JP6527718B2 - Plug side optical connector and optical connector system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug side optical connector and an optical connector system.

There is known an optical connector system configured of a receptacle side optical connector and a plug side optical connector. When the plug-side optical connector is connected to the receptacle-side optical connector, the ferrule on the plug side abuts on the ferrule on the receptacle side, whereby optical connection is realized.
Patent Documents 1 to 4 describe an optical connector system including a receptacle side optical connector and a plug side optical connector. These documents also describe sealing members by O-rings.

U.S. Patent No. 7,881,576 U.S. Patent No. 6648520 U.S. Patent No. 7137742 U.S. Patent No. 7572065

  When the receptacle side optical connector and the plug side optical connector are connected, the coupling portions of both connectors are coupled to each other. When, for example, a bayonet-type BNC type coupling portion is adopted as the coupling portion of the optical connector, a rotary portion rotatable outside the insertion portion is disposed at the coupling portion of the plug-side optical connector. However, since the coupling portion of the optical connector described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 does not have a configuration corresponding to a rotating portion, the arrangement of the O-ring (waterproof member) in these documents is an arrangement considering the rotating portion. Not.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a high waterproofness by appropriately arranging a waterproofing member on a plug side optical connector provided with a coupling portion having a rotating portion.

  The main invention for achieving the above object is to couple with the insertion portion inserted inside the cylindrical coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector and the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector, outside the insertion portion A plug-side optical connector having a rotatable rotation portion, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the coupling portion of the receptacle-side optical connector when the insertion portion is inserted inside the coupling portion of the receptacle-side optical connector It is a plug side optical connector characterized in that a waterproof member is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion inside the rotating portion so as to make contact.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification and the drawings described below.

  According to the present invention, the waterproof member can be appropriately disposed on the plug-side optical connector provided with the coupling portion having the rotating portion, and high waterproofness can be obtained.

1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of the optical connector system 1. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the receptacle side optical connector 100. FIG. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the plug-side optical connector 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle side optical connector 100 and the plug side optical connector 10. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the receptacle side optical connector 100. As shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the optical cable 3 to which the plug-side optical connector 10 is attached. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the optical cable 3. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the optical cable 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the plug-side optical connector 10. FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of the arrangement of the fitting O-ring 25. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the arrangement of the cap O-ring 27. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the inner housing 30 and the application mechanism 40. 8A to 8F are explanatory views of the inner housing 30 and the application mechanism 40 when assembled. FIG. 9 is a top view of the fixing housing 31 at the time of bonding. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inner housing 30. As shown in FIG.

  At least the following matters will be clear from the description of the specification and drawings to be described later.

  Plug-side light having an insertion portion inserted inside a cylindrical coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector, and a rotating portion coupled to the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector and rotatable outside the insertion portion A connector, the inner side of the rotating portion being in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector when the insertion portion is inserted inside the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector. A plug side optical connector characterized in that a waterproof member is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion is apparent. As a result, the waterproof member can be appropriately disposed on the plug-side optical connector provided with the coupling portion having the rotating portion, and high waterproofness can be obtained.

  The insertion portion is formed in a housing, and the outer peripheral surface of the housing is a waterproof member so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the cap when the cap covering the insertion portion and the rotating portion is mounted. It is desirable that another waterproof member be disposed. Thereby, at the time of capping, both waterproofing of the optical connection and protection of the joint can be achieved.

  The housing is composed of a front side housing on the side of the receptacle side optical connector and a rear side housing on the side opposite to the side of the receptacle side optical connector, and a connection portion between the front side housing and the rear side housing It is desirable that another waterproof member be disposed at the Thereby, the inside of the housing can be waterproofed.

  A protrusion is formed inside the cylindrical coupling portion of the receptacle-side optical connector, a groove for the protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, and the waterproof member is It is desirable to be disposed on the opposite side to the side of the receptacle-side optical connector as viewed from the groove. Thereby, the inundation from a groove can be controlled.

  An optical connector system comprising a receptacle side optical connector and a plug side optical connector, wherein the receptacle side optical connector has a cylindrical coupling portion, and the plug side optical connector has a cylindrical shape of the receptacle side optical connector An insertion portion inserted inside the coupling portion; and a rotating portion coupled to the coupling portion of the receptacle-side optical connector and rotatable outside the insertion portion, the insertion portion being the receptacle-side light A waterproofing member is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion inside the rotating portion so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion of the receptacle side optical connector when the connector is inserted inside the connecting portion. An optical connector system characterized by As a result, the waterproof member can be appropriately disposed on the plug-side optical connector provided with the coupling portion having the rotating portion, and high waterproofness can be obtained.

=== Embodiments ===
Before describing the structure of the optical connector (plug-side optical connector 10) of the present embodiment, first, an overview of the optical connector system 1 including the receptacle-side optical connector 100 will be described.

<Optical connector system 1 and receptacle side optical connector 100>
Outline of Optical Connector System 1 FIGS. 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of the optical connector system 1. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the receptacle side optical connector 100. FIG. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the plug-side optical connector 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle side optical connector 100 and the plug side optical connector 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector system 1 has a receptacle-side optical connector 100 and a plug-side optical connector 10. The receptacle side optical connector 100 may be referred to as a socket side optical connector. The optical connector system 1 according to the present embodiment is assumed to be mainly used outdoors, and the cap 160 can be attached to and detached from the receptacle-side optical connector 100 (Similarly, in the plug-side optical connector 10 as well, the cap 60 is removable).

