JP6763234B2 - Optical connector ferrules, optical connectors, adapters, and optical connection structures - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical connector ferrule, an optical connector, an adapter, and an optical connection structure.

Patent Document 1 describes an optical connector containing a lens. The lensed optical connector comprises an optical fiber and a ferrule having holding holes for holding the optical fiber. A pair of optical fibers and ferrules are provided, and a light guide member is interposed between the pair of optical fibers. The light guide member is composed of a main body located between a pair of optical fibers and a spherical light guide lens arranged inside the main body.

Japanese Patent No. 37946228

A PC (Physical Contact) method is generally known as a method for connecting a connector between optical fibers. FIG. 11A is a side sectional view showing an example of the structure of a PC-type ferrule. The ferrule 100 has a hole 102 that holds the optical fiber 120. The optical fiber 120 is inserted through the hole 102. In this PC method, the optical fibers 120 are optically coupled to each other by physically contacting and pressing the tip surface of the optical fiber 120 with the tip surface of the optical fiber 120 of the mating connector.

However, the above method has the following problems. In the ferrule 100, since the tip surfaces of the two optical fibers 120 are physically contacted and separated from each other to be attached and detached, there is a concern that the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 120 may be worn if the attachment and detachment are repeated. Further, if the foreign matter is connected to the end face 104 of the ferrule 100 in a state where the foreign matter is attached, the foreign matter adheres to the end face 104 due to the pressing force. It is necessary to use a contact-type cleaner to remove the foreign matter that has adhered, and it is necessary to perform frequent cleaning to prevent the foreign matter from adhering. Further, in the case of a multi-core ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers 120 are connected at the same time, a predetermined pressing force is required for each optical fiber 120, so that the larger the number of optical fibers 120, the greater the force required for connection. It becomes.

To solve the above problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, a structure is conceivable in which a spacer 106 is interposed between the two end faces 104 to provide a space between the end faces 121 of the two optical fibers 120. However, in a structure in which an interval is provided between the end faces 121, the light coupling state may change depending on the length of the interval, so it is necessary to adjust the interval with high accuracy. Further, since the spacer 106 defines the interval, the thickness of the spacer 106 also needs to be designed with high accuracy. Further, since the interval is very small, it is required to make the thickness of the spacer 106 very thin. Therefore, it is difficult to design and manufacture the spacer 106, and the spacer 106 may be damaged. As described above, since the spacer 106 is difficult to handle, there is a current situation that the spacer 106 cannot be easily spaced even if the spacer 106 is used.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector ferrule, an optical connector, an adapter, and an optical connection structure capable of easily providing a space between end faces. ..

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the optical connector ferrule according to the embodiment of the present invention has an end face facing the mating connector and a plurality of guide holes formed on the end face into which guide pins are inserted. The center of the plurality of guide holes is arranged on one side of the reference line extending in the first direction while passing through the center of the end face, and the other side of the reference line of the end face is a member other than the optical connector ferrule. Includes a contact surface that comes into contact with.

An optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule and a housing incorporating a spring for urging the optical connector ferrule in a direction of pressing the mating connector, and the housing is made of another member. It has a latch mechanism that fits with.

The adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention is an adapter that accommodates the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule, and has two insertion ports into which the optical connector ferrule is inserted and faces opposite to each other, and a contact surface of the optical connector ferrule. The two contacted surfaces are provided with two contacted surfaces, each of which faces the insertion slot side, and the two contacted surfaces are located at different positions in the insertion direction of the optical connector ferrule. It is located in.

The optical connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned adapter, the above-mentioned two optical connector ferrules, and a guide pin for fixing the relative positions of the two optical connector ferrules, and has two contacted surfaces. The distance between the two end faces of the two optical connector ferrules is defined by the contact surfaces of the two optical connector ferrules with each of the two optical connector ferrules.

