JPH11352365A - Optical adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical adapter for preventing the leakage of light to the outside even at the time of inserting and detaching an optical connector, eliminating influence on human body by laser beams, housing the optical connector of a conventional product, providing versatility and eliminating the need of fine working. SOLUTION: The light shielding means 4 of a spring and a plate, etc., is fixed to the inner side face or end face of an optical adapter main body 1' and moved in linkage with the optical, connector 2 and this optical adapter 1. Thus, by shielding the optical axis 7 of the laser beams by the light shielding means 4 at the time of detaching the optical connector 2 and fixing the light shielding means 4 not to the optical connector 2 itself but to the inner side face or end face of the optical adapter main body 1', the optical connector of the conventional product is housed. By fixing the light shielding means 4 of the spring and the plate, etc., not to the tubular body of the optical adapter main body but to the inner side face or end face of the optical adapter main body, it is realized without the need of the fine working.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical adapter for connecting an optical connector used for performing optical communication.
In particular, the present invention relates to an optical adapter suitable for reducing an influence on a human body by a laser beam when using a device that transmits a high-output optical signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional typical optical adapter will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG.
The following is a first conventional example of technology used in an optical product having an optical input / output interface. 2A is an external view of the optical adapter 101 with the protective cover 100 closed, FIG. 2B is an external view of the optical adapter with the protective cover 100 opened, and FIG. The external views of the optical connector 2 are respectively shown.

In FIG. 18B, an optical adapter 101 is shown.
Has a protective cover 100 attached to the outside of the optical adapter main body 1 ', and when used, the protective cover 100 is manually opened, and the optical connector 2 is inserted into the optical adapter main body 1'. When the optical connector (2) is removed, the optical connector (2) returns to the original closed state by the force of the spring 100a attached to the protective cover 100. As a result, the laser light (indicated by the optical axis 7) does not leak to the outside when not in use, so that the laser light does not affect the human body.

FIG. 19 shows a second technical example. In this case, the optical adapter 101 is mainly used for a circuit board, an optical connector frame and the like. (A) of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the optical adapter 101 showing a state before the optical connector 101 is connected, and an optical connector 3 connected to an optical fiber 5 is fixed to one of the optical adapters in advance, and the other optical connector 2 is connected thereto. The optical adapter cover 102 is attached to a location where the optical adapter cover 102 is mounted.

Usually, when not in use, the light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber # 5 and is output from the optical connector 3. At this time, the optical adapter cover 103 is attached to the optical adapter 101 so that light does not leak from the optical adapter 101 to the outside. FIG. 2B shows a state where the optical adapter cover 103 is removed from the optical adapter 101 and the optical connector 2 is inserted.

FIG. 20 shows a third example of technology, which is not an optical adapter but rather an optical connector. FIG. 3A shows a cross section of the transmission-side optical connector 112. The transmission-side optical connector 112 fixes the transmission-side optical connector body 111 and the optical fiber 5 to the transmission-side optical connector body 111. It is fixed by a member 110a. In addition, a spring plate 4 processed in the shape of a letter F is fixed to the inner wall of the transmitting-side optical connector main body 111. Here, the laser beam output from the transmission-side optical connector 112 is applied to the spring plate 4 and has a structure that does not leak outside the transmission-side optical connector main body 111.

Here, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the receiving side optical connector 113 is connected to the transmitting side optical connector 112, the spring plate 4 is inserted by inserting the receiving side optical fiber fixing member 110b. When pushed down and bent inside the transmission side optical connector 112, the reception side optical connector 113
20 is disconnected from the transmitting side optical connector 112, FIG.
As shown in (a), the spring plate 4 returns to its original state by the repulsive force, and blocks the laser beam output from the transmission-side optical connector 111.
Incidentally, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 56-56 relates to this type of technology.
No. 153311.

FIG. 21 shows a fourth prior art example. As shown in FIG. 1A, the optical adapter 1 includes an optical adapter main body 1 ′ and a tubular body 114. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the tubular body 114. The inside of the tubular body is composed of a shielding plate 116, a column 117 for fixing the shielding plate 116 inside the tubular body, and a spring 118 wound around the column 117 and supporting the shielding plate 116. here,
The optical connector 3 on the transmitting side is completely inserted into the optical adapter 1. At this time, the core wire 115 is inserted inside the tubular body 114. The laser light output from the optical connector 3 on the transmitting side is irradiated on the shielding plate 116 so as not to leak outside the optical adapter 1. Here, when the optical connector 2 on the receiving side is inserted into the optical adapter 1, the shielding plate 116 is inserted.
Are the cores 11 of the optical connector 2 with the support 117 as a fulcrum.
5 and falls down inside the tubular body 114. Also,
When the optical connector 2 is unplugged from the optical adapter 1, the repulsive force of the spring 118 causes the shielding plate 116 to return to its original position with the support 117 as a fulcrum, thereby blocking the laser beam output from the optical connector 3 on the transmission side. JP-A-57-158606 is related to this type of technology.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] North American Federal Standard Code of
In federal regurations Part1040, optical device products are standardized in consideration of safety, and a safety device should be added so that maintenance personnel do not directly see light when maintaining optical products. As a conventional technique for satisfying the above standard, when the optical adapter 1 and the optical connector 2 are used, when the cover is removed, or when the optical connector 2 is inserted and removed from the optical adapter 1, laser light is emitted. There is a danger that the laser light will leak to the outside and directly irradiate the eyeball of the maintenance staff. Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a system in which not only when the optical connector 2 is completely unplugged and fully inserted into the optical adapter 1 but also during a series of maintenance work, light leaks to the outside. Therefore, there is a danger that the maintenance staff will not directly look at the laser beam.

