JP5418447B2 - Optical cable and optical connector assembly - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembly of an optical cable and an optical connector, and more specifically, an optical cable having an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal, and an optical connector used when optically connecting the optical fiber to another optical fiber or the like. And the assembly.

  In vehicles such as automobiles, the amount of information communication within the vehicle has increased with the increase in electrical equipment installed. An optical cable using an optical fiber can communicate a large amount of information at a higher speed than an electric wire. Therefore, as a countermeasure against an increase in the amount of information communication inside the vehicle, a countermeasure has been adopted in which the information communication medium is replaced with an optical cable from an electric wire.

  Optical connectors are used to connect optical cables and between optical cables and optical transmission / reception modules installed on circuit boards. However, when working with optical cables inside a vehicle such as an automobile, When pulled, tension may be applied between the optical cable and the optical connector. Further, a similar force may be applied due to vibration or the like when the vehicle travels. For this reason, in particular, an optical connector for a vehicle such as an automobile is required to be firmly coupled to the optical cable.

  As a coupling structure between an optical cable and an optical connector, for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed and widely used. In the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, the tensile strength material of the optical cable is sandwiched between the rear portion of the stopper for holding the ferrule and the large diameter portion of the caulking ring, and the optical cable is interposed between the small diameter portion of the caulking ring and the ring. As a result, the optical connector is prevented from being detached from the optical fiber cable.

JP-A-4-97108

  However, when a member (cable fixing member) for fixing an optical cable such as a caulking ring or a ring as described in Patent Literature 1 is used, the optical connector becomes larger in the fitting direction (axial direction). There was a problem that. For example, in Patent Document 1, a member called a rubber boot that covers a caulking ring, a ring, or the like is provided on the rear end side of the optical connector, so that it is clear that the connector is enlarged in the fitting direction. is there. In particular, in the field of an optical connector for a vehicle having a small wiring space, improvement for further miniaturization of the connector is necessary.

  In view of the above circumstances, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the size of the optical connector in the connector fitting direction in the optical cable and optical connector assembly in which the optical cable is assembled to the optical connector via the cable fixing member. Is to realize.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an optical cable and optical connector assembly in which an optical cable is assembled to an optical connector via a cable fixing member fixed to the optical cable having an optical fiber, the optical cable Is provided with a tensile material disposed on the inner side of the sheath, and the cable fixing member is located on the inner side of the tensile material pulled out from the sheath and on the rear end side of the inner ring. A first portion coupled to the sheath, and a second portion having a diameter larger than that of the first portion and positioned on the outer side of the inner ring and sandwiching the tensile strength material between the inner ring and the second portion The optical connector includes a relatively small-diameter small-diameter portion, and a large-diameter portion that is positioned on the distal end side of the small-diameter portion and larger in diameter than the small-diameter portion is axial. The optical cable includes a connector housing in which a fixing member housing portion is formed, and the second portion of the engaging member is engaged with the large diameter portion and assembled to the optical connector. It is what.

  Note that the “inner ring” and the “first part” and “second part” of the engaging member in the above configuration have shapes other than a circular cross section (for example, a cross section having a rectangular shape). Is also included. Therefore, “larger than the first part” means that at least a part of the second part is larger than the first part (extruded outward). Further, “relatively large diameter large diameter portion (relatively small diameter small diameter portion)” means that at least a part of the large diameter portion is larger than the small diameter portion (projects outward). .

  In this case, the front end side end surface of the inner ring may be substantially flush with the front end side end surface of the second portion of the engagement member.

  In the assembly of the optical cable and the optical connector according to the present invention, the cable fixing member is fixed to the end of the optical cable. A first portion of the engaging member of the cable fixing member is coupled to the sheath. Further, the tensile strength material drawn out from the sheath is sandwiched between the inner ring and the second portion of the engaging member. As described above, in the present invention, the cable fixing member is fixed to the optical cable by sandwiching the tensile material drawn outside in the space inside the second portion having a larger diameter than the first portion. And the optical cable is assembled | attached to the optical connector so that the 2nd part formed larger diameter than this 1st part may be hooked on the large diameter part of the fixing member accommodating part formed in the connector housing. In other words, while using the space inside the second part having a relatively large diameter to sandwich the tensile material between the cable fixing members, the second part having the large diameter is used (the first part having the large diameter). The cable fixing member is engaged with the connector housing by hooking the second portion on the fixing member accommodating portion so that the optical cable is not pulled out from the optical connector. As described above, according to the present invention, when viewed in the connector fitting direction (axial direction), the portion where the tensile strength material is sandwiched by the cable fixing member is also an engaging portion with respect to the connector housing. The size of the connector in the fitting direction is reduced.

