JP3138620B2 - Plug caulking jig for optical fiber cord - 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, and more particularly to a plug caulking jig for an optical fiber cord used for connecting an optical fiber cord to the optical connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various types of optical fiber cords used for optical communication and the like. As an example of a typical optical fiber cord, a Kevlar is arranged around a fiber core wire. There is one in which these reinforcing fibers and fiber core wires are surrounded by a cord jacket. One of the functions of the reinforcing fiber in such an optical fiber cord is as follows.
The purpose of the present invention is to prevent the external force applied to the cord jacket from directly applying to the fiber core wire, thereby preventing the fiber core wire from being damaged.

Conventionally, as one method for connecting such an optical fiber cord to an optical connector, there has been a method using a stop ring and a caulking ring. According to such a conventional connection method, as schematically shown in FIG. 22 of the accompanying drawings, first, the cord jacket 301 of the terminal of the optical fiber cord 300 to be connected to the optical connector is peeled off,
The reinforcing fiber 302 and the fiber core 303 are exposed. Next, a stop ring 250A is attached to the exposed fiber core 303, and the end of the fiber core is treated and inserted into and fixed to the ferrule 240, and the plug frame 230 of the optical connector plug is connected to the stop ring 250A. Attach to the end and fix. And the exposed reinforcing fibers 3
02 is arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of the stop ring 250A. FIG. 22 shows such a state, and the end of the reinforcing fiber 302 is cut off at the position of the arrow shown in FIG.

Then, the reinforcing fiber 302 is fixed. As schematically shown in FIG.
The caulking ring 260A is inserted so that the reinforcing fiber 302 covers the circumference of the iris knurled portion of 0A, and caulking is performed using a caulking jig (round caulking) including the receiving portion 50A and the caulking operation portion 40A. 260A is swaged to 26
1A, caulking, reinforcing fiber 302 stop ring 2
Crimping and fixing are performed between 50A and caulking ring 260A.

[0005] Finally, as schematically shown in Fig. 24, the cord jacket 301 is pulled out from the caulking ring 260A, and as shown by reference numeral 301A, is cut with a cutter or nipper.
Cut and place over the rear end of the caulking ring 260A and secure with the retaining ring 270A.

[0006]

In such a conventional method of connecting an optical fiber cord, when the caulking jigs 40A and 50A caulk the caulking ring 260A with respect to the stop ring 250A, the caulking ring 260A is pivoted. In some directions and rotation directions. If the caulking moves during the caulking operation in this manner, sufficient fixing strength of the reinforcing fiber is not obtained, and the cord tensile strength is weakened. Also, the cord outside in the connection step described with reference to FIG. In some cases, it was difficult to withdraw the subject.

Further, in the conventional method, there is no reliable means for holding the optical connector plug including caulking with the caulking jig, so that the optical connector plug is caulked during caulking operation. There was also inconvenience such as falling off the jig. For this reason, the operator must always carry out the caulking work while paying attention not to drop the optical connector plug from the caulking jig, which is extremely complicated and takes much time. .

