JP4809180B2 - Optical connector plug with light shielding function - Google Patents

Description

  In order to connect an optical cable for optical communication, the present invention is an optical connector plug that is connected to each other by being connected to a counterpart connector such as a receptacle or inserted from both sides of an optical connector adapter. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical connector plug having a light shielding function capable of preventing light from being emitted from the optical connector plug when the optical connector plug is removed from the counterpart connector or the optical connector adapter.

  In recent years, with the development of optical communication networks, opportunities for general users to use optical communication connectors are increasing. Since invisible light is used as the laser light used for this optical communication, the necessity of eye safety is increasing at the time of handling.

For this reason, various optical connectors having a light shielding function attached to the outer surface are being developed. For example, from the viewpoint of ease of eye safety measures on the structure of the optical connector, first, a light shielding door structure has begun to be attached to the receptacle side which is a plug fitting counterpart.
nothing special

  However, conventionally, the safety measures on the outlet side of the device-side optical connector plug have not yet been realized. For example, when the optical connector plug is removed from the mating connector, the optical cables ( Since the light is radiated from the opposite end surface of the cord), there is a high risk of damage to the eyes.

  In addition, when the light shielding function is attached to the outer surface of the optical connector, the light shielding function itself can be made strong because it is attached using a gap or the like in the original optical connector fitting portion. Can not.

  Moreover, if the light shielding plate or the like is on the outer surface of the optical connector, when an unspecified number of users handle it, there is a concern that some people will open up this light shielding plate in an interesting way. The light shielding plate that does not have a strong structure has a problem that it can be easily opened.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the conventional circumstances as described above, and it is possible to easily realize the eye safety countermeasure at the optical connector plug outlet side with a simple configuration, and to To provide an optical connector plug having a light shielding function capable of making the shielding function itself strong and further preventing artificial damage such as opening the light shielding plate in an interesting manner. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, a fixed connection ferrule formed by polishing an end face by connecting an optical fiber, a movable connection ferrule formed by previously bonding an optical fiber and polishing both ends, Through a split sleeve for internal connection between the ferrules, a light shielding member arranged so that the light shielding plate enters the slit part of the split sleeve, and a coil spring arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the light shielding member A light shielding function that includes a ferrule holder that holds both ferrules so that there is an arbitrary gap between both ferrules, and the light shielding plate of the light shielding member intervenes in the gap. An optical connector plug comprising:
The light shielding member has a slit portion along the longitudinal direction of one side surface of the cylindrical body, and is bent inward on the other side surface of the cylindrical body facing the slit portion to project a light shielding plate. Along with the light shielding member, the sleeve is inserted so that the light shielding plate fits into the slit portion of the split sleeve,
The urging force of the coil spring is larger than the force for gripping and fixing the movable connection ferrule by the split sleeve.When the optical connector plug is removed and released, the urging force of the coil spring pushes the movable connection ferrule in the distal direction, and between the two ferrules. The gap is formed so that the light shielding plate can intervene .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily realize an eye safety measure on the optical connector plug outlet side with a simple configuration, and to make the light shielding function itself strong, and further to light shielding in an interesting manner. It is possible to prevent artificial damage such as opening the plate.

  That is, the optical connector plug according to the present invention allows light to pass through when mated with the mating connector, but when removed from the mating connector, the distal end side of the fixed connection ferrule disposed inside the optical connector plug is removed. The movable connection ferrule is moved away by the spring biasing force, and a gap is created between the end faces of both connection ferrules, and the light shielding plate is automatically urged there. Therefore, the light shielding plate emits light from the fixed connection ferrule. Can be surely shut off.

  In addition, when two-way communication is performed with one optical fiber by connecting both optical connector plugs with each other through a connection adapter, when one optical connector plug is removed from the connection adapter, However, according to the present invention, the optical connector plug having the above-described light shielding plate is disposed on the inside of the apparatus, thereby suppressing the bidirectional light emission of the connector. Can do.

