JP2015049382A - Optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber connector in which a cover part covering an installation part at an improper timing or a timing before the start of work is easily opened.SOLUTION: An optical fiber connector 1 includes: a connector body 2 connected to an optical fiber; an installation part 3 in which the optical fiber is installed in a rear part of the connector body 2; a cover part 4 which covers the installation part 3 and is engaged with the installation part 3; and an opening permission structure 10 which permits opening of the cover part 4 covering the installation part 3. In a first state where the cover part 4 covers the installation part 3 without the optical fiber in the installation part 3, disengagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4 is permitted to permit opening of the cover part 4 by the opening permission structure 10. In a second state where the cover part 4 covers the installation part 3 with the optical fiber in the installation part 3, disengagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4 is restricted to restrict opening of the cover part 4 by the opening permission structure 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector.

  Conventionally, an optical fiber connector to be attached to an end of an optical fiber is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical fiber provided with a connector main body connected to the optical fiber, and a retention mechanism that holds the optical fiber toward the connector main body in a state where the optical fiber is urged toward the optical fiber for connecting the ferrule in the connector main body. The connector is listed.

JP 2008-180958 A

  Here, the drawing mechanism of the optical fiber connector as described above includes an installation unit for installing the optical fiber and a cover unit for engaging with the installation unit. An installation part installs an optical fiber, and an optical fiber is fixed by engaging a cover part with an installation part. In such an optical fiber connector, even when the optical fiber is not installed in the installation part, the cover part may engage with the installation part at an inappropriate timing or a timing before starting work. there were. In such a case, it takes time to release the engagement between the cover portion and the installation portion, which affects the work efficiency. Accordingly, there is a demand for an optical fiber connector that can easily open the cover portion that covers the installation portion at an inappropriate timing or a timing before the start of work.

  An optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention is an optical fiber connector attached to an end portion of an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is installed in a connector main body connected to the optical fiber and a rear portion of the connector main body. A cover portion that covers the installation portion, engages with the installation portion, and an open allowance structure that allows the cover portion covering the installation portion to be opened, and the optical fiber is installed in the installation portion In the first state where the cover part covers the installation part, the disengagement between the installation part and the cover part is allowed, or the installation part and the cover part are disengaged. With the second state in which the opening of the cover part by the open permission structure is permitted and the optical fiber is installed in the installation part and the cover part covers the installation part, the engagement between the installation part and the cover part is Release is regulated And the opening of the cover portion by openable structure is restricted.

  According to such a form, the optical fiber connector includes an open permission structure that allows the cover portion covering the installation portion to be opened. Therefore, even when the cover portion covers the installation portion at an inappropriate timing or before the start of work, the cover portion can be opened by the opening allowance structure. Here, in the first state in which the cover portion covers the installation portion without the optical fiber being installed in the installation portion, the opening of the cover portion by the open permission structure is permitted. That is, although the optical fiber is not installed in the installation part, the cover part covers the installation part because it is improperly or the cover part covers the installation part before starting work. In such a first state, by allowing the release of the engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion, or by disengaging the installation portion and the cover portion, the opening allowance structure is used. By allowing the cover portion to be opened, the operator can easily open the cover portion. On the other hand, in the second state in which the optical fiber is installed in the installation part and the cover part covers the installation part, the opening of the cover part by the open permission structure is restricted. That is, since the optical fiber is installed in the installation part and the cover part covers the installation part is a state where the cover part appropriately covers the installation part, in such a second state, the installation part By restricting the release of the engagement between the cover part and the cover part, the cover part covering the installation part is accidentally opened at an appropriate timing by restricting the opening of the cover part by the opening allowance structure. Can be prevented. As described above, the cover part covering the installation part can be easily opened at an inappropriate timing or the timing before the start of work, and the cover part covering the installation part at an appropriate timing is accidentally opened. Can be prevented.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the opening allowance structure is configured by a release structure that releases the engagement between the installation part and the cover part, and in the first state, the installation part and the cover part by the release structure The release of the engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion by the release structure may be restricted in the second state.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the installation unit installs an optical fiber arranged along the length direction of the installation unit, and the release structure is installed in the width direction orthogonal to the length direction. In the first state, the deformation of the installation part is allowed, and the engagement between the installation part and the cover part is allowed to be released. In the second state, the installation part is made of an optical fiber. By restricting the deformation, the release of the engagement between the installation part and the cover part may be restricted.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the release structure allows the cover part to be further pushed into the installation part from the state in which the installation part and the cover part are engaged. By allowing the pushing of the part to the installation part, release of the engagement between the installation part and the cover part is allowed, and in the second state, pushing of the cover part to the installation part is restricted by the optical fiber. Accordingly, release of the engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion may be restricted.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, in the first state, the open permission structure separates the engaging portion provided in at least one of the installation portion and the cover portion and the engaged portion provided in at least the other. By placing the installation portion and the cover portion in a disengaged state, in the second state, the engagement portion is engaged with the engaged portion as the optical fiber is installed in the installation portion. The installation part and the cover part may be in an engaged state, and the release of the engagement between the installation part and the cover part may be regulated by an optical fiber.

  The optical fiber connector which concerns on another form WHEREIN: The cancellation | release structure may be equipped with the slit part extended with respect to the length direction formed with respect to the installation part.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, an optical fiber fixing structure for fixing the optical fiber may be provided in the installation part and / or the cover part.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the optical fiber fixing structure may be provided in the installation part.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the optical fiber fixing structure may be provided in the cover portion.

  In an optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the connector main body is connected to the optical fiber by pushing a cap, and the cover portion is connected to the installation portion and the connector main body on the front end side of the installation portion or the rear end side of the connector main body. The cover portion may include a pressing portion that presses the cap of the connector main body on the surface opposite to the installation portion.

