JPH05273441A - Optical receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the productivity and operability of the optical receptacle corresponding to optical connectors in plural kind of shapes prescribed by the FDDI standards by an optical LAN system of the FDDI standards. CONSTITUTION:Rib-shaped projection parts 51 and 52 which engage key grooves formed in an optical connector are formed on a detachable key chip 5, and the optical receptacle is applicable to an optical connector which has different key specification according to the mounting direction of the key chip 5. Therefore, the optical receptacle having the single structure is applicable to optical connectors differing in key specification. The productivity of the optical receptacle is improved because of the single structure. The key specification set on the optical receptacle can easily be classified by providing the key chip 5 with a simple display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to optical receptacles. More specifically, the present invention relates to the FDDI standard (Fiber Dis
distributed Data Interface: Optical LA by US ANSI
The present invention relates to a novel configuration of an optical receptacle used when connecting an optical connector attached to an end of an optical cable to an optical transceiver in a LAN system of N standard).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a FDDI standard LAN system, an optical fiber is used as a signal transmission medium, and an optical module attached to an end of an optical cable is used for an optical module for transmission or reception provided in each node. The transmission line and the node are connected by connecting the connector.

FIG. 3 is used in the above-mentioned application.
It is a figure which shows the typical structure of an optical receptacle.

As shown in the figure, an optical receptacle, which is one of the main optical module units in the FDDI standard, is a pair of optical modules 1a and 1a housed behind it.
b, which is configured integrally with b, and a bracket portion 22 for supporting the rear end of the optical modules 1a and 1b and for fixing the sheath body portion 21 to a substrate etc. It is equipped with. Here, each optical module 1
Each of a and 1b has a nose portion at its tip protruding into the inside of the sheath body portion 21.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the shape of an optical connector used for the optical receptacle having the above-mentioned structure and the connecting method thereof.

As shown in the figure, an optical connector 4 is attached to the end of an optical cable 3 containing a plurality of optical fibers. The optical connector 4 is a sheath body portion of the optical receptacle 2.
An insertion portion 41 having a shape complementary to the inside of 21, and an insertion portion 41
And a handle portion 42 integrally formed on the rear side of the. The tip of the optical fiber housed in the optical fiber cable 3 is held at the tip of the insertion portion 41 of the optical connector 4 via a ferrule or the like.

By inserting the tip of the optical connector 4 configured as described above into the sheath body portion 21 of the optical receptacle 4 from the front side, the optical fiber held by the optical connector 4 and
Optical modules 1a, 1b mounted on the optical receptacle 2
And can be connected together.

According to the FDDI standard, A
Four types of optical connectors defined as type, B type, M type, and S type are used. All of these optical connectors are used as a connection mechanism between the optical module and the optical fiber.
The functions on the LAN system are different from each other.

Therefore, in the connection mechanism used in the optical LAN of the FDDI standard, a key groove 43 parallel to the insertion direction is formed in the insertion portion 41 of the optical connector 4, and a shape to be fitted with the key groove 43 is formed. A rib-shaped protrusion 21 is provided inside the optical receptacle 2 and extends in parallel with the insertion direction of the optical connector to form a key structure so that the optical connector 4 can be connected only to a specific optical receptacle 2. There is.

FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d) are views showing the key structure as described above by the sectional shape of the sheath body portion 21 of the optical receptacle 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d), A type and B type
Inside the sheath body portion 21 of the optical receptacle that fits into the optical connector of each of the M and M types, a thin rib-shaped protrusion having a shape complementary to the key groove formed in the optical connector of each type. twenty one
a, 21b, and 21m are formed at different positions. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), inside the sheath of the optical receptacle to be fitted with the S-type optical connector, a wide rib-shaped complementary to the insertion part of the S-type optical connector is formed. Projection 21
s is formed.

Only a specific type of optical connector can be inserted and connected to the optical receptacle configured as described above.

[0013]

However, the above-mentioned key structure has the optical receptacle corresponding to each type,
Each must be manufactured separately. That is, the protrusion is formed integrally with the optical receptacle inside the sheath body of the optical receptacle. Therefore, in order to manufacture each type of optical receptacle, it is necessary to change the setting of the manufacturing equipment. Further, since various types of optical receptacles must be handled in all aspects of quality control, inventory control, distribution control, etc., manufacturing cost and distribution cost increase. Further, even on the user side, there is a problem that the types of members are not compatible with each other and the inventory increases.

Further, the conventional optical receptacle has the following problems when it is actually used. That is, since the protrusion formed on the side of the optical receptacle is formed inside the sheath body, it is difficult to distinguish the optical receptacle from the outside. On the other hand, since the connection of the optical connector to the optical receptacle is actually performed on the back surface or the side surface of the device, it is difficult to identify the optical receptacle fitted to the optical connector to be connected. Moreover, not only is workability low, but if you try to insert an optical connector into the wrong type of optical receptacle,
It may also damage the optical connector or the optical receptacle.

As described above, the conventional optical receptacles corresponding to the key structure are low in productivity due to the large variety of products, the distribution management is troublesome, and the operability during use is not good at all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a novel optical receptacle having excellent productivity and operability.

[0017]

That is, according to the present invention,
For an optical connector of a plurality of types used in an FDDI standard optical LAN system and having differently shaped keyways defined in the standard, the optical connector having a protrusion having a shape complementary to the keyway In an optical receptacle including a sheath body configured to be fitted with, the protrusion is
An optical device, which is formed on a key chip detachably attached to the sheath body, and the key chip is attachable to the sheath body in different directions. A receptacle is provided.

