JP4689522B2 - Optical connector tool, optical connector with tool - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector tool and a tool-equipped optical connector that are applied to an optical connector that includes a mechanism that maintains a connection state between optical fibers by clamping a pair of butt-connected optical fibers.

  In recent years, as an example of an optical connector (on-site optical connector) that can be assembled to the tip of an optical fiber at a connection site other than a factory, a ferrule whose inner surface is fixed in advance and whose tip surface is polished And a clamp portion disposed at the rear end portion (the side opposite to the front end surface) of the ferrule.

  In this optical connector, an optical fiber can be inserted into the clamp portion from the rear end side of the connector with a wedge inserted between the half-divided elements of the clamp portion, and the optical fiber on the ferrule side is butt-connected within the clamp portion. be able to. When the wedge is pulled out from the clamp part, the optical fiber in the butt state is clamped between the halved elements of the clamp part, and the butt connection state is maintained. Therefore, the optical connector can be assembled to the tip of the optical fiber easily in a short time.

  By the way, since the element of a clamp part is small in size, the tool (optical connector assembly tool) for exclusive use which opens and closes an element is proposed (for example, patent documents 1 and 2).

  However, the optical connector assembling tool described above has a structure in which a connector holding base and a tool guide for guiding a wedge support base with a wedge attached thereto so as to be movable forward and backward are attached on the base. In order to accurately insert and remove the connector to and from the clamp portion of the optical connector held on the connector holding table, it is necessary to form the connector holding table, the wedge support table, and the tool guide with high accuracy. In addition, since the structure is complicated and large, it is difficult to reduce the size and cost.

  In view of this, the present inventors have already proposed a small, low-cost optical connector tool that can easily insert and remove the wedge between the half-divided elements of the clamp portion of the on-site optical connector ( For example, Patent Document 3).

This optical connector tool is a holder main body that accommodates an optical connector (field-attached optical connector) between a ring-shaped insertion member driving portion and a pair of protruding walls protruding outside the insertion member driving portion. And a wedge-shaped insertion member that protrudes from the side opposite to the holder body (movable end) to the holder body side in the insertion member drive unit, and the insertion member is inserted into the accommodation recess of the holder body. The tip is protruding. Then, in a state where the tip of the insertion member is interrupted between the elements of the clamp portion of the optical connector housed in the housing recess of the connector housing portion, the insertion member driving portion is deformed by the side pressure from both sides, and the movable end By increasing the separation distance between the part and the holder body, the element can be pulled out from the clamp part. A relatively strong force is required to insert and remove the insertion member between the elements of the clamp portion. However, according to this optical connector tool, the insertion member driving portion is pulled out by deforming the insertion member drive portion by the side pressure. Can be done easily.
JP 2002-23006 A JP 2002-55259 A JP 2005-99706 A

  However, as in Patent Document 3, in an optical connector tool having a ring-shaped insertion member driving unit for pulling out an insertion member, for example, insertion between elements of a clamp portion of the optical connector is performed. If the member is interrupted and transported while being assembled to the optical connector, a force in the direction of pulling out from between the elements of the clamp portion acts on the insertion member due to vibrations acting on the insertion member driving portion during transportation. There is a possibility that the insertion member may be displaced or removed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the first movable end portion in which the insertion member protrudes in the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion, even if vibration during transportation acts, Increase in the distance between the second movable end located on the side opposite to the first movable end, and decrease in the projecting dimension of the insertion member from the second movable end to the outside of the insertion member drive unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector tool and a tool-equipped optical connector that can be regulated to prevent positional displacement and disconnection of an insertion member that is interrupted between elements of a clamp portion of the optical connector.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.

  The first invention is a tool for an optical connector comprising a clamp portion that clamps a pair of optical fibers that are butt-connected to each other by the elasticity of a spring between halved elements and maintains the connection state between the optical fibers. An insertion member that keeps the space between the elements by being interrupted between the elements of the clamp portion, and maintains a state in which the optical fiber can be inserted and removed between the elements, and in a ring shape A first movable end formed by projecting the insertion member, and the insertion member protruding from the first movable end located on a side opposite to the first movable end. An insertion member driving portion having a second movable end portion in which an insertion member insertion hole is formed, and between the pair of elements of the clamp portion of the optical connector from the first movable end portion, Insertion of insertion member formed at the second movable end The tip of the insertion member protruding outside the insertion member drive part via the insertion part is inserted, and the insertion member drive part includes the first movable end part and the second part. By deforming the distance between the first movable end and the second movable end by the side pressure applied from both sides to the portion located between the movable end and the intermediate portion, The insertion member is configured to reduce the amount of protrusion of the insertion member from the second movable end to the outside, and further, the insertion member drive unit is one or both of the first movable end and the second movable end. The first movable end and the second movable end are engaged with the first movable end and the second movable end by a retention elastic claw projecting from the first movable end and the second movable end. The increase in the distance between the two can be regulated, by the side pressure acting from both sides of the insertion member drive unit, To provide an optical connector tool, characterized in that it releases the engagement between the second movable end part and the first movable end of the elastic nail serial anchor.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the elastic claw for retention projects from an elongated elastic piece extending from one of the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion, and a side surface of the distal end portion of the elongated elastic piece. A retaining projection that protrudes from the other of the first movable end and the second movable end toward the inner space of the insertion member drive unit. The claw body is engaged with a locking projection on a side portion of the wall by contacting the locking projection from a side opposite to one of the first movable end and the second movable end through the locking projection. Has an inclined portion formed in a shape in which the projecting dimension from the elongated elastic piece decreases as it goes from the projecting tip of the claw body from the elongated elastic piece to the base end side of the elongated elastic piece. An optical connector tool according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the retention elastic claw includes a pushing-side stopper protrusion protruding from the elongated elastic piece on the proximal end side of the elongated elastic piece with respect to the claw body, Between the push-in stopper projection, a locking recess is secured in which the locking projection on the side portion of the retaining projection wall is detachable, and the locking projection that enters the locking recess is An optical connector tool according to a second aspect of the present invention, wherein the optical connector tool is held so as to be sandwiched between the claw body and the pushing-side stopper projection.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of pulls that are detachably engaged with one of the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion on the locking projections on both sides of the retaining projection wall. Provided is a second or third optical connector tool characterized in that a retaining elastic claw is extended.

  5th invention comprises the synthetic resin tool shaping | molding main body by which the said insertion member drive part and the said elastic claw for retention were integrally molded, The 1st-4th optical connector characterized by the above-mentioned. Provide tools.

  The sixth invention further includes a connector holder portion that holds the optical connector by sandwiching the optical connector between a pair of connector holding pieces protruding from the second movable end portion to the outside of the insertion member driving portion. One or both of the pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder part is provided with a pressure bearing part for pressing the optical connector into the second movable end part. An optical connector tool according to any one of 5 is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder portion are provided apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the insertion member driving portion at the second movable end portion, and the side pressure from both sides facing each other is provided. A pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder portion move away from each other as the second movable end portion is deformed so as to swell outside the insertion member drive portion with the deformation of the insertion member drive portion. An optical connector tool according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, the second movable end portion is divided into two movable end portion divided bodies by an insertion member insertion hole through which the insertion member is passed, and in the circumferential direction of the insertion member drive portion, The movable end portion split bodies on both sides are bridged via the bridging portion via the insertion member insertion hole, and the pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder portion are connected to the bridging portion at the second movable end portion. An optical connector tool according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the tool is distributed and arranged between the movable end divided bodies on both sides via the.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first to an outer side of an optical connector including a clamp portion that clamps a pair of butt-connected optical fibers between the halved elements by elasticity of a spring and maintains a connection state between the optical fibers. An optical connector with a tool is provided, wherein any one of the eighth optical connector tools is attached, and an insertion member of the optical connector tool is inserted between elements of the clamp portion.

  According to the present invention, in the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion, the first movable end portion is provided by the elastic claw for retention protruding from one or both of the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion. And the second movable end portion are detachably engaged with each other, thereby increasing the distance between the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion.

  Even if a side pressure is applied from both sides to a portion located between the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion of the insertion member driving portion, the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion by the elastic claw for retention Since the distance between the first movable end and the second movable end does not increase until the engagement with is released, the insertion member from the second movable end to the outside of the insertion member drive unit The protruding dimensions of do not shrink. After the engagement between the first movable end and the second movable end by the elastic claw for holding is released by the side pressure, the insertion member protrudes from the second movable end to the outside of the insertion member drive unit. Dimension reduction starts.

  For this reason, when the optical connector tool is inserted into the optical connector by inserting the insertion member between the elements of the clamp portion of the optical connector (in the state of the optical connector with the tool), the insertion member is inserted by the elastic elastic claws. By engaging the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion of the drive unit and restricting an increase in the distance between the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion, It is possible to prevent the positional displacement and removal of the insertion member interrupted between the elements of the clamp part, and it is possible to stably maintain the state in which the insertion member is interrupted between the elements of the clamp part.

  Further, the engagement between the first movable end and the second movable end by the elastic claw for retention is in a portion located between the first movable end and the second movable end of the insertion member driving unit. It can be released (disengaged) by applying a side pressure from both sides. For this reason, the special operation | work for the engagement cancellation | release of the said elastic nail | claw with respect to the other of the said 1st movable end part and the said 2nd movable end part is unnecessary.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector 1 with a tool and an optical connector tool 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical connector tool 2 viewed from the connector holder portion 22 side, and FIG. The perspective view which looked at the tool 2 for connectors from the 1st movable end part 241 side of the insertion member drive part 23, FIG. 4 (a), (b) is a side view which shows the tool 2 for optical connectors, FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 3 of the optical connector 1, and FIG. 6 is a drawing showing elastic retaining claws protruding on both the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 of the insertion member drive unit 23. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the optical connector 3 is stored in the connector holder portion of the optical connector with tool 1 and the optical connector tool 2 in FIG. 1 (however, the connector holder portion is one of a pair of connector holding pieces) FIG. 8 shows two optical connector tools 2. 9 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the insertion member 21 (21A, 21B) and the insertion member engaging portion of the insertion member driving portion 23. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the insertion member 21 of the optical connector tool 2. FIG. FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are diagrams showing another embodiment of the distal end portion of the insertion member 21, and FIGS. 11 to 15 show the light accompanying the deformation operation of the insertion member driving portion 23 of the optical connector 1 with a tool. It is a figure explaining extraction of insertion member 21 from clamp part 32 of connector 3. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the optical connector 1 with a tool has a configuration in which an optical connector tool 2 is mounted on the outside of an optical connector 3 that is an optical connector plug.

  Here, as the optical connector 3, a so-called LC type optical connector known as developed by Lucent Technology is illustrated in the drawings.

  The optical connector 3 is not limited to the LC type optical connector, and various types of single-core or multi-core optical connector plugs can be employed. For example, an optical connector such as an SC2 type optical connector may be used. The SC2 type optical connector refers to an SC type optical connector (SC: Single fiber Coupling optical fiber connector; F04 type optical connector (optical connector plug) established in JIS C 5973), and the outside of the SC type optical connector housing. The knob attached to is omitted.

  However, the optical connector 3 (optical connector plug) used here is an on-site optical connector having a structure in which a ferrule with a clamp portion described later is built in a housing.

  First, the optical connector 3 will be described.

  16 and 17 are views showing the structure of the optical connector 3. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 17 (a) is a partially broken front view, and FIG. 17 (b) is a bottom view (FIG. 17 (a)). Figure viewed from below).

  In the illustrated example, the optical connector 3 is fitted and attached to a sleeve-like plug frame 33 and the rear end of the plug frame 33 (the right rear side in FIG. 16, the left side in FIGS. 17A and 17B). A ferrule 37 with a clamp portion and a spring 35 (coil spring) are housed in a housing 39 including a cap-shaped stop ring 34.