In the third prior art, since the spring 118 is directly fixed to the transmitting side optical connector 112, it is impossible to accommodate the optical connector of the conventional product, so that it lacks versatility. Further, in the fourth embodiment, the diameter of the tubular body 114 itself is only a few mm, and accommodating the shielding plate 116, the support 117, and the spring 118 in this diameter requires fine processing, which is realized. Is difficult.

Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to satisfy the first object and accommodate conventional optical connectors, thereby providing versatility and requiring no fine processing.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention relates to an optical adapter according to the present invention, wherein one end of an optical connector is detachably connected to an optical connector, and the other end is previously connected and fixed. In an optical adapter having a light source or an optical component for guiding an optical signal from the light source, when the optical connector is detached from the optical adapter, the optical connector is interlocked with the attaching / detaching operation of the optical connector so as to block an optical axis in the optical adapter. And a light blocking means for blocking the optical axis is provided at the connection portion.

More specifically, for example, light shielding means such as a spring or a plate is fixed to the inner side surface or the end surface of the optical connector connecting portion of the optical adapter main body, and is linked with the operation of attaching and detaching the optical connector and the optical adapter. By using a movable structure, a spring or plate blocks the optical axis of the laser beam when the optical connector is removed, and the spring or plate is fixed not on the optical connector itself but on the inner side surface or end surface of the optical adapter body. By doing so, the optical connector of the conventional product can be accommodated as it is without any deformation, and the spring, plate, etc. are fixed to the inner side surface or the end surface of the optical adapter main body instead of the tubular body of the optical adapter main body. Therefore, it can be realized without requiring fine processing.

In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention relates to an optical adapter in which an optical connector is detachably connected to one end and a light source or a light source previously connected and fixed to the other end. In an optical adapter having an optical component for guiding an optical signal, when the optical connector is removed from the optical adapter, the power supply connected to the light source is shut off, in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the optical connector. Power supply is O
A switch means for N-OFF is provided at the connection portion.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration of an optical adapter 1 in which a spring plate 4 is provided as a light shielding means at a connection portion of an optical connector of an optical adapter main body 1 '. FIG. 1A shows a state before the optical connector 2 is connected to the optical adapter 1, and FIG. 1B shows a state after the optical connector 2 is inserted into the optical adapter 1 and completely connected. .

As is clear from FIG. 1A, a spring plate 4 as a light shielding means is fixed to the optical adapter main body 1 'at one point of the joint 6, and the shape of the spring plate is secondary when opened. It has a curved shape like a curve, and has a shape in which the free end is located above the optical axis 7 to block the laser beam, and easily falls into the optical adapter 1 by inserting the connector 2 as described later. .

The light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 previously fixed to the optical adapter body 1 ', and is applied to the spring plate 4. In this state, even if the maintenance worker looks at the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is blocked by the spring plate 4 and there is no danger of directly viewing the laser light. Here, when the optical connector 2 is inserted, the spring plate 4 falls down inside the optical adapter 1 with the joint 6 as a fulcrum due to the pressing force of the optical connector 2, and the state shown in FIG. The optical connector 3 and the optical connector 2 are connected.

When the optical connector 2 is unplugged from the optical adapter, the load on the spring plate 4 is removed, and the spring plate 4 rises up by the action of the spring with the joint 6 as a fulcrum.
By the time the optical connector 2 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1, the spring plate 4 returns to the state shown in FIG. The optical connector 2 and the optical adapter 1 have substantially the same size, and the inside of the optical adapter 1 cannot be seen at all until the optical connector 2 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

The spring plate 4 connects the optical connector 2 to the optical adapter 1.
When the optical fiber core of the optical connector 2 is inserted into the
When the optical connector 2 is not inserted into the optical adapter 1, the optical adapter 1 is viewed from the optical connector 2 side when viewed from the front when the optical connector 2 is not inserted into the optical adapter 1 [(R) in FIG. The height covering the core wire of the optical connector 3 [FIG.
(H> H)], the free end of the spring plate 4 is located on the optical axis of the laser beam output from the light source, and the laser beam output from the light source Irradiated. Further, when the optical connector 2 is completely inserted into the optical adapter 1, since the spring plate 4 satisfies a <A in FIG. 1B, the spring plate 4 strikes halfway in the state of FIG. 1B. It can be completely extended without any.