The optical connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned adapter, the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule, and another connector ferrule in which the centers of a plurality of guide holes are arranged on a reference line passing through the center of an end face. , A guide pin for fixing the relative positions of the optical connector ferrule and other connector ferrules, and the contact surface of the optical connector ferrule and the end surface of the other connector ferrule are applied to each of the two contacted surfaces. By contacting, the distance between the end faces of the optical connector ferrule and the end faces of other connector ferrules is defined.

According to the present invention, a space can be easily provided between the end faces.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an optical connection structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an enlarged portion D of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an optical connector ferrule according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the optical connector ferrule of FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a connection state of the optical connector ferrule of FIG. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the optical connector ferrule of FIG. 3 is in contact with the adapter. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an optical connector ferrule according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the optical connector ferrule of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing an optical connection structure according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10A is a side sectional view showing an optical connection structure according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10B is a front view of the end face of the optical connector ferrule of FIG. FIG. 10 (c) is a front view of the end face of the conventional optical connector ferrule. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are side sectional views schematically showing a conventional optical connection structure.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the Present Invention]
First, the contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. The optical connector ferrule according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an end face facing the mating connector and a plurality of guide holes formed on the end face into which guide pins are inserted, and is the center of the plurality of guide hole groups. Is located on one side of a reference line that passes through the center of the end face and extends in the first direction, and the other side of the reference line on the end face includes a contact surface that abuts on other members other than the optical connector ferrule. There is.

An optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule and a housing incorporating a spring for urging the optical connector ferrule in a direction of pressing the mating connector, and the housing is made of another member. It has a latch mechanism that fits with.

The adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention is an adapter that accommodates the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule, and has two insertion ports into which the optical connector ferrule is inserted and faces opposite to each other, and a contact surface of the optical connector ferrule. The two contacted surfaces are provided with two contacted surfaces, each of which faces the insertion slot side, and the two contacted surfaces are located at different positions in the insertion direction of the optical connector ferrule. It is located in.

The optical connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned adapter, the above-mentioned two optical connector ferrules, and a guide pin for fixing the relative positions of the two optical connector ferrules, and has two contacted surfaces. The distance between the two end faces of the two optical connector ferrules is defined by the contact surfaces of the two optical connector ferrules in contact with each of the two optical connector ferrules.

The above-mentioned optical connector ferrule, optical connector, and optical connection structure have end faces facing the mating connector, and the center of a plurality of guide hole groups into which guide pins are inserted is arranged on one side of a reference line. .. The other side of the reference line of the end face includes a contact surface that contacts other members other than the optical connector ferrule. Therefore, the position of the end face can be determined by bringing the contact surface located on the other side of the end face into contact with another member, so that the distance between the end face and the mating connector is defined without the above-mentioned spacer. can do. Therefore, since the interval can be specified without using the spacer described above, the handleability can be improved and the interval can be easily provided.

The adapter described above includes two contacted surfaces to which the contact surfaces of the optical connector ferrules come into contact, and the two contacted surfaces are arranged at different positions in the insertion direction of the optical connector ferrules. Therefore, by bringing the contact surfaces of the above-mentioned optical connector ferrules into contact with the contacted surfaces of the adapter, the distance between the end faces of the optical connector ferrules can be defined without a spacer. Therefore, since the interval can be specified without using the spacer described above, the handleability can be improved and the interval can be easily provided by using this adapter.

Further, the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule may include a protrusion that protrudes in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and the end face may include one surface of the protrusion. In this case, for example, even with respect to the conventional optical connector ferrule in which the centers of a plurality of guide holes are arranged on a reference line passing through the center of the end face, a plurality of guide holes are provided by extending the end faces. It is possible to create a state in which the center of the group is located on one side of the reference line.

Further, the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule is formed on an end face and includes a plurality of optical fiber holding holes into which optical fibers are inserted and held, respectively, and the normal direction of the end face is inclined with respect to the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding hole. The center of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes may be arranged on one side of the reference line. In this case, since the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding hole is inclined with respect to the normal direction of the end face, the return light from the end face of the optical connector ferrule toward the mating connector can be largely separated from the optical fiber holding hole. .. Further, when the optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber holding hole, the normal direction of the tip surface of the optical fiber exposed on the end surface can be inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber. Therefore, due to the refraction at the tip surface of the optical fiber, the optical path extending from the tip surface of the optical fiber is inclined in the direction intersecting the optical axis of the optical fiber, so that the optical fibers can be suitably optically connected to each other.

