JPH03289608A - Connector holder of optical fiber cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stably hold connector plugs by providing means which are arranged on a fixed-side connector holder and a moving-side connector holder respectively and press both the rear end surfaces of the connector plugs and the height position of the optical fibers of an optical fiber cable equally in the horizontal and right-left directions with a spring force. CONSTITUTION:The connector plugs 4 and 3 of an optical connector are stored in storage parts 11c and 12c for the fixed-side connector holder 11 and moving- side connector holder 12 and the pressing members 20 and 25 press both the rear end surfaces 4b and 3b of the connector plugs 4 and 3 and the center, i.e. the height position of optical fibers 2 and 1 equally in the horizontal and right-left directions with the spring force without interfering with a clip pressing the connector plugs 4 and 3 against each other. Consequently, the connector plugs 4 and 3 are pressed against each other without slanting in any direction. Thus, while the connector plugs 4 and 3 are held, the clip which brings the both into press contact is detached. Consequently, the connector plugs 4 and 3 can be held excellently in press contact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable connector holder that holds a connector at a connecting portion of an optical fiber cable in an optical fiber cable switching device.

(Prior art and problems to be solved) As shown in FIG. 7, an optical fiber cable l on the upstream side and an optical fiber cable 2 on the downstream side in the signal flow direction are The connection is made by an optical connector 5 consisting of a connector plug 3.4 connected to the terminal. These connector plugs 3.4 have positioning holes 3a, 3a bored along the axial direction on both sides thereof.
(Fig. 8), each opposing hole 3 of 4a (only the negative side is shown)
Positioning pins 6 are passed through each of a and 4a for positioning, and as shown in FIG. 9, a clip 7 formed by bending a leaf spring is attached and pressed. This clip 7 has negative ends 7a, 7a in pressure contact with the rear end surface of the connector plug 3, and opposite ends 7b, 7b in pressure contact with the rear end surface of the connector plug 4, thereby bringing the two connector plugs 3.4 into pressure contact, and positioning the clip 7. This prevents the pin 6 from coming out of the holes 3a and 4a.

For example, the optical fiber cables 1 and 2 connected in this way may be changed from the optical fiber cable 1 to the optical fiber cable 2 due to terminal equipment switching (relocation) work due to relocation.
When disconnecting the optical fiber cable 1 and connecting another optical fiber cable to the optical fiber cable l, the optical connector 5 is attached to an optical fiber cable switching device (not shown) and held with a clip, since this is the line where the signal is currently flowing. 7 and the positioning pin 6, it is necessary to instantly switch and connect the connector plug 4 of the optical fiber cable 2 and the connector plug of another optical fiber cable.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, since the optical fiber cable is a route through which signals are currently flowing, fluctuations in the level of the optical signal are not allowed when switching optical connectors. Fluctuations in the level of the optical signal are essentially due to the fact that the end faces of the connectors that abut each other are curved.

That is, after polishing, the end surface of the connector often becomes a cylindrical convex surface with a slightly bulged center when viewed from the side, and therefore, when the connector is connected, the convex surfaces come into contact with each other.

Then, while they are in contact in this state, the positioning pin 6 is pulled out, and the holding member of the switching device is moved upward and downward from the center of the connector plug, that is, the height position of the optical fiber la (Fig. 8). If connector plugs are pressed in a misaligned position, an upward or downward bending (tilting) moment will occur, causing these connector plugs to bend slightly at the connection point.
This bends the optical axis, causing loss and causing level fluctuations.

Furthermore, the length of the left and right sides of the connector plug differs by several to several tens of micrometers, and simply pressing and holding the connector plug generates a left and right bending (tilting) moment, which also causes level fluctuations.

The clip 7 applies a pressing force to the connector plug 3.4 at approximately the same height as the optical fiber la of the optical fiber cable 1.2 (FIG. 8), so as to press them together.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and provides an optical fiber cable connector that can stably hold a connector plug by applying a constant pressing force without generating a moment that tilts the connector plug. The purpose is to provide a holder.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fixed-side connector holder that horizontally stores and supports one connector plug of an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber cable; a movable connector holder that is arranged to be movable horizontally in the direction of attachment and detachment of the optical connector and vertically movable with respect to the connector holder, and that horizontally stores and supports the other connector plug of the optical connector; A driving means for reciprocating the side connector holder by a predetermined stroke in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a drive means disposed in the fixed side connector holder and the movable side connector holder, respectively, on both sides of the rear end face of each connector plug and on the side of the optical fiber cable. The optical fiber is configured to have a pressing means that presses the height position of the optical fiber horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides through a spring force, and presses the contact end surfaces of both connector plugs horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides.

