JP3515418B2 - 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 built-in optical connector ferrule is butt-connected with an optical connector ferrule on the female housing side by inserting the female connector into the female housing. The present invention relates to an optical connector including a latch that removably engages.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows a conventional optical connector 1. This optical connector 1 is a so-called MT type optical connector ferrule 2 (Meca) defined in JIS C 5981.
nically Transferable: "Ferrule") is housed in a plastic housing 3.
For example, the ferrule 2 is butt-connected with another ferrule by inserting it into a female housing such as the optical connector adapter 4. Optical connector adapter 4
When the optical connectors 1 are inserted into both sides of the ferrules 2 and the ferrules 2 are butted and connected to each other, the optical fiber 5 (mainly a multi-fiber optical fiber) terminated by the ferrules 2 so that they can be butted and connected to each other is the optical fiber of the other ferrule Connected. At this time, in the optical connector 1, the latch 6 and the optical connector adapter 4 are engaged with each other so that the optical connector adapter 4
Withdrawal is restricted. Specifically, for example, the engaging projection 6a protruding from the latch 6 is inserted into the engaging hole 4a of the optical connector adapter 4 from the inner surface side of the optical connector adapter 4 and engaged therewith, thereby Withdrawal is restricted. The engagement structure between the latch 6 and the optical connector adapter 4 is not limited to the engagement between the engagement protrusion 6a and the engagement hole 4a, and various configurations can be adopted.

The operating end 6b at the tip of the latch 6 is exposed to the outside of the optical connector adapter 4 even when the optical connector 1 is inserted into the optical connector adapter 4. When the latch 6 is elastically deformed by pushing into the housing 3 of the optical connector 1, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 6a and the engagement hole 4a is released, and the optical connector 1 can be pulled out from the optical connector adapter 4. It will be possible. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1a denotes a boot, which houses and protects the optical fiber 5 which penetrates the cylindrical housing 3 from the ferrule 2 held at the tip of the housing 3 and is pulled out from the rear end of the housing 3. Ferrule 2
A plurality of bare fibers 5a drawn out to the end of the optical fiber 5 are exposed in the arrayed state on the joint end surface 2a.
When the ferrule 2 is butt-connected to the ferrule on the optical connector adapter 4 side, the bare fibers of both ferrules are butt-connected.

[0004]

However, in the above-described optical connector 1, since the engagement state between the engagement hole 4a and the engagement projection 6a is maintained by the spring force of the latch 6, the operation is performed. Even if you touch the end 6b carelessly,
b is pushed into the housing 3 side, and the engaging hole 4a
There was a complaint that the engagement between the and the engagement protrusion 6a was easily released. In view of the above problem, it has been proposed to insert a slidably movable key between the latch 6 and the housing 3 to prevent the latch 6 from being pushed into the housing 3 side. However, in this case, the entire latch 6 including the engaging projection 6a is restricted from being pushed in the direction of the housing 3, so that the optical connector 1 is forced to the optical connector adapter 4 while the latch 6 is locked by the key. If inserted, the latch 6 may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. (1) By locking the latch with the key, the engagement state between the engagement portion of the female housing and the engagement projection can be maintained. 2) Even if the latch is locked by the key, the elastic piece formed on the latch allows displacement of the engaging projection with respect to the latch, so that the latch is not damaged even when inserted into the female housing. (3) An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector capable of engaging the engaging protrusion with the engaging portion on the female housing side even when the latch is locked by the key and inserted into the female housing. is there.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cylindrical housing for accommodating and holding an optical connector ferrule in which optical fibers are butt-connected and terminated so as to be connected, and a cylindrical housing projecting from a side portion of the housing. An elastically deformable latch extending toward a rear end portion facing the front end portion along a side surface of the housing, and by inserting the housing from the front end portion into a female housing, the optical connector ferrule, An engagement protrusion projectingly connected to another optical connector ferrule housed in the female housing and projecting from the latch engages with an engagement portion of the female housing side in a detachable manner. Thus, in the optical connector in which the butt connection state of the optical connector ferrules is maintained, the latch is provided from the housing. It is provided with an operating end provided on the protruding tip and the engaging projection protruding from an elastic piece formed on the latch, and is movable forward and backward toward the distal end of the housing at the side portion of the housing. When the key provided on the housing is moved toward the housing distal end and is inserted into the gap between the operating end of the latch and the housing, the pushing of the operating end toward the housing is restricted. In addition, the elastic piece is
Since it can be elastically deformed independently from the touch, depending on the key
A state where the pushing of the operating end toward the housing is restricted.
In this state, even if the optical connector is inserted into the female housing,
Due to the displacement of the engaging protrusion within the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece,
The mating protrusion can be engaged with the engaging part of the female housing.
The optical connector according to claim Rukoto can have a solution to the above problems. According to this optical connector, if the key is moved toward the front end of the housing and inserted into the gap between the operating end of the latch and the housing, the pushing of the operating end toward the housing is restricted. Therefore, as long as the engagement portion on the female housing side and the engagement protrusion are engaged, the engagement state of both can be stably maintained. When the optical connector is inserted into the female housing after the pushing of the operating end toward the housing is restricted by the key, the engaging projection can be freely moved within the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece on which the engaging projection is provided. Since it is displaceable, it can be inserted inside the female housing without damaging the latch. After the insertion is completed, the engaging protrusion normally engages with the engaging portion, so that the pulling-out of the optical connector from the female housing can be restricted.

