JPS623767Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention consists of a pair of insertion part and receiving part that are removably fitted together by a snap mechanism, and an optical fiber end part to be connected is attached to each part to connect the optical connector. The present invention relates to a housing for an optical connector.

In recent years, optical fibers have been widely used as a new communication transmission medium not only for long-distance transmission but also for short-distance transmission within 100 m or less. Optical connectors are used in such optical communication systems to switch devices,
It is an essential part of the system mechanism used to removably connect the optical fiber when removing the transmitter/receiver, etc., and the housing, which forms a pair of the insertion part and the receiving part, and the optical fiber end. and a fiber holder that is held and fixed to the housing and attached to the housing.

Traditionally, optical connectors have been developed for long-distance transmission;
In order to reduce losses due to misalignment, etc., the holding metal fittings are required to have high precision. Therefore, the conventional housing to which such a holding fitting is attached has to have a correspondingly high precision and complicated structure, which inevitably makes it expensive, and it is not easy to assemble the optical connector. However, in the case of short-distance transmission, loss is not so much of a problem, so a housing that does not require precision but rather has a simple structure, is inexpensive, and is easy to assemble is required.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a housing for an optical connector that has a simple structure, can be manufactured at low cost, and is easy to attach an optical fiber to.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description below.

According to the present invention, such objects and advantages of the present invention include: a housing comprising a pair of an insertion part and a receiving part that are removably fitted together, the insertion part comprising: (a) the insertion part; (b) A locking portion of the insertion portion for fitting the locking member of the optical fiber holding fitting to the base of the insertion portion; , and (c) between the tip insertion part and the locking part of the insertion part, there is a holding part of the insertion part consisting of a through hole having a diameter into which the holding fitting of the optical fiber can be inserted; (a′) The insertion portion has a groove on its inner periphery that can be removably fitted to the convex portion of the tip insertion portion of the insertion portion, at the tip of the reception portion; (b') A locking part of the receiving part for fitting the locking member of the optical fiber holding fitting into the base of the receiving part, and (c') Between the tip receiving part and the locking part of the receiving part, there is a holding part of the receiving part, which is a through hole having a diameter into which the holding fitting of the optical fiber can be inserted; The through hole and the through hole of the holding part of the insert communicate concentrically when the insert part and the receiving part are fitted, so that the insert is inserted into the through hole. This is achieved by an optical connector housing characterized in that the housing has the following features: Holding fittings are held substantially concentrically.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
And FIG. 3 is a BB sectional view as well. In these figures, the optical connector housing of the present invention has an insertion portion 11 having a rod-shaped tip insertion portion 13.
and a receiving part 12 having a hole-shaped tip receiving part 14, forming a pair, and a convex part 17a on the outer periphery of the tip insertion part.
and a concave groove 17b on the inner periphery of the tip receiving portion, each holding portion 1
5, 16 and respective locking portions 18, 18'.

The insertion part 11 and the receiving part 12 are formed separately, and are configured to have a cylindrical shape as a whole when fitted together. The insertion portion 11 has a tip insertion portion 13
However, each of the receiving parts 12 is provided with a tip receiving part 14, and these parts are integrally provided with resin or the like. The resin used is one that is opaque to at least the wavelength of the light used.

The tip insertion portion 13 is provided in a cylindrical shape protruding from the tip of the insertion portion 11, and has a convex portion 17a on its outer periphery. On the other hand, the tip receiving portion 14 is connected to the receiving portion 12.
The tip has a cylindrical shape with a hole into which the tip insertion portion 13 can be inserted, and a groove 17b that engages with the convex portion 17a is provided on the inner wall. The convex portion 17a and the groove 17b are connected to the snap mechanism 17.
The insertion portion 11 and the receiving portion 12 are removably engaged with each other. Further, the base sides of the tip insertion part 13 and the tip receiving part 14 are both cylindrical, and a locking part 18 of the insertion part and a holding part 18' of the receiving part are provided inside each of them.

