JP6532702B2 - Optical connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector provided with an optical coupling member used when condensing light from a light emitting element and entering the optical fiber or condensing light emitted from the optical fiber onto a light receiving element. .

  The optical coupling member is used to propagate the light emitted from the light source in the optical fiber and to emit the light into the air as needed, or to cause the light propagating in the air to enter the optical fiber. As one aspect of such an optical coupling member, for example, a socket for mounting an optical lens and a cylindrical magnet on a socket body for fitting an end of an optical fiber, and a plug body for fitting an end of an optical fiber An optical connector has been proposed which comprises a plug for mounting a cylindrical magnet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this optical connector, the end face of the optical fiber is always in contact with the spherical surface of the optical lens, and the socket and the plug are connected by the attraction force of the magnet. Also, high transmission efficiency can be ensured.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-70817

  However, in the conventional optical connector described above, the magnet attached to the socket is disposed inside the hole formed on the plug side, while the magnet attached to the plug is around the insertion axis provided on the socket side Is located in When the plug is coupled to the socket, the magnet on the plug side is inserted into the cylindrical wall defining the hole formed in the socket, and the insertion shaft projecting from the magnet to the socket side is on the socket side. It is necessary to insert the magnet inside. For this reason, the work of inserting the plug into the socket is required, and there is a problem that the connecting work of the optical connector becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is possible to improve the coupling accuracy and improve the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber without requiring a complicated coupling operation. To provide an optical connector capable of

In the optical connector of the present invention, a holding member is formed at one end of which a housing portion for housing the lens is formed, and at the other end is formed an insertion hole into which an optical fiber is inserted, a housing direction of the lens at one end of the holding member provided on the outer peripheral surface of the holding member in a direction intersecting, anda suction member for generating a suction force to align the center of the lens, the center of the optical elements provided in the binding target, said from said one end An optical coupling member extending toward the other end, a first direction which is an extending direction of the optical coupling member, a second direction as a height direction orthogonal to the first direction, and A movement restriction that restricts the movement of the light coupling member while allowing the alignment operation of the light coupling member to the coupling target in all of the third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. and members, was closed, the movement restriction The material has a guide groove provided from one end to the other end which is the extension direction of the light coupling member, and the light coupling member is in the state where the adsorption member protrudes from one end side of the movement regulating member. A holding member is disposed in the guide groove, and a clearance is provided between the holding member and the guide groove, and the adsorption member performs the alignment operation on one end side of the movement restricting member. It is characterized by being permitted .

  According to the above optical connector, the center of the lens is aligned with the center of the optical element provided for the coupling object by the adsorption force of the adsorption member provided for the holding member. Can easily align the lens with the optical element. At this time, the movement of the light coupling member beyond the alignment operation with the coupling target is restricted. As a result, the alignment accuracy with the object to be coupled can be improved without requiring a complicated coupling operation, and the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber can be improved.

  Further, in the above optical connector, the movement restricting member has a guide groove provided from one end to the other end which is the housing direction of the lens, and the light coupling member is one end of the movement restricting member The holding member is disposed in the guide groove so as to protrude from the side, and a clearance is provided between the holding member and the guide groove, and the suction member is disposed on one end side of the movement restricting member. Preferably, the alignment operation is allowed. Specifically, the width dimension and the height dimension of the guide groove are larger than the width dimension and the height dimension of the light coupling member of the portion disposed in the guide groove, at the position where the adsorption member is disposed. Preferably, it is smaller than at least one of the width dimension or the height dimension of the light coupling member. Thus, the light coupling member can move in the coupling direction with the object to be coupled through the guide groove. At this time, the optical coupling member has a clearance with the guide groove in the direction intersecting with the extending direction of the guide groove. Therefore, the light coupling member is allowed to have an alignment operation to the coupling object in three axial directions, and can properly align the center of the lens of the optical coupling member and the center of the optical element to be coupled. . In addition, the surface on which the guide groove is formed constitutes a restricting surface that prevents the light coupling member from moving more than necessary. Furthermore, since the width dimension and the height dimension of the guide groove are smaller than at least one of the width dimension or the height dimension of the optical coupling member at the position where the adsorption member is disposed, the adsorption member is one end side of the movement restricting member The movement of the suction member can be restricted from moving toward the other end of one end surface of the movement restricting member. Thus, the movement of the light coupling member can be appropriately restricted while permitting the alignment operation of the light coupling member to the coupling target.

  In the optical connector, preferably, a plurality of the optical coupling members are provided, and the guide grooves are individually provided in the respective optical coupling members. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress that each light coupling member is separated or approached beyond the guide groove by the repulsive force or the adsorption force generated between the suction members of the respective light coupling members. Therefore, in the configuration in which a plurality of light coupling members are arranged, each light coupling member can be accommodated in the guide groove to restrict movement, and the position of the center of the lens of each light coupling member and the optical element to be coupled Alignment accuracy can be improved.

  In the above optical connector, the optical connector further comprises an urging member for urging the adsorption member toward one end face of the movement restricting member, wherein the urging force of the urging member is greater than the adsorption force of the adsorption member to the coupling target. It is preferable to be weak. Thus, the coupling between the light coupling member and the coupling target is not inhibited because the adsorption force of the adsorption member is stronger than the biasing force of the biasing member, while the coupling between the optical coupling member and the coupling target is released The biasing force of the biasing member allows the suction member to be properly returned to its original position prior to bonding (when the light coupling member is released from the coupling target).

  For example, in the optical connector, the biasing member is an elastic body that connects between the movement restricting member and the light coupling member, and the elastic force of the elastic member causes the adsorption member to be one of the movement restricting members. It is biased to the end face side. According to this configuration, the elastic force of the elastic body is the biasing force. By providing the elastic body, it is possible to apply a biasing force that causes the suction member to bias one end surface side of the movement restricting member with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the above optical connector, preferably, the elastic body connects between the other end of the optical coupling member with respect to the movement restricting member and the movement restricting member. By arranging the elastic body on the other end side of the movement restricting member rather than providing the elastic body on one end side of the movement restricting member on which the adsorption member is arranged, a space for providing the elastic body can be appropriately secured. Further, it is possible to apply an urging force with which the suction member abuts on one end surface of the movement restricting member with respect to the light coupling member.

  Further, in the above optical connector, the biasing member faces the first suction portion provided on the light coupling member and the first suction portion on the other end side of the movement restricting member, and the housing side And the second adsorption portion fixed to the first adsorption portion, and the adsorption member is urged toward one end surface of the movement restricting member by adsorption between the first adsorption portion and the second adsorption portion. It can also be configured. As described above, by arranging the first suction unit and the second suction unit on the other end side of the movement restricting member, a space for providing the first suction unit and the second suction unit can be appropriately secured. In addition, it is possible to apply an urging force by which the suction member urges one end face side of the movement restricting member with a simple configuration.

  Also, for example, in the above-mentioned optical connector, the adsorption member is formed of a magnet. In this case, since the center of the lens and the center of the optical element provided for the coupling object are aligned by the adsorption force from the magnet, it is possible to easily attach and detach to the coupling object, and for a long period of time It becomes possible to repeatedly attach and detach.

