JPH0996741A - Multi-fiber optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relieve the tight adhesion force by the refractive index matching agent of a connector connection face, to improve attaching and detaching workability and to eliminate the insufficiency of pressing force in the connection of connector by providing the parts of a ferrule end face which do not come into contact with optical fibers with recessed parts. SOLUTION: The parts of the ferrule end face 12 which do not come into contact with the optical fibers 22 are provided with the recessed parts 40. The recessed parts 40 are formed by laser beam processing after molding of the ferrules 10. Since the laser is capable of executing processing without strains, the size of the ferrule 10 does not change even after the processing and the characteristic of the connector connection receives no adverse effect. The area of the end face 12 decreases by forming the recessed parts 40. Therefore, the adhesive power by the refractive index matching agent of the connector connection surface is relieved when the connector is applied to the multi-fiber connector of an all-plastic integral molding type. The pressing force per unit area increases and the insufficiency of the pressing force in the connection of the connector is eliminated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-core connector, and more particularly to a super-multi-core connector which is a collective molding type and has about 80 connection cores.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a super-multicore connector, a laminated type (a structure in which connectors for optical fiber tapes are laminated) and a collective molding type (a structure in which a plurality of optical fiber tapes are mounted on one ferrule) are considered. (See 1993 IEICE Spring Conference, B-903). FIG. 4 shows an example of a collective molding die,
10 is a ferrule (connector body). It consists of precision molded plastic parts. An optical fiber hole 14 and a guide hole 16 are opened in the end face 12. For example, 16 holes 14 for the optical fiber are arranged in a horizontal row.
It is a two-dimensional array with 5 rows of columns. In this ferrule 10, for example, five 16-fiber optical fiber ribbons 20 are inserted, an optical fiber 22 is passed through the optical fiber hole 14, and fixed with an adhesive. Then, the end face 12 is polished and finished.

In the case of connection, a refractive index matching agent is applied to the end face 12, the guide pins 30 are used to abut against each other, and a pressing force is applied to the contact face by a spring 32, as shown in FIG.

[0004]

As the number of cores of the connector increases, the area of the end face 12 of the ferrule 10 increases. That is, the contact area between the connectors at the time of connection becomes large. Further, since the end surface 12 is polished and finished as described above, it is a highly accurate flat surface. Therefore, the following problems occur. The refractive index matching agent makes the entire connector connection surface adhere,
A large force is required to release the connector once connected.
Therefore, workability becomes poor. Since the contact area at the time of connection is large, the pressing force for connector connection is insufficient.

[0005]

As illustrated in FIG. 1,
A recess 40 is provided in a portion of the end face 12 of the ferrule that does not cover the optical fiber 22.

[0006]

[Operation] Providing the recess 40 reduces the area of the end face 12. Therefore, when applied to the all-plastic batch-molded multi-core connector, the adhesion force due to the refractive index matching agent on the connector connection surface is relaxed, the pressing force per unit area increases, and the pressing force shortage when connecting the connector is eliminated. can do.

[0007]

EXAMPLE FIG. 1A shows an all plastic batch molding die.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the 80-fiber connector, and FIG. As shown in the figure, the optical fiber 22 on the end face 12
A groove-shaped recess 40 parallel to the optical fiber row between each row of
A total of four are provided. Each recess 40 was provided so as to fill the entire width of the end face 12 (from the left edge to the right edge). The cross section of each recess 40 was semicircular.

The recess 40 is formed after the ferrule 10 is molded.
It was provided by laser processing. Since the laser can be processed without distortion, the dimensions of the ferrule do not change even after processing, and the connection characteristics of the connector are not deteriorated. It is also possible to provide the groove with a die structure for ferrule molding.

As described above, the end face 12 of the ferrule is divided into five faces by the four groove-shaped recesses 40.
Since these surfaces were collectively polished, they exist on the same plane,
There was no problem with the optical connection characteristics and the stability during connection.

Further, when the connector was assembled, the adhesive for fixing the optical fiber ribbon 20 entered the recess 40, but it could be easily removed by applying a release agent to the recess 40 in advance.

With the above-mentioned structure, the adhesion force due to the refractive index matching agent is alleviated, and the insufficient pressing force at the time of connecting the connector can be eliminated.

[Other Embodiment 1] The recess 40 may be provided in a part of the lateral width of the end face 12 as shown in FIG. The recesses 40 need not be parallel to the rows of optical fibers 22. In some cases, it may be provided in the vertical direction. Further, it does not have to be linear. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 40 is not limited to the above semicircle,
U shape, V shape, etc. may be used.

[Other Embodiment 2] The same all-plastic single-mold 80-fiber connector as in FIG. 1 is used, but as shown in FIG. 3, 16-fiber optical fiber ribbons 20 are arranged in a row. Some of them are also available (see 1993 IEICE Spring Conference, B-903). The present invention can also be applied to such a connector.

[0014]

Since the recess 40 is provided on the end face 12 of the connector, the area of the end face 12 is reduced. Therefore, when it is applied to a multi-core connector of all plastic batch molding type, it has the following effects. The adhesion of the refractive index matching agent on the connector connecting surface is relaxed, and the workability of attaching and detaching is improved. Insufficient pressing force when connecting the connector can be eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of yet another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of an example of an all plastic collective molding type multi-core connector which forms the background of the present invention.

5 is an explanatory view of a connection state of the connector of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ferrule (connector main body) 12 ferrule end face 14 hole for optical fiber 16 guide hole 20 optical fiber tape core wire 22 optical fiber 30 guide pin 32 spring 40 recess

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multi-mold optical connector of a collective molding type, in which end faces of connector ferrules in which an end face of an optical fiber is exposed are butted against each other, and the ferrule end face is connected to the optical fiber. A multi-fiber optical connector in which a recess is provided in a non-engaging portion.