JPH0569405B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector in which a housing for elastically contacting a cable holder is provided with a lock arm for coupling to a mating member.

Prior Art As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a conventional optical connector accommodates a cable holder 2 in a connector housing 1 so as to be able to move forward and backward.
is biased forward by a spring 3 built into the connector housing 1 so that the front end of the holder is exposed from the front end of the housing, and the connector housing 1 has a lock arm 4 that is coupled to a mating member such as a mating connector. It is equipped.

The lock arms 4 extend in parallel along the left and right outer sides of the connector housing 1, that is, along the outer sides of the left and right side walls of the connector housing 1, and the lock arms 4 are extended inward at the front end side where the locking claws 5 are provided. By elastically displacing to the opposite side, the coupling with the other party member is released, and by restoring the same outward, the coupling with the other party member is attempted. Reference numeral 6 denotes an optical cable connected and held by the cable holder 2. The optical cable 6 is inserted from the rear end of the cable holder 2, and its core end surface is exposed from the front end surface of the holder 2, so that it can be connected to the optical cable or optical element of the counterpart member. It is used for opposite connection.

As mentioned above, in the above optical connector, the lock arms extend outside the left and right side walls of the connector housing, and the lock arms are arranged in parallel with the left and right side walls of the connector housing at a predetermined distance to prevent elastic displacement inward and outward. Because the structure allows
There is a limit to the reduction in the width direction of the optical connector as a whole, especially the connector, and there is a problem in that it leads to an increase in size.

In addition, the spring length of the lock arm is set as long as possible in order to improve operability, but if the lock arm is made thin and long due to this requirement, its strength will decrease and it will become sagging due to repeated operations, impairing the coupling function. I have a problem.

The present invention solves these problems and provides an optical connector that is as compact as possible and at the same time allows the lock arm to function properly.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides an optical connector in which coupling and disassembly with a mating member is achieved by elastically displacing the lock arm inward and outward, in which the lock arm is housed in a cable holder housed in a connector housing. A spacer is provided along the left and right side surfaces of the cable holder to define a spacer containing the spring between the lock arm and the cable holder, and an inclined guide is provided at an opposing portion of one or both of the lock arm and the cable holder, so that both of the lock arms and the cable holder are arranged at the inclined side. The cable holders are brought into elastic contact with each other via the guide by the biasing force of the spring, and when the lock arm is elastically displaced inward to release the connection, the arm presses the cable holder via the inclined guide and resists the spring. When the cable holder is pushed down backwards and the end face of the optical cable held by the cable holder is separated from the optical element held by the mating member, and the lock arm is restored outward, the cable holder is urged by the spring and moves forward to lock the lock arm. is pressed and supported from the inside via the inclined guide, and at the same time, the end face of the optical cable approaches the optical element.

Function As described above, in the present invention, the lock arms extend along the left and right side surfaces of the cable holder, and the lock arms are disposed at the portions that would normally be the left and right side walls of the connector housing. When the lock arm is elastically displaced inward and outward at this location, the cable holder is moved forward and backward via the inclined guide to ensure the necessary elastic displacement. Therefore, compared to conventional optical connectors in which the lock arms extend at a predetermined distance on the outer sides of the left and right side walls of the connector housing, it is possible to obtain a predetermined operation while achieving a significant reduction in size and material savings. Also, whether the lock arm is displaced inward (uncoupled) or displaced outward (coupled), it is always elastically supported from the inside by a cable holder that is elastically contacted by a spring, so that the lock arm's problems can be effectively resolved, and functions can be maintained in good condition even after repeated operations. As a result, it is possible to improve operability by making the lock arm thinner and shortening the spring length, and this also allows for further miniaturization. In addition, when the lock arm is elastically displaced inward to release the connection with the mating member by the locking claw, the lock arm slips between one inclined guide and the other opposing part or between both inclined guides, and the cable holder is pushed down against the spring to separate the end face of the optical cable held by the cable holder from the optical element held by the mating member. That is, since the cable holder is moved backward along the axis in conjunction with the operation of displacing the lock arm inward to release the coupling, damage caused by the friction between the end face of the optical cable and the optical element of the mating member during the above-mentioned release of the coupling is effectively prevented. prevents damage and maintains a healthy contact surface. Conversely, when the inward displacement force that presses the lock arm is released, the lock arm returns to the outside and is connected to the mating member by the locking claw, and at the same time, the cable holder is urged by the spring in conjunction with this. and moves forward while causing slippage between one inclined guide and the other opposing portion or between both inclined guides to obtain a healthy butt connection with the optical element of the opposing member,
In addition, the cable holder elastically supports the lock arm from the inside and effectively prevents the arm from becoming sagging.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

11 is a connector housing made of an insulating material;
Reference numeral 2 designates the same cable holder, and the cable holder 12 is accommodated in the connector housing 11 so as to be movable back and forth.
The cable holder is biased forward so that the front end of the holder is exposed from the front end of the housing 1, and the optical cable 16 is inserted and held from the rear end surface of the cable holder, and its core 16a is exposed to the front end surface of the housing and held by the other member. Used for opposing connection with the core of optical cables or various optical devices.

The cable holder 12 has spring receivers 17 symmetrically projecting to the left and right sides thereof, and the rear surface of the spring receivers 17 supports the coil springs 13 arranged along the left and right side surfaces of the cable holder 12 to perform the above-mentioned forward bias. On the other hand, 14 is a lock arm,
The lock arm 14 has one end connected to the rear end of the connector housing 11, and extends from the rear end toward the front end of the housing along the left and right side surfaces of the cable holder 12. A locking claw 15 is provided in the direction.

As a result of the above, the lock arm 14 is extended to the left and right side walls of the connector housing 11. In other words, the left and right sides of the housing 11 are opened, the lock arm 14 is extended at the same location, and both lock arms 1
A space for accommodating the cable holder 12 is formed inside the cable holder 4, and a space for housing the spring 13 is defined between the cable holder 12 and the lock arm 14. In other words, the lock arm 14 is arranged so as to bend into the housing 11 from the side surface of the connector housing 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the connector housing 11 and the lock arm 14 may be integrally molded in the above arrangement, or as shown in FIG. 6, the lock arm 14 may be formed from a separate component such as a leaf spring. extend along the openings 25 on the left and right side surfaces of the connector housing 11, and are attached to the rear end side surfaces of the housing using screws 29 or the like so as to achieve the above arrangement. Further, each of the lock arms 14 and the cable holder 12 come into elastic contact via inclined guides provided at opposing positions. For example, an inclined surface 18 that widens from the front end to the rear end is formed on the front surface of each spring receiver 17 so that the spring receiver 17 is commonly used as an inclined guide, and the spring receiver and inclined guide 17
An inclined guide 20 having an inclined surface 19 on the inner surface is formed by bending the intermediate portion of each lock arm 14 facing inward obliquely to form an inclined guide 20 having an inclined surface 19 on the inner surface.
0 are arranged opposite to each other, and brought into elastic contact with each other by the forward biasing force of the spring 13. That is, each lock arm 14 and cable holder 12 are brought into elastic contact with each other via the inclined guides 17 and 20 by the spring 13 that biases the holder 12, and the lock arm 1
4 is thereby elastically supported by the cable holder 12 from the inside.

The spring 13 functions as a means for applying a forward biasing force F1 to the cable holder 12 as shown in FIG.
It functions as a means to provide elastic support for this.

In the embodiment, an inclined guide 1 is provided at opposing portions of both the cable holder 12 and the lock arm 14.
7 and 20 are shown, but the same holder 1
This includes a case in which the above-mentioned inclined guide is provided only on one of the two arms 14, and the other arm is configured to come into elastic contact with the inclined guide. Therefore, with the above configuration, the lock arm 1
By applying an external force to the front end of the cable 4, it can be displaced in the direction toward the cable holder (inward) against elasticity, and can be returned to the direction away from the cable holder (external force) according to the elasticity, and can be manually operated, etc. When the lock arm 14 is elastically displaced inward, the arm 14 presses the cable holder 12 while sliding on the inclined surface via the inclined guide 17 and/or 20, resisting the spring 13. Push down backwards. With this, lock arm 1
4 is ensured, and the engagement with the mating member by the locking claw 15 is properly released.
Also, in conjunction with the inward displacement of the lock arm 14, the cable holder 12 is automatically pushed down.
To appropriately space an end face of an optical cable 16 in the axial direction without causing friction with an optical element of a counterpart member. Therefore, damage to the end face of the core 16a of the optical cable 16 during disconnection can be effectively prevented, and the connection can be properly and easily disconnected by pulling out the connector while inwardly displacing the lock arm 14 with fingers. Conversely, the external force on the lock arm 14 is released and the arm 1
When the cable holder 12 is urged by the spring 13 and moves forward, the lock arm 14 is moved inward by the inclined guide 17 and/or 20. Continue to press and support. That is, when the inward displacement force applied to the lock arm is released, the cable holder 12 automatically moves the spring 1 in conjunction with this.
3, it moves forward and is connected to the other member, and at the same time achieves a sound opposing connection with the optical element of the other member. Furthermore, the cable holder 12 elastically supports the lock arm 14 from the inside, effectively preventing it from becoming sagging due to external force.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which a pair of the above-mentioned optical connectors are used, and both optical connectors are butted together via a connecting adapter 21 to connect the optical cables 16 to each other. The connection adapter 21 has sockets 22 at its front and rear sides for receiving the connector housing 11, and a connection port 22a is provided in the center of both sockets 22, through which the front end of the cable holder 12 is inserted and butted. The left and right side walls of the opening 22 have locking portions 23 that engage the locking claws 15 of the lock arm 14 from inside.