The tip insertion portion 13 has a tip and a locking portion 1.
The insertion holding part 15 consisting of a through hole communicating with 8.
is provided. Further, the cylindrical bottom portion of the tip receiving portion 14 is provided with a holding portion 16 of the receiving portion, which is a through hole that communicates the inside of the cylinder with the locking portion 18'. These holding parts 15 and 16 are provided around the central axis of the tip insertion part 13 and the tip receiving part 14 so that they communicate concentrically and with the same diameter when the tip insertion part 13 and the tip receiving part 14 are fitted. The holding fitting is held such that the ends of the optical fibers on the insertion side and the receiving side, which are respectively attached to the holding fitting, are concentrically opposed to each other.

The inner diameter of the holding parts 15 and 16 is set to be approximately equal to the diameter into which a cylindrical holding fitting with an optical fiber attached thereto can be removably inserted, that is, the outer diameter of the holding fitting. It is desirable that the play between the inner diameters of the holding parts 15 and 16 and the holding fittings be kept small to the extent that the holding fittings do not become difficult to insert, in order to reduce the axis misalignment of the optical fiber. In addition, the length of the holding part 16 of the receiving part is such that the tip of the holding fitting to be inserted is
It is set to protrude into the cylinder of No. 4, and on the other hand,
The length of the holding part 15 of the insert is such that it accommodates the holding fitting on the insertion side that is inserted from the base side of the insertion part, and the holding fitting on the receiving part side that protrudes into the cylinder of the tip receiving part 14 of the receiving part. is set to a length that can be stored from the tip when mated.

Insertion locking part 18 and receiving part locking part 18'
are first, second, and third step portions 18a, 18'a, 18b, 18'b, 18c, 1 connected to the insert holding portion 15 and the receiving portion holding portion 16, respectively.
8'c are sequentially provided, and the third step portions 18c, 1
A U-shaped spring mounting hole 18d is provided at 8'c, and a locking member 20 (see FIG. 5) is fitted thereinto to lock the holding fittings to which the optical fibers are mounted inside the housing 10, respectively. First step portion 18a, 18'a
is provided adjacent to the base side openings of the holding parts 15 and 16 with an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the holding parts 15 and 16, and is a locking part protruding from the holding fitting, for example, the lance 4 (see FIG. 4A). ). The second step portions 18b, 18'b are the first step portions 18a, 1
8′a, a ring-shaped elastic body 21 (fifth
(see figure) etc. Third step portion 18c, 18'
c is connected to the second step portions 18b and 18'b,
The washer 23, which is provided with a diameter larger than this and engages with a locking protrusion provided at the base of the holding metal fitting, is housed and locked. The U-shaped spring mounting holes 18d and 18'd provided here have a cross-sectional shape through which the U-shaped spring 24 can be inserted, and the third step portions 18c and 18'
It is provided close to the washer 23 mounting position in c and perpendicular to the axial direction. Note that the third step portion 18c,
18'c may be omitted if movement of the holding fitting toward the distal end can be prevented or absorbed by the elastic body 21 or the like.

Next, the assembly of an optical connector using the housing of this embodiment will be explained together with the function of this housing with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical connector consists of a housing 10 of the present invention and a holding fitting 2 to which an optical fiber 1 is attached. The holding fitting 2 is made of a metal plate, and includes a covering part 3 that cylindrically covers the optical fiber 1 consisting of a fiber core 1a and a covering 1b, and a lance 4 provided in an intermediate part. , and a locking convex portion 5 provided at the base end, which covers and holds the vicinity of the end of the optical fiber 1 and fixes it to the housing.

To attach the optical fiber 1 to the holding fitting 2, place the end of the optical fiber 1 with the coating 1b on the flat or U-shaped holding fitting, and use an appropriate tool to hold the optical fiber 1. This is done by bending the metal fitting 2 to cover the optical fiber 1 in a substantially cylindrical shape. In addition, since a locking protrusion (not shown) is provided at a suitable position on the inner wall of the covering part 3 of the holding fitting 2 by means such as cutting and raising, by covering the optical fiber 1,
The locking protrusion bites into the coating of the optical fiber to prevent it from coming off.

The attachment of this holding fitting 2 to the housing 10 is as follows:
First, the locking member 20 is attached to the locking portions 18, 18' of the housing 10, and then this is carried out. However, after the locking member 20 is attached to the holding fitting 2, the holding fitting 2 may be attached to the housing 10 together with the locking member 20.

