JP2017203897A - Optical connector and optical coupling structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector and an optical coupling structure which can preciously regulate a gap between an apical surface of one optical fiber and an apical surface of the other optical fiber.SOLUTION: An optical connector 2A comprises: an optical fiber 10; a ferrule 11 including a ferrule end surface 11a and an optical fiber holding hole 13; and a spacer 30A which is attached to the ferrule 11 and protruded from the ferrule end surface 11a, and regulates a gap T between the ferrule end surface 11a and the other side optical connector. The ferrule 11 includes an engaging groove D arranged on a top face 11f sharing a long side 11fa of the ferrule end surface 11a. A front end face 30a is arranged at one end part of the spacer 30A in which the front end face is protruded from the ferrule end face 11a and contacts with the other side optical connector. A main body part 31A is arranged at the other end part of the spacer to be attached to the engaging groove D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector and an optical coupling structure.

  Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a ferrule used for an optical connector that connects multi-core optical fibers. The ferrule has a plurality of holes for holding a plurality of optical fibers, and the optical fibers are respectively inserted into the holes. The tip of the optical fiber protrudes slightly from the ferrule end face.

S. Nagasawa et al., “A high-performance single-mode multifiberconnector using oblique and direct endface contact between multiple fibersarranged in a plastic ferrule,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 3, no.10, pp. 937-939, 1991

  The ferrule of Non-Patent Document 1 employs a PC (Physical Contact) method, which is one method of connector connection between optical fibers. FIGS. 13A and 13B are side sectional views showing an example of the structure of a PC-type ferrule. Part (a) of FIG. 13 shows a state before connection, and part (b) of FIG. 13 shows a connected state. The ferrule 100 has a cylindrical appearance, and has a hole 102 for holding the optical fiber 120 on the central axis. The optical fiber 120 is inserted into the hole 102, and the tip portion slightly protrudes to the outside on the tip surface 104 of the ferrule 100. In this PC system, the optical fibers 120 are efficiently connected to each other by pressing the distal end portion of the optical fiber 120 in physical contact with the distal end portion of the connector on the connection partner side (part (b) in FIG. 13). Photocouple. Such a system is mainly used when connecting single-core optical fibers.

  However, such a method has the following problems. That is, if a connection is made with foreign matter attached to the ferrule end face, the foreign matter will adhere to the ferrule end face by the pressing force. In order to remove the adhered foreign matter, it is necessary to use a contact-type cleaner, and in order to prevent the foreign matter from sticking, it is necessary to frequently perform cleaning. Furthermore, when a plurality of optical fibers are connected at the same time, a predetermined pressing force is required for each optical fiber, so that a larger force is required for connection as the number of optical fibers increases.

  In order to solve the above problem, a structure in which a gap is provided between the end faces of optical fibers connected to each other is conceivable. The distance from the tip surface of one optical fiber to the tip surface of the other optical fiber affects the optical connection efficiency. Therefore, it is desired to precisely define the distance from the tip surface of one optical fiber to the tip surface of the other optical fiber.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an optical connector and an optical coupling structure capable of precisely defining the distance from the front end surface of one optical fiber to the front end surface of the other optical fiber. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an optical fiber, a ferrule end face facing the counterpart optical connector, and an opening at the ferrule end face. A ferrule having an optical fiber holding hole for holding the optical fiber so that the surface is exposed, and a spacer attached to the ferrule and protruding from the ferrule end face, and defining a distance between the ferrule end face and the counterpart optical connector, The ferrule shares a side portion of the ferrule end face and includes a spacer mounting portion provided on a main surface different from the ferrule end face. One end of the spacer protrudes from the ferrule end face, and the other side light A front end surface is provided against the connector, and the other end of the spacer is attached to the spacer mounting portion. Body part to be attached is provided.

  An optical coupling structure according to another embodiment of the present invention includes first and second optical connectors connected to each other, and the first and second optical connectors are an optical fiber and a counterpart optical connector, respectively. A ferrule having an optical fiber holding hole that is open at the ferrule end face and that holds the optical fiber so that the tip end face of the optical fiber is exposed from the opening, and attached to the ferrule and from the ferrule end face And a spacer that defines a distance between the ferrule end face and the counterpart optical connector, and the ferrule shares a side part of the ferrule end face and has a spacer mounting portion provided on a main surface different from the ferrule end face. In addition, one end of the spacer protrudes from the ferrule end surface, and the front end surface is abutted against the mating optical connector The other end of the spacer is provided with a main body attached to the spacer attaching portion, and the front end face of the spacer of the first optical connector abuts on the ferrule end face of the second optical connector. The front end face of the spacer of the second optical connector is in contact with the ferrule end face of the first optical connector.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical connector and optical coupling structure which can prescribe | regulate the space | interval from the front end surface of one optical fiber to the front end surface of the other optical fiber can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical coupling structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of a cross section of the optical coupling structure in the virtual plane S1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the region S2 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the ferrule end face. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the optical coupling structure. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the region S3 in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a ferrule and a spacer included in the optical coupling structure according to the first modification. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a ferrule and a spacer included in the optical coupling structure according to Modification 2. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a ferrule and a spacer included in the optical coupling structure according to Modification 3. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a ferrule and a spacer included in the optical coupling structure according to Modification 4. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a ferrule and a spacer included in the optical coupling structure according to Modification 5. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a ferrule and a spacer included in the optical coupling structure according to Modification 6. FIGS. 13A and 13B are side sectional views showing an example of the structure of a PC-type ferrule. Part (a) of FIG. 13 shows a state before connection, and part (b) of FIG. 13 shows a connected state.

[Description of Embodiment of Present Invention]
First, the contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described. An optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an optical fiber, a ferrule end face that faces a counterpart optical connector, and an optical fiber that is open at the ferrule end face so that the front end face of the optical fiber is exposed from the opening. A ferrule having an optical fiber holding hole to be held, and a spacer attached to the ferrule and protruding from the ferrule end face, and defining a distance between the ferrule end face and the mating optical connector, and the ferrule has a side portion of the ferrule end face A spacer mounting portion provided on a main surface different from the ferrule end surface is shared, and one end portion of the spacer is provided with a front end surface protruding from the ferrule end surface and abutting against the mating optical connector. The other end of the spacer is provided with a body portion that is attached to the spacer attachment portion. That.

  In this optical connector, a main body portion of a spacer is attached to a spacer attaching portion provided on a ferrule. The spacer mounting portion is provided on the main surface sharing the side portion of the ferrule end surface. The main surface is a surface different from the ferrule end surface. Therefore, the spacer is attached to the ferrule on a surface different from the ferrule end surface. According to these configurations, the spacer has a portion for defining the interval between the optical connectors and a portion for attaching the spacer to the ferrule. Therefore, there is no element for physically fixing the ferrule and the spacer in the portion that defines the distance between the optical connectors. For this reason, the space | interval from the front end surface of one optical fiber to the front end surface of the other optical fiber can be prescribed | regulated precisely.

  In the above optical connector, the side portion of the ferrule end surface includes a long side and a short side shorter than the long side, and the main surface shares the long side with the ferrule end surface. According to this configuration, the spacer mounting portion can be easily provided on the ferrule.

  In the above optical connector, the main body includes a rear end surface that is parallel to the front end surface. According to this configuration, the direction of the force acting on the rear end surface from the spacer mounting portion of the ferrule is parallel and opposite to the direction of the force acting on the front end surface from the counterpart optical connector. Therefore, when the counterpart optical connector is abutted against the optical connector via the spacer, the occurrence of the slip of the spacer with respect to the ferrule is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress slippage between the optical connectors.

  In the above optical connector, a spacer is provided at one end of the spacer between the mating optical connector and the ferrule end surface, and the interval defining portion is a ferrule that contacts the front end surface and the ferrule end surface. An end surface abutting surface. According to this configuration, the length from the front end surface to the ferrule end surface abutting surface defines the distance between the counterpart optical connector and the ferrule end surface, and the portion defining the distance between the optical connectors includes a ferrule and There is no element for physically fixing the spacer. Therefore, the distance from the tip surface of one optical fiber to the tip surface of the other optical fiber can be defined more precisely.

  In the above optical connector, the tip surface of the optical fiber exposed from the optical fiber holding hole is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber. Thereby, the reflected return light in the front end surface of an optical fiber can be reduced.

  In the above optical connector, the spacer is made of the same material as the ferrule. Thereby, a spacer can be easily attached to a ferrule.

  In the above optical connector, the spacer is bonded to the ferrule with an epoxy adhesive. Thereby, a spacer can be reliably attached with respect to a ferrule.

  In the above optical connector, an antireflection film is provided on the tip surface of the optical fiber. Thereby, the reflected return light at the front end surface of the optical fiber can be further reduced.

  An optical coupling structure according to another embodiment of the present invention includes first and second optical connectors connected to each other, and the first and second optical connectors face each other with an optical fiber and a counterpart optical connector. And a ferrule having an optical fiber holding hole that is opened at the ferrule end surface and the optical fiber is held so that the front end surface of the optical fiber is exposed from the opening, and is attached to the ferrule and protrudes from the ferrule end surface, A spacer that defines a distance between the ferrule end face and the counterpart optical connector, and the ferrule includes a spacer mounting portion provided on a main surface different from the ferrule end face while sharing a side portion of the ferrule end face, One end of the spacer has a front end face that protrudes from the end face of the ferrule and abuts against the mating optical connector. The other end portion of the spacer is provided with a main body portion that is attached to the spacer attaching portion, and the front end surface of the spacer of the first optical connector is in contact with the ferrule end surface of the second optical connector. The front end face of the spacer of the second optical connector is in contact with the ferrule end face of the first optical connector.

