JP3222009B2 - Optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for connecting an optical fiber which is most suitable for connecting an optical fiber in the form of a multi-core tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to connect such a multi-core tape-shaped optical fiber, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one end is connected to each connection end of the tape fiber 1, 1 to be connected. Means have been adopted in which plastic ferrules 2 and 2 are attached, and these ferrules 2 and 2 are connected and fixed with a metal clip 3. Here, ferrule 2
The same number of holes 4 as the optical fibers constituting the multi-core tape fiber 1 are formed in the distal end face 2A at the same interval as the pitch of each fiber. , And the tip is polished so as to be flush with the tip surface 2A and is exposed to the tip surface 2A.

[0005] Fitting holes 5 and 5 are formed on both sides of the holes 4 on the distal end surface 2A.
The fitting pins 6, 6 are fitted into the fitting holes 5, so that the ferrules 2, 2 are connected to connect the optical fibers. The clip 3 for fixing the connected ferrules 2 and 2 is a flat plate-like member having both ends 3A... Bent as shown in FIG.
The ferrules 2 and 2 are sandwiched between these ends 3A with these end portions 3A being spread by a special tool, and then the tool is released, so that the ferrules 2 and 2 are clipped while being connected. 3 to be held and fixed.

On the other hand, as means for simultaneously connecting a plurality of multi-core tape-shaped optical fibers, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of tape fibers 1 are laminated and the connection end is connected to one ferrule 7. Is bonded and polished to expose each optical fiber of the tape fiber 1 at a predetermined position on the distal end face 7A of the ferrule 7, and the ferrules 7 and 7 are connected and fixed via the fitting pin 6. Has also been proposed. However, in the connectors shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions common to the connectors shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0005]

However, among these conventional connectors, the number of optical fibers connectable by the pair of ferrules 2 is limited in the connectors shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 first. In connection with a cable through which a large number of optical fibers are inserted due to the recent increase in the density of information networks, a large number of operations must be performed to connect the ferrules 2 and 2, resulting in a great deal of labor and time. Becomes Also, the connected ferrule 2,
When a clip 3 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used to fix the ferrules 2 and 2, a special tool is required to spread the ends 3A and narrow the ferrules 2 and 2.
It is inevitable that the work will be complicated.

On the other hand, in the connector shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, even when such a large number of optical fibers are connected, the operation itself of connecting the ferrules 7 and 7 is small, but a plurality of tape fibers 1 are required. .. Must be adhered to one ferrule 7 and polished, so that the work of attaching the ferrule 7 to the connection end of each tape fiber 1... Further, when a plurality of tape fibers 1 are collectively attached and one ferrule 7 is attached to the connection end thereof, each tape fiber 1.
It is extremely difficult to polish the tip of all the optical fibers so as to be exactly flush with the tip surface 7A, and there is a possibility that the connection characteristics may vary from fiber to fiber.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an optical fiber for detachably connecting at least a pair of optical fibers having a ferrule attached to a connection end. A connector for connection, comprising a pair of connector bodies connected to each other such that the optical fiber is exposed to the distal end face and holds the ferrule, and the distal end faces are opposed to each other. The convex portion and the concave portion of the same size are arranged at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the center of the tip surface, and between a pair of connector bodies,
The convex portion as a fitting portion protruding from the distal end portion of one connector body toward the other connector body side, and the concave portion formed as a fitting portion into which the convex portion can be fitted into the other connector body. A plurality of pairs of fitting portions consisting of
In the one pair of the insertion portions, the engaged portion provided on the convex portion and the engaging portion provided on the concave portion engage with each other in a detachable manner to separate the connector bodies from each other. Is restricted.

