JP2020134836A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optical connector that can prevent looseness of a coupling of an optical plug with respect to an optical receptacle without increasing the number of parts and unnecessary work.SOLUTION: An optical connector has the following configurations: a guide groove 36 to which an engagement protrusion protruding from an outer circumference of a plug fitting sleeve formed on an optical receptacle is inserted is formed on an inner peripheral surface 35a of a coupling 35 rotatably provided on an optical plug to be connected to the optical receptacle; a groove bottom protrusion 37 protruding from a groove bottom surface 36b thereof is formed on the rear end part opposite to a front end opening 36a of the guide groove 36; an engagement recess 36e for accommodating the engagement protrusion is formed on the rear end side of the guide groove with respect to the groove bottom protrusion 37; and an inclined surface 37a whose depth becomes shallower with respect to the inner peripheral surface 35a of the coupling from the front end to the rear end along the extending direction of the guide groove 36 is formed on the groove bottom protrusion 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an optical connector having an optical receptacle and an optical plug that is detachably connected to the optical receptacle by a bayonet lock method.

An optical connector having an optical receptacle and an optical plug that is detachably connected to the optical receptacle by a bayonet lock method (hereinafter, also referred to as a BNC optical connector) is in terms of ensuring durability and waterproofness against repeated attachment and detachment. It is excellent and its use has been rapidly increasing in recent years.
The optical plug of the BNC optical connector is provided with a coupling that can rotate around the axis with respect to the plug housing on the outside of the tubular plug housing that houses the ferrule provided at the tip of the optical fiber, and the optical receptacle is on the inside of the coupling. Many configurations including a locking protrusion for locking are adopted (for example, Patent Document 1). The optical receptacle is a shroud in which a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber is incorporated. The shroud of the optical receptacle has a housing portion and a plug fitting sleeve protruding from the housing portion.
To connect the optical plug of the BNC optical connector to the optical helix, insert the plug housing inside the plug fitting sleeve of the optical helix and form a locking projection inside the coupling on the outer circumference of the plug fitting sleeve of the optical helix. It is inserted into the spiral groove, and the coupling is rotated to move the locking protrusion along the spiral groove of the optical receptacle and tighten it.

International Publication No. 2016/148741

For the above-mentioned BNC optical connector, in order to prevent loosening of the coupling of the optical plug connected to the optical receptacle, an anti-rotation member is inserted between the shroud and coupling of the optical receptacle or between the plug housing and coupling. Measures may be taken to regulate the rotation of the coupling.
However, measures to regulate the rotation of the coupling by inserting an anti-rotation member increase the number of parts and increase extra work when attaching and detaching the optical plug to and from the optical receptacle.

An object to be solved by an aspect of the present invention is to provide an optical connector capable of preventing loosening of an optical plug coupling with respect to an optical receptacle without increasing the number of parts or extra work.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following aspects.
The optical connector of the first aspect has an optical receptacle and an optical plug that is detachably connected to the optical receptacle, and the optical plug has a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber housed in a tubular plug housing. It has a plug body and a coupling rotatably provided on the outside of the plug housing, and the optical receptacle has a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber and a shroud accommodating the ferrule. The shroud is formed with a plug fitting sleeve into which the front end portion of the plug body is inserted and a locking protrusion protruding from the outer periphery of the plug fitting sleeve, and is inside the coupling of the optical plug. A guide groove into which the locking projection of the optical receptacle is inserted is formed on the peripheral surface, and the guide groove secures an inclined groove portion extending inclined with respect to the axis of the coupling. It is formed extending from the front end opening opened at the front end of the coupling toward the rear end of the coupling, and protrudes from the bottom surface of the guide groove at the rear end opposite to the front end opening of the guide groove. A groove bottom protrusion and a locking recess for accommodating the locking protrusion are formed on the rear end side of the guide groove from the groove bottom protrusion, and the guide groove extends to the groove bottom protrusion. An inclined surface is formed in which the depth from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling becomes shallower from the front end on the front end opening side to the rear end side opposite to the front end in the current direction.
A vertical rear end surface extending perpendicularly to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling may be formed at the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion facing the locking recess.
The locking projection of the optical receptacle is formed in a columnar shape perpendicular to the axis of the plug fitting sleeve, and the vertical rear end surface of the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion is 100 to 100 to the outer diameter of the locking projection. It may be a concave curved surface that is curved so as to be recessed from the locking concave side with an axis perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling having a radius of curvature of 120%.
The groove bottom protrusion has a constant depth from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling from the rear end of the inclined surface to the rear end side of the guide groove in the extending direction of the guide groove. A protruding top surface extending to the rear end may be formed.
The locking projection of the optical receptacle may be formed in a tapered shape.

According to the optical connector according to the aspect of the present invention, when the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle, the coupling is rotated to insert the locking projection of the optical receptacle into the guide groove on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling. The locking protrusion is housed in the locking recess at the rear end of the guide groove. The locking protrusion inserted into the guide groove of the coupling becomes the locking recess of the coupling by overcoming the groove bottom protrusion at the rear end of the guide groove with respect to the locking protrusion by rotating the coupling. Be housed. The groove bottom protrusion at the rear end of the guide groove regulates the locking protrusion housed in the locking recess of the coupling from coming out from the groove bottom protrusion to the front end opening side in the guide groove.

The groove bottom protrusion is brought into contact with the locking projection housed in the locking recess of the coupling, so that the coupling rotates in the opposite direction to that when screwed into the plug fitting sleeve of the optical receptacle. It plays a role in preventing loosening.
In the coupling in which the locking protrusion is housed in the locking recess, the groove bottom protrusion is the locking protrusion unless the groove bottom protrusion at the rear end of the guide groove is forcibly overcome with respect to the locking protrusion. It is not possible to rotate the optical receptacle from the position where it comes into contact with the plug fitting sleeve in the opposite direction to when it is screwed into the plug fitting sleeve.
As a result, the optical connector can prevent the optical plug coupling from loosening with respect to the optical receptacle without increasing the number of parts or extra work.

It is an exploded perspective view which shows the optical connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial plan view which shows the optical connector of FIG. It is a partial cross-sectional perspective view which shows the structure on the inner peripheral surface side of the coupling of the optical plug of the optical connector of FIG. It is a model diagram explaining the relationship between the guide groove rear end portion of the coupling of the optical plug of the optical connector of FIG. 1 and the locking projection formed on the outer periphery of the plug fitting sleeve of the shroud of the optical receptacle. It is a figure which shows the modification of the optical plug, and is the partial plan view which shows the optical plug of the structure which incorporated the plug type connector in the plug housing.

Hereinafter, the optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The optical connector 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has an optical receptacle 20 and an optical plug 30 detachably connected to the optical receptacle 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical receptacle 20 has a shroud 21 and a plug-type connector 22 incorporated in the shroud 21.
The plug-type connector 22 accommodates a ferrule 22b provided at the tip of an optical fiber 22a in a tubular connector housing 22d.

The ferrule 22b is housed in the front end of the connector housing 22d of the plug-type connector 22. The optical fiber 22a extends from the ferrule 22b toward the rear end of the connector housing 22d in the connector housing 22d of the plug-type connector 22, and extends from the rear end of the connector housing 22d to the outside of the connector housing 22d.
The plug-type connector 22 also has a spring (not shown) housed in the connector housing 22d to elastically bias the ferrule 22b forward with respect to the connector housing 22d.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shroud 21 of the optical receptacle 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as a receptacle shroud) has a housing portion 21a in which the plug-type connector 22 is incorporated and a cylindrical shape protruding from the housing portion 21a. Has a plug fitting sleeve 21b of.
Further, the receptacle shroud 21 includes a locking protrusion 21c formed so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the plug fitting sleeve 21b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical plug 30 has a plug body 34 in which a ferrule 32 provided at the tip of the optical fiber 31 is housed in a cylindrical plug housing 33, and the optical plug 30 is rotatable outside the front end portion of the plug housing 33. It has a cylindrical coupling 35 provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ferrule 32 of the optical plug 30 is housed in the front end of the plug housing 33. The optical fiber 31 extends from the ferrule 32 to the rear side of the plug housing 33 in the plug housing 33, and extends from the rear end of the plug housing 33 to the outside of the plug housing 33.
The optical plug 30 also has a spring (not shown) housed in the plug housing 32 to elastically bias the ferrule 32 forward with respect to the plug housing 33.

The coupling 35 accommodates the front end portion of the plug housing 33 and is rotatably attached to a predetermined position in the axial direction of the plug housing 33 with respect to the front end portion of the plug housing 33.

The front end of the plug housing 33 of the optical plug 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the optical receptacle 20.
The coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a size extrapolable to the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the optical receptacle 20.
In the coupling 35, the plug fitting of the optical receptacle 20 is between the rear end portion to the front end portion rotatably supported by the plug housing 33 around its central axis and the front end portion of the plug housing 33 inside the coupling housing 35. A gap 38 into which the sleeve 21b is inserted is secured.

As shown in FIG. 3, a guide groove 36 into which the locking projection 21c of the receptacle shroud 21 is inserted is formed on the inner peripheral surface 35a of the coupling 35 of the optical plug 30.
In the guide groove 36, a front end opening 36a that opens at the front end of the coupling 35 is secured. The guide groove 36 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 35a of the coupling 35 from the front end opening 36a at the front end in the extending direction toward the rear end of the coupling 35 in the front-rear direction of the coupling 35 (corresponding to the axial direction of the coupling 35). The inclined groove portion 36d which is inclined and extends with respect to the above is secured and is formed so as to extend. The inclined groove portion 36d is formed so as to be located on the rear end side of the coupling 35 toward the rear side in the extending direction.

In the extending direction of the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 shown in FIG. 3, the portion 36A other than the locking recess 36e at the rear end portion opposite to the front end opening 36a is hereinafter referred to as the main groove portion or the guide groove main. Also called a groove.
The guide groove main groove 36A of the coupling 35 in FIG. 3 has an introduction groove 36c extending straight from the front end opening 36a to the rear side of the coupling 35, and the introduction groove 36c from the rear end toward the rear side of the coupling 35. The coupling 35 has an inclined groove portion 36d formed so as to be inclined with respect to the front-rear direction.
The rear end of the guide groove main groove portion 36A shown in FIG. 3 is the rear end opposite to the front end on the introduction groove portion 36c side of the rear end of the inclined groove portion 36d.

The inclined groove portion 36d of the guide groove main groove portion 36A in FIG. 3 is a curved groove portion curved so that the inclination angle with respect to the inner peripheral direction of the coupling 35 becomes smaller toward the rear end side of the coupling 35. The inclination angle of the curved groove portion with respect to the front-rear direction of the coupling 35 increases toward the rear side of the coupling 35.

The inclined groove portion 36d is not limited to the curved groove portion, and may be, for example, a spiral groove portion that is inclined at a constant inclination angle with respect to the front-rear direction of the coupling 35 on the inner peripheral surface 35a of the coupling.
The guide groove main groove portion 36A is not limited to the configuration having the introduction groove portion 36c and the inclined groove portion 36d illustrated in FIG. The guide groove main groove portion 36A may be composed of, for example, an inclined groove portion 36d as a whole.

The locking projection 21c of the receptacle shroud 21 shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a columnar shape perpendicular to the axis of the plug fitting sleeve 21b.
The guide groove main groove portion 36A of the coupling 35 shown in FIG. 3 is formed extending over the entire length of the coupling 35 while ensuring a groove width equivalent to the outer diameter of the locking projection 21c.

As shown in FIG. 4, the locking recess 36e of the guide groove 36 is formed in a size capable of accommodating the tip portion of the locking protrusion 21c (the tapered tip portion 21e described later in FIG. 4).
As shown in FIG. 3, the locking recess 36e of the guide groove 36 communicates with the rear end of the guide groove main groove 36A, and the locking projection 21c is formed so as to be inserted from the rear end of the guide groove main groove 36A. There is.
The locking projection 21c of the receptacle shroud 21 can be inserted into the guide groove 36 from the front end opening 36a to the locking recess 36e at the rear end.

The locking recess 36e of the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 in FIG. 3 is formed by securing a portion (front side projecting portion 36f) protruding toward the front side of the coupling 35 with respect to the rear end of the guide groove main groove portion 36A. There is.
Specifically, the locking recess 36e of FIG. 3 is a circular recess formed in the coupling 35 with an inner diameter slightly larger than the groove width dimension of the guide groove main groove 36A from the inner peripheral surface 35a. is there. An inner diameter of about 100 to 120% of the outer diameter of the locking protrusion 21c is secured on the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e.
The central axis of the locking recess 36e is located at a position slightly deviated from the center of the groove width to the front end side of the coupling 35 in the virtual extension of the rear end portion of the guide groove main groove portion 36A to the rear end side of the guide groove 36. Therefore, the locking recess 36e in FIG. 3 is formed so as to secure a front protruding portion 36f that projects forward of the coupling 35 with respect to the rear end of the guide groove main groove portion 36A.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end portion of the guide groove 36 is locked with a groove bottom protrusion 37 protruding from the groove bottom surface 36b and a portion of the guide groove 36 on the rear end side from the groove bottom protrusion 37. A recess 36e is formed.
The groove bottom protrusion 37 is located at the rear end of the guide groove main groove 36A.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (virtual plane) of the vicinity of the rear end of the guide groove 36 in the coupling 35 in a cross section (virtual plane) perpendicular to the center of the groove width of the rear end of the guide groove main groove 36A and the inner peripheral surface of the coupling 35a in the virtual extension thereof. It is a partial cross-sectional view which shows the structure.
However, in FIG. 4, in order to facilitate grasping the protruding shape of the groove bottom protrusion 37 with respect to the groove bottom surface 36b of the guide groove 36 (change in the protruding dimension in the extending direction of the guide groove 36), the groove bottom surface 36b of the guide groove 36 Is shown as a straight line.

In FIG. 4, the vicinity of the locking recess 36e of the guide groove 36 is a cross section of the rear end of the guide groove 36 on the side where the front overhanging portion 36f exists in the virtual plane of the cross section. The visual structure is illustrated.

The portion of the guide groove main groove portion 36A of the coupling 35 shown in FIG. 3, excluding the groove bottom protrusion 37 forming portion, is formed in a square groove shape extending with a constant cross-sectional dimension over the entire length thereof. The groove bottom surface 36b of the guide groove 36 (including the locking recess 36e) is formed so as to extend in the direction perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling 35a over the entire portion of the guide groove 36 except for the groove bottom protrusion 37 forming portion. ing.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the groove bottom surface 36b of the guide groove 36 (hereinafter, also referred to as the guide groove bottom surface) is formed so as to extend at a constant depth from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling 35a. There is.

The guide groove 36 can also be configured to have a tapered opening at its front end, whose cross-sectional dimension increases toward the front side in the extending direction.
The portion of the guide groove main groove portion 36A other than the groove bottom protrusion 37 is not limited to the square groove shape, and may be a round groove shape or a V groove shape having a semicircular cross section.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the groove bottom protrusion 37 has a coupling inner peripheral surface 35a from the front end on the front end opening 36a side in the extending direction of the guide groove 36 to the rear end side opposite to the front end. An inclined surface 37a having a shallow depth (groove depth) is formed. Further, the groove bottom protrusion 37 has a protrusion extending from the rear end of the inclined surface 37a to the rear end side of the guide groove 36 at a constant depth from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling 35a to the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion 37. The top surface 37b is also formed.
The inclined surface 37a and the protrusion top surface 37b of the groove bottom protrusion 37 are formed over the entire groove width of the rear end portion of the guide groove main groove portion 36A, and are formed on the inner surfaces of both sides of the guide groove main groove portion 36A rear end portion in the groove width direction. Has been reached.

Regarding the inclined surface 37a of the groove bottom protrusion 37, the configuration in which the depth from the inner peripheral surface 35a of the coupling becomes shallower toward the rear end side in the extending direction of the guide groove 36 is toward the rear end side in the extending direction of the guide groove 36. The protrusion dimension from the bottom surface 36b of the guide groove increases as it goes.
The inclined surface 37a rear end and the protrusion top surface 37b of the groove bottom protrusion 37 have the largest protrusion dimension from the guide groove bottom surface 36b at the groove bottom protrusion 37.
However, the groove bottom protrusion 37 has a protrusion dimension from the guide groove bottom surface 36b over the entire groove depth of the guide groove 36 excluding the groove bottom protrusion 37 (from the coupling inner peripheral surface 35a to the guide groove bottom surface 36b). It is formed so as to be smaller than the depth to).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rear end surface 37c facing the locking recess 36e is formed at the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion 37. The rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is formed perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling 35a. The rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 formed perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface 35a of the coupling is also referred to as a vertical rear end surface.
The vertical rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 is a part of the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e, and is a concave curved surface curved so as to be recessed from the locking recess 36e side.