  In the optical fiber connector according to another aspect, the cover portion may be formed with a rotatable portion that is rotatable between the connecting portion and the pressing portion.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily open the cover portion that covers the installation portion at an inappropriate timing or a timing before the start of work.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector in the state where a cover part was opened. It is a disassembled perspective view of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. It is an enlarged plan view of an installation part. It is sectional drawing along the VV line shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the operation | work procedure which attaches an optical fiber connector to an optical fiber. It is a perspective view which shows the operation | work procedure which attaches an optical fiber connector to an optical fiber. It is a perspective view which shows the operation | work procedure which attaches an optical fiber connector to an optical fiber. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber connector which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber connector which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber connector which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber connector which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the optical fiber connector which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The terms “X-axis direction”, “Y-axis direction”, and “Z-axis direction” are based on the illustrated directions and are convenient.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical fiber connector 1 in a state where the cover portion 4 is opened. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber connector 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the installation unit 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. However, for ease of understanding, FIG. 5 shows an optical fiber cable 101 not shown in FIG. The optical fiber connector 1 is attached to the end of the optical fiber 100. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber 100 is exposed by removing the cable jacket 102 at the tip of the optical fiber cable 101 and further removing the optical fiber covering portion 103 (see FIG. 5). . As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber connector 1 includes a connector main body 2 connected to the optical fiber 100, an installation portion 3 for installing the optical fiber 100, and an installation portion 3 at the rear of the connector main body 2. The cover portion 4 that engages with the portion 3, the open permission structure 10 that allows the cover portion 4 covering the installation portion 3 to open, and the optical fiber fixing structure 7 that fixes the optical fiber 100 are provided. In the optical fiber connector 1, the installation portion 3, the cover portion 4, the open permission structure 10, and the optical fiber fixing structure 7 constitute a retaining structure 20 for retaining the optical fiber 100 with respect to the connector body 2. For the sake of explanation, the length direction in which the optical fiber connector 1 extends is referred to as “X-axis direction”. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber connector 1 is attached to the end portion of the optical fiber 100 so that the optical fiber connector 1 extends along the length direction of the optical fiber connector 1. In addition, the thickness direction of the optical fiber connector 1 is defined as “Z-axis direction”. The direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction, that is, the width direction of the optical fiber connector 1 is defined as a “Y-axis direction”. The front end side of the optical fiber connector 1 is referred to as “front (X-axis positive side)”, and the side on which the optical fiber cable 101 is inserted is referred to as “rear (X-axis negative side)”. Further, the side on which the pressing operation of the cap 18 described later is performed is “upper (Z-axis positive side)”, and the opposite side is “lower (Z-axis negative side)”. A central axis CL that extends in parallel with the optical fiber connector 1 in the X-axis direction is set. Unless otherwise specified, the optical fiber connector 1 has a plane-symmetric structure with an XZ plane passing through the central axis CL as a reference plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the connector main body 2 includes a base portion 11, a shell 12, and an optical fiber connection portion 13. The connector body 2 is configured by including an optical fiber connection portion 13 in a base portion 11 and covering the outer periphery of the base portion 11 with a shell 12. As the connector main body 2, for example, an SC type optical connector can be used. As other examples, for example, an FC type optical connector, an ST type optical connector, and the like can be considered. In the present specification, for the sake of explanation, an SC type optical connector will be described. However, this SC type optical connector is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a connector form.

  The base portion 11 is a rectangular cylindrical member extending in the length direction (X-axis direction), and is opposed to the upper wall portion 21 disposed on the upper side (Z-axis positive side) and the upper wall portion 21. The bottom wall part 22 arrange | positioned at the lower side (Z-axis negative side) and the side wall parts 23 and 24 facing the width direction (Y-axis direction) are provided. The shell 12 is a rectangular tubular member extending in the length direction, and includes an upper wall portion 26 disposed on the upper side, a bottom wall portion 27 disposed on the lower side facing the upper wall portion 26, And side wall portions 28 and 29 facing in the width direction. The shell 12 is engaged with the base portion 11 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 11, and the upper wall portion 26, the bottom wall portion 27, and the side wall portions 28 and 29 of the shell 12 are formed on the upper wall portion of the base portion 11. 21, the bottom wall portion 22, and the side wall portions 23 and 24 are respectively covered. The base portion 11 and the front ends 11b and 12b of the shell 12 are disposed so as to coincide with each other in the length direction, but may be shifted from each other. In the present embodiment, the rear end 11 c of the base portion 11 extends rearward from the rear end 12 c of the shell 12. That is, the rear end 12c of the shell 12 is disposed in front of the rear end 11c of the base portion 11, and the step portion 25 between the shell 12 and the base portion 11 is spaced forward from the rear end 2a of the connector body 2. It becomes composition. Thereby, the cover part 4 can be rotated without interfering with the shell 12 (detailed configuration will be described later).

  The optical fiber connection portion 13 includes a cylindrical backbone 14 extending in the length direction (X-axis direction), a ferrule 16 provided at the front end 14 a of the backbone 14, and a core wire fixing portion 17 provided inside the backbone 14. And a cap 18 for pressing the core wire fixing portion 17. An optical fiber introduction hole is formed in the ferrule 16 along the central axis CL, and the connection optical fiber 110 is inserted and fixed in the optical fiber introduction hole. The ferrule 16 is connected to the front end 14a so that the backbone 14 and the central axis coincide. The backbone 14 is formed with an opening 14b that opens upward (Z-axis positive direction), and the core wire fixing part 17 is accommodated in the opening 14b. A cap 18 for pressing the core wire fixing portion 17 from above is disposed in the opening 14b of the backbone 14. Openings 11 a and 12 a are formed in the upper wall portion 21 of the base portion 11 and the upper wall portion 26 of the shell 12 at positions corresponding to the opening portions 14 b of the backbone 14, respectively. Accordingly, the cap 18 is exposed from the shell 12. For the following description, an opening formed by a combination of the openings 11a, 12a, and 14b will be referred to as an “opening 15” for exposing the cap 18. The opening 15 has a rectangular shape extending in the length direction according to the shape of the cap 18 and is disposed at a substantially central position in the length direction of the base portion 11, but the shape and position are particularly limited. It is not a thing. Further, the backbone 14 has a through hole 14c for inserting the optical fiber 100 inserted in the rear end side of the connector main body 2 at the rear end 14d. A spring 19 is disposed on the rear end 14 d side of the backbone 14 so as to surround the backbone 14. The spring 19 secures the pressing of the ferrule 16 by applying an elastic force to the backbone 14 toward the tip of the connector in the base portion 11, and is the other object to be fitted with the optical fiber connector 1. Maintain contact with the ferrule built into the fiber optic connector.

  The core wire fixing portion 17 is constituted by two side plates extending in the length direction and opposed in the width direction, and a groove portion 17a extending in the length direction is formed on the inner surface of each side plate to receive the optical fiber. ing. The optical fiber for connection 110 of the ferrule 16 is inserted from the front end 17b into the groove portion 17a of the core wire fixing portion 17, and the end of the optical fiber 100 inserted through the opening 14b of the backbone 14 is inserted from the rear end 17c. The As a result, the connecting optical fiber 110 and the optical fiber 100 are abutted in the groove portion 17a of the core fixing portion 17, and are in an optically connected state. By pushing the cap 18 in this state, the interval between the side plates of the core wire fixing portion 17 is narrowed, whereby the space of the groove portion 17a is narrowed and the connecting optical fiber 110 and the optical fiber 100 are fixed. Thus, the connector main body 2 is connected to the optical fiber 100 by pushing the cap 18. In this specification, the state where the connector body 2 is “connected” to the optical fiber 100 means that the ferrule 16 is connected by fixing the optical fiber 100 by a method represented by the optical fiber connection portion 13. It is assumed that the optical fiber 110 for use and the optical fiber 100 are in an optically connected state. In this specification, the state where the optical fiber connector 1 is “attached” to the end portion of the optical fiber 100 means that the connector body 2 is connected to the optical fiber 100 and the cover portion 4 is engaged with the installation portion 3. Thus, it is assumed that the optical fiber 100 is fixed, the entire optical fiber connector 1 is completely attached to the end of the optical fiber 100, and can be connected to other connectors.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the retaining structure 20 by the installation part 3 and the cover part 4 is demonstrated. The retaining structure 20 is provided at the rear part (the X-axis negative side part) of the connector body 2, and as described above, the installation part 3, the cover part 4, the open permission structure 10, and the optical fiber fixing structure 7 are provided. I have. Specifically, the retaining structure 20 is provided so as to extend rearward (X-axis negative direction) from the rear end 2a of the connector main body 2.

  The installation part 3 is for installing an optical fiber arranged along the length direction of the installation part 3. The installation portion 3 has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an upper opening, and extends in the length direction from the rear end 11c of the base portion 11 of the connector body 2 toward the rear. In this embodiment, the base part 11 and the installation part 3 are comprised as an integrally molded member from a viewpoint of manufacturability. However, it is good also as a structure which makes the base part 11 and the installation part 3 a separate member, and connects at the time of an assembly. The installation part 3 includes a bottom wall part 31 disposed on the lower side, and side wall parts 32 and 33 facing in the width direction. The bottom wall portion 31 of the installation portion 3 extends in the length direction so as to be continuous with the bottom wall portion 22 of the base portion 11, and the side wall portions 32 and 33 of the installation portion 3 are the side wall portions 23 and 23 of the base portion 11. 24 is extended in the length direction so as to be continuous with 24.

  Specifically, the installation unit 3 is an optical fiber coating accommodation space for accommodating the optical fiber 100 in which the cable jacket portion 102 is removed and exposed in order from the front side to the rear side (in order from the X axis positive side). 41 and a cable jacket arrangement portion 42 for arranging the optical fiber 100 covered with the cable jacket portion 102. In the space SP inside the optical fiber coating housing space 41, that is, the space SP surrounded by the bottom wall portion 31 and the side wall portions 32, 33 (and the cover portion 4) in the optical fiber coating housing space 41, the optical fiber 100 has some Space that can be arranged in a state having deflection (see FIG. 5) is secured. Here, the optical fiber coating housing space 41 has a first region 41A that restricts movement of the optical fiber 100 on the front side in order from the front side to the rear side (in order from the X axis positive side), and the deflection of the optical fiber 100. The second region 41B in which the space SP is widely secured and the third region 41C that restricts the movement of the optical fiber 100 on the rear side is provided. In addition, inside the optical fiber coating housing space 41, a large diameter R is formed at the corner between the bottom wall portion 31 and the side wall portions 32 and 33, and the cross-sectional shape of the space SP is curved downward. A cross-sectional shape is formed.

  The cross-sectional shape of the inner surface 41Ba in the second region 41B has a constant shape and size along the length direction. The inner surface 41Aa in the first region 41A tapers so that the size of the cross-sectional shape gradually decreases from the second region 41B toward the front. The cross-sectional shape of the inner surface 41Aa is the smallest at the front end 41b of the optical fiber coating housing space 41, that is, at the boundary portion between the base portion 11 and the installation portion 3 of the connector main body 2. The inner surface 41Ca in the third region 41C tapers so that the size of the cross-sectional shape gradually decreases from the second region 41B toward the rear. The cross-sectional shape of the inner surface 41Ca is smallest at the rear end 41c of the optical fiber coating housing space 41, that is, at the boundary portion between the optical fiber coating housing space 41 and the cable jacket placement portion 42 in the installation portion 3. With the configuration as described above, the deflection of the optical fiber 100 can be allowed in the second region 41B. Further, by restricting the movement of the front end of the optical fiber 100 in the first region 41A, it can be easily inserted into the backbone 14 of the optical fiber connecting portion 13.

  In the cable jacket arrangement portion 42, the space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 31 and the side wall portions 32 and 33 has a space in which at least the end portion 101 a of the cable jacket portion 102 can be arranged. The height of the upper surface 31Da of the bottom wall portion 31 in the cable jacket arrangement portion 42 is such that when the cable jacket portion 102 is arranged on the upper surface 31Da, the position of the optical fiber 100 in the cable jacket portion 102 is determined by the connector. The height is set so as to substantially coincide with the central axes of the ferrule 16 and the backbone 14 of the main body 2 (see FIG. 5). The inner surfaces 32Da and 33Da of the side wall portions 32 and 33 in the cable jacket arrangement portion 42 face each other so as to be parallel to each other, and the dimension between the inner surfaces 32Da and 33Da is larger than the dimension in the width direction of the cable jacket portion 102. Set slightly larger. However, in the present embodiment, the cable jacket arrangement portion 42 can be deformed so as to expand in the width direction. Therefore, as long as the cover portion 4 can be engaged, the dimension between the inner surfaces 32Da and 33Da is the cable jacket portion 102. Or less in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the dimensions from the central axis CL of the inner surfaces 32Da and 33Da in the cable jacket arrangement part 42 are the same as that of the side wall parts 32 and 33 in the second region 41B of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 (near the upper end). It is smaller than the inner surfaces 32Ba, 33Ba (see FIG. 4). In addition, in the boundary part between the cable jacket arrangement | positioning part 42 and the optical fiber coating | casing accommodation space 41, the side part 32,33 has side wall part 32,33 by tapering the space SP toward the back side in the 3rd area | region 41C. Projecting wall portions 43 and 44 projecting inward are formed. The rear end surfaces 43a and 44a of the protruding wall portions 43 and 44 form a flat surface extending in the YZ direction, and face the end surface 102b of the cable jacket portion 102 arranged in the cable jacket placement portion 42. Thus, the protruding wall portions 43 and 44 can restrict the forward movement of the cable jacket portion 102. Note that such protruding wall portions 43 and 44 may not be provided.

  In the present embodiment, out of the outer surfaces of the side wall portions 32 and 33 of the installation portion 3, the outer surfaces 32b and 33b relating to the positions corresponding to the first region 41A and the second region 41B of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 are The outer surface of the side wall portions 23 and 24 of the base portion 11 of the connector body 2 is flush with the outer surface. Outer surfaces 32c and 33c related to positions corresponding to the third region 41C of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 and the cable jacket arrangement portion 42 among the outer surfaces of the side walls 32 and 33 of the installation unit 3 are more than the outer surfaces 32b and 33b. Is also arranged on the inner side (center axis CL side). The heights of the upper ends 32d and 33d of the side walls 32 and 33 are constant at any positions of the optical fiber sheathing space 41 and the cable jacket arrangement portion 42. Both end portions 31b, 31c in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 31 protrude outward from the outer surfaces 33b, 34b, 33c, 34c of the side wall portions 33, 34. Accordingly, receiving portions 46 and 47 for receiving the cover portion 4 are formed at positions outside the side wall portions 33 and 34. The positions in the width direction of both end portions 31b and 31c are constant in any region of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 and the cable jacket placement portion 42. Accordingly, the sizes of the receiving surfaces of the receiving portions 46 and 47 corresponding to the third region 41C of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 and the cable jacket placement portion 42 are the first region 41A of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 and It is larger than the size of the receiving surface of the receiving portions 46 and 47 corresponding to the position corresponding to the second region 41B.

  The cover part 4 is for engaging with the installation part 3 to cover the installation part 3 from above. The cover portion 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens downward (when engaged with the installation portion 3), and extends backward from the rear end 11 c of the base portion 11 of the connector body 2. It extends in the vertical direction. The cover part 4 is provided with the upper wall part 51 arrange | positioned at the upper side and the side wall parts 52 and 53 which oppose the width direction in the state engaged with the installation part 3. As shown in FIG. In the state of being engaged with the installation part 3, the upper wall part 51 of the cover part 4 is long while facing the bottom wall part 31 of the installation part 3 and covering the upper ends 32 d and 33 d of the side wall parts 32 and 33. It extends in the vertical direction. The side wall parts 52 and 53 of the cover part 4 are opposed to the side wall parts 32 and 33 of the installation part 3 and extend in the length direction while being covered from the outside.