  In the optical connector, it is preferable that the magnet has a cross-sectional shape in the direction intersecting with the housing direction of the lens has the same shape as the cross-section of the coupling target magnet disposed around the optical element. In this case, since the cross-sectional shape of the magnet is configured to be the same as the cross-sectional shape of the coupling target magnet, the cross-sections can be adhered to each other by the attraction force of these magnets. This makes it possible to stably couple the light coupling member to the coupling target.

  For example, in the optical connector, an outer shape of a cross section of the magnet in a direction intersecting with the housing direction of the lens is a perfect circle whose center point is the center of the lens. In this case, the magnet does not rotate when it is attracted to the coupling target magnet. Therefore, since the rotation of the holding member provided with the magnet can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the optical fiber held by the holding member is twisted.

  Further, in the above optical connector, it is preferable that the cross section on the coupling target side in the suction member is disposed on the coupling target side more than the end portion on the coupling target side of the lens. In this case, since the cross section of the suction member is disposed closer to the coupling target than the lens, it is possible to prevent the surface of the lens from being damaged due to an unintended contact or the like.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the propagation efficiency of light in an optical fiber without requiring a complicated coupling operation.

It is a partial perspective view of an optical connector (female type) concerning this embodiment. It is the disassembled perspective view which disassembled the component of the optical connector shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the optical coupling member which concerns on this Embodiment, and is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the AA arrow shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view in the dashed-two dotted line B shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the guide member in the state which attached the cover member shown in FIG. 2 to the guide member by which the optical coupling member is arrange | positioned, a light coupling member, and a cover member in the CC arrow. FIG. 6A is a plan view of the optical connector (female) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the optical connector (female) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7A is a front view of the optical connector (female type) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a plan view of the optical connector (male) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the optical connector (male) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9A is a front view of the optical connector (male type) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 9A. 10A is a plan view showing a state in which the optical connector (female type) shown in FIG. 6A and the optical connector (male type) shown in FIG. 8A are connected, and FIG. 10B is an optical connector (female type shown in FIG. And the optical connector (male type) shown in FIG. 8B are connected. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 10B, and FIG. 11B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G in FIG. 10A. It is explanatory drawing of the joint operation of the optical coupling member which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the optical coupling member which concerns on the modification of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the optical connector (male type | mold) which applied the biasing member different from FIG. 9B.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. There are female connectors (male receptacles) and male connectors (plugs) in the optical connector, and as described below, for example, both female connectors and male connectors have the characteristic configuration of the present invention. Therefore, although either of them may be mainly described, the female optical connector and the optical coupling member used therefor are mainly described below and used for the male optical connector unless otherwise specified. The light coupling member will be described as "to be coupled".

  FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the optical connector (female type) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the optical connector shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the connection side of the optical connector 1 with the optical connector 100 (see FIG. 8) on the other side is called the front side (one end side), and the opposite side to the connection side is the rear side (the other end side). I shall call. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower side of the drawing is the front side, and the upper side of the drawing is the rear side. Moreover, in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B, the paper left side is the front side, and the paper right side is the rear side. In the drawings, the X direction and the Y direction refer to two directions orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane, the X direction is the direction in which a plurality of optical coupling members arranged in the optical connector are aligned, and the Y direction is an optical coupling It is the extension direction of the member. Also, the Z direction indicates a height direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. The relationship between the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction is the same in the other drawings.

  The optical connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an optical coupling member 10, a guide member 2 which is an example of a movement restricting member, a cover member 3, a shield case 4 having an opening 4a, and a base 5. Is configured. First, the optical coupling member 10 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the optical coupling member according to the present embodiment, and is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the AA arrow shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the light coupling member 10 according to the present embodiment includes a holder 11 as a holding member having a generally cylindrical shape, a ball lens 12 held by one end of the holder 11, and the holder 11. It is comprised including the magnet 14 as an adsorption | suction member provided in the outer periphery of the one end part. For example, in the optical coupling member 10 according to the present embodiment, a plastic optical fiber is preferably inserted as the optical fiber 13. However, the optical fiber held by the optical coupling member according to the present invention is not limited to this, and may be made of glass fiber.

  The holder 11 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel. In particular, in terms of workability, the holder 11 is preferably formed of austenitic stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 3, at the rear end of the holder 11, an insertion hole 11 a into which the optical fiber 13 is inserted is provided. On the other hand, an opening 11 b is provided at the front end (the end on the ball lens 12 side) of the holder 11. Inside the opening 11b, a housing 11c for housing the ball lens 12 is provided. In order to prevent the surface of the ball lens 12 from being damaged, the accommodation portion 11 c is provided in a size that can accommodate the entire ball lens 12 therein, and the ball lens 12 is configured to be press-fit.

  A through hole 11 d having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 13 is provided in the holder 11. The through hole 11d is in communication with the insertion hole 11a and in communication with the housing portion 11c. Furthermore, the holder 11 is provided with a plurality of depressions 11 e formed by pressing from the outer peripheral portion thereof with a tool or the like. These depressions 11e are provided between the accommodation portion 11c and the through hole 11d, and are used for positioning the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 as described in detail later.

  The ball lens 12 is formed of, for example, a glass material and has a spherical shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball lens 12 is housed in the housing portion 11 c such that the front end thereof is disposed at the same position as the front end of the holder 11. Further, the ball lens 12 is disposed so as to face the tip of the optical fiber 13 inserted into the through hole 11 d in a state of being housed in the housing portion 11 c. That is, in the state of being positioned on the inner wall surface formed by providing the recess 11 e in the holder 11, the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 are positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship. At this time, the ball lens 12 is in a state of being disposed facing the front end surface (front end surface) of the optical fiber 13. The ball lens 12 can be configured by a collimating lens that adjusts light incident from the optical fiber 13 in a parallel state.

  The optical fiber 13 is composed of a core 13a provided penetrating the center, a clad 13b covering the core 13a, and a reinforcing layer 13c covering and reinforcing the clad 13b. At the end face of the optical fiber 13 facing the ball lens 12, the core 13a, the clad 13b, and the reinforcing layer 13c are disposed on the same plane. That is, at the end face facing the ball lens 12, the core 13a, the clad 13b, and the reinforcing layer 13c are arranged in line. The configuration of the optical fiber 13 is simplified and illustrated except in FIGS. 2, 4 and 13.

  The optical fiber 13 is inserted into the through hole 11 d through the insertion hole 11 a, and is fixed in a state in which the tip end portion is disposed in the vicinity of the ball lens 12 so as to face the spherical surface. For example, the optical fiber 13 is fixed by an adhesive applied to the inner peripheral surface of the holder 11. The optical fiber 13 may be fixed by deforming a part of the holder 11.

  In the optical coupling member 10 according to the present embodiment, the optical fiber 13 is formed of, for example, a graded index (GI) type optical fiber, and is configured such that the refractive index changes continuously in a cross section perpendicular to the fiber axis. It is done. The core 13 a and the clad 13 b are made of, for example, a perfluorinated optical resin in which H of CH bond is substituted by F. As described above, high-speed and large-capacity communication can be realized by configuring the optical fiber 13 with the all-fluorine-substituted optical resin and configuring with the GI-type optical fiber.

  In the light coupling member 10, the depression 11e provided in the holder 11 is used to easily position the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 while suppressing an increase in cost. Specifically, the ball lens 12 and a part of the optical fiber 13 are brought into contact with the contact surface (inclined surface) formed by providing the recess 11 e in the holder 11 to perform positioning. It is possible to easily position the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 while suppressing an increase in cost without requiring a configuration such as a positioning spacer.

  Here, a method of positioning the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 in the holder 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view within the dashed-two dotted line B shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, of the inclined surface formed by providing the recess 11 e, a part of the ball lens 12 abuts on a part facing the ball lens 12 and a part facing the optical fiber 13 The cladding 13 b or the reinforcing layer 13 c other than the core 13 a constituting the optical fiber 13 or a part of the cladding 13 b and the reinforcing layer 13 c abuts on the optical fiber 13. The ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 are respectively positioned at predetermined positions of the holder 11 in such a state of contact.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the recess 11e is a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 (for example, a plane I disposed parallel to the end face of the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 4 and passing through the center of the recess 11e). ), The angle of the part facing the ball lens 12 and the angle of the part facing the optical fiber 13 are provided at different angles. Such a recess 11 e is provided, for example, by pressing using a tapered tool having a different shape of the tip. By performing the pressing process with such a tool, the depression 11e differs in the angle of the part facing the ball lens 12 and the angle of the part facing the optical fiber 13 with respect to the central axis at the time of the pressing process. By setting the angle, it is possible to effectively position the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 having different shapes.

  Further, in the holder 11, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) such recessed portions 11 e are provided on the same circumference of the holder 11. The formation of the depressions 11e on the same circumference can be considered, for example, by simultaneously pressing from the outer periphery of the holder 11 with tools having different tip shapes as described above. Since the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be brought into contact with each other at a plurality of positions by providing a plurality of depressions 11 e on the same circumference in this manner, the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be more accurately. It becomes possible to perform positioning.

The portion of the recess 11 e facing the ball lens 12 constitutes an inclined surface 11 e ₁ . The inclined surface 11e ₁ is a plan (e.g., orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, arranged parallel to the end face of the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 4, it passes through the base end portion of the recess 11e angle theta ₁ with respect to the plane J) which is provided so as to be 0 ° to 45 °. By thus setting the angle theta ₁ of the inclined surface 11e ₁ of the ball lens 12 side than 45 ° 0 ° or more with respect to the plane J perpendicular to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13, the optical fiber 13 in the ball lens 12 Since positioning can be performed while supporting part of the side, the positional accuracy of the ball lens 12 can be enhanced.

On the other hand, the portion of the recess 11 e facing the optical fiber 13 constitutes an inclined surface 11 e ₂ . The inclined surface 11e ₂ is a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 (e.g., plane K which is parallel to the end face of the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 4) provided so that the angle theta ₂ with respect to becomes 20 ° or less It is done. Thus, by providing the angle of the inclined surface 11e ₂ at 20 ° or less with respect to the plane K, as described above, the core 13a, the cladding 13b, and the reinforcing layer 13c are disposed on the same plane as described above. In the case of an optical fiber, by bringing the end face of the optical fiber 13 into contact with the recess 11 e, the positional accuracy of these can be easily ensured.

  As described above, in the optical coupling member 10, since the part of the ball lens 12 and the part of the optical fiber 13 are brought into contact with the recessed part 11e provided in the holder 11 for positioning, the recessed part 11e is used as a reference As the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be positioned as in the embodiment, the working efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where another component is inserted into the holder 11, and the ball lens 12 and the light can be easily while suppressing the increase in cost. Positioning with the fiber 13 can be performed.

  The magnet 14 is provided on the outer periphery of the front end (the end on the ball lens 12 side) of the holder 11. For example, the magnet 14 has a generally cylindrical shape. The magnet 14 is fixed to the holder 11 in a state in which a part of the holder 11 is accommodated therein. For example, the magnet 14 is fixed by an adhesive applied to the outer peripheral surface of the holder 11. The magnet 14 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the holder 11 by welding or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the cross section 14 s of the front end portion of the magnet 14 has a planar shape. The cross section 14 s of the front end portion of the magnet 14 is fixed to the holder 11 so as to be disposed slightly forward of the front end portion of the holder 11. As described above, the front end portion of the ball lens 12 housed in the housing portion 11 c is disposed at the same position as the front end portion of the holder 11. Therefore, the cross section 14 s of the front end of the magnet 14 is disposed slightly ahead of the position of the front end of the ball lens 12.

  The magnet 14 is magnetized in the vicinity of the front end to an N pole and is magnetized in the vicinity of the rear end to an S pole. As will be described in detail later, the magnet 14 adsorbs to the magnet 24 of the light coupling member 20 to be coupled with each other, and aligns the center of the ball lens 12 with the center of the ball lens 22 of the light coupling member 20. (See FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a stopper member 6 is provided near the insertion hole 11 a of the holder 11, that is, on the rear end side of the holder 11. The stopper member 6 has a function of preventing the light coupling member 10 from projecting forward more than necessary. The stopper member 6 is adhesively fixed to, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the holder 11. The stopper member 6 is formed in a cylindrical shape (ring shape) having a through hole as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a portion of the holder 11 of the optical coupling member 10 is inserted into the through hole of the stopper member 6 ing. However, in the present embodiment, the shape of the stopper member 6 is not limited. The stopper member 6 may be partially provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface of the holder 11, or the plurality of stopper members 6 may be intermittently provided on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 11. The material of the stopper member 6 is formed of resin, metal or the like, and the material is not particularly limited.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a coil spring 7 as an urging member is provided on the front end face 6 a of the stopper member 6. The coil spring 7 is constituted by a tension coil spring. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coil spring 7 is connected to the rear end surface 2 c of the guide member 2 described below. That is, the coil spring 7 connects between the rear end surface 2 c of the guide member 2 and the front end surface 6 a of the stopper member 6 attached to the light coupling member 10 at the rear end side of the guide member 2.

  Next, the guide member 2 will be described. The guide member 2 is a block formed of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and the front end surface (one end surface) is provided on the upper surface 2a of the guide member 2 (the surface opposite to the surface (lower surface) facing the base 5). A bottomed concave guide groove 8, 8 extending linearly from the rear end face 2c to the rear end face 2c) is formed. Then, the holders 11 of the respective light coupling members 10 are individually disposed in the respective guide grooves 8, 8. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion of the holder 11 of each light coupling member 10 is disposed in each guide groove 8, and the portion of the magnet 14 protrudes to the front of the front end surface 2 b of the guide member 2.

  FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the guide member, the light coupling member, and the cover member in the direction of arrows C-C when the cover member shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the guide member in which the light coupling member is disposed. As shown in FIG. 5, each guide groove 8 includes a bottom surface 8 a and wall surfaces 8 b positioned on both sides in the X direction of the bottom surface 8 a. As shown in FIG. 5, the width dimension of the guide groove 8, that is, the distance between the wall surfaces 8b and 8b on both sides (the distance in the X direction) is T1. The width dimension T1 is formed larger than the light coupling member 10 disposed in the guide groove 8 (in FIG. 5, the diameter M1 of the portion where the holder 11 is positioned as the outer peripheral surface). Therefore, between the guide groove 8 and the optical coupling member 10, a clearance (gap) determined at T1-M1 in the X direction is generated. On the other hand, the width dimension T1 of the guide groove 8 is the width dimension of the optical coupling member 10 in the portion where the magnet 14 is disposed (in FIG. The width dimension of the coupling member 10 is smaller than M2 (shown by the diameter M2). Therefore, the portion of the magnet 14 is held in a state where it does not enter the guide groove 8 and protrudes to the front end face 2 b of the guide member 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the height dimension of each guide groove 8, that is, the height dimension of the wall surface 8b in the Z direction is T2. The height dimension T2 is formed larger than the diameter M1 of the light coupling member 10 disposed in the guide groove 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper part of the guide groove 8 is closed by the cover member 3 so that the clearance (gap) in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the optical coupling member 10 disposed in the guide groove 8 is It is referred to as T2-M1. Further, the height dimension T2 of the guide groove 8 is smaller than the diameter M2 of the light coupling member 10 in the portion provided with the magnet 14. It is sufficient that the width dimension T1 and the height dimension T2 of the guide groove 8 be smaller than at least one of the width dimension or the height dimension of the light coupling member 10 in the portion provided with the magnet 14.

  As described above, on the rear end side of the guide member 2, the coil spring 7 is connected between the front end face 6a of the stopper member 6 of the light coupling member 10 and the rear end face 2c of the guide member 2 (see FIG. 2) ). The coil spring 7 is a tension coil spring, and an urging force that urges the magnet 14 toward the front end surface 2 b of the guide member 2 acts. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, an urging force in the direction of the rear end of the guide member 2 acts on the optical coupling member 10 disposed in each guide groove 8, and the rear end face of each magnet 14 is the front end of the guide member 2. It is hold | maintained in the state contact | abutted to the surface 2b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the side surfaces 2d on both sides of the guide member 2, for example, protrusions 2e elongated in the Y direction are formed. In addition, in FIG. 2, the protrusion 2e is illustrated only in one side 2d which can be seen on the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 3 is configured to have a flat ceiling portion 3a and outer wall portions 3b and 3b bent vertically downward at both sides in the X direction of the ceiling portion 3a. The cover member 3 is formed of resin, nonmagnetic metal or the like. For example, when the cover member 3 is formed of resin, the cover member 3 including the ceiling 3a and the outer wall 3b can be formed by injection molding or the like. Alternatively, when the cover member 3 is formed of a nonmagnetic metal material, the metal plate can be bent to form the ceiling 3a and the outer wall 3b. As shown in FIG. 2, in the outer wall portions 3b provided on both sides in the X direction of the cover member 3, long holes 3c elongated in the Y direction are formed. In addition, in FIG. 2, the long hole 3c is illustrated only in one outer wall part 3b which can be seen on the drawing. The size of the elongated hole 3 c is substantially the same as the size of the protrusion 2 e provided on the guide member 2. Then, when the optical connector 1 is assembled, the cover member 3 is incorporated from above the guide member 2, whereby the projection 2e of the guide member 2 enters the long hole 3c of the cover member 3 as shown in FIG. The member 3 is fixed to the guide member 2.

  The shield case 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed of metal. The shield case 4 has an opening 4a penetrating from the front end side to the rear end side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of elastic tongues 4c are formed on the upper surface 4b of the shield case 4 at intervals in the X direction by cutting and raising.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an assembly member of the guide member 2, the light coupling member 10 and the cover member 3 is fitted to the rear end side of the shield case 4. Therefore, the size of the opening 4 a of the shield case 4 is formed in such a size that the assembled members of the guide member 2, the light coupling member 10 and the cover member 3 can be fitted. In the present embodiment, the assembly member can be press-fitted into the opening 4 a of the shield case 4 or bonded between the outer surface of the assembly member and the inner surface of the shield case 4 via an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnet 14 of the optical coupling member 10 is positioned behind the front end circumferential surface 4d of the shield case 4 and the ceiling 3a of the cover member 3 is positioned behind the elastic tongue 4c. The insertion positions of the assembly members of the guide member 2, the optical coupling member 10 and the cover member 3 with respect to the shield case 4 are defined (see also FIG. 6A, FIG. 7B, etc. described later).

  The lower surfaces of the shield case 4 and the guide member 2 integrated as described above are respectively joined to the upper surface of the base 5 via an adhesive or the like. At this time, although not particularly shown in FIG. 2, when the lower surfaces of the shield case 4 and the guide member 2 are flat surfaces, steps are generated on the lower surfaces of the integrated shield case 4 and the guide member 2. For this reason, if the upper surface of the base 5 is also a flat surface as shown in FIG. 2, the planar connection between the lower surfaces of the shield case 4 and the guide member 2 and the upper surface of the base 5 can not be performed properly. A level difference may be provided in advance on the lower surface of 2 and configured so that the lower surfaces of the guide member 2 and the shield case 4 become continuous flat surfaces when integrated with the shield case 4. Alternatively, the lower surface of the shield case 4 and the guide member 2 may be provided by providing a reverse step on the upper surface side of the base 5 with the step formed between the lower surfaces of the integrated shield case 4 and the guide member 2. Concave-convex bonding can be appropriately performed between the base 5 and the upper surface. In addition, although the base 5 is formed with the flat plate in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, for example, the base 5 comprises a part of housing | casing. That is, the base 5 is shown by extracting the bottom portion of the housing 9 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the base 5 may be provided separately from the housing 9, and the base 5 may be disposed on the inner surface of the housing 9 and used as a base for fixing the shield case 4 and the guide member 2. The base 5 and the housing 9 are formed of an insulating material such as resin.

  FIG. 6A is a plan view of the optical connector (female) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the optical connector (female) according to the present embodiment. 6A and 6B, the optical coupling member 10 disposed inside the optical connector 1 is indicated by a dotted line. For example, the housing 9 is divided into an upper housing 9a and a lower housing 9b. The upper housing 9a has a configuration similar to the cover member 3 including a ceiling and a downward outer wall located on both sides of the ceiling in the X direction, while the lower housing 9b has a bottom and a bottom And an upwardly facing outer wall located on both sides in the X direction of the portion. Then, the outer wall portions of the upper housing 9a and the lower housing 9b are joined together, so that the housing 9 in which the upper housing 9a and the lower housing 9b are integrated can be obtained. The method of bonding the upper housing 9a and the lower housing 9b is not particularly limited, and chemical bonding using an adhesive or physical bonding such as concavo-convex fitting may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a part of the shield case 4 protrudes forward of the housing 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the elastic tongue 4c provided on the upper surface 4b of the shield case 4 is exposed in front of the housing 9.

  FIG. 7A is a front view of the optical connector (female type) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 7A. As shown in FIG. 7A, the front end surface of the ring-shaped magnet 14 provided on the outer periphery of the holder 11 is exposed on the front surface of the optical connector 1. Furthermore, the ball lens 12 arranged at the center of the ring-shaped magnet 14 is visible. In FIG. 7A, the centers of the ball lenses 12 of the two optical coupling members 10 disposed in the optical connector 1 are aligned in a straight line in the X direction, but the ball lenses 12 are slightly in the vertical direction (Z direction The state of being shifted to) is also acceptable. As will be described in detail later, the light coupling member 10 in the present embodiment is supported in a floating structure (floating configuration), and the guide member 2 supports the light coupling member 10 in the X direction and the Y direction. Alignment operations in the Z and Z directions are allowed. Therefore, even if the center position of the ball lens 12 is slightly deviated in the vertical direction from the X direction, the floating operation of the light coupling member 10 can properly align the object to be coupled.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, a coil spring 7 is connected between the front end face 6a of the stopper member 6 and the rear end face 2c of the guide member 2 which are disposed on the rear end side of the guide member 2 of the optical coupling member 10. The optical coupling member 10 is biased toward the rear end by the biasing force of the coil spring 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the rear end surface of the magnet 14 is in contact with the front end surface 2b of the guide member 2.

  Further, as already described in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 7B, the X direction is between the guide groove 8 and the portion of the holder 11 of the light coupling member 10 disposed in the guide groove 8 of the guide member 2. There is a clearance CL. In FIG. 7B, the clearances CL provided between the respective optical coupling members 10 and the respective guide grooves 8 have the same size on the left and right sides, but the clearances CL may be slightly shifted in the left and right direction. As described above, the light coupling member 10 in the present embodiment has a floating structure (floating structure), and movement of the light coupling member with the guide groove 8 of the guide member 2 is restricted while the movement of the light coupling member is limited. Movement related to the alignment operation is permitted. Therefore, even if the clearance CL in the X direction between the light coupling member 10 and the guide groove 8 shown in FIG. 7B is slightly dispersed, the light coupling member 10 appropriately aligns with the coupling object by the floating operation. It is possible. Further, the clearance is also provided in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the portion of the holder 11 of each light coupling member 10 and each guide groove 8 (see FIG. 5).

  Subsequently, a male (plug) optical connector will be described. FIG. 8A is a plan view of the optical connector (male) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the optical connector (male) according to the present embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 9A is a front view of the optical connector (male type) which concerns on this Embodiment, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the EE arrow line shown to FIG. 9A. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 7 indicate the same members and the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 7, but the same members may have the same light coupling members, magnets, and ball lenses for convenience of explanation. , The holder, and the optical fiber were changed in sign. However, the magnetization form of the magnet is reversed between the female type and the male type. This point will be described in detail later. 8A and 8B, similarly to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the optical coupling member 20 (the reference numeral 24 is a magnet) disposed inside the optical connector 100 is indicated by a dotted line. In the optical connector 100, the right side is the front side, and the left side is the rear side.

  Each optical coupling member 20 shown to FIG. 9B is coupling object of the optical coupling member 10 shown to FIG. 7B, and it is the same structure except the magnetization direction of the optical coupling member 10 and a magnet. That is, the light coupling member 20 is obtained by rotating the light coupling member 10 shown in FIG. 7B by 180 degrees. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the light coupling member 20, the holder 21, the ball lens 22, the optical fiber 23, and the magnet 24 are used.

  Since the optical connector 100 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a male type, the outer peripheral surface of the shield case 104 used for the optical connector 100 can be inserted into the opening 4 a of the shield case 4 of the female optical connector 1. The size is taken. At this time, the size of the inner circumferential surface of the opening 4 a of the shield case 4 is set so that the shield case 104 of the optical connector 100 can be press-fit into the opening 4 a of the shield case 4 of the optical connector 1 and fixed to each other. The size of the outer peripheral surface of the shield case 104 is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the size of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 4 a of the shield case 4. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the shield case 104 is provided with an opening 104a penetrating from the front to the rear, and the magnet 24 of the light coupling member 20 is exposed in the opening 104a. Also, the front end face of the ball lens 22 is visible from the opening 104 a.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, a pair of insertion holes 104c are formed in the upper surface portion 104b of the shield case 104 at an interval in the X direction. Each insertion hole 104c is paired with a pair of elastic tongues 4c (see FIG. 6A) provided on the top surface 4b of the shield case 4 in the X direction. Therefore, when the worker or the like connects the optical connectors 1 and 100, the pair of elastic tongues 4c provided on the upper surface 4b of the shield case 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 104c formed on the upper surface 104b of the shield case 104. It gets stuck. On the other hand, when the worker etc. separates the optical connectors 1 and 100 from each other in the connected state, the elastic tongue pieces 4c are elastically deformed and come out of the insertion holes 104c, so the optical connectors 1 and 100 can be easily removed. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the housing 109 of the optical connector 100 is constituted by the upper housing 109a and the lower housing 109b as in the housing 9 shown in FIG. 6B, and the upper housing 109a and the lower housing The housing 109 can be obtained by bonding to the housing 109 b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9B, the rear end side surface 109c of the housing 109 is inclined so as to be tapered from the front to the rear. Therefore, in the optical connectors 1 and 100, the shapes of the rear end portions of the housings 9 and 109 are different. However, the shapes of the housings 9 and 109 shown in the present embodiment are merely examples and may have the same shape, and can be variously changed in accordance with the use purpose and the like. By differentiating the shapes of the housings 9 and 109, the male type and the female type can be easily distinguished from the appearance.

  The optical connector 100 shown in FIG. 9B also has the front end face 6a of the stopper member 6 and the guide member disposed on the rear end side (the left side in the figure) of the optical coupling member 20 with respect to the guide member 2 similarly to FIG. 7B. A coil spring 7 is connected between the rear end face 2 c and the optical coupling member 20 is urged toward the rear end of the guide member 2 by the urging force of the coil spring 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the rear end surface of the magnet 24 is in contact with the front end surface 2b of the guide member 2. Also in FIG. 9B, as in FIG. 7B, a clearance CL in the X direction is provided between the light coupling member 20 (holder 21) disposed in the guide groove 8 of the guide member 2 and the guide groove 8. It is done. The clearance is also provided in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the guide groove 8 and the optical coupling member 20.

  10A is a plan view showing a state in which the optical connector (female type) shown in FIG. 6A and the optical connector (male type) shown in FIG. 8A are connected, and FIG. 10B is an optical connector (female type shown in FIG. And the optical connector (male type) shown in FIG. 8B are connected. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 10B, and FIG. 11B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G in FIG. 10A. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the light coupling members 10 and 20 disposed inside the respective optical connectors 1 and 100 are indicated by dotted lines.

  A worker or the like connects the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100. At this time, the shield case 104 of the male optical connector 100 is inserted into the opening 4 a of the shield case 4 of the female optical connector 1, and the optical coupling member 20 is coupled with the optical coupling member 10. Are coupled through an alignment operation by a coupling operation described below. When the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100 are connected, as shown in FIG. 11B, the elastic tongue piece 4c provided in the shield case 4 enters the insertion hole 104c provided in the shield case 104, and the detachment is prevented. Ru.

  Hereinafter, the coupling operation of the optical coupling members 10 and 20 when the optical connectors 1 and 100 are connected will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the coupling operation of the optical coupling members 10 and 20 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 12, a part of the optical fibers 13 and 23 is shown by a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 12, the light coupling member 20 differs from the light coupling member 10 only in the form of magnetization of the magnet 24. In the optical coupling member 20, unlike the magnet 14, the magnet 24 is magnetized in the vicinity of the tip end on the ball lens 22 side to the S pole, and is magnetized in the vicinity of the end on the opposite side to the N pole. The positioning of the ball lens 22 and the optical fiber 23 and the positional relationship between the ball lens 22 and the holder 21 and the magnet 24 are the same as those of the light coupling member 10.