  Furthermore, since the light shielding plate is provided inside the optical connector plug, the user does not touch the light shielding plate directly, and human damage such as opening the light shielding plate in a conventional manner is not necessary. Can be prevented. Of course, since it looks the same as a normal optical connector plug, it is not intriguing for the light shielding plate that touches the eyes like the conventional light shielding plate attached to the outer surface. .

  Further, even if the user is interested in pushing the movable connection ferrule on the tip side of the optical connector plug with his / her finger and the internal optical circuit is in communication, the tip surface of the movable connection ferrule itself is shielded by the pushing finger. Therefore, there is no light emission from the tip surface of the movable connection ferrule.

  Moreover, if the power of light handled in optical communication is set to be relatively small due to the presence of a gap between the end faces of both connection ferrules, the light emitted from the movable connection ferrule on the tip side of the optical connector plug can be obtained only with this gap. The optical power can be automatically reduced to a level that does not damage the eyes.

  Further, the biasing force of the coil spring is larger than the force for gripping and fixing the movable connection ferrule by the split sleeve, and when the optical connector plug is pulled out and released, the movable connection ferrule is pushed out in the distal direction and the light shielding plate is interposed between both ferrules. Since a gap is formed so that can automatically intervene, an arbitrary gap can be easily formed between both ferrules, and this can reliably block light by the light shielding plate It becomes.

  Further, the light shielding member has a slit portion along the longitudinal direction of one side surface of the cylindrical body, and the light shielding plate is formed by being bent inwardly and protruding on the other side surface of the cylindrical body facing the slit portion. In addition, since the split sleeve is inserted into the light shielding member so that the light shield plate fits into the slit portion of the split sleeve, the light shield plate is disposed so as to cover the split sleeve. The base portion of the plate has a sufficient fixing force.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connector plug 1 in this embodiment includes a fixed connection ferrule 2 formed by connecting an optical fiber F from the optical cable P side and polishing the tip surface, and the optical fiber F is inserted and bonded in advance Further, the movable connection ferrule 3 which is polished on both ends, the split sleeve 4 for internal connection between the ferrules 2 and 3, and the split sleeve 4 so that the light shielding plate 5 a enters the slit portion of the split sleeve 4. An arbitrary gap G is provided between the ferrules 2 and 3 through a cylindrical light shielding member 5 disposed on the outside and a coil spring 6 disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the light shielding member 5. And a ferrule holder 3a on the movable connection ferrule 3 side for holding both ferrules 2 and 3, and a curved light shielding plate 5a tip portion of the light shielding member 5 is always intervened in the gap G. There as formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector plug 1 supports a plug frame 7 that holds a ferrule holder 3a on the movable connection ferrule 3 side and a rear end of a spring 8 that biases the plug frame 7 forward. A sleeve-like stop ring 9, a caulking seat 10 that fixes the Kevlar P 1, which is a tensile strength line of the optical cable P, to the stop ring 9, and a sheath P 2 that is a synthetic resin sheath that covers the outside of the optical cable P Kevlar P 1. And a boot 12 mounted on the stop ring 9 and a knob 13 that covers the plug frame 7 and the stop ring 9.