  If the end surface on the front end side of the inner ring is substantially flush with the end surface on the front end side of the second portion of the engagement member, the inner ring projects from the second portion of the engagement member in the fitting direction of the connector. Therefore, the size of the optical connector in the fitting direction can be reduced. Further, the size of the portion (the portion where the inner ring and the second portion of the engaging member overlap) that sandwich the tensile strength material does not decrease. In other words, since the tensile strength material is sandwiched between the entire outer circumference of the inner ring in the connector fitting direction and the entire inner circumference of the second portion, the size in the fitting direction of the optical connector is kept small. The coupling strength between the optical cable and the cable fixing member can be kept high.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the assembly of the optical cable and optical connector concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the assembly of the optical cable and optical connector concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the cable fixing member fixed to the optical cable which the assembly of the optical cable and optical connector shown in FIG. 1 has. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure by which the cable fixing member was fixed to the optical cable which the assembly of the optical cable and optical connector shown in FIG. 1 has. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of the cable fixing member fixed to the optical cable which the assembly of the optical cable and optical connector shown in FIG. 1 has. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state of the optical cable and the cable fixing member when the cable fixing member is assembled to the optical cable included in the optical cable and optical connector assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which a tensile strength material is pulled out from a slit formed in the sheath, and FIG. 4C is a state in which an inner ring is attached to the sheath. (D) is the perspective view which showed the state which made the 1st part of an engaging member overlap on the outer periphery of an inner ring. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of the optical cable and the cable fixing member when the cable fixing member is assembled to the optical cable included in the optical cable and optical connector assembly shown in FIG. The figure which showed the state (cross-sectional view of FIG.4 (d)) which piled up the 1st part on the outer periphery of the inner ring, (b) is the figure which showed the state which compressed and engaged the engaging member.

  Hereinafter, an optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the axial direction refers to the connector fitting direction (longitudinal direction of the optical cable). Similarly, the front end (front) side refers to the side where the optical cable and the optical connector 20 included in the optical connector assembly 1 are fitted, and the rear end (rear) side is the opposite (optical cable 10). The side to which is attached). Further, the vertical direction means the vertical direction in FIG.

  In the optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the optical cable 10 is assembled to the optical connector 20 via a cable fixing member 30 fixed to one side thereof. First, an example of a configuration in which the cable fixing member 30 is fixed to the optical cable 10 will be described.

  Various conventionally known optical cables can be applied to the optical cable 10. For example, the following optical cable 10 can be applied. The optical cable 10 includes a sheath 111, a tensile strength material 112, and an optical fiber 113. The sheath 111 is a substantially tubular member, and a through-hole extending in the axial direction is formed in the sheath 111. The cross-sectional shape of the sheath 111 is not particularly limited, but here, a configuration having a substantially circular shape will be described as an example. And the sheath 111 has a structure which can be compressed and deformed in the radial direction when a compressive force is applied from the outer periphery. The sheath 111 is formed of various resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and non-halogen flame retardant polyethylene. The tensile strength material 112 is a string-like member. The tensile strength material 112 is a member for preventing deformation and breakage when an excessive tension is applied to the optical cable 10, and is formed of, for example, an aramid fiber. The optical fiber 113 is a member that transmits an optical signal, and various conventionally known optical fibers are applied.

  The optical cable 10 has a configuration in which a tensile strength material 112 and an optical fiber 113 are arranged inside a through hole formed in the sheath 111. Further, in order to assemble the engaging member 32 to the optical cable 10, a slit 1111 extending in the axial direction from the end surface is formed at the end of the sheath 111, and the end of the tensile strength material 112 is outside the sheath 111 through the slit 1111. Pulled out.

  The cable fixing member 30 includes an engagement member 32 and an inner ring 33. The engaging member 32 is a member for coupling the optical cable 10 and the optical connector 20 by engaging with the optical connector 20 (described later), and is a member fixed to the sheath 111 and the tensile material 112 of the optical cable 10. . The engaging member 32 includes a first portion 321 and a second portion 322. The first portion 321 is a portion that is fixed to the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10. The second portion 322 is a portion for fixing the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10 together with the inner ring 33. The second portion 322 is also a portion that couples the optical cable 10 and the optical connector 20 by engaging with the optical connector 20.

