JP2021092620A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optical connector that has stable pressing force for pressing apical surfaces of a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, does not cause optical fibers to be broken regardless of repeated connection, and has high connection reliability.SOLUTION: An optical connector has: a first housing 2; a first optical fiber 10 fixed to the first housing 2; a second housing 12; a second optical fiber 20 fixed to the second housing 12; a third housing 42 that houses the first housing 2 and the second housing 12 and fixes the first housing 2; and urging means 50 for urging the second housing 12 to a side of the first housing 2. Apical surfaces 10a, 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are sandwiched between a first fiber holding groove 4 of the first housing 2 and a second fiber holding groove 14 of the second housing 12 while they are in contact each other, and the apical surfaces 10a, 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are pressed by urging force of the urging means 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an optical connector that connects the tip surfaces of two optical fibers in a state of being directly abutted against each other.

As an optical connector of this type, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the optical connector 101 has a first housing 102, a first optical fiber 110 fixed to the first housing 102, a second housing 112, and a second fixed to the second housing 112. It includes two optical fibers 120.

The first housing 102 has a first holding groove forming portion 103 protruding toward the second housing 112 side, and a first fiber holding groove 104 formed up to the tip of the first holding groove forming portion 103 in the protruding direction. The second housing 112 has a second holding groove forming portion 113 protruding toward the first housing 10 side, and a second fiber holding groove 114 formed up to the tip of the second holding groove forming portion 113 in the protruding direction.

The first optical fiber 110 is arranged in the first fiber holding groove 104 with the tip surface 110a at a position in front of the tip of the first fiber holding groove 104. The second optical fiber 120 is arranged in the second fiber holding groove 114 with the tip surface 120a at a position in front of the tip of the second fiber holding groove 114.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the first housing 102 and the second housing 112 are moved in a close direction, the tip of the first optical fiber 110 and the tip of the second optical fiber 120 become the first fiber holding groove 104 and the second. The two fibers are sandwiched between the fiber holding grooves 114. As a result, the first optical fiber 110 and the second optical fiber 120 are arranged in a straight line. Then, the tip surfaces 110a and 120a of the first optical fiber 110 and the second optical fiber 120 are brought into contact with each other. From this state, the first housing 102 and the second housing 112 are moved in a direction closer to each other to bend the first optical fiber 110. The force that restores the bending deformation presses the tip surfaces 110a and 120a of the first optical fiber 110 and the second optical fiber 120 against each other.

In this conventional example, the connector can be easily connected without using a refractive index matching material. Since a pressing force always acts between the tip surfaces 110a and 120a of the first optical fiber 110 and the second optical fiber 120, the tip surfaces 110a and 120a of the first optical fiber 110 and the second optical fiber 120 are brought into contact with each other. Always maintain contact.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-243984

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the pressing force for pressing the tip surfaces 110a and 120a of the first optical fiber 110 and the second optical fiber 120 is a force for restoring the bending deformation of the first optical fiber 110. Therefore, there is a problem that the pressing force changes greatly due to a manufacturing error of parts, the first optical fiber 110 is easily broken due to repeated coupling, and the connection reliability is low.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector in which the pressing force for pressing the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is stable, the optical fiber does not break even after repeated coupling, and the connection is highly reliable. To do.

The optical connector according to the aspect of the present invention includes a first housing, a first optical fiber fixed to the first housing, a second housing, a second optical fiber fixed to the second housing, and the first. The first housing includes a third housing that accommodates the first housing and the second housing and fixes the first housing, and an urging means that urges the second housing toward the first housing. The first optical fiber has a first holding groove forming portion on which a first facing surface is formed and a first fiber holding groove formed in a straight line up to the tip on the first facing surface, and the first optical fiber has the tip surface as described above. The second housing is arranged in the first fiber holding groove in a position in front of the tip of the first fiber holding groove and in a state where the peripheral surface on the fiber side protrudes from the first facing surface, and the second facing surface is formed in the second housing. The second optical fiber has a second holding groove forming portion formed therein and a second fiber holding groove formed in a straight line up to the tip on the second facing surface, and the tip surface of the second optical fiber is the tip of the second fiber holding groove. The fiber side peripheral surface is arranged in the second fiber holding groove in a state where the fiber side peripheral surface protrudes from the second facing surface and is positioned closer to the front, and protrudes from the first facing surface of the first optical fiber. The fiber-side peripheral surface protruding from the second facing surface of the second optical fiber enters the tip end side of the second fiber holding groove, and enters the tip end side of the first fiber holding groove. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are arranged in a straight line by sandwiching the tip side of the first optical fiber and the tip side of the second optical fiber by both the first fiber holding groove and the second fiber holding groove, respectively. The first optical fiber and the tip surface of the second optical fiber are in contact with each other, and the urging force of the urging means acts on the second optical fiber to cause the tip surface of the second optical fiber to come into contact with the second optical fiber. The tip surface of the first optical fiber is pressed.