  The light shielding member 5 is formed in a substantially C-ring sleeve shape having a slit portion S along the longitudinal direction of one side surface of the cylindrical body, as shown in the half sectional structure of FIG. Then, one side of the base end portion 5 c bent in a substantially U shape is fixed to the other side surface of the cylindrical body facing the slit portion S via the longitudinal opening portion L. Further, the other side of the base end portion 5c is directed to the inside of the cylindrical body, extends to the lower position of the longitudinal opening portion L, and then bends and protrudes in an approximately U shape inward from the light shielding plate. 5a is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding plate 5a is opposed to the tapered portion T so as to come into contact with the tapered portion T (shown in FIG. 2) at the rear end of the movable connection ferrule 3 at one point. A protrusion 5b is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the entire size of the fixed connection ferrule 2 is slightly smaller than the movable connection ferrule 3, and the small size ferrule holder 2 a itself holding the fixed connection ferrule 2 is connected to the movable connection ferrule 3. The large ferrule holder 3a on the side is fitted and fixed inside the rear opening, and the two ferrules 2 and 3 are arranged in series in the front-rear direction via a predetermined gap G by a coil spring 6.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3 having a small diameter is inserted from one end opening of the tubular ferrule holder 3a, and the rear end portion is a ring in the ferrule holder 3a. It is fixed by inserting and fitting the shaped stopper 14 from the opening of the other end of the ferrule holder 3a. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a tapered portion T for guiding the light shielding plate 5a to escape is formed at the outer edge corner portion of the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3, and the front end opening of the ferrule holder 3a is formed. On the side, a large-diameter flange 15 having four fitting recesses 15a at regular intervals is formed, and a fitting projection having a locking step 16b at the front end protruding from the inner periphery of the plug frame 7 is formed. The ferrule holder 3a itself is held by the plug frame 7 by fitting the fitting recess 15a of the flange 15 into the portion 16a.

  Then, the coil spring 6 is inserted from the other end opening of the ferrule holder 3 a, the light shielding member 5 is inserted inside the coil spring 6, and then the split sleeve 4 is inserted inside the light shielding member 5. At this time, the split sleeve 4 is inserted so that the light shielding plate 5 a of the light shielding member 5 fits into the slit portion of the split sleeve 4. The light shielding plate 5 a has a sufficient fixing force because the base end portion 5 c (shown in FIG. 4), which is the base, covers the split sleeve 4. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, a small-sized ferrule holder 2a holding the fixed connection ferrule 2 is fitted and fixed to the rear opening side of the ferrule holder 3a.

  Thus, the ferrules 2 and 3 are arranged in series in the front-rear direction through the predetermined gap G along the ferrule holder 3a on the movable connection ferrule 3 side in a state in which the ferrules 2 and 3 are stretched by the biasing force of the coil spring 6. It becomes a state. The urging force of the coil spring 6 exceeds the force for gripping and fixing the movable connection ferrule 3 by the split sleeve 4, and when the optical connector plug 1 is pulled out and released, the movable connection ferrule 3 is pushed out in the distal direction, and both ferrules 2, 3, a gap G is formed so that the light shielding plate 5a can intervene.

  When the optical connector plug 1 is inserted into the mating connector, the movable connection ferrule 3 is pushed down to the inner part of the ferrule holder 3a as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the light shielding plate 5a was pressed by the tapered portion T formed at the outer edge corner of the rear end of the movable connection ferrule 3 and moved upward. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7D, the ferrules 2 and 3 abut against each other after the light shielding plate 5a completely escapes from both the ferrules 2 and 3 joint surfaces.

  The fixed connection ferrule 2 is for fixing the optical fiber F by inserting the tip of the optical fiber F exposed by the stripping of the sheath P2 and the Kevlar P1 from the tip of the optical cable P and then adhering with an adhesive or the like. is there. Each of the ferrules 2 and 3 and the ferrule holder 3a is protected by being covered with the plug frame 7 and the stop ring 9.

  The spring 8 is formed in a coil shape and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the plug frame 7 and the stop ring 9, so that the rear end thereof is supported by the stop ring 9. By supporting the rear end of the stop ring 9 in this manner, the spring 8 acts to urge the plug frame 7 forward.

  A spring 8 and a front portion of a stop ring 9 are inserted into the plug frame 7. In this case, a convex portion is formed on the outer surface of the front portion of the stop ring 9, and this convex portion is engaged with a hook portion extending rearward of the plug frame 7. By this engagement, the stop ring 9 is fixed with respect to the plug frame 7 to prevent them from coming off.

  A boot 12 having flexibility is attached to the rear portion of the stop ring 9 so as to cover the caulking seat 10 and the caulking ring 11.

