JP2020042059A - Optical receptacle and optical connector system - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress deformation of an optical path conversion part when an optical connector plug is connected to an optical connector receptacle including the optical path conversion part.SOLUTION: An optical receptacle 20 comprises: a housing 21 capable of attaching and detaching, in a first direction, an optical plug 40 including a first ferrule 43 for holding a first optical fiber; a second ferrule 23 for holding a second optical fiber in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and an optical path conversion part 30 that converts an optical path in the first direction and an optical path in the second direction, is housed in the housing 21, and is arranged to be sandwiched between the first ferrule 43 and the housing 21 when the optical plug 40 is mounted to the housing 21. A gap 26 is formed between the optical path conversion part 30 and the housing 21 in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical receptacle and an optical connector system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a demand for space-saving optical fiber wiring for connecting devices such as servers and routers in a data center. In connection with such optical fiber wiring, when optical fibers are connected to each other by an optical connector, they are connected linearly (one-dimensionally) along the longitudinal direction of the connected optical fibers. That is, the optical path of the optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber via the optical connector extends linearly. Here, when it is desired to bend the optical path of the optical signal at a right angle in the optical fiber wiring, it is not possible to bend at the connection portion of the optical connector, and it is necessary to bend the optical fiber portion extending from the optical connector. At this time, in order to suppress an increase in the transmission loss of the optical fiber, it is necessary to secure a sufficient bending radius of the optical fiber, which is a factor that makes it difficult to save the space of the optical fiber wiring.

  Regarding the conversion of the optical path of an optical signal that enters and exits from an optical fiber, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose an optical path conversion unit provided between an optical fiber and a photoelectric conversion element on a substrate. ing.

JP-A-2006-180920 JP 2017-40703 A JP 2018-13564 A

  Utilizing an optical path conversion unit as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when an optical connector receptacle that converts the optical path of an optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber is provided, When the optical connector plug is connected, a pressing force is applied to the optical path conversion unit in the optical connector receptacle, which may cause deformation of the optical path conversion unit.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector receptacle that suppresses deformation of an optical path conversion unit when an optical connector plug is connected.

  Some embodiments of the present invention include an optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held, a housing detachable in a first direction, and a second plug in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A second ferrule holding an optical fiber, an optical path along the first direction, and an optical path conversion unit for converting an optical path along the second direction, the optical path converting unit being housed in the housing, and An optical path conversion unit disposed between the first ferrule and the housing when the optical plug is mounted, and a gap between the optical path conversion unit and the housing in the first direction; Are formed in the optical receptacle.

  Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the description in the specification and the drawings described below.

  According to some embodiments of the present invention, deformation of an optical path conversion unit can be suppressed when an optical connector plug is connected to an optical connector receptacle including an optical path conversion unit.

FIG. 1A is a reference diagram for explaining an optical connector system 10 of a comparative example. FIG. 1B is a reference diagram for explaining the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view of the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the optical path conversion unit 30. FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a perspective view when the optical path conversion unit 30 is viewed from below. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the second embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the second embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views around the optical path conversion unit 30 when the optical connector system 10 of the modification is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the input / output unit 36 of the optical path changing unit 30.

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

  An optical plug including a first ferrule holding a first optical fiber, a housing detachable in a first direction, and a second ferrule holding a second optical fiber in a second direction intersecting the first direction. An optical path conversion unit configured to convert an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, wherein the optical path conversion unit is housed in the housing, and the first plug is mounted on the housing. The optical path conversion unit is disposed between the ferrule and the housing, and a gap is formed between the optical path conversion unit and the housing in the first direction. The optical receptacle becomes evident. According to such an optical receptacle, when the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle having the optical path conversion unit, deformation of the optical path conversion unit can be suppressed.

  It is preferable that the optical path conversion unit includes a concave portion that opens in a direction that intersects the first direction. Thereby, when connecting the optical plug to the optical receptacle having the optical path conversion unit, the deformation of the optical path conversion unit can be suppressed.

  It is preferable that at least a part of the surface of the housing facing the optical path conversion unit is formed in a concave shape so that the gap is formed. Thereby, when connecting the optical plug to the optical receptacle having the optical path conversion unit, the deformation of the optical path conversion unit can be suppressed.

  It is preferable that the gap is formed by forming at least a part of a surface of the optical path conversion portion facing the housing into a concave shape. Thereby, when connecting the optical plug to the optical receptacle having the optical path conversion unit, the deformation of the optical path conversion unit can be suppressed.

  It is preferable that at least one of the first ferrule and the second ferrule is a lens-coupled ferrule. Thereby, the pressing force of the spring for urging the ferrule toward the connection end surface can be reduced.

