JP2552747Y2 - Optical connector - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector in which a ferrule is inserted into a terminal of an optical fiber cable, and more particularly to an improvement in a connector structure for fixing an optical fiber cable to a ferrule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an optical fiber cable is formed by coating an optical fiber with an inner jacket made of nylon or the like, and coating this with an outer jacket via a fiber or the like.

On the other hand, as a technique for connecting a male connector to the end of the optical fiber cable, the outer and inner jackets of the cable end are peeled off, and the exposed fiber portion and the inner jacket are sequentially removed from the end. An exposed part and a part covered with the outer cover are formed, and these three parts are inserted into the ferrule. In this state, the position of the part where the inner cover is exposed and the position of the part where the outer cover is covered 2. Description of the Related Art A ferrule is known in which a ferrule is crimped at two positions to fix an optical fiber in the ferrule. (Eg, 63
-88803).

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a conventional optical connector is manufactured by first passing a flexible boot 2 and a holder 3 through an optical fiber cable 1, and fitting the concave portions 2A and 2B of the boot 2 to the holder. These two members 2 and 3 are integrated by fitting the fitting projections 3A and 3B,
Next, the coil spring 4 and the ferrule 8 are passed through the optical fiber cable 1, a part of the ferrule 8 is crimped, and the ferrule 8 and the optical fiber cable 1 are crimped. In this state, the ferrule is inserted into the plug housing 5, and the boot is inserted. 2 and the plug housing 5 are engaged. The coil spring 4 is interposed between the holder 3 and the flange of the ferrule 8,
The ferrule 8 is urged toward the distal end of the optical fiber cable 1, whereby the optical fiber cable 1 is elastically held by the plug housing 5.

When the ferrule 8 is inserted into the optical fiber cable 1, the optical fiber 6A is exposed by peeling the inner cover 6B, the fiber 6C and the outer cover 6D as shown in FIG. Is inserted into a portion where the inner cover 6B is exposed, and a ferrule 8 is
The cover 6 is inserted up to the site where it is covered.

Therefore, the inside of the ferrule 8 is composed of a small diameter portion into which the optical fiber 6A is inserted, a medium diameter portion into which the inner jacket 6B is inserted, and a large diameter portion into which the outer jacket 6D is inserted. Is swaged in the state where it is inserted through the ferrule 8, the ferrule 8 and the sleeve 7 are deformed to hold the inner cover 6B, and the outer cover is swaged, and the ferrule 8 is deformed to hold the outer cover 6D. Let it.

[0007]

However, in the above-described optical connector, the ferrule 8 and the sleeve 7 are not provided.
Is deformed to crimp and hold the optical fiber cable, so that the ferrule 8 and the sleeve 7 need to be formed of a metal such as a soft metal.

However, forming a through-hole for passing an optical fiber cable through such a metal requires a high level of technology and is not suitable for mass production. Therefore, by passing the through-hole through the ferrule 8 and the sleeve 7, manufacturing costs are reduced. Was significantly higher.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide an optical connector that can significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of a hole for inserting an optical fiber cable into a ferrule. It is.

[0010]

A first optical connector according to the present invention comprises a ferrule member through which one end of an optical fiber cable is inserted, a fixing member for fixing the optical fiber cable to the ferrule member, and a ferrule member. An optical connector comprising a housing to accommodate the connector;
The ferrule member is a ferrule main body formed by projecting a tubular portion covering the tip of the optical fiber cable from one surface of the box-shaped portion, and on the side opposite to the tubular portion projecting side of the box-shaped portion. The ferrule body comprises a sub-assembly with a holder that is attached to the ferrule body via an elastic member. The fixing member cuts into the coating of the optical fiber cable through a slit in the box-shaped portion of the ferrule body. The ferrule main body is connected to the connector by inserting the sub-assembly into the connector housing from the cylindrical portion side and locking the holder to the connector housing, the retainer having a substantially U-shaped slot plate. It is characterized by being movable along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable with respect to the housing.

Further, the second optical connector of the present invention includes a ferrule member through which one end of the optical fiber cable is inserted,
A fixing member for fixing the optical fiber cable to the ferrule member, and an optical connector including a connector housing for housing the ferrule member, the ferrule member is a substantially cylindrical body having a flange on the outer surface,
The fixing member is composed of a pair of clamp members each having a groove into which the flange is fitted, a projection that cuts into the coating of the optical fiber cable, and a latch engaging means, and sandwiches the ferrule member and the optical fiber cable. In this state, the pair of clamp members are combined to latch-engage the latch engagement means with each other, the ferrule member is inserted into the connector housing, an elastic member is interposed between the fixing member and the holder, By locking the holder to the connector housing,
The ferrule member can be moved with respect to the connector housing along an axial direction of the optical fiber cable.

