WO2022029929A1 - Connecteur optique et structure de connexion optique - Google Patents

Connecteur optique et structure de connexion optique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022029929A1
WO2022029929A1 PCT/JP2020/030023 JP2020030023W WO2022029929A1 WO 2022029929 A1 WO2022029929 A1 WO 2022029929A1 JP 2020030023 W JP2020030023 W JP 2020030023W WO 2022029929 A1 WO2022029929 A1 WO 2022029929A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flange
optical connector
optical
ferrule
adapter
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PCT/JP2020/030023
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
光太 鹿間
昇男 佐藤
健 坂本
Original Assignee
日本電信電話株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by 日本電信電話株式会社 filed Critical 日本電信電話株式会社
Priority to JP2022541411A priority Critical patent/JP7472987B2/ja
Priority to PCT/JP2020/030023 priority patent/WO2022029929A1/fr
Publication of WO2022029929A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022029929A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a small optical connector and an optical connection structure.
  • the housing is equipped with a guide structure that allows the optical connector to be inserted and removed from the outside, and by inserting an optical connector that matches the guide structure, it can be optically coupled to the optical transmitter / receiver inside the housing. Is possible.
  • the size of pluggable transceivers is becoming smaller year by year due to the need for increased communication capacity, and the housing is becoming smaller to the same extent as the guide structure for optical connectors. Therefore, in order to further reduce the size of the housing in the future, it is required to reduce the size of the guide mechanism, that is, to further reduce the size of the optical connector that fits the guide mechanism.
  • optical connector for connecting optical fibers such as an optical connector for a pluggable transceiver
  • a cylindrical ferrule represented by an SC connector or an LC connector is known.
  • Non-Patent Document 1 The cylindrical ferrule disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is provided with a hole slightly larger than the clad outer diameter of the optical fiber along its central axis, the fiber is adhesively fixed, and the tip is polished with a spherical surface. Has been done.
  • the ferrule is integrated with a metal part called a flange by press fitting.
  • a coil spring is provided behind the flange on the opposite side of the ferrule end.
  • the optical connector has a stop ring component that is integrated with the coil spring so that the flange does not fall off, and a plastic housing component that is arranged so as to surround them. The optical fibers are connected to each other by inserting these ferrules into a split sleeve in the adapter and mechanically fastening the adapter housing and the connector housing.
  • the ferrules are pressed against each other in the split sleeve by the compressive force of the spring.
  • the fibers in the ferrule can be closely connected to each other, and it is possible to prevent Fresnel reflection by air.
  • connection method is called physical contact connection (PC connection), and PC connection technology using ferrules and springs is a method widely used in optical connectors.
  • PC connection physical contact connection
  • ferrules and springs are a method widely used in optical connectors.
  • optical connector of this structure uses a mechanical fastening structure such as a spring part and a housing part, there is a limit to miniaturization.
  • Non-Patent Document 2 As one measure for miniaturization, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2, the above-mentioned housing parts are removed, ferrules integrated with flanges are inserted into split sleeves, and flanges are sandwiched between leaf springs. Therefore, a structure has been proposed that expresses the pressing force required for PC connection.
  • a method using a leaf spring has problems such as a large size of an external leaf spring component and deterioration of operability at the time of insertion / removal.
  • Non-Patent Document 3 by using magnets for the flange and adapter and using it as a pressing force by exerting an attractive force by magnetic force on the flange, it is possible to realize PC connection without using mechanical fastening parts or spring parts. Small optical connectors are disclosed.
  • FIG. 12A shows the configuration of the optical connector disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3
  • FIG. 12B shows a side sectional view thereof.
  • the optical connector includes a pair of optical fibers, a ferrule, and a flange, and the optical fibers are connected to each other by facing the pair of optical fibers and the ferrule, accommodating them in a sleeve in the adapter, and abutting them against each other. Is.
  • the ferrule and flange are integrated by press fitting.
  • the ferrule has a microhole with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber in the center of the ferrule, and the fiber with the coating removed is housed in the microhole. It is fixed by.
  • the tips of the fiber and ferrule are polished into a convex spherical shape, and are appropriately polished into a shape suitable for PC connection.
  • at least one of the adapter and the flange is made of a permanent magnet, and if only one is a magnet, the other is made of a metallic magnetic material.
  • a coil spring is attached to the end of the flange on the fiber extraction side in order to eliminate the gap between the fiber cores and realize a PC connection that is in close contact. It was necessary to provide it or sandwich it with a leaf spring or the like.
  • Non-Patent Document 3 by using the magnetic force as the pressing force, it is possible to apply the pressing force for closely connecting the fibers at the ferrule end by the attractive force of the magnet without applying the spring element. It will be possible.
