JP2018081229A - Adapter for optical connector interconnection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adapter for optical connector interconnection that can increase the density and save the space in an optical connector plug system such as an inside of a server rack of a data center, for example, can secure a space larger than that of a conventional article in a place in which the space is restricted, thus allows easy attachment to a panel without backlash, and allows a plug having directivity to be easily inserted.SOLUTION: An adapter 1 for optical connector interconnection includes opening ends for insertion capable of receiving an optical connector plug 10 from two ways. The adapter body 1 includes an attachment flange 2 on the outer surface on one opening end 1a for insertion side on the opposite side walls or in its vicinity, and includes a panel holding member 20 for attaching the adapter body 1 to the panel P via the attachment flange 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector interconnection adapter that is mounted, for example, in a server rack such as a data center in a state where, for example, an MPO connector plug or the like is inserted into one insertion opening end.

  Conventionally, for the purpose of interconnecting a pair of optical fiber connectors facing each other, with an adapter having an integrated structure with openings at both ends capable of receiving optical connector plugs from both directions, the workability in manufacturing is improved. In addition, an adapter for interconnecting optical connectors is provided that can reduce costs and prevent a decrease in the holding capacity of the optical connector plug.

  That is, as a specific configuration of the optical connector interconnection adapter, as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13, the adapter main body so that the optical fiber ribbon FT of the ferrule 142 of the MPO connector plug can be interconnected. One insertion opening end 201a and the other insertion opening end 201b are provided at both ends of the 200 so that the optical axes coincide with each other, and the insertion opening ends 201a and 201b are respectively inserted inside the insertion opening ends 201a and 201b. A bendable lever piece 204 having a hook-like claw at the tip for engaging the MPO connector plug that is attached is disposed oppositely. The left and right side walls of the adapter main body 200 are formed with screw-type mounting flanges 202 at their respective intermediate portions, and elastic locking for holding the panel between the mounting flange 202 and one insertion opening end 201a. A piece 320 is provided.

  The mounting flange 202 is locked to the front surface of the panel P by the elastic locking pieces 320 at the same time as being locked to the panel P inside the panel P (see FIG. 12). At this time, the adapter main body 200 is screwed to the panel P through the screw hole 202a at the center of the mounting flange 202 as necessary. In addition, a key projection 150 provided on the MPO connector plug is provided at the center of either the upper or lower side wall of each of the insertion opening ends 201a and 201b for guiding and stably holding the MPO connector plug. A key groove 205 which is a straight groove is formed along the optical axis direction so as to be fitted.

  On the other hand, the plug body 100 constituting the MPO connector plug is attached to the tip (front end) of the boot 141 via the housing 148 and the tip of the optical fiber ribbon FT as shown in FIGS. The ferrule 142 is stored. A spring 145 that elastically biases the ferrule 142 toward the front side of the plug body 100 is provided in the housing 148. In addition, a cylindrical coupling 143 provided so as to be slidable within a movable range secured in the axial direction with respect to the housing 148 by being extrapolated to the housing 148, and between the coupling 143 and the housing 148 is provided. And a spring 146 that is housed and elastically biases the coupling 143 toward the front side of the housing 148. 11 and 12, M ′ indicates a marking provided on the directional plug body 100. FIG.

  The plug main body 100 is inserted into the adapter main body 200 by a worker pressing a portion of the plug main body 100 located on the rear side from the coupling 143, for example, the boot 141, toward the adapter main body 200 with a finger. The plug body 100 is removed from the adapter body 200 by pulling the coupling 143 toward the boot 141 side.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a dual LC adapter in which two conventional LC connector plugs can be interconnected simultaneously. The locking protrusions formed at the centers of the left and right side surfaces of the adapter body 300 are shown in FIG. And an elastic locking piece 302 for fixing the panel P formed so as to face the locking projection 301. The elastic locking piece 302 is pressed into the adapter mounting hole of the panel P while being pressed. A so-called snap-in method is adopted in which the opening edge of the adapter mounting hole is fixed between the locking protrusion 301 and the elastic locking piece 302.

  Further, a central partition (not shown) is integrally formed in the center of the adapter main body 300, and one opening side from the inside for mounting and holding the LC-type plug main body tip is provided in the central partition. And a pair of left and right sleeve holders 303 (see FIG. 14B). Each of the pair of left and right sleeve holders 303 protruding from the center partitioning portion has left and right fitting portions A and B partitioned by the intermediate partitioning portion 304 protruding from the inner center toward one opening side. It is arranged inward.

nothing special

  By the way, in recent years, it has become necessary to reduce the size of connectors due to higher density and space saving in server racks in data centers. Has been changed.

  However, in the various adapter bodies as described above, a mounting flange is formed at each intermediate portion of the left and right side walls, and a spring-like locking piece for holding the panel is provided between the mounting flange and one insertion opening end. Since it is provided, installation in a narrow space inside the panel becomes very difficult. That is, when the adapter main body is attached to the panel, as shown in FIG. 12, the amount of protrusion of the adapter main body within the narrow space inside the panel increases, and the insertion opening protrudes inside the panel. It becomes very difficult to insert the plug body into the end.

  In addition, since the elastic locking piece 3 is provided in a short range between the mounting flange at the center of the adapter body and one of the insertion opening ends, the elastic locking piece 3 can be made sufficiently long. Therefore, the resistance when the adapter main body is inserted into the mounting hole of the panel becomes very large, and the amount of deformation of the elastic locking piece 3 itself becomes large, which causes a backlash of the adapter main body itself.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the existing circumstances as described above, and for example, it is possible to increase the density and space saving of the optical connector plug system in the server rack of the data center, etc. For optical connector interconnections that can secure more space than before in places where space is limited, so that it can be easily attached to the panel without looseness, and a directional plug can be securely inserted. The purpose is to provide an adapter.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, in the adapter for interconnecting an optical connector having both insertion opening ends capable of receiving optical connector plugs from both directions, A mounting flange is formed on or near the outer surface of one insertion opening end on the opposite side walls, and a panel holding member for mounting the adapter body to the panel via the mounting flange is provided. .

  The panel holding member is formed by a long cantilever spring-like elastic locking piece that is open from the other insertion opening end side toward the mounting flange side.

  The said panel holding member is comprised with the screw which fixes an adapter main body to a panel through the screw hole formed in the said attachment flange.

  The panel holding member is temporarily fixed to the panel with the elastic locking piece, and then the adapter body is fixed to the panel with the screw through the screw hole.

  The mounting flange is locked to the panel inside the narrow space of the panel and at the same time is held by the panel by the panel holding member.

  The adapter main body is provided with a marking that indicates the direction of insertion of the directional plug on the outer surface near the insertion opening end.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the density and space saving of an optical connector plug system, for example, in a server rack of a data center, and it is possible to secure more space than conventional products in places where space is limited. This makes it possible to construct various plug security systems that are easy to attach to the panel.

  That is, in an optical connector interconnection adapter having both insertion opening ends capable of receiving optical connector plugs from both directions, the adapter main body has one insertion opening end side outer surface on the opposite side walls or A mounting flange is formed in the vicinity thereof, and a panel holding member for mounting the adapter main body to the panel via the mounting flange is provided, so that the space of the optical connector plug system, for example, in the server rack of the data center is limited. It is possible to sufficiently secure a larger space than before in some places. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the MPO type optical connector interconnection adapter but also to other adapters such as SC, LC, and MU.

  Since the panel holding member is formed by a long cantilever spring-like elastic locking piece that is open from the other insertion opening end side toward the mounting flange side, The resistance at the time of insertion is reduced, the deformation amount of the elastic locking piece 3 itself can be reduced, and the adapter body as a whole can be easily attached to the panel without looseness.

  Since the panel holding member is constituted by a screw for fixing the adapter main body to the panel through a screw hole formed in the mounting flange, the adapter main body is firmly fixed to the panel with a screw as a whole. This allows the adapter body to be mounted without play.

  Since the panel holding member is temporarily fixed to the panel with the elastic locking piece and then the adapter body is fixed to the panel with the screw through the screw hole, the elastic holding piece and screw fixing are used. Due to the heavy holding function, the adapter body as a whole can be attached to the panel in a firmly fixed state without rattling.

  Since the mounting flange is locked to the panel inside the narrow space of the panel and simultaneously held by the panel holding member, the amount of protrusion from the inner surface of the panel to the inside is reduced. Can do. Note that the adapter body may be attached in the opposite direction, and is preferably applied to the space where the attachment is limited.

