JPS623769Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a component structure of an optical fiber connector for optical communication, a so-called optical connector.

When connecting optical fibers (hereinafter referred to as optical fibers) using an optical connector, it is necessary to precisely align the axes of opposing optical fibers because the optical fibers have a small diameter of about 0.1 mm. For this reason, the holders for the opposing optical fiber cables are fitted into the cylindrical guide portion of the combined body from both sides to minimize eccentricity errors during connection.

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a conventional optical connector, and for illustrative purposes, the bag nuts on both sides are not tightened. In the combined body 1, the flange portion 1a and the threaded guide portion 1b form an integral part. This combination 1
The optical fiber holder 2 is fitted into the guide hole 1c provided in the guide part 1b from both sides, and then the bag-shaped nut 3 is fitted into the threaded part 1b to prevent it from coming off.

Figure 2 shows the coupling part 1 of the conventional optical connector shown in Figure 1.
FIG. Because it is a one-piece structure, it is manufactured by turning and slicing, which requires a large amount of processing man-hours. In particular, since it is generally difficult to machine the threaded portion 1b all the way to the base of the flange, a relief portion 1e is provided, which requires more man-hours for thread turning. The hole 1c into which the optical fiber holder 2 is fitted needs to be machined consistently from one side because it is necessary to maintain caliber accuracy over the entire length of the hole, and it is not allowed to turn it over and chuck it again during the processing process. Not done.

The present invention aims at improvement by separating and structuring the bonded body.

That is, the flange part and the guide part are manufactured separately and the two are screwed together, and a strip-shaped caulking punch guide groove is provided in the flange part to integrally connect the two parts, and the guide groove is used to caulk. The torsion of the male thread of the guide part is broken with a punch and the two parts are caulked and connected.

In this way, the flange portion and the guide portion have increased flexibility in selecting the materials used, processing means, etc., as appropriate, and it is therefore possible to obtain this combined body that can be manufactured at low cost.

Hereinafter, a practical example according to the present invention will be explained in detail. In addition, from FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same parts.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the combined body of the present invention before assembly. A strip-shaped caulking punch guide groove 11a is provided at the center of the flange portion 11 on one side of the flange portion 11. In addition, there is a guide part 12 in the center of the flange part.
A screw hole 11b is provided which is screwed into the outer peripheral male screw 12c, and the center of this screw hole 11b is located in the guide groove 11.
It almost coincides with the center line of a. Guide groove 11
The width l of a is slightly narrower than the inner diameter of the screw hole 11b. Further, the depth of the guide groove 11a is approximately 1/2 of the thickness of the flange portion in the figure, and is not deep enough to impair the strength of the flange portion. A hole 12a having the same diameter is precisely machined in the center of the guide portion 12 over its entire length, and is accurately fitted into a holder (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combined body after assembly and before operation. The guide portion 12 is screwed into the flange portion 11, and the protruding lengths on both sides from the flange portion are determined to be approximately equal. In this state, the caulking punch 13 is lowered while following the guide groove 11a, and is applied to the crest of the screw 12b of the guide portion 12 to make a punch. The deformed part due to caulking of this punch is screw 1
Apply to both the top and bottom of 2b.

FIG. 5 is a top and bottom view of the combined body caulked with a punch. The width and thickness of the punch 13 are approximately equal to the width and thickness of the guide groove 11a of the flange portion 11,
In addition, since the contact surfaces are provided on both sides of the punch 13, the threaded portion 12b of the guide portion 12 directly below the both side walls 11c of the guide groove 11a of the flange portion 11 is engraved. For this reason, after stamping, the top of the thread 12b is plastically deformed, and the flange portion 11 is transferred to the guide portion 12.
Rotation is prevented and there is no play. In the figure, 14 is a deformed portion caulked with a punch. The punch should deform the crest of the screw 12b, and should not deform the guide hole 12a. Therefore, when punching, a press is used as equipment to insert a pin that precisely fits into the guide hole 12a or to keep the pressing force constant.

Furthermore, there must be no play between the flange portion 11 and the guide portion 12. In this embodiment, the shape of the tip is small and rectangular as shown in the drawings, but this can be improved and modified based on experience.

As described above, according to the present invention, the flange portion and the guide portion are free from constraints, and mass production methods appropriate for each can be applied.
It becomes possible to use drawn profiles, or press punching, heading, and male thread rolling, and it also becomes easy to apply plastic molding methods instead of metal. Also, while it is advantageous for the guide section to be made of metal in terms of precision, there is also the possibility of using high-speed automated cutting or rolling. It is also possible to use a cylindrical tube as the material. Also, the design of the assembly process and automatic machine becomes easier, allowing for high-speed assembly. Therefore, this device makes it easy to develop economical production when using a large amount of optical fibers. Also, since the threaded portion of the coupling body can be used reliably up to the base of the flange, the bag-shaped nut can be tightened reliably, and sufficient coupling strength and reliability can be obtained. Also, according to the structure of this device, it is possible to select the materials separately for the flange and guide sections, so that the optimum materials can be selected for each, taking into consideration the changes and developments in the processing methods mentioned above and the economical efficiency,
We can expect further improvements in functionality and economy.

The embodiment of the present invention mainly uses caulking with a punch, but when applying plastic molded products, it is also possible to use rectangular grooves to melt and deform the threaded part using ultrasonic waves, high frequencies, etc. .
In addition, from the viewpoint of strength and precision, it is possible to use adhesive in combination with guide grooves, and it is also possible to provide grooves not only on one side but on both sides, which further increases the reliability of the present invention. I can do it. Note that the plating process is performed individually as necessary, and there is no need to consider plating the parts after assembly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional optical connector, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional optical connector combination, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of parts of the combination according to the present invention before assembly, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the combined body according to the present invention after assembly and before punching, and FIG. 5 is a top view of the combined body according to the present invention after assembly. In the figure, 11 is a combined body, 11a is a guide groove, 12 is a guide portion, 13 is a punch, and 14 is a deformed portion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An optical connector assembly comprising a cylindrical guide section that accommodates two fiber holders with their tips facing each other in the center, and a flange section that has a male thread that engages with an outer peripheral male thread of the guide section. A structure of a coupling body for an optical connector, characterized in that at least one surface thereof is provided with a strip-shaped caulking punch guide groove.