  The first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 is a portion formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is a portion where a through hole extending in the axial direction is formed. The through hole is formed to have a diameter that allows the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10 to be inserted. For this reason, the structure formed in the through-hole formed in the 1st part 321 in the dimension and shape substantially the same as the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10 is applied. As illustrated, for example, if the cross section of the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10 has a substantially circular shape having a predetermined diameter, the through hole of the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 is also formed in a substantially circular shape having the same diameter. Can be applied.

  The second portion 322 of the engaging member 32 is also a portion formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is a portion where a through hole extending in the axial direction is formed. The through hole is formed to have a diameter that allows the inner ring 33 to be inserted therein. For this reason, the through hole formed in the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32 is formed to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner ring 33. Further, the outer diameter of the second portion 322 is larger than the outer diameter of the first portion 321, and there is a step at the boundary between the first portion 321 and the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32.

  Thus, the engaging member 32 is a cylindrical member in which a through hole is formed. And the part from which the diameter (inner diameter) of a through-hole mutually differs is provided continuing in an axial direction. A portion where the diameter of the through hole is relatively small and the outer diameter is small is the first portion 321, and a portion where the diameter of the through hole is relatively large and the outer diameter is large is the second portion 322. is there.

  The inner ring 33 is a member for sandwiching the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10 together with the engaging member 32. The inner ring 33 is a cylindrical member and is a member in which a through hole extending in the axial direction is formed. The through hole is formed to have a diameter that allows the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10 to be inserted. For example, the sheath 111 is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter. Furthermore, unevenness is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 33 for improving the bonding strength with the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10.

  For example, the engaging member 32 and the inner ring 33 can be configured to be formed of a metal material by cutting or the like. The inner ring 33 has a configuration that is less likely to deform than the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32. For example, a configuration in which the inner ring 33 is formed of a material harder than the engaging member 32 is applied. As an example, a configuration in which the inner ring 33 is formed of a copper alloy such as stainless steel or brass and the engaging member 32 is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy can be applied.

  In addition, although the shape of the “first portion 321”, “second portion 322”, and “inner ring 33” of the engaging member is “cylindrical”, the “cylindrical” has a circular cross section. Those other than the shape are also included. For example, when the cross-sectional shape of the sheath 111 of the optical cable is substantially rectangular, the cross-sectional shape may be substantially rectangular. Further, the outer diameter of the second portion 322 is larger than the first portion 321 (has a larger diameter) that at least a part of the outer shape of the second portion 322 is outside the outer shape of the first portion 321. (The second portion 322 protrudes outward).

  The cable fixing member 30 is fixed to the optical cable 10 as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a slit 1111 extending in the axial direction from the end surface of the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10 is formed. In addition, the optical cable 10 is inserted through the through hole of the engaging member 32 in advance. The number of slits 1111 is not particularly limited, but is preferably two or more. The slits 1111 are preferably formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the sheath 111. Although FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which two slits 1111 are formed, a configuration in which three or more slits 1111 are formed may be used.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the tensile strength material 112 is pulled out of the sheath 111 through the slit 1111. In the configuration in which the plurality of slits 1111 are formed, it is preferable that the amount of the tensile strength material 112 drawn from each slit 1111 is the same.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the inner ring 33 is attached to the outer periphery of the end portion of the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10. When the inner ring 33 is attached to the outer periphery of the end portion of the sheath 111, the slit 1111 formed in the sheath 111 is prevented from expanding. Then, the tensile strength material 112 is sandwiched between slits 1111 formed in the sheath 111.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6D and 7A, the engaging member 32 that has been mounted in advance is moved to the end side of the optical cable 10, and the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32 is moved. It is overlaid on the outside of the inner ring 33. Then, the tensile strength material 112 pulled out from the slit 1111 formed in the sheath 111 is positioned between the inner peripheral surface of the second portion 322 of the engaging member 112 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 33. In addition, the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 is located at a position away from the end surface of the sheath 111 by a predetermined distance (a position recessed by a predetermined distance).