  Since the adapter body is provided with markings indicating the plug insertion direction on the outer surface near the insertion opening end, insertion of a directional plug into the adapter body is surely and easily performed.

An example of the adapter main body in one form for implementing this invention is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is XX sectional drawing of (a), (c) is a perspective view. Similarly, it shows an example of the adapter main body, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a right side view, (d) is a front view, and (e) is a rear view. It is a perspective view which shows an example of an MPO type plug main body. Similarly, it shows an example of an MPO type plug body, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a right side view, (d) is a front view, and (e) is a rear view. is there. The state before attaching an MPO type plug main body to an adapter main body is similarly shown, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a plan view. It is a side view which shows the state which attached the MPO type plug main body to the adapter main body attached to the panel. The state which attached the MPO type | mold plug main body to the adapter main body is shown, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, (b) is a cross-sectional view. The MPO type | mold adapter main body in the other example of this invention is shown, (a) is a cross-sectional view by screwing, (b) is a cross-sectional view by the combined use of a spring and a screw. The LC type | mold adapter main body in the further another example of this invention is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a top view. An example of the adapter main body in a prior art example is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is YY sectional drawing of (a), (c) is a perspective view. Similarly, it shows an example of an adapter body in a conventional example, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a right side view, (d) is a front view, and (e) is a rear view. is there. Similarly, the state before attaching the MPO type plug body to the adapter body in the conventional example is shown, (a) is a left side view, and (b) is a plan view. It is a side view which shows the state which attached the MPO type plug main body to the adapter main body in the prior art example attached to the panel. The state which attached the MPO type plug main body to the adapter main body in a prior art example is shown, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, (b) is a cross-sectional view. The LC type | mold adapter main body in a prior art example is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a top view.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
An optical connector interconnection adapter according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as adapter body 1) is for interconnecting MPO type optical connector plugs (hereinafter referred to as plug body 10) on the optical axis. The plug body 10 is formed by a rectangular tube-like housing having insertion opening ends 1a and 1b on both ends so that the plug body 10 can be received from both directions.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the optical axes coincide with both ends of the adapter body 1 so that the optical fiber ribbons FT of the ferrule 12 of the plug body 10 can be interconnected. Thus, one insertion opening end 1a and the other insertion opening end 1b are provided, and the inserted plug body 10 is locked inside each of the insertion opening ends 1a and 1b. A bendable lever piece 4 having a hook-like claw portion at the tip is disposed oppositely.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1C, 2, 5, 6, and 7B, one insertion opening end 1a side on the opposite left and right side walls of the adapter body 1 is provided. A substantially rectangular block-shaped mounting flange 2 by a screwing type having a screw hole 2a at the center is formed on the outer surface of the, and is substantially T-shaped in plan view. That is, the mounting flange 2 itself is thick in width, and the adapter body 1 itself is substantially T-shaped in plan view by forming the back surface thereof and the end surface of one insertion opening end 1a flush with each other. It is configured as. By the way, the mounting flange 2 may be formed slightly inside, that is, in the vicinity of the opening end 1a, even if it is the outer surface of the opening end 1a of the adapter body 1. In this way, the position of the mounting flange 2 when mounting the adapter body 1 in the mounting hole of the panel P is arranged not on the center but on the side of the one opening end 1a, so that it protrudes inward from the panel P surface. The amount is reduced. Note that the adapter body 1 may be attached to the panel P in the opposite direction (from the outside), and is preferably applied to the space side where the attachment is limited.

  Further, FIG. 1 (a), FIG. 1 (c), FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 2 (b), FIG. 2 (c), FIG. 5 (a), FIG. 5 (b), FIG. As shown in b), the adapter body 1 is provided with a panel holding member 20 from a position near the mounting flange 2 to the other insertion opening end 1b side. That is, the panel holding member 20 is formed by a long cantilevered plate spring-like elastic locking piece 3 as an example, and one end of the panel holding member 20 is fixed to the other insertion opening end 1b side. The end side is in an open state toward the mounting flange 2 side on one insertion opening end 1a side. The distance between the open end of the elastic locking piece 3 as the panel holding member 20 and the mounting flange 2 corresponds to the width and thickness of the panel P, and the mounting flange 2 of the adapter body 1 is narrower than the panel P. At the same time as being locked in the mounting hole of the panel P inside the space, the elastic locking piece 3 is locked and held on the front surface of the panel P. That is, the panel P is attached to the open end of the elastic locking piece 3. It is assumed that it is sandwiched between the flange 2 (see FIGS. 6 and 7B).

