JP3296698B2 - Jig for aligning and positioning multiple optical connectors - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to relates to aligning the positioning jig plurality optical connector used for bulk connection METHODS multiple optical connectors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows an example of connection using optical connectors of optical cables in an optical communication line network. In FIG. 1, the optical connectors 1a and 1b are formed by connecting a multi-core optical fiber ribbon 3 to a multi-core ferrule 2.
In the multi-core ferrule 2, a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 4 are penetrated from the base end side to the connection end face 5 on the front end side, and are arranged and arranged at equal pitch intervals in the horizontal direction (the width direction of the ferrule).
Each of the optical fibers of the multi-core optical fiber ribbon 3 is inserted and fixed in each of the optical fiber insertion holes 4, and the front end of the fiber is polished together with the connection end face 5.

A pair of fitting pin holes 6 are formed on the connection end face 5 with the arrangement group of the optical fiber insertion holes 4 interposed therebetween, and fitting pins (guide pins) 7 are fitted into the fitting pin holes 6. And
By fitting the protruding tip side of the fitting pin 7 into the fitting pin hole of the optical connector on the other end of the connection, the connection end faces 5 of both connectors 1a and 1b abut against each other, and the multi-core optical fiber on the optical connector 1a side. Each optical fiber core of the tape core 3 and the optical connector 1
The corresponding optical fiber of the multi-core optical fiber tape core wire 3 on the b side is connected to the corresponding optical fiber.

In this connection state, by mounting the clamp spring 8 over the optical connectors 1a and 1b and mounting it, the spring pressure applying unit 10 acting on the elastic restoring force of the clamp spring 8 is applied to each of the multi-core ferrules 2. The multi-core ferrule 2 is pressed against the rear end face 11 by this spring pressure, and is pressed in a direction in which the connection end faces 5 are pressed against each other.
The connection state between a and 1b is stably maintained.

[0005] In recent years, the demand for optical fiber cables has increased with the multifunctionalization of optical communication networks, and accordingly, studies have been made to increase the number of optical fibers in the optical fiber cables. Under such circumstances, the method of connecting a large number of optical fibers in the optical fiber cable by fitting the optical connectors 1a and 1b one by one is inferior in working efficiency. In the case of connecting a 1000-core optical cable composed of a book, if the optical connectors 1a and 1b are to be connected one by one, 25
0 pairs are required, and the work of connecting the optical connectors 1a and 1b is reduced to 2 pairs.
This has to be repeated 50 times, which increases the proportion of the connection work of the optical connectors 1a and 1b in the connection work, resulting in poor workability, making it difficult to cope with the recent trend of increasing the number of optical fiber cables. Becomes

In view of such circumstances, recently, studies have been made on high-density and multi-core optical connectors 1a and 1b and on batch connection, and FIG. 11 shows an example of a proposal for such batch connection. .

In the case of this proposal, an opening 1 is provided on the front end face side.
In a box-shaped housing 13 provided with a plurality of optical fibers 1, a plurality of optical connectors 1 formed by connecting multi-core optical fiber ribbons from the opening on the rear end side are stacked and accommodated. Fitting pin holes 9 are formed at the four corner positions, fitting pins are inserted into the fitting pin holes 9, and one side of the optical connector group stacked in the housing 13 and the other housing 1
3 and an optical connector group formed by stacking housed side, fitting pins and fitting the fitting pin holes 9 in the housing side, and, fitting the optical connector side engaging pin 7 as shown in FIG. 12 of the connection partner comrades The connection end face 5 of the optical connector group accommodated in the housing 13 on one side and the connection end face 5 of the optical connector group accommodated in the housing 13 on the other side are utilized by fitting with the mating pin holes 6.
A plurality of optical connectors are connected together by positioning and contacting each other.

