JP2017026845A - Plug side optical connector, optical cord with connector, and optical connector system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plug side optical connector reducing a force applied to a connection part of an optical connector.SOLUTION: A plug side optical connector 30 is used for relaying between a device and a sensor, is provided at an end of a sensor side optical cord, and can connect to a device side optical connector 10 of an end of a device side optical cord 3. The plug side optical connector 30 comprises a ferrule 31 and a housing 32 for housing the ferrule 31. The housing 32 includes an insertion part 321 for being inserted into a plug hole 121 and a flange part 322 having a facing surface facing an outer peripheral surface 122 of an opening of the plug hole 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug-side optical connector, an optical cord with a connector, and an optical connector system.

  As an optical fiber connection method, optical connector connection is known in which optical connectors attached to the ends of optical fibers are abutted (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). In the optical connector connection, the plug side optical connector and the receptacle side optical connector are connected, or the plug side optical connectors are connected to each other via an adapter.

Takuo Kikuchi and Junichi Nishizawa, “FTTH Construction Technology Supporting the Optical Communication Age”, Optronics Co., Ltd., December 22, 2008, 3rd edition, 1st printing, P130, P131

  There is a demand for making it possible to replace a sensor connected to a device by relaying an optical cord with an optical connector. However, if the operator holds the sensor in his / her hand while the optical cord is extended from the device, the optical cord is swung around, and there is a risk that a force is applied to the optical connector connecting portion that relays the optical cord. As a result, there is a possibility that the optical loss increases or the optical connector is damaged.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce a force applied to a connection portion of an optical connector that relays an optical cord.

  A main invention for achieving the above object is a plug-side optical connector used for relaying between a device and a sensor, provided at the end of the sensor-side optical cord, and at the end of the device-side optical cord. A plug-side optical connector connectable to the connector, comprising a ferrule and a housing that accommodates the ferrule, wherein the housing includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the plug hole, and an outer peripheral surface of the opening of the plug hole. A plug-side optical connector having a flange portion having opposing surfaces facing each other.

  Other characteristics of the present invention will be made clear by the description and drawings described later.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the force concerning the connection part of the optical connector which relays an optical cord can be reduced.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of optical connector connection. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of another optical connector connection. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the optical cord is swung. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the optical connector system of the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are schematic cross-sectional views of the optical connector system of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the plug-side optical connector 30 of the first modification. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the plug-side optical connector 30 of the second modification. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of the plug-side optical connector 30 of the second embodiment.

  At least the following matters will be apparent from the description and drawings described below.

  A plug-side optical connector used for relaying between a device and a sensor, which is provided at the end of the sensor-side optical cord and can be connected to the device-side optical connector at the end of the device-side optical cord. A ferrule and a housing that accommodates the ferrule, and the housing includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the plug hole, and a flange portion that has a facing surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the plug hole. The plug-side optical connector characterized by this will become clear. According to such a plug-side optical connector, the force applied to the connecting portion of the optical connector that relays the optical cord can be reduced.

  The end surface of the ferrule is rectangular, and the flange portion has a portion that protrudes outward in the long side direction of the end surface from the insertion portion, and the portion that protrudes in the long side direction from the insertion portion is It is desirable to face the outer peripheral surface. In such a ferrule, a gap is easily formed between the end faces of the optical fiber, but it is possible to suppress a gap from being formed by such a flange portion.

  The insertion portion has a pair of latch portions for coupling the plug-side optical connector, and the pair of latch portions are disposed with the ferrule interposed therebetween, and a gap is provided between the latch portion and the ferrule. When the release mechanism of the device side optical connector is pushed inward, the latch portion is pushed by the release mechanism and deformed inward, and the coupling state of the plug side optical connector is released. desirable. Thereby, a latch part can be cancelled | released inside an apparatus side optical connector.

  It is desirable that an insertion portion for inserting a latch portion protruding from the device side optical connector toward the plug side optical connector is formed between the insertion portion and the flange portion. Thereby, the coupling | bonding by a latch part is attained outside the apparatus side optical connector.

