WO2003076999A1

WO2003076999A1 - Adapter for optical connector

Info

Publication number: WO2003076999A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/002427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masaya Nakagawa
Original assignee: Suncall Corporation
Priority date: 2002-03-14
Filing date: 2002-03-14
Publication date: 2003-09-18
Also published as: JPWO2003076999A1; JP3986073B2

Abstract

An adapter for optical connector in which versatility is enhanced by arranging at least one of a pair of plug insertion holes as a specific plug insertion hole into which both first and second plugs of different type can be inserted alternatively thereby increasing the connection patterns of plug. The adapter (1) is provided with a pair of plug insertion holes (10) in series wherein these plug insertion holes (10) are arranged as specific plug insertion holes into which both an MU type plug (40) and an LC type plug (50) of different type, being applied to the same type of optical fiber, can be inserted alternatively. The adapter (1) is also provided with a common ferrule insertion hole (11), a first engaging part (12) engaging with an MU type plug (40)inserted into the specific plug insertion hole (10) and a second engaging part (13) engaging with an LC type plug (50) inserted into the specific plug insertion hole (10).

Description

Description Optical connector adapter Technical field

The present invention relates to an adapter for an optical connector, and in particular, at least one of a pair of plug mounting holes in which a pair of plugs can be mounted opposite to each other can selectively mount both a first plug and a second plug. The present invention relates to an adapter configured in a specific plug mounting hole. Background art

Conventionally, an optical connector as an optical communication circuit component has a pair of plugs each holding an end of an optical fiber, and a pair of plug mounting holes in which the pair of plugs can be mounted oppositely (insertable). And an adapter having the following. Each plug is provided with a ferrule. The end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule, and the ferrule is held so that the end face of the ferrule and the end face of the optical fiber are flush. When a pair of plugs is attached to the adapter, the end faces of the pair of ferrules abut each other, whereby the end faces of the pair of optical fibers are abutted and optically connected. By the way, there are various types of optical connector plugs such as an MU type plug (see FIG. 13 according to the embodiment) and an LC type plug (see FIG. 16 according to the embodiment). In general, an adapter for an optical connector has a pair of plugs of the same type mounted oppositely, and a pair of plugs of a different type cannot be mounted oppositely. In other words, for example, only one pattern of MU-type plug / MU-type plug or Shiji-type plug_ (: type plug) can be connected.

Here, the optical connector adapter is configured by connecting a pair of housings each having a plug mounting hole. Therefore, for example, apply a pair of housings with a plug mounting hole in which an MU-type plug can be mounted on one side and apply a pair of housings with a plug mounting hole in which an LC-type plug can be mounted. For example, MU-type plugs and LC-type plugs can be connected. However, one pattern of MU type plug and one type of LC type plug -Can only connect.

As described above, in the conventional optical connector adapter, for example, one of the MU type plug and the MU type plug, or the (: type plug_1 ^ (type plug or the MU type plug and the LC type plug) There is a problem that only pattern connections can be made, and therefore versatility is poor.

An object of the present invention is to form at least one of a pair of plug mounting holes into a specific plug mounting hole in which both first and second plugs of different types can be selectively mounted. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector adapter excellent in versatility by increasing the connection pattern of the optical connector. Disclosure of the invention

An optical connector adapter according to the present invention is provided in an optical connector adapter having a pair of plug mounting holes in which a pair of plugs each holding an end of an optical fiber can be mounted facing each other. A pair of plug mounting holes, at least one specific plug mounting hole is used to selectively connect both first and second plugs of different types applied to the same type of optical fiber. A pair of plug mounting holes configured to be mountable, and a common ferrule that guides the leading end of the ferrule of the first plug or the second plug mounted in the specific plug mounting hole toward the mating plug mounting hole. A through hole, a first engagement portion that engages with the first plug attached to the specific plug attachment hole, and a second engagement that engages with the second plug attached to the specific plug attachment hole. And a part.

