JP4192749B2 - Optical fiber connector, optical fiber connection method, and optical module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector, an optical fiber connection method, and an optical module for connecting optical fibers.

One of the methods for connecting optical fibers in the field such as maintenance work is connector connection. For example, the SC connector enables a high precision (low loss) connection, but is expensive due to the large number of components. On the other hand, there is a mechanical splice as a low-cost optical fiber connector. As a conventional technology of this mechanical splice, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a base and a lid constituting a split structure, and a pressure contact force for interposing the base and the lid and press-contacting each other are applied. What is provided with the C-type spring which performs 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.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector, an optical fiber connection method, and an optical module that are detachable and low-cost , and that can connect optical fibers with a strong force .

The present invention includes a first fiber connection member that holds a first optical fiber and a second fiber connection member that holds a second optical fiber, and abuts and connects the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A first fixing means for fixing the first optical fiber cable formed by covering the first optical fiber to the first fiber connecting member, and a second light formed by covering the second optical fiber. A second fixing means for fixing the fiber cable to the second fiber connection member, the first fiber connection member being fixed to the first fiber protection unit for protecting the first optical fiber, and the first fiber protection unit; and a first fiber guide section having a first fiber groove first optical fiber to position the distal end portion of the first optical fiber through fiber holes and the communication is inserted, the second fiber connecting member, the second And a second fiber protection unit for protecting the fibers, is fixed to the second fiber protecting portion, the second fiber groove second optical fiber to position the distal end portion of the second optical fiber through fiber holes and the communication is inserted The first optical fiber disposed in the first fiber groove and the second optical fiber disposed in the second fiber groove in cooperation with the first fiber guide portion are connected to each other by the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A second fiber guide part for sandwiching the fiber fiber in a state in which the stress is applied in the axial direction of the fiber, and the first fixing means fixes the first optical fiber cable to the first fiber protection part. The second fixing means is means for fixing the second optical fiber cable to the second fiber protection part, and the first fiber protection part is in a state where the first optical fiber cable is fixed by the first fixing means. And the second fiber protection section is for freeing the second optical fiber in a state where the second optical fiber cable is fixed by the second fixing means. It is characterized by having a space.

When using such an optical fiber connector to connect the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to each other, for example, first, the tip portion of the first optical fiber is connected to the first fiber groove of the first fiber connection member. The tip portion of the second optical fiber is inserted into the second fiber groove of the second fiber connecting member from the second fiber protection portion side. Subsequently, the first optical fiber cable formed by covering the first optical fiber with the first fixing means is fixed to the first fiber protection part, and the second optical fiber formed by covering the second optical fiber with the second fixing means. Secure the cable to the second fiber protector. Subsequently, in a state where the first fiber connecting member and the second fiber connecting member are reversed, the first fiber guide portion and the second fiber guide portion are opposed to each other, and the tip ends of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. Face each other. And the 1st fiber guide part and the 2nd fiber guide part are clamped in the direction which sandwiches the tip part of the 1st optical fiber, and the tip part of the 2nd optical fiber, and the connection of the 1st optical fiber and the 2nd optical fiber Maintain state. Thus, according to the optical fiber connector of the present invention, the first fiber connection member holding the first optical fiber and the second fiber connection member holding the second optical fiber can be assembled in a detachable manner. Further, since it is not necessary to use an SC connector having a large number of components, the cost can be reduced.

In addition, the first fiber protection unit has a space for freeing the first optical fiber, and the second fiber protection unit has a space for freeing the second optical fiber, so that the first optical fiber and It is possible to increase the stress for abutting the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to such an extent that the second optical fiber is bent. Therefore, in the connection state between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are not easily separated due to temperature fluctuation or the like.

  Preferably, a clamp member is further provided for clamping the first fiber guide portion and the second fiber guide portion in a direction to sandwich the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. This stabilizes the connection state between the end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber without preparing any other member for clamping the first fiber guide part and the second fiber guide part. Can do. Therefore, connection loss can be reduced.