  It is preferable that a surface of the optical path conversion unit on which an optical signal is incident is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical signal. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the influence of the return light due to the reflection of the optical signal on the surface where the optical signal is incident.

  An optical plug including a first ferrule for holding a first optical fiber; a housing in which the optical plug is detachable in a first direction; and a second optical fiber held in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A second ferrule, an optical path conversion unit that converts an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, wherein the optical path conversion unit is housed in the housing, and the optical plug is mounted on the housing. A light receptacle including the first ferrule and the optical path conversion unit disposed between the first ferrule and the housing, wherein a gap is provided between the optical path conversion unit and the housing in the first direction. An optical connector system characterized by being formed becomes apparent. According to such an optical connector system, when an optical plug is connected to an optical receptacle having an optical path conversion unit, deformation of the optical path conversion unit can be suppressed.

=== First Embodiment ===
<Overview of Optical Connector System 10>
Outline of Optical Connector System 10 of Comparative Example FIG. 1A is a reference diagram for describing an optical connector system 10 of a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, before describing the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment, an optical connector system 10 of a comparative example will be described. The optical connector system 10 has an optical connector receptacle 20 and an optical connector plug 40. Note that the optical connector receptacle 20 may be simply referred to as “optical receptacle 20”. Further, the optical connector plug 40 may be simply referred to as “optical plug 40”. Further, the optical connector receptacle 20 and the optical connector plug 40 may be collectively simply referred to as “optical connector”.

  The optical receptacle 20 is an optical connector which is fixed to a device or the like and on which an optical plug 40 described later is attached and detached. The optical receptacle 20 is fixed to, for example, a wall 2 of a device in a data center. As shown in FIG. 1A, in this comparative example, two optical receptacles 20 are fixed in the wall direction of the wall 2. 1A means, for example, a vertical direction along the wall surface, but also includes a horizontal direction and other directions. These two optical receptacles 20 hold both ends of the optical fiber 1B, respectively. In each of the optical receptacles 20, the end of the optical fiber 1B is held by a ferrule (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (detachment direction described later). Therefore, the end of the optical fiber 1 </ b> B is in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (attachment / detachment direction) and on the opposite side to the wall 2 on which the optical receptacle 20 is provided (the optical plug to be attached / detached). 40 side). Thus, the optical plug 40 can be attached to and detached from the optical receptacle 20 in a direction perpendicular to the wall direction of the wall 2.

  The optical plug 40 is an optical connector on a side detachable from the optical receptacle 20. As shown in FIG. 1A, two optical plugs 40 are connected to two optical receptacles 20 fixed to the wall 2, respectively. In each of the connected optical plugs 40, the end of the optical fiber 1A is held by a ferrule (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (detachment direction). Therefore, the end of the optical fiber 1 </ b> A is in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (attachment / detachment direction), and on the opposite side of the wall 2 to the side where the optical plug 40 is provided (light to be attached / detached). (Receptacle 20 side). When the optical plug 40 is connected to the optical receptacle 20, the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side is optically connected to the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side. The optical plug 40 can be pulled out of the optical receptacle 20 by moving the optical plug 40 to the side away from the optical receptacle 20 in the attaching / detaching direction. Thus, the optical connection between the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side and the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, in the optical connector system 10 of this comparative example, the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side and the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side are linear (one-dimensional) along the longitudinal direction. It is connected to the. In other words, the optical path of the optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber 1A to the other optical fiber 1B via the optical connector (the optical receptacle 20 and the optical plug 40) extends linearly. As described above, in this comparative example, the end of the optical fiber 1B is held by the ferrule of the optical receptacle 20 in the direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (mounting direction). Then, by connecting the end of the optical fiber 1A held by the ferrule of the optical plug 40 to the optical fiber 1B in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (detachment direction), the optical fiber (optical fiber 1A And the optical fibers 1B) are connected linearly (one-dimensionally) along the longitudinal direction.