Further, a third optical connector of the present invention is:
In an optical connector comprising a ferrule member through which one end of an optical fiber cable is inserted, a fixing member for fixing the optical fiber cable to the ferrule member, and a connector housing for accommodating the ferrule member, wherein the ferrule member is fixed. A box-shaped portion for accommodating and holding members, and a cylindrical portion projecting from one surface of the box-shaped portion and covering a tip of the optical fiber cable, wherein the fixing member is press-fitted to a jacket of the optical fiber cable. An open barrel, a substantially U-shaped slot member that bites into the inner cover, and an engaging projection provided on the open barrel and engaging with an engaging concave portion of the box-shaped portion. The ferrule member integrated with the fixing member by the engagement of the engagement recess is inserted into the connector housing from the cylindrical portion side, A leaf spring having a substantially U-shaped slot is interposed between the attached open barrel and a holder having a substantially U-shaped slot, and the ferrule member is locked by locking the holder to the connector housing. Is movable along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable with respect to the connector housing.

[0013]

In the above construction, the ferrule member or the optical fiber cable is not fixed by deforming the ferrule member or the sleeve.

That is, in the first optical connector, a holding plate that is held by a ferrule member and cuts a slot into a cable coating. In the second optical connector, a pair of upper and lower clamp members is used. In the optical connector, the optical fiber cable is held by the ferrule member by an optical fiber cable fixing member engaged with the ferrule member.

As a result, the ferrule member does not have to be formed of metal, and the ferrule member can be easily manufactured by molding with plastic resin, thereby greatly reducing the manufacturing cost for drilling the ferrule member. be able to.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views showing a first optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, this optical connector is a male connector connected to the end of the optical fiber cable 11,
A flexible boot 12 and a cable holding pre-assembly (sub-assembly) 13 through which the optical fiber cable 11 is inserted, and a cable holding pre-assembly 13 which holds the flexible boot 12 and
Is provided with a plug housing portion 14 for housing the plug housing.

The cable holding pre-assembly portion 13 includes a ferrule body 15, a coil spring 16, a holder 17 elastically engaged with the ferrule body 15 via the coil spring 16, and a retainer for fixing the optical fiber cable 11 to the ferrule body 15. It consists of 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the order of assembling the optical connector is as follows. First, a flexible boot 12 is inserted into an optical fiber cable 11 from one end thereof, and similarly, a pre-assembled cable holding pre-assembly portion 13 is inserted. Is inserted. Next, the retainer 18 is pressed down to fix the optical fiber cable 11 to the ferrule main body 15. Next, an end face treatment of the optical fiber is performed. If the optical fiber is PCF (plastic clad fiber), it is processed by polishing or stress rupture, and AP
If it is F (all plastic fiber), it is processed by a hot plate. Finally the connector housing
The cable holding pre-assembly portion 13 is accommodated and held in 14B, and the flexible boot 12 is held.

FIG. 2 shows a housing 14A of a mating connector of the plug housing 14B, a receiver 14C, a transmitter 14D and a cover 14E, and furthermore, an optical fiber cable 11B.
A male optical connector 19 connected to the other end of the connector is illustrated.
The shape of the plug housing 14B shown in FIG. 2 is different from that of the plug housing portion 14 of FIG.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a cable holding pre-assembly section 13.
Is an enlarged view of the assembled state. As shown in FIG. 3, the ferrule body 15 has a substantially box shape,
A cylindrical portion 15C that protrudes the tip of the optical fiber cable 11 protrudes from the surface opposite to the holder disposition side. The sliding pieces 17 of the holder 17 are provided on both sides of the ferrule body 15.
A wide groove 15B is formed so that A can slide.
In addition, the end of each groove 15B on the holder arrangement side is
An engagement projection 15A is formed to engage with the engagement groove of the sliding piece 17A of the 17 and prevent the holder 17 from dropping off from the ferrule main body 15, whereby the ferrule main body 15 and the holder 17 are connected to the coil spring 16 , So that they are elastically engaged with each other.
The upper surface of the holder 17 is formed with a tapered engaging projection 17B for engaging the cable holding pre-assembly portion 13 with the plug housing 14B.

