JP2017142455A - Split sleeve and optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a split sleeve and an optical connector in which the split sleeve and a ferrule are hardly damaged even if the ferrule is inserted obliquely in an axial direction of the split sleeve.SOLUTION: A slit sleeve 1 in which ferrules provided at tips of an optical fiber are respectively inserted from both ends and that holds the ferrules to connect the optical fiber optically includes: a cylindrical substrate 2; a slit 3 formed in the substrate 2 in an axial direction and penetrating through the substrate 2 in a radial direction; and at least one notch 4 formed in at least one end of the substrate 2 so as to open outward in the axial direction. The notch 4 is formed so that its width is gradually narrowing toward the center of the axial direction of the substrate 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a split sleeve and an optical connector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical connector (adapter) that connects optical plugs having a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber is known. In an optical connector, when an optical plug is connected, ferrules are inserted from both ends of the split sleeve, and the end faces of the ferrules (end faces of the optical fibers) are attached to each other in the split sleeve, so that the optical fibers are optically connected. Configured to connect to. The split sleeve is configured by forming a slit in a cylindrical base.

JP 2002-365480 A

  By the way, in the optical connector as described above, the optical loss in the optical connector may increase abruptly as the use is repeated.

  As a result of the study by the present inventor, the split sleeve and ferrule may be damaged during repeated use, and the split sleeve and ferrule fragments may enter the split sleeve, which may increase optical loss. I found.

  As a result of further investigation by the present inventor, in the split sleeve having a conventional cylindrical base, the end face of the split sleeve and the end face of the ferrule easily collide with each other, and the split sleeve and the ferrule are easily damaged. I understood it.

  Patent Document 1 describes that the end surface of the split sleeve is formed in a tapered shape. However, in the split sleeve described in Patent Document 1, when the ferrule is inserted obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the split sleeve, the end surface of the tapered split sleeve and the end surface of the ferrule collide with each other, and the split sleeve collides. There was a risk of damage to the sleeve or ferrule. When the end surface of the split sleeve is formed in a tapered shape, the thickness at the end of the split sleeve becomes thin, and there is a possibility that fragments are easily generated when the end surface of the ferrule collides.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a split sleeve and an optical connector that are less likely to be damaged in the split sleeve or the ferrule even when the ferrule is inserted obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the split sleeve.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a method for optically connecting the two optical fibers while holding the ferrule and inserting ferrules provided at both ends of the optical fiber. A split sleeve, which is formed along the axial direction in the cylindrical base, the slit penetrating the base in the radial direction, and at least one end of the base in the axially outward direction At least one notch formed so as to open, and the notch is formed so that the width gradually decreases toward the center in the axial direction of the base body. provide.

  The present invention also provides an optical connector for connecting optical plugs having a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber for the purpose of solving the above-described problems, and two connections to which the optical plug is connected A housing having a portion at an opposing position, and the ferrule is inserted from both ends in a state in which the optical plug is connected to the connection portion of the housing, and the ferrule is held in the housing. And an optical connector using the split sleeve of the present invention as the split sleeve.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a case where a ferrule is inserted diagonally with respect to the axial direction of a split sleeve, it is possible to provide a split sleeve and an optical connector that are unlikely to be damaged.

It is a figure which shows the optical connector using the split sleeve which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing before connecting an optical plug, (b) is sectional drawing when an optical plug is connected. is there. It is a perspective view of a split sleeve. It is a figure explaining insertion to the split sleeve of a ferrule, (a) is the side view seen from the slit side, (b) is the side view seen from the notch side. It is a figure explaining insertion to the split sleeve of a ferrule, (a) is the side view seen from the slit side, (b) is the side view seen from the notch side. It is a figure explaining insertion to the split sleeve of a ferrule, (a) is the side view seen from the slit side, (b) is the side view seen from the notch side.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Description of optical connector)
1A and 1B are diagrams showing an optical connector using a split sleeve according to the present embodiment, wherein FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view before an optical plug is connected, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view when the optical plug is connected. It is.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the optical connector 10 connects optical plugs 20 each having a ferrule 22 provided at the tip of an optical fiber 21.

  The optical plug 20 is a general optical connection plug called, for example, an SC connector, an LC connector, an FC connector or the like, and is formed in a shape conforming to a predetermined standard. The optical connector 10 is also called an adapter (for example, an SC adapter, an LC adapter, an FC adapter, etc.), and is formed in a shape according to the standard of the corresponding optical plug 20.

  The optical plug 20 has an optical plug housing 23 that holds the tip of the optical fiber 21 and the ferrule 22. The ferrule 22 is provided with a flange portion 22 a protruding outward in the radial direction. The flange portion 22 a is accommodated and locked in a locking groove 23 a provided on the inner wall of the optical plug housing 23.