  For this reason, in the optical connector system 10 of this comparative example, the optical receptacle 20 protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction (mounting / removing direction) by the length (L1) of the protruding portion of the optical receptacle 20 from the wall 2. become. Since the optical receptacle 20 needs to hold the end of the optical fiber 1B, it is necessary to secure a sufficient length in the longitudinal direction of the optical receptacle 20. Therefore, the length L1 of the portion where the optical receptacle 20 protrudes from the wall 2 is also increased by that amount. In the optical connector system 10 of this comparative example, the optical fiber 1B is bent and wired from the upper optical receptacle 20 to the lower optical receptacle 20 shown in FIG. 1A. In order to suppress an increase in transmission loss of an optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 1B, the wired optical fiber 1B needs to have a sufficient bending radius. For this reason, the wiring of the optical fiber 1B protrudes by a predetermined length (L2) in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 (the attaching / detaching direction). Here, in order to save the space of the optical fiber wiring, it is necessary to make the optical fiber wiring thin (small) in a direction perpendicular to the wall 2 (mounting direction). That is, the total LA (L1 + L2) of the lengths described above needs to be as small as possible. However, as described above, since it is necessary to ensure a sufficient length for both L1 and L2, there is a limit to reducing LA. This has been a factor that makes it difficult to save space in the optical fiber wiring.

Outline of Optical Connector System 10 of First Embodiment FIG. 1B is a reference diagram for explaining the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment.

  In the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment, the two optical receptacles 20 are fixed in the wall direction of the wall 2, and the two optical plugs 40 are fixed to the two optical receptacles 20 fixed to the wall 2. Are not different from the comparative example described above. Also, in the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment, two optical receptacles 20 hold both ends of the optical fiber 1B, respectively, which is the same as the comparative example described above. However, in the present embodiment, each optical receptacle 20 has the optical path conversion unit 30.

  The optical path conversion unit 30 is a member that converts an optical path of an optical signal. As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical path conversion unit 30 uses a direction along the optical path of the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 1A (detachment direction) and a direction along the optical path of the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 1B. The direction (wall surface direction) is converted. As a result, the optical path of the optical signal is converted inside the optical receptacle 20. For this reason, it is not necessary to bend and wire the optical fiber 1B from the upper optical receptacle 20 to the lower optical receptacle 20 as in the comparative example described above, and the upper and lower optical receptacles 20 are directly connected directly by the optical fiber 1B. Just good. Also, the upper and lower optical receptacles 20 themselves need not be fixed to the wall 2 so as to protrude in a direction (removal direction) perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2, and can be fixed along the wall surface direction of the wall 2. . Therefore, the length (LB) protruding in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 can be smaller than the length (LA) protruding in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 in the comparative example (LB <LA). Thereby, in the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment, the space of the optical fiber wiring can be saved. Further, by saving the space of the optical fiber wiring, it is possible to suppress the optical fiber wiring from obstructing the wind sent from the cooling fan, and to efficiently cool the device in the data center where the optical connector system 10 is provided. it can.

<Configuration of Optical Connector System 10>
FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view of the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment.

  In the following description, each direction is defined as shown in the figure. That is, the attachment / detachment direction of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20 is referred to as “front-back direction”, the side of the optical receptacle 20 with respect to the optical plug 40 is referred to as “front”, and the opposite side (the side of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20) is “back”. ". The longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 1B (see FIG. 1B) held by the optical receptacle 20 is defined as “vertical direction”, the side of the optical path conversion unit 30 with respect to the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is defined as “up”, and the opposite side (the optical path conversion unit 30). Of the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22) is referred to as “down”. Note that the vertical direction is also the wall direction shown in FIG. 1B. In addition, the direction orthogonal to the “front-rear direction” and “up-down direction” is referred to as “left-right direction”, the right side when looking forward from behind is “right”, and the left side when looking forward from behind is “left”. And Note that the “front-back direction” may be referred to as a “first direction”, and the “up-down direction” may be referred to as a “second direction”.

  2A and 2B, only the plug-side ferrule unit 42, which will be described later, is illustrated for the optical plug 40, and a housing or the like that accommodates the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is omitted for ease of description. ing. 2A and 2B, the illustration of the optical fiber 1A and the optical fiber 1B shown in FIG. 1B is omitted.

  As described above, the optical connector system 10 includes the optical plug 40 and the optical receptacle 20. The optical plug 40 has a plug-side ferrule unit 42.

  The plug-side ferrule unit 42 is a member that holds the optical fiber 1A (see FIG. 1B) on the optical plug 40 side, and is also a member on which a lens of a lens-coupled ferrule is provided. The plug-side ferrule unit 42 has a plug-side ferrule 43 and a plug-side lens unit 44. In the present embodiment, the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 are formed of two parts, but may be formed of one part (or may be formed integrally).

  The plug-side ferrule 43 is a member that holds the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side. The plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 of the present embodiment are positioned via guide pins 25 (described later) attached to the receptacle housing 21. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B described later, the plug-side ferrule 43 holds a plurality of (here, 12) optical fibers 1A.