As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2, the optical plug 30 has the front end portion of the plug body 34 inserted inside the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the optical receptacle 20, and the coupling 35 externally inserted into the plug fitting sleeve 21b. It is connected to the optical receptacle 20.
When the optical plug 30 is connected to the optical receptacle 20 from the detached state with respect to the optical receptacle 20, the front end portion of the plug body 34 is inserted inside the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the optical receptacle 20, and the coupling 35 is plug-fitted. Externally inserted into the sleeve 21b, the locking projection 21c is inserted into the guide groove 36. In the optical plug 30 of FIG. 1, when the coupling 35 is extrapolated to the plug fitting sleeve 21b, the locking projection 21c of the optical receptacle 20 is formed in the introduction groove 36c of the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 shown in FIG. Let it enter and reach the rear end of the introduction groove 36c.

The optical plug 30 is then inserted into the inclined groove portion 36d of the locking projection 21c guide groove 36 of the optical receptacle 20 by the rotation operation of the coupling 35. Further, the optical plug 30 moves the accommodating position of the locking projection 21c in the extending direction of the guide groove 36 toward the rear end side of the guide groove 36 by the rotation operation of the coupling 35, and the locking recess 36e of the guide groove 36 Reach the locking projection 21c. The coupling 35 is rotated until the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e located at the rear end of the guide groove 36 is brought into contact with the locking protrusion 21c.
The coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 moves toward the housing portion 21a of the receptacle shroud 21 as the accommodation position of the locking projection 21c in the extending direction of the inclined groove portion 36d is moved toward the rear end side of the guide groove 36 by the rotation operation thereof. Advance.

The coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 has a rotating inner rib 35b (see FIG. 3) formed so as to project from the inner peripheral surface 35a on the inner peripheral side of the rear end portion in the circumferential direction, and is annularly formed on the outer periphery of the plug housing 33 in the circumferential direction. It is fitted into the coupling holding groove (not shown) to restrict the movement of the plug housing 33 in the axial direction and is provided so as to be rotatable around the axis.
Therefore, if the coupling 35 in which the locking projection 21c is housed in the inclined groove portion 36d is advanced with respect to the optical receptacle 20 by its rotation operation, the plug housing 33 of the optical plug 30 is also brought into the optical receptacle 20 accordingly. Move forward. Further, as the coupling 35 advances with respect to the optical receptacle 20, the insertion length of the plug body 34 into the plug fitting sleeve 21b and the plug fitting into the gap 38 between the coupling 35 and the front end of the plug housing 33. The insertion length of the combined sleeve 21b increases.

Hereinafter, with respect to the rotation direction of the coupling 35 with respect to the plug fitting sleeve 21b, the rotation in the direction of moving the accommodating position of the locking projection 21c in the extending direction of the guide groove 36 toward the rear end side of the guide groove 36 is forward rotation and forward rotation. Rotation in the opposite direction is also called reverse rotation. Further, hereinafter, the rotation operation in the forward rotation direction with respect to the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the coupling 35 is also referred to as a forward rotation operation, and the rotation operation in the reverse rotation direction is also referred to as a reverse rotation operation.

By rotating the coupling 35 in which the locking projection 21c is inserted into the inclined groove portion 36d of the guide groove 36, the accommodation position of the locking projection 21c in the extending direction of the inclined groove portion 36d is set to the rear end side of the guide groove 36. As the coupling 35 is moved, the plug fitting sleeve 21b is screwed into the coupling 35.
The state in which the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e located at the rear end of the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 is brought into contact with the locking protrusion 21c is also referred to as a screwing completed state.

The ferrule 32 of the optical plug 30 is a ferrule of the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 before the locking projection 21c inserted into the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 reaches the rear end of the inclined groove portion 36d of the guide groove 36. It is struck by 22b.

