JP2913550B1 - Pre-assembled optical connector and optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A pre-assembled optical connector capable of adjusting core eccentricity without increasing the number of parts and an optical connector using the same. SOLUTION: A collar member 2 fixed to a base end portion of a ferrule cylindrical body 1, an optical fiber core wire and the collar member 2 are provided.
The through-hole into which the rear end portion is inserted, and the collar member 2
A stop ring that is axially movably engaged with the rear end of the collar member, and is held between the collar member 2 and the stop ring while the collar member 2 is axially biased against the stop ring. The collar member 2 and the stop ring are engaged with a first locking portion 2d provided on an outer peripheral surface of the collar member 2 and an inner peripheral surface of the stop ring. The first locking portion 2d is provided in the second locking portion 3c by combining the movement in the axial direction and the rotation around the axis. Penetrate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a pre-assembled optical connector and an optical connector incorporating a ferrule for fixing an end of an optical fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, optical connectors of ST type, FC type, SC type and the like have been known. In such an optical connector, since it is generally necessary to manually assemble a ferrule to which the tip of an optical fiber is fixed to various parts holding the ferrule, there is a problem that it takes much time and effort.

Therefore, a method is known in which a ferrule and other parts that do not hold an optical fiber are assembled in advance, and the optical fiber is fixed to the assembled part. For example, in the case of an SC connector, an assembly component is known in which a plug frame and a stop ring are assembled in advance so that a ferrule is held between them in a floating state.
However, there is a problem that the core eccentricity cannot be adjusted because the direction around the axis cannot be selected when assembling the assembled component to the SC type plug housing.

[0004] Therefore, without assembling the plug frame and the stop ring, the ferrule and the stop ring are combined with each other.
The structure of an assembly part in which a ferrule is rotatably connected to a stop ring is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-324.
No. 231. When an assembly component having the structure disclosed in this publication is used, after the optical fiber is fixed to the assembly component, the direction around the axis can be selected when assembling to the plug frame, so that the direction of the core eccentricity is adjusted. Can be.

[0005]

However, the structure disclosed in the above-mentioned publication uses a special pre-assembly spring, which not only increases the number of parts but also increases the cost due to the complicated structure of the pre-assembly spring itself. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time to assemble in advance using a pre-assembly spring.

[0006] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a pre-assembled optical connector capable of adjusting the core eccentricity without increasing the number of parts and an optical connector using the same.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ferrule cylindrical member having an optical fiber insertion hole into which an optical fiber is inserted, and a ferrule cylindrical member. A collar member formed with an optical fiber core insertion hole into which an optical fiber core coated with an outer periphery is inserted and fixed to a base end of the ferrule cylindrical body; the optical fiber core and the collar A stop ring having a through-hole into which the rear end of the member is inserted and being axially movably engaged with the rear end of the collar member; and attaching the collar member to the stop ring in the axial direction. An elastic member held between the collar member and the stop ring in a biased state, wherein the engagement between the collar member and the stop ring is a first member provided on an outer peripheral surface of the collar member. Locking part and the stop Is achieved by the second engaging portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of grayed, the first engaging portion is never just axial movement through said second locking portion,
A pre-assembled optical connector is characterized in that it penetrates by combining axial movement and rotation about the axis.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first engaging portion is a male screw portion, and the second engaging portion is a female screw portion. In the optical connector. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, one of the first and second engagement portions is a projection, and the other is a groove into which the projection can be inserted. In the pre-assembled optical connector.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the pre-assembled optical connector according to the third aspect, wherein the groove portion includes a portion oblique to the axial direction or along the rotational direction. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the pre-assembled optical connector is
The pre-assembled optical connector is characterized by constituting a C-type optical connector. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector comprising the pre-assembled optical connector according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

According to the present invention, the ferrule and the stop ring are preassembled so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.
After holding the optical fiber in this, core eccentricity adjustment can be performed. In addition, since pre-assembly is realized without increasing the number of parts and with a less complicated structure, the cost increase can be minimized, and the end face can be polished with a normal ferrule polishing machine in the pre-assembled state. It is.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an exploded state and a pre-assembled state of a pre-assembled optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a pre-assembled state of a ferrule and a stop ring.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pre-assembled optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment includes a ferrule cylindrical body 1 fixed to an end of an optical fiber, and a ferrule cylindrical body 1.
The collar member 2 is fixed to the rear end of the collar member, a stop ring 3 for holding the rear end of the collar member 2, and a spring 4 held between the collar member 2 and the stop ring 3. The ferrule cylindrical body 1 is, for example, a cylindrical body made of ceramic such as zirconia or stainless steel, and has a through hole for an optical fiber into which a bare optical fiber can be inserted. on the other hand,
The collar member 2 is fixed to the rear end portion of the ferrule tubular body 1 and is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or plastics, and is provided in the optical fiber through hole of the ferrule tubular body 1. It has a through hole that allows communication and allows insertion of an optical fiber core. The structure in which the ferrule cylindrical body 1 is fixed to the collar member 2 is generally called a ferrule 5.