FIG. 2 is a modification of FIG. 1, and shows a configuration example in which the spring plate 4 is attached to both sides of the optical connector main body 1 'based on the above principle. The difference from FIG.
However, the operation principle is the same as that described above, except for the difference in the structure that two are provided.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. 3A shows the state of the optical adapter before the optical connector 2 is inserted, FIG. 3B shows the state at the start of insertion, and FIG. 3C shows the state at the completion of insertion. FIG. 3 (a)
As shown in (1), the optical adapter 1 is composed of an optical adapter main body 1 ', a shielding plate 10, and a support 11 for supporting the shielding plate 10. The optical adapter main body 1' Stopper 12 so that it does not come out
Have the same structure. The laser light output from the light source is
The light passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and irradiates the shielding plate 10. In this state, even if the maintenance person views the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is
There is no danger of being obstructed by the laser beam and looking directly at the laser beam. One end of the shielding plate 10 is rotatably suspended from the inner wall of the optical adapter, and the other end is suspended by gravity.

Here, when the optical connector 2 is inserted, the shielding plate 10 falls on the support 11 as a fulcrum and falls down inside the optical adapter 1 by the pressing force of the optical connector 2, as shown in FIG. State. When the optical connector 2 is further inserted and the optical connector 2 is completely inserted into the optical adapter 1, FIG.
In the state shown in (c), the optical connector 3 and the optical connector 2 are connected.

When the optical connector 2 is pulled out, the shielding plate 10
Since the force from the optical connector 2 is no longer applied, it falls vertically with the support 11 as a fulcrum due to gravity. When the optical connector 2 is removed from the optical adapter 1, the shielding plate 10 completely loses the force for supporting the shielding plate 10, and tends to come out from the end surface of the optical adapter 1 to the front with the momentum.
It collides with the stopper 12 and stops, and returns to the state of FIG.

Also, as in FIG. 1, the optical connector 2 and the optical adapter 1 are substantially the same size, and the optical connector 2 is
Until the optical adapter 1 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1, the inside of the optical adapter 1 cannot be seen at all. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

The length of the shielding plate 10 is as shown in FIG.
b, the size of the shielding plate 10 does not contact the optical adapter 1 in the state of FIG. 3A, and the length of d is such a length that the shielding plate 10 does not contact the optical adapter 1 in the above series of operations. That's it. This embodiment is an effective means in an environment where the optical adapter 1 is used in a horizontal orientation with respect to the ground.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of FIG. 3, in which a stopper 12 'is mounted on the upper part of the optical adapter body 1', and when the shielding plate 10 falls vertically, it collides with the stopper 12 'and stops. . The stopper 12 ′ is formed integrally with the optical adapter or separately from a metal fitting or the like, but is not specifically defined here.

Further, as a method of supporting the shielding plate 10, a structural example as shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 5A, the upper corner of the shield plate 10 is processed so as not to hit the optical adapter main body 1 ', and a hole 14 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the column 11 is formed. Holes 15 having a diameter larger than the support 11 are formed on both side surfaces of the optical adapter body 1 ′, and the support 11 is passed through the hole 14 of the shielding plate 10 as shown in the figure. The shielding plate 10 is configured to be freely rotatable around the support column 11 by hooking the hole 15 of the main body 1 ′ and the other side having the same structure.

In FIG. 5B, a cylindrical projection 16 is joined to the upper part of the shielding plate 10. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), holes 15 having a diameter larger than the protrusion 16 are formed on both side surfaces of the optical adapter body 1 ', and the cylindrical protrusion 16 is hooked on the hole 15 of the optical adapter body 1'. This is also a structure that can be freely moved back and forth with the columnar projection 16 as a fulcrum by adopting a similar structure.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the spring plate 1
7 is connected to the optical adapter body 1 '.

FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b) and 6 (c)
Indicates states before insertion, start of insertion, and completion of insertion of the optical connector 2, respectively. The optical adapter 1 includes an optical adapter body 1 ′, a spring plate 17, a shielding plate 10, a support 11, and a stopper 12. The shielding plate 10 is formed by a method similar to that shown in FIG. 'Attached to. The spring plate 17 is bent in the shape of a letter F as shown in the figure, and one side is fixed to the optical adapter 1. Here, the laser light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and is applied to a point A in the figure. Point A is a point at which the shielding plate 10 collides with the optical axis,
In this state, even if the maintenance worker looks at the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is blocked by the shielding plate 10 and there is no danger of directly viewing the laser light.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the optical connector 2 is inserted, the shielding plate 10 falls on the support 11 as the fulcrum, and the spring plate 17 When the optical connector 2 is completely inserted into the optical adapter 1 and contracted, the shielding plate 10 is fitted in the optical adapter body 1 'as shown in FIG.
Are connected. When the optical connector 2 is unplugged, there is no longer any force to press the shielding plate 10, and the shielding plate 10 rotates with the support 11 as a fulcrum due to the repulsive force of the spring plate 17, and when the optical connector 2 is completely removed from the optical adapter 2. , Shielding plate 10
6A is completely eliminated, and the repulsive force of the spring plate 17 causes the shield plate 10 to come out from the end face of the optical adapter 1 to the front, but collides with the stopper 12 and stops. Return to the state of).

The optical connector 2 and the optical adapter 1 have substantially the same size, and the inside of the optical adapter 1 cannot be seen at all until the optical connector 2 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment. This embodiment is more flexible than the second embodiment because the optical adapter 1 can be used even if it is not oriented horizontally with respect to the ground.

FIG. 7 is a modified example of FIG. 6, and is a configuration example in which a shielding plate 10 and a spring plate 17 are provided above and below an optical adapter in the same manner as in FIG. FIG. 7A shows a state where the insertion of the optical connector 2 is started, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the optical connectors 2 and 3 are completely inserted and optically connected to each other. FIG.
As shown in (a), the optical adapter 1 is composed of an optical adapter main body 1 ′, two spring plates 17, two shielding plates 10, two columns 11, and two stoppers 18, and the shielding is performed. Board 1
Reference numeral 0 is attached to the optical adapter body 1 'in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG.

The spring plate 17 is bent in the shape of a letter F as shown in the figure, and one side is fixed to the optical adapter body 1 '. Here, the light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and is applied to a point A in the figure. Point A shown in FIG. 7A is a point at which the upper and lower shielding plates 10 overlap, and when the optical adapter 1 is viewed from the front, light is not directly seen, so it is safe. This configuration is vertically symmetric.

Here, when the optical connector 2 is inserted, the shielding plate 10 falls on the support 11 as a fulcrum by the pressing force of the optical connector 2 and falls inward as shown in FIG. When completely inserted, the shielding plate 10 stops at the stopper 18. At this time, the height of the stopper 18 is determined so that the shielding plate 10 is just horizontal. When the optical connector 2 is unplugged, the shield plate 10 returns to its original state, and is returned to the state shown in FIG.
Return to the state.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment. FIG. 8A shows a state before the optical connector is inserted, and FIG. 8B shows a state after the optical connector is inserted.

The optical adapter 1 shown in FIG. 8A includes an optical adapter body 1 ′ and a variable optical adapter 19.
A stopper 21 is attached to the optical adapter body 1 '. As shown in FIG. 9, holes 22 are formed in both side surfaces of the optical adapter body 1 ′, and cylindrical projections 20 smaller than the holes 22 are formed on both sides of the variable optical adapter 19 under the condition of M> m. The variable optical adapter 19 is joined to the surface, and is in a state of being inserted into the optical adapter main body 1 '.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the optical connector 2
Is not inserted into the variable optical adapter 19, the variable optical adapter 19 faces the ground with the protrusion 20 as a fulcrum and is supported by the lower portion of the optical adapter body 1 'by gravity. In this state, the light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and is applied to a point A in the drawing. In this state, even if the maintenance worker views the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is
9 and there is no danger of looking directly at the laser beam.

Here, the optical connector 2 is inserted halfway, lifted up together with the variable optical adapter 19 until it hits the stopper 21, and when the variable optical adapter 19 hits the stopper 21, the optical connector 2 is inserted all the way. When the size of the stopper 21 is raised with the variable optical adapter 19,
The size should be completely horizontal with the optical adapter body 1 '.

FIG. 8B is a view in which the optical connector 3 is completely inserted, and the optical connector 3 and the optical connector 2 are connected. Optical connector 2
Is completely removed from the optical adapter 1, the variable optical adapter 19
Is lowered by the force of gravity with the protrusion 20 as a fulcrum, and stops when it comes into contact with the lower portion of the optical adapter main body 1 ', and the state shown in FIG.

The optical connector 2 and the variable optical adapter 19
Are approximately the same size, and the optical connector 2 is
Until the optical adapter 1 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1, the inside of the optical adapter 1 cannot be seen at all. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment. FIG.
0 (a) shows a connection state before insertion of the optical connector, and FIG. 10 (b) shows a connection state after insertion. A bellows 23 large enough to receive the optical connector 2 is attached to the optical adapter main body 1 'in FIG. 10A. The lower part of the bellows 23 is fixed so that the bellows does not extend. It has a structure that can expand and contract. A weight 24 large enough to receive the optical connector 2 is fixed to the bellows 23.
When it is not inserted into the bellows, the upper part of the bellows 23 is extended by the weight.

The laser light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and is applied to a point A in the figure. In this state, even if the maintenance staff looks at the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is blocked by the bellows 23, and there is no danger of looking directly at the laser light. The optical connector 2 is inserted into the bellows 23, and the optical connector 2 and the bellows 23 are simultaneously inserted into the optical adapter body 1 '.

FIG. 1 shows the optical connector 2 completely inserted.
0 (b), and the optical connector 3 and the optical connector 2 are connected. The optical connector 2 and the bellows 23 are simultaneously pulled out, and when the bellows 23 is completely extended, only the optical connector 2 is further pulled out.
When the optical connector 2 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1, the upper part of the bellows 23) is extended by the action of gravity by the weight 24 and hangs down, again as shown in FIG. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

FIGS. 11 to 12 show a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11A shows a state before the optical connector 2 is inserted.
(B) shows the state after insertion. The optical adapter body 1 ′ has a protruding tip, and is hereinafter referred to as a projection 25.

Also, as shown in FIG.
6 is provided with cylindrical projections 27 on both side surfaces. The cylindrical projections 27 are inserted into the projections 25 of the optical adapter body 1 ′, and the variable optical adapter 26 can freely move between the widths M.

In a state where the optical connector 2 is not inserted into the variable optical adapter 26, the variable optical adapter 26 is suspended by the gravity in the vertical direction with respect to the optical adapter body 1 'with the cylindrical projection 27 as a fulcrum. At this time, the laser light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and is applied to a point A in FIG.

In this state, even if the maintenance person looks at the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is blocked by the variable optical adapter 26, and there is no danger of directly viewing the laser light.
Here, when the optical connector 2 is partially inserted into the variable optical adapter 26, the variable optical adapter 26 is rotated until it becomes horizontal with the optical adapter main body 1 '.
The optical connector 2 and the variable optical adapter 26 are simultaneously inserted into the optical adapter body 1 '. The figure inserted to the end is Figure 11.
(B), the optical connector 3 and the optical adapter 2 are connected. When disconnecting the optical connector, when the optical connector 2 and the variable optical adapter 26 are simultaneously disconnected from the optical adapter body 1 'in the horizontal direction with the optical adapter body 1', the variable optical adapter 26
The distal end of the projection 25 of the optical adapter body 1 'collides with the cylindrical projection 27 of the variable optical adapter 26, and the variable optical adapter 26 stops.

Further, from the variable optical adapter 26 to the optical connector 2
Is completely removed, the variable optical adapter 26 hangs in a vertical direction with respect to the optical adapter body 1 ′ with the columnar projection 27 as a fulcrum due to gravity, and returns to the state of FIG. 11A again.

The optical connector 2 and the variable optical adapter 26
Are approximately the same size, and the optical connector 2 is
Until the optical adapter 1 is completely removed from the optical adapter 1, the inside of the optical adapter 1 cannot be seen at all. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

FIG. 13 shows a seventh embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 3A shows the state when the insertion of the optical connector 2 is started.
Indicates a state where the insertion is completed. The feature of the optical adapter 1 is that the power of the laser beam is turned on / off in conjunction with the operation of inserting and removing the optical connector 2, and the power is shut off upon removal.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the optical product 28
Comprises an optical module 30, an optical adapter main body 1 ', and a screw 29 for fixing the optical adapter main body 1' to an optical product. A first conductive plate 37 formed of a spring and a plate-shaped second conductive plate 36 are fixed. First conductive plate 37
Is a conductive substance (here, the copper wire 35),
It is connected to the screw 29 of the optical product 28 through the optical adapter body 1 '. The screw 29 is inside the optical product 28,
Connected to ground 33.

The second conductive plate 36 is connected to a conductive substance (here, a copper wire 34), and is connected to the inverter 32 inside the optical product 28 through the optical adapter body 1 '. In the shutdown pin ("L" or "H" binary code level) of the optical module 30, a laser beam is output to the outside when one of the levels is set, and the laser beam is output to the outside when the other level is set. Control pin that does not output)
Connected to. Pull u is connected to the inverter input side.
The p resistance 31 is connected, and the shutdown pin is set to “L”.
The light output is stopped by.

In a state where the optical connector 2 is not inserted into the optical adapter 1, the conductive plate 37 and the conductive plate 36 are not in contact with each other, so that the output of the inverter 32 is “L”, No light is output. In this state, there is no danger that the maintenance staff will look directly at the laser light even if the optical adapter 1 is viewed from the front.

As shown in FIG. 13B, when the optical connector 2 is inserted, the pressing force of the optical connector 2 causes the first conductive plate 37 to fall inside the optical adapter 1, and the optical connector 2 is completely illuminated. When inserted into the adapter 1, the first conductive plate 37
And the second conductive plate 36 is in contact, and the ground 33
And the input of the inverter 32 becomes "L".
Therefore, the shutdown pin is set to “H” by the inverter 32, and the laser light is output from the optical module 30. When the optical connector 2 is unplugged, there is no longer any pressing force on the conductive plate 37, so that the conductive plate 37 returns to its original state by the action of the spring and separates from the conductive plate 36. Therefore, no current flows from Vcc to the ground 33, and the input of the inverter 32 becomes "
Accordingly, the shutdown pin is set to "L" by the inverter 32, so that the laser light is not output from the optical module 30, and the shutdown pin returns to the state shown in FIG.

