JP4829073B2 - Optical connector plug with light shielding function - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector plug that is connected to each other, for example, connected to a mating connector such as a receptacle or inserted from both sides of an optical connector adapter in order to connect an optical cable for optical communication. 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, in recent years, various optical connectors having a light shielding function attached to the outer surface are being developed. For example, from the viewpoint of ease of measures against eye safety 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. In the light shielding plate which does not have a strong structure, there is also 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 The shielding function itself can be made strong and compact, and the light shielding member itself can be isolated from the outside, so that the light shielding plate can be opened in an interesting manner. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector plug having a light shielding function capable of preventing a serious breakage.

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, A split sleeve for internal connection between the ferrules, a light shielding member in which a light shielding plate is disposed inside the split sleeve, and a coil spring arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the split sleeve, can be arbitrarily connected between the ferrules. A ferrule holder that holds both ferrules so as to have a gap, and the light shielding plate of the light shielding member intervenes in the gap, and the light shielding plate is moved by a movable connection ferrule that moves in the internal connection direction. An optical connector plug having a light shielding function capable of retreating in the opening direction ,
The light shielding member has a shutter structure that pushes and retracts the light shielding plate biased in the light shielding direction to the open position by moving the movable connection ferrule in the internal connection direction.
The light shielding member by the shutter structure is held at its both ends so as to be slidable in the vertical direction at the tip of the fixed connection ferrule, and is fixedly connected to a protrusion protruding in a substantially L shape from the center of the upper end of the light shielding plate to the front. When the movable connection ferrule is moved in the internal connection direction with the tip of the torsion spring held on the peripheral surface of the ferrule tip side, when the movable connection ferrule moves in the internal connection direction, the tapered portion of the rear end of the movable connection ferrule The protrusion is configured to be pressed upward to move the light shielding plate in the opening direction .

  The biasing force of the coil spring is greater than the force to grip and fix the movable connection ferrule by the split sleeve. When the optical connector plug is removed, the movable connection ferrule is pushed in the distal direction and the light shielding plate intervenes between both ferrules. A gap is formed so as to be possible.

  Between the movable connection ferrule and the ferrule holder, a rotation restricting means is provided so that the movable connection ferrule itself does not rotate with respect to the ferrule holder.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily implement an eye safety measure at the outlet side of the optical connector plug with a simple configuration, and the light shielding function itself can be made strong and compact. By making the member itself isolated from the outside, it is possible to prevent artificial damage such as opening the light shielding plate with interest.

  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.

  In addition, since the light shielding plate is provided inside the split sleeve of the optical connector plug, the user does not touch the light shielding plate directly, and the user can artificially open the light shielding plate with interest as in the past. Damage 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.

  The light shielding member has a shutter structure that pushes and retracts the light shielding plate biased in the light shielding direction to the open position by moving the movable connection ferrule in the internal connection direction. Operation can be performed automatically and smoothly.

  Furthermore, there has been a small amount of eccentricity between the optical fiber core and the outer periphery of the optical fiber and between the ceramic sleeve hole and the outer periphery. On the other hand, in the current connector connection assembly process, the eccentric direction is determined so as to be in a certain direction of the outer shape of the connector, and a contrivance is made to suppress the connection loss of the optical connector. In the present invention, since the rotation restricting means is provided so that the movable connecting ferrule itself does not rotate with respect to the ferrule holder, it can sufficiently cope with this.

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. A movable connecting ferrule 3 having both ends polished, a split sleeve 4 for internal connection between the ferrules 2 and 3, a light shielding member 5 disposed inside the split sleeve 4, and a light shielding member 5. A ferrule holder 3a on the side of the movable connection ferrule 3 that holds the ferrules 2 and 3 so as to have an arbitrary gap G between the ferrules 2 and 3 via a coil spring 6 disposed so as to cover the outer periphery; The light shielding plate 5a of the light shielding member 5 is always intervened in the gap G.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical connector plug 1 includes 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 that supports the cable, a caulking seat 10 that fixes the Kevlar P1 that is a tensile wire of the optical cable P to the stop ring 9, and a sheath P2 that is a synthetic resin sheath that covers the outside of the Kevlar P1 of the optical cable P. A caulking ring 11 fixed to the caulking seat 10, a boot 12 attached to the stop ring 9, and a knob 13 that covers the plug frame 7 and the stop ring 9 are provided.

