JP3432394B2 - 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, and more particularly to an optical connector having a housing in which an optical connector ferrule biased forward by a biasing means in a butt connection direction is housed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an optical connector for switchably connecting tape-shaped optical fiber core wires (so-called optical fiber tape core wires), for example, an optical connector ferrule (so-called MT) defined in JIS C 5981 or the like is used. Optical connector: Mechanically Transferable) is provided. Further, in view of improvement in connection workability of the optical connector ferrule, in recent years, a so-called MPO connector (an optical connector having a structure in which a multi-fiber optical connector ferrule established in JIS C 5981 or the like is housed inside a plastic housing) Is provided.

7 and 8 show the MPO connector 1. In FIG. 8, this MPO connector 1 is JIS
Optical connector ferrule 2 established in C 5981 etc.
(Hereinafter referred to as “ferrule”) and a pin clamp 4 for clamping the guide pin 3 inserted into the ferrule 2 near the rear end of the ferrule 2 (on the right side in FIG. 8) are internally supported in a cylindrical housing 5, A rear end of the housing 5 is internally supported by a tubular coupling 6, and a coil spring 7 for generating a butt force is accommodated in the coupling 6. The ferrule 2 is movable in the front-rear direction (left and right in FIG. 8) in the housing 5, and the housing 5 is biased forward (left side in FIG. 8) by a housing spring 8 separately installed. If the housing 5 is not driven by the ferrule 2 and is at the tip position of the MPO connector 1 when pushed into the back of the connector 1,
The entire ferrule 2 enters the inside of the housing 5. The MPO connector 1 inserted into the receiving-side housing by the engaging projections 9 protruding from the side surface of the housing 5 being removably engaged with the receiving-side housing such as the optical connector adapter 10 (see FIG. 7). The plugged state of is maintained. Figure 8
The reference numeral 11 is a boot, which holds the optical fiber 12 (optical fiber tape core wire) terminated by the ferrule 2 in a butt-connectable manner to the ferrule 2. Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 8 denotes an optical fiber hole, which accommodates the optical fiber 12.

[0004]

By the way, in the MPO connector 1 as described above, the pair of MPO connectors 1 are inserted from both sides of the optical connector adapter 10 for butt connection. When the optical fiber 12 pulled out from the rear end of the MPO connector 1 is pulled and a lateral pulling force acts on the MPO connector 1 (so-called side pull), a lateral pressure acts between the ferrules 2 and 2 in the connected state to connect. There is a risk that there will be a shift in the characteristics, and there is a concern that the characteristics will deteriorate. That is,
When a tensile force is applied to the MPO connector 1 in a direction other than the axial direction of the MPO connector 1 in FIG. 7, for example, the direction of arrow A, the MPO connector 1 is slightly present between its deformable range and the optical connector adapter 10. On the other hand, the ferrule 2 of the MPO connector 1 is positioned in the housing 5 and is displaced integrally with the MPO connector 1 as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. Ferrule 2 of 1 is M on the other side
There is a possibility that a deviation from the ferrule 2 of the PO connector 1 may occur and a desired low connection loss may not be obtained. Also,
The positioning accuracy between the ferrules 2 is obtained by fitting the guide pin 3 (see FIG. 7) into the guide pin hole of the mating ferrule 2. However, when the lateral pressure acting on the ferrule 2 increases, the ferrule 2 and the guide pin There is also a problem that the positioning accuracy is lowered by damaging 3

In view of the above problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is conceivable to provide a clearance 14 in the housing 5 of the MPO connector 1 for allowing the ferrule 2 to float. In this case, it is possible to prevent the lateral pulling force acting on the MPO connector 1 from acting on the ferrule 2 due to the displacement of the ferrule 2 inside the housing 5.
However, this time, the support position of the ferrule 2 in the MPO connector 1 becomes unstable, and the workability of fitting the guide pin 3 into the guide pin hole decreases, so that the workability of connecting the ferrules 2 decreases. Occurs,
It does not lead to a fundamental solution to the problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. (A) Since the optical connector ferrule is positioned by the positioning portion provided in the optical connector adapter, the workability of connecting the optical connector ferrules can be ensured.
(B) Since the positioning state of the optical connector ferrule by the positioning portion is maintained after the connection is completed, the connection state between the optical connector ferrules is stably maintained and the optical connector ferrule is allowed to float with respect to the housing. A clearance is formed between the optical connector ferrule and the surrounding housing, and even if an external force acts laterally on the housing, the external force is prevented from directly acting between the optical connector ferrules to prevent the deviation. By adopting the configuration of (c) positioning the optical connector ferrule by the positioning sleeve housed in the optical connector adapter, which can obtain low connection loss in a stable and reliable manner, it becomes easy to secure the positioning accuracy and reduce the cost. Moreover, high versatility can be obtained for the type and shape of the optical connector ferrule. It is an object to provide a connector.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an optical connector ferrule that terminates an optical fiber such that the optical fibers can be abutted and connected to each other. It is retractable in the butt connection direction in the housing of
Also, the optical connector ferrule is biased forward by the biasing means by the biasing means, and the optical connector ferrules are butt-connected inside each other by inserting the optical connector plug from both sides. In the optical connector including an optical connector adapter, the optical connector plug stores the optical connector ferrule in a ferrule storage hole inside the housing, and further, the optical connector a configuration in which butt connected near joining end face is of the connector ferrule is also maintained at any state before and after the butt connection work projecting connecting forward butt from the opening of the housing, said light co
Close the optical connector ferrule near the opening of the connector plug.
When the flange portion projecting from the rear end face of the
Limit of forward movement of butt ferrule
The stopper projection that sets the field is the opening of the housing.
The inner side of the ferrule receiving hole in the circumferential direction at the back
The optical connector is provided so as to project all around.
Is pushed into the back of the housing and the collar
When it is separated from the lid projection,
Via the ferrule storage hole
Located between the stopper protrusions on both inner surfaces facing each other
The optical connector ferrule is configured to rotate about a portion thereof, and the optical connector ferrule projecting forward from the opening of the housing of the optical connector plug inserted in the optical connector adapter in the butt connection direction. An optical connector, which is characterized in that it is provided with a positioning portion that is sandwiched from both sides or from the periphery and positioned so as to be butt-connectable, is the means for solving the above problems.

Further, in the present invention, as described in claim 2, it is more preferable to adopt a configuration in which the positioning portion is a positioning sleeve housed in the optical connector adapter. The positioning sleeve is configured separately from the optical connector adapter. In this configuration, the positioning accuracy for positioning the optical connector ferrule so as to be butt-connectable is ensured in the positioning sleeve, whereby the forming accuracy of the optical connector adapter itself can be relaxed, and the cost can be reduced. Further, by selecting the positioning sleeve to be housed in the optical connector adapter, it is possible to easily cope with various shapes of the optical connector ferrule.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION One embodiment of an optical connector of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 7 and 8 are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify the description. Figure 1 shows this optical connector 2
It is the whole perspective view showing 0 (MPO connector). In FIG. 1, the optical connector 20 is an optical connector adapter 2
0A and an optical connector plug 20B (MPO connector) which is inserted into and connected to the optical connector adapter 20A from both sides.

First, the optical connector plug 20B will be described. This optical connector plug 20B has a ferrule 2
Is provided with a rectangular tube-shaped housing 21 that stores the front and rear movably. In the housing 21, the ferrule 2 is housed in a ferrule housing hole 22 inside the housing 21 so as to be movable in the butting and connecting direction (arrow B in FIG. 1). A tapered opening portion 23 (corresponding to the opening portion according to claim 1) is opened in the front portion of the housing 21 in the butt connection direction, and the urging means 24 for generating a butt force is provided in the tapered opening portion 23. (Coil spring. Fig. 2
Ferrule 2 urged by (a) and (b))
The vicinity of the joining end surface 2a of is exposed. The ferrule 2 is pressed against the urging force of the urging means 24,
The whole can be pushed into the back side of the housing 21 (upper right in FIG. 1).

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the optical connector plug 20B is connected by the optical connector adapter 20A,
(A) is a plane sectional view and (b) is a front sectional view. Figure 2
In (a) and (b), the flange 2b protruding from the rear end face of the ferrule 2 is brought into contact with the ferrule 2 near the tapered opening 23 of the optical connector plug 20B.
The stopper projection 25 is provided so as to set the limit of the forward movement in the butt connection direction. FIG. 3 shows a tapered opening 2
3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the vicinity of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the tapered opening 23 is formed in the ferrule housing hole 22.
It has a shape in which the ends are abutted and expanded in a taper shape that widens toward the front in the connecting direction. The stopper protrusion 25 is provided on the inner side of the ferrule-accommodating hole 22 at the inner side of the tapered opening 23 of the housing 21 so as to project over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Further, the ferrule 2 is in the shape of a rectangular plate, the flange portion 2b is in the form of a flange projecting over the entire circumference of the side surface of the ferrule 2, and a clearance is secured around the flange portion 2b in the ferrule housing hole 22, In a state where the ferrule 2 is pushed into the inner side of the housing 21 and the collar portion 2b is separated from the stopper projection 25, the ferrule 2 can float within the clearance range.
Moreover, the ferrule 2 can be swung about the stopper projection 25 to swing in the directions of arrows C and D in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the ferrule 2 is urged forward by the urging means 24 in the butt connection direction, the collar portion 2b is pressed against the stopper projection 25. To be done. Since the vicinity of the stopper projection 25 on the inner surface of the ferrule housing hole 22 has a shape substantially matching the flange portion 2b, when the flange portion 2b is pressed against the stopper projection 25, the flange portion 2b is located near the stopper projection 25. The inner surface of the ferrule 2 is fitted to the inner surface of the ferrule 22 to prevent the ferrule 2 from floating. On the other hand, the rear side of the housing 21 (see FIG. 2)
The ferrule 2 can float in the housing 21 in a state where the ferrule 2 is pushed into (a), (b) right side and the collar portion 2b does not contact the stopper projection 25.

Further, the stopper projection 25 has a sharp tip protruding toward the central portion of the ferrule housing hole 22, and when the ferrule 2 is pushed into the inner side of the housing 21, the stopper projection 25 is centered on the tip. The rotation of the ferrule 2 is allowed. At this time, the rotation range (clearance) of the ferrule 2 is set by the floating range in the housing 21 and the tapered opening 23. This clearance is set to a size that does not contact the ferrule 2 even if the housing 21 is deformed due to side pull or the like.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, reference numeral 26 is a pin clamp, which fixes the guide pin 3 inserted into the ferrule 2. Further, the urging means 24 is the optical connector plug 2
Receiving part 27 and pin clamp 2 provided in OB
6 is mounted between the bearing part 26a and the bearing part 26a, and the urging force of the urging means 24 is generated by reacting the receiving part 27 with the pin clamp 26 and the bearing part 26a. Transmitted to ferrule 2. Since the ferrule 2, the pin clamp 26, and the bearing component 26a are not fixed to each other, they individually float in the ferrule housing hole 22. Therefore, the deformation of the housing 21 due to the side pull is not transmitted to the ferrule 2 via the bearing component 26a and the pin clamp 26.

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the optical connector adapter 20A has a cylindrical adapter body 28 formed by integrating two adapter divided bodies 28a, 28a, and is housed inside the adapter body 28. Positioning sleeve 29
It has and. As shown in FIG. 4, the positioning sleeve 2
Reference numeral 9 is a tubular shape, and has a ferrule hole 29a into which the ferrule 2 is inserted and is formed inside. Ferrule hole 29a
Substantially coincides with the outer shape of the ferrule 2 and positions the inserted ferrule 2 so as to be butt-connectable. Figure 2
As shown in (a), the ferrules 2 are inserted into the positioning sleeve 29 from both sides and butt-connected. Further, since the inner shape of the positioning sleeve 29 is substantially the same as the outer shape of the ferrule 2 in the vicinity of the joining end surface 2a,
The ferrules 2 inserted inside from both sides can be positioned by butting and connecting. Therefore, the workability of fitting the guide pin 3 and the guide pin hole between the ferrules 2 inserted into the positioning sleeve 29 from both sides is improved. In addition, in the configuration in which the positioning of the ferrule 2 is performed by the positioning sleeve 29, it is necessary to obtain high accuracy in the positioning sleeve 29, but on the other hand, the forming accuracy of the other portions of the optical connector adapter 20A can be relaxed, which results in low cost. Can be converted. Further, by simply selecting the positioning sleeve 29 to be housed in the optical connector adapter 20A, the positioning accuracy can be secured corresponding to the shape of the ferrule 2 and the like, and high versatility can be obtained. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 4, the positioning sleeve 29 is locked at a predetermined position by engaging the positioning protrusions 30 and 31 with the optical connector adapter 20A, so that the ferrule 2 can be inserted and removed. It doesn't move when you go.

When the optical connector plug 20B is inserted into the optical connector adapter 20A, the optical connector adapter 2
The optical connector plug 20B is positioned by 0A. Moreover, the ferrule 2 is used in the optical connector plug 20B.
Is urged forward by the urging force of the urging means 24 in the butt connection direction, and the flange portion 2b is pressed by the stopper projection 25 to be positioned. The ferrule 2 can be easily inserted into 29. Since the ferrules 2 can be easily butted and connected to each other by the positioning sleeve 29, therefore, in this optical connector 20, the ferrule 2 can be simply inserted into the optical connector adapter 20A from both sides.
These ferrules can be easily connected to each other.
The optical fibers 12, 12 terminated by are optically connected.

After the connection is completed, the ferrules 2 and 2 in the butt connection state are held in the positioning sleeve 29, while the urging means 24 is pressed in the optical connector plugs 20B in order to secure the butt force. As a result, the ferrule 2 is placed on the rear side of the housing 21 (see FIG. 2A).
It is pushed into (b) the right side of the center) and the flange portion 2b is separated from the stopper projection 25, and the floating of the clearance of the ferrule 2 inside the housing 21 is allowed. For this reason, the ferrule 2 is supported only by the positioning sleeve 29, and even if an external force acts laterally on the optical connector plug 20B, the external force does not directly act on the ferrule 2 and, thereby, the ferrule 2 The connection loss between the two is stably maintained.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and various modifications can be made. For example, the clearance setting is not limited to ferrule 2.
It is preferable to set with a margin in consideration of displacement of a pin clamp or the like provided on the rear end side of the ferrule 2. Also,
In place of the positioning sleeve 29, as shown in FIG. 5, positioning of the ferrules 2 and 2 is performed by a projection-shaped positioning portion 32 that is integrally formed with the optical connector adapter 20A and that is provided on the inner surface of the optical connector adapter 20A so as to project. It is also possible to carry out storage and holding. Further, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 6, it is possible to adopt a positioning sleeve 33 that fits inside the housing 21 and insert the ferrule 2 inside the positioning sleeve 33 for positioning. In this case, the positioning sleeve 33 is supported at a fixed position of the optical connector adapter 20A by a supporting means (not shown).

[0019]

As described above, according to the optical connector of the present invention, when the optical connector ferrules are connected to each other, the positioning projection is pressed against the positioning portion to restrain the optical connector ferrule from floating and to be fixed at a fixed position. Since the optical connector ferrule can be secured because it is held, and the optical connector ferrule can be floated after the connection is completed, the optical connector ferrule can be prevented from being displaced even if an external force is applied to the housing sideways. It has an excellent effect that the connection loss is stably and surely obtained.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the ferrule is positioned by the locating sleeve housed in the optical connector adapter so that the ferrule can be abutted and connected.
The accuracy of the other parts of the optical connector adapter can be eased and the cost can be reduced, and the versatility can be obtained by simply selecting the positioning sleeve to adapt to the type and shape of the ferrule. Produce the effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical connector of the present invention.

2A and 2B are diagrams showing an optical connector adapter and an optical connector plug of the optical connector of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan sectional view and FIG. 2B is a front sectional view.

3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the vicinity of a tapered opening of an optical connector plug of the optical connector of FIG.

4 is a perspective view showing a positioning sleeve applied to the optical connector adapter of the optical connector of FIG. 1. FIG.

5 is a plan sectional view showing a positioning portion integrally formed with the optical connector adapter of the optical connector of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a positioning sleeve that is fitted inside the housing of the optical connector plug.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view showing a connection state in a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a connection state in another conventional optical connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Optical connector ferrule, 12 ... Optical fiber (optical fiber tape core wire), 20 ... Optical connector, 20A ... Optical connector adapter, 20B ... Optical connector plug (MPO connector), 21 ... Housing, 23 ... Opening (tapered shape) Opening), 24 ... biasing means (coil spring), 29 ...
Positioning sleeve, 32 ... Positioning portion, 33 ... Positioning sleeve.

Front page continued (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tamaki 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura-shi, Chiba Fujikura Co., Ltd.Sakura factory (72) Inventor Natsuka Imazu 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura-shi, Chiba Fujikura Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Nagasawa 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (72) Inventor Masaaki Takaya 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (56) References JP-A-1-234807 (JP, A) JP-A-4-215608 (JP, A) JP-A-6-208043 (JP, A) JP-A-7-140354 (JP, A) Kaihei 8-94879 (JP, A) JP 8-106028 (JP, A) JP 11-52181 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6 / 38

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical connector ferrule (2) terminating an optical fiber (12) so that they can be abutted and connected to each other, and an opening (2) is provided forward of the optical connector ferrule in a butted and connected direction.
A light which is housed in a tubular housing (21) having 3) so as to be able to advance and retreat in the butt connection direction, and is biased forward by the biasing means (24) by the biasing means (24). Connector plug (20
B) and an optical connector adapter (20A) in which the optical connector ferrules are internally butted and connected by inserting the optical connector plug from both sides, wherein the optical connector plug is the optical connector. The ferrule is housed in the ferrule housing hole (22) inside the housing, and the vicinity of the joint end face of the optical connector ferrule to be butt-connected by urging by the urging means is butt-connected from the opening of the housing. The front projection is maintained before and after the butt connection work, and the optical connector plug is provided near the opening of the optical connector plug.
The collar (2b) protruding from the rear end surface of the ferrule contacts
By butt connection of the optical connector ferrule
Stopper protrusions (25) that set the limit of forward movement
On the inner side of the opening of the housing.
It is projected all over the inner circumference of the rule storage hole in the circumferential direction.
And push the optical connector ferrule into the back side of the housing.
In rare cases, when the collar is separated from the stopper protrusion,
The optical connector ferrule inserts the ferrule storage hole.
Through the inside of the housing on opposite sides of the housing.
Rotate around the part located between the protrusions
In the optical connector adapter, the optical connector ferrule protruding forward from the opening of the housing of the optical connector plug inserted in the optical connector adapter can be butt connected by sandwiching it from both sides or the periphery. Positioning part (29, 3)
2, 33) are provided to the optical connector (2
0). 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is a positioning sleeve (29, 33) housed in the optical connector adapter.