JP5841828B2 - Optical connector adapter, optical connector receptacle, display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector adapter, an optical connector receptacle, and a display method.

  As an optical connector, for example, an SC-shaped optical connector (SC: Single fiber Coupling optical fiber connector; F04-type optical connector established in JIS C 5973), a sleeve-shaped connector housing is provided outside the sleeve-shaped connector housing. A configuration having a knob is widely provided. The knob is attached to the connector housing so as to be slidable while securing a predetermined movable range in the axial direction thereof.

  When the optical connector with a knob described above is inserted into an optical connector adapter, only the knob is fitted into the adapter, and the ferrule tip end (joint end face) is fitted to the adapter from the opposite side. In some cases, the surface was not reached. At this time, the optical connector with the knob is in a state where the connector housing and the ferrule are not sufficiently inserted into the adapter (hereinafter also referred to as a half-inserted state). In this state (half-inserted state), it seems that the connection of the optical connector (optical connector with knob) to the adapter is achieved in appearance, but the ferrules in the adapter are abutted and the optical connectors are connected. Cannot be realized.

For example, as in Patent Documents 1 to 3, there are some proposals for a technique that enables the insertion state of the optical connector to the optical connector adapter to be confirmed from the outside of the adapter.
The optical connector adapter has a pair of engaging pieces with claws for locking the connector inside thereof. The optical connector inserted into the adapter is coupled to the adapter by engaging the engaging piece with the claw of the adapter with the connector housing.
Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique that allows the optical connector inserted into the adapter to be confirmed from the outside of the adapter that the pair of claw-engaging engagement pieces in the adapter has been expanded. In the disclosed technique of Patent Document 1, when the optical connector inserted into the adapter pushes and expands between a pair of engaging pieces with a claw (locking claw member in Patent Document 1) in the adapter, The pressed display pin protrudes outside the adapter. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 is such that the engagement state of the engaging piece with a claw in the adapter (latched in Patent Document 1) with the optical connector inserted into the adapter is fitted from the outside of the adapter through the window formed in the adapter. Visible.

  In Patent Document 3, a part of a connector housing (a plug frame in Patent Document 3) having a different color from the knob is visible from the outside of the knob through a port (window) formed on the knob (grip in Patent Document 3). An optical connector with a knob is disclosed (see paragraph (0019), FIG. 7). In Patent Document 3, when the optical connector with a knob is inserted into an adapter (a coupling housing in Patent Document 3), a portion of the connector housing that can be seen from the window (hereinafter, exposed portion) is hidden by the adapter and cannot be seen. Thus, a technique that can confirm that the knob is completely inserted into the adapter is disclosed. That is, the disclosed technique of Patent Document 3 uses the exposed portion of the connector housing, which can be seen from the outside of the knob through the window portion of the knob, as a mark for confirming the insertion position of the knob with respect to the adapter.

However, it is difficult to discriminate between the half-inserted state of the optical connector with a knob inserted into the adapter and the case where the fitting (coupling) is proceeding normally in the disclosed techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3.
Even when the optical connector with knob inserted into the adapter is half-inserted, the expansion between the pair of engaging pieces with claws of the adapter occurs. In the disclosed technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2, even when the optical connector with a knob is half-inserted, elastic deformation of the engaging piece with the claw of the adapter pressed against the connector is confirmed from the outside of the adapter. It is difficult to discriminate between the inserted state and the case where the coupling is proceeding normally. In addition, the disclosure techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 make it possible to confirm the fitting state of the knob with respect to the adapter from the outside of the adapter and confirm the coupling (fitting) state of the optical connector (connector housing) with respect to the adapter. is not.
In the disclosed technique of Patent Document 3, even when the knob of the optical connector with the knob inserted into the adapter slides relative to the connector housing, the knob is completely inserted into the adapter using the exposed portion of the connector housing. I can confirm that. However, in this case, the engagement state of the connector housing with the engagement piece with the claw of the adapter, that is, the coupling state of the optical connector with the adapter cannot be confirmed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-23901 JP 2010-38987 A Japanese Patent No. 2837608

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector adapter, an optical connector receptacle, and a display method capable of easily grasping and confirming the coupling state of an optical connector from the outside.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter housing having connector holes having engaging claws at both ends, a connector housing engageable with the engaging claws of the adapter housing, and the engaging claws engaged with the connector housing. contact with by an optical connector having a releasable lug their engagement, when inserted into the connector hole at one end, and a movable receiving member is pushed into the connector housing, the adapter housing, wherein A spring that is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector and elastically biases the movable receiving member toward the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. is incorporated, said adapter housing has a window hole, the optical connector based on the pressing of the movable receiving member To provide an optical connector adapter for displaying a bound state of the data by using the window opening.
The second invention provides the optical connector adapter according to the first invention, wherein the movable receiving member has a portion whose color is different from that of the adapter housing.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an identification base surface that is visually recognized from the outside through the window hole is formed in the adapter housing or a member fixed in the adapter housing, and the movable receiving member is the identification base. The optical connector adapter according to the second aspect of the present invention has a portion having a color different from that of the surface.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ferrule housing hole in which a protruding tube portion protrudes on both sides from a mounting plate portion fixed to an axial center portion in the adapter housing, and inner holes of the protruding tube portions on both sides communicate with each other. The optical connector inserted into the connector holes on both sides via the mounting plate portion of the ferrule positioning member, and the ferrule is inserted into the protruding tube portion of the ferrule positioning member, and the connector By extrapolating the front end of the housing, the ferrules can be brought into contact with each other within the ferrule housing hole of the ferrule positioning member, and the movable receiving member can be connected to the protruding tube portion on one side of the ferrule positioning member. It has a housing receiving piece disposed on the outer periphery, and is in the axial direction of the ferrule receiving hole with respect to the ferrule positioning member Rotatably in it provided, to provide an optical connector adapter of any one invention of the first to third is pushed by the connector housing front end of the optical connector in contact with the said housing receiving piece.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, an existing optical connector is inserted in advance into the other connector hole, and the connector housing is engaged with the engaging claw of the other connector hole. An optical connector adapter is provided.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receptacle housing provided with a connector hole having an engaging claw, a connector housing engageable with the engaging claw of the receptacle housing, and the engaging claw engaged with the connector housing. A movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing when the optical connector having a knob that comes into contact and can be released from the connector is inserted into the connector hole; and the receptacle housing includes a connector of the optical connector. A spring that is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end of the housing and elastically biases the movable receiving member toward the front end of the connector housing of the optical connector is incorporated. the receptacle housing has a window hole, the light based on the pressing of the movable receiving member To provide an optical connector receptacle for displaying a bound state of the connector by using the window opening.
A seventh invention provides the optical connector receptacle according to the sixth invention, wherein the movable receiving member has a portion whose color is different from that of the receptacle housing.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an identification base surface that is visible from the outside through the window hole is formed on the receptacle housing or a member fixed in the receptacle housing, and the movable receiving member is the identification base. An optical connector receptacle according to a seventh aspect of the present invention has a portion having a color different from that of the surface.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ferrule positioning in which a projecting cylindrical portion is projected into the receptacle housing into which the optical connector inserted into the connector hole is fitted and the front end portion of the connector housing is inserted. has a member, said ferrule positioning member accommodates a pre-notated ferrule into the ferrule receiving hole penetrating extending coaxially with the axis of the inner bore comprises an inner hole of the突筒portion, the movable The receiving member has a housing receiving piece disposed on the outer periphery of the protruding cylindrical portion on one side of the ferrule positioning member, and is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the ferrule receiving hole with respect to the ferrule positioning member. optical connector receptacle of any one of the sixth invention to 8 is pushed to the receiving piece by the connector housing front end of the optical connector in contact with To provide a Takuru.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter housing having connector holes having engaging claws at both ends, a connector housing engageable with the engaging claws of the adapter housing, and the engaging claws engaged with the connector housing. An optical connector adapter comprising: a movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector when the optical connector having a knob that comes into contact with the connector and can be released from the engagement is inserted into the connector hole at one end The adapter housing is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector, and the movable receiving member is moved to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. A spring that is elastically biased toward the And provides a display method using the window opening to display the coupling state of the optical connector based on the pressing of the movable receiving member.
An eleventh aspect of the invention relates to a receptacle housing provided with a connector hole having an engaging claw, a connector housing engageable with the engaging claw of the receptacle housing, and the engaging claw engaged with the connector housing. An optical connector adapter comprising: a movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector when the optical connector having a knob that comes into contact with the connector and can be released is inserted into the connector hole; and the receptacle housing The elastic receiving member is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector, and the movable receiving member is elastically moved toward the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. Built-in spring for biasing, the receptacle housing is a window It has to provide a display method using the window opening to display the coupling state of the optical connector based on the pressing of the movable receiving member.

  According to the present invention, when an optical connector having a knob is inserted into a connector hole of a connector connecting unit that is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle, the connector is based on the push of the movable receiving member by the connector housing of the optical connector. The coupling state of the optical connector to the connection unit is displayed so as to be visible from the outside of the connector connection unit. For this reason, in this invention, the coupling | bonding state with respect to the connector connecting unit of the optical connector inserted in the connector connecting unit can be grasped | ascertained easily and reliably from the connector connecting unit outer side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an example of an optical connector adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention and an optical connector (optical connector with a knob) that is inserted and fitted (coupled) into the optical connector adapter. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected the optical connector with respect to the existing optical connector using the optical connector adapter of FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 1, Comprising: (a) is the perspective view seen from the shutter side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the opposite side to Fig.3 (a). FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating an internal structure of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a U-shaped wall member constituting the adapter housing, and FIG. It is. (A), (b) is a perspective view which shows the housing base board which comprises the adapter housing of the optical connector adapter of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a relationship between a positioning engagement unit of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 1 and a movable receiving member, in which (a) is a side where a spring receiving piece portion of the movable receiving member is disposed, and (b) is a side view. The side by which the display piece part of a movable receiving member is arrange | positioned is shown. It is a disassembled perspective view of the positioning engagement unit of FIG. It is a figure explaining the movable receiving member of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 1, Comprising: (a), (b) is a perspective view, (c) is a side view, (d) is a top view. 2A and 2B are perspective views for explaining the operation of the optical connector illustrated in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A is a state in which a front protrusion of the front knob with respect to the connector housing is between a maximum value and a minimum value, and FIG. The knob is shown in a state where it is arranged at the slide movement limit position in the rearward direction with respect to the connector housing. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the optical connector of FIG. 1, (a) is a plane sectional view, (b) is a sectional side view. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining the structure of the optical connector of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining the structure of the connector housing of the optical connector in FIG. 11, and its internal structure. It is a figure explaining the structure of the front knob of the optical connector of FIG. 1, (a) is sectional side view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a front view, (d) is a figure of FIG.13 (c). (E) is a rear view, (f) is a bottom view, and (g) is a left side view of FIG. 13 (c). It is a perspective view which shows the structure which looked at the front knob of the optical connector of FIG. 1 from the back side. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating the structure of the rear knob of the optical connector in FIG. 1, where FIG. 15A is a partially cutaway perspective view, FIG. 15B is a plan view, FIG. 15C is a front view, and FIG. (c) is a rear view, (f) is a bottom view, and (g) is a left side view of FIG. 15 (c). FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan sectional view for explaining a relationship between a front knob of the optical connector of FIG. 1 and a locking protrusion claw of a rear knob, in which FIG. The initial position at which the step is engaged, (b) shows the engagement state between the locking projection claw of the rear knob and the claw locking claw of the front knob. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a state before the optical connector is inserted into the optical connector adapter in the operation of inserting and coupling the optical connector to the optical connector adapter in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. It is sectional drawing. It is a figure explaining the state by which the optical connector inserted in the optical connector adapter of FIG. 17 is half-inserted with respect to an optical connector adapter, (a) is a plane sectional view, (b) is a sectional side view. It is a figure explaining the coupling completion state of the optical connector with respect to the optical connector adapter of FIG. 17, Comprising: (a) is a plane sectional view, (b) is a sectional side view. FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship of the movable receiving member with respect to the window hole of the adapter housing of the optical connector adapter in FIG. 1 corresponding to the insertion state of the optical connector with respect to the optical connector adapter, and FIG. (B) shows when the optical connector is half-inserted, and (c) shows when the optical connector is completely connected. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the optical connector employable as an existing optical connector previously fitted to the optical connector adapter of FIG. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the method of assembling the optical connector of FIG. 21 to the optical fiber cable front-end | tip part. It is a figure which shows the structure seen from the connector rear side of the cradle part of the optical connector rear end part illustrated to Fig.22 (a). It is a perspective view which shows the ferrule with a clamp part integrated in the connector housing of the optical connector of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining the structure of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is the figure which arranged and showed the opposing surface of each element which comprises the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining opening and closing of the clamp part of the ferrule with a clamp part of FIG. 24, (a) is an open state, (b) shows the state which hold | gripped and fixed the optical fiber between the halved elements. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the structure of the optical fiber cable which assembles the optical connector of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates roughly the optical connector adapter of a structure which abbreviate | omitted the receiving member spring from the optical connector adapter of FIG. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the movable receiving member of another aspect of embodiment which concerns on this invention, and a housing receiving piece part. It is a plane sectional view explaining an example of the optical connector receptacle of the embodiment concerning the present invention. FIG. 33 is a perspective view for explaining the relationship between the positioning engagement unit and the movable receiving member of the optical connector receptacle of FIG. 32, wherein (a) is the side where the spring receiving piece of the movable receiving member is disposed, and (b) is the side. The side by which the display piece part of a movable receiving member is arrange | positioned is shown. It is sectional drawing explaining the other example of the optical connector inserted in an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the optical connector of FIG.

Hereinafter, an optical connector adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical connector adapter 10 according to an embodiment described here is an optical connector adapter (hereinafter also simply referred to as an adapter) used for connecting optical connectors 20 and 50 to each other.

Here, one of the pair of optical connectors 20 and 50 connected to each other by being inserted and fitted (coupled) to the adapter 10 from both sides (50 optical connector in the illustrated example) remains coupled to the adapter 10. It is in the state of. Hereinafter, this optical connector 50 is also referred to as an existing optical connector 50.
The other of the pair of optical connectors 20 and 50 (20 optical connector) is inserted into and removed from the adapter 10. Hereinafter, the optical connector 20 is also referred to as an insertion optical connector. The insertion optical connector 20 is inserted and fitted (coupled) into the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10 from the side opposite to the existing optical connector 50 with respect to the existing optical connector 50 coupled (fitted) to the adapter 10. Connected. The optical connectors 20 and 50 are connected to each other by connecting the ferrules 21 and 31 of the optical connectors 20 and 50 (see FIGS. 17 (a) and (b) to FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b)) to the joining end surfaces 21a and 31a at the tips. Are matched in the adapter 10, and the optical fibers 1a and 32 inserted and fixed to the ferrules 21 and 31 are butted and connected (optical connection).

As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b), 4 (a), and 4 (b), the adapter 10 is movable in a rectangular tube-shaped adapter housing 11 with a positioning engagement unit 12 (described later). It has a schematic configuration in which a receiving member 13 (described later) and an elastic biasing spring 14 of the movable receiving member 13 are incorporated.
The adapter housing 11 is assembled in a rectangular tube shape by fixing a U-shaped wall member 17, which is an elongated member extending in a U-shaped cross section, on one side of a substantially rectangular plate-shaped housing base plate 16.