[0008]

The collective connection of a plurality of optical connectors using the housing 13 shown in FIG. 11 greatly improves the work efficiency of connecting a large number of optical fiber cores of an optical cable. However, in the collective connection method shown in FIG. 11 , one optical connector group and the other optical connector group are connected in a state where a plurality of optical connectors are stacked and housed in a box-shaped integral cylindrical housing 13. Therefore, after the corresponding optical connectors are connected together, the housing 13 cannot be removed and remains in the optical connector connection portion and is in a bulky arrangement state. For example, the connection group of the optical connectors is placed in the closure. In addition to the case where the optical connector is accommodated, there is a problem that an extra space is taken due to the bulkiness of the optical connector connection portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the connection efficiency of a large number of optical fiber cables by collectively connecting a plurality of optical connectors. to provide a plurality optical connector that is used to collectively connect <br/> how multiple optical connector bulky thereby saving space by suppressing the alignment positioning jig.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has the following constitution to solve the problems. That is, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for aligning a plurality of optical connectors used for collective connection of a plurality of optical connectors, which collectively connects a plurality of optical connectors having at least one of a concave and a convex shape change portion on the outer rear side.
Jig, which has a jig body
The jig body is composed of a side plate portion and the side plate portion.
A bottom plate formed to project perpendicularly from the bottom of the
Project from the upper end of the side plate at right angles to the bottom plate in the same direction.
U-shaped frame with upper plate formed
Body, inside the side plate between the bottom plate and the top plate
Are mounted on the bottom plate and the ferrule mounting plate
And projecting in the same direction as the upper plate.
The space between the bottom plate and the ferrule mounting plate, each ferrule
Space between the mounting plates, and the ferrule mounting plate and the
The space between the upper plate and the optical connector
The bottom plate, the ferrule mounting plate and the top
From the opening side of the accommodation part on the tip side of each projection with the plate part,
Insert the ferrule from the side and insert a ferrule
The front side of the ferrule is accommodated by housing
The end side protrudes from the accommodation part and the ferrule shape change part
Locked to the end face of the accommodation section, facing on both upper and lower sides of each accommodation section
The upper and lower sides of the ferrule
Tools in the housing of the jig body
It is configured to be placed .

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is the configuration of the first aspect.
The jig body has a pair,
Ferrules are partly located on each side of the jig body from the side
The other side is inserted and housed and placed opposite
On each side of the jig body on the side opposite the ferrule
Part of the surface side is inserted and accommodated, and a pair of jig bodies
Multiple ferrules are arranged and aligned collectively.
It characterized the door.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect.
The rear part of the ferrule
The shape change portion on the side is formed by the collar,
The side plate of the frame of the tool body is a ferrule housed in the housing
Of the upper plate,
It is formed wider than the rule mounting plate and the bottom plate.
At the rear end of the side plate,
The back plate is formed by folding back to the side, the upper plate, ferrule
A mounting plate, each plate portion of a bottom plate portion, a side plate portion, and the rear plate
Between the ferrule and the flange.
It is characterized in that a character-shaped locking portion is formed .

In the present invention having the above structure, each optical connector of the plurality of optical connector groups positioned and mounted on the alignment positioning jig corresponds to a plurality of other optical connector groups similarly positioned and accommodated by the alignment positioning jig. To be connected collectively to the optical connector. Then, in this collectively connected state, after removing the alignment positioning jig or before removing it, each optical connector is connected to the other optical connector by mounting the connection holding member over the pair of optical connectors in the connected state between the connector groups. Is maintained in a stable state. Further, after the plurality of optical connectors are connected collectively, the alignment positioning jig is removed, so that the bulky portion of the alignment positioning jig is eliminated, and space saving of the portion is achieved.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings using examples. There is shown a first embodiment of the present invention in FIG. The optical connector to be collectively connected in the present embodiment is, like the conventional example shown in FIG. 12 described above, formed with flanges 14 protruding from the four outer peripheral surfaces on the base end side of the rectangular parallelepiped ferrule main body. is obtained by the shape changing portion, the configuration of the multi-fiber ferrule 2 is similar to that shown in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are given to the optical connector and the same portion shown in FIG. 12, and duplicate description Is omitted. In FIG. 12 , reference numeral 19 denotes a protective boot for protecting the ferrule connection portion of the multi-core optical fiber ribbon 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the length from the rear end face of the multi-core ferrule 2 to the connection end face 5 at the front end is 8 mm, and the length of the ferrule body excluding the flange 14 is 6 mm.
mm. The overhang dimension of the flange 14 is 0.25 mm, and when the plurality of optical connectors 1 are stacked by overlapping the flange 14, the distance between the ferrule main bodies is 0.5 mm.
In this embodiment, an alignment / positioning jig for a plurality of optical connectors 1 is formed by stacking a plurality of optical connectors 1 in an aligned / positioned state by utilizing the gap 15 and the protruding protrusion of the flange 14. Then, collective connection of the plurality of optical connectors 1 is performed using this alignment positioning jig.

