JP5167798B2 - Optical connector device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical connector device.

  In optical communication using an optical fiber as a transmission medium, it is required to align the optical axes of optical fibers that are optically coupled with high accuracy to reduce optical coupling loss.

  As an optical connector device that optically couples such optical fibers, a concave portion is provided on the housing side that holds one of the optical fibers, and a convex portion is provided on the housing side that holds the other optical fiber. There has been proposed an optical connector device that is provided and fits the concave and convex portions (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In the optical connector devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the optical axes of the optical fibers are aligned by connecting the optical fibers by fitting the concave and convex portions.
JP 2000-275463 A JP 2000-275464 A

An object of the present invention, it is possible to connect the optical waveguide holder to an optical device using the magnetic attractive force, the optical connector device that can be secured the reliability of the optical coupling of the optical waveguide for the optical device Is to provide.

( 1 ) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical waveguide connector having an optical waveguide for propagating light, and an optical waveguide holding portion formed of a magnetic material or a magnet for holding the optical waveguide, A holder housing for holding an optical waveguide connector so as to be insertable / removable, and an optical device having a connection element made of an electromagnet that optically couples to the optical waveguide and constitutes the magnetic attractive force connection part together with the optical waveguide holding part And an optical device connector having a power supply circuit having a detection unit for detecting an insertion position of the optical waveguide connector with respect to the holder housing and a power supply unit for energizing the electromagnet by detection of the detection unit, and An optical device for connecting an optical device of an optical device connector and an optical waveguide holding portion of the optical waveguide connector by a magnetic attractive force To provide an optical connector device is characterized in that a attraction connections.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical waveguide for propagating light, and at least one pair of optical waveguides having an optical waveguide holding portion formed of a magnetic material or a magnet for holding the optical waveguide. The magnetic attraction force together with the optical waveguide holding portion that is optically coupled to the optical waveguide of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors It has at least one pair of light devices having a connection element consisting of an electromagnet constituting the connecting portion, and wherein the detecting portion and the detection of the detection unit detects the insertion position of the optical waveguide connector to said holder housing an optical device connector to have a power supply circuit having a power supply unit for energizing the electromagnet, small of the optical device connector At least one pair of optical devices and at least one pair of magnetic attractive force connecting portions for connecting the optical waveguide holding portions of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors by magnetic attractive force. A connector device is provided.

(3) In the optical connector device according to (2), the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors has a magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of one optical waveguide connector, the other optical waveguide The optical device connector is formed of a magnetic material or a magnet different from the magnetic poles magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of the waveguide connector, and the optical device connector includes the at least one optical device of the at least one optical waveguide connector. A magnetic pole different from the magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding part of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors is configured with the at least one pair of magnetic attractive force connecting parts together with the optical waveguide holding part. It includes at least one pair of connection elements made of a magnetic material or magnet on the side.

(4) In the optical connector device according to (2), the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors has a magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of one optical waveguide connector, the other optical waveguide The optical device connector is formed of a magnetic material or a magnet different from the magnetic poles magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of the waveguide connector, and the optical device connector includes the at least one optical device of the at least one optical waveguide connector. A magnetic pole different from the magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding part of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors is configured with the at least one pair of magnetic attractive force connecting parts together with the optical waveguide holding part. It includes at least one pair of connection elements composed of electromagnets magnetized on the side.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 1 ) above, the reliability of optical coupling of the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide connector to the optical device of the optical device connector can be ensured by the magnetic attractive force connecting portion.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 1 ) above, on the optical coupling of the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide connector to the optical device of the optical device connector by the magnetic attractive force connecting portion including the optical waveguide holding portion made of a magnetic material or a magnet. Reliability can be ensured.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 1 ) above, it is possible to prevent the magnetic powder (sand iron) or the like from adhering to the connection element when the electromagnet is not energized.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 1 ) above, power supply to the electromagnet can be stopped when the optical waveguide connector is not inserted into the holder housing of the optical device connector.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 2 ) above, at least one pair of magnetic attraction force connection portions is used for optical coupling between at least one pair of optical devices in the optical device connector and at least one pair of optical waveguides in the optical waveguide connector. Can be ensured.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 3 ) above, the magnetic attraction force of the magnet is used, and the corresponding optical device of at least one pair of optical devices of the optical device connector corresponds to at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors. The optical waveguide of the optical waveguide connector can be optically connected, and the erroneous connection of the optical waveguide to the optical device can be prevented.

