JP4962273B2 - Optical connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector.

  In optical communication using an optical fiber as a transmission medium, if dust or the like is present in the optical coupling portion between the optical fiber and the optical element, the optical transmission quality deteriorates due to an increase in optical coupling loss. It is required to eliminate existence.

  As an optical connector for optically coupling such an optical fiber and an optical element, an adapter-side shutter and a plug-side shutter are disposed on the optical connector adapter and the optical connector plug, respectively, and the optical connector plug is inserted into the optical connector adapter. Has proposed an optical connector in which the adapter-side shutter and the plug-side shutter are opened, and the adapter-side shutter and the plug-side shutter are closed by pulling out the optical connector plug from the optical connector adapter (for example, Patent Document 1). .

In the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, when the adapter side shutter and the plug side shutter are opened, the optical path is opened by optical coupling between the optical fiber and the optical element, while the adapter side shutter and the plug side shutter are provided. Is closed, the optical path is blocked by releasing the optical coupling between the optical fiber and the optical element.
JP 2004-170544 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector that can clean an optical coupling portion and its optical path of an optical device by flowing gas through a cleaning window, and can reduce optical coupling loss and improve optical transmission quality. There is to do.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical device that is optically coupled to an optical waveguide, a housing space that houses the optical device, and a cleaning window that communicates with the housing space. And an open / close member disposed in the housing for opening and closing the cleaning window.

(2) In the optical connector according to (1), the housing includes a gas inlet through which the cleaning window allows gas to flow into the housing space from the outside, and a gas through which gas flows out of the housing space. It consists of an outlet.

(3) In the optical connector according to (1), the housing holds the optical waveguide so as to be insertable / removable, and can form a gas flow path together with the housing space and the cleaning window. Have

(4) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical device that is optically coupled to an optical waveguide, a housing space that houses the optical device, and a cleaning window that communicates with the housing space. An optical connector comprising: a box-shaped main body portion that accommodates the housing; and an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the cleaning window, and a shield member that blocks electromagnetic wave noise.

(5) In the optical connector according to (4), the shield member is configured such that the opening / closing portion opens the cleaning window by pressurizing the housing space and releases the pressurizing to the housing space. The flapper closes the cleaning window.

(6) In the optical connector according to (5), the shield member is formed of an elastically deformable sheet metal in which the opening / closing portion is provided integrally with the main body portion.

  According to the optical connector described in the above (1), gas can be circulated through the cleaning window to clean the optical coupling portion and the optical path of the optical device, thereby reducing optical coupling loss and improving optical transmission quality. Can do.

  According to the optical connector described in (2) above, cleaning of the optical coupling portion of the optical device and its optical path can be performed by flowing gas from the gas inlet toward the gas outlet.

  According to the optical connector as described in said (3), cleaning with respect to the optical coupling part of an optical device and its optical path can be performed by distribute | circulating gas along a gas flow path.

  According to the optical connector described in (4) above, in the open state of the cleaning window, the gas can be circulated through the cleaning window to clean the optical coupling portion of the optical device and its optical path, In the closed state, dust etc. and electromagnetic wave noise with respect to the accommodation space can be blocked by the shield member.

  According to the optical connector described in (5) above, dust and the like in the housing space can be discharged to the outside by opening the cleaning window by pressurizing the housing space, and for cleaning by releasing the pressurization to the housing space. Dust and the like from the outside can be blocked by closing the window.

  According to the optical connector described in (6) above, the opening / closing part can be manufactured by forming a cut in the shield member, and the number of parts can be reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A shows the closed state of the cleaning window, and FIG. 2B shows the opened state of the cleaning window. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the optical device of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Overall configuration of optical connector)
1, FIG. 2 (a) and (b), the optical connector shown by the code | symbol 1 is the optical device 2, the holder housing 3 as a housing | casing which accommodates this optical device 2, and this holder housing 3. And a pair of opening and closing members 4 and 5 facing each other.

  An optical fiber 100 as an optical waveguide for propagating light is mechanically and optically connected to the optical connector 1 using fastening means such as bolts and magnetic connection means such as magnets.

(Configuration of optical device 2)
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical device 2 includes a light emitting element 20A that emits light toward the optical fiber 100, a first lead 21A on which the light emitting element 20A is mounted, and a wire connected to the light emitting element 20A on the first lead 21A. 1 and a second lead 22A connected through 110, and a sealing portion 23A for sealing the light emitting element 20A, the first lead 21A, and the second lead 22A (both of the leads are part), as shown in FIG. Thus, a part is accommodated in the holder housing 3 and mounted on a circuit board (not shown).

  The light emitting element 20A has an optical coupling surface (light emitting surface) 20a that is optically coupled (connected) to the optical coupling surface 100A of the optical fiber 100 serving as an optical waveguide. Emitting Diode (LED) element. Power is supplied to the light emitting element 20A from the power supply part of the circuit board via the first lead 21A and the second lead 22A.

  The first lead 21A is composed of a planar L-shaped terminal member having the element mounting portion 210A in the sealing portion 23A, and is connected to the circuit board. The whole is made of, for example, a Ni (nickel) metal material that has been subjected to tin plating.

  The second lead 22A is a planar I-shaped terminal member having a wire connecting part 220A in the sealing part 23A, is arranged in parallel with a part of the first lead 21A, and is connected to the circuit board. Yes. The whole is formed of the same material as that of the first lead 21A.

  The entire sealing portion 23A is formed of a rectangular plate-shaped translucent member made of, for example, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin, and is configured to transmit light emitted from the light emitting element 20A.

(Configuration of holder housing 3)
As shown in FIG. 1, the holder housing 3 has a device housing space 30A for housing the optical device 2, and a fiber holding hole 31A communicating with the device housing space 30A, and the whole is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. As a material of the holder housing 3, for example, an inorganic material such as zirconia ceramic or an organic material such as plastic is used. The fiber holding hole 31A is configured to hold the optical fiber 100 on its axis so that it can be inserted and removed, and to form a gas flow path together with the device housing space 30A and cleaning windows 32A and 33A (described later). The holder housing 3 is provided with a pair of cleaning windows 32A and 33A each formed of, for example, a rectangular opening that face each other and communicate with the device housing space 30A.

  One cleaning window 32A is opened on the upper surface and one side surface of the holder housing 3, and the other cleaning window 33A is opened on the upper surface and the other side surface of the holder housing 3, respectively. One cleaning window 32A serves as a gas inlet for allowing gas (air) to flow into the device housing space 30A from the outside, and the other cleaning window 33A serves as a gas outlet through which air flows out from the device housing space 30A. Are each configured to function. Thereby, cleaning with respect to the optical coupling surface 2a of the optical device 2 (the optical coupling surface 20a of the light emitting element 20A) and its optical path 120 can be performed by circulating air from the cleaning window 32A toward the cleaning window 33A. .

  Further, the holder housing 3 is provided with first recesses 320A and 321A that open on the inner surface of one of the cleaning windows 32A, and second recesses 330A and 331A that open on the inner surface of the other cleaning window 33A. ing.

  The first recesses 320A and 321A are arranged at positions facing each other, and are configured to function as first guide rails that guide the opening / closing member 4 in the vertical direction. The second recesses 330A and 331A are arranged at positions facing each other, and are configured to function as a second guide rail that guides the opening / closing member 5 in the vertical direction.

(Configuration of the opening and closing members 4 and 5)
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the opening / closing member 4 is disposed on one side surface of the holder housing 3 so as to be movable up and down, and is entirely formed of a plate member having a substantially L-shaped cross section. And it is comprised so that one cleaning window 32A may be opened and closed. On both side surfaces of the opening / closing member 4, there are provided first convex portions 4A and 4B which are slidably fitted into the first concave portions 320A and 321A, respectively. As a material of the opening / closing member 4, for example, an inorganic material such as zirconia ceramic or an organic material such as plastic is used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the opening / closing member 5 is disposed on the other side surface of the holder housing 3 so as to be movable up and down, and is substantially L-shaped in cross section made entirely of the same material as the opening / closing member 4. It is formed of a plate member. The other cleaning window 33A is configured to open and close. On both side surfaces of the opening / closing member 5, second convex portions 5A and 5B are provided which are slidably fitted into the second concave portions 330A and 331A, respectively.

  Next, a method of cleaning the optical coupling surface 2a of the optical device 2 and the optical path 120 thereof in the optical connector 1 according to the present embodiment (optical connector cleaning method) will be described.

  The method for cleaning the optical connector 1 shown in the present embodiment is performed by raising the opening and closing members 4 and 5 to open the cleaning windows 32A and 33A.

  That is, by sliding the first convex portions 4A and 4B of the opening and closing member 4 along the first concave portions 320A and 321A of the holder housing 3, the opening and closing member 4 is raised and held at a predetermined position. By sliding the second convex portions 5A and 5B along the second concave portions 330A and 331A, the opening / closing member 5 is raised and held at a predetermined position.

  In this case, when the opening and closing members 4 and 5 are held at predetermined positions, the cleaning windows 32A and 33A are opened, and air is passed from one cleaning window 32A to the device housing space 30A as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. Flows in the device housing space 30A and air flows out of the other cleaning window 33A together with dust and the like as indicated by an arrow B in FIG.

  Thereby, the optical coupling surface 2a of the optical device 2 (the optical coupling surface 20a of the light emitting element 20A) and its optical path 120 are cleaned.

  In the present embodiment, one cleaning window 32A serves as a gas inlet for allowing gas (air) to flow into the device housing space 30A from the outside, and the other cleaning window 33A extends from the device housing space 30A to the outside. Although the case where each functions as a gas outlet that allows air to flow out has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning windows 32A and 33A function as gas outlets that allow air to flow out from the device housing space 30A to the outside. May be.

  FIG. 4 shows a first modification of the present embodiment. When the cleaning windows 32A and 33A function as gas outlets, as shown in FIG. 4, gas is blown into the fiber holding hole 31A from the nozzle 130A using a gas blowing device 130, and the gas flow passage (fiber holding hole) 31A, the device housing space 30A and the cleaning windows 32A and 33A), and can flow out to the outside as indicated by arrows C and D in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a second modification of the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the pair of opening and closing members 4 and 5 open and close the cleaning windows 32A and 33A has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, as shown in FIG. The cleaning windows 32A and 33A may be opened and closed by a single opening / closing member 140.

  In this case, the opening / closing member 140 is formed by a U-shaped plate member having an opening / closing portion 140A, 140B for opening / closing the cleaning windows 32A, 33A and a connecting portion 140C for connecting the opening / closing portions 140A, 140B. . On both side surfaces of the opening / closing part 140A, first convex parts 140a and 141a that are fitted in the first concave parts 320A and 321A, respectively, are provided. On both side surfaces of the opening / closing part 140B, second convex parts 140b and 141b that fit into the second concave parts 330A and 331A, respectively, are provided.

[Second Embodiment]
FIGS. 6A and 6B are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing an optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 6B is an assembled perspective view. FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views showing an optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows the closed state of the cleaning window, and FIG. 7B shows the opened state of the cleaning window. 6 (a), 6 (b) and 7 (a), 7 (b), the same or equivalent members as in FIGS. Description is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 7A and 7B, the optical connector 201 shown in the second embodiment is the same as the holder housing 3 according to the first embodiment. It is characterized in that a shield member 202 is provided to cover the holder housing 13 configured as described above.

  As in the first embodiment, the holder housing 13 of the present embodiment includes a device housing space 30A, a fiber holding hole 31A, and cleaning windows 32A and 33A, but is provided with opening and closing members 4 and 5. Absent. Further, the same optical device 2 as that in the first embodiment is arranged in the device housing space 30A.

  The shield member 202 has a bottomed rectangular box-shaped main body portion 202A that houses the holder housing 13 and elastically deformable planar rectangular opening / closing portions 202B and 202C that open and close the cleaning windows 32A and 33A. For example, it is formed of a plate member made of a metal material such as aluminum. And it is comprised so that the electromagnetic wave noise with respect to the holder housing 13 may be interrupted | blocked.

  The main body 202A is provided with a fiber insertion hole 202a that opens in the axial direction of the fiber holding hole 31A of the holder housing 13.

  The opening / closing sections 202B and 202C are integrally provided by forming a planar U-shaped cut in the main body section 202A. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The cleaning windows 32A and 33A are opened by pressurizing the gas blown from the gas blowing device 130 into the device housing space 30A, and the cleaning windows 32A and 33A are closed by releasing the pressurization to the device housing space 30A. It is configured to function as a flapper.

  Next, a method for cleaning the optical coupling surface 2a of the optical device 2 and the optical path 120 thereof in the optical connector 201 according to the present embodiment (optical connector cleaning method) will be described. It is assumed that the cleaning windows 32A and 33A of the holder housing 3 are closed by the opening / closing portions 202B and 202C of the shield member 202.

  The cleaning method of the optical connector 201 shown in the present embodiment is performed by using a gas blowing device 130 and blowing a cleaning gas from the nozzle 130 </ b> A of the gas blowing device 130 into the fiber holding hole 31 </ b> A of the holder housing 13. .

  That is, in a state where the optical fiber 100 is pulled out from the fiber holding hole 31A of the holder housing 13, the nozzle 130A of the gas blowing device 130 is inserted into the fiber holding hole 31A, and the cleaning gas is supplied from the nozzle 130A to the fiber holding hole 31A. Infuse.