  The ferrule 37 with a clamp part comprises a ferrule 31 and a clamp part 32 assembled on the rear end side facing the joining end face (reference numeral 31a, front end face) of the ferrule 31, and will be described in detail later. Will be explained.

  The plug frame 33 is an integrally molded product made entirely of plastic. From the side surface of the sleeve-shaped frame body 33a and the front end of the frame body 33a (right side in FIGS. 17A and 17B), the frame body 33a is formed. And an elastic piece 33b raised obliquely on the rear end side.

  The stop ring 34 is an integrally molded product made entirely of plastic, and includes a sleeve-like stop ring main body 34a and a plug frame 33 (details) fitted to the stop ring main body 34a from the side of the stop ring main body 34a. Is provided with an elastic piece 34b that is inclined obliquely toward the frame body 33a).

  The housing 39 is assembled by fitting the stop ring main body 34a to the rear end of the frame main body 33a (in this case, external fitting). The housing 39 has a sleeve shape in which the stop ring main body 34a is assembled to the rear end of the frame main body 33a. A housing body 39a (specifically, a rectangular tube shape) and a latch 39b on the side of the housing body 39a are provided.

  The latch 39 b is configured by an elastic piece 33 b of the plug frame 33 and an elastic piece 34 b of the stop ring 34. The protruding tip 34c (front end) of the elastic piece 34b of the stop ring 34 from the stop ring 34 is opposite to the protruding tip 33c (rear end) of the elastic piece 33b of the plug frame 33 from the plug frame 33, opposite to the housing body 39a. It is arranged on the side so as to overlap. The latch 39b presses and deforms the elastic piece 34b of the stop ring 34 so as to approach the housing main body 39a (elastic deformation, phantom line in FIG. 17 (a)). The elastic piece 33b of the plug frame 33 pressed by the elastic piece 34b is deformed so as to approach the housing main body 39a (elastic deformation, phantom line in FIG. 17A).

  The housing 39 protrudes on both sides of the rear end portion of the frame body 33a by fitting the stop ring body 34a of the stop ring 34 into the rear end of the frame body 33a of the plug frame 33 (here, external fitting). By engaging the locking claw 33d (elastic claw) into the locking window 34d of the stop ring main body 34a, the stop ring 34 is locked to the rear end of the plug frame 33. As a result, the plug frame 33, the stop ring 34, Are assembled and assembled.

  The ferrule 37 with a clamp portion can be inserted into the frame body 33a of the plug frame 33 from the opening at the rear end. The spring 35 can be inserted from the opening on the front end side of the stop ring body 34 a of the stop ring 34 that is fitted to the frame body 33 a of the plug frame 33.

  The ferrule 37 with a clamp part and the spring 35 are accommodated in the housing 39 when the plug frame 33 and the stop ring 34 are integrated to assemble the housing 39.

  For example, when the optical connector 3 is inserted into an optical connector adapter or the like and connected to another optical connector, the spring 35 functions to give the ferrule 31 a butting force with the optical connector on the other side of the connection.

  When the plug frame 33 and the stop ring 34 are integrated, and the housing 39 containing the ferrule 37 with a clamp part and the spring 35 is assembled, the optical connector 3 is assembled.

  The ferrule 37 with a clamp portion is urged toward the front end side of the housing 39 by a spring 35 that is housed in the stop ring 34 and disposed on the rear end side of the ferrule 37 with a clamp portion. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, reference numeral 34e denotes a spring receiving wall for preventing the spring 35 from coming off, and protrudes from the inner surface of the rear end of the stop ring 34. The spring receiving wall 34e is a small rib-shaped protrusion provided around the inner surface of the rear end of the stop ring 34 so as to surround the optical fiber insertion hole 34f opened at the rear end of the stop ring 34.

  However, the ferrule 37 with a clamp portion projects from the rib-like stopper projecting wall 33e projecting from the inner surface of the front end of the plug frame 33 (specifically, the frame body 33a) at the rear end of the ferrule 31. When the flange portion 31 b comes into contact with the rear end side of the plug frame 33, the flange portion 31 b is prevented from coming off from the front end side of the plug frame 33. The ferrule 31 of the ferrule 37 with a clamp portion protrudes from the ferrule hole 33f inside the stopper projection wall 33e provided around the inner surface of the frame body 33a to the front end side of the housing 39 (front end side of the plug frame 33). .

  The ferrule 37 with a clamp portion housed in the housing 39 can move slightly along the axial direction of the housing 39, and the rear end side of the housing 39 (FIG. 17A) so as to compress the spring 35. , (B) left side).

  In FIGS. 17A and 17B, reference numeral 39c denotes an insertion port into which the insertion member 21 (see FIGS. 2, 5, 8, etc.) of the optical connector tool 2 is inserted. The insertion port 39c is formed on the side wall (the lower surface side) of the housing main body 39a of the housing 39 of the optical connector 3 opposite to the latch 39b, along the axial direction (in other words, the longitudinal direction) of the housing main body 39a. It is formed in an elongated slot shape.

  Reference numeral 36 denotes a boot attached to the rear end of the stop ring 34. However, the boot 36 is passed through the optical fiber 4 in advance when the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the clamp portion 32 from the rear end side of the optical connector 3 (left side in FIGS. 17A and 17B). The optical fiber 4 is inserted into the stop ring 34 after the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the stop ring 34.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a ferrule 37 with a clamp part, and FIG. 19 shows two lid side elements 321a and 321b and a base side element (extension part 31c) constituting the clamp part 32 of the ferrule 37 with a clamp part. FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a structure of a ferrule 37 with a clamp portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 18-20, the clamp part 32 of the ferrule 37 with a clamp part assembled | attached the several member to the extension part 31c extended toward the rear end side of the optical connector 3 from the flange part 31b of the ferrule 31. As shown in FIG. It is configured.

  The clamp portion 32 includes an extension portion 31c extending from the flange portion 31b of the ferrule 31 and lid-side elements 321a and 321b arranged on the mating surface 324a of the extension portion 31c, and a sleeve-like spring having a C-shaped cross section. The structure is housed inside 322 (C-shaped spring). The extension part 31c is one of the half-divided elements constituting the clamp part 32 (hereinafter also referred to as element 31c), and the two lid-side elements 321a and 321b are the half-divided elements constituting the clamp part 32 The other (element 321). The clamp part 32 has a structure for clamping the optical fiber between the pair of halves 31a and 321. The two lid-side elements 321a and 321b are arranged in the front-rear direction (left and right in FIG. 17) of the optical connector 3 so that one (element 321a) is closer to the ferrule 31 than the other (element 321b). The spring 322 is divided into two by a slit 322a formed at the axial center of the spring 322. Since the slit 322a is positioned near the boundary between the two lid-side elements 321a and 321b, each part on both sides in the axial direction via the slit 322a of the spring 322 makes the elasticity of the spring 322 two. It functions as an independent spring that acts separately on the lid-side elements 321a and 321b. However, the set of one lid-side element 321a and the extending portion 31c and the set of the other lid-side element 321b and the extending portion 31c can also function as independent clamp portions.

  The spring 322 may have various shapes such as a U-shaped cross section.

  An optical fiber 38 (here, a bare optical fiber, hereinafter also referred to as a ferrule side optical fiber) is inserted and fixed to the ferrule 31. The ferrule side optical fiber 38 protrudes from the rear end of the ferrule 31. A protruding portion 38 a that is a portion protruding from the rear end of the ferrule of the ferrule side optical fiber 38 is inserted between the pair of elements 31 c and 321 of the clamp portion 32, and the pair of elements 31 c and 321 of the clamp portion 32. Are accommodated in alignment grooves 323 formed in one or both of the alignment surfaces (here, only the alignment surface 324a of the element 31c) and precisely aligned.

  Also, the tip of the optical fiber 4 (here, a single-core optical fiber as an example) inserted between the pair of elements 31c and 321 from the rear end of the clamp 32 is adjusted to the clamp 32. Grooves 325a and 325b leading to the center groove 323 are formed. The grooves 325a and 325b are formed on one or both mating surfaces of the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp part 32 at a position shifted from the alignment groove 323 toward the rear end side of the clamp part 32. The grooves 325 a and 325 b have an opening 325 c that opens at the rear end of the clamp portion 32, and are formed to extend toward the ferrule 31 from the opening 325 c.

  The ends of the grooves 325 a and 325 b on the ferrule 31 side are communicated with the aligning groove 323. In the illustrated optical connector 3, the grooves 325a and 325b are formed on both the mating surface 324a of the element 31c and the mating surface 324b of the element 321b (see FIG. 19 and the like). The grooves 325a and 325b are formed at positions where the pair of elements 31c and 321 just face each other (specifically, positions where the elements 31c and 321b just face each other).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp part 32 interrupts the insertion member 21 of the optical connector tool 2 between the elements 31 c and 321, and resists the elasticity of the spring 322, so that the pair of elements 31 c of the clamp part 32. The optical fiber insertion hole 34f (see FIG. 18), which is an opening at the rear end of the stop ring 34, is formed by pushing the gap between the optical fibers 321 so that the bare optical fiber 4a (see FIG. 18) of the optical fiber 4 is exposed. 17 (a) and (b)) can be inserted into the opening 325c (openings of the grooves 325a and 325b) opened at the rear end of the clamp 32. The optical fiber 4 is pushed into the grooves 325a and 325b from the opening 325c at the rear end of the clamp portion 32 by pushing toward the ferrule 31, and the bare optical fiber 4a at the tip of the optical fiber 4 is pushed into the groove 325a by further pushing. The ferrule side optical fiber 38 can be butt-connected by being pushed into the alignment groove 323 from 325b. The ferrule side optical fiber 38 is accommodated in a range from the end of the aligning groove 323 on the ferrule 31 side to the center in the longitudinal direction, and the bare optical fiber 4a at the tip of the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the aligning groove 323. Thus, the ferrule-side optical fiber 38 (specifically, the tip of the protruding portion 38a) can be butt-connected in a state where the positioning is precisely aligned by the alignment accuracy of the alignment groove 323.

  Note that the optical fiber 4 extends over almost the entire length of the grooves 325a and 325b when the bare optical fiber 4a is abutted against the ferrule side optical fiber 38 in the alignment groove 323 by setting the lead length of the bare optical fiber 4a. The covering portion is stored.

  Further, in FIG. 5, reference numeral 326 denotes an insertion member insertion opening opened on the side surface of the half rod-shaped element portion 327 including the pair of elements 31 c and 321.

  The insertion member insertion port 326 is a recess that is recessed from the side surface of the element portion 327, is located at the joint of the pair of elements 31 c and 321, and the insertion member 21 is interrupted between the pair of elements 31 c and 321. It makes it easy to work.

  When the insertion member 21 inserted between the elements 31c and 321 is pulled out from between the elements 31c and 321 while keeping the butted state of the bare optical fiber 4a at the tip of the optical fiber 4 and the ferrule side optical fiber 38, the spring The elements 31c and 321 are closed by the elasticity of 322, and the ferrule side optical fiber 38 and the optical fiber 4 are clamped and fixed between the pair of elements 31c and 321. Thereby, the butt | matching state of the bare optical fiber 4a of the optical fiber 4 front-end | tip and the ferrule side optical fiber 38 is maintained. Further, the coated portion of the optical fiber 4 is clamped and fixed in the grooves 325a and 325b, and the extraction of the optical fiber 4 from the clamp portion 32 is restricted.

  The grooves 325 a and 325 b constitute a covering housing groove for storing the covering portion of the optical fiber 4 and clamping by the elasticity (clamping force) of the spring 322.

  As the optical fiber 38 (ferrule side optical fiber), for example, a quartz optical fiber is adopted.

