JP4192748B2 - Optical fiber connecting member and optical fiber connecting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber connecting member and an optical fiber connecting method for connecting optical fibers.

As one of optical fiber connection methods in the field such as maintenance work, there is a method using a connector. However, the connector has many components and is therefore expensive. On the other hand, there is a mechanical splice as a low-cost optical fiber connecting member. As the prior art, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below, a base and a lid that constitute a split structure, and a pressure contact force that interposes these bases and the lid and presses them together are applied. One having a mold spring is known.
JP-A-9-61655

  However, since the mechanical splice as in the above prior art is not a detachable structure, there is a problem that it is difficult to use.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a detachable and low-cost optical fiber connection member and an optical fiber connection method.

  The present invention is an optical fiber connecting member for connecting an optical fiber to another optical fiber, having an insertion hole through which the optical fiber is inserted, and the insertion direction of the optical fiber inserted into the insertion hole A ferrule that is held in a slidable state, a housing that is fixed to the ferrule and covers a part of the optical fiber that is inserted into the insertion hole, and an optical fiber that is inserted into the insertion hole so as to protrude from the front end surface of the ferrule. And a fixing member fixed to the housing at the rear of the ferrule.

  When using such an optical fiber connecting member to connect an optical fiber to another optical fiber, first, the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule insertion hole so as to protrude from the front end face of the ferrule. Next, the optical fiber is fixed to the housing by a fixing member behind the ferrule. Subsequently, the fixed optical fibers and the end faces of the other optical fibers to be connected are abutted against each other. In this state, the end surfaces of the ferrule holding the optical fiber and the ferrule holding another optical fiber are brought close to each other and brought into contact with each other. At this time, since the optical fiber is held in a slidable state in the insertion direction in the ferrule and is fixed at the rear of the ferrule, the protruding portion is pushed into the ferrule, and another optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber. A force in the direction of pressing is applied. Therefore, the optical fibers are stably connected.

  In such an optical fiber connecting member, the optical fiber and another optical fiber can be detachably connected. Moreover, since the optical fiber connection member of the present invention can be configured with a smaller number of parts than the connector, the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, by previously attaching the optical fiber to the optical fiber connecting member, it is only necessary to abut the optical fibers at the work site and connect them, so that the workability is greatly improved.

  The housing preferably has a space for bending the optical fiber between the ferrule and the fixing member in a state where the optical fiber is fixed to the housing by the fixing member. As a result, the optical fiber abutted against the other optical fiber can be deflected and biased, and a force in the direction of pushing the other optical fiber can be applied to the optical fiber.

  Further, the fixing member may fix an optical fiber cable formed by coating an optical fiber with a jacket material. Thereby, an optical fiber can be more stably fixed in a housing.

  In this case, it is preferable that the optical fiber and the jacket material are bonded. Thereby, the force of the direction which pushes another optical fiber to an optical fiber can be provided stably.

  Preferably, the ferrule is provided with an optical fiber center positioning sleeve into which a ferrule holding another optical fiber is inserted. Thereby, alignment of the center of an optical fiber and another optical fiber is attained.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the ferrule has a guide hole or a guide pin that engages with a guide pin or a guide hole provided in a ferrule that holds another optical fiber. This makes it possible to align the center of the fiber not only with a single optical fiber but also with a multi-fiber optical fiber.

  The housing is preferably provided with a locking means for locking with a housing fixed to a ferrule holding another optical fiber. Thereby, the force of the direction which pushes the other fiber provided to the optical fiber can be hold | maintained.

  It is preferable that the housing has a structure that can be connected to a housing fixed to a ferrule holding another optical fiber by screwing. Thereby, the force of the direction which pushes the other fiber provided to the optical fiber can be hold | maintained.

