WO2016039383A1

WO2016039383A1 - Optical connector

Info

Publication number: WO2016039383A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/075622
Authority: WO
Inventors: 鎌田　勉; 大塚　健一郎; 裕司鈴木; 元佳木村; 宣直沖
Original assignee: Ｓｅｉオプティフロンティア株式会社
Priority date: 2014-09-12
Filing date: 2015-09-09
Publication date: 2016-03-17

Abstract

An optical connector (1) is an optical connector connected to an external optical adapter. The optical connector (1) is provided with: an inner housing (3), which is provided on the surface thereof with an engaging hole for engaging the optical adapter; a boot (6) connected to the inner housing (3) on a side opposite the optical adapter along the front-back direction; and a first outer housing (4) and a second outer housing (5) covering the engaging hole and attached to the inner housing (3) so as to be freely movable in the front-back direction. The engaging hole of the inner housing (3) is exposed by the second outer housing (5) moving in the back direction. The second outer housing (5) has a cutout part (5c) that is cut out in the forward direction from the back end surface (5f) and wherein the front end part of the boot (6) is inserted.

Description

Optical connector

The present invention relates to an optical connector.

Patent Document 1 describes an optical connector that is inserted into and removed from an optical connector adapter. The optical connector includes a connector main body that holds a ferrule attached to the tip of an optical fiber, a coupling that can move back and forth with respect to the connector main body, a coupling engaging member that is provided at the rear of the connector main body, a cup A boot that extends rearward from the ring engaging member and an operation stick that extends rearward are provided.

In this optical connector, when the operation stick is pushed forward, the coupling engaging member and the connector body move forward, and the latch of the optical connector adapter engages with the connector body. Thereby, the optical connector is connected to the optical connector adapter. When the operation stick is pulled backward, the coupling engaging member and the coupling move backward. The optical connector is pulled out from the optical connector adapter by releasing the engagement of the latch.

JP 2012-58320 A

In the optical connector described above, the connector main body, the coupling, the coupling engaging member, and the boot extend long in the front-rear direction. Therefore, during insertion / extraction of the optical connector or during mounting, the bending stress and the tensile stress applied to the optical connector are likely to increase, which may cause problems such as cracking. In order to avoid such problems as cracks, expensive materials may have to be used, and there is also a problem that the cost of materials and the like is high.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an optical connector that can be shortened.

An optical connector according to one aspect of the present invention is an optical connector connected to an external optical adapter along a predetermined connection direction. The optical connector includes an inner housing having an engaging portion on the surface for engaging the optical adapter, a boot connected to the inner housing along the connecting direction on the opposite side of the optical adapter, and an inner housing that covers the engaging portion and covers the engaging portion. And an outer housing attached to be movable in the connecting direction. When the outer housing moves to the boot side in the connecting direction, the engaging portion is exposed. The outer housing has a cutout portion that is notched in the connecting direction from the end portion on the boot side and into which a part of the boot enters.

According to the present invention, shortening can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical connector of FIG. 1 is pulled out from the optical adapter. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the optical connector of FIG. 1 is inserted into the optical adapter. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the optical connector of FIG. 7 is pulled out from the optical adapter. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to the third embodiment. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the optical connector of FIG. 11A and 11B are views showing the gripping portion and the third outer housing, where FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the gripping portion, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the third outer housing. FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing the optical connector and the gripping part, where FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a state before the gripping part is engaged, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing a state where the gripping part is engaged.

[Description of Embodiment of the Present Invention]
First, the contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described. (1) An optical connector according to one aspect of the present invention is an optical connector connected to an external optical adapter along a predetermined connection direction. The optical connector includes an inner housing having an engaging portion on the surface for engaging the optical adapter, a boot connected to the inner housing along the connecting direction on the opposite side of the optical adapter, and an inner housing that covers the engaging portion and covers the engaging portion. And an outer housing attached to be movable in the connecting direction. When the outer housing moves to the boot side in the connecting direction, the engaging portion is exposed. The outer housing has a cutout portion that is notched in the connecting direction from the end portion on the boot side and into which a part of the boot enters.