  The ferrule 22 is locked and fixed to the optical plug housing 23 so that the tip end portion projects forward from the optical plug housing 23 (in the direction opposite to the extending side of the optical fiber 21). The entire ferrule 22 may be accommodated in the optical plug housing 23.

  The ferrule 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided at the distal end portion of the optical fiber 21 so that the end face thereof coincides with the end face of the optical fiber 21. In order to facilitate the insertion into the split sleeve 1, the corner portion on the outer peripheral side at the distal end portion of the ferrule 22 is chamfered. The ferrule 22 is made of zirconia, and the flange portion 22a is made of stainless steel, for example.

  The optical connector 10 includes a housing 11 having two connecting portions 11a to which the optical plug 20 is connected at opposing positions, and the split sleeve 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The split sleeve 1 is accommodated in the housing 11 and is disposed between the connecting portions 11a.

  In the optical connector 10, when both the optical plugs 20 are connected to the connection portions 11 a of the housing 11, the ferrules 22 of the both optical plugs 20 are inserted from both ends of the split sleeve 1, respectively. The two optical fibers 21 are optically connected by abutting (end faces of the optical fibers 21).

(Description of split sleeve 1)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the split sleeve 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the split sleeve 1 includes a substantially cylindrical base 2 and a slit 3 formed in the base 2. The slit 3 is formed along the axial direction of the base 2 and is formed so as to penetrate the base 2 in the radial direction. The split sleeve 1 is a member that has both the role of positioning the tip of the ferrule 22 and the optical fiber 21 and the role of holding the ferrule 22 and holding the tip of the optical fiber 21.

  The inner diameter of the base 2 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ferrule 22. The outer diameter of the ferrule 22 is, for example, 2.5 mm for SC connectors and FC connectors, and 1.25 mm for LC connectors.

  The split sleeve 1 according to the present embodiment includes at least one notch 4 formed at at least one end portion of the base 2 so as to open outward in the axial direction. The width is gradually reduced toward the center in the axial direction.

  Here, a case where two notches 4 are formed at both ends of the base 2 will be described, but the number of the notches 4 is not limited to this. The notch 4 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the central axis of the base body 2, and the end on the back side (center side in the axial direction of the base body 2) is formed in a rounded shape. ing. In addition, the edge part of the back | inner side of the notch 4 may be formed in the shape (V shape) which is not rounded.

  The notch 4 serves to guide the tip of the ferrule 22 and guide it into the split sleeve 1 when the optical plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the split sleeve 1.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in the split sleeve 1, when the optical plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the split sleeve 1, the tip of the ferrule 22 The base 2 at the periphery of the notch 4 interferes with the outer peripheral surface of the notch 4, and the ferrule 22 is inserted along the notch 4 into the back side of the split sleeve 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), in this embodiment, the notch 4 is formed so that the width gradually decreases toward the back side of the base 2, so that the ferrule 22 is on the back side. The ferrule 22 is gradually pushed inward in the radial direction of the split sleeve 1 as proceeding to. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the insertion direction of the optical plug 20 is gradually corrected in a direction along the axial direction of the split sleeve 1.

  That is, in the split sleeve 1, even when the optical plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the split sleeve 1, the insertion direction of the optical plug 20 is corrected, and the optical plug 20 can be easily inserted. It becomes possible. Further, in the present embodiment, the ferrule 22 is inserted into the back of the split sleeve 1 while sliding while contacting the base 2 at the periphery of the notch 4 whose outer peripheral surface is formed in a tapered shape. It is possible to suppress the end face of 22 from colliding with the end face of the split sleeve 1 and to prevent the ferrule 22 and the split sleeve 1 from being damaged.

  In order to further prevent damage to the ferrule 22 and the split sleeve 1, the inner wall of the notch 4 is formed in a tapered shape or a rounded shape so that the width gradually increases inward in the radial direction. Is desirable.

  Further, in the split sleeve 1, the connecting portion 5 between the end surface of the base 2 and the inner wall of the notch 4 is formed in a rounded shape so that the tip of the ferrule 22 can be easily guided to the notch 4. Yes. The connection part 5 is curved and formed so as to protrude outward.

  Further, in the split sleeve 1, in order to prevent the end face of the ferrule 22 from colliding with the end face of the part of the split sleeve 1 where the notch 4 is not formed and causing damage, the entire end of the split sleeve 1 is It is formed in a rounded shape that is continuous with the connecting portion 5, and is configured to reduce the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the split sleeve 1. The base body 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a curved shape when viewed from the axial direction. However, in the present embodiment, the end of the base body 2 is further lateral (outward in the radial direction). ) Is formed into a curved shape when viewed from above. As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 4 (a), and 5 (a), in the present embodiment, the end of the base 2 is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the side. .