[0007]

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. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an optical connector 20 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in this optical connector 20, an optical connector ferrule 22 in which an optical fiber 21 is abutted and connectably terminated is housed and held in a distal end portion 23 a of a cylindrical housing 23. The latch 24 projecting from the side portion of the housing 23 is elastically deformable and extends along the side surface of the housing 23 toward the rear end portion 23b facing the front end portion 23a. This housing rear end 23
In the vicinity of b, the rear end portion 23 passes through the inside of the housing 23.
A flexible boot 20a that protects and stores the optical fiber 21 pulled out from b is attached.

The optical connector ferrule 22 is a JIS C
It is a so-called MT type optical connector ferrule (Mecanically Transferable) established in 5981, and includes a guide pin 22b protruding from the joint end face 22a.
Further, a pin clamp 22d for clamping and fixing the guide pin 22b is integrally provided near the flange portion 22c at the rear end (right side in FIG. 4) of the optical connector ferrule 22. In the present embodiment, the multi-core optical fiber tape core wire 21a drawn out to the end of the optical fiber 21 which is an optical fiber cord is inserted into the optical connector ferrule 22, and further, a plurality of optical fiber tape core wires 21a exposed at the tip of the optical fiber tape core wire 21a are exposed. The bare fiber 21b of the optical connector ferrule 22
The optical connector ferrule according to the present invention is not limited to this, and a single-core or multi-core optical fiber cord having three or more cores is shown. It is possible to employ various configurations such as those for terminating the optical fiber and those for terminating a single-core or multi-core optical fiber directly drawn into the housing 23 without being coded.

As shown in FIG. 4, an optical fiber 21 which is an optical fiber cord has a tensile strength member 21c exposed at a terminal.
(Kevlar) is inserted between the push ring 25 fixed to the housing rear end portion 23b and the ring 26 on the outer side of the push ring 25, sandwiched between the two, and fixed by caulking or adhesive. Be detained. The push wheel 25 is fixed by a push wheel fixing portion 23c (see FIG. 1) of the housing rear end portion 23b. The boot 20a is fixed to the outside of the ring 26 by fitting, bonding or the like. Optical fiber 2
Optical fiber tape core wire 21a pulled out from one terminal
Is a coil spring that penetrates the ring 26 and the push wheel 25 and is housed between the push wheel 25 and the pin clamp 22d, and the pin clamp 22d.
To reach the optical connector ferrule 22.

A biasing member 2 housed in the housing 23
7 applies a reaction force to the push wheel 25, and the pin clamp 22
The optical connector ferrule 22 is urged forward (left side in FIG. 4) in the connection direction via d. Optical connector ferrule 22
Is the support portion 2 formed inside the housing tip portion 23a.
When the collar portion 22c comes into contact with the 3d, the further forward movement in the connecting direction is restricted, and the stopper portion 22c is prevented from falling off from the housing front end portion 23a. In FIG. 4, the biasing member 2
7 is a coil spring, but is not limited to this,
For example, various configurations such as a leaf spring and an elastic body such as rubber can be adopted.

The housing 23, including the latch 24,
The whole is integrally molded from resin such as plastic.
The latch 24 extends from the housing front end portion 23a to the rear end portion 23.
It projects toward b and extends along the side surface of the housing 23 with a gap 28 between the side surface of the housing 23 and the side surface of the housing 23, and is elastically deformable within the range of the gap 28.
The latch 24 includes an operating end 24a provided at a tip end protruding from the housing 23, and an elastic piece 24d formed substantially in the center between a protruding base end portion 24b extending from the housing 23 and the operating end 24a. (See Figures 1 and 2)
And the engaging portion 2 provided on the female housing 29 (here, the optical connector adapter) side so as to project from the elastic piece 24d.
9a and an engaging projection 24c that engages in a detachable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elastic piece 24d is surrounded by a slit 24e formed in the central portion of the latch 24, and is elastically deformable separately from the latch 24. Therefore, the engaging protrusion 24c is provided on the elastic piece 2
It is displaceable with respect to the latch 24 within the elastic deformation range of 4d.

The key 30 provided on the side of the housing 23 is movable back and forth toward the housing front end 23a, and when moved toward the housing front end 23a, the operating end 24a of the latch 24 and the housing are moved. 23 can be inserted into the gap 28, and can be pulled out from the gap 28 by moving in the opposite direction. The key 30 moves along the guide walls 23e without separating from the guide walls 23e on both sides of the housing 23.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing an initial state in which the optical connector 20 is inserted into the female housing 29, and FIG. 6 is an engaging projection 2 of the optical connector 20 inserted in the female housing 29.
4c is a side sectional view showing a state in which 4c is engaged with an engagement portion 29a on the female housing 29 side. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the optical connector 20 is inserted into the tubular portion 29b of the female housing 29 from the distal end portion 23a side so that the optical connector ferrule 22 at the distal end is moved to the female housing 29 side. It is adapted to be butt-connected with another supported optical connector ferrule 31. Guide pin hole 31b opened in the joining end surface 31a of the optical connector ferrule 31
By inserting and fitting the guide pin 22b on the side of the optical connector ferrule 22, the positioning accuracy between the optical connector ferrules 22 and 31 is secured. Then, the engaging protrusion 24c of the latch 24 is pressed against the inner surface of the female-side housing tubular portion 29b by the spring force of the latch 24 and comes into sliding contact with the engaging portion 29a which is a hole formed in the tubular portion 29b. Engage. As a result, the pulling-out of the optical connector 20 from the female housing 29 is restricted, and the butt connection state of the optical connector ferrules 22 and 31 is maintained. Further, the biasing force of the biasing member 27 built in the optical connector 20 causes the optical connector ferrules 22 and 3 to move.
Since it works as a butt force for one piece, a target low connection loss can be stably obtained.

Since the optical connector ferrule 31 on the female housing 29 side is also biased by a biasing member (not shown), the pressing force from the optical connector ferrule 22 of the optical connector 20 inserted in the female housing 29 is pushed. It is possible to push in a little. Further, when the optical connector ferrule 22 on the optical connector 20 side is pushed to the inner side of the housing 23 (right side of FIGS. 5 and 6) by the pressing force at the time of butting (for example, the position of the virtual line in FIG. 6),
The collar portion 22c is separated from the support portion 23d, and the support portion 2
Floating is allowed within the interior space of the housing 23, which is slightly wider than 3d. Thereby, for example, the female housing 2
Even if the optical connector 20 connected to 9 is slightly deformed by an external force to the side, the inner surface of the housing 23 is prevented from pressing the optical connector ferrule 22, and the optical connector ferrules 22 and 31 are connected to each other. Is maintained stable.

Since the latch operation end 24a is exposed to the outside of the female housing 29 even when the insertion of the optical connector 20 into the female housing 29 is completed, it can be easily operated at any time. Push the latch operation end 24a toward the housing 23 (direction to reduce the gap 28),
When the whole is deformed in the direction of the housing 23, the engagement protrusion 24c can be disengaged from the engagement portion 29a. In this state, the optical connector 20 can be pulled out from the female side housing 29 (returning to the state of FIG. 4). However, as shown in FIG. 7, when the key 30 is inserted into the gap 28, the pushing of the operating end 24a toward the housing 23 is restricted, so that the engaging protrusion 24c is disengaged from the engaging portion 29a. It is not possible. In order to pull out the optical connector 20 from the female side housing 29, the key 30 inserted in the gap 28 is moved to the housing rear end portion 23b, retracted, pulled out from the gap 28, and then the operation end 24a is pushed. . Also, key 3 in the gap 28
When 0 is inserted and the push-in of the latch 24 is locked, the inconvenience that the engagement between the engagement portion 29a and the engagement projection 24c is released due to inadvertent contact with the operation end 24a is prevented. Thus, the engagement state between the engagement portion 29a and the engagement protrusion 24c is stably maintained. As the female housing 29 into which the optical connector 20 is inserted, various configurations such as an optical connector receptacle can be adopted in addition to the optical connector adapter.

That is, the work of inserting and connecting the optical connector 20 in which the key 30 is retracted to the housing rear end portion 23b in advance to the female housing 29 is the same as that of the conventional optical connector, and the optical connector 20 is inserted into the female connector 29. It only has to be inserted into the side housing 29. After the insertion into the female housing 29 is completed, the key 30 is inserted into the gap 28 to lock the pushing of the latch 24 as shown in FIG.
Unintentional disengagement between a and the engagement protrusion 24c can be prevented.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in this optical connector 20, the state in which the pushing of the latch 24 is locked by the key 30 (the housing 23 and the latch 24) is locked.
Even when the key 30 is inserted in the gap 28 between the key housing 30 and the key, it can be inserted into the female housing 29. That is, in the optical connector 20, even if the pushing of the operating end 24a of the latch 24 is restricted by the key 30,
The engagement protrusion 24c is allowed to displace within the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece 24d. When the optical connector 20 in which the latch 24 is locked by the key 30 is inserted into the female housing 29, as shown in FIG. 9, the female housing tubular portion 29b is formed.
When the engaging projection 24c comes into contact with the inner surface, the elastic piece 24d
However, aside from the latch 24, it is elastically deformed by itself to form the gap 28.
Be pushed into. Therefore, no unreasonable force is applied to the latch 24, and there is no fear of damage. Then, by continuing to push in the optical connector 20 as it is, the engagement protrusion 24c reaching the engagement portion 29a on the female housing 29 side is
By the spring force of the latch 24 and the elastic piece 24d, the latch 24 and the elastic piece 24d are pushed into and engaged with the engaging portion 29a (finally reaching the state of FIG. 7). Therefore, it is not necessary to retract the key 30 from the latch 24 in advance before inserting the optical connector 20 into the female housing 29. At this time, there is no fear of damaging the latch 24. Further, the pulling out of the female connector 29 of the optical connector 20 after the insertion is completed requires the key 30 in advance.
There is no difference from the case where the latch 24 is inserted without being locked.

It is needless to say that the optical connector of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made, for example, by applying the modification of the cross-sectional contour shape of the housing itself. Further, the groove formed in the female-side housing tubular portion 29b, the latch 24 on the optical connector 20 side,
By fulfilling the function of a key and a keyway, it is normally impossible to insert the female housing 29 in a direction other than a predetermined direction. As the engaging part of the female side housing,
The structure is not limited to the hole, and various structures such as a groove, a protruding wall, and an elastic claw can be adopted. Needless to say, the shape and size of the elastic piece, the position where the elastic piece is formed, and the like can be changed as appropriate.