  • the attractive force of the magnet since the attractive force of the magnet also exerts the effect of holding the member, stable PC connection can be maintained without the need for mechanical fastening parts. That is, the number of members can be reduced, and as a result, a smaller PC connection type optical connector can be realized.
  • the adapter length is the sum of the reference values of the ferrule protrusion length. Therefore, it is necessary to set the adapter short or the ferrule protrusion length long in advance. For example, when shortening the adapter, it is necessary to set the reference value smaller by 2 ⁇ dx1 + dx2 in advance.
  • connection pairs when designed as described above, most connection pairs will have a gap between the adapter and the facing surface of at least one flange, and the ferrule protrusion length will have a positive tolerance and the adapter length will be high. Assuming a negative tolerance and complete contact between one flange and the adapter, a very large gap of 2x (2xdx1 + dx2) occurs between the other flange and the adapter.
  • dx1 and dx2 are designed to be 0.05 mm, a cap of 0.3 mm can occur. Further, in addition to the dimensional tolerance of the design length, the flatness of the member and the tolerance of the squareness are also affected, so that there is a concern that the gap will become larger.
  • the magnetic force becomes smaller as the gap between the magnetic materials becomes larger. Therefore, when the void becomes larger than necessary as in the above example, the magnetic force required for PC connection cannot be stably expressed. Further, when the temperature change or the like is taken into consideration, the member expands / contracts, so that the gap may increase and the magnetic force may further decrease.
  • the optical connector according to the present invention is an optical connector for connecting optical fibers having a waveguide surrounded by a clad so as to face each other, and the optical connector is described above.
  • a cylindrical ferrule having a guide hole for accommodating the fiber, a first flange arranged on the optical fiber extraction side at one end of the guide hole and integrated with the ferrule, and an elastic structure with the first flange.
  • a second flange connected via the sleeve, a sleeve in which the pair of the ferrules are housed so as to face each other so that the central axes of the ferrules coincide with each other, and an adapter containing a magnet or a metallic magnetic material around the sleeve.
  • the material of at least one of the adapter and the second flange includes a magnet, and the length of the adapter in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is set to be equal to or less than the sum of the protrusion lengths of the pair of ferrules.
  • the elastic structure is elastically deformed, and the cores of the opposing optical fibers are brought into close contact with each other.
  • the optical connector restrictions on the design and manufacture of the optical connector are relaxed, and it is possible to provide a small optical connector and an optical connection structure having a stable PC connection.
  • FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of an optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the effect of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the effect of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3A is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3B is a front sectional view of an optical connector plug IIIB-IIIB'in the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6A is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7A is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7B is a front view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8A is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8B is a front view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the optical connection structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the optical connection structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12A is a bird's-eye view showing the configuration of a conventional optical connector.
  • FIG. 12B is a side sectional view of a conventional optical connector.
  • FIG. 1A is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment.
  • the optical connector 10 includes an optical fiber 101, a ferrule 102, a first flange 103, and a second flange 104, and the pair of optical fibers 101 and the ferrule 102 face each other so that the central axes of the ferrule 102 coincide with each other.
  • the optical fibers 101 are connected to each other by being accommodated in the sleeve 106 in the adapter 105 and abutted against each other.
  • the first flange 103 is integrated with the ferrule 102 by press fitting, and cannot be deformed in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (X1 direction in FIG. 1). Further, the first flange 103 and the second flange 104 are connected via an elastic structure 108. As shown in FIG. 1B, the elastic structure 108 is elastically deformed, and the second flange 104 is attracted to the adapter 105 by exerting a magnetic force and comes into contact with the adapter 105 (described later).
  • the ferrule 102 has a microhole (guide hole) having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 101 at the center of the ferrule 102, and the first flange 103 also has a hole capable of accommodating the optical fiber 101. ..
  • the optical fiber 101 from which the optical fiber coating 107 has been removed is housed in the microhole of the ferrule 102, and the optical fiber 101 and the ferrule 102 and the optical fiber 101 and the first flange 103 are fixed by an adhesive (not shown). There is.
  • the tips of the optical fiber 101 and the ferrule 102 are polished on a convex spherical surface, and are appropriately polished into a shape suitable for PC connection. Further, the optical fiber 101 has a waveguide core surrounded by a cladding.
  • any known type and material of the optical fiber 101 and the type and material of the ferrule 102 can be applied.
  • quartz fiber or plastic fiber may be used, and zirconia, crystallized glass, borosilicate glass, plastic, metal, or the like may be used for ferrule 102.
  • the coating 107 is applied around the optical fiber 101, a known tube, nylon coating, or the like may be provided around the coating in two or more layers.