  An optical fiber (another optical fiber, for example, the above-described optical fiber 4 that is a single-core optical fiber) inserted from the rear end side of the optical connector 3 between the elements of the clamp portion 32 is an optical fiber. For example, an optical fiber, an optical fiber cord, or the like can be used. As this other optical fiber (specifically, the bare optical fiber 4a), for example, a quartz optical fiber is employed.

  Here, the alignment groove is a V-groove (see FIG. 5), but various configurations such as a U-groove and a round groove (groove with a semicircular cross section) can be employed.

  Next, the optical connector tool 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the optical connector tool 2 includes an insertion member 21 having a tip 21 a inserted between the elements 31 c and 321 of the clamp part 32 of the optical connector 3, and the elements 31 c and 321. The ring-shaped insertion member drive part 23 which pulls out the insertion member 21 interrupted by the clamp part 32, and the connector holder part 22 formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the insertion member drive part 23 are provided. .

  In the following description, in the optical connector tool 2, the front end side of the optical connector 3 assembled to the optical connector tool 2 (the joining end surface 31 a side of the ferrule 31), that is, the right front side in FIG. 1 and FIG. The right rear side of FIG. 3 and the right side of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be described as “front” and the opposite side as “rear”. Also, the left and right in FIGS. 4A and 4B and the left and right in FIG. 5 may be described as “left and right”.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the insertion member 21 includes a block-shaped intermediate stopper block 211, a plate-like protrusion 212 protruding from the intermediate stopper block 211, and the plate-like protrusion from the intermediate stopper block 211. A pair of elastic claws 213 projecting on the side opposite to 212 is provided.

  A protruding tip (tip of the insertion member 21) of the plate-like protrusion 212 from the intermediate stopper block 211 is connected to a tip 21a (insertion tip) that is inserted between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp part 32 of the optical connector 3. It has become.

  In the insertion member 21 in the illustrated example, the distal end portion 21 a (insertion distal end) has a wedge shape formed to be thinner than the plate-like protrusion 212. The tip portion 21a illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 has a triangular cross-section, but is not a sharp pointed shape, and has a shape having a curved surface near the apex of the tip (for the purpose of making the element difficult to damage). Yes.

  In addition, the insertion member 21 in the illustrated example is an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin, including the distal end portion 21a, and the distal end portion 21a is made of resin. The pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 is also illustrated. This is advantageous in that it is difficult to damage.

  As the wedge-shaped tip portion 21a, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, one having a sharp tip shape (tip portions 21a1, 21a2) may be used.

  Further, the shape of the tip portion 21a is not limited to the illustrated example.

  The distal end portion 21a of the insertion member 21 may have another shape such as a simple plate shape or a pin shape.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the pair of elastic claws 213 function as the base end portion 21 b of the insertion member 21 and are attached to the first movable end portion 241 of the insertion member drive portion 23.

  Specifically, the elastic claw 213 includes a long elastic piece 213a extending from the intermediate stopper block 211 and a protrusion protruding from the side of the front end portion of the thin elastic piece 213a in the protruding direction from the intermediate stopper block 211. It is comprised with the shape engagement receiving part 213b (claw part). The engagement receiving portion 213b of each elastic claw 213 protrudes from the side of the elongated elastic piece 213a opposite to the gap 213c secured between the pair of elastic claws 213 extending from the intermediate stopper block 211. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the insertion member 21 is attached to the first movable end portion 241, and the first movable end portion 241 passes through the inner space S of the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion 23. And projecting toward the second movable end 242 opposite to the first movable end 241.

  Specifically, the insertion member 21 is housed in a proximal end portion that is formed in the insertion member engaging portion 243 that protrudes from the first movable end portion 241 to the inner space S side of the insertion member driving portion 23. In the hole 244, the base end portion 21b including the pair of elastic claws 213 is accommodated. The pair of elastic claws 213 accommodated in the base end portion accommodation hole 244 and the insertion member engagement portion 243 are engaged to pull out the insertion member engagement portion 243 from the second movable end portion 242 side. The first movable end 241 is attached in a restricted manner.

  The insertion member engaging portion 243 is a block-like protrusion (projection wall) formed by resin molding into a shape protruding from the plate-like base wall portion 241a of the first movable end portion 241. Part of the movable end 241.

  The insertion member 21 extends from the first movable end portion 241 toward the plate-like second movable end portion 242 so as to cross the inner space S of the insertion member drive portion 23, and the second movable portion It penetrates through a slit-like insertion member insertion hole 28 formed in the end portion 242, and protrudes from the second movable end portion 242 to the outside of the insertion member driving portion 23.

  The distal end portion 21a of the insertion member 21 is housed in the connector housing recess 22a of the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c of the connector holder portion 22, and is held between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c. An interruption can be made between the elements 31 c and 321 of the optical connector 3.

  A plurality (two in this case) of insertion members 21 are provided in the insertion member drive unit 23.

  The installation positions of the insertion members 21 (21A, 21B) in the insertion member driving unit 23 are shifted in the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the ring-shaped insertion member driving unit 23.

  This optical connector tool 2 includes a one-piece tool forming body 2A in which a ring-shaped insertion member driving portion 23 and the connector holder portion 22 are integrally formed of synthetic resin.

  However, the optical connector tool according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the configuration including the tool forming main body 2A. For example, as the ring-shaped insertion member drive unit 23, a structure in which a plurality of plate portions are connected via a pivot pin is adopted, or the insertion member drive unit 23 of a resin-integrated molded product is connected to the insertion member drive unit 23. Various configurations such as a configuration in which the connector holder portion 22, which is a separate member from the insertion member driving portion 23, is assembled by fitting or engagement can be employed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the insertion member driving unit 23 is formed in a sleeve shape.

  Specifically, the insertion member drive unit 23 includes a first movable end 241, a second movable end 242 provided on the opposite side of the first movable end 241 via the inner space S, and these movable It has a pair of side wall parts 25a and 25b (henceforth a connection wall part) which connects the edge parts 241,242.

  The second movable end portion 242 is formed in a plate shape and has a structure divided into two by a slit-like insertion member insertion hole 28 extending along the central axis of the insertion member drive portion 23. That is, the second movable end portion 242 includes a pair of plate-like movable end portion divided bodies 242a and a bridging portion 242b (see FIG. 8, FIG. 15 and the like) that bridges them.

  The bridging portion 242b is formed at the center of the second movable end 242 in the direction along the central axis of the insertion member driving portion 23.

  The bridging portion 242b is a part of the second movable end 242. The bridging portion 242b is also a part of the tool forming body 2A that is a resin-integrated molded product. In other words, the second movable end portion 242 has a pair of plate-like movable end divided bodies 242a on both sides via the insertion member insertion holes 28, and the remaining movable member insertion holes 28 are not formed. This is a structure connected via a bridging portion 242b which is a portion.

  In the optical connector tool 2 of the illustrated example, the bridging portion 242b is formed in a thin beam shape that bridges a pair of plate-like movable end divided bodies 242a.

  The bridging portion 242b only needs to be bent when the insertion member driving portion 23 is deformed by the lateral pressure from the left and right sides, and is not limited to a thin beam shape. For example, a thin plate shape or the like Various shapes can be adopted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, each of the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b specifically has a structure in which three connecting plate portions 26a to 26c are connected in a row. Adjacent connecting plates are connected via a hinge portion 27.

  The pair of connecting wall portions 25a and 25b extend from both sides of the plate-like base wall portion 241a of the first movable end portion 241, and the second ends of the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b extend from the first movable end portion 241, respectively. A pair of movable end divided bodies 242a of the movable end 242 is formed.

  The connecting plate portion 26a positioned at one end of each connecting wall portion 25a, 25b and the first movable end portion 241, and the connecting plate portion 26c positioned at the other end of each connecting wall portion 25a, 25b and the first plate The two movable end portions 242 are also connected by a hinge portion 27.

  The insertion member drive part 23 is divided into two parts by a total of six connection plate parts constituting the connection wall parts 25a and 25b, the first movable end part 241 and the slit-like insertion member insertion hole 28 ( However, the plate-shaped second movable end portion 242 (connected by the bridging portion 242b) has an octagonal shape.

  The connecting wall portions 25a and 25b are disposed opposite to each other with the inner space S therebetween. Each of the connecting wall portions 25a, 25b is formed in a generally “<” shape with the central connecting plate 26b as the top of the three connecting plate portions 26a to 26c. Then, the inner corners of the generally “<”-shaped bent portions face each other, that is, the bent portions are provided so as to project to both sides (outside the insertion member driving portion 23).

  The base wall portion 241a of the first movable end portion 241 is parallel to the pair of movable end portion divided bodies 242a constituting the second movable end portion 242 of the insertion member driving portion 23 by the pair of connecting wall portions 25a and 25b. It is supported to become.

  Specifically, the hinge portion 27 that connects adjacent connecting plate portions constituting the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b is connected to the connecting plates 26a to 26c, the first movable end portion 241, and the second movable end portion 242. It is a thin part that is thinner and easier to deform. Further, a hinge portion 27 that connects between the connecting plate portion 26a located at one end of each connecting wall portion 25a, 25b and the first movable end portion 241, and the other end of each connecting wall portion 25a, 25b. The hinge part 27 which connects between the connection plate part 26c and the 2nd movable end part 242 which are located is also a thin part.

  The hinge portion 27 is an interposition member between the adjacent connecting plate portions, between the connecting plate portion 26a and the first movable end portion 241, and between the connecting plate portion 26c and the second movable end portion 242, respectively. The drive unit 23 is connected to the central axis of the drive unit 23 so as to be able to rotate around the axis line. The thin portion which is the hinge portion 27 is formed by deforming the thin portion, between the adjacent connecting plate portions, between the connecting plate portion 26a and the first movable end portion 241, and between the connecting plate portion 26c and the second movable end portion. 242 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable.

  Among the hinge portions 27, the hinge portion 27 </ b> A that connects the connecting plate portion 26 a and the first movable end portion 241, and the connecting plate portion 26 c and the second movable end portion 242, includes the connecting plate portion 26 c and the second movable end portion 242. It is formed on the outer side in the thickness direction.

  A hinge portion 27B for connecting the connecting plate portions 26a, 26c and the connecting plate portion 26b is formed on the inner side in the thickness direction of the connecting plate portions 26a to 26c.

  The “ring shape” indicating the shape (cross-sectional shape) of the insertion member drive unit 23 includes a circle, an ellipse, a polygon such as a pentagon and a hexagon, a rhombus, and the like. Moreover, the thing which has a discontinuous part in part like C shape is also included.

  In other words, the C shape is a case where the second movable end portion 242 does not have the bridging portion 242 b and the second movable end portion 242 is divided into two by the insertion member insertion hole 28.

  The insertion member driving unit 23 is provided between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 so as to project to both sides via the inner space S of the insertion member driving unit 23. A pressing force (side pressure, arrow P1) is applied to the wall portions 25a and 25b from both the left and right sides (FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5 left and right) to bring the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b closer to each other. The distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 is increased. Accordingly, the pulling engagement portion 248 (see FIG. 7) of the insertion member engagement portion 243 of the insertion member driving portion 23 is engaged with the engagement receiving portion 213b of the insertion member 21 from the second movable end portion 242 side. The distance from the second movable end 242 of the insertion member 21 is increased. As a result, the insertion member 21 is in a direction that reduces the protrusion dimension to the outside of the insertion member drive unit 23 (or cancels the protrusion) relative to the second movable end 242, that is, the insertion member drive. It is moved in the direction of drawing in the inner space S of the part 23.

