JP3962412B2 - Optical connector plug - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector plug for optically coupling between optical fibers or between an optical fiber and an optical element.

  The optical connector is detachably fixed in a state in which the front end surfaces of the ferrule through which the optical fiber is inserted are in contact with each other. For this reason, the entry of foreign matter between the front end surfaces of the ferrules that face each other leads to an increase in transmission loss. Therefore, it is desirable to protect the tip surface of the ferrule of the optical connector plug.

  For this purpose, conventionally, at the site of network construction, immediately before connecting the optical fiber, the tip surface of the ferrule of the optical connector plug is manually cleaned or by a dedicated cleaning tool (for example, Patent Document 1). Yes.

  In addition, there is a shutter that closes the distal end surface of the ferrule of the optical connector plug, and this shutter is automatically opened when coupled with a dedicated optical connector adapter (Non-patent Document 1).

JP 2001-246343 A Diamond SA website (http://www.diamond-fo.com/products/datasheets/E-2000_e.pdf)

  However, a dedicated cleaning tool such as Patent Document 1 is common for operators and construction contractors who manage optical networks, but is not owned by general users, and it is difficult for general users to handle optical connectors. It was one of the reasons. Further, the optical connector adapter with a shutter of Non-Patent Document 1 cannot avoid an increase in connection loss when dirt is attached to the front end face of the ferrule during storage, previous use, or previous removal operation.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector plug capable of suppressing a connection loss and realizing a reliable connection operation without worrying about dirt on the front end face of a ferrule even for general users who do not have a dedicated tool. .

The present invention is an optical connector plug having a casing for holding an optical fiber, and coupled to the adapter or the receptacle by fitting the casing with an opening of the adapter or the receptacle, and the optical fiber is fixed A wiping member for wiping the front end face of the ferrule; and a drive mechanism for driving the wiping member, the wiping member being able to wipe the entire front end face of the ferrule even if its movement locus is non-planar. The drive mechanism drives the wiping member by interfering with the adapter or the receptacle during the coupling operation between the optical connector plug and the adapter or the receptacle. Connector plug.

  In the present invention, the wiping member is driven by the drive mechanism, and the front end face of the ferrule is wiped off. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when dirt is attached to the front end face of the ferrule during storage, previous use, or previous removal work, an increase in connection loss can be avoided and work efficiency is hindered. There is no fear. In addition, since the wiping member is driven during the coupling operation between the optical connector plug and the adapter or the receptacle, it is possible to wipe off dirt adhered just before the coupling, and there is no possibility that the efficiency of the work will be hindered by wiping. . Moreover, since the drive mechanism drives the wiping member by interfering with the adapter or the receptacle, it is not necessary to provide a power source such as a motor for wiping.

  It is preferable that the driving mechanism in the present invention drives the wiping member by interfering with the edge surface of the opening of the adapter or the receptacle. In this case, the operation of the drive mechanism is realized by interference with the edge of the opening edge of the adapter or receptacle, so that no special structure is required for the adapter or receptacle to be coupled, and the existing optical It can be directly coupled to a connector adapter or receptacle.

  The drive mechanism according to the present invention includes a mover that is attached to the casing so as to be movable back and forth and interferes with the edge surface of the opening of the adapter or the receptacle, and the wiping member is driven by the movement of the mover back and forth. It is particularly suitable.

  Further, it is particularly preferable that the wiping member in the drive mechanism is provided integrally with the mover.

  When the wiping member and the mover are integrated, the drive mechanism has a support portion that is fixed to the mover and extends toward the ferrule through which the optical fiber is inserted, and the wiping member is held by the support portion. If the support part interferes with the ferrule or the casing as the mover moves backward, and the wiping member is driven to the open state by this, the simple structure is intended for the present invention. The effect of can be obtained.

The wiping member may be bonded to the support part, and when the support part is made of metal, the wiping member may be caulked to the support part. Further, the wiping member may be ring-shaped , and may be fixed to the support portion by passing the support portion therethrough. When the support portion is a rigid body and the wiping member is a sheet, a buffer material layer made of an elastic material may be provided between the support portion and the wiping member.

  Further, when the wiping member and the mover are integrated, it is possible to provide return operation means for driving the mover in the forward direction during the removal operation of the casing. It is preferable that the wiping member can be closed in the plug.