The spring for elastic urging of the ferrule 22b of the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 is arranged so as to be separated from the spring receiving portion formed in the connector housing 22d of the plug-type connector 22 and the spring receiving portion. It is provided between the ferrule 22b and the ferrule 22b. The spring for elastic urging of the ferrule 22b of the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 is compressed and deformed by pushing the ferrule 22b toward the rear side of the connector housing 22d.

The spring for elastic urging of the ferrule 32 of the optical plug 30 is provided between the spring receiving portion formed in the plug housing 33 and the ferrule 33 arranged so as to be separated from the spring receiving portion. There is. The spring for elastic urging of the ferrule 32 of the optical plug 30 is compressed and deformed by pushing the ferrule 32 toward the rear side of the plug housing 33.

The plug housing 33 of the optical plug 30 connected to the optical receptacle 20 advances toward the optical receptacle 20 when the coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 reaches the screwing completed state, as compared with the case where the ferrules 22b and 32 are abutted against each other. There is. Therefore, when the coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 connected to the optical receptacle 20 reaches the screwing completed state, the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 and the springs for urging the ferrules of the optical plug 30 are compressed and deformed. To. As a result, the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 and the ferrules 22b and 32 of the optical plug 30 are previously subjected to the elastic urging force of the springs for urging the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 and the optical plug 30. The set butt force is secured and butt joint is performed.

In the butt joint between the ferrules 22b and 32 of the plug-type connector 22 and the optical plug 30 of the optical receptacle 20, the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 22a and 31 interpolated and fixed to the ferrules 22b and 32 are exposed. It is a butt joint between the existing joint end faces 22c and 32a.
The optical connector 10 is exposed to the joint end faces 22c and 32a of the ferrules 22b and 32 by butt-joining the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 and the ferrules 22b and 32 of the optical plug 30. The tip surfaces of the optical fibers 22a and 31 can be butted and joined to each other to realize an optical connection between the optical fibers 22a and 31.

The locking projection 21c inserted into the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is moved from the inclined groove portion 36d to the locking recess 36e by the forward rotation operation of the coupling 35. The screwing is completed.
The locking projection 21c inserted into the guide groove 36 of the coupling 35 of the optical plug 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a groove bottom protrusion at the rear end of the guide groove main groove 36A by the forward rotation operation of the coupling 35. By elastically deforming the coupling 35 so as to expand the diameter of the coupling 35 and overcoming the locking projection 21c, the 37 enters the locking recess 36e from the inclined groove portion 36d of the guide groove 36.
As the coupling 35, in order to realize the overcoming of the locking projection 21c of the groove bottom protrusion 37, for example, a coupling 35 formed so as to be elastically deformable is adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the groove bottom protrusion 37 has an inclined surface in which the protrusion dimension of the guide groove 36 from the groove bottom surface 36b increases from the front end to the rear side in the extending direction of the guide groove 36. 37a is formed. Since the groove bottom protrusion 37 rides on and overcomes the locking projection 21c from the inclined surface 37a extending from the front end thereof by the forward rotation operation of the coupling 35, the locking projection 21c can be smoothly overcome.

The locking projection 21c that has passed over the groove bottom protrusion 37 and entered the locking recess 36e of the coupling 35 from the inclined groove portion 36d is for urging the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 and the ferrule of the optical plug 30. By the elastic urging force of the spring, a part of the spring enters the front overhanging portion 36f of the locking recess 36e and comes into contact with the portion of the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e located at the front overhanging portion 36f.
The elastic urging force of the ferrule urging springs of the plug-type connector 22 of the optical receptacle 20 and the optical plug 30 acts on the optical plug 30 as a displacement force in the backward direction with respect to the optical receptacle 20. As a result, the locking protrusion 21c is pressed against the portion of the coupling 35 located on the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e at the front overhanging portion 36f, and the coupling 35 engages with the locking protrusion 21c. It is locked.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, since the vertical rear end surface 37c is formed in the groove bottom protrusion 37, the groove bottom protrusion 37 cannot get over the locking protrusion 21c that has entered the locking recess 36e. , It is much less likely to occur as compared with the case where the groove bottom protrusion 37 with respect to the locking projection 21c is overcome from the inclined surface 37a side.