The optical connector according to one aspect of the present invention is configured such that a part of the boot enters the notch portion of the outer housing. Thus, when a part of boot enters into a notch part, the length of the outer housing in a connection direction can be shortened. As a result, the inner housing and the rear housing can also be shortened, and the optical connector can be shortened. As the optical connector becomes shorter, bending stress and tensile stress applied to the optical connector can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the optical connector material and the like.

(2) In the optical connector described above, the outer housing is provided on the boot side of the first outer housing that covers the engaging portion and is movable in the connecting direction with respect to the first outer housing. And a second outer housing. When the second outer housing moves in a direction approaching the first outer housing, the engaging portion may be exposed by moving the second outer housing and the inner housing relative to the first outer housing. When the second outer housing moves away from the first outer housing, the engaging portion may be exposed by moving the second outer housing and the first outer housing relative to the inner housing. The second outer housing may be provided with a grip portion extending in a direction away from the second outer housing.

In the above optical connector, the first outer housing and the second outer housing are separate, and the second outer housing is movable in the connecting direction with respect to the first outer housing. When the second outer housing moves in a direction approaching the first outer housing, the second outer housing and the inner housing move together to expose the engaging portion. Thereby, an external optical adapter can be engaged with the engaging portion. When the second outer housing moves away from the first outer housing, the second outer housing and the first heater housing move together to expose the engaging portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to remove the optical connector from the optical adapter by releasing the engagement with the optical adapter in the engaging portion. As described above, since the optical adapter can be attached and detached simply by moving the second outer housing, the operability of the attachment and detachment can be improved. The optical connector is provided with a grip portion extending from the second outer housing. Therefore, the second outer housing can be moved from a distant place by holding and operating the grip portion. As described above, since the second outer housing can be moved by the grip portion, it is possible to more easily attach and detach the optical adapter.

(3) In the above optical connector, one end of the gripping part may extend to a position farther from the second outer housing than one end of the boot. In this case, since the grip portion can be held at a position away from the second outer housing, the operability of the grip portion can be improved.

(4) In the above optical connector, the gripping part is fixed to the second outer housing and extends in a direction away from the second outer housing, and an operation extended with respect to the extending part. May be provided. In this case, the operation unit can be easily held.

(5) In the above optical connector, the grip portion may be detachable from the second outer housing. In this case, the grip portion can be detached from the second outer housing when unnecessary.

(6) In the above optical connector, the gripping part may be attached and detached by rotating it with respect to the second outer housing.

(7) In the above optical connector, the grip portion may include two engaging portions that engage with the second outer housing in the connecting direction. The second outer housing may include two engaged portions that engage with each of the two engaging portions, and the two engaged portions may be provided on both sides of the notch portion. . In this optical connector, the grip portion can be engaged with the second outer housing in the connecting direction. In this way, the grip portion is engaged and attached to the second outer housing. Therefore, the second outer housing can be easily moved in the connecting direction with the attached gripping portion. Engaged portions of the second outer housing are provided on both sides of the notch portion into which the boot enters. Therefore, it is possible to push and pull the attached gripping part with a good balance. Therefore, the operation of attaching / detaching the optical connector to / from the optical adapter can be performed more smoothly.

(8) In the optical connector described above, the gripping portion extends in the connecting direction, and the shape of the gripping portion cut along a cross section orthogonal to the connecting direction may be an arc shape. In this case, since the gripping portion has a vertically split cylindrical shape extending in the connecting direction, the gripping portion can be attached to the boot from the side.

(9) In the optical connector described above, the gripping portion may include a reduced diameter portion having a diameter smaller than that of the surroundings and a diameter enlarged portion that gradually increases from the reduced diameter portion. By this reduced diameter part, it can be made the shape which is easy to have a holding part.

