens and the other lens (one ferrule and the other ferrule) in the optical axis direction is high. That is, the variation in the distance between lenses can be reduced.

  If the contact protrusion is shaped to surround the lens and the entire circumference is in contact with the mating connector, the tip of one ferrule and the tip of the other ferrule are in contact with each other in the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, not only the positioning accuracy in the optical axis direction is improved, but also the optical axis shift between the output side ferrule (output side lens) and the input side ferrule (incident side lens) (the other ferrule is inclined with respect to one ferrule). Can also be prevented. In addition, since the lens is positioned in the space surrounded by the contact protrusions, it is possible to prevent loss due to dust and the like adhering to the lens.

  The exit side ferrule and the entrance side ferrule can have the same shape. That is, it can be set as the structure which controls the distance between lenses, when both ferrules have a contact protrusion and the contact protrusions contact. In this way, it contributes to cost reduction.

It is the figure which showed typically the cross section of the optical connector apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which expanded and showed the location where the output side ferrule (one ferrule) and the incident side ferrule (the other ferrule) faced in the optical connector device shown in FIG. 1 (the sleeve member is omitted). It is the figure which showed typically the cross section of the optical connector apparatus by which the contact protrusion was provided only in one ferrule (a sleeve member is abbreviate | omitted). It is the figure which showed typically the cross section of the conventional optical connector apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an optical connector device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. An optical connector device 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for optically connecting optical fibers that transmit light (laser light) signals, and includes an output side ferrule 2 and an incident side. A ferrule 3 is provided.

  The exit-side ferrule 2 is a member formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and has a fiber fixing portion 21 and a light transmission portion 22. The fiber fixing portion 21 is a portion to which an optical fiber on the upstream side in the optical signal transmission path (hereinafter referred to as an emission side optical fiber 2f) is fixed. The method of fixing the emission side optical fiber 2f is not limited to a specific method. For example, a known method in which the emission side optical fiber 2f passed through the through hole 211 formed in the fiber fixing portion 21 is fixed by an adhesive can be mentioned. The axis of the exit side optical fiber 2f formed on the fiber fixing portion 21 coincides with the optical axis X of the exit side lens 222 described later. An engagement protrusion 212 that protrudes toward the incident-side ferrule 3 side is formed in the center of the distal end side of the fiber fixing portion 21. The distal end surface of the emission side optical fiber 2f fixed along the optical axis X is flush with the distal end surface of the engagement protrusion 212. That is, the distal end surface of the emission side optical fiber 2f is exposed at the distal end surface of the fiber fixing portion 21 (engagement protrusion 212).

  An urging member stopper portion 213 that protrudes in a radial shape in a hook shape is provided outside the rear end side of the fiber fixing portion 21. The shape of the urging member stopper 213 itself is an annular shape. The connection structure between the fiber fixing portion 21 and the biasing member stopper portion 213 is not limited to a specific structure. The fiber fixing portion 21 and the biasing member stopper portion 213 may be formed integrally.

  The light transmitting portion 22 is a portion formed of a light transmitting material (a material that transmits a laser beam that transmits a signal). At the center of the rear end side of the light transmission portion 22, an engagement recess 221 that is recessed toward the incident side ferrule 3 side is formed. The engagement protrusions 212 of the fiber fixing portion 21 are fitted into the engagement recesses 221 so that they are integrated. At the tip of the light transmitting portion 22, an exit side lens 222 that is a convex lens toward the entrance side ferrule 3 is formed. The optical axis X of the exit side lens 222 coincides with the axis of the exit side optical fiber 2f. The light (laser light) emitted from the emission side optical fiber 2 f becomes divergent light having a predetermined divergence angle (expansion angle), and the divergent light passes through the emission side lens 222. The shape of the exit side lens 222 and the distance from the distal end of the exit side optical fiber 2f to the exit side lens 222 are set so that divergent light that has passed through the exit side lens 222 becomes parallel light. That is, the exit side lens 222 is a collimate lens designed so that the light emitted from the exit side optical fiber 2f becomes parallel light.

  In addition, an emission side contact protrusion 223 is formed outside the emission side lens 222 in the light transmission portion 22. The exit side contact protrusion 223 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape surrounding the exit side lens 222. The emission side contact protrusion 223 protrudes from the tip of the emission side lens 222. Specifically, the tip of the exit-side contact projection 223 is positioned closer to the entrance-side ferrule 3 than the tip of the exit-side lens 222. As will be described later, the distance between the tip of the exit side lens 222 and the tip of the exit side contact projection 223 (the length of the exit side contact projection 223) is an element that determines the distance between the exit side lens 222 and the entrance side lens 322. .

  The incident side ferrule 3 also has a fiber fixing portion 31 and a light transmitting portion 32. In this embodiment, the incident side ferrule 3 and the output side ferrule 2 have the same shape. The fiber fixing portion 31 is a portion to which a downstream optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as an incident side optical fiber 3f) in the optical signal transmission path is fixed. The method of fixing the incident side optical fiber 3f is not limited to a specific method. For example, a known method in which the emission side optical fiber passed through the through-hole 311 formed in the fiber fixing portion 31 is fixed with an adhesive. The axis of the incident side optical fiber 3f fixed to the fiber fixing portion 31 coincides with the optical axis of the incident side lens 322 described later. An engagement protrusion 312 that protrudes toward the exit-side ferrule 2 is formed at the center of the distal end side of the fiber fixing portion 31. The front end surface of the incident-side optical fiber 3f fixed along the optical axis X is flush with the front end surface of the engagement protrusion 312. That is, the distal end surface of the incident side optical fiber 3f is exposed at the distal end surface of the fiber fixing portion 31 (engagement protrusion 312).

  An urging member stopper 313 is provided on the outer side of the rear end side of the fiber fixing portion 31 so as to protrude in a radial shape in a bowl shape. The shape of the urging member stopper 313 itself is an annular shape. The connection structure between the fiber fixing portion 31 and the biasing member stopper portion 313 is not limited to a specific structure. The fiber fixing portion 31 and the biasing member stopper portion 313 may be formed integrally.

  The light transmitting portion 32 is a portion formed of a light transmitting material (a material that transmits a laser beam that transmits a signal). At the center of the rear end side of the light transmission portion 32, an engagement recess 321 that is recessed toward the emission side ferrule 2 side is formed. When the engaging protrusion 312 of the fiber fixing portion 31 is fitted into the engaging recess 321, both are integrated. An incident side lens 322 that is a convex lens toward the emission side ferrule 2 side is formed at the tip of the light transmission part 32. The optical axis X of the incident side lens 322 coincides with the axis of the incident side optical fiber 3f. When the light (parallel light) that has passed through the exit-side lens 222 passes through the incident-side lens 322, it becomes focused light that converges toward the distal end surface of the incident-side optical fiber 3f. That is, the incident side lens 322 is a condensing lens that is set so that parallel light propagating in the space between the output side ferrule 2 and the incident side ferrule 3 is condensed at the tip of the incident side optical fiber 3f. .

  In addition, an incident side contact protrusion 323 is formed outside the incident side lens 322 in the light transmitting portion 32. The incident side contact protrusion 323 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape surrounding the incident side lens 322. The incident side contact protrusion 323 protrudes from the tip of the incident side lens 322. Specifically, the tip of the incident-side contact protrusion 323 is positioned closer to the exit-side ferrule 2 side than the tip of the incident-side lens 322. As will be described later, the distance between the distal end of the incident side lens 322 and the distal end of the incident side contact projection 323 (the length of the incident side contact projection 323) is an element that determines the distance between the exit side lens 222 and the incident side lens 322. .

  The exit side ferrule 2 and the entrance side ferrule 3 are inserted into a cylindrical sleeve member 4. The sleeve member 4 is formed so that its inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameters of both ferrules 2 and 3 (so that the inserted ferrule can slide in the optical axis X direction). The exit side ferrule 2 and the entrance side ferrule 3 are inserted so that the exit side lens 222 and the entrance side lens 322 face each other. The length of the sleeve member 4 in the axial direction is the length from the tip of the exit side contact projection 223 in the exit side ferrule 2 to the tip surface of the biasing member stopper 213, and the tip of the entrance side contact projection 323 in the entrance side ferrule 3. To the tip end surface of the biasing member stopper portion 313 is set so as to be shorter.

  Both ferrules 2 and 3 inserted into the sleeve member 4 are urged in a direction approaching each other by the urging member. In the present embodiment, the exit-side ferrule 2 has an exit-side biasing member 2 s inserted on the outer peripheral side on the rear end side of the biasing member stopper portion 213, and the entrance-side ferrule 3 has the biasing member stopper portion 313. An incident side biasing member 3s is inserted on the outer peripheral side on the rear end side. The exit-side biasing member 2s pushes the exit-side ferrule 2 toward the entrance-side ferrule 3 through the biasing member stopper 213. The incident-side urging member 3s pushes the incident-side ferrule 3 toward the emission-side ferrule 2 through the urging member stopper 313.

  When both ferrules 2 and 3 are pushed by the biasing member in this way, the tip end surface of the emission side contact projection 223 and the tip end surface of the entrance side contact projection 323 are brought into contact with each other. That is, one contact protrusion comes into contact with the other contact protrusion (in other words, the other ferrule). Since the axial length of the sleeve member 4 is as described above, if the urging member stopper portions 213 and 313 of both ferrules 2 and 3 are not brought into contact with the end surface of the sleeve member 4, Thus, the contact protrusions 223 and 323 are in contact with each other.