  In the following description, each direction is defined as shown in the figure. That is, the connector attaching / detaching direction is "front-back direction", the side of the optical connector on the other side is "front", and the opposite side is "rear". The longitudinal direction of the optical fiber in the optical connector is the front-rear direction. The right-hand direction of the cross section of the flat optical cable 3 on the plug side (the direction in which the two tensile members 7 of the optical cable 3 are aligned: see FIG. 4A) is the right direction when viewed from the rear side to the front side Let the side be "right" and the other side be "left". Further, a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is referred to as “vertical direction”.

  When the receptacle side optical connector 100 and the plug side optical connector 10 are connected, the end faces of the receptacle side ferrule 111 and the plug side ferrule 11 abut. As a result, the end faces of the optical fibers physically hit each other, and the optical fibers are optically connected.

-Receptacle side optical connector 100
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the receptacle side optical connector 100. As shown in FIG. The configuration of the receptacle-side optical connector 100 will be described using FIGS. 1 to 3.

The receptacle-side optical connector 100 includes a connector body 110, an outer housing 120, and an inner housing 130.
The connector body 110 is a member having a ferrule 111 and a housing portion 112. The ferrule 111 is a member that holds the end of the optical fiber. Here, a cylindrical zirconia ferrule 111 is used which holds the end of a single-core optical fiber. The housing portion 112 is a plastic housing portion for housing the ferrule 111. Here, an SC connector, which is a general-purpose connector, is used as the connector body 110.

  The outer housing 120 is a member that accommodates the connector body 110 via the inner housing 130. Here, although the outer housing 120 accommodates the connector main body 110 via the inner housing 130, the connector main body 110 may be accommodated without the inner housing 130. The outer housing 120 has a housing portion 121, a coupling portion 122, a front sleeve portion 123, and a flange portion 124.

  The housing portion 121 is a portion for housing the connector main body 110 and the internal housing 130. The housing portion 121 is formed on the rear side of the outer housing 120.

  The coupling portion 122 is a portion coupled to the coupling portion 22 (rotary portion 21) on the plug side. Here, as the coupling portion 122, a bayonet type BNC coupling mechanism, which is also adopted as an electrical coaxial connector, is adopted. For this reason, the coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a projection 122A is formed on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical coupling portion 122.

  The front sleeve portion 123 is a sleeve portion for inserting the ferrule 11 on the plug side. The front sleeve portion 123 is formed inside the outer housing 120, and is formed inside the coupling portion 122.

  The flange portion 124 is a portion for fixing the outer housing 120 (and the receptacle side optical connector 100) to a board (see FIG. 2). A gasket 125 for waterproofing is disposed between the flange portion 124 and the board.

  The inner housing 130 is a member that fixes the connector body 110 to the outer housing 120. The inner housing 130 has a latch portion 131 and a fixing portion 132. The latch portion 131 is a member for holding the connector body 110. A sleeve portion 131A is formed in the latch portion 131, and the ferrule 111 of the connector body 110 is inserted into the sleeve portion 131A. That is, the sleeve portion 131 A and the front sleeve portion 123 of the outer housing 120 function as a split sleeve for butting the two ferrules 11 and 111. The fixing portion 132 is a member for fixing the latch portion 131 to the outer housing 120. By fixing the fixing portion 132 to the external housing 120 with a screw, the rear removal of the latch portion 131 is prevented.

  The receptacle side optical connector 100 further has a cap 160. The cap 160 is a member that covers the coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side in order to protect the coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100. The cap 160 is connected to the receptacle-side optical connector 100 (the outer housing 120) by the connection member 161 (see FIG. 1A). A key groove 160A is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 160, and the cap 160 is attached to the cylindrical coupling portion 122 while aligning the projection 122A of the coupling portion 122 with the key groove 160A. As shown in FIG. 1A, the key groove 160A is formed in an L shape, and the cap 160 is first inserted in parallel in the front-rear direction, and then the cap 160 is rotated to attach the cap 160. Conversely, when removing the cap 160, after rotating the cap 160, the cap 160 is pulled out.

  A hexagonal hole 160B is formed on the front side of the cap 160 on the receptacle side (see FIG. 3). The hexagonal wrench portion 60A (see FIG. 1B) of the plug-side cap 60 is inserted into the hexagonal hole 160B, and the receptacle 160 can be removed by rotating the receptacle 160.

<Plug side optical connector 10>
4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the optical cable 3 to which the plug-side optical connector 10 is attached. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the optical cable 3. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the optical cable 3.
The optical cable 3 has an optical fiber 5 and two tensile members 7. The optical fiber 5 is accommodated in the tube cable 4 in which the gel 4B is filled in the tube 4A. Here, the tube cable 4 accommodates one optical fiber 5, but a plurality of optical fibers 5 can also be accommodated. The two tensile members are disposed to sandwich the tube cable 4. For this reason, in the inside of the optical cable 3, two tensile strength members 7 are disposed so as to sandwich the optical fiber 5. Since the two tensile strength members 7 are disposed so as to sandwich the tube cable 4, the optical cable 3 configured to cover them with the jacket has a flat cross section.
The optical cable 3 further includes a waterproof member 8 and a lip cord 9. The waterproof member 8 is a member that absorbs water that has entered the optical cable 3 and is made of, for example, an absorbent yarn. The lip cord 9 is a string-like member used when tearing the sheath of the optical cable 3. The waterproof member 8 and the lip cord 9 are disposed between the tube cable 4 and the tensile member 7. However, the arrangement of the waterproof member 8 and the lip cord 9 is not limited to this. Further, the optical cable 3 may not have the waterproof member 8 and the lip cord 9.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the plug-side optical connector 10. The configuration of the plug-side optical connector 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

  The plug-side optical connector 10 is a connector attached to the end of the optical cable 3 and is a connector that can be attached to and detached from the receptacle-side optical connector 100. The optical cable 3 extends from the rear side of the plug-side optical connector 10. On the rear side of the plug-side optical connector 10, a boot 51 for protecting the optical cable 3 is attached. The optical cable 3 attached with the plug-side optical connector 10 is an optical cable with an optical connector.