Further, in the above-mentioned adapter, the normal directions of the two contacted surfaces may be different from each other. In this case, the inclination angle of the end surface of the optical connector ferrule that abuts on one contact surface and the inclination angle of the end surface of the optical connector ferrule that abuts on the other contact surface can be made different from each other. Therefore, different types of optical connector ferrules can be accommodated in the adapter.

Further, in the above-mentioned adapter, both of the two contacted surfaces may be made of metal. In this case, since the strength and hardness of the contacted surface to which the optical connector ferrule contacts are higher than those of materials other than metal, the durability of the contacted surface can be improved. Further, since the hardness of the contact surface is high, the position accuracy of the optical connector ferrule that contacts the contact surface can be improved.

Further, the optical connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned adapter, the above-mentioned optical connector ferrule, and another connector in which the centers of a plurality of guide holes are arranged on a reference line passing through the center of an end face. A ferrule and a guide pin for fixing the relative positions of the optical connector ferrule and other connector ferrules are provided, and the contact surface of the optical connector ferrule and the end surface of the other connector ferrule are provided on each of the two contact surfaces. Abuts with each other to define the spacing between the end faces of the optical connector ferrule and the end faces of other connector ferrules.

In the above-mentioned optical connection structure, another connector ferrule is a conventional connector ferrule in which the centers of a plurality of guide hole groups are arranged on a reference line. In this way, even if one of the two optical connector ferrules is used as a conventional connector ferrule, the position of the end face is determined by bringing the contact surface of the end face of the other optical connector ferrule into contact with another member. Can be determined. Therefore, since the distance between the end faces can be specified without a spacer, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[Details of Embodiments of the present invention]
Specific examples of the optical connector ferrule, the optical connector, the adapter, and the optical connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of claims and is intended to include all modifications within the scope equivalent to the scope of claims. In the following description, in the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an optical connection structure 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an enlarged portion D of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connection structure 1 includes an optical connector 10, a mating connector 20, two guide pins 30, and an adapter 40. The optical connector 10 is connected to the mating connector 20 in the connection direction A1.

The optical connector 10 includes an optical connector ferrule 11, an optical fiber 12, a pinkeeper 13, a spring 14, a front housing 15, and a rear housing 16. The mating connector 20 includes, for example, an optical connector ferrule 21, an optical fiber 22, a pinkeeper 23, a spring 24, a front housing 25, and a rear housing 26.

Each configuration of the optical connector ferrule 21, the optical fiber 22, the pinkeeper 23, the spring 24, the front housing 25, and the rear housing 26 includes, for example, the optical connector ferrule 11, the optical fiber 12, the pinkeeper 13, the spring 14, the front housing 15, and the rear housing. It is the same as each configuration of 16. Therefore, the description of the optical connector ferrule 21, the optical fiber 22, the pink keeper 23, the spring 24, the front housing 25, and the rear housing 26 will be omitted as appropriate.

The optical connector ferrule 11 is exposed from one end of the connection direction A1 of the optical connector 10. The optical connector ferrule 11, the pink keeper 13, and the spring 14 are housed in the front housing 15. The rear housing 16 is connected to the front housing 15 in the connection direction A1.

The optical connector ferrule 11, the pink keeper 13, the spring 14, and the rear housing 16 are arranged in this order along the connection direction A1. The optical connector ferrule 11 has a guide hole 11a into which the guide pin 30 is inserted, and an optical fiber holding hole 11c into which the optical fiber 12 is inserted and held.

The pink keeper 13 holds two guide pins 30. The guide pin 30 fixes the relative positions of the optical connector 10 and the mating connector 20. The guide pin 30 is inserted into the guide holes 11a and 21a provided in the optical connector ferrule 11 and the optical connector ferrule 21, respectively. In the present embodiment, the pinkeeper 13 holds two guide pins 30 inserted into the guide holes 11a and 21a, respectively, and the optical connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are positioned by the two guide pins 30. The connector.

The spring 14 urges the optical connector ferrule 11 and the pinkeeper 13 in the connection direction A1 for pressing the mating connector 20. The rear housing 16 includes a latch mechanism 16a, and the latch mechanism 16a is fitted to an adapter 40 which is a member other than the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21. The latch mechanism 16a projects outward from the rectangular main body 16b of the rear housing 16 and engages with the adapter 40 by entering a hole provided in the adapter 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the end faces 12a and 22a of the optical fibers 12 and 22 are exposed at the end faces 11b and 21b of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 22, respectively, and preferably the end faces 11b and 21b, respectively. Is flush with each other. In the cross section along the optical axis of the optical fibers 12 and 22, the normal direction V1 of the tip surfaces 12a and 22a of the optical fibers 12 and 22 is the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding holes 11c and 21c, that is, the optical fibers 12 and 22. It is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction V2 of.

For example, assuming that the inclination angle of the normal direction V1 with respect to the optical axis direction V2 is the inclination angle θ, the inclination angle θ is 10 ° or more and 20 ° or less. The inclination angle θ corresponds to the inclination angle of the tip surfaces 12a and 22a with respect to the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fibers 12 and 22. In the present embodiment, the normal directions of the end faces 11b and 21b of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21, respectively, coincide with the normal directions V1 of the tip faces 12a and 22a.

The optical path M of light emitted from the tip surfaces 12a and 22a of the optical fibers 12 and 22 is refracted at the tip surfaces 12a and 22a in a direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the tip surfaces 12a and 22a. Therefore, the central axis of the optical fiber 12 and the central axis of the optical fiber 22 are deviated from each other in the refractive direction (direction A2). The direction A2 is a direction that intersects the connection direction A1, and is orthogonal to, for example, the connection direction A1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the optical connector ferrule 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical connector ferrule 11 is located on the front side (the mating side connector 20 side) of the optical connector ferrule 11 on the end surface 11b, the upper surface 11d, the pair of side surfaces 11e, and the opposite side of the end surface 11b. It has a rear surface that is located. The optical connector ferrule 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The optical connector ferrule 11 is made of, for example, a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) containing glass particles.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an end surface 11b of the optical connector ferrule 11. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the end face 11b has a rectangular shape and is formed by a pair of short sides 11f and a pair of long sides 11g. The two guide holes 11a are arranged in pairs along the long side 11g.

For example, 24 optical fiber holding holes 11c are arranged side by side along the long side 11g between the two guide holes 11a. The 24 optical fiber holding holes 11c are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and 12 optical fiber holding holes 11c are arranged in the upper stage and 12 optical fiber holding holes 11c are arranged in a pair in the lower stage. .. The number of optical fiber holding holes 11c is not limited to 24.

In the end face 11b, the center C of the plurality of guide holes 11a group and the plurality of optical fibers with respect to the reference line L extending through the center O of the end face 11b and extending in the direction A3 (first direction) in which the long side 11g extends. The center of the holding hole 11c group is arranged in the region R1 on one side. That is, the guide hole 11a and the optical fiber holding hole 11c are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the reference line L. The guide hole 21a and the optical fiber holding hole 21c of the mating connector 20 are also arranged in the same manner. Here, the center of a group of a plurality of holes (guide holes, optical fiber holding holes) means a multi-body center of gravity due to a region formed by an opening portion in an end face of the plurality of holes. For example, if the figure formed by connecting the centers of each of a plurality of holes is a substantially line segment, or if the outer shape of the figure is a substantially point-symmetrical figure such as a rectangle, a rhombus, or a parallelogram, the symmetry point is It is the center of multiple pore groups.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the connection between the optical connector ferrule 11 of the optical connector 10 and the optical connector ferrule 21 of the mating connector 20, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the optical connector ferrule 11 of the optical connector 10 and the mating connector 20. It is a side sectional view which shows the connection with an optical connector ferrule 21. The optical connector ferrules 11 and 21 are connected to each other by guide pins 30 inserted into the guide holes 11a and 21a.

