JP6724092B2 - Optical receptacle and optical connector system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to optical receptacles and optical connector systems.

In recent years, there has been a demand for space saving of optical fiber wiring for connecting devices such as servers and routers in data centers. With regard to such optical fiber wiring, when optical fibers are connected to each other by an optical connector, they are connected linearly (one-dimensionally) along the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers to be connected. That is, the optical path of the optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber via the optical connector extends linearly. Here, when it is desired to bend the optical path of the optical signal at a right angle in the optical fiber wiring, it cannot be bent at the connecting portion of the optical connector, and the optical fiber portion extending from the optical connector has to be bent. At this time, in order to suppress an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber, it is necessary to secure a sufficient bending radius of the optical fiber, which is a factor that makes it difficult to save space in the optical fiber wiring.

Regarding conversion of an optical path of an optical signal that enters and exits an optical fiber, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose an optical path conversion unit provided between an optical fiber and a photoelectric conversion element on a substrate. ing.

JP, 2016-180920, A JP, 2017-40703, A JP, 2008-13564, A

When using the optical path conversion unit as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when an optical connector receptacle for converting the optical path of the optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber is provided, When connecting the optical connector plug, a pressing force is applied to the optical path changing portion in the optical connector receptacle, which may cause deformation of the optical path changing portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector receptacle that suppresses deformation of an optical path conversion unit when connecting an optical connector plug.

Some embodiments of the present invention include an optical plug including a first ferrule holding a first optical fiber, a housing detachable in a first direction, and a second plug in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. An optical path conversion unit that converts the second ferrule in which the optical fiber is held, the optical path along the first direction, and the optical path along the second direction, which is housed in the housing and is provided in the housing. When the optical plug is mounted, the optical path conversion unit is sandwiched between the first ferrule and the housing, and the optical path conversion unit is disposed on the optical plug side in the first direction. A rear wall that protrudes in the second direction, a front wall that is disposed on the opposite side of the rear wall in the first direction from the optical plug, and that protrudes in the second direction, and the first direction. In the second direction, the recess is formed between the rear wall and the front wall in the second direction, and when viewed from the second direction, the first ferrule and the optical path changing unit are It is composed of a first region through which a guide pin that is aligned with the housing is inserted, and a second region in which the recess is formed. When viewed from the second direction, the first region and the front wall are The optical receptacle is in contact with the housing, and in the second region, a gap is formed between the front wall and the housing in the first direction.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description and drawings described below.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the optical connector plug is connected to the optical connector receptacle including the optical path changing unit, the deformation of the optical path changing unit can be suppressed.

FIG. 1A is a reference diagram for explaining an optical connector system 10 of a comparative example. FIG. 1B is a reference diagram for explaining the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the optical path changing unit 30. FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the optical path changing unit 30 when viewed from below. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the second embodiment when cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the second embodiment when cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views of the periphery of the optical path conversion unit 30 when the optical connector system 10 of the modified example is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the entrance/exit unit 36 of the optical path changing unit 30.

At least the following matters will be made clear from the description and drawings described below.

An optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held, a housing in which a first optical fiber is detachable, and a second ferrule in which a second optical fiber is held in a second direction intersecting the first direction. An optical path conversion unit that converts an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, the optical path changing unit being housed in the housing and having the optical plug attached to the housing. The optical path conversion unit is sandwiched between the ferrule and the housing, and a gap is formed between the optical path conversion unit and the housing in the first direction. The optical receptacle becomes apparent. According to such an optical receptacle, it is possible to suppress deformation of the optical path conversion unit when connecting the optical plug to the optical receptacle including the optical path conversion unit.

It is preferable that the optical path changing unit includes a concave portion that opens in a direction intersecting with the first direction. Thereby, when the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle provided with the optical path changing section, the deformation of the optical path changing section can be suppressed.

It is preferable that at least a part of a surface of the housing facing the optical path changing unit is formed in a concave shape to form the gap. Thereby, when the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle provided with the optical path changing section, the deformation of the optical path changing section can be suppressed.

It is preferable that at least a part of a surface of the optical path changing portion facing the housing is formed in a concave shape to form the gap. Thereby, when the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle provided with the optical path changing section, the deformation of the optical path changing section can be suppressed.

At least one of the first ferrule and the second ferrule is preferably a lens coupling type ferrule. As a result, the pressing force of the spring for urging the ferrule toward the connection end face can be reduced.

It is preferable that a surface of the optical path conversion unit on which an optical signal is incident is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence of return light due to the reflection of the optical signal on the surface on which the optical signal is incident.

An optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held, a housing in which the optical plug is attachable/detachable in a first direction, and a second optical fiber is held in a second direction intersecting the first direction. An optical path conversion unit that converts a second ferrule, an optical path along the first direction, and an optical path along the second direction, the optical path conversion section being housed in the housing and having the optical plug attached to the housing. , And an optical receptacle including the optical path changing section sandwiched between the first ferrule and the housing, and a gap is provided between the optical path changing section and the housing in the first direction. An optical connector system characterized by being formed becomes apparent. According to such an optical connector system, it is possible to suppress deformation of the optical path conversion unit when connecting the optical plug to the optical receptacle including the optical path conversion unit.

=== First Embodiment ===
<Outline of optical connector system 10>
-Outline of Optical Connector System 10 of Comparative Example FIG. 1A is a reference diagram for explaining an optical connector system 10 of a comparative example.

Hereinafter, before describing the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment, an optical connector system 10 of a comparative example will be described. The optical connector system 10 includes an optical connector receptacle 20 and an optical connector plug 40. The optical connector receptacle 20 may be simply referred to as "optical receptacle 20". Further, the optical connector plug 40 may be simply referred to as “optical plug 40”. Further, the optical connector receptacle 20 and the optical connector plug 40 may be collectively referred to simply as “optical connector”.

The optical receptacle 20 is an optical connector that is fixed to a device or the like and on which a later-described optical plug 40 is attached/detached. The optical receptacle 20 is fixed to, for example, the wall 2 of the device in the data center. As shown in FIG. 1A, in this comparative example, two optical receptacles 20 are fixed in the wall surface direction of the wall 2. The wall surface direction shown in FIG. 1A means, for example, a vertical direction along the wall surface, but also includes a horizontal direction and other directions. These two optical receptacles 20 respectively hold both ends of the optical fiber 1B. In each of the optical receptacles 20, the end of the optical fiber 1B is held by a ferrule (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (attachment/detachment direction described later). Therefore, the end portion of the optical fiber 1B is in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (attachment/detachment direction) and on the side opposite to the side on which the optical receptacle 20 is provided with respect to the wall 2 (optical plug to be attached/detached). 40 side). Thereby, the optical plug 40 can be attached to and detached from the optical receptacle 20 in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2.

The optical plug 40 is an optical connector that is attachable to and detachable from the optical receptacle 20. As shown in FIG. 1A, two optical plugs 40 are respectively connected to two optical receptacles 20 fixed to the wall 2. In each of the connected optical plugs 40, the end portion of the optical fiber 1A is held by a ferrule (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (attachment/detachment direction). Therefore, the end portion of the optical fiber 1A is in a direction (attachment/detachment direction) perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 and on the side opposite to the side on which the optical plug 40 is provided (attached/dismounted It will face the receptacle 20). By connecting the optical plug 40 to the optical receptacle 20, the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side and the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side are optically connected. The optical plug 40 can be removed from the optical receptacle 20 by moving the optical plug 40 away from the optical receptacle 20 in the attachment/detachment direction. As a result, the optical connection between the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side and the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side is released.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in the optical connector system 10 of this comparative example, the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side and the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side are linear (one-dimensional) along the longitudinal direction. It is connected to the. In other words, the optical path of the optical signal transmitted from the one optical fiber 1A to the other optical fiber 1B via the optical connector (optical receptacle 20 and optical plug 40) extends linearly. As described above, in this comparative example, the ferrule of the optical receptacle 20 holds the end portion of the optical fiber 1B in the direction perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 (attachment/detachment direction). Then, by connecting the end of the optical fiber 1A held by the ferrule of the optical plug 40 to the optical fiber 1B in a direction (attachment/detachment direction) perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2, the optical fiber (optical fiber 1A And the optical fiber 1B) is connected linearly (one-dimensionally) along the longitudinal direction.

For this reason, in the optical connector system 10 of this comparative example, the optical connector 20 should project in the direction (attachment/detachment direction) perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2 by the length (L1) of the protruding portion of the optical receptacle 20 with respect to the wall 2. become. Since the optical receptacle 20 needs to hold the end portion of the optical fiber 1B, it is necessary to secure a sufficient length in the longitudinal direction of the optical receptacle 20. Therefore, the length L1 of the protruding portion of the optical receptacle 20 with respect to the wall 2 is also increased accordingly. In the optical connector system 10 of this comparative example, the optical fiber 1B is bent and wired from the upper optical receptacle 20 to the lower optical receptacle 20 shown in FIG. 1A. In order to suppress the increase of the transmission loss of the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 1B, the wired optical fiber 1B needs to secure a sufficient bending radius. Therefore, the wiring of the optical fiber 1B projects by a predetermined length (L2) in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 (attachment/detachment direction). Here, in order to save space in the optical fiber wiring, it is necessary to make the optical fiber wiring thin (small) in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 (attaching/detaching direction). That is, the total length LA(L1+L2) described above needs to be as small as possible. However, as described above, it is necessary to secure a sufficient length for both L1 and L2, so there is a limit to reducing LA. This has been a factor that makes it difficult to save space in the optical fiber wiring.