According to the optical connector device described in ( 4 ) above, the magnetic attraction force of the electromagnet is used, and the corresponding optical device of at least one pair of optical devices of the optical device connector corresponds to at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors. The optical waveguide of the optical waveguide connector can be optically connected, and the erroneous connection of the optical waveguide to the optical device can be prevented.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a state before connection, and FIG. 2B shows a state after connection. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the optical device of the optical connector device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Overall configuration of optical connector device)
In FIG. 1, an optical connector device denoted by reference numeral 1 includes an optical fiber connector 2 as an optical waveguide connector, an optical device connector 3 as a connection target of the optical fiber connector 2, and the optical device connector 3 and the optical fiber connector 2. And a magnetic attraction force connecting portion made up of a positioning member 101, which will be described later, and a ferrule 2B to be connected by a magnetic attraction force.

(Configuration of optical fiber connector 2)
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the optical fiber connector 2 includes an optical fiber 2A serving as an optical waveguide for propagating light, and a ferrule 2B serving as an optical waveguide holding unit that holds the optical fiber 2A therein. And a fiber connector main body 2C in which the ferrule 2B is disposed on the optical device connector 3 side.

  The optical fiber 2A has an optical coupling surface 20A on the optical device connector 3 side, is inserted through the ferrule insertion hole 20C of the fiber connector main body 2C, and an end portion on the optical device connector 3 side is inserted into the ferrule 2B for connection. Has been. And the whole is formed of the fibrous optical transmission member which has a quartz type material as a main component. As a material of the optical fiber 2A, a plastic material may be used.

  The ferrule 2B has an annular ferrule connection end surface 20B positioned substantially on the same plane as the optical coupling surface 20A of the optical fiber 2A, and the end surface opposite to the optical device connector 3 is bonded to the fiber connector main body 2C. The whole is formed of a cylindrical member made of a magnetic material whose main component is a material such as iron oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt, stainless steel, or ferrite.

  The fiber connector main body 2C has a ferrule insertion hole 20C for inserting the ferrule 2B, and the whole is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The shape of the fiber connector main body 2C may be, for example, a cylindrical body (columnar body) or a cube.

(Configuration of optical device connector 3)
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the optical device connector 3 includes an optical device 3A and a holder housing 3B, and is detachably connected to the optical fiber connector 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical device 3A includes a light emitting element 30A that emits light toward the optical fiber connector 2, a first lead 31A on which the light emitting element 30A is mounted, and a light emitting element 30A on the first lead 31A. A second lead 32A connected via the wire 100, and a sealing portion 33A for sealing the light emitting element 30A, the first lead 31A and the second lead 32A (both of the leads are part), and a holder housing 3B A part is accommodated in the circuit board and mounted on a circuit board (not shown).

  The light emitting element 30A has an optical coupling surface (light emitting surface) 30a that is optically coupled (connected) to the optical coupling surface 20A of the optical fiber 2A, and the light emitting element 30A has a substantially square planar shape, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). ) Element. Power is supplied to the light emitting element 30A from the power supply part of the circuit board via the first lead 31A and the second lead 32A.

  The first lead 31A is composed of a planar L-shaped terminal member having the element mounting portion 310A in the sealing portion 33A, and is connected to the circuit board. The whole is made of, for example, a Ni (nickel) metal material that has been subjected to tin plating.

  The second lead 32A is a planar I-shaped terminal member having a wire connection portion 320A, is arranged in parallel with a part of the first lead 31A, and is connected to the circuit board. The whole is formed of the same material as that of the first lead 31A.

  The entire sealing portion 33A is formed of a rectangular plate-shaped translucent member made of, for example, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin, and is configured to transmit light emitted from the light emitting element 30A. An end face on the side of the optical fiber connector 3 of the sealing part 33A has a positioning part 101A that is positioned on the axis of the holder housing 3B and that contacts the ferrule connection end face 20B (end face on the optical device side) of the ferrule 2B. The positioning member 101 is adhered.

  The positioning member 101 constitutes a magnetic attractive force connecting portion together with the ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2, and the whole is formed by a single annular member made of, for example, a magnet. Although the positioning member 101 has been described with respect to a single element (annular member), it may be formed of a plurality of elements. In the opening surface of the positioning member 101, the optical coupling surface 30a of the light emitting element 30A is disposed.

  On the other hand, the holder housing 3B communicates with the device housing space 30B for housing the optical device 3A and the device housing space 30B, and holds the optical fiber connector 2 (the optical fiber 2A and the ferrule 2B) removably on the axis. It has a hole 31B and is entirely formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. As a material of the holder housing 3B, for example, an inorganic material such as zirconia ceramic or an organic material such as plastic is used. A positioning member 101 is disposed in the holding hole 31B of the holder housing 3B.

(Configuration of magnetic attractive force connection part)
As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the magnetic attractive force connecting portion includes a ferrule 2B and a positioning member 101, and straddles the optical fiber connector 2 and the optical device connector 3 (the ferrule 2B is an optical fiber connector). 2 and a positioning member 101 are disposed on the optical device connector 3, respectively. The ferrule (magnetic body) 2B is attracted by the magnetic attraction force of the positioning member (magnet) 101, and the optical fiber connector 2 and the optical device connector 3 are mechanically and optically connected.

  Next, a method for mechanically and optically connecting the optical fiber connector 2 and the optical device connector 3 of the optical connector device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. .

  The mechanical / optical connection method between the optical fiber connector 2 and the optical device connector 3 of the optical connector device 1 shown in the present embodiment is “alignment of ferrule and positioning member” and “ferrule and positioning member”. Since each process of “connection” is sequentially performed, each process will be described in order. The optical device 3A is assumed to be accommodated in advance in the device accommodating space 30A of the holder housing 3B with the optical axis of the light emitting element 30A positioned on the axis of the holding hole 30B.

"Positioning of ferrule and positioning member"
2A, the optical coupling surface 20A of the optical fiber 2A and the optical coupling surface 30a of the optical device 3A (light emitting element 30A), and the ferrule connection end surface 20B of the ferrule 2B and the positioning surface of the positioning member 101 are provided. The ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 is disposed on the axis of the holding hole 31B of the optical device connector 3 (housing 3B). In this case, when the ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 is disposed on the axis of the holding hole 31B, the ferrule 2B and the positioning member 101 are aligned.

"Connection between ferrule and positioning member"
As shown in FIG. 2B, the optical device side end portion (optical fiber 2A and ferrule 2B) of the optical fiber connector 2 is inserted into the holding hole 31B, and the ferrule connection end face 20B of the ferrule 2B is positioned on the positioning member 101. Contact the surface 101A. In this case, when the ferrule connection end surface 20B comes into contact with the positioning surface 101A, the magnetic coupling surface 20A of the optical fiber 2A and the optical coupling surface 30a of the light emitting element 30A are optically coupled to the positioning member 101 and magnetically attracted thereto. Ferrule 2B is mechanically connected by force.

[Second Embodiment]
FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a state before connection, and FIG. 4B shows a state after connection. 4 (a) and 4 (b), members identical or equivalent to those in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the optical connector device 201 shown in the second embodiment, the ferrule (magnetic attractive force connecting portion) 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 is, for example, on the optical device 3A side. It is characterized by being formed by a magnet having an S pole and an N pole on the opposite side.

  For this reason, the positioning member 101 as the magnetic attractive force connecting portion is formed of, for example, a magnet having an N pole on the optical fiber 2A side and an S pole on the optical device 3A side.

  The positioning member 101 may be formed of a magnet having an S pole on the optical fiber 2A side and an N pole on the optical device 3A side. In this case, the ferrule 2B needs to be formed of a magnet having an N pole on the optical device 3A side and an S pole on the opposite side. Further, when the ferrule 2B is formed of a magnet, the positioning member 101 may be formed of a magnetic material mainly composed of a material such as iron oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt, stainless steel, or ferrite.

  The mechanical / optical connection method between the optical fiber connector 2 and the optical device connector 3 of the optical connector device 201 configured as described above is the same as that of the optical fiber connector 2 of the optical connector device 1 shown in the first embodiment. Since it is performed in the same manner as the mechanical / optical connection method with the optical device connector 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[Third embodiment]
FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a state before connection, and FIG. 5B shows a state after connection. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a power supply circuit including a connection element (electromagnet) of a magnetic attractive force connection part of an optical connector device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 5A, 5B, and 6, the same or equivalent members as in FIGS. 2A and 2B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the optical connector device 301 shown in the third embodiment includes a magnetic attractive force connecting portion by inserting the optical fiber connector 2 into the holder housing 3B of the optical device connector 3. It is characterized in that it can be used to demonstrate its functions.

  For this reason, the optical device connector 3 has a positioning member 302 as a connecting element that forms a magnetic attractive force connecting portion together with the ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 so that the optical device 3A can be attached to and detached from the optical fiber connector 2. It is connected. Further, the optical device connector 3 is provided with a pair of contact portions 310B and 310B arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the holding hole 31B on the outer surface of the holder housing 3B. The contact portions 310B and 310B are formed of a metal film such as copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al).

  The positioning member 302 is made of an annular electromagnet having a positioning surface 302A that can come into contact with the ferrule connection end surface 20B of the ferrule 2B, and is attached to the end face of the sealing portion 33A of the optical device 3A on the optical fiber connector side. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an ON / OFF switch 303 as a detection unit for detecting the insertion position of the optical fiber connector 2 with respect to the holding hole 31 </ b> B of the optical device connector 3, and a positioning member by detection of the ON / OFF switch 303 A power supply circuit 305 is formed together with a power supply unit 304 for energizing the (electromagnet) 302.

  On the other hand, the optical fiber connector 2 has a recess 21C in which the connector main body 2C fits the end of the optical device connector 3 on the optical fiber 2A side of the holder housing 3B, and is entirely formed of a rectangular cylinder. On the inner surface of the opening of the connector main body 2C, a contact portion 22C constituting the ON / OFF switch 303 is provided together with the contact portions 310B and 310B of the optical device connector 3. The contact portion 21C is formed of the same material as that of the contact portions 310B and 310B.

  Thereby, the optical device side end portion of the optical fiber connector 2 (ferrule 2B) is inserted into the holder housing 3B (holding hole 31B) of the optical device connector 3, and is turned on by contact of the contact portion 22C with the contact portions 310B and 310B. When the OFF switch 303 is in the switch ON state, power is supplied from the power supply unit 304 to the positioning member (electromagnet) 302 and the function of the magnetic attraction force connecting unit can be exhibited.

  The end of the optical fiber connector 2 on the optical device 3A side is pulled out of the holder housing 3B of the optical device connector 3, and the ON / OFF switch 303 is switched off by the separation of the contact portion 22C from the contact portions 310B and 310B. Then, power is not supplied from the power supply unit 304 to the positioning member (electromagnet) 302, and the function of the magnetic attractive force connection unit cannot be exhibited.

  The mechanical / optical connection method between the optical fiber connector 2 and the optical device connector 3 of the optical connector device 301 configured as described above is the same as that of the optical fiber connector 2 of the optical connector device 1 shown in the first embodiment. Since it is performed in the same manner as the mechanical / optical connection method with the optical device connector 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8A (a) and 8B (b) are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A (a) shows the state before connection, and FIG. 8B (b) shows the state after connection. In FIGS. 7, 8A (a) and 8B (b), the same or equivalent members as in FIGS. 1 and 4 (a), (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7, 8A (a) and 8B (b), the optical connector device 401 shown in the fourth embodiment is an optical device connector having a pair (two types) of optical devices 3A and 403A. 403, optical fiber connectors 2402 having optical fibers 2A, 402A that are optically coupled to the optical devices 3A, 403A of the optical device connector 403, respectively, and ferrules 2B, 402B of these optical fiber connectors 2,402 and light The device is characterized in that it includes a magnetic attractive force connecting portion that connects the optical devices 3A and 403A of the device connector 403 with a magnetic attractive force.

