JPH1164678A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an optical connector to be easily engaged with an opposite optical connector with a simple structure by providing a ferrule, a sleeve and a locking part and connecting the sleeve and the ferrule with the elastic expansion member interposed in between them. SOLUTION: A ferrule 3 houses and protects the connection end part of an optical fiber. A sleeve 8 protects the outer periphery of the ferrule 3. A locking part 7 locks the opposite optical connector formed at the outer peripheral rear end part of the ferrule 3. Then, the sleeve 8 and the ferrule 3 are connected by the elastic expansion member 9 interposed in between them. Since the sleeve 8 protecting the ferrule 3 is made so as to be connected to the ferrule 3 by inpertposing the elastic expansion member 9 in between them in this way, the sleeve 8 is pressurized by the opposite optical connector at the time of connecting an optical connector to be retreated and the optical connector is connected to the opposite connector in a state in which the top end of the ferrule 3 is projected. Thus, the optical connector is made to be an optical connector 1 whose structure is simple and whose constituting components are a few.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber to an optical fiber or an optical component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an optical connector described in JP-A-3-62008, and FIG.
(B) shows the state after fitting. In FIG. 7, 31
Is a ferrule, 32 is a sleeve that protects the ferrule,
Reference numeral 33 denotes a rotary knob for fitting to the mating optical connector, and 34 denotes a screw to be screwed to the mating optical connector. The sleeve 32 is provided with a projection 32a, which is inserted into the groove of the mating optical connector to prevent the sleeve 32 from rotating.

When the rotary knob 33 is rotated and the screw 34 is screwed with the mating optical connector, the reverse female screw 33a provided on the rotary knob 33 and the reverse male screw 35a provided on the collar 35 act to form the collar 35. It is pushed forward. In addition, the rotation of the collar 35 at this time prevents the projection 35b and the rotation stopping groove 32b provided in the sleeve 32 from fitting and rotating. When the collar 35 is pushed forward,
The flange 36 of the ferrule 31 is pressed by the spring 36, and the ferrule 31 is pushed forward.
As shown in (B), the optical connector is connected to a mating optical connector (not shown).

[0004]

As described above, the conventional optical connector has a complicated structure and a large number of components, and the connection operation cannot be performed with one touch. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector which has a simple structure and can be easily fitted to a mating optical connector.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ferrule for housing and protecting a connection end of an optical fiber, a sleeve for protecting an outer periphery of the ferrule, A lock portion is formed at the rear end of the outer periphery of the ferrule to lock a mating optical connector, and the sleeve and the ferrule are connected by an elastic member interposed therebetween. Since the sleeve that protects the ferrule is connected to the ferrule by interposing an elastic member,
When the optical connector is connected, the sleeve is pressed by the mating connector and retreats, and the ferrule is connected to the mating optical connector in a state where the tip of the ferrule protrudes.

In the invention of claim 2, a ferrule for housing and protecting the connection end of the optical fiber, a sleeve for protecting the outer periphery of the ferrule, and a mating optical connector formed at the outer rear end of the ferrule are related. And a spring for pushing the sleeve toward the mating optical connector, wherein the sleeve and the ferrule are provided with retaining means for preventing the sleeve from coming out of the ferrule. It was adopted. The sleeve is pushed out by the spring, and the retaining means for preventing the sleeve from coming out of the ferrule is provided. Therefore, when the optical connector is connected, the sleeve is pressed by the mating optical connector and retreats when the optical connector is connected. Then, the ferrule is connected to the mating optical connector with the tip of the ferrule protruding, so that an optical connector having a simple structure and a small number of components can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the retaining means is provided by providing a groove on the outer periphery of the sleeve in the direction of the optical axis, and providing the ferrule with a retaining projection which engages with the groove and slides. ing. In the invention of claim 4, a protection cylinder that accommodates the spring and allows the sleeve to enter is provided on the outer periphery of the ferrule,
A stopper projection is provided at the tip of the protection cylinder to engage with the groove of the sleeve. The retaining projection provided at the tip of the protection cylinder that protects the spring provided on the outer circumference of the ferrule engages with the groove provided in the optical axis direction on the outer circumference of the sleeve to slide the sleeve. It can be easily slid along, and the sleeve can be prevented from coming off.

[0008] In the invention according to claim 5, the protection cylinder is provided with a detent projection for temporarily preventing retreat when the tip of the sleeve is pressed. The ferrule is provided with a detent that temporarily prevents it from retreating beyond a certain dimension when the tip of the sleeve is pressed, so that the tip of the sleeve may come into contact with other equipment when mating with the mating optical connector. Even when pressed, the retraction of the sleeve is suppressed, and it is possible to prevent the ferrule from coming into contact with the tip of the ferrule, that is, the connection surface of the optical fiber, and to be damaged.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is a front view of the optical connector,
(B) is a longitudinal sectional view of (A). The optical connector 1 includes a ferrule 3 for protecting and housing the optical fiber 2, a lock portion 7 formed integrally with the ferrule 3, a sleeve 8 for protecting the ferrule 3, and the like.