  Of the side wall portions 52 and 53 of the cover portion 4, thick portions 52 </ b> A and 53 </ b> A having a large wall thickness are formed in a partial region on the rear end 4 b side (see particularly FIG. 2). . When the cover portion 4 is engaged with the installation portion 3, the thick portions 52A and 53A have the third region 41C in which the receiving portions 46 and 47 of the installation portion 3 are set wide and the cable jacket arrangement. It is formed at a position corresponding to the portion 42. On the outer surface side of the thick portions 52A and 53A, concave portions 76 and 77 that are recessed in a bay shape are formed in a part on the lower ends 52a and 53a side. By forming the concave portions 76 and 77, when releasing the engagement between the cover portion 4 and the installation portion 3, the operator can easily push the receiving portions 46 and 47 of the installation portion 3 inward in the width direction with a finger. Become. Further, hook-shaped engaging portions 78 and 79 extending inward from the lower ends 52a and 53a are formed in the vicinity of the rear ends 4b of the thick portions 52A and 53A (see particularly FIG. 2). In contrast to the engaging portions 78 and 79, the installation portion 3 is formed with engaged portions 81 and 82 on the side wall portions 32 and 33 in the cable jacket arrangement portion 42. The engaged portions 81 and 82 are configured by providing stepped portions so that hook-like engaging portions 78 and 79 can be engaged by notching portions near the lower ends of the side wall portions 32 and 33. The Projections 55 projecting downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 51 of the cover 4 and extending in the width direction are formed at positions corresponding to the thick portions 52A and 53A (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The protrusion 55 enters the groove 65 formed in the third region 41C of the installation portion 3 and extending in the width direction. Thus, the protruding portion 55 and the groove portion 65 have a positioning function for positioning the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4. Note that, when the cover portion 4 is engaged with the installation portion 3, the engaging portions 78 and 79 are easily engaged with the engaged portions 81 and 82 above the engaged portions 81 and 82. Inclined portions 81a and 82a that are inclined downward are formed. In this embodiment, the engaging portion is formed in the cover portion 4 and the engaged portion is formed in the installation portion 3. However, the engaging portion is formed in the installation portion 3 and the engaged portion is engaged in the cover portion 4. A joint may be formed. Moreover, the formation position of the set of the engaging portion and the engaged portion may be anywhere, and there may be a plurality of pairs as well as a pair.

  The cover portion 4 includes a connecting portion 60 (a part of the connecting portion 60) that is rotatably connected to the installing portion 3 and the base portion 11 of the connector main body 2 on the front end 3 a side of the installing portion 3. ing. The cover part 4 rotates around a central axis extending in parallel with the width direction. The connecting portion 60 that rotatably connects the cover portion 4 and the installation portion 3 includes a shaft portion 61 formed on the front end 3a side of the installation portion 3 and the front end 4a side of the cover portion 4 (engaged with the installation portion 3). And a through hole 62 connected to the shaft portion 61. Note that the cover portion 4 may be rotatably connected to the installation portion 3 and the connector main body 2 on the rear end 2 a side of the connector main body 2. Semicircular flange portions 63 and 64 projecting upward from the upper ends 32d and 33d are formed in the vicinity of the front end 3a on the side wall portions 32 and 33 of the installation portion 3, and from the outer surfaces of the flange portions 63 and 64, respectively. A cylindrical shaft portion 61 projects outward in the width direction. Semicircular flange portions 66 and 67 projecting upward from the upper wall portion 51 are formed in the vicinity of the front end 4 a on the side wall portions 52 and 53 of the cover portion 4, and the flange portions 66 and 67 have a circular shape. A through hole 62 is formed. Accordingly, the connecting portion 60 is configured by inserting the shaft portion 61 into the through hole 62 so that the flange portions 63 and 64 of the installation portion 3 are sandwiched from the outside by the flange portions 66 and 67 of the cover portion 4. . In the region near the front end 4 a of the upper wall portion 51 of the cover portion 4, flange portions 63 and 64 of the installation portion 3 and notches 72 and 73 extending to the rear middle position are formed on both inner sides. The cutout portions 72 and 73 improve the assemblability of the cover portion 4 with respect to the connector main body 2 and the installation portion 3.

  The cover portion 4 includes a pressing portion 83 that presses the cap 18 of the connector main body 2 on the upper surface 51a (surface opposite to the installation portion 3) of the upper wall portion 51. The pressing portion 83 is configured by a rectangular protruding portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface 51 a of the upper wall portion 51. The cover portion 4 is formed with a rotatable portion 84 that is rotatable between the connecting portion 60 and the pressing portion 83 in the length direction. The turning portion 84 is formed at a position where the cover portion 4 comes into contact with the rear end 12a of the shell 12 when the cover portion 4 is turned around the shaft portion 61 toward the connector body 2 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the cover portion 4 comes into contact with the rear end 12 a of the shell 12 and rotates at the position of the rotation portion 84, whereby the first of the cover portion 4 on the rear end 4 b side of the rotation portion 84. In the region 4A, the upper wall portion 51 is in surface contact with the upper wall portion 26 of the shell 12 (see FIG. 7). The pressing portion 83 is formed in a position and shape capable of entering the opening 15 of the connector body 2 and pressing the cap 18 in a state where the upper wall portion 51 is in surface contact with the upper wall portion 26 of the shell 12. In the boundary portion between the first region 4A and the second region 4B on the front end 4a side with respect to the rotating portion 84, slits are formed in the side wall portions 52 and 53, and a groove is formed in the lower surface of the upper wall portion 51. The turning portion 84 is formed by providing a thin wall. In the first region 4A, the lower ends 52a, 53a of the side wall portions 52, 53 of the cover portion 4 extend from the upper wall portion 51 to the receiving surface of the receiving portion 46 of the installation portion 3, but the second region In 4B, the lower ends 52a and 53a of the side wall parts 52 and 53 of the cover part 4 are separated from the receiving surface of the receiving part 46 of the installation part 3. In addition, the rotation part 84 is not formed in the area | region between the notch parts 72 and 73 among the upper wall parts 51. FIG. Moreover, the said rotation part 84 is not formed, but it is good also as the cap 18 being fully pressable by enlarging the protrusion amount of the press part 83. FIG.

  The optical fiber fixing structure 7 fixes the optical fiber 100 and is provided in the installation part 3 in this embodiment. Specifically, the optical fiber fixing structure 7 includes side wall portions 32 and 33 of the cable jacket arrangement portion 42 of the installation portion 3, and tooth portions 86 formed on the inner surfaces 32 Da and 33 Da of the side wall portions 32 and 33, respectively. It is equipped with. The tooth portion 86 has a substantially triangular shape that protrudes from the inner surfaces 32Da and 33Da when viewed from above (when viewed from the Z-axis positive side), and the upper surface 31Da of the bottom wall portion 31 and the upper ends 32d of the side wall portions 32 and 33, It extends in the vertical direction between 33d. In the present embodiment, three tooth portions 86 are formed on the inner surfaces 32Da and 33Da of the side wall portions 32 and 33 so as to be arranged at intervals in the length direction, but may be at least more than three. The dimension in the width direction between the tip of the tooth portion 86 of the inner surface 32Da and the tip of the tooth portion 86 of the inner surface 33Da is larger than the dimension in the width direction of the cable jacket portion 102 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the optical fiber fixing structure 7 can fix the optical fiber 100 by sandwiching the cable jacket portion 102 with the tooth portion 86. When the cable jacket portion 102 is sandwiched between the tooth portions 86, the cable jacket placement portion 42 of the installation portion 3 is positioned on both outer sides in the width direction by the action of a deformation promoting portion of the release structure 6 (opening permission structure 10) described later. Deforms to spread out. The size that spreads outward in the width direction becomes larger toward the rear end (that is, the tooth portion 86 of the set on the rear end side spreads larger), but even in such a case, the cable is connected with the three sets of tooth portions 86. The dimension between the front ends of the tooth portions 86 is narrower toward the rear end side (that is, the protrusion amount is larger toward the rear end side tooth portion 86) so that the jacket portion 102 can be securely fixed.