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the panel holding member 20 is replaced with the screw hole 2a at the center of the mounting flange 2 and the panel P via the screw hole 2a instead of the elastic locking piece 3. You may comprise by the screw | thread 19 screwed in. As shown in FIG. 8B, the adapter body 1 is temporarily fixed to the panel P with the elastic locking pieces 3, and then the adapter body 1 is attached to the panel P through the screw holes 2a. The screw 19 may be fastened and fixed.

  1 (b), FIG. 2 (d), FIG. 2 (e), FIG. 3, FIG. 4 (a), FIG. 4 (b), FIG. 4 (c), FIG. 4 (d), FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), FIG. 5 (b), and FIG. 7 (a), a guide and a stable holding when the plug body 10 is inserted are provided at the center of either the upper or lower side wall of each of the insertion opening ends 1a and 1b. Therefore, a key groove 5 is formed as a linear groove along the optical axis direction so as to fit a key protrusion 17 provided at a distal end of a housing 18 described later of the plug body 10.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1C, 2B, and 5B, the adapter body 1 has one insertion opening end 1a and the other insertion opening. Marking M indicating the insertion direction of the plug is provided on the outer surface near the end 1b, and the directional plug body 10 provided with the marking M ′ can be accurately inserted without making a mistake in directionality. These markings M and M ′ may be any mark as long as the directionality is known, for example, a dent is formed on the adapter main body 1 or the plug main body 10 or a white mark is added. The positions of the markings M and M ′ are not limited to the illustration as long as the directionality can be confirmed from the outer surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the MPO-type plug body 10 houses a ferrule 12 attached to the tip of the optical fiber ribbon FT via the housing 18 at the tip (front end) of the boot 11. Yes. A spring 15 is provided in the housing 18 to elastically urge the ferrule 12 toward the front side of the plug body 10. In addition, a cylindrical coupling 13 is provided so as to be slidable within a movable range which is extrapolated to the housing 18 and secured in the axial direction with respect to the housing 18, and between the coupling 13 and the housing 18. And a spring 16 that elastically urges the coupling 13 toward the front side of the housing 18. Further, a key protrusion 17 for engaging with the key groove 5 of the adapter body 1 and slidingly inserting it is provided on the top surface of the housing 18 on the front end side.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the adapter main body 1 corresponding to the MPO type plug main body 10, it can be applied to other adapter main bodies corresponding to plug main bodies (not shown) such as SC / LC / MU type. . For example, FIG. 9 shows an example of an adapter main body 30 corresponding to an LC type plug main body. In this case, a so-called snap-in double LC type adapter that allows two plug main bodies to be interconnected simultaneously is adopted. Yes.

  The adapter body 30 is formed by a rectangular cylinder that allows a pair of opposing LC-type plug bodies to be inserted into each other through the openings at both ends, and a central partition (not shown) is integrally formed at the center of the interior. In the central partition, a pair of left and right sleeve holders 33 (FIG. 9 (b)) are formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from the inside toward the opening side of both ends for mounting and holding the LC type plug body tip. Each).

  A pair of left and right sleeve holders 33 protruding from the central partition are left and right partitions partitioned by an intermediate partition 34 disposed in the center of the adapter body 30 formed by the rectangular cylinder. It is located inward of each fitting part A and B, respectively.

  On the left and right side surfaces of the adapter main body 30, a rectangular protrusion-shaped locking projection 31 is formed on each of the left and right outer surfaces of the fitting portions A and B, and the rear of the locking projection 31 faces the locking projection 31. On the side, an elastic locking piece 32 for fixing the panel P is provided. The adapter body 30 is inserted into an adapter mounting hole (not shown) of the panel P while pressing the elastic locking piece 32, and an opening edge of the adapter mounting hole is formed between the locking protrusion 31 and the elastic locking piece 32. A so-called snap-in method is adopted in which the part is fixed with the part interposed therebetween. In this example as well, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are brought about.