  A pair of fitting holes 13a are provided in the vertically symmetrical position on the side surface of the knob 13, and when the optical connector plugs 1 are connected to each other via the connection adapter 21 as shown in FIG. In these fitting holes 13a, outward locking projections 21a inside the plug insertion holes of the connection adapter 21 that can be bent and held are fitted and held.

  Next, an example of assembly, use, and operation of the best mode configured as described above will be described.

  First, after inserting the distal end of the optical fiber F exposed by the stripping of the sheath P2 and the Kevlar P1 from the distal end of the optical cable P into the fixed connection ferrule 2, and fixing the optical fiber F by bonding with an adhesive or the like, Polish.

  On the other hand, after the optical fiber F is inserted into the movable connection ferrule 3 and bonded by an adhesive or the like, the both ends are polished.

  As shown in FIG. 5, by inserting the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3 from one end opening of the ferrule holder 3a, and fitting the ring-shaped stopper 14 into the rear end portion in the ferrule holder 3a, The movable connection ferrule 3 is fixed to the ferrule holder 3a.

  Then, the coil spring 6 is inserted from the other end opening of the ferrule holder 3 a, the light shielding member 5 is inserted inside the coil spring 6, and then the split sleeve 4 is inserted inside the light shielding member 5. At this time, the split sleeve 4 is inserted so that the light shielding plate 5 a of the light shielding member 5 fits into the slit portion of the split sleeve 4. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, a small-sized ferrule holder 2a holding the fixed connection ferrule 2 is fitted and fixed to the rear opening side of the ferrule holder 3a.

  Thus, the ferrules 2 and 3 are arranged in series in the front-rear direction through the predetermined gap G along the ferrule holder 3a on the movable connection ferrule 3 side in a state in which the ferrules 2 and 3 are stretched by the biasing force of the coil spring 6. It becomes a state.

  A stop ring 9 is attached to the ferrule holder 3 a on the movable connection ferrule 3 side, and the plug frame 7 is attached and fixed to the ferrule holder 3 a via the spring 8. At this time, the spring 8 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the plug frame 7 and the stop ring 9, and the spring 8 acts to urge the plug frame 7 forward with respect to the stop ring 9.

  Then, after the sheath P2 and the Kevlar P1 are exposed from the cut end of the optical cable P, the cut end of the sheath P2 is placed on the rear cylinder of the caulking seat 10, and the caulking ring 11 is fixed by caulking from the outside. To do.

  And after fitting the front side cylinder part of the crimping seat 10 to the outer periphery of the rear part of the stop ring 9 together with the Kevlar P1 expanded from the cut end part of the sheath P2, the boot 12 is fitted into the fitting recess of the stop ring 9. (See FIG. 1).

  Finally, the knob 13 is placed outside the plug frame 7 and the stop ring 9. At this time, the plug frame 7 is inserted and inserted in one direction into a key groove (key hole) at a vertically symmetrical position formed in the knob 13. Thus, the optical connector plug 1 having the light shielding function inside is formed.

  Next, when using the optical connector plug 1, for example, a case where bidirectional communication is performed with one optical fiber F by connecting both optical connector plugs 1 to each other via the connection adapter 21 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connection adapter 21 is inserted into the external housing 22 through a split sleeve 23 into the external housing 22 having an integrated structure with openings at both ends that can receive the optical connector plug 1 from both directions. And an inner housing 25 having a sleeve holder 24. Further, locking projections 21a whose tips can be bent up and down are arranged so as to protrude outward from each other at symmetrical positions inside the plug insertion hole of the connection adapter 21.

  First, when it is inserted into a mating connector such as a connection adapter, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), a pair of fitting holes 13a of the knob 13 are engaged with locking protrusions inside the plug insertion hole of the connection adapter 21. 21a is fitted and held. At the same time, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7B, the movable connection ferrule 3 is pushed down to the inner part of the ferrule holder 3a and moves so as to narrow the gap G.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the light shielding plate 5a is pressed by the tapered portion T formed at the outer edge corner portion of the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3, and gradually retracts upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (d), the ferrules 2 and 3 come into contact with each other after the light shielding plate 5 a completely escapes from both the ferrules 2 and 3 joint surfaces. As a result, the light shielding state is released, and bidirectional communication becomes possible.