(10) In the above optical connector, the first outer housing has one of a claw and a slit, the second outer housing has one of the claw and the slit, and the second outer housing has a claw The portion may be movable with respect to the first outer housing in a state where the portion is engaged with the slit.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
A specific example of the optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these illustrations, is shown by the claim, and intends that all the changes within the range equivalent to a claim are included. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements in the description of the drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical connector 1. The optical connector 1 is an MPO connector. The optical connector 1 is a connector connected to an external optical adapter.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connector 1 includes a rectangular ferrule 2 positioned at one end of the optical connector 1, an inner housing 3 that covers the ferrule 2, and a first that covers a part of the inner housing 3. The outer housing 4 and the second outer housing 5, a boot 6 connected to the inner housing 3, and a rod-shaped gripping part 10 connected to the second outer housing 5 are provided as external configurations. Inside the optical connector 1, a coil spring 7, a rear housing 8, a caulking ring 9, a ferrule spring (not shown), and the like are provided. In addition, illustration of the holding part 10 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, explanation will be made with the directions defined as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “left” and “right”. The connecting direction of the inner housing 3 and the boot 6 is the front-rear direction, that is, the direction in which the inner housing 3 is viewed from the boot 6 is the front, and the opposite direction is the rear. The longitudinal direction of the front surface of the ferrule 2 is the left-right direction, and the short direction of the front surface of the ferrule 2 is the vertical direction. These directions are merely for convenience of explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

The ferrule 2 has a box shape with an extended portion 2a on the rear side. A plurality of fiber holes extending in the front-rear direction are formed inside the ferrule 2. Each of the optical fibers constituting the fiber cord inserted from behind the boot 6 is inserted into each fiber hole. The front surface 2b of the extended portion 2a is a contact surface that contacts the inner housing 3. A ferrule spring that biases the ferrule 2 forward is provided between the ferrule 2 and the rear housing 8.

The inner housing 3 has a stepped square tube shape having an extended portion 3a on the rear side. On the outer surface of the inner housing 3, a pair of left and right engagement holes (engagement portions) 3b with which the latch of the external optical adapter is engaged, and a groove portion that houses a coil spring 7 that biases the first outer housing 4 forward. 3c. The engagement hole 3 b is provided on the surface of the inner housing 3. The engagement hole 3b is formed in a trapezoidal shape on the outer surface of the inner housing 3, for example. When the latch of the optical adapter is fitted in each engagement hole 3b, the optical connector 1 is engaged with the optical adapter in the front-rear direction, and the optical connector 1 is attached to the optical adapter. The groove 3c extends in the front-rear direction. A coil spring 7 that can be expanded and contracted in the front-rear direction is accommodated in the groove 3c.

The ferrule 2 and the rear housing 8 are accommodated in the inner housing 3. The inner surface of the inner housing 3 is stepped. Inside the inner housing 3, a contact surface 3d on which the ferrule 2 contacts and a contact surface 3e on which the front end surface of the rear housing 8 contacts are provided. The contact surface 3d is in contact with the front surface 2b of the extended portion 2a urged forward by a ferrule spring.

The first outer housing 4 is attached to the outside of the inner housing 3 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The first outer housing 4 has a cylindrical shape. The cross section of the first outer housing 4 has a curved shape such that the short side of the rectangle swells outward.

4 claw portions 4 a engaged with the second outer housing 5 are provided at the rear portion of the first outer housing 4. Each nail | claw part 4a becomes a shape extended only predetermined length back. The first outer housing 4 includes a pair of upper and lower claw portions 4a on the left side, and also includes a pair of upper and lower claw portions 4a on the right side. At the rear end of each claw portion 4a, an abutting portion 4b that abuts against the second outer housing 5 is provided. The contact part 4b has a shape protruding inward at the rear end of the claw part 4a.

The second outer housing 5 is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the first outer housing 4 behind the first outer housing 4. The second outer housing 5 is separate from the first outer housing 4. The second outer housing 5 has a cylindrical shape. The cross section of the second outer housing 5 has a curved shape such that the short side of the rectangle swells outward. The cross section of the second outer housing 5 may be the same shape as the cross section of the first outer housing 4, for example.

The second outer housing 5 accommodates the front end portion of the boot 6 and the rear housing 8. The second outer housing 5 includes four slits 5a with which the claw portions 4a of the first outer housing 4 are engaged. Each slit 5 a extends rearward from the front end of the second outer housing 5 by a predetermined length. The second outer housing 5 includes a pair of upper and lower slits 5a on the left side thereof, and also includes a pair of upper and lower slits 5a on the right side.