The conductive plate 37 and the conductive plate 36 come into contact with or separate from each other when the optical connector 2 is not completely inserted into the optical adapter 1. Here, when the optical connector 2 and the optical adapter 1 have substantially the same size, the optical connector 2
In a state where is slightly inserted into the optical adapter 1, the inside of the optical adapter 1 cannot be seen at all by the optical connector 2. Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

FIG. 14 shows the eighth embodiment.
This is a modification of the configuration of the switch in FIG.
FIG. 14A shows the state when the insertion of the optical connector 2 is started.
(B) shows a state where the insertion is completed. As shown in FIG. 14A, the first conductive plate 38 has a plate shape like the second conductive plate 39, and a conductive plate (here, the third plate) is provided below the optical connector 2. Is called a conductive plate 40). When the optical connector 2 is not inserted into the optical adapter 1, the output of the inverter 32 becomes “L” because the conductive plate 38 and the conductive plate 39 are not in contact, and no light is output from the optical module 30. In this state, there is no danger that the maintenance staff will look directly at the laser light even if the optical adapter 1 is viewed from the front.

As shown in FIG. 14B, when the optical connector 2 is inserted, the conductive plate 38 and the conductive plate 38 are interposed via the third conductive plate 40.
The conductive plate 39 contacts, a current flows from Vcc to the ground 33, and the input of the inverter 32 becomes "L". Therefore, the shutdown pin is set to “H” by the inverter 32, and the laser light is output from the optical module 30. When the optical connector 46 is disconnected, the third conductive plate 40 becomes the optical connector 2.
, The conductive plate 40 is also pulled out in a pair with the optical connector 2, and the conductive plate 38 and the conductive plate 39 are separated.
Therefore, no current flows from Vcc to the ground 33, and the input of the inverter 32 becomes "H". Therefore, the shutdown pin is set to “L” by the inverter 32, the laser light is no longer output from the optical module 30, and the state again returns to the state shown in FIG. The contact or separation between the conductive plate 37 and the conductive plate 36 is caused by the fact that the optical connector 2 is
It is in a state where it is not completely inserted.

Here, when the optical connector 2 and the optical adapter 1 are substantially the same size, when the optical connector 2 is slightly inserted into the optical adapter 1, the inside of the optical adapter 1 is completely removed by the optical connector 2. I can't see it.
Therefore, in a series of operations in which the maintenance person inserts and removes the optical connector 2 from the optical adapter 1, there is no danger that the light output from the light source is directly seen even for a moment.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a ninth embodiment. This example is a modification of the fourth embodiment previously shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 15A shows that the optical connector 2 inserted into the variable optical adapter 41 is connected to the optical adapter 1. FIG. 15B shows the state before the optical adapter 1 and the variable optical adapter 4.
FIG. 15C shows a state where the optical connector 2 inserted into the variable optical adapter 41 is connected to the optical adapter 1.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the optical adapter 1
Is composed of an optical adapter main body 1 ′, a variable adapter 41, and a column 42 connecting the optical adapter main body 1 ′ and the variable optical adapter 41. The optical adapter main body is provided with a stopper 43 for restricting rotation of the variable optical adapter 41. Have been.

The light output from the light source passes through the optical fiber 5 and the optical connector 3 and is applied to the variable optical adapter 41. In this state, even if the maintenance worker views the optical adapter 1 from the front, the laser light output from the light source is
1 and there is no danger of looking directly at the laser beam. Here, the optical connector 2 is inserted halfway into the variable optical adapter 41, lifted up to the point where it is joined to the optical adapter body 1 ′, and further inserted all the way. Are fitted.

FIG. 15C shows a state where the optical connector 2 is completely inserted into the optical adapter, and the optical connector 3 and the optical connector 2 are connected.

When the optical connector 2 is disconnected, the variable optical adapter 4
Since the support 1 is no longer supported by the optical connector 2, the rotation-restricting rod 44 falls on the support 42 by gravitational force until it collides with the stopper 43 attached to the side surface of the optical adapter body 1 ′, as shown in FIG. State.

The position where the stopper is mounted is such that the light from the light source is applied to the inside of the variable optical adapter 41. This embodiment is an effective means in an environment where the optical adapter 1 is used in a horizontal orientation with respect to the ground.

FIG. 16 shows a system using the structure of the spring plate 45 instead of operating the variable optical adapter 41 by gravity. One side of the spring plate 45 processed into a square shape is attached to the variable optical adapter 41, and the other side is attached to the optical adapter body 1 '. Other structures are the same as those in FIG. By doing so, when the optical connector 2 is not inserted into the variable optical adapter 41, the optical connector 2 can be inclined obliquely with respect to the optical adapter body 1 'by the action of the spring plate 45. Therefore, the variable optical adapter 41 can be operated without any limitation on the mounting direction, and it is possible to prevent light from the light source from leaking out of the optical adapter.

FIG. 17 shows a tenth embodiment. FIG.
17A shows the appearance of the optical fiber connector 50, and FIG.
17B shows a state in which the optical fiber connectors 50 are connected to the optical adapter 54, FIG. 17C shows an outline of a fiber cross section and an optical path of the optical fiber connector 50, and FIG. The situation where light emitted from the other connector 50 is shielded by the inner wall of the adapter when one of the set of connectors 50 is removed is shown.

The connector 50 shown in FIG. 17A is constituted by a characteristic core wire 51 obtained by diagonally cutting a fiber cross section 53. The fiber cross section 53 has a laser beam 52 when the connector 50 is not connected and a laser beam 52 emitted from the fiber.
Has a feature of intentionally controlling the radiation angle φ55 of. The characteristic core 51 cut obliquely physically changes the angle of entry of the laser beam 52 or the like 52 into the cross section 53 of the fiber.
1 has a fiber cross section 53 processed so as to increase the emission angle φ55 from the core 58 portion to the air portion.

The fiber cross section 53 is angled and the emission angle φ5
5, the emission angle φ55 is previously set to the optical axis 60.
The laser beam 53 or the like is emitted at angles of α and β by designing the angle to be deviated. When the fiber 51 of this system is inserted into the adapter 54, the emitted laser light 53 collides with the wall surface inside the adapter 54 while propagating the distance L, and the emission from the adapter opening 62 can be restricted. When the connector connected by the adapter 54 is operated by this method, it is possible to avoid direct irradiation or direct view 61 of a laser beam or the like, which is safe. As shown in FIG. 17B, a connector 50 having an angled fiber cross section 53 can be coupled to a connector 50 having a fiber cross section 53 having the same angle θ in an adapter 54.

The fiber cross section 53 can be defined as shown in FIG. The laser light or the like in the fiber propagates through the core 58 having the refractive index n1 and is repeatedly reflected and attenuated by the cladding 59 having the refractive index n2. Only the totally reflected light propagates through the fiber. The reflection angle δ in the fiber can be calculated by applying Snell's law to the refractive indices of the core 58 and the cladding 59. The reflected lights 56 and 57 having the reflection angle δ are incident on the fiber section 53 cut out at an angle θ at an incident angle of 90 ° −θ ± δ, and the refracted light 56 ′ having α and β refraction angles at the fiber section 53. , 57 '. Refracted light 57 '
(53) to increase the minimum refraction angle β
Is adjusted, the radiation from the adapter opening 62 can be blocked within the radiation blocking distance L as shown in FIG.

[0071]