  In this case, the clamp member is preferably made of a U-shaped elastic body. Thereby, a clamp member is realizable with a simple structure. Moreover, attachment / detachment with a 1st fiber connection member and a 2nd fiber connection member can be performed easily.

  Preferably, the first fiber guide portion is provided with a recess for positioning the first fiber guide portion with respect to the second fiber guide portion, and the second fiber guide portion has a protrusion fitted to the recess. Is provided. This facilitates alignment between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber when the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are connected. In addition, since the positional deviation between the first fiber connection member and the second fiber connection member is reliably suppressed, the connection state between the end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber can be made more stable.

In the optical fiber connection method of the present invention, the above-described optical fiber connector is prepared, the tip portion of the first optical fiber is disposed in the first fiber groove of the first fiber connection member, and the second fiber of the second fiber connection member is provided. Disposing a tip portion of the second optical fiber in the groove, fixing the first optical fiber cable to the first fiber protection portion, fixing the second optical fiber cable to the second fiber protection portion, and the first fiber By causing the guide portion and the second fiber guide portion to face each other and abutting the tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber is bent in the space of the first fiber protection portion and the second optical fiber is A step of connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber so that the second optical fiber bends in the space of the fiber protection section; and a direction in which the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are sandwiched. Look including the step of clamping the de part and a second fiber guide section, the distal end portion of the first optical fiber arranged in the first fiber groove, in the step of placing a tip end portion of the second optical fiber to the second fiber groove The tip of the first optical fiber is located closer to the tip of the first fiber guide than the middle of the boundary between the fiber hole through which the first optical fiber is inserted and the first fiber groove and the tip of the first fiber guide. The first optical fiber is guided so that the second optical fiber is inserted, and the second fiber guide part is located at a position intermediate between the boundary position between the fiber hole through which the second optical fiber is inserted and the second fiber groove and the tip position of the second fiber guide part. The second optical fiber is guided so that the distal end of the second optical fiber comes to the distal end side of the optical fiber .

By connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in this manner, the first fiber connection member holding the first optical fiber and the second fiber connection member holding the second optical fiber can be freely attached and detached. Can be assembled. Further, since it is not necessary to use an SC connector having a large number of components, the cost can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to increase the stress for abutting the end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. Therefore, in the connection state between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are not easily separated due to temperature fluctuation or the like.

  Preferably, the front end surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are abutted against each other via a refractive index matching agent. Thereby, connection loss due to Fresnel reflection can be reduced.

An optical module according to the present invention includes a housing and the above-described optical fiber connector disposed in the housing. Thereby, the optical module which has a detachable and low-cost optical fiber connector can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to increase the stress for abutting the end faces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. Therefore, in the connection state between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are not easily separated due to temperature fluctuation or the like.

  Preferably, the housing is provided with a clamp portion that clamps the first fiber guide portion and the second fiber guide portion in a direction in which the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are sandwiched. Thereby, since the structure which fixes the assembled 1st fiber connection member and 2nd fiber connection member to a housing | casing becomes unnecessary, the structure of an optical module can be simplified.

According to the present invention, the optical fiber connector is detachable. Moreover, the cost concerning an optical fiber connector can be reduced. Further, the optical fibers can be connected to each other with a strong force.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an optical fiber connector, an optical fiber connecting method, and an optical module according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical module including an embodiment of an optical fiber connector 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 covers one optical fiber 4 (see FIG. 5), and the indoor cable 3 covers one optical fiber 5 (see FIG. 5).

  The optical module 1 has a housing 6, and the housing 6 is provided with a cable fixing portion 7 for fixing the drop cable 2 and the indoor cable 3. Further, an optical fiber connector 10 for connecting the optical fiber 4 of the drop cable 2 and the optical fiber 5 of the indoor cable 3 to face each other is disposed in the housing 6.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber connector 10. In the figure, an optical fiber connector 10 removes the outer cover of the drop cable 2 and removes the outer cover of the indoor cable 3 and the fiber connection member 11 that holds the exposed optical fiber 4 (see FIG. 5). And a fiber connecting member 12 that holds the optical fiber 5 (see FIG. 5).