  Examples of fixing means for fixing the U-shaped wall member 17 to the housing base plate 16 include an adhesive for bonding and fixing the housing base plate 16 and the U-shaped wall member 17, and a set screw for screwing. it can. As the fixing means, an engaging claw or the like that protrudes from one of the housing base plate 16 and the U-shaped wall member 17 and engages with a locking portion formed on the other of the housing base plate 16 and the U-shaped wall member 17. It may be.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 6A, 6B, 7 and the like, the positioning engagement unit 12 includes a positioning projection 12b into which a ferrule of an optical connector is inserted, and an adapter housing 11. The unit halves 12A and 12B having a pair of engaging pieces 12c with claws for locking the optical connector inserted therein are integrated.
Each of the unit halves 12A and 12B has a configuration in which a positioning protruding cylinder 12b and a pair of engaging pieces 12c with claws protrude from one side of the base plate 12a.

The pair of unit halves 12A and 12B has the surfaces (joint surfaces 12d) on the opposite side of the base plate 12a from the side on which the projecting cylindrical portion 12b for positioning and the pair of engaging pieces 12c with claws project. They are joined together. The positioning engagement unit 12 has an adapter housing in which the center plate portion 12e formed by joining the base plates 12a of the unit halves 12A and 12B to each other is oriented perpendicularly to the axis (center axis) of the adapter housing 11 having a rectangular tube shape. 11 is assembled into the adapter housing 11. The center plate portion 12 e functions as a mounting plate portion for assembling the positioning engagement unit 12 to the adapter housing 11.
Each of the unit halves 12A and 12B is an integrally molded product made of plastic.

  As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 17 (a), (b), etc., each unit half body 12A, 12B is extended to the joining surface 12d of the base plate 12a by extending the inner hole of the positioning projection cylinder 12b. A ferrule insertion hole 12f, which is an open through hole having a circular cross section, is provided. One end of the ferrule insertion hole 12f is opened to the joint surface 12d of the base plate 12a, and the other end is opened to the tip of the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b protruding from the base plate 12a.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the positioning engagement unit 12 has a ferrule accommodation hole 12g formed by communicating the ferrule insertion holes 12a of the unit halves 12A and 12B. The ferrule insertion holes 12a of the unit halves 12A and 12B communicate with each other coaxially.
In the positioning engagement unit 12 incorporated in the adapter housing 11, a ferrule accommodation hole 12 g is provided through an axis parallel to the axis of the adapter housing 11.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 17A, 17B, etc., the positioning engagement unit 12 further includes a positioning sleeve 12h accommodated in the ferrule accommodation hole 12g.
Specifically, the adapter 10 of the illustrated example employs a metal split sleeve formed in a sleeve shape having a C-shaped cross section as the positioning sleeve 12h.
However, the positioning sleeve 12h is not limited to the split sleeve, and for example, a cylindrical elastic sleeve, a non-elastic sleeve, or the like can be used.
The positioning sleeve 12h is formed to have an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ferrule housing hole 12g.

  The optical connectors 20 and 50 are single-core optical connectors. As shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the optical connectors 20 and 50 are made of single-core capillary ferrules 21 and 31 used in SC-type optical connectors and the like in a sleeve-like connector housing. 23 and 53 are housed in front end portions. As the ferrules 21 and 31, for example, those formed using known materials used for manufacturing a ferrule for a single core, such as zirconia ceramics and glass, can be adopted.

On the inner side of the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10, in the axial direction, the optical connector 20 is provided on both sides via the center plate portion 12e (mounting plate portion) of the positioning engagement unit 12 (ferrule positioning member) provided at the center portion. , 50 are inserted into the connector holes 11a and 11b.
The existing optical connector 50 is inserted into and coupled to one of the connector holes 11a and 11b (first connector hole 11a) on both sides of the adapter housing 11.
The insertion optical connector 20 is inserted into the connector hole 11b (second connector hole 11b) opposite to the first connector hole 11a via the positioning engagement unit 20 and connected to the existing optical connector 50.

As shown in FIGS. 17 (a), (b) to 19 (a), (b), the optical connectors 20, 50 have their ferrules 21, 31 inserted into the ferrule housing holes 12g of the positioning engagement unit 12. The adapter housing 11 is coupled (fitted).
As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the ferrule 31 of the existing optical connector 50 inserted into the first connector hole 11a and coupled to the adapter 10 is provided with the ferrule accommodation hole 12g of the positioning engagement unit 12. It is inserted into the positioning sleeve 12h. As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the optical connectors 20 and 50 are formed by positioning the joining end surfaces 21a and 31a at the tips of the ferrules 21 and 31 to each other. In the ferrule housing hole 12g (specifically, in the positioning sleeve 12h), the optical fibers 1a and 32 inserted and fixed to the ferrules 21 and 31 are butted and connected (optical connection) and connected to each other. .

The outer diameters of the ferrules 21 and 31 of the optical connectors 20 and 50 are the same. The positioning sleeve 12 h of the positioning engagement unit 12 is formed with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ferrules 21 and 31.
As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the ferrules 21 and 31 of the optical connectors 20 and 50 inserted and fitted (coupled) into the adapter housing 11 are positioned. The engagement unit 12 is press-fitted into the positioning sleeve 12 h.

  The positioning sleeve 12h functions to position the ferrules 21 and 31 inserted from both ends thereof on the same axis with high accuracy. Therefore, the optical connectors 20 and 50 are inserted into and fixed to the ferrules 21 and 31 by inserting the ferrules 21 and 31 into the positioning sleeve 12h in the positioning engagement unit 12 and abutting each other. It is possible to make a butt connection (optical connection) by positioning the 32 on the same axis with high accuracy. The positioning engagement unit 12 is highly accurate to realize a butt connection (optical connection) between the ferrules 21 and 31 of the optical connectors 20 and 50 and the optical fibers 1a and 32 inserted and fixed to the ferrules 21 and 31. It functions as a ferrule positioning member that positions the

  As shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the positioning projection of the positioning sleeve 12h is provided on the inner periphery of the distal end of the positioning projection cylinder 12b of each of the unit halves 12A and 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12. A retaining protrusion 12i that restricts the withdrawal from the tip of the cylindrical portion 12b is provided. The positioning sleeve 12h is disposed between the retaining protrusions 12i on the inner periphery of the distal end of the positioning protrusions 12b of the unit halves 12A and 12B, and is prevented from coming out from the ferrule housing hole 12g.

As shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 21, 22 and the like, the connector housings 23 and 53 of the optical connectors 20 and 50 are specifically the plug frames 24 and 54 of the SC type optical connector. The sleeve-shaped stop rings 25 and 55 are fitted to the rear end portions.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 21, the optical connectors 20 and 50 in the illustrated examples are sleeve-shaped (shown in the illustrated examples) that are extrapolated to the connector housings 23 and 53 and are slidably attached with a predetermined movable range in the axial direction thereof. This is an optical connector with a knob having knobs 210 and 53 having a rectangular tube shape.

On both sides of the front end of the knobs 210 and 53 of the optical connectors 20 and 50, the protrusions 12d at the tips of the engagement pieces 12c of the claw of the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10 are inserted, and the side surfaces of the plug frames 24 and 54 are inserted. Window portions 26a and 53a for engaging with the engaging protrusions 24a and 54a are formed.
The knob 210 of the insertion optical connector 20 includes a sleeve-shaped front knob 26 and a sleeve-shaped rear knob 27 provided on the rear side thereof so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the front knob 26. . The window portion 26 a of the knob 210 of the insertion optical connector 20 is formed at the front end portion of the front knob 26.
The front end portion of the knobs 210 and 53 where the window portions 26a and 53a are formed has the same configuration as the front end portion of the knob used in the SC type optical connector.

As the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10, a positioning engagement unit used in an adapter conforming to JIS C 5973 can be adopted.
The adapter 10 and its positioning engagement unit 12 can also be used for connection between SC type optical connectors.

The engaging piece 12c with a claw of the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10 is engaged with the engaging protrusions 24a and 54a on the side surfaces of the plug frames 24 and 54 by engaging the protruding claw 12d at the tip thereof with respect to the adapter housing 11. Restricts (locks) the displacement of the connector housing in the removal direction. As a result, the positioning engagement unit 12 can keep the butted state of the ferrules 21 and 31 in the positioning sleeve 12h stable.
The protruding claw 12d at the tip of the engaging piece 12c with claw protrudes from the opposing ends of the engaging portions 12c with claw on both sides via a positioning protruding cylinder 12b.

  The positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10 is not limited to the configuration in which the positioning sleeve 12h is built. As the positioning engagement unit 12, for example, a configuration in which the positioning sleeve 12 h is omitted and the positioning engagement unit 12 itself including the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12 b functions as a positioning sleeve can be employed.

(Movable receiving member)
As shown in FIGS. 4A, 6A, 6B, and 7, the movable receiving member 13 of the adapter 10 of this embodiment is the second unit half 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12. It has a ring-shaped housing receiving piece 13a that is extrapolated to the positioning cylinder 12b and disposed in the second connector hole 11b.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (a) to (d), the movable receiving member 13 is formed by integrating a bar-shaped spring receiving piece 13b and a display piece 13c into the housing receiving piece 13a. It has a configuration. The spring receiving piece portion 13b and the display piece portion 13c are integrated with both side portions via the inner hole 13d of the housing receiving piece portion 13a.
The movable receiving member 13 in the illustrated example is an integrally molded product made entirely of plastic. However, the movable receiving member 13 is not limited to an integrally molded product made of plastic, and a structure assembled by a plurality of parts can also be adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A to 8D, the housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 is specifically formed in a ring plate shape.
Specifically, the movable receiving member 13 includes a housing receiving piece portion 13a and the display piece portion 13c protruding from one side of the housing receiving piece portion 13a through the inner hole 13d and an intermediate portion. It comprises a piece 13e and the spring receiving piece 13b.
The spring receiving piece portion 13b is formed by integrating the center portion in the longitudinal direction with the protruding end of the intermediate piece portion 13e protruding from the housing receiving piece portion 13a, and the direction of the central axis of the inner hole 13d of the housing receiving piece portion 13a and the display piece It extends in a direction orthogonal to the interval direction between the portion 13c and the intermediate piece portion 13e. The spring receiving piece 13b is integrally provided on the opposite side of the intermediate piece 13e from the display piece 13c.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the ring-shaped (ring plate-shaped) housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 is a positioning cylinder of the second unit half 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12. The part 12b is extrapolated so as to be slidable in the axial direction.
The movable receiving member 13 is not limited to the housing receiving piece 13a, but is entirely arranged in the axial direction of the positioning cylinder portion 12b of the second unit half 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12, in other words, the positioning engagement unit 12. The ferrule housing hole 12g is movable in the axial direction.

The bar-shaped spring receiving piece portion 13b is disposed so as to span the side wall portions 17a and 17b on both sides of the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10. In the adapter housing 11 of the illustrated example, the side wall portions 17 a and 17 b on both sides thereof correspond to the side wall portions 17 a and 17 b erected on both sides of the face plate portion 17 c of the U-shaped wall member 17.
In addition, about the adapter 10 and the adapter housing 11, the space | interval direction of a pair of side wall part 17a, 17b is also called the width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 5A, and 5B, the spring 14 for elastic biasing of the movable receiving member 13 (hereinafter also referred to as receiving member spring) is provided on both sides of the adapter housing 11 in the width direction. The spring receiving portions 16d and 17d formed in the portion and the spring receiving piece portion 13b of the movable receiving member 13 are interposed.
The spring receiving portions 16 d and 17 d are formed on both sides in the width direction through the first connector hole 11 a in the adapter housing 11.

Spring accommodating holes 18 for accommodating the receiving member springs 14 are formed in portions on both sides in the width direction via the first connector holes 11a in the adapter housing 11 of the illustrated example. The spring accommodating hole 18 is formed to extend along the axial direction of the adapter housing 11.
The spring receiving portions 16d and 17d are portions that form a deep bottom surface of the adapter housing 11 opposite to the opening on the second connector hole 11b side of the spring accommodating hole 18.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the side wall portions 17a and 17b of the U-shaped wall member 17 are portions located on both sides via the first connector holes 11a (hereinafter referred to as second connector hole side walls). A protruding portion 17e that protrudes toward the inside of the adapter housing 11. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the housing base plate 16 corresponds to the surface of the side wall portions 17a and 17b including the protruding portion 17e opposite to the U-shaped wall member face plate portion 17c. Rib-shaped abutting protrusions 16a, 16b, and 16c that abut on the surface protrude from the position. The housing base plate 16 is integrated with the U-shaped wall member 17 by fixing means (not shown) by bringing the rib-shaped abutting protrusions 16a, 16b, 16c into contact with the side wall portions 17a, 17b of the U-shaped wall member 17. ing.
The spring housing hole 18 of the adapter housing 11 includes an overhanging portion 17e of the U-shaped wall member 17 and a rib-like abutment protrusion 16c (hereinafter referred to as an overhanging portion abutment) of the housing base plate 16 corresponding to the overhanging portion 17e. And spring accommodating grooves 18a and 18b formed respectively on the projections).

The spring accommodating grooves 18a and 18b have openings that open to the surface of the overhanging portion 17e and the overhanging portion abutting protrusion 16c on the second connector hole 11b side, and the opening of the adapter housing 11 extends from the openings. The first connector hole 11a is formed to extend toward the opening. However, the spring accommodating grooves 18a and 18b are formed with a length that does not reach the surface of the overhanging portion 17e and the overhanging portion abutting protrusion 16c on the opening side of the first connector hole 11a. The spring housing grooves 18a and 18b are formed so that the formation positions (formation ranges) in the axial direction of the adapter housing 11 coincide with each other.
The spring accommodating hole 18 is formed to extend from the surface facing the second connector hole 11b toward the opening of the first connector hole 11a on the overhanging portion 17e and the overhanging portion abutting protrusion 16c. ing. The spring accommodating hole 18 is a non-through hole that does not penetrate the overhanging portion 17e and the overhanging portion abutting protrusion 16c.

  The receiving member spring 14 in the illustrated example is a compression coil spring. The receiving member spring 14 receives one end (base end) in the axial direction thereof in the spring receiving hole 18, and the tip of the portion protruding from the spring receiving hole 18 to the second connector hole 11 b is the spring of the movable receiving member 13. It is provided in contact with or attached to the receiving piece 13b.

The spring receiving portions 16d and 17d of the adapter housing 11 in the illustrated example are the bottoms of the overhanging portion 17e and the overhanging portion abutting protrusion 16c opposite to the opening of the spring accommodating hole 18 on the second connector hole 11b side. It is the part that forms the surface.
In other words, the spring receiving portions 16d and 17d are surfaces facing the ends of the spring housing grooves 18a and 18b on the opening side of the first connector hole 11a in the overhanging portion 17e and the overhanging portion abutting protrusion 16c. It is a part that forms.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A, 17A and 17B, the housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 of the adapter 10 is connected to the second connector from the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12. It arrange | positions in the position (initial position) spaced apart to the opening part side of the hole 11b. Further, the movable receiving member 13 has a position when the housing receiving piece 13a is in the initial position, that is, the position of the movable receiving member 13 shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 17 (a) and 17 (b) is the initial position ( The initial position relative to the positioning engagement unit 12 and the adapter housing 11).

  The movable receiving member 13 resists the elastic biasing force of the receiving member spring 14 by applying a pressing force from the opening side of the second connector hole 11b toward the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12. 4A, 17A, and 17B can be pushed so as to approach the center plate portion 12e. The movable receiving member 13 can be pushed from the initial position to a position where the housing receiving piece 13a contacts the center plate 12e.

As shown in FIGS. 17 (a), (b) to 19 (a), (b), the housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 is formed of the inserted optical connector 20 inserted into the second connector hole 11b. It is formed in a size that does not contact the front end surface of the front knob 26 and can contact the front end surface 24 c of the plug frame 24.
As shown in FIG. 9B, the front end face 24c of the plug frame 24 has a pentagonal shape. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 (a), and 8 (b), the housing receiving piece 13 a of the movable receiving member 13 in the illustrated example has a shape (pentagonal shape) and size matching the front end surface 24 c of the plug frame 24. It is formed in a ring plate shape.