  If the return operation means is an elastic body, the wiping member can be closed with a simple configuration, which is preferable.

  When the return operation means is an elastic body, various structures can be arbitrarily adopted. For example, the elastic body is particularly preferably a push spring installed between the casing and the mover. Further, the elastic body may be a plate spring whose outer peripheral end is fixed to the casing, and a roll portion of the plate spring may be in contact with the movable element.

  Further, the return operation means may be a friction member that is provided in the mover or the support part and increases the friction between the adapter or the opening of the receptacle. In this case, the friction member increases the frictional force between the mover or the support portion and the opening of the adapter or the like during the removal operation, and as a result, the wiping member after the removal operation is closed. Can do.

  If the friction member in this case is a tongue piece provided on the mover or the support portion, the desired effect can be obtained with a simple configuration. If the tongue is inclined rearward, the tongue piece is suitable for facilitating friction with the inner surface of the opening of the adapter or the like during removal.

  The casing according to the present invention includes a plug frame that holds a ferrule and a sliding sleeve that is slidably mounted on the plug frame, and the sliding sleeve unlocks the adapter or the receptacle. If it has, it can make attachment or detachment work easy.

  An optical connector plug having a casing having such a plug frame and a sliding sleeve, wherein the drive mechanism is attached to the casing so as to be movable back and forth, and interferes with the edge of the opening of the adapter or the receptacle. When the wiping member is provided integrally with the mover and includes a return operation means made of an elastic body that drives the mover in the forward direction during the removal operation of the casing, the return operation means includes: It is preferable to install between the plug frame and the mover. According to this structure, since the reaction force of the elastic body does not act on the sliding sleeve, unintentional unlocking due to the reaction force of the push spring can be prevented.

  The present invention can be applied to various optical connector plugs including an optical connector plug for fitting to an SC-type or MU-type adapter or receptacle.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an optical connector adapter 10 (hereinafter referred to as an adapter 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an optical connector plug 20 shown in FIGS. 20). The adapter 10 is a well-known SC type adapter and conforms to JIS C5973 (1993) regarding the F04 type single-core optical fiber connector.

  1 and 2, the adapter 10 includes a resin-made square tube-shaped housing 11 that is injection-molded, and has a rectangular opening 12 and a cylindrical alignment sleeve 13 that extends in the axial direction. (See FIG. 2) is formed. The edge end surface 12a of the opening 12 is flat. In the two openings 12 at both ends of the housing 11, a pair of resin-made elastic locking pieces 14 are formed integrally with the upper and lower side surfaces of the housing 11.

  The four elastic locking pieces 14 have the same shape. The elastic locking piece 14 extends in a cantilever shape with the free end facing the outside (opening side) of the housing 11, and the free end, that is, the leading end, protrudes inward. A claw 14a is formed. On the side edge portion of the distal end portion of the elastic locking piece 14, a protrusion 14 b that protrudes on both sides is formed.

  In FIG. 3, the plug frame 21 of the plug 20 has a cylindrical shape having an outer shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. On the left and right side surfaces of the plug frame 21, recesses 21a are formed. A cylindrical stop ring 21b (see FIG. 6) is fixed to the rear portion of the plug 20, and a cylindrical boot 25 having a taper in the axial direction is fitted therein. The optical fiber core wire of the optical fiber cord 30 introduced into the plug 20 through the opening at the back of the boot 25 is drawn into the ferrule 22 held in the plug 20. The ferrule 22 fixes the strand 30a of the optical fiber cord 30 to the through hole on the central axis thereof, and is pressed to the tip side by a coil spring 23 (see FIG. 5).

  The Kevlar 30b of the optical fiber cord 30 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer peripheral surface of the stop ring 21b at the rear of the plug frame and the inner peripheral surface of the crimp ring 26. The outer cover 30 c of the optical fiber cord 30 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer peripheral surface of the crimp ring 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 27.

  In FIG. 4, the sliding sleeve 40 has a generally rectangular tube shape formed by injection molding, and an opening 41 is formed on the left and right side surfaces, and an opening 42 is formed on the upper surface. Yes. Convex portions 43a and concave portions 43b are formed in the peripheral portions of the left and right openings 41, respectively. A flat recess 44 is formed on the upper surface of the sliding sleeve 40 from the front end portion to the intermediate portion. The internal dimension of the sliding sleeve 40 is slightly larger than the external dimension of the tip portion of the plug frame 21 shown in FIG. 3, and the sliding sleeve 40 is slidably mounted on the outside of the frame 21.