  The optical coupling structure includes a pair of optical fibers and ferrules provided in the optical connector and a spacer provided in the optical connector. Therefore, like the optical connector, the spacer is different from the portion that defines the distance between the optical connectors and the portion that attaches the spacer to the ferrule. Therefore, there is no element for physically fixing the ferrule and the spacer in the portion that defines the distance between the optical connectors. For this reason, the space | interval from the front end surface of one optical fiber to the front end surface of the other optical fiber can be prescribed | regulated precisely.

  In the above optical coupling structure, the tip surface of the first optical fiber exposed from the optical fiber holding hole of the ferrule in the first optical connector is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the first optical fiber, The tip surface of the second optical fiber exposed from the optical fiber holding hole of the ferrule in the second optical connector is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber, and the light of the first optical fiber The axis is deviated from the optical axis of the second optical fiber. Thereby, the reflected return light in the front end surface of an optical fiber can be reduced.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Specific examples of the optical connector and the optical coupling structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these illustrations, is shown by the claim, and intends that all the changes within the meaning and range equivalent to the claim are included. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements in the description of the drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an optical coupling structure 1A according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the cross section of the optical coupling structure 1A in the virtual plane S1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical coupling structure 1 </ b> A of the present embodiment includes an optical connector 2 </ b> A and an optical connector 3 </ b> A (mating optical connector) that are connected to each other. Each of the optical connector 2 </ b> A and the optical connector 3 </ b> A includes a plurality of optical fibers 10 (eight examples are illustrated in the figure) and a ferrule 11 that holds the optical fibers 10. The plurality of optical fibers 10 extend along the connection direction A1 and are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction A2 intersecting the connection direction A1. The optical fiber 10 includes a bare fiber 10a and a resin coating 10b that covers the bare fiber 10a. Spacers 30A are attached to the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 2A and the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 3A, respectively. The spacer 30A defines the distance between the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 2A and the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 3A. Details of the spacer 30A will be described later.

  The optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the optical connector 2A will be described in detail, and the description of the optical connector 3A will be omitted.

  The ferrule 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance and is made of, for example, a resin. The ferrule 11 has a ferrule end face 11a provided on one end side in the connection direction A1 and a rear end face 11b provided on the other end side. The ferrule 11 has a pair of side surfaces 11c and 11d extending along the connection direction A1. The ferrule 11 has a pair of guide holes 11g and 11h penetrating from the ferrule end surface 11a to the rear end surface 11b. The pair of guide holes 11g and 11h are arranged in a direction intersecting with a cross section along the optical axis of the optical fiber 10 (arrangement direction A2 in the present embodiment). A pair of guide pins 21a and 21b are inserted into the guide holes 11g and 11h, respectively. The pair of guide pins 21a and 21b fix the relative positions of the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ferrule end surface 11a has a fiber exposed surface 11aa and a spacer abutting surface 11ab. The ferrule end surface 11a of the optical connector 2A faces the ferrule end surface 11a of the optical connector 3A. Specifically, the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the optical connector 2A faces the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the optical connector 3A. The fiber exposed surface 11aa is inclined with respect to the connection direction A1. The spacer abutting surface 11ab is orthogonal to the connection direction A1.

  The rear end face 11b is formed with an introduction hole 12 for receiving a plurality of optical fibers 10 together. A plurality of optical fiber holding holes 13 are formed so as to penetrate from the introduction hole 12 to the ferrule end surface 11a. In the optical fiber 10, the bare fiber 10a is exposed by removing the resin coating 10b from the middle in the connection direction A1 to the tip surface 10c. The bare fiber 10 a is inserted and held in each of the optical fiber holding holes 13. The front end surface 10c of the bare fiber 10a is exposed at the fiber exposed surface 11aa, and is preferably flush with the fiber exposed surface 11aa. These front end surfaces 10c are optically coupled directly to the front end surface 10c of the bare fiber 10a of the mating connector without using an optical element such as a lens, a refractive index matching agent, or the like (via only air). Therefore, the light emitted from the front end surface 10c of one optical connector is incident on the front end surface 10c of the other optical connector while having a slight spread. Note that an antireflection film (AR coating) may be provided on the distal end surface 10c.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the region S2 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, in the cross section along the optical axis of the optical fiber 10, the normal direction V <b> 1 (first normal line, second normal line) of the tip surface 10 c of the optical fiber 10 and the fiber exposed surface 11 aa. Is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction V <b> 2 of the optical fiber 10. Further, the normal line (first normal line) at the distal end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10 (first optical fiber) provided in the optical connector 2A is the optical fiber 10 (second optical fiber) provided in the optical connector 3A. It is parallel to the normal line (second normal line) at the tip surface 10c of the fiber. Furthermore, the optical axis direction V2 of the optical fiber 10 (first optical fiber) provided in the optical connector 2A is relative to the optical axis direction V2 of the optical fiber 10 (second optical fiber) provided in the optical connector 3A. The direction is shifted to the direction A3. Thereby, the reflected return light in the front end surface 10c is reduced. In this case, the optical path L1 of the light emitted from the distal end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10 is refracted in the direction opposite to the inclination direction of the distal end surface 10c at the distal end surface 10c.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing the ferrule end face 11a. As shown in FIG. 4, in the fiber exposed surface 11aa, the center position C1 of the distal end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10 is slightly shifted upward with respect to a straight line E1 connecting the centers of the pair of guide holes 11g and 11h. In other words, in the direction A3 (that is, the vertical direction of the ferrule 11) intersecting both the connection direction A1 and the arrangement direction A2, the central axis of the optical fiber 10 is slightly shifted toward the upper surface 11f side with respect to the center of the ferrule 11. Accordingly, even if the optical path L1 is refracted, the optical connectors 2A and 3A are inverted and connected to each other so that the optical axes of the optical fibers 10 are shifted from each other in the vertical direction. 10 can be optically coupled suitably.

