JPH0556481B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to an optical connector used in optical communication systems and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Optical connectors include lens-type optical connectors that use lenses to magnify and combine light beams emitted from the tips of a pair of opposing optical fibers.

As shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 2, a conventional lens-type optical connector holds optical fiber cores 3 and 4 by ferrules 1 and 2 having lens portions 1a and 2a formed at their tips, and these ferrules They are configured to be aligned with each other by the sleeve 5. In order to prevent damage caused by direct contact between the lens parts 1a and 2a, protrusions 1b and 2b are formed around each lens part, so that the lens part is protected and accommodated in the recess.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional lens-type optical connector described above, the lens portion at the tip of the ferrule is accommodated in the recess.
If dust adheres to the lens part, it is difficult to wipe it off, and there is a problem that it cannot be used for attachment and detachment in dusty places such as outdoors.

Means for solving the structural problems of the invention The optical connector of the present invention which solves the problems of the prior art described above has a pair of ferrules having a lens part protruding from the peripheral part at the center part of the distal end surface, and a lens part. A cylindrical spacer having an inner diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the ferrule and an outer diameter less than or equal to the outer diameter of the ferrule and formed separately from each ferrule. It is equipped with a sleeve that can be removably aligned.

In other words, by making the lens part protrude from the peripheral part at the central part of the tip of the ferrule, and by using a spacer separate from the ferrule to prevent the lenses from coming into contact with each other, it is possible to prevent damage to the lens and wipe away attached dust. Both of these are possible.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be explained along with examples.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This optical connector has optical fiber core wires 13, 14.
ferrules 11 and 12 for fixing the ferrules, a sleeve 15 for arranging these ferrules, and a spacer 16 interposed between the tip surfaces of the ferrules 11 and 12.

The ferrules 11 and 12 are made of a transparent resin such as acrylic resin by injection molding or the like so as to have a circular cross section. The sleeve 15 and the spacer 16 are made of resin such as polycarbonate by injection molding or the like to have a cylindrical shape with predetermined dimensions.

A lens portion 11a protruding from a peripheral portion 11b is formed at the center of the front end surface of the ferrule 11, and the tip of the optical fiber 13 is fixed at a predetermined position behind the lens portion.

A lens portion 12a is also formed at the center of the front end surface of the ferrule 12 and protrudes from its peripheral portion 12b, and the tip of the optical fiber 14 is fixed at a predetermined position behind the lens portion.

This spacer 16 includes ferrules 11 and 12.
It has a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the lens parts 11a and 12a and an outer diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the ferrules 11 and 12.

The spacer 15 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the ferrules 11 and 12, and is pushed and expanded by the ferrules 11 and 12 inserted from both left and right ends with the spacer 16 interposed therebetween. 12 are arranged in a detachable manner.

As described above, the inner diameter of the spacer 16 is the same as that of the lens portion 11.
Although the case where the diameter is equal to the diameter of a and 12a is illustrated, this may be somewhat larger than the diameter of the lens portion. Also, the outer diameter of the spacer 16 is set to the ferrules 11 and 1.
The diameter may be increased within a range not exceeding the diameter of 2.

Further, the spacer 16 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a suitable polygonal tube.

Although a configuration in which the lens portion is formed integrally with the ferrule has been exemplified, it is also possible to create a lens separately from the ferrule and hold it at the center portion of the ferrule tip while protruding from the peripheral portion.

Effects of the Invention As explained in detail above, in the optical connector of the present invention, the lens portion protrudes from the peripheral portion at the center portion of the ferrule tip, and a spacer separate from the ferrule is used to separate the lens portions from each other. Since it is configured to prevent contact, it is possible to both prevent damage to the lens and wipe off dust attached to the lens, expanding the range of applications for attaching and detaching outdoors where there is a lot of dust.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of a conventional optical connector. 11, 12...Ferrule, 11a, 12a...
...Lens portion of the ferrule tip surface, 11b, 12b
...Peripheral part of the ferrule tip surface, 13, 14...
Optical fiber core wire, 15...sleeve, 16...spacer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pair of ferrules having a lens portion protruding forward of the peripheral portion at the center portion of the distal end surface, an inner diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the lens portion, and an outer diameter less than or equal to the outer diameter of each ferrule. A cylindrical spacer formed separately from each ferrule, and a sleeve that allows the ferrules to be removably aligned while interposing the spacer between the tip surfaces of the ferrules. optical connector.