  In the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b on both sides, the portions that project to the left and right (left and right in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5) via the inner space S of the insertion member driving portion 23 are largest (illustrated example). In the insertion member driving portion 23, the connecting plate portion 26b) functions as a side pressure acting portion 25p for applying a side pressure that deforms the insertion member driving portion 23. The insertion member drive unit 23 is configured to be bilaterally symmetrical (right and left in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5) via the central insertion member 21, and the connecting wall portions 25a on both sides. The side pressure acting portions 25p of 25b are located on the corresponding both sides via the inner space S of the insertion member driving portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when a lateral pressure is applied to the lateral pressure acting portions 25 p on both the left and right sides of the insertion member driving portion 23 to bring the lateral pressure acting portions 25 p closer to each other, the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 is moved along the insertion member movement straight line M so as to be separated from the center of the cross section of the insertion member drive unit 23 (intermediate position of the pair of side pressure acting portions 25p), and the first movable end 241 and The distance from the second movable end portion 242 increases (hereinafter, the direction along the insertion member movement straight line M, that is, the vertical direction in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11 (a) to 11 (c) to 14 (a) to (c), the first movable end 241 is provided on the first movable end 241. By engagement between the insertion member engaging portion 243 and the insertion member 21 (specifically, engagement between the pulling engagement portion 248 and an elastic claw 213 described below (more specifically, engagement receiving portion 213b)), As the insertion member 21 is pulled, it is moved in a direction to reduce the protrusion dimension to the outside of the insertion member drive unit 23 (or to eliminate the protrusion), that is, in a direction to pull the insertion member 21 inward.

  On the other hand, the second movable end portion 242 moves relative to the insertion member 21 due to displacement in a direction away from the central portion of the cross section of the insertion member driving portion 23, so that the second movable end portion 242 moves away from the second movable end portion 242. The protrusion dimension of the insertion member 21 to the outside of the insertion member driving unit 23 is reduced (or the protrusion is eliminated).

  “The insertion member is moved from the insertion member insertion hole in the direction in which the protruding dimension to the outside of the insertion member driving portion is reduced” by the deformation of the insertion member driving portion 23 due to the side pressure from both sides. This is realized by both the movement of the insertion member 21 accompanying the displacement of the first movable end 241 and the relative movement of the second movable end 242 with respect to the insertion member 21.

  As described above, the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b on both sides of the insertion member driving portion 23 are bent in a "<" shape by the plurality of hinge portions 27, but a lateral pressure is applied from both the left and right sides. As a result, the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b on both sides gradually increase in angle at the bent portion from the state of being bent in a “<” shape (refer to the imaginary line in FIG. 5). To the state of.

  When the insertion member driving part 23 is deformed by the lateral pressure from both the left and right sides, the side pressure acting parts 25p on both the left and right sides of the insertion member driving part 23 approach each other. The inclination angles of the connecting plate portions 26a and 26c change (the inclination angle of the insertion member driving portion 23 with respect to the vertical direction gradually decreases, and gradually approaches a linear shape along the insertion member 21 extending along the vertical direction. Become). As a result, the separation distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 is increased.

  The insertion member driving unit 23 is not necessarily limited to being formed symmetrically. However, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the insertion member driving unit 23 has a configuration in which the insertion member driving unit 23 is formed to be bilaterally symmetric (particularly both sides, the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b are bilaterally symmetric). This is advantageous in that the linear movement of the insertion member 21 accompanying the deformation of is kept stable.

  The insertion member drive unit 23 may have any structure that can be deformed so that the vertical dimension is increased by the lateral pressure from the left and right sides. For example, the insertion member drive unit 23 may have an elongated structure that extends along the insertion member 21. .

  However, as the insertion member driving unit 23, when the insertion member 21 interrupted between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp part 32 of the optical connector 3 is pulled out between the elements 31c and 321, the lateral pressure from both the left and right sides It is more preferable to have a structure in which the amount of increase in the vertical dimension is small as compared with the reduction in the horizontal dimension due to. In this case, the insertion member drive unit 23 constitutes a toggle mechanism (intensification mechanism) that increases the lateral pressure from both sides and converts it into a pulling force that pulls the insertion member 21 out of the elements 31c and 321. This is advantageous in that the extraction of 21 can be performed easily and smoothly.

  With reference to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, etc., the engagement structure of a pair of elastic nail | claw 213 and the insertion member engaging part 243 which comprise the base end part 21b of the insertion member 21 is demonstrated concretely.

  The engagement receiving portion 213b on the side of each elastic claw 213 accommodated in the proximal end accommodation hole 244 of the insertion member engaging portion 243 is opposite to the second movable end 242 of the proximal end accommodation hole 244. It is accommodated in an expansion hole 245 which is a portion where the end on the side is expanded. The engagement between the elastic claw 213 and the insertion member engaging portion 243 is such that the engagement receiving portion 213b of the elastic claw 213 is a portion other than the expansion hole 245 and the expansion hole 245 in the base end portion accommodation hole 244 (elastic piece This is realized by engaging the step 246 with the storage hole 247). The inner wall of the insertion member engaging portion 243 that forms the step 246, that is, the wall portion that forms the inner wall surface of the elastic piece receiving hole 247 narrower than the expansion hole 245 is engaged with the engagement receiving portion 213 b of the elastic claw 213. A pulling engagement portion 248 to be joined is formed. An engagement receiving portion 213 b of the elastic claw 213 is engaged with the pulling engagement portion 248 from the side opposite to the second movable end portion 242. Accordingly, the base end portion 21b is prevented from coming off from the insertion member engaging portion 243.

  The base end portion storage hole 244 stores the base end portion 21b while allowing the base end portion storage hole 244 to move in the axial direction (direction along the central axis). The insertion member engaging portion 243 functions as a guide member that guides the movement of the insertion member 21 while maintaining the posture along the axial direction of the proximal end accommodation hole 244 of the insertion member 21. The first movable end portion 241 and the insertion member insertion hole 28 of the second movable end portion 242 are positioned on the central axis of the base end portion accommodation hole 244 and its extension (hereinafter also referred to as an insertion member movement straight line). is doing. The insertion member movement straight line (imaginary line M in FIG. 5) passes through the central axis of the ring-shaped insertion member drive unit 23.

  Movement of the insertion member 21 in the pushing direction toward the first movable end 241 side is performed by the intermediate stopper block 211 of the insertion member 21 (specifically, the bottom surface 211a of the intermediate stopper block 211. The pair of elastic claws 213 is , Which extends from a part of the bottom surface 211a of the intermediate stopper block 211.) hits the protruding front end surface 243a from the first movable end 241 of the insertion member engaging portion 243, the movement limit position (push-in) Limit position). The protruding tip surface 243a of the insertion member engaging portion 243 is a flat surface perpendicular to the insertion member movement straight line M.

  The extension length of the elongated elastic piece 213a of the insertion members 21A and 21B, that is, the extension lengths L1 and L2 from the intermediate stopper block 211 (specifically, the bottom surface 211a) to the engagement receiving portion 213b are the base end portion storage holes. It is longer than the length of 244 (axial dimension). However, the two insertion members 21A and 21B have different extension lengths L1 and L2 from the intermediate stopper block 211.

  Specifically, of the two insertion members 21, the extension length of the elongated elastic piece 213a of the insertion member 21A located on the front side of the insertion member drive unit 23 relative to the insertion member 21B. L1 is shorter than the extended length L2 of the elongated elastic piece 213a of the insertion member 21B. For this reason, when the intermediate stopper block 211 of each insertion member 21A, 21B is abutted against the insertion member engaging portion 243, due to the difference in the extension lengths L1, L2 of the elongated elastic pieces 213a of the insertion members 21A, 21B, The clearance between the engagement receiving portion 213b of the insertion member 21B and the extraction engaging portion 248 is larger than the clearance c1 secured between the engagement receiving portion 213b of the insertion member 21A and the extraction engaging portion 248. The clearance c2 is larger.

  Since the insertion member 21 loosely inserts the elongated elastic piece 213a into the proximal end portion accommodation hole 244 of the insertion member engagement portion 243, the insertion member 21 and the insertion member engagement portion 243 have the clearance described above. In the range of c1 and c2, it can move relatively in the direction along the insertion member movement straight line M.

  However, the clearance c1 may be set to zero for the front insertion member 21A.

  The insertion member engaging portion 243 is pushed into the first movable end portion 241 side of the insertion member 21 by the intermediate stopper block 211 of the insertion member 21 being abutted from the second movable end portion 242 side. Also serves as a push-in stopper that restricts movement in the direction. Further, the intermediate stopper block 211 of the insertion member 21 functions as a stopper abutting portion that abuts on the insertion member engaging portion 243 that functions as a pushing stopper portion.

  The insertion member engaging portion 243 with which the stopper contact portion (intermediate stopper block 211) of the insertion member 21 is abutted is, for example, the optical connector tool 2 between the elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3. When the tip part 21a of the insertion member 21 is pushed in to be interrupted, the insertion member 21 functions as a pressure receiving member for supporting the pressing force, and there is an advantage that the interrupting work can be easily performed.

  Note that the expansion hole 245 is formed in a size that keeps the engagement receiving portion 213b accommodated even when the insertion member 21 is in the push-down limit position and does not protrude outside the insertion member drive portion 23. . However, the present invention does not exclude a configuration in which the proximal end portion 21 b of the insertion member 21 protrudes outside the insertion member drive unit 23.

  Further, in the illustrated optical connector tool 2, the base end portion accommodation hole 244 is a through hole that penetrates the insertion member engaging portion 243, and the expansion hole 245 is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion member driving portion 23. Although it opens, it is not limited to this, The expansion hole 245 which is not opened to the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion member drive part 23 is also employable. However, in this case, even when the insertion member 21 is at the push-in limit position, the expansion hole 245 is an engagement receiving portion 213b that is separated from the pulling engagement portion 248 to the side opposite to the second movable end portion 242. Needless to say, it is necessary to secure a size capable of storing the battery.

  Note that the stopper contact portion of the insertion member 21 that is in contact with the insertion member engaging portion 243 does not necessarily need to be the intermediate stopper block 211 itself of the insertion member 21, for example, the intermediate stopper block 211. Instead of this, a claw-like small protrusion or the like protruding from the side of the plate-like protrusion 212 may be used. Also, the pushing stopper portion on the insertion member driving portion 23 side is not limited to the structure in which the insertion member engaging portion also serves as this, and for example, the first movable end 241 is separated from the insertion member engaging portion. It may be a protruding piece. As a pushing stopper part, the protrusion etc. which protruded in the base end part accommodation hole of the insertion member engaging part may be sufficient.

  Further, the insertion member engaging portion is not limited to a projection-like one protruding from the first movable end portion 241 to the inner space S side of the insertion member driving portion 23. As the base end portion accommodation hole, a plate-like first movable end portion 241 in which the formation of the insertion member engaging portion 243 is omitted (that is, when the base wall portion 241a itself is the first movable end portion 241) itself. An open through-hole may be used, and a structure in which the first movable end itself functions as an insertion member engaging portion can also be employed.

  Further, in the illustrated optical connector tool 2, two base end portion storage holes 244 are formed in one base end portion storage hole 243 so that the two insertion members 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B can be attached. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to provide an insertion member engaging portion independent for each base end portion accommodation hole in the first movable end portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the illustrated optical connector tool 2, the base end portion 21 b of the insertion member 21 is inserted into the base end portion accommodation hole 244 of the insertion member engaging portion 243 as the second movable end. It pushes in from the part 242 side, and the insertion member 21 is assembled | attached to the insertion member drive part 23. FIG. Specifically, the proximal end portion 21b of the insertion member 21 is incorporated into the insertion member engaging portion 243 on the first movable end portion 241 side.