[0016] FIG. 1 (a) shows the state in which laminating is positioned aligned multiple optical connectors 1 using the alignment positioning jig 16. The alignment positioning jig 16 is the jig body 1
7 is configured with a, member of the jig 16 is fabricated using a metal or synthetic resin.

The jig body 17 has a U-shaped frame formed by a bottom plate 20, a side plate 21 and an upper plate 22, and a plurality of ferrule mounting plates 23 are vertically arranged from the inner wall surface of the side plate 21. The housing portion 24 of the optical connector 1 is formed so as to protrude from the interval position in parallel with the bottom plate portion 20 and the upper plate portion 22.
You.

The space between the upper and lower portions of the housing portion 24 is equal to 2.5 mm of the thickness of the ferrule main body, and the thickness width of the ferrule mounting plate 23 is between the stacked ferrule main bodies shown in FIG. In this example, the gap is set to 1.3 mm because the gap is set to 0.5 mm or more. In this embodiment, when the optical connector 1 is inserted into each of the accommodating portions 24 as shown in FIG.
a contacts the opposite end surfaces of the bottom plate portion 20, the side plate portion 21, the upper plate portion 22, and the ferrule mounting plate 23,
The opposite end surface functions as a locking portion 70a for positioning the optical connector 1 in the front-rear direction. Also, the bottom plate 20
The upper and lower plate portions 22 and the ferrule mounting plate 23 have a locking surface (locking portion) 70b (see FIG. 3) for regulating the position of the optical connector 1 in the vertical direction. Further, the inner surface of the side plate portion 21, that is, the surface facing the side surface of the multi-core ferrule 2 is a locking surface (locking portion) 70c for restricting the position of the optical connector 1 in the lateral direction (see FIG. 3). that has become a.

Reference numeral 31 shown in FIG. 3 is a pin insertion tool. The pin insertion tool 31 is also provided with a fitting pin at a position corresponding to the fitting pin hole 6 of each optical connector stacked and arranged on the jig body 17. A plurality of fitting pins 7 are inserted into the fitting pin holes on the pin insertion tool 31 side, and in this state, the fitting pins 7 are aligned with the corresponding fittings of the respective optical connectors. By inserting and pushing in the mating pin holes 6, the mating pins 7 are collectively inserted and mounted in the mating pin holes 6 of the plurality of optical connectors 1. The operation of inserting the fitting pins 7 into the fitting pin holes 6 of the optical connector is performed by using the fitting pin holes 6 of the optical connectors 1 arranged one by one without using the pin insertion tool 31. It may be inserted into

[0020] This figure 1 (a), in the exemplary embodiment shown in (b), after forming by folding the side plate portion 21 the plate portion 6
7 has a U-shaped frame formed by the side plate portion 21, the upper plate portion 22, and the bottom plate portion 20. A pair of jig bodies 17 are prepared, and the optical connector 1
The rear end side is accommodated and positioned and aligned. In this state, a plurality of optical connector groups are collectively connected, and then the jig main body 17 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow, thereby aligning and positioning the jig from the connected optical connector group. 16 is to be removed. In addition,
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B ,
The optical connector 1 is formed by the side plate portion 21, the rear plate portion 67, and the upper plate portion 22 (or the ferrule mounting plate 23 or the bottom plate portion 20).
A U-shaped locking portion 70 that locks with the flange 14 therebetween is formed.

The first embodiment is constructed as described above, then, the theory of the collective connection of multiple optical connectors Aquiraz
You. FIG. 1 (a), (b), the multiple optical connectors (five optical connectors in this view), one side of the housing portion 24 to the extraction opening mouth side of the pair of the jig body 17 ( Upper plate 2
2, the bottom plate 20 and the side plate 21 of the ferrule mounting plate 23
The optical connector is
Part of the multi-core ferrule 2 of Kuta 1
Insert side. Also, the housing part 2 of the jig body 17 on the other side
Similarly, insert a part of the opposite side of the multi-core ferrule 2 into 4.
You. Each locking portion 70a of the optical connector 1 jig body 17,
It is locked by 70b and 70c, and it is in a positioning arrangement state.