[0008] Apart from the problems of the conventional method of connecting the optical fiber cord to the optical connector, the optical connector connected to the optical fiber cord also has the following problems. That is, as one type of conventional optical connector, a gripping means is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of a main body which holds the ferrule at the distal end so as to be able to advance and retreat, and the gripping means is advanced and retracted so that coupling and uncoupling with the member to be coupled can be performed. There is something that I did. In such a conventional optical connector, the gripping means is gripped so as not to be deformed or damaged by an external force of operation when the gripping means is coupled to and uncoupled from the member to be coupled. It was necessary to increase the thickness of the part to some extent. However, by increasing the thickness of the gripping portion of the gripping means in this way, it is difficult to obtain an optical connector that can sufficiently respond to recent demands for an optical connector that is small, lightweight, and suitable for high-density mounting. Can not.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plug caulking jig for an optical fiber cord which can solve the problems of the prior art as described above.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a caulking jig used for connecting an optical fiber cord to an optical connector, wherein the outer sheath of the optical fiber cord is stripped. A receiving portion for receiving a caulking ring which is covered so as to sandwich the reinforcing fiber from which the sheath of the optical fiber cord has been peeled off with respect to the stop ring which has been inserted, and A caulking operation portion for caulking a ring to the stop ring and pressing the reinforcing fiber therebetween.The receiving portion is engaged with a collar portion of the caulking ring, and is caulked. In operation, a locking portion is provided to prevent the swaging from moving in the axial and rotational directions.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
Based on the above, the present invention will be described in more detail with respect to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a caulking jig as one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the caulking jig 100 includes two levers 10 and 20.
It has a so-called pliers or nippers configuration. These levers 10 and 20 are long enough to hold one end of them by the hand of an operator. The lever 10 and the lever 20 are connected to each other at four pivots 31, 32, 33 and 34 via appropriate link members. Since these link connection mechanisms have the usual configuration in this type of jig, they will not be described in further detail here. The other end 11 of the lever 10 is fixed to the caulking operation section 4 using a fixing screw 12.
The receiving portion 50 is attached to the other end 21 of the lever 20 using a fixing screw 22. The state shown in FIG. 1 is a state where the caulking operation unit 40 is closed with respect to the receiving unit 50 by squeezing the levers 10 and 20, that is, a caulking operation state. If the gripping force on the levers 10 and 20 is released,
From this caulking operation state, it is configured to automatically return mechanically to a non-operating state, that is, a state where the caulking operation unit 40 is separated from the receiving unit 50 and opened. A configuration using such a ratchet mechanism may be a commonly used configuration, and will not be described in detail here.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a detailed structure of the receiving portion 50 and the caulking operation portion 40 provided on the caulking jig 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the components of the optical connector plug, the stop ring, the caulking, and the optical fiber cord combination are arranged in the receiving portion 50 in order to perform the caulking operation for connecting the optical fiber cord to the optical connector plug. FIG.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the caulking operation section 40 is formed integrally with, for example, a metal material, and its upper portion (not shown in FIG. 3) has a lever 1
0 has a shape suitable for being fixed to the other end 11 by a fixing screw 12. The lower portion has, at the center, a caulking recess 41 having a size and shape suitable for performing a caulking operation on a caulking portion 261 of a caulking ring 260 described later. Leg 42
Abuts against the side receiving surface 54 of the receiving portion 50 as described later, thereby acting to regulate the amount of caulking of the caulking ring 260 to the caulking portion 261 to a desired value.

On the other hand, the receiving surface 50 is also integrally formed of, for example, a metal material, and the lower portion thereof is not shown in FIG. The shape is suitable for fixing at 22. And
In the upper part, the above-described caulking recess 41 of the caulking operation part 40 is provided.
The caulking portion 26 of the caulking ring 260 is located at a position corresponding to
1 is formed, and a caulking receiving surface 53 on which the
The caulking receiving surface 53 performs the caulking operation of the caulking ring 260 in cooperation with the caulking recess 41 of the caulking operation unit 40. Side receiving surfaces 54 are formed on both sides of the caulking receiving surface 53.

A plug frame 230 as a main body, which is a component of an optical connector plug connected to an optical fiber cord as described later, is mounted behind the caulking receiving surface 53. A concave portion 51 is formed, and a ferrule insertion concave portion 52 that allows a distal end portion of a ferrule 240 held in the plug frame 230 to be able to move forward and backward is inserted into a rear end of the plug frame mounting concave portion 51. Is provided. On the other hand, a stepped concave portion 55 is formed in front of the caulking receiving surface 53 for receiving a circular stop flange portion 262 of the caulking ring 260 as described later to prevent the caulking ring 260 from moving in the axial direction. Further, following the stepped concave portion 55, a collar portion 263 for receiving the collar portion 263 extending in the vertical direction of the caulking ring 260 and preventing movement of the caulking ring 260 in the rotation direction is provided. A recess 56 is formed.

Next, working steps for connecting an optical fiber cord to an optical connector plug using the above-described caulking jig 100 will be described in detail with particular reference to FIGS. 5 to 21. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the entire configuration of the optical connector plug in which the connection of the optical fiber cord has been completed using the caulking jig. The optical connector plug 200 mainly includes a cap 210 (shown in cross section in FIG. 5), a knob 220 as a gripping means, a plug frame 230 as a plug body, and a ferrule 24.
0, stop ring 250, and caulking ring 260
And a hood 270. For the optical connector plug 200 having such a configuration, the stop ring 250
And an optical fiber cord 3 using caulking 260
00 is connected. The knob 220 is usually integrally formed of a plastic material, and is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the plug frame 230. The knob 220 is moved forward and backward to connect with a member to be coupled such as a mating optical connector receptacle. The connection and disconnection are performed. Such ferrule 240 and plug frame 2
The related configuration between 30 and knob 220 is the same as that commonly used in the past, and will not be described in further detail here.

FIG. 6 is a half sectional front view showing a detailed structure of the caulking ring 260 used with the caulking jig of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view thereof. As shown in these figures, this caulking 260 is, for example,
It is made of a metal material and is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The caulking ring 260 includes a caulking portion 261 for receiving the stop ring 250, a circular stop flange portion 262, and a flange portion 263 extending in the vertical direction.
, Hood stopper flange 264, hood mounting part 26
5 is provided.

