JP2623974B2 - Optical connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector for connecting an optical cable in optical communication, and more particularly to an optical connector mounted on a housing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 6A and 6B are a sectional view showing an example of a conventional optical connector and a perspective view of a ferrule portion of the optical connector. Conventionally, this type of optical connector is, for example,
(A) and (b), a rubber boot 31 that covers the core wire 22 that bundles the plurality of optical fibers 6,
The optical fiber 6 is connected to one end of the boot.
Are arranged in a line, and a ferrule 32 having one of a guide pin hole 5 and a guide pin, a cylindrical housing 33 covering these two ferrules 32 with the guide pin hole and the guide pin, and a two ferrule 3
2 is pressed through a pressure spring 34, and the cylindrical housing 3 is pressed.
And a push ring 36 screwed into the third screw portion 35.

When attaching this optical connector to a housing,
A plurality of the panels are attached to the panel surface at a predetermined interval.
However, since the interval needs to be widened, it is not suitable for high-density mounting such as for mounting on a housing. However, since this optical connector can be attached and detached only in the axial direction, it has been applied to a premise wiring optical cable or a case where there are many switching operations.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are partially cutaway views showing an example of two connector portions in a conventional optical connector, and FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view for explaining a connection procedure of the two connector portions. . Apart from the above-mentioned optical connector, there is, for example, a plug-in type optical connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-44608. This optical connector includes a type 1 connector attached to the housing side shown in FIG. 7A and a type 2 connector shown in FIG. 8B. As shown in FIG. 7A, the 1-type connector has a housing 39 in which two guide pin holes 38 are formed and which is screwed to a housing 37, and insertion holes 40 provided in a plurality of rows in the housing 39. The ferrule includes a ferrule inserted through a coil spring 41 and a slide plate 44 that moves into a groove 43 formed in the housing 39 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the insertion hole 40 in order to lock the ferrule. ing. An optical fiber 6a protrudes from one end of the ferrule, and the other end has a connector portion 45 as a connection portion.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the type 2 connector is mounted on a back board 46 and has a housing 47 for mounting two guide pins 19a. It has an adapter 48 to be attached and a ferrule inserted into the adapter 48 via the coil spring 42. One end of the ferrule has a ferrule connection portion 49 for connecting to the ferrule of the type 1 connector, and the other end has an optical fiber 6b.
Is protruding.

Next, the connection procedure of the optical connector will be described. First, the guide pins 19a of the type 2 connector are aligned with the guide pin holes 38 of the type 1 connector, and then pushed. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, as the guide pin 19a is inserted into the guide hole 38, the tip of the guide pin 19a enters the through hole 50 of the slide plate 44. When the guide pin 19a is further inserted, the guide pin 19a is pressed by the tapered portion at the tip end of the guide pin 19a, and the slide plate 44 moves downward with respect to the paper surface. As a result, the appropriate hole 50 of the slide plate 44 and the guide hole 38 are concentric, so that the stopper 52 is released from the locking mechanism, and the stopper 52 is retracted by the coil spring 41.

Next, the adapter 48 of the type 2 connector is inserted into the insertion hole 40, and the connector portion 45 is inserted into the split sleeve of the adapter 48. Further, by combining the housing 39 of the type 1 connector with the housing 47 of the type 2 connector, the convex portion 54 of the connector portion 45 is fitted into the concave portion 55 in the adapter 48, and the two ferrules are held in a connected state.

As described above, the two ferrules are pressed against each other by the two coil springs 41 and 42, and are contacted and connected with a uniform pressure. Conversely, when detaching, the projection 54 and the recess 55 can be unlocked and detached by separating them with a predetermined force.

[0009]

However, in the conventional optical connector shown in FIG. 7, the fingers are inserted when mounting and removing the optical connectors because they are connected by screws from both sides. It needs to be large and is not suitable for high-density mounting.

The conventional optical connector shown in FIG.
Although it is a plug-in type, since it is a collective type of single-core optical connectors, there is a disadvantage that the shape becomes large. Furthermore, when mounting to the housing and the backboard, if the guide pins are not mounted with high precision, the guide pins may not enter the guide holes, or even if the guide pins enter the guide holes, the individual ferrules may not fit each other.