The locking member 20 is attached to the second step portion 18b, 1
8'b, a washer 22 and a ring-shaped elastic body 2
1 in this order, and insert the third step portions 18c, 18'c.
Insert the washer 23 into. Next, the U-shaped spring 24 is fitted into the U-shaped spring mounting holes 18d and 18'd, and the washer 23 is locked. As a result, the elastic body 21 and the washer 22 are also locked and attached to the locking parts 18, 18'.

After this, in the insertion part 11 and the receiving part 12,
The holding fitting 2 is inserted through the center holes of the U-shaped spring 24, washer 23, elastic body 21, and washer 22, and is fitted into the holding parts 15 and 16 through the first step parts 18a and 18'a, respectively. in this case,
Since the lance 4 has spring properties, the elastic body 2
1. When the washers 22 and 23 are passed through, they are easily pressed against the outer periphery of the optical fiber 1 and do not interfere with attachment. On the other hand, after installation, this lance 4 expands again due to its springiness within the first step portions 18a, 18'a and protrudes obliquely, and its tip abuts against the washer 22 to prevent the retaining metal fitting 2 from coming off. prevent.
Further, the locking convex portion 5 engages with the washer 23 to prevent the holding fitting 2 from moving toward the distal end.

As described above, an optical connector can be constructed, and the insertion part 11 and the receiving part 12 are connected to the tip insertion part 1.
3 into the tip receiving part 14, and then tighten the snap mechanism 17.
By engaging the convex portion 17a and the concave groove 17b, the connector is connected.

Although the locking member 20 is not limited to the one in this embodiment, by using an elastic body 21, it is possible to displace the holding member 2 in the base direction and to apply a pressing force. Since it can be biased, the opposing optical fiber end faces can be brought into close contact with each other, and the impact applied to the optical fiber can be absorbed to prevent damage to the optical fiber end faces.
Further, in the above embodiment, the elastic body 2 is
Since the structure is such that the U-shaped spring 24 is removed, the lock can be released and the locking member 20 can be removed.
can be removed from the housing 10. However, it is also possible to removably lock with another member other than the U-shaped spring.

Next, FIG. 7A is a sectional view showing the insertion part of an optical connector using another embodiment of the housing of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a side view thereof. The housing shown in these figures is fitted with a snub ring 25.
The elastic body 21 etc. are removably locked at the locking part 18, and the other structure is the same as that of the above embodiment except for the locking part 18.

Locking portions 18, 18' of the housing in this embodiment
are the first and second step portions 18a, 18'a and 18
b, 18'b and groove portions 18e, 18'e provided in the second step portions 18b, 18'b. The first step portions 18a, 18'a are for accommodating the lance 4 of the holding fitting 2 as in the above embodiment, and the second step portions 18b, 18'b are for storing the lance 4 of the holding fitting 2, as in the above embodiment. It is provided with a larger inner diameter than 18b and 18'b, and the washer 22 and elastic body 21 are fitted therein.
The second step portions 18b, 18'b are provided with grooves 18e, 18'e such as concave grooves at positions corresponding to the ends of the fitted elastic bodies, in which the snap spring 25 is removed. The elastic body 21 is fixed and the holding fitting 2 is prevented from moving in the distal direction. Note that 25a in the figure is a notch in the snap ring 25, which is used to engage a tool to deform the snap ring 25 during installation or removal.

Next, FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an optical connector using still another embodiment of the housing of the present invention. The housing shown in the figure has a tip insertion portion 13.
The insertion part 11 having the above-mentioned shape and the receiving part 12 having the tip receiving part 14 form a pair, and are comprised of a snap mechanism 17, holding parts 15, 16, and locking parts 18, 18', and the locking parts 18, Except for 18', the other structures are the same as those of the above embodiments.

Locking portions 18, 18' of the housing in this embodiment
are the first and second step portions 18a, 18'a, 18
b, 18'b, and the first step part 18a, 1
8'a is for storing the lance 4 of the holding fitting 2, as in each of the above embodiments. On the other hand, the second
The step portions 18b, 18'b are the first step portions 18a, 1
It is provided with an inner diameter larger than 8'a, and a collar 26 is fitted therein as a locking part. After the collar 26 is fitted, the holding fitting 2 is attached in the same manner as described above.