  Here, the plurality of elastic claws 213 projecting from one insertion member 21 are elastically deformed so that the elastic claws 213 come close to each other, and the elastic pieces of the base end portion accommodation hole 244 are provided. It is pushed into the storage hole 247. Then, when the engagement receiving portion 213b at the tip reaches the expansion hole 245, the elastic claw 213 is elastically restored so as to open a space between the elastic claws 213, and the engagement reception portion 213b is pulled out of the expansion hole 245. The engagement portion 248 enters the side opposite to the second movable end portion 242 and prevents the elastic claw 213 from being detached from the expansion hole 245, so that the first movable end portion of the insertion member drive portion 23 is prevented. The attachment of the insertion member 21 to 241 is completed.

  That is, the optical connector tool 2 can be easily assembled by assembling the insertion member 21 to the insertion member driving portion 23 by simply pushing the proximal end portion 21b into the proximal end portion accommodation hole 244. In addition, it is possible to easily select and insert the insertion member 21 having an appropriate size and shape in accordance with the structure of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3 to the insertion member drive portion 23. The optical connector tool 2 having a configuration corresponding to the structure of the connector 3 can be easily obtained.

  In the illustrated example of the insertion member 21, the base end portion 21b including the two elastic claws 213 is illustrated. However, as the base end portion 21b, a structure including three or more elastic claws 213 may be employed. .

  Clearance secured between the engagement receiving portion 213b of the insertion member 21 and the pulling engagement portion 248 in a state where the intermediate stopper block 211 of the insertion member 21 is in contact with the insertion member engagement portion 243. The size (separation distance) (separation distance; see the dimensions c1 and c2 in FIG. 8) differs for each insertion member 21.

  As described above, in the illustrated optical connector tool 2, the engagement of the insertion member 21 </ b> A in a state where the intermediate stopper block 211 of each of the insertion members 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B is in contact with the insertion member engagement portion 243. The clearance c2 between the engagement receiving portion 213b of the insertion member 21B and the pulling engagement portion 248 is larger than the clearance c1 secured between the receiving portion 213b and the pulling engagement portion 248.

  The two insertion members 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B are arranged such that the distance from the connection point 5 of the butt connection between the ferrule side optical fiber 38 in the clamp portion 32 and the bare optical fiber 4 a at the tip of the optical fiber 4 is different. .

  The insertion member 21 </ b> A is an insertion member 21 disposed in correspondence with the connection point 5, and the insertion member 21 </ b> B farther from the connection point 5 than the insertion member 21 </ b> A has the clearance. The relationship is large.

  In the case of an optical connector tool having three or more insertion members, an insertion member that causes a plurality of insertion members to be inserted between the elements of the clamp portion of the optical connector at a position corresponding to the connection point 5. Are arranged in order so as to be on the rear end side of the optical connector 3, and the clearance is increased as the insertion member is inserted into the rear end side of the optical connector 3.

  Thereby, when the insertion member drive part 23 is deformed by the side pressure from both sides, the insertion member 21 that has been interrupted between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp part 32 of the optical connector 3 is pulled out. The insertion member 21 that is far from the connection point 5 is sequentially realized (time difference removal) from the insertion member 21 that is close to the connection point 5.

  That is, when the insertion member drive unit 23 is deformed so as to increase the distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 by the lateral pressure from both sides, the engagement of the insertion member 21 is increased. Due to the engagement between the receiving portion 213b and the pulling engagement portion 248 of the insertion member driving portion 23, the insertion members 21A and 21B become the first movable end portion 241 (specifically, the pulling engagement portion 248). Since it is pulled out from the pair of elements 31 c and 321 of the clamp part 32 of the optical connector 3, the plurality of insertion members are connected to the engagement receiving part 213 b of the insertion member 21. Extraction from the clamp portion 32 is realized in order from the smallest clearance secured to the extraction engaging portion 248.

The configuration for inserting the insertion member 21 from the insertion member drive unit 23 (intercalation member insertion hole) is not limited to the slit-shaped insertion member insertion hole 28 that bisects the second movable end 242. For example, a small hole or the like drilled in the second movable end 242 may be used. The insertion member insertion hole 28 has a size that does not hinder the movement of the insertion member 21 due to the deformation of the insertion member drive unit 23 as will be described later.
(Connector holder)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector holder portion 22 includes a pair of connector holding pieces 22 b and 22 c that sandwich and hold the optical connector 3.

  The connector holding pieces 22 b and 22 c are projecting walls that project from the second movable end 242 toward the outside of the insertion member driving unit 23. The two connector holding pieces 22b and 22c are provided so as to protrude from the pair of movable end divided bodies 242a of the second movable end 242 one by one.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, connector holding recesses for storing the optical connector 3 (for example, the housing main body 39a) are provided on the connector holding surfaces of the connector holding pieces 22b and 22c facing each other. 22a is formed.

  The pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c of the connector holder portion 22 in the illustrated example are separated from each other via a groove-like gap 22s (hereinafter also referred to as a connector housing groove). The accommodated optical connector 3 (housing 39) is sandwiched and accommodated between the connector holding pieces 22b and 22c on both sides via the connector accommodation groove 22s.

  The connector housing groove 22s includes a housing body housing groove 22d that houses the housing body 39a of the optical connector 3, and a latch housing groove 22e that houses the latch 39b of the optical connector 3. The connector housing groove 22 s is a through groove that penetrates the connector holder portion 22 along the central axis direction of the insertion member driving portion 23.

  The housing body housing groove 22d is a portion where the connector housing recesses 22a of the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c of the connector holder portion 22 face each other. The end of the latch housing groove 22e secured between the portions where the connector housing recesses 22a of the connector holding pieces 22b and 22c are not formed are connected to the pair of connector holding pieces 22b, The connector housing recess 22a has an expanded shape.

  The housing body housing groove 22d includes a connector housing recess 22a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in this connector holder portion 22, the housing main body 39a of the optical connector 3 housed in the connector housing groove 22s is housed in the housing body housing groove 22d, and between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b, 22c. While being held, the latch 39b of the optical connector 3 is housed in the latch housing groove 22e.

  That is, both side portions of the housing main body 39a of the optical connector 3 are housed in the connector housing recesses 22a of the connector holding pieces 22b and 22c via the central portion where the latch 39b is projected, and the latch 39b is In the latch housing groove 22e between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b, 22c.

  However, the latch housing groove 22e exists only on the side opposite to the second movable end 242 from the housing body housing groove 22d.

  For this reason, the optical connector 3 sandwiched between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c has the connector holding piece 22b and the latch 39b only in a posture opposite to the second movable end 242 from the housing body 39a. The connector can be stored in the connector storage recess 22a.

  If the optical connector 3 is in an attitude that can be accommodated in the connector accommodation groove 22s, when the optical connector 3 is sandwiched between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c, the lower surface side of the housing main body 39a (a rectangular tubular housing main body) The insertion port 39c for the insertion member 21 on the side opposite to the latch 39b formed on only one of the four side surfaces of 39a is the second movable end 242 side, that is, an optical connector tool. It will be directed to the second insertion member 21 side.

  4 (a) and 4 (b), the connector holding recess 22a of both connector holding pieces 22b and 22c of the connector holder portion 22 of the illustrated example is a plug frame of the optical connector 3. The frame housing portion 22a1 into which the 33 frame main bodies 39a are fitted, and the stop ring housing portion 22a2 into which the stop ring 34 is fitted.

  The frame storage portion 22a1 and the stop ring storage portion 22a2 are provided with their positions shifted in a direction (front-rear direction) along the central axis of the insertion member drive portion 23.

  The frame storage portion 22a1 is located on the front side of the optical connector tool 2 with respect to the stop ring storage portion 22a2.

  The connector housing recesses 22a of the two connector holding pieces 22b and 22c are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the optical connector tool 2 of the frame housing portion 22a1 and the stop ring housing portion 22a2 (that is, along the central axis of the insertion member driving portion 23). In the same direction).

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the housing body housing groove 22d of the connector housing groove 22s is also composed of a portion corresponding to the frame housing portion 22a1 (frame housing portion 22d1) and a portion corresponding to the stop ring housing portion 22a2 (stop ring housing). The cross-sectional dimension differs between the portion 22d2).

  The optical connector 3 is positioned on the front end side of the housing main body 39a with respect to a stopper protrusion 39d (a front end face 34g of a stop ring 34 fitted on the housing main body 39a) that protrudes in a flange shape on the rear end side of the housing main body 39a. ) Against the stepped surface 22a3 (see FIG. 7) between the frame housing portion 22a1 and the stop ring housing portion 22a2 in the connector housing recess 22a, so that the insertion member 21 of the optical connector tool 2 can be Positioning can be easily realized. By this abutment, the insertion port 39 c of the housing 39 of the optical connector 3 can be positioned on the insertion member 21.

  In the illustrated optical connector tool 2, the structure in which the connector housing recess 22 a is formed in each of the pair of connector holding pieces 22 b and 22 c of the connector holder portion 22 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is not excluded that the connector housing recess 22a is formed in only one of the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c.

  Further, in the illustrated optical connector tool 2, the configuration in which the pair of connector holding pieces 22 b and 22 c are provided with the connector holder portion configured to be separated via the connector housing groove 22 s is illustrated. The connector holder portion according to the invention is not limited to this. For example, when the optical connector is not held between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c, the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c are closed at a portion other than the connector receiving recess 22a, and the latch receiving groove 22e. When the housing main body 39a of the optical connector 3 is stored, the latch storage groove 22e may be formed between the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c that are spread by the housing main body 39a. .

  In the case of a connector holder portion that holds an optical connector that does not have a latch protruding on the side surface of the housing body, there is no need to ensure a gap that can function as a latch housing groove between the pair of connector holding pieces. Needless to say. In this case, for example, a configuration in which the connector housing recess 22a of the two connector holding pieces 22b and 22c that are closed together is combined to form a connector housing hole may be employed.

In the illustrated optical connector tool 2, the connector housing recess 22 a formed in each connector holding piece 22 b, 22 c of the connector holder portion 22 accommodates the rectangular tubular housing body 39 a of the optical connector 3. However, the shape of the recess for housing the connector depends on the cross-sectional shape of the portion of the optical connector sandwiched between the pair of connector holding pieces (for example, the cross-sectional shape of the housing body of the optical connector). Needless to say, it can be changed as appropriate. For example, when a cylindrical stop ring is sandwiched between a pair of connector holding pieces, a round groove (a groove having a semicircular cross section) having an arcuate inner surface along the outer peripheral surface of the stop ring can be employed.
(Resilient elastic claws and locking projections)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4A and 4B, the second movable end 241 of the insertion member driving unit 23 is a projecting wall protruding from the first movable end 241. A pair of retaining elastic claws 29 that projectably engage with the insertion member engaging portion 243 project.

  The pair of elastic elastic claws 29 are engaged with the engaging protrusions 243b protruding from both side portions of the insertion member engaging portion 243, respectively.

  The insertion member drive unit 23 engages and disengages the elastic claw 29 for retention on the second movable end 242 side and the locking projection 243b on the first movable end 241 side, so that the first movable end The second movable end portion 242 is retained with respect to the portion 241 and the increase in the distance between the first and second movable end portions 241 and 242 can be restricted. However, the elastic claw 29 for retention and the engagement protrusion 243b are engaged with each other by the distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 due to the lateral pressure of the insertion member driving unit 23 from both sides. Can be released (disengaged) by an operation of deforming so as to increase.

  The insertion member engaging portion 243 functions as a retaining projection wall with which the retaining elastic claw 29 is detachably engaged.

  The locking protrusions 243 b in the illustrated example are provided on both sides of the protruding tip portion from the first movable end portion 241 of the insertion member engaging portion 243.

  However, the protruding position of the locking projection 243b in the insertion member engaging portion 243 is not necessarily limited to the protruding tip portion from the first movable end portion 241 of the insertion member engaging portion 243.

  The pair of retention elastic claws 29 protrude from the pair of movable end divided bodies 242a of the second movable end 241 toward the inner space S side of the insertion member drive unit 23. The elastic claw 29 for retention is integrated with the movable end divided body 242a and is a part of the tool forming main body 2A.