  • the sleeve 106 has a cylindrical sleeve having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ferrule 102, or an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ferrule 102, and is provided with a split in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. Any of the split sleeves may be used. The same applies to the sleeve material regardless of whether zirconia, metal, plastic, etc. are used.
  • a permanent magnet is used for the adapter 105.
  • any known magnet may be used depending on the magnetic force to be expressed.
  • the material is, for example, a neodymium magnet, and in addition, a ferrite magnet, an alnico magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, KS steel, MK steel, a neodymium iron boron magnet, or the like can be used.
  • the adapter 105 having a permanent magnet is magnetized to N pole and S pole along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber shown in FIG.
  • a metallic magnetic material is used for the second flange 104.
  • the second flange 104 for example, there is SUS430, which is an inexpensive and excellent material for machining, and in addition, a material having magnetism such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or stainless steel (SUS) which is an iron-based alloy is used. be able to.
  • a permanent magnet may be used for the second flange 104.
  • the adapter 105 may be made of a metallic magnetic material as described above, a known soft magnetic material, or the like.
  • the adapter 105 may have a shape in which magnets having a half-split structure symmetrically divided into two with a plane including the axis of the optical fiber 101 as a plane of symmetry are stacked in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.
  • a pair of magnets arbitrarily divided into N (N is an integer of 2 or more) may be used.
  • the size of the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment at the time of connection is, for example, a cross-sectional size of 3 mm ⁇ 3 mm and a length in the optical axis direction (optical fiber longitudinal direction) of 9 mm. Since the size of the small optical connector such as the conventional LC type has a cross-sectional size of 7 mm ⁇ 9 mm and a length of 30 mm, the optical connector according to the present embodiment is very small compared to the conventional one. be.
  • the size of the optical connector 10 can be, for example, a cross-sectional size of 2 mm ⁇ 2 mm or more and 6 mm ⁇ 6 mm or less, and a length of 6 mm or more and 10 mm or less.
  • the first flange 103 and the second flange 104 have a SUS430 flange
  • the ferrule 102 has a 1.25 mm ⁇ outer diameter zirconia ferrule
  • the optical fiber 101 has a quartz-based single-mode optical fiber.
  • a fiber can be used, and a neodymium magnet (about 3 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 3 mm 3 ) can be used for the adapter 105.
  • the protrusion length of the ferrule 102 from the second flange 104 (hereinafter referred to as “the protrusion length of the ferrule 102”) is set to about 1.5 mm, and the ferrule 102 to which the optical fiber 101 is fixed faces the sleeve. It is connected via 106.
  • the outer shape of the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 is rectangular or rectangular is shown, but of course, any shape can be used for the outer shape.
  • the outer shape may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. The above is the same in the following other examples.
  • FIG. 2A even if the dimensional tolerance is large and a large gap is generated between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105, FIG. 2B shows. As shown, the elastic structure 108 between the second flange 104 and the first flange 103 is elastically deformed so that the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 can be brought into contact with each other.
  • contact means that at least a part of the facing surfaces is in contact with each other, and the surfaces do not have to be in perfect contact with each other. This is not surprising given that the actual contact surfaces are not perfectly parallel and flat.
  • the magnetic force acting on the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 is deformed by F1 and the elastic structure 108, and the magnetic force acting when the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 come into contact with each other is F1max, and the elastic structure 108 is deformed to the first.
  • F2 be the reaction force acting between the flange 103 and the second flange 104
  • F2max be the reaction force acting between the first flange 103 and the second flange 104 when the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 come into contact with each other.
  • the magnetic force F1 acting between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 has a gap between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 when there is a dimensional tolerance, and its size depends on the length of the gap. Its value is approximately inversely proportional to the square of the distance, and its value increases significantly as the gap becomes smaller.
  • reaction force F2 by selecting a material having a small Young's modulus as the elastic body, F2 can be made sufficiently smaller than F1, and within the range of elastic deformation, F2 is relative to the amount of decrease in the gap. It only increases linearly.
  • the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 are brought into contact with each other by causing the elastic deformation rather than the pressing force (F1min) applied to the ferrule.
  • the configuration of the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment is such that the pressing force Fa can realize PC connection in consideration of the above relationship. By designing, it is possible to realize stable PC connection even if there is a dimensional tolerance.
  • the length of the adapter 105 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber is set to be equal to or less than the sum of the protrusion lengths of the two (1 pair) opposing ferrules 102, and the dimensional tolerance is taken into consideration, the length of the optical fiber is taken into consideration.
  • a gap (gap) is created between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 in the direction, but the elastic structure 108 connecting the first flange 103 and the second flange 104 is deformed, so that the second flange 104 and the second flange 104 A stable PC connection can be realized by closely contacting with the adapter 105.