Both the first plug and the second plug can be selectively mounted in at least one specific plug mounting hole of the pair of plug mounting holes. When the first plug is mounted in the specific plug mounting hole, the first engaging portion engages with the first plug to prevent it from falling off. When the second plug is mounted in the specific plug mounting hole, the first plug is attached. The second engagement portion is engaged with the second plug and is prevented from coming off.

It is preferable that the other of the pair of plug mounting holes has the same structure as the specific plug mounting hole. In other words, both of the pair of plug mounting holes are configured as specific plug mounting holes. The three patterns of the second plug and the second plug and the first plug and the second plug (four patterns including the second plug and the first plug in consideration of the connection direction) can be connected.

On the other hand, the other plug mounting hole of the pair of plug mounting holes may have a structure in which only the first plug can be mounted. In this case, 1st plug-1st plug, 1st plug

Two patterns, one plug and one second plug, can be connected.

Further, the other plug mounting hole of the pair of plug mounting holes may have a structure in which only the second plug can be mounted. In this case, the 2nd plug-1st plug, 2nd plug

Two-pattern, one-plug, two-pattern connection is possible.

The first engagement portion is provided in a specific plug mounting hole, and includes a pair of engagement claws that releasably engage the first plug mounted in the specific plug mounting hole from both sides. Is also good. The second engaging portion is provided in a specific plug mounting hole, and includes an engaging step portion that releasably engages a part of a lever of a second plug mounted in the specific plug mounting hole. It may be. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the adapter, Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the housing, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the housing, Fig. 5 is a view of arrow V in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a view of arrow VI of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a view taken along the arrow VII in Fig. 4, Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the main part in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 7, and Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along X-Χϊ ^ in Fig. 7. , Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the XI-XI line in Fig. 7, Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter with the MU-type plug mounted, and Figs. 13 and 14 are adapters with the MU-type plug mounted Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter with the LC-type plug attached, and Figs. 16 and 17 are longitudinal sectional views of the adapter with the LC-type plug attached. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an adapter according to a modification, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an adapter according to another modification. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment Is an example of the case where the present invention is applied to an optical connector adapter in which a pair of plugs respectively holding the ends of optical fibers can be mounted (insertable) in a facing manner. Note that the upper part and the front part in FIGS. 1 and 4 are described as the upper part and the front part.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical connector adapter 1 (hereinafter, referred to as adapter 1) has a pair of synthetic resin housings 2 and 3 in which plug mounting holes 10 are respectively formed. The housings 2 and 3 are connected to each other in a front-rear direction, and a pair of plug mounting holes 10 are provided in front and rear in a series. Each plug mounting hole 10 has a different type of MU type plug 40 (see Figs. 12 to 14) and LC type plug 50 (Fig. 1) that are applied to the same type of optical fiber (not shown). 5 to 17) are configured as specific plug mounting holes that can be selectively mounted. The MU type plug 40 corresponds to the first plug, and the LC type plug 50 corresponds to the second plug.

The housing 2 will be described in detail. Since the housing 3 has the same structure as the housing 2, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the housing 2 is provided with a ferrule 43 or an MU-type plug 40 or an LC-type plug 50 mounted in the plug mounting hole 10 together with the plug mounting hole 10. 5 Common ferrule (1) that guides the tip of 3 toward plug mounting hole 10 on the other side, and the first MU that engages with MU plug 40 mounted in plug mounting hole 10 An engaging portion 12 and a second engaging portion 13 and the like that engage with the LC plug 50 mounted in the plug mounting hole 10 are formed.

The plug mounting hole 10 is a mounting hole common to both the MU type plug 40 and the LC type plug 50, and is formed by a bottom wall 15 and a pair of left and right side walls 16 and the like. A partition wall 17 is formed on the rear end side of the plug mounting hole 10 (that is, on the other side of the housing 3), and a cylindrical portion 18 has a cylindrical portion 18 inside the plug mounting hole 10 (front). The ferrule insertion hole 11 is formed inside the cylindrical portion 18.

The partition walls 17 of the housings 2 and 3 are welded to each other in a face-to-face manner, and in this state, the pair of ferrules 揷 through holes 11 of the housings 2 and 3 are substantially continuous and concentric (FIG. 12). , Figure 13, Figure 15, Figure 16). The partition walls 17 of the housings 2 and 3 may be fixed to each other with a bonding agent, or may be fixed by press-fitting. Housing 2 and 3 Is formed with a flange 19 for coupling with the housings 3 and 2 on the other side. Further, the housings 2 and 3 are formed with a pair of left and right mounting portions 20 that are flexible in the left and right direction for mounting the housings 2 and 3 to external mounting portions. Here, the MU type plug 40 and the LC type plug 50 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the MU-type plug 40 is housed in the square tubular case member 41, the housing member 42 fitted inside the case member 41, and the housing member 42. And the ferrule 43 held. Openings 41 a are formed in the left and right side walls of the case member 41, and the opening 41 a and a part of the housing member 42 exposed to the outside from the opening 41 a form an engagement recess 4. 4 are formed. The end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule 43, and the ferrule 43 is held so that the end face of the ferrule 43 is flush with the end face of the optical fiber.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the L-type plug 50 has a housing member 52 and a ferrule 53 housed and held in the housing member 52. The housing member 52 includes a tubular portion 52 a, a lever portion 52 b that extends diagonally upward from the distal end portion of the tubular portion 52 a toward the base end, and a proximal end portion of the tubular portion 52 a. And an operation lever portion 52c extending obliquely upward from the front end side. The lever portion 52b and the operation lever portion 52c have elasticity in the vertical direction, and the lever portion 52b is formed with a pair of engaging projections 52d projecting to the left and right sides. The end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule 53, and the end of the ferrule is held flush with the end of the optical fiber.

Now, the first engaging portion 12 is provided in the plug mounting hole 10 and is engaged with a pair of left and right engaging recesses 4 4 of the MU type plug 40 to be mounted in the plug mounting hole 10 from both left and right sides. It consists of a pair of left and right engaging claws 25 that are releasably engaged.

A pair of engaging claws 25 are formed at the rear ends of a pair of elastic pieces 25 a in the front-rear direction provided along a pair of side walls 16, respectively. The front end is connected to the side wall 25. In a state where the plugs 40 and 50 are not mounted in the plug mounting holes 10, the respective engaging claws 25 protrude more toward the axis than the vertical surface on the axis of the elastic piece 25 a. When attaching / detaching the MU-type plug 40 to / from the plug mounting hole 10, the engaging claw 25 comes into contact with the side surface of the MU-type plug 40, and the engaging claw 25 is attached to the elastic piece 25 a by the side surface. Elasticity It is pushed to the side opposite to the axis through the deformation. When the MU-type plug 40 is completely inserted into the plug mounting hole 10, the tip of the ferrule 43 of the MU-type plug 40 passes through the ferrule through-hole 11 and the plug on the mating side. It is guided toward the mounting hole 10, and in this state, the pair of engagement claws 25 return to engage with the pair of engagement recesses 44 of the MU-type plug 40 and are fixed.

On the other hand, the second engaging portion 13 is provided above the plug mounting hole 10, and a pair of engaging projections of the lever portion 5 2 b of the LC type plug 50 to be mounted in the plug mounting hole 10. A pair of engagement step portions 30 that engage with the 2d in a disengageable manner. A pair of left and right slider portions 31 is formed in the upper left end portion of the plug mounting hole 10 in the front-rear direction, and a pair of engagement step portions 30 is formed at the rear end of the slider portions 31. Have been.

As the LC plug 50 is inserted into the plug mounting hole 10, the pair of engagement projections 5 2 d of the lever 5 2 b are guided by the pair of sliders 3 1 and pushed downward. . In other words, the lever part 52b is elastically deformed downward, and then, when the LC plug 50 is completely mounted in the plug mounting hole 10, the tip of the ferrule 53 of the LC plug 50 Part is inserted into the ferrule 揷 through hole 11 and guided toward the mating plug mounting hole 10, and in this state, the lever 5 2 b returns and the pair of engaging projections 5 2 d It is engaged with and fixed to a pair of engagement steps 30.

When the operation lever section 52c is pushed downward with the LC-type plug 50 mounted in the plug mounting hole 10, the lever section 52b is pushed downward, and the engagement protrusion 52 The engagement between d and the engagement step portion 30 is released, and the LC plug 50 can be pulled out. When the LC-type plug 50 is mounted in the plug mounting hole 10, the pair of engaging claws 25 abut against the side surface of the LC-type plug 50, and the elastic piece 25 a is elastically deformed. It is held in a state of being pushed to the opposite side from the axis center via.

When the MU-type plug 40 or the LC-type plug 50 is mounted on only one of the pair of plug mounting holes 10, the tip of the ferrule 43 or 53 is connected from the ferrule through hole 11 to the other side. A little protruding into the plug mounting hole 10. In each of the plugs 40, 50, the ferrules 43, 53 are movable by a small stroke in the axial direction with respect to the housing members 42, 52, and are urged toward the distal end by a spring member. Is ing. Therefore, when a pair of plugs 40 or 50 is mounted in the pair of plug mounting holes 10, the end faces of the pair of ferrules 43 or 53 abut against each other near the boundary between the housings 2 and 3, Thus, the end faces of the pair of optical fibers are butted by the spring force and optically connected.

The function and effect of the adapter 1 will be described.

According to this adapter 1, a pair of plug mounting holes 10 are provided in series, and these two plug mounting holes 10 are used for different types of MU type plugs applied to the same type of optical fiber. It has a specific plug mounting hole in which both 40 and LC type plug 50 can be selectively mounted.

When the MU-type plug 40 is mounted in the plug mounting hole 10 of the adapter 1, the first engagement portion 12 is engaged with the MU-type plug 40, and the MU-type plug 40 is fixed. When the LC plug 50 is mounted in the plug mounting hole 10 of the adapter 1, the second engaging portion 13 is engaged with the LC plug 50, and the LC plug 50 is fixed. Therefore, three patterns of MU plug 40 — MU plug 40, プラグ plug 50 —] ^ (type plug 50, MU plug 40 — LC plug 50, etc. can be connected. Considering the direction of the connection, four types of connection including LC type plug 50—MU type plug 40 are possible, and it is possible to make it more versatile. 0 is a plug mounting hole common to the MU type plug 40 and the LC type plug 50, and the ferrule through hole 11 is also the MU type plug 40 or the MU type plug mounted in the plug mounting hole 10. This is a common ferrule insertion hole that guides the tip of the ferrule 43 or 53 of the LC plug 50 toward the mating plug mounting hole 10. In other words, the plug connection pattern is increased as described above. The versatility is improved, the structure is simplified as much as possible, and the structure is simplified, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost. The first engaging portion 12 is provided in the plug mounting hole 10 and engages with the MU type plug 40 mounted in the plug mounting hole 10 from both right and left sides so as to be disengageable. Since the engaging claws 25 are formed, the engaging claws 25 can be securely engaged with the MU-type plug 40 from both sides, and the MU-type plug 40 can be securely fixed.

Also, the second engagement portion 13 is provided in the plug mounting hole 10, and is formed in the plug mounting hole 10. Since a pair of engaging steps 30 that releasably engage with a pair of engaging projections 52 d of the lever part 52 b of the LC type plug 50 to be mounted 50 b is formed. The joint 30 is securely engaged with the pair of engagement projections 52 d of the LC plug 50, so that the LC plug 50 can be securely fixed.

Next, a modified embodiment will be described. However, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

1] As shown in Fig. 18, in this optical connector adapter 1A, one of the plug mounting holes 10 formed in the housing 2 selects either the MU type plug 40 or the LC type plug 50. The other plug mounting hole 1 OA formed in the housing 3 A is configured so that only the MU type plug 40 can be mounted. The plug mounting hole 1 OA is formed, for example, by a pair of engagement step portions 30, which are second engagement portions 13, a pair of slider portions 31, and a lever portion 52 b of the LC-type plug 50. The structure is such that the space to be inserted is omitted. In the housing 3A, the upper part of the plug mounting hole 1OA may be omitted to reduce the vertical width. According to the optical connector adapter 1A, two types of connection of the MU-type plug 40—MU-type plug 40 and the MU-type plug 40—LC-type plug 50 become possible.

2] As shown in FIG. 19, in this optical connector adapter 1B, one of the plug mounting holes 10 formed in the housing 2 is used to select either the MU type plug 40 or the LC type plug 50. The other plug mounting hole 10 formed in the housing 3B is configured so that only the LC type plug 50 can be mounted. The plug mounting hole 10 has, for example, a structure in which a pair of engaging claws 25, a pair of engaging pieces 25a, which are the first engaging portions 12 of the plug mounting hole 10, are omitted. According to the optical connector adapter 1B, two types of connection of the LC type plug 50—the LC type plug 50 and the LC type plug 50—the MU type plug 40 become possible.

3] In an optical connector adapter in which a plurality of plug mounting holes are provided in a housing in parallel and a plurality of plug mounting holes facing the plug mounting holes are provided in parallel, at least one of the plurality of plug mounting holes is provided. One may be configured as a specific plug mounting hole in which both the MU type plug 40 and the LC type plug 50 can be selectively mounted. 4] As the first plug and the second plug, plugs of a type other than the MU type plug 40 and the LC type plug 50 may be applied. For example, instead of the MU-type plug 40 (or LC-type plug 50) as the first plug, an SC-type plug is applied, and a specific plug mounting hole is formed between the SC-type plug and the LC-type plug 50 (or MU-type plug 40). Either of them may be configured so that they can be installed alternatively, or an SC type plug is used instead of the MU type plug 40 (or LC type plug 50) as the second plug, and the specific plug mounting hole is formed. Alternatively, both the SC-type plug and the LC-type plug 50 (or the MU-type plug 40) may be configured to be selectively mounted.

5] In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and a pair of plugs each holding the end of the optical fiber can be mounted facing each other. For various optical connector adapters with a pair of plug mounting holes

The present invention may be applied.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An optical connector adapter having a pair of plug mounting holes capable of mounting a pair of plugs facing each other, each holding an end of an optical fiber,

A pair of plug mounting holes provided in series, wherein at least one specific plug mounting hole selects both first and second plugs of different types applied to the same type of optical fiber. A pair of plug mounting holes that are configured so that they can be mounted in a unified manner, and a common guide that guides the distal end of the ferrule of the first plug or the second plug mounted in the specific plug mounting hole toward the mating plug mounting hole. Ferrule of the

A first engagement portion that engages with the first plug attached to the specific plug attachment hole; and a second engagement portion that engages with the second plug attached to the specific plug attachment hole. An adapter for an optical connector.

2. The optical adapter according to claim 1, wherein the other of the pair of plug mounting holes has the same structure as the specific plug mounting hole. .

3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the other of the pair of plug mounting holes has a structure in which only the first plug can be mounted. adapter.

4. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the other of the pair of plug mounting holes has a structure in which only the second plug can be mounted. adapter.

5. The adapter for an optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first plug is an MU-type plug, and the second plug is an LC-type plug.

6. The first engaging portion is provided in a specific plug mounting hole, and includes a pair of engaging claws that releasably engage with the first plug mounted in the specific plug mounting hole from both sides. 6. The optical connector adapter according to claim 5, wherein:

7. The second engagement portion is provided in the specific plug mounting hole, and is mounted in the specific plug mounting hole. 6. The optical connector adapter according to claim 5, comprising an engaging step portion which releasably engages a lever portion of the second plug to be engaged.