  Here, the ferrule end face 11a has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the connection direction A1. Therefore, the ferrule end surface 11a includes a pair of long sides 11fa and 11ea and a pair of short sides 11ca and 11da. One long side 11fa is included in the fiber exposed surface 11aa. A surface that is continuous with the fiber exposed surface 11aa and shares one long side 11fa is an upper surface 11f. The other long side 11ea is included in the spacer abutting surface 11ab. A surface that is continuous with the spacer abutting surface 11ab and shares the other long side 11ea is the bottom surface 11e.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the optical coupling structure 1A in an exploded manner. The ferrule 11 has a fitting groove D (spacer mounting portion) provided on the upper surface 11f. The fitting groove D is provided approximately at the center in the arrangement direction A2 on the upper surface 11f. The fitting groove D is a region surrounded by a rear side wall surface 11j orthogonal to the connection direction A1 and a pair of side wall surfaces 11p extending in the connection direction A1. On the front side of the fitting groove D, an opening 11q opened in the fiber exposed surface 11aa is provided.

  The optical connector 2A further includes a spacer 30A. The spacer 30A has a main body portion 31A and an interval defining portion 32A. The main body 31A is fitted in the fitting groove D and is adhered to the ferrule 11 by, for example, an epoxy adhesive. The interval defining portion 32A is sandwiched between the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A, and defines the interval between the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the optical connector 2A and the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the optical connector 3A. The constituent material of the spacer 30A is preferably the same as the material of the ferrule 11. For example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) containing a glass filler is preferable.

  The main body 31A has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the connection direction A1. The main body 31A has a rear end surface 30b, a pair of side surfaces 30c and 30d, an upper surface 30f, and a bottom surface 30e. The entire main body 31 </ b> A is fitted in the fitting groove D. Accordingly, the pair of side surfaces 30c and 30d is substantially equal to the groove width of the fitting groove D (the distance from one side wall surface 11p to the other side wall surface 11p). Further, the length from the rear end surface 30b to the interval defining portion 32A is substantially equal to the interval from the rear side wall surface 11j to the fitting groove D to the opening 11q.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the region S3 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the interval defining portion 32A is provided on one end of the spacer 30A, that is, on the front side of the main body 31A. The spacing defining portion 32A of the spacer 30A attached to the optical connector 2A protrudes from the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the optical connector 2A toward the optical connector 3A. The interval defining portion 32A has a front end face 30a provided at one end in the connection direction A1. The front end face 30a is parallel to the rear end face 30b. The interval defining portion 32A has an end surface contact surface 30g (ferrule end surface contact surface) that contacts the fiber exposed surface 11aa. The end surface contact surface 30g is inclined with respect to the connection direction A1 along the fiber exposed surface 11aa.

  In the spacer 30A, the interval defining portion 32A is sandwiched between the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the optical connector 2A and the spacer abutting surface 11ab of the optical connector 3A to define the interval T between the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A. . This interval T is, for example, not less than 20 μm and not more than 100 μm. Here, the length from the spacer abutting surface 11ab to the rear side wall surface 11j when the front end surface 30a is in contact with the spacer abutting surface 11ab and the end surface abutting surface 30g is in contact with the fiber exposed surface 11aa is (R1). ).

  First, the length of the spacer 30A from the front end face 30a to the rear end face 30b may be slightly larger than (R1). In this case, the force when the optical connector 2A is pressed against the optical connector 3A acts on the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A via the spacer 30A. Here, the rear end face 30b pressed against the ferrule 11 of the spacer 30A and the front end face 30a pressed against the optical connector 3A are orthogonal to the connection direction A1. Therefore, the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A can be prevented from being relatively displaced in the direction intersecting the connection direction A1. On the other hand, in the spacer 30A, the distance from the front end face 30a to the rear end face 30b may be slightly shorter than (R1). In this case, a slight gap is formed between the rear end face 30b and the rear side wall face 11j. According to the gap, the interval defining portion 32A is securely sandwiched between the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A, so that the interval T can be set with higher accuracy.

  The spacer 30 </ b> A is a separate member from the ferrule 11. Therefore, the inclined fiber exposed surface 11aa and the end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10 can be easily formed by polishing or the like.