  In FIG. 5, the drive mechanism 50 includes a movable element 51 and a shielding piece 52 that is integrally fixed to the movable element 51. The mover 51 is a frame made of resin and having a rectangular cross section with a part cut away. The internal dimension of the movable element 51 is slightly larger than the external dimension of the tip portion of the sliding sleeve 40 shown in FIG. 4, and the sliding sleeve 40 is slidably mounted on the outside of the frame 21.

  The shielding piece 52 is made of a thin plate material rich in elasticity, and includes a flat base portion 52a that is fixed to the inner surface of the movable element 51, a flat shielding portion 52b that is flat and substantially parallel to the front end surface of the ferrule 22, and the base portion 52a and the shielding portion. And a skewed support portion 52c connecting the portion 52b. The support portion 52 c extends from the mover 51 toward the axis of the ferrule 22. As the material of the shielding piece 52, a Ti—Ni alloy known as a so-called shape memory alloy is particularly suitable, but other materials may be used. A wiping pad 53 is bonded to the shielding part 52b. The wiping pad 53 is a wiping member according to the present invention, and has a sheet shape so that the surface of the wiping pad 53 can wipe the entire front end surface of the ferrule 22 even if the movement locus of the shielding portion 52b is non-planar. , Have moderate elasticity. The material of the wiping pad 53 is particularly preferably a cloth woven with ultrafine fibers having a fiber diameter of about 3 μm, for example, but other materials may be used.

  The plug frame 21, the sliding sleeve 40, and the drive mechanism 50 configured as described above are assembled as shown in FIGS. That is, the sliding sleeve 40 is attached to the outside of the plug frame 21 so as to be movable back and forth. Further, the drive mechanism 50 is attached to the outside of the front end portion of the sliding sleeve 40 so as to be movable back and forth. As shown in FIG. 7, a protrusion 22 is fixed to the plug frame 21, and the protrusion 22 protrudes to the outside through an opening 42 of the sliding sleeve 40. A push spring 60 is installed between the rear end portion of the mover 51 and the protrusion 22. The push spring 60 constantly urges the movable element 51 toward the front end with respect to the plug frame 21, but the elastic force of the push spring 60 does not act on the sliding sleeve 40. A protrusion (not shown) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve 40 or the plug frame 21, and this protrusion restricts the forward movement of the movable element 51, and the front side with respect to the movement of the movable element 51 forward and backward. Specify the limit point of.

  The connecting operation and the extracting operation of the optical connector adapter 10 and the optical connector plug 20 configured as described above will be described below.

  The combining operation is as follows. The user grips the rear portion of the sliding sleeve 40 integrated with the plug 20 as described above, and inserts the integrated plug 20 into the opening 12 of the adapter 10. As the plug 20 is inserted, the protrusion 14b in the peripheral portion of the elastic locking piece 14 on the adapter 10 side comes into contact with the convex portion 43 in the peripheral portion of the sliding sleeve, and as shown in FIG. As the distance increases, the distal end portion of the elastic locking piece 14 is gradually expanded outward.

  When the protrusion 14b in the peripheral portion of the elastic locking piece 14 is pushed up by the convex portion 43 in the peripheral portion of the sliding sleeve 40, the tip portion of the cantilever-like elastic locking piece 14 bends upward, and the locking is performed. The nail | claw 14a can advance beyond the protrusion formed in the front of the recessed part 21a of the plug 20. FIG.

  When the insertion depth is further increased, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 14 b in the peripheral portion of the elastic locking piece 14 passes through the position of the convex portion 43 in the peripheral portion of the sliding sleeve 40. The outward deflection of the stopper piece 14 is released, and the locking claw 14 a passes through the opening 41 of the sliding sleeve 40 and falls into the recess 21 a formed on the surface of the plug frame 21.

  The adapter 10 and the plug 20 are prevented from moving forward and backward by the drop of the locking claw 14a into the recess 21a, and the mechanical coupling between them is completed. At the same time, the accommodation of the ferrule 22 in the sleeve 13 is also completed.