Therefore, the movable receiving member 13 of the adapter 10 is such that the housing receiving piece 13a is pressed by the plug frame front end surface 24c of the optical connector 20 when the insertion optical connector 20 is inserted and fitted into the second connector hole 11b. Is pushed to approach the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12.
In the illustrations of FIGS. 17A and 17B to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the movable receiving member 13 finally has the housing receiving piece portion 13a as the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12. It is pushed by the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20 to the contact position (see FIGS. 19A and 19B). As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 has the optical connector 20 positioned on the engaging projections 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24, and the adapter 20 positioning member. When the pair of claws 12c on the second connector hole 11b side of the combined unit 12 is pushed into the second connector hole 11b to the point where the protruding claws 12j at the tip end are engaged, the front end of the plug frame 24 It abuts on the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the movable receiving member 13 is in the initial position, the spring receiving piece 13b of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed in the second connector hole 11b.
As shown in FIGS. 17B and 19B, the positioning engagement unit 12 is attached to the U-shaped wall member 17 by a holding portion (not shown), and is separated from the housing base plate 16 in the adapter housing 11. Is provided. The spring receiving piece 13b of the movable receiving member 13 is configured such that the movable engaging member 13 is pushed by the connector housing 23 (specifically, the plug frame 24) of the optical connector 20 so that the positioning engagement unit 12 and the housing base plate are moved. 16 can be moved from the initial position to the first connector hole 11a side via a receiving piece moving portion 11c which is a gap secured between the first connector hole 11a and the receiving portion moving portion 11c.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the movable receiving member 13 is in the initial position, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the spring receiving piece 13b are on the inner surface side facing the U-shaped wall member 17 of the housing base plate 16. It is pressed against the pressure receiving protrusion 16e protruding from the overhanging contact protrusion 16c toward the second connector hole 11b by the elastic biasing force of the receiving member spring 14. The movable receiving member 13 has an initial position where both longitudinal ends of the spring receiving piece 13b are pressed against the pressure receiving protrusions 16e of the housing base plate 16 by the elastic biasing force of the receiving member springs 14, respectively.

The movable receiving member 13 is a position where both longitudinal ends of the spring receiving piece 13b abut against the pressure receiving protrusion 16e when the housing receiving piece 13a is moved from the initial position toward the first connector hole 11a by pushing. To the first connector hole 11a. When the housing receiving piece portion 13 a comes into contact with the center plate portion 12 e of the positioning engagement unit 12, both longitudinal ends of the spring receiving piece portion 13 b of the movable receiving member 13 are pressed against the pressure receiving protrusions 16 e of the housing base plate 16. And an overhang portion abutting protrusion 16c.
Note that the position of the movable receiving member 13 when the housing receiving piece 13a abuts against the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 is hereinafter also referred to as a pushing limit position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 18B, etc., the width direction of the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 (matches the width direction of the adapter housing 11) toward the housing base plate 16 side in the center portion. Is formed with a notch 12k (first notch) into which the intermediate piece 13e of the movable receiving member 13 can be inserted. When the movable receiving member 13 is pushed from the initial position to the first connector hole 11a side, the intermediate piece portion 13e can be inserted into the first notch portion 12k of the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12.

As shown in FIGS. 6B, 17B, and 19B, the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 is movable toward the U-shaped wall member face plate portion 17c side in the center in the width direction. A notch 12m (second notch) into which the display piece 13c of the receiving member 13 can be inserted is formed.
A window hole 11 d is formed in the center portion of the adapter housing 11 in the axial direction of the adapter 10 in the face plate portion 17 c of the U-shaped wall member 17. Specifically, the window hole 11 d is formed on the face plate portion 17 c of the U-shaped wall member 17 from the second notch portion 12 m of the positioning engagement unit 12 on the first connector hole 11 a side of the positioning engagement unit 12. It is formed over a portion corresponding to the base end portion (in the vicinity of the base plate 12a) of the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b (first protruding cylinder portion) of the unit half body 12A (first unit half body).

As shown in FIG. 17B, when the movable receiving member 13 is in the initial position, the display piece 13c is arranged at a position shifted from the window hole 11d toward the second connector hole 11b. Specifically, in FIG. 17B, the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 in the initial position is a unit half 12B (second unit half) on the second connector hole 11b side of the positioning engagement unit 12. The positioning protrusion 12b (second protrusion) of the body) and the face plate 17c of the U-shaped wall member 17 are disposed in the gap. The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 at the initial position is located at a position shifted from the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 toward the second connector hole 11b.
The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is specifically formed in a plate shape, and is positioned in a direction extending perpendicularly to the interval direction between the housing base plate 16 and the face plate portion 17c of the adapter housing 11. The engaging unit 12 is disposed in a gap between the positioning projecting cylindrical portion 12 b of the second unit half 12 </ b> B and the face plate portion 17 c of the U-shaped wall member 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 17B and 20A, when the movable receiving member 13 is in the initial position, it is within the range of the window hole 11d of the adapter housing 11 in the direction perpendicular to the U-shaped wall member face plate portion 17c. The display piece 13c does not exist. At this time, when the window hole 11d is visually observed from the outside of the adapter housing 11, the portion where the second notch 12m of the positioning engagement unit 12 is formed and the positioning protrusion of the first unit half body 12A through the window hole 11d. The base end part of the part 12b can be visually recognized. The formation portion of the second notch 12m of the positioning engagement unit 12 and the base end of the positioning projection 12b of the first unit half body 12A are visible from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d. An identification base surface 12s is formed.

The identification base surface 12s has an axis line of the window hole 11d in the portion where the second notch 12m of the positioning engagement unit 12 is formed and the base end of the positioning projection 12b of the first unit half body 12A. A region located on a virtual extension extending in the direction. As shown in FIG. 17B, in the adapter 10 of the illustrated example, the identification base surface 12s is formed in a portion where the second notch portion 12m of the positioning engagement unit 12 is formed (particularly, recessed in a groove shape). The entire bottom surface of the second cutout portion 12m is included.
Since the display piece portion 13c is entirely located on the inner surface side of the face plate portion 17c of the adapter housing 11, it cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d.

In the present embodiment, the movable receiving member 13 (specifically, the display piece 13c) does not exist in the region (space) between the window hole 11d and the identification base surface 12s inside the adapter housing 11. Is treated as a state in which the movable receiving member 13 cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d.
In this embodiment, the movable receiving member 13 (specifically, the display piece 13c) is present in a region (space) between the window hole 11d and the identification base surface 12s inside the adapter housing 11. The movable receiving member 13 is treated as being visible from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d.

19B and 20C show the housing receiving piece 13a pushed from the initial position by the front end of the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20 inserted into the second connector hole 11b. A state in which the movable receiving member 13 is in contact with the center plate portion 12e and disposed at the pushing limit position is shown.
In FIG. 19B and FIG. 20C, the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed over the entire area visible from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d. . At this time, since the identification base surface 12s is covered with the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13, it cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d.

  According to this adapter 10, the optical connector 20 is connected to the engagement protrusions 24 a on both sides of the plug frame 24, and the distal ends of the pair of claw engagement pieces 12 c of the second unit half 12 </ b> B of the positioning engagement unit 12. When the protrusion 12j is pushed into the second connector hole 11b until it engages with the protruding claw 12j (position where it is coupled to the adapter 10), it can be moved from the outside of the adapter housing 11 to the entire visible region through the window hole 11d. The display piece 13c of the receiving member 13 is disposed. Therefore, according to this adapter 10, the insertion optical connector can be obtained by visually recognizing from the outside of the adapter housing 11 the state in which the display piece 13 c is disposed in the entire area visible from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11 d. It is possible to grasp and confirm that the 20 connector housings 23 (specifically, the plug frame 24) have been pushed to the position where they are coupled to the adapter 10.

The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 has a color of a surface 13f (hereinafter also referred to as a display surface) viewed from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d, and the color of the face plate 17c of the adapter housing 11. Is different. Further, the color of the display surface 13f of the display piece portion 13c is formed by the formation portion of the second cutout portion 12m of the positioning engagement unit 12 and the proximal end portion of the positioning projection cylinder portion 12b of the first unit half body 12A. It is also different from the color of the identification base surface 12s.
For this reason, in this adapter 10, the connector housing 23 (specifically, the insertion optical connector 20) depends on the difference between the color of the identification base surface 12s and the color of the display surface 13f of the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13. It can be easily and reliably grasped and confirmed by visual observation from the outside of the adapter housing 11 that the plug frame 24) is pushed to the position where it is coupled to the adapter 10.

Note that the receiving member spring 14 of the adapter 10 is provided on the connector housing 23 of the optical connector 20 in which the movable receiving member 13 (specifically, the housing receiving piece portion 13a) is inserted into the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10. By pressing against the front end surface 24 c, the movable receiving member 13 functions to reliably follow the front end position of the connector housing 23 with respect to the adapter 10.
The movable receiving member 13, which is inserted into the second connector hole 11 b of the adapter 10 and is pushed by the connector housing 23 of the optical connector 20 coupled to the adapter 10 and arranged at the pushing limit position, attaches the optical connector 20 to the adapter 10. When it is removed from 10, it returns to the initial position by the elastic biasing force of the receiving member spring 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the adapter 10 of this embodiment also has a shutter 15 that closes the opening of the second connector hole 11b. .
As shown in FIG. 17B, the shutter 15 is integrated with a rotating shaft 15 a attached to the edge of the second connector hole 11 b in the adapter housing 11. The rotation shaft 15 a is attached to the adapter housing 11 so as to be rotatable with a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the axis. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 17B, the shutter 15 has a posture in which the opening of the second connector hole 11b is closed by a spring 15b (a leaf spring in the illustrated example) provided in the adapter housing 11. It is supported by.

The shutter 15 can be pushed down from the outside of the adapter 10 to the inside of the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10 against the elasticity of the spring 15b. The adapter 10 can open the opening of the second connector hole 11b by pushing down the shutter 15, and the optical connector 20 can be inserted into and removed from the second connector hole 11b. The shutter 15 can be pushed down by pressing the shutter 15 with the optical connector 20 (insertion optical connector) inserted into the second connector hole 11b for connection to the existing optical connector 50.
A rotation shaft 15 a of the shutter 15 is attached to the housing base plate 16 of the adapter housing 11.

In the adapter 10 of this embodiment, the opening of the second connector hole 11b is blocked by the shutter 15 when the insertion optical connector 20 is not inserted into the second connector hole 11b. Thereby, the adapter 10 can prevent the second connector hole 11b from being left open by the shutter 15, and foreign matter such as dust from the opening of the second connector hole 11b can be prevented. I can stop.
Further, the adapter 10 is closed by the existing optical connector 50 in which the first connector hole 11a is inserted and fitted into the first connector hole 11a. Therefore, even when the adapter 10 is in an empty state in which the insertion optical connector 20 is not inserted into the second connector hole 11b, the adapter 10 is moved to the empty second connector hole 11b by the shutter 15 and the existing optical connector 50. Intrusion of foreign matter such as dust can be prevented, and excellent dust resistance can be secured.

Next, the optical connectors 20 and 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 21 will be described in detail.
First, the optical connector 50 used as an existing optical connector will be described.
FIG. 21 is an overall perspective view showing the optical connector 50 and shows a state assembled to the end of the optical fiber cable 2. 22A and 22B are diagrams schematically showing the structure of the optical connector 50. FIG. 22A shows a state before assembling the optical fiber cable 2 and FIG. 22B shows a state after assembling.

As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the optical connector 50 has a cable retaining portion 52 for retaining the optical fiber cable 2 end on the rear side of the connector housing 53, and the optical fiber cable 2 end. Assembled into. Further, the optical connector 50 includes a ferrule with a clamp portion having a configuration in which a clamp portion 33 capable of gripping and fixing an optical fiber is assembled on the rear side of the ferrule 31 (the side opposite to the joining end surface 31a at the front end, right side in FIG. 21). 30 has an optical connector main body 51 in which 30 is accommodated in a connector housing 53. The cable holding portion 52 is provided on the rear side of the optical connector main body 51 (the side opposite to the ferrule 31).
The optical connector 50 has a spring (not shown) (ferrule spring) that elastically biases the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion toward the front side of the connector in the connector housing 53.

As shown in FIG. 29, the optical fiber cable 2 is formed by embedding an optical fiber 2a in a resin coating material 2c (hereinafter also referred to as a jacket) together with a linear strength member 2b arranged along the optical fiber 2a. This is an optical fiber cable having a substantially rectangular cross section. The optical fiber cable 2 is used as an optical drop cable, an optical indoor cable, or the like.
The optical fiber 2 a is disposed at the center of the cross section of the optical fiber cable 2, and the strength member 2 b is disposed at a position separated from the optical fiber 2 a on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the optical fiber cable 2. The optical fiber 2a is a coated optical fiber such as an optical fiber core or an optical fiber. In the illustrated example, a single-core coated optical fiber is employed.

As shown in FIG. 25 and the like, the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion includes a ferrule 31 and a short optical fiber 32 (here, a bare optical fiber. Hereafter, a built-in light) inserted and fixed in a fiber hole 31b that passes through the ferrule 31. And a clamp portion 33 on the rear side of the ferrule 31.
As shown in FIG. 27 and the like, the built-in optical fiber 32 includes a portion inserted and fixed in the fiber hole 31b of the ferrule 31, and a rear extension portion 322 that is a portion extending rearward from the rear end of the ferrule 31. And have. The rear extension part 322 of the built-in optical fiber 32 is disposed in the clamp part 33. The built-in optical fiber 32 is a short optical fiber that extends from a rear end disposed in the clamp portion 33 to a front end (front end surface) aligned with the joining end surface 31 a of the ferrule 31.

The clamp part 33 includes a rear extension part 322 of the built-in optical fiber 32 and a tip part of another optical fiber 2a which is inserted into the connector housing 53 separately at the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 and butt-connected (optical connection). By holding and fixing, the connection state between the optical fibers 32 and 2a is maintained.
In FIG. 22B and FIG. 25, symbol P denotes a butt connection portion between the optical fibers 32 and 2a.
This optical connector 50 is an on-site assembly type optical connector that is assembled at the end of the optical fiber cable 2 by connecting the optical fiber 2a of the optical fiber cable 2 to the built-in optical fiber 32 that is inserted and fixed in advance to the ferrule 31.

As shown in FIGS. 24-26, the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part has the element part 331 of a half structure. The element portion 331 includes an elongated base side element 35 that is an extension piece extending rearward from a ring-shaped flange portion 34 that is externally fixed to the rear end portion of the ferrule 31, and the base side element And a lid side element 36 provided along the line 35. The base side element 35 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the ferrule 31.
And the clamp part 33 becomes the structure which accommodated and hold | maintained the said element part 331 inside the sleeve-shaped spring 37 of the cross-section C shape or U-shape (section C shape in the example of illustration) formed by processing a metal plate. Yes.

  In the clamp portion 33 of the illustrated example, the base side element 35 is a plastic or metal member formed integrally with the flange portion 34. However, in the present invention, the base side element 35 and the flange portion 34 are not limited to a configuration in which the plastic side or the metal integrally formed product is formed. The element 35 may be integrated by insert molding, adhesive fixing, fitting fixing, or the like.

  The lid side element 36 includes a first lid side element 361 and a second lid side element disposed on the opposite side (rear side) of the ferrule 31 and the flange portion 34 via the first lid side element 361. 362. Hereinafter, the first lid side element 361 is also referred to as a front side element, and the second lid side element 362 is also referred to as a rear side element.