  The effects obtained by the optical coupling structure 1A and the optical connector 2A of the present embodiment described above will be described. In the optical connector 2 </ b> A, the main body portion 31 </ b> A of the spacer 30 </ b> A is attached to a fitting groove D (spacer attachment portion) provided in the ferrule 11. The fitting groove D is provided on the upper surface 11f (main surface) including the long side 11fa. The upper surface 11f is a surface different from the ferrule end surface 11a. Accordingly, the spacer 30A is attached to the ferrule 11 on a surface different from the ferrule end surface 11a. According to this configuration, since no adhesive or the like is disposed on the ferrule end surface 11a, the distance T from the ferrule end surface 11a of the optical connector 2A to the optical connector 3A (mating optical connector) is from the ferrule end surface 11a to the front end surface 3a. It is defined by the length of According to these configurations, the spacer 30A includes a portion that defines the interval T between the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A (ie, the interval defining portion 32A), and a portion that attaches the spacer 30A to the ferrule 11 (ie, the main body portion 31A). Is different. Accordingly, there is no element (such as an adhesive) for physically fixing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30A in the portion that defines the interval T between the optical connectors 2A and 3A (interval defining portion 32A). For this reason, the space | interval from the front end surface 10c of one optical fiber 10 to the front end surface 10c of the other optical fiber 10 can be prescribed | regulated precisely.

  In the above optical connector, the side portion of the ferrule end surface 11a includes the long side 11fa, and the upper surface 11f shares the long side 11fa with the ferrule end surface 11a. According to this configuration, the fitting groove D can be easily provided in the ferrule 11.

  According to the spacer 30A, a predetermined interval can be easily provided between the ferrule end surface 11a and the counterpart optical connector (or between the ferrule end surfaces 11a of the optical connectors 2A and 3A). Therefore, a non-contact optical connection structure can be realized, the adhesion of foreign matters can be reduced, and the ferrule end surface 11a can be easily cleaned (for example, using an air duster) or can be eliminated. Also, unlike the PC method, a large number of optical fibers 10 can be connected simultaneously without requiring a large force for connection. Furthermore, since no lens is interposed, the number of optical members existing in the optical path can be reduced. Thereby, while being able to suppress an optical connection loss, an alignment process is unnecessary, a manufacturing process can be reduced and cost can be suppressed low.

  In the optical connector 2A of the present embodiment, the main body 31A includes a rear end surface 30b that is parallel to the front end surface 30a and abuts against the rear side wall surface 11j. According to this configuration, the direction of the force acting on the rear end surface 30b from the fitting groove D of the ferrule 11 is parallel and opposite to the direction of the force acting on the front end surface 30a from the optical connector 3A. Therefore, when the optical connector 3A is abutted against the optical connector 2A via the spacer 30A, the occurrence of the slip of the spacer 30A with respect to the ferrule 11 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress slippage between the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A.

  In the optical connector 2A of the present embodiment, an interval defining portion 32A is provided at one end of the spacer 30A. The interval defining portion 32A includes a front end face 30a and an end face abutting face 30g. According to this configuration, the distance T between the optical connector 2A and the optical connector 3A and the distance T between the optical connectors 2A and 3A are defined by the length from the front end surface 30a to the end surface contact surface 30g. In the portion (interval defining portion 32A), there is no element for physically fixing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30A. For this reason, the space | interval from the front end surface 10c of one optical fiber 10 to the front end surface 10c of the other optical fiber 10 can be prescribed | regulated more precisely.

  In the optical connector 2 </ b> A of the present embodiment, the tip surface 10 c of the optical fiber 10 exposed from the optical fiber holding hole 13 is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction V <b> 2 of the optical fiber 10. Thereby, the reflected return light in the front end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10 can be reduced.

  In the optical connector 2 </ b> A of the present embodiment, the spacer 30 </ b> A is made of the same material as the ferrule 11. Thereby, the spacer 30 </ b> A can be easily attached to the ferrule 11.

  In the optical connector 2 </ b> A of the present embodiment, the spacer 30 </ b> A is bonded to the ferrule 11 with an epoxy adhesive. Thereby, the spacer 30 </ b> A can be securely attached to the ferrule 11.

  In the optical connector 2A of the present embodiment, an antireflection film may be provided on the distal end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10. Thereby, the reflected return light in the front end surface 10c of the optical fiber 10 can be further reduced.

  The above-described embodiments show examples of the optical connector and the optical coupling structure according to the present invention. The optical connector and the optical coupling structure according to the present invention are not limited to the optical connector and the optical coupling structure according to the embodiment, and may be modified or applied to other things without changing the gist described in each claim. It may be what you did.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30B included in the optical coupling structure 1B according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 7, the optical coupling structure 1B is different in the shape of the spacer 30B from the spacer 30A of the optical coupling structure 1A. In the optical coupling structure 1B, the configuration of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 is the same as that of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 of the optical coupling structure 1A, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the spacer 30B will be described in detail.

