JPH059696Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a fiber-type photoelectric switch in which an optical device such as a light-receiving element or a light-emitting element is connected to a detection end or a sensor section using an optical fiber. More specifically, the present invention relates to the structure of an optical connection between an optical device and an optical fiber.

<Prior Art> A conventional fiber type photoelectric switch of this type generally has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, an optical device 2 such as a light emitting element or a light receiving element is embedded and fixed in a fixing member 1, and a communicating hole 3 leading to the optical device 2 is bored in this fixing member 1. 3, optical fiber 4
A water seal member 5 made of a rubber gasket with a slightly smaller diameter is fitted. On the other hand, a connecting member 6 for connecting and fixing the optical fiber 4 to the optical device 2 in an optically connected state is formed with a clamping part 7 for inserting the optical fiber 4 and fixing the optical fiber 4. Connector 8 and fixing member 1
an inner tapered surface 9 which reduces the diameter of the clamping part 7 by screwing and fastening it to the optical fiber 4;
The fixing device 10 has the following features.

When connecting the optical fiber 4 to the optical device 2, the optical fiber 4 is inserted through the connector 8, and then the tip of the optical fiber 4 is connected to the fixing member 8.
At the same time, the connecting tool 8 is also inserted into the fixing member 1, and then the fixing tool 10 is screwed and fastened to the fixing member 1, thereby fixing the fixing member 1. The inner tapered surface 9 of the fixing device 10 that is screwed against the clamping portion 7 of the connecting device 8
The holding portion 7 prevents the optical fiber 4 from coming off.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, the fiber type photoelectric switch has various problems as described below. That is, a water seal member 5 is provided between the optical fiber 4 and the fixing member 1 to prevent water from outside from entering the fixing member 1 serving as the main body. Since the inner diameter of the optical fiber 4 is smaller than that of the optical fiber 4, when the tip of the optical fiber 4 comes into contact with the water sealing member 5 during the process of pushing the optical fiber 4, the resistance to the pushing of the optical fiber 4 suddenly increases. This tends to create the illusion that the fixture 10 is in contact with the optical device 2.
If it is tightened, a gap will be created between the optical device 2 and the optical fiber 4, and the light collection efficiency will be reduced.

In addition, it is necessary to tighten the fixture 10 while inserting the optical fiber 4 through the water seal member 5 and maintaining it in close contact with the optical device 2.
Extremely poor workability. That is, if you are not careful, the optical fiber 4 may be damaged when tightening the fixture 10.
If it slips out even slightly, a gap will be created between the tip of the optical fiber 4 and the optical device 2, causing the same problem as described above.

Furthermore, since the optical fiber 4 has flexibility, when it is inserted against the resistance of the water seal member 5, the optical fiber 4 is bent and it is difficult to apply force, resulting in extremely poor workability. Furthermore, when a plurality of optical fibers 4 share the same outer diameter, an attachment is required to match the outer diameters.

<Purpose of the invention> The present invention was devised in view of these conventional problems, and it is possible to bring an optical fiber into close contact with an optical device with extremely easy operation without causing a decrease in light collection efficiency. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fiber-type photoelectric switch that can be connected, has a reliable waterproof function, and has a configuration that can be used with optical fibers of different diameters by sharing some parts. It is something.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the fiber type photoelectric switch of the present invention has a main body member fixed to one end thereof, and an optical device such as a light receiving element or a light emitting element inserted therethrough. A fiber-type photoelectric stitch comprising a connecting member that brings and holds an end of an optical fiber in close optical connection with the optical device and is fixed to the main body member, wherein the optical device is fixed to the main body member. A mounting hole that communicates with the hole and opens at the other end through two types of expanding diameter surfaces that become larger toward the other end, and a flat storage chamber that is provided perpendicular to the mounting hole at the other end and is open at one end. A retaining member is provided in the storage chamber, and a removal operation piece at the other end is projected to the outside from the opening of the storage chamber by the biasing force of the elastic portion at one end of the retaining member. An insertion hole drilled in the center with a diameter substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the mounting hole is slidably inserted in the mounting hole, and the connecting member is connected to the 2nd hole corresponding to the enlarged diameter surface. A holding hole that has a tapered surface and an outer diameter corresponding to the mounting hole, through which the optical fiber is inserted, a clamping portion that fixes the optical fiber by reducing the diameter of the holding hole, and the tapered surface on the other end side. a retaining bulge that moves the retaining member by sliding contact with the edge of the insertion hole and is inserted into the insertion hole, and passes through the insertion hole at the same time when the end of the optical fiber comes into contact with the optical device; a retainer comprising;
a fixture having a tapered surface that reduces the diameter of the holding part when screwed into the holder; and a fixture provided with a tapered surface that reduces the diameter of the holding part when screwed into the holder; The structure is characterized by the interposition of a water seal member.

