JPH0710707U - Optical connector parts - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] It is easy and secure to press fit the ceramic shaft member 3 to the metal member 4 and to remove or rotate the ceramic shaft member in the state of a united product after the press fitting. Even if there is no occurrence, and even if the metal member is partially cut into the hole at the time of press-fitting, troubles such as an abnormal increase in the pressurizing force between the two members and the chipping or cracking of the ceramic shaft member 3 can be solved,
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector component which can obtain high reliability as an optical fiber connecting component and can reduce the cost as compared with a conventional product. [Means] A metal in which a metal member 4 is manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding, and a cylindrical ceramic shaft member 3 penetrating through an axial center of a minute hole 3 into which an optical fiber 2 can be inserted and fixed is press-fitted. A plurality of convex portions 5a and concave portions 6a are provided on the inner circumferential annular surface of the hole 4a of the manufacturing member 4, and only the convex portions 5a are in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic cylindrical shaft 3.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention mainly relates to an optical connector part (ferrule) used for connecting an optical fiber for optical communication.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Generally, this type of optical connector for optical communication is composed of a pair of ferrules for holding and fixing an optical fiber, a sleeve for aligning and holding these ferrules, and a plurality of parts such as a plug housing and an adapter housing. ing.

Of the optical connector parts, only the ferrule is shown by reference numeral 1 in FIGS. The optical connector part shown in the figure, that is, the ferrule 1 is called a zirconia sleeve type ferrule. The shaft member 3 and the metal member (rear body) 4 made of stainless steel or the like having a hole 4a for press-fitting and fixing the base end portion of the shaft member 3 have a united product structure.

The optical fiber 2 is inserted and fixed in the minute holes 3a of the ceramic shaft member 3 of the ferrule 1 of this combined structure, and the ceramic shaft members 3 of the pair of ferrules 1 in such a state are elastic cylinders not shown. The optical fibers on both sides are centered to each other with low loss by fitting them in a shape-shaped sleeve in a state of facing each other from both ends, elastically aligning and holding them, and further fastening by plug housing and adapter housing. In addition, it is connected in a stable state against disturbance.

By the way, the ferrule 1 described above is a small component having an overall length of about 16 mm even when viewed as a whole, and each component of the ceramic shaft member 3 and the metal member 4, which are the constituent members, is a sub-component. Ultra-precision processing with micron-order accuracy. The dimensions of each part of the ceramic shaft member 3 are such that the total length L is about 11.5 mm, the outer diameter D is about 2.5 mm, and the inner diameter d of the minute holes 3a is about 125 μm.

The press-fitting fixing structure of the ceramic shaft member 3 to the metal member 4 is such that the outer diameter D of the ceramic shaft member 3 and the inner diameter of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 are super-precision machined into a perfect circle. In addition, the tapered surface portion 3b is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the base end of the shaft member 3 and, at the same time, an appropriate tightening margin (fitting depth of about 2.5 mm) E is secured. The base end of the ceramic shaft member 3 is fixed by press-fitting into the hole 4a of the metal member 4 set in the press machine with a predetermined pressing force (about 30 kg).

[0007]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the above-mentioned conventional ferrule 1 which is an optical connector component, the structure of press-fitting and fixing the ceramic shaft member 3 to the metal member 4 has the following problems. That is, the outer diameter D of the ceramic shaft member 3 and the inner diameter of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 are super finely machined and press-fitted to each other with a predetermined pressing force. , There is no local catching due to pressure contact with each other on the entire peripheral surface, so to speak, it is easy to cause a lack of locking force. However, there is a risk of movement and the like, and there is a problem that the reliability as a connector component for connecting an optical fiber is lacking.

When the ceramic shaft member 3 is press-fitted into the metal member 4, a part of the opening edge of the inner peripheral annular surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 is scraped by the ceramic shaft member 3, The scraped metal piece is pushed into the hole 4a and is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the hole 4a and the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 to cause an abnormal increase in mutual pressing force. The mixed shaft member 3 may be chipped or cracked, or the proper fitting margin (fitting depth) E may be given, but the fitting depth required for fixing both members may not be secured sufficiently. There was a problem to do.