As a material for the fiber connection members 11 and 12, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or epoxy resin is used from the viewpoint of low cost and reliability. The linear expansion coefficient of the fiber splicing member 11, 12 is preferably a ^{1 × 10 -5 / K~7 × 10} -5 / K. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the loss fluctuation of the optical fibers 4 and 5 due to the temperature change.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fiber connection member 11 has openings 13 a and 13 b (see FIG. 5) for inserting optical fibers at both end surfaces, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is a fiber protection unit that protects the optical fiber 4. The housing 13 has a fiber guide portion 14 that is fixed to one end surface of the housing 13 and guides the optical fiber 4. The housing 13 has a space S (see FIG. 5) for making the optical fiber 4 free.

  Two fixing holes 16 into which a pair of leg portions 15 a (see FIG. 2) of a cable fixing member 15 for fixing the drop cable 2 to the housing 13 are inserted are formed on the upper surface of the housing 13. As shown in FIG. 2, demon-shaped wedges (blade portions) 17 that bite into the outer skin of the drop cable 2 are provided on the inner side surfaces of the leg portions 15 a of the fiber fixing member 15.

  The fiber guide portion 14 includes a fiber hole 18 through which the optical fiber 4 is inserted, and a fiber groove 19 that communicates with the fiber hole 18 and positions the distal end portion (bare fiber 4a) of the optical fiber 4. Yes. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber groove 19 is preferably V-shaped, U-shaped, or trapezoidal in order to suppress connection loss due to axial misalignment of the optical fiber 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fiber connection member 12 has openings 20 a and 20 b (see FIG. 5) for inserting optical fibers at both end faces, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is a fiber protection part that protects the optical fiber 5. The housing 20 has a fiber guide portion 21 that is fixed to one end surface of the housing 20 and guides the optical fiber 5. The housing 20 has a space S (see FIG. 5) for making the optical fiber 5 free.

  Two fixing holes 23 into which a pair of leg portions 22a of a fiber fixing member 22 for fixing the indoor cable 3 to the housing 20 are inserted are formed on the lower surface of the housing 20 (see FIG. 2). On the inner side surfaces of the respective leg portions 22a of the fiber fixing member 22, demon wedges (blade portions) 24 are provided to bite into the outer skin of the indoor cable 3. The fixing hole 23 may be provided on the upper surface of the housing 20 in the same manner as the fiber connecting member 11 described above.

  The fiber guide portion 21 includes a fiber hole 25 through which the optical fiber 5 is inserted, and a fiber groove 26 that communicates with the fiber hole 25 and positions the distal end portion (bare fiber 5a) of the optical fiber 5. Yes. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber groove 26 is the same as that of the fiber groove 19 described above. The fiber guide portion 21 sandwiches the bare fiber 4a disposed in the fiber groove 19 and the bare fiber 5a disposed in the fiber groove 26 in cooperation with the fiber guide portion 14 (see FIG. 7). .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical fiber connector 10 includes a clamp member 27 for clamping the fiber guide portions 14 and 21 in a direction in which the bare fiber 4a and the bare fiber 5a are sandwiched. As the clamp member 27, it is desirable to use a U-shaped elastic body in order to simplify the structure and to easily attach and detach the fiber connecting members 11 and 12.