Then, when both optical connectors are inserted into the socket 22 and the front end of the connector housing 11 is brought into contact with the inner bottom surface of the socket 22, the front end of the cable holder 12 is inserted into the connection port 22a, and the spring 13 presses the connectors against each other. state. At the same time, the lock arm 14 is inserted inside the socket 22, and the locking claw 15 is inserted into the locking portion 22.
3, the coupled state of both optical connectors and the pressurized abutment state are maintained, and the cores 16a are connected facing each other. At this time, the inclined guide portion 20 of the lock arm 14 is connected to the socket 22 of the connection adapter 21.
The outer inclined surface 24 of the inclined guide portion 20 forms a pressure receiving portion to facilitate the pressing operation.
When the lock arms 14 of both optical connectors are elastically displaced inward in a state where the optical cables 16 are connected to each other by butting the two optical connectors together via the connection adapter 21, the lock arms 14 cause slipping on the inclined guides 17 and 20. At the same time, the cable holder 12 is pushed down backward against the spring 13, and as the cable holder 12 is pushed down, the end faces of both optical cables 16 are separated backward from each other along the axis, and the cores 16a of both optical cables 16 are
The connection can be properly disconnected without the end faces rubbing against each other. At the same time, the locking pawl 15 of the lock arm 14 is released from the locking portion 23, and the lock arm 14
state in which the locking claw 15 and the locking part 2 are pressed from the outside.
By removing both optical connectors from the sockets 22 while maintaining the detached state (3), the connection between the two optical connectors via the connection adapter 21 is easily released.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, with the above structure, a portion of the connector housing that would normally be the side wall is opened and the lock arm is extended there, thereby significantly reducing the width dimension of the optical connector. This makes it possible to effectively downsize the optical connector.

Further, the elastic displacement necessary for the lock arm to engage and release is ensured by the structure in which the lock arm pushes down the cable holder against the spring and moves forward and backward through the inclined guide. In this way, the lock arm can be disposed at the above-mentioned location, and its operation can be performed appropriately while achieving miniaturization. In addition, when the lock arm is displaced inward and outward, it is always elastically supported from the inner side by using the cable holder and the spring that biases it. This effectively prevents the lock arm from becoming sagging due to repeated operations, and keeps the lock arm always in place. It can be made to function properly. Furthermore, by making the lock arm thinner or shorter, contradictory effects of operability and miniaturization can be expected. Further, due to the action of the inclined guide, the cable holder can be automatically moved backward or forward to connect and disconnect in conjunction with the inward and outward displacement of the lock arm, that is, in conjunction with the pressing and releasing of the lock arm. By making the lock arm and the cable holder interlock as described above through elastic contact of the inclined guide, it is possible to prevent the end face of the optical cable held in the cable holder from rubbing against the optical element of the mating member. It is possible to prevent this and maintain a healthy connection surface.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 6 show embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optical connector, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same half-section, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a half-section of the mutual connection state of optical connectors, Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a connector housing and lock arm showing another example, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional optical connector, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional optical connector. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the same half section. 11... Connector housing, 12... Cable holder, 13... Spring, 14... Lock arm, 15... Locking claw, 16... Optical cable, 17
...Spring receiver and inclined guide, 18, 19... Slanted surface, 20... Slanted guide.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cable holder housed movably in the connector housing is urged forward by a spring so that the front end of the cable holder is exposed from the front end of the connector housing, and a mating member is attached to the left and right sides of the connector housing. A lock arm for coupling is provided, and the lock arm elastically displaces inward at the front end side provided with a locking claw to release the coupling with the mating member, and returns to the outside to connect with the mating member. In an optical connector configured for coupling, the lock arm is provided extending along the left and right side surfaces of the cable holder, and an inclined guide is provided at one of the opposing portions of the lock arm and the cable holder,
The one inclined guide and the other opposing portion are brought into elastic contact with each other by the biasing force of the spring, and when the lock arm is elastically displaced inward and the connection with the mating member by the locking pawl is released, the lock arm is While causing slippage between the one inclined guide and the other opposing portion, the cable holder is pushed down backward against the spring, and the end face of the optical cable held by the cable holder is moved from the optical element held by the other member. When the cable holder is separated and the lock arm returns outward and is connected to the mating member by the locking pawl, the cable holder is biased by the spring and slips between the one inclined guide and the other opposing part. An optical connector characterized in that the lock arm is pressed and supported from the inside while the end face of the optical cable approaches the optical element. 2. A cable holder accommodated in the connector housing so as to be movable forward and backward is urged forward by a spring to expose the front end of the cable holder from the front end of the connector housing, and a lock arm for coupling to a mating member is provided on the left and right sides of the connector housing. The lock arm is configured to elastically displace inward at the front end side where the locking pawl is provided to release the connection with the mating member, and to restore the same outward to connect with the mating member. In the optical connector, the lock arm is extended along the left and right sides of the cable holder, and inclined guides are provided on both opposing parts of the lock arm and the cable holder,
When the two inclined guides are brought into elastic contact with each other by the biasing force of the spring and the lock arm is elastically displaced inward to release the connection with the mating member by the locking claw, the lock arm slides between the two inclined guides. The cable holder is pushed down backward against the spring to separate the end face of the optical cable held by the cable holder from the optical element held by the mating member, and the lock arm returns outward to engage the locking mechanism. When the cable holder is connected to the mating member by the claw, the cable holder is biased by the spring and slides between the two inclined guides, presses and supports the lock arm from the inside, and at the same time brings the end face of the optical cable closer to the optical element. An optical connector characterized by having a configuration in which: