WO2022029930A1

WO2022029930A1 - Optical connector and optical connection structure

Info

Publication number: WO2022029930A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/030024
Authority: WO
Inventors: 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: 2020-08-05
Filing date: 2020-08-05
Publication date: 2022-02-10
Also published as: JPWO2022029930A1

Abstract

An optical connector (10) according to the present invention for positioning optical fibers (101) having a waveguide core, the periphery of which is surrounded by cladding, so as to face one another and be connected to one another, said optical connector (10) being equipped with ferrules (102) provided with a guide hole for housing an optical fiber (101), flanges (103) which are positioned on the end of the guide holes from which the optical fiber is drawn, and are connected to the ferrules (102) via an elastic structure (108), a sleeve (106) which causes the pair of ferrules (102) to be housed therein so as to face one another in a manner such that the center axes of said ferrules (102) align, and an adapter (105) containing a magnet or a metallic magnetic material and positioned around the sleeve (106), wherein the material of the adapter (105) and/or the flange (103) includes a magnet, the length of the adapter (105) in the lengthwise direction of the optical fiber is set so as to be no greater than the sum of the projecting lengths of the pair of ferrules (102), and the elastic structure (108) elastically deforms, causing the cores of the facing optical fibers (101) to tightly adhere to and contact one another.　As a result, the present invention makes it possible to provide an optical connector which is compact and has a stable connection, without severely restricting the member dimensional tolerance or fabrication tolerance.

Description

Optical connector and optical connection structure

The present invention relates to a small optical connector and an optical connection structure.

In recent years, with the increase in traffic from video services, IoT (Internet of Things), cloud services, etc., there is a demand for a significant increase in communication capacity within and between data centers. In order to realize the expansion of communication capacity, the introduction of optical interconnection technology using optical transmission technology used in optical communication is progressing instead of the conventional short-distance communication method using electric signals. In this optical interconnection technology, an optical transceiver form called a pluggable transceiver is often used.

In this pluggable transceiver, various optical components such as optical transceivers, electric circuit components for controlling them, printed circuit boards, etc. are housed in the metal housing. In addition, 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.

As mentioned above, 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.

There is also an application for connecting optical fibers to each other in a small housing, and even in this application, an optical connector as small as possible is required. Furthermore, it is expected that the introduction of optical interconnection on the board without the housing will progress in the future, and in that case as well, in order to reduce the occupied area of the optical connection on the board, a small optical connector is used. Demand is rising.

Generally, as an optical connector for connecting optical fibers such as an optical connector for a pluggable transceiver, one using a cylindrical ferrule represented by an SC connector or an LC connector is known.

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.

In addition, 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. In addition, 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.

At this time, the ferrules are pressed against each other in the split sleeve by the compressive force of the spring. By this pressing, the fibers in the ferrule can be closely connected to each other, and it is possible to prevent Fresnel reflection by air.

Such a 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. However, since the 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.

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. However, such 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.

In 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. 11A shows the configuration of the optical connector disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3, and FIG. 11B shows a side sectional view thereof. The optical connector includes a pair of optical fibers 701, a ferrule 702, and a flange 703, and the pair of optical fibers 701 and the ferrule 702 face each other and are housed in a sleeve in the adapter 704 and abutted against each other. It is a structure in which the connection is made.

Here, as with the existing optical connector, the ferrule 702 and the flange 703 are integrated by press fitting. The ferrule 702 has a microhole having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber in the center of the ferrule 702, and the optical fiber 701 from which the coating 707 is removed is housed in the microhole, and the optical fiber 701 and the ferrule 702 are accommodated. The optical fiber 701 and the flange 703 are fixed by an adhesive (not shown).

The tips of the optical fiber 701 and the ferrule 702 are polished into a convex spherical shape, and are appropriately polished into a shape suitable for PC connection. Here, at least one of the adapter 704 and the flange 703 is made of a permanent magnet, and if only one is a magnet, the other is made of a metallic magnetic material.

In an optical connector that uses a mechanical spring such as a conventional LC connector, 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.

On the other hand, in the optical connector disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3, the magnetic force is used as the pressing force to apply the pressing force for closely connecting the optical fibers 701 at the ends of the ferrule 702 by the attractive force of the magnet without applying the spring element. It will be possible to add. In addition, 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.

However, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the sum of the lengths of the ferrules 702 protruding from the opposing flanges 703 (hereinafter referred to as "ferrule protrusion lengths") is longer than the length of the adapter 704 due to its structural characteristics, Since the flange 703 and the adapter 704 come into contact with each other, the ferrules 702 cannot come into contact with each other.

Therefore, in order to make sure that the tip of the ferrule 702 is in contact with each other, it is necessary to accurately design the ferrule protrusion length from the adapter 704 and the flange 703. In addition, since there is actually a dimensional tolerance of the member, it is necessary to consider the worst case, that is, the case where the ferrule protrusion length is a negative tolerance and the length of the adapter 704 is a negative tolerance. be.

