JP5657944B2 - Optical connector with lens - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector for optical coupling, and more particularly to an optical connector with a lens.

  Optical communication in automobiles has become widespread, and communication capacity has been increasing in recent years. Under such circumstances, optical fibers that are also used in recent optical communications in automobiles have been studied with a small core diameter and a large transmission band. Regarding the connection between optical fibers in automobiles, there is a reason that the tips of the optical fiber cores cannot be brought into contact with each other due to the influence of vibration and impact. There has been proposed an optical connector (optical connector with a lens) for optical coupling by interposing one or two lenses between ferrules (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  In FIG. 13, the optical connector will be briefly described. Ferrules 2a and 2b are attached to the terminals of a pair of optical fibers 1a and 1b to be coupled. The flanges 3a and 3b are fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surfaces of the ferrules 2a and 2b. Lenses 5a and 5b are fixed in the hollow portions at the respective one side ends of the cylindrical lens holders 4a and 4b. Each one end part of ferrule 2a, 2b is inserted in the hollow part of each other end side.

  The end surfaces of the optical fibers 1a and 1b are disposed at the centers of the opposing end surfaces of the ferrules 2a and 2b. After adjustment so that the optical axes of the optical fibers 1a and 1b coincide with the optical axes of the lenses 5a and 5b, the end surfaces of the flanges 3a and 3b and the end surfaces of the lens holders 4a and 4b are joined and fixed by welding. ing. In addition, a cylindrical sleeve 6 common to each outer peripheral surface is fitted and fixed to each outer peripheral surface of the lens holders 4a and 4b in a state where the end surfaces on the side holding the lenses 5a and 5b are abutted with each other.

  In the above configuration, in the optical connector, the two lenses 5a and 5b are disposed between the end faces of the ferrules 2a and 2b. As a result, it is possible to reduce the connection loss due to the shaft misalignment.

JP-A-8-271758 (2nd page, FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the connection between the optical fibers 1a and 1b in the conventional optical connector, it is necessary to align the lenses 5a and 5b with the lens holders 4a and 4b and the cylindrical sleeve 6, and also the ferrules 2a and 2b. Since it is necessary to align by the flanges 3a and 3b and the lens holders 4a and 4b, there is a problem that a complicated alignment structure is necessary. In addition, such an alignment structure has a problem that it is necessary to process all of the lenses 5a and 5b, the lens holders 4a and 4b, the flanges 3a and 3b, and the ferrules 2a and 2b with high accuracy. .

  Further, in the above prior art, since the lenses 5a and 5b, the lens holders 4a and 4b, and the flanges 3a and 3b are made of separate parts, there is a problem that the process relating to the assembly becomes complicated, There is a problem in that it is necessary to take measures to prevent contamination of the lenses 5a and 5b during assembly. In addition, there is a problem that productivity is poor because there are operations such as fixing the lenses 5a and 5b at predetermined positions of the lens holders 4a and 4b.

  Further, the above-described prior art has a problem that there is a concern about an increase in loss due to axial deviation, angular deviation, distance fluctuation, and the like between the ferrules 2a and 2b and the lenses 5a and 5b.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can eliminate the need for complicated alignment structures and high-precision processing, and can facilitate assembly and improve productivity. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector with a lens capable of preventing lens contamination and suppressing an increase in loss.

The optical connector with a lens according to claim 1 of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, includes a transparent first optical connector housing having a ferrule insertion portion and a fitting structure portion that fits each other, and The first and second optical connector housings are made of a transparent resin material, and a lens portion facing each other at a predetermined interval at the time of connector fitting is provided on the first and second optical connector housings. the first provided in one and integrally molded respectively to the second optical connector housing, a ferrule provided on the optical fiber terminal, constitute an optical fiber module ing from said first and second optical connector housing separately from is inserted into the ferrule insertion portion, is configured to include a biasing means for biasing the optical fiber module wherein Rukoto To.

  The optical connector with a lens according to a second aspect of the present invention is the optical connector with a lens according to the first aspect, wherein the shape of the lens portion is set so that outgoing light is parallelized between the lens portions, and the fitting is performed. The periphery of the lens part is covered with a combined structure part.

  The optical connector with a lens according to claim 3 of the present invention is the optical connector with a lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the ferrule to be inserted into the ferrule insertion portion and the innermost portion of the ferrule insertion portion And a refractive index matching member interposed between the two.

Lensed connector of the present invention described in claim 4 is the lens-equipped optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the biasing means, characterized urging to Turkey toward the ferrule to the innermost portion And

  An optical connector with a lens according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the optical connector with a lens according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first optical connector housing and the second optical connector housing have the lens portions connected to each other. An axis alignment mechanism for aligning the axis positions is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first optical connector housing and the second optical connector housing constituting the optical connector with a lens together have a ferrule insertion portion, a fitting structure portion, and a lens portion. For this reason, there is an effect that the amount of positional deviation between the lens portion and the optical fiber can be minimized with this integration. In addition, according to the present invention, since each part such as the lens part is integrated, for example, it is not necessary to insert, fix, or align the lens part. As a result, it is easy to assemble and has high productivity. There exists an effect that the optical connector with a lens can be provided. Thereby, the effect that the cost reduction at the time of mass production can also be aimed at is produced. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the lens portion is integrated, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the lens portion from being contaminated during the assembly as compared with the case of separate parts.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an optical connector with a lens with a small loss and an optical connector with a lens that hardly causes lens contamination.

  According to each of the present inventions described in claims 3 to 5, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a lens-attached optical connector with a small loss.

It is sectional drawing which shows the state just before connector fitting of the optical connector with a lens of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the optical connector with a lens which shows the state after connector fitting. It is a figure which concerns on a 1st optical connector housing and a 2nd optical connector housing, (a) is sectional drawing of a 1st optical connector housing, (b) is sectional drawing of a 2nd optical connector housing. It is a figure which concerns on a ferrule and an optical fiber, (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state just before an assembly | attachment, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state after an assembly | attachment. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing which concerns on a connector assembly | attachment process. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification (with a sleeve and a slit) of the optical connector with a lens. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification (structure for 2 cores) of the optical connector with a lens. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification (with a sleeve for 2 cores and a slit) of the optical connector with a lens. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification (The innermost part of the module accommodating part corresponded to a ferrule insertion part is deform | transformed) of the optical connector with a lens. It is a graph which shows the loss fluctuation | variation by the distance fluctuation | variation between a lens and an optical fiber. It is a graph which shows the loss fluctuation | variation by the axial shift | offset | difference of a lens center and an optical fiber center. (A) is a graph which shows the loss fluctuation | variation by the axial shift | offset | difference of lens centers, (b) is a graph which shows the loss fluctuation | variation by the distance fluctuation | variation between lens centers. It is a block diagram which shows the optical connector of a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before connector fitting of an optical connector with lens of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector with lens showing a state after connector fitting. 3 is a diagram related to the first optical connector housing and the second optical connector housing, FIG. 4 is a diagram related to the ferrule and the optical fiber, and FIGS. 5A to 5E are explanatory diagrams related to the connector assembly process. .

  1 and 2, reference numeral 21 indicates an optical connector with a lens of the present invention. The optical connector 21 with a lens is a component for optically connecting known optical fibers 22 to each other. The optical connector 23 with a first lens provided at the end of one optical fiber 22 and the other optical fiber 22. And an optical connector 24 with a second lens provided in the terminal. First, the configuration of the optical connector 23 with the first lens will be described.

  The optical connector 23 with the first lens includes a first optical connector housing 25, an optical fiber module 26 accommodated and held in the first optical connector housing 25, and a biasing means 27 for biasing the optical fiber module 26. And is configured.

  1 to 3, the first optical connector housing 25 is a transparent resin molded product, and includes a housing main body 28, a module housing portion 29, a fitting structure portion 30, and a locked flange 31. Have. The first optical connector housing 25 is formed such that the housing main body 28, the module housing portion 29, the fitting structure portion 30, and the locked flange 31 are integrated into one component. Although it does not specifically limit as said transparent synthetic resin material, An acrylic resin, an alicyclic olefin resin, an alicyclic acrylic resin, a polyimide, an epoxy resin etc. shall be mentioned.

