JPS6217773Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to an optical connector for joining the ends of optical fibers used in optical communications, etc., and in particular for joining and fixing plugs that hold the ends of optical fibers. Regarding the adapter.

1 to 4 all show conventional examples. FIG. 1 shows the main parts of the optical connector, ie, the adapter 1 and the plug 2, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view. This adapter 1 is composed of a sleeve holder 11, an alignment sleeve 12, and a stopper ring 13. A holding hole 11a is formed in the sleeve holder 11 and extends through the sleeve holder 11 in the axial direction. A step 11b for preventing the alignment sleeve 12 from coming off is formed in one opening of the holding hole 11a, and a ring-shaped groove 11 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the other opening.
c is formed. The alignment sleeve 12
As shown in the figure (perspective view), it is made of a thick elastic material (for example, phosphor bronze) and is formed into a cylindrical shape, and has a notch to facilitate elastic deformation when holding the plug 2. A large number of 12a are provided. This alignment sleeve 12 is inserted into the holding hole 11a of the sleeve holder 11. The alignment sleeve 12 is prevented from slipping out from the holding hole 11a by the step 11b and the stopper ring 13. The stopper ring 13 is formed in a C shape, and is adapted to be fitted into the ring-shaped groove 11c once its diameter is reduced. Conventionally, this stopper ring 13 is formed into a ring-shaped groove 11c.
It is crimped onto the inner circumferential surface of the groove 11c to prevent it from moving within the groove 11c. And this stopper ring 13
The plug 2 holding the end of the optical fiber 21 is inserted through the insertion hole 13a formed in the insertion hole 13a and the insertion hole 11d at the end of the holding hole 11a, and the pair of plugs 2 are held by the alignment sleeve 12. , and the end surfaces of both plugs 2 are joined together. In the example shown in FIG. 1, since the alignment sleeve 12 with a large wall thickness is used, the inner diameter D1 of the insertion holes 11d and 13a for preventing the alignment sleeve 12 from slipping out can be relatively large ( _D1 is the alignment sleeve ₁₂ ). (This value is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve 12.) Therefore, when inserting the plug 2, there is a margin between the outer diameter of the plug 2 and the inner diameter _D1 of the insertion holes 11d and 13a, making the insertion work of the plug 2 relatively easy. However, on the other hand, the alignment sleeve 12 has a large wall thickness.
Not only does this increase the material cost, but it also requires the provision of grooves 12a to facilitate elastic deformation.
It is difficult to process, takes a long time to manufacture, and has the drawbacks of poor mass productivity.

Therefore, an alignment sleeve 31 made of a thin metal material (for example, phosphor bronze) as shown in FIG.
is considered. Concave portions 31a parallel to the axial direction are formed at several locations on the outer peripheral surface of the alignment sleeve 31. Then, the inner surface 3 of the concave portion 31a is placed against the plug 2 inserted into the alignment sleeve 31.
1b is brought into elastic contact with the plug 2, thereby making it possible to firmly hold the plug 2. This alignment sleeve 31 is thin and easy to mold, so
Compared to the one shown in FIG. 2, manufacturing costs are lower and mass productivity can be improved.

However, in the sleeve holder 32 (shown in a vertical cross-sectional view in FIG. 4) that holds the thin-walled alignment sleeve 31, since the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve 31 is small, the insertion hole 32b at one end of the holding hole 32a and the other The inner diameter D ₂ of the insertion hole 33a of the stopper ring 33 fitted to the end must be made small.
This is because if the inner diameter _D2 is large, the alignment sleeve 31
This is because the material may slip out of the holding hole 32a. In this way, the diameter D ₂ of the insertion holes 32b and 33a
If it is small, there will be an inconvenience that it will be difficult to insert the plug 2 into the holding hole 32a. That is, plug 2
When inserting the plug 2 into the insertion holes 32b and 33a, the insertion holes 32b and 33a restrain the plug 2, and the plug 2
cannot be tilted in the α and β directions. As a result, the plug 2 cannot be inserted smoothly.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide an adapter for optical connectors that allows the use of thin-walled alignment sleeves and allows easy insertion of plugs. It is something to do.

In the optical connector adapter of the present invention, the inner diameter and width of the ring-shaped groove formed in the holding hole opening of the sleeve holder are larger than the outer diameter and width of the stopper ring, so that the stopper ring can move freely within the groove. It was made to be able to move.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 5 and the following drawings.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the adapter 4 and plug 2 for optical connectors according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a left side view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the plug in a joined state. .

A holding hole 41a is formed in the sleeve holder 41 of the adapter 4, and the alignment sleeve 31 is inserted into the holding hole 41a. This alignment sleeve 31 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, and is formed into a cylindrical shape from thin-walled phosphor bronze, and has a plurality of grooves 31a formed along the axial direction around the periphery. It is. The concave portion 31a comes into elastic contact with the outer periphery of the plug 2, so that the plug 2 can be firmly held. Further, the inner diameter of the holding hole 41a is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve 31, so that the alignment sleeve 31 can move slightly in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction within the holding hole 41a. . Both ends of the holding hole 41a form an opening 41b having an inner diameter _D3 , and a ring-shaped groove 41c is formed inside the opening 41b.
A stopper ring 42 is attached within each groove 41c. This stopper ring 42 is made of metal, and has an insertion hole 42a with an inner diameter _D4 formed in the center thereof, and a notch 42b formed in the radial direction to form a C-shape (see FIG. 6). The inner diameter D ₄ of the insertion hole 42 a is smaller than the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve 31 and larger than the outer diameter d of the plug 2 . As mentioned above, the alignment sleeve 31 is a thin-walled cylinder, and the inner diameter _D3 of the insertion hole 42a of the stopper ring 42 as described above is smaller than the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve 31, so the inner diameter _D3 is smaller than the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve 31. This dimension is slightly larger than the outer diameter d of the plug 2 inserted into the sleeve 31. As a result, the alignment sleeve 31 can be inserted into this insertion hole 42a.
In addition, the plug 2 can be inserted into the insertion hole 42a. The outer diameter of the stopper ring 42 is the inner diameter of the opening 41b.
It is larger than D ₃ . Stopper ring 4
2, the notches 42b are brought closer together, the diameter is reduced, and the groove 41c is inserted through the opening 41b. In addition, the inner diameter of the groove 41c
_D5 has a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the stopper ring 42, and the width W of the groove 41c is wider than the width of the stopper ring 42. So, Stopping Ring 4
2 can move within the groove 41c either in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the holding hole 41a or in the same direction as this axis, and can also tilt within the groove 41c. On the other hand, the plug 2 holds an optical fiber 21, and its rear part is installed in a plug holder 22. Further, a buffer spring 23 is interposed between the rear flange 2a of the plug 2 and the plug holder 22. Furthermore, a chamfer 2b is formed at the tip of the plug 2.

The sleeve holder 41 and the plug holder 22 can be fixed to each other using fixing means such as a tightening nut.

Next, the operation and effects of the present invention with the above configuration will be explained.

To join the two plugs 2, the tip of the plug 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 42a of the stopper ring 42, and then the tip of the plug 2 is inserted from both ends of the alignment sleeve 31. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip end surface of the plug 2 is brought into contact with the alignment sleeve 31 at the center thereof. Plug 2 is alignment sleeve 31
It is firmly held by the elastic pressure of the inner surface 31b of the grooved portion 31a formed in the groove. Further, the end faces of the plug 2 are brought into close contact with each other, and the optical fiber 21 is connected in a communicable state. When inserting the plug 2, the tip of the plug 2 is smoothly guided into the insertion hole 42a of the stopper ring 42 due to the presence of the chamfer 2b at the tip. In addition, the stopper ring 42
can move within a certain range within the ring-shaped groove 41c, so when inserting the plug 2 into the insertion hole 42a, the plug 2 moves together with the stopper ring 42.
can be moved within the holding hole 41a. especially,
Since the stopper ring 42 can be tilted within the groove 41c, the axial direction of the plug 2 can be tilted as shown by α and β. So, plug 2
This makes it easier to perform positioning when inserting the plug into the alignment sleeve 31, and the work of joining the plug 2 becomes easier. Furthermore, even if the plug 2 is installed at an angle with respect to the plug holder 22,
The stopper ring 42 is tilted so that the plug 2 can be received in the insertion hole 42a. Therefore, even in such a case, the joining operation is easy.

After the plug 2 is joined as shown in FIG. 7, the sleeve holder 41 and the plug holder 22 are
Fix it with a tightening nut, etc.

As described above, according to the present invention, the insertion hole of the stopper ring has a dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter of the plug inserted into the alignment sleeve, and the stopper ring is inserted into the alignment sleeve within the ring-shaped groove. It is installed with enough room for movement in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the machine and in the direction of collapse. Therefore, even if a thin-walled alignment sleeve is used, for example, not only will this alignment sleeve not come off from the holding hole of the sleeve holder, but also when inserting a plug into this thin-walled alignment sleeve,
The stopper ring can be moved together with the plug in the direction perpendicular to the axis and in the direction of inclination, allowing the plug to be inserted accurately and smoothly even in a thin alignment sleeve. In particular, since the alignment sleeve has room for movement within the holding hole and the stopper ring is movable, the plug can be inserted smoothly and reliably into the alignment sleeve when the plug is inserted into the insertion hole of the stopper ring. Become. That is, by adopting the configuration of the present invention, it becomes possible to use an alignment sleeve with a small outer diameter, and it becomes possible to make the alignment sleeve easier to manufacture in mass production.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a conventional optical connector adapter and plug, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an alignment sleeve held in the adapter of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a thin alignment sleeve, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a thin alignment sleeve. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of an adapter and plug using the alignment sleeve of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the adapter and plug for optical connectors according to the present invention, and Figure 6 is the left side of Figure 5. 7 are longitudinal sectional views showing a state in which a plug is joined to an adapter for an optical connector according to the present invention. 2... Plug, 4... Adapter, 21... Optical fiber, 22... Plug holder, 31... Thin alignment sleeve, 41... Sleeve holder, 41a
...Holding hole, 41c...Ring-shaped groove, 42...
Stopper ring, 42...insertion hole.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A cylindrical alignment sleeve for joining the optical fiber holding plug is inserted into the holding hole provided through the sleeve holder, and a ring-shaped groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the holding hole. and a stopper ring having an insertion hole smaller than the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve is installed in the groove, the alignment sleeve is inserted into the holding hole with a movement margin, and the alignment sleeve is inserted into the holding hole with a movement margin, and The insertion hole of the stopper ring is formed slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber holding plug.
The adapter for an optical connector is characterized in that the stopper ring is inserted into the ring-shaped groove with a margin for movement in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the alignment sleeve and in a tilting direction.