Therefore, in order to further improve the fitting accuracy of both the ceramic shaft member 3 and the metal member 4, ultra-precision processing is required, which in turn increases the processing cost. Then, there was a problem of causing a significant cost increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily and surely press fit and fix a ceramic shaft member to a metal member, and to make a ceramic product in a united state after the press fitting. Even if the shaft member is not pulled out or rotated, and even if the metal part is partially cut into the hole when it is pressed in, an abnormal increase in the pressing force between the two members and a ceramic shaft member will occur. It is possible to eliminate problems such as chipping and cracking of the parts, and both members are accurately fitted and fixed with a stable press-fitting force, resulting in high reliability as an optical fiber connection part and higher processing accuracy than conventional products. It is to provide optical connector parts that are rough and cost-effective.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 One aspect of the optical connector component of the present invention is that a plurality of holes are formed on the inner circumference of a metal member into which a cylindrical ceramic shaft member having a small hole into which an optical fiber can be inserted and fixed is inserted through the shaft center. The uneven portion is provided, and only this protruding portion is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic cylindrical shaft.

According to another aspect of the optical connector component of the present invention, the hole of the metal member into which the cylindrical ceramic shaft member having the minute hole into which the optical fiber can be inserted and fixed is inserted through the shaft center is press-fitted into a polygonal shape. Only the intermediate surface portion between the apex portions of the polygonal hole is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic cylindrical shaft. The metal member of each of the above aspects is preferably manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding.

[0013]

[Action]

 In the case of the optical connector part having the above-mentioned configuration, when the cylindrical ceramic shaft member is press-fitted into the hole of the metal member, the projections of the plurality of uneven portions provided on the inner circumferential ring surface of the hole of the metal member are projected. The outer peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member comes into pressure contact with only the part or only the intermediate surface part between the apex parts of the polygonal hole, and a stable and sufficient pressing force (locking force) is obtained between both parts to ensure After being press-fitted and fixed, the ceramic shaft member does not come out or rotate from the hole of the metal member in the state of the united product after the press-fitting.

Moreover, even if a metal member is partially cut by the ceramic shaft member into the hole during the press-fitting, the scraped metal piece is provided on the inner circumferential ring surface of the hole of the metal member. The gaps created by the vertical corners of multiple recesses or regular polygonal holes can be accommodated with a margin, and problems such as abnormal increase in pressure between the two members and cracks and cracks in the ceramic shaft member can be resolved. .

As a result, the cylindrical ceramic shaft member is accurately press-fitted and fixed in the hole of the metal member with a stable and sufficient pressurizing force, and high reliability is obtained as an optical fiber connecting component. The machining accuracy is better than that of the conventional product, and the cost can be reduced.

The metal member may be formed by baking metal powder or by injection molding metal powder to form a plurality of uneven portions on the inner circumferential annular surface of the hole or to make the hole polygonal. Can be easily done with a molding die, making it easier to manufacture and further reducing costs.

[0017]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, some embodiments of the ferrule which is an optical connector part of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the overall basic structure of this ferrule is the same as that shown by reference numeral 1 in FIG. 11, the description is simplified by using the same reference numerals, and the overall view thereof is omitted and X of FIG. 11 is omitted. Only the cross-sectional views of the parts corresponding to the part along the X-ray are shown respectively.

First, a ferrule 1 as an optical connector part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a cylindrical ceramic shaft member 3 made of stainless steel and having a microscopic hole 3a into which an optical fiber 2 can be inserted and fixed and which penetrates the shaft center. The metal member 4 is press-fitted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4, and the metal member 4 is formed into a stepped cylindrical shape by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding. A plurality of convex portions 5a are provided on the annular surface.

Each of the convex portions 5a is integrally formed in an arcuate cross-section with an inverted R, at each portion of the inner circumferential annular surface of the hole 4a that is equally spaced in the circumferential direction. Only the top of each of the protrusions 5a is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D.

In the case of the ferrule 1 which is the optical connector component having such a configuration, when the cylindrical ceramic shaft member 3 is press-fitted into the hole 4a of the metal member 4, the inside of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 is The outer peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 comes into pressure contact only with the tops of the plurality of convex portions 5a provided on the circumferential annular surface, and a stable and sufficient pressurizing force (locking force) is obtained between them to ensure accurate press-fitting and fixation. The ceramic shaft member 3 does not come out or rotate from the hole 4a of the metal member 4 in the state of the united product after the press-fitting.

Moreover, when the ceramic shaft member 3 is press-fitted, shaving of the peripheral portion of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 is reduced. Even if the metal member 4 is partially cut into the hole 4a, a plurality of convex portions formed by the scraped metal pieces on the inner circular surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 The gaps between the recesses 6a between the members 5a can be accommodated with a margin, and troubles such as an abnormal increase in the pressurizing force between the members and the chipping or cracking of the ceramic shaft member 3 can be eliminated.

As a result, the cylindrical ceramic shaft member 3 is accurately press-fitted and fixed in the hole 4 a of the metal member 4 with a stable and sufficient pressure, and is highly reliable as an optical fiber connecting component. In addition, the processing accuracy is rougher than the conventional product, and the metal member 4 is easily manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding, so the manufacturing cost is easy and the cost is greatly reduced. Can be achieved.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an inner circular ring surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding has an inverted R cross-section circle similar to the above. A large number of arc-shaped convex portions 5b are continuously provided without an interval in the circumferential direction. Only the tops of the protrusions 5b are in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D, and recesses 6b having a substantially triangular cross-section are formed at the boundaries between the protrusions 5b. Even with this, the same effects as the above can be obtained.

Next, in the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inner circumference annular surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding is circumferentially equidistant. A plurality of box-shaped concave portions 6c are provided. Only the remaining convex portions 5c where the concave portions 6 are not formed are in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D. Even with this, the same effects as the above can be obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of metal members 4 made by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding have a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly spaced intervals on the inner circumference annular surface of the hole 4a. A concave portion 6d having an arcuate cross section is provided at the location. Only the remaining convex portions 5d, in which the respective concave portions 6d are not formed, are in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D. Even with this, the same effects as the above can be obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the inner peripheral annular surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding has a concave portion with the same circular cross section as described above. A large number of 6e are continuously provided in the circumferential direction with no interval. Only the convex portion 5d having a substantially triangular cross section, which is the boundary between the concave portions 5e, is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D, and the same effect as described above is obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the inner peripheral annular surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding has a concave portion with the same cross-sectional arc shape as described above. A large number of 6f are continuously provided via arc-shaped convex portions 5f having an inverse R to each other. The tops of the respective wavy convex portions 5f are brought into pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of metal members 4 made by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding are provided on the inner circumferential ring surface of the hole 4a at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A concave portion 6g having a triangular cross section is provided at the location. Only the remaining protrusions 5g in which the recesses 6g are not formed are in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D. Even with this, the same effects as the above can be obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the inner peripheral annular surface of the hole 4a of the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding has the same triangular cross section as described above. A large number of recesses 6h are continuously provided in the circumferential direction with no space therebetween. Only the convex portions 5h having a triangular cross section, which are the boundary portions between the concave portions 6h, are brought into pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding has a regular polygonal (here, regular octagonal) hole 4b. ing. Only the intermediate surface portion 8a between the vertical corner portions 7a of the regular octagonal hole 4b is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D. Even in this case, the same effect as the above can be obtained.

In the ferrule 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the metal member 4 manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding has a polygonal shape (here, a regular hexagon, and each apex portion 7b thereof has an arc shape. It has a rounded hole 4c. Only the intermediate surface portion 8b between the vertexes 7b of the polygonal hole 4c is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member 3 having the outer diameter D. Even with this, the same effect as described above can be obtained. As described above, the concavo-convex portion and the polygonal hole provided in the hole 4a of the metal member 4 can be easily obtained in an arbitrary shape by a metal mold during metal powder baking or metal powder injection molding.

[0032]

[Effect of device]

 Since the optical connector part of the present invention is constructed as described above, it is easy and secure to press fit the ceramic shaft member to the metal member, and after removing the ceramic shaft member in the combined state after the press fitting. Even if there is no rotation, and even if a part of the metal member is cut into the hole during the press-fitting, there is a problem such as an abnormal increase in the pressing force between the two members and a chipping or cracking of the ceramic shaft member. Both members can be fitted and fixed with stable pressure input, and high reliability can be obtained as a connecting part for optical fiber. There is an effect that can be down.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (of a portion corresponding to line XX in FIG. 11) showing an embodiment of the optical connector component of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector component of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector part of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the optical connector component of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a general optical connector component, and FIG. 11B is a front view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Optical connector part (ferrule), 2 ... Optical fiber, 3 ... Ceramic shaft member, 3
a ... micropores, 4 ... metal member, 4a ... holes,
4b, 4c ... Polygonal hole, 5a-5h ... Convex part, 6a-
6h ... Recesses, 7a, 7b ... Apex corners, 8a, 8b ... Intermediate surface parts.

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An optical connector component comprising a cylindrical ceramic shaft member having a minute hole into which an optical fiber can be inserted and fixed and which penetrates the shaft center and is press-fitted into a hole of a metal member.
An optical connector component, wherein a plurality of concave and convex portions are provided on an inner peripheral annular surface of a hole of the metal member, and only the convex portions are in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member. 2. An optical connector component comprising a cylindrical ceramic shaft member having a minute hole through which an optical fiber can be inserted and fixed and which penetrates the shaft center and press-fitted into a hole of a metal member.
An optical connector component, wherein the hole of the metal member is polygonal, and only the intermediate surface portion between the vertexes of the polygonal hole is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ceramic shaft member. 3. The optical connector part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal member is manufactured by metal powder firing or metal powder injection molding.