JPH10307232A - Optical connector connecting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the optical connector connecting tool for easily making an abutting connection and a disconnection by inserting and extracting an optical connector ferrule into and from another optical connector ferrule stored in a housing. SOLUTION: This tool 50 is equipped with a tool part 52 for connecting the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 in the housing 10 at one lengthwise end of a tool main body 51 in a slender shape, and also equipped with a tool part 53 for disconnection for disconnecting the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 and extracting the optical connector ferrule from the housing 10, and the entirety is formed of resin in one body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector connecting tool, and more particularly to an optical connector connecting tool suitable for application to an optical connector assembled by connecting optical connector ferrules.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an optical connector for switchably connecting optical fibers to each other, for example, a so-called MT type optical connector (Mechanical Optical Connector) defined in JISC5981.
yTransferable) is provided. However, the MT type optical connector requires (1) a dedicated jig for operations such as connection and connection switching, and is unsatisfactory in workability.
(2) In order to prevent the optical connector ferrule from being exposed, it is necessary to provide a protection means such as a cap, and there is a complaint that the handling is troublesome. Also,
In view of this problem, in recent years, a plastic optical connector (a so-called MPO connector) having a structure in which an optical connector ferrule defined in JIS C5981 or the like is housed inside a plastic housing has been provided. However, this plastic optical connector has the following additional problems: (3) the number of components is increased, the assembly is troublesome, the cost is increased, and (4) the size is increased, so that the mounting density cannot be improved. .

The present applicant has already filed an application for an optical connector such as Japanese Patent Application No. 8-325730 in order to solve the problems (1) to (4). FIG. 18 shows an example of this type of optical connector. This optical connector conforms to JIS C
A housing 2 for accommodating the optical connector ferrule 1 of the optical connector stipulated in 5981 in the split body 2a, 2b having a split shape, and a coil spring 3 for urging the accommodated optical connector ferrule 1 toward the outside of the housing 2.
And a pair of elastic claws 4, 4 projecting from the housing 2 along the biasing direction of the coil spring 3. The other optical connector ferrule 5, which is pushed in from the outside and butt-connected to the optical connector ferrule 1, is coiled. The connection between the two optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 is maintained by being sandwiched between the spring 3 and the elastic claws 4 and 4.

[0004]

By the way, in the optical connector as described above, there has been a demand for the development of a dedicated tool for easily inserting and removing the small-sized optical connector ferrule 5 from the housing 2. That is, when there is no special tool, the optical connector ferrule 5 is pushed by hand and connected to the optical connector ferrule 1.
Workability decreases. Further, in order to pull out the optical connector ferrule 5 in the connected state from the housing 2, the engagement state between the optical connector ferrule 5 and the elastic claws 4, 4 must be manually released. Therefore, there is a concern that the workability may be reduced, and there is also a concern that the elastic claws 4 and 4 and the optical connector ferrule 5 may be damaged by an excessive force.

In connection between the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5, the guide pins 9 and the guide pin holes 9a are fitted to each other so that the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 are precisely positioned and then butt-connected. Therefore, if there is no dedicated tool, workability is greatly reduced. More specifically, the guide pin 9 is prevented from coming off by the pin clamp 8 attached to the optical connector ferrule 1 and then fitted into a guide pin hole (not shown) of the optical connector ferrule 1 to be connected to the joining end face 1b. The diameter of the guide pin 9 and the inner diameter of the guide pin hole 9a are generally 1 mm or less, and the protrusion of the guide pin 9 from the joint end face 1b is very small. The fitting operation with the guide pin hole 9a requires precision. Therefore, development of a tool that can easily fit the guide pin 9 into the guide pin hole 9a has been demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. (A) The connection and disconnection of an optical connector can be easily performed only by selecting an end of a tool body and inserting and removing the end from a housing. (B) Either the connecting tool part or the releasing tool part separately arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the elongated tool body, which can be manufactured at low cost with a small number of parts. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector connection tool which can easily perform the operation of selecting (1), and (d) the engagement tool can be easily used for the release tool portion by the display. is there.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention accommodates and supports one of a pair of optical connector ferrules for terminating optical fibers so that they can be connected to each other. An optical connector connecting tool for connecting and disconnecting optical connector ferrules by inserting and removing the housing with elastic claws removably engaged with the other optical connector ferrule detachably butt-connected to the optical connector ferrule. A connection tool portion for connecting the optical connector ferrules to each other in the housing at one longitudinal end of the elongated tool body, and releasing the connection between the optical connector ferrules to the other end at the same end to allow the optical connector ferrule to emit light from the housing. A release tool for extracting the connector ferrule, wherein the connection tool is provided in a longitudinal direction of the tool body. It comprises a connecting support means for supportably the optical connector ferrule extraction outwardly to the side,
The release tool portion is provided with a release engagement claw with which the optical connector ferrule is engaged from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the tool main body, and protrudes from the vicinity of the release engagement claw and is provided with the release engagement claw in the housing. And a deformable projection that abuts on the elastic claw to elastically deform when inserted into the optical connector and is separated from the optical connector ferrule engaged and supported by the release engaging claw, and the optical connector ferrule is engaged and supported. An optical connector connecting tool is characterized in that, when a tool part is inserted into the housing, an optical connector ferrule engages with the elastic claw.