The light shielding member 5 has a so-called shutter structure in which the light shielding plate 5a is pressed and retracted to the open position by the movement of the movable connection ferrule 3 in the internal connection direction. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 , a ring-shaped guide base 5c fitted to the distal end of the fixed connection ferrule 2 is provided, and is formed in a bilaterally symmetrical position through the central opening of the guide base 5c. Both ends of the light shielding plate 5a in the form of a horizontally long plate are held by the pair of slide guide portions 5d so as to be slidable in the vertical direction . And one end is hold | maintained at the axis | shaft 5g for fixing which arrange | positioned the protrusion 5b which protruded in the substantially L shape toward the front from the upper-end center of the light-shielding board 5a on the peripheral surface interruption part 5f of the base 5c for guides. The tip of the torsion spring 5e is pressed into the light shielding position. In this state, the light shielding plate 5 a is interposed in the gap G between the fixed connection ferrule 2 and the movable connection ferrule 3. When the movable connection ferrule 3 moves in the internal connection direction, the projection 5b of the light shielding plate 5a is pressed and moved upward by the tapered portion T of the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3 so that the light shielding plate 5a. Is moved in the opening direction.

  The internal connection end of the movable connection ferrule 3 is formed with a tapered portion T having a large chamfering amount, and a cylindrical convex portion 3c is provided at the tip of the tapered portion T so that both ferrules 2 and 3 are mutually connected. A sufficient space is obtained to increase the surrounding space in the split sleeve 4 at the time of internal connection and to escape the light shielding plate 5a.

  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. 9, the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3 having a small diameter is inserted from one end opening of the cylindrical 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. 9, 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 equal intervals is provided, and a locking step is provided at the front end protruding from the inner periphery of the plug frame 7 shown in FIGS. The ferrule holder 3a itself is held by the plug frame 7 by fitting the fitting concave portion 15a of the flange 15 into the fitting convex portion 16a provided with 16b.

  Furthermore, a rotation restricting means Q is provided between the movable connection ferrule 3 and the ferrule holder 3a so that the movable connection ferrule 3 does not rotate with respect to the ferrule holder 3a. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the inner periphery of the opening of the flange 15 fitted to one end of the ferrule holder 3a has a D-shaped key groove 15b partially flat, corresponding to this. Thus, the rear end portion of the movable connecting ferrule 3 having a small diameter before the tapered portion T is formed as a D-shaped key groove 3b, thereby restricting the movable connecting ferrule 3 from rotating relative to the ferrule holder 3a.

  As another example of the rotation restricting means Q, instead of forming the D-shaped key groove 15b on the inner periphery of the opening of the flange 15 of the ferrule holder 3a, as shown in FIGS. It is also possible to use a key member 15e formed by punching the shape opening 15c and forming a fitting piece 15d to be fitted in the fitting recess 15a of the flange 15 by bending. It should be noted that these forms of rotation restricting means Q are not intended to constrain the present invention, and it is needless to say that those having other configurations may be adopted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, one end side of the split sleeve 4 is inserted inside from the other end opening of the ferrule holder 3a, and inserted into the opening inside the flange 15 provided at one end of the ferrule holder 3a. The movable spring ferrule 3 is fitted to the rear end portion of the small diameter of the movable connection ferrule 3 and then the coil spring 6 is inserted. Thereafter, the rear end portion is fitted and fixed to the small size ferrule holder 2a, and the front end portion is shielded from light. The fixed connection ferrule 2 fitted with the member 5 is fitted to the other end side of the split sleeve 4. At this time, the light shielding plate 5 a of the light shielding member 5 is disposed inside the split sleeve 4.