On the other hand, even if the ferrules are fitted together, the insertion force increases as the guide pin is bent, and there are various mounting problems. In other words, there is a disadvantage that the connector cannot be fitted unless the error in attaching the connector to the package and the backboard is within ± 0.2 mm from the center position. In addition, in consideration of warping and rattling of the mounting portion in this housing, it has been difficult to keep the mounting error within ± 0.2 mm in mounting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector which can be connected without requiring the mounting position accuracy in order to solve such a problem.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems The feature of the present invention, the first ferrule the first coil is embedded a plurality of optical fibers
A first plug inserted into the guide hole of the adapter via a spring
And a rectangular cross-section fixing the rear end of the first plug.
Range of the gap between the fixed member, the guide hole, and the first plug
Within the extent to allow the fixed member to move up, down, left and right
Four leaf springs and four plates that hold down the four sides of the fixing member
A spring is loaded and the fixing members are opposed to each other so as not to rotate.
Leaf spring guider for regulating the direction of expansion and contraction of the two leaf springs
A fixed type connector provided with a housing having a frame, and a second connector inserted into the guide hole of the adapter.
The second ferrule that contacts and connects to the first ferrule
A second coil spring inserted into the guide hole via a second coil spring;
A plug and the second plug inserted into the guide hole;
A grip member having a locking mechanism for locking the inner hole.
And the first ferrule and the first ferrule.
And positioning provided on the end face of the second ferrule
Pin and a positioning hole into which the positioning pin is inserted.
And a positioning mechanism having the same.

[0014]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing an embodiment of the optical connector of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a type 1 connector of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a type 2 connector. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector includes a single-type connector 1 having a built-in leaf spring which is attached to a housing 37 and supports the plug 10a in the left-right and up-down directions, a two-type connector 2 for fixing the plug b, and a back connector. Plugs 10a and 10 of type 1 and type 2 connectors mounted on board 46
and an adapter 3 for guiding and connecting the ferrules 4a and 4b loosely fitted into the plugs 10a and 10b. The ferrules 4a and 4b are pressed and connected to each other by coil springs 7a and 7b, and the core wire 22 extends from the ferrules 4a and 4 and projects outside the main body of each connector.

As shown in FIG. 2, the one-type connector has a housing 39a having a space therein, and four leaf springs 11a, 11b and 12a disposed on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the inner space of the housing 39a. And this leaf spring 11a
And 11b, which are held by one end of the housing 39a and fixed to the vicinity of an opening on one end side of the housing 39a, and sandwiched by leaf springs 11a, 11b and 12a.
a plug 10a inserted through the opening of
0a, a ferrule 4a which is pressed in one direction by a coil spring 7a, has an optical fiber 6 embedded in an end face thereof, and has a guide pin hole 5 formed therein, and a coil spring 7a.
And a fixing portion 9a in which the core wire 22 is embedded.

Further, plates 19 and 20 are provided above and below the springs 11a and 11b in the space of the plug 10a.
And a guide shaft 14a, 14b and a coil spring 13a mounted on one surface of the plates 19, 20. A plug 10 is mounted on the other surface of the plates 19, 20.
a is in contact with the protrusion 16 protruding from one surface. The projection 16 is provided in the groove 23 of the leaf springs 11a and 11b.
And can slide.

On the other hand, the type 1 connector 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the type 2 connector has a ferrule 4b in which an optical fiber 6 is embedded at one end and a guide pin 5a protrudes, and an insertion hole into which the ferrule 4b is loosely inserted. A plug 10b incorporating a coil spring 7b for pushing the ferrule 4b in one direction, a grip 8 connected to the plug 10b, fixing the other end of the coil spring 7b, and covering a fixing portion 9a holding the core wire 22, and an adapter 3 and has projections 26a and 26b protruding from the grip 8.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views of the optical connector for explaining the connection procedure of the optical connector of FIG.
(A) And (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state in the adapter in FIG. Next, the connection operation of the optical connector will be described.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the axis C of the plug 10a of the type 1 connector is deviated and the axis A of the adapter 3 and the axis B of the type 2 connector are displaced. I do. First, the type 2 connector is inserted into the adapter 3.
As a result, the axis B of the two-way connector and the axis A of the adapter 3 become substantially parallel. These misalignments are caused by the clearance between the hole of the adapter 3 and the plug 10b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the type 1 connector is inserted into the insertion port of the adapter 3. At this time, the guide surface 27c of the plug 10a and the guide surface 27a of the adapter 3 cooperate to facilitate entry. When the plug 10a is further pushed, the plug 10a is restricted by the insertion opening of the adapter 3, and the plug 10a
a is shifted toward the rear end, and the leaf springs 11a and 11b
Deform while maintaining 0a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), when the type 1 connector is pushed in, the projection 16 of the plug 10a pushes the plates 19 and 20, and the coil springs 13a and 13b are compressed and are in the plug 10a. Apply pressure to the ferrule. At this time, the guide shafts 13a and 13b are discharged out of the housing 39a. On the other hand, the ferrules to which the pressing force is applied are aligned with the guide pins and the guide pin holes, and are connected to each other. As a result, the axes of the connectors are substantially parallel. In this manner, by providing the type 1 connector with the self-aligning mechanism held by the leaf spring, it is possible to allow connection of the shaft center due to a manufacturing error.

The connection state of the ferrule will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the diameter of the insertion port of the adapter 3 is ID, the outer diameter of the plugs 10a and 10b is D and its inner diameter id, and the outer diameter of the ferrules 4a and 4b is d, the plug 10a Angle of plug α due to clearance at insertion port of adapter 3
Becomes α = arctan (ID-D / A).

The inclination angle β of the ferrule due to the clearance between the ferrule and the inner diameter of the plug is given by β = arc
tan (id-d / B).

If α is smaller than β, as shown in FIG. 5A, a ferrule can be connected. If α is larger than β, as shown in FIG. Cannot be connected. Therefore, each clearance is set so that such an inclination angle can be obtained. For example, A is 10 mm, B is 4 mm, and ID is 11 m.
Assuming that m and D are 10.95 mm and id is 8 mm, the outer diameter d of the ferrule may be manufactured to be 7.98 mm or less. Of course, the diameter must be larger than the diameter which can sufficiently cover the core wire and the guide pin or the guide pin hole. Also, with a plug and a ferrule of this size, even if the misalignment of the type 1 connector is about 3 mm, it can be sufficiently connected, plus or minus 2.5 mm
Clear enough.

In FIG. 4, a description has been given of a shift in the vertical direction, but a shift in the horizontal direction can be absorbed. in this way,
Provided with a mechanism that can be moved up, down, left and right by supporting it with a leaf spring in the housing of the type 1 connector, that is, by providing a self-aligning mechanism, and further loosening the fitting than the ferrule inserted into the plug, Even if the misalignment occurs due to the clearance with the adapter, the ferrules cause the swinging action of each other, and can be reliably connected by guiding the guide pin and the guide pin hole. Further, in this embodiment, although nothing is present inside the ferrule and the plug, a ball is inserted between the ferrule and the hole of the plug so as to smoothly swing the ferrule, and the pivot bearing is inserted. Is more effective.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the plug of the male type 2 connector is fixed, the plug of the female type 1 connector is supported by four leaf springs, and the movement of the plug is achieved. The misalignment of both plugs can be corrected by providing a self-aligning mechanism that can move up, down, left and right, and providing an adapter having an insertion port into which both plugs are inserted. In addition, by loosening the degree of fitting of the ferrule inserted in both plugs to the degree of fitting between the plug and the adapter, the ferrule can swing and absorb misalignment due to the clearance between the plug and the adapter. Even if accuracy in production and assembly is not obtained, it is possible to obtain an optical connector that can be securely connected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing an embodiment of the optical connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing the type 1 connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the two-type connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the optical connector for describing a connection procedure of the optical connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state inside the adapter in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional optical connector and a perspective view of a ferrule part of the optical connector.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway view showing an example of two connector portions in a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view for explaining a connection procedure of the two connector units in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 type connector 2 type connector 3, 48 adapter 4a, 4b, 32 ferrule 5, 38 guide pin hole 5a guide pin 6 optical fiber 7a, 7b, 13a, 13b, 41, 42 coil spring 8 grip 9a, 9b fixing portion 10a, 10b Plug 11a, 11b, 12a Leaf spring 14a, 14b Guide shaft 15, 52 Stopper 16, 16a, 17, 26a, 26b Projection 18 Fixed block 19, 20 Plate 21 Mounting part 22 Core wire 23, 43 Groove 27a, 27b , 27c Guide surface 31 Boot 33 Cylindrical housing 34 Pressure spring 35 Screw part 36 Press ring 37 Housing 39, 39a, 47 Housing 40 Insertion hole 44 Slide plate 45 Connector part 46 Backboard 50 Through hole 54 Convex part 55 Concave part

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A first ferrule for embedding a plurality of optical fibers is inserted into a guide hole of an adapter via a first coil spring.
Fix the first plug to be inserted and the rear end of the first plug.
Fixing member having a rectangular cross section, the guide hole, and the first
Move the fixing member up, down, left and right within the gap with the plug.
Four leaf springs that press the four sides of the fixing member to the extent possible and the four leaf springs are loaded and the fixing member rotates.
So that the direction of expansion and contraction of the two leaf springs
And a housing having a leaf spring guide mechanism for regulating.
Fixed type 1 connector to be connected and the guide of the adapter
Abuts and connects with the first ferrule inserted into the hole
Guiding the second ferrule via a second coil spring
The second plug inserted into the hole and the second plug inserted into the guide hole
A locking mechanism for locking the second plug in the guide hole;
An insertion-side two-type connector having a grip member;
End faces of the first ferrule and the second ferrule
And a positioning pin provided in the
Optical connector according to claim Rukoto a positioning mechanism having a positioning hole to be input.