  For this reason, the optical fiber 2A of the optical fiber connector 2 is used as an optical waveguide for transmitting light from the light emitting element 30A to an optical device (not shown) for external connection, and the optical fiber 402A of the optical fiber connector 402 is used for external connection. Each light-emitting element (not shown) is configured to function as an optical waveguide that transmits light to the optical device 403A.

  The optical fiber connector 402 has substantially the same configuration as that of the optical fiber connector 2 (shown in the first embodiment), and therefore, only the parts different from the optical fiber connector 2 will be described. Further, the reference numerals of the component parts (parts) other than the optical fiber 402A and the ferrule 402B are attached corresponding to the reference numerals of the constituent parts (parts) of the optical fiber connector 2 (for example, on the fiber connector main body of the optical fiber connector 402). 402C corresponding to the fiber connector main body 2C of the optical fiber connector 2, and 4020A corresponding to the optical coupling surface 20A of the optical fiber 2A of the optical fiber connector 2 on the optical coupling surface of the optical fiber 402A of the optical fiber connector 402. The description is omitted).

  The ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 is formed of a magnet having an N pole on the optical device (light emitting element) side and an S pole on the opposite side. The ferrule 402B of the optical fiber connector 402 is formed of a magnet having an S-pole on the optical device (light receiving element) side and an N-pole on the opposite side.

  The optical device connector 403 includes the optical devices 3A and 403A as described above, and also has a holder housing 403B, and is configured to connect the optical fiber connectors 2 and 402 in a detachable manner.

  The optical device 403A is connected to the light receiving element 4030A that receives light from the optical fiber connector side, the first lead 4031A on which the light receiving element 4030A is mounted, and the light receiving element 4030A on the first lead 4031A via the wire 100. It has a second lead (not shown), a sealing portion 4033A for sealing the light receiving element 4030A, the first lead 4031A and the second lead (both part), and a holder housing 403B (holding hole 4031B). And is mounted on a circuit board (not shown).

  The light receiving element 4030A has an optical coupling surface (light emitting surface) 4030a that optically couples (connects) to the optical coupling surface 4020A of the optical fiber 402A, and has a substantially square planar shape, for example, a photodiode (Photo Diode: PD). It is comprised by the element. Extraction of the photovoltaic power (current) generated in the light receiving element 4030A is performed on the circuit board via the first lead 31A and the second lead 32A.

  The entire sealing portion 4033A is formed of a rectangular plate-shaped light-transmitting member made of, for example, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin, and is configured to transmit light from the optical fiber connector side. A positioning member 1010 serving as a connection element having a positioning surface 1010A that contacts a ferrule connection end surface 4020B (optical device side end surface) of the ferrule 402B is bonded to the end surface of the sealing portion 4033A on the optical fiber connector side.

  The positioning member 1010 includes a magnetic attracting force connection portion 404 together with the ferrule 402B of the optical fiber connector 402, and a magnet having an N pole on the optical fiber side and an S pole on the opposite side (optical device side). Formed by an annular member. For this reason, the annular positioning member 101 that forms the magnetic attractive force connecting portion 4 together with the ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 has the optical fiber side as the S pole and the opposite side (optical device side) as the N pole. Formed by a magnet.

  As a result, the ferrule 2B of the optical fiber connector 2 is mechanically connected to the positioning member 101, the optical fiber 2A is mechanically connected to the light emitting element 30A, and the ferrule 402B of the optical fiber connector 402 is mechanically connected to the positioning member 1001 for light. The fiber 402A can be optically coupled to the light receiving element 4030A, and the optical fiber connectors 2 and 402 are erroneously inserted into the holder housing 403B of the optical device connector 403 (the optical fibers 2A and 402A are erroneously inserted into the optical devices 3A and 403A). Connection) can be prevented.