For example, assuming the worst case, where the dimensional tolerance from the design value of the ferrule protrusion length is ± dx1 and the tolerance from the design value of the length of the adapter 704 is ± dx2, the length of the adapter 704 is the ferrule protrusion length. From the sum of the reference values, it is necessary to set the adapter 704 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.

However, with the design as described above, in most connection pairs there will be a gap between the adapter 704 and the facing surface of at least one flange 703, and the ferrule protrusion length will have a positive tolerance and the adapter 704 will have a positive tolerance. Assuming a negative tolerance in length and complete contact between one flange 703 and the adapter 704, a very large gap of 2x (2 x dx1 + dx2) occurs between the other flange 703 and the adapter 704.

If dx1 and dx2 are designed to be 0.05 mm, a gap of 0.3 mm may occur. Furthermore, in addition to the dimensional tolerance of the design length, the flatness of the member and the tolerance of the squareness also affect, so there is a concern that the gap will become larger.

Here, in general, 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.

In this way, if the gap between the flange 703 and the adapter 704 becomes large, the magnetic force will decrease, and it will not be possible to maintain a stable PC connection, which is a problem. In order to prevent the influence of this decrease in magnetic force, it is necessary to specify the member tolerance very strictly, so that there is a problem that the difficulty in processing and assembling the member increases and the manufacturing yield of the connector decreases. Further, since dx1 is affected by the ferrule polishing process, there is a problem that the yield is lowered in the polishing process.

As mentioned above, there are restrictions in the design and manufacture of small optical connectors, which has been a problem.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, 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 ferrule having a guide hole for accommodating the fiber, a flange arranged on the optical fiber extraction side at one end of the guide hole and connected to the ferrule via an elastic structure, and a pair of the ferrules having a central axis of the ferrule. An optical fiber is provided with a sleeve that is housed so as to be opposed to each other and an adapter that includes a magnet or a metallic magnetic material around the sleeve, and the material of at least one of the adapter and the flange contains a magnet. The length of the adapter in the longitudinal direction 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 in close contact with each other. It is characterized by.

Further, the optical connector according to the present invention is an optical connector for connecting optical fibers having a waveguide surrounded by a cladding so as to face each other, and is provided with a guide hole for accommodating the optical fiber. A pair of a ferrule, a first flange arranged on the optical fiber extraction side at one end of the guide hole and integrated with the ferrule, and a second flange connected to the first flange via an elastic structure. A sleeve in which the ferrule is housed so as to face each other so that the central axes of the ferrule coincide with each other, and an adapter containing a magnet or a metallic magnetic material around the sleeve, the adapter and the second flange. At least one of the materials includes a magnet, 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, and the elastic structure is elastically deformed and opposed to the above. It is characterized in that the cores of the optical fibers are in close contact with each other.

According to the present invention, 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. 3 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug 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 first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a side sectional view of the optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a side sectional view of the optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of an optical connector plug in the optical connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 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. 10A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the optical connection structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the optical connection structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a bird's-eye view showing the configuration of a conventional optical connector. FIG. 11B is a side sectional view of a conventional optical connector.

<First Embodiment>
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

<Structure of optical connector>
FIG. 1A shows the configuration of the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment. The optical connector 10 includes an optical fiber 101, a ferrule 102, and a flange 103, and the pair of optical fibers 101 and the ferrule 102 are opposed to each other so that the central axes of the ferrule 102 coincide with each other, and are housed in a sleeve 106 in the adapter 105. By abutting them together, the optical fibers 101 are connected to each other.

The ferrule 102 and the flange 103 are integrated (connected) via an elastic structure 108. The 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 is provided with a microhole (guide hole) having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber at the center of the ferrule 102, and the flange 103 is also provided with a hole capable of accommodating the optical fiber 101. An optical fiber 101 from which the optical fiber coating 107 has been removed is housed in a microhole of the ferrule 102, and the optical fiber 101 and the ferrule 102, and the optical fiber 101 and the flange 103 are fixed by an adhesive (not shown).

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.

In the present embodiment, any known type and material of optical fiber and type and material of ferrule can be applied. For example, quartz fiber or plastic fiber may be used, and zirconia, crystallized glass, borosilicate glass, plastic, metal, or the like may be used for the ferrule. Further, although 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 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 in the optical fiber longitudinal direction (X1 direction in FIG. 1). ) May be any of the split sleeves provided with splits. The same applies to the sleeve material regardless of whether zirconia, metal, plastic, etc. are used.

Also, a permanent magnet is used for the adapter 105. As the material of the permanent magnet, 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.