Next, the connection end face 5 is cleaned, and a fitting pin 7 is inserted into a fitting pin hole 6 of each optical connector 1. Next, a refractive index matching agent (matching oil, matching grease) is applied to the connection end face 5. Next, each fitting pin 7 of the optical connector group arranged and arranged on the alignment positioning jig 16 is fitted to the corresponding optical connector of the other optical connector group arranged and arranged using the same alignment and positioning jig 16. By being inserted into the pin holes, the connection end faces 5 of the corresponding one-side group of optical connectors and the other-side group of optical connectors come into contact with each other, and the optical fiber of the one-side optical connector corresponds to the optical fiber of the other-side optical connector. The optical connection with the fiber is established. As described above, the optical connector group on one side and the optical connector group on the other side are collectively connected in a very short time by a one-action operation of merely fitting through the fitting pins 7.

After the optical connectors are connected together, the jig body 1
By pulling out 7 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, the alignment and positioning jig 16 is removed from the connected optical connector group.

In order to keep the connection state of the optical connectors stable after removing the alignment and positioning jig 16, the connection holding member is mounted so as to bridge between a pair of connected optical connectors. Becomes As this connection holding member, a clamp spring 8 as shown in FIG. 12 may be used, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, clamp springs 32 are provided on both side surfaces of each pair of optical connectors. , And the optical connectors are maintained in a connected state.

The function of the clamp spring 32 is the same as that of the clamp spring 8 of the conventional example.
A force is applied in a direction in which the connection end faces press each other, and the connection state of the optical connectors is stably maintained. In this embodiment, the clamp springs 32 are connected to each other using the connecting member 33 in order to maintain the plurality of connected optical connector pairs in the aligned state. The coupling member 33 has a base plate 34 disposed on the laminated side surface of each pair of optical connectors in a connected state, and claw plates 36 attached to both upper and lower ends of the base plate 34 by set screws 35. The claw plate 36 extends to the front side of the multi-core ferrule 2 at the upper end side of the base plate 34 and to the back side of the multi-core ferrule 2 at the lower end side of the base 34. Is provided on the upper end and the lower end of the clamp spring 3.
By locking the optical connector 2, the clamp springs 32 of each pair of optical connectors are connected and integrated so as not to be separated, and the aligned state of the pair of optical connectors in the connected state is maintained.

In this connection holding state of the plurality of optical connector pairs, by loosening the set screw 35 and removing the claw plate 36 from the base plate 34, the connection restricted state of each clamp spring 32 is released, and each pair of optical connectors is released. The optical connector can be divided into discrete states while maintaining the connection state. This embodiment
In the example, the pair of jig bodies 17 are removed from one side.
By doing so, clamp the optical connector pair on the removed side
The spring 32 is attached, and then the other jig body 17
After removing the optical connector,
The clamp spring 32 can be attached to the
Of course, the pair of jig bodies 17 were completely removed.
After that, clamp springs 32 should be installed on both left and right sides
Can also.

According to the present embodiment, the plurality of optical connectors 1 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 24 of the jig body 17 and are positioned and aligned. In addition, a plurality of optical connectors 1 can be easily and collectively connected by a one-action operation of inserting the fitting pin 7 into the fitting pin hole 6, and the working efficiency can be greatly improved.

Further, since the alignment positioning jig 16 is removed after the plurality of optical connector groups are connected,
When a plurality of optical connector connection groups are stored in a closure or the like, for example, the space saving can be achieved by removing the alignment and positioning jig 16, and the enlargement of the closure can be avoided, and the optical connector group can be saved. High-density storage becomes possible, and it is possible to sufficiently meet future demands such as an increase in the number of optical fibers in an optical communication network.

The alignment and positioning jig 16 according to the present embodiment can be used not only at the time of shipment with the optical connector 1 connected, but also at the site of connection work for connecting the optical connector. The work of collectively connecting the optical connectors can be facilitated.

[0030] In example embodiments of this, the pair of jig body 17
Although the aligned positioning jig 16 with, Ru can be positioned alignment of multiple optical connectors 1 using one jig body 17. For example, as shown in FIG.
The width of the portion 21 is the same as the width of the upper plate portion 22,
It is sufficient that the locking portion 70 is not provided.

By the way, in the above you facilities embodiments have been described various examples of positioning alignment with its collective connection of the optical connector using the multifiber ferrules 2 having the shape shown in FIG. 5 (a), light the shape of the multi-fiber ferrule 2 constituting the connector 1 is not necessarily limited to those shown in FIG. 5 (a), the form having a flange 14 on the side surface side as shown in the same figure (b) and, as shown in the figure (c), those like having a flange 14 on the upper and lower both sides, there are various forms.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment example of FIG. 1 (a), has almost the same configuration as the first embodiment example shown (b), the in (a) of FIG. 5, a second embodiment A front view of the alignment positioning jig of the plurality of optical connectors as viewed from the connection end face 5 side of the optical connector 1 collectively connected by the jig is shown. FIG. 2B is a plan view of the positioning jig. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the inside of the rear plate 67 formed by folding back from the side plate 21 (each housing 90 of the flange 14 of the optical connector 1). Area) is provided with a hemispherical projection 80. This projection 80
Are provided at positions corresponding to the fitting pin holes 6 (guide pin fitting holes) on the rear end face 11 side of the optical connector 1 housed in the housing portion 24, respectively. When the optical connector 1 is inserted, at least the distal end of the projection 80 is inserted into the fitting pin hole 6.
Has a function of positioning the same in the accommodation portion 24.

The second embodiment is configured as described above. In the second embodiment, the rear end of the optical connector 1 is provided in each of the accommodating portions 24 by the same operation as in the first embodiment. It is positioned aligned to accommodate the side, but removal of the jig after the connector connection is also performed in the same way as in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, when the optical connector 1 positioning, FIG. 6 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG.
0 is inserted into the fitting pin hole 6 of the optical connector 1, and the positioning of the optical connector 1 is performed. Therefore, even if the width A of the region of the optical connector 1 excluding the flange 14 is small,
Unlike the case where the optical connector 1 is housed in the housing portion 24 without the protrusion 80, the optical connector 1 is not necessarily housed in the housing portion 24, as shown in FIG. (For example, at the center).

The optical connector 1 has the rear end face 1 of the ferrule 2 in a state where the projections 80 are inserted into the respective fitting pin holes 6.
1 is housed in a state pressed against the rear plate portion 67, the fitting pin 7 fitted in the fitting pin hole 6 is
Can be prevented from protruding from the rear end face 11 and the optical connector 1 can be prevented from being detached from the jig body 17 before the plurality of optical connector groups are collectively connected. Can be performed more stably and reliably.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Third embodiment are substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, shown in FIG. 7 (a)
2 shows a plan view of the third embodiment together with the optical connector 1. FIG. The locking portion 70 also has a U-shape in the third embodiment, and the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the locking portion 70 has a U-shaped tip opening side. Is formed smaller than the width C of the portion to be clamped of the convex shape changing portion (flange 14) on the base end side of the U-shape. Also, the rear plate portion 67, which is one side of the U-shaped opposed piece, is an elastic plate piece, and the U-shaped base-side clamping width D of the locking portion 70 is the third embodiment. In the example, the optical connector 1 is formed to be substantially equal to the clamped width C of the flange 14.

It should be noted, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), by forming an upper plate part 22 diagonally, than U-clamping opening width E of the base end side clamping width D of the shape of the locking portion 70 It may be formed small, or as shown in FIG.
The upper side portion 22 and the rear side portion 67 are both formed obliquely as shown in (c) of the figure, so that the sandwiching opening width E is larger than the base side sandwiching width D. It may be formed small.

The third embodiment is configured as described above. In the third embodiment, the same operation as that of the first embodiment is performed, and each of the accommodating portions 24 is placed behind the optical connector 1. Although the end side is accommodated and positioned and aligned, in the third embodiment, the holding opening width E on the distal end opening side of the locking portion 70 is formed smaller than the holding portion width C of the flange 14 of the optical connector 1. The jig main body 17 is attached from the side of the optical connector 1 because the rear plate 67 as one side of the U-shaped opposing piece is an elastic plate. When the optical connector 1 is accommodated in each of the accommodating portions 24, the rear plate portion 67 of the locking portion 70 at the distal end opening side is pushed open by the flange 14 of the optical connector 1 and inserted. It is locked and positioned and aligned in the state of being held.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the optical connector 1 is very reliably locked by the elastic restoring force of the rear plate portion 67, and the jig body 17 is prevented from coming off the optical connector 1. In addition, collective connection of a plurality of optical connector groups can be performed more reliably.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG 8 is a rear view of a state where each housing the optical connector 1 into the housing portion 24 of the jig body 17 is shown ing. Fourth embodiment is constructed substantially similar to the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment is the third embodiment is different characteristic makes the rear plate portion 67 Independently provided for each accommodating portion 24, the independent rear plate portion 67
Is provided with a projection 80 functioning in the same manner as the projection 80 in the second embodiment. Each of the projections 80 is provided in the fitting pin hole 6 on the rear end side of the optical connector 1 housed in the housing 24 as in the second embodiment.
Is formed at a position corresponding to.