  Thereby, it becomes difficult for the end surface of the ferrule 22 to collide perpendicularly with the end surface of the split sleeve 1, and damage to the ferrule 22 and the split sleeve 1 can be further suppressed. In addition, the tip of the ferrule 22 can be easily guided to the notch 4.

  Furthermore, in the split sleeve 1, the entire end surface of the split sleeve 1 including the connecting portion 5 is formed in a tapered shape (or a rounded shape) that gradually decreases in diameter toward the back in the axial direction. The surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the split sleeve 1 is reduced.

  The number of notches 4 formed on one end of the base 2 is preferably 2 or more and 4 or less. If the number of the notches 4 is one, it becomes difficult to make the entire end portion of the base 2 not formed with the notches 4 rounded in a side view, or the opening of the notches 4 This is because the notch 4 may become too large to play the role of guiding the ferrule 22. Further, when the number of the notches 4 is 5 or more, the width (opening width) of each notch 4 is reduced, and the effect of guiding the tip of the ferrule 22 may not be sufficiently obtained.

  In order to make it easier to guide the ferrule 22 to the notch 4, it is desirable that the curved connecting portions 5 are arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction, and the notches 4 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Is desirable. That is, the notch 4 is preferably formed at a rotationally symmetric position around the central axis of the base 2. In the present embodiment, the two cutouts 4 are respectively formed at 180 ° rotationally symmetric positions around the central axis of the base 2.

  The length along the axial direction of the notch 4 and the inclination angle of the inner wall of the notch 4 with respect to the axial direction may be appropriately set so that the ferrule 22 can be smoothly guided in consideration of the outer diameter of the ferrule 22 to be used. Further, at least the width of the end on the back side of the notch 4 is at least the tip of the ferrule 22 (end surface) so that the ferrule 22 does not get caught on the end on the back side of the notch 4 when the optical plug 20 is connected. It is desirable that the outer diameter be smaller than the outer diameter.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the slit 3 was formed in the intermediate position of the two notches 4 in the circumferential direction, the position which forms the slit 3 is not limited to this. For example, you may form the slit 3 so that the edge part of the back | inner side of the notch 4 which opposes an axial direction may be connected.

  The split sleeve 1 is made of a plastic such as an epoxy resin or a liquid crystal polymer, a ceramic such as alumina or zirconia, or a metal such as phosphor bronze. In this embodiment, since the ferrule 22 made of zirconia is inserted along the notch 4, the split sleeve 1 is made of a material having a low friction coefficient with respect to the ferrule 22 and being slippery, and has a mechanical strength. It can be said that it is more desirable to use a material that is high in resistance to damage.

  Note that when the split sleeve 1 made of metal is used, there is no possibility that the split sleeve 1 will be damaged, but there is a possibility that the ferrule 22 will be damaged or damaged. By providing the notch 4 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the ferrule 22 from being scratched or damaged.

  In this embodiment, since the notch 4 is provided and damage to the split sleeve 1 can be suppressed, the split sleeve 1 is made of a plastic that does not easily damage the end face of the ferrule 22, and scratches on the end face of the ferrule 22 are generated. It can be said that it is desirable to suppress more.

  Processing of the end portion of the base 2 including the notch 4 and the connection portion 5 can be performed by, for example, laser processing or grinding according to the material used for the split sleeve 1.

  In the optical connector 10 using the split sleeve 1, the arrangement and the number of the notches 4 may be determined according to the direction in which the optical plug 20 tends to tilt when connected. For example, when the optical plug 20 having the optical plug housing 23 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is used, it is conceivable that the optical plug 20 is inserted while being inclined in the opposing direction of the upper and lower surfaces of the optical plug housing 23 or the opposing direction of the side surfaces. Therefore, in this case, the split sleeve 1 in which the four notches 4 are formed at the end of the base 2 is used, and the notches 4 are formed at positions corresponding to the opposing direction of the upper and lower surfaces of the optical plug housing 23 and the opposing direction of the side surfaces. It is also possible to arrange the split sleeve 1 so as to be arranged. In consideration of the inclination due to the weight of the optical fiber 21, it is possible to arrange the two notches 4 at positions facing the vertical direction when the optical connector 10 is arranged.

(Operation and effect of the embodiment)
As described above, in the split sleeve 1 according to the present embodiment, the cylindrical base 2, the slit 2 that is formed in the base 2 along the axial direction and penetrates the base 2 in the radial direction, and the base 2 is provided with at least one notch 4 formed so as to open outward in the axial direction at at least one end thereof, and the notch 4 gradually increases toward the center of the base 2 in the axial direction. The width is formed to be narrow.