As described above, the region R1 on one side of the reference line L on the end surface 11b of the optical connector ferrule 11 is a region where the center C of the plurality of guide holes 11a group and the center of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 11c group are provided. Has been done. Further, the region R2 on the other side of the reference line L of the end surface 11b includes a contact surface R3 that abuts on the adapter 40, which is another member.

The adapter 40 has a pair of insertion ports 41 into which the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21 are inserted, and a pair of contacted surfaces 42 provided on the back side of each insertion port 41. The two insertion ports 41 are provided at both ends of the connection direction A1 in the adapter 40, and face each other on opposite sides.

The contact surface 42 is made of metal, resin, or the like. Specifically, for example, a metal member is inserted in a portion of the adapter 40 where the contact surface 42 is provided, whereby the contact surface 42 is made of metal. Further, a metal portion may be formed in the portion of the adapter 40 where the contact surface 42 is provided.

The contacted surface 42 faces the insertion port 41 side, and the two contacted surfaces 42 face opposite to each other. The normal direction of each contacted surface 42 coincides with the normal direction V1 of the end faces 11b and 21b of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21. Therefore, the contact surfaces R3 of the end faces 11b and 21b come into surface contact with the contacted surfaces 42.

The distance of the connection direction A1 between the two contacted surfaces 42 coincides with the distance K between the end surfaces 11b and 21b of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21, but the optical path between the tip surfaces 12a and 22a of the optical fibers 12 and 22. It does not match the length of M (see FIG. 2). The interval K is, for example, 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, specifically 20 μm. As a result, the distance K between the end faces 11b and 21b (between the tip faces 12a and 22a) is defined as 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less (20 μm as an example).

Next, the effects obtained from the optical connector ferrule 11, the optical connector 10, the adapter 40, and the optical connection structure 1 will be described.

The optical connector ferrule 11, the optical connector 10, and the optical connection structure 1 have an end surface 11b facing the mating connector 20, and the center C of a plurality of guide holes 11a in which the guide pins 30 are inserted is a reference line L. It is arranged in the region R1 on one side. The region R2 on the other side of the reference line L of the end surface 11b includes a contact surface R3 that abuts on the adapter 40, which is a member other than the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21. Therefore, the position of the end surface 11b can be determined by bringing the contact surface R3 located on the other side of the end surface 11b into contact with the adapter 40, so that the distance K between the end surface 11b and the mating connector 20 is set to the above-mentioned spacer. Can be specified without. Therefore, since the interval K can be specified without using a spacer, the handleability can be improved and the interval K can be easily provided.

The adapter 40 includes two contacted surfaces 42 to which the contact surface R3 of the optical connector ferrule 11 abuts, and the two contacted surfaces 42 are in the insertion direction (connection direction A1) of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21. ) Are arranged at different positions. Therefore, by bringing the contact surfaces R3 of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21 into contact with the contacted surfaces 42 of the adapter 40, respectively, the distance K between the end surfaces 11b and 21b of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21 is set without the above-mentioned spacer. Can be specified in. Therefore, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Further, the optical connector ferrule 11 is formed on the end surface 11b and includes a plurality of optical fiber holding holes 11c into which the optical fibers 12 are inserted and held, and the normal direction V1 of the end surface 11b is the central axis of the optical fiber holding holes 11c. It is inclined with respect to the direction, and the centers of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 11c groups are arranged in the region R1 on one side of the reference line L. Therefore, since the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding hole 11c is inclined with respect to the normal direction V1 of the end surface 11b, the return light from the end surface 11b of the optical connector ferrule 11 toward the mating connector 20 is directed to the optical fiber holding hole 21c. Can be far away from.

