JPH09203823A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector which is good in the operability of assembly and high in yield. SOLUTION: A ferrule 3 is formed having an optical fiber insertion hole 5 and a bare fiber insertion hole 4, and the tip side of the optical fiber insertion hole 5 is a both-side tapered hole 6 which decreases in vertical opening width toward the bare fiber insertion hole 4. Into the tapered hole 6, a folding type wedge member 8 which has its tip-side fiber holding part 11 put over the hinge part on the base end side by folding the hinge part 10 is inserted having its fiber holding part 11 on the tip side, and the fiber holding part 11 has tapered parts 12a and 12b corresponding to the tapered surfaces 14a and 14b of the tapered hole 6 on its outer peripheral surface. Between fiber holding parts 11 of this wedge member 8, a ribbon 1 of optical fibers having bare optical fibers 9 exposed by removing the jacket 2 on the tip side is clamped and inserted fixedly into the ferrule 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a single-core or multi-core optical connector used for optical communication and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 shows an example of a conventional multi-fiber optical connector. As shown in FIG. 8, the multi-fiber optical connector includes a ferrule 3 and an optical fiber inserted and fixed in the ferrule 3. The tape 1 is included. As shown in FIG. 9, the ferrule 3 has an optical fiber insertion hole 5 inside.
And an optical fiber insertion portion 21 having
Bare fiber insertion hole 4 communicating with 21 optical fiber insertion holes 5
And the tip end side of the bare fiber insertion hole 4 is open to the connection end face 15 of the ferrule 3. Optical fiber insertion part 21
An adhesive injection hole 7 communicating with the optical fiber insertion hole 5 is formed on the center side of the. The ferrule 3 has a pair of penetrating pin fitting holes 19 formed on both sides sandwiching the optical fiber insertion hole 5 and the bare fiber insertion hole 4, and a positioning guide pin inserted into the pin fitting hole 19 The connection with the optical connector on the other side of the connection is made detachable via (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of (four in the figure) optical fibers 1a are arranged side by side on the optical fiber tape 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the coating 2 on the tip side is removed. The optical fiber tape 1 having the four bare optical fibers 9 exposed is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the optical fiber insertion portion 21, and the bare optical fiber 9 is inserted into the bare fiber insertion hole 4. The optical fiber tape 1 is fixed to the ferrule 3 in an inserted state by an adhesive injected from the adhesive injection hole 7 of the ferrule 3, and the connection end face of the bare optical fiber 9 is, as shown in FIG. Is exposed at the connection end surface 15 of.

In such a multi-fiber optical connector, as described above, the ferrule is connected to the multi-fiber optical connector on the other side of the connection through the positioning guide pin inserted into the pin fitting hole 19. The plurality of optical fibers 1a of the optical fiber tape 1 inserted into and fixed to the optical fiber 3 can be collectively and optically connected.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional optical connector, the optical fiber tape 1 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 and the bare fiber insertion hole 4 of the optical fiber insertion portion 21, and then the adhesive is attached to the ferrule 3. The optical fiber tape 1 moves in the ferrule 3 or comes out of the ferrule 3 before the injection of the fiber. Therefore, the operation of inserting and fixing the optical fiber tape 1 into the ferrule 3 should be performed with good workability. There was a problem that I could not do it. Therefore, in an optical connector such as a conventional multi-fiber optical connector, the assembly time is long and the yield is poor.

Incidentally, such a problem also occurs in the single-core optical connector formed by fixing the single-core optical fiber 1a to the ferrule 3.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector in which a single-core or multi-core optical fiber is inserted into and fixed to a ferrule with good workability. Especially.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention provides means for solving the problems by the following constitution. That is, the present invention relates to an optical fiber having an optical fiber insertion part having an optical fiber insertion hole inside and a bare fiber insertion hole communicating with the optical fiber insertion hole of the optical fiber insertion part, the optical fiber having the coating on the tip side removed. In the optical connector formed by inserting and fixing the optical fiber, at least the tip side of the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule is a double-sided taper hole whose vertical opening width becomes smaller as it approaches the bare fiber insertion hole side. A wedge member having a fiber holding portion for holding an optical fiber inserted therein from above and below is inserted with the fiber holding portion at the tip side, and the taper hole is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fiber holding portion of the wedge member. A taper corresponding to the taper surface of the optical fiber is formed, and the optical fiber is sandwiched between the fiber holding portions of the wedge member and inserted into the ferrule. It is configured as characterized in being.

Further, the wedge member is provided with locking means for locking the wedge member in the tapered hole of the ferrule, and the locking means is locked in the locking hole provided on the ferrule side. That the wedge member is formed by elastic-plastic deformation of the wedge member, and that the wedge member is formed by a protrusion provided in advance on the wedge member. The formation is also a characteristic configuration of the present invention.

Further, the wedge member is formed of an elastic body, and the rear half of the upper and lower outer peripheral surfaces of the wedge member is sandwiched by holding plates having a rigidity higher than that of the wedge member. Locking means is provided for locking the locking plate integrally with the holding plate in the taper hole on the ferrule side, and the locking means is locked in the locking hole provided on the ferrule side to prevent slipping off. That is also a characteristic configuration of the present invention.

In the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, at least the tip end side of the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule is a double-sided taper hole whose vertical opening width becomes smaller toward the bare fiber insertion hole side. A wedge member having a fiber holding portion for holding the optical fiber to be inserted therein is inserted from the upper and lower sides, with the fiber holding portion being the tip side. Further, since the taper corresponding to the taper surface of the tapered hole is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fiber holding portion of the wedge member, the fiber holding portion of the wedge member is inserted by inserting the wedge member into the tapered hole. Force acts from the tapered surface side of the tapered hole of the ferrule to the fiber holding portion side, and this force is transmitted to the optical fiber sandwiched between the fiber holding portions of the wedge member, and the optical fiber of the wedge member moves. It is firmly and securely sandwiched between the fiber holding parts.

In the present invention, since the optical fiber is sandwiched between the fiber holding portions of the wedge member and inserted and fixed in the ferrule in the above state, the optical fiber is the same as that of the optical fiber in the conventional optical connector. As described above, the ferrule does not move in the optical fiber insertion hole and does not come off from the optical fiber insertion hole, and is securely inserted and fixed in the optical fiber insertion hole.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the conventional example, and the overlapping description will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows the main configuration of an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the optical connector, and FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of the optical connector (A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B). . As shown in these figures,
The optical connector of the present embodiment example has, for example, 4
Optical fiber tape 1 formed by arranging two optical fibers 1a in parallel
Is formed by inserting and fixing it in the ferrule 3.

The ferrule 3 is also formed in the present embodiment in substantially the same manner as in the conventional example. The characteristic of the present embodiment is that the ferrule 3 of the conventional optical connector is different from the conventional example. The tip side of 5 is the bare fiber insertion hole 4
That is, it is formed as a taper hole 6 having a double-sided taper in which the width of the upper and lower openings becomes smaller toward the side. In the present embodiment example, the ferrule 3 is vertically symmetrical and has a tapered hole 6
The angles of the upper and lower tapered surfaces 14a and 14b forming the same are both formed equal. Further, in the present embodiment, through holes 17 communicating with the optical fiber insertion hole 5 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the ferrule 3, and the optical fiber insertion hole 5 has an inlet side and a rear end 20 side of the ferrule 3 above and below. Tapers 25 are formed on both sides. The through hole 17 may be omitted if the wedge member 8 described later can be fixed in the tapered hole 6 without using a locking means or an adhesive.

In the optical fiber insertion hole 5 including the tapered hole 6, a wedge member 8 having elasticity and formed of a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum, copper or brass is provided at the tip portion 13 of the tapered hole 6 with a slight gap. Has been inserted through. Wedge member 8
As shown in FIG. 2, by folding the hinge portion 10 on the proximal end side, the fiber holding portion 11 on the distal end side is formed into a foldable holding member,
The fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8 holds an optical fiber (the tip side of the optical fiber tape 1 in this embodiment) inserted through the inside from above and below. The wedge member 8 is inserted into the taper hole 6 with the fiber holding portion 11 obtained by folding and overlapping the hinge portion 10 on the front end side.
Further, an optical fiber tape insertion hole 23 for inserting the optical fiber tape 1 is formed in the hinge portion 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8 has an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a taper 12 corresponding to the tapered surfaces 14a and 14b of the tapered hole 6 of the ferrule 3 respectively.
a and 12b are formed, the coating front side of the optical fiber tape 1 and the bare optical fiber 9 are sandwiched between the fiber holding portions 11 of the wedge member 8, and the optical fiber tape 1 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3. It is inserted and fixed at the center position (center position in the vertical direction).