[0008]

In the connector having such a configuration, an optical fiber having a ferrule attached to each of the connection ends of the tape fibers as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used, and the optical fiber is connected to the connector body. By holding the ferrule on the connector body so as to be exposed on the distal end face of the connector body and abutting the distal end faces on both connector bodies, first, the convex portion of the fitting portion formed on one connector body has the other end. The connector body is fitted into the concave portion of the fitting portion, and the separation of the two connector bodies in a direction other than the direction in which the distal end surfaces face each other is restricted. Further, when the two connector main bodies are brought closer to each other, the engaging portion provided on one of the convex portion and the concave portion of the fitting portion engages with the engaged portion provided on the other, and is separated in the facing direction. The optical fibers exposed at the distal end surfaces of the two connector bodies are connected to each other. As described above, since each connector body is held in a connected state by being separated by the fitting portion and the engagement and engaged portions provided on the connector body itself, the connected state is maintained. The connection is easy, and no special tool is required.

Further, even when a plurality of tape fibers are connected, a tape fiber provided with a ferrule at each connection end is used, and these ferrules are laminated so that each optical fiber is exposed on the distal end surface of the connector body. By holding the connector bodies as described above and connecting such connector bodies to each other, a large number of optical fibers can be easily connected without using a ferrule as shown in FIGS. For this reason, it is possible to avoid spending a lot of labor and time on the work of mounting the ferrule, and since each ferrule is only mounted on one tape fiber, the polishing can be performed accurately and the connection can be made. Variations in characteristics can be prevented.

[0010]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a pair of connector bodies 11,
FIG. 5 shows the connector body 11 and the exploded view thereof before being connected.
As shown in FIG. 5, the connector main body 11 includes a connector case 12, an end plate 13, and a connector retainer 14 made of a flexible material such as plastic.
In this embodiment, the two connector bodies 1
The ferrules 1 and 11 have the same shape and the same size, and are capable of laminating and holding a total of five ferrules 16 attached to the respective connection ends of five tape fibers 15. The configuration of each ferrule 16 itself is as follows.
This embodiment is substantially the same as the conventional ferrule 2 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
Are formed to expose the respective optical fibers.
Fitting pins 18 are fitted into fitting holes formed on both sides of these holes 17, and ferrules 16, 16 attached to the tips of the tape fibers 15, 15 to be connected. Are directly connected to these fitting pins 18, 1
8 are connected.

The connector retainer 14 is a member attached to the rear end of each ferrule 16, and includes pins 20, which are inserted into holes 16 a, 16 a formed in the rear end surface of the ferrule 16.
20 are provided, and coil springs 21 and 21 are attached to the rear ends of the pins 20 and 20, respectively. The connector retainer 14 has a groove 14 a for receiving a tape fiber 15 extending rearward from the ferrule 16.

The end plate 13 is a member attached to the rear end side of the connector retainers 14... And is formed of two plate members 13A and 13B that are vertically divided along the direction in which the ferrules 16 are stacked. The distal end side has a storage hole 12 of a connector case 12 described later.
In addition to a fitting portion 13a having a substantially rectangular cross section to be fitted into a, a mounting portion 13b having a larger cross section than the fitting portion 13a is provided on the rear end side. This mounting portion 13b
The center of both sides is cut out so as to be depressed by one step to form mounting recesses 22, 22. Further, the center of each mounting recess 22 has a mounting protrusion 23 for mounting the end plate 13 to the connector case 12. Are formed. The end plate 13 includes both plate members 13.
Five slot holes 24 penetrating the end plate 13 are formed so as to be aligned in the laminating direction over the dividing plane P of A, 13B. By integrating the plate members 13A and 13B so as to sandwich them, the tape fibers 15 are inserted through the end plate 13. Holes 25, 25 into which the rear ends of the pins 20, 20 of the connector retainer 14 are inserted are formed on both sides of each slot 24.

The connector case 12 is a member formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape. The inner peripheral portion of the connector case 12 is fitted with the fitting portion 13a of the end plate 13 and has the five ferrules stacked therein. .. Are slidably accommodated. Here, a pair of plate-like portions 26, 26 are provided from both sides of the rear end of the connector case 12 so as to protrude further to the rear end side than the rear end opening of the storage hole 12a. These plate-like portions 2
6 and 26 are formed so as to extend rearward and substantially parallel from the substantially central portion of the side surface of the connector case 12, and are flexed freely in directions facing each other to fit into both mounting recesses 22 and 22 of the end plate 13. It is to be inserted. Further, a window 27 is formed at the center of the plate-like portion 26, and the plate-like portions 26, 26 are fitted into the mounting recesses 22, 22, and the fitting portion 13a is fitted into the storage hole 12a. Push the end plate 13 into the connector case 12
Then, at the time of contact with the end face, the mounting projections 23,
23 fits into the windows 27, 27 and the end plate 1
3 is fixed to the connector case 12.