  The open permission structure 10 allows the cover 4 to be opened when the cover 4 covers the installation 3 by being closed with respect to the installation 3. In a state where the optical fiber 100 is not installed in the installation unit 3 and the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3 (in the following description, this state is referred to as a “first state”), the installation unit 3 and the cover The release may be permitted by allowing the engagement with the part 4 to be released (or by disengaging the installation part 3 and the cover part 4), but the modification will be described later. ), The opening of the cover portion 4 by the opening allowance structure 10 is allowed. In a state where the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation unit 3 and the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as “second state”), the installation unit 3 and the cover are covered. The release of the cover part 4 by the opening permission structure 10 is restricted by restricting the release of the engagement with the part. In the present embodiment, the opening allowance structure 10 is constituted by a release structure 6 that releases the engagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4. In the release structure 6, the engagement portions 78 and 79 of the cover portion 4 are engaged with the engaged portions 81 and 82 of the installation portion 3 when the cover portion 4 is closed (that is, the cover portion 4 covers the installation portion 3). When they are engaged, the engagement between the cover part 4 and the installation part 3 is released. In the first state, release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure 6 is allowed. Further, in the second state, the release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure 6 is restricted. In addition, the release structure 6 allows the installation portion 3 to be deformed in the width direction orthogonal to the length direction. In the first state, the installation portion 3 and the cover portion are allowed to be deformed by allowing deformation of the installation portion 3. The release of the engagement with 4 is allowed. Further, in the second state, the deformation of the installation part 3 is restricted by the optical fiber 100, so that the disengagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4 is restricted. In order to realize the function as described above, in the present embodiment, the release structure 6 is a deformation promoting part that promotes deformation of the installation part 3 for releasing the engagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4. 91 and a deformation restricting portion 92 that restricts deformation of the installation portion 3 in the second state.

  The deformation promoting portion 91 is configured by a slit portion 93 that is formed with respect to the installation portion 3 and extends in the length direction (see particularly FIG. 4). The slit portion 93 extends straight forward from the rear end 3b of the installation portion 3 at the center position in the width direction. The slit portion 93 is not particularly limited as long as the length capable of deforming the installation portion 3 to such an extent that the engagement can be released is secured, but at least the engaging portions 78 and 79 and the engaged portions 81 and 82. In this embodiment, it extends so as to include the entire area of the cable jacket placement portion 42, and the second region 41B and the third region of the optical fiber coating housing space 41 are extended. It extends to the boundary with the region 41C. In the following description, the cable jacket placement portion 42 and the third region 41C, which are regions where the slits 93 extend, will be described as the deformation region 3A. The size of the slit portion 93 in the width direction, that is, the dimension between the inner surfaces 93a and 93b facing each other in the width direction of the slit portion 93 ensures the deformation stroke of the installation portion 3 to the extent that the engagement can be released. Although it does not specifically limit, in this embodiment, it is set smaller than the dimension between the tooth parts 86 used as a pair, and smaller than the dimension between protrusion wall parts 43 and 44. Further, at the boundary portion between the second region 41B and the third region 41C, the side wall portions 32, 33 extend from both end portions 31b, 31c in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 31 with respect to the receiving portions 46, 47. Notches 94 and 96 extending to the outer surfaces 32c and 33c are formed. As a result, the deformation area 3A of the installation portion 3 is more easily deformed. With the configuration as described above, in the first state, the operator holds the both end portions 31b and 31c of the bottom wall portion 31 in the deformation region 3A with fingers, so that the gap between the inner surfaces 93a and 93b of the slit portion 93 is increased. The entire deformation region 3A is deformed inward in the width direction so as to narrow. As a result, the engaging portions 78 and 79 are disengaged from the engaged portions 81 and 82, and the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 is released.

  In the second state, the deformation restricting portion 92 is installed in the installation portion 3 (in the present embodiment, the cable jacket portion 102 is arranged in the cable jacket arrangement portion 42). The deformation of the deformation area 3 </ b> A of the installation portion 3 is regulated using the support force of the optical fiber 100 (through the portion 102). Specifically, the deformation restricting portion 92 is configured by the optical fiber fixing structure 7 described above. The position of the optical fiber 100 is fixed via the cable jacket 102 by fixing the cable jacket 102 with the optical fiber fixing structure 7, while the cable jacket 102 on the optical fiber fixing structure 7 side. By being supported by the optical fiber 100 via, the inward movement of the side wall portions 32 and 33 and the tooth portion 86 is restricted. Thereby, in the second state, even if the operator sandwiches both ends 31b and 31c of the bottom wall portion 31 in the deformation region 3A with fingers, the operator is supported by the optical fiber 100 through the cable jacket portion 102. The deformation of the deformation area 3A of the installation part 3 is restricted.

  Next, an example of a work procedure for attaching the optical fiber connector 1 to the end of the optical fiber 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, while preparing the optical fiber connector 1 which has the cover part 4 opened, the cable jacket part 102 and the optical fiber coating | coated part 103 of an edge part are removed, and the optical fiber 100 is removed. Is prepared, and the optical fiber cable 101 is installed on the jig 150. The jig 150 is for aligning the optical fiber connector 1 and the optical fiber 100. The jig 150 includes a connector installation portion 151 for installing the optical fiber connector 1 on the front side, and the optical fiber cable 101 on the rear side. A groove part 152 for arranging the cable jacket part 102 is provided. Note that the jig 150 is an example and is not limited to the shape shown in the drawing, and is further used to improve work efficiency and work accuracy. Also good.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical fiber connector 1 is installed in the connector installation portion 151 of the jig 150, the cable jacket portion 102 is placed in the cable jacket placement portion 42 of the installation portion 3, and the optical fiber 100 is placed in the optical fiber coating housing space 41 of the installation section 3, and the optical fiber 100 is inserted into the connector main body 2. At this time, the buckling force acts on the optical fiber 100 inserted into the body 2 by setting the length of the optical fiber so that the optical fiber 100 is slightly bent. Thereby, the optical fiber 100 and the connection optical fiber in the connector main body 2 are reliably abutted. Next, by further rotating the first region 4A of the cover unit 4 toward the connector body 2 by the rotating unit 84, the cap 18 of the connector body 2 is pushed into the connector body 2 with the optical fiber 100. Connecting. After that, as shown in FIG. 8, the cover unit 4 is covered with the installation unit 3 by rotating the cover unit 4 toward the installation unit 3, and the cover unit 4 is engaged with the installation unit 3. In this state, the position of the optical fiber 100 is fixed when the cable jacket 102 is sandwiched between the optical fiber fixing structures 7. As a result, the optical fiber connector 1 is attached to the end of the optical fiber 100. The operation is completed by taking out the optical fiber connector 1 and the optical fiber cable 101 from the jig 150.

  Next, the operation and effect of the optical fiber connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

  The optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes an open permission structure 10 that allows the cover portion 4 covering the installation portion 3 to be opened. Therefore, even when the cover part 4 covers the installation part 3 at an inappropriate timing or before the start of work, the cover part 4 can be opened by the opening allowance structure 10. Here, in the first state in which the optical fiber 100 is not installed in the installation unit 3 and the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3, the opening of the cover unit 4 by the open permission structure 10 is permitted. That is, although the optical fiber 100 is not installed in the installation unit 3, the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3 inappropriately or before the start of work. In such a first state, by allowing the release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 and allowing the cover portion to be opened by the opening allowance structure 10, The operator can easily open the cover 4. On the other hand, in the second state where the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation unit 3 and the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3, the opening of the cover unit 4 by the open permission structure 10 is restricted. That is, the reason why the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation unit 3 and the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3 is the state in which the cover unit 4 appropriately covers the installation unit 3. In this state, the release of the cover part 4 by the opening allowance structure 10 is restricted by restricting the release of the engagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4, so that the installation part 3 is at an appropriate timing. Can be prevented from being accidentally opened. As described above, the cover unit 4 covering the installation unit 3 can be easily opened at an inappropriate timing or a timing before starting work, and the cover unit 4 covering the installation unit 3 at an appropriate timing is provided. It can be prevented from being accidentally opened.

  In the optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the opening allowance structure 10 includes a release structure 6 that releases the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4. Further, in the first state, release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure 6 is allowed, and in the second state, between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure. The release of the engagement is restricted. Therefore, even when the cover portion 4 is engaged with the installation portion 3 at an inappropriate timing or a timing before starting work, the release structure 6 can release the engagement. Here, in the first state, the release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure 6 is allowed. That is, although the optical fiber 100 is not installed in the installation unit 3, the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3 inappropriately or before the start of work. In this first state, the operator can easily release the engagement by permitting the release of the engagement by the release structure 6. On the other hand, in the second state, the release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure 6 is restricted. That is, the reason why the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation unit 3 and the cover unit 4 covers the installation unit 3 is the state in which the cover unit 4 appropriately covers the installation unit 3. In this state, by restricting the release of the engagement by the release structure 6, it is possible to prevent the engagement made at an appropriate timing from being erroneously released. As described above, the engagement made at an inappropriate timing or the timing before the start of work can be easily released, and the engagement made at an appropriate timing can be prevented from being accidentally released. The work efficiency of mounting the fiber connector 1 can be improved.

  In the optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the installation unit 3 installs the optical fiber 100 arranged along the length direction (X-axis direction) of the installation unit 3, and the release structure 6 has a length direction. The installation part 3 can be deformed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the direction. Further, in the first state, the installation portion 3 is allowed to be deformed, so that the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 is allowed to be released. In the second state, the installation is performed using the optical fiber 100. By restricting the deformation of the portion 3, the release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 is restricted. Thus, in the release structure 6, since the release of the engagement between the installation part 3 and the cover part 4 is allowed by allowing the installation part 3 to be deformed in the width direction, the operator can For example, the engagement can be easily released by a simple operation of simply applying a force in the width direction of the installation unit 3 (for example, pinching the installation unit 3 with a finger). Further, in the release structure 6, since the release of the engagement is restricted by restricting the deformation of the installation part 3 with the optical fiber 100 in the second state, the installation part 3 can be used without any special work. If the optical fiber 100 is installed, the disengagement can be automatically regulated.

  In the optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the release structure 6 includes a slit portion 93 formed in the installation portion 3 and extending in the length direction. In this way, the release structure 6 can be configured with a simple structure in which only the slit portion 93 is provided.

  In the optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment, an optical fiber fixing structure 7 that fixes the optical fiber 100 is provided in the installation portion 3. By fixing the optical fiber 100 with the optical fiber fixing structure 7, it is possible to prevent the connection between the connector main body 2 and the optical fiber 100 from being disconnected. Further, since the optical fiber fixing structure 7 is provided in the installation part 3, the optical fiber 100 can be fixed at the same time as the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation part 3. Therefore, the certainty of work can be further improved. Further, in the present embodiment, when the optical fiber 100 is fixed to the optical fiber fixing structure 7, the slit portion 93 is slightly expanded, so that the distance between the tooth portions 86 is also slightly increased according to the size of the cable jacket portion 102. This makes it easy to fit the optical fiber cable into the optical fiber fixing structure 7. On the other hand, after the cover part 4 is engaged with the installation part 3, the installation part 3 that is slightly expanded is tightened in the width direction by the cover part 4, so that the cable jacket part 102 is sufficiently secured by the tooth part 86. Can be supported.

  In the optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the connector main body 2 is connected to the optical fiber 100 by pushing the cap 18, and the cover portion 4 is connected to the front end 3 a side of the installation portion 3 (or the rear end 2 a of the connector main body 2). The cover portion 4 may be connected to the upper surface 51a (the surface opposite to the installation portion 3) on the connector 51. A pressing portion 83 that presses the cap 18 of the main body 2 may be provided. Accordingly, by rotating the cover portion 4 toward the connector body 2, the cap 18 of the connector body 2 can be pressed by the pressing portion 83 and the connector body 2 can be connected to the optical fiber 100. Accordingly, it is not necessary to use a dedicated instrument for pressing the cap 18, and the cap 18 can be pressed by an easy operation of simply rotating the cover portion 4 to the connector body 2 side.

  In the optical fiber connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the cover portion 4 is formed with a rotatable portion 84 that is rotatable between the connecting portion 60 and the pressing portion 83. In the present embodiment, on the connector main body 2 side, the shell 12 is attached to the base portion 11 so that the upper surface of the connector main body 2 (the upper surface of the shell 12) is disposed above the rotation center of the shaft portion 61 of the connecting portion 60. Is done. Even in such a case, since the rotation part 84 is formed in the cover part 4, the cover part 4 is rotated by the rotation part 84 when the cover part 4 comes into contact with the shell 12. The upper surface 51a of the first region 4A is in surface contact with the upper wall portion 26 of the shell 12, and the pressing portion 83 can sufficiently press the cap 18.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the optical fiber fixing structure is provided in the installation part, but may be provided in the cover part, or may be provided in both the installation part and the cover part. For example, an optical fiber connector 300 as shown in FIG. 10 may be employed. The cover portion 304 of the optical fiber connector 300 is provided with an optical fiber fixing structure 307 constituted by side wall portions 381 and 382 and a tooth portion 386 on the rear end side. A space for accommodating the optical fiber fixing structure 307 of the cover part 304 is provided between the side wall parts 332 and 333 in the cable jacket arrangement part 342 of the installation part 303. Thus, after the optical fiber cable 101 is installed in the installation part 303, the cover part 304 is closed and engaged with the installation part 303, so that the tooth part 386 of the optical fiber fixing structure 307 of the cover part 304 attaches the optical fiber cable 101. The optical fiber can be fixed by sandwiching. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the optical fiber fixing structure 307 and the side wall parts 332 and 333 of the installation part 303 constitute a deformation restricting part 392 of the release structure 306 (open permission structure 310). Specifically, when the operator pinches both ends of the installation portion 303 in the width direction, the movement of the side wall portions 381 and 382 of the cover portion 304 inward in the width direction is restricted by being supported by the optical fiber cable 101. Thus, the movement of the side wall portions 332 and 333 of the installation portion 303 to the inside in the width direction is restricted via the side wall portions 381 and 382. Thereby, the deformation of the installation part 303 is restricted by the deformation restriction part 392. The thickness of the side wall portions 381 and 382 of the cover portion 304 prevents the installation portion 303 from being deformed in the width direction when the operator inserts the installation portion 303 in a state where the optical fiber cable 101 is not installed. It is set to a thickness that does not.