  Next, a method of connecting the end faces of the optical fibers 4 and 5 using the optical fiber connector 10 described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the optical fiber 4 exposed from the outer sheath of the drop cable 2 is introduced into the housing 13 through the opening 13 a of the fiber connection member 11, and the tip portion (bare fiber 4 a) of the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the fiber hole of the fiber guide portion 14. 18 is positioned in the fiber groove 19 (see FIG. 5). At this time, in order to securely connect the optical fibers 4 and 5, the tip of the bare fiber 4a is located at the boundary position between the fiber hole 18 and the fiber groove 19 and the tip position of the fiber guide portion 14 (fiber groove 19). It is desirable to guide the optical fiber 4 so that it is closer to the distal end side of the fiber guide portion 14 than the middle.

  Similarly, the optical fiber 5 exposed from the outer sheath of the indoor cable 3 is introduced into the housing 20 through the opening 20a of the fiber connecting member 12, and the tip portion (bare fiber 5a) of the optical fiber 5 is inserted into the fiber guide portion 21. The fiber hole 26 is positioned through the fiber hole 25 (see FIG. 5). It is desirable that the position of the end of the bare fiber 5a is the same as that of the bare fiber 4a. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the fiber connection member 12 is turned over so that the fiber connection members 11 and 12 are opposite to each other.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the drop cable 2 is fixed to the housing 13 by inserting the leg portion 15 a of the fiber fixing member 15 into the fixing hole 16 of the housing 13. Further, the indoor cable 3 is fixed to the housing 20 by inserting the leg portion 22 a of the fiber fixing member 22 into the fixing hole 23 of the housing 20.

  When the fixing hole 23 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 20, after the indoor cable 3 is fixed to the housing 20 by the fiber fixing member 22, the fiber connection member 12 is turned over so that the fiber connection members 11, 12 are connected to each other. Reverse each other.

  Subsequently, the fiber connecting members 11 and 12 are opposed to each other, and in this state, the fiber guide portion 14 of the fiber connecting member 11 and the fiber guide portion 21 of the fiber connecting member 12 are fitted as shown in FIG. The leading end surfaces of the bare fibers 4a and 5a are brought into contact with each other. At this time, the bare fibers 4a and 5a are sandwiched between the two fiber guide portions 14 and 21.

  By the way, since the linear expansion coefficients are different between the fiber guide portions 14 and 21 and the bare fibers 4a and 5a, when temperature fluctuation occurs in a state where the bare fibers 4a and 5a are connected to each other, the bare fibers 4a and 5a are separated from each other. There is a possibility that. In order to prevent such a problem, it is necessary to apply a high stress in the fiber axis direction when the end faces of the bare fibers 4a and 5a are abutted and connected. In this case, the optical fibers 4 and 5 housed in the housings 13 and 20 are bent as shown in FIG. 7, but the optical fibers 4 and 5 are placed in the housings 13 and 20 as described above. Since the free space S is provided, the optical fibers 4 and 5 do not hit the inner walls of the housings 13 and 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the optical fibers 4 and 5 from being separated from each other due to temperature fluctuations without damaging the optical fibers 4 and 5.

  In addition, by making the optical fibers 4 and 5 abut against each other with a strong force, it is not necessary to cut the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 4 and 5 with high accuracy. Since polishing treatment is not necessary, workability can be improved.

  When such optical fibers 4 and 5 are connected, the end faces of the optical fibers 4 and 5 may be abutted against each other in a state where a refractive index matching agent is applied to the end faces of the optical fibers 4 and 5. In this case, connection loss due to Fresnel reflection can be reduced.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the fiber guide portions 14 and 21 are clamped by the clamp member 27 in the direction in which the bare fibers 4 a and 5 a are sandwiched, thereby applying a pressing force to the fiber guide portions 14 and 21. Thereby, since the optical fibers 4 and 5 are sufficiently fixed, the connection state of the optical fibers 4 and 5 is stabilized. As a result, connection loss can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fiber connection member 11 having the housing 13 and the fiber guide portion 14 and the fiber connection member 12 having the housing 20 and the fiber guide portion 21 are assembled to form the optical fibers 4 and 5. Since they are connected to each other, a detachable optical fiber connector can be easily realized. Moreover, since the number of parts of the optical fiber connector 10 is small, the cost required for the optical fiber connector can be suppressed.