[0019]

As described above, according to the optical connector of the present invention, the key moved toward the front end of the housing is inserted into the gap between the operating end of the latch and the housing to perform the operation. Since the pushing of the end toward the housing is restricted, the engagement state between the engagement portion on the female housing side and the latch engagement protrusion can be stably maintained. Moreover, even if the optical connector is inserted into the female side housing after the pushing of the operating end toward the housing is restricted by the key,
By displacing the engaging protrusions within the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece formed on the latch, insertion work can be performed without damaging the latch, and the engaging protrusion engages with the engaging portion of the female housing. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of inserting the optical connector into the female housing and the workability of engaging the engaging projection with the engaging portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the optical connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the optical connector of FIG.

4 is a view showing a step of inserting the optical connector of FIG. 1 into a female housing, and is a side sectional view showing a state before insertion when the latch is not locked by the key.

5 is a view showing a step of inserting the optical connector of FIG. 1 into a female housing, and is a side sectional view showing an initial stage of insertion.

6 is a view showing a step of inserting the optical connector of FIG. 1 into a female side housing, and is a side sectional view showing a state in which an engaging protrusion of a latch is engaged with an engaging portion of the female side housing.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a process of locking the latch of the optical connector, which has been inserted into the female side housing, with a key.

8 is a view showing a step of inserting the optical connector of FIG. 1 into a female housing, and is a side sectional view showing a state in which a latch is locked with a key before being inserted into the female housing.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing an initial stage of inserting the optical connector in which the latch is locked by the key into the female housing.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an optical connector of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... Optical connector, 21 ... Optical fiber (optical fiber cord), 21a ... Optical fiber (optical fiber ribbon),
21b ... Optical fiber (bare fiber), 22 ... Optical connector ferrule, 23 ... Housing, 23a ... Housing front end portion, 23b ... Housing rear end portion, 24 ... Latch, 24
a ... operating end, 24b ... protruding base end, 24c ... engaging projection,
24d ... Elastic piece, 28 ... Gap, 29 ... Female housing,
29a ... Engaging portion (hole), 30 ... Key, 31 ... Optical connector ferrule.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masaaki Takatani 3-21-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Shinji Nagasawa 3-19 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 2 in Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) Reference JP 2000-147323 (JP, A) Actual development Sho 62-106204 (JP, U) US Patent 4611887 (US, A) (58) Research field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/38

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical housing (23) for accommodating and holding an optical connector ferrule (22) terminated by butting and connecting optical fibers (21, 21a, 21b) in a tip portion (23a), and this housing. An elastically deformable latch (24) protruding from a side portion and extending toward a rear end portion (23b) facing the front end portion along a side surface of the housing. By inserting into the side housing (29), the optical connector ferrule is butt-connected with another optical connector ferrule (31) housed in the female side housing, and an engaging projection protruding from the latch (24c)
An optical connector in which the butt connection state of the optical connector ferrules is maintained by being engageably and disengageably engaged with the engaging portion (29a) of the female housing side portion, wherein the latch is An operating end (24a) provided at a tip end protruding from the housing and an engaging projection protruding from an elastic piece (24d) formed in the latch are provided, and at a side portion of the housing. , A key (30) provided so as to be movable back and forth toward the housing front end is moved toward the housing front end and inserted into a gap (28) between the operating end of the latch and the housing. At this time, pushing of the operating end toward the housing is restricted , and the elastic piece is elastically deformed independently of the latch.
Since it can be shaped, the housing side of the operating end can be
The optical connector with the push-in
Even if inserted into the housing, within the elastic deformation range of the elastic piece
The engagement protrusion of the female housing is
An optical connector (20) characterized by being capable of engaging with an engaging portion . 2. The elastic piece is formed at a central portion of the latch.
Surrounded by a slit (24e),
It is characterized by being elastically deformable separately from J
The optical connector according to claim 1.