FIG. 4 shows an optical fiber cable 11 and a retainer 18 for holding the cable 11 on the ferrule main body 15. The retainer 18 has a substantially U-shape as a whole, and U-side ends thereof are open on both side walls.
A slot having a U-shape is formed.

One slot 18A is an optical fiber cable
11 is inserted to a predetermined position of the ferrule main body 15, and the inner cover is kept in a state where the retainer 18 is pressed below the ferrule main body 15.
It has a width enough to cut into 11B and fix it, and when the outer shape of the inner cover 11B is, for example, about 1.5 mm, for example, 1.
It is formed to about 2mm. The other slot 18B has such a width as to bite into the jacket 11D in the above-mentioned state and fix it, and is formed to be, for example, about 2.5 mm when the outer shape of the jacket 11D is, for example, about 3 mm.

As described above, the optical fiber cable 11 is fixed to the retainer 18 at two locations, ie, the inner exposed portion and the outer sheathed portion, so that the optical fiber 11A is securely fixed. As shown in FIG. 3, the retainer 18 has both side walls inserted through slits formed in the upper wall of the ferrule main body 15, respectively. Movable but fiber optic cable 11
The movement is prevented in the front-rear direction, which is the stretching direction. As a result, the optical fiber cable 11 is connected to the ferrule body 15 with the retainer 18 biting into the optical fiber cable.
It will be fixed to.

According to the above embodiment, the optical fiber cable
No crimping process is required to fix the ferrule body 11 to the ferrule body 15, and the ferrule body 15 can be formed by resin. It can be inexpensive.

The ferrule body 15, the coil spring 16,
Holder 17 and retainer 18 are cable holding pre-assembly parts.
Since the optical fiber cable 11 can be pre-assembled, the number of components to be inserted into the optical fiber cable 11 is two, that is, the flexible boot 12 and the cable holding pre-assembly portion 13, thereby improving the assembling workability and the ease of handling. Thus, mass productivity can be improved.

Further, the fixing of the optical fiber cable 11 by the retainer 18 is less likely to apply an excessive stress to the optical fiber 11A as compared with the crimping and fixing using a conventional crimping device, thereby preventing the deterioration of the optical fiber 11A. can do.

Next, a second optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this optical connector is a flexible boot that is inserted into the optical fiber cable 11.
22, a holder 23, a coil spring 26 and a ferrule 27, a pair of clamp members 28 and 29 for clamping the optical fiber cable 11 while the optical fiber cable 11 is inserted through the ferrule 27, and a plug housing for accommodating or holding these members It has 24.

The flexible boot 22 has a plurality of engaging recesses on the wall.
The holder 23 is held by the flexible boot 22 by engaging the engagement protrusions 23A, 23B of the holder 23 with the engagement recesses 22A, 22B.

The ferrule 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a flange 27C at one end on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 27B.
A large diameter portion 27A is formed at the center.

In the state where the optical fiber cable 11 is inserted through the ferrule 27, the clamp members 28 and 29
1 and 27 are clamped from above and below, and the engaging recesses 28A of one clamp member 28 are latch-engaged with the engaging projections 29A of the other clamp member 29, thereby clamping the both 11, 27. In this clamped state, the ferrule 27 flange
27C fits into the groove 29B of the clamp member 29, and the inner jacket 11B of the optical fiber cable 11 is
C, the jacket 11D of the optical fiber cable 11 is clamped by the other arc-shaped projection 29D, and the optical fiber cable 11 and the ferrule 27 are connected to each other by the pair of clamp members 28,
Fixed to each other by 29.

These members are connected to the plug housing 24.
The flexible boot 22 is held by the plug housing 24 when housed in the ferrule, and the coil spring 26 is interposed between the clamp member 28 and the holder 23 integrated with the flexible boot 22. 27 is elastically held by the plug housing 24.