  Further, the distal end side end surface of the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32 moved to the end side of the optical cable 10 is substantially flush with the distal end side end surface of the inner ring 33.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, a compressive force is applied to the engaging member 32 from the outer peripheral surface side, and the engaging member 32 is plastically deformed so that the dimension in the radial direction becomes small. In particular, the first member 321 of the engagement member 32 is plastically deformed so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath 111. Then, the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 is in a state of being bitten into the sheath 111. Further, when the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32 is compressed and deformed, the tensile strength material 112 drawn out from the slit 1111 formed in the sheath 111 is transferred to the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 and the inner ring 33. Sandwiched.

  As described above, when the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 bites into the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10, the engaging member 32 is fixed to the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10, and the engaging member 32 and the sheath 111 are integrated. Join. Further, the engaging member 32 and the inner ring 33 sandwich the tensile strength material 112, whereby the engaging member 32 and the tensile strength material 112 are integrally coupled.

  As described above, on the distal end side of the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32, the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10 is drawn out of the sheath 111 through the slit 1111. Furthermore, the inner ring 33 is provided on the distal end side of the position where the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 and the tensile strength material 112 are pulled out to the outside of the sheath 111 through the slit 1111. For this reason, the first portion 321 of the engagement member 32 is mounted at a position away from the end surface of the sheath material 111 toward the rear end side by a predetermined distance. Therefore, on the distal end side of the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32, a portion where the sheath 111 is not compressed and deformed 1111 (in other words, the outer diameter of the sheath 111 is the first of the engaging member 32 after being compressed and deformed). There is a portion larger than the inner diameter of the through hole of the one portion 321.

  Advantages (effects) using the cable fixing member 30 having such a configuration include the following.

  The first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 is mounted in a state of being bitten into the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10. Furthermore, a portion where the sheath 111 is not compressed and deformed 1111 exists on the distal end side of the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32. For this reason, the engaging member 32 is coupled to the sheath 111 so as not to move on the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 111 due to the frictional force and the portion where the sheath 111 is not compressed and deformed 1111. Therefore, the coupling strength between the engaging member 32 and the optical cable 10 can be improved.

  That is, for example, when the engaging member 32 is mounted in the vicinity of the end surface of the sheath 111, a portion where the sheath 111 is not compressed and deformed is located closer to the distal end than the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32. It does not exist (or the sheath 111 itself does not exist). For this reason, the engaging member 32 is coupled to the optical cable 10 only by the frictional force with the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 111. Then, when a tensile force larger than the frictional force is applied between the sheath 111 and the engaging member 32, the tensile strength material and the sheath are not integrated, so the sheath 111 moves in the engaging member 32 in the axial direction. Then, it comes off from the engaging member 32.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a portion where the sheath 111 is not compressed and deformed exists on the distal end side of the first portion 121 of the engaging member 32. For this reason, even when a tensile force larger than the frictional force is applied between the sheath 111 and the engaging member 32, a portion of the sheath 111 that is not compressed and deformed is caught by the engaging member 32, so that the sheath The movement of 111 is prevented or suppressed. That is, in order to move the sheath 111 in the axial direction, it is necessary to apply a force larger than the frictional force between the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 and the sheath 111, and in addition, the sheath 111 at the distal end portion is required. Must be compressed and deformed. For this reason, compared with the structure which is simply coupled by frictional force, the coupling strength between the engaging member 32 and the sheath 111 is increased (in other words, the force necessary to move the sheath 111 in the axial direction is increased). ).

  Furthermore, the portion where the tensile strength material 112 is pulled out to the outside of the sheath 111 through the slit 1111 is located on the distal end side of the first portion 321 of the engagement member 32. In this part, since the tensile material 112 is sandwiched between the slits 1111 (because the tensile material 112 is interposed inside the slit 1111), the slits 1111 are spread in the circumferential direction, The circumferential dimension of the sheath 111 is larger than that of other portions. As a result, the outer diameter of the sheath 111 at this portion is larger than the other portions. For this reason, this portion has a higher effect of preventing or suppressing the sheath 111 from being pulled out of the engaging member 32 than the other portions. That is, in order for the engaging member 32 to move to the distal end side, it is necessary to pass through this portion of the sheath 111, but this portion has a larger outer diameter than other portions, so that the sheath 111 is compressed and deformed. The force required for is greater than the other parts. Accordingly, the coupling strength between the engaging member 32 and the sheath 111 is increased.

