JP4087692B2 - Optical connector plug - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical connector plug used for connecting optical cables for an optical communication system, and in particular, in order to prevent a connection loss due to an optical axis shift at that time, the eccentric direction of the optical fiber is stepless. The present invention relates to an optical connector plug that can be adjusted.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of device, by rotating the plug frame and the stop ring relatively after assembling the plug, the optical axis deviation of the ferrule integrated with the stop ring can be adjusted steplessly and accurately corrected. A possible optical connector plug is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-139650 A
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, this conventional optical connector plug includes a holder b having a ferrule a at the tip, a stop ring c that supports the ferrule a in a predetermined direction, and the stop ring c in the direction around the axis. A plug frame d rotatably supported and contained; and a coil spring e interposed between the holder b and the stop ring c and biasing the ferrule a forward in the plug frame d, the holder b and the stop ring The engaging portions f and g that engage with each other are provided on c. Then, the plug frame d is fixed and the stop ring c is rotated, or the stop ring c is fixed and the plug frame d is rotated to adjust the optical axis deviation of the ferrule a steplessly and adjust the adjustment. The position is fixed by the pressing force of the spring e against the holder b and an adhesive interposed between the plug frame d and the stop spring c.
In the figure, h represents an optical fiber cable, and i represents an optical fiber.
[0005]
When the thus configured optical connector plug is fitted into an optical adapter (not shown) from one opening, the ferrule a and the other fitted into the optical adapter from the other opening. The optical connector plug ferrule is abutted in the optical adapter, and both cores are abutted and connected.
[0006]
The connection eccentricity error between the two cores is detected by a known detector. If there is the eccentricity error, the stop ring c is rotated around the axis while the plug is fitted and held in the optical adapter. Then, the stop ring c is rotated steplessly in the direction around the shaft with respect to the plug frame d, whereby the ferrule is connected via the holder b having the engaging portion f that engages with the engaging portion g of the stop ring c. a is rotated around the axis.
[0007]
Therefore, by rotating the stop ring c while detecting the connection eccentricity error between the two cores with a detector and stopping the rotation of the stop ring c at the position where there is no or least eccentricity, the eccentricity error is reduced. Can be adjusted. When the rotation of the stop ring c is stopped at the adjustment position, the stop ring c is fixed by the pressing force of the coil spring e against the holder b, but an adhesive is further filled between the plug frame d and the stop ring c. Is completely fixed.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional optical connector plug, the engaging portion f of the holder b that holds the ferrule a is formed in a concavo-convex structure in which four grooves are provided in the housing, and this concavo-convex structure outer surface is the plug frame d. Since it rotates in contact with a predetermined inner wall surface, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform a smooth rotation without an axial misalignment.
[0009]
In addition, after adjusting the eccentric error, the plug frame d and the stop ring c are fixed at the corresponding positions by filling the small gap between them with an adhesive, so that the efficiency of the filling operation is poor, There is a problem that a position shift is likely to occur.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the holder and the stop ring rotate smoothly without any misalignment in the plug frame, and the optical axis of the ferrule. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector plug in which a plug frame and a stop ring can be quickly and easily fixed after being adjusted by caulking without causing positional deviation.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an optical connector plug according to the present invention includes, in claim 1, a ferrule, a holder for fixing the ferrule to the tip, a stop ring fitted to the rear end of the holder, a holder and a stop An optical connector plug including a plug frame that rotatably inserts and holds a ring in a direction around an axis, and a coil spring that is interposed between the holder and the stop ring and biases a ferrule integral with the holder forward,
A cylindrical metal rotation stopper fitted to the stop ring to be freely swingable is provided, and rotation is performed as a locking means for preventing mutual rotation at the front end of the rotation stopper and the rear end of the fitting hole of the plug frame. A locking groove is provided at the front end of the stopper, and an engagement protrusion for engaging with the locking groove is provided at the rear end of the fitting hole of the plug frame, and the optical axis deviation of the ferrule is adjusted at the rear end of the rotation stopper. In addition, a caulking portion that is caulked and fixed to the stop ring is provided , and the holder is formed integrally with a fitting tube of a cylindrical ferrule at the front portion via a circular flange portion, In the rear part, a guide tube of an optical fiber cable in which a large diameter tube communicating with the fitting tube and a small diameter tube are connected to the front and rear portions are integrally formed, and an engagement groove is provided at the rear end of the large diameter tube, On the other hand, the stop ring has a locking claw protruding from its tip, Holder and the stop ring by engaging the engaging claw with the engaging groove, characterized in that the linked so as to rotate together.
[0012]
According to claim 2, the two pair of locking hole penetrating to face the peripheral wall of the plug frame is provided, the flange portion of the stop ring engaging hole, that was rotatably engaged in the axial direction about Features.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal plan view of an optical connector plug according to the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the same plug, and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a mounting state of a holder and a stop ring in the same plug. 4 shows a perspective view of the plug frame, the holder and the stop ring attached to the plug, and FIG. 5 engages the rotation stopper fitted to the stop ring with respect to the plug frame in the same attached state. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal plan view before caulking in the state where the rotation stopper is attached, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connector plug 1 according to the present invention includes a ferrule 2 having a holder 6 fitted and fixed to the rear end, a coil spring 3, a stop ring 4, and a plug frame 5. And the rotation stopper 20 is comprised as a main member.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ferrule 2 is bonded and fixed by inserting an optical fiber 30a from which the coating at the tip of the optical fiber cable 30 is peeled off into a minute hole formed through the shaft. In addition, the holder 6 is integrally formed with a fitting tube 8 for fitting and fixing the cylindrical ferrule 2 at the front portion via a circular flange portion 7 and at the rear portion with the fitting tube 8. A guide tube 9 of a communicating cylindrical optical fiber cable 30 is integrally formed.
[0016]
The guide tube 9 is formed longer than the fitting tube 8, and is formed by connecting a large diameter tube 9a on the base side and a small diameter tube 9c on the front side in a stepped manner. Of these, the large-diameter tube 9a has the above-described coil spring 3 extrapolated and held, and two locking claws 10 at the tip of the stop ring 4 are engaged with the opposite portion of the tip along the longitudinal direction. Two engaging grooves 9b, 9b are recessed. On the other hand, the small-diameter cylinder 9c is formed so that its outer diameter is fitted to the tip of the stop ring 4.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, etc., the stop ring 4 has a cylindrical fitting that is fitted to the front portion through the circular flange portion 11 to the outside of the small tube 9c of the guide tube 9 in the holder 6. The joint tube 12 is integrally formed, and the guide tube 13 of the cylindrical optical fiber cable 30 communicating with the fitting tube 12 is integrally formed at the rear part. As described above, the pair of locking claws 10 and 10 are integrally projected at the front end of the guide tube 13 at the opposed positions.
[0018]
The guide tube 13 is formed in a long shape, and an annular engagement groove 13a is formed in a substantially middle portion thereof. The engaging groove 13a is for engaging with an annular locking protrusion 14a projecting on the inner side of the front end of the boot 14 that covers and protects the optical fiber cable 30.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, etc., the plug frame 5 is formed with a fitting hole 15 in which the fitting cylinder 8 at the tip of the holder 6 is rotatably fitted from the substantially middle portion to the front end. A fitting hole 16 having a diameter larger than that of the fitting hole 15 into which the flange portion 7 of the holder 6 and the front of the stop ring 4 are rotatably fitted is formed behind the fitting hole 15. Has been.
[0020]
By forming the plug frame 5 in this manner, the tip of the ferrule 2 fixed to the tip of the holder 6 protrudes forward at the axial center position in the fitting hole 15 of the plug frame 5. That is, a locking step 17 for the flange 7 of the holder 6 is formed between the two fitting holes 15, 16 of the plug frame 5, and the other end is connected to the locking flange 11 of the stop ring 4. In the locked state, the flange portion 7 is locked to the locking step so that the ferrule 2 protrudes forward as described above by the elastic force of the coil spring 3 which is extrapolated and held in the guide tube 9 at the rear end of the holder 6. On the other hand, when the ferrule 2 comes into contact with the other ferrule and receives a pressing force when the adapter is connected, the ferrule 2 is fitted together with the holder 6 against the elastic force of the coil spring 3. The inside of the joint hole 15 is set back.
