JPH04220604A - Method for laminating ferrule of multilayer type optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method of laminating the ferrules of plural multilayer optical connectors by which plural ferrules can be laminated with ease and high density. CONSTITUTION:A method of laminating ferrules of multilayer type optical connectors by integrally laminating the respective ferrules 11 of plural optical connectors 10 in order to make the butt joint of the plural optical connectors 10 to the same number of other corresponding optical connectors simultaneously. Plural optical connectors are formed by stacking. The plural ferrules 11 one by one and elastically wrapping them by a wrapping means 20 so as to be laminated in one body.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of laminating ferrules for a laminated optical connector.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art An optical connector used for butt connection between optical fibers of an optical communication line has a ferrule 2 and a single-core or multi-core optical fiber 3, for example, like an optical connector 1 shown in FIG. , an optical fiber 3 is attached to the main body 2a of the ferrule 2, and each optical fiber core 3a of the optical fiber is exposed at the abutting end surface 2b of the main body 2a. The ferrule 2 has pin holes 2c, 2c formed on both sides of the main body 2a sandwiching the optical fiber 3, and by inserting a fitting pin (not shown) into each pin hole 2c, it can be connected to the ferrule and pin of another optical connector with the same configuration. They are fitted and butt connected.

[0003] When a plurality of optical connectors 1 are butt-connected to other optical connectors at the same time, it is necessary to integrate the plurality of optical connectors 1 in an integrated manner. Conventionally, as a method for integrating the optical connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the tip of each ferrule 2 is slightly inserted into each of the plurality of insertion holes 4a formed in the ferrule holding plate 4. By inserting and protruding into a plurality of optical connectors 1
They are arranged in layers to achieve integration. At this time, each ferrule 2 is urged in the forward abutting direction with an appropriate pressing force by a spring 5 interposed between the ferrule 2 and the back plate 4b, and the retaining plate 4 is entirely covered with a housing 6.

[0004] When the optical connector 1 integrated in this way is connected to another optical connector, the ferrule 2 held by the ferrule holding plate 4 is integrated,
By matching each adapter or ferrule corresponding to the other party, a butt connection is made all at once.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when a plurality of optical connectors are integrated as described above, a complex-shaped ferrule holding plate with a plurality of insertion holes is required. Since there are partition walls that provide extra space between each ferrule, there is a problem in that the packaging density is low and the integrated optical connector group becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ferrule stacking method for a stacked optical connector that allows a plurality of ferrules to be stacked easily and with high density. .

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, each ferrule of a plurality of optical connectors is collectively connected in order to butt connect the plurality of optical connectors to the same number of corresponding other optical connectors at the same time. In the method for laminating ferrules of a laminated optical connector, the plurality of optical connectors are stacked on top of each other, and the plurality of stacked ferrules are elastically held by a holding means and laminated all at once. It is structured as follows.

[0008]

[Operation] When a plurality of optical connectors are elastically wrapped with a plurality of stacked ferrules as one body by a wrapping means,
Ferrules can be stacked easily and do not take up extra space, allowing ferrules to be stacked with high packaging density. Further, in the optical connector group stacked in this manner, each ferrule can move slightly relative to each other, and positioning when butt-connecting with other optical connector groups is not hindered.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 explains a first embodiment of the method of the present invention. For example, three optical connectors 1
No. 0 has three ferrules 11 stacked one on top of the other and elastically covered by an elastic cap 20, so that three ferrules 11 are integrally stacked.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector 10 has a ferrule 11 and a tape fiber 12 attached to the ferrule 11, and the tape fiber 12 has an extending portion extending from the rear of the main body 11a. is protected by boots 13. The ferrule 11 is the main body 11
Flange portions 11b, 11b are formed at the rear of the tape fiber 12 and extend to both sides in the width direction, and each optical fiber core (not shown) of the tape fiber 12 is exposed at the abutting end surface 11c on the front surface. Further, pin holes 11d, 11d penetrating in the front-rear direction are provided on both sides of the main body 11a in the width direction.

On the other hand, the elastic cap 20 integrally covers the three flanges 11b of the stacked ferrules 11 from the sides, and is slightly vertically longer than the plurality of flanges 11b of the stacked ferrules 11. , is a box-shaped member with small lateral dimensions. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this cap 20 has a base wall 20a, side walls 20b, 20b, and upper and lower walls 20c, 20d that are erected around the outer periphery of this wall 20a. 20b, 20b and upper and lower walls 20c,
20d is separated by a slit 20e, and each wall 20b
~20d is given elasticity. Here, the elastic cap 20 is not particularly limited in terms of material as long as it can elastically enclose a plurality of stacked ferrules, and for example, metal such as aluminum or synthetic resin such as polyethylene can be used. can.