A front part of each slit 5a is provided with a contacted part 5b with which the contact part 4b of the first outer housing 4 is contacted from the rear. When the contact portion 4b contacts the contacted portion 5b from the rear, the second outer housing 5 and the first outer housing 4 are prevented from being separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction.

The second outer housing 5 includes a notch 5c into which the front end of the boot 6 enters. The notch portions 5c are provided in, for example, a pair of upper and lower sides. The cutout portion 5 c is formed by cutting away from the rear end surface 5 f of the second outer housing 5 in the forward direction. The flat side surface 5d provided with the notch 5c has a C-shape with an angular outer side.

A step portion 5e with which the rear end 3f of the inner housing 3 abuts from the front is provided inside each slit 5a. The step portion 5 e protrudes inward from the inner surface of the second outer housing 5. The second outer housing 5 and the inner housing 3 move forward by moving the second outer housing 5 forward so that the front surface of the stepped portion 5e contacts the rear end 3f from the rear.

The rear housing 8 includes a cylindrical insertion portion 8a that is inserted on the rear side of the inner housing 3, and a cylindrical portion 8b that is engaged with the caulking ring 9 on the rear side of the insertion portion 8a. The insertion portion 8a has a shape expanded at the front end of the cylindrical portion 8b. The rear housing 8 is engaged with the inner housing 3 in a state where the front end of the insertion portion 8 a is in contact with the contact surface 3 e of the inner housing 3. Concave and convex portions 8c are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 8b.

The caulking ring 9 has a stepped cylindrical shape whose front side is enlarged in diameter. The caulking ring 9 is expanded in a stepped shape so that the inner diameter follows the outer diameter from the rear toward the front. The caulking ring 9 includes a large diameter portion 9a located on the front side and a small diameter portion 9b located on the rear side of the large diameter portion 9a. The caulking ring 9 is reduced in diameter and engages with the rear housing 8. Between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 8b and the inner peripheral surface of the caulking ring 9, a tensile strength fiber, a jacket or the like constituting the optical fiber cord is sandwiched and fixed. Each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber cord is held inside the caulking ring 9.

The boot 6 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The boot 6 is attached to the caulking ring 9 in a state where the cylindrical portion 8b of the rear housing 8 and the caulking ring 9 are accommodated. The boot 6 protects the optical fiber cord so that sudden bending does not occur in the optical fiber cord. The front end of the boot 6 is abutted against the rear end of the insertion portion 8a of the rear housing 8, and the boot 6 extends rearward from the abutted portion. The rear side of the boot 6 with respect to the portion that accommodates the caulking ring 9 is gradually reduced in diameter toward the rear. A plurality of elongated through holes 6 a extending in the circumferential direction of the boot 6 are formed in the reduced diameter portion on the rear side of the boot 6.

The grip portion 10 has a round bar shape extending rearward from the rear end surface 5f of the second outer housing 5. The grip portion 10 has a front end fixed to the rear end surface 5f and extends rearward from an extended portion 10a that extends rearward, and is expanded at the rear end of the extended portion 10a and further extends from the connecting portion between the extended portion 10a. And an extended column-shaped operation portion 10b.

The rear end of the operation unit 10b is located behind the rear end of the boot 6. That is, one end of the grip portion 10 extends to a position farther from the second outer housing 5 than one end of the boot 6. Therefore, it is possible to grip the grip portion 10 from a remote position. Since the operation part 10b is expanded in diameter (expanded) with respect to the extension part 10a, it has a shape that is easy to hold. For example, the operator can move the second outer housing 5 forward or backward by pushing the operation portion 10b forward or pulling it backward.

In the present embodiment, the grip portion 10 is fixed to the rear end surface 5f of the second outer housing 5. However, the grip 10 may be detachable from the second outer housing 5 with, for example, screws. In this case, it is possible to remove the grip 10 from the second outer housing 5 when the grip 10 is unnecessary.

For example, when the first outer housing 4 and the second outer housing 5 are integral outer housings as in the prior art, the optical connector is attached to the external optical adapter by pushing the boot forward, and the outer housing is The optical connector was removed from the optical adapter by moving it backward. Conventionally, when attaching an optical connector to an optical adapter, the optical connector is attached with a boot, and when removing the optical connector from the optical adapter, the optical housing is detached with an outer housing. Thus, there is room for improvement in terms of operability because the place held at the time of attachment is different from the place held at the time of removal. On the other hand, in the optical connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the operability is improved in the detaching operation with respect to the optical adapter. Below, operation when attaching / detaching the optical connector 1 with respect to an optical adapter is demonstrated.

The operation for removing the optical connector 1 from the optical adapter will be described. The operation of removing the optical connector 1 from the optical adapter is performed by pulling the grip portion 10 backward. When the grip portion 10 is pulled backward, the second outer housing 5 moves backward. When the second outer housing 5 moves rearward, the contact portion 4 b of the first outer housing 4 contacts the contacted portion 5 b of the second outer housing 5. Thereafter, the second outer housing 5 moves rearward together with the first outer housing 4.

As described above, when the second outer housing 5 moves rearward together with the first outer housing 4, the inner housing 3 does not move rearward. Therefore, when the second outer housing 5 moves rearward together with the first outer housing 4, the engagement hole 3b of the inner housing 3 is exposed as shown in FIGS. At this time, a part of the boot 6 enters the notch 5 c of the second outer housing 5. When the grip portion 10 is further pulled rearward, the latch of the optical adapter with respect to the engagement hole 3b is released. Then, by pulling the inner housing 3 together with the first outer housing 4, the optical connector 1 can be pulled out from the optical adapter.

Next, the operation of attaching the optical connector 1 to the optical adapter will be described. 1 and 2, the operation of attaching the optical connector 1 to the optical adapter is performed by pushing the grip 10 forward. When the grip 10 is pushed forward, the second outer housing 5 moves forward. When the second outer housing 5 moves forward, the front surface of the step portion 5 e of the second outer housing 5 abuts on the rear end 3 f of the inner housing 3. Then, the second outer housing 5 moves forward together with the inner housing 3.

When the second outer housing 5 moves forward together with the inner housing 3, the first outer housing 4 is restricted from moving forward by the latch of the optical adapter. Therefore, the first outer housing 4 does not move forward. When the second outer housing 5 moves forward together with the inner housing 3, the first outer housing 4 moves relatively rearward. Then, as FIG.5 and FIG.6 shows, each nail | claw part 4a of the 1st outer housing 4 penetrates to the rear end of each slit 5a. Then, the second outer housing 5 approaches the first outer housing 4 from the rear, and the engagement hole 3b starts to be exposed. When the grip portion 10 is further pushed forward, the inner housing 3 is also pushed forward, so that the latch of the optical adapter is engaged with the engagement hole 3 b of the inner housing 3. When the engagement of the latch is completed, the first outer housing 4 urged forward by the coil spring 7 accommodated in the groove 3c on the outer periphery of the inner housing 3 moves the latch of the engaged optical adapter and the engagement hole 3b. Move forward to cover. Thereby, the attachment of the optical connector 1 to the optical adapter is completed.

As described above, in the optical connector 1, a part of the boot 6 enters the notch 5 c of the second outer housing 5. As described above, when a part of the boot 6 enters the notch 5c, the length of the second outer housing 5 in the front-rear direction can be shortened.

In order to normally insert and remove this type of optical connector, the latch is exposed by releasing the latch from the state where the outer housing covers the latch of the optical adapter. The outer housing needs to move relative to the inner housing and the rear housing in the front-rear direction until the optical connector is completely disconnected from the optical adapter. This relatively moving distance is standardized.

The outer housing (second outer housing 5 is one of the factors that limit the amount of retreat of the outer housing when a part of the boot 6 enters the notch 5c of the second outer housing 5 as in the present embodiment. ) Interference between the rear end portion and the front end portion of the boot 6 can be mitigated. Accordingly, even if the length of the inner housing and the rear housing in the front-rear direction is shortened, the moving distance of the outer housing can be ensured.