-Outline of Optical Connector System 10 of First Embodiment FIG. 1B is a reference diagram for explaining the optical connector system 10 of the first embodiment.

In the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment, the two optical receptacles 20 are fixed to the wall 2 in the wall surface direction, and the two optical plugs 40 are fixed to the wall 2 to form the two optical receptacles 20. The fact that they are connected to each is the same as in the comparative example described above. Further, also in the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment, the two optical receptacles 20 respectively hold both ends of the optical fiber 1B, which is not different from the comparative example described above. However, in the present embodiment, each optical receptacle 20 has an optical path conversion unit 30.

The optical path conversion unit 30 is a member that converts the optical path of an optical signal. As shown in FIG. 1B, by the optical path conversion unit 30, the direction along the optical path of the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 1A (the attachment/detachment direction) and the optical path of the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber 1B are measured. The direction (wall surface direction) has been converted. As a result, the optical path of the optical signal is changed inside the optical receptacle 20. Therefore, unlike the comparative example described above, it is not necessary to bend and wire the optical fiber 1B from the upper optical receptacle 20 to the lower optical receptacle 20, and the upper and lower optical receptacles 20 are directly connected by the optical fiber 1B. Just good. Further, the upper and lower optical receptacles 20 themselves do not have to be fixed to the wall 2 so as to project in a direction (attachment/detachment direction) perpendicular to the wall surface direction of the wall 2, and can be fixed along the wall surface direction of the wall 2. .. Therefore, the length (LB) protruding in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 can be made smaller than the length (LA) protruding in the direction perpendicular to the wall 2 in the comparative example (LB<LA). As a result, in the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to save space for the optical fiber wiring. Further, by saving the space of the optical fiber wiring, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber wiring from blocking the air sent from the cooling fan, and to efficiently cool the device in the data center in which the optical connector system 10 is provided. it can.

<Structure of optical connector system 10>
FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment.

In the following description, each direction is defined as shown in the figure. That is, the attachment/detachment direction of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20 is "front-back direction", the side of the optical receptacle 20 with respect to the optical plug 40 is "front", and the opposite side (the side of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20) is "rear side". ". The longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 1B (see FIG. 1B) held in the optical receptacle 20 is referred to as “vertical direction”, the side of the optical path conversion unit 30 with respect to the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is referred to as “up”, and the opposite side (optical path conversion unit 30 The side of the ferrule unit 22 on the side of the receptacle) is referred to as “down”. The vertical direction is also the wall surface direction shown in FIG. 1B. Also, the direction that is orthogonal to the "front-back direction" and "up-down direction" is the "left-right direction", the right side when viewing the front from the back is "right", and the left side when viewing the front from the back is "left". And The "front-back direction" may be referred to as the "first direction", and the "vertical direction" may be referred to as the "second direction".

2A and 2B, only the plug-side ferrule unit 42, which will be described later, is illustrated for the optical plug 40, and the housing and the like for housing the plug-side ferrule unit 42 are omitted for ease of description. ing. 2A and 2B, illustration of the optical fiber 1A and the optical fiber 1B shown in FIG. 1B is omitted.

As described above, the optical connector system 10 has the optical plug 40 and the optical receptacle 20. The optical plug 40 also has a plug-side ferrule unit 42.

The plug-side ferrule unit 42 is a member that holds the optical fiber 1A (see FIG. 1B) on the optical plug 40 side, and is also a member that is provided with a lens of a lens coupling type ferrule. The plug-side ferrule unit 42 has a plug-side ferrule 43 and a plug-side lens portion 44. In addition, in the present embodiment, the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 are configured by two components, but may be configured by one component (may be integrally formed).

The plug-side ferrule 43 is a member that holds the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side. The plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 of this embodiment are positioned via a guide pin 25 (described later) attached to the receptacle housing 21. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B described later, the plug-side ferrule 43 holds a plurality (here, 12) of optical fibers 1A.

The plug-side ferrule 43 has substantially the same structure as the ferrule of an MT type optical connector (optical connector defined by JIS C 5981, MT: Mechanically Transferable), for example. However, in a ferrule of a normal MT type optical connector, the ferrule end face and the optical fiber end face are ground together, but in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the end face of the optical fiber 1A is the plug side ferrule 43. Since it is projected from the front end face (opening face of the optical fiber hole), the front end face of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the end face of the optical fiber 1A are not polished together. Further, in the ordinary MT type optical connector, the end face of the optical fiber is exposed at the end face of the ferrule, but in the present embodiment, the plug side lens portion 44 is arranged on the front side of the plug side ferrule 43, as will be described later. Since the end face of the optical fiber 1A is in a state of being abutted against the optical fiber abutting face 48 of the plug side lens portion 44, the end face of the optical fiber 1A is not exposed to the outside.