  It is desirable that a release mechanism for releasing the coupled state is disposed on the sensor side optical cord side with respect to the flange portion. As a result, the latch portion can be released outside the device-side optical connector.

  An optical cord with a connector that can be connected to a device-side optical connector at an end of the device-side optical cord, the optical cord, a sensor provided at the end of the optical cord, and the light on the opposite side of the sensor A plug-side optical connector provided at an end of the cord, connectable to the device-side optical connector, and having a ferrule and a housing for housing the ferrule, wherein the housing is inserted into a plug hole; And an optical cord with a connector, characterized in that it has a flange portion having a facing surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the plug hole. According to such an optical cord with a connector, the force applied to the connecting portion of the optical connector that relays the optical cord can be reduced.

  An optical connector system used for relaying between a device and a sensor, the device side optical connector provided at the end of the device side optical cord, and the end of the sensor side optical cord, A plug-side optical connector that is connectable and has a ferrule and a housing that accommodates the ferrule, and the housing faces an outer peripheral surface of an insertion portion to be inserted into the plug hole and an opening of the plug hole An optical connector system characterized by having a flange portion having a facing surface is revealed. According to such an optical connector system, the force applied to the connection portion of the optical connector that relays the optical cord can be reduced.

=== First Embodiment ===
<Overview>
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of optical connector connection. Relay between the device 1 and the sensor 21 is performed by optical connector connection.
A device-side optical cord 3 extends from a panel or the like of the device 1. A receptacle-side optical connector 10 (device-side optical connector) is attached to an end of the device-side optical cord 3. A sensor 21 is provided at one end of the sensor-side optical cord 23, and a plug-side optical connector 30 is attached to the other end. The plug side optical connector 30 can be attached to and detached from the receptacle side optical connector 10. Thereby, the sensor 21 (in other words, the sensor side optical cord 23) can be exchanged for the device 1.

  FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of another optical connector connection. A plug-side optical connector 7 (device-side optical connector) is also attached to the end of the device-side optical cord 3. The plug-side optical connector of the device-side optical cord 3 and the plug-side optical connector 30 of the sensor-side optical cord 23 are connected via the adapter 5. The plug side optical connector 30 (sensor side optical connector) can be attached to and detached from the adapter 5. Thereby, the sensor 21 (in other words, the sensor side optical cord 23) can be exchanged for the device 1.

  In the case of FIG. 1A, an insertion hole (a plug hole 121 described later) for inserting an end portion (an insertion portion 321 described later) of the plug optical connector 30 into the receptacle side optical connector 10 is formed. . In the case of FIG. 1B, insertion holes are formed on both sides of the adapter 5.

  The device 1 is an inspection device that receives an image signal from the image sensor 21, for example. In some cases, the operator holds the sensor 21 in his / her hand while the optical cord (device-side optical cord 3 or sensor-side optical cord 23) extends from the device 1 to the room. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor-side optical cord 23 may be swayed, and a force may be applied to the optical connector connecting portion. As a result, a gap may be formed between the ferrule end faces in the optical connector, which may increase optical loss or damage the optical connector.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plug-side optical connector 30 on the sensor 21 side is provided with a flange portion 322 (described later), and the force shown in FIG. 2 is received by the flange portion 322 (described later), whereby the connection portion of the optical connector is applied. The power is reduced.

<Configuration of optical connector>
3A and 3B are perspective views of the optical connector system of the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are schematic cross-sectional views of the optical connector system of the first embodiment. The optical connector system includes a receptacle-side optical connector 10 on the device 1 side and a plug-side optical connector 30 on the sensor 21 side.

  In the following description, each direction is defined as shown in FIG. 3A. That is, the optical connector attaching / detaching direction is “front-rear direction”, the other optical connector side is “front”, and the opposite side (optical cord side) is “rear”. The long side direction of the rectangular end face of the ferrule (MT ferrule) is the left-right direction. A direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is referred to as “up-down direction”.

  The receptacle-side optical connector 10 is a female optical connector. The receptacle-side optical connector is normally used by being fixed to a panel or the like. However, here, the receptacle-side optical connector is attached to the end of the device-side optical cord 3 extending from the device 1 and may be swung around together with the optical cord. The receptacle-side optical connector 10 includes a receptacle-side ferrule 11 (see FIG. 4B) and a receptacle-side housing 12.

The receptacle-side ferrule 11 is a member that holds the optical fiber of the device-side optical cord 3. Here, the receptacle-side ferrule 11 is an MT type optical connector (F12 type optical connector established in JIS C5981. MT: Mechanically Transferable).
The receptacle-side housing 12 is a member that accommodates the receptacle-side ferrule 11. The receptacle-side housing 12 accommodates the receptacle-side ferrule 11 so as to be retractable while pressing the receptacle-side ferrule 11 forward.

  The receptacle-side housing 12 is formed with a plug hole 121 for inserting the end portion (insertion portion 321) of the plug-side optical connector 30. The receptacle-side ferrule 11 (see FIG. 4B) is accommodated in the plug hole 121. The plug hole 121 is opened on the front side of the receptacle-side housing 12. The front end surface of the receptacle-side housing 12 serves as the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121.

  A lever portion 123 serving as a release mechanism is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the receptacle-side housing 12. A U-shaped cut is formed in the side surface of the receptacle-side housing 12, and a portion inside the U-shaped cut is a cantilever-like lever portion 123. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the left and right lever portions 123 are pushed inward, the latch portion 323 of the plug-side optical connector 30 is released.

  The plug side optical connector 30 is a male optical connector. The plug side optical connector 30 includes a plug side ferrule 31 and a plug side housing 32.

The plug-side ferrule 31 is a member that holds the optical fiber of the sensor-side optical cord 23. Similar to the receptacle-side ferrule 11, the plug-side ferrule 31 is an MT type optical connector.
The plug-side housing 32 is a member that houses the plug-side ferrule 31. The plug-side housing 32 accommodates the plug-side ferrule 31 so as to be retractable while pressing the plug-side ferrule 31 forward. Specifically, the plug-side housing 32 accommodates the plug-side ferrule 31 so as to be retractable while pressing the plug-side ferrule 31 forward by the floating mechanism 33 shown in FIG. 4A. The floating mechanism 33 includes a projecting portion 33A, a spring 33B, and a spring accommodating portion 33C. The protruding portion 33A contacts the front edge of the flange portion 322 of the plug-side ferrule 31 and prevents the plug-side ferrule 31 from coming out forward. The spring 33B accommodates the spring 33B in a compressed state, and the spring 33B presses the plug-side ferrule 31 forward. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the plug-side ferrule 31 is abutted against the receptacle-side ferrule 11 when the optical connector is connected, the spring 33B is further compressed and the plug-side ferrule 31 moves backward. Thereby, it becomes possible to abut the ferrules with a predetermined force. The receptacle housing 12 also has a similar floating mechanism (not shown in FIG. 4B).

  The front end portion of the plug-side housing 32 serves as an insertion portion 321 that is inserted into the plug hole 121 on the receptacle side. The insertion portion 321 is provided with a plug-side ferrule 31 and a latch portion 323 for coupling with the receptacle-side optical connector 10.

  The latch portion 323 is a leaf spring-like portion extending in front of the plug-side housing 32, and a claw (engagement portion) facing outward is formed at the tip portion. A pair of latch portions 323 are arranged with the plug-side ferrule 31 interposed therebetween. A gap is formed between the latch portion 323 and the plug-side ferrule 31, and the latch portion 323 can be deformed inward. When the insertion portion 321 is inserted into the plug hole 121, the claw of the latch portion 323 is caught by the locking portion 124 of the receptacle-side housing 12, and the plug-side optical connector 30 is coupled to the receptacle-side optical connector 10. When the lever portion 123 of the receptacle-side housing 12 is pushed inward, the latch portion 323 is deformed inward, the claw of the latch portion 323 is disengaged from the locking portion 124, and the plug-side optical connector 30 is removed from the receptacle-side optical connector 10. Can be removed (the combined state is released). As described above, the plug-side optical connector 30 is detachable from the receptacle-side optical connector 10.