  Because of this state, the distance between the exit side lens 222 and the entrance side lens 322 in the optical axis X direction is determined by the lengths of both contact protrusions 223 and 323. Specifically, the distance D between the tip of the exit side lens 222 and the tip of the entrance side lens 322 in the optical axis X direction is the distance d1 between the tip of the exit side lens 222 and the tip of the exit side contact protrusion 223 in the optical axis X direction. And the distance d2 between the tip of the incident side lens 322 and the tip of the incident side contact projection 323 in the optical axis X direction (d1 = d2 because the exit side ferrule 2 and the entrance side ferrule 3 have the same shape in this embodiment). Equal to the sum. Thus, in the optical connector device 1 according to the present embodiment, the distance between the lenses in the optical axis X direction (the distance between the ferrules) is determined by the length of the contact protrusion provided around the lens. Variation in distance between lenses in the axis X direction is small (positioning accuracy is high). Specifically, like the conventional structure, it is affected by the positional accuracy of the biasing member stopper portions 213 and 313 in both ferrules 2 and 3 and the axial length of the sleeve member 4 (including deformation due to heat). Since it is not a structure, the relative positioning accuracy of the other lens with respect to one lens is high, and the connection loss between both lenses 222 and 322 (occurs when the light propagating through the space between the lenses described above is not completely parallel light). Connection loss is small.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical incident side contact protrusion 323 and output side contact protrusion 223 are in contact with the other party contact protrusion (the other party ferrule) (the entire circumference is in surface contact). ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the other ferrule from being inclined (optical axis deviation) with respect to one ferrule. If the gap between the outer peripheral surface of both ferrules 2 and 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve member 4 is extremely small, such an inclination will not occur, but the dimensional accuracy of each member must be high. According to the embodiment, since the entire circumference of the contact protrusion comes into contact with the other party's contact protrusion (the other party ferrule), the gap between the outer peripheral surface of both ferrules 2 and 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve member 4 is somewhat larger in this way. Even if it becomes, it can prevent that one ferrule inclines with respect to the other ferrule. In addition, since both lenses 222 and 322 are located in a space surrounded by both contact protrusions 223 and 323, dust or the like is unlikely to enter the space. Therefore, it is possible to prevent loss due to dust and the like adhering to the lens. In other words, if the gap between the outer peripheral surfaces of both ferrules 2 and 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve member 4 can be made extremely small, the contact location of one contact projection and the other contact projection (the other ferrule) May be a single point.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, it has been described that the exit-side ferrule 2 and the entrance-side ferrule 3 in the optical connector device 1 according to the above embodiment are composed of two parts, the fiber fixing parts 21 and 31 and the light transmission parts 22 and 32. It is not limited to a simple configuration. The structure may be a single part formed entirely of a light transmissive material, or may be a structure composed of three or more parts.

  Moreover, although both the ferrules 2 and 3 demonstrated the same shape, a different shape may be sufficient. In particular, a structure in which the contact protrusion is provided only on one ferrule may be employed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, one ferrule 2a (a ferrule with an incident side fiber 2f fixed as shown may be used, or conversely, a ferrule with an output side fiber 3f fixed. The contact projection 223a of the one ferrule 2a is in contact with the periphery of the lens 322a of the other ferrule 3a, so that the relative positional relationship between the lenses 222a and 322a is established. A determined structure may be adopted. However, if both ferrules 2 and 3 are the same shape like the structure shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there exists an advantage which contributes to suppression of manufacturing cost.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the exit side lens 222 is a collimate lens that uses the light emitted from the entrance side optical fiber 3f as parallel light, but is not limited to such a collimate lens. In other words, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to any configuration in which an exit side lens 222 that exhibits some function and an entrance side lens 322 (a lens that focuses light on the entrance side optical fiber 3f) are provided.

  The structure of the guide (sleeve member 4) for abutting both ferrules 2 and 3 and the structure for biasing both ferrules 2 and 3 are merely examples. That is, the structure of the guide and the urging structure can be appropriately changed without departing from the concept of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical connector apparatus 2 Outgoing side ferrule 21 Fiber fixing | fixed part 213 Biasing member stopper part 22 Light transmission part 222 Outgoing side lens 223 Outgoing side contact protrusion 2f Outgoing side optical fiber 2s Outgoing side biasing member 3 Incident side ferrule 31 Fiber fixing part 313 Energizing member stopper part 32 Light transmitting part 322 Incident side lens 323 Incident side contact protrusion 3f Incident side optical fiber 3s Incident side urging member 4 Sleeve member X Optical axis

Claims (3)

A ferrule to which the emission side optical fiber is fixed, and an emission side ferrule having an emission side lens through which light emitted from the emission side optical fiber passes at the tip,
An entrance side optical fiber disposed opposite to the exit side ferrule is a ferrule to which the entrance side optical fiber is fixed, and has an entrance side lens that condenses the light that has passed through the exit side lens on the entrance side optical fiber. A side ferrule,
With
At least one of the distal end of the exit-side ferrule and the distal end of the entrance-side ferrule is formed with a contact projection that sets the distance between the exit-side lens and the entrance-side lens in the optical axis direction in contact with the counterpart ferrule. An optical connector device.   2. The optical connector device according to claim 1, wherein the contact protrusion is formed so as to surround the exit side lens or the entrance side lens, and the entire circumference thereof contacts the counterpart ferrule.   The optical connector device according to claim 1, wherein the exit side ferrule and the entrance side ferrule have the same shape.

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