At this time, 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. Further, a metallic magnetic material is used for the flange 103. As the flange 103, for example, there is SUS430, which is an inexpensive and excellent material for machining, and in addition, a flange 103 having magnetism such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or stainless steel (SUS) which is an iron-based alloy can be used. ..

A permanent magnet may be used for the flange 103. When the flange 103 is a permanent magnet, the adapter 105 may be made of a metallic magnetic material as described above, a known soft magnetic material, or the like. Further, as described in Non-Patent Document 3, the magnet may be formed by stacking magnets having a half-divided structure symmetrically divided into two in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 101, and similarly, a magnet arbitrarily divided into N parts. Pairs (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. Here, 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.

In the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, a SUS430 flange is used for the flange 103, a zirconia ferrule having an outer diameter of 1.25 mmφ is used for the ferrule 102, a quartz-based single-mode optical fiber is used for the optical fiber 101, and neodymium is used for the adapter 105. A magnet (about 3 × 3 × 3 mm ³ ) can be used. In this case, the protruding 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 each other and is connected via the sleeve 106.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example in which the outer shapes of the flange 103 and the adapter 105 are rectangular or rectangular is shown, but of course, any shape can be used for the outer shape. For example, the outer shape may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. The above is the same in the following other examples.

<Effect>
Next, the effect of the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the structure disclosed in Non-cited Document 3, a large gap may occur between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 due to the dimensional tolerance between the ferrule protrusion length from the flange 103 and the length of the adapter 105 as described above. In such a case, the magnetic force between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 does not work sufficiently, and in the worst case, the PC connection may not be realized. As described above, in order to prevent this, it is necessary to set the dimensional tolerance of each member to be very small.

On the other hand, according to the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, even if the dimensional tolerance is large and a large gap is generated between the flange 103 and the adapter 105, FIG. 2B shows. As shown, the elastic structure 108 between the flange 103 and the ferrule 102 is elastically deformed so that the flange 103 and the adapter 105 can be brought into contact with each other.

Here, "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.

As a result of the above contact, the magnetic force acting between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 increases, so that 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.

Here, the magnetic force acting on the flange 103 and the adapter 105 is F1, the elastic structure is deformed, and the magnetic force acting when the flange 103 and the adapter 105 come into contact is F1max, and the deformation of the elastic structure 108 acts between the flange 103 and the ferrule 102. Assuming that the reaction force is F2 and the reaction force acting between the flange 103 and the ferrule 102 when the flange 103 and the adapter 105 are in contact is F2max, the final pressing force Fa applied to the ferrule is Fa = F1max-F2max.

Here, if the magnetic force F1 acting between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 has a dimensional tolerance, a gap is generated between the flange 103 and the adapter 105, and the size thereof 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.

On the other hand, regarding the 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.

Therefore, the pressing force when the flange 103 and the adapter 105 are brought into contact with each other by causing elastic deformation rather than the pressing force (F1min) applied to the ferrule before the elastic deformation as shown in FIG. 2A occurs (in the state where the gap exists). The pressure Fa (= F1max-F2max) is larger.

Since F1 is determined by the performance and size of the magnet and F2 is determined by the material and dimensions of the elastic body, 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.

As described above, by using the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment, various dimensional tolerances (length tolerance, flatness, squareness, etc.) of the ferrule protrusion length from the end of the flange 103 and the adapter length can be obtained. The conditions for process control by polishing can be relaxed, the manufacturing yield of the member can be significantly improved, and the member cost can be reduced.

For example, in the configuration disclosed in 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. For this purpose, the gap must be 0.08 mm or less, and the member dimensional tolerance must be strictly specified.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment, even if the member dimensional tolerance is large, 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. ..

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. ..

As described above, when 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 protruding lengths of the two (one pair) ferrules 102 facing each other and the dimensional tolerance is taken into consideration, the length of the optical fiber is taken into consideration. A gap is created between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 in the direction, but the elastic structure 108 connecting the ferrule 102 and the adapter 105 is deformed, so that the flange 103 and the adapter 105 come into contact with each other for stable PC. The connection can be realized.

Here, the design value of the sum of the protrusion lengths of the two (1 pair) ferrules 102 facing each other from the flange 103 of the adapter 105 is the dimensional tolerance of the ferrule protrusion length ± dx1 and the adapter length as described above. Assuming that the dimensional tolerance is dx2, it is necessary to anticipate and set this tolerance in advance. When shortening the adapter, it is necessary to set the reference value as small as 2 × dx1 + dx2 in advance. Assuming the worst case where the protrusion length has a positive tolerance and the adapter length has a negative tolerance, the gap (gap) between the flange 103 and the adapter 105 is 2 x dx1 + dx2 minutes on each of the connecting sides. It will occur the maximum. Based on the above, it is preferable that the elastic structure is an elastic structure capable of absorbing 2 × dx1 + dx2 for the maximum gap.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, the flange 103 is on the side where the optical fiber is inserted from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule 102 (the X2 direction in FIGS. 2A and 2B) (hereinafter referred to as “optical fiber extraction side”). A movable elastic deformation region 109 in which the elastic structure 108 can be deformed is provided between the end portion of the ferrule 102 and the end portion of the ferrule 102. In this movable elastic deformation region 109, the elastic structure 108 is shear deformable in the longitudinal direction.