Further, the locking projection 21c that has entered the locking recess 36e of the coupling 35 and is in contact with the portion of the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e of the coupling 35 that is located at the front overhanging portion 36f is the groove bottom. It can come into contact with the vertical rear end surface 37c of the protrusion 37. The coupling 35 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can increase the contact area of the locking protrusion 21c with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e as compared with the case where the groove bottom protrusion 37 is not provided. As a result, the coupling 35 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can suppress the lifting of the locking projection 21c from the bottom surface of the locking recess 36e (a part of the bottom surface 36b of the guide groove 36). However, it is difficult for the groove bottom protrusion 37 of the locking protrusion 21c that has entered the locking recess 36e to get over.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vertical rear end surface 37c formed on the groove bottom protrusion 37 so as to be recessed from the locking recess 36e side is, for example, perpendicular to the extending direction of the guide groove main groove 36A. Compared to the vertical surface, more contact portions with the locking projections 21c can be secured.
The fact that the vertical rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 is a concave curved surface forming a part of the inner peripheral surface of the circular locking recess 36e means that the locking projection 21c is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the locking recess 36e. Effectively contributes to area increase. The vertical rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 formed on the concave curved surface suppresses the lifting of the locking protrusion 21c from the bottom surface of the locking recess 36e, and the locking protrusion 21c that has entered the locking recess 36e. It makes it difficult for the groove bottom protrusion 37 to get over.

The optical connector 10 having the coupling 35 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 carelessly moves the locking projection 21c from the locking recess 36e to the guide groove main groove 36A due to the presence of the groove bottom protrusion 37. This can be prevented and the optical receptacle 20 can be prevented from loosening with respect to the plug fitting sleeve 21b.
Further, the optical connector 10 can prevent the coupling 35 from loosening with respect to the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the optical receptacle 20 without increasing the number of parts by the groove bottom protrusion 37 of the coupling 35.

The locking protrusion 21c shown in FIG. 4 has a tapered tip portion 21e formed in a tapered shape (specifically, a truncated cone shape) on the tip side of the columnar protrusion body 21d. The protrusion dimension of the tapered tip portion 21e from the tip of the protrusion body 21d is slightly larger than the protrusion dimension from the guide groove bottom surface 36b at the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion 37.
It should be noted that the side surface of the tapered tip portion 21e of the locking protrusion 21c is perpendicular to the central axis of the locking protrusion 21c (corresponding to the radial direction centered on the center axis of the protrusion body 21d and the axis of the plug fitting sleeve 21b). The inclination angle with respect to the virtual plane is significantly larger than the inclination angle of the inclined surface 37a of the groove bottom protrusion 37 with respect to the guide groove bottom surface 36b.

The coupling 35, which has reached the screwed-in completed state of the optical receptacle 20 with respect to the plug fitting sleeve 21b, locks the end of the vertical rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 on the coupling inner peripheral surface 35a side by a reverse rotation operation. By forcibly riding on the side surface of the tapered tip 21e of the protrusion 21c, the groove bottom protrusion 37 can be made to ride over the locking protrusion 21c. The coupling 35 causes the groove bottom protrusion 37 to get over the locking protrusion 21c by a reverse rotation operation, and the locking protrusion 21c extends from the locking recess 36e of the guide groove 36 to the guide groove 36. It can be moved to the front end side of the groove bottom protrusion 37 in the direction. The coupling 35 moves the locking projection 21c moved to the front end side of the guide groove 36 in the extending direction from the groove bottom protrusion 37 to the introduction groove 36c of the guide groove 36 and pulls out from the inclined groove 36d. Then, it can be removed from the plug fitting sleeve 21b of the optical receptacle 20.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the best mode, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned best mode, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the specific configuration of the optical plug and the optical receptacle is not limited as long as it conforms to the technical idea of the present invention.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the optical plug 30A may adopt a configuration in which one or a plurality of plug-type connectors 39 having a ferrule 32 provided at the tip of the optical fiber housed in the connector housing are incorporated in the plug housing 33. Is. The number and arrangement of the plug-type connectors of the optical receptacle can be appropriately changed so that the optical fiber on the optical plug side and the optical fiber on the optical receptacle side can be connected to each other according to the configuration of the optical plug. Further, the optical receptacle is not limited to the configuration in which the plug-type connector is incorporated in the shroud 21, and the ferrule not incorporated in the plug-type connector is supported and incorporated by the support member (ferrule support member) in the shroud 21. It can be adopted.

The groove bottom protrusion 37 is not limited to a configuration having an inclined surface 37a and a protrusion top surface 37b, and a configuration having an inclined surface 37a and not having a protrusion top surface 37b can also be adopted.
The rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 is not limited to the vertical rear end surface perpendicular to the coupling inner peripheral surface 35a. The rear end surface 37c of the groove bottom protrusion 37 may be formed so as to be inclined toward the front side or the rear side in the extending direction of the guide groove 36 from the groove bottom surface 36b of the guide groove 36 toward the coupling inner peripheral surface 35a side.

In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which a ferrule urging spring is incorporated in each of the plug-type connector 22 and the optical plug 30 of the optical receptacle is illustrated. However, in the optical connector, the ferrule urging spring is incorporated in only one of the plug-type connector 22 and the optical plug 30 of the optical receptacle, and is incorporated in the other of the plug-type connector 22 and the optical plug 30 of the optical receptacle. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not exist.

10 ... Optical connector, 20 ... Optical receptacle, 21 ... Shroud, 21a ... Housing part, 21b ... Plug fitting sleeve, 21c ... Locking protrusion, 21d ... Protrusion body, 21e ... Tapered tip, 22 ... Plug type connector , 22a ... Optical fiber, 22b ... Ferrule, 22c ... Ferrule junction end face, 22d ... Connector housing, 30, 30A ... Optical plug, 31 ... Optical fiber, 32 ... Ferrule, 32a ... Ferrule junction end face, 33 ... Plug housing, 34 ... Plug body, 35 ... Coupling, 35a ... Inner peripheral surface of coupling, 35b ... Inner rib for rotation, 36 ... Guide groove, 36A ... Main groove of guide groove, 36a ... Front end opening of guide groove, 36b ... Guide groove bottom surface, 36c ... Introduction groove, 36d ... Inclined groove, 36e ... Locking recess, 36f ... Front overhang, 37 ... Groove bottom protrusion, 37a ... Inclined surface, 37b ... Projection top surface, 37c ... Rear end face of groove bottom protrusion, vertical rear end face, 38 ... Gap, 39 ... Plug type connector.

Claims (5)

It has an optical receptacle and an optical plug that is detachably connected to the optical receptacle.
The optical plug has a plug body in which a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber is housed in a tubular plug housing, and a coupling rotatably provided on the outside of the plug housing.
The optical receptacle has a ferrule provided at the tip of an optical fiber and a shroud for accommodating the ferrule, and the shroud has a plug fitting sleeve into which the front end portion of the plug body is inserted and the plug fitting. A locking protrusion is formed on the outer circumference of the sleeve.
A guide groove into which the locking projection of the optical receptacle is inserted is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling of the optical plug, and the guide groove extends inclined with respect to the axis of the coupling. An existing inclined groove portion is secured and formed extending from the front end opening opened at the front end of the coupling toward the rear end of the coupling, and the rear end opposite to the front end opening of the guide groove. A groove bottom protrusion protruding from the groove bottom surface and a locking recess for accommodating the locking protrusion on the rear end side of the guide groove from the groove bottom protrusion are formed in the portion.
The depth of the coupling from the inner peripheral surface of the groove bottom protrusion becomes shallower from the front end on the front end opening side to the rear end side opposite to the front end in the extending direction of the guide groove. An optical connector with an inclined surface. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a vertical rear end surface extending perpendicularly to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling is formed at the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion facing the locking recess. The locking projection of the optical receptacle is formed in a columnar shape perpendicular to the axis of the plug fitting sleeve, and the vertical rear end surface of the rear end of the groove bottom protrusion is 100 to 100 to the outer diameter of the locking projection. The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein the optical connector has a concave curved surface having a radius of curvature of 120% and is curved so as to be recessed from the locking concave side about an axis perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface of the coupling. The groove bottom protrusion has a constant depth from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling from the rear end of the inclined surface to the rear end side of the guide groove in the extending direction of the guide groove. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a protrusion top surface extending to the rear end is formed. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking projection of the optical receptacle is formed in a tapered shape.

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