  As shown in FIG. 15 and the like, the elastic claw 29 for retention includes an elongated elastic piece 291 extending from the second movable end portion 242 (specifically, the movable end portion divided body 242a), and the elongated elastic piece. A claw main body 292 and a pushing-side stopper projection 293 are provided so as to project from the side surface of the tip portion of the piece 291 (the protruding tip portion from the movable end portion split body 242a).

  The pushing-side stopper protrusion 293 is formed on the base end side (movable end portion split body 242a) of the elongated elastic piece 291 with respect to the claw body 292. Between the claw body 292 and the pushing-side stopper protrusion 293, a locking recess 294 is secured in which the locking protrusion 243b is detachably inserted.

  The locking recess 294 is a recess formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking protrusion 243 b that is a mountain-shaped protrusion protruding from the insertion member engaging portion 243, and enters the locking recess 294. The locking protrusion 243b is held so as to be sandwiched between the claw body 292 and the pushing-side stopper protrusion 293.

  In the elastic claw 29 for retention, the claw main body 292 is brought into contact with and engaged with the locking projection 243b from the side opposite to the second movable end 242 when the locking projection 243b enters the locking recess 294. Is done.

  The claw body 292 in the illustrated example is a small triangular mountain-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the side surface of the elongated elastic piece 291, and extends from the protruding tip 292 a from the elongated elastic piece 291 to both sides (the longitudinal direction of the elongated elastic piece 291 via the protruding tip). (Both sides in the direction along the surface) have inclined surfaces.

  The claw body 292 has a shape in which the projecting dimension from the elongated elastic piece 291 decreases as it goes from the projecting tip 292a of the claw body 292 from the elongated elastic piece 291 to the base end side of the elongated elastic piece 291. It has the inclined part 292b formed.

  Further, the pushing-side stopper protrusion 293 in the illustrated example is also a triangular triangular small protrusion that protrudes from the side surface of the elongated elastic piece 291.

  Therefore, a locking recess 294 having a V-groove shape is secured between the claw body 292 and the pushing-side stopper protrusion 293.

  In addition, the locking protrusion 243b in the illustrated example is also a triangular triangular small protrusion, and is inserted between the claw body 292 and the pushing-side stopper protrusion 293 by entering the V-groove locking recess 294. Is retained.

  The inclined portion 292b of the claw body 292 is configured to deform the insertion member driving portion 23 so that the distance between the first movable end portion 241 and the second movable end portion 242 is increased by a lateral pressure from both sides. This is to realize disengagement of the elastic claw 29 for retaining that is engaged with the locking projection 243b of the insertion member engaging portion 243 when performed.

  That is, the first movable end portion that is generated when a side pressure is applied from both sides to a portion located between the first movable end portion 241 and the second movable end portion 242 of the insertion member driving unit 23. With the force of increasing the distance between the second movable end 242 and the second movable end 242, the claw body 292 of the retaining elastic claw 29 and the locking projection 243 b are attached with the elastic deformation of the elongated elastic piece 291. The locking protrusion 243b is pulled out to the second movable end 242 side so as to get over. As a result, the retaining elastic claw 29 engaged with the locking projection 243b is detached from the locking projection 243b, and the engagement between the retaining elastic claw 29 and the locking projection 243b is released.

  In other words, the locking projection 243b moves along the inclined portion 292b of the claw body 292 while elastically deforming the retention elastic claw 29, and gets over the claw body 292 from the locking recess 294 side. The engagement between the elastic claw 29 for retaining and the locking projection 243b is released.

  In this optical connector tool 2, even if a side pressure is applied from both sides to a portion located between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 of the insertion member driving unit 23, the elastic claw 29 for retention Since the distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 does not increase until the engagement between the first movable end 241 and the locking projection 243b is released, the insertion member is driven from the second movable end 242. The projecting dimension of the insertion member 21 to the outside of the portion 23 is not reduced. After the engagement between the elastic claw 29 for retention and the locking projection 243b is released by the lateral pressure, the projecting dimension of the insertion member 21 from the second movable end 242 to the outside of the insertion member drive unit 23 is reduced. Is started.

  The engagement between the retention claw 29 and the locking projection 243b is achieved by artificially applying the lateral pressure to the insertion member driving unit 23 to lock the retention elastic claw 29 engaged with the locking projection 243b. It is not released unless it is forcibly separated from the protrusion 243b. For example, due to vibrations or the like acting during conveyance of the optical connector 1 with a tool, the engagement between the retaining elastic claws 29 and the locking projections 243b is difficult to be released.

  Therefore, in the state where the optical connector tool 2 is assembled to the optical connector 3 with the insertion member 21 inserted between the elements of the clamp portion of the optical connector (the state of the optical connector 1 with a tool), the elastic claw for retention 29, the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 of the insertion member driving unit 23 are engaged with each other, and the distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 is increased. If the increase is restricted, it is possible to prevent the displacement and disengagement of the insertion member 21 that is inserted between the elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3.

  Further, in this optical connector tool 2, the operation is performed by applying a lateral pressure from both sides to the portion located between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 of the front insertion member drive unit 23. Since the engagement between the retaining elastic claw 29 and the locking projection 243b can be released, there is also an advantage that a special work for releasing the engagement is unnecessary.

  The elastic claw 29 for retention and the locking projection 243b can be re-engaged after the engagement is released.

  For example, the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 are formed after the insertion member drive unit 23 is deformed by the lateral pressure from both sides to release the engagement between the elastic claw 29 for retaining and the locking projection 243b. A pressing force (compressive force) that approaches the gap is applied to the insertion member drive unit 23, and the locking projection 243b is inserted into the locking recess 294 while elastically deforming the retaining elastic claw 29. Thereby, the elastic claw 29 for retention and the latching protrusion 243b can be engaged.

  One or both of the surface opposite to the second movable end 242 of the claw body 29a of the elastic claw 29 for retention and the surface facing the second movable end 242 of the locking projection 243b (both in the illustrated example) ) Is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the left-right direction of the ring-shaped insertion member drive unit 23. Therefore, the locking protrusion 243b extracted from the locking recess 294 of the elastic retaining claw 29 by the lateral pressure from both the left and right sides is pressed against the claw body 29a toward the second movable end 242 to lock the locking recess 294. It is possible to smoothly realize the operation of entering the retaining elastic claws 29 and re-engaging the locking projections 243b.

  The locking protrusion 243b with which the elastic claw 29 for retention is engaged may be formed on the protruding wall protruding from the first movable end 241 to the inner space S side, and is not necessarily limited to the base end of the insertion member 21. It is not necessary to form in the insertion member engaging part 243 which also serves as a function of storing the part.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a retaining elastic claw 295 that protrudes toward the second movable end 242 on the inner space S side is provided on the first movable end 241. A configuration in which the locking protrusion is provided as a small protrusion-like nail body protruding from the first movable end 241 of the elastic retaining claw 295 can also be employed.
(Assembly of optical connector with tool)
In order to assemble the optical connector 1 by assembling the optical connector 3 into the optical connector tool 2, first, the optical connector 3 is stored in the connector storage groove 22 s of the connector holder 22, and a pair of connector holding pieces 22 b, 22c.

  Further, the insertion member 21 is inserted between the elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3 to obtain the state shown in FIG.

  The optical connector tool 2 in the illustrated example is sized so that the user can hold it with a finger of one hand. For example, with a finger holding the optical connector tool 2, the pair of connector holding pieces 22 b and 22 c holding the optical connector 3 and the first movable end 241 are gripped so as to approach each other, thereby applying a pushing force. Thus, the insertion member 21 can be inserted between the elements 31 c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3.

  At this time, a portion of the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c located on the side opposite to the second movable end 242 via the connector housing recess 22a acts on the optical connector 3 from the insertion member 21. It functions as a pressure-supporting portion 22f that supports the pressing force (in other words, presses the optical connector 3 against the insertion member 21).

Specifically, the pressure supporting portions 22f of the connector holding pieces 22b and 22c abut on the housing main body 39a of the optical connector 3 housed in the connector housing groove 22s from the side opposite to the second movable end 242. Thus, the optical connector 3 functions as a stopper that restricts the optical connector 3 from being pushed and moved by the pressing force from the insertion member 21. As a result, the compression force that causes the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c and the first movable end 241 to approach each other is between the pressure-supporting portion 22f and the first movable end 241. This acts as a pushing force for inserting the insertion member 21 between the elements 31c and 321.
(Attaching the optical connector to the tip of the optical fiber)
After assembling the optical connector 3 with a tool, the optical fiber 4 is inserted from the rear end side of the optical connector 3 into the grooves 325a and 325b for covering housing between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3, The bare optical fiber 4 a at the tip of the optical fiber 4 inserted into the alignment groove 323 from the grooves 325 a and 325 b is butted against the ferrule side optical fiber 38.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, with the butt connection state of the optical fiber 4 and the ferrule side optical fiber 38 maintained, the side pressure P1 is applied to the insertion member driving portion 23 of the optical connector tool 2 from both the left and right sides. The insertion member drive unit 23 is deformed.

  Thereby, the protrusion dimension of the insertion member 21 to the outside of the insertion member driving part 23 (protrusion dimension of the connector holder part 22 to the connector housing groove 22s) decreases, and a pair of the clamp part 32 of the optical connector 3 is reduced. The insertion member 21 that has been interrupted between the elements 31 c and 321 is pulled out from the clamp portion 32.

  However, as described above, the deformation of the insertion member driving unit 23 is started after the engagement between the elastic retaining claws 29 and the locking projections 243b is released.

  The second movable end portion 242 of the insertion member driving unit 23 is configured to remove the optical connector 3 (specifically, the housing 39. Specifically, the housing main body when the insertion member 21 is pulled out from the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3. 39a) functions as a stopper portion (stopper wall) against which it is pressed. The second movable end portion 242 functions as a stopper portion that regulates the movement of the optical connector 3 following the insertion member 21, so that the insertion member 21 can be smoothly pulled out between the elements 31c and 321. Realized.

  When the insertion member 21 is pulled out from the clamp part 32, the optical fiber 4 and the ferrule side optical fiber 38 are clamped between the pair of elements 31 c and 321 by the elasticity of the spring 322 of the clamp part 32. The butt connection state with the ferrule side optical fiber 38 is maintained. The optical fiber 4 is firmly clamped between the pair of elements 31c and 321 while being covered in the grooves 325a and 325b, so that the extraction of the optical fiber 4 from the clamp part 32 is restricted. .

  Thereby, the attachment of the optical connector 3 to the tip of the optical fiber 4 is completed.

  In this optical connector with a tool 1, the insertion member 21 </ b> B is extracted from the clamp portion 32 after the insertion member 21 </ b> A is extracted from the clamp portion 32. For this reason, after the element 31c and 321a which clamps the connection point 5 (refer FIG. 17) of the optical fibers 4 and 38 among the clamp parts 32 closes, the element from the connection point 5 is farther than the element 321a. The space between 31c and 321b is closed. That is, between the elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 is closed from the side close to the connection point 5 between the optical fibers 4 and 38 by pulling out the insertion member 21 (time difference removal). In this case, the bending produced in one or both of the pair of optical fibers 4 and 38 due to the abutting force at the time of butt connection is accompanied by the clamping of the optical fibers 4 and 38 in the clamp portion 32 due to the extraction of the insertion member 21. There is an advantage that it can be prevented from being released to the outside of the clamp part 32 and remaining in the clamp part 32. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the bending or bending of the optical fiber remaining in the clamp portion 32 affects the optical transmission characteristics of the optical fibers 4 and 38 and the optical characteristics such as the connection loss between the optical fibers 4 and 38. . In addition, the optical characteristics of the optical fiber clamped to the clamp portion can be maintained stably, and characteristics such as connection loss can be stabilized, and the long-term reliability of the optical connector 3 can be improved.

  Action that can prevent the bending generated in one or both of the pair of optical fibers 4 and 38 due to the abutting force at the time of butt connection from being released by the time difference removal of the insertion member and remaining in the clamp portion 32. The effect is not limited to the clamp portion having a configuration in which the lid side element 321 is composed of two parts (lid side elements 321a and 321b), and the distance from the connection point 5 is short by removing the time difference of the plurality of insertion members. If it is a clamp part in which the part far from the connection point is sequentially closed from the side, it is obtained. For example, even when a clamp portion in which the lid side element is a single resin part is employed, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  The insertion member drive unit 23 of the optical connector tool 2 in the illustrated example allows the user to hold the insertion member drive unit 23 with the fingers of one hand, so that The insertion member drive unit 23 is deformed by applying the side pressure P1 from both sides so that the insertion member 21 can be pulled out from the optical connector 3. For this reason, the optical connector tool 2 is excellent in operability, and can easily pull out the insertion member 21 from between the elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3.

  The optical connector tool 2 can be supplied to the site or the like in the state of the optical connector 1 with the tool to which the optical connector 3 is assembled, but is not limited to this, and is supplied to the site or the like in a state separated from the optical connector 3. The optical connector 3 can be assembled to the optical connector 3 as necessary and used for assembling the optical connector 3 to the tip of the optical fiber.

The optical connector tool 2 can be used for an operation of assembling an optical connector already assembled at the tip of the optical fiber and removing the optical connector from the optical fiber.
(Open connector holder)
By the way, as shown in FIG. 15, in the case of the optical connector 1 with a tool of the example of illustration, by deform | transforming the insertion member drive part 23 by the side pressure P1 (refer FIG. 5) from right and left both sides, The pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c can be automatically opened.

  For this reason, when the optical connector 3 is attached to the tip of the optical fiber 4 by operating the optical connector 1 with a tool (deforming the insertion member driving unit 23 by lateral pressure from the left and right sides), the attachment is performed. The optical connector 3 can be easily removed after the work is completed.

  In the insertion member driving unit 23, when a lateral pressure is applied from both the left and right sides, the thin portion which is the hinge portion 27 is deformed, but the connecting plate portions 26a to 26c and the first movable end portion 241 are not deformed. The first movable end portion 241 has a sufficient strength due to the presence of the block-shaped insertion member engaging portion 243 formed integrally with the base wall portion 241a, and does not deform.

  However, the second movable end portion 242 is bent and deformed (bend deformation) so as to swell outside the ring-shaped insertion member drive unit 23 as a whole.

  Specifically, the bridging portion 242b bridging between the pair of movable end divided bodies 242a is curved and deformed so as to bulge outside the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion 23, and the bridging portion 242b A pair of movable end divided bodies 242a on both sides has an insertion member drive section on the bridging portion 242b side as compared to the side of the hinge portion 27A existing between the movable end divided body 242a and the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b. The direction changes so as to be outside 23.

  Since the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c of the connector holder portion 22 are respectively integrated with the movable end divided body 242a, the second movable end portion 242 is deformed by the lateral pressure from the left and right sides (more specifically, the movable end (Change in direction of the divided member 242a), the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c are rotated in the direction of rotation about the hinge portion 27 existing between the movable end divided member 242a and the connecting wall portions 25a and 25b. The displacement force acts to push open between the protruding tips from the second movable end 242 of the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the optical connector tool 2 exemplified here is such that the connecting wall portions 25 a and 25 b on both sides, which are linear from the “b” -shaped bent state, are caused by lateral pressure from the left and right sides. When the side pressure acting portion 25p is deformed so as to enter the inside of the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion 23, the bending stress is surely applied to the second movable end portion 242 (specifically, the bridging portion 242b) by the side pressure from both sides. The pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c are reliably pushed and opened between the projecting tips from the second movable end portion 242.

  However, this optical connector tool 2 has a pair of connecting wall portions 25a, 25b deformed by lateral pressure from the left and right sides before the lateral pressure acting portion 25p enters the inside of the ring-shaped insertion member driving portion 23. Push-opening between the projecting tip ends of the connector holding pieces 22b and 22c from the second movable end 242 may be started.

  In addition, since the thin part employ | adopted as the hinge part 27 is elastically deformed by the side pressure P1 given to the insertion member drive part 23, if a side pressure is cancelled | released, the insertion member drive part will be by the elasticity of a thin part. 23 returns to the shape before applying the side pressure, that is, the shape illustrated in FIG. Therefore, it is easy to assemble the optical connector with the connector holder portion and assemble the optical connector with a tool again.

  The optical connector tool 2 deforms the insertion member driving portion 23 by lateral pressure from both the left and right sides, thereby pulling out the insertion member 21 from between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the clamp portion 32 of the optical connector 3. An optical connector tool that can be easily performed, and that the pair of connector holding pieces 22b and 22c of the connector holder portion 22 are automatically opened by deforming the insertion member driving portion 23. The optical connector 3 can be taken out from 2 very easily.

  In addition, since the structure is very simple and can be manufactured at a low cost, a significant cost reduction can be realized as compared with the case of using a dedicated tool. Since it is easy to reduce the size, it is advantageous for use in a narrow work space such as in a device.

  The specific configurations of the optical connector tool and the optical connector with a tool according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  The hinge part is not limited to the aforementioned thin part. The insertion member drive unit is not a structure integrally formed with resin as a part of the optical connector with tool exemplified in the above-described embodiment, for example, a plurality of plate-like members functioning as connecting plate portions And the structure etc. which were assembled in the ring shape by the some member containing the pin which pivotally attaches these plate-shaped members can also be employ | adopted.

  Further, the number of insertion members provided in one insertion member driving unit is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

  Further, the shape of the connector holding piece can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the housing.

  Further, the optical connector 3 (optical connector plug) applied to the present invention is not limited to a single-fiber connector, and a multi-fiber connector can also be used. In the case of multi-core, a configuration in which a plurality of aligning grooves formed in the element of the clamp part is employed.

  In the present invention, an “optical connector” is a butt connection between optical fibers (not necessarily limited to a connection in which end faces of optical fibers are in contact with each other, and optical fibers are optically connected in a face-to-face state through a minute gap. In general, it is not limited to those using ferrules. The optical connector in the present invention has a clamp portion that clamps the optical fiber that is butt-connected and maintains the connection state, and if it has such a clamp portion, it may be referred to as an “optical connector”. it can.

  For example, a so-called mechanical splice having a configuration in which a half element for clamping an optical fiber by the elasticity of the spring is accommodated inside a C-shaped or U-shaped sleeve-like spring is also included in the optical connector. This mechanical splice type optical connector has positioning grooves formed on the mating surfaces of the half-divided elements, and optical fibers inserted between the elements from both sides are positioned with high accuracy by the positioning grooves. Can be butt-connected. Further, the pair of optical fibers that are butt-connected is clamped between the elements by the elasticity of the spring to maintain the connection state.

  As this type of optical connector, for example, a ferrule with the clamp part omitted from the ferrules illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, that is, a mechanism similar to the clamp part 32 may be used.

  Here, the mechanical splice type optical connector has a C-shaped or U-shaped sleeve-like spring and a clamp portion itself that functions as an optical connector composed of a half element housed inside the spring. It can be said. The half-divided element is not limited to a configuration in which one of the half-divided elements is divided into a plurality of parts like the clamp portion of the optical connector illustrated in FIGS. A halved structure may be used. However, the clamp part having an element with a halved structure composed of two parts adopts an element capable of elastic deformation (small bending) of the element itself (for example, made of resin), and the axial direction of the clamp part When the insertion members interrupted at a plurality of positions different from each other are sequentially pulled out (for example, the ones that are far from the connection point between the optical fibers are sequentially pulled out), The elements are sequentially closed from the extracted part.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pair of elastic elastic claws 29 are engaged with the protruding wall-shaped insertion member engaging portion 243 (the protruding protruding wall) provided at the first movable end portion so as to be detachable from both sides. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the retaining elastic claws engaged with the retaining projection wall may be three or more, or only one.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the elastic claws 29 and 295 (the elastic elastic claws 29 in the illustrated example) respectively protruding from the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242. As described above, the elastic elastic claws having a shape in which the nail body protrudes from the tip of the elongated elastic piece) can be detachably engaged with each other, or the elastic elastic claws are attached only to the first movable end 241 side. It is also possible to employ a configuration that is provided with a locking protrusion (protrusion that does not have an elongated elastic piece) that protrudes and engages the elastic claw for detachment on the second movable end 242 side.
(Nail body of elastic claw for retention, another aspect 1 of the locking projection)
As shown in FIGS. 21 (a) to 21 (c), the nail body and the locking protrusion of the elastic nail for retention can be formed in various shapes. Further, the magnitude of the side pressure P1 required for releasing the engagement between the elastic claw for retaining and the locking protrusion can be changed depending on the shape of the claw body of the elastic claw for holding and the shape of the locking protrusion.

  FIG. 21A shows an insertion member that comes into contact with the claw main body 292 when entering the locking recess 294 of the retaining elastic claw 29 as a locking projection protruding from the insertion member engaging portion 243. A locking protrusion 243c is employed, in which a vertical locking surface 243c1 perpendicular to the moving straight line M (see FIG. 5; vertical direction of the insertion member drive unit 23; FIG. 21 (a) vertical direction) is formed. . The elastic claw for retention (particularly the shape of the claw body) is the same as the elastic claw 29 for retention of the optical connector tool 2 illustrated in FIGS.

  FIG. 21B shows an insertion member movement straight line M (insertion) that is brought into contact with a locking projection 243b that has entered the locking recess 294 of the retention elastic claw 29 as a claw body of the retention elastic claw 29. The vertical direction of the member drive part 23. The nail | claw main body 296 in which the perpendicular | vertical latching surface 296a perpendicular | vertical to FIG.21 (b) up-down direction is formed is employ | adopted. The locking protrusion 243b is the same as the locking protrusion 243b of the optical connector tool 2 illustrated in FIGS.

  FIG. 21 (c) employs a locking projection 243c formed with a vertical locking surface 243c1 as a locking projection protruding from the insertion member engaging portion 243, and as a claw body of a retaining elastic claw, A nail body 296 having a vertical locking surface 296a is employed.

  In the configuration of FIG. 21 (c), a lateral pressure P1 is applied to the insertion member driving portion 23 of the optical connector tool 2 from both the left and right sides, and the first movable end 241 and the second movable end generated by the lateral pressure. By applying a force to increase the distance to the portion 242, the claw body 296 and / or the locking projection 243 c is slightly deformed (elastically deformed), and the claw body 296 is detached from the locking projection 243 c. The engagement between the claw body 296 and the locking projection 243c (engagement between the elastic retaining claw and the locking projection; engagement between the first movable end and the second movable end) can be released.

  21 (a) and 21 (b), compared with the configuration employing the triangular chevron claw body 291 and the locking projection 243b exemplified in the optical connector tool 2 exemplified in FIGS. The side pressure P1 required for releasing the engagement between the retaining elastic claw and the locking projection can be increased. For this reason, the insertion member 21 interrupted between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the ferrule 31 with a clamp portion of the optical connector 3 of the optical connector 1 with a tool is caused by vibration or the like accompanying the conveyance of the optical connector 1 with a tool. Inconveniences such as displacement and omission are less likely to occur.