A guide hole 45 is formed in the plug-side ferrule 43. The guide hole 45 is a hole for inserting a guide pin 25 described later. The guide hole 45 is used for positioning the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44. The guide hole 45 penetrates the plug-side ferrule 43 along the front-rear direction, and two guide holes 45 are opened in the front end surface of the plug-side ferrule 43 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which will be described later). See FIG. 4A). As shown in FIG. 2B, the two guide holes 45 are also formed in the rear end surface of the plug-side ferrule 43, but the two guide holes 45 may not be formed in the rear end surface. .. The two guide holes 45 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction so as to sandwich a plurality of optical fiber holes 46, which will be described later, from the left-right direction.

A plurality of optical fiber holes 46 are formed in the plug-side ferrule 43 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, see FIG. 4A described later). The plurality of optical fiber holes 46 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The optical fibers 1A forming the optical fiber tape (optical fiber ribbon) are inserted into the respective optical fiber holes 46 arranged in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, there is one row of optical fiber holes 46 arranged in the left-right direction. The row of the optical fiber holes 46 may be one row or a plurality of rows. The plurality of optical fiber holes 46 are arranged between two guide pins 25 described later.

The plug-side lens portion 44 is an optical member having a lens array in which a plurality of lenses are arranged. The plug side lens portion 44 is formed of a transparent resin that transmits an optical signal. The plug-side lens portion 44 is arranged on the front side of the plug-side ferrule 43 with its rear end surface in contact with the front-side end surface of the plug-side ferrule 43. The plug-side lens portion 44 and the plug-side ferrule 43 of this embodiment are positioned via guide pins 25 (described later) attached to the receptacle housing 21.

The plug-side lens portion 44 has a guide through hole 47, an optical fiber abutting surface 48, and a lens surface 49 (the lens surface 49 is not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3B and 4B). See).

The guide through hole 47 is a hole for inserting a guide pin 25 described later. By inserting the guide pin 25 into the guide through hole 47, the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 are aligned. Therefore, the distance between the two guide through holes 47 is the same as the distance between the two guide holes 45 of the plug-side ferrule 43. Further, the two guide through holes 47 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction so as to sandwich the optical fiber abutting surface 48 described later from the left-right direction. The guide through hole 47 penetrates the plug-side lens portion 44 along the front-rear direction, and two guide through holes 47 are opened at the front end surface and the rear end surface of the plug-side lens portion 44, respectively.

The optical fiber abutting surface 48 is a surface on which the end surface of the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side is abutted. The end surface of the optical fiber 1A on the optical plug 40 side projects from the front end surface (opening surface of the optical fiber hole) of the plug-side ferrule 43 and abuts on the optical fiber abutting surface 48. When the optical fiber abutting surface 48 is viewed from the rear to the front, the optical fiber abutting surface 48 is provided on the rear end surface of the plug side lens portion 44 so as to cover the plurality of optical fiber holes 46 of the plug side ferrule 43. Has been formed. As a result, the end faces of all the plurality of optical fibers 1A held by the plug-side ferrule 43 are abutted against the optical fiber abutting face 48.

The lens surface 49 is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of optical fibers 1A (in other words, the plurality of optical fiber holes 46), and an optical signal is input/output through the lens surface 49. Therefore, the lens surface 49 is formed with high precision positioning with respect to the guide through hole 47. The lens surface 49 is formed so as to function as a collimating lens, for example. By inputting/outputting the optical signal whose diameter is enlarged by the lens surface 49, the transmission loss of the optical signal can be suppressed. The lens surface 49 is formed on the front end surface of the plug-side lens portion 44, and is formed on the front end surface of the plug-side ferrule unit 42. In order to prevent the convex lens surface 49 from coming into contact with the optical path conversion unit 30 when the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is opposed to the optical path conversion unit 30 and abutted against each other, the lens surface 49 is a concave portion of the plug-side lens unit 44. It is formed at the bottom of the place 50 (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, see FIGS. 3B and 4B described later).