In each of the above embodiments, the insertion part and the receiving part are formed in a cylindrical shape, but the invention is not limited to this, as long as the insertion part is rod-shaped and the receiving part has a hole that can fit into this. . Therefore, the entire housing need not be formed into a cylindrical shape, and may also be attached to or attached to other devices. Moreover, what is attached to this housing is not limited to an optical fiber, but may be a lens or the like as long as it has a shape and structure that allows a holding fitting to be attached to one end.

As explained above, the present invention provides a rod-shaped tip insertion portion at the tip of the insertion portion, a cylindrical tip receiving portion that can fit with the tip insertion portion at the tip of the receiving portion, and A locking portion is provided on the base side of both for fitting a locking member to a holding fitting to which an optical fiber is attached and inserted, and a convex portion and a concave groove are provided in the tip insertion portion and the tip receiving portion. is provided to form a snap mechanism, and a snap mechanism is provided between the tip insertion portion and the locking portion of the insertion portion and between the tip receiving portion and the locking portion of the receiving portion so as to be concentric when fitted. The structure can be simplified by providing a holding part that communicates with each other and has a through hole with a diameter that allows the above-mentioned holding fitting to be inserted into the holding part, and as a result, the insertion part and the receiving part can be manufactured in one piece. It is possible to manufacture the optical connector at low cost and easily, and the optical connector can be easily constructed by simply inserting the holding fitting to which the optical fiber is attached. Therefore, according to the optical connector housing of the present invention, it is possible to realize an inexpensive optical connector, thereby making it possible to popularize simple optical communication systems such as short-distance transmission.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A is a plan view showing an example of a holding fitting to which an optical fiber end is attached. FIG. 4B is a side view thereof. Fifth
The figure is a sectional view showing an example of an optical connector configured by attaching the holding fitting to the housing of the above embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C. 7th A
The figure is a sectional view showing the insertion side of an optical connector using another embodiment of the housing of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a side view thereof. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an optical connector using still another embodiment of the housing of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Optical fiber, 2... Holding metal fitting, 3... Covering part, 4... Lance, 5... Locking convex part, 10...
housing, 11...insertion part, 12...receiving part,
13...Tip insertion part, 14...Tip receiving part, 1
5, 16... Holding part, 17... Snap mechanism, 1
7a...Convex portion, 17b...Concave groove, 18, 18'...
...Locking part, 18a, 18'a...First step part, 18
b, 18'b...second stage section, 18c, 18'c...
Third stage portion, 18d, 18'd...U-shaped spring mounting hole, 20...Locking member, 21...Elastic body, 22,
23... Washer, 24... U-shaped spring, 25...
Snut Spring, 26...color.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A housing consisting of a pair of an insertion part and a receiving part that are removably fitted together, the insertion part comprising: (a) a convex portion on the outer periphery at the tip of the insertion part; (b) a locking portion of the insert for fitting a locking member of an optical fiber holding fitting into the base of the insertion portion; and (c) a locking portion of the insertion portion having Between the insertion part and the locking part of the insertion part, there is a holding part of the insertion part comprising a through hole having a diameter that allows the holding fitting of the optical fiber to be inserted, and the receiving part has (a ') At the tip of the receiving part, the inner circumference is provided with a groove that can be removably fitted with the convex part of the tip insertion part of the insertion part, and the hole shape can be fitted with the insertion part. (b') a locking part of the receiving part for fitting the locking member of the optical fiber holding fitting into the base of the receiving part, and (c') the tip receiving part and the receiving part. A holding part of the receiving part is provided between the holding part of the receiving part and the holding part of the receiving part, which has a through hole having a diameter that allows the above-mentioned holding fitting of the optical fiber to be inserted therein; The through-holes of the holding part communicate concentrically when the insertion part and the receiving part are fitted, thereby holding the holding fittings inserted into those through-holes almost concentrically. A housing for an optical connector, characterized in that: