JPH02186309A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the removable connector and to transmit light information without problems in safety by providing the 1st housing with a light shielding member which shields the light emitted from an emitting part and providing the 1st and 2nd housings with means for optically coupling the emitting part and a light receiving part at the time of connecting of these both. CONSTITUTION:A plug 20 holds the end part of an optical fiber 21 and is formed with the emitting part which emits the light transmitted through the optical fiber 21 by an aperture 22 provided to the center thereof. The light shielding plate 23 as the light shielding member is provided on the front face of this emitting part integrally with the housing 24 of the plug 20. The plug 20 is imposed on a receptacle 30 from above the receptacle 30 in such a manner that the projecting part 31 of the receptacle 30 is inserted into the spacing 25 of the plug 20. The projecting part, not shown, of the plug 20 is inserted into a notch 37 at this time. The direct irradiation of the human eyes, etc., with the emitted light is prevented in this way and the safety is assured; in addition, the easy coupling and removal are possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to connectors that are coupled together to transmit information carried by light.

(Prior Art) In recent years, optical communication technology using semiconductor lasers and optical fibers has been developed and put into practical use. In this optical communication, light emitted from a semiconductor laser is input into an optical fiber, optical fibers are optically connected in the middle of a transmission path, and light emitted from an optical fiber is transmitted through a photoelectric element. When receiving light and converting it into an electrical signal, connectors that connect to each other to transmit optical signals are often used.

Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C each constitute an example of a conventional connector, and each plug 1 holds the tip of an optical fiber IO.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connecting state of the plug 11 and the receptacle 13, a sbutacle 13 that holds a charging cable 12 that receives light emitted from the tip LOa of the optical fiber 10, and a state in which these plugs 11 and receptacles 13 are connected. This connector (plug 11 and receptacle 13) converts the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber into an electrical signal and transmits it to the next stage.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By using a connector as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C above, optical signals are transmitted within the connector.

However, the above-mentioned connector emits light internally, and when the plug 11 is pulled out from the receptacle 13, this light may be irradiated into human eyes, which poses a safety problem. was there.

It is also possible to create a structure in which the plug 11 cannot be removed once it is inserted into the receptacle 13 (for example, Japanese Utility Model Application No. 61-1112509), or to completely integrate the two. In this case, since it cannot be removed, the connection cannot be changed as necessary, making it inconvenient to handle, and one of the components of the connector (for example, the photoelectric element 1
If there is a defect or failure in (2), the problem arises that the entire connector must be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for transmitting optical information that can be removed as a function of the connector's original function and that does not pose a safety problem.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The connector of the present invention combines light (for example, light emitted from a semiconductor laser, light emitted from an end face of an optical fiber, etc.) that connects with each other to transmit information carried by the light. A first housing, for example, has a plug shape and has an emitting part that emits the emitted light; and a housing, wherein the first housing has a light shielding member that blocks light emitted from the injection part, and when the first and second housings are coupled, the injection part The device is characterized in that a means for optically coupling the light-receiving section and the light-receiving section is provided.

Here, the above-mentioned "means for optically coupling" means, for example, that the light shielding member is provided at a position away from the light emitting section, and the light receiving section is placed in a gap between the light emitting section and the light shielding member. means something configured to be inserted into a

In addition, for example, the light shielding member is configured to cover the front surface of the injection part by a spring force, and the light shielding member is moved against the spring force when the first and second housings are coupled, The light emitting section and the light receiving section may be configured to be optically connected.

(Function) In the connector of the present invention, since the first housing has a light shielding member that blocks the emitted light, the light emitted from the emitting part is directly irradiated onto human eyes, etc. It is safe and has no problems. Incidentally, the intensity of the light incident on the light shielding member and reflected is weakened and scattered, so that the reflected light does not pose a safety problem.

Furthermore, since the first and second housings are provided with means for optically coupling the emitting section and the light receiving section when the two are coupled, when the two are coupled, The original connection function of the connector is achieved.

Further, in the case where the light shielding member is provided at a position away from the injection part and the light receiving part is inserted into a gap between the injection part and the light shielding member, the number of parts can be reduced, Cost increase due to consideration of the above-mentioned safety can be suppressed to a minimum.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure mlA is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the first housing (hereinafter referred to as a plug) of the connector of the present invention;
FIG. B is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the second housing of the connector of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a receptacle), which is coupled with the plug of FIG. 1A.

The plug 20 of FIG. 1A holds the end of an optical fiber 21 and has an aperture 22 in its center that allows the optical fiber 21 to be held at the end thereof.
An emitting portion is formed to emit the light that has been transmitted. A light shielding plate 23 as an example of the light shielding member of the present invention is provided integrally with the housing 24 of the plug 20 at a position away from the injection part on the front surface of the injection part, and the light shielding plate 23 and the opening 22, a gap 25 is formed between the two.

The glue septacle 30 in FIG. 1B is provided with a convex portion 31 inserted into the gap 25 of the plug 20 in its housing, and inside the convex portion 31 receives light emitted from the opening 22 of the plug 20. photoelectric element 3 that converts into electrical signals
2 are provided. At the bottom of this receptacle 30, a pin 3 is inserted into a hole in a printed circuit board (not shown) in order to fix this receptacle 3D to a printed circuit board (not shown).
3 are provided. Two lead wires 34 extend downward from the photoelectric element 32, and these lead wires 34 are also inserted into holes in the printed circuit board, and the electrical signals received by the optical element 32 are transmitted to the circuit on the printed circuit board. to communicate. As shown in FIG. 1B, the housing 35 of the receptacle 30 is provided with a long groove 30 that opens outward, and a notch 37 is formed in a part of the long groove 30. The long groove 36 and the notch 37 are connected to the plug 2 as described later.
0 and the receptacle 30.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan sectional view and a side sectional view, respectively, showing a state in which the plug 20 and receptacle 30 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are connected. The same members as in FIGS. 1A and 1B are given the same numbers.

A light emitting section 21a is attached to the front end of the optical fiber 21, and the front end of the light emitting section is configured to face the light receiving surface 32a of the photoelectric element 32 with a very small gap in the coupled state.

Figures 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams showing a plug, a receptacle, and the state of connection between the two, respectively, for explaining the method of connecting the connectors (plug-taking septacles) shown in Figures 1A to 2B. be.

The protrusion 31 of the receptacle 30 is located within the gap 25 of the plug 20.
Place the plug 20 onto the receptacle 30 from above so that the plug 20 is inserted. At this time,
This notch 3 of the plug is inserted into the notch 37 shown in FIG. 1B.
A protrusion (not shown) having a shape corresponding to 7 is inserted.

Note that the width A of the gap 25 of the plug 20 (see FIG. 3A) is wider than the width B of the convex portion of the receptacle 30 (see FIG. 3B) to an extent sufficient to perform the following connection. In this state, when the plug 20 is moved forward (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3C), the protrusion of the plug 20 will move to the length of the receptacle 30. :43B (see Figure 1B), thereby connecting the plug 20 and receptacle 30, and as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the light emitting part 21a and the light receiving surface 32a are inserted with a slight gap between them. They are in a state where they are sandwiched and facing each other, and thereby an optical signal is transmitted.

By providing the light shielding plate 23 in this way, the plug 20
Even if the light is emitted from the aperture 22 when the receptacle is removed from the receptacle 30, the emitted light will not directly irradiate the patient's eyes or the like, making it safe. Further, in the above embodiment, the light shielding plate 23 is provided at a position apart from the opening 22, and the convex INt31 of the receptacle 30 is inserted between the light shielding plates 23 and 22. Therefore, it is possible to easily connect and remove the two, and the light shielding plate 23 can be easily connected and removed. There is almost no cost increase due to the installation.

In the above embodiment, the gap 25 of the plug 20 has openings on both the lower and upper sides, but since this plug 2° is positioned from above the receptacle 30 to the receptacle 3o, the gap 25 of the plug 2o The upper opening may be closed. In this case, dust is prevented from accumulating in the gap 25, and the strength for holding the light shielding plate 23 is improved.

Furthermore, although the above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention,
For example, the light-shielding plate may be pressed against the front surface of the injection section by a spring force, and the light-shielding plate may be moved from the front surface of the injection section against the spring force when they are combined. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Further, although the above embodiment is an example of a connector configured to receive light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber μ with a photoelectric element, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the present invention is not limited to this. A connector configured to input light emitted from an end of an optical fiber into the optical fiber, and a connector configured to input light emitted from an end of an optical fiber into the end of another optical fiber. This also applies to connectors etc.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, the connector of the present invention has a light shielding member that blocks the light emitted from the injection part.
Safety is ensured because the emitted light does not directly irradiate human eyes or the like. Furthermore, when the connector is coupled, the emitting section and the light receiving section are optically coupled, and thus the connector functions as a connector.

In addition, by arranging the light shielding member at a position away from the emitting part and configuring the light receiving part to be inserted into the gap between the emitting part and the light shielding member, coupling and removal can be easily performed. Moreover, the cost increase due to the provision of the light shielding member can be kept to a minimum.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an embodiment of a first housing (plug) and a second housing (receptacle), respectively, of the connector of the present invention; Figure 2A; , FIG. 2B is a plan sectional view and a side sectional view showing the state in which the plug receptacle shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are connected, respectively, and FIGS. 3A to 3C are
Figures A to 2B are schematic diagrams showing a plug, a receptacle, and the state of connection of the two, respectively, to explain the method of connecting the connectors, and Figures 4A to 4C are examples of conventional connectors. a plug that holds the tip of the optical fiber, and
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a septacle that holds a photoelectric cable 12 that receives light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber, and a state in which these two are coupled. 10.21... Optical fiber 12... Photoelectric element 20... Plug 23... Light shielding plate 3G... Receptacle 32... Photoelectric element 11... Plug 13... Receptacle 22... Opening 25... Gap 31... Convex part Figure 1A Old Figure 2A Figure 2B Figure 3A Figure 3C Figure 4A Figure 4C Figure 3B Figure 48

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A first housing (
20) and a second housing (30) having a light receiving part (32) for receiving the emitted light, wherein the first housing (20) blocks the light emitted from the emitting part. The first and second housings (20, 30) have a light shielding member (23), and the first and second housings (20, 30)
0, 30), comprising means for optically coupling the emitting section (22) and the light receiving section (32) when they are coupled. (2) The light shielding member (23) is provided at a position away from the emitting part (22), and the light receiving part (32) is sandwiched between the emitting part (22) and the light shielding member (23). 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is inserted into a gap (25).