  An optical coupling surface 4030a of the light receiving element 4030A is disposed in the opening surface of the positioning member 1010.

  On the other hand, the holder housing 403B communicates with the device housing spaces 30B and 4030B for housing the optical devices 3A and 403A therein, and the device housing spaces 30B and 4030B, and the optical fiber connectors 2 and 402 (the optical fiber 2A and the ferrule 2B, The holding holes 31B and 4031B for holding the optical fiber 402A and the ferrule 402B) on the axis are formed, and the whole is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. As a material of the holder housing 403B, for example, an inorganic material such as zirconia ceramic or an organic material such as plastic is used.

  The holding hole 4031B is disposed on the optical axis of the light receiving element 4030A. And it is comprised so that the optical fiber connector 402 (ferrule 402B) may be fitted and hold | maintained so that insertion / extraction is possible. A positioning member 1010 is disposed in the opening surface of the holding hole 4031B, and an optical coupling surface 4030a of the light receiving element 4030 is disposed in the opening surface of the positioning member 1001.

  The magnetic attracting force connecting portion on the optical fiber connector 402 side includes a ferrule (magnet) 402B and a positioning member (magnet) 1010, and straddles the optical fiber connector 402 and the optical device connector 403 (the ferrule 402B is connected to the optical fiber connector 402). In addition, positioning members 1010 are disposed on the optical device connector 403, respectively.

  For this reason, the magnetic attractive force connection portion on the optical fiber connector 2 side is formed by a magnet in which the positioning member 101 has an S pole on the optical fiber side and an N pole on the opposite side.

  In addition, although the magnetic attraction force connection part demonstrated the case where the positioning member 1010 was formed by the magnet which makes the optical fiber side the north pole and the other side is a south pole, the optical fiber side was made the south pole. In addition, it may be formed by a magnet having an N pole on the opposite side. In this case, in order to prevent erroneous connection of the optical fibers 2A and 402A to the optical devices 3A and 403A, the ferrule 402B is formed of a magnet having the N pole on the optical device side and the S pole on the opposite side. Need to be. The magnetic attractive force connecting portion 4 is formed of a magnet having the positioning member 101 having an N pole on the optical fiber side and an S pole on the opposite side, while the ferrule 2B has an S pole on the optical fiber side. At the same time, it must be formed of a magnet having an N pole on the opposite side.

  Further, the positioning members 101 and 1010 may use electromagnets that magnetize different magnetic poles on the optical fiber side than the magnetic poles on the optical device side of the ferrules 2B and 402B, respectively, instead of the magnets.

  The mechanical and optical connection method between the optical fiber connectors 2 and 402 of the optical connector device 401 configured as described above and the optical device connector 403 is the optical fiber connector of the optical connector device 1 shown in the first embodiment. 2 and the optical device connector 3 are performed in the same manner as the mechanical / optical connection method, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As mentioned above, although the optical connector apparatus of this invention was demonstrated based on said embodiment, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, It implements in a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the following modifications are possible.