The movement guide means for guiding the relative movement of the first housing and the second housing in the fiber coupling process is provided, and the movement guide means is the first in the fiber coupling process of the first housing and the second housing. Opposing distance between the first facing surface and the second facing surface until the tips of the holding groove forming portion and the second holding groove forming portion exceed the positions of the tip surfaces of the second optical fiber and the first optical fiber. Is relatively moved as a separation distance, and at a position where the tips of the first holding groove forming portion and the second holding groove forming portion exceed the positions of the tip surfaces of the second optical fiber and the first optical fiber, the first Due to the change in the direction in which the first facing surface and the second facing surface are close to each other, the fiber side peripheral surface protruding from the first facing surface of the first optical fiber is placed on the tip end side of the second fiber holding groove. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber lined up in a straight line by relatively moving the peripheral surface on the fiber side protruding from the second facing surface of the two optical fibers to a position where they enter the tip side of the first fiber holding groove. A configuration in which the tip surfaces of the optical fibers are relatively moved to a position where they abut each other is preferable.

The movement guide means is provided on one of the first facing surface and the second facing surface, and on the other side, the tip surface position of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. It has a concave portion in which the convex portion enters at a position where the tip surface positions are close to each other and the convex portion can be moved to a position where the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber come into contact with each other. Is preferable.

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical connector in which the pressing force for pressing the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is stable, the optical fiber is not broken even in repeated coupling, and the connection is highly reliable. be able to.

It is sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment, and the convex part of the 1st holding groove forming part slides on the upper surface of the 2nd holding groove forming part in the middle of the housing fitting operation of an optical connector. 1st embodiment is shown, (a) is a sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa of FIG. 1, (b) is a sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb of FIG. ) Is an enlarged view of part IId of (a). It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment and looked at the 1st holding groove forming part side (lower surface side) of the 1st housing. The first embodiment is shown, and it is the figure which looked at the 2nd holding groove forming part side (upper surface side) of the 2nd housing. The first embodiment is shown, and it is sectional drawing which shows the convex part of the 1st holding groove forming part into the concave part of the 2nd holding groove forming part in the housing fitting operation of an optical connector. The first embodiment is shown, and it is sectional drawing at the time of completion of the housing fitting of an optical connector. The first embodiment is shown, FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken along line VIIa-VIIa of FIG. 6, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a VIIb portion of FIG. 6A. A modification of the first embodiment is shown, and is a bottom view of the second housing and the third housing. A second embodiment is shown, and is a cross-sectional view when the housing fitting of the optical connector is completed. A second embodiment is shown, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. A conventional example is shown, and it is a side view of a main part in the middle of a housing fitting operation of an optical connector. A conventional example is shown, and it is a side view of a main part when the housing fitting of an optical connector is completed.

Hereinafter, the optical connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

(First Embodiment)
The optical connector according to the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. The optical connector 1 has a first housing 2, a first optical fiber 10 fixed to the first housing 2, a second housing 12, and a second optical fiber 20 fixed to the second housing 12.

Further, the optical connector 1 guides the relative movement of the first housing 2 and the second housing 12 in the fiber coupling process, and a position where the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 abut each other. The moving guide means 30 is provided.

Further, the optical connector 1 accommodates the first housing 2 and the second housing 12, and biases the third housing 42 for fixing the accommodated first housing 2 and the second housing 12 to the first housing 2 side. It is provided with a spring 50 which is a force means. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given.

The first housing 2 has a first base housing 2A and a first holding groove forming portion 3 projecting from the first base housing 2A toward the second housing 12. The first base housing 2A has a first fiber through hole 7 that opens into the first holding groove forming portion 3.

The lower surface of the first holding groove forming portion 3 is formed on the first facing surface 5. The first holding groove forming portion 3 has a first fiber holding groove 4 formed on the first facing surface 5 and formed up to the tip of the first holding groove forming portion 3 in the protruding direction.

The first fiber through hole 7 and the first fiber holding groove 4 are continuous and arranged in a straight line. The first fiber holding groove 4 is a groove having a V-shaped cross section (see FIG. 2C). Specifically, the first fiber holding groove 4 is a groove having a V-shaped cross section in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first fiber holding groove 4.

The first optical fiber 10 penetrates the first fiber through hole 7. The portion of the covering portion 11 of the first optical fiber 10 enters a part of the first fiber through hole 7, and is fixed to the first housing 2 by an adhesive or the like at this portion. The tip of the first optical fiber 10 that penetrates the first fiber through hole 7 is arranged in the first fiber holding groove 4. The position of the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 is located in front of the tip of the first fiber holding groove 4. The detailed position of the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 is described below.

The first optical fiber 10 is arranged in the first fiber holding groove 4 in a state where more than half of the fiber side peripheral surface 10b protrudes from the first facing surface 5 (see FIG. 2C).

The second housing 12 has a second base housing 12A and a second holding groove forming portion 13 projecting from the second base housing 12A toward the first housing 2. The second base housing 12A has a second fiber through hole 17 that opens into the second holding groove forming portion 13. The upper surface of the second holding groove forming portion 13 is formed on the second facing surface 15. The second facing surface 15 is located below the first facing surface 5. The second facing surface 15 and the first facing surface 5 face each other, and almost the entire area is arranged to face each other at the alignment completion position shown in FIG.

The second holding groove forming portion 13 has a second fiber holding groove 14 formed on the second facing surface 15 and formed up to the tip of the second holding groove forming portion 13 in the protruding direction.

The second fiber through hole 17 and the second fiber holding groove 14 are continuous and arranged in a straight line. The second fiber holding groove 14 is a groove having a V-shaped cross section (see FIG. 2D). Specifically, the second fiber holding groove 14 is a groove having a V-shaped cross section in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the second fiber holding groove 14.

The second optical fiber 20 penetrates the second fiber through hole 17. The portion of the covering portion 21 of the second optical fiber 20 enters a part of the second fiber through hole 17, and is fixed to the second housing 12 by an adhesive or the like at this portion. The tip of the second optical fiber 20 that penetrates the second fiber through hole 17 is arranged in the second fiber holding groove 14. The tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 is located in front of the tip of the second fiber holding groove 14. The detailed position of the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 is described below.

The second optical fiber 20 is arranged in the second fiber holding groove 14 in a state where more than half of the fiber side peripheral surface 20b protrudes from the second facing surface 15 (see FIG. 2D).

The detailed positions of the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of first marks 8 are provided on the left and right outer sides of the first holding groove forming portion 3 of the first housing 2 with the first fiber holding groove 4 interposed therebetween. The pair of first marks 8 are arranged (a / 2 + b) from the root position of the first holding groove forming portion 3, assuming that the total length of the first holding groove forming portion 3 in the protruding direction is a. That is, the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 is arranged closer to the tip by b dimension than the middle of the first holding groove forming portion 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second holding groove forming portion 13 of the second housing 12 is provided with a pair of second marks 18 on the left and right outer sides of the second holding groove forming portion 13 with the second fiber holding groove 14 interposed therebetween. The pair of second marks 18 are provided at a position (a / 2 + b) from the root position of the second holding groove forming portion 13, assuming that the total length of the second holding groove forming portion 13 in the protruding direction is a. The tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 is arranged at the position of the second mark 18. That is, the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 is arranged closer to the tip by b dimension than the middle of the second holding groove forming portion 13.

The tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are positioned at the positions of the first mark 8 and the second mark 18. As a result, in the fiber coupling process of both the first housing 2 and the second housing 12, the following positional relationship is obtained. The tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 abut each other, and between the tip of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second base housing 12A, and the second holding groove forming portion. A gap d (see FIG. 6) is formed between the tip of 13 and the first base housing 2A.

The gap d is formed by the dimension of b. b is preferably 0.25 mm or more. If it is less than 0.25 mm, a desired load cannot be applied between the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 because the gap d cannot be secured due to a change in tolerance temperature during mounting or the like. This is because, in some cases, the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of both the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 cannot be brought into contact with each other. The first mark 8 and the second mark 18 may have any form, but a structure that does not interfere with the mating member, for example, a recess or a hole is desirable.

The positions of the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 and the positional relationship between the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 32 described below will be described in the fiber coupling operation described below.

The movement guide means 30 includes a pair of convex portions 31 projecting from the first facing surface 5 of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and a pair of convex portions 31 provided on the second facing surface 15 of the second holding groove forming portion 13. It has a recess 32. The pair of convex portions 31 are arranged at the left and right outer positions centered on the first fiber holding groove 4. The pair of recesses 32 are arranged at the left and right outer positions centered on the second fiber holding groove 14. The convex portion 31 is formed so as to enter the concave portion 32 at a position where the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 are close to each other in the fiber coupling process.

Each concave portion 32 is formed on the tapered surface 32a on the side where the convex portion 31 enters. The tapered surface 32a allows the convex portion 31 to gradually enter the concave portion 32. The guide in the fiber coupling process in the moving guide means 30 will be described in the following fiber coupling operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the third housing 42 has a housing accommodation chamber 43 in which one is opened and the other is closed by the side wall 42a. The first housing 2 and the second housing 12 can be accommodated in the housing accommodating chamber 43.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing 2 is not accommodated at the start of the fiber coupling operation, and is accommodated at the completion of the fiber coupling operation as shown in FIG. When the third housing 42 is accommodated, the first housing 2 is fixed to the third housing 42 by locking the lock claw 9 of the first housing 2 into the lock hole 44 of the third housing 42. The second housing 12 is housed in a state in which it can be moved more than before the fiber coupling operation.

The spring 50 is arranged in the housing housing chamber 43. The spring 50 is interposed between the side wall 42a of the third housing 42 and the second housing 12. The spring 50 urges the second housing 12 toward the first housing 2. The spring force of the spring 50 (the urging force of the urging means) acts on the second optical fiber 20, and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 presses the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10.

Next, the housing fitting operation of the first housing 2, the second housing 12, and the third housing 42 will be described. During this housing fitting operation, the fiber joining operation of the first housing 2 and the second housing 12 is performed. This will be described below.

The second housing 12 is housed in the housing storage chamber 43 of the third housing 42. As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing 2 is inserted into the housing accommodating chamber 43 of the third housing 42. The first housing 2 is inserted with a pair of convex portions 31 of the first holding groove forming portion 3 sliding on the second facing surface 15 of the second holding groove forming portion 13.

Here, the facing distance between the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 is such that the tip portion of the first optical fiber 10 does not firmly enter the first fiber holding groove 4 due to a bending habit (first). Even if it floats from the fiber holding groove 4, it is set to a dimension that does not interfere. Therefore, even if each tip of the first optical fiber 10 or the second optical fiber 20 has a bending habit, the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are second-held on the other side. The groove forming portion 13 and the tips 13a and 3a of the first holding groove forming portion 3 approach each other without interfering with each other.

That is, the movement guide means 30 is the first until the tips 3a and 13a of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13 exceed the positions of the tip surfaces 10a of the second optical fiber 20 and the first optical fiber 10. The facing distance between the 1 facing surface 5 and the 2nd facing surface 15 is used as the separation distance for relative movement.

The insertion of the first housing 2 progresses, and the tips 3a and 13a of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13 exceed the positions of the tip surfaces 10a of the second optical fiber 20 and the first optical fiber 10, respectively. Reach the position. In other words, the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 reach a position close to each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 31 of the first holding groove forming portion 3 enters the concave portion 32 of the second holding groove forming portion 13, and the convex portion 31 slides on the tapered surface 32a of the concave portion 32. As a result, the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 gradually shift in the direction in which they approach each other. The fiber side peripheral surface 10b protruding from the first facing surface 5 of the first optical fiber 10 is on the tip side of the second fiber holding groove 14, and the fiber side peripheral surface 20b protruding from the second facing surface 15 of the second optical fiber 20. Gradually enter the tip side of the first fiber holding groove 4.

Here, even if the tip of the first optical fiber 10 is bent and does not firmly enter the first fiber holding groove 4, the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber are guided by the second fiber holding groove 14. It enters between the holding grooves 14 and is sandwiched. Even if the tip of the second optical fiber 20 is bent and does not firmly enter the second fiber holding groove 14, it is similarly sandwiched between the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14.

Then, at the position where the convex portion 31 finishes descending the tapered surface 32a of the concave portion 32, the tip side of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip side of the second optical fiber 20 are the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14. It is sandwiched between both sides (see FIG. 7). As a result, the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are arranged in a straight line, that is, the optical axis of the first optical fiber 10 and the optical axis of the second optical fiber 20 are arranged coaxially and are aligned. ..

The first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 10 and the second at the position where the convex portion 31 finishes descending the tapered surface 32a of the concave portion 32, and the position where the convex portion 31 descends the tapered surface 32a of the concave portion 32 and advances slightly in the concave portion 32. The tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the optical fiber 20 are brought into contact with each other in a aligned state (see FIG. 6).

When the first housing 2 advances further from this state, the insertion force of the first housing 2 presses the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20, and the second housing 12 resists the spring force of the spring 50 to form the housing. Move to the back side of the containment chamber 43.

As a result, the first housing 2 is allowed to move to the housing accommodation chamber 43. As shown in FIG. 6, the lock claw 9 of the first housing 2 locks into the lock hole 44 of the third housing 42. This prevents the first housing 2 from being inserted. This completes the housing fitting operation.

When the housing fitting is completed, the spring force of the spring 50 presses the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 against each other. As a result, a pressing force always acts between the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20, so that the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 always act on each other. Always maintain a state of contact.

In the optical connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the first housing 2, the first optical fiber 10 fixed to the first housing 2, the second housing 12, and the second optical fiber fixed to the second housing 12 It has 20 and. In addition, it includes a third housing 42 that accommodates the first housing 2 and the second housing 12 and fixes the first housing 2, and a spring 50 that urges the second housing 12 toward the first housing 2. .. The first housing 2 has a first holding groove forming portion 3 in which the first facing surface 5 is formed, and a first fiber holding groove 4 formed in a straight line up to the tip on the first facing surface 5. In the first optical fiber 10, the position of the tip surface 10a is set to a position in front of the tip of the first fiber holding groove 4, and the first fiber holding groove 4 is in a state where the fiber side peripheral surface 10b protrudes from the first facing surface 5. Is located in. The second housing 12 has a second holding groove forming portion 13 in which the second facing surface 15 is formed, and a second fiber holding groove 14 formed in a straight line up to the tip on the second facing surface 15. In the second optical fiber 20, the position of the tip surface 20a is set to a position in front of the tip of the second fiber holding groove 14, and the second fiber holding groove 14 is in a state where the fiber side peripheral surface 20b protrudes from the second facing surface 15. Is located in. The fiber side peripheral surface 10b protruding from the first facing surface 5 of the first optical fiber 10 protrudes from the second facing surface 15 of the second optical fiber 20 to the tip end side of the second fiber holding groove 14. 20b is inserted into the tip side of the first fiber holding groove 4, respectively. Then, the tip side of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip side of the second optical fiber 20 are sandwiched between both the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14, respectively, so that the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are sandwiched between the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20. They are arranged in a straight line, and the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are in contact with each other. The spring force of the spring 50, which is an urging means, acts on the second optical fiber 20, and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 presses the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10.

Therefore, since the spring force of the spring 50 is the pressing force between the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20, the spring force does not change much even if there is a design error of the component. Further, since the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are not bent and deformed, there is almost no damage to the first optical fiber 10 or the second optical fiber 20 even if repeated coupling is performed. From the above, the pressing force for pressing the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 is stable, and the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 do not break even with repeated coupling. It is possible to provide an optical connector 1 having high connection reliability.

Further, since the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are arranged in a straight line, no optical loss due to bending occurs in the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20, which is also highly reliable. Can be connected. In particular, it is effective when a polymer optical fiber that may be plastically deformed if held for a long time in a bent state is applied.

In the fiber coupling process between the first housing 2 and the second housing 12, the moving guide means 30 has the second optical fiber 20 and the first optical fiber 20 and the first 13a at the tips 3a and 13a of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13. The positions of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13 are set with the facing distance between the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 as the separation distance until the position of the tip surface 10a of the optical fiber 10 is exceeded. Move relative to each other. Next, at a position where the tips 3a and 13a of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13 exceed the positions of the tip surfaces 10a of the second optical fiber 20 and the first optical fiber 10, the first facing each other. Due to the shift in the direction in which the surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 are close to each other, the fiber side peripheral surface 10b protruding from the first facing surface 5 of the first optical fiber 10 is placed on the tip end side of the second fiber holding groove 14, and the second light is provided. The fiber side peripheral surface 20b protruding from the second facing surface 15 of the fiber 20 is relatively moved to a position where it enters the tip end side of the first fiber holding groove 4. Next, the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 arranged in a straight line are relatively moved to a position where the tip surfaces 10a and 20a come into contact with each other.

Therefore, even if the first optical fiber 10 or the second optical fiber 20 has a bending habit, the tip surfaces 10a and 20a are surely abutted against each other, and the tip surfaces 10a and 20a do not have an angle. It is possible to provide an optical connector 1 that can be abutted and has high connection reliability.

In the fiber coupling process between the first housing 2 and the second housing 12, the movement guide means 30 sets the facing distance between the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 from the separation distance to the close distance to the first holding groove forming portion. This is performed by guiding the relative movement of the third holding groove forming portion 13 and the second holding groove forming portion 13. Therefore, it is possible to move a larger distance than the movement due to the bending deformation of the conventional example. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 having a large bending habit.

The movement guide means 30 has a convex portion 31 provided on the first facing surface 5 and a concave portion 32 provided on the second facing surface 15. The convex portion 31 enters the recess 32 at a position where the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 are close to each other, and the recess 32 is formed by the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20. The convex portion 31 can be moved to a position where the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the above are in contact with each other.

Therefore, the convex portion 31 is provided in the first holding groove forming portion 3 in which the first optical fiber 10 is arranged, and the concave portion 32 is provided in the second holding groove forming portion 13 in which the second optical fiber 20 is arranged. As a result, as compared with the case where the movement guide means 30 is provided at a position other than the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13, the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second holding groove forming portion 13 Relative movement, and by extension, movement of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 can be performed accurately and accurately.

Unlike this first embodiment, the convex portion 31 may be provided in the second holding groove forming portion 13 and the concave portion 32 may be provided in the first holding groove forming portion 3. That is, the movement guide means 30 may have a configuration having a convex portion 31 provided on either one of the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 and a concave portion 32 provided on the other.

The recess 32 is a position where the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 come into contact with each other from a position where the tip surface 10a of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 are close to each other. It has a tapered surface 32a that gradually becomes deeper.

Therefore, when the tip of the first optical fiber 10 or the tip of the second optical fiber 20 has a bending habit, it can be gradually guided to the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14. Therefore, the tip of the first optical fiber 10 and the tip of the second optical fiber 20 can be inserted between the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14 without damaging the tip of the second optical fiber 20 as much as possible.

Unlike this first embodiment, the concave portion 32 may have a structure in which the tapered surface 32a is not formed without making the approach side of the convex portion 31 a tapered surface 32a.

In the first embodiment, the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14 are formed in a V-shaped groove, but may be a U-shaped groove.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the fiber coupling is completed, the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 are arranged to face each other via the gap d1. Therefore, the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are sandwiched in a state where the fiber side peripheral surfaces 10b and 20b are pressed by the first fiber holding groove 4 and the second fiber holding groove 14 at four points. , It is held without rattling. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in light loss. Further, the first facing surface 5 and the second facing surface 15 may be arranged to face each other in a close contact state without a gap.

(Modified example of the first embodiment)
A modified example of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. In this modification, the opening 45 is provided in the bottom wall 42b of the third housing 42. Through this opening 45, the second mark 18 of the second housing can be visually recognized.

Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, duplicate description will be omitted. The same parts of the drawing are designated by the same reference numerals for clarification.

In this modification, the tip surface 20a of the second optical fiber 20 can be set on the second housing 12 housed in the third housing 42 while visually observing the second mark 18, so that the tip surface of the second optical fiber 20 can be set. 20a can be set accurately and easily at a predetermined position.

(Second Embodiment)
The optical connector according to the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Compared with the first embodiment, the optical connector 1 is not provided with a convex portion of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and a concave portion of the second holding groove forming portion 13.

That is, only the first fiber holding groove 4 is provided on the first facing surface 5 of the first holding groove forming portion 3, and only the second fiber holding groove 14 is provided on the second facing surface 15 of the second holding groove forming portion 13. Is provided.

Therefore, when the first housing 2 is inserted into the housing accommodating chamber 43 of the third housing 42, the first facing surface 5 of the first holding groove forming portion 3 and the second facing surface 15 of the second holding groove forming portion 13 come close to each other. It is inserted while facing each other at the position.

Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, duplicate description will be omitted. The same parts of the drawing are designated by the same reference numerals for clarification.

In this second embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the spring force of the spring 50, which is the urging means, is the pressing force between the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20. Therefore, the spring force does not change much even if there is a design error of the part. Further, since the first optical fiber 10 or the second optical fiber 20 is not bent and deformed, there is almost no damage to the first optical fiber 10 or the second optical fiber 20 even if repeated coupling is performed. From the above, the pressing force for pressing the tip surfaces 10a and 20a of the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 is stable, and the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 do not break even with repeated coupling. It is possible to provide an optical connector 1 having high connection reliability.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

1 Optical connector 2 1st housing 3 1st holding groove forming part 4 1st fiber holding groove 5 1st facing surface 10 1st optical fiber 10a Tip surface 10b Fiber side peripheral surface 12 2nd housing 13 2nd holding groove forming part 14 2nd fiber holding groove 15 2nd facing surface 20 2nd optical fiber 20a Tip surface 20b Fiber side peripheral surface 30 Movement guide means 31 Convex part 32 Concave part 42 3rd housing 50 Spring (biasing means)

Claims (3)

The first housing, the first optical fiber fixed to the first housing, the second housing, the second optical fiber fixed to the second housing, the first housing and the second housing are housed. A third housing for fixing the first housing and an urging means for urging the second housing toward the first housing are provided.
The first housing has a first holding groove forming portion on which the first facing surface is formed, and a first fiber holding groove formed in a straight line up to the tip on the first facing surface.
The first optical fiber is arranged in the first fiber holding groove so that the tip surface is positioned in front of the tip of the first fiber holding groove and the peripheral surface on the fiber side protrudes from the first facing surface.
The second housing has a second holding groove forming portion on which a second facing surface is formed, and a second fiber holding groove formed on the second facing surface in a straight line up to the tip.
The second optical fiber is arranged in the second fiber holding groove so that the tip surface is positioned in front of the tip of the second fiber holding groove and the peripheral surface on the fiber side protrudes from the second facing surface.
The fiber side peripheral surface protruding from the first facing surface of the first optical fiber protrudes from the second facing surface of the second optical fiber to the tip end side of the second fiber holding groove. Enters the tip side of the first fiber holding groove, respectively, and the tip side of the first optical fiber and the tip side of the second optical fiber are sandwiched between both the first fiber holding groove and the second fiber holding groove, respectively. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are arranged in a straight line, and the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are in contact with each other.
An optical connector in which the urging force of the urging means acts on the second optical fiber and the tip surface of the second optical fiber presses the tip surface of the first optical fiber. It has a movement guide means for guiding the relative movement of the first housing and the second housing in the fiber coupling process.
In the fiber coupling process between the first housing and the second housing, the moving guide means has the first holding groove forming portion and the tip of the second holding groove forming portion having the second optical fiber and the first optical fiber. The facing distance between the first facing surface and the second facing surface is used as a separation distance for relative movement until the position of the tip surface is exceeded.
At a position where the tips of the first holding groove forming portion and the second holding groove forming portion exceed the positions of the tip surfaces of the second optical fiber and the first optical fiber, the first facing surface and the second facing surface are opposed to each other. Due to the shift in the direction in which the surfaces are close to each other, the peripheral surface on the fiber side protruding from the first facing surface of the first optical fiber is on the tip end side of the second fiber holding groove, and the second facing surface of the second optical fiber. The peripheral surface on the fiber side protruding from the surface is relatively moved to a position where it enters the tip side of the first fiber holding groove.
The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first optical fiber arranged in a straight line and the tip surfaces of the second optical fiber are relatively moved to a position where they abut each other. The movement guide means is provided on one of the first facing surface and the second facing surface, and on the other side, the tip surface position of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A claim having a concave portion in which the convex portion enters at a position where the tip surface positions are close to each other and the convex portion can be moved to a position where the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber come into contact with each other. Item 2. The optical connector according to Item 2.

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