In the method of the present invention, a plurality of ferrules 11 are stacked using the elastic cap 20 as described below. That is, first, a desired number of stacked optical connectors 10, for example three, are stacked on top of each other. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic caps 20 are fitted from the sides onto the plurality of flanges 11b of the three stacked ferrules 11. Hereinafter, in the same manner, the other flange 11b
Also, the elastic cap 20 is fitted.

At this time, although the elastic cap 20 has slightly smaller vertical and horizontal dimensions than the plurality of flanges 11b, elasticity is imparted to each of the walls 20b to 20d by the slits 20e. Therefore, each of the walls 20b to 20d is elastically deformed and slightly expanded, so the elastic cap 20
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of collar parts 1 can be easily
1b.

[0014] As a result, the three optical connectors 10 have the elastic caps 20, 20 fitted to the plurality of flanges 11b, so that the plurality of overlapping ferrules 11 can be removed from the excess as shown in FIG. It is compact and can be easily stacked without taking up much space. Moreover, the elastic cap 20 has a simple structure and can be provided at low cost. Also, if you pull the elastic cap 20,
Since the fitted elastic caps 20 can be easily removed from the plurality of flanges 11a, the stacked ferrules can be individually separated.

The optical connector 10 group in which the three ferrules 11 are stacked together by the elastic cap 20 in this manner has a pin hole 11d of each pair of opposing ferrules 11, 11.
, 11d, a fitting pin (not shown) is inserted between the optical connectors 10, 11d, and the other optical connectors 10 are positioned and connected together in a short time. At this time, the plurality of laminated ferrules 11 are covered by the elastic caps 20, but since they can move slightly relative to each other, when butt-connecting with other optical connectors 10 groups, the fitting pins are used to position the stacked ferrules 11. is not obstructed.

Next, a second embodiment of the method of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 7 to 9. In this example, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an optical connector 10 having a ferrule 11 in which an engaging portion 11e consisting of a through hole or a circular recess is formed in a flange portion 11b, and an elastic cap 2 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
Use 2. The elastic cap 22 has substantially the same structure as the elastic cap 20 of the embodiment described above, and includes side walls 22b, 22b and upper and lower walls 22c, 2, which are erected on the outer periphery of the base wall 22a.
2d, and the side walls 22b, 22b and the upper and lower walls 22c, 22d have a slit 22 formed between them.
e, and elasticity is imparted to each wall. and,
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper and lower walls 22c and 22d are provided with engagement protrusions 22e and 22f that protrude inward. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the engaging protrusion 22e
, 22f is (n−
1) It is sufficient if the relationship d<L<nd is satisfied.

When stacking a plurality of ferrules 11, the plurality of ferrules 1
1 are overlapped, and an elastic cap 22 is fitted to each of the plurality of flanges 11b on both sides of the overlap. This results in
The plurality of optical connectors 10 constitute a group of optical connectors 10 in which ferrules 11 are stacked. At this time, since the elastic cap 22 has elasticity imparted to each wall 22b to 22d by the slit 22e, each wall 22b to 22d is elastically deformed and slightly expanded. Moreover, the upper and lower walls 22c and 22d
Due to the elastic deformation, the engaging protrusions 22f and 22g elastically engage with the engaging portions 11e formed on each collar portion 11b of the ferrule 11.

From the above, the elastic cap 22 can be easily and effortlessly fitted onto each of the overlapping flanges 11b, and the fitted elastic cap 22 can
Since the engaging protrusions 22f and 22g are elastically engaged with the engaging portions 11e of the ferrule 11 due to the elastic forces acting from the lower walls 22c and 22d, they are difficult to come off from the plurality of collar portions 11b. Here, when the engaging protrusions 22f and 22g elastically engage with each engaging portion 11e, a slight impact is transmitted from the upper and lower walls 22c and 22d due to the elastic action at this time, so that such engagement is ensured. can be confirmed.

Therefore, according to the method of this embodiment, as described in the previous embodiment, a plurality of superimposed ferrules 1
1 is compact without taking up extra space, and
It can be easily stacked and the elastic cap 22
In addition to being able to provide the elastic cap 22 at a low cost, the elastic cap 22 becomes difficult to come off, and at the same time, the engagement of the engagement protrusions 22f and 22g with the respective engagement portions 11e can be easily confirmed.