  The plug-side optical connector 10 also has a cap 60. The cap 60 is a member that covers the coupling portion 22 on the plug side in order to protect the coupling portion 22 of the plug side optical connector 10. The cap 60 is connected to the plug-side optical connector 10 (the rear housing 26 of the outer housing 23) by the connection member 61 (see FIG. 1B). A hexagonal wrench portion 60A is formed on the cap 60 on the plug side, and is inserted into the hexagonal hole 160B of the cap 160 on the receptacle side, and used for attaching and detaching the cap 160 on the receptacle side. A through hole 60B is further formed in the hexagonal wrench portion 60A. When the cap 60 mounted on the plug-side optical connector 10 is difficult to remove, inserting a rod-like member (not shown) into the through hole 60B and rotating the cap 60 using the rod-like member makes the operation of removing the cap 60 easy. Become.

  The plug-side optical connector 10 has a ferrule 11, a rotating portion 21, an outer housing 23, an inner housing 30, and an application mechanism 40.

.Ferrule 11
The ferrule 11 is a member that holds the end of the optical fiber 5. Here, a cylindrical ferrule that holds the end of a single-core optical fiber is used. The ferrule 11 has a ferrule body 11A and a flange 11B. The ferrule body 11A is a cylindrical zirconia-made portion that holds the end of the single-core optical fiber. The flange portion 11B is a portion (ridge portion) which is disposed on the rear side of the ferrule main body portion 11A and protrudes outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule main body portion 11A.

・ Rotating part 21
The rotating portion 21 is a member coupled to the coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side, and is a cylindrical member (coupling portion) rotatable outside the external housing 23 (insertion portion 24A). A bayonet-type BNC coupling mechanism (coupling portion 22) is configured by the rotating portion 21 and the insertion portion 24A of the outer housing 23. The rotating portion 21 is formed with an entering portion 21A and a locking portion 21B. At the time of connection with the coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side, after passing through the projection 122A on the receptacle side (the projection 122A on the outer peripheral surface of the coupling portion 122) in the entry portion 21A, the rotary portion 21 on the plug side is rotated to The portion 122A is locked (hooked) on the locking portion 21B.

・ External housing 23
The outer housing 23 is a cylindrical member that houses the inner housing 30. The inside of the cylindrical outer housing 23 is a housing portion for housing the ferrule 11 and the inner housing 30. The outer housing 23 has a front housing 24 and a rear housing 26. An external thread (a thread is not shown in FIG. 5) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the front housing 24, and the external thread is connected to the internal thread of the rear housing 26. The rear housing 26 acts like a nut that fits into the front housing 24.

  The front housing 24 is a cylindrical member that houses the front side of the inner housing 30. The front housing 24 has an insertion portion 24A and a support portion 24B.

The insertion portion 24A is a portion on the front side of the front housing 24, and is a portion to be inserted inside the cylindrical coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side. The insertion portion 24 </ b> A constitutes the coupling portion 22 of the plug-side optical connector 10 together with the rotation portion 21.
The end surface (and the movable housing 41) of the ferrule 11 is exposed from the opening on the front side of the insertion portion 24A. A key groove 241 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A along the front-rear direction. At the time of connection with the coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side, the insertion portion 24A on the plug side has a cylindrical shape on the receptacle side while aligning the protrusion 122A on the receptacle side (the projection 122A on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling portion 122) with the key groove 241 Is inserted into the coupling portion 122 of the There is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A and the inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion 21, and the cylindrical coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side enters the gap.

  The support portion 24 </ b> B is a portion for rotatably supporting the rotating portion 21 with respect to the front housing 24. The support portion 24B is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the front housing 24.

  The rear end face 24C of the front housing 24 is a front edge formed by the front edge of the flange 30A of the inner housing 30 (the first flange 33E of the first housing 33 and the second flange 341C of the second housing 34) The contact portion is in contact with the portion 32A).

  The rear housing 26 is a cylindrical member attached to the rear side of the front housing 24 and accommodating the rear side of the inner housing 30. The rear housing 26 has a contact portion 26A and an attachment portion 26B.

  The contact portion 26A (see FIG. 2) is a portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical rear housing 26, and the rear edge of the collar 30A of the inner housing 30 (rear collar 31E of the fixing housing 31) It is a part to contact with. Between the contact portion 26A and the rear end surface 24C of the front housing 24, the flange portion 30A of the inner housing 30 is sandwiched from the front and rear. The boot 51 is attached to the attachment portion 26B. A contraction sleeve 52 (see FIG. 2) is disposed between the mounting portion 26B and the boot 51. The inside of the contraction sleeve 52 is filled with a filler (not shown), and the contraction sleeve 52 closes a gap between the rear end of the outer housing 23 and the inner housing 30 and the optical cable 3.

The outer housing 23 further includes a fitting O-ring 25 and a cap O-ring 27.
FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of the arrangement of the fitting O-ring 25. As shown in FIG. The fitting O-ring 25 is a waterproof member that waterproofs the optical connection portion at the time of connector connection. The fitting O-ring 25 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A inside the rotation portion 21, and when the insertion portion 24A is inserted inside the coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100, the receptacle side optical connector Contact with the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion 122 of 100. Thereby, at the time of connector connection, the space between the insertion portion 24A which is the coupling portion 22 on the plug side and the coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side is waterproofed, and the abutment portion of the ferrule 111 on the receptacle side and the ferrule 11 on the plug side Optical connection can be waterproofed.

  In addition, although the key groove 241 for the projection part 122A of the inner side of the coupling part 122 by the side of a receptacle is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 24A, the O ring 25 for fitting is later than this key groove 241. It is arranged on the side. Thereby, it is possible to prevent water immersion from the key groove 241.

  By the way, even if the fitting O-ring 25 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100, the coupling portion 22 (in this case, the rotary portion 21) on the plug side at the time of connector connection. The mating O-ring 25 can be disposed between the receptacle 122 and the coupling portion 122. However, in this case, since the fitting O-ring 25 comes in contact with the rotating portion 21 which is rotating, the waterproofness of the fitting O-ring 25 may be reduced as compared with the present embodiment. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by arranging the fitting O ring 25 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A, between the insertion portion 24A on the plug side and the cylindrical coupling portion 122 on the receptacle side at the time of connector connection. It is desirable to arrange the O-ring 25 for fitting.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the arrangement of the cap O-ring 27. As shown in FIG. The cap O-ring 27 is a waterproof member that waterproofs the optical connection when the optical connector 10 is capped. The cap O-ring 27 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear housing 26 and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cap 60 when the cap 60 is put on the plug-side optical connector 10. Thereby, when the optical connector 10 is capped, the inside of the cap 60 is waterproofed, and the ferrule 11 on the plug side can be waterproofed.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the fitting O-ring 25 and the cap O-ring 27 are provided separately. Assuming that the fitting O-ring 25 is also used as the cap O-ring 27, the cap is inserted into the gap between the rotating portion 21 and the insertion portion 24A, so the rotating portion 21 is protected by the cap Will not be able to In addition, since the cap O-ring 27 is disposed on the rear side of the rotating portion 21, it is difficult to combine the cap O-ring 27 as the fitting O-ring 25. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a waterproof member (fitting O-ring 25) for waterproofing the optical connection part at the time of connector connection, and a waterproof member (O-ring 27 for cap) for waterproofing the optical connection part at the cap of the optical connector 10 Are provided separately.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer housing 23 has a housing O-ring 29. The housing O-ring 29 is disposed at the connection between the front housing 24 and the rear housing 26. The housing O-ring 29 is a waterproof member that waterproofs the inside of the outer housing 23.

・ Internal housing 30
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the inner housing 30 and the application mechanism 40. 8A to 8F are explanatory views of the inner housing 30 and the application mechanism 40 when assembled. The assembling work of the optical connector 10 may be performed in an assembly plant, or may be performed at each site outside the plant.

  The inner housing 30 is a member (housing) that protects the optical fiber (bare fiber whose coating is removed) on the rear side of the ferrule 11 inside the outer housing 23. It is a member for protecting the optical fiber 5 (a bare fiber from which the coating has been removed) on the rear side of the ferrule 11. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the pigtail optical fiber to which the ferrule 11 is attached in advance and the optical fiber 5 extracted from the optical cable 3 are fused, the reinforcing tube 35 is disposed in the optical fiber 5 near the fusion point. Sometimes. The inner housing 30 can accommodate the reinforcing tube 35. In the case where the optical fiber 5 is not fused (when the optical fiber 5 extracted from the optical cable 3 is directly connected to the ferrule 11), the reinforcing tube 35 is not necessary, but even in such a case, the reinforcing tube 35 can be accommodated. Internal housing 30 can be used.

  The inner housing 30 has a fixing housing 31 and a central housing 32.

  The fixing housing 31 is a member (housing) fixed to the optical cable 3 (specifically, the tensile member 7) while covering at least a part of the optical fiber 5 extending from the ferrule 11. The fixing housing 31 is also a member for fixing the central housing 32 (the first housing 33 and the second housing 34) to the optical cable 3. However, the fixing housing 31 and the central housing 32 may be integrally configured, and the integrated fixing housing 31 may be fixed to the optical cable 3.

  The fixing housing 31 is a cylindrical member through which the optical fiber 5 can be inserted, and has an insertion hole 31A and an adhesive filled window 31B.

  The insertion hole 31 </ b> A is a hole through which the optical fiber 5 extracted from the optical cable 3 is inserted. The optical fiber 5 of the optical cable 3 and the two tensile members 7 can be inserted into the insertion hole 31A. The tensile strength body 7 may or may not penetrate the insertion hole 31A. Here, the front end of the tensile strength body 7 is disposed inside the insertion hole 31A without penetrating the insertion hole 31A.

  The size of the insertion hole 31A is such that the optical fiber 5 and the two tensile members 7 can be inserted, but the entire optical cable 3 can not be inserted. If the size of the insertion hole 31A is such that the entire optical cable 3 can be inserted, the size of the fixing housing 31 increases. However, in the present embodiment, the size of the fixing housing 31 can be reduced because the size of the insertion hole 31A can be reduced.

  By the way, when the optical cable 3 can not be inserted into the insertion hole 31A of the fixing housing 31, there is a restriction that the fixing housing 31 can not be previously disposed behind the lead-out portion of the optical cable 3 when the optical connector 10 is assembled. However, in the present embodiment, the insertion hole 31A is configured to be able to pass through the ferrule 11. Therefore, the fixing housing 31 can be inserted and attached from the front side of the ferrule 11 after fusion bonding of the optical fiber 5 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B described later), so the insertion hole 31A of the fixing housing 31 is the optical cable 3 Assembly restrictions due to the inability to insert are acceptable.

  The adhesive filling window 31B is a window (opening) for communicating the insertion hole 31A with the outside. By filling the through hole 31A with the adhesive through the adhesive filling window 31B, the tensile body 7 of the optical cable 3 and the fixing housing 31 are adhered and fixed. Since the metal members can be fixed with an adhesive instead of caulking, the mounting operation of the housing is simplified. In addition, since the adhesive is filled from the adhesive filling window 31B, the work of applying the adhesive between the tensile body 7 and the inner wall of the fixing housing 31 is facilitated. Moreover, since the application condition of the adhesive inside the fixing housing 31 can be confirmed from the adhesive filling window 31B, the operation of applying the adhesive becomes easy.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the fixing housing 31 at the time of bonding.
The adhesive filling window 31B is formed in the fixing housing 31 so as to open in the vertical direction. That is, the fixing housing 31 is opened so that the adhesive filling window 31B is opened in the direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the two tensile strength members 7 are arranged (horizontal direction) and the longitudinal direction of the optical cable 3 (longitudinal direction). Is formed. This facilitates the operation of applying the adhesive to the two tensile strength members 7.

  The adhesive filled window 31B has a shape extending in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction of the optical cable 3). As a result, the adhesive can be applied along the front-rear direction of the tensile strength member 7 in the fixing housing 31, and the area to which the adhesive is applied becomes longer between the tensile strength member 7 and the inner wall of the fixing housing 31. , Both the adhesion fixation becomes strong.

  Further, the width in the left-right direction of the adhesive filled window 31B is wider than the width of the optical fiber 5 (the diameter of the optical fiber 5 including the coating). As a result, since the two tensile members 7 sandwiching the optical fiber 5 can be visually recognized from the adhesive filling window 31B, the operation of applying the adhesive to the tensile member 7 is facilitated.

  At the upper and lower ends of the rear end portion of the fixing housing 31, projecting portions 31C are formed so as to project rearward. The upper and lower protrusions 31C grip the sheath of the optical cable 3 in the vertical direction. That is, the upper and lower protrusions 31C grip the flat optical cable 3 in the short diameter direction. As a result, positional deviation (in particular, positional deviation in the rotational direction) of the fixing housing 31 with respect to the optical cable 3 before bonding can be suppressed, and the work of filling the adhesive from the adhesive filling window 31B becomes easy.

  Engaging holes 31D are formed in the upper and lower portions of the front end portion of the fixing housing 31, respectively. Engaging claws (first engaging claw 33C, second engaging claw 341B) formed at the rear end of the central housing 32 (first housing 33 and second housing 34) engage with the engaging hole 31D. Match. Thereby, positional deviation of the central housing 32 (the first housing 33 and the second housing 34) with respect to the fixing housing 31 can be suppressed.

  On the front side of the fixing housing 31, a rear flange 31E is formed. The rear flange 31E, together with the front flange 32A of the central housing 32, constitutes a flange 30A of the inner housing 30. The rear flange 31E is in contact with the contact portion 26A of the rear housing 26 which becomes the outer housing 23.

  The fixing housing 31 fuses the optical fiber 5 as shown in FIG. 8A and arranges the reinforcing tube 35 at the fusion point, and then inserts it from the front side of the ferrule 11 as shown in FIG. 8B. Attached to the mouth of the Since the fixing housing 31 can be inserted and attached from the front side of the ferrule 11 after the fusion of the optical fiber 5, it can be set in the fusion device even if the optical fiber 5 which is ejected from the optical cable 3 is short. As compared with the case where the fixing housing 31 has to be arranged in the rear of the ferrule 11 in advance, the optical connector 10 can be miniaturized.

  Note that before the fixing housing 31 is attached to the optical cable 3, members (rear housing 26, contraction sleeve 52, and boot 51) disposed behind the fixing housing 31 are rearward of the lead-out portion of the optical cable 3. It will be inserted in the The work of inserting these members into the optical cable 3 may be performed before or after the optical fiber 5 is fused.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inner housing 30. As shown in FIG.
The central housing 32 is a member for protecting the optical fiber 5 (a bare fiber from which the coating is removed) on the rear side of the ferrule 11 and is a member (housing) capable of accommodating the reinforcing tube 35. The central housing 32 is located at the central portion of the inner housing 30 and on the front side of the fixing housing 31.

  A front flange portion 32A is formed on the rear side of the central housing 32. The front flange 32 </ b> A constitutes the flange 30 </ b> A of the inner housing 30 together with the rear flange 31 </ b> E of the fixing housing 31. The front flange 32A is in contact with the rear end face 24C of the front housing 24 which is to be the outer housing 23. The flange 30A (the front flange 32A and the rear flange 31E) of the inner housing 30 is pinched from the front and rear between the rear end face 24C of the front housing 24 and the contact 26A of the rear housing 26. Thus, the inner housing 30 (the fixing housing 31 and the central housing 32) is fixed to the outer housing 23.

  The central housing 32 has a first housing 33 and a second housing 34. The central housing 32 may be formed into a cylindrical integral structure, but in the present embodiment, the first housing 33 and the second housing 34 are divided into substantially half structures. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 can be pressed from both the front and rear sides, and the position of the ferrule 11 in the front-rear direction is fixed.

The first housing 33 is a semi-cylindrical member that covers the lower portion of the reinforcing tube 35. The first housing 33 has a first accommodation portion 33A, a rear edge pressing portion 33B, a first engagement claw 33C, a guide portion 33D, and a first collar portion 33E.
The first housing portion 33A is a portion for housing the lower portion of the reinforcing tube 35. The first housing portion 33A is formed in a concave shape along the front-rear direction.

  The trailing edge pressing portion 33B is a portion that presses the trailing edge of the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 from the rear side (the side opposite to the side of the receptacle side optical connector 100). The trailing edge pressing portion 33B is a portion formed in a U-shape. As shown in FIGS. 8C and 10, the U-shaped trailing edge pressing portion 33B is inserted and disposed between the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 and the reinforcing tube 35. The front surface of the rear edge pressing portion 33B is in contact with the rear edge of the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11, and the movement of the ferrule 11 to the rear side can be suppressed. Thereby, when the ferrule 11 and the ferrule 111 of the receptacle side optical connector 100 butt (connector connection), it is possible to suppress the movement of the ferrule 11 to the rear side. Further, since the space for making the ferrule 11 retractable becomes unnecessary, the optical connector 10 can be miniaturized.