  In this case, when the cleaning gas is blown into the fiber holding hole 31A, the opening / closing parts 202B and 202C of the shield member 202 are moved to the gas flow path (fiber holding hole 31A, device housing space 30A and cleaning window 32A of the holder housing 13). 7A is moved from the position for closing the cleaning windows 32A and 33A shown in FIG. 7A to the position for opening the cleaning windows 32A and 33A shown in FIG. 7B. .

  Therefore, after the gas from the gas blowing device 3 flows into the device housing space 30A through the fiber holding hole 31A and flows through the device housing space 30A, as shown by arrows E and F in FIG. The dust flows out of the cleaning windows 32A and 33A together with dust and the like. Thereby, as in the first embodiment, the optical coupling surface 2a of the optical device 2 (the optical coupling surface 20a of the light emitting element 20A) and its optical path 120 are cleaned.

  On the other hand, in the closed state of the cleaning windows 32A and 33A, dust and the like and electromagnetic wave noise with respect to the device housing space 30A can be blocked by the opening / closing portions 202B and 202C.

  As mentioned above, although the optical connector of this invention was demonstrated based on said embodiment, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, It implements in a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the optical connector 1 including the optical device 2 that optically couples the optical fiber 100 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of optical devices are used. The present invention can also be applied to an optical connector incorporating a plurality of optical devices that are optically coupled to each other, as in the present embodiment. In this case, the optical element of the optical device 2 is not limited to the light emitting element, and may be a light receiving element such as a photodiode (PD) element, or may be a combination of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. .

(2) In the present embodiment, in order to clean the optical coupling surface 2a of the optical device 2 and its optical path 120, a pair of cleaning windows 32A and 33A are provided in the holder housings 3 and 13, thereby cleaning one of them. When air is introduced from the window 32A into the device housing space 31A and out of the other cleaning window 33A, or both are cleaned by blowing gas into the device housing space 30A from the fiber holding holes 31A of the holder housings 3 and 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and by providing a single cleaning window in the holder housing, the fiber holding hole of the holder housing can be used as a device housing space. The blown gas may be discharged to the outside.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the optical device of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing Modification Example 1 of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the optical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views showing an optical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector 2 ... Optical device, 2a ... Optical coupling surface, 20A ... Light emitting element, 20a ... Optical coupling surface, 21A ... 1st lead, 22A ... 2nd lead, 23A ... Sealing part, 210A ... Element mounting part, 220A ... Wire connection part 3,13 ... Holder housing, 30A ... Device housing space, 31A ... Fiber holding hole, 32A, 33A ... Cleaning window, 320A, 321A ... First recess, 330A, 331A ... Second recess 4,5 Opening / closing member, 4A, 4B, first convex portion, 5A, 5B, second convex portion 100, optical fiber, 100A, optical coupling surface,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Wire 120 ... Optical path 130 ... Gas blowing apparatus, 130A ... Nozzle 140 ... Opening / closing member, 140A, 140B ... Opening / closing part, 140C ... Connection part, 140a, 141a ... 1st convex part, 140b, 141b ... 2nd convex part 201 ... Optical connector, 202 ... Shield member, 202a ... Fiber insertion hole, 202A ... Main body part, 202B, 202C ... Opening and closing part

Claims (6)

An optical device optically coupled to the optical waveguide;
A housing space for housing the optical device, and a housing having a cleaning window communicating with the housing space;
An optical connector, comprising: an opening / closing member disposed in the housing and opening / closing the cleaning window.   2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a gas inflow port through which the cleaning window allows gas to flow into the housing space from the outside, and a gas outflow port through which gas flows out of the housing space.   2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes an optical waveguide holding hole that holds the optical waveguide in a freely insertable / removable manner and that can form a gas flow path together with the housing space and the cleaning window. An optical device optically coupled to the optical waveguide;
A housing space for housing the optical device, and a housing having a cleaning window communicating with the housing space;
An optical connector comprising: a box-shaped main body portion that accommodates the housing; and a shield member that has an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the cleaning window and blocks electromagnetic noise.   The said shield member consists of a flapper which the said opening-and-closing part opens the said cleaning window by the pressurization to the said accommodation space, and closes the said cleaning window by the cancellation | release of the pressurization to the said accommodation space. The optical connector described.   The optical connector according to claim 5, wherein the shield member is formed of an elastically deformable sheet metal in which the opening / closing portion is provided integrally with the main body portion.

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