  The optical coupling structure 1B includes an optical connector 2B having a spacer 30B. The spacer 30B has a main body portion 31B and an interval defining portion 32B. The main body portion 31B and the interval defining portion 32B are integrally formed. The configuration of the main body 31B is the same as the main body 31A of the optical coupling structure 1A. The interval defining portion 32B has a main portion 32Ba and a pair of side portions 32Bb. The main portion 32Ba and the pair of side portions 32Bb are provided so that the pair of side portions 32Bb sandwich the main portion 32Ba along the arrangement direction A2. The main portion 32Ba and the pair of side portions 32Bb are integrally formed. The main part 32Ba is a part provided in the main body part 31B and having the same width as the main body part 31B, and corresponds to the interval defining part 32A of the optical coupling structure 1A. In the main portion 32Ba and the side portion 32Bb, a front end surface 30a is formed on a surface facing the counterpart optical connector. Further, in the main portion 32Ba and the side portion 32Bb, an end surface contact surface 30g is formed on the surface of the optical connector 2B that faces the ferrule 11.

  According to the spacer 30B having the main portion 32Ba and the side portion 32Bb, the length of the interval defining portion 32B sandwiched between the optical connector 2B and the counterpart optical connector is longer than the interval defining portion 32A of the optical coupling structure 1A. Become. Accordingly, it is possible to enlarge a region in which the distance between the optical connector 2B and the counterpart optical connector can be accurately maintained.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30C included in the optical coupling structure 1C according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 8, the optical coupling structure 1C is different in the shape of the spacer 30C from the spacer 30A of the optical coupling structure 1A. In the optical coupling structure 1C, the configuration of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 is the same as that of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 of the optical coupling structure 1A, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the spacer 30C will be described in detail.

  The optical coupling structure 1C includes an optical connector 2C having a spacer 30C. The spacer 30C has a main body portion 31C and an interval defining portion 32C. The main body portion 31C and the interval defining portion 32C are integrally formed. The spacer 30C is different from the spacer 30A in that the interval defining portion 32C has a pair of side portions 32Cb and a notch portion 32Cd. The interval defining portion 32C has a main portion 32Ca and a pair of side portions 32Cb. The main portion 32Ca and the pair of side portions 32Cb are provided so that the pair of side portions 32Cb sandwich the main portion 32Ca along the arrangement direction A2. The main portion 32Ca and the pair of side portions 32Cb are integrally formed. The interval defining portion 32C is provided with a notch 32Cd extending in the arrangement direction A2. The cutout portion 32Cd is provided by cutting out a part of the main portion 32Ca and the pair of side portions 32Cb. The main surface 32Ce of the notch 32Cd is flush with the bottom surface 30e of the main body 31C. Accordingly, a part of the side portion 32Cb that is not cut out projects in the direction A3 from the main surface 32Ce of the cutout portion 32Cd and the bottom surface 30e of the main body portion 31C. The protruding portions are formed at both ends of the interval defining portion 32C. Further, in the main portion 32Ca and the side portion 32Cb, a front end surface 30a is formed on a surface facing the counterpart optical connector. Further, in the side portion 32Cb, an end surface contact surface 30g is formed on the surface of the optical connector 2C that faces the ferrule 11.

  According to the spacer 30C having the main portion 32Ca and the side portion 32Cb, similarly to the spacer 30B, it is possible to enlarge a region where the distance between the optical connector 2C and the counterpart optical connector is accurately maintained. In addition, according to the spacer 30C having the notch 32Cd, the area of the end surface abutting surface 30g that abuts on the fiber exposed surface 11aa is reduced. Here, since the notch 32Cd is provided in the main portion 32Ca and a part of the pair of side portions 32Cb, the end face abutting surface 30g abuts on a region near the long side 11fa of the fiber exposed surface 11aa. Therefore, it is possible to secure a region where the opening of the optical fiber holding hole 13 can be formed on the fiber exposed surface 11aa.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30D provided in the optical coupling structure 1D according to the modification 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the optical coupling structure 1D is different from the spacer 30A of the optical coupling structure 1A in the shape of the spacer 30D. In the optical coupling structure 1D, the configuration of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 is the same as that of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 of the optical coupling structure 1A, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the spacer 30D will be described in detail.

  The optical coupling structure 1D includes an optical connector 2D having a spacer 30D. The spacer 30D has a main body portion 31D and an interval defining portion 32D. The main body portion 31D and the interval defining portion 32D are integrally formed. The spacer 30D is different from the spacer 30A in that the interval defining portion 32D has a side portion 32Db and a notch portion 32Dd. The interval defining portion 32D has a main portion 32Da and a side portion 32Db. The main part 32Da and the side part 32Db are arranged along the arrangement direction A2. The main portion 32Da and the side portion 32Db are integrally formed. The interval defining portion 32D is provided with a notch 32Dd extending in the arrangement direction A2. The cutout portion 32Dd is provided by cutting out a part of the main portion 32Da and the side portion 32Db. The main surface 32De of the notch 32Dd is flush with the bottom surface 30e of the main body 31D. Accordingly, a part of the side portion 32Db that is not cut out projects in the direction A3 from the main portion 32Da of the cutout portion 32Dd and the bottom surface 30e of the main body portion 31D. This protruding portion is formed on one end side of the interval defining portion 32D. Further, in the main portion 32Da and the side portion 32Db, a front end surface 30a is formed on a surface facing the counterpart optical connector. Further, in the side portion 32Db, an end surface abutting surface 30g is formed on a surface facing the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 2D.