The front end of the collar member 2 has, for example,
A flange portion 2a that can be fitted to the SC type plug frame;
A rear end portion 2b that can be inserted into the spring 4 and the stop ring 3 extends rearward. Further, the brim member 2
A second flange portion 2c is formed on the outer periphery of the rear end portion 2b, and a male screw portion 2d is formed on the outer periphery of the second flange portion 2c.

On the other hand, the stop ring 3 has a rear end 2b of the collar member 2 and a through-hole into which an optical cord for holding the above-mentioned optical fiber core can be inserted. The strength member is swaged. A small-diameter portion 3b having a reduced inner diameter is provided inside the through hole of the stop ring 3, and a female screw portion 3c that meshes with the above-described male screw portion 2d is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 3b. .

Here, the ferrule 5 composed of the collar member 2 holding the ferrule cylindrical body 1 has a state in which the spring 4 is mounted on the rear end 2b of the collar member 2 as shown in FIG. When the male screw portion 2d of the second collar portion 2c is engaged with the female screw portion 3c of the small diameter portion 3b of the stop ring 3, the second collar portion 2c becomes small as shown in FIG.
b, and is locked at the rear end face of the small diameter portion 3b. As a result, the spring 4 is connected to the rear end face of the collar portion 2a and the small diameter portion 2
b is held in a compressed state with the front end face, and has an elastic force for urging the ferrule 5 forward with respect to the stop ring 3.

Here, the state in which the second flange portion 2c and the small-diameter portion 3b of the collar member 2 are assembled and engaged is called a pre-assembled state, and this is called a pre-assembled optical connector 10. In this pre-assembled state, the ferrule 5 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the stop ring 3, is held in a floating state by the spring 4, and is rotatable, and at least the male screw part 2 d and the female screw part 3 c The engagement is not released by the relative rotation in the meshing direction.

Accordingly, the optical fiber is fixed to the pre-assembled optical connector 10, that is, the ferrule is fixed to the through hole of the ferrule with an adhesive, and the distal end surface of the ferrule cylindrical body 1 is polished together with the optical fiber so that the core eccentric direction is changed. After the measurement, the relative rotation position of the stop ring 3 with respect to the ferrule 5 can be adjusted in consideration of the core eccentric direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the optical fiber 20 is fixed to the pre-assembled optical connector 10 and then fitted to the plug frame 30 of the SC type connector, the ferrule 5 with respect to the stop ring 3 is taken into account in consideration of the core eccentric direction. By adjusting the relative rotational position of the plug frame 3
0 predetermined direction (± 45 ° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the figure)
° range).

Such a pre-assembled optical connector includes:
For example, it is incorporated in an SC type connector plug. 4 (a) to 4 (c), the pre-assembled optical connector 10 in which the optical fiber is fixed and the end surface of the ferrule 5 is polished is connected to the SC type plug frame 3 as shown in FIGS.
0 while adjusting the eccentric direction of the core, and then holding the strength member of the optical fiber cable between the outer periphery of the rear end portion 3a of the stop ring 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the caulking ring 40, and caulking. The optical fiber cable is fixed to the pre-assembled optical connector 10 by swaging the ring 40. Further, a hood 50 for protecting the optical fiber cable from an external force such as bending or twisting is attached to the outer periphery of the caulking ring 40, and then the SC plug housing 60 is fitted to the outer periphery of the SC plug frame 30. In such a procedure, the pre-assembled optical connector 10 is incorporated into an SC type connector plug.

The connection structure between the ferrule 5 and the stop ring 3 is not limited to the above-mentioned screw structure.
For example, one or a plurality of protrusions are provided in place of the male screw portion 2d on the outer periphery of the second flange portion 2c of the collar member 2, and the protrusion engages with the female screw 3c of the small diameter portion 3b of the stop ring 3. You may.