The clamp portion 33 closes the opposing surfaces facing each other of the pair of elements 35 and 36 (base side element and lid side element) of the element portion 331 having a halved structure by the elasticity of the spring 37. It is configured to be elastically biased and collectively held inside the spring 37.
In FIGS. 26, 27, 28A, and 28B, reference numeral 35f denotes the opposing surface of the base side element 35, reference numeral 361f denotes the opposing surface of the front element 361, and reference numeral 362f denotes the opposing surface of the rear element 362. Is attached.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the spring 37 has a front spring portion 37b (see FIG. 26) on the front side (ferrule 31 side) from the slit 37a by a slit 37a formed in the center in the longitudinal direction. The rear spring portion 37c (see FIG. 26) on the rear side from the slit 37a. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the spring 37 is formed with a side opening 37d extending over the entire length in the longitudinal direction (center axis direction). The slit 37a is a portion of the spring 37 that is located opposite to the side opening 37d via the element part 331 inside the spring 37 from both ends of the spring 37 facing the side opening 37d (back side continuous portion). Two are formed so as to extend along the circumferential direction of the spring 37 toward 37e). The front spring portion 37b and the rear spring portion 37c of the spring 37 are connected via only the back side continuous portion 37e secured between the two slits 37a and function as independent sleeve-like springs.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, of the two elements (front element 361 and rear element 362) constituting the lid element 36, the rear element 362 is entirely composed of the rear spring portion 37c of the spring 37. And is held together with the rear end portion of the base side element 35 by the elasticity of the rear spring portion 37c. On the other hand, the front element 361 is housed inside the front spring part 37 b and the rear spring part 37 c of the spring 37, and is held together with the base side element 35 by the elasticity of the spring 37.

  As shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, alignment for aligning the rear extension part 322 of the built-in optical fiber 32 and the optical fiber 2 a to the opposing surface 35 f of the base side element 35 so that they can be connected to each other is performed. A fiber positioning groove 38 comprising a groove 38a and a covering portion receiving groove 38b for receiving and positioning the covering portion 1d which is a portion covered with the covering material of the optical fiber 2a is formed.

The alignment groove 38a extends from the front end of the base side element 35 (the left end of the base side element 35 in FIG. 27) along the extending direction (longitudinal direction) so as to be continuous with the fiber hole 31b penetrating the ferrule 31. Is formed. The rear extension 322 of the built-in optical fiber 32 is accommodated in the alignment groove 38a.
The covering portion receiving groove 38b is formed to extend from the rear end opposite to the front end of the aligning groove 38a on the ferrule 31 side to the rear end of the base side element 35 along the extending direction of the base side element 35. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the alignment groove 38a in the illustrated example is a V-groove, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a round groove (groove having a semicircular cross section), a U groove, or the like is also employed. Is possible.

The covering portion receiving groove 38b has a larger groove width and depth than the aligning groove 38a in order to receive and position the covering portion 1d thicker than the bare optical fiber 2a1 of the optical fiber 2a.
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 27, the clamp portion 33 of the optical connector 50 in the illustrated example is configured such that a covering portion receiving groove 38c is also formed in the facing surface 362f of the rear element 362. The covering portion receiving groove 38 c formed on the facing surface 362 f of the rear side element 362 is formed at a position corresponding to the covering portion receiving groove 38 b of the base side element 35.
Further, the front end portions of the covering portion receiving grooves 38b and 38c of the base side element 35 and the lid side element 36 (specifically, the rear side element 362) are formed in a tapered shape, and the fiber is formed from the rear end of the clamp portion 33. When the optical fiber 2a is inserted into the positioning groove 38 (described later), the bare optical fiber 2a1 at the tip of the optical fiber 2a can be smoothly introduced into the alignment groove 38a.

  In addition, as a clamp part of the optical connector which concerns on this invention, the structure by which the coating | coated part accommodation groove | channel is formed in one or both of the opposing surface of the base side element 35 and the opposing surface of the rear side element 362 is employable. The covering portion receiving grooves 38 b and 33 c of the elements 35 and 352 of the clamp portion are formed so as to open at the rear end of the clamp portion 33. The covering portion receiving grooves 38b and 33c are V-grooves here, but are not limited thereto, and for example, round grooves (grooves having a semicircular cross section), U-grooves, square grooves, and the like can be employed.

  As shown in FIG. 28 (a), the optical connector 50 before being assembled to the end of the optical fiber cable 2 has a gap between the pair of elements 35 and 36 (base side element 35 and lid side element 36) of the clamp portion 33. It is slightly pushed open by a plate-like insertion member 40 inserted in 35, 36. In this state, in the optical connector 50, the clamp part 33 inserts (pushes) the bare optical fiber 2a1 exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 2a and the coated part 1d of the optical fiber 2a into the fiber positioning groove 38 from the rear end of the clamp part 33. It is possible. The state of the clamp part 33 at this time is hereinafter referred to as an open state.

The insertion member 40 functions to maintain the open state between the pair of elements 35 and 36 against the elasticity of the spring 35 of the clamp portion 33.
As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the insertion member 40 is formed between the side opening 37d of the spring 37 and the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp 33, that is, the opposing surfaces 35f and 361f of the pair of elements 35 and 36. , 362f are inserted so as to be interrupted. Further, the insertion member 40 is passed through an insertion member insertion hole 57 (see FIG. 21) penetrating the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve-like connector housing 53 of the optical connector 50 and the knob 56 on the outside thereof.
28A and 28B, the distal end portion 40a of the insertion member 40 is inserted between the pair of elements 35 and 36 of the clamp portion 33 so as not to reach the fiber positioning groove 38 of the element 35. So that the operation of inserting the optical fiber 2a into the fiber positioning groove 38 is not hindered.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 26, the insertion member 40 corresponds to the two elements (the front element 361 and the rear element 362) of the lid side element 36, and the front element 361 and the base element 35. And between the rear element 362 and the base element 35, respectively. That is, the insertion member 40 corresponds to the two elements 361 and 362 of the lid side element 36, and a pair of the clamp part 33 is located at different positions in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 22) of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part. A total of two elements are inserted between the elements 35 and 36.
22 and 26, reference numeral 41 is inserted between the front element 361 and the base element 35, and the insertion member 40 is inserted between the rear element 362 and the base element 35. Reference numeral 42 is added to the insertion member 4.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the insertion member 40 has a portion (outside extension portion) that extends to the outside of the connector (specifically, the outside of the knob 56). It can be used as an extraction operation part for an extraction operation for extracting the insertion member 40 from the optical connector 50.
The insertion member 40 can maintain the open state between the pair of elements 35 and 36 against the elasticity of the spring 35 of the clamp portion 33, and can be removed from the pair of elements 35 and 36. Any configuration is possible as long as the operation is possible, and the configuration is not limited to a plate shape, and may be, for example, a flexible sheet shape or a rod shape.

As shown in FIG. 22A, the cable holding portion 52 of the optical connector 50 is slid in the connector front-rear direction on the receiving portion 521 extending rearward from the rear end of the connector housing 53 and the receiving portion 521. An insertion assisting slider 523 that can be provided, and a retaining cover 522 pivotally attached to the rear end portion of the connector housing 53 are provided.
As shown in FIG. 23, the cradle portion 521 has rib-shaped guide walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector on both ends in the width direction of the elongated plate-like bottom plate 521a extending rearward from the rear end of the connector housing 53. It is formed in a U-shaped cross section in which 521b is erected. The insertion auxiliary slider 523 is disposed on the upper surface 521c of the bottom plate 521a so as to be slidable in the connector front-rear direction between the guide walls 521b on both sides of the cradle 521.

  The insertion assisting slider 523 can be pulled out from the cradle part 521 to the rear side, as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. On this insertion assist slider 523, a securing member 59 for anchoring fixed to the end of the optical fiber cable 2 is placed as will be described later.

The retaining cover 522 is rotatably attached to the connector housing 53 by a pivot 522d provided at the rear end portion of the connector housing 53 with a rotation axis parallel to the bottom plate upper surface 521c of the receiving base 521 and perpendicular to the connector longitudinal direction. .
The retaining cover 522 is opened and closed on the upper side with respect to the cradle part 521 and the insertion assisting slider 523 by rotation about the pivot. Further, the retaining cover 522 has a function of restricting and retaining the rearward displacement of the anchoring fixing member 59 with respect to the optical connector 50 by covering the anchoring fixing member 59 placed on the auxiliary insertion slider 523. Fulfill.

In order to assemble (attach) the optical connector 50 to the end of the optical fiber cable 2, first, as shown in FIG. The anchoring fixing member 59 is fixed. The anchoring fixing member 59 is provided at the end of the optical fiber cable 2 so as to surround it. Examples of the anchoring fixing member 59 include a plastic block-like member in which a cable groove for fitting and fixing the optical fiber cable 2 is formed.
The optical fiber 2a already led out from the end of the optical fiber cable 2 is protruded from the anchoring fixing member 59, the covering material at the tip is removed, and the bare optical fiber 2a1 is led out.

When fixing of the anchoring fixing member 59 to the end of the optical fiber cable 2 is completed, the anchoring fixing member 59 is placed on the insertion assist slider 523 that has been pulled out from the receiving portion 521 at the rear of the optical connector 50. To do. At this time, the retaining cover 522 is opened upward with respect to the cradle part 521 and the insertion assisting slider 523.
The insertion assisting slider 523 is a pressure receiving protrusion 525 that protrudes from the rear end of the slider body 524 and a portion that extends rearward from the pressure receiving protrusion 525 at the rear end of the slider body 524. And a mounting portion 526.

  The anchoring fixing member 59 is mounted on the mounting table 526 at the rear end of the insertion assisting slider 523 in such a direction that the optical fiber 2a protrudes from the anchoring fixing member 59 to the front side of the connector. Then, the anchoring fixing member 59 is moved toward the optical connector main body 51 together with the insertion auxiliary slider 523 while pressing the pressure receiving projection 525. As a result, the optical fiber 2a is passed through the rear end opening (not shown) of the connector housing 53 of the optical connector body 51 into the fiber positioning groove 38 (see FIG. 27) of the clamp portion 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp portion. The leading end of the bare optical fiber 2a1 is butted against the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 on the alignment groove 38a.

As the insertion assisting slider 523 advances together with the retaining fixing member 59 toward the front side of the connector, the slider body 524 is inserted into a guide hole (not shown) formed in the connector housing 53. However, the guide hole is formed in a cross-sectional shape in which the pressure receiving protrusion 525 of the insertion assisting slider 523 cannot be inserted. The anchoring fixing member 59 is advanced until the pressure receiving projection 525 of the auxiliary insertion slider 523 comes into contact with the rear end of the connector housing 53. The protruding length of the optical fiber 2a from the anchoring fixing member 59 to the leading end of the bare optical fiber 2a1 is for pressure reception of the insertion auxiliary slider 523 after completion of the butting of the leading end of the optical fiber 2a with the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 or simultaneously with the butting. The protrusion 525 is set so as to contact the rear end of the connector housing 53.
The anchoring fixing member 59 is disposed on the cradle 521 when the pressure receiving protrusion 525 reaches the forward limit position where the pressure receiving protrusion 525 contacts the rear end of the connector housing 53.

When the anchoring fixing member 59 is disposed at the advance limit position, the retaining cover 522 is closed with respect to the receiving base 521 as shown in FIG.
As a result, the fixing member housing case 58 for housing the anchoring fixing member 59 is assembled by the retaining cover 522 and the cradle portion 521, and the optical fiber cable 2 terminal can be secured to the optical connector main body 51.

The retaining cover 522 includes a top plate portion 522a that covers the retention fixing member 59 at the forward limit position, and a rear plate portion 522b that is disposed on the rear side of the retention fixing member 59. When the anchoring fixing member 59 is accommodated in the anchoring member accommodating case 58, the anchoring fixing member 59 is disposed between the rear end of the connector housing 53 of the optical connector main body 51 and the rear plate portion 522b in the connector longitudinal direction. It is arranged to allow movement or allow fine movement.
The optical fiber cable 2 extending rearward from the anchoring fixing member 59 is passed through a notch-shaped cable insertion port 522c formed in the rear plate portion 522b, and is then rearward from the fixing member housing case 58. It will be in the state extended to.

  When the fixing member housing case 58 is assembled and the anchoring fixing member 59 is housed, the insertion member 40 inserted between the elements 35 and 36 of the clamp part 33 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part is pulled out from the element part 311. Thereby, the butted state of the rear end of the built-in optical fiber 32 of the ferrule 30 with a clamp part and the optical fiber 2a of the optical fiber cable 2 is maintained, and the assembly of the optical connector 50 to the end of the optical fiber cable 2 is completed.

The existing optical connector 50 is not limited to an optical connector assembled at the end of the optical fiber cable 2.
As this existing optical connector, for example, an optical connector assembled at the tip of a coated optical fiber such as an optical fiber core or an optical fiber, an optical connector assembled at the tip of an optical fiber cord, or the like can be employed.
Further, the existing optical connector is not limited to a field assembly type in which a built-in optical fiber is inserted and fixed to a ferrule. As this optical connector, for example, a configuration in which a bare optical fiber led out at the tip of a coated optical fiber is directly inserted and fixed to a ferrule, and the tip of the bare optical fiber is aligned with a ferrule joint end face can be adopted. .

(Insertion optical connector)
Next, the illustrated insertion optical connector 20 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 10 (a) and 10 (b), an optical connector 20 used as an insertion optical connector is assembled at the tip of the optical fiber cord 1.
The ferrule 21 of the optical connector 20 is attached to the distal end portion of the optical fiber 1 a extending from the distal end of the optical fiber cord 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 10 (a) and 10 (b), this optical connector 20 accommodates the ferrule 21 in the front end portion of a sleeve-like connector housing 23. The optical connector 20 has a knob 210 including a knob 26 and a rear knob 27 attached to the outside of the connector housing 23. The knob 26 and the rear knob 27 are sleeve-shaped (specifically, rectangular tube-shaped) members, and are attached to the connector housing 23 so as to be slidable in the axial direction thereof.
The rear knob 27 accommodates the rear end portion of the knob 26 inside thereof, and is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the knob 26. In this specification, the knob 26 is also referred to as a front knob 26.

The optical fiber 1a of the optical fiber cord 1 is a coated optical fiber such as an optical fiber core wire or an optical fiber strand. In the illustrated example, a single optical fiber core wire is employed.
Specifically, the ferrule 21 is obtained by fixing a flange part 21c to a rear end portion of a ferrule body 21b which is a capillary member made of a material such as zirconia ceramic or glass.
As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a bare optical fiber 1b led out to the tip of the optical fiber 1a is inserted and fixed to the ferrule body 21b. The front end surface of the bare optical fiber 1b is exposed with its position aligned with the joining end surface 21a of the front end (front end) of the ferrule body 21b.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the flange component 21c is a member formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The flange part 21c includes a sleeve portion 21d that is extrapolated to the optical fiber 1a, and a fitting ring portion 21e that is provided on the front side of the sleeve portion 21d and that accommodates and fixes the rear end portion of the ferrule body 21b. . The fitting ring portion 21e has an inner diameter and an outer diameter larger than the sleeve portion 21d. The flange component 21c is, for example, a metal integrally formed product, but is not limited to this, and an integrally formed product formed of, for example, hard plastic can also be used.
Further, the flange component 21c includes a flange portion 21f that projects from the outer periphery of the front end portion of the fitting ring portion 21e. The flange portion 21 f functions as a flange portion of the ferrule 21.