  Further, in the configuration using the cable fixing member 30, both the shortening of the dimension in the axial direction of the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 and the improvement of the coupling strength between the engaging member 32 and the optical cable 10 are achieved. Can be planned. Alternatively, even if the dimension in the axial direction of the first portion 321 of the engagement member 32 is reduced, it is possible to prevent or suppress a decrease in the coupling strength between the engagement member 32 and the optical cable 10. Therefore, the size of the engaging member 32 can be reduced. Then, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire optical connector 20.

  Further, the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10 is sandwiched between the inner ring 33 and the second portion 322 of the engaging member 32. For this reason, the external force (particularly tensile force) applied to the tensile strength material 112 is applied to the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10 (the tensile strength material 112 bears). Therefore, the engagement member 32 is prevented from coming off from the optical cable 10.

  Next, the optical connector 20 to which the optical cable 10 to which the cable fixing member 30 is fixed is assembled will be described.

  The optical connector 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a ferrule 23, a split sleeve 24, and the like housed in a connector housing. Although a detailed description is omitted, the tip portion of the optical fiber 113 of the optical cable 10 is fixed to the ferrule 23. The split sleeve 24 is a cylindrical metal member, and a ferrule 23 is inserted from the rear end side. When the optical connector 20 is fitted to a mating connector not shown, the ferrule of the mating connector enters the split sleeve 24 from the distal end side of the split sleeve 24, and the tip surfaces of both ferrules are butted together in the split sleeve 24. . Thereby, the optical fibers fixed to both ferrules are optically connected.

  The connector housing of the optical connector 20 includes a first housing member 21 and a second housing member 22. Four attachment holes 212 are formed on the side surface of the first housing member 21. Four attachment protrusions 222 are formed on the side surface of the second housing member 22. The first housing member 21 and the second housing member 22 are coupled by engaging the mounting protrusion 222 with the mounting hole 212.

  In addition, fixing member accommodating portions 211 and 221 whose cross sections are recessed in a circular shape are formed on the rear end sides of the first housing member 21 and the second housing member 22, respectively. The fixing member accommodating portions 211 and 221 have a relatively small diameter small portions 2121 and 2111, located on the rear end side, and a relatively large diameter (larger diameter than the small diameter portions 2111, 2112) located on the distal end side. Portions 2112 and 2212 are formed continuously in the axial direction.

  The cable fixing member 30 (engagement member 32) fixed to the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10 is engaged with the fixing member accommodating portions 211 and 221. Specifically, the first housing member 21 and the second housing member 22 are coupled to each other so that the first portion 321 of the engaging member 32 is engaged with the small diameter portions 2111, 211 of the fixing member accommodating portions 211, 221. The second portion 322 of the combined member 32 is sandwiched between the large diameter portions 2112 and 2212 of the fixing member accommodating portions 211 and 221. The second portion 322 having a relatively large diameter is sandwiched between the first housing member 21 and the second housing member 22 on the front end side of the first portion 321 having a relatively small diameter, and is engaged. Therefore, even if the optical cable 10 is pulled, the optical cable 10 does not come out of the optical connector 20.

  As described above, when the cable fixing member 30 is engaged with the optical connector 20, the optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is obtained.

  The optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration provides the following operational effects.

  In the optical cable and optical connector assembly 1, the cable fixing member 30 is fixed to the end of the sheath 111 of the optical cable 10. The engaging member of the cable fixing member 30 is coupled to the optical cable 10 with its first portion 321 biting into the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 111. Further, the tensile strength material 112 of the optical cable 10 drawn out from the slit 1111 formed in the sheath 111 is sandwiched between the inner ring 33 and the second portion 322 of the engaging member. As described above, in the present embodiment, the space inside the second portion 322 having a larger diameter than the first portion 321 is used to pull out the tensile strength material 112 from the slit 1111 formed in the sheath 111, and the position where the tensile strength material 112 is pulled out. The cable fixing member 30 is fixed to the optical cable 10 by sandwiching the tensile strength material 112 at a portion from the end surface of the sheath 111 to the distal end side surface. Then, the optical cable 10 is assembled to the optical connector 20 so that the second portion 322 having a larger diameter than the first portion 321 is hooked on the fixing member accommodating portions 211 and 221 formed in the connector housing. Yes. That is, using the space inside the second portion 322 formed with a larger diameter than the first portion 321, the tensile strength material 112 is sandwiched between the cable fixing members 30 and the second portion 322 having the larger diameter is disposed. Utilizing (by engaging the second portion 322 having a large diameter with the large diameter portions 2112 and 2212 of the fixing member accommodating portions 211 and 221, the optical connector 10 is not pulled out even when the optical cable 10 is pulled. The cable fixing member 30 is engaged with the connector housing.