  The first engagement claw 33C is a portion protruding rearward from the rear end portion of the first housing 33 (on the side of the fixing housing 31), and is a portion engaged with the engagement hole 31D of the fixing housing 31. By the first engagement claw 33C engaging with the engagement hole 31D of the fixing housing 31, the positional deviation of the first housing 33 with respect to the fixing housing 31 can be suppressed, and the detachment from the fixing housing 31 can be suppressed.

  The guide portion 33D is a portion for guiding the second housing 34 in the front-rear direction. The guide portion 33D is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical first housing 33 as a convex along the front-rear direction. A guide groove (not shown) along the front-rear direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second housing 34 so as to fit the guide portion 33D of the first housing 33.

  The first flange portion 33E is a portion that constitutes the front flange portion 32A of the central housing 32. The first flange portion 33E is a portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical first housing 33, and is formed on the rear side of the first housing 33.

  After the first housing 33 has the fixing housing 31 attached to the optical cable 3 (see FIG. 8C), as shown in FIGS. 8C and 10, the first engaging claw 33C is inserted into the engaging hole 31D of the fixing housing 31. While being engaged, the U-shaped rear edge pressing portion 33B is inserted between the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 and the reinforcing tube 35, and is disposed so as to cover the lower portion of the reinforcing tube 35.

  The second housing 34 is a member that covers the top of the reinforcing tube 35. The second housing 34 has a semi-cylindrical portion 341 and a cylindrical portion 342.

  The semi-cylindrical portion 341 is a semi-cylindrical portion on the rear side of the cylindrical portion 342, and has a second accommodation portion 341A (see FIG. 10) that accommodates the upper portion of the reinforcing tube 35. The second accommodation portion 341A is formed in a concave shape along the front-rear direction. At a rear end portion of the semi-cylindrical portion 341, a second engagement claw 341B is formed which protrudes to the rear side (the fixing housing 31 side). The second engagement claw 341B is a portion engaged with the engagement hole 31D of the fixing housing 31. The semi-cylindrical portion 341 covers a part of the semi-cylindrical first housing 33 from the outside, and on the inner peripheral surface covering the first housing 33, the front-rear direction is fitted to the guide portion 33D of the first housing 33. A guide groove (not shown) is formed along the In addition, a second flange portion 341C is formed on the rear side of the semi-cylindrical portion 341. The second flange portion 341C is a portion that constitutes the front flange portion 32A of the central housing 32 together with the first flange portion 33E, and is a portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical portion 341.

  The cylindrical portion 342 is a portion on the front side of the semicylindrical portion 341, and is a cylindrical portion covering the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11. At the front edge of the cylindrical portion 342, a pressing portion 342A is formed. As shown in FIG. 10, the rear surface (inner surface) of the pressing portion 342A contacts the front edge of the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11, and it is possible to suppress the ferrule 11 from moving forward. That is, the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 is pressed from both the front and rear sides by the rear edge pressing portion 33B of the first housing 33 and the pressing portion 342A of the second housing 34. Thus, the position of the ferrule 11 in the front-rear direction is fixed. A hole is formed in the central portion of the pressing portion 342A, and the ferrule main body 11A protrudes from this hole. The front surface of the pressing portion 342A is in contact with the rear end of a spring 42 described later.

The second housing 34 is mounted on the first housing 33 while aligning the guide groove (not shown) inside the second housing 34 with the guide portion 33D of the first housing 33 after the first housing 33 is attached (see FIG. 8C). It is slid to the back side and attached to the position shown in FIG. 8D. At this time, since the guide portion 33D of the first housing 33 is in the guide groove of the second housing 34, the movement of the second housing 34 in the vertical or horizontal direction with respect to the first housing 33 is restricted. The second housing 34 is less likely to be displaced relative to the first housing 33, and the mounting operation of the second housing 34 is facilitated.
When the second housing 34 is slid rearward, as shown in FIG. 10, the second engagement claws 341B engage with the engagement holes 31D of the fixing housing 31. Thereby, positional deviation of the second housing 34 with respect to the fixing housing 31 can be suppressed.
Further, when the second housing 34 is slid to the rear side, as shown in FIG. 10, the ferrule main body 11A protrudes from the hole at the central portion of the pressing portion 342A of the cylindrical portion 342, and the ferrule inside the cylindrical portion 342 The 11 flange portions 11B are accommodated. At this time, the pressing portion 342A of the second housing 34 sandwiches the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 with the rear edge pressing portion 33B of the first housing 33. As a result, the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 is pressed from both the front and rear sides, and the position of the ferrule 11 in the front-rear direction is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 8D, when the second housing 34 is attached, the central housing 32 is configured on the front side of the fixing housing 31. Further, when the second housing 34 is attached, the second flange portion 341C and the first flange portion 33E of the first housing 33 constitute the front flange portion 32A, and the front flange portion 32A and the rear side of the fixing housing 31. A collar portion 30A of the inner housing 30 (a collar portion 30A to be held by the outer housing 23) is configured by the collar portion 31E.

・ Applying mechanism 40
The application mechanism 40 is a mechanism that applies a rearward force to the plug-side optical connector 10 at the time of connector connection. The application mechanism 40 has a movable housing 41 and a spring 42.

  The movable housing 41 is a member (housing) movable in the front-rear direction while accommodating the ferrule body 11A. The movable housing 41 functions as a housing that covers the ferrule body 11A, thereby protecting the ferrule body 11A. The movable housing 41 has a cylindrical shape, and the ferrule main body 11A is inserted through the central portion, and the spring 42 is accommodated in the central cavity. The movable housing 41 is disposed forward of the central housing 32, and the spring 42 is disposed between the movable housing 41 and the central housing 32.