According to the above embodiment, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, resin molding of the ferrule 27 and the clamp members 28, 29 is possible, so that it is extremely easy to form a through hole through which the optical fiber cable 11 is inserted. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

FIG. 6 shows an optical connector in which the optical fiber cable 11 and the ferrule 34B are fixed using the clamp members 35 and 36 as in the optical connector shown in FIG. The ferrule 34B is formed integrally with the connector housing 34.
5 is different from the optical connector shown in FIG. The engagement recess 35A of the one clamp member 35 and the engagement protrusion 36A of the other clamp member 36 are engaged, and the inner cover 11B of the optical fiber cable 11 is connected to the one protrusion 36C, and the outer cover 11D of the optical fiber cable 11 is connected. The optical fiber 11A is clamped by the other protrusion 36D, and the tip of the optical fiber 11A is projected from the clamp members 35 and 36 and inserted into the ferrule 34B.
The engagement recess 34A is engaged with the engagement recess 34A. Thus, the optical fiber cable 11 is fixed to the plug housing 34.

The optical connector shown in FIG.
The same effect as that of the optical connector shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained, and the through hole for the optical fiber cable 11 of the ferrule 34B and the clamp members 35 and 36 can be manufactured at low cost.

Next, a third optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The optical connector includes a flexible boot 42 for inserting the optical fiber cable 11, a holder 43 having a U-shaped slot attachable to the optical fiber cable 11 from the side, an open barrel 46, a slot member 45, and a leaf spring. 48, optical fiber cable using open barrel 46 and slot member 45
A ferrule 47 for fixing the component 11 and a plug housing 44 for housing and holding these members are provided.

The open barrel 46 and the slot member 45 are formed integrally.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner cover 11B of the optical fiber cable 11 is bitten and held by a slot member 45 having a U-shaped slot with an open end, and the outer cover 11D of the optical fiber cable 11 has an open barrel 46. Retained by caulking.

This optical fiber cable 11 is connected to a ferrule 47.
When the distal end of the cable 11 is accommodated in a cylindrical body 47A disposed at the distal end of the ferrule 47, the engaging projections 46A and 46B disposed at the end of the open barrel 46 are connected to the ferrule 47. The engagement recesses (one of the upper and lower walls)
47B only), thereby fixing the optical fiber cable 11 to the ferrule 47.

A flexible boot 42 is held in the plug housing 44, and a leaf spring 48 is connected to the open barrel 46 and the flexible boot.
Since the optical fiber cable 11 is interposed between the holders 43 held by 42, the optical fiber cable 11 is elastically held by the plug housing 44.

According to the above embodiment, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the ferrule 47 can be resin-molded, so that it is extremely easy to form the through hole of the ferrule 47 through which the optical fiber cable 11 is inserted. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Also, the flexible boot 42 and the ferrule 47
The other members can be attached from the side without inserting the optical fiber cable 11, which can reduce the number of processes and can reduce the number of parts.
Even if it is attached to 11, it can be attached afterwards, and the incidence of defective products can be reduced.

Further, the inner jacket 11B of the optical fiber cable 11
Is fixed by the slot member 45, so that there is less possibility that an excessive stress is applied to the optical fiber 11A as compared with the crimping and fixing using a crimping device, and thus the deterioration of the optical fiber 11A can be prevented.

The optical connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

[0045]

According to the optical connector of the present invention, the optical fiber cable is fixed to the ferrule member by the substantially U-shaped slot plate which cuts into the coating of the optical fiber cable through the slit of the ferrule member. Since the optical fiber cable can be fixed to the ferrule member without crimping the ferrule member, it is possible to mold the ferrule member with a metal instead of brass or the like, so that the fiber through hole of the ferrule member can be easily formed, The cost of forming the fiber through hole can be greatly reduced. Also, since the ferrule member is configured as a sub-assembly of the ferrule body, the elastic member and the holder, the optical connector assembling work for spring-biasing the ferrule body to the mating connector without individually inserting the optical fiber cable into each member. In addition, it is easy to respond to automatic assembly as well as to improve the performance.

According to the optical connector of the second aspect, the ferrule member has a flange, and the fixing member has a pair of clamps each having a groove in which the flange is fitted, a projection that cuts into the sheath of the optical fiber cable, and a latch engaging means. The optical fiber cable is fixed to the ferrule member by latching a pair of clamp members, and the optical fiber cable can be fixed to the ferrule member without crimping the ferrule member. Since it is possible to mold the resin instead of using a metal such as the above, the fiber through hole of the ferrule member can be easily formed, and the cost of forming the fiber through hole can be greatly reduced. Further, since the optical fiber cable is fixed to the ferrule member by latching the latch engagement means of the pair of clamp members with the ferrule member and the optical fiber cable sandwiched therebetween, an expensive crimping tool is not required. Easy to assemble on site.