  The plug-side ferrule 43 has substantially the same configuration as, for example, a ferrule of an MT type optical connector (optical connector defined by JIS C5981; MT: Mechanically Transferable). However, in a ferrule of an ordinary MT optical connector, the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face are polished together, but in the present embodiment, as described later, the end face of the optical fiber 1A is formed by the plug-side ferrule 43. Since the projection is made to protrude from the front end face (the opening face of the optical fiber hole), the front end face of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the end face of the optical fiber 1A are not polished together. In the ordinary MT optical connector, the end face of the optical fiber is exposed at the end face of the ferrule, but in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the plug side lens portion 44 is disposed in front of the plug side ferrule 43, Since the end face of the optical fiber 1A is in contact with the optical fiber butting face 48 of the plug-side lens portion 44, the end face of the optical fiber 1A is not exposed to the outside.

  A guide hole 45 is formed in the plug-side ferrule 43. The guide hole 45 is a hole for inserting a guide pin 25 described later. The guide hole 45 is used for positioning the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens unit 44. The guide hole 45 penetrates the plug-side ferrule 43 along the front-rear direction, and two guide holes 45 are opened in the front end surface of the plug-side ferrule 43 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, described later). 4A). In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, two guide holes 45 are also opened at the rear end surface of the plug-side ferrule 43, but the two guide holes 45 need not be opened at the rear end surface. . The two guide holes 45 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction so as to sandwich a plurality of optical fiber holes 46 described later from the left-right direction.

  Further, a plurality of optical fiber holes 46 are formed in the plug-side ferrule 43 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, see FIG. 4A described later). The plurality of optical fiber holes 46 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The optical fibers 1A constituting the optical fiber tape (optical fiber ribbon) are inserted into the respective optical fiber holes 46 arranged in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, there is one row of optical fiber holes 46 arranged in the left-right direction. The row of the optical fiber holes 46 may be a single row or a plurality of rows. Note that the plurality of optical fiber holes 46 are arranged between two guide pins 25 described later.

  The plug-side lens unit 44 is an optical member having a lens array in which a plurality of lenses are arranged. The plug-side lens portion 44 is formed of a transparent resin that transmits an optical signal. The plug-side lens portion 44 is arranged on the front side of the plug-side ferrule 43 with its rear end surface in contact with the front-side end surface of the plug-side ferrule 43. The plug-side lens portion 44 and the plug-side ferrule 43 of the present embodiment are positioned via guide pins 25 (described later) attached to the receptacle housing 21.

  The plug-side lens portion 44 has a guide through hole 47, an optical fiber abutting surface 48, and a lens surface 49 (the lens surface 49 is not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and is described later with reference to FIGS. 3B and 4B). See).

  The guide through hole 47 is a hole for inserting a guide pin 25 described later. By inserting the guide pin 25 into the guide through hole 47, the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 are aligned. Therefore, the interval between the two guide through holes 47 is the same as the interval between the two guide holes 45 of the plug-side ferrule 43. The two guide through-holes 47 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction so as to sandwich an optical fiber abutting surface 48 described later from the left-right direction. The guide through-hole 47 penetrates the plug-side lens portion 44 along the front-rear direction, and two guide through-holes 47 are respectively opened on the front end surface and the rear end surface of the plug-side lens portion 44.

  The optical fiber abutting surface 48 is a surface against which the end surface of the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side abuts. The end face of the optical fiber 1 </ b> A on the optical plug 40 side projects from the front end face (the opening face of the optical fiber hole) of the plug-side ferrule 43 and abuts against the optical fiber abutting face 48. When the optical fiber abutment surface 48 is viewed from the rear toward the front, the optical fiber abutment surface 48 is provided on the rear end surface of the plug-side lens portion 44 so as to cover the plurality of optical fiber holes 46 of the plug-side ferrule 43. Is formed. Thereby, the end faces of all the plurality of optical fibers 1A held by the plug-side ferrule 43 are abutted against the optical fiber abutting surface 48.

  The lens surfaces 49 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers 1A (in other words, the plurality of optical fiber holes 46), and optical signals are input and output through the lens surfaces 49. For this reason, the lens surface 49 is formed to be positioned with high precision with respect to the guide through hole 47. The lens surface 49 is formed to function, for example, as a collimating lens. By inputting and outputting the optical signal whose diameter is enlarged by the lens surface 49, transmission loss of the optical signal can be suppressed. The lens surface 49 is formed on the front end surface of the plug-side lens unit 44 and is formed on the front end surface of the plug-side ferrule unit 42. When the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is abutted against the optical path conversion unit 30 to prevent the convex lens surface 49 from contacting the optical path conversion unit 30, the lens surface 49 is formed with a concave portion of the plug-side lens unit 44. It is formed at the bottom of the place 50 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, see FIGS. 3B and 4B described later).