On the other hand, the front end of the connector case 12 has a pair of first and second fitting portions 28, 28 at the upper and lower edges of the opening at the front end of the housing hole 12a. Are formed, and convex portions 29a and concave portions 29b of the second fitting insertion portions 29, 29 forming another pair are formed on both side edges of the opening. The protrusions 28a and the recesses 28b of the first fitting portions 28, 28 are formed at the centers of the upper and lower edges, respectively, and are arranged at positions that are rotationally symmetric with respect to the center of the distal end surface of the connector case 12. Further, the concave portion 28b has a width and a length in which the convex portion 28a can be inserted. In addition, the convex portion 29a and the concave portion 29b of the second fitting portions 29, 29 are also formed at the center portions of the both side portions, respectively, and are arranged at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the center of the distal end surface. It is set so that it can be inserted.

Here, the recess 28b of the first fitting portion 28 is
The upper surface or the lower surface of the connector case 12 is cut out so as to penetrate in the thickness direction thereof, and is formed so as to open to the accommodation hole 12a.
9b is formed so that the side surface of the connector case 12 is depressed one step inward and does not open to the storage hole 12a, and a bottom surface 29c facing the outer peripheral side of the connector case 12 is formed inside this. A projection 30 protruding from the bottom surface 29c is formed at the center of the bottom surface 29c on the front end side, and serves as an engagement portion in this embodiment.
A recess 31 is formed on the rear end side of the bottom surface 29c so as to open to the recess 29b and the side surface of the connector case 12. The projection 29a of the second fitting portion 29 is formed in a plate shape extending forward from a substantially central portion of the side surface of the connector case 12, similarly to the plate-shaped portion 26, so that it can be flexed outwardly. It has become. And this protrusion 29
A window portion 32 that fits into the protrusion 30 is formed at the center of the portion a, and is the engaged portion in the present embodiment. In addition, in the one connector case 12, the projection 30 and the window 32 are also set so as to be located at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the center of the distal end surface.

In order to assemble the connector main body 11 from these members, first, a connector holder 14 is attached to the rear end of each ferrule 16 so that five ferrules 16 are laminated, and a tape fiber 15 extending from each ferrule 16. Are fitted into the slots 24, and the plate members 13A and 13B are combined. The connector holders 14 are inserted into the holes 25 of the end plate 13 thus formed.
Insert the rear ends of the pins 20. Next, the ferrules 16 stacked in the storage holes 12a and the insertion portions 13a of the end plates 13 are inserted from the rear end side of the connector case 12, and the plate-like portions 2 of the connector case 12 are further inserted as described above.
6 and 26 are fitted into the mounting recesses 22 and 22 of the end plate 13, and the mounting projections 23 and 23 are fitted into the windows 27 and 27.
The end plate 13 is fixed to and integrated with the connector case 12 by fitting into the ferrule 1.
6 are formed. In addition,
In this state, the ferrules 16 are connected to the connector retainers 14.
Are urged toward their distal ends by coil springs 21 attached to the pins 20 and interposed between the pins 20 and the end plates 13.

The pair of connector bodies 1 thus formed
In order to connect the tape fibers 15 to each other by connecting the first and second connector bodies 11 and 11, one end of the first connector body 1 and the second connector body 11 are opposed to each other as shown in FIG.
The protrusion 28a of the first first fitting portion 28 is in the recess 28b of the other connector body 11, and the protrusion 29a of the second fitting portion 29 of the one connector body 11 is in the recess 29b of the other connector body 11. The two connector bodies 11 and 11 may be arranged so as to face each other, and the two connector bodies 11 and 11 may be brought close to each other so as to abut each other. However, both connector bodies 1
The ferrules 16 in the stack arrangement of the ferrules 1 and 11 are arranged such that the ferrules 16 and 16 to be connected face each other with the two connector bodies 11 and 11 arranged in this manner.