By shortening the inner housing and the rear housing, it is possible to reduce the bending stress and the tensile stress applied particularly to the inner housing and the rear housing when the optical connector 1 is inserted or removed. For this reason, it is also possible to reduce the cost of materials and the like. As materials for the inner housing and the rear housing, in addition to PEI (polyetherimide) which has been generally used so far, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) which is lower in price and relatively low in strength. ) Can be used. As the material of the first outer housing 4, the second outer housing 5, or the grip portion 10, the same material as that of the inner housing or the rear housing can be used.

In the optical connector 1, the first outer housing 4 and the second outer housing 5 are separated, and the second outer housing 5 is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the first outer housing 4. When the second outer housing 5 moves forward, both the second outer housing 5 and the inner housing 3 move forward to expose the engagement hole 3b. Therefore, the latch of the optical adapter can be engaged with the engagement hole 3b. When the second outer housing 5 moves rearward, both the second outer housing 5 and the first outer housing 4 move rearward to expose the engagement hole 3b. Therefore, it becomes possible to remove the optical connector 1 from the optical adapter by releasing the engagement with the optical adapter in the engagement hole 3b.

Since the optical connector 1 can be attached to and detached from the optical adapter simply by moving the second outer housing 5 in the front-rear direction in this way, the detachability operability can be improved. Since the grip portion 10 extending in the direction away from the second outer housing 5 is provided, the second outer housing 5 can be moved from a remote location by operating the grip portion 10. Since the 2nd outer housing 5 can be moved with the holding | grip part 10, attachment / detachment with respect to an optical adapter can be performed still more easily. Since the place held when the optical connector 1 is attached and the place held when the optical connector 1 is removed can be the same gripping part 10, the operability can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the first outer housing 4 and the second outer housing 5 which are separate from each other are provided. On the other hand, the optical connector 21 according to the second embodiment includes one outer housing 24 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 instead of the

outer housings

4 and 5.

7 and 8, the optical connector 21 includes the same ferrule 2, inner housing 3, and boot 6 as the optical connector 1. The outer housing 24 is attached to the inner housing 3 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Similar to the second outer housing 5, the outer housing 24 includes a notch 24 c that is notched forward. The front end of the boot 6 enters the notch 24c.

In the optical connector 21, as in the optical connector 1 of the first embodiment, a part of the boot 6 enters the notch 24c. Therefore, in the optical connector 21, like the optical connector 1, the inner housing and the rear housing can be shortened, the optical connector 21 can be shortened, and the cost of materials and the like can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an optical connector 31 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The optical connector 31 is different from the first embodiment in that the optical connector 31 includes a grip portion 40 that is detachable and includes a third outer housing 45 having a cut 45 a that engages the grip portion 40. In the third embodiment, the third outer housing 45 is provided in place of the second outer housing 5 of the first embodiment. Below, the description which overlaps with 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, the grip portion 40 is detachably attached to the third outer housing 45 by rotating with respect to the third outer housing 45 in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Yes. The gripping portion 40 has a shape (vertical cylindrical shape) in which a cylinder is notched in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the rotation axis of the gripping portion 40 extends). The grip part 40 includes a notch 41 that extends in the front-rear direction. The shape of the grip 40 when it is cut along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction is an arc. This arc extends, for example, about two-thirds of the entire circumference (the central angle of the arc portion is about 120 degrees). By providing such a notch 41, a part of the boot 6 is covered from the side (in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the grip 40) even with respect to the optical connector already attached to the optical fiber cord. By inserting the grip portion 40, moving forward and rotating, the grip portion 40 can be attached later. Alternatively, the grip portion 40 can be attached to an optical connector that is connected to another optical connector without releasing the connected state.

A pair of protrusions 42 that engage with the notches 45a are provided on the surface of one end in the front-rear direction of the grip 40. The protrusion 42 functions as an engagement portion that engages with the third outer housing 45 in the front-rear direction. Each protrusion 42 extends in the circumferential direction of the grip 40. The two protrusions 42 are provided at positions that are symmetric with respect to the center of rotation of the grip 40, for example.

The grip portion 40 includes a reduced diameter portion 43 at a location away from the protrusion 42 in the front-rear direction. Due to the reduced diameter portion 43, the grip portion 40 has a shape that is easy to hold. A diameter-enlarged portion 44 that gradually increases in diameter from the diameter-reduced portion 43 is provided at the end of the gripping portion 40 opposite to the protruding portion 42.

The cut 45a of the third outer housing 45 is provided on the inner side (front side) of the rear end surface 5f. The cut 45a is an engaged portion that engages with the protrusion 42 in the front-rear direction. The cut 45 a is formed along the curved inner surface 45 b of the third outer housing 45. The notches 45a are formed at two locations on the third outer housing 45, and the two notches 45a are provided at positions where the notch portions 5c are sandwiched from both sides. Each cut 45 a has a groove shape extending from the side surface 5 d of the third outer housing 45 in the rotation direction of the grip portion 40. The two cuts 45 a are arranged at positions that are symmetric with respect to the rotation center of the grip portion 40.

A method of attaching and detaching the grip portion 40 to and from the third outer housing 45 will be described with reference to FIG. First, a method for engaging the grip portion 40 with the third outer housing 45 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the grip portion 40 is disposed so that the protrusion 42 faces the front, and the grip portion 40 covers a part of the boot 6 from the side.

The protrusion 42 is inserted into the notch 5c from the rear. And the holding part 40 is rotated in the rotation direction (for example, clockwise) in the state which inserted the projection part 42 in the notch part 5c. Thereby, the protrusion 42 enters the cut 45a, and the grip 40 and the third outer housing 45 are engaged in the front-rear direction. In this state, the third outer housing 45 can be moved forward by pushing the grip 40 forward, and the third outer housing 45 can be moved backward by pulling the grip 40 backward.

The method of removing the grip portion 40 from the third outer housing 45 is the reverse of the method of engaging the grip portion 40 with the third outer housing 45. That is, the gripping portion 40 is rotated in the direction opposite to the above (for example, counterclockwise) to release the engagement of the protrusion 42 with the notch 45a. Thereafter, the grip portion 40 can be detached from the third outer housing 45 simply by pulling the grip portion 40 rearward from the third outer housing 45.

In the optical connector 31 according to the third embodiment, the grip portion 40 can be engaged with the third outer housing 45 in the front-rear direction. By this engagement, the grip portion 40 is attached to the third outer housing 45, and the third outer housing 45 can be easily moved in the front-rear direction by holding the attached grip portion 40. The notches 45a of the third outer housing 45 are provided on the left and right sides of the notch 5c into which the boot 6 enters. Therefore, the grip portion 40 attached to the third outer housing 45 can be pushed and pulled with good balance. Therefore, the operation of attaching / detaching the optical connector 31 to / from the optical adapter can be performed more smoothly.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to various optical connectors for multi-core or single-core. Each of the optical connectors described above may be a so-called on-site type optical connector that is assembled to an optical fiber cord on site.

In the first embodiment, the rear portion of the first outer housing 4 is provided with four claw portions 4a. The first outer housing 4 includes a pair of upper and lower claw portions 4a on the left side and a pair of upper and lower sides on the right side. A claw portion 4a was provided. However, the number, arrangement, and shape of the claw portions 4a can be changed as appropriate. The number, arrangement, and shape of the slits 5a of the second outer housing 5 can be changed as appropriate. Instead of the first outer housing 4 having the claw portion 4a and the second outer housing 5 having the slit 5a, a first outer housing having a slit and a second outer housing having a claw portion may be used.

In the third embodiment, the grip portion 40 includes two protrusions 42, the third outer housing 45 includes two cuts 45 a, and the protrusions 42 and the cuts 45 a are located with respect to the rotation center of the grip portion 40. It was arranged in a symmetrical position. However, the arrangement positions of the protrusions 42 and the cuts 45a are not limited to the above and can be changed as appropriate. The shape of the grip portion 40 can also be changed as appropriate. The grip 40 may include two cuts, and the third outer housing 45 may include two protrusions.

The optical connector 31 according to the third embodiment may include one outer housing as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 instead of the

outer housings

4 and 45. In the optical connector 31 according to the third embodiment, the notch 5c can be omitted. For example, instead of the cutout portion 5c, a thin portion that is thinner than the thickness of the rear end surface 5f may be provided. A structure may be employed in which the cutout portion 5 c is omitted and the gripping portion 40 is pushed into the third outer housing 45 and fitted. A structure may be employed in which the notched portion 5 c is omitted, screw threads are formed in the grip portion 40 and the third outer housing 45, and the grip portion 40 is screwed into the third outer housing 45.

The present invention can be used as an optical connector that can be shortened.

1, 21, 31, optical connector, 2, ferrule, 2 a, expansion portion, 2 b, front surface, 3, inner housing, 3 a, expansion portion, 3 b, engagement hole (engagement portion), 3 c, groove portion, 3 d, 3 e ... contact surface, 3f ... rear end, 4 ... first outer housing, 4a ... claw part, 4b ... contact part, 5 ... second outer housing, 5a ... slit, 5b ... contacted part, 5c, 24c ... Notch part, 5d ... side face, 5e ... step part, 5f ... rear end face, 6 ... boot, 6a ... through hole, 7 ... coil spring, 8 ... rear housing, 8a ... insertion part, 8b ... cylindrical part, 8c ... uneven part , 9 ... caulking, 9a ... large diameter part, 9b ... small diameter part, 10, 40 ... gripping part, 10a ... extension part, 10b ... operation part, 24 ... outer housing, 41 ... notch part, 42 ... projection part (Engagement part), 43 ... reduced diameter part, 44 ... enlarged diameter part, 45 ... third a Tha housing (second outer housing), 45a ... cut (engaged portion), 45b ... inner surface.

Claims

An optical connector connected to an external optical adapter along a predetermined connection direction,
An inner housing provided on the surface with an engaging portion for engaging the optical adapter;
A boot connected along the connection direction to the inner housing on the opposite side of the optical adapter;
An outer housing that covers the engagement portion and is movably attached to the inner housing in the connection direction;
When the outer housing moves to the boot side in the connection direction, the engaging portion is exposed,
The outer housing has a cutout portion into which a part of the boot enters by being cut out in the connection direction from an end portion on the boot side.
Optical connector.
The outer housing includes a first outer housing that covers the engaging portion, and a second outer housing that is provided on the boot side of the first outer housing and is movable in the connection direction with respect to the first outer housing. A housing, and
When the second outer housing moves in a direction approaching the first outer housing, the engagement portion is exposed by the relative movement of the second outer housing and the inner housing relative to the first outer housing. ,
When the second outer housing moves away from the first outer housing, the engagement portion is exposed by the relative movement of the second outer housing and the first outer housing with respect to the inner housing,
The second outer housing is provided with a grip portion extending in a direction away from the second outer housing.
The optical connector according to claim 1.
One end of the grip portion extends to a position farther from the second outer housing than one end of the boot,
The optical connector according to claim 2.
The grip portion includes a rod-like extension portion fixed to the second outer housing and extending in a direction away from the second outer housing, and an operation portion extended with respect to the extension portion. ,
The optical connector according to claim 2 or 3.
The grip portion is detachable from the second outer housing.
The optical connector according to claim 2 or 3.
The grip portion is attached and detached by rotating with respect to the second outer housing.
The optical connector according to claim 5.
The grip portion includes two engagement portions that engage with the second outer housing in the connection direction,
The second outer housing includes two engaged portions that engage with the two engaging portions,
The two engaged portions are provided on both sides of the notch,
The optical connector according to claim 5 or 6.
The grip portion extends in the connection direction, and the shape when the grip portion is cut in a cross section perpendicular to the connection direction is an arc shape.
The optical connector according to any one of claims 5 to 7.
The grip portion includes a reduced diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the surroundings, and an enlarged diameter portion that gradually increases in diameter from the reduced diameter portion,
The optical connector according to claim 8.
The first outer housing has one of a claw and a slit; the second outer housing has one of a claw and a slit;
The second outer housing is movable with respect to the first outer housing with the claw portion engaged with the slit.
The optical connector according to any one of claims 2 to 9.