  As described above, the plug-side ferrule unit 42 of the present embodiment is a lens-coupled ferrule. The receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 described later is also a lens-coupled ferrule. A lens-coupled ferrule is a ferrule that can optically connect the ends of an optical fiber without physically contacting each other. In a lens-coupled ferrule, a lens (for example, a plug-side lens unit 44) is disposed at an end of a ferrule (for example, a plug-side ferrule 43), and an optical fiber (for example, an optical fiber) held by a ferrule (for a plug-side ferrule 43). The light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber 1A) is collimated and transmitted to a ferrule (e.g., the receptacle-side ferrule 23) to be connected. At the end of the ferrule (receptacle side ferrule 23) of the connection destination, a lens (receptacle side lens portion 24) for causing the collimated light to enter the end surface of the optical fiber (for example, optical fiber 1B) is disposed. ing. The lens connection type ferrule performs optical connection in this manner. As a result, compared to an optical connector in which the ferrule end faces whose optical fiber end faces are exposed to each other, the lens-coupled ferrule can reduce the pressing force of the spring for urging the ferrule toward the connection end face. .

  The optical receptacle 20 has a receptacle housing 21, a receptacle-side ferrule unit 22, a guide pin 25, and an optical path changing unit 30.

  The receptacle housing 21 is a member that houses the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22, the guide pin 25, and the optical path changing unit 30. Further, the receptacle housing 21 is also a member that fixes the optical receptacle 20 to a wall or the like of the device by being fixed to a wall or the like of the device (the above-described wall 2 or the like).

  The receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is a member for holding the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side, and is also a member on which a lens of a lens-coupled ferrule is provided. The receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 has a receptacle-side ferrule 23 and a receptacle-side lens unit 24. Note that the receptacle-side ferrule 23 and the receptacle-side lens unit 24 are fixed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. The detailed configurations of the receptacle-side ferrule 23 and the receptacle-side lens unit 24 are the same as those of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens unit 44, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The guide pin 25 is inserted into the guide hole 45 of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the guide through-hole 47 of the plug-side lens portion 44 to position the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 with respect to the receptacle housing 21. It is a member to be combined. The front end of the guide pin 25 is housed and mounted in the receptacle housing 21.

  As described above, the optical path conversion unit 30 is a member that converts the optical path of an optical signal. In other words, the optical path conversion unit 30 includes an optical path along the attaching / detaching direction (first direction) of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20 and a longitudinal direction (second direction) of the optical fiber 1B held by the optical receptacle 20. It is a member that converts the light path. The detailed configuration of the optical path conversion unit 30 will be described later.

<Optical path conversion unit 30>
FIG. 3A is a plan view of the optical path conversion unit 30. FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a perspective view when the optical path conversion unit 30 is viewed from below. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. 3A and 3B, the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21 are indicated by broken lines.

  The optical path conversion unit 30 includes a reflection unit 34, a positioning pin 35, an input / output unit 36, and a guide through hole 39.

  The reflector 34 is a surface that reflects an optical signal. The front inclined end face of the rear wall 38 on which the input / output portion 36 (the rear input / output portion 36A) of the optical signal with the plug-side lens portion 44 is provided becomes the reflection portion 34. In other words, the concave portion 33 that opens on the upper surface side of the optical path conversion portion 30 is formed. The reflecting portion 34 is a boundary surface between the resin constituting the optical path changing portion 30 and the outside air, and the light is reflected on the boundary surface between the two due to a difference in refractive index between the two. The reflection part 34 is formed parallel to the left-right direction. However, the reflecting portion 34 may be a flat surface or a lens surface (curved surface).

  The optical signal transmitted through the optical path conversion unit 30 is reflected by the reflection unit 34. In the case of an optical signal emitted from the plug side lens unit 44 and incident on the optical path conversion unit 30 at the rear entrance / exit unit 36A, the optical signal is reflected by the reflector 34 and is transmitted from the lower entrance / exit unit 36B to the receptacle. The light is emitted toward the side lens unit 24. In the case of an optical signal emitted from the receptacle-side lens unit 24 and incident on the optical path conversion unit 30 at the lower incident / exit unit 36B, the optical signal is reflected by the reflecting unit 34, and the rear incident / exit unit 36A The light enters the plug-side lens unit 44 from.