Next, an example of assembly and use of the configuration configured as described above will be described.
First, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the adapter main body 1 is attached to the adapter mounting hole (not shown) inside the narrow space of the panel P. At this time, the mounting flange 2 formed on the outer surface of the adapter main body 1 on the side of the one opening end 1a for insertion is locked to the opening edge of the adapter mounting hole of the panel P and at the same time as the panel holding member 20 The panel P is clamped and held on the front surface of the adapter mounting hole of the panel P by the elastic locking piece 3, that is, the panel P is sandwiched between the open end of the elastic locking piece 3 as the panel holding member 20 and the mounting flange 2. Is done. At this time, the adapter main body 1 is fastened and fixed to the panel P with screws 19 through the screw holes 2a at the center of the mounting flange 2 as necessary. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the panel holding member 20 of the adapter body 1 is fastened to the panel P with only the screw 19 through the screw hole 2a at the center of the mounting flange 2 without providing the elastic locking piece 3. It may be fixed. Further, the adapter main body 1 may be temporarily fixed to the panel P by the elastic locking piece 3 and then fastened and fixed to the panel P with the screws 19.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the plug body 10 is inserted into the adapter body 1 by inserting the plug body 10 into the adapter body 1 with a finger placed on the rear portion of the plug body 10 such as the boot 11. Press toward 1. The plug body 10 is removed from the adapter body 1 by pulling the coupling 13 toward the boot 11 side.

  In this way, the position of the mounting flange 2 when the adapter body 1 is mounted in the mounting hole of the panel P is arranged on the side of the one opening end 1a, so that the amount of protrusion from the panel P surface inward Accordingly, the plug body 10 can be easily inserted into the adapter body 1 inside the narrow space of the panel P.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assuming that a space of about 8 mm in the front-rear width direction can be secured inside the narrow space of the panel P, after the plug body 10 is inserted into the standard-sized adapter body 1, Contact of the optical fiber tape core wire FT of the plug body 10 with the rear wall surface of P can be prevented. Note that the adapter body 1 may be attached to the panel P in the opposite direction (from the outside), and is preferably used on the space side where the attachment is limited. That is, the panel P can be selectively used depending on the size of the front and back spaces.

P Panel M Marking M 'Marking FT Optical fiber ribbon A and B Fitting part 1 Adapter body 1a, 1b Insertion opening 2 Mounting flange 2a Screw hole 3 Elastic locking piece 4 Lever piece 5 Keyway 10 Plug body 11 Boot 12 Ferrule 13 Coupling 15 Spring 16 Spring 17 Key protrusion 18 Housing 19 Screw 20 Panel holding member 30 Adapter body 31 Locking protrusion 32 Elastic locking piece 33 Sleeve holder 34 Intermediate partition 100 Plug body 141 Boot 142 Ferrule 143 Cup Ring 145 Spring 146 Spring 148 Housing 150 Key protrusion 200 Adapter main body 201a, 201b Open end 202 for insertion 202 Mounting flange 202a Screw hole 203 Elastic locking piece 204 Lever piece 205 Key groove 300 Adapter main body 301 Locking projection 302 Elastic locking piece 303 Sleeve holder 304 Intermediate partition

Claims (6)

  In an optical connector interconnection adapter having both insertion opening ends capable of receiving optical connector plugs from both directions, the adapter main body is the outer surface of one insertion opening end side in the opposite side walls or in the vicinity thereof. And a panel holding member for attaching the adapter body to the panel via the mounting flange.   2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the panel holding member is formed by a long cantilever spring-like elastic locking piece opened from the other insertion opening end side toward the mounting flange side. 3. Interconnect adapter.   The optical connector interconnection adapter according to claim 1, wherein the panel holding member is constituted by a screw for fixing the adapter main body to the panel through a screw hole formed in the mounting flange.   The optical connector interconnection adapter according to claim 1, wherein the panel holding member is temporarily fixed to the panel with the elastic locking piece, and then the adapter main body is fixed to the panel with a screw through the screw hole.   5. The optical connector interconnection adapter according to claim 1, wherein the mounting flange is locked to the panel inside the narrow space of the panel and simultaneously held by the panel holding member. 6. .   6. The adapter for interconnecting optical connectors according to claim 1, wherein the adapter main body is provided with a marking indicating an insertion direction of a directional plug on an outer surface near the insertion opening end.

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