The spring 42 (see FIG. 7) is an elastic member that applies a rearward force to the plug-side optical connector 10 at the time of connector connection. Here, a coil spring is used as the spring 42, but a spring having another shape may be used, or an elastic member of another material such as rubber may be used. The ferrule main body 11A is inserted into the central cavity of the spring 42. The spring 42 is disposed in a compressed state between the movable housing 41 and the inner housing 30 (the pressing portion 342A of the second housing 34), and generates a repulsive force between the two. The front end of the spring 42 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the movable housing 41, and the rear end of the spring 42 is in contact with the front surface of the pressing portion 342A of the second housing 34.
The spring 42 is attached to the ferrule main body 11A which protrudes to the front side from the second housing 34 as shown in FIG. 8E after the attachment of the second housing 34 (see FIG. 8D).

  The front side of the movable housing 41 is open, and the end face of the ferrule 11 is exposed from this opening (see FIG. 1B and FIG. 2). There is a gap between the movable housing 41 and the ferrule 11. When the plug-side ferrule 11 is inserted into the receptacle-side front sleeve portion 123 (see FIG. 2) at the time of connector connection, the receptacle-side front sleeve portion 123 enters the gap between the movable housing 41 and the ferrule 11 Become.

  The movable housing 41 is exposed from the opening on the front side of the insertion portion 24A, and is disposed so as to slightly project to the front side of the front edge of the insertion portion 24A (see FIG. 2). Since the movable housing 41 protrudes to the front side relative to the insertion portion 24A, the movable housing 41 contacts the receptacle-side optical connector 100 (specifically, the base of the front sleeve portion 123 of the outer housing 120) at the connector connection time. Receive power from The repulsive force of the spring 42 compressed thereby acts between the receptacle side optical connector 100 and the plug side optical connector 10 through the central housing 32, and as a result, the receptacle side coupling portion 122 (protrusion portion 122A) The connection between the connector 22 and the connector 22 on the plug side (the engaging part 21B of the rotating part 21) becomes strong and becomes difficult to remove.

  The movable housing 41 is formed with a collar 41A. The foremost position of the movable housing 41 with respect to the front housing 24 is defined by the flange 41 </ b> A contacting a protrusion (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front housing 24. Thereby, the movement of the movable housing 41 to the rear side at the time of connector connection is allowed while preventing the front housing 33 from being subjected to the frontward force from the spring 42 from coming off.

  The movable housing 41 is attached from the front side so as to accommodate the spring 42 as shown in FIG. 8F after the spring 42 is attached to the ferrule main body 11A (see FIG. 8E). Thereafter, the front housing 24 attached with the rotating portion 21 is inserted from the front side of the inner housing 30, and the front housing 24 and the rear housing 26 inserted in advance in the optical cable 3 are engaged (screwed) and connected . At this time, between the contact portion 26A of the rear housing 26 and the rear end surface 24C of the front housing 24, the collar portion 30A of the inner housing 30 is pinched from the front and rear. When the front housing 24 is connected to the rear housing 26, the flange 41 A of the movable housing 41 contacts a protrusion (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front housing 24, and the spring 42 moves with the movable housing 41. It is arranged in a compressed state with the inner housing 30 (the pressing portion 342A of the second housing 34).

  By the way, the repulsive force of the spring 42 has a function of making it difficult to release the connection (catching) between the connection part 122 (protrusion part 122A) on the receptacle side and the connection part 22 (locking part 21B of the rotating part 21) on the plug . Since the spring 42 having such a function is disposed on the front side of the housing 11B of the ferrule 11, the spring 42 can be inserted and attached from the front side of the ferrule 11 after the optical fiber 5 is fused. If the spring is arranged on the rear side of the housing 11B of the ferrule 11, the spring must be arranged on the rear of the ferrule 11 in advance before fusion. The optical connector 10 can be miniaturized because it can be set in the fusion device even if the optical fiber 5 protruding from the optical cable 3 is short.

  Further, in the case where the spring is disposed on the rear side of the housing 11B of the ferrule 11, it is necessary to provide a space so that the ferrule 11 can be retracted (retracted) to the rear side at the time of connector connection. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the spring 42 is disposed on the front side of the housing portion 11B of the ferrule 11, the ferrule 11 does not move in the front-rear direction, and a space for making the ferrule 11 retractable becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the optical connector 10 can be miniaturized.

<Summary>
The plug side optical connector 10 described above is coupled with the insertion portion 24A inserted inside the cylindrical coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100 and the coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100, and the outside of the insertion portion 24A And a rotatable portion 21 that can rotate. In the case of the plug-side optical connector 10 having such a rotating portion 21, when the fitting O-ring 25 (waterproof member) is arranged to be in contact with the rotating portion 21, the waterproofness at the time of connector connection may be low.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the insertion portion 24A is inserted into the inside of the coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100, the insertion portion 24A of the rotation portion 21 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion 122. A fitting O-ring 25 (waterproof member) is disposed on the outer peripheral surface. Thereby, high waterproofness can be obtained without being affected by the rotation of the rotating portion 21.

  In the present embodiment, the insertion portion 24A is formed in the outer housing 23 (housing), and is fitted so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the cap 60 when the cap 60 covering the insertion portion 24A and the rotating portion 21 is mounted. A cap O-ring 27 (another waterproof member) different from the common O-ring 25 is disposed. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the cap O-ring 27 is provided separately from the fitting O-ring 25, both waterproofing of the optical connection and protection of the joint 22 can be achieved at the time of capping. If the fitting O-ring 25 is also used as the cap O-ring 27, the rotating portion 21 can not be protected by the cap.

  In the present embodiment, the outer housing 23 is composed of the front housing 24 and the rear housing 26, and the O-ring 29 for the housing at the connection portion between the front housing 24 and the rear housing 26 (still another waterproof member) Is arranged. Thus, the connection between the front housing 24 and the rear housing 26 is waterproofed, and the inside of the external housing 23 can be waterproofed.

  In the present embodiment, a protrusion 122A is formed inside the cylindrical coupling portion 122 of the receptacle side optical connector 100, and a key for the protrusion 122A is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A of the plug side optical connector 10. The groove 241 is formed. The fitting O-ring 25 (waterproof member) is disposed on the rear side of the key groove 241 (the side opposite to the side of the receptacle-side optical connector 100 as viewed from the key groove 241). Thereby, it is possible to prevent water immersion from the key groove 241.

  Although the plug-side optical connector 10 of the present embodiment includes the cap O-ring 27 and the housing O-ring 29 as a waterproof member different from the fitting O-ring 25, the cap O-ring 27 and the housing The O-ring 29 may not be provided. Even in such a case, if the fitting O-ring 25 (waterproof member) is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A inside the rotation portion 21, the rotation of the rotation portion 21 is not affected. High waterproofness can be obtained.

  Further, in the plug-side optical connector 10 of the present embodiment, the ferrule 11 can not be retracted by the rear edge pressing portion 33B of the inner housing 30, and the spring 42 is disposed on the front side of the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11. Configuration. However, if the fitting O ring 25 (waterproof member) is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 24A inside the rotating portion 21, a spring is disposed on the rear side of the flange portion 11B of the ferrule 11 11 may be configured to be retractable.

=== Others ===
The above embodiments are for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

<About ferrule>
In the above embodiment, the SC connector is used for the receptacle side optical connector 100, and the ferrules 11 and 111 on the receptacle side and the plug side use cylindrical ferrules for holding the end of the single-core optical fiber. . However, instead of the SC connector, an ST connector, an LC connector, an MU connector, or the like may be used, or may not be a general-purpose connector. Also, instead of a single-core cylindrical ferrule, for example, a multi-core ferrule such as an MT ferrule may be used.

1 optical connector system, 3 optical cables,
5 optical fiber, 7 tensile body,
10 plug side optical connector, 11 ferrules,
11A ferrule body, 11B flange,
21 rotating part, 21A entering part, 21B locking part,
22 coupled portion (rotary portion 21 and insertion portion 24A),
23 outer housing, 24 front housing,
24A insertion part, 24B support part, 24C rear end face,
241 key groove, 25 mating O-ring (waterproof member),
26 Rear housing, 26A contact part, 26B mounting part,
27 O-ring for cap (another waterproof member),
29 O-ring for housing (further waterproof member),
30 internal housing, 30A buttocks,
31 Fixing housing, 31A insertion hole,
31B adhesive filled windows, 31C protrusions,
31D engagement hole, 31E rear ridge,
32 central housing, 32A front butt,
33 first housing, 33A first housing portion,
33B rear edge pressing portion, 33C first engagement claw,
33D guide, 33E first butt,
34 second housing, 341 half cylinder,
341A second housing portion, 341B second engaging claw, 341C second flange portion,
342 cylindrical part, 342A holding part,
35 reinforcement tubes, 40 application mechanisms,
41 Movable housing, 41A buttocks,
42 springs, 51 boots, 52 shrink sleeves,
60 plug side cap, 60A hex wrench, 60B through hole,
61 connection member, 100 receptacle side optical connector,
110 connector body, 111 ferrule, 112 housing part,
120 external housing, 121 housing parts,
122 joints, 122A protrusions,
123 front sleeve, 124 flange, 125 packing,
130 internal housing, 131 latch part,
131A sleeve part, 132 fixed part,
160 receptacle cap, 160A key groove,
160B Hexagon Socket, 161 Connection Member

Claims (5)

An insertion portion inserted inside the cylindrical coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector;
A plug side optical connector, comprising: a rotating portion coupled to the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector and rotatable outside the insertion portion;
The outer periphery of the insertion portion inside the rotating portion so as to contact the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector when the insertion portion is inserted inside the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector A waterproof member is placed on the surface ,
The plug side optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotary portion includes a first groove portion engageable with the first projection of the receptacle connector on an inner peripheral surface thereof . The plug side optical connector according to claim 1, wherein
The insertion portion is formed in a housing,
A waterproof member different from the waterproof member is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing so as to contact the inner circumferential surface of the cap when the cap covering the insertion portion and the rotating portion is attached. Plug side optical connector. The plug side optical connector according to claim 2, wherein
The housing is composed of a front side housing on the side of the receptacle side optical connector and a rear side housing on the side opposite to the side of the receptacle side optical connector, and a connection portion between the front side housing and the rear side housing A plug-side optical connector characterized in that another waterproofing member is disposed in the connector. The plug side optical connector according to claim 3, wherein
Wherein the inside of the coupling portion of the cylindrical receptacle side optical connector are formed second protrusion, the second groove formation for the on the outer circumferential surface the second protrusion of the insertion portion Has been
The plug side optical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the waterproof member is disposed on the side opposite to the side of the receptacle side optical connector as viewed from the second groove . An optical connector system comprising a receptacle side optical connector and a plug side optical connector, comprising:
The receptacle-side optical connector has a cylindrical coupling portion,
The plug side optical connector is
An insertion portion inserted inside the cylindrical coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector;
And a rotatable portion coupled to the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector and rotatable outside the insertion portion;
The outer periphery of the insertion portion inside the rotating portion so as to contact the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector when the insertion portion is inserted inside the coupling portion of the receptacle side optical connector A waterproof member is placed on the surface ,
The optical connector system according to claim 1, wherein the rotating portion includes a groove portion engageable with a protrusion of the receptacle connector on an inner circumferential surface thereof .

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