As described above, the plug-side ferrule unit 42 of this embodiment is a lens coupling type ferrule. The receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 described later is also a lens coupling type ferrule. The lens coupling type ferrule is a ferrule that can be optically connected without physically contacting the ends of the optical fibers. In the lens coupling type ferrule, a lens (for example, the plug side lens portion 44) is arranged at the end of a ferrule (for example, the plug side ferrule 43), and an optical fiber (for example, held by the ferrule (the plug side ferrule 43) (for example, The light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber 1A) is collimated and is transmitted to the ferrule (for example, the receptacle-side ferrule 23) of the connection destination. A lens (receptacle side lens portion 24) for causing the collimated light to enter the end face of the optical fiber (for example, the optical fiber 1B) is disposed at the end portion of the connection destination ferrule (receptacle side ferrule 23). ing. The lens-coupled ferrule makes optical connection in this manner. As a result, the lens coupling type ferrule can reduce the pressing force of the spring for urging the ferrule toward the connecting end face side, as compared with the optical connector in which the end faces of the ferrules whose optical fiber end faces are exposed are butted against each other. ..

The optical receptacle 20 includes a receptacle housing 21, a receptacle-side ferrule unit 22, a guide pin 25, and an optical path changing unit 30.

The receptacle housing 21 is a member that houses the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22, the guide pin 25, and the optical path changing unit 30. The receptacle housing 21 is also a member that fixes the optical receptacle 20 to the wall of the device by being fixed to the wall of the device (the above-described wall 2 or the like).

The receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is a member that holds the optical fiber 1B on the optical receptacle 20 side, and is also a member that is provided with a lens of a lens coupling type ferrule. The receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 includes a receptacle-side ferrule 23 and a receptacle-side lens portion 24. In addition, the receptacle-side ferrule 23 and the receptacle-side lens portion 24 are fixed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. The detailed configurations of the receptacle-side ferrule 23 and the receptacle-side lens portion 24 are the same as those of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

The guide pin 25 is inserted into the guide hole 45 of the plug-side ferrule 43 and the guide through hole 47 of the plug-side lens portion 44 to position the plug-side ferrule 43 and the plug-side lens portion 44 with respect to the receptacle housing 21. It is a member to be matched. The front end portion of the guide pin 25 is housed and attached to the receptacle housing 21.

As described above, the optical path conversion unit 30 is a member that converts the optical path of an optical signal. In other words, the optical path conversion unit 30 has an optical path along the attachment/detachment direction (first direction) of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20 and a longitudinal direction (second direction) of the optical fiber 1B held by the optical receptacle 20. It is a member for converting the optical path. The detailed configuration of the optical path changing unit 30 will be described later.

<Optical path changing unit 30>
FIG. 3A is a plan view of the optical path changing unit 30. FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the optical path changing unit 30 when viewed from below. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the first embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. 3A to 3B, the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21 are shown by broken lines.

The optical path conversion unit 30 has a reflection unit 34, a positioning pin 35, an entrance/exit unit 36, and a guide through hole 39.

The reflector 34 is a surface that reflects an optical signal. The inclined end surface on the front side of the rear wall 38, which is provided with the input/output portion 36 (rear input/output portion 36A) of the optical signal with the plug-side lens portion 44, serves as the reflecting portion 34. In other words, the concave portion 33 that opens to the upper surface side of the optical path changing portion 30 is formed, and the inclined end surface on the rear side of the concave portion 33 becomes the reflecting portion 34. The reflecting portion 34 is a boundary surface between the resin forming the optical path changing portion 30 and the outside air, and light is reflected at the boundary surface between the two due to the difference in refractive index between the two. The reflecting portion 34 is formed parallel to the left-right direction. However, the reflecting portion 34 may be a flat surface or a lens surface (curved surface).

The optical signal transmitted through the optical path changing unit 30 is reflected by the reflecting unit 34. In the case of an optical signal that is emitted from the plug-side lens unit 44 and is incident on the optical path conversion unit 30 at the rear-side entrance/exit unit 36A, the optical signal is reflected by the reflecting unit 34, and the receptacle from the lower-side entrance/exit unit 36B. The light is emitted toward the side lens portion 24. Further, in the case of an optical signal that is emitted from the receptacle-side lens unit 24 and is incident on the optical path conversion unit 30 at the lower incident/emission unit 36B, the optical signal is reflected by the reflection unit 34 and rear side incident/emission unit 36A. Will be incident on the plug side lens portion 44.