According to the optical connector of the third aspect, the open barrel that is crimped to the outer jacket of the optical fiber cable, the substantially U-shaped slot plate that cuts into the inner jacket, and the engaging projection provided on the open barrel are integrally formed. The optical fiber cable is fixed to the ferrule member by the fixing member, and the optical fiber cable can be fixed to the ferrule member without crimping the ferrule member itself. Therefore, instead of manufacturing the ferrule member with metal such as brass, resin molding is performed. Therefore, the fiber through-hole of the ferrule member can be easily formed, and the formation cost of the fiber through-hole can be greatly reduced. The optical connector includes a fixing member having an open barrel and a substantially U-shaped slot plate, a holder having a substantially U-shaped slot, and a leaf spring having a substantially U-shaped slot. Since these members can be mounted from the side in the axial direction, the workability of assembling the optical connector for urging the ferrule member against the mating connector is improved, and it is easy to cope with automatic assembly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining an assembling order of the optical connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a cable holding pre-assembly section shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the retainer and the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a second optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an optical connector in which a ferrule does not move.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a third optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of FIG. 7 in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional optical connector.

10 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the optical connector shown in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Optical fiber cable 11B Inner jacket 11D outer jacket 13 Cable holding pre-assembly (subassembly) 14, 24, 44 Plug housing (connector housing) 15, 27, 47 Ferrule 15C, 47A Cylindrical section 16, 26 Coil spring (elastic) 17), 23, 43 Holder 18 Retainer 27C Flange 28, 29 Clamping member 28A, 29A Latch engagement means 29B Groove 29C, 29D Projection 45 Slot member 46 Open barrel 46A, 46B Engagement projection 47B Engagement recess 48 Leaf spring

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-233346 (JP, A) JP-A-61-176511 (JP, U) JP-A-58-185810 (JP, U) JP-A-59-185810 68309 (JP, U) Fully open sho 62-38608 (JP, U) Really open sho 63-35007 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An optical connector comprising: a ferrule member through which one end of an optical fiber cable is inserted; a fixing member that fixes the optical fiber cable to the ferrule member; and a connector housing that houses the ferrule member. The member is a ferrule main body formed by projecting a tubular portion covering the tip of the optical fiber cable from one surface of the box-shaped portion, and is located on the opposite side of the box-shaped portion from the projecting side of the tubular portion. And a sub-assembly with a holder attached to the ferrule body via an elastic member. The fixing member substantially cuts into the coating of the optical fiber cable through a slit in the box-shaped portion of the ferrule body. The sub-assembly is inserted into the connector housing from the cylindrical portion side, and The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule main body is movable along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable with respect to the connector housing by locking a holder to the connector housing. 2. An optical connector comprising: a ferrule member through which one end of an optical fiber cable is inserted; a fixing member that fixes the optical fiber cable to the ferrule member; and a connector housing that houses the ferrule member. The member is a substantially cylindrical body having a flange on an outer surface, and the fixing member is a pair of clamp members each having a groove into which the flange is fitted, a protrusion that cuts into the coating of the optical fiber cable, and latch engagement means. Wherein the ferrule member and the optical fiber cable are sandwiched and the pair of clamp members are combined to latch-engage the latch engagement means with each other, and the ferrule member is inserted into the connector housing; An elastic member is interposed between the fixing member and the holder, and the holder An optical connector, wherein the ferrule member is movable along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable with respect to the connector housing by locking the ferrule member with the connector housing. 3. An optical connector comprising: a ferrule member through which one end of an optical fiber cable is inserted; a fixing member for fixing the optical fiber cable to the ferrule member; and a connector housing for accommodating the ferrule member. The member comprises a box-shaped portion for housing and holding the fixing member, and a cylindrical portion covering the end of the optical fiber cable protruding from one surface of the box-shaped portion, and the fixing member includes the optical fiber cable. An open barrel that is crimped to the outer cover, a substantially U-shaped slot member that cuts into the inner cover, and an engaging projection that is provided in the open barrel and engages with an engaging recess of the box-shaped portion, The ferrule member integrated with the fixing member by the engagement of the engagement protrusion and the engagement recess is connected to the connector housing from the cylindrical portion side. A leaf spring having a substantially U-shaped slot is interposed between the open barrel crimped and crimped and a holder having a substantially U-shaped slot, and the holder is locked to the connector housing. Thus, the ferrule member can be moved along the axial direction of the optical fiber cable with respect to the connector housing.