As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the tip of the covering portion covered with the covering material 1c of the optical fiber 1a is inserted inside the sleeve portion 21d of the flange part 21c and bonded by an adhesive. It is fixed to the flange part 21c by fixing or the like.
In the illustrated example, the distal end portion of the covering portion of the optical fiber 1a is fixed to the inner side of the rear end portion of the sleeve portion 21d of the flange part 21c so as to be separated from the rear end of the ferrule body 21b.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the rear end portion of the rear knob 27 has a pressing force receiving protrusion 25 a that protrudes on the inner periphery of the rear end portion of the stop ring 25 of the connector housing 23. Further, a pressing protrusion 27a is provided so as to abut on the rear side (from the pressing force receiving protrusion 25a to the rear side of the connector) and press the pressing force receiving protrusion 25a.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the pressing force receiving protrusion 25 a is provided in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the stop ring 25.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 11, the optical connector 20 includes a pressing force receiving protrusion 25 a at the rear end of the stop ring 25 and a spring receiving portion 26 b formed on the inner surface side of the front knob 26. It includes a spring 28 interposed therebetween.
The spring 28 is specifically a compression coil spring, and its central axis is aligned in the connector longitudinal direction, and is interposed between the pressing force receiving protrusion 25a of the stop ring 25 and the spring receiving portion 26b of the front knob 26. Has been. Hereinafter, the spring 28 is also referred to as a knob spring. The knob spring 28 is formed in an elongated shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 (b), 13 (a), and 13 (e), a spring accommodating groove 26d that extends along the axial direction is formed on the upper wall portion 26c of the rectangular tube-shaped front knob 26. Has been. The spring receiving portion 26b of the front knob 26 is a step surface formed at the front end position of the spring accommodating groove 26d in the front knob 26.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 14, the rear end of the spring accommodating groove 26 d is open to the rear end of the front knob 26.
A front end portion of the knob spring 28 is accommodated in the spring accommodating groove 26d, and a rear portion of the portion accommodated in the spring accommodating groove 26d extends from the rear end of the front knob 26 to the rear side. The knob spring 28 is provided between the spring receiving portion 26 b of the front knob 26 and the pressing force receiving protrusion 25 a of the stop ring 25.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, guide grooves 26 f extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on the side surfaces 26 i (outer surfaces of the side wall portions 26 e) on both sides of the front knob 26. Two guide grooves 26f are formed on each side surface of the front knob 26 in parallel with each other.
As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the rear knob 27 has a locking protrusion 27 b that protrudes on the inside thereof, and enters the guide groove 26 f of the front knob 26. The locking protrusions 27b are located in front of the pressing protrusions 27a at the rear end of the rear knob 27.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the rear knob 27 has a connector housing 23 in which the pressing protrusion 27a inside the rear end is in contact with the pressing force receiving protrusion 25a of the stop ring 25 from the rear side. Is the forward slide limit position.
In FIG. 10A, the knob spring 28 is slightly compressed and deformed between the spring receiving portion 26b of the front knob 26 and the pressing force receiving protrusion 25a of the stop ring 25.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the front knob 26 has a groove rear end step 26g formed at the rear end position of the guide groove 26f of the side wall portion 26e. It is made to contact from the side. Thus, the front knob 26 is locked by the locking protrusions 27b so as not to drop out to the front side of the rear knob 27. In the rear knob 27, the pressing protrusion 27 a is pressed against the pressing force receiving protrusion 25 a of the stop ring 25 from the rear side by the elastic biasing force of the knob spring 28.
The front knob 26 and the rear knob 27 are given an elastic biasing force toward the connector front side relative to the connector housing 23 by a knob spring 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the front knob 26 extends from the inner side of the rear knob 27 provided on the outer side of the rear end portion of the connector housing 23 to the connector front side of the joining end surface 21a of the front end of the ferrule 21. It is formed to have an extended length (axial dimension).

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a plate-shaped shutter 26 h (hereinafter referred to as “knob shutter”) is provided on the inner side of the portion of the front knob 26 located on the front side of the connector with respect to the ferrule 21. . The knob shutter 26h is erected from one of the four inner surfaces of the rectangular tube-shaped front knob 26 toward the inner surface facing the inner surface. The knob shutter 26h can be pushed down toward the front end side of the front knob 26. The knob shutter 26h is a metal plate, and can be elastically returned from the pushed-down state to the standing state.

The knob shutter 26h includes a fixed plate portion 26h1 that is fixed to the front knob 26 so as to overlap the inner surface of the front knob 26. Specifically, the fixing plate portion 26h1 is fixed by being overlapped with the lower wall portion 26p facing the upper wall portion 26c via the inner hole of the front knob 26. The fixing plate portion 26h1 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the lower wall portion 26p facing the inner hole of the front knob 26 and the plug frame 24.
The knob shutter 26h is erected from the front end of the fixed plate portion 26h1 toward the inner surface of the front knob 26 facing the fixed plate portion 26h1 through the inner hole of the front knob 26, and covers the front side of the ferrule 21. Have The illustrated shutter plate portion 26h2 is disposed on the front side of the plug frame 24 and the ferrule 21 so as to substantially block the inner hole of the front knob 26.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the optical connector 20 includes a spring 22 for elastic biasing of the ferrule 21 (hereinafter also referred to as a ferrule spring) and a rear end portion of the stop ring 25. And a sleeve-like boot 29 fitted and attached thereto.
The connector housing 23 and the boot 29 of the optical connector 20 are extrapolated to the optical fiber cord 1. The optical fiber cord 1 extends from the rear end of the boot 29 of the optical connector 20.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the front end portion of the inner hole of the stop ring 25 has a larger diameter than the rear side.
The ferrule spring 22 is disposed between the step 25 b formed at the rear end position of the front end portion of the inner hole of the stop ring 25 and the flange portion 21 f of the ferrule 21.
The ferrule 21 is elastically biased toward the front side of the connector by a ferrule spring 22, and its flange portion 21 f is projected (specifically, circumferentially provided) on the inner surface of the front end portion of the sleeve-like plug frame 24. It is pressed against the ferrule stopper protrusion 24b from the rear side.

(Connector connection work)
When the above optical connector 20 is inserted into the second connector hole 11b so as to be fitted (coupled) to the adapter 10, for example, an operator grasps the rear knob 27 with a finger and the back of the second connector hole 11b. Move forward toward the side (back of the hole).
As shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B, the optical connector 20 described above is inserted into the second connector hole 11b and pushed into the adapter 10 so as to be coupled. First, the front end of the front knob 26 comes into contact with the protruding claws 12j at the distal ends of the pair of claw-engaging pieces 12c of the second unit half 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12. The optical connector 20 continues to advance toward the back side of the second connector hole 11b of the rear knob 27, and the front knob remains in contact with the tips of the pair of claw-engaging pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B. 26, the connector housing 23 slides, and the portion of the optical connector 20 other than the front knob 26 advances toward the back of the second connector hole 11b.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, in the illustrated optical connector 20, the front end of the fixing plate portion 26h1 is aligned with the front end of the plug frame 24.
The shutter plate portion 26h2 of the knob shutter 26h is pushed down by the front end of the plug frame 24 when the rear knob 27 of the optical connector 20 moves relative to the front knob 26 toward the front side of the connector (sliding movement). The pressed shutter plate portion 26h2 is in a state of being superimposed on the inner surface of the front knob 26 (specifically, the inner surface of the lower wall portion 26p).
18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B, the illustration of the knob shutter 26h is omitted.

The extension dimension of the shutter plate portion 26h2 from the front end of the fixed plate portion 26h1 is smaller than the distance from the front end of the fixed plate portion 26h1 to the front knob 26. The shutter plate portion 26h2, which is pushed down by the front end of the plug frame 24 and overlaps the inner surface of the front knob 26, is arranged at a position where the tip opposite to the front end of the fixed plate portion 26h1 is separated from the tip (front end) of the front knob 26 toward the connector rear side. The
When the optical connector 20 is inserted into the adapter 10 and coupled, the shutter plate portion 26h2 is disposed before the positioning projection 12b of the second unit half 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12 is inserted into the front knob 26. The plug frame 24 is pushed down by the front end. The shutter plate portion 26h2 extends from the front end of the fixed plate portion 26h1 toward the inner surface of the front knob 26 facing the fixed plate portion 26h1 through the inner hole of the front knob 26 until it is pushed down by the front end of the plug frame 24. The positioning engagement unit 12 does not come into contact with the positioning projection 12b.

In the optical connector 20, the pressing protrusion 27 a inside the rear end portion of the rear knob 27 causes the pressing force of the rear end portion of the stop ring 25 of the connector housing 23 by the advancement of the rear knob 27 toward the back side of the second connector hole 11 b. The receiving protrusion 26a is pressed from the rear side.
Therefore, the front knob 26 is in contact with the tips of the pair of claw engagement pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B, and the advancement is stopped while the rear knob 27 continues to advance toward the back side of the second connector hole 11b. As the portion other than the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 advances, the knob spring 28 is compressed and deformed accordingly.
The optical connector 20 is inserted and positioned in the ferrule 21 (specifically, the ferrule body 21b) into the positioning projection 12b of the second unit half body 12B by continuing to advance the portion other than the front knob 26. Extrapolation of the plug frame 24 to the projecting cylinder portion 12b is started.

On the other hand, in the front knob 26, when the rear knob 27 continues to advance, the compression spring of the knob spring 28 has progressed to some extent. Continue to advance while expanding. As a result, the protruding claws 12j at the front ends of the pair of claw engagement pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B of the positioning engagement unit 12 enter the window portions 26a on both sides of the front end portion of the front knob 26 (FIG. 18A). ) And (b)).
The projection claw 12j at the tip of the engaging piece 12c with the claw that has entered the window 26a at the front end of the front knob 26 is positioned by the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20 and the housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 is positioned and engaged. When it advances to the position pressed against the 12 center plate portions 12e, it engages with the rear side of the locking projection 24a of the plug frame 24 (see FIGS. 19A and 19B).

The coupling of the optical connector 20 to the adapter 10 is completed when the protrusions 12j at the tips of the engagement pieces 12c of the pair of claws of the second unit half body 12B are engaged with the locking protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24. To do.
At this time, the ferrules 21 and 31 of the optical connector 20 and the existing optical connector 50 are abutted with a predetermined abutting force by the elastic biasing force of the ferrule springs of the optical connectors 20 and 50, Butt connection (optical connection) between the optical fibers 1a and 32 that are inserted and fixed is realized.
Specifically, the butt connection (optical connection) between the optical fibers 1a and 32 inserted and fixed to the ferrules 21 and 31 includes the bare optical fiber 1b of the optical fiber 1a of the optical fiber cord 1 and the existing optical connector 50. This is a butt connection with a built-in optical fiber 32 which is a bare optical fiber inserted and fixed to the ferrule 31.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 19A, the locking protrusion 27b inside the rear knob 27 of the optical connector 20 is guided by the slide of the rear knob 27 with respect to the front knob 26. It moves along the longitudinal direction in the groove 26f.
As shown in FIG. 16A, the locking protrusion 27b of the rear knob 27 approaches the central axis of the rear knob 27 from the front end to the rear side (right side in FIGS. 16A and 16B). A front inclined surface 27c, a flat top surface 27d extending rearward from the rear end of the front inclined surface 27c in parallel with the inner surface of the rear knob 27, and perpendicular to the central axis of the rear knob 27 from the rear end of the top surface 27d And a rear end vertical surface 27e formed in a trapezoidal shape.

The rear knob 27 continues to move forward while the front end of the front knob 26 inserted into the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10 is in contact with the protruding claw 12j at the tip of the claw engaging piece 12c. It slides toward the front side with respect to the knob 26. At this time, the locking protrusion claw 27b of the rear knob 27 has an initial position where the rear end vertical surface 27e contacts the groove rear end step 26g corresponding to the rear end position of the guide groove 26f of the front knob 26 (FIG. 16A). 17 (a)), the guide groove 26f moves toward its front end.
Then, in the operation of inserting and coupling the optical connector 20 into the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10, the rear knob 27 is finally attached as shown in FIGS. 16 (b) and 19 (a). It is assumed that the locking protrusion claw 27b gets over the knob locking claw 26j at the front end of the guide groove 26f and is disposed on the front side thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 14, 19A and the like, the knob locking claw 26j of the front knob 26 is a protrusion protruding into the guide groove 26f from the groove bottom of the guide groove 26f, and from the front end of the guide groove 26f. It is formed at a position slightly shifted to the side. Between the front end of the guide groove 26f and the knob locking claw 26j, a dimension capable of accommodating the locking protrusion claw 27b of the rear knob 27 is secured. As shown in FIG. 19A, the locking projection claw 27b of the rear knob 27 that has passed over the knob locking claw 26j of the front knob 26 is accommodated between the front end of the guide groove 26f and the knob locking claw 26j. The

  The rear knob 27 is disposed on the front side of the latch tab 27b of the front knob 26 so that the latch tab 27b is disposed on the rear side of the knob tab 26j. Compared with the case where it is made, the state which the protrusion dimension from the rear end of the front knob 26 to back is small can be maintained. A state in which the rear projection size of the rear knob 27 from the rear end of the front knob 26 is small is advantageous in avoiding collision of the collision object to the rear end portion of the rear knob 27, and even if the collision object collides. This is advantageous in that the impact force exerted on the connection between the rear end of the rear knob 27 of the optical connector 20 and the front portion, the adapter 10, and the optical connectors 20 and 50 is kept low.

In FIGS. 17A, 17B to 19A, 19B, the housing receiving piece 13a of the movable receiving member 13 of the adapter 10 is inserted into the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10. The front end surface 24c of the plug frame 24 inside the front knob 26 is not in contact with the front end of the front knob 26, but the shape, size, and relative to the positioning projection cylinder 12b of the second unit half 12B. An arrangement position is set.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the movable receiving member 13 has a projection claw 12j at the tip of the engagement piece 12c with a claw in the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10, and the second claw 12j The housing in the axial direction of the adapter housing 11 so that the front end surface 24c of the plug frame comes into contact with the housing receiving piece 13a when riding on the engaging protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20 inserted into the connector hole 11b. The arrangement position (initial position) of the receiving piece 13a is set.

  As shown in FIGS. 19B and 20C, the adapter 10 is visually observed from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d when the insertion and coupling of the optical connector 20 to the adapter housing 11 are completed. The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed over the entire possible area. The adapter 10 is configured so that the insertion and completion of the plug frame 24 with respect to the adapter housing 11 can be easily and clearly confirmed from the outside of the adapter housing 11.

  By the way, the optical connector 20 is a positioning engagement unit in an operation of advancing the rear knob 27 gripped by a finger with a finger toward the back side of the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10 and inserting and coupling it to the adapter 10. The press-fitting of the ferrule 21 (specifically, the ferrule main body 21b) into the positioning sleeve 12h inside 12 and the extrapolation of the plug frame 24 to the positioning projection 12b are started almost simultaneously (FIG. 18 (a) ) And (b)). The optical connector 20 moves forward by grasping the rear knob 27 when the ferrule 21 is press-fitted into the positioning sleeve 12h and the plug frame 24 is inserted into the positioning projection 12b. A sudden increase in pressing resistance may be felt like a light impact force. The optical connector 20 is coupled to the adapter 10 in such a manner that after the ferrule 21 is press-fitted into the positioning sleeve 12h and the plug frame 24 is extrapolated into the positioning projection 12b, the plug frame 24 is further advanced. The optical connector 20 in which the projecting claw 12j at the tip of the engaging piece 12c with claw in the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10 is inserted into the second connector hole 11b by (pushing into the second connector hole 11b). This is realized by engaging the engaging projections 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24. In order to couple the optical connector 20 to the adapter 10, the plug frame 24 and the engagement piece 12c with claws are pushed by pushing the optical connector 20 into the second connector hole 11b (specifically, the forward movement of the rear knob 27). It is necessary to push it to the position where it engages.

18 (a) and 18 (b) show an optical connector in which the protruding claw 12j at the tip of the engaging piece 12c with claw in the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10 is inserted into the second connector hole 11b. 20 is a state of riding on the engaging protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24, and is a half-inserted state where the coupling of the optical connector 20 to the adapter 10 is not completed. 18A and 18B, the front knob 26 protrudes from the front end of the plug frame 24 to the front side. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 18A, in this state, there is a gap between the portion of the front knob 26 located on the rear side of the window portion 26a and the engaging projection 24a of the plug frame 24. The projection claw 12j is narrow and cannot be engaged with the rear side of the engagement projection 24a of the plug frame 24.
When an operator who operates the optical connector 20 with his / her finger feels a sudden increase in pressing resistance on the finger that holds the rear knob 27 and moves forward, when the rear knob 27 finishes moving forward, it remains in the half-inserted state. 10 is not completed.

  In the adapter 10, after the front end of the plug frame 24 starts pressing the housing receiving piece 13 a of the movable receiving member 13, the position of the front end of the plug frame 24 in the adapter housing 11 (the insertion length of the plug frame 24 with respect to the adapter housing 11 is The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 moves in response to the increase. And this adapter 10 grasps | ascertains the size (area) in which the display piece part 13c (specifically display surface 13f) of the movable receiving member 13 is visible through the window hole 11d of the adapter housing 11, From the outside of the adapter housing 11, the position of the front end of the plug frame 24 in the adapter housing 11 can be confirmed.

  The adapter 10 is inserted from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d when the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20 is inserted to the adapter housing 11 to a position where it is coupled (engaged with an engaging piece with a claw). The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed over the entire visible region. Therefore, when the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed only in a part of the region that can be seen from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d, the plug frame 24 with respect to the adapter housing 11 is disposed. It can be grasped that it is in a half-inserted state where the fitting is not completed.

  The adapter 10 constitutes a display mechanism K that displays the insertion state of the connector housing 23 of the insertion optical connector 20 into the adapter housing 11 so as to be visible from the outside of the adapter housing 11. The display mechanism K of the adapter 10 in the illustrated example includes the movable receiving member 13 and an adapter housing 11 in which a window hole 11d is formed. The display mechanism K is configured such that when the movable receiving member 13 is pushed by the connector housing 23 of the insertion optical connector 20, the insertion state of the adapter 10 and the insertion optical connector 20 into the adapter housing 11 of the connector housing 23 is determined. It is displayed so as to be visible from the outside of the adapter housing 11 through the window hole 11d. Thereby, in this adapter 10, the insertion state of the insertion optical connector 20 with respect to this adapter 10 can be grasped | ascertained easily from the adapter 10 outer side.

As described above, when the adapter 10 of this embodiment is inserted to the adapter 10 until the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20 is engaged with the engagement piece 12c with the claw, the adapter 10 from the outside of the adapter housing 11. The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed over the entire region that can be seen through the window hole 11d.
In the display mechanism K, when the movable receiving member 13 is pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing 23 of the insertion optical connector 20 inserted into the adapter 10, the display state is switched, and the connector housing 23 is inserted into the adapter housing 11. The state is displayed so as to be visible from the outside of the adapter 10. That is, the display mechanism K changes the insertion state of the insertion optical connector 20 into the adapter housing 11 with respect to the adapter housing 11 based on the position of the front end portion of the connector housing 23 of the insertion optical connector 20 inserted into the adapter 10. It is displayed so as to be visible from.

Note that the half-inserted state in which the optical connector 20 is not completely connected to the adapter 10 of the optical connector 20 is the protrusion of the tip of the engagement piece 12c with the claw of the adapter 10 shown in FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b). It is not limited to the state where the claw 12j rides on the engaging protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20.
As described above, the front end portion of the front knob 26 has the same configuration as the front end portion of the knob used in the SC type optical connector. As shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 17A, and the like, the connector housing is provided at the front end of the front knob 26 by sliding the front knob 26 toward the rear with respect to the connector housing 23. An engagement claw abutting portion 26o that abuts on the disengagement protrusion 12t of the engagement piece 12c with the claw engaged with the connector 23 and releases the engagement of the engagement piece 12c with the claw with respect to the connector housing 23 is formed. Has been. The half-inserted state includes a state where the tip end portion of the engagement piece 12c with a claw of the adapter 10 rides on the engagement claw contact portion 26o.

Here, the engaging claw contact portion 26o of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 will be described.
At the front end of the side wall portion 26e on both sides of the front knob 26, a notch 26w recessed from the front end toward the connector rear side is provided in the connector vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 9A, FIG. 17A). (In the depth direction of the paper). The front end portion of the side wall portion 26e is formed in a U shape.
The front knob 26 has, at its front end, a front end bridging wall portion 26q that bridges the front end portions of the upper and lower side portions (front piece portion 26z) via the notch portion 26w of the side wall portion 26e. The window portion 26a at the front end portion of the front knob 26 is secured on the inner side surrounded by the front end portion of the U-shaped side wall portion 26e and the front end bridging wall portion 26q.
The engaging claw abutting portion 26o is in the connector front-rear direction (connector housing 23 axial direction, front knob 26 axial direction) on the side facing each other through the notch portions 26w of the pair of front piece portions 26z of the side wall portion 26e. It is formed extending along. The front knob 26 includes an engaging claw contact portion 26o.

As shown in FIG. 10A and the like, the front-end bridging wall portion 26q is a central portion in the width direction of the front knob 26, which is the spacing direction of the side wall portions 26e on both sides, compared to the side wall portions 26e on both sides of the front knob 26. It is formed at a position shifted to the side. The front end bridging wall portion 26q is connected to the inner surface facing the inner hole of the front knob 26 of the front piece portion 26z of the side wall portion 26e and is integrated with the side wall portion 26e. The front end bridging wall portion 26q is also integrally formed with the upper wall portion 26c and the lower wall portion 26p of the front knob 26, and also bridges between the upper wall portion 26c and the lower wall portion 26p. .
The front end bridging wall portion 26q forms the front end surface of the front knob 26 together with the front end of the upper wall portion 26c and the front end of the lower wall portion 26p.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 10A, etc., the engagement claw contact portion 26o has a front end portion facing the inner surface side facing the front knob 26 inner hole of the front end bridging wall portion 26q. It is integrally formed on the opposite outer surface side. The front end of the engaging claw contact portion 26o reaches the front end of the front end bridge wall portion 26q.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A, 17A, etc., the engaging claw contact portion 26o is parallel to the side surface 26i (outside surface of the side wall portion 26e) of the front knob 26 (in the illustrated example, coincides with the side wall surface 26e). Inclined surfaces 26t, 26u approaching the opposing side wall portion 26e through the inner hole of the front knob 26 as the distance from the top surface 26s increases in the front-rear direction and the rear side of the top surface 26s. Have An inclined surface 26t (front inclined surface) located on the front side of the top surface 26s is formed from the top surface 26s to the front end surface of the front knob 26.

The engaging claw contact portions 26o on the upper and lower sides of the notch portion 26w are formed from the front end of the front knob 26 to the central portion in the connector front-rear direction of the window portion 26a. An inclined surface 26u (rear-side inclined surface) located on the rear side of the top surface 26s extends from the top surface 26s to the rear end of the engaging claw contact portion 26o.
As shown in FIGS. 10A and 13B, the engagement claw contact portion 26o has a trapezoidal shape in plan view when the front knob 26 is viewed from the upper wall portion 26c side.
The inner surface of the engagement claw contact portion 26o facing the inner hole of the front knob 26 is a flat surface flush with the inner surface 26v continuous with the inner surface 26v of the side wall portion 26e.
A flat surface 26x formed along the side surface 26i of the front knob 26 extends from the rear end of the inclined surface 26u on the rear side of the engaging claw contact portion 26o, that is, on the rear side of the inclined surface 26u.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the engagement pieces 12c with claws of the unit halves 12A and 12b of the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10 are arranged on one side of the base plate 12a of the unit half. A projecting claw 12j and a disengagement projecting piece 12t are projected from the tip of the elastic extending piece 12u extending to the side.
The projecting claws 12j are opposed to each other at the front ends of a pair of elastic extending pieces 12u extending along the axis of the positioning projecting cylinder 12b from both sides via the positioning projecting cylinder 12b of the base plate 12a. Projected to Further, the protruding claws 12j have a tapered shape in which the projecting dimensions of the distal end portions of the pair of elastic extending pieces 12u toward the opposing sides increase from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the engagement pieces 12c with claws. Is formed. The protruding claw 12j forms a connector abutting surface 12p that increases in distance from the elastic extending piece 12u as it goes from the distal end side to the proximal end side with the claw engaging piece 12c. The rear end of the protruding claw 12j (the end facing the base plate 12a) is formed perpendicular to the extending direction of the elastic extending piece 12u.
The disengagement protruding pieces 12t protrude from both ends in the direction perpendicular to the distance between the pair of elastic extending pieces 12u and the extending direction of the elastic extending pieces 12u at the tip of the elastic extending piece 12u. Yes.

The front end of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 is the separation distance between the tops of the protrusions 12j of the protruding claws 12j at the tips of the engaging pieces 12c with the claws of the second unit half body 12B having the maximum projecting dimension. This is slightly smaller than the distance between the outer surfaces exposed between the engaging claw contact portions 26o on the upper and lower sides of the front end bridging wall portion 26q.
When the adapter 10 pushes the optical connector 20 toward the back of the second connector hole 11b, first, the protruding claws 12j at the distal ends of the pair of claw-engaging pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B. The front end bridge wall portions 26q on both sides of the front end portion of the front knob 26 are in contact with the connector contact surface 12v of the front connector 26, and the projection claws 12j of the engagement pieces 12c with claws are moved toward the front end bridge wall portion as the optical connector 20 is inserted. Get on the 26q outer surface. The protruding claws 12j are inserted into the claw guide grooves 26r between the upper and lower engaging claw contact portions 26o of the side wall portion 26e of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20, and ride on the outer surface side of the front end bridging wall portion 26q. Thereby, the space between the tip ends of the pair of claw-engaging pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B starts to be expanded. The pair of claw-engaging engagement pieces 12c are expanded between the tips by elastic deformation of the elastic extension pieces 12u.
The claw guide groove 26r between the upper and lower engaging claw contact portions 26o of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 is a part of a notch 26w between the upper and lower front piece portions 26z of the side wall portion 12e.

  Next, in the adapter 10, the front inclined surface 26t of the engaging claw abutting portion 26o of the side wall portion 26e on both sides of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 is a pair of engaging pieces with claw of the second unit half body 12B. The disengagement projecting piece 12t comes into contact with the disengagement projecting piece 12t at the front end of the 12c and rides on the front inclined surface 26t. As the optical connector 20 is inserted into the second connector hole 11b, the front inclined surface 26t of the engaging claw abutting portion 26o on both sides of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 causes the second unit half body 12B. The space between the tip ends of the pair of engaging pieces 12c with claws is expanded.

  The disengagement protrusion 12t of the pair of claw engagement pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B causes the engagement of the front knob 26 as the optical connector 20 is further inserted into the second connector hole 11b. After riding on the top surface 26s of the joint claw contact portion 26o, the top surface 26s shifts to contact with the rear inclined surface 26u of the engagement claw contact portion 26o. The pair of claw-engaging engagement pieces 12c causes the projection claw 12j to move from the claw guide groove 26r of the side wall portion 26e of the front knob 26 to the window portion 26a as the optical connector 20 is inserted into the second connector hole 11b. The engagement release protrusion 12t is accommodated in the window 26a by entering the rear side of the engagement protrusion 24a of the plug frame 24 via the. The disengagement protrusion 12t that has entered the window portion 26a comes into contact with the flat surface 26x (see FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10A). At this time, the elastic extension piece 12u of the engagement piece 12c with the claw is accommodated in the claw guide groove 26r at the front end portion of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20.

The optical connector 20 is configured such that the protruding claws 12J at the distal ends of the pair of claw engaging pieces 12c of the second unit half body 12B enter the rear side of the engaging projection 24a of the plug frame 24 and engage with each other. The coupling to the adapter 10 is completed.
The optical connector 20 coupled to the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10 is operated by pulling the rear knob 27 backward with respect to the adapter housing 11 in the direction opposite to the back side of the second connector hole 11b. Then, it can be removed from the adapter 10.
The optical connector 20 coupled to the adapter housing 11 can slide the front knob 26 with respect to the connector housing 23 by pulling the rear knob 27 to the rear of the connector. Thereby, in the optical connector 20, the rear inclined surface 26u of the engagement claw contact portion 26o at the front end portion of the front knob 26 is engaged with the engagement projection 24a of the plug frame 24 of the engagement piece 12c with the claw of the adapter 10. The connection is released and the adapter 10 can be removed.

As shown in FIG. 16 (b), the knob engaging claw 26j of the front knob 26 has a front inclined surface 26k that approaches the center axis of the front knob 26 from the front end to the rear side (right side in FIG. 16 (b)). A flat top surface 26m extending rearward from the rear end of the front inclined surface 26k in parallel with the front knob side surface 26i, and formed perpendicularly to the central axis of the front knob 26 from the rear end of the top surface 26m. It is formed in a trapezoidal shape having a rear end vertical surface 26n.
The rear knob 27 of the optical connector 20 that is coupled (fitted) to the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10 is pulled in a direction opposite to the back side of the second connector hole 11b with respect to the adapter housing 11. The engaging protrusion 27b can be moved over the knob engaging claw 26j of the front knob 26 from the front side to the rear side.

  The rear knob 27 that has moved the locking protrusions 27b to the rear side of the knob locking protrusions 26j of the front knob 26 slides the locking protrusions 27b toward the rear end of the front knob 26. It is possible to engage with the groove rear end step 26g on the rear side of the guide groove 26f. Then, the optical connector 20 continues the pulling operation of the rear knob 27 with the engaging protrusion 27b engaged with the groove rear end step 26g of the front knob 26 to the rear of the connector, whereby the front knob 26 is moved. The connector housing 23 can be slid toward the rear of the connector.

The optical connector 20 coupled to the adapter housing 11 slides the front knob 26 toward the rear of the connector relative to the connector housing 23 by pulling the rear knob 27, so The disengagement protrusion 12t of the engagement piece 12c with the claw of the adapter 10 can be ridden on the rear inclined surface 26u of the contact portion 26o. Accordingly, the optical connector 20 has a claw of the adapter 10 by the rear inclined surface 26u of the engaging claw abutting portion 26o at the front end of the front knob 26 as the rear knob 27 slides relative to the connector housing 23. The disengagement protruding piece 12t of the attached engagement piece 12c can be moved toward the outside of the front knob 26. As a result, the optical connector 20 moves the projection claw 12j at the tip of the claw engagement piece 12c from the engagement projection 24a of the plug frame 24 toward the outer side of the front knob 26, thereby engaging the claw engagement piece 12c. The engagement with the protrusion 24a can be released.
The optical connector 20 is pulled out of the adapter housing 11 of the adapter 10 by continuing the pulling operation of the rear knob 27 to the rear of the connector even after the engagement with the engagement protrusion 24a of the engagement piece 12c with the claw is released. be able to.

Therefore, the optical connector 20 coupled to the adapter housing 11 can be removed from the adapter 10 simply by pulling the rear knob 27 rearward of the connector. Further, in the optical connector 20 coupled to the adapter housing 11, when the rear knob 27 is not pulled backward, the engagement piece 12 c with the claw of the adapter 10 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 24 a of the connector housing 23. Since the connection is not released, the connection state with respect to the adapter housing 11 can be kept stable.
The front end portion including the window portion 26 a of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 constitutes a slide lock mechanism with respect to the engaging piece 12 c with a claw in the second connector hole 11 b of the adapter 10.

The optical connector 20 is not sufficiently pushed into the second connector hole 11b of the adapter housing 11, and the front end portion (specifically, the disengagement protruding piece 12t) of the engaging piece 12c with the claw of the adapter 10 is the front knob. If it continues to ride on the engaging claw contact portion 26o of 26, the protruding claw 12j at the tip of the engaging piece 12c with claw cannot be engaged with the connector housing 23.
As described above, the half-inserted state of the optical connector 20 with respect to the adapter 20 includes a state in which the tip end portion of the engaging piece 12c with the claw of the adapter 10 rides on the engaging claw contact portion 26o.
Further, as a half-inserted state, for example, the protruding claw 12j at the tip of the engaging piece 12c with the claw that has entered the window portion 26a of the front knob 26 is on the front side of the engaging protrusion 24a of the plug frame 24 of the optical connector 20. The state which contact | abutted to the side surface of is also included.

  The adapter 10 constitutes a display mechanism in which the movable receiving member 13 in the adapter housing 11 is pushed by the front end portion of the connector housing 23 of the insertion optical connector 20 inserted into the connector hole to switch the display visible from the outside of the adapter 10. Therefore, when the insertion optical connector 20 is in a half-inserted state, this can be easily grasped from the outside of the adapter housing 11.

In addition, the structure of the engaging piece 12c with a nail | claw of the 2nd adapter half body 12B is the same also about the 1st adapter half body 12A of the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10. FIG.
The configuration, dimensions, and arrangement of the positioning protrusion 12b and claw engagement piece 12c of the first adapter half 12A are the same as the positioning protrusion 12b and claw engagement piece 12c of the second adapter half 12A. The configuration, dimensions, and arrangement are the same.
Further, the adapter 10 can be fitted (coupled) by inserting the optical connector 20 into the first connector hole 11a instead of the optical connector 50.

(Another aspect)
As the optical connector adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention, an adapter 10A having a configuration in which the movable receiving member spring 14 is omitted from the adapter 10 described above can be employed.
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 30, the adapter 10A can be used with the opening of the second connector hole 11b facing down and the opening of the first connector hole 11a facing upward. It is. The optical connector is inserted into and removed from the second connector hole 11b from the lower side of the adapter 10A.
In this case, the movable receiving member 13 has the above-described initial position (initial position relative to the positioning engagement unit 12 and the adapter housing 11), that is, the housing receiving piece 13a is the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 by its own weight. To the second connector hole 11b opening side. After the movable receiving member 13 is pressed against the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 by the insertion optical connector inserted into the second connector hole 11b and coupled to the adapter housing 11, the optical connector is moved to the second connector. If it is removed from the hole 11b, it returns to its initial position by its own weight.
The display mechanism can be configured by the positioning engagement unit 12 and the movable receiving member 13 by omitting the movable receiving member spring.

  In addition, in FIG. 30, the structure which incorporated adapter 10A in case 4 attached to wall 3 of buildings, such as a house, is illustrated. The existing optical connector 50 is assembled at the distal end portion of the optical fiber cable 2 routed around the wall 3.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the best mode, the present invention is not limited to the above-described best mode, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The housing receiving piece of the display mechanism may be configured so that it does not come into contact with the knob of the optical connector with knob, but the front end surface of the connector housing comes into contact with and is pushed by the connector housing. It is not limited to things.
As the housing receiving piece 13a, for example, as shown in FIG. 31 (a), one having a shape corresponding to a part of the front end surface of the connector housing (indicated by reference numeral 13g in the figure) can be employed. Further, as shown in FIG. 31 (b), the receiving piece main body 13h corresponding to a part or all of the front end surface of the connector housing is formed on the outer periphery of the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b of the positioning engagement unit 12 along the axial direction thereof. It is also possible to employ a guide protrusion 13i that is inserted into the extended guide groove 12n (FIG. 31 (b), indicated by reference numeral 13j).

In the above-described embodiment, as the display mechanism, the movable receiving member is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector inserted into the connector hole of the adapter housing, and the display piece of the movable receiving member passes through the window hole of the adapter housing. The structure (housing position display mechanism) which displayed the insertion state with respect to the adapter housing of a connector housing by moving to the position which can be visually recognized from the position which cannot be visually recognized from the housing outer side was illustrated.
However, the housing position display mechanism is not limited to this.

  As the housing position display mechanism, for example, a movable receiving member arranged at an initial position visible from the outside of the adapter housing through a window hole is pushed by the connector housing front end portion of the insertion optical connector inserted into the adapter housing. Accordingly, it is also possible to employ a configuration that reduces the range that can be visually recognized from the window hole (hereinafter also referred to as a push-and-retract type display mechanism). The adapter having the push-back retractable display mechanism is, for example, that the movable receiving member (for example, the display piece) cannot be visually recognized from the window hole when the insertion of the insertion optical connector 20 to the adapter is completed. It is possible to adopt a configuration that displays that the connector housing is inserted to the adapter until the position where the connector housing is completed (coupling position).

  When the coupling of the insertion optical connector 20 to the adapter is completed, the ferrule 21 of the insertion optical connector 20 is inserted and the front end of the plug frame 24 is extrapolated with respect to the positioning projection 12b of the second unit half 12B. The protrusions 12j at the tips of the pair of engaging pieces 12c (engaging claws) of the second unit half body 12B are engaged with the engaging protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24 of the insertion optical connector. . When this coupling is completed, the connection between the insertion optical connector 20 and the existing optical connector 50 is realized.

Further, in the housing position display mechanism, the movable receiving member arranged at the initial position visible from the outside of the adapter housing through the window hole is pushed by the connector housing front end portion of the insertion optical connector inserted into the adapter housing. Thus, the part that is visible from the window hole is changed, and the part that is different in color from the part that is visible from the window hole when in the initial position is visible from the window hole (hereinafter also referred to as the color change display mechanism). Can also be adopted.
For example, the color change display mechanism may employ a configuration using a movable receiving member including a display piece having first and second color portions having different colors. In this case, for example, the movable receiving member is pushed from the initial position by the front end of the connector housing of the insertion optical connector inserted into the adapter housing, so that the movable receiving member is visible from the window hole when the movable receiving member is in the initial position. Thus, the first color portion of the display piece portion that is not visible is not visible, and the second color portion of the display piece portion can be seen from the window hole.

The movable receiving member used for the color change display mechanism has different colors at different positions in the moving direction when the portion (display piece portion) visually recognized from the window hole is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector. It is a thing of composition.
As this movable receiving member, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the color of three or more different portions in the moving direction when being pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector in the portion visually recognized from the window hole is different. . In this case, the color change display mechanism can display the insertion state of the connector housing of the optical connector into the connector hole of the adapter housing in more detail.
In addition, the movable receiving member having a configuration in which the colors of three or more different portions in the moving direction of the portion visually recognized from the window hole in the moving direction when pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector are different from each other includes a color change display mechanism It can also be used for other housing position display mechanisms.

  As the housing position display mechanism, for example, a movable receiving member having a display piece protruding to the outside of the adapter housing by being pushed by the connector housing front end of the optical connector inserted into the adapter housing is used. The configuration (hereinafter also referred to as an external protrusion type display mechanism) can be employed. In the adapter adopting this external projection type display mechanism, the display piece portion of the movable receiving member pushed by the connector housing front end portion of the insertion optical connector inserted into the adapter housing projects from the window hole formed in the adapter housing, A configuration in which the insertion position of the connector housing into the adapter housing is displayed so as to be visible from the outside of the adapter housing can be employed. However, this adapter is not limited to a configuration in which the display piece portion protrudes from the window hole, and a configuration in which the display piece portion protrudes from the connector hole for inserting the optical connector can also be adopted.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration using the movable receiving member in which the display piece portion is integrally provided on the housing receiving piece portion is illustrated as the display mechanism. However, the display mechanism includes the housing receiving piece portion and the display piece portion. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which and are separated from each other. As the display mechanism, the display piece moves relative to the adapter housing in conjunction with the pushing of the housing receiving piece when the connector housing is inserted into the adapter housing, and the insertion position of the connector housing into the adapter housing is determined by the adapter housing. Any configuration is acceptable as long as it is visible from the outside. The pushing direction of the housing receiving piece by the connector housing is different from the moving direction of the display piece linked to the pushing of the housing receiving piece with respect to the adapter housing. It is also possible to adopt the configuration.
In addition, the display mechanism can employ a configuration in which the spring receiving piece 13b itself of the movable receiving member 13 described above is used as the display piece.

In the above-described embodiment, the insertion optical connector inserted into the second connector hole 11b is inserted into the second connector hole 11b in order to indicate the state of connection to the adapter housing (connection through the positioning engagement unit). An adapter having a configuration in which a movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing of the inserted optical connector is provided in the adapter housing is illustrated.
However, the adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. As the adapter, for example, the optical connector inserted into the first connector hole 11a is inserted into the first connector hole 11a in order to display the state of connection to the adapter housing (connection through the positioning engagement unit). A configuration in which a movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector is provided in the adapter housing can also be employed. The adapter is pushed by the movable receiving member pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector inserted into the first connector hole 11a and the connector housing of the optical connector inserted by the second connector hole 11b. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which both of the movable receiving members are provided in the adapter housing.

(Optical connector receptacle)
The embodiment according to the present invention is not limited to an adapter, and an optical connector receptacle can also be adopted.
FIGS. 32A and 32B show an example of an optical connector receptacle.
In the figure, the same components as those of the adapter 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

In the optical connector receptacle 10B illustrated in FIGS. 32 (a) and 32 (b) (hereinafter also simply referred to as a receptacle), the positioning member 12C in the figure is replaced with the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapters 10 and 10A described above. Combined unit (ferrule positioning member) is adopted.
As shown in FIGS. 32 (a), (b), 33 (a), and (b), the positioning engagement unit 12C has a flat plate center plate portion 12q, and one side of the center plate portion 12q. A projecting cylinder portion 12b (projection tube portion) for positioning and a pair of engaging pieces 12c with claws project from the front surface side, and a rear sleeve portion 12o is provided on the rear surface side opposite to the front surface side of the center plate portion 12q. It has a protruding configuration. The configuration on the front side (front side) from the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C is the same as that on the second unit half body 12B side from the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10, 10A. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.
The positioning engagement unit 12C in the illustrated example is an integrally molded product made of plastic. The positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b, the pair of engaging pieces 12c (engaging claws) with claws, and the rear sleeve portion 12o are formed integrally with the center plate portion 12q.

The rear sleeve portion 12o of the positioning engagement unit 12C has a configuration in which the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b is extended to the side (rear side) opposite to the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b via the center plate portion 12q. Yes. Further, the positioning engagement unit 12C is formed with a ferrule housing hole 12p in which the inner hole of the positioning projecting cylinder portion 12b and the inner hole of the rear sleeve portion 12o communicate with each other.
The positioning engagement unit 12C houses the positioning sleeve 12h in the ferrule housing hole 12p.
On the inner periphery of the distal end of the positioning projection 12b, a retaining projection 12i that restricts the positioning sleeve 12h from coming off from the distal end of the positioning projection 12b is projected, but is provided on the rear sleeve 12o. The retaining protrusion is not formed. The ferrule housing hole 12p is formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the positioning sleeve 12h from the retaining protrusion 12i inside the front end of the positioning protrusion 12b to the rear side (rear side sleeve portion 12o). Has been.

The receptacle 10B has a configuration in which a positioning engagement unit 12C in which a center plate portion 12q is fixed at the central portion in the axial direction is accommodated (incorporated) in a sleeve-shaped (specifically, rectangular tube-shaped) receptacle housing 19. ing. The positioning engagement unit 12 </ b> C is incorporated in the receptacle housing 19 by fixing the center plate portion 12 q (mounting plate portion) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the receptacle housing 19. The axis of the ferrule housing hole 12p of the positioning engagement unit 12C is parallel to the axis of the receptacle housing 19.
The receptacle 10B in the illustrated example has the same configuration as the adapter 10 described above in the axial direction of the receptacle housing 19 from the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C. The inside of the receptacle housing 19 on the front side from the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C is a connector hole 19a having the same configuration as the second connector hole 11b of the adapter 10 described above. The receptacle 10B of the illustrated example can be coupled by inserting the insertion optical connector 20 into the connector hole 19a from the front side thereof.

  The receptacle 10B has a ferrule 5 inserted into the positioning sleeve 12h from the protruding side of the rear sleeve portion 12o. The receptacle 10B is configured such that the positioning engagement unit 12C and the ferrule 5 are incorporated in a sleeve-like receptacle housing 19. Hereinafter, the ferrule 5 is also referred to as a built-in ferrule. The positioning engagement unit 12C is incorporated in the receptacle housing 19 in the following direction.

  The built-in ferrule 5 includes a flange portion formed by a single-core capillary ferrule main body 5a and a ring-shaped member that is externally fixed to the rear end portion opposite to the joint end surface 5b of the front end (front end) of the ferrule main body 5a. 5c. In the built-in ferrule 5, the tip side portion from the flange portion 5c of the ferrule body 5a is inserted into the positioning sleeve 12h in the ferrule insertion hole 12p of the positioning engagement unit 12C. The ferrule body 5a has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the positioning sleeve 12h, and is press-fitted into the positioning sleeve 12h.

The built-in ferrule 5 is fixed in the receptacle housing 19 and fixed to the flange portion 5c on the projecting end surface of the rear sleeve portion 12o of the positioning engagement unit 12C by a ferrule retaining member 6 provided on the rear side of the positioning engagement unit 12C. Is pressed into the positioning engagement unit 12C. The built-in ferrule 5 is prevented from being detached from the positioning engagement unit 12 </ b> C by a ferrule retaining member 6. Further, the flange portion 5c of the built-in ferrule 5 functions to prevent the positioning sleeve 12h from coming out of the ferrule housing hole 12p of the positioning engagement unit 12C.
However, the receptacle is configured such that the ferrule 5 is allowed to be slightly displaced in the axial direction of the ferrule insertion hole 12p with respect to the positioning engagement unit 12C and is prevented from being detached from the positioning engagement unit 12C by the ferrule retaining member 6. Can also be adopted.

  In order to couple the insertion optical connector 20 to the receptacle 10B, the insertion optical connector 20 may be inserted into the connector hole 19a from the front side of the receptacle 10B and fitted. The insertion optical connector 20 is inserted into the connector hole 19a of the receptacle 10B, the front end portion of the plug frame 24 is externally inserted (externally fitted) into the positioning projection cylinder portion 12b of the positioning engagement unit 12C, and the ferrule 21 (specifically, By inserting the ferrule body 21b), the ferrule 21 can be abutted against the built-in ferrule 5 in the positioning sleeve 12h of the ferrule insertion hole 12p of the positioning engagement unit 12C. The insertion optical connector 20 then engages the engagement pieces 12c of the positioning engagement unit 12C with the engagement protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24 to restrict displacement in the direction of removal from the connector hole 19a. Thus, it is coupled to the receptacle 10B.

The distal end portion of the optical fiber 7 is inserted and fixed to the built-in ferrule 5 (specifically, the ferrule body 5a) of the receptacle 10B. The front end surface of the optical fiber 7 is exposed with its position aligned so as to form a continuous surface with the joining end surface 5 b of the ferrule 5.
As the optical fiber 7, for example, a single-core coated optical fiber such as a single-core optical fiber or an optical fiber is used.