By bringing the two connector bodies 11 and 11 closer together, the projections 28a and 28a of the paired first fitting portions 28 and 28 are fitted into the recesses 28b and 28b, respectively. 2 The protrusions 29a, 29a of the fitting portions 29, 29 are fitted into the recesses 29b, 29b, and the two connector main bodies 11, 11 in directions other than the direction in which the front end surfaces face each other, ie, in the vertical and horizontal directions. Of the ferrules 16 to be connected is prevented from being shifted from each other. And the connector body 1
When the first and the first are brought closer to each other, the two second fitting insertion portions 29 and 29
The convex portions 29a, 29a of the other connector body bend and climb over the protrusion 30 formed in the concave portion 29b of the other connector body 11, and the protrusion 30 fits into and engages with the window 32 of the protrusion 29a, Connector body 1 in the direction in which the tip surfaces face each other
The separation between the connector bodies 11 and 11 is also restricted.
Are firmly connected. In this state, the ferrules 16, 16 are also connected to each other via the fitting pins 18, and the optical fibers exposed at the holes 17 on the distal end surfaces are connected.

According to the connector having the above configuration,
By simply connecting the connector bodies 11, 11 holding the ferrules 16, the optical fibers of the tape fibers 15 can be connected, and there is no need to use a dedicated tool as compared with the case where a conventional clip is used. This makes it possible to connect the optical fiber very easily. This makes it possible to simplify the work at the site where the optical fiber is attached, and to significantly reduce the labor and time required for the work. Moreover, in the present embodiment, in the connected state, the projections 30 and 30 as the engagement portions provided on each of the pair of connector bodies 11 and the window portion 3 as the engaged portion.
2 and 32 are engaged with each other to
Since they are locked with each other, the connector main bodies 11, 1
1 is prevented, and the connectivity of the optical fiber can be reliably maintained. On the other hand, in order to remove the connector bodies 11, 11, the recess 3b of the recess 29b is required.
By inserting a finger, a screwdriver, or the like into the connector 1, the convex portion 29a is bent and opened, and the engagement between the convex portion 30 and the window portion 32 is released to separate the connector bodies 11 from each other. Is not compromised.

Further, in the connector having the above-described configuration, when connecting a plurality of pairs of tape fibers 15...
Are mounted, and the ferrules 16 are stacked and held in the connector main body 11, so that the plural pairs of tape fibers 15 can be easily connected collectively. Therefore, the time and labor required for mounting the ferrule can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where a plurality of tape fibers are collectively mounted on one ferrule as shown in FIGS. Polishing can be performed accurately because the number of optical fibers to be polished is small for one ferrule. By stacking and connecting such ferrules 16... Over the entire optical fiber to be connected. Uniform and good connection characteristics can be obtained.

In this embodiment, in addition, in the present embodiment, the pair of connector main bodies 11, 11 are provided with convex portions 28 of the same shape and size.
a, 28a, concave portions 28b, 28b, and convex portions 29a,
A pair of first fitting portions 28, 28 and second fitting portions 29, 29 each having a pair of first fitting portions 29, 29 and concave portions 29b, 29b.
The first fitting insertion portions 28, 28 and the second fitting insertion portions 29, 29 forming a pair are arranged at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the center of the distal end surface of the connector body 11, respectively. In the connector body 11 of FIG.
The fitting portion 28 has a convex portion 28a, and the other first fitting portion 2
8 has a concave portion 28b, one second fitting portion 29 has a convex portion 29a, and the other second fitting portion 29 has a convex portion 29a.
Is formed with a concave portion 29b. Thereby, in this embodiment, two connector bodies 11, 1 of the same type are used.
1 can be used to connect the cable fibers 15, that is, as compared with a case where a pair of male and female connector bodies are connected and connected, for example.
The number of types of parts can be reduced, so that manufacturing costs can be reduced and versatility can be improved.