  In the conventional split sleeve not having the notch 4, the end surface of the split sleeve is a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. Therefore, the end surface of the ferrule 22 collides with the end surface of the split sleeve, and the split sleeve or the ferrule 22 is In some cases, the split sleeve or the fragments of the ferrule 22 may enter the split sleeve. Further, even when the end face of the split sleeve is formed in a tapered shape, there is a possibility that the same problem may occur when the insertion direction of the optical plug 20 is inclined. The split sleeve and the fragments of the ferrule 22 that have entered the split sleeve may damage the end face of the ferrule 22 or may be interposed between the opposing ferrules, increasing optical loss, and an improvement has been desired.

  In the split sleeve 1 according to the present embodiment, the notch 4 whose width gradually decreases toward the center of the base 2 in the axial direction is formed at the end of the base 2. Even when the ferrule 22 is inserted obliquely, the ferrule 22 can be guided to the back side of the split sleeve 1 by the notch 4. That is, in the present embodiment, the ferrule 22 is inserted while the outer peripheral surface at the tip of the ferrule 22 contacts and slides on the base 2 at the periphery of the notch 4, and the end face of the ferrule 22 is inserted into the base 2. It becomes difficult to collide with the end face. As a result, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the split sleeve 1 and the ferrule 22, and it is possible to suppress problems such as the fragments of the split sleeve 1 and the ferrule 22 entering the split sleeve 1.

(Summary of embodiment)
Next, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment described above will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the embodiment. However, the reference numerals and the like in the following description are not intended to limit the constituent elements in the claims to the members and the like specifically shown in the embodiments.

[1] A ferrule (22) provided at the tip of the optical fiber (21) is inserted from both ends, and the optical fiber (21) is optically connected while holding the ferrule (22). And a slit (3) formed in the base body (2) in the axial direction and penetrating the base body (2) in the radial direction. And at least one notch (4) formed to open axially outward at at least one end of the base body (2), the notch (4) A split sleeve (1) formed so that the width gradually decreases toward the center in the axial direction of the base body (2).

[2] The split sleeve according to [1], wherein an inner wall of the notch (4) is formed in a tapered shape or a rounded shape so that the width gradually increases inward in the radial direction. (1).

[3] The split according to [1] or [2], wherein the connection portion (5) between the end surface of the base body (2) and the inner wall of the notch (4) is formed in a rounded shape. Sleeve (1).

[4] Any of [1] to [3], wherein the entire end portion of the base body (2) is formed in a rounded shape continuous with the connection portion (5) when viewed from the outside in the radial direction. The split sleeve (1) according to claim 1.

[5] A plurality of the notches (4) are formed at one end of the base body (2), and the plurality of notches (4) are centered on the central axis of the base body (2). The split sleeve (1) according to any one of [1] to [4], which is formed at a rotationally symmetric position.

[6] An optical connector (10) for connecting optical plugs (20) having a ferrule (22) provided at the tip of an optical fiber (21), wherein the optical plug (20) is connected 2 A housing (11) having two connecting portions (11a) at opposite positions, and being accommodated in the housing (11), the optical plug (20) being connected to the connecting portion (11a) of the housing (11), respectively. In a connected state, the ferrule (22) is inserted from both ends, and a split sleeve (1) for holding the ferrule (22) and optically connecting the two optical fibers (21), An optical connector (10) using the split sleeve (1) according to any one of [1] to [5] as the split sleeve (1).

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

  The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Split sleeve 2 ... Base | substrate 3 ... Slit 4 ... Notch 5 ... Connection part 10 ... Optical connector 11 ... Housing 11a ... Connection part 20 ... Optical plug 21 ... Optical fiber 22 ... Ferrule 22a ... Flange part 23 ... Optical plug housing 23a ... Locking groove

Claims (6)

A ferrule provided at the tip of the optical fiber is inserted from both ends, and a split sleeve for holding the ferrule and optically connecting the two optical fibers,
A cylindrical substrate;
A slit formed in the base along the axial direction and penetrating the base in the radial direction;
At least one notch formed to open axially outward at at least one end of the base body,
The notch is formed such that the width gradually decreases toward the center in the axial direction of the base body.
Split sleeve. The inner wall of the notch is formed in a tapered shape or a rounded shape so that the width gradually increases inward in the radial direction.
The split sleeve according to claim 1. The connection portion between the end surface of the base and the inner wall of the notch is formed in a rounded shape,
The split sleeve according to claim 1 or 2. The entire end portion of the base is formed in a rounded shape that is continuous with the connecting portion when viewed from the outside in the radial direction.
The split sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A plurality of the notches are formed at one end of the base body,
The plurality of notches are formed at rotationally symmetric positions around the central axis of the base body.
The split sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An optical connector for connecting optical plugs having ferrules provided at the tip of an optical fiber,
A housing having two connecting portions to which the optical plug is connected at opposing positions;
In the state where the optical plug is connected to the connecting portion of the housing, the ferrule is inserted from both ends, and the optical fibers are optically held by holding the ferrule. A split sleeve for connection,
As the split sleeve, the split sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is used.
Optical connector.

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