The fourth embodiment is configured as described above, and the fourth embodiment can provide the same effects by the same operation as the third embodiment.
Further, as in the fourth embodiment, if the rear plate portion 67 as an elastic plate piece is provided independently for each of the housing portions 24, each of the optical connectors 1 accommodated in each of the housing portions 24 is supported. Then, each optical connector 1 is moved by the elastic restoring force of the rear plate 67.
Since the flange 14 can be appropriately pressed and locked, the positioning and alignment of the optical connector 1 can be performed more appropriately than in the third embodiment.

Also, in the fourth embodiment, each rear plate 6
7 is provided with a projection 80, and by the function of this projection 80,
As in the second embodiment, since the positioning of each optical connector 1 in each housing portion 24 can be performed appropriately, the positioning alignment of each optical connector 1 can be performed very accurately. Thus, the collective connection of the plurality of optical connector groups can be performed stably and reliably.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can take various embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, although the exploded fashion by screws 35 the coupling member 33 for connecting the plurality of clamp springs 32, unlike this, for example, FIG. 10
As shown in the figure, the front end of the straight plate 61 is folded back so as to be openable and closable with the fulcrum portion 62 as a fulcrum, and an engagement hole 63 is provided on the base end side of the plate 61. An engaging claw 65 is provided on the portion, and the engaging claw 65 is detachably engageable with the engaging hole 63.
2 is formed therein, and a plurality of clamp springs 32 which are attached to and mounted on each pair of the plurality of optical connectors in a connected state are respectively accommodated in the recesses 66 of the plate 61.
In this state, the plurality of clamp springs 32 are formed by engaging the engaging claws 65 with the engaging holes 63 and pressing the clamp spring 32 toward the plate 61 with the plate 64 on the folded side.
The ten connecting members can be integrally connected and held.

In the above embodiment, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the clamp springs 32 are individually provided for each optical connector pair.
2 may be formed as an integral type and mounted on the side surface of the stacked body of the plurality of optical connector pairs to maintain the connection state of the plurality of pairs of optical connectors collectively.

Further, in the second and fourth embodiments, the protrusion 80 for positioning the optical connector 1 in the housing portion 24 is a hemispherical protrusion, but the shape of the protrusion is not particularly limited. For example, those having a spherical or conical shape are preferable, but those having a polygonal pyramid shape such as a triangular pyramid, a cylindrical or cylindrical shape can be used as long as the tip can be inserted into the fitting pin hole 6. The tip may be chamfered and set to an appropriate shape. Although only the example of the fitting pin hole is shown as the fitting hole, a fitting hole of the protrusion 80 may be separately provided on the rear end face side of the optical connector 1.

Further, in the third and fourth embodiments,
The rear plate portion 6 which is one side of the U-shaped opposed piece of the locking portion 70
Although 7 is an elastic plate piece, the upper plate portion 22 side may be an elastic plate piece, or both the upper plate portion 22 and the rear plate portion 67 may be elastic plate pieces.

Further, in the third and fourth embodiments,
The U-shaped clamping opening width E of the locking portion 70 is formed to be smaller than the clamping portion width C of the flange 14 of the optical connector 1, while the U-shaped base-side clamping width D of the locking portion 70 is formed. The clamping width C of the flange 14 of the optical connector 1 is equal to the clamping width C. However, the clamping opening width E may be equal to the clamping width C of the flange 14 of the optical connector 1, or the clamping width at the proximal end. D may be formed larger than the held width C.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the shape changing portion of the optical connector is constituted by the flange 14 of the convex portion. However, a concave portion is formed on the outer surface of the optical connector, and this concave portion is used as the shape changing portion, and the shape of the concave portion is changed. The positioning and alignment of the plurality of optical connectors and their collective connection may be performed by using the changing portion.