In other words, the elastic structure 108 cannot be deformed because the members, specifically the ferrule 102 and the flange 103, mechanically interfere with each other within the range of the length of the movable elastic deformation region 109 or more. With this structure, by prescribing the maximum deformable value of the elastic structure 108, it is possible to prevent shear failure of the elastic structure 108 due to excessive shear deformation.

<First Example>
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the optical connector plug 21 in the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical connector plug 21 includes an optical fiber 201, a ferrule 202, and a flange 203, and the ferrule 202 and the flange 203 are connected by an elastic adhesive 211 having an elastic structure.

For example, the elastic adhesive 211 is arranged (applied or filled) along the outer circumference of the ferrule 202 and fixed.

Materials of the elastic adhesive 211 include silicone, modified silicone, urethane, modified urethane, silylated urethane and their derivatives, other rubber-based adhesives, modified silicone-type epoxy matrix-based adhesives, acrylic resins, and epoxy. A resin or the like can be appropriately selected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a rubber sheet 212, which is an example of a rubber-based material that can be easily elastically deformed, can be used for the elastic structure. The rubber sheet 212 is arranged along the outer circumference of the ferrule 202, and the rubber sheet 212 and the ferrule 202 or the rubber sheet 212 and the flange 203 are integrated by using a rubber adhesive.

As the rubber material 212, any known rubber material can be used. Further, an additive or the like may be appropriately added to adjust the Young's modulus. By using a rubber sheet, it is possible to control the thickness of the elastic structure in advance.

Next, an example of design for selecting an elastic structure, for example, a resin material used for an elastic adhesive 211 or a rubber sheet 212 will be described.

First, the length of the elastic structure along the longitudinal direction of the ferrule is L, the thickness is t, the radius of the ferrule is r, the amount of elastic deformation in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule is dL, and the magnetic force acting between the flange and the adapter before the deformation of the elastic structure is F. Let the Young's modulus E at the operating temperature of the elastic material. At this time, the rigidity G of the elastic structure using the resin can be expressed by the equation (1).

G = E / {2 × (1 + ν)} (1)

Here, ν is Poisson's ratio. Further, the rigidity G can be expressed by the equation (2) when the elastic structure is deformed by the amount of elastic deformation dL in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule.

G = F × t / (2 × π × r × L × dL) (2)

From formula (1) and formula (2)

E = (1 + ν) × F × t / (π × r × L × dL) (3)
Will be. Therefore, Young's modulus E at the operating temperature is

E ≤ (1 + ν) × F × t / (π × r × L × dL) (4)
If so, the elastic structure is shear-deformed and can absorb the gap of the elastic deformation amount dL.

Here, the Poisson's ratio ν of the resin is about 0.4 or more, and the Poisson's ratio ν of the rubber-based material is about 0.45 or more. Therefore, if ν = 0.45, F = 3N, t = 0.1 mm, r = 0.625 mm, L = 1 mm, and the structure is such that the gap of dL = 0.05 mm can be absorbed, the formula ( From 4), E ≤ 4.43 MPa. Note that F may be regarded as the magnetic force acting between the flange and the adapter before the elastic structure is deformed.

Therefore, the configuration of the above conditions can be realized if the Young's modulus E is 4.43 MPa or less. This value is a reasonable value because the Young's modulus of rubber-based materials and elastic adhesives can be designed to be about 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa. The above values are an example, and the elastic structure can be arbitrarily designed in consideration of Young's modulus according to the equation (4).

In the present embodiment, an example in which an elastic adhesive or a rubber-based material is used for the elastic structure is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any structure may be used as long as it can perform a certain amount of shear deformation with a small force at room temperature. A resin having a small Young's modulus is desirable.

According to the embodiment, the flange 203 and the ferrule 202 can be integrated and the elastic structure can be formed without using other additional parts.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. 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 adapter configuration and the flange configuration are different.

FIG. 5A is a side sectional view showing a configuration of an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The optical connector 30 includes an optical fiber 301 and a ferrule 302, and a first flange 303 and a second flange 304, and the optical fiber 301 and the ferrule 302 face each other and are housed in a sleeve 306 in the

adapters

3051 and 3052. Here, the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 are connected by an elastic structure 308. As shown in FIG. 5B, the elastic structure 108 is elastically deformed, and the second flange 304 attracts the

adapters

3051 and 3052 by exerting a magnetic force and comes into contact with the adapter 105 (described later).

The adapter in the present embodiment has a structure in which the adapter is vertically divided into two halves and has a pair of N poles and S poles around the axis, and the attractive force by the magnet is expressed more greatly. There is.

Specifically, the adapter has a half-split structure and consists of a pair of

halves

3051 and 3052. The half body 3051 is magnetized in one direction in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, one end having an N pole and the other end having an S pole. On the other hand, the polarity of the half body 3052 is magnetized in the direction opposite to the magnetization direction of the half body 3051 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and one end is the S pole and the other end is the N pole.

As described above, the half body 3051 and the half body 3052 are symmetrical in the plane including the central axis of the optical connector 300, and the opposite surfaces of the half body 3051 and the half body 3052 have opposite polarities. There is.

With the configuration of the

adapters

3051 and 3052, it is possible to realize a small PC-connected optical connector by eliminating the mechanical pressing / holding structure, similar to the effect in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the attractive force of the magnet can be further expressed.

As described above, even if the size of the

adapters

3051 and 3052, the first flange 303, and the second flange 304 is made smaller, it is possible to develop a sufficient pressing force, and a smaller optical connector can be obtained. ..

Here, in the present embodiment, the adapter is divided into two parts (half-split) consisting of a pair of

halves

3051 and 3052, but the adapter is divided into a plurality of parts (magnets) even if the adapter is not a pair. It suffices that the paired members (magnets) of each pair have opposite polarities on the facing surfaces.

That is, the

adapters

3051 and 3052 include magnets having at least one pair of N pole and S pole symmetrically along the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the optical fiber 301, and form a pair of divided adapters. The structure may be such that the opposing surfaces of the magnets are arranged so as to have opposite poles so that an attractive force acts on the magnets.

Further, in the present embodiment, the

adapters

3051 and 3052 are rectangular parallelepipeds, and the paired halves are symmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the upper surface including the central axis. If the pole half body is symmetric, another plane may be used as the plane of symmetry, and the configuration may be such that the N pole half body and the S pole half body are arranged symmetrically. If the

adapters

3051 and 3052 have a cylindrical shape, the plane including the central axis may be a plane of symmetry.

Further, the flange is composed of a first flange 303 and a second flange 304, and the flange integrated with the ferrule 302 is the first flange 303, while the flange on the side that attracts the

adapters

3051 and 3052 by applying magnetic force is used. The second flange 304 is used.

The first flange 303 is integrated with the ferrule 302 by press fitting, and cannot be deformed in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. In this structure, the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 are connected via an elastic structure 308. In the first embodiment, the flange and the ferrule 302 are integrated via the elastic structure 308, whereas in the present embodiment, the flange and the ferrule 302 are integrated between the first flange 303 and the second flange 304. There is a difference in that the elastic structure 308 is arranged.

According to the optical connector 30 according to the present embodiment, even if the dimensional tolerance is large and a large gap occurs between the second flange 304 and the

adapters

3051 and 3052, the effect in the first embodiment is the same. Since the elastic structure 308 between the second flange 304 and the first flange 303 is elastically deformed at the time of connecting the connector, the second flange 304 and the

adapters

3051 and 3052 can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, since the magnetic force acting between the second flange 304 and the

adapters

3051 and 3052 can be increased, an appropriate pressing force is applied to the ferrule 302, and a stable PC connection can be realized.

In this way, the lengths of the

adapters

3051 and 3052 in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber are set to be equal to or less than the sum of the protruding lengths of the two (1 pair) ferrules 302 facing each other, and the optical fiber takes dimensional tolerance into consideration. A gap is created between the second flange 304 and the

adapters

3051 and 3052 in the longitudinal direction, but the elastic structure 108 connecting the first flange 303 and the second flange 304 is deformed, so that the second flange 304 is deformed. The flange 304 and the

adapters

3051 and 3052 come into contact with each other to realize a stable PC connection.

Here, the design value of the sum of the protrusion lengths of the two (1 pair) ferrules 302 facing the lengths of the

adapters

3051 and 3052 from the second flange 304 has the dimensional tolerance of the ferrule protrusion length as described above. Assuming that ± dx1 and the dimensional tolerance of the adapter length are dx2, it is necessary to anticipate and set this tolerance in advance.

When shortening the adapter, it is necessary to set the reference value 2 x dx1 + dx2 smaller in advance. Assuming the worst case where the protrusion length has a positive tolerance and the adapter length has a negative tolerance, the gap (gap) between the second flange 304 and the

adapters

3051 and 3052 will be on both sides to be connected. 2 × dx1 + dx2 minutes will occur at the maximum. Based on the above, it is preferable that the elastic structure is an elastic structure capable of absorbing 2 × dx1 + dx2 for the maximum gap.