[0021]
Further, at the rear part of the plug frame 5, two pairs of locking holes 18 and 18 for fitting to the outer peripheral edge of the flange part 11 of the stop ring 4 are opposed to each other at right angles to the axial direction. It is formed through.
[0022]
Further, engagement protrusions 19 and 19 having an arcuate cross-sectional shape are opposed to the inner wall of the rear end of the engagement hole 16 of the plug frame 5 on the locking hole 18 side as locking means for the rotation stopper 20. Is provided. The engaging projections 19 are for locking the rotation stopper 20 in the plug frame 5 as will be described later.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, etc., the rotation stopper 20 has a metal cylindrical shape in which an engagement portion 21 for the plug frame 5 is provided at the front end and a caulking portion 22 for the stop ring 4 is provided at the rear end. It is formed by a caulking ring 23.
[0024]
The engagement portion 21 of the caulking ring 23 can be loosely fitted to the guide tube 13 of the stop ring 4 and an outer diameter that can be slidably fitted into the fitting hole 16 at the rear end of the plug frame 5. It is formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter. The engaging portion 21 is formed with two pairs of locking grooves 24, 24 that open to the front end, as locking means for the plug frame 5, in parallel with and in opposition to the axial direction. Both the locking grooves 24 and 24 can be engaged with the locking projections 19 and 19 by making them substantially the same width as the locking projections 19 and 19 at the rear end of the plug frame 5.
[0025]
The caulking portion 22 in the caulking ring 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than that of the engaging portion 21 and having an inner diameter that is slidably fitted to the guide tube 13 of the stop ring 4. Yes.
[0026]
Next, the assembly procedure of the optical connector plug 1 according to the present invention will be described.
First, the optical fiber cable 30 having the ferrule 2 bonded and fixed to the optical fiber 30a at the tip is inserted, and a stop ring is attached to the rear portion of the guide tube 9 of the holder 6 in the state where the coil spring 3 is sheathed on the guide tube 9 of the holder 6. Four fitting cylinders 12 and guide cylinders 13 are sequentially extrapolated. At this time, the engaging claws 10 and 10 at the tip of the stop ring 4 are engaged with the engaging grooves 9b and 9b of the guide tube 9, respectively. As a result, the holder 6 and the stop ring 4 rotate together. (See Figure 3)
[0027]
Next, with the holder 6 and the stop ring 4 connected in this manner, these are inserted into the fitting holes 15 and 16 of the plug frame 5 from the rear side, and the flange portion 7 of the holder 6 is inserted into the locking step portion 17. While locking, the collar part 11 of the stop ring 4 engages with the locking holes 18 and 18 provided in the rear part of the plug frame 5. At this time, the coil spring 3 is compressed, while the flange portion 11 of the stop ring 4 rotates around the axis in the locking holes 18 and 18 of the plug frame 5 but is prevented from moving in the axial direction. Engaged and held in this state. (See FIGS. 4, 8, and 9)
[0028]
In the optical connector plug 1 assembled in this way, the stop ring 4 can rotate in the direction around the axis with respect to the plug frame 5, and the ferrule 2, the coil spring 3 and the holder 6 are integrated by rotation of the stop ring 4. And rotate 360 degrees.
[0029]
And after adjusting the optical axis deviation of the ferrule 2 continuously using these rotating members, the adjustment position is fixed with the rotation stopper 20.
[0030]
That is, after the rotation and adjustment to the adjustment position, the engagement portion 21 at the front end of the caulking ring 23 inserted to the rear end of the guide tube 13 of the stop ring 4 is connected to the rear end of the fitting hole 16 of the plug frame 5. To fit. At this time, the engaging grooves 24 and 24 provided in the engaging portion 21 are engaged with the two engaging protrusions 19 and 19 provided at the rear end of the fitting hole 16 of the plug frame 5. (See FIGS. 5, 6, and 7)
[0031]
In this state, the caulking ring 23 is fixed to the stop ring 4 and the plug frame 5, and the caulking portion 22 is caulked, whereby the caulking ring 23 is assembled to the guide tube 13 of the stop ring 4 with strength. As a result, even if a rotational force is applied to the stop ring 4 and the caulking ring 23, they cannot be rotated in the plug frame 5. A caulking punch is used as the caulking means for the caulking ring 23.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the eccentric error can be adjusted by fixing the eccentric error steplessly by rotating the ferrule, that is, the optical fiber, in the circumferential direction with respect to the plug frame. As long as it can be reduced, the connection loss between the two cores using the adapter can be greatly reduced.
[0033]
Further, the adjustment of the axial misalignment of the ferrule described above is performed by rotating the holder and the stop ring that are in communication with each other in the direction of the axis, and both the members are formed in a cylindrical shape, and in particular, the outer surface of the collar portion of the holder Since there is no uneven portion as in the prior art, smooth rotation is ensured without rattling in the fitting hole of the plug frame, thereby further reducing the eccentric error of both cores.
[0034]
Further, a metal rotation stopper is used as a means for fixing the stop ring to the plug frame. The rotation stopper externally attached to the stop ring is engaged with the plug frame via the locking means, and the rotation stopper is tightened. Since it is a thing, it can fix to an exact position with a simple operation | work for a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal plan view of an optical connector plug according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the plug.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mounting state of a holder and a stop ring in the plug.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the plug frame, the holder, and the stop ring attached to the plug.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rotation stopper fitted to the stop ring is engaged with the plug frame in the mounting state same as above.
FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal plan view before caulking in the state where the rotation stopper is mounted.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1 showing the state after caulking in the state in which the rotation stopper is attached.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional optical connector plug.
FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the plug.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical connector adapter 2 Ferrule 3 Coil spring 4 Stop ring 5 Plug frame 6 Holder 7 collar part 8 Fit cylinder 9 Guide cylinder 9a Diameter large cylinder 9b Engagement groove 9c Diameter small cylinder 10 Locking claw 11 Anchor part 12 Fit cylinder 13 Guide tube 15 Fitting hole 16 Fitting hole 17 Locking step portion 18 Locking hole 19 Engaging projection 20 Rotating stopper 21 Engaging portion 22 Clamping portion 23 Clamping ring 24 Locking groove 30 Optical fiber cable

Claims (2)

A ferrule, a holder for fixing the ferrule to the tip, a stop ring fitted to the rear end of the holder, a plug frame for rotatably inserting and holding the holder and the stop ring in the direction of the axis, and between the holder and the stop ring An optical connector plug provided with a coil spring that urges the ferrule integral with the holder forward,
A cylindrical metal rotation stopper fitted to the stop ring to be freely swingable is provided, and rotation is performed as a locking means for preventing mutual rotation at the front end of the rotation stopper and the rear end of the fitting hole of the plug frame. A locking groove is provided at the front end of the stopper, and an engagement protrusion for engaging with the locking groove is provided at the rear end of the fitting hole of the plug frame, and the optical axis deviation of the ferrule is adjusted at the rear end of the rotation stopper. In addition, a caulking portion that is caulked and fixed to the stop ring is provided , and the holder is formed integrally with a fitting tube of a cylindrical ferrule at the front portion via a circular flange portion, In the rear part, a guide tube of an optical fiber cable in which a large diameter tube communicating with the fitting tube and a small diameter tube are connected to the front and rear portions are integrally formed, and an engagement groove is provided at the rear end of the large diameter tube, On the other hand, the stop ring has a locking claw protruding from its tip, Optical connector plug holder and the stop ring, characterized in that the linked so as to rotate together by engaging the engaging claw with the engaging groove. 2. A pair of locking holes penetrating through the peripheral wall of the plug frame is provided, and a hook portion of a stop ring is engaged with the locking holes so as to be rotatable in the direction around the axis. The optical connector plug according to 1.

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