  The module accommodating portion 29 is formed in a hole shape that can accommodate the optical fiber module 26. Specifically, a large-diameter guide portion 32 having a stepped hole shape and formed by opening the rear end of the first optical connector housing 25 (opening the rear end of the housing body 28), A small-diameter guide portion 33 extending to the front end side of the first optical connector housing 25 continuously to the large-diameter guide portion 32, a taper 34 continuing to the front end of the small-diameter guide portion 33, and a film pressing portion 35 continuing to the taper 34. And have. The module housing portion 29 has a peripheral wall portion 36 for forming a small diameter guide portion 33, a taper 34, and a film pressing portion 35. The module housing portion 29 is formed as a portion corresponding to the ferrule insertion portion described in the claims. The module housing portion 29 is arranged and formed so that the central axis coincides with the optical axis.

  The large-diameter guide portion 32 is a portion into which a flange 45 of a ferrule 39 described later is inserted and guided, and a portion into which a spring member 51 described later of the urging means 27 is inserted. The spring member 51 is formed in a size corresponding to the outer diameter.

  The small-diameter guide portion 33 is a portion into which a distal end side of a ferrule 39 described later is inserted and guided, and is formed to have a size corresponding to the outer diameter on the distal end side of the ferrule 39.

  The film pressing portion 35 is a pressing portion and a receiving portion of the refractive index matching film 40 described later, and is formed in a slightly larger state than the refractive index matching film 40. The film pressing portion 35 has such a size that it can be tolerated even if the refractive index matching film 40 is stuck slightly off the center of a ferrule 39 described later. That is, it has a structure suitable for mass production. The film pressing portion 35 is adapted to be pressed against the refractive index matching film 40, and is thus processed to have a surface roughness that can suppress light scattering. The film pressing portion 35 is disposed and formed in the innermost portion of the module housing portion 29.

  A lens portion 37 is integrally formed at the foremost end position of the module housing portion 29 corresponding to the ferrule insertion portion. In this embodiment, the lens unit 37 is a convex lens processed into a spherical surface or an aspherical surface, and the emitted light from the optical fiber 22 is converted into parallel light, and the parallel incident light is condensed toward the optical fiber 22. It is formed in such a shape. Such a lens part 37 is designed so that the distance from the film pressing part 35 to the lens surface is optimal. The surface of the lens unit 37 is processed to have a surface roughness that can suppress light scattering.

  The fitting structure portion 30 is formed as a portion that covers the periphery of the peripheral wall portion 36 and the lens portion 37 (is formed so as to protrude from the lens portion 37 and protect it). Moreover, the fitting structure part 30 is also formed as a part which fits the fitting structure part 58 in the 2nd optical connector housing 56 mentioned later of the optical connector 24 with a 2nd lens. The fitting structure part 30 is arranged and formed so as to have a predetermined interval with respect to the peripheral wall part 36. The fitting structure 30 is formed with a known lock portion such as a locking projection or a locking recess (not shown).

  The locked flange 31 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 28. The locked flange 31 is arranged and formed on the rear end side of the housing main body 28. The locked flange 31 is provided with a taper 38 having an appropriate angle.

  1, 2, and 4, the optical fiber module 26 includes a terminal of the optical fiber 22 and a ferrule 39 provided on the terminal. Further, the optical fiber module 26 of the present embodiment includes a refractive index matching film 40 (refractive index matching member) provided at the front end (front end).

  In FIG. 4, the optical fiber 22 includes a core wire portion 41 and a covering portion 42 that covers the core wire portion 41. The optical fiber 22 has a coating portion 42 on the tip side peeled at a predetermined length. The distal end side of the optical fiber 22 is processed so that the core wire portion 41 is exposed with a predetermined length. The end surface of the core wire portion 41 is processed to be a flat surface. The end surface of the core wire portion 41 is processed to have a surface roughness that can suppress light scattering.

  The core wire portion 41 includes a core and a clad having a refractive index smaller than that of the core. The core portion 41 may be formed of a glass optical fiber, a core formed of transparent PMMA, and a cladding formed of transparent fluororesin.

  The covering portion 42 is a so-called sheath made of synthetic resin, and is provided to protect the core wire portion 41. In this embodiment, the covering portion 42 includes a primary covering 43 provided on the core wire portion 41 and a secondary covering 44 provided on the primary covering 43. Here, the secondary coating 44 is peeled off so that the primary coating 43 is exposed by a predetermined length.