  The magnets 14 and 24 provided in the respective optical connectors 1 and 100 are initially brought into contact with the front end face 2b of the guide member 2 as shown in FIGS. 7B and 9B. Here, the positions of the magnets 14 and 24 shown in FIGS. 7B and 9B are referred to as “initial positions”. The initial position indicates the reference position before the optical connectors 1 and 100 are connected to each other. When the worker or the like connects the optical connectors 1 and 100 to each other, the magnets 14 and 24 come close to each other within the connected shield cases 4 and 104 and face each other. At this time, the magnets 14 and 24 are attracted from the initial position by the adsorption force acting between the magnets 14 and 24 and move forward with each other. Thereby, the magnet 24 and the magnet 14 come into contact with each other (see FIG. 12B).

  Then, from the state shown in FIG. 12B, the cross section 24s of the magnet 24 on the side of the light coupling member 10 and the cross section 14s of the magnet 14 on the side of the light coupling member 20 are opposed to each other by the adsorption force of the magnet 24 and the magnet 14. The magnets 14 and 24 move as they do. Here, the magnet 14 moves downward and the magnet 24 moves upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12C, the cross section 24s of the magnet 24 on the light coupling member 10 side is in close contact with the cross section 14s of the magnet 14 on the light coupling member 20 side.

  The optical coupling member 10 and the optical coupling member 20 have the same positional relationship of their respective component parts. Therefore, the cross section 24s of the magnet 24 on the light coupling member 10 side and the cross section 14s of the magnet 14 on the light coupling member 20 side are in close contact with each other, so that the center of the ball lens 12 and the center of the ball lens 22 And are in a state of agreement. In the present embodiment, both of the optical coupling members 10 and 20 are permitted to perform the alignment operation. For example, when the coupling target is fixed and does not move, only the optical coupling member 10 is shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. It moves and is bound to the coupling object.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of optical coupling members 10 and 20 are disposed in each of the optical connectors 1 and 100. Therefore, there are a plurality of sets of light coupling members 10, 20 to be connected. Depending on the application, the coupling timing of each set may be substantially simultaneous, or the coupling timing may be changed. For example, it is specified that the coupling timings of the respective sets in the optical connectors 1 and 100 described above become substantially simultaneous. "Almost simultaneously" is a concept that includes manufacturing errors and the like instead of exact simultaneous.

  In the coupling operation described in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the movement restricting member is used to allow the alignment operation to the optical coupling member 20 which is the coupling object of the optical coupling member 10, while the further movement is It is regulated to be impossible. Hereinafter, the movement restriction on the optical coupling member 10 will be described. Although the description is omitted, the same applies to the light coupling member 20. The light coupling member 10 in the present embodiment is supported by a floating structure (floating structure). That is, the light coupling member 10 is supported so as to be movable in any of three axial directions of the left-right direction (X direction), the front-rear direction (Y direction), and the up-down direction (Z direction). However, if free movement in the three axial directions of the optical coupling member 10 is permitted and movement regulation is not performed, for example, when a plurality of optical coupling members 10 are juxtaposed, the repulsive force and adsorption force generated between the respective optical coupling members As a result, the initial position of each light coupling member 10 is not stable. In addition, even when only one optical coupling member 10 is disposed, the positioning accuracy when incorporating the optical coupling member 10 into the optical connector 1 is likely to be degraded, and light may be emitted when a strong impact or the like is applied to the optical connector 1. There is a possibility that the joint member 10 may collide with the housing portion or the like to damage the ball lens 12 or the like. As described above, if the initial position of the optical coupling member 10 is not stable, there is a possibility that coupling with the coupling target can not be performed with high alignment accuracy, or coupling with the coupling target itself can not be performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the movement restricting member for restricting the movement of the light coupling member 10 is provided while permitting the alignment operation of the light coupling member 10 to the coupling target.

  As described above, in the light coupling member 10, the center of the ball lens 12 is aligned with the center of the ball lens 22 of the light coupling member 20 by the adsorption force of the magnet 14 provided in the holder 11. The ball lens 12 and the ball lens 22 can be aligned easily and automatically only by connecting the optical connectors 1 and 100 to each other. At this time, the movement of the light coupling member 10 beyond the alignment operation with the coupling target is restricted. As a result, the alignment accuracy with the object to be coupled can be improved without requiring a complicated coupling operation, and the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber can be improved.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the guide member 2 is used as the movement restricting member. In the guide member 2, a guide groove 8 is formed from the front end to the rear end, and in the light coupling member 10, the holder 11 is disposed in the guide groove 8 in a state where the magnet 14 protrudes from the front end side of the guide member 2 There is. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the width dimension T1 and the height dimension T2 of the guide groove 8 are larger than the diameter (width dimension) M1 of the portion of the light coupling member 10 disposed in the guide groove 8. Thereby, when an adsorption force is generated between the magnets 14 and 24 by the connection of the optical connectors 1 and 100, the optical coupling member 10 passes through the guide groove 8 in the coupling direction with the optical coupling member 20 to be coupled. I can move properly. Further, since the width dimension T1 and the height dimension T2 of the guide groove 8 are larger than the diameter of the light coupling member 10 of the portion disposed in the guide groove 8, a clearance is generated between the holder 11 and the guide groove 8 There is. Therefore, the optical coupling member 10 is appropriate in the clearance range formed in the lateral direction (X direction) and the height direction (Z direction) in the direction intersecting with the extending direction (longitudinal direction; Y direction) of the guide groove 8 You can move to Therefore, the optical coupling member 10 allows the alignment operation to the coupling object in three axial directions, and appropriately centers the ball lenses 12 and 22 of the optical coupling member 10 and the optical coupling member 20 to be coupled. Alignment operation is possible. In addition, the bottom surface 8a and the side wall 8b of the guide groove 8 and the ceiling surface of the cover member 3 closing the upper surface of the guide groove 8 constitute a restricting surface that prevents the optical coupling member 10 from moving more than necessary. Furthermore, since the width dimension T1 and the height dimension T2 of the guide groove 8 are smaller than the diameter M2 of the light coupling member 10 in the portion provided with the magnet 14, the magnet 14 enters the guide groove 8 of the guide member 2. The optical coupling member 10 can be restricted from moving toward the rear end more than necessary. Thereby, the movement of the light coupling member 10 can be appropriately restricted while permitting the alignment operation to the light coupling member 20 to which the light coupling member 10 is to be coupled.

  In the above-described embodiment, two optical coupling members 10 are incorporated into the optical connector 1, but the number is not limited. The number of light coupling members 10 may be one, or three or more. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of light coupling members 10 are provided, it is preferable that the guide grooves 8 provided in the guide member 2 be individually provided in each of the light coupling members 10. That is, if there are two light coupling members 10, two guide grooves 8 are also formed, and if there are four light coupling members 10, four guide grooves 8 are formed. Thus, the magnetic coupling force between the magnets 14 of the plurality of optical coupling members 10 incorporated in the optical connector 1 prevents the optical coupling members 10 from separating or approaching each other beyond the width of the guide groove 8. can do. Therefore, the initial positions of the plurality of light coupling members 10 can be stably held.

  Further, in the light coupling member 10 according to the present embodiment, the center of the ball lens 12 and the center of the ball lens 22 of the light coupling member 20 are aligned by the adsorption force from the magnet 14. Therefore, the light coupling member 20 can be easily attached and detached, and can be repeatedly attached and detached over a long period of time.

  The shapes of the cross sections 14s and 24s of the magnets 14 and 24 disposed in the optical connector 1 and 100 are configured the same. For this reason, cross sections 14s and 24s can be stuck together by the adsorption power of these magnets 14 and 24. Thus, the light coupling member 10 can be stably coupled to the light coupling member 20.

  In particular, in the magnet 14 disposed in the optical connector 1, the outer shape of the cross section 14 s on the side of the optical coupling member 20 to be coupled is configured to be a perfect circle whose center is the center of the ball lens 12. For this reason, when adsorb | sucking with the magnet 24 of the optical coupling member 20, the magnet 14 does not rotate. For this reason, since rotation of the holder 11 in which the magnet 14 is provided can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the optical fiber 13 held by the holder 11 is twisted.

  Further, the cross section 14s on the light coupling member 20 side of the magnet 14 disposed in the optical connector 1 protrudes further forward than the front end portion (the end portion on the light coupling member 20 side) of the ball lens 12. Similarly, in the magnet 24 disposed in the optical connector 100 as well, the cross section 24s on the optical coupling member 10 side protrudes further forward than the front end of the ball lens 22 (the end on the optical coupling member 10 side). As a result, even if the cross sections 14s and 24s of the magnets 14 and 24 come in contact with each other, the ball lenses 12 and 22 do not come in contact with each other, which makes it possible to prevent the surface of the ball lenses 12 and 22 from being damaged. The distance between the ball lens 12 and the ball lens 22 when the magnets 14 and 24 are in contact with each other is preferably 1 mm or less. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber 13.

  The arrangement relationship between the cross sections 14s and 24s of the magnets 14 and 24 and the ball lenses 12 and 22 is not limited to the above. Hereinafter, another arrangement relationship will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of an optical coupling member according to a modification of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the cross sections 14s and 24s of the magnets 14 and 24 and the ball lenses 12 and 22 are disposed at the same position. Thereby, since the distance between the ball lenses 12 and 22 can be shortened, it is possible to prevent the light propagation efficiency in the optical fiber 13 from being lowered with the increase of the gap between the ball lenses 12 and 22. It becomes possible.

  The cross section 14s or 24s of one of the magnets 14 or 24 is projected forward of the front end of the ball lens 12 or 24, and the other cross section 14s or 24s is the same position as the front end of the ball lens 12 or 24 It may be located at Even in such a case, the distance between the ball lens 12 and the ball lens 22 when the magnets 14 and 24 are in contact with each other is preferably 1 mm or less. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber 13.

  In the light coupling member 10 according to the above embodiment, the case where the light coupling member 10 and the light coupling member 20 are coupled by the adsorption force generated by the magnets 14 and 24 is described. However, the configuration of the light coupling member 10 is not limited to this. It is preferable as an embodiment to strengthen the coupling between the light coupling member 10 and the light coupling member 20 or to facilitate the coupling between the light coupling member 10 and the light coupling member 20.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B etc., a coil spring 7 is provided as a biasing member that biases the magnet 14 projecting to the front end side of the guide member 2 in the direction of the front end face 2b of the guide member 2. It is done. Specifically, the coil spring 7 is disposed between the rear end face 2c of the guide member 2 and the front end face 6a of the stopper member 6 provided on the light coupling member 10 at the rear of the rear end face 2c of the guide member 2 It is a tension coil spring to connect. Further, the biasing force of the coil spring 7 is set to be weaker than the magnetic force (adhesion force) acting between the magnet 14 which is the coupling object of the magnet 14 and the magnet 24. Thus, the magnet 14 of the optical coupling member 10 is moved forward from the initial position in contact with the front end face 2 b of the guide member 2 by the magnetic force acting between the magnets 14 and 24 by the connection of the optical connectors 1 and 100 with each other. Then, the optical coupling members 10 and 20 are properly coupled to each other. Further, when the optical connectors 1 and 100 are pulled apart from the connected state of the optical connectors 1 and 100, the magnets 14 and 24 are separated from each other. At this time, the magnet 14 of the optical coupling member 10 is a guide member 2 by the biasing force of the coil spring 7. Is appropriately returned to the initial position in contact with the front end face 2b of the. The “biasing force” in the present embodiment is a force for returning the light coupling member 10 to its original position when the light coupling member 10 and the light coupling member 20 are uncoupled from the coupled state, The biasing force may not act on the light coupling member 10 in the initial position.

  In the above embodiment, the coil spring 7 is used as an urging member for returning the light coupling member 10 to the initial position by releasing the coupling state with the light coupling members 10 and 20. However, the coil spring 7 is used as an elastic body. Besides, rubber or the like may be used. As described above, by using the elastic body as the biasing member, the biasing force can be applied to the optical coupling member 10 with a simple configuration.

  Further, although the coil spring 7 is provided between the rear end face 2c of the guide member 2 and the front end face 6a of the stopper member 6 in the above embodiment, an elastic body such as the coil spring 7 is used as the front end of the guide member 2 It may be connected between the surface 2 b and the rear end face of the magnet 14.

  However, the biasing member is preferably disposed on the rear end side of the guide member 2. Since the rear end side of the guide member 2 has a wider space than the front end side, the biasing member can be disposed without difficulty. Moreover, the state which contact | abutted on the front end surface 2b of the guide member 2 as an initial position of the magnet 14 can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in place of the configuration in which the coil spring 7 is used, a biasing member described below may be used. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of an optical connector (male type) to which a biasing member different from that of FIG. 9B is applied. In FIG. 14, although it demonstrates using the male type optical connector 100, it is applicable also to the female type optical connector 1 similarly.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the first adsorption portion 102 is provided on the rear end side of the light coupling member 20 with respect to the guide member 2, and the second adsorption portion 103 is provided at a position facing the first adsorption portion 102. It is done. The biasing member is constituted by the first suction unit 102 and the second suction unit 103. The second adsorbing unit 103 is connected to the light coupling member 20 on the rear end side of the first adsorbing unit 102, and the second adsorbing unit 103 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 109. The second adsorption portion 103 is not in contact with the light coupling member 20. In this embodiment, the first adsorption portion 102 functions as a stopper member that prevents the light coupling member 20 from projecting forward more than necessary.

  In FIG. 14, an adsorption force is generated between the first adsorption unit 102 and the second adsorption unit 103, and the first adsorption unit 102 and the second adsorption unit 103 are adsorbed. For example, one of the first adsorption portion 102 and the second adsorption portion 103 is a magnet, and the other is formed of a magnetic metal material, or both are formed of a magnet. As a result, the first adsorbing portion 102 and the second adsorbing portion 103 can be attracted by the magnetic force, and an urging force in the rear end direction can be applied to the optical coupling member 20 with a simple configuration. it can. By the biasing force, as shown in FIG. 14, an initial position in which the rear end surface of the magnet 24 abuts on the front end surface 2 b of the guide member 2 is obtained. As in the case where the coil spring 7 is disposed, the suction force (biasing force) generated between the first suction unit 102 and the second suction unit 103 is such that the worker etc. connect the optical connectors 1 and 100. When compared with the magnetic force generated between the magnets 14 and 24, it is weaker. For this reason, when the worker etc. connect the optical connectors 1 and 100, the magnets 14 and 24 of the optical coupling members 10 and 20 are appropriately attracted to each other, and adsorption accompanied by positioning operation is performed. The optical coupling member 20 can be returned to the original initial position by the adsorption force between the first adsorption unit 102 and the second adsorption unit 103 by pulling apart the optical connectors 1 and 100.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. In the above embodiment, the size, shape, and the like illustrated in the attached drawings are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed within the range in which the effects of the present invention are exhibited. In addition, without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately change and implement.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the lens provided in the light coupling member 10 is configured by the ball lens 12 is described. However, the lens applied to the light coupling member 10 is not limited to the ball lens 12 and can be appropriately modified. For example, it is possible to apply any lens such as a convex lens or a concave lens, on the premise that it is possible to couple light which is properly transmitted to and from the coupling target.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the optical coupling member 10 is equipped with the magnet 14 as an adsorption member is demonstrated. However, the adsorbing member provided in the optical coupling member 10 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately modified. For example, as the adsorption member, the optical coupling member 10 may be provided with a magnetic body that adsorbs to a magnet provided to be coupled. Also in such a case, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to improve the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber 13 without requiring a complicated coupling operation.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the case where the magnet 14 with which the optical coupling member 10 is equipped has a cylindrical shape is demonstrated. However, the shape of the magnet 14 provided in the light coupling member 10 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. For example, any shape may be used on the premise that the center of the ball lens 12 can be aligned with the center of the optical element on the coupling target side in relation to the magnet provided on the coupling target. For example, the magnet 14 may be configured by a cylindrical body having a polygonal cross-sectional shape. In addition, the magnet 14 may not have a shape surrounding the entire periphery of the front end portion of the holder 11, but may have a shape that is disposed at a part of the magnet. Furthermore, the cross section of the front end portion of the magnet 14 may have an uneven shape instead of a flat shape.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the light coupling member 20 is coupled to the light coupling member 20 having the same configuration as an object to be coupled is described as an example. However, the coupling target of the optical coupling member 10 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the optical coupling member 10 can be coupled to a coupling target not including a lens as an optical element, a coupling target including the magnet 24 having a different cross-sectional shape, or a coupling target including a magnetic body instead of the magnet 24. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the guide member 2 is presented as the movement restricting member for the light coupling member, but the invention is not limited to the guide member 2. For example, the periphery of the holder 11 of the optical coupling member is covered with a flexible resin layer such as an elastomer, and the magnet 14 is projected to the front end side of the resin layer. The resin layer has a flexibility that does not inhibit the alignment operation of the light coupling member to the bonding target. Therefore, the resin layer can function as a movement restricting member which permits the alignment operation of the light coupling member to the coupling object but restricts the light coupling member from moving any more. This also makes it possible to improve the propagation efficiency of light in the optical fiber without requiring a complicated coupling operation. However, by using the guide member having the guide groove as the movement restricting member and arranging the holder of the optical coupling member in the guide groove, the positioning operation range of the optical coupling member to the coupling object can be regulated with high accuracy. Furthermore, alignment in the optical connector of the optical coupling member can be performed only by arranging the holder of the optical coupling member in the guide groove of the guide member, and the assembling operation of the optical coupling member can be facilitated.

  The optical connector in the present embodiment is an electrical connector compliant with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, an electrical connector compliant with the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard (HDMI is a registered trademark), Thunderbolt It can be used as an electrical connector compliant with the standard, an electrical connector compliant with the Ethernet standard (Ethernet and Ethernet are registered trademarks), and the like. It can also be used as a power supply connector. In the power supply connector, first, after the light coupling member for ground is coupled to the light coupling member for grounding to be coupled, the remaining light coupling members are coupled after a delay. For example, by changing the biasing force of a coil spring or the like as a biasing member attached to each light coupling member for each light coupling member or changing the magnetic force of a magnet, the coupling timings may be shifted not simultaneously. it can.

Reference Signs List 1, 100 optical connector 2 guide member 3 cover member 4, 104 shield case 5 base 6 stopper member 7 coil spring 8 guide groove 9, 109 housing 10, 20 optical coupling member 11, 21 holder 11 a insertion hole 11 b opening 11 c accommodation Part 11d Through hole 11e Indented part 12, 22 Ball lens 13, 23 Optical fiber 13a Core 13b Clad 13c Reinforcement layer 14, 24 Magnet 14s, 24s Cross section 102 First adsorption part 103 Second adsorption part

Claims (11)

A holding member in which a housing portion for housing the lens is formed at one end and an insertion hole into which an optical fiber is inserted is formed at the other end, and the holding member in a direction intersecting the housing direction of the lens at one end of the holding member A suction member for generating a suction force for aligning the center of the lens with the center of the optical element provided for coupling, and extending from the one end toward the other end An optical coupling member,
A first direction which is an extension direction of the light coupling member, a second direction as a height direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction for all 3 directions, while allowing the alignment operation to the binding partner of the optical coupling member, have a, a movement restricting member for restricting the movement of the optical coupling member,
The movement restricting member has a guide groove provided from one end to the other end in the extending direction of the light coupling member, and the light coupling member is such that the suction member protrudes from one end side of the movement restricting member In the state, the holding member is disposed in the guide groove, and a clearance is provided between the holding member and the guide groove, and the suction member is disposed at the one end side of the movement regulating member. An optical connector characterized in that alignment operation is permitted . The width dimension and the height dimension of the guide groove are larger than the width dimension and the height dimension of the light coupling member of the portion disposed in the guide groove, in the position of the light coupling member at the position where the adsorption member is disposed. The optical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the optical connector is smaller than at least one of a width dimension and a height dimension. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a plurality of the optical coupling members are provided, and the guide grooves are individually provided to the respective optical coupling members. A biasing member is provided for biasing the suction member toward one end face of the movement restricting member, and a biasing force of the biasing member is weaker than the suction force of the suction member with respect to the coupling target. An optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The biasing member is an elastic body that connects the movement restricting member and the light coupling member, and the attraction member is urged toward one end surface of the movement restricting member by the elastic force of the elastic body. The optical connector according to claim 4 , characterized in that: The optical connector according to claim 5 , wherein the elastic body connects the movement restricting member to the movement restricting member on the other end side of the light coupling member with respect to the movement restricting member. The biasing member faces the first suction portion provided on the light coupling member and the first suction portion on the other end side of the movement regulating member, and is fixed on the housing side. An adsorption unit is provided, and the adsorption member is urged toward one end surface side of the movement restricting member by adsorption between the first adsorption unit and the second adsorption unit. The optical connector according to 4 . The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the adsorption member is formed of a magnet. 9. The magnet according to claim 8 , wherein a shape of a cross section in a direction crossing the housing direction of the lens has the same shape as a cross section of the coupling target magnet disposed around the optical element. Optical connector. 10. The optical connector according to claim 9 , wherein an outer shape of a cross section of the magnet in a direction intersecting with the accommodation direction of the lens is a perfect circle shape centering on a center of the lens. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the cross section on the coupling target side in the suction member is disposed closer to the coupling target than the end on the coupling target side of the lens. .

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