  During such a series of coupling operations, the shielding piece 52 covers the front end face of the ferrule 22 and exists in front of the optical path of the optical fiber strand 30a, so that the shielding piece 52 becomes the optical fiber strand 30a. The transition to the open state existing outside the front of the optical path is performed. First, in the initial state shown in FIG. 7, that is, the uncoupled state, the mover 51 of the drive mechanism 50 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the push spring 60 and is located near the front end of the plug 20. At this time, the shielding piece 52 is in a substantially unloaded state, and the shielding portion 52 b covers the front end face of the ferrule 22. Further, the surface of the wiping pad 53 is in close contact with the entire front end surface of the ferrule 22.

  Next, the user holds the rear portion of the sliding sleeve 40, and the integral-structured plug 20 is inserted into the opening 12 of the adapter 10 as shown in FIG. As the plug 20 is inserted, the front end portion of the mover 51 of the drive mechanism 50 comes into contact with the rim end surface 12 a of the opening portion 12 of the adapter 10. Due to this contact or interference, the movable element 51 is pushed backward relative to the sliding sleeve 40 against the elastic force of the push spring 60.

  Here, the shielding piece 52 provided integrally with the mover 51 interferes with the lip of the sliding sleeve 40 as the mover 51 moves backward, and is deformed into the shape of the recess 44 by elastic deformation. It follows the generally flat shape. In the process of this elastic deformation, the shielding portion 52b of the shielding piece 52 pivots as indicated by a symbol A in FIG. 8 and completely disengages from the front of the front end face of the ferrule 22. For this reason, the shielding piece 52 does not hinder the insertion of the ferrule 22 into the alignment sleeve 13, and the front end portion of the ferrule 22 is inserted to a position indicated by a one-dot chain line B in FIG. 8. When the mechanical coupling between the adapter 10 and the plug 20 is completed, the front end portion of the plug frame 21 is inserted to the position D1, and the front end portion of the sliding sleeve 40 is inserted to the position D2 and stopped. As described above, the shielding piece 52 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the reaction force received by the movable element 51 from the mouth end surface 12a, that is, the operation force that the user pushes the plug 20 in the coupling direction.

  The removal operation for releasing the coupling of the optical connector is as follows. As shown in FIG. 11, the user holds the rear portion of the sliding sleeve 40 and slides it backward. Accordingly, the protrusion 14b in the peripheral portion of the elastic locking piece 14 is pushed up by the convex portion 43a in the peripheral portion of the frame, so that the tip end portion of the elastic locking piece 14 bends upward, and the locking claw 14a becomes the plug. The concave portion 21a and the opening 41 of the sliding sleeve 40 are lifted above. When the sliding sleeve 40 is further retracted, the tip of the sliding sleeve 40 and the protrusion in front of the recess of the plug 20 come into contact with each other, so that the plug 20 starts to retract and the connection with the adapter 10 is released. Therefore, the plug 20 is removed from the adapter 10 with a small removal force.

  During such a series of extraction operations, the shielding piece 52 transitions from the open state to the closed state again. That is, as the plug 20 is pulled out from the adapter 10, the movable element 51 of the drive mechanism 50 is driven in the forward direction by the restoring force of the push spring 60, from the retracted position shown in FIG. 8 to the advanced position shown in FIG. Return. At this time, the shielding piece 52 is released from the restraint of the movable element 51 and the recess 44 and elastically returns to the initial shape shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the wiping member 53 is driven by the drive mechanism 50 and the front end surface of the ferrule 22 is wiped off. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid an increase in connection loss even when dirt is attached to the front end face of the ferrule 22 during storage of the plug 20, previous use, or during the previous removal operation. Further, since the wiping member 53 is driven during the coupling operation between the plug 20 and the adapter 10, dirt attached just before the coupling can be wiped off, and there is no possibility that the efficiency of the work will be hindered by wiping. Further, since the drive mechanism 50 drives the wiping member by interfering with the adapter 10, it is not necessary to provide a power source such as a motor for wiping.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the operation of the drive mechanism 50 is realized by interference with the rim end surface 12a of the opening 12 of the adapter 10, so a special structure is not required for the adapter 10 to be coupled, It can be directly coupled to an existing optical connector adapter.

  In the present embodiment, the drive mechanism 50 includes a mover 51 attached to the casing so as to be movable back and forth, and the wiping member 53 is driven by the back and forth movement of the mover 51. Since the wiping member 53 in the drive mechanism 50 is provided integrally with the mover 51, the desired effect of the present invention can be obtained with a simple structure.

