JP2515079B2 - Optical fiber connector device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fiber optic connectors that provide optical and mechanical splicing and decoupling of optical fibers.

[0002]

Connectors for optical fiber transmission equipment are known to those skilled in the art. There is often a need to arrange multiple fiber optic connectors in parallel to facilitate the connection of multiple fibers. The ferrule connector that terminates two optical fibers and is very widely used to make termination connections is called an ST connector. ST is AT
& T is a registered trademark. ST connectors are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,785. ST
The connector has a cylindrical plug (commonly called a ferrule). The cylindrical plug has a passage for receiving the end of the optical fiber to be terminated. The plug housed in the cap is spring biased. When two plugs are housed end-to-end in a coupling sleeve, one or both of the plug bodies move along the longitudinal axis of the body during the connecting process.

In such a conventional optical fiber connector device, when connecting them, it was necessary to align the lock pin and the lock slot, push them, and then rotate.
In such a configuration, it is necessary to give a relatively large tolerance to the size of each part. If such a large tolerance is given, the efficiency of optical coupling decreases, which is not preferable. Moreover, when a force is applied from the outside carelessly, the mechanical connection may be broken.

As another problem, it was impossible to make the lock pin too large when the lock pin was engaged with the lock slot due to a structural problem. Therefore, it has been impossible to engage the short lock pins with a relatively short distance. Further, the conventional optical connector device has a problem that the connectors are easily separated from each other with a force of about 2 pounds.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector device which can surely perform optical connection and mechanical connection. Further, there is provided a device for surely housing the connector in the coupling housing only by linearly moving the connector. (EN) Provided is an optical fiber connector device in which an ST connector is fixed to a housing mounted on a panel only by pushing the connector without rotating the connector with respect to the housing and the ferrule and the housing are not separated.

[0006]

The problems of the prior art as described above are solved by the connector device of the present invention. According to the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber connector device as set forth in claim 1.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an enlarged side view of a connector device generally designated by the numeral 20.
The connector device can accommodate a ferrule connector mounted at the end of an optical fiber. A ferrule connector or plug assembly is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and is generally designated by the numeral 22. Each connector 22 has a connector subassembly 25 and an outer shell 27.

Two optical fibers 21, 21 to be connected
Each (see FIG. 3) has a glass core, a cladding and a coating system. These are well known to those skilled in the art. The optical fiber may be encapsulated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and tube 28. This forms a buffer fiber that can be terminated and spliced according to the present invention. The splicing assembly of the present invention can also be used to splice a single fiber cable 30, 30 (see FIG. 1). In this cable the tube 28 is
It is covered with a reinforcing member 29 made of an aramid fiber material and an outer jacket 31 made of PVC.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector device 20 has two plug assemblies 22, 22 connected by a coupling 35. Corresponding elements of the plug assembly 22,22 are, as shown in FIG.
Identified by the same number with a superscript on the right. The plug assembly 22 is such that the longitudinal axes 38, 38 of the assembly are coaxial. In FIG. 2, the plug assembly 22, 2
2 is incorporated in a coupling 35 attached to a panel 37 having a lock washer 32 and a nut 34. In addition to the end of the optical fiber 21, each plug assembly 25
Has an optical fiber ferrule or plug 40. The plug 40 has a passage 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and is made of, for example, glass, plastic or ceramic material. The outer diameter of the plug 40 is about 2.5 mm
Is. The end surface 39 of the plug 40 has an opening of a passage 41.

When terminating the cable 30, the optical fiber coating system, as well as the tube 28, stiffener 29 and outer jacket 31 are removed from the distal portion of the optical fiber 21 prior to termination with the plug 40. . The exposed end portion of the optical fiber is then inserted into the passage of plug 40. The exposed end of the optical fiber 21 is a plug 40.
Is fixed in the passage 41 of the optical fiber, and the end face of the optical fiber is cleaved or polished. This operation is repeated for another fiber optic and plug assembly.

Each connector assembly 25 also has a plastic or metal connector body or barrel 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a compression spring 44 and a plastic tubular cap 45 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The plug 40, barrel 42 and cap 45 each have a cylindrical cross section. Barrel 42 has another orientation or positioning key 43 (see FIG. 6). The key projects radially from the longitudinal axis 38. A slot 33 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the outer surface of the barrel.

Barrel 42 has an intermediate diameter portion 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). This intermediate diameter portion extends through the opening 47 into an annular lip 48 located inside the cap 45. The retaining washer 49 is located in the groove 50 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) and the annular lip 4
8 defines an outer intermediate diameter portion. The spring 44 is disposed between the annular lip 48 and the large diameter portion 51, around the intermediate diameter portion 46 of the barrel 42. With this arrangement, the spring 44 biases the barrel 42 outward from the cable and retains the barrel within the cap 45.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cap 45 has two slots 53, 53 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) facing in opposite directions and extending in the longitudinal direction. Each slot is a chamfered end 55 with a flange on the cap.
Extending from. The slot 53 also has a tapered portion 56 that opens toward an enlarged generally circular portion 57.
Is formed. The remaining portion of slot 53 is even narrower than the narrowest portion of tapered portion 56 and terminates at inner end 58. This structure allows the partition of the cap to be bent to allow a portion of the coupling 35 to enter the tapered portion of the slot 53 and a portion of the coupling 35 to be located within the enlarged portion 57.

Also, the thickness of various portions of the wall of the cap adjacent to each slot 53, 53 is increased to form a guide rail 59. The guide rail 59 includes the outer shell 27 (see FIG. 9).
~ See FIG. 12).
Each guide rail 59 has a groove 52 facing the inside of the outer shell 27.
It can be housed inside and prevents the cap from rotating relative to the outer shell. As a dual function, the guide rail 59 reinforces the wall defining the accessory slot 53.

Further, the cap 45 has a guide pin 61 (see FIG. 7). The guide pin 61 can be housed in a longitudinally extending slot 33 (see FIG. 6) in the barrel to guide movement of the barrel relative to the cap 45 and to orient the key 43 relative to the slots 53,53 in the cap. Can be maintained.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the end of the cap facing the flanged end 55 is threaded outwardly. The threaded portion facilitates securing the cap elsewhere on the connector and may further limit movement of the outer shell 27.

Means are also provided for transmitting the lateral force applied to the cable to the cap 45, instead of adversely affecting the optical connection. This is done by a cap extender (generally designated 60 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13). As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13, the cap extender 60 has an inwardly threaded end 62. The inner threaded end 62 can be screwed onto the outer threaded end of the cap 45. Cap extender 6
Projecting radially from the zero free end is an annular detent 63. Inner threaded end 62 has a small diameter portion 64
Connected to.

This small diameter portion is sufficiently separated from the outer surface of jacket 31 to form an annular space 66 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The annular space 66 allows the reinforcing member threads 29 to be arranged in a warped shape on the cable jacket and fixed between the rear tubular portion 67 (see FIG. 6) of the barrel 42 and the corrugated tubular member 68. The end 69 is connected to the small diameter portion 64. The end 69 has an inner diameter such that the end 69 fits snugly on the cable jacket.

The cap extender 60 has means for limiting the distance. By this means, the holding washer 4
9 can be moved from the annular lip 48. This configuration effectively limits the rearward movement of ferrule 40 that may occur due to accidental forces applied to cable 30. This prevents optical cutting of the fiber terminated by the two ferrules. Light cutting is prevented by placing an annular shoulder 70 on the cap extender. The shoulder 70 is concentrically disposed within the outer threaded portion of the cap extender 45, spaced apart therefrom. The diameter of the shoulder 70 is such that it engages the retaining washer 49 when the retaining washer moves to the left as shown in FIG.

Upon completion of the plug assembly 25, a conical cable support portion 75 (see FIG. 3) is formed extending from the cap extender 60 along the fiber optic cable 30. This portion of the plug assembly relieves stress on the cable and allows it to withstand flexing repeatedly during use after interconnection with another cable without excessive stress being transmitted to the optical fiber. . The cable support part has two ribs 76 and 77 protruding inward.
Have. This rib is housed in the grooves 78 and 79 of the cap extender 60.

The connector assembly 22 has an outer shell 27 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 9-12). The outer shell is disposed around the cap 45, the cap extender 60 and the cable support portion 75. As shown in FIG. 11, the outer shell 27 has a square cross section that intersects the longitudinal axis of the connector. Further, the outer shell 27 is formed to have a chamber 81. The chamber 81 has a substantially circular cross section, and includes a cap extender, a cap,
A connector assembly consisting of a barrel and a ferrule can be housed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9,
The outer shell 27 has an end 82 that includes an inwardly projecting collar 84 and bendable lateral shell portions 86, 86. A start point 85 is attached to each portion 86. The shell portion 86 has a knurled outer end portion 88. Also,
The shell portion 86 is provided with an inwardly facing latch 89 (see FIG. 12) on each side surface.

In the assembly of the connector, the outer shell 27 is placed on the cap 45. Then, the cap extender 60 is inserted into the opposite side of the outer shell and screwed into the cap. Needless to say, barrel 42, ferrule 4
0, the compression spring 44, and the holding washer 49 are incorporated in the cap.

When used, the connector assembly of FIG. 3 with the outer shell 27 located in the unfixed portion has a panel 37.
Mounted on the housing 90 of the coupling 35 (see FIG.
And 14), the ferrule 40
Into the sleeve 92 mounted in the housing. The key 43 of the barrel 42 is moved after being positioned in the key groove 94 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in the housing 90. Due to this positioning, the pins 96, 96 protruding in the radial direction from the coupling housing are not
5 tapered slots 53, 53 can be entered. 9 with respect to the key 43
It is placed at an angle of 0 degrees.

If the diameter of each locking pin 96 is larger than the width of the inner portion of the slot 53, such movement allows the cap walls to move apart. Further, movement of the connector assembly causes each pin 96 of the coupling housing to be received within the enlarged opening 57 (see FIG. 14) of the slot 53. The movement of each pin secures the cap to the coupling housing. Assembly of the connector assembly into the coupling housing is accomplished by linear movement of only the assembly relative to the coupling housing.

When the connector assembly 22 is secured to the coupling housing, the free end of the ferrule 40 abuts the free end of another ferrule already in the sleeve (see FIG. 2). In this case, the urging force of the spring causes
The left ferrule 40 as shown in Fig. 2 pushes another ferrule 40 'on the right shown in Fig. 2 to the point where the biasing forces of the two springs are balanced. Thereby, the free ends of the two ferrules are arranged in the optical connection surface 100. The end face 39 of the ferrule being pressed by the spring if the other ferrule is not already placed in the sleeve.
Will be located to the right of the optical connection surface 100 with the barrel 42 (see FIG. 14) engaging the coupling housing.

When the two ferrules 40, 40 are butted in the coupling sleeve 92 (see FIG. 2),
When the other ferrules are pulled out, each ferrule moves outward from its attached cap to the enlarged portion 51 of the barrel 42.
Can project a first distance X1 until they engage the coupling 35. Ferrule 40 from outside the sleeve, for example, by pulling force applied to the cable.
Moving backwards must be limited to a distance less than the first distance X1 in order to prevent photodisruption.

This is because the distance between the retaining washer 49 and the cap extender shoulder 70 is the first distance X1 when the ferrule is arranged in the sleeve so that its free end is located at the optical connecting surface 100. This is done by limiting to a second distance X2 which is shorter than that (see FIG. 2). The length of each cavity 97, 98 (see FIG. 2) within the end of the coupling housing 90 is generally the same when the housing is fitted to the sleeve retainer 102.

The linear arrangement of the barrel 42 and the ferrule 40 with respect to the cap is the guide pin 61 protruding inward of the cap.
Maintained by. The pin 61 is housed in a longitudinally extending slot 33 in the barrel and moves along this slot.

As shown in FIG. 14, the user can use the outer shell 2
Slide 7 from its non-fixed position to the fixed position shown in FIG. The outer shell 27 slides toward the ferrule end of the connector assembly, engaging the collar 84 with the flanged end of the cap. At this point, the compressed detent 63 moves along the side wall portion of the outer shell snap lock and engages the outer shell 27 latch (see FIG. 16). As a result, the cap groove 53, the portion 57 of the 53,
Coupling housing pins 96, 9 arranged at 57
The cap 45 is fixed at a position having 6. Pushing the shell toward the front of the cap provides a mechanical lock and prevents accidental disconnection of the connector plug assembly from the coupling housing 90 when the cable is inadvertently tensioned. To do.

As shown in FIG. 11, the outer shell has a cross-sectional shape (preferably square) intersecting the longitudinal axis. The inner portion of the shell contained within the cap has a generally circular cross section.

As explained above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the outer shell 27 is fixed to the cap 45, so that when the tensile force or the rotational force is applied to the cable 30, the connector 22 is coupled. Mechanical disconnection from the housing 90 is prevented. Not only is mechanical disconnection prevented, but the connector has a sleeve 92.
Optical disconnection from another connector inside can also be prevented.

Light cutting is prevented by its position relative to the shoulder 70 of the cap extender 60 and the retaining washer 49. As shown in FIG. 3, the cap extender 60 is threaded onto the cap 45, the ferrule 40 is located within the sleeve 92, and the front end portion of the barrel is spaced from the housing 90. This occurs due to the following: If there are ferrules 40, 40 that interengage with each other in the light plane within the sleeve 92, and if the other ferrule does not engage another ferrule (compare FIG. 14), the ferrule 40 ( Figure 2
This is because the ferrule on the right side (1) is not pushed outward by the spring 44.

In the case of the ferrule in such a position, the barrel 42 does not engage with the housing 90, and the holding washer 49 also has the annular lip 4 of the cap 45.
Far from eight. Further, the holding washer is separated from the shoulder 70 by a distance X2. Importantly, the distance X2 at which the ferrule 40 is joined to the cable under tension
But its attached spring 44, which can move past the light plane 100 and keep up with the ferrule 40 when applied to a tension cable 30 that is much larger than 2 pounds.
It is smaller than the distance X1 that the ferrule 40 'can move under the influence of.

Therefore, when a tensile force is applied to the cable 30, the associated ferrule 40 moves to the left side as shown in FIG. As this happens, ferrule 40
′ Moves so as to follow the ferrule 40 while maintaining the engagement state with the ferrule 40. Ferrule 4
The holding washer 49 of zero engages the shoulder 70, and the distance X1 that the ferrule 40 'can move is greater than the distance X2, so that the ferrule 40' remains engaged with the ferrule 40. This prevents light disconnection. Further, the movement of the ferrule 40 is prevented because it is engaged with the shoulder 70 by the holding washer 49.

The above arrangement is effective when the coupling is attached to the panel 37 and a pulling force is applied only to one cable 30 of the connection assembly, such as when a force is applied to the cable on one side of the panel. Is. If a pulling force is applied to both sides of the splice assembly at the same time, optical disconnection may occur.

To remove the connector 22 from the coupling 35, the user depresses the flexible portions 86,86 of the outer shell adjacent the knurled ends 88,88. This causes the portions 86,86 to flex around their associated fulcrums, releasing the latches 89,89 from the detents on the cap extender. Thus, the connector 22 can be removed from the coupling 35 by applying a pulling force to the cap.

As shown in FIG. 17, the fiber optic connector 20 of the present invention may also be organized within a duplex connector 110. The duplex connector 110 has an outer shell 112 having a rectangular cross section. The outer shell 112 has two cylindrical cavities. Each cavity can accommodate a connector plug assembly. No special coupling or outlet required. Two connector subassemblies 25,2
Mount 5 side-by-side and assemble into two couplings separated by an appropriate distance. Of course, a connector including three or more of the above connectors can also be manufactured.

[0040]

【The invention's effect】 [Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector device for connecting an optical fiber of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side development view of the optical fiber connector device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side development view of the connector of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side development view of the cap of the connector of FIG. 3;

5 is a plan view of the cap of FIG. 4. FIG.

6 is a plan view of the barrel of the connector of FIG.

7 is an end view of the cap of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7. FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 5 taken along line 8-8.

9 is a plan view of a shell portion of the connector of FIG.

10 is a plan view of the shell of FIG. 9 taken along line 10-10. FIG.

11 is an end view of the shell of FIG. 9 taken along line 11-11. FIG.

12 is a detailed view of a latch of the shell of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a side development view of a cap extender having the function of limiting the movement of the barrel and fixing the shell to the cap extender and the cap.

14 is a side elevational view in section of the connector of FIG. 3 with the shell in the disengaged state and the ferrule exposed from the coupling housing.

15 is a fully developed view of the connector of FIG. 14 with the shell moving to the locked state.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a dual connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Connector Device 21 Optical Fiber 22 Connector 25 Corkator Subassembly 27 Outer Shell 28 Tube 29 Reinforcing Material 30 Fiber Cable 31 Outer Jacket 32 Lock Washer 33 Slot 34 Nut 35 Coupling 37 Panel 38 Longitudinal Axis 39 End Face 40 Plug (Ferrule) 41 Passage 42 Barrel 43 Key 44 Compression spring 45 Cap 46 Intermediate diameter part 47 Opening 48 Annular lip 49 Holding washer 50 Groove 51 Large diameter part 53 Slot 55 Flange chamfered end 56 Tapered part 57 Circular (enlarged) part 59 Guide Rail 60 Cap extender 61 Guide pin 62 Threaded end 63 Annular detent 64 Small diameter part 66 Annular space 67 Rear annular part 68 Corrugated annular member 69 End 70 Shoulder 5 Cable Indicating Part 76 Rib 77 Rib 78 Groove 79 Groove 81 Chamber 82 End 84 Inner Projecting Collar 85 Starting Point 86 Lateral Shell 88 88 Terminal Part 90 Housing 92 Coupling Sleeve 96 Pin 97, 98 Cavity 100 Optical Connection Surface 102 Sleeve Holder

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Norman Roger Lampert United States 30092 Georgia Norcross, Allenhurst Drive 3809 (56) Reference JP 64-31105 (JP, A) JP 1-134406 (JP, A) JP 62-129804 (JP, A) JP-A-58-211724 (JP, A) Fukukaihei 4-22702 (JP, U)

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fiber optic connector device for terminating an optical fiber and coupling with another optical path, comprising a cap (45) having an axial slot having an enlarged portion disposed inwardly from an entrance, A cap extender (60) having a fiber entrance end and an opposite end connected to the optical fiber entrance end of the cap; and a cap extender (60) mounted in the cap and attached to the outside from the optical fiber entrance end of the cap toward the opposite end. A biased barrel (42) and a ferrule (40) disposed within the barrel and having a passage for receiving an end of an optical fiber, the ferrule being within a sleeve of a coupling housing (90). A cap that is disposed and abuts a means for terminating another optical path at an optical coupling plane in the sleeve, the cap including a ferrule, A straight line between the ferrule and the sleeve so that the locking pin of the housing enters a slot in the cap and the cap is positioned in its enlarged portion for engagement in the housing. The end cap is assembled into a coupling housing by movement, the end cap being in a sleeve that terminates another optical path under the force applied by the ferrule to the jacketed optical fiber in the direction of the fiber inlet of the cap expander. Until it no longer maintains optical coupling with the means of
The barrel toward the optical fiber inlet end of the cap expander, while engaging the bias of the barrel so that engagement of the ferrule with the means in the sleeve of the coupling terminating the other optical path continues. And a means for limiting the movement of the ferrule, and means for cooperating with the cap to prevent the lock pin from coming off the cap. 2. The barrel and the ferrule are biased to move the ferrule a first distance beyond the optical coupling plane when the other ferrule is disengaged from within the sleeve, the cap Is fixed to the housing and restricts movement from a facing end of the cap of the barrel and the ferrule toward a fiber optic inlet end by a second distance that is less than a first distance. apparatus. 3. The two barrels are arranged in a coupling housing arranged in a panel and a pulling force is applied to an optical fiber cable having a fiber terminated by the ferrule to retreat the movement of the ferrules. The device of claim 1 wherein said retracting movement is limited to a distance less than a first distance that another ferrule can move to maintain optical contact with said ferrule. 4. The cap has a flange end and a slot that is diametrically opposed and that extends axially from the flange end toward the optical fiber inlet of the cap that is opposed to the flange end. And an inner portion extending between the inner end of the slot and the lock pin of the coupling to which the connector is connected, wherein the cap is disposed adjacent to the opposite end and extends inwardly. A lip, the barrel extending through an opening defined by an annular lip of the cap and having an enlarged end adjacent the flange portion of the cap, the barrel having a cavity leading to the enlarged end; A key housed in a keyway of a coupling, the ferrule has a passage for receiving an end of an optical fiber, and the ferrule has a cavity. A ferrule having an end disposed therein, the ferrule being disposed within the sleeve of the coupling and abutting another ferrule terminating another optical fiber at an optical mating plane within the sleeve, and further comprising a compression spring ( 44) is disposed between one side of the annular lip of the cap and the enlarged end of the barrel to urge the barrel and the ferrule outward of the cap,
As for the bias of the ferrule, the other ferrule is disengaged from the inside of the sleeve, the ferrule can move the optical surface by the first distance or more, and the holding means (49) is arranged on the opposite side of the annular link. Is located around the barrel in place and holds the barrel within the cap as the force of the compression spring pushes the barrel outward and axially from the cap, and a cap extender is located, which is A cap extender having an optical fiber inlet and an opposite end connected to the optical fiber inlet for transmitting a force applied to the cable of the cap, the cap extender further having an abutment means (70), The cap is fixed to the housing, and the optical fiber is inserted from the opposite ends of the cap extender of the barrel and the ferrule. Limiting the movement in the direction of the mouth end to the shorter than the first distance second distance,
Further, a detent means (63) adjacent to the opposite end of the cap is provided, and a shell (27) relates to the cap extender,
Concentrically arranged with sliding movement, the shell further comprises an annular inwardly projecting collar (84) located adjacent the end and an annular latch means formed between the collar and the opposite end. And the shell is movable from an unlocked position in which the collar is located adjacent to the detent means to a locked position such that the detent means snap locks to the latch means, the collar comprising: Disposed adjacent to a flange end of the cap, the ferrule disposed within a coupling housing,
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is retained so that the locking pin of the coupling housing in which the ferrule is located is retained within the enlarged portion of the slot in the cap. 5. The ferrule is mounted in a sleeve in a coupling housing in engagement with another ferrule, the barrel is spaced from the coupling housing, and the cap extender is Located concentrically within the opposite ends of the cap extender,
The shoulder has a shoulder that engages the rotating means when the pulling force is applied to the cap extender, and the barrel has a portion that extends into the cap extender and has an annular member crimped thereto. The apparatus of claim 4. 6. The shell is moveable axially of the connector to disengage its latching means from the detent means and consequently mechanically disengage the connector from the coupling. And the annular abutment means is configured such that the retaining means on the barrel causes the retaining means on the barrel to move the barrel and ferrule a second distance after the force applied to the cable has moved the second distance.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the retaining means on the barrel is configured to engage the annular abutment means, the second distance being such that the optical connection is retained during its movement.