<Operation> When connecting an optical fiber and an optical device, first, the optical fiber is inserted through a holder, and then a fixture is screwed onto the holder and tightened, thereby assembling a connecting member with the holder and the fixture. When the fixture is tightened, the diameter of the holding part of the holder is reduced by the tapered surface of the fixture, thereby fixing the optical fiber. When this connecting member is inserted into the mounting hole of the main body member, the tapered surface on the other end side of the holder slides into contact with the insertion hole edge of the retaining member, causing the retaining member to move against the biasing force of the elastic part. Then, the insertion hole matches the mounting hole, and when the retaining bulge finishes passing through these matching holes, the tip of the optical fiber comes into contact with the optical device,
The retaining member returns to its original state due to the urging force of the elastic portion. Therefore, a portion of the retaining bulge comes into contact with the edge of the insertion hole of the retaining member, thereby preventing the connecting member from coming off, and maintaining the optical fiber in close contact with the optical device. Here, when inserting the connecting member to which the optical fiber is fixed in advance into the main body member, a water sealing member is inserted between the enlarged diameter surface at one end of the main body member and the tapered surface at one end side of the holder of the connecting member. Since it is interposed, a reliable waterproof function can be obtained smoothly.

In addition, when removing, when the operating piece is pushed into the main body member against the biasing force of the elastic part and the retaining member is moved, the insertion hole of the retaining member aligns with the mounting hole, and in this state, the connecting member is inserted. Can be easily removed. Moreover, since the optical fiber is inserted only through the fixing device of the connecting member with its tip protruding by a predetermined length, if a fixing device with holding holes corresponding to each diameter of the optical fiber is prepared, it is possible to insert the optical fiber into the main body member. There is an advantage that the holder for the connecting member and the connecting member can be shared.

<Embodiment> Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, the main body member 11 has a fixing hole 11a for fitting and fixing the optical device 2,
A mounting hole 11b for inserting the connecting member 12 is formed in communication with the mounting hole 11b. The mounting hole 11b is
Two types of expanding diameter surfaces 1 that become larger toward the other end on the right side of the figure
It has a hole shape that opens at the other end surface via 1d and 11e. Further, a flat storage chamber 11c that is perpendicular to the mounting hole 11b and open at one end is provided, and this storage chamber 11
A retaining member 13 is installed inside c.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this retaining member 13 has a flat plate shape as a whole.
An insertion hole 13a is bored in the center with a diameter that is approximately the same as the maximum diameter of the mounting hole 11b and the end surface of the upper hole is tapered as shown in FIG. 1, and a C-shaped elastic part is formed in the lower part. Due to the elastic force of the contacts 13b, the contacts 13c protruding from both sides slide into contact and are movable up and down, and the upper operation piece 13d is normally protruded from the main body member 11 to the outside.

The connecting member 12 includes a holder 14 and a fixture 17. The holder 14 has two types of tapered surfaces 14f and 14c that become larger in diameter toward the rear, corresponding to the two types of expanded diameter surfaces 11d and 11e of the main body member 11, and correspond to the mounting hole 11b. The outer shape has a holding hole 14a through which the optical fiber 4 is inserted, a holding part 14b that fixes the optical fiber 4 by reducing the diameter of the rear part, and a tapered surface 14 on the rear side.
A retaining bulge 14d formed at the rear of c.
and a threaded groove 14e carved on the rear outer peripheral surface, and the outer diameter of the retaining bulge 14d is as follows:
It is formed slightly smaller than the insertion hole 13a of the retaining member 13. Further, the fixture 17 that is screwed into the thread groove 14e of the holder 14 is formed with a tapered surface 17a that reduces the diameter of the holding portion 14b when tightened. Reference numerals 18 and 19 indicate water sealing members made of rubber gaskets, and one water sealing member 18 is interposed between the enlarged diameter surface 11d on one end side of the main body member 11 and the tapered surface 14f on the one end side of the holder 14, Further, the other water seal member 19 is interposed between the holder 14 and the optical fiber 4.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.
First, the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the holder 14 and protruded from the holder 14 by an appropriate length, and then the fixture 17 is screwed into the thread groove 14e of the holder 14 from the position indicated by the dashed-dotted line and tightened. As the fixing device 17 is screwed forward by this tightening, the diameter of the holding portion 14b is reduced by the pressure of the tapered surface 17 of the fixing device 17, and the optical fiber 4 is firmly fixed. After the optical fiber 4 is fixed to the connecting member 12 in this manner, the optical fiber 4 protruding from the holder 14 is cut to an appropriate length using a cutter (not shown) specifically designed for optical fibers. That is, the optical fiber 4 is cut to match the distance from the tip of the holder 14 to the optical device 2.