  When the optical connector plug 1 is attached to the connection adapter 21 from both sides, the state shown in FIG. 6B is obtained when one optical connector plug 1 is pulled out. As shown in FIG. 7A, a gap G is generated between the ferrules 2 and 3 by the urging force of the coil spring 6 from the state in which the ferrules 2 and 3 are in contact with each other as shown in c). The light from the fixed connection ferrule 2 is shielded by the light shielding plate 5a being lowered and interposed by its own elasticity. In this way, it is possible to easily realize the eye safety countermeasure at the outlet side of the optical connector plug 1 with a simple configuration.

1 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of an optical connector plug in the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Similarly, it is a partially cutaway sectional view of a state in which the tip portion of the optical connector plug is enlarged. In FIG. 1, it is AA arrow sectional drawing. It is the perspective view which made the light shielding member the half cross-section state. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which incorporates each of a movable connection ferrule, a ferrule holder, a stopper, a coil spring, a light shielding member, and a split sleeve. The operation of the light shielding member when the two optical connector plugs are connected to each other through the connection adapter will be described. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the connection adapter in a state where the two optical connector plugs are connected to each other; ) Is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the optical connector plug is removed from one side of the connection adapter. The operation of the light shielding member when the optical connector plug is inserted into the mating connector will be described. (A) is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a gap before insertion, and (b) is in the middle of insertion. (C) is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view in a state in which the gap is narrowed, (c) is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view in a state where the gap in the middle of insertion is further narrowed and the light shielding plate is about to escape upward, FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view when the light shielding plate completely escapes upward after insertion and the end surfaces of both ferrules join to enter a light conducting state.

P Optical cable P1 Kevlar P2 Sheath F Optical fiber L Longitudinal opening portion S Slit portion G Gap T Tapered portion 1 Optical connector plug 2 Fixed connection ferrule 2a Ferrule holder 3 Movable connection ferrule 3a Ferrule holder 4 Split sleeve 5 Light shielding member 5a Light shielding plate 5a 5b Protrusion 5c Base end 6 Coil spring 7 Plug frame 8 Spring 9 Stop ring 10 Caulking seat 11 Caulking ring 12 Boot 13 Knob 13a Fitting hole 14 Stopper 15 Flange 15a Fitting concave part 16a Fitting convex part 16b Locking step part 21 Connection adapter 21a Locking protrusion 22 External housing 23 Split sleeve 24 Sleeve holder 25 Internal housing

Claims (1)

A fixed connection ferrule formed by polishing an end face by connecting an optical fiber, a movable connection ferrule in which an optical fiber is inserted and bonded in advance and polished on both ends, a split sleeve for internal connection between both ferrules, and a split sleeve The light shielding member disposed so that the light shielding plate enters the slit portion and the coil spring disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the light shielding member so as to have an arbitrary gap between both ferrules. An optical connector plug having a light shielding function including a ferrule holder for holding both ferrules and having a structure in which the light shielding plate of the light shielding member is interposed in the gap ,
The light shielding member has a slit portion along the longitudinal direction of one side surface of the cylindrical body, and is bent inward on the other side surface of the cylindrical body facing the slit portion to project a light shielding plate. Along with the light shielding member, the sleeve is inserted so that the light shielding plate fits into the slit portion of the split sleeve,
The urging force of the coil spring is larger than the force for gripping and fixing the movable connection ferrule by the split sleeve.When the optical connector plug is removed and released, the urging force of the coil spring pushes the movable connection ferrule in the distal direction, and between the two ferrules. An optical connector plug having a light shielding function, wherein the gap is formed so that the light shielding plate can intervene .

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