The optical path between the rear-side entrance/exit section 36A and the reflecting section 34 is parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber 1A held by the plug-side ferrule 43 (plug-side ferrule unit 42). The optical path between the rear-side entrance/exit section 36A and the reflecting section 34 is parallel to the attachment/detachment direction (front-back direction) of the optical plug 40 with respect to the optical receptacle 20. The optical path between the lower entrance/exit portion 36B and the reflector 34 is parallel to the optical axis (vertical direction) of the optical fiber 1B held by the receptacle-side ferrule 23 (receptacle-side ferrule unit 22). That is, the optical path between the rear entrance/exit portion 36A and the reflecting portion 34 and the optical path between the bottom entrance/exit portion 36B and the reflecting portion 34 are in directions intersecting with each other. Here, the optical path between the rear entrance/exit portion 36A and the reflecting portion 34 and the optical path between the lower entrance/exit portion 36B and the reflecting portion 34 are orthogonal to each other, but not obliquely and obliquely. It may be arranged. Therefore, the optical path conversion unit 30 has the reflection unit 34, so that the optical path between the rear entrance/exit unit 36A and the reflection unit 34 and the optical path between the lower entrance/exit unit 36B and the reflection unit 34 are provided. Can be converted.

The positioning pin 35 is a pin (positioning part) to be inserted into the positioning hole 27 (see FIG. 2B) of the receptacle-side lens part 24. By inserting the positioning pin 35 of the optical path changing section 30 into the positioning hole 27 of the receptacle side lens section 24, the optical path changing section 30 and the receptacle side lens section 24 are aligned. As described above, since the receptacle-side lens portion 24 and the receptacle-side ferrule 23 are fixed so as to have a predetermined positional relationship, when the optical path conversion portion 30 and the receptacle-side lens portion 24 are aligned, the optical path is changed. The conversion unit 30 and the receptacle-side ferrule 23 are aligned with each other. As shown in FIG. 3C, in the present embodiment, the two positioning pins 35 project from the lower surface of the optical path conversion unit 30. The two positioning pins 35 are parallel to the vertical direction (the optical axis of the optical fiber 1B held by the receptacle-side ferrule 23 (receptacle-side ferrule unit 22)).

The entrance/exit unit 36 is a surface on which an optical signal enters or exits. The entrance/exit unit 36 has a rear entrance/exit unit 36A formed on the rear surface of the optical path conversion unit 30 and a lower entrance/exit unit 36B formed on the lower surface of the optical path conversion unit 30. When the optical plug 40 and the optical receptacle 20 are connected, the rear-side entrance/exit section 36A faces the lens surface 49 of the plug-side lens section 44, and exits from the end surface of the optical fiber 1A held by the plug-side ferrule 43. The optical signal (or the optical signal incident on the end face of the optical fiber 1A) becomes a surface when entering and exiting the optical path conversion unit 30. Further, the optical receptacle 20 is assembled so that the lower entrance/exit portion 36B faces the lens surface 28 of the receptacle-side lens portion 24, and light emitted from the end surface of the optical fiber 1B held by the receptacle-side ferrule 23. It becomes a surface when a signal (or an optical signal incident on the end face of the optical fiber 1B) enters and exits the optical path conversion unit 30. It should be noted that a plurality of optical signals are input to or output from the input/output section 36 (the rear side input/output section 36A and the lower side input/output section 36B). The entrance/exit portion 36 is formed parallel to the left-right direction. Further, the entrance/exit portion 36 is disposed between the two guide pins 25.

The guide through hole 39 is a hole for inserting the guide pin 25. By inserting the guide pin 25 into the guide through hole 39, the optical path changing section 30 is aligned with the receptacle housing 21 to which the guide pin 25 is attached. The interval between the two guide through holes 39 is the same as the interval between the two guide holes 45 of the plug side ferrule 43 and the two guide through holes 47 of the plug side lens portion 44. The guide through hole 39 penetrates the optical path conversion unit 30 along the front-rear direction, and two guide through holes 39 are formed in the front end surface and the rear end surface of the optical path conversion unit 30, respectively.

<Concave area 31 and guide area 32>
As shown on the right side of FIG. 3A, when the parts (areas) of the optical path conversion unit 30 are distinguished in the left-right direction, the optical path conversion unit 30 is composed of a recessed area 31 and a guide area 32. That is, when the optical path changing unit 30 is viewed from above, the inside (the side where the recess 33 is formed) is defined with the surfaces including the inner wall surfaces (the left inner wall surface 60 and the right inner wall surface 61) on both the left and right sides of the recess 33 as boundaries. ) Is a concave region 31, and the outside is a guide region 32. The guide region 32 is also a region where the guide through hole 39 is formed and the guide pin 25 is inserted.

In the recess area 31, the recess 33 is open to the upper surface side of the optical path changing section 30. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the cross section of the optical path conversion unit 30 when cut by a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction is viewed, the front wall 37 protruding upward on the front side of the optical path conversion unit 30 and the optical path conversion unit 30. On the rear side, a rear wall 38 that also protrudes upward is formed.