  The plug-side housing 32 has a flange portion 322. The flange portion 322 is a portion protruding outward from the insertion portion 321, and the front surface of the flange portion 322 becomes a facing surface that faces the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121. When the force shown in FIG. 2 is applied to the plug-side optical connector 30, the front surface of the flange portion 322 and the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121 come into contact with each other, whereby the plug-side housing 32 and the receptacle-side housing 12 come into contact with each other. Therefore, a force can be received between the plug-side housing 32 and the receptacle-side housing 12. Thereby, it can suppress that force is applied between ferrule end surfaces, it can suppress optical loss, and can suppress damage to an optical connector.

  The front surface of the flange 322 and the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121 may not always be in contact with each other. What is necessary is just to contact both, when the force shown in FIG. 2 acts. Since the receptacle-side ferrule 11 and the plug-side ferrule 31 are abutted with each other with a predetermined force, and the optical connector is receiving a force from the other side optical connector to the rear side, the plug-side optical connector 30 is latched. Since there is a dimensional tolerance between the portion 323 and the locking portion 124 of the receptacle-side optical connector 10, there is usually a slight gap between the front surface of the flange portion 322 and the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121. Is formed. However, even if there is a gap between the front surface of the flange portion 322 and the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121, the front surface of the flange portion 322 and the opening of the plug hole 121 when the force shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface 122 may be in contact with each other.

  The collar portion 322 has a portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the insertion portion 321. In other words, the collar portion 322 has a portion protruding outward in the long side direction of the end surface of the rectangular ferrule. In the end face of the rectangular ferrule, when receiving the force (moment force) shown in FIG. 2, a gap is particularly easily formed between the end faces of the optical fibers at the left and right ends, but the flange 322 protrudes at least in the left and right directions. By making it, the optical loss of the optical fiber of an edge part can be suppressed.

<Modification>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the plug-side optical connector 30 of the first modification. Also in the first modified example, the collar portion 322 has a portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the insertion portion 321. Thereby, the optical loss of the optical fiber of the edge part of the left-right direction can be suppressed. 3 has a portion that protrudes not only in the left-right direction but also in the up-down direction. However, like the flange 322 in the first modification, the outer side in the up-down direction than the insertion portion 321 is provided. It does not have to have a protruding part. In addition, the shape of the front surface (opposing surface) of the collar portion 322 is not limited to a quadrangular shape (see FIG. 3) or an H shape (see FIG. 5), and may be a cross shape, for example.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the plug-side optical connector 30 of the second modification. Although the collar part 322 of the above-mentioned FIG. 3 was a plate-shaped member, the collar part 322 is not restricted to a plate shape. As long as it has a surface facing the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug hole 121, it does not have to be plate-shaped like the flange 322 of the second modification.

=== Second Embodiment ===
7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of the plug-side optical connector 30 of the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, a flange 322 is formed on the plug-side housing 32 of the MPO connector (F13 type optical connector established in JIS C5982). A portion in front of the flange portion 322 becomes an insertion portion 321 that is inserted into the plug hole 121.

  The receptacle-side optical connector 10 of the second embodiment has a latch portion 125 that protrudes toward the plug-side optical connector 30. The latch portion 125 protrudes toward the plug-side optical connector 30 from the opening of the plug hole 121 of the receptacle-side housing 12 and the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening. The latch part 125 latches the plug side housing 32 from the left-right direction. In the second embodiment, the slide portion 34 (release mechanism) of the MPO connector is disposed on the rear side of the flange portion 322, and the latch portion 125 latches the plug-side housing 32 on the rear side of the flange portion 322. .

  In the second embodiment, a gap is formed between the left and right side surfaces of the plug-side housing 32 (insertion part 321) and the flange part 322, and this gap serves as an insertion part 325 for inserting the latch part 125. In the second embodiment, the hook part 322 includes the insertion part 325, so that the latch part 125 can latch the plug-side housing 32 on the rear side of the hook part 322. Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, the slide part 34 which is a cancellation | release mechanism can be arrange | positioned in the rear side of the collar part 322 because the collar part 322 has the insertion part 325. FIG. Thus, in the second embodiment, a release mechanism (slide part 34) for releasing the coupling state of the plug-side optical connector 30 can be arranged in the plug-side optical connector 30.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

<About plug hole 121>
In the above-described embodiment, the plug-side hole 121 is formed in the receptacle-side optical connector 10, and the outer peripheral surface 122 of the opening of the plug-side hole 121 of the receptacle-side optical connector 10 faces the flange portion 322. However, the part which opposes the collar part 322 is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the plug-side optical connector 30 is connected to the adapter 5, the outer peripheral surface of the plug hole of the adapter 5 faces the flange 322. 1B, when the device side optical connector is inserted into the plug hole of the adapter 5, a flange may be formed on the device side optical connector which is the plug side optical connector.

1 device, 3 device side optical cord,
5 Adapter, 7 Device side optical connector,
10 Receptacle side optical connector,
11 Receptacle ferrule,
12 Receptacle side housing,
121 hole for plug, 122 outer peripheral surface,
123 Lever part, 124 Locking part,
125 latch part,
21 sensor, 23 sensor side optical cord,
30 Plug side optical connector,
31 Plug side ferrule (ferrule),
32 Plug side housing (housing),
33 floating mechanism, 33A protrusion,
33B spring, 33C spring accommodating part,
321 insertion part, 322 collar part,
323 latch part, 325 insertion part,
34 Slide part

Claims (7)

A plug-side optical connector used for relaying between a device and a sensor, which is provided at the end of the sensor-side optical cord and can be connected to the device-side optical connector at the end of the device-side optical cord. And
Ferrules,
A housing for housing the ferrule,
The housing is
An insertion part to be inserted into the hole for the plug;
A plug-side optical connector comprising: a flange portion having a facing surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the plug hole. The plug-side optical connector according to claim 1,
The end surface of the ferrule is rectangular,
The collar part has a portion protruding outward in the long side direction of the end face from the insertion part,
The plug-side optical connector, wherein the portion protruding in the long side direction from the insertion portion is opposed to the outer peripheral surface. The plug-side optical connector according to claim 1 or 2,
The insertion portion has a pair of latch portions for coupling the plug side optical connector,
The pair of latch portions are arranged with the ferrule interposed therebetween, and a gap is formed between the latch portion and the ferrule,
When the release mechanism of the device-side optical connector is pushed inward, the latch portion is pushed by the release mechanism and deformed inward, and the plug-side optical connector is released from the coupled state. connector. The plug-side optical connector according to claim 1 or 2,
An insertion portion for inserting a latch portion protruding from the device side optical connector toward the plug side optical connector is formed between the insertion portion and the flange portion. connector. The plug-side optical connector according to claim 4,
A plug-side optical connector, wherein a release mechanism for releasing the coupling state is arranged on the sensor-side optical cord side with respect to the flange portion. An optical cord with a connector that can be connected to a device-side optical connector at the end of the device-side optical cord,
With optical cord,
A sensor provided at an end of the optical cord;
Provided at the end of the optical cord opposite to the sensor, connectable to the device-side optical connector, and includes a plug-side optical connector having a ferrule and a housing for housing the ferrule;
The housing is
An insertion part to be inserted into the hole for the plug;
An optical cord with a connector, comprising: a collar portion having a facing surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the plug hole. An optical connector system used for relaying between a device and a sensor,
A device-side optical connector provided at the end of the device-side optical cord;
Provided at the end of the sensor-side optical cord, connectable to the device-side optical connector, and includes a ferrule and a plug-side optical connector having a housing that houses the ferrule;
The housing is
An insertion part to be inserted into the hole for the plug;
An optical connector system comprising: a flange having a facing surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the plug hole.

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