  Thus, according to the assembly 1 of the optical cable and the optical connector, when viewed in the connector fitting direction (axial direction), the portion where the tensile strength material 112 is sandwiched by the cable fixing member 30 is the engagement portion with the connector housing. Therefore, the size of the optical connector in the fitting direction is reduced.

  And the front end side end surface of the inner ring 33 is substantially flush with the front end side end surface of the second portion 322 of the engaging member. Therefore, the inner ring 33 does not protrude from the second portion 322 of the engaging member in the connector fitting direction, and the size of the optical connector 20 in the fitting direction can be reduced. Further, the portion (the portion where the inner ring 33 and the second portion 322 of the engaging member overlap) that sandwich the tensile strength material 112 does not become small. In other words, since the tensile strength material 112 is sandwiched between the entire outer periphery of the inner ring 33 and the entire inner periphery of the second portion 322 in the connector fitting direction, the size of the optical connector 20 in the fitting direction is increased. The coupling strength between the optical cable 10 and the cable fixing member 30 can be improved while maintaining a small size.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to each said embodiment at all, and various modification | change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  In the above embodiment, an optical cable having a substantially cylindrical sheath is shown, but the cross-sectional shape of the sheath of the optical cable is not limited. In short, any optical cable having a configuration in which a tensile strength material and an optical fiber are arranged inside the sheath can be applied regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the sheath. For example, the present invention can be applied to an optical cable having a sheath having a substantially rectangular cross section or a substantially elliptical cross section. And in such a case, what is necessary is just to set the shape of the fixing member accommodating part formed in an inner ring, an engaging member, and a connector housing according to the cross-sectional shape of a sheath.

  Moreover, the optical cable applied to the optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Any optical cable having a sheath and a tensile strength material can be applied.

  Moreover, the fixing structure of the cable fixing member to the optical cable applied to the optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the tensile strength material is drawn out of the sheath from the slit formed in the sheath of the optical cable, but the configuration is not necessarily limited thereto. Instead of forming a slit in the sheath, a configuration may be adopted in which the tensile strength material drawn from the opening at the distal end of the sheath is sandwiched between the inner ring and the second portion of the engaging member. That is, the tensile strength material is sandwiched by utilizing the space inside the second part formed with a larger diameter than the first part, and the second part formed with the large diameter is engaged with the connector housing. If it is the structure utilized as (the part hooked on a connector housing), the fixing structure of the cable fixing member with respect to an optical cable can be changed suitably.

  Furthermore, the optical connector applied to the optical cable and optical connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. If the second part of the engaging member is configured to be hooked on the connector housing (configuration that is engaged with the large-diameter portion of the fixing member housing portion formed on the tip side from the small-diameter portion of the fixing member housing portion). The configuration of the applied optical connector is not limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Assembly of optical cable and optical connector 10 Optical cable 111 Sheath 1111 Slit 112 Tensile material 113 Optical fiber 20 Optical connector 21 First housing member 22 Second housing member 211, 221 Fixed member accommodating part 2111, 211 Small diameter part 2112, 2212 Large diameter portion 30 Cable fixing member 32 Engaging member 321 First portion 322 Second portion 33 Inner ring

Claims (2)

An optical cable and optical connector assembly in which an optical cable is assembled to an optical connector via a cable fixing member fixed to the optical cable having an optical fiber,
The optical cable includes a tensile material disposed inside the sheath,
The cable fixing member is
An inner ring arranged inside the tensile material drawn out from the sheath to the outside;
A first portion coupled to the sheath located on the rear end side of the inner ring, and a diameter larger than that of the first portion, and is positioned so as to overlap the outer side of the inner ring, and An engagement member having a second portion sandwiched between the ring and
The optical connector includes a connector housing formed with a relatively small diameter portion, and a fixing member housing portion that is positioned on the distal side from the small diameter portion and that has a large diameter portion that is larger in diameter than the small diameter portion and that extends in the axial direction. Prepared,
The optical cable and optical connector assembly, wherein the optical cable is assembled to the optical connector with a second portion of the engaging member engaged with the large diameter portion.   The optical cable and optical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a front end side end surface of the inner ring is substantially flush with a front end side end surface of the second portion of the engagement member.

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