  In the present embodiment, the wiping member 53 and the mover 51 are integrated, and the return operation means for driving the mover 51 in the forward direction during the removal operation of the plug 20 is provided. In the plug 20 in the state, the wiping member 53 can be returned to the closed state. Moreover, since the return operation means is an elastic body, the structure is simple.

  In this embodiment, since the pressing spring 60 is installed between the plug frame 21 and the movable element 51, the reaction force of the pressing spring 60 does not act on the sliding sleeve 40, and the intention by the reaction force of the pressing spring 60 is achieved. Unlocking can be prevented.

  Various other structures can be arbitrarily employed as the return operation means for driving the mover in the forward direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a torsion spring 160 may be used as an elastic body (push spring) as a return operation means for driving the mover 51 of the drive mechanism 50. In this case, in order to prevent unintentional unlocking due to the reaction force of the push spring 160, it is preferable to provide the opening 142 in the sliding sleeve 140 and set one end of the torsion spring 160 to the plug frame 121. is there.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plate spring 260 may be used as an elastic body that is a return operation means for driving the mover 51 of the drive mechanism 50. In this modification, a notch 221a is provided in the plug frame 221 constituting the casing, and an engaging portion 261 formed at the outer peripheral end of the plate winding spring 260 is engaged with the notch 221a. The sliding sleeve 240 is provided with a notch 244 having a width slightly larger than the width of the plate spring 260. In operation, as shown in FIG. 15, when the mover 51 of the drive mechanism 50 moves backward, the roll portion 262 of the plate spring 260 protruding upward through the notch 224 is placed at the rear end of the mover 51. Abut. Simultaneously with the removal operation of the plug 220, the mover 51 moves due to the restoring force of the plate spring 260 and returns to the front end side of the plug 220.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a tension spring 360 may be used as an elastic body that is a return operation means for driving the mover 351 of the drive mechanism 350. In this modification, two locking pieces 321a are fixed to the upper part of the front end surface of the plug frame 321 constituting the casing, and the locking pieces 321a and the inner rear end of the mover 351 are connected to a tension spring 360. Join with. Simultaneously with the removal operation of the plug 320, the mover 351 moves by the restoring force of the tension spring 360 and returns to the front end side of the plug 320.

  Further, the movable element of the drive mechanism can adopt various modifications such as a rod shape instead of a frame. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, a rod-like movable element 451 that can project and retreat forward may be used. In this modification, the mover 451 is held inside the holding frame 455 so as to protrude and retract. A push spring 460 installed at the rear end of the mover 451 constantly urges the mover 451 forward. The holding frame 455 is fixed to the plug frame 421 through an opening (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the sliding sleeve 440. A shielding piece 452 is fixed to the mover 451 by a screw 456. A wiping member (not shown) is bonded and fixed to the surface of the shielding piece 452. The shielding piece 452 and the wiping member resist the elastic force of the push spring 460 by the contact or interference between the lip end surface 12a (see FIG. 1) of the opening 12 of the adapter 10 and the shoulder 451a of the mover 451. Then, it is pushed backward relative to the sliding sleeve 440.

  The return operation means for driving the mover of the drive mechanism may be a friction member that is provided in the mover or the wiping member and increases friction with the inner surface of the opening 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, a cut-and-raised tongue piece 552a as a friction member can be provided on the back side of the shielding piece 552 of the drive mechanism 550. In this case, the entire elastic restoring force of the shielding piece 552 and the elastic restoring force of the tongue piece 552a increase the frictional force between the shielding piece 552 and the inner wall surface of the opening 12 during the extraction operation. . Therefore, after the removal operation, the movable element 551 can be moved to the front end side of the plug without other means such as the push spring 60, and the wiping member 553 can be returned to the closed state. Further, if the rear end portion of the tongue 552a is inclined rearward, friction with the inner surface of the opening 12 at the time of extraction is preferable. As the friction member, other various structures including an elastic body such as a protrusion or an unevenness provided on the shielding piece and a rubber plug fixed to the shielding piece can be adopted. In this modification, the tongue piece 552a as a friction member is provided on the shielding piece 552. However, a similar friction member may be provided on the movable element, and the wiping member is bonded to the front and back of the shielding piece 552. (In this case, a part of the wiping member functions as a friction member), and in either case, the same effect can be obtained.

  The shielding piece in the present invention may be opaque that can block light having a wavelength transmitted by an optical fiber, or may be translucent that can scatter light having a wavelength transmitted. . When the shielding piece is translucent, the arrival of the signal light can be visually recognized from the outside. In the above embodiment, the shielding piece is made of metal, but various kinds of materials that can block or scatter light transmitted by the optical fiber, such as resin, can be used for the shielding piece.

  The shielding piece can also be a sheet-like flexible material such as a film or cloth. For example, in the drive mechanism 650 in the modification shown in FIG. 20, one end of a shielding piece 652, which is a nonwoven fabric made of ultrafine fibers having a fiber diameter of about 3 μm, is fixed to a frame-like movable element 651. A tension spring 660 serving as a return operation means is attached between the other end of the shielding piece 652 and the protrusion 622 fixed to the plug frame 621. The shielding piece 652 is provided with a circular or oval window 652a which is a through hole. During the coupling operation, when the mover 651 is retracted to the right side in the drawing by contact with the edge of the opening of the adapter, the shielding piece 652 wipes the front end surface of the ferrule 22 in the process of retreat ( That is, the shielding piece 652 also functions as a wiping member). Further, when the plug 620 is completely coupled to the adapter, the window 652a allows the front end surface of the ferrule 22 to be looked forward.

  Various changes can also be made in the material and structure of the wiping material fixed to the shielding portion 52b. For example, a cushioning material layer made of an elastic body such as a sheet-like or flat rubber may be provided between the shielding piece made of an elastic rigid body and the sheet-like flexible wiping pad. In this case, it is advantageous in that the surface of the wiping pad is in close contact with the front end surface of the ferrule 22 from the shielding by the shielding piece to the wiping operation by the action of the buffer material layer. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the wiping pad 753 may be caulked to the shielding piece 752 by plastic deformation of the distal end portion of the shielding piece 752 which is a band-shaped metal plate. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a ring-shaped wiping ring 853 made of a bundle of flexible ultrafine fibers may be fixed to a shielding piece 852 that is a band-shaped metal plate. The wiping ring 853 is fixed to the shielding piece 852 when the shielding piece 852 passes through the wiping ring 853. In this case, a narrowed portion 852a for preventing the wiping ring 853 from dropping off and a width direction (or a thin plate shape) of the distal end portion of the shielding piece 852 when the wiping ring 853 is attached to the distal end portion of the shielding piece 852. It is preferable to provide a notch 852b for promoting elastic deformation in the front and back direction of the shielding piece 852.

  The plugs of the above embodiment and each modification can be coupled to the SC-type optical connector adapter 10, but can also be coupled to a receptacle having the same fitting structure as it is. In addition to the adapter or receptacle of the SC type optical fiber connector, the present invention also applies to an optical connector plug for fitting to an adapter or receptacle of MU type (according to JIS C5983 (2001) relating to F14 type optical fiber connector). The present invention can be applied particularly preferably, and can also be applied to connector plugs of other structures.

It is a perspective view which shows the optical connector adapter with which the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention is fitted. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the optical connector adapter of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the plug frame in the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the sliding sleeve in the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section (The VV sectional view in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) of the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the drive mechanism in the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the longitudinal cross-section (the VII-VII line cross section in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) of the principal part of the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention in a non-bonding state. It is sectional drawing which shows the longitudinal cross-section (VII-VII line cross section in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) of the principal part of the optical connector plug of embodiment of this invention in the process of coupling | bonding. It is a cross-sectional view of the principal part of the optical connector plug of the embodiment of the present invention in the process of coupling. It is a cross-sectional view of the principal part of the optical connector plug of the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the coupling is completed. It is a cross-sectional view of the principal part of the optical connector plug of the embodiment of the present invention in the process of releasing the coupling. It is a top view which shows schematically the optical connector plug of a modification. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the optical connector plug of another modification. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the optical connector plug of FIG. It is a top view which shows the optical connector plug of another modification. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the optical connector plug of FIG. It is a top view which shows the optical connector plug of another modification. It is a side view which shows the optical connector plug of the modification of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the drive mechanism of the optical connector plug of another modification. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the optical connector plug of another modification. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the shielding piece of the optical connector plug of another modification. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the shielding piece of the optical connector plug of another modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Adapter 12 Opening part 12a Edge edge end surface 14 Elastic locking piece 20,220,320, Plug 21,121,221,321,621 Plug frame 22 Ferrule 30 Optical fiber 30 Optical fiber cord 30a Strand 40,140,240, 440, 450 Sliding sleeve 50, 350, 550, 650 Drive mechanism 51, 351, 551, 651 Movable element 52, 452, 552, 652, 752, 852 Shielding piece 53, 553, 753 Wiping pad 60, 160, 260, 360,660 Spring 262 Roll part 552a Tongue piece 853 Wiping ring

Claims (18)

An optical connector plug having a casing for holding an optical fiber, the optical connector plug being coupled to the adapter or the receptacle by fitting the casing with an opening of the adapter or the receptacle;
A wiping member for wiping the front end face of the ferrule to which the optical fiber is fixed;
A drive mechanism for driving the wiping member,
The wiping member has elasticity so that the entire front end surface of the ferrule can be wiped even if the movement locus is non-planar,
The drive mechanism drives the wiping member by interfering with the adapter or the receptacle during the coupling operation between the optical connector plug and the adapter or the receptacle. The optical connector plug according to claim 1,
The optical connector plug, wherein the driving mechanism drives the wiping member by interfering with a mouth end surface of the opening of the adapter or the receptacle. The optical connector plug according to claim 1 or 2,
The drive mechanism includes a mover that is attached to the casing so as to be movable back and forth, and interferes with the adapter or the receptacle, and the wiping member is driven by the back and forth movement of the mover. Connector plug. The optical connector plug according to claim 3,
The optical connector plug, wherein the wiping member is provided integrally with the movable element. The optical connector plug according to claim 4,
The drive mechanism has a support portion that is fixed to the movable element and extends toward a ferrule through which the optical fiber is inserted;
The wiping member is held by the support part,
The support portion interferes with the ferrule or the casing as the mover moves backward, whereby the wiping member moves in the opening direction. The optical connector plug according to claim 5,
The optical connector plug, wherein the wiping member is bonded to the support portion. The optical connector plug according to claim 5,
The support is made of metal;
The optical connector plug, wherein the wiping member is caulked to the support portion. The optical connector plug according to claim 5,
The optical connector plug, wherein the wiping member has a ring shape and is fixed to the support portion by passing the support portion therethrough. The optical connector plug according to claim 5,
The support is a rigid body;
The wiping member is a sheet,
An optical connector plug, wherein a buffer material layer made of an elastic body is provided between the support portion and the wiping member. An optical connector plug according to any one of claims 5 to 9,
An optical connector plug comprising return operation means for driving the mover in a forward direction during the operation of removing the casing. The optical connector plug according to claim 10,
The optical connector plug, wherein the return operation means is an elastic body. The optical connector plug according to claim 11,
The optical connector plug, wherein the elastic body is a pressing spring installed between the casing and the movable element. The optical connector plug according to claim 11,
The optical connector plug, wherein the elastic body is a plate spring having an outer peripheral end fixed to the casing, and a roll portion of the plate spring contacts the movable element. The optical connector plug according to claim 10,
The optical connector plug, wherein the return operation means is a friction member that is provided in the movable element or the support portion and increases friction between the adapter or the opening of the receptacle. The optical connector plug according to claim 14,
The optical connector plug, wherein the friction member is a tongue piece provided on the movable element or the support portion. An optical connector plug according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The casing includes a plug frame that holds the ferrule, and a sliding sleeve that is slidably attached to the plug frame, and the sliding sleeve is a lock for releasing the lock with the adapter or the receptacle. An optical connector plug having a release mechanism. The optical connector plug according to claim 16, wherein
The drive mechanism is provided with a mover that is attached to the casing so as to be movable back and forth and interferes with an edge end surface of the opening of the adapter or the receptacle, and the wiping member is provided integrally with the mover,
A return operation means comprising an elastic body that drives the mover in the forward direction during the removal operation of the casing;
The optical connector plug, wherein the return operation means is installed between the plug frame and the mover. An optical connector plug according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
An optical connector plug, wherein the adapter or receptacle is an SC-type or MU-type adapter or receptacle.

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