  The ferrule 39 is molded as a whole using PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) as a material and is formed as one part (for example, a molded product of LCP (liquid crystal polymer) or brass, for example) It may be a cut product or the like).

  The ferrule 39 is formed in an elongated and substantially cylindrical shape. A flange 45 is formed on the rear end side of the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the ferrule 39. The rear end 46 of the ferrule 39 is engaged with a spring member 51 described later after the insertion of the ferrule 39 into the module housing portion 29 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and the ferrule 39 is moved by the spring member 51. It is formed as a portion that is pressed in the insertion direction.

  Inside the ferrule 39, a core wire through-hole 47 serving as an insertion portion of the core wire portion 41 and a coating through-hole 48 serving as an insertion portion of the primary coating 43 are formed. Further, a taper 49 is formed between the core wire through hole 47 and the covering through hole 48. The core wire through-hole 47 is disposed and formed so as to penetrate the tip surface 50 of the ferrule 39. The covering through hole 48 is formed so as to open the rear end 46 of the ferrule 39 and to extend straight up to a taper 49 continuous with the core wire through hole 47.

  The through-hole 48 for coating is also formed as a portion to be fixed to the primary coating 43 by using a known fixing adhesive or a portion to be fixed by welding by a known welding method. The taper 49 is set at an appropriate angle. By forming such a tapered portion 49, the core wire portion 41 can be easily inserted into the core wire through-hole 47.

  The known fixing adhesive is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include curable fixing adhesives such as epoxy adhesives and epoxy mixed adhesives (intrusion into the interior more than necessary). Not have a viscosity). In addition, examples of the fixing adhesive include a UV curable adhesive that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation from an ultraviolet irradiation device. Further, the known welding method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include laser welding, high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, and the like.

  The end surface 50 of the ferrule 39 is formed as an attachment destination of the refractive index matching film 40 while the end surface of the core wire portion 41 is exposed.

  The refractive index matching film 40 is formed of a material having flexibility and adhesiveness. Moreover, the material of the refractive index matching film 40 has a refractive index close to the refractive index of the material of the core of the core part 41 and the first optical connector housing 25 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The refractive index matching film 40 is formed in a substantially circular film shape, and is formed in a size corresponding to the film pressing portion 35 (see FIG. 3). When the refractive index matching film 40 is crushed, it is brought into close contact with the crushed counterpart.

  Since the refractive index matching film 40 has flexibility as described above, the close contact state is maintained and generation of interface reflection of light can be suppressed. Further, even if the refractive index matching film 40 is in a state in which some roughness remains on the end face of the core wire portion 41 or the film pressing portion 35 (see FIG. 3), light scattering caused thereby is scattered. It can be suppressed.

  The material of the refractive index matching film 40 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include silicone resins and styrene resins. In addition, the thickness of the refractive index matching film 40 in this embodiment is set to be 0.1 mm to 1 mm (assumed to be an example).

  1 and 2, the biasing means 27 includes a spring member 51 and a spring presser 52. The spring member 51 is formed of a steel material (for example, a coil spring) wound in a spiral shape through which the primary coating 43 can be inserted. The spring member 51 is formed in a size that can be inserted into the large-diameter guide portion 32 of the module housing portion 29.

  The spring retainer 52 includes a pressing portion 53 that presses the spring member 51 and a pair of fitting claws 54 that extend from the pressing portion 53. The pair of fitting claws 54 are formed to be hooked and locked to the locked flange 31 of the first optical connector housing 25.

  The pressing part 53 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape. The pressing portion 53 is formed so that the diameter thereof is larger than that of the locked flange 31 of the first optical connector housing 25. An insertion hole 55 through which the primary coating 43 can be inserted is formed in the approximate center of the pressing portion 53.

  The spring retainer 52 may be formed in a shape having a communication portion (not shown). The communication part is formed so as to be cut out from the insertion hole 55 toward the outer peripheral surface of the pressing part 53. The communication portion is formed so that the primary covering 43 can move from the outside toward the insertion hole 55.

  Next, the configuration and the like of the optical connector 24 with the second lens will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 and 2, the optical connector 24 with the second lens includes a second optical connector housing 56, an optical fiber module 26 accommodated and held in the second optical connector housing 56, and an urging force for the optical fiber module 26. And an urging means 27 for doing so.

  1 to 3, the second optical connector housing 56 is a transparent resin molded product like the first connector housing 25, and includes a housing main body 57, a module housing portion 29, a fitting structure portion 58, And a locked flange 31. The second optical connector housing 56 is formed such that the housing main body 57, the module housing portion 29, the fitting structure portion 58, and the locked flange 31 are integrated into one component. Although it does not specifically limit as said transparent synthetic resin material, An acrylic resin, an alicyclic olefin resin, an alicyclic acrylic resin, a polyimide, an epoxy resin etc. shall be mentioned. The second optical connector housing 56 is made of the same material as the first connector housing 25.

  A lens portion 37 similar to that of the first connector housing 25 is integrally formed at the foremost end position of the module housing portion 29 in the second optical connector housing 56.

  The fitting structure portion 58 is formed as a portion that fits with the fitting structure portion 30 of the first connector housing 25. Further, the fitting structure portion 58 is also formed as a portion that covers the periphery of the lens portion 37. The fitting structure 58 is formed in such a state that the lens portion 37 protrudes from the bottom portion. Further, the fitting structure portion 58 is arranged and formed at a predetermined interval around the lens portion 37. The fitting structure 58 is formed with a known lock portion such as a locking projection or a locking recess (not shown).

  Subsequently, the assembly of the optical connector 23 with the first lens and the optical connector 24 with the second lens will be described by taking the optical connector 24 with the second lens as a representative example with reference to FIG. The optical connector 24 with the second lens is assembled through the first step to the fifth step in order (the optical connector 23 with the first lens is assumed to be the same).

  In the first step shown in FIG. 5A, the stripping operation is performed so that the core wire portion 41 and the primary coating 43 of the optical fiber 22 are exposed by a predetermined length.

  In the second step shown in FIG. 5 (b), an operation of passing the spring member 51 first through the primary coating 43 of the optical fiber 22 (not shown, but also passing through the spring retainer 52) is performed, and the core wire portion 41. And the operation | work which inserts and fixes the ferrule 39 so that it may straddle the primary coating | cover 43 is performed. Thereafter, an operation of polishing the front end surface 50 of the ferrule 39 and the core wire portion 41 exposed therefrom is performed.

  In the third step shown in FIG. 5C, an operation for attaching the refractive index matching film 40 to the tip surface 50 of the ferrule 39 is performed. Thus, the assembly of the optical fiber module 26 is completed.

  In the fourth step shown in FIG. 5D, an operation of inserting the optical fiber module 26 into the module housing portion 29 of the second optical connector housing 56 is performed. The module housing portion 29 is set such that the hole diameter does not cause a large clearance with respect to the outer diameter of the ferrule 39. For example, if the clearance is d, the insertion length of the ferrule 39 is L, and the angle with respect to a predetermined optical axis is θ, the clearance d and the insertion length L can be suppressed to an angle θ of 0.4 ° (0.4 degrees) or less. It is decided so. Here, it is assumed that there is a relationship of tan θ = d / L.

  In the fifth step shown in FIG. 5 (e), the spring pressing member 52 is pressed by the spring pressing member 52 and the spring pressing member 52 is hooked and locked to the locked flange 31 of the first optical connector housing 25. At this time, the refractive index matching film 40 is sandwiched between the ferrule 39 and the innermost part of the module housing portion 29 (the refractive index matching film 40 is crushed). Thus, the assembly of the optical connector 24 with the second lens is completed.

  In the above configuration and structure, when the optical connector 23 with the first lens and the optical connector 24 with the second lens are opposed to each other as shown in FIG. Optically connected by the optical connector 21 with a lens of the present invention. At this time, the lens portions 37 are in a state of facing each other at a predetermined interval. Light emitted from the optical fiber 22 is converted into parallel light by the lens unit 37. Further, the incident light that is converted into parallel light and incident on the lens unit 37 is condensed toward the optical fiber 22 by the lens unit 37.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, according to the optical connector 21 with a lens of the present invention, the first optical connector housing 25 and the second optical connector housing 56 are both connected to the module housing portion 29 ( Since the fitting structure portions 30 and 58 and the lens portion 37 are integrally provided, the positional deviation between the lens portion 37 and the optical fiber 22 can be minimized with this integration. it can.

  Further, according to the optical connector 21 with a lens of the present invention, since the respective parts such as the lens part 37 are integrated, for example, the lens part 37 does not need to be inserted, fixed, or aligned. As a result, it is possible to make the optical connector 21 with a lens that is easy to assemble and has high productivity (this can also reduce the cost for mass production).

  Furthermore, according to the optical connector 21 with a lens of the present invention, since the lens portion 37 is integrated, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of lens contamination during assembly as compared with the case of another component as in the conventional example. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the optical connector 21 with a lens of the present invention, the optical fiber module 26 is always pressed to cause a change in the distance between the optical fiber 22 and the lens unit 37 due to temperature / humidity changes, vibrations and shocks. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in loss due to a variation in distance, an increase in loss due to an axis shift, an angle shift, and the like.

  Furthermore, according to the optical connector 21 with a lens of the present invention, since the refractive index matching film 40 is crushed by the ferrule 39 and the innermost part of the module housing portion 29, it is caused by contact, vibration or the like. Damage can be prevented and reflection loss can be eliminated.

  Here, a modified example of the optical connector with lens 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the structure and structure fundamentally the same as description so far.

  In FIG. 6, the optical connector 21 with a lens includes an optical connector 23 with a first lens provided at the end of one optical fiber 22 and an optical connector 24 with a second lens provided at the end of the other optical fiber 22. Configured. The optical connector 23 with the first lens includes a first optical connector housing 25 having a slit 61, an optical fiber module 26 accommodated and held in the first optical connector housing 25, and a bias for the optical fiber module 26. The urging means 27 is provided. On the other hand, the optical connector 24 with the second lens includes a second optical connector housing 56 having a split sleeve 62, an optical fiber module 26 housed and held in the second optical connector housing 56, and an urging force for the optical fiber module 26. And an urging means 27 for doing so.

  The optical connector 21 with a lens in FIG. 6 is different in that it has a slit 61 and a split sleeve 62. The slit 61 is an annular recess that surrounds the module housing portion 29, and is a portion that allows positional displacement when the optical connector 23 with the first lens and the optical connector 24 with the second lens are fitted to each other (positional displacement). Is formed as a portion that absorbs. On the other hand, the split sleeve 62 is a cylindrical part that is inserted into the fitting structure portion 58 of the second optical connector housing 56, and is provided in order to reduce the connection loss by suppressing axial misalignment between the lens portions 37 and the like. It has been.

  In FIG. 7, the optical connector 21 with a lens is provided at the optical connector 23 with a first lens provided at the ends of the two optical fibers 22 on one side and at the ends of the two optical fibers 22 on the other side. And an optical connector 24 with a second lens. The optical connector 23 with a first lens includes a first optical connector housing 25 having two module housing portions 29, two optical fiber modules 26 housed and held in the first optical connector housing 25, and two optical fibers. An urging means 27 for urging the module 26 is provided. On the other hand, the optical connector 24 with the second lens is similarly provided with a second optical connector housing 56 having two module housing portions 29, two optical fiber modules 26 housed and held in the second optical connector housing 56, and An urging means 27 for urging the two optical fiber modules 26 is provided. The optical connector 21 with a lens in FIG. 7 is different in that it has a two-core structure.

  In FIG. 8, the optical connector with lens 21 is different from that of FIG. 7 in that it has a slit 61 and a split sleeve 62. The optical connector 21 with a lens in FIG. 8 allows a positional shift at the time of connector fitting, or can reduce a connection loss by suppressing an axial shift between the lens portions 37 and the like. It has become.

  In FIG. 9, the optical fiber module 26 is different in that it has a taper 63 at the tip of the ferrule 39. In this example, it is not necessary to form a taper in the back position of the module housing part 29, and the dimensional accuracy according to the hole shape of the module housing part 29 can be increased. Therefore, an increase in loss caused by dimensional accuracy can be suppressed.

  Next, the effect when the optical connector with lens of the present invention is designed for an HPCF optical fiber having a core diameter of 200 μm will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

  FIG. 10 is a graph showing the loss fluctuation due to the distance fluctuation between the lens and the optical fiber. The connector misalignment in the figure indicates the misalignment between the center of the optical fiber and the center of the lens inside the connector. FIG. 11 is a graph showing a loss variation due to an axial shift between the lens center and the optical fiber center. Further, FIG. 12A is a graph showing the loss fluctuation due to the axial deviation between the lens centers, and FIG. 12B is a graph showing the loss fluctuation due to the distance fluctuation between the lens centers.

  When there is a variation in distance between the lens unit and the optical fiber, the optical loss increases as shown in FIG. However, in the present invention, the optical fiber module is constantly pressed by the urging means (spring member) so that the distance between the lens portion and the optical fiber does not change due to changes in temperature / humidity, vibration or impact. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a variation in the distance between the lens unit and the optical fiber. Therefore, a low-loss connection is possible even for in-vehicle use, and an increase in loss can be suppressed. In addition, since a flexible refractive index matching film is sandwiched between the ferrule in the optical fiber module and the innermost part of the module housing portion, the end face of the optical fiber and the innermost part are not contacted by impact or vibration, thereby eliminating damage. In addition, reflection loss can be eliminated.

  When there is a misalignment between the center of the lens and the center of the optical fiber, the optical loss greatly increases as shown in FIG. However, in the present invention, since the taper is formed at the deep position of the module housing portion, or because the taper is formed at the tip of the ferrule in the optical fiber module, the loss caused by the dimensional accuracy of the member used. The increase can be suppressed. For example, when the design is such that the axial deviation between the center of the lens and the center of the optical fiber is 15 μm or less, the connection loss as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 11 can be suppressed to 0.8 dB.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the change in optical loss due to axial misalignment between the centers of the lens portions and distance variation between the opposing connectors (the optical connector with the first lens and the optical connector with the second lens) is extremely small. Therefore, even if the connectors have some backlash, an increase in loss can be suppressed.

  It goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Optical connector with lens 22 ... Optical fiber 23 ... Optical connector with 1st lens 24 ... Optical connector with 2nd lens 25 ... 1st optical connector housing 26 ... Optical fiber module 27 ... Energizing means 28 ... Housing main body 29 ... Module Housing part (ferrule insertion part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Fitting structure part 31 ... Locked flange 32 ... Large diameter guide part 33 ... Small diameter guide part 34 ... Taper 35 ... Film pressing part (deepest part)
36 ... peripheral wall portion 37 ... lens portion 38 ... taper 39 ... ferrule 40 ... refractive index matching film (refractive index matching member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Core wire part 42 ... Covering part 43 ... Primary coating 44 ... Secondary coating 45 ... Flange 46 ... Rear end 47 ... Core wire through-hole 48 ... Covering through-hole 49 ... Taper 50 ... Tip surface 51 ... Spring member 52 ... Spring holder 53 ... Pressing portion 54 ... Fitting claw 55 ... Through hole 56 ... Second optical connector housing 57 ... Housing main body 58 ... Fitting structure 61 ... Slit 62 ... Split sleeve (axis alignment mechanism)
63 ... Taper

Claims (5)

A transparent first optical connector housing and a second optical connector housing having a ferrule insertion portion and a fitting structure portion that fits each other are provided, and the first and second optical connector housings are made of a transparent resin material. A lens portion facing each other at a predetermined interval at the time of connector fitting at the distal end portion of each ferrule insertion portion, and provided integrally with each of the first and second optical connector housings,
Ferrule provided on the optical fiber terminal, constitute an optical fiber module ing from said first and second optical connector housing and another member is inserted into the ferrule insertion portion,
Lensed optical connector, characterized in that that is configured to include a biasing means for biasing the optical fiber module. The optical connector with a lens according to claim 1,
An optical connector with a lens, wherein the shape of the lens portion is set so that emitted light is parallelized between the lens portions, and the periphery of the lens portion is covered with the fitting structure portion. In the optical connector with a lens according to claim 1 or 2,
An optical connector with a lens, comprising: a refractive index matching member sandwiched between a distal end of a ferrule to be inserted into the ferrule insertion portion and an innermost portion of the ferrule insertion portion. The optical connector with a lens according to claim 3,
The urging means urges the ferrule toward the innermost part. An optical connector with a lens, characterized in that: The optical connector with a lens according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An optical connector with a lens, wherein the first optical connector housing and the second optical connector housing are provided with an axis alignment mechanism for aligning the axial positions of the lens portions.

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