As described in detail above, the intended object has been achieved by the present invention. That is, the North American Federal Standard Code of Federal Regulation
In nsPart 1040, it is standardized that an optical device product should be provided with a safety device in consideration of safety, so that maintenance personnel do not look directly at light when maintaining the optical product. The present invention satisfies this standard with a simple structure, and in a series of maintenance work, can avoid the danger of a maintenance person directly looking at light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an optical adapter showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a transverse perspective view of an optical adapter showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a shielding plate according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an optical adapter showing a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for fixing a variable optical connector to an optical adapter main body in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for fixing a variable optical connector to an optical adapter main body in a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an optical adapter according to the first conventional technique.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a second conventional technique.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a third conventional technique.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical adapter according to a fourth conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical adapter, 1 '... Optical adapter main body, 2, 3 ... Optical connector, 4 ... Spring plate, 5 ... Optical fiber, 6 ... Joint part which fixes a spring plate to an optical adapter main body, 7 ... Optical axis, 10 ... A shielding plate for blocking light from the light source, 11 a support for fixing the shielding plate to the optical adapter body, 12, 13 a stocker, 14 a hole for passing the support, 15 a hole formed in the optical adapter body, 16 a shielding Projection joined to the plate, 17: Spring plate supporting the shielding plate, 18: Stopper, 19: Variable adapter, 20: Cylindrical projection, 21: Stopper, 22: Hole for catching the cylindrical projection, 23: Bellows, 24: Weight , 25 ... projection, 26 ... variable optical adapter, 27 ... cylindrical projection, 28 ... optical product with built-in optical module, 29 ... screw, 30 ... optical module, 31 ... resistance, 32 ... inverter, 33 ... optical product , 34, 35: copper wire, 36: conductive plate fixed to the optical adapter main body, 37: conductive plate of a spring structure fixed to the optical adapter main body, 38, 39: conductive plate fixed to the optical adapter main body, Reference numeral 40: a conductive plate connected to the optical connector; 41, a variable adapter that moves up and down with respect to a fulcrum fixed to the optical adapter main body; 42, a support for fixing the variable optical adapter to the optical adapter main body; 44: rotation prevention rod, 45: spring plate, 50: optical connector, 51: optical fiber core wire, 52: light emitted from the optical fiber, 53: characteristic fiber cross section of the optical fiber core wire, 54: optical fiber 55 ... Emission angle of laser light emitted from optical fiber, etc. 56 ... Laser light incident on fiber cross section at 90 ° + δ-θ 56 ′ ... Emission angle α Laser light incident on the fiber cross section at 90 ° -δ-θ; 57 ′ laser light emitted with a radiation angle β; 58 core of the optical fiber core; 59 core of the optical fiber core Cladding, 60: optical axis, 61: eyes of a worker operating the optical fiber, 62: opening of an adapter for coupling the optical fiber, 100: protective cover, 101: optical adapter of the prior art, 102: conventional optical adapter Optical adapter cover 110 optical fiber fixing member 111 transmitting optical connector main body 112 transmitting optical connector 113 receiving optical connector 114 tubular body 115 core wire 116 shielding plate in the prior art 117: a support in the prior art; 118: a spring supporting a shielding plate in the prior art.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tomio Morinaga 216 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Hitachi, Ltd.Information and Communications Division (72) Inventor Tetsuya Sugioka 216 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi, Ltd.Information and Communications Division (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Niwa Inside of Hitachi Shonan Electronics Co., Ltd. 393 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An optical adapter having a connection portion to which an optical connector can be detachably connected at one end, and a light source or an optical component for guiding an optical signal from the light source which is connected and fixed in advance at the other end. When you remove the optical connector,
An optical adapter, characterized in that a light blocking means for blocking the optical axis in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the optical connector is provided in the connection portion so as to block the optical axis in the optical adapter. 2. An optical adapter in which a set of optical connectors is inserted from both ends and optically connected to each other, a shielding plate capable of holding a shape is attached to an inner side surface or an end surface of the optical adapter body. The shield plate is pushed down by the optical connector, and the shape of the shield plate is, in the state where the optical connector is removed, a shape that shields the optical axis of light emitted from the other optical connector in the optical adapter body. An optical adapter characterized by the following. 3. The optical adapter according to claim 2, wherein one end of a shielding plate for blocking an optical axis is rotatably installed around a fulcrum provided at a predetermined position of the optical adapter main body. . 4. The optical adapter according to claim 3, wherein the shield plate and the optical adapter body are connected by a support provided on the shield plate and a hole provided on the optical adapter body for supporting the support. 5. The optical adapter according to claim 3, wherein the shield plate and the optical adapter main body are connected by a projection provided on the shield plate and a hole for supporting a support provided on the optical adapter main body. . 6. The optical adapter according to claim 3, wherein a stopper structure is provided so that the shielding plate does not jump to the front of the optical adapter. 7. A method according to claim 3, wherein a spring structure is provided between the shielding plate and the optical adapter, and when the optical connector is removed.
An optical adapter characterized in that the shield plate is returned to a position where light is blocked by a repulsive force of a spring structure. 8. An optical adapter in which a pair of optical connectors are inserted from both ends and optically connected to each other, a mounting port for the optical connector is provided separately from the optical adapter main body, and connection between the mounting port and the optical adapter main body is performed. An optical adapter characterized in that the optical adapter has a structure that rotates around a fulcrum provided at a predetermined position of the optical adapter main body, so that when the optical connector is not mounted, the mounting opening rotates to a position where light is blocked. 9. The optical adapter according to claim 8, wherein the mounting opening of the optical connector has a bellows structure. 10. The optical adapter according to claim 8, wherein a stopper structure is provided so that the mounting port does not rotate more than necessary. 11. An optical adapter having a connection portion to which an optical connector can be detachably connected at one end, and a light source or an optical component for guiding an optical signal from the light source which is connected and fixed in advance at the other end. When the optical connector is removed, switch means for turning on / off the power in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the optical connector is provided in the connection portion so that the power supply connected to the light source is cut off. Characteristic optical adapter. 12. An optical adapter having a connection portion to which an optical connector can be detachably connected at one end, and a light source or an optical component for guiding an optical signal from the light source which is connected and fixed in advance at the other end. Providing two first and second conductive plates,
An optical adapter, wherein the two conductive plates are electrically contacted by insertion of an optical connector, and are brought into non-contact by removal of the optical connector, and the switch configuration is connected to a laser light source. 13. An optical adapter having a connection portion to which an optical connector can be detachably connected at one end, and a light source or an optical component for guiding an optical signal from the light source which is connected and fixed in advance at the other end. By providing two first and second conductive plates and providing a third conductive plate in the optical connector, the two conductive plates of the optical adapter are electrically connected by inserting the optical connector, and the optical connector is detached. An optical adapter having a switch configuration in which the connection is interrupted by leaving, and the switch configuration is connected to a laser light source. 14. An optical adapter in which a pair of optical connectors to which optical fibers are connected are inserted from both ends and optically connected to each other, and the optical fiber core of the optical connector is obliquely cut to mount the optical connector. An optical connector characterized in that, when not in use, the optical axis of light emitted from the other optical connector is refracted so as to be emitted to the inner wall of the optical adapter, so that light cannot be directly viewed from outside the optical adapter.