  According to the spacer 30D having the main portion 32Da and the side portion 32Db, similarly to the spacer 30B, it is possible to enlarge a region where the distance between the optical connector 2D and the counterpart optical connector is accurately maintained. Further, according to the spacer 30D having the notch 32Dd, a region where the opening of the optical fiber holding hole 13 can be formed can be ensured on the fiber exposed surface 11aa, similarly to the spacer 30C.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30E included in the optical coupling structure 1E according to Modification 4. As shown in FIG. 10, the optical coupling structure 1E is different in the shape of the spacer 30E from the spacer 30A of the optical coupling structure 1A. In the optical coupling structure 1E, the configuration of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 is the same as that of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 of the optical coupling structure 1A, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the spacer 30E will be described in detail.

  The optical coupling structure 1E includes an optical connector 2E having a spacer 30E. The spacer 30E has a main body portion 31E and an interval defining portion 32E. The main body portion 31E and the interval defining portion 32E are integrally formed. The spacer 30E is different from the spacer 30A in that the interval defining portion 32E has a side portion 32Eb and an extension portion 32Ec. The interval defining portion 32E includes a main portion 32Ea, a side portion 32Eb, and an extension portion 32Ec. The main part 32Ea and the side part 32Eb are arranged along the arrangement direction A2. That is, one end of the side portion 32Eb is provided on the main portion 32Ea. Further, one end of the extension portion 32Ec is provided at the other end of the side portion 32Eb. The extension portion 32Ec extends from the other end of the side portion 32Eb from one long side 11fa side to the other long side 11fe side along the fiber exposed surface 11aa and the spacer abutting surface 11ab. In the main portion 32Ea and the side portion 32Eb, a front end surface 30a is formed on a surface facing the counterpart optical connector. A first additional abutment surface 30j that abuts against the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the counterpart optical connector is formed on the surface of the extension portion 32Ec that faces the counterpart optical connector. In the side portion 32Eb, an end surface contact surface 30g is formed on the surface of the optical connector 2E that faces the ferrule 11. Further, an end surface contact surface 30g and a second additional contact surface 30k that contacts the spacer abutting surface 11ab are formed on the surface of the extension portion 32Ec that faces the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 2E.

  According to the spacer 30E having the main portion 32Ea and the side portion 32Eb, similarly to the spacer 30B, it is possible to enlarge an area where the distance between the optical connector 2E and the counterpart optical connector can be maintained with high accuracy. Further, according to the spacer 30E having the extension part 32Ec, the interval defining part 32E includes the main part 32Ea and the side part 32Eb along the long side 11fa, and the extension part 32Ec along the short side 11ca. When such a spacer 30E is used, a frame-shaped interval defining element is formed between the optical connector 2E and the counterpart optical connector. Therefore, the joining state between the optical connector 2E and the counterpart optical connector can be stabilized.

<Modification 5>
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30F included in the optical coupling structure 1F according to Modification 5. As shown in FIG. 11, the optical coupling structure 1F is different from the spacer 30A of the optical coupling structure 1A in the shape of the spacer 30F. In the optical coupling structure 1F, the configuration of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 is the same as that of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 of the optical coupling structure 1A, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the spacer 30F will be described in detail.

  The optical coupling structure 1F includes an optical connector 2F having a spacer 30F. The spacer 30F has a main body portion 31F and an interval defining portion 32F. The main body portion 31F and the interval defining portion 32F are integrally formed. The spacer 30F is different from the spacer 30A in that the space defining portion 32F has a side portion 32Fb and a third additional contact portion 32Fc. The interval defining portion 32F includes a main portion 32Fa, a side portion 32Fb, and a third additional contact portion 32Fc. The main part 32Fa and the side part 32Fb are arranged along the arrangement direction A2. That is, one end of the side portion 32Fb extending in the arrangement direction A2 is provided on the main portion 32Fa. A third additional contact portion 32Fc is provided on the lower surface side of the main portion 32Fa and the side portion 32Fb. The third additional contact portion 32Fc extends along the arrangement direction A2 from the end surface of the main portion 32Fa to the end surface of the side portion 32Fb. In the main portion 32Fa and the side portion 32Fb, a front end surface 30a is formed on a surface facing the counterpart optical connector. In the third additional contact portion 32Fc, a third additional contact surface 30h that contacts the fiber exposed surface 11aa of the counterpart optical connector is formed on the surface facing the counterpart optical connector. Further, in the main portion 32Fa, the side portion 32Fb, and the third additional contact portion 32Fc, an end surface contact surface 30g is formed on the surface facing the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 2F.

  According to the spacer 30F having the main portion 32Fa and the side portion 32Fb, similarly to the spacer 30B, it is possible to enlarge a region where the distance between the optical connector 2F and the counterpart optical connector can be maintained with high accuracy. In addition, according to the spacer 30F having the third additional contact portion 32Fc, the contact area with the counterpart optical connector increases, so that the contact state between the optical connector 2F and the counterpart optical connector can be stabilized. . Furthermore, according to the spacer 30F having the side portion 32Fb and the third additional contact portion 32Fc, the interval can be increased.

<Modification 6>
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the ferrule 11 and the spacer 30G included in the optical coupling structure 1G according to Modification 6. As shown in FIG. 12, the optical coupling structure 1G is different in the shape of the spacer 30G from the spacer 30A of the optical coupling structure 1A. In the optical coupling structure 1G, the configuration of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 is the same as that of the optical fiber 10 and the ferrule 11 of the optical coupling structure 1A, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the spacer 30G will be described in detail.

  The optical coupling structure 1G includes an optical connector 2G having a spacer 30G. The spacer 30G has a main body portion 31G and an interval defining portion 32G. The main body portion 31G and the interval defining portion 32G are integrally formed. The configuration of the main body 31G is the same as the main body 31A in the optical coupling structure 1A. The front end face 30a of the interval defining portion 32G has a semicircular shape.

  According to the spacer 30G having the interval defining portion 32G, the region where the interval T between the optical connector 2G and the counterpart optical connector can be maintained with high accuracy can be enlarged, similarly to the spacer 30B.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G ... optical coupling structure, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G ... optical connector, 3A ... optical connector (mating side optical connector), 10 ... optical fiber DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10a ... Bare fiber, 10b ... Resin coating | cover, 10c ... Tip surface, 11 ... Ferrule, 11a ... Ferrule end surface, 11f ... Upper surface (main surface), 11fa ... Long side, 11g, 11h ... Guide hole, 12 ... Introduction hole, 13 ... Optical fiber holding hole, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G ... Spacer, 30a ... Front end surface, 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F, 31G ... Main body, 32A, 32B, 32C , 32D, 32E, 32F, 32G... Spacing defining portion, A1... Connection direction, D .. fitting groove (spacer mounting portion), L1.

Claims (10)

Optical fiber,
A ferrule having an optical fiber holding hole for holding the optical fiber so as to be exposed at the ferrule end face and the front end face of the optical fiber exposed from the opening.
A spacer that is attached to the ferrule and protrudes from the ferrule end face, and that defines a distance between the ferrule end face and the mating optical connector;
The ferrule includes a spacer attaching portion provided on a main surface different from the ferrule end surface while sharing a side portion of the ferrule end surface.
One end portion of the spacer is provided with a front end surface protruding from the ferrule end surface and abutting against the counterpart optical connector,
An optical connector, wherein a main body portion attached to the spacer attachment portion is provided at the other end portion of the spacer. The side portion of the ferrule end face includes a long side and a short side shorter than the long side,
The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the main surface shares the long side with the ferrule end surface.   The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a rear end surface that is parallel to the front end surface. One end portion of the spacer is provided with a space defining portion sandwiched between the counterpart optical connector and the ferrule end surface,
The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interval defining portion includes the front end surface and a ferrule end surface abutting surface that abuts on the ferrule end surface.   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a distal end surface of the optical fiber exposed from the optical fiber holding hole is inclined with respect to an optical axis direction of the optical fiber.   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spacer is made of the same material as the ferrule.   The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is bonded to the ferrule with an epoxy adhesive.   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an antireflection film is provided on a tip surface of the optical fiber. Comprising first and second optical connectors connected to each other;
The first and second optical connectors are respectively
Optical fiber,
A ferrule having an optical fiber holding hole for holding the optical fiber so as to be exposed at the ferrule end face and the front end face of the optical fiber exposed from the opening.
A spacer that is attached to the ferrule and protrudes from the ferrule end face, and that defines a distance between the ferrule end face and the mating optical connector;
The ferrule includes a spacer attaching portion provided on a main surface different from the ferrule end surface while sharing a side portion of the ferrule end surface.
One end portion of the spacer is provided with a front end surface protruding from the ferrule end surface and abutting against the counterpart optical connector,
The other end of the spacer is provided with a main body attached to the spacer attaching part,
The front end surface of the spacer of the first optical connector is in contact with the ferrule end surface of the second optical connector, and the front end surface of the spacer of the second optical connector is the first optical connector. An optical coupling structure that is in contact with the ferrule end face. The tip surface of the first optical fiber exposed from the optical fiber holding hole of the ferrule in the first optical connector is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the first optical fiber;
The tip surface of the second optical fiber exposed from the optical fiber holding hole of the ferrule in the second optical connector is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the second optical fiber,
The optical coupling structure according to claim 9, wherein an optical axis of the first optical fiber is deviated from an optical axis of the second optical fiber.

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