  The optical fiber connection member of the present invention includes an optical fiber, a ferrule having an insertion hole through which the optical fiber is inserted, and holding the optical fiber inserted through the insertion hole in a state in which the optical fiber can be slid in the insertion direction. A housing that covers a part of the optical fiber that is fixed to the insertion hole, and a fixing member that fixes the optical fiber inserted into the insertion hole so as to protrude from the front end surface of the ferrule to the housing behind the ferrule. Is provided.

  According to such an optical fiber connecting member, since the optical fiber is held in a slidable state in the insertion direction in the ferrule and is fixed at the rear of the ferrule, the protruding portion is pushed into the ferrule, A force in a direction of pushing another optical fiber is applied to the optical fiber. Therefore, the optical fibers are stably connected. Further, the optical fiber and another optical fiber can be detachably connected. Furthermore, since the number of components can be reduced as compared with the connector, the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the work performed at the work site is only the work of connecting the optical fibers to each other, so the workability is greatly improved.

  The length of the tip portion of the optical fiber protruding from the front end surface of the ferrule is preferably 5 mm or less. Thereby, workability | operativity at the time of abutting the end surfaces of an optical fiber and another optical fiber improves.

  The optical fiber connection method of the present invention provides the above-described optical fiber connection member, the step of inserting the optical fiber into the insertion hole of the ferrule so as to protrude from the front end surface of the ferrule, and the optical fiber at the rear of the ferrule. The step of fixing to the housing by the fixing member, the step of abutting the tip surfaces of the optical fiber and the other optical fiber, and the optical fiber are held in a state of abutting the tip surfaces of the optical fiber and the other optical fiber. And abutting the end surfaces of the ferrule holding the ferrule and another optical fiber with each other.

  According to such a connection method, the optical fiber and another optical fiber can be detachably connected. In addition, since the optical fiber connecting member is used, it is possible to configure with a small number of parts compared to the connector, and the optical fiber can be connected at low cost. Furthermore, by previously attaching the optical fiber to the optical fiber connecting member, it is only necessary to abut the optical fibers at the work site and connect them, so that workability can be greatly improved.

  In this case, it is preferable that the ends of the optical fiber and the other optical fiber are abutted with each other via a refractive index matching agent. As a result, the gap generated between the end faces of the optical fiber and the other optical fibers that are abutted with each other can be filled in with the refractive index matched, so that the optical characteristics can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical fiber connection member and optical fiber connection method which can be attached or detached and are low-cost can be provided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical module including an optical fiber connecting member according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an optical module 1 is a protector for connecting an outdoor optical fiber cable (drop cable) 2 and an indoor optical fiber cable (indoor cable) 3, and is attached to a wall of a house, for example. The drop cable 2 is formed by coating an optical fiber (see FIG. 4), and the indoor cable 3 is formed by coating an optical fiber (see FIG. 4).

  The optical module 1 has a housing 4, and the housing 4 is provided with a cable fixing portion 5 for fixing the drop cable 2 and the indoor cable 3. In the housing 4, optical fiber connection members 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B for connecting the optical fiber of the drop cable 2 and the optical fiber of the indoor cable 3 are disposed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical fiber connecting member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber connection member 10A shown in FIG. 2A and the optical fiber connection member 10B shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the optical fiber connection members 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B include a housing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose both ends are open, and a ferrule 12 that is fixed in the housing 11 and holds the optical fiber.

  The housing 11 covers and protects a part of the optical fiber held by the ferrule 12. Two fixing holes 14 and 14 into which a fixing member 13 for fixing the optical fiber cable (drop cable 2 or indoor cable 3) to the housing 11 is inserted are formed on the upper surface of the housing 11. The fixing member 13 has a pair of legs 15, 15. On the inner surface of each leg 15, a demon wedge (blade) 16 is provided for biting into the jacket of the optical fiber cable. Yes.

  The housing 11 is provided with a space 21 between the ferrule 12 and the fixing member 13. Although details will be described later, the space 21 is provided to secure a place for bending the optical fiber.

  Furthermore, when the optical fiber is connected to the housing 11, either the locking portion 19 for connecting the optical fiber connecting members 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B or the locking receiving portion 20 to which the locking portion 19 is locked. One is provided. In FIG. 2, the optical fiber connecting member 10A is provided with an engaging receiving portion 20, and the optical fiber connecting member 10B is provided with an engaging portion 19. Then, the optical fiber connecting members 10A and 10B are connected to each other by the locking portion 19 being locked to the locking receiving portion 20.

  The ferrule 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has an insertion hole 17 formed in the center along the axial direction and through which an optical fiber is inserted. The insertion hole 17 is formed to have a slightly larger diameter than the optical fiber to be inserted, and is held in a state where the inserted optical fiber is slidable in the insertion direction.

  A cylindrical optical fiber centering sleeve 18 having a C-shaped cross section is attached to the ferrule 12 of the optical fiber connecting member 10A. The sleeve having a C-shaped cross section is generally called a “split sleeve” because it has a structure that is cracked so as to expand. The ferrule 12 of the other optical fiber connection member 10B is inserted into the sleeve 18 when the optical fiber is connected. Thereby, alignment of the center of an optical fiber is attained.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which optical fiber cables are respectively attached to the optical fiber connecting members 10A and 10B. In the figure, an optical fiber cable 22 is fixed to the housing 11 by a fixing member 13. And at the front end side of the optical fiber cable 22, an optical fiber 23 is peeled off from the covering material 24, and the optical fiber 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 17 of the ferrule 12. At this time, the tip of the optical fiber 23 is in a state where the coating on the cladding is removed. The optical fiber 23 is more stably fixed in the housing 11 by being fixed to the housing 11 in the state of the optical fiber cable 22 covered with the jacket material 24.

  The optical fiber 23 inserted through the insertion hole 17 of the ferrule 12 has a tip portion protruding from the front end surface of the ferrule 12. And it is hold | maintained so that it can slide in the insertion direction as mentioned above in that state. The length of the tip portion of the optical fiber 23 protruding from the front end surface of the ferrule 12 is preferably 5 mm or less in consideration of the workability of butting the optical fibers 23 and 23 together.

  Next, an optical fiber connection method using the optical fiber connection members 10A and 10B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical fiber cable 22 is inserted into the housing 11 of the optical fiber connecting members 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B, and the optical fiber 23 from which the covering material 24 has been peeled is projected from the front end surface 12 a of the ferrule 12. As shown in FIG. At this time, the tip of the optical fiber is an end face that is cleaved by scratching (cutting) the optical fiber.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the optical fiber cable 22 is fixed to the housing 11 behind the ferrule 12 by pushing the fixing member 13 from the upper surface of the housing 11 (in the direction of arrow A in the figure). At this time, since the optical fiber 23 and the covering material 24 are bonded by the adhesive 25, the optical fiber 23 is also substantially fixed to the housing 11.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the ferrule 12 of the optical fiber connection member 10B is inserted into the sleeve 18 provided in the ferrule 12 of the optical fiber connection member 10A, and the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 23 are brought into contact with each other. At this time, in order to fill the gap between the end surfaces where the optical fibers 23 and 23 are abutted and to improve the optical characteristics, it is desirable to abut the ends of the optical fibers 23 and 23 via a refractive index matching agent. .

  Thereafter, the ferrules 12 and 12 are further brought closer to each other, and the ferrule 12 of the optical fiber connecting member 10B is inserted into the sleeve 18 until the end faces thereof are in contact with each other. At this time, the tip portion of the optical fiber 23 protruding from the front end surface of the ferrule 12 is pushed into the insertion hole 17 and slides rearward of the ferrule 12. Then, since the optical fiber 23 is fixed to the housing 11 behind the ferrule 12, it bends (bends) in the space 21. As a result, the optical fiber 23 is urged, and a force in a direction of pressing the distal end surface of the optical fiber 23 that is abutted against is applied. Therefore, the connection between the optical fibers 23 and 23 becomes stable. At this time, by connecting the housings 11 and 11 of the optical fiber connection members 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B by the locking portion 19 and the locking receiving portion 20 described above, the tip of the optical fiber 23 of the connection partner attached to the optical fiber 23 is connected. It is possible to maintain a stable connection state between the optical fibers 23 and 23 by holding the force of pressing the surface.

  According to the optical fiber connection members 10A and 10B according to the present embodiment as described above, the optical fibers 23 and 23 can be detachably connected. In addition, since it can be configured with a smaller number of parts than the connector, the connection between the optical fibers can be realized at low cost. Furthermore, since the optical fiber 23 is attached to the optical fiber connecting members 10A and 10B in advance, it is only necessary to bring the optical fibers 23 and 23 into contact with each other at the work site. Can be improved.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another form of the optical fiber connecting member according to the first embodiment. In the optical fiber connection members 30A and 30B shown in FIG. 7, the means for connecting the optical fiber connection members when the optical fibers are connected is different from the optical fiber connection members 30A and 30B.

  The housing 11 of the optical fiber connection member 30A is provided with a screw fixing hole 31, and the housing 11 of the optical fiber connection member 30B is provided with a hole 32 through which a screw is passed along with the hole 31. A portion 33 is provided. Thereby, since the housings 11 and 11 can be screwed together to maintain the connection of the optical fiber connecting members 30A and 30B, the force applied to the optical fiber 23 to be connected to the optical fiber 23 is pressed. It is possible to maintain the stable connection state between the optical fibers 23 and 23.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an optical fiber connecting member according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the optical fiber connection member of the present embodiment, the ferrule structure that holds the optical fiber is different from the optical fiber connection members 10A and 10B according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the optical fiber connection member 40A shown in FIG. 8A and the optical fiber connection member 40B shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the ferrule 41 fixed to the housing 11 of the optical fiber connection member 40A extends from the front end surface 41a contacting the ferrule 42 fixed to the housing 11 of the optical fiber connection member 40B toward the rear end surface side. A pair of guide holes 43 and 43 having a circular cross section having a diameter substantially equal to that of the guide pin 44 provided in the ferrule 42 are formed. A guide pin 44 provided on the ferrule 42 is inserted into each guide hole 43.

  Further, between the guide holes 43 of the ferrule 41, there is an insertion hole 45 that extends in parallel to each guide hole 43 from the front end surface 41 a of the ferrule 41 toward the rear end surface side and into which the optical fiber 23 is inserted. Is formed. Similarly, between the guide pins 44, 44 of the ferrule 42, an insertion hole that extends in parallel to each guide pin 44 from the front end surface 42a of the ferrule 42 toward the rear end surface side and into which the optical fiber 23 is inserted. 46 is formed.

  According to the optical fiber connection members 40A and 40B according to the present embodiment, since the ferrules 41 and 42 having the guide pins 44 or the guide holes 43 are provided, not only single-core optical fibers but also multi-core light is provided. It can be applied to fiber connection and can be centered at the fiber center.