As an optical connector ferrule, for example, J
A ferrule such as a so-called MT optical connector (Mechanically Transferable) defined in ISC5981 is employed. In the butt connection of the optical connector ferrules, the positioning accuracy between the butt optical connector ferrules becomes a problem. For example, when the optical connector ferrule of the MT type optical connector is employed, the pair of optical connector ferrules is precisely positioned by the guide pins and the guide pin holes. When the connection tool of the present invention is applied to the MT optical connector, it is preferable to insert a guide pin in advance in a guide pin hole of an optical connector ferrule on either the housing side or the optical connector connection tool side.

If the shapes of the housing and the elastic claws are appropriately changed, the present invention can be applied to various optical connector ferrules such as a ferrule of a so-called SC type optical connector stipulated in JIS C 5973 and the like. When the optical connector connection tool is applied to an optical connector other than the MT type optical connector, a positioning means is separately provided on the optical connector connection tool and the housing. Further, even when the present invention is applied to the MT type optical connector, since the fitting operation between the guide pin and the guide pin hole requires high precision, it is more preferable to separately install the positioning means for the two optical connector ferrules to be connected. Therefore, in the optical connector connection tool of the present invention, for example, the connection tool portion and the housing extend along the longitudinal direction of the tool body and engage with each other when the connection tool portion is inserted into the housing. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a key and a key groove for positioning are formed in the connection tool portion and the housing. According to this configuration, when the housing and the connection tool are positioned by engagement of the key and the key groove, the optical connector ferrules are also positioned. When applied to the MT type optical connector, the workability of fitting the guide pins into the guide pin holes can be ensured. In addition, it is more preferable that the positioning mechanism using the key and the key groove is provided between the housing and the release tool. In this case, it is also possible to use the deformation projection as a key.

In this optical connector connection tool, the optical connector ferrules are connected to each other by supporting the optical connector ferrule on the connection support means of the tool body and inserting the ferrule into the housing. As the connection support means, various configurations such as an engagement claw and a ferrule housing groove described in claim 4 can be adopted. The optical connector ferrule inserted into the housing engages with the elastic claw near the position where the optical connector ferrule abuts on the housing. Here, if the pull-out resistance of the optical connector ferrule from the elastic claw is stronger than that of the connection support means, the connection support means is pulled out of the housing and the optical connector ferrule separates from the connection support means and moves toward the housing. Only the connection tool is withdrawn from the housing. In the housing, the connection state between the optical connector ferrules is maintained. Various configurations other than the above-mentioned difference in the pull-out resistance can be adopted as a configuration in which the optical connector ferrule is detached from the connection support means at the same time as the connection support means inserted into the housing is pulled out.

In order to remove the optical connector ferrule in the butt connection state from the housing, a release tool is inserted into the housing. Then, when the deforming projection comes into contact with the elastic claw to elastically deform, and when the disengagement engaging claw reaches and engages with the target optical connector ferrule, the elastic claw is separated from the optical connector ferrule and engaged. Is released. Here, when the tool body is pulled out of the housing, the optical connector ferrule engaged with the release engagement claw may be removed from the housing while restricting the elastic claw from engaging with the optical connector ferrule by the deformation projection. it can. Various configurations can be employed as a mechanism for releasing the engagement with the optical connector ferrule by inserting the release tool portion into the housing and elastically deforming the elastic claws at the same time.

The housing to which the optical connector connection tool is applied preferably has an urging means for urging the optical connector ferrule toward the inserted tool body, whereby the optical connector ferrule supported by the housing and the optical connector ferrule are provided. The connector ferrule and the optical connector ferrule butt-connected are sandwiched between the elastic claw and the urging means, and the urging force of the urging means imparts the butt force between the two optical connector ferrules, and the purpose is provided between the two optical connector ferrules. Is obtained. The urging force of the urging means pushes the optical connector ferrule and the tool body out of the housing when the connected optical connector ferrule is pulled out by the optical connector connection tool. With this configuration, when the deformation projection comes into contact with the elastic claw and the engagement between the optical connector ferrule and the elastic claw is released, the tool is brought to a position where the optical connector ferrule does not protrude from the deformation projection by the urging force of the urging means. Since the entire body is pushed out, the optical connector ferrule can be easily removed.

In the optical connector connecting tool of the present invention, a configuration in which the whole is integrally formed of resin or metal can be adopted. According to this configuration, since the optical connector connecting tool is composed of one component, the number of components is minimized, the assembling process is unnecessary, and the handling is simplified. When it is formed from a resin, it can be manufactured very simply in a short time by using injection molding or the like.

In the optical connector connecting tool of the present invention, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the connecting support means is a ferrule housing groove having a holding surface for holding the optical connector ferrule from both sides facing away from each other by approximately 3 mm. is there. The ferrule housing groove has a shape corresponding to the optical connector ferrule (plug) of the MT type optical connector defined in JIS C5981. That is, the optical connector ferrule includes a flange-shaped portion having a thickness of 3 mm (hereinafter, referred to as a "rear end flange portion") at a rear end opposite to the joint end surface to be butt-connected. When the optical connector ferrule is stored, the rear end flange portion is sandwiched between the holding surfaces, and the optical connector ferrule is stably supported by the connection tool portion. Thus, the optical connector ferrule can be stably stored in the ferrule storage groove without causing a positional shift.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of an optical connector connecting tool according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, a housing 10 to which the optical connector connecting tool of the present embodiment is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a housing 10 includes an inner housing 11 for housing the optical connector ferrule 1,
And an external housing 12 mounted on the outside of the first housing 1. Both the inner housing 11 and the outer housing 12 are formed from a synthetic resin.

The inner housing 11 has a split shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the optical connector ferrule 1, the pin clamp 8, and the coil spring 14 are housed in a housing groove 13 formed therein. The optical connector ferrule 1 is movable within the storage groove 13, and is constantly urged outward from the storage groove opening 15 by the coil spring 14. The guide pin 9 secured by the pin clamp 8 is fitted into the guide pin hole 9a of the optical connector ferrule 1, and the tip of the guide pin 9 is projected from the joint end face 1b. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of elastic claws 16 are provided so as to project from opposite sides of the storage groove opening 15. As shown in FIG. 8, from the tip of each elastic claw 16, a claw main body 16a which is detachably engaged with a rear end flange portion 5a of another optical connector ferrule 5 butt-connected to the optical connector ferrule 1 is elastically connected. It protrudes toward the inside where the claws 16 and 16 face each other.

As shown in FIG.
Includes a storage cylinder 17 for storing the internal housing 11. The inner housing 11 is inserted into the storage tube 17 and stored therein, so that the internal housing 11 is restrained from the outside by the storage tube 17, so that the integrated state is maintained. Further, the inner housing 11 housed in the housing cylinder 17 is locked in a fixed position by the locking claw 17a of the inner housing 11 being locked in the locking hole 17b of the housing cylinder 17. The elastic claws 16, 16 of the inner housing 11 housed in the housing cylinder 17
Is a side opening groove 2 opened on both sides of the outer housing 12.
0, 20. In addition, a pair of tool guides 19 and 19 project from both sides of the storage tube opening 18 into which the optical connector ferrule 5 to be connected to the optical connector ferrule 1 in the storage tube 17 is inserted. A tool insertion groove 21 communicating with 18 is formed. The side opening groove 20 extends to these tool guides 19 and 19 and communicates with the tool insertion groove 21. The claw body 16 a at the tip of the elastic claw 16 inserted into the side opening groove 20 is Side opening groove 20
From the tool insertion groove 21. Tool guide 19,
Key grooves 22, 23 extending along the longitudinal direction of the tool guides 19, 19 are formed on the inner surfaces of the 19 opposed tool insert grooves 21.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the housing 10 is used by integrally assembling an inner housing 11 and an outer housing 12. FIG. 2 shows a method of assembling the housing 10. The housing 10 first includes a pair of ferrule guide walls 24 protruding in the outer housing 12 near the storage tube opening 18.
After the optical connector ferrule 1 is sandwiched between the housings 24, the internal housing 11 is simply inserted into the storage tube 17 and stored, so that the assembly is simple. The ferrule guide walls 24 extend along the storage groove 13 and the tool insertion groove 21, and the rear end flange portion 5a of the optical connector ferrule 1 is provided.
Since the other portion is slidably sandwiched, it engages with the rear end flange 5a of the optical connector ferrule 1 to restrict the movement of the optical connector ferrule 1 from the storage tube opening 18 toward the tool insertion groove 21. It also functions as a stopper.

Next, the optical connector connection tool 5 of the present embodiment
0 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical connector connection tool 50 includes an optical connector ferrule 1, 5
And a release tool 53 for releasing the connection between the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 and removing the optical connector ferrule 5 from the housing 10 at the other end. Are integrally formed from resin.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
1 has a bent portion 54 at the center in the longitudinal direction, and the connecting tool portion 52 and the releasing tool portion 53 have long extending portions 55a and 55b extending in opposite directions to each other via the bent portion 54.
Each is provided at the tip. The extension portions 55a, 5
5b has a U-shaped cross section, and a bottom plate portion 56 extending substantially over the entire length of the tool body 51 and a bottom plate portion 56 respectively.
And side walls 57, 57 protruding therefrom. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The projecting direction of 7 is reversed between both extending portions 55a and 55b.

As shown in FIG. 4, each extending portion 55a, 55
b, the connecting tool portion 5 is provided between the side walls 57, 57.
2 and an optical fiber groove 58 for accommodating the optical fiber 1a (optical fiber ribbon) pulled out from the optical connector ferrule 5 engaged and supported by the release tool portion 53. The optical fiber groove 58 penetrates the extending portions 55a and 55b along the longitudinal direction.

On the side surfaces (outside surfaces of the side walls 57) of the extending portions 55a and 55b, there are provided indications 59 indicating the connection tool portion 52 and the release tool portion 53. This display 59
Are the engraved marks in FIG. 4, but the extending portions 55a, 55
It may be a plate or the like separately bonded to b.

The connection tool 52 includes a connection support means 60 (connection engagement claw) and a holding claw 61 projecting from the tip of the extending portion 55a. Thus, the optical connector ferrule 5 is engaged and supported. In the connection supporting means 60 and the holding claws 61, the tool body 51 is extended in the longitudinal direction (extending portion 55).
The optical connector ferrule 5 can be disengaged in the (a longitudinal direction). The connection support means 60 and the holding claw 61 are configured to abut the rear end flange portion 5a of the optical connector ferrule 5 with the tapered surfaces 62 and 63, respectively. The rear end flange portion 5a can be relatively easily disengaged between the support means 60 and the holding claw 61.

Elastic claw grooves 6 extending elongated along the extending portion 55a are formed on the outer surfaces of both side walls 57, 57 at the tip of the extending portion 55a.
4 and 64 are formed, and the connection tool portion 52 is connected to the housing 1.
8, the elastic claws 16 are engaged with the elastic claw grooves 64, and the connecting tool portion 52 is positioned with respect to the housing 10, as shown in FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, flange-like keys 64a, 64a extending along the elastic grooves 64, 64 are protruded above and below the elastic claw grooves 64, 64 (up and down in FIG. 4). When the connection tool part 52 is inserted into the housing 10, these keys 64 a, 64 a
Since it is inserted into 3, 23, the connection tool part 52 is precisely positioned with respect to the housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the release tool 53 is
A release engagement claw 65 and a holding claw 66 projecting from the distal end of the extending portion 55b are provided, and the rear engagement flange portion 5a of the optical connector ferrule 5 is engaged with the engagement claw 65 and the holding claw 66. I have come to support it. As shown in FIG. 5, the release engagement claw 65 includes an inclined surface 67 formed at a tip end in a protruding direction thereof and a vertical surface 68 on the rear side (right side in FIG. 5). The rear end flange portion 5a engaged between the holding claws 65 and the holding claws 66 is engaged with the vertical surface 68, so that separation of the tool body 51 in the longitudinal direction is restricted. The optical connector ferrule 5 can be detached to the side of the connection tool 52.

Deformation projections 69, 69 project from the outer surfaces of both side walls 57, 57 at the end of the extension 55b. The projecting projections 69, 69 are ridges extending along the extending portion 55b. As shown in FIG. 11, when the release tool 53 is inserted into the housing 10, the claw bodies 16a, 16a And elastically deform the elastic claws 16 in a direction away from each other. The outer surfaces of the deformation projections 69, 69 are flush with and slightly flush with the outer surface of the rear end flange portion 5a engaged and supported by the release engagement claws 65 and the holding claws 66. Since the rear flange portion 5a is in close contact with the housing 10, even if the release tool portion 53 that engages and supports the optical connector ferrule 5 between the release engagement claw 65 and the holding piece 66 is inserted into or removed from the housing 10, The elastic claws 16, 16 do not engage with the rear end flange portion 5a that is engaged and supported between the dowel 65 and the holding piece 66.

Next, the operation and effect of the optical connector connecting tool 50 will be described. First, the optical connector connection tool 50
The connection work between the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 and the connection release work using the above will be described.

(Connection work) First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the optical connector ferrule 5 is engaged and supported between the connection support means 60 and the holding claw 61 by the connection tool part 52, With the connector ferrule 5 as the front side in the insertion direction, the connection tool part 52 is inserted into the tool insertion groove 21, and the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 are butted against each other. At the same time that the connection tool portion 52 is inserted into the tool insertion groove 21, the keys 64a, 64a of the connection tool portion 52 are
3 (see FIG. 7), the connection tool part 52 is positioned, and the optical connector ferrules 1, 5 are also precisely positioned. A guide pin hole 9a (see FIG. 3) of the optical connector ferrule 5 can be fitted to the guide pins 9 and 9 which have been fitted to the optical connector ferrule 1 on the 10 side in advance. , 5 are positioned with high accuracy. Since the joint end face 1b of the optical connector ferrule 1 is located at the center between the ferrule guide walls 24, 24, the vicinity of the joint end face 1b of the optical connector ferrule 5 can be simply inserted between the ferrule guide walls 24, 24, The connector ferrules 1 and 5 are positioned so as to be butt-connected.

After the guide pin holes 9a of the optical connector ferrule 5 are fitted to the guide pins 9, 9, the connecting tool portion 52 is further pushed deep into the housing 10 so that the joining end surfaces 1b, 1c of the optical connector ferrules 1, 5 are joined together. Butt-join. Then, when the coil spring 14 is further pressed and contracted slightly further, as shown in FIG.
The rear end flange portion 5a moves over the elastic claws 16 and 16 while elastically deforming as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8 and enters the back side of the housing 10 (the right side in FIG. 8). Elastic claws 16, 1 returned to their original shape
6 enters the elastic claw groove 64 and engages with the rear end flange portion 5a. Thereby, a pair of optical connector ferrules 1
5 is sandwiched between the elastic claws 16 and 16 and the coil spring 14, and the urging force of the coil spring 14 secures the butting force between the two optical connector ferrules 1 and 5. Since the rear end flange portion 5a initially comes into contact with the tapered surface 16b of the claw body 16a, the elastic claws 16, 16 can be easily elastically deformed as they are pushed into the housing 10 at the back. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the insertion limit of the connection tool portion 52 is set by the connection support means 60 abutting against the contact wall 25 in the outer housing 12, so that the optical connector is excessively pushed in. There is no fear that the ferrules 1 and 5 will be damaged.

When the elastic claws 16, 16 are engaged with the rear end flange 5a of the optical connector ferrule 5, the connection tool 52 is pulled out of the housing 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, since the claw main bodies 16a, 16a of the elastic claws 16, 16 are firmly engaged with the rear end flange portion 5a, the connecting support means 60 is detached from the rear end flange portion 5a. Then, the connection tool part 52 is pulled out of the housing 10, and the optical connector ferrule 5 remains in the housing 10 while maintaining the connection state with the optical connector ferrule 1. This completes the connection work.

(Disconnection Operation) In the disconnection operation, first, the release tool 53 is inserted into the tool insertion groove 21 as shown in FIG. Release tool part 53 is inserted into tool insertion groove 21
Into the keyways 22 of the tool guides 19, 19,
Since the deformation projections 69 are inserted into the positioning tool 22 and the release tool 53 is positioned, the release engagement claw 65 can be inserted to the rear end flange 5a in a state of being accurately positioned. The deformation projections 69, 69 are
As shown in FIG. 11, the claw main body 16
The elastic claws 16, 16 are elastically deformed by being brought into contact with the tapered surfaces 16b, 16b of the a, 16a, and are pushed open in a direction away from each other. Thus, when the release tool portion 53 is inserted into the rear end flange portion 5a of the optical connector ferrule 5 to a position where the release engagement claw 65 is engaged, the elastic claws 16, 16 are moved to the rear end flange portion of the optical connector ferrule 5. At this time, the urging force of the coil spring 14 acts in a direction to push the optical connector detachment mechanism 53 out of the housing 10.

After the release engaging claw 65 reaches the rear end flange portion 5a, when the pressing of the releasing tool portion 53 is further continued, as shown in FIG. The vertical surface 68 is engaged with the rear end flange 5a. Then, when the release tool portion 53 is pulled out from the tool insertion groove 21, as shown in FIG. 13, the optical connector ferrule 5 does not come off due to the engagement between the rear end flange portion 5 a and the vertical surface 68, and as shown in FIG. It is pulled out of the housing 10 integrally with the part 53. At this time, the engagement of the elastic claws 16, 16 with the rear end flange portion 5 a is continuously restricted by the deformation projections 69, 69, so that the optical connector ferrule 5 is engaged with the elastic claws 16, 16 on the way. It can be extracted smoothly without matching.

Therefore, the optical connector connection tool 50
According to this, the following excellent effects can be obtained. The optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 can be connected to each other simply by inserting the connection tool portion 52 engaging and supporting the optical connector ferrule 5 into the housing 10, and the connection state of the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 is released. In this case, it is only necessary to insert the release tool portion 53 into the housing 10 and pull it out, so that the connection and disconnection between the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 can be performed by an extremely simple operation. Since it is an integrally molded product, the number of parts is extremely small and the production is easy, so that the cost can be reduced. Since the whole has an elongated shape, it is advantageous for insertion into and removal from the housing 10, thereby improving the workability of connection and disconnection. The display of the engraved mark 59 or the like makes it easy to determine the connection tool portion 52 and the release tool portion 53. The engagement between the keys 64a, 64a and the key grooves 23, 23 positions the optical fiber ferrule 5 to be connected to the optical connector ferrule 1 on the housing 10, so that the guide pin 9 fits into the guide pin hole 9a. Joint work is facilitated, and workability is greatly improved. The engagement between the deformation projections 69, 69 and the key groove 22 allows the release engagement claw 65 to be positioned and engaged with the rear end flange portion 5a, thereby greatly improving workability.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the optical connector connection tool 70 of the present embodiment, instead of the connection tool portion 52 and the release tool portion 53 described in the first embodiment, another configuration of the connection tool portion 72 and the release tool portion 73 are employed. I have. In the figure,
The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified.