(Function) Each connector plug of the optical connector is stored in each storage section of the fixed side connector holder and the movable side connector holder of the connector holder, and each of these connectors is held without interfering with the clip that presses each connector plug with each pressing member. Both sides of the rear end surface of the plug and the center, that is, the height position of the optical fiber, are pressed horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides by the spring force. As a result, each connector plug is correctly pressed together without being tilted vertically or horizontally. While holding each connector plug in this manner, remove the clip that presses them together. Each connector plug is well press-fitted, thus preventing a drop in signal level at the connection.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector holder 10 that constitutes a part of the optical fiber cable switching device is composed of a fixed connector holder 11 and a movable connector holder 12. , is placed on a movable table 13 via guide rollers 14 so as to be horizontally movable in the left-right direction indicated by arrows A or B. A stopper 12b is protruded from the front end of the bottom surface of the movable connector holder 12 so as to face the top surface of the movable table 13. Mobile platform 13
, one end 13a is the vertical end surface 11a of the fixed side holder 11
It is disposed so as to be vertically movable in the up and down directions indicated by arrows C and D via guide rollers 15.

A stopper 13b is protruded from the front end of the upper surface of the moving table 13, and this stopper 13b locks the stopper 12b of the moving connector holder 12 to position and stop the moving connector holder 12 at the illustrated position. . The movable side connector holder 12 has a front end surface 12a that is aligned with the end surface 1 of the fixed side connector holder 11 in this positioned and stopped state.
It faces 1a with a slight distance therebetween. Further, at the rear end of the moving table 13, an actuator such as a solenoid 16 is provided.
The tip of the plunger 16a is connected to the rear end of the movable connector holder 12.

The fixed side connector holder 11 has a movable base 13 on the end surface 11a.
The lower part of the is horizontally protruded to form a stepped portion 11b,
A solenoid 17 is arranged on the stepped portion 11b. The tip of the plunger 17a of this solenoid 17 is connected to the bottom surface of the movable table 13.

When the solenoid 16 is deenergized, the plunger 16a is pushed out by the spring force of a built-in return spring, and moves the movable connector holder 12 in the direction of arrow A to the position shown in the figure, and when it is energized, it resists the spring force of the return spring. to attract the plunger 16a and move the moving side connector holder 12.
move in the direction of arrow B. That is, the solenoid 16 is
The movable connector holder 12 is horizontally reciprocated by a predetermined stroke.

When the solenoid 17 is deenergized, the plunger 17a is retracted by the spring force of a built-in return spring to move the movable table 13 downward to the position shown by the solid line, and when the solenoid 17 is energized, the plunger 17a is moved against the spring force of the return spring. and push it out, and move the moving table 13 upward to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line.

That is, the solenoid 17 vertically moves the movable table 13 up and down by a predetermined stroke.

These solenoids 16, 17 are controlled on and off by a control device (not shown).

On the upper surface of the fixed side connector holder 1 and the movable side connector holder 12, there are storage portions 11c and 12c for storing the connector plugs 4.3 of the optical connector 5 horizontally and facing each other along the longitudinal direction in the center thereof, respectively. Parts storage part li
d, 12d and slits 12e for pulling out the optical fiber cables 2, 1 are formed.

Pressing members 20.20 are stored on both left and right sides of the housing portion 11d of the fixed side connector holder 11, and on the side of the housing portion 11c. The base end of each pressing member 20 is attached to the bottom surface of the housing lid by a bolt 21 via a collar 22 in the attachment/detachment direction of the connector plug 4 within a horizontal plane (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2).
It is rotatably supported on the shaft, and the tip is connected to the connector plug 4.
It is possible to abut on both left and right sides of the rear end surface 14b.

Each pressing member 20 has a contact member 23 fixed at the center of the tip of the end surface 20a (FIG. 2) at a height between the optical fiber of the optical fiber cable 2 and the optical fiber. This contact member 23 is, for example, a metal round bar horizontally arranged and one half fixed to the end surface 20a.

Further, a spring 24 is compressed between the other end surface 20b of each pressing member 20 and the opposing end surface 11f of the storage portion lid. This spring 24 is for pressing the contact member 23 of the pressing member 20 against the rear end surface 4b of the connector plug 4 and at a height position of the optical fiber with a predetermined pressing force. These pressing members 20, 20 are set so that their tips do not interfere with either end of the clip 7 shown in FIG.

Similarly to the stationary connector holder 11, the housing portion 12d of the movable connector holder 12 has pressing members 25 on both the left and right sides.
．． 25 are stored. The base end of each pressing member 25 is attached to the bottom surface of the storage portion 12d by a bolt 26 via a collar 27 in the attachment/detachment direction (second direction) of the connector plug 3 within a horizontal plane.
A contact member 28 is mounted on the tip of the end face 25a at approximately the same height as the optical fiber la (FIG. 8) of the optical fiber cable 1 of the connector plug 3.
is fixed, and a spring 29 is compressed between the other end surface 25b and the opposing end surface 12f of the storage portion 12d.

The action will be explained below.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the connector plugs 4 and 3 of the optical connector 5, which are attached and connected with the clip 7, are placed in the fixed side connector holder 11 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
It is stored in each storage section 11c and 12c of the moving side connector holder 12. That is, each pressing member 20.20 of the fixed side connector holder 11 and each pressing member 25.25 of the movable side connector holder 12 are connected to the springs 24.24 and 29.29.
While rotating backward against the
Store in c. Note that the optical fiber cable 1.2 to which the connector plug 3.4 is connected is omitted in FIG.

Then, connecter plug 4 to each storage compartment lie, 12c.
．． 3, the rotational force of each pressing member 20.25 is released. These pressing members 20.20 and 25.25 push the rear ends 4b and 3b of the connector plugs 4 and 3 through contact members 23.23 and 28.28 by the spring force of springs 24.24 and 29.29. The center of both left and right sides, i.e.
Both ends 7b, 7b and 7a, 7 of the clip 7 shown in FIG.
Both sides of a and the height positions of each optical fiber (core wire) of optical fiber cables 2 and 1 are pressed horizontally and evenly on both sides.

Next, the clip 7 of the optical connector 5 is attached by a clip attachment/detachment mechanism and a positioning pin attachment/detachment mechanism of a switching device (not shown).
(Fig. 7) and remove the positioning pins 6 on both sides to disconnect the connector plugs 3 and 4. This makes the connector plug 3.4 switchable and connectable. At this time, each connector plug 4 and 3 is connected to the left and right pressing members 2.
0.20.25.25, the center is pressed horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides to make pressure contact, and there is no vertical or horizontal inclination.

Further, as shown by the two-dot chain line, directly above the fixed side connector holder 11, a connector plug 4' connected to a new optical fiber cable 2'' to be connected instead of the optical fiber cable 2 is placed on the fixed side connector holder 30. It is installed and installed in the. The fixed connector holder 30 holds the connector plug 4' in the same manner as the fixed connector holder 11.

Solenoids 16.17 are then energized. As a result, the movable connector holder 12 moves slightly backward in the direction of arrow B and moves upward to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 12', and after separating the connector plug 3 from the connector plug 4, it faces the connector plug 4'. The solenoids 16 and 17 are connected to the movable connector holder 12 at 12', which is indicated by a two-dot chain line.
After moving it to the position, it is deenergized. In this state, the optical fiber la (FIG. 8) of the optical fiber cable 1 of the connector plug 3 is exactly opposed to the optical fiber (not shown) of the optical fiber cable 2'.

When the solenoid 17 is deenergized, the movable connector holder 12 is held at the height position, and when the solenoid 16 is deenergized, it is pushed out in the direction of arrow A by a return spring built into the solenoid 16. The movable side connector holder 12 is arranged so that the striker 12b is connected to the movable base 13.
When it comes into contact with the stopper 13b, it stops at that position. In this stopped position, the connector plug 3 is pressed and connected to the connector plug 4° by the pressing force applied by the pressing member 25.25. In this way, the connector plug 3 is connected at an angle of 4° from the connector plug 4.