  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 into the inner part of the ferrule holder 3a in the split sleeve 4 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 or FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the projection 5b of the light shielding plate 5a is pressed down by the torsion spring 5e at the tapered portion T formed at the outer edge corner of the movable connection ferrule 3 as shown in FIG. After pressing against the urging force and retreating upward, as shown in FIG. 7, the light shielding plate 5 a completely escapes from both the ferrules 2 and 3 and the two ferrules 2 and 3 come into contact with each other.

  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 projection 9 a is formed on the outer surface of the front portion of the stop ring 9, and this projection 9 a is engaged with a locking hole 7 a formed at the rear 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. Further, the plug frame 7 is formed with a locking portion 7b, and the locking portion 7b is fitted and held with an outward locking protrusion 21a that can be bent and held inside the plug insertion hole of the connection adapter 21. (See FIGS. 12 and 13).

  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.

  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 also inserted into the movable connection ferrule 3 and bonded with an adhesive or the like, the both ends are polished.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the key groove 3b portion at the rear end of the movable connection ferrule 3 is inserted from the key groove 15b at one end opening of the ferrule holder 3a, and the ring-shaped stopper 14 is inserted into the ferrule holder 3a. The movable connection ferrule 3 is fixed in a non-rotatable state inside the ferrule holder 3a by being fitted into the rear end.

  At this time, when the key groove 15b is not formed at one end opening of the ferrule holder 3a, or when it is difficult to cut the key groove 15b by a lathe, as shown in FIG. The key member 15e is fitted from the opening of the flange 15 fitted to one end of the ferrule holder 3a, and the key groove 3b portion at the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3 is moved through the flange 15 and the key member 15e. You may insert from the one end opening part of the holder 3a.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, one end side of the split sleeve 4 is inserted inward from the other end opening of the ferrule holder 3a, and the small diameter of the movable connecting ferrule 3 inserted inside the one end opening of the ferrule holder 3a. The coil spring 6 is inserted after being fitted to the rear end, and then the fixed connection in which the rear end is fitted and fixed to the small-sized ferrule holder 2a and the light shielding member 5 is fitted to the tip. The ferrule 2 is fitted to the other end side of the split sleeve 4. At this time, the light shielding plate 5 a of the light shielding member 5 is disposed inside the split sleeve 4.

  Thus, in the split sleeve 4, both ferrules 2 and 3 are stretched along the ferrule holder 3 a on the movable connection ferrule 3 side by the biasing force of the coil spring 6 and in the front-rear direction through the predetermined gap G. It will be in the state arranged in series.

  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. 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. 12, the connection adapter 21 is inserted into the external housing 22 through a split sleeve 23 into the external housing 22 having an integral structure of 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 inserted into a mating connector such as a connection adapter, as shown in FIG. 13, the locking projections 21 a inside the plug insertion hole of the connection adapter 21 are formed on the pair of locking portions 7 b of the plug frame 7. Fit and hold. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 8, the movable connecting 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, the projection 5b of the light shielding plate 5a is pressed against the urging force of the torsion spring 5e by the tapered portion T formed at the outer edge corner portion of the rear end portion of the movable connection ferrule 3. Retreat gradually. Then, the ferrules 2 and 3 come into contact with each other after the light shielding plate 5a has completely escaped from the joint surfaces of the ferrules 2 and 3. As a result, the light shielding state is released, and bidirectional communication becomes possible.

  Further, when the state shown in FIG. 12 in which one optical connector plug 1 is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 13 in which the optical connector plugs 1 are respectively attached to the connection adapter 21 from both sides, both ferrules 2, 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a gap G is generated between the ferrules 2 and 3 by the biasing force of the coil spring 6, and the light shielding plate 5a is applied to the gap G by the biasing force of the torsion spring 5e. The light from the fixed connection ferrule 2 is shielded by being lowered and interposed. 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.

It is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a state when the optical connector plug is not pulled out and used in the best mode for carrying out the present invention. It is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a state when the optical connector plug is inserted and used. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. It is a front view which shows an example of a structure of a light shielding member. In FIG. 4, it is a YY arrow sectional drawing. It is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the light shielding state of the light shielding plate in the light shielding member. It is a partially notched perspective view which similarly shows the state of the light shielding cancellation | release of the light shielding board in a light shielding member. It is a partially cutaway perspective view explaining the operation state of the light shielding plate in the light shielding member. It is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a rotation restricting means and showing a state in which a movable connection ferrule, a ferrule holder, a stopper, a coil spring, a light shielding member, a split sleeve, and a fixed connection ferrule are incorporated. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the other example of a rotation control means, and shows the state which incorporates each of a movable connection ferrule, a key member, a ferrule holder, and a stopper. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a movable connection ferrule, a key member, a ferrule holder, a stopper, a coil spring, a light shielding member, a split sleeve, and a fixed connection ferrule are incorporated, similarly showing another example of the rotation restricting means. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the light shielding member when both optical connector plugs are connected to each other via a connection adapter, and the optical connector plug is removed from one side of the connection adapter. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connection adapter in a state in which both optical connector plugs are connected to each other for explaining the operation of the light shielding member when the optical connector plugs are connected to each other through the connection adapter.

P Optical cable P1 Kevlar P2 Sheath F Optical fiber L Long opening portion S Slit portion G Gap T Taper portion Q Rotation restricting means 1 Optical connector plug 2 Fixed connection ferrule 2a Ferrule holder 3 Movable connection ferrule 3a Ferrule holder 3b Key groove 3c Cylindrical convex portion 4 Split sleeve 5 Light shielding member 5a Light shielding plate 5b Protrusion 5c Base end portion 6 Coil spring 7 Plug frame 7a Locking hole 7b Locking portion 8 Spring 9 Stop ring 9a Protrusion 10 Caulking seat 11 Caulking ring 12 Boot 13 Knob 14 Stopper 15 flange 15a fitting recess 15b key groove 15c D-shaped opening 15d fitting piece 15e key member 16a fitting projection 16b locking step 21 connection adapter 21a locking projection 22 outer housing 23 split sleeve 24 sleeve holder 25 inside Howdin

Claims (3)

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 A ferrule that holds both ferrules so that there is an arbitrary gap between both ferrules via a light shielding member having a light shielding plate arranged on the inside and a coil spring arranged to cover the outer periphery of the split sleeve Light having a light shielding function in which the light shielding plate of the light shielding member intervenes in the gap, and the light shielding plate can be retracted in the opening direction by a movable connection ferrule that moves in the internal connection direction. A connector plug,
The light shielding member has a shutter structure that pushes and retracts the light shielding plate biased in the light shielding direction to the open position by moving the movable connection ferrule in the internal connection direction.
The light shielding member by the shutter structure is held at its both ends so as to be slidable in the vertical direction at the tip of the fixed connection ferrule. When the movable connection ferrule is moved in the internal connection direction with the tip of the torsion spring held on the peripheral surface of the ferrule tip side, when the movable connection ferrule moves in the internal connection direction, the tapered portion of the rear end of the movable connection ferrule An optical connector plug having a light shielding function, characterized in that the projection is pushed upward to move the light shielding plate in the opening direction .   The biasing force of the coil spring is greater than the force to grip and fix the movable connection ferrule by the split sleeve. When the optical connector plug is removed, the movable connection ferrule is pushed in the distal direction and the light shielding plate intervenes between both ferrules. The optical connector plug having the light shielding function according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed so as to be possible. The light having a light shielding function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rotation restricting means is provided between the movable connection ferrule and the ferrule holder so that the movable connection ferrule itself does not rotate with respect to the ferrule holder. Connector plug.

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