The embodiment is constructed as described above. Next, a method of manufacturing the optical connector of the embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the coating 2 on the tip side of the optical fiber tape 1 is removed by a necessary length to expose the bare optical fiber 9, and the optical fiber tape 1 is wedged from the tip side of the bare optical fiber 9 to the wedge member 8. The optical fiber tape is inserted into the optical fiber tape insertion hole 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip end side of the bare optical fiber 9 is made to project beyond the tip end side of the fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8 and the hinge portion 10 of the wedge member 8 is folded to hold the fiber on the tip side. The parts 11 are overlapped and the optical fiber tape 1 is sandwiched between the fiber holding parts 11.

In this state, the fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8
The optical fiber tape 1 sandwiched by the wedge members 8 into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3,
The tip side of the bare optical fiber 9 is inserted into the bare fiber insertion hole 4. Then, the tapers 12a and 12b formed in the fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8 are respectively tapered surfaces 14 formed in the taper hole 6 on the tip side of the optical fiber insertion hole 5.
The wedge member 8 stops at a position where it abuts against a and 14b, and the wedge member 8 cannot further advance toward the tip end side of the tapered hole 6, that is, the bare fiber insertion hole 4 side.

At this time, the wedge member 8 is attached to the taper hole 6
The repulsive force from the taper surfaces 14a and 14b against the force pushing the tip of the fiber is applied to the inside of the fiber holding part 11 from the tapers 12a and 12b of the wedge member 8, and this force holds the fiber holding part 11 to the optical fiber tape 1. A force is applied, and the tip end side of the optical fiber tape 1 is surely pressed by the fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8, and as shown in FIG. Retained.

In this state, if necessary, the bare optical fiber 9
The optical connector of the present embodiment is completed by polishing the front end surface of the connector and the connection end surface 15 of the ferrule 3 integrally.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the optical fiber tape 1 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3 while being sandwiched between the wedge members 8, so that the optical fiber tape 1 can be easily and reliably inserted. Since the optical fiber tape 1 can be inserted in the center position of the optical fiber insertion hole 5 in the vertical direction and the optical fiber tape 1 can be held at the insertion position, The position can be fixed accurately and surely.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, between the insertion of the optical fiber tape 1 into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3 and the fixing of the optical fiber tape 1 to the ferrule 3 with an adhesive, The optical fiber tape 1 moves in the optical fiber insertion hole 5, or the optical fiber tape 1
It is possible to completely eliminate the conventional problem that the optical connector is removed from the optical fiber insertion hole 5, and it is possible to improve the yield of the optical connector. As described above, the optical connector can be assembled very easily and with good workability, so that the assembly time of the optical connector can be shortened.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the wedge member 8
Is made of a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum, copper or brass, the wedge member 8 has elasto-plasticity. Due to this elasto-plasticity, an unreasonable force is applied to the optical fiber tape 1. Instead, the optical fiber tape 1 can be reliably sandwiched and held and fixed in the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view showing the structure of the essential parts of a second embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention. The example of the present embodiment is configured almost similarly to the example of the first embodiment described above. The characteristic of the example of the embodiment different from the example of the first embodiment is that the wedge member 8 and the ferrule 3 are attached to the wedge member 8. That is, the projection 18 is provided as a locking means for locking the taper hole 6. This protrusion 18
Is provided on the wedge member 8 in advance as shown in (b) of the figure, and the protrusion 18 has the slope 22 and the wedge member 8.
Has a vertical surface 24 that is substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the base end side of
The projecting width of is increased toward the base end side of the wedge member 8. In this embodiment, the ferrule 3
The through hole 17 is configured to function as a locking hole for the projection 18, and the projection 18 is locked in the through hole 17 serving as the locking hole to prevent the projection from coming off.

The example of the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the example of the present embodiment can be assembled in substantially the same manner as the example of the first embodiment, but in the example of the present embodiment, the optical fiber tape 1 is sandwiched. When the wedge member 8 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3, the projection 18 is locked in the through hole 17 of the ferrule 3 and prevented from coming off. It cannot be removed, and the optical fiber tape 1 is held in this state.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the optical fiber tape 1 can be more reliably secured by the engagement of the projection 18 with the through hole 17. It can be inserted and fixed to the ferrule 3 while being held at the center position of the optical fiber insertion hole 5.