  The opening allowance structure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the release structure for releasing the engagement between the cover part 4 and the installation part 3 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and in the first state, the installation part 3 and the cover part 4 by the release structure Any structure may be employed as long as the release of the engagement between the installation portion 3 and the cover portion 4 by the release structure is restricted in the second state. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the release structure allows the installation portion 3 to be deformed in the width direction (Y-axis direction), but can be deformed in the length direction (X-axis direction). You may do it. Specifically, an optical fiber connector 200 as shown in FIG. 9 may be employed. The release structure 206 (open / close permission structure 210) of the optical fiber connector 200 includes a deformation promoting portion 291 that promotes deformation of the installation portion 203 in the length direction. Further, the installation portion 203 has an engagement portion (engagement portion or engaged portion) 281 with the cover portion at the rear end portion 203b. The deformation promoting part 291 partially reduces the strength by cutting out a part of the installation part 203, and the engaging part 281 moves forward when the operator pushes the rear end part 203 b of the installation part 3 forward. In this manner, the vicinity of the rear end portion 203b of the installation portion 203 is deformed (see FIG. 9B). As a result, the engagement between the cover part and the installation part 203 is released. On the other hand, when the optical fiber cable 101 is installed in the installation unit 203, it becomes difficult for the operator to push the rear end unit 203 b due to being obstructed by the cable jacket unit 102. Accordingly, when the optical fiber cable 101 is installed in the installation unit 203, the release of the engagement between the installation unit 203 and the cover unit by the release structure 206 is restricted. In the above-described embodiment, even if an operator attempts to deform the installation portion, the release by the release structure is restricted by suppressing the deformation by the supporting force of the optical fiber cable 101. However, as in the example of FIG. The release by the release structure may be restricted by making it difficult to perform the operation of deforming the installation portion. In addition, instead of a structure in which a notch is provided to facilitate deformation as shown in FIG. 9, deformation may be promoted by sandwiching an elastic member. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, instead of providing the slit-shaped notch, the deformation may be promoted by sandwiching an elastic member in the portion.

  Moreover, you may employ | adopt the optical fiber connector 400 shown in FIG. In the optical fiber connector 400, by disengaging the installation portion 403 and the cover portion 404, the opening of the cover portion 404 by the open permission structure 410 is permitted, and the installation portion 403 and the cover portion 404 are engaged. As a result, the release of the engaged state is restricted, so that the opening of the cover portion 404 by the opening permission structure 410 is restricted. Specifically, the opening allowance structure 410 is configured by providing wall portions 409 and 411 having engaged portions 416 and 417 in the cable jacket arrangement portion 442 of the installation portion 403. As shown in FIG. 11A, in the first state, the wall portions 409 and 411 are such that the engaged portions 416 and 417 are separated from the engaging portions 478 and 479 of the side wall portions 452 and 453 of the cover portion 404. Moreover, it is in a state of being closed inward in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the wall portions 409 and 411 extend upward from the installation portion 403 in an inclined state so as to approach each other inward in the width direction. In addition, projecting portions 412 and 413 projecting inward in the width direction are provided at the upper end portions of the wall portions 409 and 411. Since the wall portions 409 and 411 are deformed so as to be rotatable in the width direction around the lower end side, the length of the optical fiber position fixing structure is not to interfere with the optical fiber fixing structure (not shown). They are formed at different positions in the direction. As described above, in the first state shown in FIG. 11A, even if the installation portion 403 is covered with the cover portion 404, the wall portions 409 and 411 are closed inward in the width direction. Since the engaging portions 478 and 479 are not engaged with the engaged portions 416 and 417 of the wall portions 409 and 411 (or engaged shallowly even if engaged), the cover portion 404 is opened. Is acceptable. On the other hand, in the second state shown in FIG. 11 (b), the cable jacket 102 of the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation unit 403 and disposed between the walls 409 and 411, so that the wall unit The protruding portions 412 and 413 of the 409 and 411 come into contact with the cable jacket portion 102 and the entire walls 409 and 411 are pushed out in the width direction. Therefore, when the cover portion 404 covers the installation portion 403 in this state, the engagement portions 478 and 479 engage with the engaged portions 416 and 417, and the cover portion 404 and the installation portion 403 are engaged. Further, since the wall portions 409 and 411 are restricted from moving inward in the width direction by the support force of the cable jacket portion 102 of the optical fiber 100, release of engagement between the cover portion 404 and the installation portion 403 is restricted, As a result, the opening of the cover portion 404 is restricted.

  As described above, in the optical fiber connector 400 according to the modification shown in FIG. 11, the open permission structure 410 has at least one of the installation portion 403 and the cover portion 404 (here, the cover portion 404 in the first state). The engagement portions 478 and 479 provided in (but not limited to) and the engaged portions 416 and 417 provided in at least the other (here, the installation portion 403 is not limited) are separated from each other. The part 403 and the cover part 404 are disengaged. Further, in the second state, the engaging portions 478 and 479 are covered with the installation of the optical fiber 100 to the installation portion 403 (by covering the installation portion 403 with the cover portion 404 in a state where the optical fiber 100 is installed). By engaging with the engaging portions 416 and 417, the installation portion 403 and the cover portion 404 are brought into an engaged state, and the release of the engagement between the installation portion 403 and the cover portion 404 is regulated by the optical fiber 100. With such a structure, in the first state, the cover unit 404 and the installation unit 403 are in a disengaged state, so that the operator immediately opens the cover unit 404 without performing an operation for releasing the engagement. can do.

  Moreover, you may employ | adopt the optical fiber connector 500 shown in FIG. The release structure 506 (opening allowance structure 510) of the optical fiber connector 500 allows the pushing of the cover portion 504 to the installation portion 503, thereby releasing the engagement between the installation portion 503 and the cover portion 504. Permissible. Specifically, the release structure 506 includes wall portions 581 and 582 extending downward from the upper wall portion 551 of the cover portion 504 and having a lower end separated from the bottom wall portion 531 of the installation portion 503, and a bottom wall portion of the installation portion 503. Wall portions 516 and 517 extending upward from 531 and having upper ends spaced apart from the upper wall portion 551 of the cover portion 504 are configured. Engaged portions 518 and 519 are formed on the outer surfaces of the wall portions 516 and 517. The wall portions 581 and 582 of the cover portion 504 are side wall portions constituting an optical fiber fixing structure, and this optical fiber fixing structure may be provided on the installation portion 503 side.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, in the first state, the engagement portions 578 and 579 of the cover portion 504 are engaged with the engaged portions 518 and 519 of the installation portion 503, so that the cover portion 504 is installed. The part 503 is in an engaged state. Further, a gap GP1 is formed between the lower ends of the wall portions 581 and 582 of the cover portion 504 and the bottom wall portion 531 of the installation portion 503, and the upper ends of the wall portions 516 and 517 of the installation portion 503 and the cover portion 504. A gap GP2 (larger than the gap GP) is formed between the upper wall portion 551 and the upper wall portion 551. Since such gaps GP <b> 1 and GP <b> 2 are formed, the cover part 504 can be further pushed into the installation part 503 from the state where the installation part 503 and the cover part 504 are engaged. As shown in FIG. 12B, by further pressing the cover portion 504 into the installation portion 503, at least the positions where the lower ends of the wall portions 581 and 582 are in contact with the bottom wall portion 531 of the installation portion 503 (the gap GP1 is The cover portion 504 can be pushed in until it disappears. Along with this, the engaging portions 578 and 579 are also moved downward, so that the engagement with the engaged portions 518 and 519 is released. Thus, the operator can easily open the cover unit 504 from the installation unit 503. In the present embodiment, the entire side wall portions 552 and 553 of the cover portion 504 are expanded by being pushed outward in the width direction by the end portions 531a and 531b of the bottom wall portion 531 of the installation portion 503, and thus the cover portion 504 is further opened. It has become easy.

  On the other hand, in the second state shown in FIG. 12C, the cable jacket portion 102 of the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation portion 503, so that the upper wall of the cover portion 504 is supported by the support force of the cable jacket portion 102. Movement such that the portion 551 approaches the bottom wall portion 531 of the installation portion 503 is restricted, and pushing of the cover portion 504 into the installation portion 503 is restricted. Therefore, the release of the engagement between the installation part 503 and the cover part 504 is restricted, and the opening of the cover part 504 is restricted. Note that the vertical size of the cable jacket 102 is larger than the walls 581, 582, 516 and 517.

  As described above, in the optical fiber connector 500 according to the modified example illustrated in FIG. 12, the release structure 506 further includes the cover unit 504 with respect to the installation unit 503 from the state where the installation unit 503 and the cover unit 504 are engaged. It can be pushed in. In the first state, the pushing of the cover portion 504 with respect to the installation portion 503 is allowed, so that the engagement between the installation portion 503 and the cover portion 504 is allowed. In the second state, the optical fiber 100 is released. By restricting the pushing of the cover part 504 to the installation part 503, the release of the engagement between the installation part 503 and the cover part 504 is restricted.

  Moreover, the shape of the slit part which comprises a cancellation | release structure, and the structure in an installation part are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, an optical fiber connector 600 as shown in FIG. 13 may be employed (the cover portion is omitted in FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 13, the installation portion 603 of the optical fiber connector 600 has an optical fiber coating housing space 641 and a cable jacket placement portion 642. In addition, the optical fiber coating housing space 641 includes the first region 641A and the second region 641B, but does not include the third region. That is, if the cable jacket portion 102 can be stopped at a position corresponding to the protruding wall portions 43 and 44 by a jig or the like, the cable jacket portion 102 does not have a configuration corresponding to the protruding wall portions 43 and 44 as shown in FIG. It's okay. Thus, a wide space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 631 and the side wall portions 632 and 633 may be secured. In addition, the cable jacket arrangement | positioning part 642 does not have an optical fiber fixing structure, but the cover part is provided with the optical fiber fixing structure as shown in FIG. In addition, the slit portion 693 of the optical fiber connector 600 does not extend straight in the front-rear direction, and when viewed from the top-bottom direction, a plurality of portions that are uneven in the width direction are provided at a plurality of locations along the length direction. It has been. Accordingly, when the optical fiber 100 is installed in the installation unit 603, the optical fiber 100 (portion covered with the optical fiber coating unit 103) can be prevented from being sandwiched between the slits 693.

  In addition, as an example in which the optical fiber fixing structure is provided in both the installation part and the cover part, the side wall part and the tooth part are divided into two in the vertical direction, one is provided in the installation part and the other is provided in the cover part. Structure. Alternatively, among the pair of the side wall and the tooth part facing in the Y-axis direction, the Y-axis positive side wall and the tooth part are provided on either the installation part or the cover part, and the Y-axis negative side wall You may employ | adopt the structure that a part and a tooth | gear part are provided in either one of an installation part and a cover part.

  1, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 ... optical fiber connector, 2 ... connector body, 3, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603 ... installation part, 4, 303, 403, 503 ... cover part, 6,206 , 306, 506 ... Release structure, 7, 307 ... Optical fiber fixing structure, 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 ... Open-allowing structure, 18 ... Cap, 60 ... Connection part, 83 ... Press part, 93 ... Slit part, 100: Optical fiber.

Claims (11)

An optical fiber connector attached to an end of an optical fiber,
A connector body connected to the optical fiber;
In the rear part of the connector body, an installation part for installing the optical fiber;
A cover portion that covers the installation portion and engages with the installation portion;
An opening allowing structure that allows opening of the cover portion covering the installation portion, and
In the first state in which the optical fiber is not installed in the installation part and the cover part covers the installation part, by allowing the engagement between the installation part and the cover part to be released, Or by disengaging the installation part and the cover part, the opening of the cover part by the opening permission structure is permitted,
In the second state in which the optical fiber is installed in the installation part and the cover part covers the installation part, the release of the engagement between the installation part and the cover part is restricted, An optical fiber connector in which the opening of the cover portion is restricted by the opening allowance structure. The opening allowance structure is constituted by a release structure that releases the engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion,
In the first state, release of the engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion by the release structure is allowed,
The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein in the second state, release of engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion by the release structure is restricted. The installation unit installs the optical fiber arranged along the length direction of the installation unit,
The release structure enables deformation of the installation portion in the width direction orthogonal to the length direction,
In the first state, by allowing deformation of the installation portion, release of engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion is allowed,
3. The light according to claim 2, wherein in the second state, the release of the engagement between the installation part and the cover part is restricted by the deformation of the installation part being restricted by the optical fiber. Fiber connector.   The optical fiber connector according to claim 3, wherein the release structure includes a slit portion that is formed with respect to the installation portion and extends in the length direction. The release structure enables the cover portion to be further pushed into the installation portion from a state where the installation portion and the cover portion are engaged.
In the first state, by allowing the cover portion to be pushed into the installation portion, release of the engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion is permitted,
The release of the engagement between the installation part and the cover part is restricted in the second state by restricting the optical fiber from pushing the cover part into the installation part. An optical fiber connector as described in 1. The opening allowance structure is:
In the first state, by disengaging the engaging portion provided in at least one of the installation portion and the cover portion and the engaged portion provided in at least the other, the installation portion and the cover portion In a disengaged state,
In the second state, the installation portion and the cover portion are brought into an engagement state by engaging the engagement portion with the engaged portion as the optical fiber is installed in the installation portion. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein release of engagement between the installation portion and the cover portion is regulated by the optical fiber.   The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein an optical fiber fixing structure for fixing the optical fiber is provided in the installation part and / or the cover part.   The optical fiber connector according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber fixing structure is provided in the installation portion.   The optical fiber connector according to claim 7, wherein the optical fiber fixing structure is provided in the cover portion. The connector body is connected to the optical fiber by pushing a cap,
The cover part includes a connecting part rotatably connected to the installation part and the connector main body at a front end side of the installation part or a rear end side of the connector main body,
The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion includes a pressing portion that presses the cap of the connector main body on a surface opposite to the installation portion. The optical fiber connector according to claim 10, wherein the cover portion is formed with a rotatable portion that is rotatable between the connecting portion and the pressing portion.

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