[0018]

The optical receptacle according to the present invention can correspond to optical connectors of different key specifications in the FDDI standard with a single structure.

That is, in the optical receptacle according to the present invention, a part of the sheath body portion is constructed as a detachable key chip, and the inside of the sheath body portion of the optical receptacle is guided by the insertion direction of the key chip. It is possible to change the effective width or position of the protrusion that fits into the keyway of the connector. Therefore, a single structure can be applied to optical connectors having different key specifications.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings, but the following disclosure does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0021]

1 is a partially enlarged view of an optical receptacle according to the present invention, and the remaining structure is common to the conventional optical receptacle shown in FIG. Therefore, common reference numerals are given to components common to both.

As shown in the figure, the tip of this optical receptacle forms a cylindrical sheath 21. However, the sheath body portion 21
A square notch 21x for mounting a key chip 5 to be described later is formed at the end of the. A dovetail groove 21y is formed on the end surface of the cutout portion 21x.

On the other hand, the key chip 5 attached to the cutout portion 21x has a square planar shape and has the dovetail groove 21.
A shape that fits with y is given to the entire circumference. Also,
In the state shown in FIG. 1, rib-shaped protrusions 51 are formed on the sides of the upper surface of the key chip 5. Further, a rib-shaped protrusion 52 is formed in the center of the lower surface of the key chip 5 in parallel with the protrusion 51.

In the optical receptacle described above, the width W of the rib-shaped protrusions 51 and 52 formed on the key chip 5 is FD.
A type, B specified for optical connector in DI standard
Substantially equal to the width of the M-shaped and M-shaped keyways. The length L of the protrusion is equal to the width of the S-shaped key groove.

In the optical receptacle configured as described above, when the key chip 5 is mounted in the direction shown in FIG. 1, the protrusion 52 projects inside the sheath body portion 21 of the optical receptacle. Therefore, in this state, only the optical connector having the M-shaped key groove can be inserted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the key chip 5 used in the optical receptacle shown in FIG.

As shown by the arrow indicating the mounting direction in FIG.
When this optical receptacle is used for an A-type or B-type optical connector, the key chip 5 is turned over from the state shown in FIG. 1 so that the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 51 and the insertion direction are parallel to each other. The chip 5 is attached to the notch 21y.
At this time, if the key chip 5 is inserted so that the protrusion 51 is on the left side in the drawing, this optical receptacle is fitted with the optical connector having an A-shaped key groove. When the key chip 5 is inserted so that the protrusion 51 is on the right side, the optical receptacle is fitted with the optical connector having the B-shaped key groove.
Further, when the key chip 5 is inserted in a direction perpendicular to these two directions, this optical receptacle fits only with an optical connector having an S-shaped key groove.

As shown in the figure, an index 23 is provided on the sheath body 21 side of the optical receptacle, and a symbol indicating the corresponding key specifications in the mounted state is also displayed on the key chip side. As a result, erroneous operation can be effectively prevented, and at the same time, handling can be facilitated. In this example,
Although the symbol by letters is displayed on the key chip side, conversely, the letters may be displayed on the sheath body 21 side and the index may be provided on the key tip 5 side. Further, a part of the character display may be omitted.

Furthermore, by constructing the material of the key chip with a softer material than the material of the sheath body portion, even if the optical connectors having different key specifications are mistakenly attached, the damage can be stopped only in the key chip. You can

[0030]

As described above, in the optical receptacle according to the present invention, the key structure on the side of the optical receptacle can be separated as a key chip, and further, according to the mounting direction of one key chip, different key specifications can be obtained. It can correspond to an optical connector. Therefore, since the optical receptacle has a single structure, not only the production efficiency is high for the manufacturer, but also quality control and distribution control in distribution are significantly simplified. Also, the compatibility of the parts is high and the handling is easy for the user. Further, the key chip attached to the optical receptacle can display the key specifications corresponding to that time.

By using the optical receptacle according to the present invention as described above, the introduction of the FDDI standard optical LAN system becomes inexpensive and easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical receptacle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the optical receptacle shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an optical receptacle conforming to the FDDI standard.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a connection mechanism using the optical receptacle shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a key structure in an FDDI standard optical receptacle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical module, 2 ... Optical receptacle, 21 ... Sheath body part, 21a, 21b, 21m, 21s ... Projection part, 21x ... Notch part, 21y ... Dovetail groove, 22・ ・ ・ Bracket part, 23 ・ ・ ・ Marker 3 ・ ・ ・ Optical cable, 4 ・ ・ ・ Optical connector, 5 ・ ・ ・ Key chip, 51, 52 ・ ・ ・ Projection part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. For a plurality of types of optical connectors used in an FDDI standard optical LAN system and provided with keyways having different shapes defined in the standard, a protrusion having a shape complementary to the keyways is provided. An optical receptacle including a sheath body configured to be fitted with the optical connector, wherein the protrusion is formed on a key chip that is configured to be detachable from the sheath body, and An optical receptacle, wherein the key chip is configured to be attachable to the sheath body in different directions. 2. The optical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion formed on the key chip has a different position or effective width depending on a mounting direction of the key chip with respect to the sheath body. An optical receptacle characterized by being configured. 3. The optical receptacle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the key chip has protrusions on both surfaces, and a protrusion having a position or effective width different from that of the other surface on one surface. An optical receptacle, which is a plate-shaped member having a portion. 4. The optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the key chip indicates a mounting direction and a key specification of an optical connector corresponding to the mounting direction. An optical receptacle characterized in that a symbol or a letter that indicates is displayed.