In the receptacle 10 </ b> B, a butt connection (optical connection) between the optical fibers 1 a and 7 is realized by abutment of the ferrule 21 of the insertion optical connector 20 against the built-in ferrule 5 by coupling of the insertion optical connector 20. The positioning sleeve 12h in the ferrule insertion hole 12p of the positioning engagement unit 12C is intended to realize a butt connection (optical connection) between the optical fibers 1a and 7 to the built-in ferrule 5 of the ferrule 21 of the insertion optical connector 20. It fulfills the function of positioning with high precision.
The optical connector 20 to be inserted and fitted into the connector hole 19a of the receptacle 10B has the same outer diameter of the ferrule body 21b of the ferrule 21 as the outer diameter of the ferrule body 5a of the built-in ferrule 5 of the receptacle 10B.

The receptacle 10B includes a movable receiving member 13 having the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (d). The movable receiving member 13 is provided in the receptacle housing 19 so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof. The movable receiving member 13 is provided by extrapolating a ring-shaped housing receiving piece portion 13a to the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12b of the positioning engagement unit 12C so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof.
The movable receiving member 13 is not limited to the configuration having the ring-shaped housing receiving piece 13a. As the movable receiving member 13, as long as it has a housing receiving piece portion that is guided by the positioning protruding cylinder portion 12 b of the positioning engagement unit 12 C so as to be movable in the axial direction, and a portion that functions as a display piece portion. The thing of the structure similar to the movable receiving member used for the adapter mentioned above is good.

In the receptacle 10B, the movable receiving member 13 is disposed at a position (initial position) where the housing receiving piece portion 13a is separated from the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C toward the opening portion at the front end of the connector hole 19a. A receiving member spring 14 is provided.
The movable receiving member 13 applies a pressing force from the opening portion side of the connector hole 19a toward the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C, thereby resisting the elastic biasing force of the receiving member spring 14, while FIG. It can be pushed to approach the center plate portion 12q from the initial position shown in a) and (b). The movable receiving member 13 can be pushed from the initial position to a position where the housing receiving piece 13a contacts the center plate portion 12q.

33 (a) and 33 (b), the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C has a notch portion 12k similar to the center plate portion 12e of the positioning engagement unit 12 of the adapter 10 described above. 12m is formed.
Since the structure for housing the movable receiving member 13 in the receptacle housing 19 of the receptacle 10B so as to be movable in the axial direction and the structure for incorporating the receiving member spring 14 are the same as those of the adapter 10 described above, description thereof is omitted. To do.

The relationship between the movable receiving member 13 of the receptacle 10B and the window hole 19b formed in the receptacle housing 19 is the same as that of the adapter 10 described above.
That is, when the movable receiving member 13 is in the initial position, the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is disposed at a position where it cannot be seen from the outside of the receptacle housing 19 through the window hole 19b. When the movable receiving member 13 is in a pushing limit position where the housing receiving piece 13a abuts against the center plate portion 12q, the display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is opened from the outside of the receptacle housing 19 through the window hole 19b. The display piece 13c of the movable receiving member 13 is arranged over the entire visible region.
When the coupling of the insertion optical connector 20 to the receptacle 10B is completed, the movable receiving member 13 is disposed at the pushing limit position. Further, the movable receiving member 13 arranged at the push limit position by the coupling of the insertion optical connector 20 to the receptacle 10B returns to the initial position by removing the insertion optical connector 20 from the receptacle 10B.

  In the illustrated receptacle 10B, a portion where the second notch portion 12m of the center plate portion 12q of the positioning engagement unit 12C is formed and a base end portion (near the center plate portion 12q) of the rear sleeve portion 12o are in the receptacle housing 19. It is located on the virtual extension of the window hole 19b on the inner side (the virtual extension of the window hole 19b in the axial direction thereof). The movable receiving member 13 has a portion where the color of the portion of the display piece portion 13c that is visually recognized from the outside of the receptacle housing 19 through the window hole 19b is located on the virtual extension of the window hole 19b of the positioning engagement unit 12C. The color of the identification base surface 12r to be formed is different.

The receptacle 10B includes a display mechanism K1 that includes a movable receiving member 13, a receiving member spring 14, and a receptacle housing 19 in which a window hole 19b is formed.
As the receptacle display mechanism, a configuration in which the receiving member spring 14 is omitted may be employed. In this case, the receptacle is attached to a building wall or the like so that the front side, which is the opening side of the connector hole, is located lower than the rear side, and the movable receiving member disposed at the push limit position is provided. A configuration in which the movable receiving member returns to the initial position by its own weight can be employed.
Further, the receptacle can adopt the above-described housing position display mechanism that can adopt the adapter, similarly to the adapter.

An optical connector (insertion optical connector) that is detachably inserted into and coupled to a connector connection unit that is an optical connector adapter or an optical connector receptacle is not limited to the optical connector 20 described above.
As this optical connector, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, for example, an optical connector 70 equivalent to JIS C 5973 can be adopted. Further, as the insertion optical connector, a ferrule 30 with a clamp portion similar to the optical connector 50 described above assembled at the distal end portion of the optical fiber cable is provided in the connector housing, and the coated light such as an optical fiber core wire or an optical fiber strand is provided. A field assembly type optical connector assembled at the tip of the fiber can also be used.
The front end portion of the knob 56 of the optical connector 50 illustrated in FIG. 21 includes the engaging claw contact portion 26o, the front end bridging portion 26q, the notch portion 26w, and the window portion 56a, and the front end of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 described above. Has the same as the part.
Further, the knob 71 of the optical connector 70 illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35 is also provided with an engaging claw contact portion 26o, a front end bridging portion 26q, a notch portion 26w, and a window portion 71a at the front end portion as described above. Similar to the front end portion of the front knob 26 of the optical connector 20.

An optical connector that can be used as an insertion optical connector can be adopted as an existing optical connector that is inserted into and fitted into the optical connector adapter.
The optical connectors that are inserted and fitted (coupled) into the connector holes on both sides of the optical connector adapter may have the same configuration or may have different configurations.
The optical connector adapter can be used in either a state where the existing optical connector is inserted and fitted, or a state where the existing optical connector is not inserted and fitted.

  The optical connector 70 illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35 employs a sleeve-shaped (specifically, rectangular tube-shaped) knob 71 instead of the front knob 26 and the rear knob 27 of the optical connector 20 described above. It has a schematic configuration. The ferrule 21 slightly protrudes forward from the front end of the connector housing 23 (front end of the plug frame 24). The stop ring 25 of the connector housing 23 of the optical connector 70 has a configuration in which the pressing force receiving protrusion 25a at the rear end is omitted from the stop ring of the optical connector 20 described above.

  The knob 71 is attached to the connector housing 23 that contains the ferrule 21 so as to be slidable while securing a predetermined movable range in the axial direction thereof. Further, on both sides of the knob 71, the engaging projections 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24 are exposed, and a window portion that allows the engagement pieces 12c of the positioning engagement unit to engage with the engaging projections 24a. 71a and the window part 71b for engagement extended from the rear end of this window part 71a to the back side are formed. The engaging window portion 71b is formed so that the width dimension in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 35) is smaller than that of the window portion 71a. The engaging window 71b is formed in a portion (wall) located on the rear side of the window 71a of the knob 71 in a notch shape that is recessed from the portion facing the rear end of the window 71a toward the rear side of the connector. ing.

  The knob 71 has a window rear end abutting surface 71c which is a surface facing the rear end of the engagement window 71b on the wall located on the rear side of the engagement window 71b, and the engagement protrusions 24a on both sides of the plug frame 24. The position where the stopper protrusion 24d provided on the rear side is brought into contact with the rear side (right side in FIG. 24) is the forward limit position with respect to the connector housing 23. When the knob 71 is at the forward limit position with respect to the connector housing 23, the front end thereof is at a position where the front end is aligned with the front end of the plug frame 24.

  Note that the front knob 26 of the above-described optical connector 20 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B and the like is provided on the rear side of the window portion 26a with the engagement window of the optical connector 70 illustrated in FIGS. There is no configuration corresponding to the portion 71b. Further, in the front knob 26, the distance between the side wall portions 26e on both sides is slightly larger than the distance between the protruding ends of the stopper protrusions 24d protruding on both sides of the plug frame 24. As shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 19A, the front knob 26 guided to the connector housing 23 so as to be slidable in the axial direction thereof has side wall portions 26e on both sides and virtual extensions of the plug frame 24. It is supported by the connector housing 23 so as to be located outside the stopper projections 24d on both sides. The front knob 26 of the optical connector 20 can be slid toward the connector rear side with respect to the plug frame 24 to a position where the front end is disposed on the connector rear side of the plug frame 24 front end. On the other hand, even if the stopper projection 24d of the plug frame 24 is arranged to be exposed through the window 26a, the stopper projection 24d does not enter the window 26a.

The illustrated optical connector 70 is assembled at the end of the optical fiber cord 1.
As shown in FIG. 34, the optical fiber cord 1 has a configuration in which an optical fiber 1a and tensile strength fibers 1d provided along the optical fiber 1a are accommodated in a reinforcing tube 1e.
At the rear end portion of the stop ring 25 of the optical connector 70, a tensile strength fiber 1d extending from the front end of the reinforcing tube 1e is disposed around the rear end portion of the stop ring 25. It is fixed with caulking.
In addition, the structure which crimps and fixes the tensile strength fiber 1d extended to the optical fiber cord 1 end to the rear-end part of the stop ring 25 using the crimping ring 72 was illustrated in FIG. 10 (a), (b) etc. The present invention can also be applied to the optical connector 20.

As the connector connecting unit, a positioning unit in which a pair of engaging pieces 12c (engaging claws) with which the engaging protrusions on both sides of the connector housing of the optical connector with a knob inserted into the connector hole are engaged is integrated. The combination unit is not limited to a configuration in which the combined unit is incorporated in a connector housing which is an adapter housing or a receptacle housing.
As the connector connecting unit, for example, a ferrule positioning member having a configuration in which a ferrule housing hole penetrates a mounting plate portion fixed to the connector housing housing and a projecting tube portion projecting from the mounting plate portion in the connector housing housing. In addition, a configuration in which an engagement member 12c with a pair of claws protrudes and an engagement member formed separately from the ferrule positioning member can be employed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A ... Optical connector adapter, 10B ... Optical connector receptacle, 11 ... Adapter housing, 11a ... 1st connector hole, 11b ... 2nd connector hole, 12 ... Ferrule positioning member (positioning engagement unit), 12A ... 1st 1 unit half body, 12B ... second unit half body, 12C ... ferrule positioning member (positioning engagement unit), 12a ... base plate, 12b ... projection cylinder part (positioning projection cylinder part), 12c ... engagement claw (Engaging piece with claw), 12e ... mounting plate (center plate), 13 ... movable receiving member, 13a, 13g, 13j ... housing receiving piece, 13b ... spring receiving piece, 13c ... display piece, 13d ... inner hole of (housing receiving piece), 13e ... intermediate piece, 13f ... display surface, 14 ... receiving member spring,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Optical connector (optical connector with a knob), 21 ... Ferrule, 23 ... Connector housing, 24 ... Plug frame, 25 ... Stop ring, 26 ... Knob (front knob), 26o ... Engagement nail contact part, 27 ... Knob (Rear knob), 30 ... Ferrule with clamp, 31 ... Ferrule, 50 ... Optical connector, 53 ... Connector housing, 54 ... Plug frame, 55 ... Stop ring, 56 ... Knob, 70 ... Optical connector, 71 ... Knob, 210 ... Knobs, K, K1 ... Display mechanism.

Claims (11)

An adapter housing having connector holes with engaging claws at both ends;
An optical connector having a connector housing engageable with an engaging claw of the adapter housing, and a knob capable of coming into contact with the engaging claw engaged with the connector housing and releasing the engagement; A movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing when inserted into the hole;
The adapter housing is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector, and the movable receiving member is attached to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. A spring that elastically biases toward the
The adapter housing has a window hole, and an optical connector adapter that displays the coupling state of the optical connector using the window hole based on the push of the movable receiving member. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the movable receiving member has a portion whose color is different from that of the adapter housing. The adapter housing or a member fixed in the adapter housing is formed with an identification base surface visually recognized from the outside through the window hole, and the movable receiving member is different in color from the identification base surface. The optical connector adapter according to claim 2 , further comprising a portion. In the adapter housing, a ferrule positioning member through which a projecting cylinder part protrudes on both sides from a mounting plate part fixed at the center in the axial direction, and a ferrule housing hole through which the inner holes of the projecting cylinder parts on both sides communicate with each other passes. Have
The optical connectors respectively inserted into the connector holes on both sides via the mounting plate portion of the ferrule positioning member, by inserting the ferrule into the protruding tube portion of the ferrule positioning member and extrapolating the front end portion of the connector housing, The ferrules can be connected to each other by abutting the ferrules in the ferrule housing hole of the positioning member,
The movable receiving member has a housing receiving piece portion arranged on the outer periphery of the protruding cylinder portion on one side of the ferrule positioning member, and is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the ferrule receiving hole with respect to the ferrule positioning member. the optical connector adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, is pushed by the connector housing front end of the optical connector in contact with the said housing receiving piece. The optical connector adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein an existing optical connector is inserted into the other connector hole in advance and the connector housing is engaged with an engaging claw of the other connector hole. . A receptacle housing provided with a connector hole having an engaging claw;
An optical connector having a connector housing engageable with the engaging claw of the receptacle housing, and a knob capable of coming into contact with the engaging claw engaged with the connector housing and releasing the engagement is provided in the connector hole. A movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing when inserted,
The receptacle housing is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector, and the movable receiving member is attached to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. A spring that elastically biases toward the
The receptacle housing has a window hole, and the optical connector receptacle is used to display the coupling state of the optical connector based on the push of the movable receiving member. The optical connector receptacle according to claim 6 , wherein the movable receiving member has a portion whose color is different from that of the receptacle housing. An identification base surface that is visually recognized from the outside through the window hole is formed on the receptacle housing or a member fixed in the receptacle housing, and the movable receiving member has a color different from that of the identification base surface. The optical connector receptacle according to claim 7 , further comprising a portion. In the receptacle housing, the optical connector inserted into the connector hole has a ferrule positioning member into which a protruding cylinder portion is inserted, the ferrule being inserted and the front end portion of the connector housing being externally inserted.
It said ferrule positioning member accommodates a pre-notated ferrule into the ferrule receiving hole penetrating extending coaxially with the axis of the inner bore comprises an inner hole of the突筒portion,
The movable receiving member has a housing receiving piece portion arranged on the outer periphery of the protruding cylinder portion on one side of the ferrule positioning member, and is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the ferrule receiving hole with respect to the ferrule positioning member. the optical connector receptacle according to any one of claims 6-8 which is pushed by the connector housing front end of the optical connector in contact with the said housing receiving piece. An adapter housing having connector holes with engaging claws at both ends;
An optical connector having a connector housing engageable with an engaging claw of the adapter housing, and a knob capable of coming into contact with the engaging claw engaged with the connector housing and releasing the engagement; In an optical connector adapter comprising a movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector when inserted into the hole,
The adapter housing is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector, and the movable receiving member is attached to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. A spring that elastically biases toward the
The adapter housing has a window hole, and the display method of displaying the coupling state of the optical connector based on the push of the movable receiving member using the window hole . A receptacle housing provided with a connector hole having an engaging claw;
An optical connector having a connector housing engageable with the engaging claw of the receptacle housing, and a knob capable of coming into contact with the engaging claw engaged with the connector housing and releasing the engagement is provided in the connector hole. In an optical connector adapter comprising a movable receiving member that is pushed by the connector housing of the optical connector when inserted,
The receptacle housing is elastically deformed by a pressing force or a pulling force applied from a movable receiving member pushed to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector, and the movable receiving member is attached to the front end portion of the connector housing of the optical connector. A spring that elastically biases toward the
A display method in which the receptacle housing has a window hole, and the connection state of the optical connector is displayed using the window hole based on the push of the movable receiving member.

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