Here, when the optical plug 40 is attached to the receptacle housing 21, the optical path changing unit 30 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the plug-side ferrule unit 42 (optical plug 40) and the receptacle housing 21. When the optical path conversion unit 30 is in contact with both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21 when the optical plug 40 is attached to the receptacle housing 21, the optical-path conversion unit 30 causes the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21. And will receive pressure from both. That is, the rear surface of the optical path changing section 30 (the rear surface of the rear wall 38) receives a pressing force in the forward direction from the plug-side ferrule unit 42 (optical plug 40), and the front surface of the optical path changing section 30 ( The rear surface of the front wall 37 receives a pressing force in the rearward direction from the receptacle housing 21.

In this way, the optical path changing section 30 receives the pressing force from both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21, so that the optical path changing section 30 receives the pressing force in the direction in which the rear wall 38 and the front wall 37 described above approach each other. It will be. As a result, the front wall 37 and the rear wall 38 move closer to each other, and the optical path conversion unit 30 is deformed. Therefore, the position of the reflection part 34 of the optical path conversion part 30 is displaced, and the optical signal emitted from the end face of the optical fiber 1A (or the optical fiber 1B) is accurately transferred to the end face of the optical fiber 1B (or the optical fiber 1A). The light cannot be well incident, which causes an increase in transmission loss of the optical signal.

Therefore, in the optical receptacle 20 of the present embodiment, a gap is formed between the optical path changing section 30 and the receptacle housing 21. That is, the recessed area 31 of the optical path changing section 30 is prevented from coming into contact with both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 (optical plug 40) and the receptacle housing 21. The recess 33 is not formed in the guide region 32. Therefore, even if the guide region 32 is in contact with both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle housing 21, it is less likely to be deformed than the recessed region 31.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the optical receptacle 20 of the present embodiment, the gap 26 is formed by forming the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the concave area 31 of the optical path conversion section 30 into a concave shape. ing. The rear wall 38 in the guide region 32 of the optical path changing unit 30 and the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide region 32 remain in contact with each other. However, the gap 26 may be formed between the rear wall 38 in the guide region 32 of the optical path changing unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide region 32. In other words, the gap portion 26 is formed by forming at least a part of the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the optical path changing portion 30 into a concave shape. Thereby, when the optical plug 40 is connected to the optical receptacle 20 including the optical path changing unit 30, the deformation of the optical path changing unit 30 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the gap portion 26 is formed on the side opposite to the side where the optical plug 40 is arranged with respect to the optical path conversion portion 30. Further, the gap portion 26 is formed between the two guide pins 25. As described above, the input/output section 36 of the optical path changing section 30 and the plurality of optical fiber holes 46 of the plug-side ferrule 43 are arranged between the two guide pins 25. That is, the gap 26 is formed corresponding to the optical path of the optical signal that enters and exits the end face of the optical fiber 1A on the plug 40 side (the optical path of the optical signal between the rear entrance/exit section 36A and the reflecting section 34). ing. In this way, the deformation of the concave region 31 through which the optical signal passes can be suppressed.

=== Second Embodiment ===
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the second embodiment when cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system 10 according to the second embodiment when cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

In the above-described first embodiment, the gap portion 26 is formed by forming the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the concave region 31 of the optical path conversion unit 30 in a concave shape. However, as in the optical connector system 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the surface facing the receptacle housing 21 in the concave region 31 of the optical path conversion unit 30 is formed into a concave shape, so that the gap 26 is formed. May be formed. Also in this embodiment, the rear wall 38 in the guide region 32 of the optical path changing unit 30 and the surface of the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide region 32 remain in contact with each other. However, the gap 26 may be formed between the rear wall 38 in the guide region 32 of the optical path changing unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21 facing the guide region 32. In other words, the gap portion 26 is formed by forming at least a part of the surface of the optical path conversion portion 30 facing the receptacle housing 21 in a concave shape. Thereby, when the optical plug 40 is connected to the optical receptacle 20 including the optical path changing unit 30, the deformation of the optical path changing unit 30 can be suppressed.

=== Others ===
<Modification>
6A to 6C are cross-sectional views of the periphery of the optical path conversion unit 30 when the optical connector system 10 of the modified example is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

In the above-described optical connector system 10 of the first and second embodiments, both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 are lens coupling type ferrules. That is, in the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22, the ferrule (the plug-side ferrule 43 and the receptacle-side ferrule 23) was provided with the lens portion (the plug-side lens portion 44 and the receptacle-side lens portion 24).

However, in the present modification, either the plug-side ferrule unit 42 or the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 may be the MT type optical connector ferrule instead of the lens coupling type ferrule. Further, both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 may be MT-type optical connector ferrules instead of the lens coupling type ferrules.

FIG. 6A shows the optical connector system 10 in the case where both the plug-side ferrule unit 42 and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 are ferrules of MT type optical connector. FIG. 6B shows the optical connector system 10 in the case where the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is the ferrule of the MT type optical connector and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is the lens coupling type ferrule. FIG. 6C shows the optical connector system 10 in the case where the plug-side ferrule unit 42 is a lens coupling type ferrule and the receptacle-side ferrule unit 22 is an MT type optical connector.

Even in the optical connector system 10 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, since the gap portion 26 is formed between the optical path conversion unit 30 and the receptacle housing 21, the optical receptacle 20 including the optical path conversion unit 30 receives light. When connecting the plug 40, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the optical path changing unit 30.

<Injection/emission unit 36>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the entrance/exit unit 36 of the optical path changing unit 30. In addition, an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a solid line is shown on the lower side of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the entrance/exit section 36 (the rear entrance/exit section 36A and the bottom entrance/exit section 36B) is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal. If an optical signal enters and exits the input/output unit 36 in a straight line (when the input/output unit 36 is a surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal), the light partially reflected by the input/output unit 36 becomes an optical fiber ( It may be return light that is incident again on the optical fibers 1A and 1B). This return light caused damage to the optical fiber. Therefore, by tilting the entrance/exit section 36 (the rear entrance/exit section 36A and the lower entrance/exit section 36B) with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical signal, the return light is returned to the optical fiber (optical fiber 1A and optical fiber 1A). It prevents the light from entering the optical fiber 1B) again.

The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof and that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

1A・1B optical fiber, 2 walls, 10 optical connector system,
20 Optical connector receptacle (optical receptacle),
21 receptacle housing, 22 receptacle side ferrule unit,
23 Receptacle side ferrule, 24 Receptacle side lens part,
25 guide pins, 26 gaps, 27 positioning holes, 28 lens surface,
29 recesses, 30 optical path changing parts, 31 recessed regions, 32 guide regions,
33 recessed portion, 34 reflective portion, 35 positioning pin, 36 input/output portion,
36A rear entrance/exit portion, 36B bottom entrance/exit portion, 37 front wall, 38 rear wall,
39 guide through hole, 40 optical connector plug (optical plug),
42 plug side ferrule unit, 43 plug side ferrule,
44 plug side lens part, 45 guide hole, 46 optical fiber hole,
47 guide hole, 48 optical fiber abutting surface, 49 lens surface,
50 recess

Claims (6)

An optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held;
A second ferrule in which a second optical fiber is held in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
An optical path conversion unit for converting an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, the first ferrule being housed in the housing and having the optical plug attached to the housing. And the optical path conversion unit sandwiched between the housing and the housing,
The optical path changing unit,
A rear wall disposed on the optical plug side in the first direction and protruding in the second direction;
A front wall that is arranged on the opposite side of the rear wall in the first direction from the optical plug and projects in the second direction;
A recess formed between the rear wall and the front wall in the first direction and opening in the second direction, and
When viewed from the second direction, the first ferrule and the first region through which a guide pin for aligning the optical path conversion unit with the housing is inserted, and the second region where the recess is formed are formed. ,
When viewed from the second direction, the front wall and the housing are in contact with each other in the first region, and in the second region, a gap is formed between the front wall and the housing in the first direction. An optical receptacle characterized by being formed. The optical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein:
An optical receptacle characterized in that the gap is formed by forming at least a part of a surface of the housing facing the optical path changing portion into a concave shape. The optical receptacle according to claim 1, wherein:
The optical receptacle characterized in that the gap is formed by forming at least a part of a surface of the front wall facing the housing in a concave shape. The optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
At least one of the first ferrule and the second ferrule is a lens coupling type ferrule. The optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
An optical receptacle, wherein a surface of the optical path conversion unit on which an optical signal is incident is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical signal. An optical plug including a first ferrule in which a first optical fiber is held;
A housing in which the optical plug is detachable in the first direction,
A second ferrule in which a second optical fiber is held in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
An optical path conversion unit for converting an optical path along the first direction and an optical path along the second direction, the first ferrule being housed in the housing and having the optical plug attached to the housing. And an optical receptacle including the optical path changing unit sandwiched between the housing and the optical path changing unit,
The optical path changing unit,
A rear wall disposed on the optical plug side in the first direction and protruding in the second direction;
A front wall that is arranged on the opposite side of the rear wall in the first direction from the optical plug and projects in the second direction;
A recess formed between the rear wall and the front wall in the first direction and opening in the second direction, and
When viewed from the second direction, the first ferrule and the first region through which a guide pin for aligning the optical path conversion unit with the housing is inserted, and the second region where the recess is formed are formed. ,
When viewed from the second direction, the front wall and the housing are in contact with each other in the first region, and in the second region, a gap is formed between the front wall and the housing in the first direction. Optical connector system.

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