  The optical path between the rear entrance / exit portion 36A and the reflection portion 34 is parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber 1A held by the plug-side ferrule 43 (plug-side ferrule unit 42). The optical path between the rear entrance / exit portion 36A and the reflecting portion 34 is parallel to the mounting / removing direction (front-back direction) of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20. The optical path between the lower entrance / emission section 36B and the reflection section 34 is parallel to the optical axis (vertical direction) of the optical fiber 1B held by the receptacle-side ferrule 23 (receptacle-side ferrule unit 22). In other words, the optical path between the rear entrance / exit portion 36A and the reflecting portion 34 and the optical path between the lower entrance / exit portion 36B and the reflecting portion 34 intersect each other. Here, the optical path between the rear entrance / emission unit 36A and the reflection unit 34 and the optical path between the lower entrance / exit unit 36B and the reflection unit 34 are orthogonal to each other, but not obliquely but obliquely. It may be arranged. Therefore, the optical path conversion unit 30 includes the reflection unit 34, and thereby, the light path between the rear entrance / exit unit 36A and the reflection unit 34 and the optical path between the lower entrance / exit unit 36B and the reflection unit 34 are changed. Can be converted.

  The positioning pin 35 is a pin (positioning part) for inserting into the positioning hole 27 (see FIG. 2B) of the receptacle-side lens unit 24. By inserting the positioning pin 35 of the optical path conversion unit 30 into the positioning hole 27 of the receptacle-side lens unit 24, the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle-side lens unit 24 are aligned. As described above, since the receptacle-side lens unit 24 and the receptacle-side ferrule 23 are fixed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship, when the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle-side lens unit 24 are aligned, the optical path The conversion unit 30 and the receptacle-side ferrule 23 are aligned. As shown in FIG. 3C, in the present embodiment, two positioning pins 35 protrude from the lower surface of the optical path conversion unit 30. The two positioning pins 35 are parallel to the vertical direction (the optical axis of the optical fiber 1B held in the receptacle-side ferrule 23 (receptacle-side ferrule unit 22)).

  The entrance / exit portion 36 is a surface on which an optical signal enters or exits. The entrance / exit unit 36 includes a rear entrance / exit unit 36A formed on the rear surface of the optical path conversion unit 30 and a lower entrance / exit unit 36B formed on the lower surface of the optical path conversion unit 30. When the optical plug 40 and the optical receptacle 20 are connected, the rear entrance / exit portion 36A faces the lens surface 49 of the plug-side lens portion 44 and exits from the end surface of the optical fiber 1A held by the plug-side ferrule 43. The optical signal (or the optical signal incident on the end face of the optical fiber 1 </ b> A) becomes a surface when the optical signal enters and exits the optical path conversion unit 30. Further, the optical receptacle 20 is assembled so that the lower incoming / outgoing portion 36B faces the lens surface 28 of the receptacle side lens portion 24, and the light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber 1B held by the receptacle side ferrule 23. The signal (or the optical signal incident on the end face of the optical fiber 1 </ b> B) serves as a surface when entering and exiting the optical path conversion unit 30. Note that a plurality of optical signals enter or exit the entrance / exit unit 36 (the rear entrance / exit unit 36A and the lower entrance / exit unit 36B). The entrance / exit portion 36 is formed parallel to the left-right direction. Further, the input / output section 36 is disposed between the two guide pins 25.

  The guide through hole 39 is a hole for inserting the guide pin 25. By inserting the guide pin 25 into the guide through hole 39, the optical path conversion unit 30 is positioned with respect to the receptacle housing 21 to which the guide pin 25 is attached. The interval between the two guide through holes 39 is the same as the interval between the two guide holes 45 of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the two guide through holes 47 of the plug-side lens unit 44. The guide through-hole 39 penetrates the optical path conversion unit 30 along the front-rear direction, and two guide through-holes 39 are respectively opened on the front end surface and the rear end surface of the optical path conversion unit 30.

<Recessed area 31 and guide area 32>
As shown on the right side of FIG. 3A, when the portions (regions) of the optical path conversion unit 30 are distinguished in the left-right direction, the optical path conversion unit 30 includes a concave region 31 and a guide region 32. That is, when the optical path conversion unit 30 is viewed from above, the inner side (the side on which the concave portion 33 is formed) is bounded by the surfaces including the left and right inner wall surfaces (the left inner wall surface 60 and the right inner wall surface 61) of the concave portion 33. ) Is a concave region 31 and the outside is a guide region 32. The guide region 32 is also a region where the guide through hole 39 is formed and the guide pin 25 is inserted.

  In the concave region 31, the concave portion 33 is opened on the upper surface side of the optical path conversion unit 30. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, when a cross section of the optical path conversion unit 30 is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction, a front wall 37 protruding upward at the front side of the optical path conversion unit 30 and an optical path conversion unit 30 And a rear wall 38 which similarly projects upward at the rear side.

  Here, when the optical plug 40 is attached to the receptacle housing 21, the optical path conversion unit 30 is disposed between the plug-side ferrule unit 42 (optical plug 40) and the receptacle housing 21. When the optical plug 40 is attached to the receptacle housing 21 and the optical path conversion unit 30 is in contact with both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21, the optical path conversion unit 30 is connected to the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21. And from both. That is, the rear surface of the optical path conversion unit 30 (the rear surface of the rear wall 38) receives a pressing force from the plug-side ferrule unit 42 (optical plug 40) in the forward direction, and the front surface of the optical path conversion unit 30 (the front surface) The rear surface of the front wall 37 receives a pressing force from the receptacle housing 21 in the rearward direction.

  In this way, the optical path conversion unit 30 receives the pressing force from both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21, so that the optical path conversion unit 30 receives the pressing force in the direction in which the rear wall 38 and the front wall 37 approach each other. Will be. As a result, the front wall 37 and the rear wall 38 move closer to each other, and the optical path conversion unit 30 is deformed. Therefore, the position of the reflection section 34 of the optical path conversion section 30 is shifted, and the optical signal emitted from the end face of the optical fiber 1A (or the optical fiber 1B) is accurately applied to the end face of the optical fiber 1B (or the optical fiber 1A). It becomes impossible to make the light incident well, which causes an increase in the transmission loss of the optical signal.

  Therefore, in the optical receptacle 20 of the present embodiment, a gap is formed between the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21. That is, the concave region 31 of the optical path conversion unit 30 is prevented from coming into contact with both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 (optical plug 40) and the receptacle housing 21. Note that the guide region 32 has no recess 33 formed therein. For this reason, even when the guide region 32 is in contact with both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21, the guide region 32 is less likely to be deformed than the recessed region 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the optical receptacle 20 of the present embodiment, the gap portion 26 is formed by forming the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the recessed region 31 of the optical path changing portion 30 into a concave shape. ing. Note that the rear wall 38 in the guide area 32 of the optical path conversion unit 30 and the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide area 32 remain in contact. However, the gap 26 may also be formed between the rear wall 38 in the guide area 32 of the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide area 32. In other words, at least a part of the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the optical path conversion unit 30 is formed in a concave shape, so that the gap 26 is formed. Accordingly, when the optical plug 40 is connected to the optical receptacle 20 including the optical path conversion unit 30, the deformation of the optical path conversion unit 30 can be suppressed.

  4A and 4B, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the gap 26 is formed on the opposite side of the optical path conversion unit 30 from the side where the optical plug 40 is disposed. The gap 26 is formed between the two guide pins 25. As described above, between the two guide pins 25, the input / output unit 36 of the optical path changing unit 30 and the plurality of optical fiber holes 46 of the plug-side ferrule 43 are arranged. That is, the gap 26 is formed corresponding to the optical path of the optical signal that enters and exits the end face of the optical fiber 1A on the plug 40 side (the optical path of the optical signal between the rear entrance / exit section 36A and the reflecting section 34). ing. Thus, the deformation of the concave region 31 through which the optical signal passes can be suppressed.

=== Second Embodiment ===
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the second embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector system 10 of the second embodiment is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

  In the first embodiment described above, the gap portion 26 is formed by forming the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the recessed region 31 of the optical path changing portion 30 into a concave shape. However, as in the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the surface facing the receptacle housing 21 in the concave region 31 of the optical path conversion unit 30 is formed in a concave shape, so that the gap 26 is formed. May be formed. In the present embodiment, the rear wall 38 in the guide area 32 of the optical path conversion unit 30 and the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide area 32 remain in contact. However, the gap 26 may also be formed between the rear wall 38 in the guide area 32 of the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide area 32. In other words, the gap portion 26 is formed by forming at least a part of the surface of the optical path changing portion 30 facing the receptacle housing 21 into a concave shape. Accordingly, when the optical plug 40 is connected to the optical receptacle 20 including the optical path conversion unit 30, the deformation of the optical path conversion unit 30 can be suppressed.

=== Others ===
<Modification>
6A to 6C are cross-sectional views around the optical path conversion unit 30 when the optical connector system 10 of the modification is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

  In the optical connector system 10 of the first and second embodiments described above, both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 are lens-coupled ferrules. That is, each of the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 has a ferrule (the plug-side ferrule 43 and the receptacle-side ferrule 23) provided with a lens unit (the plug-side lens unit 44 and the receptacle-side lens unit 24).

  However, in the present modification, one of the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 may be a ferrule of an MT type optical connector instead of a lens-coupled ferrule. Further, both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 may be MT-type optical connector ferrules instead of lens-coupled ferrules.

  FIG. 6A shows the optical connector system 10 when both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 are MT type optical connector ferrules. FIG. 6B shows the optical connector system 10 when the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is a ferrule of an MT-type optical connector and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is a lens-coupled ferrule. FIG. 6C shows the optical connector system 10 when the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is a lens-coupled ferrule and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is an MT-type optical connector.

  Even in the optical connector system 10 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, since the gap 26 is formed between the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21, the optical receptacle 20 having the optical path conversion unit 30 is When connecting the plug 40, the deformation of the optical path conversion unit 30 can be suppressed.

<Incoming / Outgoing part 36>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the input / output unit 36 of the optical path changing unit 30. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a solid line.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the incident / exit portion 36 (the rear incident / exit portion 36A and the lower incident / exit portion 36B) is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal. If an optical signal enters and exits the input / output unit 36 straight (when the input / output unit 36 is a surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal), light partially reflected by the input / output unit 36 is converted into an optical fiber ( It may become return light that reenters the optical fibers 1A and 1B). This return light causes damage to the optical fiber. Therefore, the return light is tilted with respect to the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal so that the return light is returned to the optical fiber (the optical fiber 1A and the optical fiber 1A). It is suppressed from entering the optical fiber 1B) again.

  The embodiments described above are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

1A / 1B optical fiber, 2 wall, 10 optical connector system,
20 optical connector receptacle (optical receptacle),
21 receptacle housing, 22 receptacle side ferrule unit,
23 receptacle side ferrule, 24 receptacle side lens part,
25 guide pin, 26 gap, 27 positioning hole, 28 lens surface,
29 concave part, 30 optical path conversion part, 31 concave area, 32 guide area,
33 concave portion, 34 reflecting portion, 35 positioning pin, 36 input / output portion,
36A rear entrance / exit section, 36B lower entrance / exit section, 37 front wall, 38 rear wall,
39 guide through hole, 40 optical connector plug (optical plug),
42 plug side ferrule unit, 43 plug side ferrule,
44 plug side lens part, 45 guide hole, 46 optical fiber hole,
47 guide hole, 48 optical fiber butting surface, 49 lens surface,
50 recess

Some embodiments of the present invention include an optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held, a housing that is detachable in a first direction, and a second plug in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A second ferrule holding an optical fiber, an optical path along the first direction, and an optical path conversion unit for converting an optical path along the second direction, the optical path converting unit being housed in the housing, and An optical path conversion unit disposed between the first ferrule and the housing when the optical plug is mounted, wherein the optical path conversion unit is disposed on the optical plug side in the first direction; A rear wall protruding in the second direction; a front wall disposed on a side opposite to the optical plug with respect to the rear wall in the first direction, protruding in the second direction; At the rear wall and at the front It is formed between the, and a recess which is open in the second direction, an optical receptacle, wherein a gap is formed between the front wall in the first direction housing.

Claims (7)

An optical plug including a first ferrule holding a first optical fiber, a housing detachable in a first direction;
A second ferrule holding a second optical fiber in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
An optical path conversion unit configured to convert an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, wherein the first ferrule is housed in the housing and the optical plug is mounted on the housing. And the optical path changing portion disposed between the housing and
An optical receptacle, wherein a gap is formed between the optical path conversion unit and the housing in the first direction. The optical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein:
An optical receptacle, wherein the optical path conversion unit includes a concave portion that opens in a direction that intersects the first direction. It is an optical receptacle according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical receptacle, wherein the gap is formed by forming at least a part of a surface of the housing facing the optical path changing portion into a concave shape. It is an optical receptacle according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical receptacle, wherein the gap is formed by forming at least a part of a surface of the optical path conversion portion facing the housing into a concave shape. It is an optical receptacle according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical receptacle, wherein at least one of the first ferrule and the second ferrule is a lens-coupled ferrule. It is an optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
An optical receptacle, wherein a surface of the optical path conversion unit on which an optical signal is incident is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical signal. An optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held;
A housing in which the optical plug is detachable in a first direction;
A second ferrule holding a second optical fiber in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
An optical path conversion unit configured to convert an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, wherein the first ferrule is housed in the housing and the optical plug is mounted on the housing. And an optical path conversion unit disposed between the housing and the optical housing.
An optical connector system, wherein a gap is formed between the optical path conversion unit and the housing in the first direction.

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