  Further, it is not necessary to perform a difficult operation such as handling bare fibers alone at the work site, as in the case where two optical fibers are inserted into the fiber positioning grooves and fiber insertion holes from opposite directions and abutted against each other. Moreover, it is not necessary to polish the end face of the connector ferrule as in the case of using an optical connector. Thereby, workability | operativity in the field can be improved significantly.

  9 and 10 are perspective views showing a fiber connecting member having a structure different from the above-described fiber connecting member as another embodiment of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent members as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 9, the fiber connection member 31 has a fiber guide portion 32 instead of the fiber guide portion 14 in the fiber connection member 11 described above. The fiber guide part 32 has the fiber hole 18 and the fiber groove 19 similarly to the fiber guide part 14 described above. Further, guide grooves 33 extending in parallel to the fiber groove 19 are provided on both sides of the fiber groove 19, respectively.

  In FIG. 10, the fiber connection member 34 is a pair of fiber connection members 31. The fiber connection member 34 has a fiber guide portion 35 instead of the fiber guide portion 21 in the fiber connection member 12 described above. The fiber guide portion 35 has a fiber hole 25 and a fiber groove 26 as in the case of the fiber guide portion 21 described above. Further, on both sides of the fiber groove 26, guide protrusions 36 that are fitted to the respective guide grooves 33 of the fiber guide portion 32 are provided.

  Such a guide groove 33 of the fiber connection member 31 and a guide protrusion 36 of the fiber connection member 34 are arranged so that the fiber guide member 34 is connected to the fiber guide portion 34 when the fiber connection members 31 and 34 are assembled so that the optical fibers 4 and 5 are abutted with each other. It is provided for positioning with respect to the guide part 31. Thereby, the optical fibers 4 and 5 can be easily aligned with each other when the optical fibers 4 and 5 are connected. Moreover, since the positional deviation between the fiber connection members 31 and 34 is reliably suppressed, the connection state between the optical fibers 4 and 5 can be further stabilized.

  In the embodiment described above, the clamp member 27 is not integrated with the housing 6 of the optical module (protector) 1. In this case, the optical fiber connector 10 in the assembled state as shown in FIG. 8 is fixed to the housing 6 by a fixing means (not shown).

  On the other hand, the clamp member 27 may constitute a clamp unit integrated with the housing 6 of the optical module 1. With such a configuration, a fixing means for fixing the fiber connection member to the housing 6 is not necessary, and thus the structure of the optical module 1 can be simplified.

  FIG. 11 shows a process of connecting the optical fibers 4 and 5 when the clamp portion 27 is provided in the housing 6 of the optical module 1.

  In the figure, first, similarly to the method shown in FIG. 5, the optical fiber 4 is connected to the fiber connection member 11, and the optical fiber 5 is connected to the fiber connection member 12. Subsequently, similarly to the method shown in FIG. 6, the drop cable 2 is fixed to the housing 13 of the fiber connection member 11 by the fiber fixing member 15, and the indoor cable 3 is fixed to the housing 20 of the fiber connection member 12 by the fiber fixing member 22. To do.

  Then, in a state where the clamp part 27 is slightly expanded outward, the fiber guide part 14 of the fiber connection member 11 and the fiber guide part 21 of the fiber connection member 12 are arranged to face each other so as to be sandwiched by the clamp part 27 (FIG. 11 (a)).

  In this state, the fiber guide portions 14 and 21 (fiber connection members 11 and 12) are moved in a direction approaching each other, and the front end surfaces of the optical fibers 4 and 5 are brought into contact with each other (see FIG. 11B). Also in this case, since the optical fibers 4 and 5 are sufficiently fixed, the connection state of the optical fibers 4 and 5 is stabilized.

  FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the clamp part 27 is provided in the housing 6 of the optical module 1. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent members as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, an optical fiber connector 40 includes fiber connection members 41 and 42. The fiber connection member 41 has a fiber guide portion 43 instead of the fiber guide portion 14 in the fiber connection member 11 described above. The fiber guide portion 43 has the fiber hole 18 and the fiber groove 19 in the same manner as the fiber guide portion 14 described above.

  At both ends of the fiber groove 19, projections 44 having a curved cross-sectional shape are provided at the tip of the fiber guide portion 43. Further, on both sides of the fiber groove 19, a groove 45 having a curved cross-sectional shape is formed on the housing 13 side of the protrusion 44.

  The fiber connection member 42 includes a fiber guide portion 46 instead of the fiber guide portion 21 in the fiber connection member 12 described above. The fiber guide portion 46 has a fiber hole 25 and a fiber groove 26 as in the case of the fiber guide portion 21 described above.

  Protruding portions 47 having the same shape as the protruding portions 44 are provided at the distal ends of the fiber guide portions 46 on both sides of the fiber groove 26. Further, on both sides of the fiber groove 26, a groove portion 48 having the same shape as the groove portion 45 is formed on the housing 20 side of the protrusion portion 47.

  In such an optical fiber connector 40, when the optical fibers 4 and 5 are connected to each other, as shown in FIG. 12, each protrusion 44 of the fiber guide 43 is inserted into each groove 48 of the fiber guide 46. The protrusions 47 of the fiber guide portion 46 enter the groove portions 45 of the fiber guide portion 43. For this reason, even if the fiber connection members 41 and 42 are displaced in a direction away from each other, the protrusions 44 and 47 come into contact with each other and are restrained, so that the fiber guide portions 43 and 46 come out from both sides of the clip portion 27. There is no.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the fiber connection member holds one optical fiber, but the fiber connection member may hold a plurality of optical fibers.

  The optical fiber connector of the present invention can also be applied to optical modules other than the above protectors.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows a protector as an optical module provided with one Embodiment of the optical fiber connector concerning this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of one fiber connection member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the other fiber connection member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of connecting the end surfaces of two optical fibers using the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of connecting the end surfaces of two optical fibers using the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of connecting the end surfaces of two optical fibers using the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of connecting the end surfaces of two optical fibers using the optical fiber connector shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part (one fiber connection member) of other embodiment of the optical fiber connector concerning this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part (other fiber connection member) of other embodiment of the optical fiber connector concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of connecting the tip surfaces of two optical fibers, when the clamp part is provided in the housing | casing of the optical module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the optical fiber connector concerning this invention, and the clamp part is provided in the housing | casing of the optical module shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical module, 2 ... Drop cable (optical fiber cable), 3 ... Indoor cable (optical fiber cable), 4 ... Optical fiber (1st optical fiber), 4a ... Bare fiber, 5 ... Optical fiber (2nd optical fiber) ) 5a ... bare fiber, 6 ... housing, 10 ... optical fiber connector, 11 ... fiber connection member (first fiber connection member), 12 ... fiber connection member (second fiber connection member), 13 ... housing (first) 1 ... Fiber guide part (first fiber guide part), 14 ... Fiber guide part (first fiber guide part), 15 ... Fiber fixing member, 16 ... Fixing hole, 19 ... Fiber groove (first fiber groove), 20 ... Housing (second fiber protection part) ), 21 ... Fiber guide part (second fiber guide part), 22 ... Fiber fixing member, 23 ... Fixing hole, 26 ... Fiber groove (second fiber groove), 2 ... Clamp member (clamp part), 31 ... Fiber connection member (first fiber connection member), 32 ... Fiber guide part (first fiber guide part), 33 ... Guide groove (concave part), 34 ... Fiber connection member (second Fiber connection member), 35 ... Fiber guide part (second fiber guide part), 36 ... Guide protrusion (projection part), 40 ... Optical fiber connector, 41 ... Fiber connection member (first fiber connection member), 42 ... Fiber Connection member (second fiber connection member), 43 ... Fiber guide part (first fiber guide part), 46 ... Fiber guide part (second fiber guide part), S ... Space.

Claims (8)

A light comprising a first fiber connecting member for holding the first optical fiber and a second fiber connecting member for holding the second optical fiber, the light for butting and connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber A fiber connector,
First fixing means for fixing a first optical fiber cable covering the first optical fiber to the first fiber connecting member;
A second fixing means for fixing a second optical fiber cable covering the second optical fiber to the second fiber connecting member;
The first fiber connection member communicates with a first fiber protection part that protects the first optical fiber, and a fiber hole that is fixed to the first fiber protection part and through which the first optical fiber is inserted . A first fiber guide having a first fiber groove for positioning the tip portion of the optical fiber;
The second fiber connection member communicates with a second fiber protection part that protects the second optical fiber, and a fiber hole that is fixed to the second fiber protection part and through which the second optical fiber is inserted . A second fiber groove for positioning the tip portion of the optical fiber is provided, and the first optical fiber disposed in the first fiber groove and the second fiber groove are disposed in cooperation with the first fiber guide portion. A second fiber guide portion for sandwiching the second optical fiber in a state of being abutted so that stress is applied in the fiber axial direction of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. ,
The first fixing means is means for fixing the first optical fiber cable to the first fiber protection unit,
The second fixing means is means for fixing the second optical fiber cable to the second fiber protection unit,
The first fiber protection section has a space for freeing the first optical fiber in a state where the first optical fiber cable is fixed by the first fixing means,
The optical fiber connector, wherein the second fiber protection unit has a space for freeing the second optical fiber in a state where the second optical fiber cable is fixed by the second fixing means.   The optical fiber according to claim 1, further comprising a clamp member that clamps the first fiber guide portion and the second fiber guide portion in a direction in which the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are sandwiched. Connector. The optical fiber connector according to claim 2 , wherein the clamp member is made of a U-shaped elastic body. The first fiber guide part is provided with a recess for positioning the first fiber guide part with respect to the second fiber guide part,
The optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second fiber guide portion is provided with a protrusion that fits into the recess. 5. An optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein a tip end portion of the first optical fiber is disposed in the first fiber groove of the first fiber connection member, and the second fiber connection is provided. Disposing a tip portion of the second optical fiber in the second fiber groove of a member;
Fixing the first optical fiber cable to the first fiber protector and fixing the second optical fiber cable to the second fiber protector;
The first fiber guide part and the second fiber guide part are opposed to each other, and the front end surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are abutted to each other in the space of the first fiber protection part. Connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber such that the first optical fiber bends and the second optical fiber bends in the space of the second fiber protection unit;
In a direction to sandwich the said second optical fiber and said first optical fiber, viewed contains a step of clamping the first fiber guide section and the second fiber guide section,
In the step of disposing the tip portion of the first optical fiber in the first fiber groove and disposing the tip portion of the second optical fiber in the second fiber groove, a fiber hole through which the first optical fiber is inserted The first optical fiber so that the distal end of the first optical fiber comes closer to the distal end side of the first fiber guide portion than the intermediate position between the boundary position between the first fiber groove and the distal end position of the first fiber guide portion. Guide the fiber, the tip side of the second fiber guide part from the middle of the boundary position between the fiber hole through which the second optical fiber is inserted and the second fiber groove and the tip position of the second fiber guide part A method of connecting an optical fiber , wherein the second optical fiber is guided so that the tip of the second optical fiber comes to the end.   The optical fiber connection method according to claim 5, wherein tip surfaces of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are brought into contact with each other via a refractive index matching agent.   An optical module comprising: a casing; and the optical fiber connector according to claim 1 disposed in the casing.   The casing is provided with a clamp portion for clamping the first fiber guide portion and the second fiber guide portion in a direction in which the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are sandwiched. The optical module according to claim 7.

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