When the protruding portion is provided on the outer periphery of the collar portion 2c, as shown in FIG. 5A, the inside of the small diameter portion 3b of the stop ring 3 is replaced with the female screw portion 3c. The front end face and the rear end face may communicate with each other, and a groove 3d inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction may be provided at a position facing the protrusion 2e. In this case, the ferrule 5 and the stop ring 3 can be engaged by rotating the protrusion 2e along the inclination of the groove 3d, and the engagement is not released by the rotation in this direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the front end face and the rear end face communicate with the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 3b of the stop ring 3 along the axis. A substantially L-shaped groove 3d extending in the direction may be provided. In this case, the protruding portion 2e is locked at a portion of the groove 3d extending in the circumferential direction, and the engagement is not released by the rotation in this range. The portion extending in the circumferential direction is
It is preferable that the ferrule 5 is extended in a range of about 180 ° in the circumferential direction, whereby the rotation range of the ferrule 5 necessary for the core eccentricity adjustment can be secured without releasing the engagement.

Contrary to the above-described configuration, a groove may be provided on the outer periphery of the second flange portion 2c of the flange member 2, and a projecting portion may be provided on the small diameter portion 3b of the stop ring 3. Even in such a configuration, the ferrule 5 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the stop ring 3, is held in a floating state by the spring 4, and is rotatable similarly to the above-described screw structure. Therefore, the eccentric direction of the core can be easily matched with the predetermined direction of the plug frame.

As described above, the optical fiber is bonded to the ferrule 5 by the ferrule 5 and the stop ring 3.
And go after assembling. At this time, the adhesive can be more easily injected into the through-hole of the ferrule 5 by the following method. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear end 2b of the collar member 2 may extend to the outside of the end of the stop ring. This allows
The adhesive can be easily injected into the through hole from the rear end of the collar member 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, a fitting portion 2f having a smaller diameter than other portions is provided at a rear end portion 2b of the collar member 2, and a hollow tube 70 or the like is fitted into the fitting portion 2f. In this case, the stop ring 3 may be connected to the outside of the rear end. Thereby, the adhesive can be easily injected into the through-hole through the tube 70. The tube 70 may be removed after the adhesive is injected, or an optical fiber may be bonded inside the tube 70.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an injection jig 80 having a through hole for injecting an adhesive may be used. In this case, at least the rear end 2 of the inner diameter of the collar member 2
It is preferable that part of b is formed larger than other parts. In the illustrated example, the rear end of the through hole of the ferrule cylindrical body 1 has a large diameter so that the tip of the injection jig 80 can be inserted into the ferrule cylindrical body. Thus, the outer diameter of the injection jig 80 can be increased.
That is, the inner diameter of the through hole of the injection jig 80 can be made larger, and the adhesive can be easily injected into the through hole of the ferrule 5.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the ferrule and the stop ring are previously assembled so as to be rotatable relative to each other, the core eccentricity can be easily adjusted after holding the optical fiber in the ferrule and the stop ring. Also,
In particular, since the pre-assembly is realized with an uncomplicated structure without increasing the number of parts, it is possible to minimize the cost increase.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exploded state and a pre-assembled state of a pre-assembled optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a pre-assembled state of a ferrule and a stop ring.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pre-assembled optical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an assembling procedure of the pre-assembled optical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a modification of the engagement structure between the ferrule and the stop ring.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a pre-assembled optical connector according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a pre-assembled optical connector according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a pre-assembled optical connector according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 cylindrical body for ferrule 2 brim member 3 stop ring 4 spring 5 ferrule 10 pre-assembled optical connector 20 optical fiber 30 SC type plug frame 40 caulking ring 50 hood 60 SC type plug housing

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-7-77630 (JP, A) JP-A 63-141911 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G02B 6/38

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ferrule cylindrical body in which an optical fiber insertion hole into which an optical fiber is inserted is formed, and an optical fiber core insertion hole into which an optical fiber whose outer periphery is coated is inserted. Is formed and fixed to the base end of the ferrule cylindrical body, and a through hole into which the optical fiber core wire and the rear end of the collar member are inserted, and A stop ring axially movably engaged with an end portion, and an elastic member held between the collar member and the stop ring in a state where the collar member is axially biased against the stop ring. Wherein the engagement between the collar member and the stop ring is performed by a first engagement portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the collar member and a second engagement member provided on an inner peripheral surface of the stop ring. Achieved by a stop, said first The preassembly is characterized in that the locking portion does not penetrate the second locking portion only by movement in the axial direction, but penetrates by combining the movement in the axial direction and the rotation around the axis. Optical connector. 2. The pre-assembled optical connector according to claim 1, wherein said first engagement portion is a male screw portion, and said second engagement portion is a female screw portion. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second
Wherein one of the engaging portions is a protrusion, and the other is a groove into which the protrusion can be inserted. 4. The pre-assembled optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the groove includes a portion oblique to the axial direction or along the rotational direction. 5. The pre-assembled optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the pre-assembled optical connector is an SC type optical connector. 6. An optical connector comprising the pre-assembled optical connector according to claim 1.