It should be noted that a group of optical connectors 10 in which a plurality of ferrules 11 are stacked can be butt-connected to other groups of optical connectors 10 at once in the same manner as in the embodiment described above. At this time, even if the elastic caps 22 are fitted onto the plurality of flanges 11b, each ferrule 11 can move slightly.
Positioning can be easily performed even when butt-connecting with a fitting pin.

[0021] Here, the ferrule 11 of the optical connector 10
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, engagement grooves 11f extending in the front-rear direction are formed at the boundaries between the left and right flanges 11b on the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 11a, and the elastic cap 23 shown in FIG. 11 is used. It may also be laminated. This elastic cap 23
is constructed in substantially the same manner as the elastic cap 22, and has a slit 2.
Engagement protrusions 23f and 23g that engage the engagement groove 11f are integrally provided at the tips of the upper and lower walls 23c and 23d separated by 3e.

Therefore, when the elastic cap 23 is fitted onto the flange 11b from the side of a plurality of laminated ferrules 11, the engaging protrusions 23f and 23g engage the corresponding engagement parts of the ferrules 11 located at the top and bottom. It elastically engages with the matching groove 11f. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the embodiment described above, it is possible to fit the plurality of flanges 11b more reliably. Further, the ferrule 11 is not limited to the engagement groove 11f shown in FIG. 10 as long as it has a portion that engages with the engagement protrusions 23f and 23g of the elastic cap 23, and for example, the engagement groove 11f shown in FIG.
As in the ferrule 11 shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular engagement recess 11g may be formed in the flange 11b.

[0023] In each of the above embodiments, the material of the elastic cap, in addition to the above, is used to prevent positioning by the fitting pin when butt-connecting the optical connector 10 group in which the ferrules 11 are laminated with other optical connector groups. A heat-shrinkable synthetic resin made of polyethylene, for example, may be used as long as it allows the movement of each ferrule 11 held therein to the extent that the ferrules 11 do not move.

In this case, after the ferrules 11 are fitted into the plurality of flanges 11b of the stacked ferrules 11, hot air or infrared rays are irradiated to ensure the fitting to the plurality of flanges 11b. When it is desired to separate each ferrule 11, the elastic cap can be cut and removed using a knife or the like.

[0025]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, according to the method of the present invention, since a plurality of ferrules are elastically held by the holding means, a plurality of ferrules can be easily, compactly and densely packed. Since the ferrules can be stacked and the holding means can be easily attached and detached, individual ferrules can be easily separated by removing the holding means from the optical connector group in which the ferrules are stacked. In addition, even when ferrules are stacked, the ferrules can move slightly with each other, so it does not interfere with the mutual positioning of each corresponding ferrule when butt-connecting with other optical connector groups using mating pins. Furthermore, it has excellent effects such as shortening the connection time when connecting to other optical connector groups all at once.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the method of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a front view of an optical connector group in which ferrules of a plurality of optical connectors are stacked with elastic caps.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical connector.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastic cap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an elastic cap is fitted to the flanges of a plurality of stacked ferrules.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an optical connector group in which elastic caps are fitted to the collars of a plurality of ferrules.

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the method of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical connector in which an engaging portion is provided in the flange of a ferrule.

8 is a front view of an elastic cap used for laminating the ferrules of FIG. 7; FIG.

9 is a right side view of the elastic cap of FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to another modification in which the engaging portion of the ferrule is an engaging groove in the second embodiment.

11 is a side view of an elastic cap used when stacking ferrules of the optical connector in FIG. 10; FIG.

12 is a perspective view showing another modification of the optical connector shown in FIG. 10. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an optical connector, illustrating a conventional ferrule stacking method.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a stacked state of ferrules.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Optical connector 11 Ferrule 11b Flange 11d Pin hole 11e Engagement portion 11f Engagement groove 11g Engagement recess 12 Tape fiber 20 Elastic cap (wrapping means) 22 Elastic cap (wrapping means) 22f Engagement protrusion 22g Engagement protrusion 23 Elastic cap (wrapping means) 23f Engaging protrusion 23g Engaging protrusion

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for laminating ferrules for a stacked optical connector, in which each ferrule of a plurality of optical connectors is laminated at once in order to butt connect a plurality of optical connectors to the same number of corresponding other optical connectors at the same time, wherein the plurality of ferrules are stacked together. A method of laminating ferrules for a laminated optical connector, comprising: stacking each ferrule on top of another, and then elastically wrapping the plurality of stacked ferrules with a wrapping means to laminate them all at once.