  • the design value of the sum of the protrusion lengths of the two (one pair) ferrules 102 facing the length of the adapter 105 from the second flange 104 is the dimensional tolerance of the ferrule protrusion length ⁇ dx1 as described above. Assuming that the dimensional tolerance of the adapter length is dx2, it is necessary to anticipate and set this tolerance in advance.
  • the elastic structure is an elastic structure capable of absorbing 2 ⁇ dx1 + dx2 for the maximum gap.
  • the optical connector 10 As described above, by using the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment, various dimensional tolerances (length tolerance, flatness, etc.) of the protrusion length of the ferrule 102 from the end of the second flange 104 and the length of the adapter 105 are used. It is possible to relax the conditions for process control by (squareness, etc.) and polishing, and it is possible to significantly improve the manufacturing yield of the member and reduce the member cost.
  • Non-Patent Document 3 when the magnet material is a neodymium magnet and the flange is SUS430, the magnet size is set to about 3 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 3 mm 3 , and the pressing force required for PC connection is achieved by 3 N or more.
  • the gap must be 0.08 mm or less, and the member dimensional tolerance must be strictly specified.
  • the dimensional error can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic structure 108, and sufficient pressing force can be transmitted to the ferrule 102. ..
  • the optical connector 10 As described above, according to the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to maintain a stable PC connection without strictly defining the dimensional tolerance of the member, and it is possible to realize a compact and high-performance optical connector. ..
  • the first flange 103 since the magnetic force acts between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105, the first flange 103 does not necessarily have to be a metal material attracted to the magnet, but naturally a magnetic metal material or a magnet is used. May be good. Further, the shapes of the first flange 103 and the second flange 104 may be appropriately changed including the inner diameter so that they can be easily connected by the elastic structure 108.
  • FIG. 3A is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the optical connector plug 11 in the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3B is a front sectional view taken along the line IIIB-IIIB'in FIG. 3A.
  • the optical connector plug 11 includes an optical fiber 101, a ferrule 102, a first flange, and a second flange 104, and the first flange 103 and the second flange 104 are connected by a coil spring 111 having an elastic structure. ..
  • the elastic structure is composed of a coil spring 111, and the coil spring 111 has an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 102 (X2 direction in FIG. 3A) (Y2 direction in FIG. 3A), that is, the first flange.
  • a plurality of pieces are arranged along the axis from the outer peripheral portion of the 103 and are connected to the second flange 104.
  • the portion where the coil spring 111 is connected penetrates so that the long coil spring 111 can be arranged.
  • a through hole is formed in the second flange 104, a coil spring 111 fixed to the first flange 103 is inserted through the through hole, fixed to the plate-shaped elastic structure fixing portion 112, and then the elastic structure fixing portion.
  • the 112 is fixed to the outer periphery of the second flange 104 so as to cover the through hole.
  • coil springs 111 are arranged axially symmetrically around the axis of the optical fiber 101. As long as the number is two or more, naturally, a plurality of coil springs 111 such as 3, 6, and 8 may be arranged.
  • four spring groups (combination of coil springs 111) around the axis are arranged in two sets in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 102.
  • the number of sets may be changed as appropriate according to the connection strength. For example, as long as the strength of the spring itself is sufficiently high, one set may be used, or three or more sets may be arranged in order to increase the connecting strength.
  • any known joining method can be used for joining the coil spring 111, the first flange 103, and the second flange 104.
  • a fastening structure a hook structure, screwing, rivets, welding, or the like may be used for joining. Further, it may be bonded or joined by using solder. Additional component processing and additional components related to these joints may be provided.
  • a hook structure, a screw hole and a screw, a reinforcing plate, or the like may be used.
  • any known material may be used, and for example, metal, resin, or the like can be used.
  • metal, resin, or the like can be used.
  • a metal spring if a magnetic metal is used, it interacts with the adapter 105 or the second flange 104, which reduces workability during assembly. Therefore, a metal that is hard to magnetize is preferable.
  • the number of turns, the thickness, the material, the length, etc. of the coil spring 111 can be uniquely calculated from the relationship between the pressing force F1 of the magnet and the gap amount dL absorbed between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105. It is possible, and depending on the relationship between F1 and dL, the reaction force F2 that can be deformed with a predetermined magnetic force or less may be appropriately set.
  • the coil spring 111 when the dimensional tolerance is large as described above, the coil spring 111 is relatively easily deformed in the shearing direction even if the gap between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 is large. Therefore, it is elastically deformed to absorb the gap between the second flange 104 and the adapter 105, and the second flange 104 and the adapter 105 come into contact with each other, resulting in the ferrule 102 and the optical fiber 101. Sufficient pressing force can be applied to.