[0048]

According to the present invention, a plurality of optical connectors are positioned and arranged, and in this state, the optical connector group on one side and the optical connector group on the other side are collectively connected.
Even if the number of optical cables is increased due to the increase of the optical communication network and the number of optical connectors is increased, the collective connection of the large number of optical connectors is easily achieved, and the work of connecting the optical connectors is facilitated. The connection performance is greatly improved, and the connection time can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, after the optical connector is connected, the alignment and positioning jig for positioning and aligning the plurality of optical connectors and connecting them collectively is removed from the connected optical connector group while maintaining the connection. As a result, space saving of the optical connector connection part is achieved by removing the alignment positioning jig, and no extra space is required when storing the connection part in a closure or the like, and high-density housing of the connection optical connector is possible. Becomes

Further, according to the present invention, not only at the time of shipment with the optical connector connected, but also the positioning and alignment of the optical connector at the connection site of the optical cable and the collective connection thereof can be easily performed. The work efficiency of connecting a plurality of connectors can be significantly improved.

Further, according to the present invention, existing optical connectors can be used as they are, and existing optical connectors can be used together, or collective connection of existing optical connectors and optical connectors of a new optical communication network can be easily performed. It can be done, and its utility value is very large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a laminated state of optical connectors to be connected in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a collective connection method of a plurality of optical connectors in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a clamp spring that is attached to a pair of optical connectors in a connected state, and a connection configuration example of the clamp spring.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an optical connector collected in a jig according to the second embodiment.
Compare the storage state with the storage state in a jig without the projection 80.
It is an explanatory diagram showing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a multi-core ferrule which is a component of an optical connector .
It is explanatory drawing of various forms .

FIG. 10 shows a connecting portion for connecting and integrating a clamp spring .
It is explanatory drawing of another embodiment of a material .

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example of a collective connection method of a plurality of optical connectors .

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a general connection example of an optical connector .

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b Optical connector 2 Multi-core ferrule 16 Alignment jig 17 Jig body 24 Housing 67 Rear plate 70 Locking part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masato Shiino 2-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Eiki Miyazaki 2-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Furukawa Inside Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Nagasawa 1-6-1, Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) References JP-A-4-214510 (JP, A) JP-A-4 JP-A-215607 (JP, A) JP-A-4-220604 (JP, A) JP-A-4-221910 (JP, A) JP-A-5-119237 (JP, A) JP-A-60-135912 (JP, A) 5) 83-83708 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/38

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of optical connectors used for collective connection of a plurality of optical connectors which collectively connect a plurality of optical connectors having at least one of a concave and a convex shape change portion on the outer rear side .
An alignment positioning jig, which is a jig.
The jig body is configured with a side plate portion,
A bottom plate protruding at right angles from the bottom of the side plate
And the bottom plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the upper end portion of the side plate portion.
U-shape with upper plate protruding in the same direction
Side plate between the bottom plate portion and the upper plate portion
Inside the section, there are several ferrule mounting plates in front with a space
It is arranged and formed so as to protrude in the same direction as the bottom plate and upper plate.
And a space between the bottom plate portion and the ferrule mounting plate.
Section, space between each ferrule mounting plate, and ferrule
The space between the mounting plate and the upper plate is
And a ferrule housing for the bottom plate and a ferrule.
Opening of the accommodation part on the tip side of each protrusion of the mounting plate and upper plate part
Insert the ferrule from the side from the side into each housing
The ferrule is accommodated on the front side of the
The tip side of the ferrule protrudes from the accommodation part and the ferrule
Lock the shape change part to the end face of the accommodation part, and
The upper and lower surfaces of the ferrule facing each other are regulated,
A plurality of ferrules are housed in the housing
Of multiple optical connectors configured to align and position
Row positioning jig . 2. A jig body having a pair of jig bodies,
Ferrules are inserted into each receiving part from the side
The jig book on the other side, housed and housed facing away
Part of the side of the body opposite the ferrule in each compartment
Are inserted and accommodated, and a plurality of
2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the rules are arranged and aligned collectively.
Jig for aligning multiple optical connectors . 3. The shape change portion on the rear side of the ferrule is formed in a flange.
The side plate of the frame of the jig body
Extends rearward from the ferrule collar housed in the housing
The upper plate, ferrule mounting plate, and
It is formed wider than the bottom plate, and the rear end of the side plate is
Is the rear plate folded inward in the same direction as the projection of the upper plate
Is formed, the upper plate, the ferrule mounting plate, and the bottom plate
Each plate part, the side plate part, and the rear plate part
U-shaped locking part that locks the flange of the tool
The plurality of items according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical connector alignment and positioning jig .