  In the present embodiment, when the optical fiber connector 2 is connected to the optical device connector 3, or when the pair of optical fiber connectors 2 and 402 is connected to the optical device connector 403 (one pair of optical devices 3A and 403A), respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple pairs of optical fiber connectors may be connected to the optical device connectors (multiple pairs of optical devices), respectively. In this case, the optical connector device includes a plurality of pairs of magnetic attraction force connection portions that connect a plurality of pairs of optical devices and optical waveguide holding portions (ferrules) of the plurality of pairs of optical fiber connectors by a magnetic attraction force.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the optical device of the optical connector device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a power supply circuit including a connection element (electromagnet) of a magnetic attractive force connection part of an optical connector device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view for explaining a connection state between the optical waveguide connector and the optical device connector of the optical connector device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector apparatus 2 ... Optical fiber connector 2A ... Optical fiber, 20A ... Optical coupling surface 2B ... Ferrule, 20B ... Ferrule connection end surface 2C ... Fiber connector main body, 20C ... Ferrule insertion hole, 21C ... Recessed part, 22C ... Contact part 3 Optical device connector 3A Optical device 30A Light emitting element 31A First lead 32A Second lead 33A Sealing portion 30a Optical coupling surface 310A Element mounting portion 320A Wire connecting portion 3B ... Holder housing, 30B ... Device housing space, 31B ... Holding hole 100 ... Wire 101 ... Positioning member, 101A ... Positioning surface 201 ... Optical connector device 301 ... Optical connector device 302 ... Positioning member, 302A ... Positioning surface 303 ... ON / OFF Switch, 303B, 303B ... contact part 304 ... power supply part 30 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Power supply circuit 401 ... Optical connector apparatus 402 ... Optical fiber connector 402A ... Optical fiber, 4020A ... Optical coupling surface 402B ... Ferrule, 4020B ... Ferrule connection end surface 402C ... Fiber connector main body, 4020C ... Ferrule insertion hole 403 ... Optical device connector 403A ... Optical device, 4030A ... Light receiving element, 4031A ... First lead, 4033A ... Sealing part, 4030a ... Optical coupling surface 403B ... Holder housing, 4030B ... Device housing space, 4031B ... Holding hole 1010 ... Positioning member, 1010A ... Positioning surface

Claims (4)

An optical waveguide that propagates light, and an optical waveguide connector that holds the optical waveguide and has an optical waveguide holding portion formed of a magnetic material or a magnet;
A holder housing that holds the optical waveguide connector in a freely insertable / removable manner, and a light having a connection element that is optically coupled to the optical waveguide and that is composed of an electromagnet that constitutes the magnetic attractive force connecting portion together with the optical waveguide holding portion An optical device connector having a device and a power supply circuit having a detection unit for detecting an insertion position of the optical waveguide connector with respect to the holder housing and a power supply unit for energizing the electromagnet by detection of the detection unit;
An optical connector device comprising: an optical device of the optical device connector; and a magnetic attractive force connecting portion that connects the optical waveguide holding portion of the optical waveguide connector with a magnetic attractive force. An optical waveguide for propagating light, and at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors having an optical waveguide holding portion formed of a magnetic material or a magnet for holding the optical waveguide;
A holder housing for detachably holding the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors; and the magnetic attractive force connecting portion together with the optical waveguide holding portion for optically coupling to the optical waveguides of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors. have at least one pair of light devices having a connection element consisting of an electromagnet constituting and energizing the electromagnet by the detecting unit and the detection of the detection unit detects the insertion position of the optical waveguide connector to said holder housing an optical device connector to have a power supply circuit having a power supply unit for,
And at least one pair of magnetic attractive force connecting portions for connecting at least one pair of optical devices of the optical device connector and an optical waveguide holding portion of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors by a magnetic attractive force. An optical connector device. In the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors, a magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of one optical waveguide connector is magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of the other optical waveguide connector. Formed by a magnetic material or magnet different from the magnetic pole,
In the optical device connector, the at least one pair of optical devices constitutes the at least one pair of magnetic attractive force connecting portions together with the optical waveguide holding portion of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors, and the at least one pair of optical devices. 3. The optical connector device according to claim 2, further comprising at least one pair of connection portion elements made of a magnetic body or magnet having a magnetic pole different from the magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of the waveguide connector on the optical waveguide side. . In the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors, a magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of one optical waveguide connector is magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of the other optical waveguide connector. Formed by a magnetic material or magnet different from the magnetic pole,
In the optical device connector, the at least one pair of optical devices constitutes the at least one pair of magnetic attractive force connecting portions together with the optical waveguide holding portion of the at least one pair of optical waveguide connectors, and the at least one pair of optical devices. 3. The optical connector device according to claim 2, comprising at least one pair of connection portion elements made of an electromagnet that magnetizes, on the optical waveguide side, a magnetic pole different from the magnetic pole magnetized on the optical device side of the optical waveguide holding portion of the waveguide connector.

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