  • the elastic structure is not limited to this embodiment, and is limited to a mechanical structure that can be sheared and deformed by a certain amount with a predetermined design stress even if the dimensions, materials, and shapes are partially changed. do not do
  • the optical connector according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the first embodiment and has substantially the same effect, but the arrangement of the elastic structure is different.
  • the axial direction of the spring is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule and is arranged along the axis of the outer circumference, whereas in the present embodiment, the axial direction of the spring is the ferrule. It is arranged in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of.
  • FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the optical connector plug 21 in the optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the optical connector plug 21 includes an optical fiber 201, a ferrule 202, a first flange 203, and a second flange 204, and the first flange 203 and the second flange 204 are connected by a coil spring 211 having an elastic structure.
  • a coil spring 211 having an elastic structure.
  • the first flange 203 is provided with an elastic structure fixing portion 212 having a larger outer circumference (larger area) than the tip portion inserted into the second flange at the base end portion.
  • the surface of the elastic structure fixing portion 212 on the tip end side faces one end surface of the second flange 204.
  • the elastic structure is composed of coil springs 211, and a plurality of coil springs 211 are arranged.
  • One end of each coil spring 211 is fixed to the surface of the first flange 203 on the tip end side of the elastic structure fixing portion 212.
  • the other end of the coil spring 211 is fixed to one end face of the second flange 204 facing the surface of the first flange 203 to which one end of the coil spring is fixed.
  • any known joining method can be used for joining the coil spring 211, the first flange 203, and the second flange 204.
  • a fastening structure a hook structure, screwing, rivets, welding, or the like may be used for joining. Further, it may be bonded by bonding or soldering. Additional component processing and additional components related to these joints may be provided.
  • a hook structure, a screw hole and a screw, a reinforcing plate, or the like may be used.
  • the second flange 204 and the first flange Since the coil spring 211 between 203 is elastically deformed, the second flange 204 can be brought into contact with the adapter.
  • the optical connector As described above, by using the optical connector according to the present embodiment, there is a dimensional tolerance (length tolerance, flatness) between the protrusion length of the ferrule 202 from the end of the second flange 204 and the length of the second flange 204. , Squareness, etc.) and conditions in process control by polishing can be relaxed, the manufacturing yield of members can be significantly improved, and member costs can be reduced.
  • the axial direction of the coil spring 211 is parallel to the deformation direction as compared with the first embodiment, elastic deformation by tensile deformation is possible instead of shear deformation.
  • the coil spring can be easily deformed in the compression / tension direction than in the shear direction, and the coil spring 211 can be easily designed.
  • the first flange 203 since the magnetic force acts between the second flange 204 and the adapter, the first flange 203 does not necessarily have to be a metal material attracted to the magnet, but of course a magnetic metal material or a magnet may be used. good. Further, the shapes of the first flange 203 and the second flange 204 may be appropriately changed including the inner diameter so that they can be easily connected by the elastic structure.
  • the optical connector according to the modified example of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the second embodiment, but the arrangement of the elastic structure is different.
  • FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of an optical connector plug 22 in an optical connector according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • one coil spring 221 is inserted through the tip of the first flange 203 and arranged.
  • a plurality of portions of the coil spring 221 on the elastic structure fixing portion 212 side are fixed to the surface of the first flange 203 on the tip end side of the elastic structure fixing portion 212.
  • the plurality of locations on the second flange 204 side of the coil spring 221 are fixed to one end surface of the second flange 204 facing the surface of the first flange 203 to which the plurality of locations of the coil spring 221 are fixed.
  • the second flange 204 and the first flange 203 are used. Since the coil spring 221 between them is elastically deformed, the second flange 204 can be brought into contact with the adapter.
  • optical connector according to this modification has substantially the same effect as the optical connector according to the second embodiment.
  • the optical connector according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the first embodiment and has substantially the same effect, but has a different elastic structure.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B are side sectional views of the optical connector plug 31 in the optical connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and the side into which the optical fiber is inserted from the outside (hereinafter referred to as “optical fiber extraction side”). A perspective view seen from.) Is shown.
  • the optical connector plug includes an optical fiber 301, a ferrule 302, a first flange 303, and a second flange 304, and the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 are connected by a leaf spring 311 having an elastic structure.
  • One end of the leaf spring 311 is fixed to a part of the end face of the first flange 303 on the optical fiber extraction side, and the other end of the leaf spring 311 is on the optical fiber extraction side of the second flange 304. It is fixed to a part of the end face.
  • the elasticity in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 302 (the mode of elastic deformation) is determined by the length, thickness, and material of the leaf spring 311 in the axial direction, it may be appropriately set so that it can be easily deformed with a predetermined magnetic force or less. Further, although an example of using four leaf springs 311 is shown, the number may be appropriately set if there are two or more of them as in the first embodiment.
  • any known joining method can be used for joining the leaf spring 311 to the first flange 303 and the second flange 304.
  • a fastening structure a hook structure, screwing, rivets, welding, or the like may be used for joining. Further, it may be bonded by bonding or soldering. Additional component processing and additional components related to these joints may be provided.
  • a hook structure, a screw hole and a screw, a reinforcing plate, or the like may be used.
  • the optical connector according to the modification of the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the third embodiment, but has a different elastic structure.
  • FIG. 7A and 7B respectively show a side sectional view of the optical connector plug 32 in the optical connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and a front view seen from the optical fiber extraction side.
  • a leaf spring is used for the elastic structure 321 as in the third embodiment, but the mode of fixing the leaf spring 321 on the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 is different.
  • the leaf spring 321 has ring-shaped fixing portions of different sizes at both ends.
  • the ring-shaped fixing portion at one end of the leaf spring 321 has an outer diameter equal to or less than the outer diameter of the first flange 303, an inner diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the optical fiber coating 307, and the light of the first flange 303. It is fixed to the end face on the fiber extraction side.
  • the ring-shaped fixing portion at the other end of the leaf spring 321 has an outer diameter equal to or less than the outer diameter of the second flange 304, an inner diameter equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the second flange 304, and the second flange 304. It is fixed to the end face on the optical fiber lead-out side.
  • the optical connector according to the present modification has a larger joint area between the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 of the leaf spring 321 than the optical connector according to the third embodiment. As a result, the joint between the first flange 303, the leaf spring, and the second flange 304 becomes strong.
  • the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 may be manufactured as an integral product, and may be machined by electric discharge machining or machining. If three-dimensional machining is difficult, the three-dimensional shape may be collectively formed by casting, a 3D printer, or the like.
  • the same effect as that of the first and second embodiments is obtained, and since the leaf spring is easier to design rigidly than the coil spring, external stress such as torsion after connection is obtained. It is possible to improve the connection stability to. Further, in the case of integral formation, it is possible to eliminate the joining process between the members and the additional structure for joining.
  • the optical connector according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the first embodiment and has substantially the same effect, but has a different elastic structure.
  • FIG. 8A and 8B each show a side sectional view of the optical connector plug 41 in the optical connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a front view seen from the optical fiber extraction side.
  • a spiral spring 411 is used for the elastic structure.
  • One end of the spiral spring 411 is fixed to a part of the end face of the first flange 403 on the optical fiber extraction side, and the other end of the spiral spring 411 is on the optical fiber extraction side of the second flange 404. It is fixed to a part of the end face.
  • the elasticity (mode of elastic deformation) along the longitudinal direction of the ferrule is determined by the thickness, rotation speed, and material of the spiral spring 411, it may be appropriately set so that it can be easily deformed with a predetermined magnetic force or less.
  • any known joining method can be used as the joining method between the spiral spring 411 and the first flange 403 and the second flange 404.
  • a fastening structure a hook structure, screwing, rivets, welding, or the like may be used for joining. Further, it may be bonded or joined by using solder. Additional component processing and additional components related to these joints may be provided.
  • a hook structure, a screw hole and a screw, a reinforcing plate, or the like may be used.
  • the spiral spring 411 in addition to having the same effect as that of the first and second embodiments, can be easily elastically deformed along the longitudinal direction of the ferrule as compared with the coil spring and the leaf spring. Moreover, it can be designed with high resistance to external force against stress in other directions.
  • the optical connector according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the first embodiment and has substantially the same effect, except that it has a stopper structure.
  • FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the optical connector plug 51 in the optical connector according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the optical connector plug 51 includes an optical fiber 501, a ferrule 502, a first flange 503, and a second flange 504, as in the first embodiment, and includes a first flange 503 and a second flange 504. Is connected by a coil spring 511.
  • a plurality of coil springs 511 are arranged along the axial direction from the outer peripheral portion of the first flange 503, that is, the axial direction thereof is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 502, and are connected to the second flange 504.
  • optical fiber connection side The diameter of the opening at the end of the ferrule 502 on the second flange 504 on the protruding side (hereinafter referred to as "optical fiber connection side") is smaller than the outer diameter on the optical fiber connection side of the first flange 503.
  • the coil spring 511 located on the outermost peripheral portion of the first flange 503 on the optical fiber lead-out side and the optical fiber in the second flange 504
  • a protrusion 512 is provided between the inner wall and the inner wall of the end on the drawer side. The protrusion 512 limits the movement of the first flange 503 to the optical fiber extraction side when the adapter and the second flange 504 are brought into contact with each other. That is, the protrusion 512 has a stopper structure.
  • stopper structures limit the movement of the first flange 503 with respect to the second flange 504 beyond a predetermined range.
  • the maximum movable range is defined (restricted) in advance, so that the elastic structure or joining due to excessive movement ( It is possible to prevent the destruction of the fixed) part.
  • the second flange 504 and the first flange 503 are integrated by assembling by a method of avoiding mechanical interference.
  • the first method can be realized by arranging the inner walls of the first and second flanges that interfere with each other only in one area on the outer periphery. As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 9, the structures that interfere with each other are arranged on the same surface as described above.
  • the second method is a method of finally joining (fixing) the inner wall end portion provided on the optical fiber connection side of the second flange 504.
  • the first flange is inserted into the second flange and connected via the elastic structure 509 before the end portion of the second flange 504 on the optical fiber connection side is joined (fixed) to the main body, and finally.
  • This can be realized by joining (fixing) the end of the second flange 504 on the optical fiber connection side to the main body.
  • a washer, a ring-shaped component, or the like may be used to insert and join (fix) the second flange 504 from the fiber connection side.
  • the stopper structure mechanically interferes and the elastic deformation beyond the predetermined range can be prevented.
  • shear fracture of the elastic structure fracture due to excessive elongation, and fracture of the fixed portion.
  • the adhesive portion from being peeled off or the material from being destroyed due to a large deformation of the elastic structure when the optical connector is inserted or removed from the adapter or when it is handled.
  • the optical connector according to the modified example of the fifth embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the optical connector according to the fifth embodiment, but has a different elastic structure and a stopper structure.
  • FIG. 10 shows a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in an optical connector according to a modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the optical connector plug 52 includes an optical fiber 501, a ferrule 502, a first flange 503, and a second flange 504, and the elastic structure of the first flange 503 is fixed, as in the modification of the second embodiment.
  • the portion 522 and the end face of the second flange 504 on the optical fiber extraction side are connected by one coil spring.
  • One coil spring is inserted and arranged at the tip of the first flange 503.
  • the stopper structure in this modification is composed of a protrusion 523 of the first flange 503 and a groove 524 of the second flange 504.
  • the first flange 503 is provided with a protrusion 523 on the outer periphery of the tip portion, and when the first flange 503 is mounted on the second flange 504, the protrusion 523 is a groove portion of the second flange 504. It is arranged so that it fits within 524.
  • the first flange 503 is movable with respect to the second flange 504 within the range in which the protrusion 523 is movable in the groove 524.
  • This stopper structure restricts the movement of the first flange 503 with respect to the second flange 504 by a predetermined range or more.
  • the maximum movable range is defined (restricted) in advance, so that the elastic structure or the joint (fixed) portion is destroyed due to excessive movement. Can be prevented.
  • the optical connector according to this modification has the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment.
  • 11A and 11B are side sectional views showing before and after connecting the optical connector plug in the optical connection structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
  • the optical connector plug 22 and the optical waveguide device 610 are connected.
  • the configuration is the same as the modification of the second embodiment, but the optical fiber extraction side of one of the optical connectors is the core of the waveguide device 613 and the core of the short fiber 601 via the optical waveguide device 610 and the adhesive. Are connected and integrated so that they are optical-coupled to low loss.
  • the base end of the ferrule 602 which is accommodated in the adapter 605 via the sleeve 606, is connected to the optical waveguide device 610 via the reinforcing plate 603 and the adhesive layer 604.
  • the optical waveguide device 610 has an optical waveguide layer 612 on the optical waveguide substrate 611, and the optical waveguide core 613 in the optical waveguide layer 612 is coupled to the short fiber 601 in the ferrule 602.
  • the optical connector plug 22 is inserted and housed in the adapter 605. As a result, the optical fiber 201 and the short fiber 601 are coupled and connected.
  • a plane light wave circuit (Planar Lightwave Circuit) having a light propagation mechanism, a light emitting element, a light receiving element, an optical modulation element, an optical functional element (for example, a splitter, a wavelength duplexer, etc.)
  • optical switch for example, polarization control element, optical filter
  • Materials for optical waveguide devices include, for example, semiconductors such as silicon and germanium, III-V semiconductors such as indium phosphide (InP), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), and lithium niobate. Strong dielectrics, polymers, quartz glass, etc.
  • the optical connection structure 60 even if the dimensional tolerance is large and a large gap occurs between the second flange 204 and the adapter 605, the space between the second flange 204 and the first flange 203 Since the coil spring 221 of the above is elastically deformed, the second flange 204 and the adapter 605 can be brought into contact with each other.