In the configuration of FIG. 21 (c), the side pressure P1 required for disengagement can be further increased. Therefore, the optical connector 3 (specifically, the clamp of the ferrule 31 with a clamp portion) of the insertion member 21 of the optical connector 1 with a tool can be obtained. The occurrence of inconveniences such as positional displacement with respect to the portion 32) and disconnection between the pair of elements 31c and 321 of the ferrule 31 with a clamp portion can be more reliably prevented.
(Nail body of elastic nail for retention, another aspect 2 of the locking projection)
22 (a) and 22 (b) show a case where a lateral pressure is applied from both sides to a portion of the insertion member drive unit 23 located between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242. The nail body and / or the locking protrusion of the elastic retaining claw is bent by the generated force to increase the distance between the first movable end 241 and the second movable end 242 ( FIG. 22 illustrates a configuration in which the engagement between the retaining elastic claw and the locking protrusion is released by the fact that only the locking protrusion can be bent.

  Locking protrusions 243d shown in FIGS. 22 (a) and 22 (b) are thin plate-shaped small protrusions protruding from the insertion member engaging portion 243. The first movable end portion 241 generated by the side pressure by applying a side pressure to the portion located between the first movable end portion 241 and the second movable end portion 242 of the insertion member driving portion 23, By forcibly pulling out the locking projection 243d from the locking recess 294 of the elastic retaining claws 29 while bending and deforming the locking projection 243d by a force to increase the distance between the second movable end 242, The engagement between the retaining elastic claw and the locking projection can be released.

  In this case, the magnitude of the side pressure P1 required for releasing the engagement between the elastic retaining claw and the locking protrusion can be changed depending on the thickness of the locking protrusion 243d.

  Further, the locking protrusion 243d may be unable to be re-engaged with the retention elastic claw 29 by bending, or may be broken off from the insertion member engaging portion 243 to be detached. By selecting the material for forming the insertion member engaging portion 243 and the locking protrusion 243d, the material may be elastically returned to a shape that can be re-engaged with the elastic claw 29 for retention after bending.

  When the lateral pressure is applied, the locking projections may not be bent, and the claw body (denoted by reference numeral 297) of the elastic claw 29 for retention may be bent.

  Moreover, you may form both a latching protrusion and the nail | claw main body 297 of the elastic nail | claw for retention so that bending is possible.

  The present invention can be applied to various optical connectors for the purpose of simply and quickly attaching an optical connector to the tip of an optical fiber. Further, the present invention can also be applied to an existing optical connector or the like incorporated in an apparatus or device.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the optical connector with a tool by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the tool for optical connectors of the optical connector with a tool of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the tool for optical connectors of FIG. 2 from the 1st movable end part side. (A), (b) is a side view which shows the tool for optical connectors of FIG. It is the figure which showed the optical connector of the optical connector 1 with a tool by the cross-sectional view. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the aspect which protruded the elastic nail | claw for an anchoring in both the 1st movable end part and the 2nd movable end part of the insertion member drive part of the tool for optical connectors. It is a figure which shows the accommodation state of the optical connector in the connector holder part of the optical connector with a tool of FIG. 1, and the tool for optical connectors. It is a sectional side view which shows the relationship between the two insertion members of the tool for optical connectors, and the insertion member engaging part of the insertion member drive part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the insertion member of the tool for optical connectors. (A), (b) is a figure which shows another aspect of the front-end | tip part of an insertion member. It is a figure which shows the optical connector with a tool, (a) is the insertion member of the side far from the connection point of a ferrule side optical fiber and another optical fiber among two insertion members of the tool for optical connectors, The figure which shows typically the relationship with the clamp part of an optical connector, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the two insertion members of the tool for optical connectors, and the insertion member engaging part of an insertion member drive part. (C) shows the relationship between the insertion member on the side closer to the connection point between the ferrule-side optical fiber and another optical fiber, and the clamp portion of the optical connector, out of the two insertion members of the optical connector tool. It is a figure shown typically. (A) to (c) are different from the ferrule-side optical fiber among the two insertion members of the optical connector tool by the deformation operation of the insertion member driving unit of the optical fiber tool of the optical connector with tool. It is a figure which shows the state which the engagement part for extraction of the insertion member engaging part of the insertion member drive part engaged with the engagement receiving part of the insertion member near the connection point with an optical fiber. (A) to (c) are different from the ferrule-side optical fiber among the two insertion members of the optical connector tool by the deformation operation of the insertion member driving unit of the optical fiber tool of the optical connector with tool. The insertion member on the side closer to the connection point with the optical fiber is completely pulled out from the clamp portion of the optical connector, and the insertion member driving portion is inserted into the engagement receiving portion of the insertion member on the side far from the connection point. It is a figure which shows the state which the engaging part for extraction of the insertion member engaging part engaged. (A) to (c) are different from the ferrule-side optical fiber among the two insertion members of the optical connector tool by the deformation operation of the insertion member driving unit of the optical fiber tool of the optical connector with tool. It is a figure which shows the state which extracted the insertion member on the side far from the connection point with an optical fiber from the clamp part of the optical connector. It is a figure which shows the state which further deformed the insertion member drive part by applying a side pressure to the insertion member drive part from the state of FIG. 14, and the pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder part moved away from each other. . It is a disassembled perspective view of the optical connector (optical connector plug) which comprises the optical connector with a tool of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical connector (optical connector plug) of FIG. 16, Comprising: (a) is a partially broken side view, (b) The figure seen from the lower surface (side opposite to a latch) side (bottom view) ). It is a perspective view which shows the ferrule with a clamp part incorporated in the optical connector of FIG. It is a figure which shows the mating surface of each element which comprises the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the nail | claw main body of the elastic nail | claw for retention, and another aspect of a latching protrusion, Comprising: (a) shows a vertical latching surface on the latching protrusion of the 1st movable end part side. Example formed, (b) an example in which a vertical locking surface is formed on the claw body of the retaining elastic claw on the second movable end side, (c) is a locking projection on the first movable end side, and The example which formed the vertical latching surface in the nail | claw main body of the elastic nail | claw for a retention at the 2nd movable end part side is shown, respectively. The latching projection on the first movable end side can be deformed, and the latching projection is deformed by the lateral pressure from the left and right sides of the insertion member drive unit, so that the engagement between the latching projection and the elastic retaining claw can be released. It is a figure which shows such an example, Comprising: (a) is an engagement state, (b) shows a disengagement state.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector with a tool, 2 ... Optical connector tool, 2A ... Tool shaping | molding main body, 21, 21A, 21B ... Insertion member, 22 ... Connector holder part, 22b, 22c ... Connector holding piece, 22d ... Housing main body accommodation groove | channel 22e ... Latch receiving groove, 22f ... Supporting portion, 22s ... Connector receiving groove, 28 ... Insertion member insertion hole, 29 ... Elongation elastic claw, 291 ... Elongated elastic piece, 292, 296, 297 ... Nail body, 292a ... projecting tip, 292b ... inclined part, 293 ... pushing-side stopper projection, 294 ... locking recess, 295 ... retention claw, 23 ... insertion member drive part, 241 ... first movable end part, 242 ... second Movable end part, 242a ... movable end part divided body, 242b ... bridging part, 243 ... retaining projection wall (insertion member engaging part), 243b, 243c, 243d ... locking projection, 25a, 25b ... connecting wall part , 8 ... insertion member insertion hole, 3 ... optical connector, 31c, 321 ... device, 32 ... clamp portion, 38 ... ferrule-side optical fiber, 322 ... spring, 4 ... optical fiber, 5 ... connection point.

Claims (9)

Clamp part (32) which clamps the pair of optical fibers (4, 38) butt-connected to each other by the elasticity of spring (322) between half-divided elements (31c, 321) and maintains the connection state between the optical fibers A tool for an optical connector (3) comprising:
An insertion member (21, 21A, 21B) that keeps the state where the elements are pushed open by being interrupted between the elements of the clamp portion, and maintains a state where the optical fiber can be inserted and removed between the elements. When,
A first movable end portion (241) formed in a ring shape and projecting from the insertion member, and located on the opposite side of the first movable end portion and protruding from the first movable end portion. An insertion member driving portion (23) having a second movable end portion (242) in which an insertion member insertion hole through which the insertion member is passed is formed,
Between the pair of elements of the clamp part of the optical connector, it protrudes from the first movable end part to the outside of the insertion member drive part through an insertion member insertion hole formed in the second movable end part. The tip of the insertion member (21a) is interrupted,
The insertion member driving unit is configured such that the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion are caused by a side pressure applied from both sides to a portion located between the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion. Is configured to reduce the amount of protrusion of the insertion member outward from the second movable end,
Further, the insertion member driving portion is connected to the first movable end portion by an elastic claw (29, 295) for retention protruding from one or both of the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion. By engaging with the second movable end so as to be detachable from each other, an increase in the distance between the first movable end and the second movable end can be regulated,
The optical connector tool, wherein the engagement between the first movable end and the second movable end by the elastic claw can be released by the lateral pressure applied from both sides of the insertion member drive unit ( 2). The elastic claw for retention includes an elongated elastic piece (291) extending from one of the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion, and a claw projecting from a side surface of a distal end portion of the elongated elastic piece. A main body (292, 296, 297), and the claw main body is directed from the other of the first movable end and the second movable end toward the inner space (S) of the insertion member drive section. One of the first movable end portion and the second movable end portion is inserted into the locking projection (243b, 243c, 243d) on the side portion of the retaining projection wall (243) projected through the locking projection. Engaged from the opposite side, and
The claw body is formed in a shape in which the projecting dimension from the elongated elastic piece decreases as it goes from the projecting tip (292a) of the claw body from the elongated elastic piece to the base end side of the elongated elastic piece. The optical connector tool according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined portion (292 b).   The elastic claw for retention includes a pushing-side stopper protrusion (293) projecting from the elongated elastic piece on the proximal end side of the elongated elastic piece from the claw body, and the claw body and the pushing side. A locking recess (294) is provided between the stopper projection and the locking projection on the side of the retaining projection wall so that the locking projection is detachable. The locking projection entering the locking recess is The optical connector tool according to claim 2, wherein the optical connector tool is held so as to be sandwiched between the claw body and the push-side stopper protrusion.   From one of the first movable end and the second movable end, a pair of elastic elastic claws for releasably engaging with the locking protrusions on both sides of the retention protrusion wall extend. 4. The optical connector tool according to claim 2, wherein the optical connector tool is provided.   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a tool-molding body (2A) made of a synthetic resin in which the insertion member driving portion and the elastic claw for retention are integrally formed. tool. Further, a connector holder portion (22) for holding the optical connector by sandwiching the optical connector between a pair of connector holding pieces (22b, 22c) protruding from the second movable end portion to the outside of the insertion member driving portion. Equipped,
The one or both of the pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder portion is provided with a pressure bearing portion (22f) for pressing the optical connector into the second movable end portion. The tool for optical connectors in any one of 1-5. The pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder portion is provided in the second movable end portion so as to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the insertion member driving portion,
A pair of connector holding portions of the connector holder portion are held by the second movable end portion being deformed so as to swell outside the insertion member drive portion in accordance with the deformation of the insertion member drive portion due to the side pressure from the opposite sides. 7. The optical connector tool according to claim 6, wherein the pieces are moved away from each other and released. The second movable end portion is divided into two movable end portion divided bodies (242a) by an insertion member insertion hole (28) through which the insertion member is passed, and in the circumferential direction of the insertion member driving portion, The movable end divided bodies on both sides are bridged via the bridging portion (242b) through the insertion member insertion hole,
8. The pair of connector holding pieces of the connector holder portion are arranged to be distributed to the movable end portion split bodies on both sides via the bridging portion at the second movable end portion. Optical connector tool.   A clamp portion (32) for maintaining a connection state between optical fibers by clamping a pair of butt-connected optical fibers (4, 38) between the half-divided elements (31c, 321) by elasticity of a spring (322). The optical connector tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is attached to the outside of the optical connector provided, and an insertion member of the optical connector tool is inserted between the elements of the clamp portion. An optical connector with a tool (1) characterized by

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