Then, the connecting member 12 is pushed into the attachment hole 11b of the main body member 11. At this time, the insertion hole 13a of the retaining member 13 is displaced upward with respect to the mounting hole 11b due to the constant upward bias by the elastic portion 13b, but the tapered surface 14c of the retaining bulge 14d is located at the lower part of the insertion hole 13a. By slidingly contacting the tapered surface of the hole end surface, the retaining member 13 is smoothly pushed down against the biasing force of the elastic portion 13b, and the retaining bulge 14d is inserted into the insertion hole 13a. When the connecting member 12 is inserted to a predetermined position and the tip of the optical fiber 4 comes into close contact with the optical device 2, the retaining bulge 14d passes through the insertion hole 13a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the retaining member 13 is moved upward by the restoring force of the elastic portion 13b when the pressure by the retaining bulge 14d is released, and the retaining member 13 is inserted as shown in FIG. At the same time that the hole 13a is displaced relative to the retaining bulge 14d and the connecting member 12 is retained, the enlarged diameter surface 11d on one end side of the main body member 11 and the tapered surface 14 on the one end side of the holder 14
The water sealing member 18 is smoothly pressurized to a collapsed state between the water sealing member f and a complete waterproofing function.

In addition, when removing the optical fiber 4, the second
When the operation piece 13d is pressed down with a finger as shown in FIG. 3 from the normal state shown in the figure, the retaining member 13
Since the insertion hole 13a is concentric with the retaining bulge 14d and the retainer is released, the connecting member 12 can be removed in this state.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, although the elastic portion 13b is integrally formed with the retaining member 13, elasticity such as a coil spring or a leaf spring may be used. Also, the insertion hole 13a and the retaining bulge 14d are not limited to circular shapes but square shapes. But that's fine.

<Effects of the invention> As detailed above, according to the fiber-type photoelectric switch of the present invention, the optical fiber is simply inserted into the holding hole of the connecting member and fixed by the clamping part, and then the connecting member is inserted into the mounting hole of the main body member. By inserting the retaining member into the connector, the retaining bulge of the connecting member automatically pushes down the retaining member and inserts it, and the retaining member is released from the pressure at the predetermined position and returns to its original state. The member engages with the bulge and prevents it from coming off, and by simply pressing the operating piece, the member releases the stop and allows the optical fiber to be pulled out.This allows flexible optical fibers to be connected to the connecting member. Since it is inserted into the main body member after being fixed, not only can the connection work be performed reliably, but it is also automatically prevented from coming off just by inserting it, so it can be connected with a single touch operation. In addition, since the water sealing member is interposed between the expanded diameter surface of the main body member and the tapered surface of the holder having a corresponding shape, a smooth and reliable waterproof function can be obtained by inserting the main body member of the connecting member. be able to. Furthermore, since the optical fiber is simply inserted through the holding hole of the holder of the connecting member, by preparing a holder with a holding hole that corresponds to the diameter of the optical fiber, it is possible to share the main body member and the fixing device. This has the remarkable effect of being able to accommodate optical fibers of various diameters. moreover,
When removing the optical fiber, it is sufficient to simply press the operating piece. Furthermore, the optical device and the optical fiber can be held in close contact with each other by the retaining means, and there is no reduction in light collection efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the fiber type photoelectric switch of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the locking state and the locking release state of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a conventional device. FIG. 2... Optical device, 4... Optical fiber, 11...
...Body member, 11b...Mounting hole, 11d, 11e
... Expanded diameter surface, 12 ... Connecting member, 13 ... Retaining member, 13a ... Insertion hole, 13b ... Elastic part,
13d...operation piece, 14...holder, 14b...
Clamping portion, 14c, 14f...Tapered surface, 14d
...Keeping bulge, 15...Fixing tool.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A main body member having an optical device such as a light receiving element or a light emitting element fixed at one end thereof, and an end of an optical fiber inserted therethrough is brought into close optical connection with the optical device and held, and fixed to the main body member. In the fiber-type photoelectric switch, the fiber photoelectric switch is provided with a connecting member that is connected to the main body member, and is opened at the other end surface through two types of enlarged diameter surfaces that communicate with the fixing hole of the optical device and have a larger diameter toward the other end. The hole is connected to a flat storage chamber provided at the other end perpendicular to the mounting hole and open at one end, and a retaining member is attached to the elastic portion at one end of the storage chamber. The force causes the removal operation piece at the other end to protrude outward from the opening of the storage chamber, and the insertion hole drilled in the center with approximately the same diameter as the maximum diameter of the mounting hole is displaced from the mounting hole. a holding hole for inserting the optical fiber, the connecting member having two types of tapered surfaces corresponding to each of the expanding diameter surfaces and having an outer diameter corresponding to the mounting hole; By reducing the diameter of the holding hole, the holding part for fixing the optical fiber and the tapered surface on the other end slide into sliding contact with the edge of the insertion hole to move the retaining member and insert the optical fiber into the insertion hole. a holder having a retaining bulge whose end portion passes through the insertion hole at the same time as it abuts the optical device; and a tapered surface that reduces the diameter of the holding part when screwed into the holder. 1. A fiber-type photoelectric switch comprising a fixture, and a water sealing member interposed between an enlarged diameter surface on one end side of the main body member and a tapered surface on one end side of the holder.