  • the magnetic force acting between the second flange 204 and the adapter 605 increases, so that a sufficient pressing force is applied to the ferrule 102, and stable PC connection can be realized even when there is a dimensional tolerance. That is, it is possible to significantly relax the restrictions on design and manufacturing regarding the dimensional tolerance in realizing the PC connection.
  • any of the methods shown in the first to fifth embodiments may be used.
  • a magnet used for the flange, the first flange, the second flange, or the adapter is shown, but the flange, the first flange, the second flange, or a part of the adapter is shown. It may be configured to include a magnet, and the flange, the first flange, the second flange, or the adapter may have sufficient magnetic force to exert the function of the optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention relates to a small optical connector and an optical connection structure, and can be applied to devices and systems such as optical communication.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

Un connecteur optique (10) selon la présente invention connecte, de façon à les opposer l'une à l'autre, des fibres optiques (101) présentant chacune un cœur de guide d'onde, dont la périphérie est entourée d'une gaine. Le connecteur optique (10) comprend : des ferrules tubulaires (102) comportant chacune un trou de guidage logeant une fibre optique (101) ; des premières brides (103) disposées chacune au niveau d'un côté d'extraction de fibre optique à une extrémité du trou de guidage et intégrées à une ferrule ; des secondes brides (104) connectées chacune à une première bride au moyen d'une structure élastique (108) ; un manchon (106) dans lequel une paire de ferrules (102) sont logées de manière opposée de telle sorte que les axes centraux des ferrules (102) soient alignés ; et sur la périphérie du manchon (106), un adaptateur (105) contenant un aimant ou un matériau magnétique métallique. Au moins le matériau de l'adaptateur (105) et/ou le matériau des secondes brides (104) contient un aimant, et la longueur de l'adaptateur (105) dans la direction longitudinale de la fibre optique est réglée de façon à être inférieure ou égale à la somme des longueurs en saillie de la paire de ferrules (102). Les structures élastiques (108) sont élastiquement déformables, et les cœurs des fibres optiques opposées (101) sont mis en contact étroit l'un avec l'autre.　Grâce à cette configuration, la présente invention peut fournir un connecteur optique compact qui assure une connexion stable sans limitation stricte de tolérances dimensionnelles et de tolérances de fabrication de ses éléments.
PCT/JP2020/030023 2020-08-05 2020-08-05 Connecteur optique et structure de connexion optique WO2022029929A1 (fr)

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PCT/JP2020/030023 WO2022029929A1 (fr) 2020-08-05 2020-08-05 Connecteur optique et structure de connexion optique

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS613106A (ja) * 1984-06-15 1986-01-09 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 光フアイバコネクタ
US4786135A (en) * 1985-12-18 1988-11-22 Societa' Cavi Pirelli S.P.A. Connector for optical fiber cables
JP2003536099A (ja) * 2000-06-05 2003-12-02 フーバー ウント ズーナー アーゲー 光学的プラグコネクタの組立のための方法，この方法を実施するための装置及びこのような方法における使用のためのプラグコネクタ
US20110081117A1 (en) * 2009-10-01 2011-04-07 Acrolite, Inc. Fiber Optic Light Source Adapter
US20130236139A1 (en) * 2012-03-07 2013-09-12 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Hardened multiport optical connector assembly
JP2014235371A (ja) * 2013-06-04 2014-12-15 矢崎総業株式会社 光コネクタ
CN110441868A (zh) * 2019-07-31 2019-11-12 尚华 一种光纤导丝、阵列磁性光纤连接器及其使用方法

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022029930A1 (fr) 2020-08-05 2022-02-10 日本電信電話株式会社 Connecteur optique et structure de connexion optique

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS613106A (ja) * 1984-06-15 1986-01-09 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 光フアイバコネクタ
US4786135A (en) * 1985-12-18 1988-11-22 Societa' Cavi Pirelli S.P.A. Connector for optical fiber cables
JP2003536099A (ja) * 2000-06-05 2003-12-02 フーバー ウント ズーナー アーゲー 光学的プラグコネクタの組立のための方法，この方法を実施するための装置及びこのような方法における使用のためのプラグコネクタ
US20110081117A1 (en) * 2009-10-01 2011-04-07 Acrolite, Inc. Fiber Optic Light Source Adapter
US20130236139A1 (en) * 2012-03-07 2013-09-12 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Hardened multiport optical connector assembly
JP2014235371A (ja) * 2013-06-04 2014-12-15 矢崎総業株式会社 光コネクタ
CN110441868A (zh) * 2019-07-31 2019-11-12 尚华 一种光纤导丝、阵列磁性光纤连接器及其使用方法

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