Note that this switching is done instantaneously in about several tens of milliseconds.

After the connector plugs 3 and 4' are connected, a positioning pin 6 (FIG. 7) is inserted between them, and a clip 7 is attached and fixed, completing the switching connection work.

3 to 6 show other embodiments of the pressing member shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. The optical connector 5 is rotatably supported in a vertical plane by pins 36 and 36 in the direction of attachment and detachment.

Moreover, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a structure in which the movable side connector holder has two stages and the left and right pressing members are integrated. That is, a first movable base 41 is placed on the movable base 13 so as to be horizontally movable via guide rollers 40, and a second movable base 43 is horizontally movable on the movable base 41 via guide rollers 42. Possibly placed. The movable table 41 is moved in the direction of arrow A or B with respect to the movable table 13 by the solenoid 16, and the movable table 43 is pressed in the direction of arrow A with respect to the movable table 41 by the spring 44. This spring 44 is arranged at the center of the rear end surface of the moving table 43 (the sixth
Figure) has been done.

The moving table 43 has a storage section 43 that stores the connector plug 3.
a is formed, and the movable table 43 is further provided with a pressing member 45. The pressing member 45 is integrally formed on the left and right sides, has a cutout in the center 45a, and is rotatably supported at the center of the front end by a pin 46. The left and right sides 45b of this pressing member 45, and the contact members 28 shown in FIG.
Similarly, contact elements 47.47 are provided.

Thereby, the connector plug 3 stored in the storage part 43a of the moving table 43 can be pressed horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of parts compared to that shown in FIG.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a fixed side connector holder that horizontally stores and supports one connector plug of an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber cable, and a a movable connector holder that is arranged to be movable horizontally in the direction of attachment and detachment of the optical connector and vertically movable up and down, and that horizontally stores and supports the other connector plug of the optical connector; A driving means for reciprocating a predetermined stroke in the direction and the vertical direction, and a driving means disposed in the fixed side connector holder and the movable side connector holder, respectively, on both sides of the rear end face of each connector plug and at a height position of the optical fiber of the optical fiber cable. The structure includes a pressing means that presses horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides through a spring force, and presses the abutting end surfaces of both connector plugs horizontally and evenly on the left and right, so that the clip can be pressed when switching and connecting the optical connectors. Even if the connector plugs are removed, the connector plugs can be brought into good contact with each other, making it possible to prevent the signal level from decreasing even on lines where signals are flowing, without affecting the current core wire signal. This has the excellent effect of making it possible to carry out switching work, and greatly improving work efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the optical fiber cable connector holder according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the moving side connector holder of FIG. 1. An enlarged sectional view of main parts showing an example, Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3, Fig. 5
The figure is a sectional view of main parts showing the third embodiment of the movable side connector holder in Figure 1, Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a partial cutaway of the optical connector for connecting the optical fiber cable. 8 is an end view of the connector plug of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 7. 1.2... Optical fiber cable, 3.4... Connector plug, 5... Optical connector, 10... Connector holder, 11... Fixed side connector holder, 12... Moving side connector holder , 13... moving table, 14.15.
... Guide roller, 16.17 ... Solenoid, 20
．． 25... Pressing member, 23.28... Contact member, 2
4.29...Spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] a fixed-side connector holder that horizontally stores and supports one connector plug of an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber cable; and a fixed-side connector holder that is movable horizontally in the attachment/detachment direction of the optical connector and vertically movable with respect to the fixed-side connector holder. a movable connector holder that is movable and horizontally accommodates and supports the other connector plug of the optical connector; a drive means that reciprocates the movable connector holder by a predetermined stroke in the horizontal and vertical directions; They are arranged in the fixed side connector holder and the movable side connector holder, respectively, and press both sides of the rear end face of each connector plug and the height position of the optical fiber of the optical fiber cable horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides through spring force. 1. A connector holder for an optical fiber cable, comprising a pressing means for pressing the contact end surfaces of the plug horizontally and evenly on the left and right sides.