As shown in FIG. 14, this optical connector connection tool 70 has a configuration in which a connection tool portion 72 and a release tool portion 73 are arranged opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tool body 51. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the connection tool portion 72 includes a ferrule housing groove 74 that functions as a connection support means. The ferrule housing groove 74 is opened at the tip of the extension 55a, and accommodates the rear end flange 5a of the optical connector ferrule 5 so as to be able to be taken out from the tip of the extension 55a. In the ferrule housing groove 74, there are provided holding surfaces 75, 75 for holding the rear end flange portion 5a from opposite sides. Opposing holding surfaces 75, 75
The separation distance t is in the range of 3.0 to 3.1 mm, and J
The rear end flange portion 5a of the standard optical connector ferrule 5 stipulated in IS C5981 is inserted into the ferrule housing groove 7.
4, the optical connector ferrule 5 can be stably supported without causing displacement.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the operation of connecting the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 using the optical connector connecting tool 70, the optical connector connecting tool 10 of the first embodiment is used.
As in the case of (1), since the connection tool part 72 supporting the optical connector ferrule 5 is inserted into the housing 10, the optical connector ferrule 5 can be stably supported by the ferrule housing groove 74.
The workability of positioning between them is improved. In the connection tool part 52 of the first embodiment, the rear end flange 5
a, the optical connector ferrule 5 is supported, while the connection tool portion 72 of the present embodiment only requires the rear end flange portion 5a to be inserted into the ferrule housing groove 74. The support operation is easier than when the rear end flange portion 5a is engaged with the claw 60. In the connection tool part 52 of the first embodiment, when the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 are pulled out from the housing 10 after the connection work between the optical connector ferrules 1 and 5 is completed, depending on the pulling direction, the connection engaging claw 60 is connected to the rear end flange 5a. There is a possibility that a case may occur in which the holding surface 75, 75 slides against the rear end flange portion 5a and smoothly separates with the connecting tool portion 72 according to the present embodiment.
The ferrule housing groove 74 can be reliably pulled out of the housing 10. The elastic claw grooves 64, 64, the key 6
The provision of 4a and 64a is the same as that of the connection tool part 52 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows the release tool 73. The release tool part 73 is the release tool part 7 described in the first embodiment.
As in the case of the third embodiment, there are provided a disengagement engagement claw 65, a holding claw 66, and deformation projections 69, 69, and furthermore, flanges projecting on both sides of the extension 55b via the deformation projection 69 on both sides. Keys 76, 76 are provided. This release tool 73
When inserted into the housing 10, the deformation projections 69, 6
9 enters the keyway 22 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 16), and the keys 76, 76
Positioning is performed with high precision because it enters the holes 3 and 23. For this reason, in the connection release work, only by inserting the release tool portion 73 into the tool insertion groove 21 of the housing 10, the release engagement claw 65 is accurately aligned with the optical connector ferrule 5 in the connected state in the housing 10. Can be positioned at
The release engagement claw 65 can be securely engaged with the rear end flange portion 5a of the optical connector ferrule 5, and the workability is improved.

Incidentally, the shapes and the like of the components constituting the optical connector connection tools 50 and 70 are not limited to those of the first and second embodiments, and it goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted. . For example, a design change or the like to make molding with resin advantageous is possible. This is the same for the housing 10. The optical connector connection tool of the present invention is applied to the housing 1 shown in FIG.
The optical connector is not limited to 0, and optical connectors and optical connector adapters having various configurations can be adopted. In this case, it goes without saying that the configuration of the optical connector connection tool is also changed in accordance with the configuration of the target optical connector, the optical connector adapter, and the like.

[0040]

As described above, according to the optical connector connecting tool of the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained. (A) The optical connector ferrules can be easily connected to each other simply by inserting the connection tool portion engaging and supporting the optical connector ferrule into the housing. (B) The connection state of the optical connector ferrule can be easily released simply by inserting the release tool into the housing and pulling it out. (C) According to (A) and (B), the connection and disconnection of the optical connector ferrules can be performed by extremely simple work simply by selecting and using the connection tool portion and the release tool portion. . (D) Since the connection tool portion and the release tool portion are separated from each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated tool body and opposed to each other, it is easy to form the entire body into an elongated shape. This is advantageous for the work of inserting and removing the housing, and the workability of connection and disconnection is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the connection tool portion and the housing extend along the longitudinal direction of the tool body and engage with each other when the connection tool portion is inserted into the housing to position the connection tool portion and the housing. (E) Both optical connector ferrules to be connected by positioning the connection tool and the housing are also positioned, so that the optical connector ferrules can be connected to each other. The workability of the butt connection is improved.

If a structure in which the whole is integrally formed of resin or metal is adopted, (f) the number of parts is extremely small and the manufacture is easy, so that the cost can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the connecting support means is a ferrule housing groove having a holding surface for holding the optical connector ferrule from both sides facing each other at a distance of about 3 mm, ) JIS C 598 depending on the opposing holding surface
Since the standard optical connector ferrule stipulated in No. 1 can be securely supported without causing displacement, the positioning and connection between the optical connector ferrules when the connection tool portion is inserted into the housing during the connection work. (H) Since the optical connector ferrule is structured to be removably housed in the ferrule housing groove, it is easy to store and take out the optical connector ferrule, and to connect the optical connector ferrules. When the connection tool portion is later pulled out from the housing, an excellent effect that the optical connector ferrule can be securely and easily detached from the connection tool portion is exerted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector to which an optical connector connection tool of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a method of assembling the optical connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the optical connector of FIG. 1 in a state where assembly is completed.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical connector connection tool of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing a release tool portion of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4;

7 is a perspective view showing the operation of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4 and showing a step of inserting the connection tool into the housing.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the operation of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4 and showing a step of engaging an elastic claw with an optical connector ferrule.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view showing the step of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4 and showing a step of inserting the release tool into the housing.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the operation of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4 and showing a step of releasing the engagement between the elastic claw and the optical connector ferrule.

FIG. 12 is a front sectional view showing the step of FIG. 11;

13 is a view showing the operation of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 4, and is a plan sectional view showing a step of extracting the optical connector ferrule from the housing.

FIG. 14 is an overall perspective view showing a second embodiment of the optical connector connection tool of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front sectional view showing the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 14;

16 is a perspective view showing the operation of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 14 and showing a step of inserting the connection tool into the housing.

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view showing a release tool portion of the optical connector connection tool of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional optical connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector ferrule, 1a ... Optical fiber (optical fiber tape core), 5 ... Optical connector ferrule, 10 ...
Housing 16: Elastic claw, 23: Key groove, 50: Optical connector connection tool, 51: Tool body, 52: Connection tool part, 53: Release tool part, 60: Connection support means (Connection engagement claw) ), 64a ... key, 65 ... release engaging claw, 69
... Deformation protrusion, 70 ... Optical connector ferrule, 72 ... Connection tool part, 73 ... Release tool part, 74 ... Connection support means, ferrule storage groove, 75 ... Pressing surface.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Nomura 1440 Mutsuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pair of optical connector ferrules (1; 1) for terminating optical fibers (1a, 1a) in a butt-connectable manner.
An elastic claw (16) that accommodates and supports one of the optical connector ferrules (5) and detachably engages with the other optical connector ferrule (5) that is detachably butt-connected to the one optical connector ferrule (1). An optical connector connection tool for connecting and disconnecting optical connector ferrules by being inserted into and removed from a housing (10) provided, wherein the optical connector is connected to one end of an elongated tool body (51) in the longitudinal direction by the housing. A connection tool part (52, 72) for connecting the ferrules is provided, and a release tool part (53, 72) for releasing the connection between the optical connector ferrules at the other end and removing the optical connector ferrule from the housing. 73), wherein the connection tool portion supports the optical connector ferrule so that the connection tool portion can be taken out of the tool body in the longitudinal direction. Means becomes comprise (60, 74), the release tool unit releasing engaging claw which the optical connector ferrule is engaged in the longitudinal direction outside of the tool body (65)
And an optical connector projecting from the vicinity of the disengagement engaging claw, abutting on the elastic claw when the disengagement engaging claw is inserted into the housing to be elastically deformed and engaged with and supported by the disengagement engaging claw. An optical connector ferrule engaging with the elastic claw when a connection tool portion supporting the optical connector ferrule is inserted into the housing. Connector connection tool (5
0, 70). 2. A key (64a) extending along the longitudinal direction of the tool body and engaging the connection tool portion when the connection tool portion is inserted into the housing to position the connection tool portion and the housing. The optical connector connecting tool according to claim 1, wherein the keyway (23) is formed in the connecting tool portion and the housing. 3. The optical connector connection tool according to claim 1, wherein the whole is integrally formed of resin or metal. 4. The ferrule receiving groove (74) having a holding surface (75) for holding the optical connector ferrule from both sides facing each other at a distance of about 3 mm. The optical connector connection tool (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.