As described above, by using the optical connector 30 according to the present embodiment, the ferrule 302 protrusion length from the first flange 303 end, the ferrule 302 protrusion length from the second flange 304 end, and the adapter. Various dimensional tolerances such as length (length tolerance, flatness, squareness, etc.) and conditions in process control by polishing can be relaxed, and the manufacturing yield of parts can be greatly improved and the cost of parts can be reduced. can.

Further, while the number of member points is increased as compared with the first embodiment, the same equipment as the existing optical connector can be used for the press-fitting process and the ferrule polishing process of the first flange 303 and the ferrule 302. Great manufacturing advantage.

Furthermore, since the flange is manufactured by machining or casting, it has a greater degree of structural freedom than ferrules made by sintering, drawing, injection molding, etc., and the thickness and length of the elastic structure 308 are close to the connecting portion of the elastic structure 308. There is an advantage that a structure such as a protrusion or a groove for limiting the elasticity can be easily provided.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the flange and the ferrule is relatively large, thermal stress is likely to be applied to the elastic structure 308, but in the present embodiment, the first flange 303 and the second flange By using the same magnet or metal-based material for 304, thermal stress can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the elastic adhesive 411 and the rubber sheet 421 can be used for the elastic structure.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to limit the movable elastic deformation region 413 by mechanical interference, a protrusion 412 can be provided on the outer periphery of the first flange 403.

Specifically, when the first flange 403 is attached to the second flange 404, the first flange 403 is the outer peripheral portion of the first flange 403, the end portion of the

elastic structures

411 and 421 on the optical fiber extraction side, and the second flange. A protrusion 412 is provided between the flange 404 and the inner wall of the end on the optical fiber extraction side. When the adapter (not shown) and the second flange 404 are brought into contact with each other by the protrusion 412, the inner wall of the second flange on the optical fiber extraction side and the protrusion 412 of the first flange mechanically interfere with each other. , The movement of the first flange 403 toward the optical fiber lead-out side is restricted.

As a result, the movable elastic deformation region 413 is formed between the end portion of the

elastic structures

411 and 421 on the optical fiber extraction side and the inner wall of the end portion of the second flange 404 on the optical fiber extraction side. The movable elastic deformation region 413 can prevent shear failure of the

elastic structures

411 and 421 due to excessive shear deformation due to insertion.

If the structure is such that the first flange and the second flange mechanically interfere with each other as shown in the present embodiment, the structure is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and a mechanical interference structure may be appropriately provided other than the protrusions. Has the same effect.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the magnetic force acts between the second flange 404 and the adapter, the first flange 403 does not necessarily have to be a metal material attracted to the magnet, but naturally a magnetic metal material or a magnet is used. You may use it. Further, the shapes of the first flange 403 and the second flange 404 may be appropriately changed including the inner diameter so that they can be easily connected by the

elastic structures

411 and 421.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the adapter has a half-split structure and consists of a pair of halves has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the adapter has a structure consisting of an integral magnet as in the first embodiment. May be good.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 9. 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 adapter configuration and the flange configuration are different.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the optical connector plug 51 in the optical connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the optical connector plug 51 includes an optical fiber 501, a ferrule 502, and a flange 503, and the flange 503 and the ferrule 502 are connected by an elastic structure 508. The type of elastic structure 508 can be applied to either a rubber sheet or an elastic adhesive.

In the optical connector plug 51, the movable elastic deformation region 513 is defined on the optical fiber extraction side as in the first embodiment, and the elastic structure 508 is defined so as not to be shear elastically deformed beyond a predetermined range. ..

As a result, when the flange 503 moves to the protruding side of the ferrule 502 (hereinafter referred to as "optical fiber connecting side") when the connector plug is inserted or the like, the ferrule 502 is displaced relative to the optical fiber drawing side with respect to the flange 503. The amount is limited by mechanical interference. As a result, it is possible to prevent shear failure of the elastic structure 508 due to excessive shear deformation.

Further, also on the optical fiber connection side, a stopper structure is provided so as to define the maximum range of motion of the shear deformation region 514 of elastic deformation. Specifically, a protrusion 512 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the ferrule 502 between the end portion of the elastic structure 508 on the optical fiber connection side and the inner wall of the end portion of the flange 503 on the optical fiber connection side. Further, the opening on the optical fiber connection side of the flange 503 is set to a size at which the inner wall of the opening and the protrusion 512 of the ferrule 502 abut.

The protrusion 512 limits the amount of relative displacement of the ferrule 502 with respect to the flange 503 toward the optical fiber connection side. That is, the protrusion 512 has a stopper structure.

When manufacturing the optical connector plug 51 in the present embodiment, the ferrule 502 including the protrusion 512 and the flange 503 are inserted and integrated by a method of avoiding mechanical interference.

For example, the first method can be realized by arranging the inner wall of the protrusion 512 and the flange 503 in only one area on the outer periphery. As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 8, the protrusion 512 and the flange 503 are arranged on the same surface. When inserting the flange and the ferrule at the time of assembly, the rotation angles of the flange 503 and the ferrule 502 in the direction around the optical axis are adjusted, and the flange and the inner wall of the flange 503 are inserted so as not to hit each other.

Next, it is possible to mount by adjusting the rotation angle in each optical axis direction to the state shown in FIG. 8 and then connecting them using the elastic structure 508. In this method, a fastening method such as bayonet fastening, which is fixed by rotating around an axis after insertion, may be used.

As a second method, there is a method of joining (fixing) the end portion of the inner wall provided on the optical fiber connection side of the flange 503 later. This is because the ferrule 502 having a protrusion formed (joined) on a part of the outer periphery is inserted from the optical fiber connection side of the flange 503 before the end portion of the flange 503 on the optical fiber connection side is joined (fixed) to the main body. This can be realized by connecting the flange 503 and the ferrule 502 with the elastic structure 508, and finally joining (fixing) the end portion of the flange 503 on the optical fiber connection side to the main body. In the same manner, a washer, a ring-shaped component, or the like may be used to insert and join (fix) the flange 503 from the fiber connection side.

According to the present embodiment, when the elastic structure 508 is shear-deformed within a predetermined range, the protrusion 512 and the flange 503 mechanically interfere with each other, and the shear deformation beyond the predetermined range can be prevented. Conventionally, when removing the adapter of the optical connector plug, since it is performed manually, a large shear stress due to insertion and removal may be applied to the elastic structure 508, and careful handling in consideration of the insertion and removal force may be required. rice field. In the third embodiment, the adapter of the optical connector plug can be removed without being aware of the insertion / removal force.

<Modified example of the third embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of an optical connector plug 52 in an optical connector according to a modification of the third 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 a first flange 503 and a second flange 504, as in the second embodiment. Are connected by an elastic structure 508. The type of elastic structure 508 can be applied to either a rubber sheet or an elastic adhesive.

Similar to the second embodiment, the first flange 503 has an outer peripheral portion of the end portion of the elastic structure 508 on the optical fiber extraction side and an inner wall of the end portion of the second flange 504 on the optical fiber extraction side. By providing the protrusion 522 in between, the movable elastic deformation region 523 is provided on the optical fiber extraction side. As a result, the amount of relative displacement of the first flange 503 with respect to the second flange 504 toward the optical fiber extraction side is limited by mechanical interference when the connector plug is inserted or the like. As a result, it is possible to prevent shear failure of the elastic structure 508 due to excessive shear deformation.

Further, the diameter of the opening at the end of the ferrule 502 on the optical fiber connection side of the second flange 504 is smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fiber connection side of the first flange 503. With this configuration, when the adapter and the second flange 504 are brought into contact with each other, the movement of the first flange 503 toward the optical fiber connection side is restricted. That is, the movable elastic deformation region 524 is set on the optical fiber connection side.

This limits the amount of relative displacement of the first flange 503 to the second flange 504 on the optical fiber connection side. That is, the protrusion 512 has a stopper structure.

When manufacturing the optical connector plug 52 in the present embodiment, the second flange 504 and the first flange 503 are integrated by a method of avoiding mechanical interference in the same manner as described above.

For example, 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. When inserting the first and second flanges at the time of assembly, adjust the rotation angles of the first flange 503 and the second flange 504 in the direction around the optical axis, and insert them so that their inner walls do not touch each other. ..

Next, it is possible to mount by adjusting the rotation angle in each optical axis direction to the state shown in FIG. 9 and then connecting them using the elastic structure 508. In this method, a fastening method such as bayonet fastening, which is fixed by rotating around an axis after insertion, may be used.

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. This is done by inserting the first flange into the second flange and finally through the elastic structure before joining (fixing) the end of the second flange 504 on the optical fiber connection side to the main body. This can be achieved by joining (fixing) the end of the flange 504 on the optical fiber connection side to the main body. In the same manner, 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.

As described above, in the optical connector according to the present deformation example, when the elastic structure 508 is shear-deformed beyond a predetermined range, the stopper portion of the second flange 504 and the first flange 503 mechanically interfere with each other, and the shear deformation exceeds a predetermined range. Can be prevented.

Conventionally, when removing the adapter of the optical connector plug, since it is performed manually, a large shear stress due to insertion and removal may be applied to the elastic structure 508, and careful handling in consideration of the insertion and removal force may be required. rice field. In the present embodiment, the adapter of the optical connector plug can be removed without being aware of the insertion / removal force.