Further, when the optical fiber 12 is inserted into the optical fiber holding hole 11c, the normal direction V1 of the tip surface 12a of the optical fiber 12 exposed on the end surface 11b can be inclined with respect to the optical axis direction V2 of the optical fiber 12. it can. Therefore, due to the refraction at the tip surface 12a of the optical fiber 12, the optical path M extending from the tip surface 12a of the optical fiber 12 is inclined in the direction A2 intersecting the optical axis of the optical fiber 12, so that the optical fibers 12 and 22 are preferably used together. Can be optical connected.

Further, the two contacted surfaces 42 may both be made of metal. In this case, since the strength and hardness of the contacted surface 42 with which the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21 come into contact are higher than those of materials other than metal, the durability of the contacted surface 42 can be enhanced. Further, since the hardness of the contact surface 42 is high, the positional accuracy of the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21 that abut the contact surface 42 can be improved.

Further, when the distance (interval K) of the connection direction A1 between the two contacted surfaces 42 is 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, multiple reflection of light between the tip surfaces 12a and 22a of the optical fibers 12 and 22 is suppressed. The optical connection structure 1 can be realized. Further, the distance K between the tip surfaces 12a and 22a of the two optical fibers 12 and 22 is defined by the two contacted surfaces 42, so that the distance K between the two tip surfaces 12a and 22a is shortened and the distance K between the two tip surfaces 12a and 22a is shortened. Despite the lack of configuration, these optical fibers 12 and 22 can be optically connected to each other with a low coupling loss. As a matter of course, even in the case of a connector with a lens, an optical coupling structure that uses this adapter and does not require a spacer can be applied.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the optical connector ferrule 31 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the optical connector ferrule 31 includes an end surface 31b in which the guide hole 11a and the optical fiber holding hole 11c are arranged at different positions, and a protrusion 32 protruding from the upper surface 11d. It is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

The protrusion 32 rises at a right angle from, for example, the upper surface 11d, and one surface 32a of the protrusion 32 is included in the end surface 31b of the optical connector ferrule 31. The projecting portion 32 projects in the direction A2 (second direction), which is the intersecting direction of the end surface 31b from the end surface 31b. The protrusion 32 has, for example, an upper surface 32c extending substantially parallel to the upper surface 11d at the upper end of the end surface 31b, and a pair of side surfaces 32d flush with the side surface 11e.

In the end surface 31b of the optical connector ferrule 31, the center C of the plurality of guide holes 11a group and the center of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 11c group are one of the reference lines L extending in the direction A3 through the center O of the end surface 31b. It is arranged in the side area R1. For example, the center C of the plurality of guide holes 11a group and the center of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 11c group are arranged on the opposite side of the protrusion 32 when viewed from the reference line L. Here, if there is no protruding portion 32 and the virtual line 32b is the upper end of the end surface 31b, the center C of the plurality of guide holes 11a group and the center of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 11c group are the centers in the vertical direction of the end surface 31b. It is arranged (center of direction A2). If the protrusion 32 is not provided, the guide hole 11a is arranged on the reference line J that passes through the center of the end face 31b and extends in the direction A3.

As described above, the optical connector ferrule 31 according to the second embodiment includes a protruding portion 32 protruding in the direction A2 intersecting the direction A3, and the end surface 31b includes one surface 32a of the protruding portion 32. Therefore, for example, even in the conventional optical connector ferrule in which the centers of a plurality of guide holes 11a are arranged on the reference line J passing through the center of the end face 31b, the end face 31b is expanded by providing the protrusion 32. , It is possible to create a state in which the center C of the plurality of guide holes 11a group is arranged in the region R1 on one side of the reference line L.

Therefore, since the contact surface R3 to the adapter 40 can be included in the region R2 on the other side of the reference line L, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. The optical connector ferrule 31 having the protruding portion 32 may be formed in advance into a shape having the protruding portion 32, or the protruding portion 32 may be attached to the conventional optical connector ferrule. As described above, various methods can be adopted as the method for forming the protruding portion 32. Further, the shape, size and number of the protrusions 32 can be changed as appropriate.

(Third Embodiment)
Subsequently, the optical connection structure according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, in the optical connection structure according to the third embodiment, the inclination angle of the end surface 61b of the optical connector ferrule 61 of the optical connector 60 and the inclination angle of the end surface 71b of the connector ferrule 71 of the mating connector 70 are mutual. It's different. Further, in the adapter 50 provided with two insertion ports 51 facing in opposite directions, the inclination angle of the first contacted surface 52 and the inclination angle of the second contacted surface 53 are different from each other. That is, the normal directions of the two contacted surfaces 52 and 53 are different from each other.

The end surface 61b of the optical connector ferrule 61 abuts on the first contact surface 52 in the connection direction A1, and the end surface 71b of the connector ferrule 71 abuts on the second contact surface 53. The end face 61b and the contacted surface 52 are parallel to each other, and the end face 71b and the contacted surface 53 are parallel to each other. Therefore, the end surface 61b and the contacted surface 52, and the end surface 71b and the contacted surface 53 are in surface contact with each other.

Assuming that the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber provided in the optical connector 60 is the plane S1 and the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber provided in the mating connector 70 is the plane S2, for example, the plane S1 and the plane S2 are parallel to each other. Further, assuming that the inclination angle of the contacted surface 52 with respect to the plane S1 is the angle θ1 and the inclination angle of the contacted surface 53 with respect to the plane S2 is the angle θ2, the angle θ1 is smaller than the angle θ2. For example, the value of the angle θ1 is 8 ° and the value of the angle θ2 is 16 °, but the values of the angles θ1 and θ2 can be changed as appropriate.

As described above, in the optical connection structure according to the third embodiment, in the adapter 50, the normal directions of the two contacted surfaces 52 and 53 are different from each other. Therefore, the angle θ1 which is the inclination angle of the end surface 61b which abuts on one contact surface 52 and the angle θ2 which is the inclination angle of the end surface 71b which abuts on the other contact surface 53 can be made different from each other. .. Therefore, different types of optical connector ferrules 61 and connector ferrules 71 can be accommodated in the adapter 50.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the optical connection structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), and 10 (c). In the optical connection structure 100, the configuration of the mating connector 90 to which the optical connector 10 is connected and the configuration of the adapter 80 are different from those of the first embodiment. The relative positions of the optical connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are fixed by the guide pin 30 described above. The adapter 80 has two contacted surfaces 82 and 83 as in the first embodiment. The areas of the two contacted surfaces 82 and 83 are different from each other. For example, the area of the contacted surface 82 is larger than the area of the contacted surface 83.

The mating connector 90 is a conventional optical connector. A guide hole 91a and an optical fiber holding hole 91c similar to those in the first embodiment are formed on the end surface 91b of the connector ferrule 91 of the mating connector 90. The center C of the plurality of guide holes 91a group and the center of the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 91c group are arranged on the reference line J extending in the direction A3 through the center of the end face 91b. Specifically, the reference line J passes through the center of each guide hole 91a and between a plurality of upper and lower pairs of optical fiber holding holes 91c. The plurality (2) guide holes 91a and the plurality (24) optical fiber holding holes 91c are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the reference line J.

In the optical connection structure 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the adapter 80, the optical connector 10, and another connector ferrule 91 in which the center C of a plurality of guide holes 91a group is arranged on the reference line J passing through the center of the end surface 91b. And a guide pin 30 for fixing the relative positions of the optical connector ferrule 11 and the other connector ferrule 91. Then, the contact surface R3 of the optical connector 10 and the end surface 91b of the other connector ferrule 91 come into contact with each of the two contact surfaces 82 and 83, whereby the end surface 11b of the optical connector ferrule 11 and the end surface 11b of the optical connector ferrule 11 come into contact with each other. The distance K between the end faces 91b of the other connector ferrule 91 is defined.

As described above, in the optical connection structure 100, the other connector ferrule 91 is a conventional connector ferrule 91 in which the center C of the plurality of guide holes 91a group is arranged on the reference line J. In this way, even if one of the two optical connector ferrules is a conventional connector ferrule 91, the contact surface R3 of the end surface 11b of the other optical connector ferrule 11 hits the contact surface 82 of the adapter 80. By bringing them into contact with each other, the position of the end face 11b can be determined. Therefore, since the distance K between the end face 11b and the end face 91b can be defined without the above-mentioned spacer, the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

Each embodiment of the optical connector ferrule, the optical connector, the adapter and the optical connection structure according to the present invention has been described above, but the optical connector ferrule, the optical connector, the adapter and the optical connection structure according to the present invention are the same as those described above. It is not limited, and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the contact surface R3 of the optical connector ferrule 11 abuts on the adapter 40 has been described. However, the contact surface R3 may come into contact with a member other than the adapter 40, such as an inner housing. In short, the contact surface of the optical connector ferrule may be brought into contact with a member other than the optical connector ferrule.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the normal direction V1 of the end surface 11b of the optical connector ferrule 11 is inclined in the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding hole 11c, that is, the optical axis direction V2 of the optical fiber 12 has been described. However, the normal direction of the end face of the optical connector ferrule does not have to be inclined with respect to the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding hole and the optical axis direction of the optical fiber.

Further, the springs 14 and 24 can be omitted from either the optical connector 10 or the mating connector 20, and the optical connector ferrules 11 and 21, the pinkeepers 13, 23 and the springs of the optical connector 10 and the mating connector 20 can be omitted. The configurations of 14, 24, front housings 15, 25 and rear housings 16, 26 can be changed as appropriate. Further, the number, shape and size of the guide pins and the guide holes can be changed as appropriate. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multi-core ferrule, but the present invention is also applicable to a single-core ferrule.

1,100 ... Optical connection structure, 10,60 ... Optical connector, 11,21,31,61 ... Optical connector ferrule, 11a, 21a, 91a ... Guide hole, 11b, 21b, 31b, 61b, 71b, 91b ... End face, 11c, 21c ... Optical fiber holding hole, 11d ... Top surface, 11e ... Side surface, 11f ... Short side, 11g ... Long side, 12, 22 ... Optical fiber, 12a, 22a ... Tip surface, 13, 23 ... Pink keeper, 14, 24 ... Spring, 15, 25 ... Front housing, 16, 26 ... Rear housing, 16a ... Latch mechanism, 16b ... Main body, 20, 70, 90 ... Mating connector, 30 ... Guide pin, 32 ... Projection, 32a ... Surface, 32c ... top surface, 32d ... side surface, 40, 50, 80 ... adapter (other members), 41, 51 ... insertion port, 42, 52, 53, 82, 83 ... contact surface, 71, 91 ... connector ferrule, A1 ... Connection direction (insertion direction), A2 ... Direction (second direction), A3 ... Direction (first direction), C ... Center, K ... Spacing, L ... Reference line, M ... Optical path, O ... Center, R1, R2 ... region, R3 ... contact surface, S1, S2 ... plane, V1 ... normal direction, V2 ... optical axis direction, θ ... tilt angle, θ1, θ2 ... angle.

Claims (4)

An adapter that accommodates an optical connector ferrule with an end face facing the mating connector.
Two insertion ports into which the optical connector ferrules are inserted and facing opposite sides,
It is provided with two contacted surfaces to which the optical connector ferrule inserted from each of the two insertion ports abuts.
Each of the two contacted surfaces faces the insertion slot side.
The two contacted surfaces are arranged at different positions in the insertion direction of the optical connector ferrule.
The positions of the two insertion ports in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction are deviated from each other .
The two contacted surfaces are at positions where the end faces of the optical connector ferrules are separated from each other when the pair of optical connector ferrules are inserted from each of the two insertion ports until they come into contact with the contacted surfaces. Located in,
adapter. The normal directions of the two contacted surfaces are different from each other.
The adapter according to claim 1. Both of the two contacted surfaces are made of metal.
The adapter according to claim 1 or 2. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and two optical connector ferrules are provided.
The distance between the two end faces in the two optical connector ferrules is defined by the contact of each of the two optical connector ferrules with each of the two contact surfaces.
Optical connection structure.

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