The ferrule 3 is a cylindrical body, and has a large-diameter fiber holding tube 4 for accommodating the outer sheath 2a, which is an exterior portion of the optical fiber 2, and a small-diameter core wire holding tube 5 connected to the tip thereof.
The fiber holding hole 4a and the core wire holding hole 5a are communicated and connected by a tapered tapered hole 6. In the example shown, the lock portion 7 is formed as a locking arm 7b extending forward through a rising base 7a at the outer rear end of the ferrule 3.
The arm 7b is provided with a locking projection 7c. The locking projection 7c is provided with a locking hole 1 of a mating optical connector 11 to be described later.
6.

The sleeve 8 protects the distal end portion of the ferrule 3, particularly, the core wire holding tube 5.
The inside is connected to the ferrule 3 by an elastic member 9 such as rubber. That is, the sleeve 8 has an accommodation hole 8 having a diameter large enough to accommodate the ferrule 3 therein.
a, the outer shape is formed as a rectangular prismatic body,
The inside diameter of the accommodation hole 8 a is a size that allows the annular elastic expansion and contraction member 9 to be interposed between the accommodation hole 8 a and the outer periphery of the ferrule 3. An elastic elastic member supporting wall 10 having a slightly large hole 10a through which the ferrule 3 passes is provided in the middle of the accommodation hole 8a, and the ferrule 3 penetrating the hole 10a is provided.
Are connected by an elastic member 9 in a state where the tip, that is, the tip face 5b of the core wire holding cylinder 5 is located inside the tip face 8b of the sleeve 8. In other words, the sleeve 8 is connected to the ferrule 3 at a position where the tip surface 8b always protrudes from the tip surface 5b of the ferrule 3.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the elastic elastic member 9 and the sleeve 8 are integrally formed and connected to the ferrule 3 by so-called two-stage molding, but the annular elastic elastic member 9 formed in advance is used. The ferrule 3 and the sleeve 8 may be connected to and fixed to each other through the elastic expansion member 9 by inserting the ferrule 3 and the sleeve 8 by the adhesive.

Fixing the optical fiber 2 to the ferrule 3
The outer sheath 2a and inner skin 2b of the optical fiber 2 are peeled off and the core wire 2
c is exposed, and the ferrule 3 is sequentially inserted from the rear end into the fiber holding hole 4a and the core wire holding hole 5a, and is fixed with an adhesive or the like. At the time of insertion, the core wire 2c of the optical fiber 2 is guided to the tapered hole 6 so that the core wire holding hole 5 can be smoothly inserted.
a, the outer peripheral edge of the peeled inner skin 2b contacts the inner surface of the tapered hole 6 and is positioned.

When the optical fiber 2 is attached to the ferrule 3, as shown in FIG.
c is fixed with the above-mentioned adhesive or the like in a state where the front end of c protrudes from the front end face 5b of the core wire holding cylinder 5. The protruding portion 2c 'of the core wire 2c is pushed into the sleeve 8 so that the front end surface of the ferrule 3 (the front end surface 5b of the core wire holding tube 5) protrudes from the sleeve 8, and the ferrule 3 is polished in this state.
With the tip face of

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a connection structure between the optical connector 1 and a mating optical connector, wherein FIG. 3A shows an initial state of fitting and FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a female connector as a mating optical connector. For example, a light receiving element 13 is mounted in a rear wall 12a of a housing 12, and a ferrule receiving cylinder 1 is provided on the front side of the light receiving element 13.
4 are formed. The ferrule receiving tube 14 has a large-diameter receiving hole 14a for receiving the fiber holding tube 4 of the ferrule 3 on the inlet side, and a small-diameter receiving hole 14b for receiving the core wire holding tube 5 on the back side, and each of the receiving holes 14a, 14b. An insertion guide taper 14c is provided at the entrance end of the optical connector 1, and the ferrule receiving cylinder 14 is formed in such a size as to enter and fit into the space V between the ferrule 3 and the sleeve 8 of the optical connector 1.

On the front side of the housing 12 of the female connector 11, a hood 15 for receiving the front half of the optical connector 1 surrounding the ferrule receiving cylinder 14 is formed so as to protrude. The side wall 15a is provided with a locking hole 16 for engaging with the locking projection 7c of the locking arm 7b. The left and right side walls 15b are provided with a pair of upper and lower guide grooves 17, 1 for guiding the sleeve 8 having a rectangular outer shape.
7 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the fitting of the connector is performed by pushing the ferrule 3 while sliding the inner surface of the sleeve 8 against the outer surface of the ferrule receiving cylinder 14 of the female connector 11. When the ferrule 3 is further pushed in, the outer peripheral surface of the fiber holding tube 4 is in contact with the inner surface of the receiving hole 14a.
The outer peripheral surface of the core wire holding tube 5 is in contact with the inner surface of the receiving hole 14b and slides to approach the light receiving element 13. Still ferrule 3
As shown in FIG. 3 (B), the distal end of the sleeve 8 abuts against the inner wall 12a to stop the movement, and only the ferrule 3 enters. In this state, the elastic elastic member 9
Extends forward, and the tip surface 5b of the ferrule 3 is the sleeve 8
Protruding from.

When the ferrule 3 is further pushed in, the end surface of the fiber holding tube 4 comes into contact with the step between the receiving holes 14a and 14b in the ferrule receiving tube 14, so that further insertion is prevented and the end surface of the core wire 2c is prevented. Are set in contact with the light receiving element 13 or at a predetermined distance, and in this state, the locking projections 7c of the locking arm 7b engage with the locking holes 16 of the hood 15, and the optical connector 1 and the female connector 11 are locked. The fitting and connection of the two connectors 1 and 11 are completed. It should be noted that the fitting release is performed by the locking arm 7 in FIG.
b may be depressed to release the engagement between the locking projection 7c and the locking hole 16 and pull out the ferrule 3.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an optical connector showing another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the ferrule 3 of the optical connector 1 'has the same structure as described above, and a locking arm 7' extending forward from a rear end portion of the outer periphery of the ferrule 3 via a rising base 7a 'as a lock portion 7'.
b 'is provided at the free end of the arm 7b', and a locking projection 7c 'is provided at the rear end, and a knob 7 serving also as a stopper is provided at the rear.
d 'is formed.

The optical connector 1 'is largely different from the optical connector 1 in that a sleeve 8' is slidably mounted on the outer periphery of the front half of the ferrule 3, and a spring 1
8 is always biased forward. That is,
The sleeve 8 ′ has an inner diameter formed to be slidable to the outer periphery of the ferrule 3, and a groove 19 is provided at a rear end side of the outer periphery of the sleeve 8 ′ in parallel with the optical axis direction. On the other hand, a spring accommodating chamber 20 is formed in the rear half of the outer periphery of the ferrule 3, and a sleeve 8 ′ is provided between the ferrule 3 and the ferrule 3.
Is provided. The groove 1 of the sleeve 8 ′
9 is provided with a retaining projection 22 for guiding the engagement.

Therefore, before the optical connector 1 'is fitted, the sleeve 8' is pressed forward by the spring 18, the retaining projection 22 is engaged with the rear end 19a of the groove 19, and the sleeve 8 'is moved. This prevents the ferrule 3 from slipping out. In this state, as in the case of the optical connector 1, the distal end face 5b of the ferrule 3 is located at a position retracted from the distal end face 8b 'of the sleeve 8', and the ferrule 3 is protected by the sleeve 8 '.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views showing a connection structure between the optical connector 1 'and the corresponding female connector 11', wherein FIG. In FIG. 5A, the back wall 12 of the housing 12 'of the female connector 11' is shown.
A light receiving element 13 is mounted on a ', and a locking hole 16 is provided in a hood 15 for receiving the optical connector 1', as in the case of the female connector 11. However, in the female connector 11 ', a receiving tube 14' having a receiving hole 14b for the core wire holding tube 5 on the front surface of the light receiving element 13 corresponding to the sliding sleeve 8 'of the optical connector 1'. And a sleeve receiving cylinder 23 surrounding the receiving cylinder 14 'are provided separately.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the connector is fitted while inserting the sleeve 8 'biased by the spring 20 of the optical connector 1' into the sleeve receiving tube 23 of the female connector 11 '. Push in ferrule 3. Thereby, the core wire holding cylinder 5 on the tip side of the ferrule 3 is connected to the receiving cylinder 1.
4 ', and by further pushing, it enters the receiving hole 14b and approaches the light receiving element 13.

In this manner, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the distal end surface 8b 'of the sleeve 8' abuts against the inner wall 12a 'of the housing 12', the movement is stopped, and the ferrule 3 is stopped.
Of the ferrule 3 protrudes from the sleeve 8 '. Then, when the ferrule 3 is further pushed in against the elastic force of the spring 20, the protection cylinder 21 is pressed.
Abuts against the end face of the sleeve receiving cylinder 23 to prevent further insertion, and the locking projection 7c 'of the locking arm 7b' engages with the locking hole 16 of the hood 15; The optical connector 1 'and the female connector 11' are locked, and fitting and connection are completed.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a longitudinal view of the optical connector 1 ″, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 4A. In the optical connector 1 ′ shown in FIG. When it comes into contact with equipment and the like, it retreats, and there is a possibility that the tip of the ferrule 3, that is, the core wire holding tube 5 protrudes to the outside and is damaged, and the optical connector 1 ″ shown in FIG. The retreat of the sleeve 8 'is temporarily suppressed unless a certain large pressing force is applied even if it abuts. That is, the optical connector 1 "is provided with a so-called semi-lock type detent projection 22 'having a semicircular cross section behind the front detent projection 22 in the protective cylinder 21. The detent projection 22' The height b is formed slightly lower than the height of the front retaining projection 22. Also, the distance d between the front retaining projection 22 and the rear detent projection 22 '.
Is preferably equal to or less than the deviation d 'between the distal end surface 8b' of the sleeve 8 'and the distal end surface 5b of the ferrule 3 in a normal state.

In the case of the optical connector 1 ″, even if the sleeve 8 ′ comes into contact with another device or the like before being fitted to the mating optical connector and retreats against the elastic force of the spring 20,
Since the rear end face 8c of the sleeve 8 'behind the groove 19 abuts against the detent projection 22' to suppress the movement, the front end face 5b of the ferrule 3 projects from the sleeve 8 'against a certain external force. And the tip of the ferrule 3 can be protected. The detent projection 2
Since 2 'is a semi-lock type as described above, the rear end face 8c of the sleeve 8' gets over the projection 22 'with a predetermined force. Therefore, there is no problem in fitting and connecting with the female connector 11 '.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. When the optical connector is connected, the sleeve is pressed and receded by the mating optical connector, and the ferrule is connected to the mating optical connector in a state where the tip of the ferrule protrudes, so that the optical connector has a simple structure and a small number of components. 1). Also, since the sleeve is pushed out by the spring and a retaining means for preventing the sleeve from coming out of the ferrule is provided,
As in the case of the first aspect of the invention, when the optical connector is connected, the sleeve is pressed by the mating optical connector and retreats, and the ferrule is connected to the mating optical connector in a state where the tip of the ferrule projects, so that the structure is simple and the number of components is small. It can be an optical connector (claim 2).

Since the retaining projection provided at the tip of the protection cylinder for protecting the spring provided on the outer periphery of the ferrule engages with the groove provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve in the optical axis direction, the sleeve is slid. Can be easily slid along the ferrule, and the sleeve can be prevented from coming off (claims 3 and 4). The ferrule is provided with a detent that temporarily prevents it from retreating beyond a certain dimension when the tip of the sleeve is pressed, so that the tip of the sleeve may come into contact with other equipment when mating with the mating optical connector. Even when pressed, the retraction of the sleeve is suppressed, and it is possible to prevent the ferrule from coming into contact with the tip of the ferrule, that is, the connection surface of the optical fiber, and to be damaged (claim 5).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an optical connector showing an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is a front view thereof, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of (A).

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining attachment of an optical fiber.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a connection state between the optical connector 1 of FIG. 1 and a mating optical connector, wherein FIG. 3A shows a state before fitting and FIG.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an optical connector showing another embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing a connection state between the optical connector 1 of FIG. 4 and a mating optical connector, wherein FIG. 5A shows a state before fitting and FIG.

FIG. 6 is an optical connector showing another embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is a longitudinal sectional view and (B) is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of (A).

FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1-1 "optical connector 2 optical fiber 3 ferrule 7, 7 'locking portion (locking arm) 8, 8' sleeve 9 elastic elastic member 11, 11 'female connector (as mating optical connector) 19 groove 20 spring 21 protective cylinder 22 Detent projection 22 'Detent projection

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule for accommodating and protecting a connection end of an optical fiber, a sleeve for protecting an outer periphery of the ferrule, and a lock portion for locking a mating optical connector formed at an outer rear end of the ferrule. An optical connector comprising: a sleeve; and a ferrule, the sleeve and the ferrule being connected by an elastic member interposed therebetween. 2. A ferrule for accommodating and protecting a connection end of an optical fiber, a sleeve for protecting an outer periphery of the ferrule, and a lock portion for locking a mating optical connector formed at a rear end of the outer periphery of the ferrule. And a spring for pushing the sleeve in the direction of the mating optical connector, wherein the sleeve and the ferrule are provided with retaining means for preventing the sleeve from coming off the ferrule. . 3. The stopper according to claim 2, wherein the stopper is provided with a groove on the outer periphery of the sleeve in an optical axis direction, and a stopper is provided on the ferrule to engage with the groove and slide. Optical connector as described. 4. A protection cylinder for accommodating the spring and allowing the sleeve to enter is provided on an outer periphery of the ferrule, and a stopper for engaging with a groove of the sleeve is provided at a distal end of the protection cylinder. The optical connector according to claim 3, wherein 5. The optical connector according to claim 4, wherein the protective cylinder is provided with a detent protrusion for temporarily preventing retreat when the tip of the sleeve is pressed.