As described above, according to the present embodiment and the modification, it is possible to prevent the flange 503 or the second flange 504 from being excessively sheared and deformed to the optical fiber extraction side and the optical fiber connection side, and the elastic structure associated therewith. Shear failure of 508 can be prevented. With these structures, it is possible to prevent peeling of the adhesive portion and material destruction due to large deformation of the elastic structure 508 when inserting and removing the optical connector from the adapter or when handling the optical connector.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, the optical connection structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10B.

10A and 10B are side sectional views showing before and after connecting the optical connector plug in the optical connection structure 60 according to the fourth embodiment, respectively.

In the optical connection structure 60 according to the present embodiment, the optical connector plug 21 and the optical waveguide device 610 are connected.

The configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but the optical fiber extraction side of one optical connector is optically coupled to the core of the waveguide device and the core of the optical fiber with low loss via the optical waveguide device and the adhesive. It is connected and integrated so that it can be used.

Specifically, in the optical connection structure 60, 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 21 is inserted and housed in the adapter 605. As a result, the optical fiber 201 and the short fiber 601 are coupled and connected.

Here, as the optical waveguide device, 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 splitting / demultiplexing device, light) Switches, polarization control elements, optical filters), etc. 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.

According to the optical connection structure 60 according to the present embodiment, the elastic adhesive 211 between the ferrule 202 and the flange 203 is elastically deformed even when the dimensional tolerance is large and a large gap is generated between the flange 203 and the adapter 605. Therefore, the flange 203 and the adapter 605 can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, since the magnetic force acting between the flange 203 and the adapter 605 can be increased, a sufficient pressing force is applied to the ferrule 202, and a stable PC connection can be realized.

With this structure, it is possible to realize a small optical connection structure, and it is also possible to provide a pseudo optical waveguide device and a small optical connector connection of an optical fiber via a short optical fiber. As the material and structure of the adapter and the material and structure of the flange, any of the first to third embodiments may be used.

In the present embodiment, the adapter is provided in advance on the optical waveguide device side, but it may be adhesively fixed to the optical connector plug side to be inserted. Further, the ferrule may be attached to the flange in advance, or may be attached via an adapter at the time of connection.

In the present embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a magnet is 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.

In the embodiment of the present invention, an example of the structure, dimensions, materials, etc. of each component in the configuration, manufacturing method, etc. of the optical connector is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Anything that exerts the function and effect of the optical connector may be used.

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.

10 Optical connector 101 Optical fiber 102 Ferrule 103 Flange 105 Adapter 106 Sleeve 107 Optical fiber coating 108 Elastic structure

Claims

An optical connector for connecting optical fibers having a waveguide core surrounded by a clad so as to face each other.
A ferrule having a guide hole for accommodating the optical fiber and
A flange arranged on the optical fiber extraction side at one end of the guide hole and connected to the ferrule via an elastic structure,
A sleeve in which a pair of the ferrules are housed so as to face each other so that the central axes of the ferrules coincide with each other.
Around the sleeve, an adapter containing a magnet or a metallic magnetic material is provided.
The material of at least one of the adapter and the flange includes a magnet.
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
An optical connector characterized in that the cores of the optical fibers facing each other are in close contact with each other.
An optical connector for connecting optical fibers having a waveguide core surrounded by a clad so as to face each other.
A ferrule having a guide hole for accommodating the optical fiber and
A first flange arranged on the optical fiber extraction side at one end of the guide hole and integrated with the ferrule,
A second flange connected to the first flange via an elastic structure,
A sleeve in which a pair of the ferrules are housed so as to face each other so that the central axes of the ferrules coincide with each other.
Around the sleeve, an adapter containing a magnet or a metallic magnetic material is provided.
The material of at least one of the adapter and the second flange comprises a magnet.
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
An optical connector characterized in that the cores of the optical fibers facing each other are in close contact with each other.
The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2.
The elastic structure is an optical connector characterized by being an elastic adhesive.
The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2.
The elastic structure is an optical connector characterized by being a rubber-based material.
The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The length of the elastic structure in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule is L, the thickness is t, the radius of the ferrule is r, the amount of elastic deformation in the longitudinal direction is dL, the magnetic force acting between the flange and the adapter before the deformation of the elastic structure is F, and elasticity. When the Poisson's ratio of the material is ν, the Young's modulus E of the material having the elastic structure is
E ≤ (1 + ν) × F × t / (π × r × L × dL)
An optical connector characterized by satisfying.
The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
On the fiber extraction side in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule, a structure is provided in which the ferrule and the flange, or the first flange and the second flange mechanically interfere with each other so as to limit the movable region of the elastic structure. Characterized optical connector.
The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
On the fiber connection side in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule, a structure is provided in which the ferrule and the flange, or the first flange and the second flange mechanically interfere with each other so as to limit the movable region of the elastic structure. Characterized optical connector.
The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
Optical connection structure with optical waveguide device.