  Although the optical fiber connection member 40A and the optical fiber connection member 40B shown in FIG. 8 can be connected by the locking portion 19 and the locking receiving portion 20, the optical fiber connection member 10A and the optical fiber shown in FIG. Like the fiber connection member 10B, the optical fiber connection member 40A and the optical fiber connection member 40B may be coupled by screwing. Thereby, since housing 11 and 11 can be screwed together and the connection of optical fiber connection member 40A, 40B can be maintained, the connection of optical fibers 23 and 23 can be maintained in the stable state.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the optical fiber connection member according to the present invention can be connected to a commonly used ordinary optical connector such as an SC connector.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the optical module provided with the optical fiber connection member which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the optical fiber connection member which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which an optical fiber cable is attached to each of the optical fiber connection members illustrated in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection method of the optical fiber using the optical fiber connection member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection method of the optical fiber using the optical fiber connection member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection method of the optical fiber using the optical fiber connection member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other form of the optical fiber connection member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the optical fiber connection member which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other form of the optical fiber connection member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  2 ... Drop cable (optical fiber cable), 3 ... Indoor cable (optical fiber cable), 10A, 10B ... Optical fiber connection member, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Ferrule, 13 ... Fixing member, 17 ... Insertion hole, 18 ... Sleeve , 19 ... locking part (locking means), 20 ... locking receiving part (locking means), 21 ... space, 22 ... optical fiber cable, 23 ... optical fiber, 24 ... jacket material, 30A, 30B ... light Fiber connection member, 40A, 40B ... Optical fiber connection member, 41, 42 ... Ferrule, 43 ... Guide hole, 44 ... Guide pin, 45, 46 ... Insertion hole.

Claims (10)

An optical fiber connection member for connecting an optical fiber to another optical fiber,
A ferrule having an insertion hole through which the optical fiber is inserted, and holding the optical fiber inserted through the insertion hole in a slidable state in the insertion direction;
A housing fixed to the ferrule and covering a part of the optical fiber inserted through the insertion hole;
A fixing member for fixing the optical fiber inserted into the insertion hole so as to protrude from the front end surface of the ferrule to the housing behind the ferrule;
The fixing member, the optical fiber can bite into the outer optical fiber cable comprising coated with a covering material of demon wedge the legs having a leg portion of the pair to be inserted into the fixing holes formed in said housing On the inner surface of the
An optical fiber connecting member.   The housing has a space for bending the optical fiber between the ferrule and the fixing member in a state where the optical fiber is fixed to the housing by the fixing member. The optical fiber connection member according to claim 1.   The optical fiber connection member according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber and the jacket material are bonded.   The optical fiber connection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ferrule includes an optical fiber center positioning sleeve into which a ferrule holding the other optical fiber is inserted. Element.   The said ferrule has the guide hole or guide pin engaged with the guide pin or guide hole provided in the ferrule holding said other optical fiber, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. An optical fiber connecting member according to item.   The said housing is provided with the latching means for latching with the housing fixed to the ferrule holding said other optical fiber, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Optical fiber connection member.   The light according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing has a structure that can be connected to a housing fixed to a ferrule holding the other optical fiber by screwing. Fiber connection member. Optical fiber,
A ferrule having an insertion hole through which the optical fiber is inserted, and holding the optical fiber inserted through the insertion hole in a slidable state in the insertion direction;
A housing fixed to the ferrule and covering a part of the optical fiber inserted through the insertion hole;
A fixing member for fixing the optical fiber inserted into the insertion hole so as to protrude from the front end surface of the ferrule to the housing behind the ferrule;
The fixing member, the optical fiber can bite into the outer optical fiber cable comprising coated with a covering material of demon wedge the legs having a leg portion of the pair to be inserted into the fixing holes formed in said housing On the inside surface of
The length of the tip portion of the optical fiber protruding from the front end surface of the ferrule is 5 mm or less.
Optical fiber connection member. Preparing the optical fiber connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and inserting the optical fiber into the insertion hole of the ferrule so as to protrude from a front end surface of the ferrule;
Fixing the optical fiber to the housing by the fixing member behind the ferrule by causing the demon wedge of the fixing member to bite into the optical fiber cable;
Abutting the tip surfaces of the optical fiber and the other optical fiber;
And abutting the ferrule holding the optical fiber and the end surfaces of the ferrule holding the other optical fiber in a state where the tip surfaces of the optical fiber and the other optical fiber are in contact with each other. An optical fiber connection method.   The optical fiber connection method according to claim 9, wherein tips of the optical fiber and the other optical fiber are brought into contact with each other via a refractive index matching agent.

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