Further, in this embodiment, the connector body 1
Are held by the coil springs 21, 21 attached to the connector retainer 14, respectively.
Thus, the connector is urged toward the distal end side of the connector body 11, that is, the side of the other ferrule 16 to which the ferrule 16 is connected, whereby the advantage that the connection between the optical fibers can be more reliably obtained. I have. In this embodiment, five ferrules 16 are stacked and held on each connector main body 11 to enable connection of up to five pairs of tape fibers 15. However, the number of ferrules 16 held on the connector main body 11 can be reduced. May be appropriately set according to the number of tape fibers 15 to be connected. However, in the case of connecting a small number of tape fibers 15 and the like, even if a connector body corresponding to this is not prepared, a dummy having the same shape and the same size as this can be laminated instead of the unused ferrule 16. (1) One type of connector main body can cope with a connection of the number of tape fibers that can be connected to the maximum or less, and the versatility can be further improved.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, by connecting the connector bodies holding the ferrules, the protrusions of the fitting portions provided on these connector bodies are fitted into the recesses, In addition, since the engagement portion engages with the engaged portion, the separation of the two connector bodies is restrained and the connected state is maintained, so that the optical fiber can be easily and reliably connected, and in particular, the exclusive The trouble of requiring tools and the like can also be avoided. Further, by stacking a plurality of ferrules and holding them on the connector body, it is possible to easily connect a large number of optical fibers at once, and to perform uniform polishing over all the optical fibers. As a result, good connection characteristics can be obtained. Further, the pair of connector bodies are formed with at least one pair of the fitting portions each having the convex portion and the concave portion having the same shape and the same size, and the fitting portions forming the pair are formed as described above. Along with being disposed at a rotationally symmetric position with respect to the center of the distal end surface, one of the pair of fitting portions in one connector body has the convex portion in one fitting portion, and the other fitting portion has the convex portion in the other fitting portion. Recesses are respectively formed , and the engaged portion provided on the convex portion and the
The engaging portions provided in the concave portions engage with each other in a detachable manner.
So as to restrict the separation between the connector bodies.
Because going on, by this, it is possible to perform the connection of the cable fibers using the same type of two of the connector body, i.e., it makes a connection, for example, by connecting the male and female pair of connector body Compared with such a case, the types of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the versatility can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in the Y direction.

4 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in the Z direction.

FIG. 5 shows the connector main body 11 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 before connection.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the connector 11 is disassembled.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of connection of a conventional optical fiber.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection state in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of the connection of the conventional optical fiber.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connection state in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Connector main body 12 Connector case 13 End plate 14 Connector holder 15 Tape fiber 16 Ferrule 21 Coil spring 22 Mounting recessed portion 23 Mounting projection 26 Plate portion 27 Window portion 28 First fitting portion 28a Convex portion 28b Concave portion 29 Second fitting and insertion Part 29a Convex part 29b Concave part 30 Projection (engagement part) 32 Window part (engaged part)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Nomura 1440 Mutsuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Shinji Nagasawa 1-6-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (56) References JP-A-5-107430 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/38

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An optical fiber connector for detachably connecting at least a pair of optical fibers each having a ferrule attached to a connection end thereof, wherein the optical fiber is exposed at a distal end surface to hold the ferrule. The connector body comprises a pair of connector bodies connected to each other such that the end faces face each other, and each of the connector bodies has a convex portion and a concave portion having the same shape and the same size arranged at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the center of the tip surface. Between the pair of connector bodies, the convex portion as a fitting portion projecting from the distal end portion of one connector body toward the other connector body side, and the convex portion fitting into the other connector body. A plurality of pairs of the insertion portions including the recesses formed as possible insertion portions are provided, and one of the insertion portions is provided .
In the pair, the engaged portion provided on the convex portion and the engaging portion provided on the concave portion are engaged with each other in a detachable manner to restrict the separation between the connector bodies. A connector for connecting an optical fiber.