In order to connect the optical fiber cord 300 to the optical connector plug 200, first, as schematically shown in FIG.
0, the caulking ring 260, the stop ring 250 and the spring 280 are inserted in the order shown. In FIG. 8, the right side is the harness end side. Then, as schematically shown in FIG. 9, the PVC of the terminal of the optical fiber cord 300
The cord jacket 301 is peeled off by a predetermined length so that the reinforcing fibers 302 are exposed.

Next, as schematically shown in FIG. 10, the exposed reinforcing fibers 302 are folded back on the outer periphery of the PVC cord jacket 301 and are stopped by the stopper cord 305 or the like. As a result, the fiber core 303 is exposed by a predetermined length. Then, as schematically shown in FIG. 11, the fiber core sheath at the end of the exposed fiber core 303 is peeled off over a predetermined length to expose the fiber 304.
The fiber core 303 thus terminated is inserted into the ferrule 240 and bonded and fixed. The manner of attaching and fixing the fiber core 303 to the ferrule 240 is the same as that usually performed.
Here, it will not be described in further detail.

After the ferrule 240 is fixed to the fiber core 303 in this manner, as shown in FIG.
The stopper string 305 and the like are removed, and the spring 280 and the stop ring 250 are moved toward the ferrule 240, and the reinforcing fiber 302 is moved to the stop ring 250 and the cord jacket 301.
Pull out from the gap. The detent 231 in the plug frame 230 and the collar 241 of the ferrule 240 are aligned. Next, as schematically shown in FIG.
0 with the leading end of the stop ring 250 protruding.
The stop ring 250 and the spring 280 are pushed into the plug frame 230 so that the projection 251 of the plug frame 230 fits into the fitting hole 232 of the plug frame 230. This state is schematically illustrated in FIG.

Next, as schematically shown in FIG. 15, the drawn-out reinforcing fiber 302 is pulled, and the caulking ring 260 is put on the stop ring 250 so as to uniformly follow the circumference of the flat portion 252 at the left end thereof. Then, the caulking ring 260 is caulked against the stop ring 250 using the caulking jig 100 of the present invention as described above. This caulking operation will be described with particular reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 shows a caulking operation section 40 of the caulking jig.
FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a positional relationship between the swaging operation unit 40, the receiving unit 50, and the swaging ring 260 at the swaging operation position. It is sectional drawing shown in FIG.
As best shown in FIG. 17, the caulking jig 10
0, the plug frame 230 is in a state as shown in FIG.
1 and the swaging portion 261 of the swaging ring 260
Is placed on the caulking receiving surface 53 and the caulking 2
The 60 stop flange portions 262 are arranged in the stepped recess 55, and the collar portion 263 of the caulking ring 260 is arranged in the collar receiving recess 56. In this state, the worker holds the levers 10 and 2 of the caulking jig 100.
0, the caulking operation section 40 is connected to the receiving section 5.
17, the caulking portion 261 of the caulking ring 260 is caulked against the stop ring 250, and the reinforcing fibers 3 are interposed therebetween.
02 can be fixed by crimping. During such caulking operation, the stop flange portion 262 of the caulking ring 260 fits into the stepped recess 55 and the caulking ring 260
Since the collar 263 is fitted in the collar receiving recess 56, the caulking ring 260 is not moved in the axial direction or the rotational direction.

After the caulking ring 260 is caulked in this manner, the reinforcing fiber 302 is cut using a nipper or the like at a position indicated by reference numeral 302A, as schematically shown in FIG. At this time, the reinforcing fibers 302 do not protrude from the plug frame 230. Next, as schematically shown in FIG. 19, in order to adhesively fix the hood 270,
An appropriate adhesive 290 is applied over a predetermined length of the outer periphery of the optical fiber cord 300 from the hood fixing flange portion 264 of the caulking ring 260, and the hood 270 is inserted therein. At this time, the adhesive 290 does not protrude. FIG. 20 shows a state in which such a hood 270 is attached and fixed.

Finally, as shown schematically in FIG. 21, the knob 220 is inserted into the plug frame 230 by being pushed. Thus, the connection of the optical fiber cord 300 to the optical connector plug 200 is completed. In the state where the knob 220 is attached to the plug frame 230 in this manner, as shown in a sectional view in a partially broken manner in FIG.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a shape just inserted inside the rear end of the knob 220, and serves to regulate the inward deformation of the upper and lower walls of the corresponding rear end of the knob 220. Therefore, even if the rear end of the knob 220 has a small wall thickness, the presence of the flange portion 263 allows the knob 220 to be gripped at the time of coupling and uncoupling with a member to be coupled such as a mating optical connector. It will not be deformed or damaged by the external force of the operation.

[0026]

According to the caulking jig of the present invention, the axial position of the caulking is determined, and the rotational direction is also determined in one direction, and caulking can be performed at that position. Also, without changing the swaging position,
Caulking can be performed. Therefore, the amount of crimping can always be constant, so that the cord tensile strength of the optical connector to which the optical fiber cord is connected does not vary depending on the product and can be stabilized.

Also, since the caulking is securely locked to the receiving portion of the caulking jig during the caulking operation, there is no inconvenience that the optical connector falls off the jig during the caulking operation.

Further, during the caulking operation, the collar provided on the caulking ring, which has the function of preventing the caulking ring from moving in the axial direction and the rotation direction, is provided with a knob as a gripping means when the optical connector is used. Since the function of regulating the inward deformation of the wall portion of the grip portion is also achieved, the wall thickness of the knob can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the entire optical connector, which is useful for providing an optical connector suitable for high-density mounting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a caulking jig as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the caulking jig of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a detailed structure of a receiving portion and a caulking operation portion provided in the caulking jig of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where a combination body of an optical connector and an optical fiber cord is arranged between a receiving portion and a caulking operation portion in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of an optical connector plug in which an optical fiber cord is completely connected using a caulking jig.

FIG. 6 is a half sectional front view showing a detailed structure of caulking used with the caulking jig of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the caulking shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a state where a component of an optical connector is inserted into an optical fiber cord to be connected.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state where a cord jacket of an end of an optical fiber cord to be connected is peeled off.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which a reinforcing fiber subjected to a peeling treatment at an end of an optical fiber cord to be connected is folded back.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an end of an exposed fiber core of an optical fiber cord to be connected has been subjected to a peeling process.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a ferrule is attached to a fiber core wire which has been subjected to terminal processing of an optical fiber cord.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining that a plug frame is attached to and fixed to a stop ring.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a state in which a plug frame is attached and fixed to a stop ring.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a state where a reinforcing fiber is interposed between a stop ring and a caulking ring.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement relationship when caulking for caulking is performed using the caulking jig of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where a combination body such as a plug frame and caulking is arranged in a receiving portion of the caulking jig according to the present invention and is in a caulking operation state.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a position where the reinforcing fiber is cut after completion of the caulking operation.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining a portion to which an adhesive is applied to mount a hood.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a state after mounting the hood.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing a state where a knob is attached to a plug frame.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a conventional caulking operation and a caulking operation performed by a caulking jig.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a state immediately before the start of the caulking operation with the caulking attached in the example of the caulking operation of FIG. 22;

24 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of processing a code jacket obtained by the conventional caulking operation shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lever 20 Lever 40 Caulking operation part 41 Caulking concave part 42 Leg part 50 receiving part 51 Plug frame mounting concave part 52 Ferrule insertion concave part 53 Caulking receiving surface 54 Side receiving surface 55 Stepped concave part 56 Collar receiving part 100 Caulking jig 200 Optical Connector Plug 210 Cap 220 Knob 230 Plug Frame 240 Ferrule 250 Stop Ring 260 Caulking 261 Caulking 262 Stop Flange 263 Collar 270 Hood 280 Spring 300 Optical Fiber Cord 301 Cord Jacket 302 Reinforcing Fiber 303 Fiber Core 304 Fiber

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Nishiyama 5-5-23 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tateomi Matsumoto 5-5-23 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryo Nagase 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Shinichi Iwano 1-16-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph Within Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Kazunori Kanayama 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Kuniharu Kato 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Stock Inside the company (72) Inventor Toshiaki Nakano 6-18-12 Meguro-Honcho, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Inside Honda Communication Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiromasa Okamura Tokyo 6-18-12 Meguro-Honmachi, Meguro-ku Honda Communications Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Kawahara 4-15-9 Nakano Nakano-ku, Tokyo Sanwa Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuji Shinagawa Tokyo 4-15-9 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo Sanwa Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/24-6/38

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A caulking jig used for connecting an optical fiber cord to an optical connector, wherein the optical fiber cord is connected to a stop ring through which a fiber core stripped from the sheath of the optical fiber cord is inserted. A receiving portion that receives the caulking ring that is covered so as to sandwich the reinforcing fiber from which the outer cover has been peeled off, and the caulking ring is pressed down with respect to the receiving portion and the caulking ring is caulked against the stop ring and between them. A crimping operation portion for crimping the reinforcing fiber, the receiving portion is engaged with a collar portion of the caulking ring, during the caulking operation, the axial direction and the rotation direction of the caulking ring. A caulking jig provided with a locking portion for preventing movement.