FIG. 5 (a) is a sectional view showing the essential structure of the third embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention. The ferrule 3 used in this embodiment example is
The ferrule 3 used in the first and second embodiments has a configuration similar to that of the first and second embodiments. Also in the present embodiment, the tapered hole of the ferrule 3 is the same as in the first and second embodiments. The optical fiber tape 1 is inserted and fixed in the optical fiber insertion hole 5 including 6 while being sandwiched by the wedge members 8.

The characteristic feature of this embodiment is that the wedge member 8
Is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, and the rear half of the upper and lower outer peripheral surfaces of the wedge member 8 is sandwiched by a holding plate 30 formed of metal or the like having higher rigidity than the wedge member 8. That is, a protrusion 18 is provided as a locking means for locking the wedge member 8 integrally with the holding plate 30 in the tapered hole 6 on the ferrule 3 side. The protrusion 18 is the protrusion 18 provided on the wedge member 8 of the second embodiment.
It has the same shape as, and has an inclined surface 22 and a vertical surface 24.
The protrusion 18 is locked in the through hole 17 provided on the ferrule 3 side, and the wedge member 8 is prevented from coming off from the ferrule 3 together with the holding plate 30.

Note that FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the wedge member 8 sandwiched by the holding plates 30 together with the optical fiber tape 1, and as shown in this figure, the protrusion 18 is It is provided only on the center side of the holding plate 30. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an optical fiber tape insertion hole 23 is formed on the center side of the rear end 31 of the holding plate 30 and the center side of the wedge member 8. In the embodiment, the tip end side of the optical fiber tape 1 which is inserted into the optical fiber tape insertion hole 23 is held from above and below by the fiber holding portion 11 of the wedge member 8.

The example of the present embodiment is constructed as described above, and the example of the present embodiment is assembled in substantially the same manner as the example of the first embodiment, but in the example of the present embodiment, it is sandwiched by the holding plates 30. The optical fiber tape 1 is clamped by the wedge member 8 and inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3 integrally with the holding plate 30, and at this time, the protrusion 18 of the holding plate 30 engages with the through hole 17 of the ferrule 3. It is stopped and prevented from coming off. Therefore, in this state, the wedge member 8 cannot be separated from the ferrule 3, and the optical fiber tape 1 is held in this state.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment is obtained, and further, by locking the projection portion 18 to the through hole 17, the same as that of the above-mentioned second embodiment is obtained. It is possible to exert an effect.

Further, according to this embodiment, the wedge member 8
Since the engaging means for engaging the taper hole 6 of the ferrule 3 with the protrusion 18 of the metal holding plate 30 having a rigidity higher than that of the wedge member 8, the protrusion 18 is inserted into the through hole 17. The locking can be performed very reliably, and on the other hand, since the wedge member 8 is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, the wedge member 8 has an outer diameter of the bare optical fibers 9 on the tip side of the optical fiber tape 1. Even if there is some variation, the elasticity of the wedge member 8 can surely hold all the bare optical fibers 9.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modes of implementation can be adopted. For example,
The locking means for locking the wedge member 8 in the tapered hole 6 of the ferrule 3 is the projection 18 provided in advance on the wedge member 8 in the second embodiment, and the holding portion in the third embodiment.
Although the protrusion 18 is provided in advance on the 30, the locking means is not necessarily the protrusion 18 provided in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is formed by elastic deformation of the wedge member 18. The elasto-plastic deformation part 16 may be formed. The wedge member 8 may be elastically deformed by, for example, moving the wedge member 8 to the ferrule 3
Of the wedge member 8 from the side surface side of the wedge member 8 by inserting a caulking die or the like from the through hole 17 into the optical fiber insertion hole 5.
By applying a pressing force to the inside of the, the outer peripheral surface of the wedge member 8 can be deformed so as to project toward the entrance side of the through hole 17 to form the elasto-plastic deformation portion 16.

In the second and third embodiments, the protrusion 18 has a triangular shape having a slope 22 and a vertical face 24 whose protrusion width increases as it approaches the base end of the wedge member 8. Although the projection 18 is a projection, the shape of the projection 18 is not particularly limited and may be set appropriately. For example, the projection 18 having the same shape as the elasto-plastic deformation portion 16 shown in FIG. Good. However, if the projection 18 has the same shape as that of the second and third embodiments, the wedge member 8 can be inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 very smoothly, and the projection 18 penetrates. It is very easy to prevent disengagement by locking in the hole 17.

The position where the protrusion 18 is formed is not necessarily limited, and if it can be locked in the locking hole such as the through hole 17 of the ferrule 3 and can be prevented from coming off in the wedge member 8 and the tapered hole 6 of the ferrule 3. Good.

Furthermore, in the second and third embodiment examples,
The locking hole for locking the protrusion 18 as the locking means for locking the wedge member 8 in the tapered hole 6 of the ferrule 3 is a through hole.
However, the locking hole is not limited to the through hole 17, and a locking hole separate from the through hole 17 may be provided. However, by using the through hole 17 as the locking hole, the structure of the ferrule 3 can be simplified and the cost of the optical connector can be reduced. Therefore, the through hole 17 is used as the locking hole. Is preferred.

Further, the shape of the wedge member 8 is not necessarily the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the outer peripheral surface of the fiber holding portion 11 has the tapered surface 14 of the tapered hole 6 of the ferrule 3.
It is sufficient that the tapers 12a and 12b corresponding to a and 14b are formed. For example, when the wedge member 8 is of a foldable type in which the hinge portion 10 on the base end side is folded and the fiber holding portion 11 on the tip end side is overlapped as in the first and second embodiments, The hinge portion 10 may have a curved shape as shown in FIGS.

Further, in the above embodiment, the optical fiber tape 1 is held between the fiber holding portions 11 of the wedge member 8 by sandwiching both the front end side of the coating 2 of the optical fiber tape 1 and the bare optical fiber 9 so that the optical fiber tape 1 has a ferrule 3. It was inserted and fixed in the
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, only the bare optical fiber 9 may be sandwiched between the fiber holding portions 11 of the wedge member 8 and inserted and fixed in the ferrule 3.

Further, in the above embodiment, the wedge member 8 is used.
Is made of non-ferrous metal such as aluminum, copper or brass, or rubber, but the material forming the wedge member 8 is not particularly limited and may be set appropriately, for example, according to the material of the ferrule 3. It may be formed of a material such as plastic other than metal or rubber.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tapered hole 6 of the ferrule 3 is provided only on the tip side of the optical fiber insertion hole 5, but the entire optical fiber insertion hole 5 may be the tapered hole 6.

Further, in the above embodiment, the optical connector is an optical connector in which the optical fiber tape 1 having four optical fibers arranged side by side is inserted and fixed in the ferrule 3. However, in the optical connector of the present invention, the optical connector is inserted in the ferrule. The number of optical fibers to be fixed is not particularly limited and may be set appropriately, and a plurality of fibers other than 4 may be used, or 1
You can use a book.

Furthermore, although the wedge member 8 is not fixed with an adhesive in each of the above embodiments, the wedge member 8 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole 5 of the ferrule 3 if necessary, and then the through hole 17 is formed.
Alternatively, the wedge member 8 may be adhesively fixed to the ferrule 3 by injecting an adhesive agent from.

[0043]

According to the present invention, the optical fiber is sandwiched between the fiber holding portions of the wedge member and inserted into the tapered hole of the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule, and by this insertion, the wedge member is inserted from the tapered surface side of the tapered hole. The optical fiber is held between the fiber holding portions of the wedge member by applying a pressing force to the fiber holding portion side, and the optical fiber is held in the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule. It can be securely inserted and fixed to the ferrule while being held at various positions.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule moves in the optical fiber insertion hole or is removed from the optical fiber insertion hole before being fixed to the ferrule. The problem can be solved, the optical connector can be inserted and fixed at an appropriate position in the optical fiber insertion hole with good workability, and the optical connector can be assembled in a short time and with high yield.

Further, the locking means for locking the wedge member in the tapered hole of the ferrule may be formed by elastic-plastic deformation of the wedge member, or may be formed by a protrusion provided in advance on the wedge member. According to the present invention, which is provided in the wedge member, and the locking means is locked in the locking hole provided on the ferrule side to prevent the wedge member from being removed from the ferrule by locking the locking means in the locking hole. It is possible to reliably prevent the optical fiber from coming off, and it is possible to more reliably hold and fix the optical fiber in the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule.

Further, the wedge member is formed of an elastic body, and the rear half of the upper and lower outer peripheral surfaces of the wedge member is sandwiched by a holding plate having a rigidity higher than that of the wedge member, and the holding plate has the wedge member. Locking means is provided for locking the locking plate integrally with the holding plate in the taper hole on the ferrule side, and the locking means is locked in the locking hole provided on the ferrule side to prevent slipping off. According to the present invention, by providing the retaining means on the holding plate having a rigidity higher than that of the wedge member, the retaining plate and the wedge member can be engaged with the ferrule very reliably by the engaging means. On the other hand, in the case where a plurality of optical fibers are collectively inserted and fixed in a ferrule to form an optical connector, even if there is some variation in the outer diameter of the plurality of optical fibers, due to the elasticity of the wedge member, Be sure to grasp the optical fiber of It can be inserted and fixed to the ferrule by.

Further, in the present invention, if the wedge member is made of non-ferrous metal, rubber or the like, it is impossible for the optical fiber held by the fiber holding portion of the wedge member due to elasto-plasticity of the non-ferrous metal, rubber or the like. The optical fiber can be reliably sandwiched and held in the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule without applying force.

Further, in the present invention, when it is not necessary to fix the wedge member and the ferrule with the adhesive, there is an advantage that the curing time of the adhesive is unnecessary and the optical connector can be manufactured in a shorter time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing the optical connector of the above embodiment in an exploded state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an assembling method of the optical connector of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional configuration diagram (a) of a second embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention and a perspective explanatory diagram (b) showing a wedge member and an optical fiber tape which form the optical connector.

FIG. 5A is a sectional configuration diagram (a) of an optical connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a wedge member forming the optical connector;
It is isometric view explanatory drawing (b) which shows a holding plate and an optical fiber tape.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing still another embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view showing an example of a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a ferrule used for a conventional optical connector by a front view (a) and a plan view (b).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional optical connector assembling method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 optical fiber tape 3 ferrule 4 bare fiber insertion hole 5 optical fiber insertion hole 6 taper hole 7 adhesive injection hole 8 wedge member 11 fiber holding part 12a, 12b taper 14a, 14b taper surface 16 elasto-plastic deformation part 17 through hole 18 protrusion Part 30 holding plate

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 1, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Figure 3]

FIG. 6

FIG.

[Fig. 2]

FIG. 4

[Figure 5]

FIG. 7

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

FIG. 10

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Etsuo Tanabe 2-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule having an optical fiber insertion part having an optical fiber insertion hole therein and a bare fiber insertion hole communicating with the optical fiber insertion hole of the optical fiber insertion part, and an optical fiber having a coating on the tip side removed. In the optical connector formed by inserting and fixing, at least the tip end side of the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule is a double-sided taper hole whose vertical opening width becomes smaller as it approaches the bare fiber insertion hole side. A wedge member having a fiber holding portion for holding the optical fiber inserted therein from both the upper and lower sides is inserted with the fiber holding portion at the front end side, and the fiber holding portion of the wedge member has the tapered hole on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A taper corresponding to the taper surface is formed, and the optical fiber is sandwiched between the fiber holding portions of the wedge member and inserted and fixed in the ferrule. An optical connector that is characterized by 2. The wedge member is provided with locking means for locking the wedge member in the tapered hole of the ferrule, and the locking means is locked in the locking hole provided on the ferrule side. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector is prevented from coming off. 3. The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein the wedge member locking means is formed by elastic-plastic deformation of the wedge member. 4. The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein the locking means of the wedge member is formed by a projection portion provided in advance on the wedge member. 5. The wedge member is formed of an elastic body, and the rear half of the upper and lower outer peripheral surfaces of the wedge member is sandwiched by holding plates having a rigidity higher than that of the wedge member, and the wedge member is attached to the holding plate. Locking means for locking the taper hole on the ferrule side integrally with the holding plate is provided, and the locking means is locked in the locking hole provided on the ferrule side to prevent slipping off. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein: