JP2009139804A - Optical connector plug with shutter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical connector plug with a shutter, which further enhances the safety of the shutter expanding operation when not fitted.
In an optical connector plug with a shutter, the front housing is supported by the front housing so as to be movable in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and prevents the front housing from retreating in the front-rear direction when not fitted. Sometimes, by engaging with the mating slit of the mating receptacle connector, a switch that is moved along the left-right direction and moved to the release position, and elastic means that urges the switch to the retraction prevention position, The shutter comprises a retraction permitting means that engages to prevent movement in the front-rear direction when the switch is in the retraction prevention position, and engages to allow retraction when the switch is in the release position. This is an optical connector plug 1 with a shutter provided with a switch mechanism that releases only at the time of fitting.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector plug with a shutter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a receptacle of a mating counterpart so that the shutter is not automatically expanded simply by pushing the front housing tip of the plug backward. The present invention relates to an optical connector plug with a shutter provided with a switch mechanism that is expanded when fitted to a connector.

Conventionally, an optical connector plug with a shutter is a connection device for connecting an optical communication cable from a communication station to a terminal in a home by FTTH (data communication service for home using an optical fiber). However, it has become increasingly popular in the home, so that it can be used by the general public. May directly affect the retina of the eye. In view of this, there has been known an optical connector plug that is provided with a shutter to enhance safety so as not to unintentionally directly look at the light (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-163691 A

  However, in the conventional optical connector plug with a shutter, the shutter can be easily opened and closed by hand. This cannot ensure the safety of infants and the like in ordinary households. Further, the plug of Patent Document 1 has a jig for opening the mating shutter on the plug side and the receptacle connector side, and can only be fitted together. For example, the optical connector plug with a shutter cannot be fitted to an existing receptacle connector that does not have a shutter. Therefore, the existing optical connection relay device cannot be used unless both the plug side and the receptacle connector side are replaced at once, and the cost is increased. The optical connector plug with shutter according to the present invention has been proposed in order to solve such problems.

  The gist for solving the above-mentioned problems of the optical connector plug with shutter according to the present invention and achieving the object is to be provided in a site on the fitting side of the optical connector plug and in the front-rear direction parallel to the fitting direction. The shutter provided in the moving cylindrical front housing is retracted backward together with the front housing that rotatably supports the shutter, and the plug frame included in the front housing is in the middle of the retraction. An optical connector with a shutter configured to release the light shielding action when the inner surface of the shutter is brought into contact with the front end portion and the shutter is expanded to block light from the optical fiber when not fitted. In the plug, the front housing is supported by the front housing so as to be movable in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A switch that moves along the left-right direction and moves to the release position by engaging with the mating slit of the mating receptacle connector at the time of mating while preventing the front housing from retracting in the front-rear direction, Engage with the elastic means for urging the switch to the reverse prevention position, and engage with the switch so as to prevent movement in the front-rear direction when the switch is in the reverse prevention position, and allow the reverse movement when in the release position. And a retreat allowing means, and a switch mechanism for releasing the light-shielding action of the shutter only when fitted is provided.

The switch is supported in common with a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the shutter, and is energized to a reverse movement prevention position by a torsion spring wound around the rotating shaft and constantly energizing the shutter in the closing direction. Thus, the rotational force that is the urging force of the torsion spring and the pressing force are combined.
The retreat allowing means is a concave retreat groove formed in a substantially L shape on the surface of the plug frame, and a part of the switch is extended to protrude toward the bottom surface of the retreat groove, and the extension This is that the front end portion is loosely fitted inside the retreating groove portion.
Further, as a modification of the invention, a part of the main body part protrudes and extends toward the shutter side, and becomes a protrusion part that prevents a shutter expanding action when not fitted, and the main body part includes Only when the fitting is moved in the left-right direction and moved to the release position at the time of fitting, there is provided a notch that allows the projection to pass through without colliding.
In addition, the front end portion of the switch includes a tapered portion having a steeple shape toward the front, which moves the switch from the retraction prevention position to the release position when fitted.

  According to the optical connector plug with a shutter of the present invention, at the time of non-fitting, for example, even if a child or the like pulls by hand in the home to retract the front housing, the switch mechanism prevents the retracting action. , You won't look directly at the light of the optical cable.

  Further, an optical connector plug with a shutter to which a switch mechanism is added can be fitted into a receptacle connector (JIS C 5973 F04 type optical fiber connector) that has already been laid widely. Further, the switch mechanism also functions without changing the receptacle connector. Therefore, the cost on the receptacle connector side becomes unnecessary, and the safety of a general household can be enhanced at a low cost.

The switch is supported in common with a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the shutter, and is urged to the retraction preventing position by a torsion spring wound around the rotating shaft and constantly urging the shutter in the closing direction. Thus, since the rotational force, which is the urging force of the torsion spring, and the pressing force are combined, the parts can be saved and the parts can be stored compactly in a narrow space.
Further, the retreat allowing means is a concave retreat groove formed in a substantially L shape on the surface of the plug frame, and a part of the switch is extended so as to protrude toward the bottom surface of the retreat groove. Protrusion that prevents the shutter from expanding when a part of the switch protrudes toward the shutter side and extends and is not fitted. The shutter is provided with a notch that allows the projection to pass through without colliding only when the main body is moved in the left-right direction and moved to the release position when fitted. Since the switch mechanism does not protrude outside the optical connector plug with shutter, the whole can be designed compactly.
The front end portion of the switch is formed with a tapered portion having a spire shape toward the front, which moves the switch from the retraction prevention position to the release position when fitted, thereby easily achieving lateral movement. Can do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the optical connector plug with shutter 1 according to the present invention is provided with a light-shielding shutter 2 at a portion on the fitting side of the optical connector plug 1. The shutter 2 is composed of, for example, a pair of shutters 2a and 2b arranged vertically opposite to each other, and a rotating shaft 3a erected in the left-right direction on the front housing 3 that moves in the front-rear direction a parallel to the fitting direction. Further, it is supported so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction.

  The shutters 2a and 2b are always urged in the closing direction by a torsion spring 4 wound around the rotary shaft 3a. The shutter 2 is retracted backward together with the front housing 3 that supports the shutter 2 via the rotation shaft 3a. In the middle of the retreat, the inner surfaces of the shutters 2a and 2b come into contact with the tip 5a of the plug frame 5 included in the front housing 3, and the torsion spring 4 for closing the shutters 2a and 2b. The shutter 2a and 2b are respectively pressed against and stored in the inner wall surface side of the front housing 3 against the elastic force, so that the light shielding action is released.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a knob. When a plug fitted in the receptacle connector 10 (see FIG. 4A) is detached, the elastic locking piece in the mating receptacle connector 10 is pulled backward. The engagement is released. Further, an optical cable 7 is connected to the rear portion of the plug frame 5. The core of the optical cable 7 is inserted and fixed in the central hole of a ferrule 8 (see FIG. 2B) that is fixedly supported by the plug frame 5. The front housing 3 is always urged forward by elastic means (not shown) that takes a reaction force on the rear seat surface of the plug frame 5.

  The switch mechanism A provided in the optical connector plug with shutter 1 includes a switch 9 and a torsion spring 4 that is an urging elastic means for holding the switch 9 in a position that prevents the front housing 3 from retreating when not fitted. It comprises a later-described retreating groove portion 5b which is a retreat allowing means for allowing the switch 9 to retreat in order to allow the front housing 3 to retreat when fitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the switch 9 is provided with a main body 9a at the center and a tapered portion 9b having a steeple shape toward the front as a moving means. A through hole 9c is formed in the rear portion of the main body 9a so as to allow the rotary shaft 3a to be inserted and rotatably supported. Further, as shown in FIG. The locking projection 9d is extended to protrude toward the bottom surface of the retreating groove 5b, which is a retreat allowing means formed in an L shape. The leading end of the locking projection 9d, which is the extended portion, is loosely fitted inside the retreating groove 5b.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the main body portion 9a is supported by being shared by a rotation shaft 3a that rotatably supports the shutter 2 in the through hole 9c, and is wound around the rotation shaft 3a. The torsion spring 4 that is mounted and constantly urges the shutter 2a in the closing direction c is urged toward the backward movement preventing position b in the left-right direction, and the rotational force and the pressing force that are the urging force of the torsion spring 4 are The switch 9 and the shutter 2 are also used.

  Thus, the switch 9 in the switch mechanism A is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction on the fitting side of the front housing 3, and is a part of the main body 9a when not fitted. The stopping projection 9d is engaged with the wall of the L-shaped lateral groove of the recess groove 5b of the plug frame 5, which is a member inside the front housing 3, thereby preventing the front housing 3 from retreating. . Therefore, since the front housing 3 cannot be moved backward, the shutters 2a and 2b that move together cannot be moved backward and are not expanded.

  At the time of fitting, the main body 9a has a taper 9b, which is a moving means formed at the front end thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B. By engaging with the mating slit 10a of the mating receptacle connector 10, it is moved in the left-right direction and moved to the release position.

  As a result, the locking projection 9d of the switch 9 is positioned in a linear portion that is long in the front-rear direction of the retreating groove 5b, so that the switch 9 can move rearward e, and at the same time via the rotary shaft 3a. Thus, the front housing 3 supporting the switch 9 can also be moved rearward. In this way, the ON / OFF function of the switch mechanism acts when fitted and not fitted, thereby releasing the light shielding action of the shutter 2 or preventing the release.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the plug frame 5 is included in the front fuma 3 and has an outer surface on its upper surface, which is approximately L as a retreat allowing means. A concave recess 5b having a letter shape is engraved. The retreating groove portion 5b forms a part of the switch mechanism A and is located inside the front housing 3 without protruding outward. The retreating groove 5b is provided along the front-rear direction so as to be at least as long as the retraction length of the plug frame 3 at the time of fitting.

  As described above, since the switch mechanism A is provided in the optical connector plug 1 with shutter, when the optical connector plug 1 with shutter is fitted to the receptacle connector 10 as shown in FIGS. The switch 9 of the switch mechanism A moves in the left-right release position direction d against the urging force of the torsion spring 4, and the movement of the switch 9 toward the rear e is released. Therefore, when the optical connector plug with shutter 1 is inserted toward the receptacle connector 10 to be further fitted, as shown in FIG. 5, the switch 9 moves backward e along the recess groove 5b, and at the same time, The housing 3 also moves backward. As a result, the shutters 2 a and 2 b are pulled rearward, and the inner surface collides with the front end portion 5 a of the plug frame 5 to be expanded. The light shielding action of the shutter 2 is released, and as shown in FIG. 6, the ferrule 8 is joined to a ferrule (not shown) on the receptacle connector 10 side.

  In the optical plug connector with shutter 1, the tapered portion 9 b of the switch 9 is moved in the left-right direction due to the presence of the slit 10 a on the receptacle connector 10 side. Even if the front housing 3 is pulled back e by hand, the locking projection 9d is locked to the L-shaped lateral groove wall of the retreating groove 5b, so that the switch 9 moves to the rear e. The shutter 2 cannot be expanded. Thus, it is possible to ensure safety in ordinary households without inadvertently looking directly at the light.

  As an optical plug connector with shutter 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is a switch 11 shown in FIGS. In the switch 11, the main body portion 11 a, the tapered portion 11 b, and the through hole 11 c have the same function as the case of the switch 9 and will not be described. A part of the main body 11a protrudes and extends toward the shutter 2, and a protrusion 11d formed in a triangular shape with a required width is provided to prevent the shutter from expanding when not fitted. ing.

  On the other hand, the shutter 2a is provided with a notch 2c through which the protrusion 11d can pass without colliding only when the main body 11a is moved in the left-right direction and moved to the release position when fitted. . By such a switch mechanism, when the optical connector plug with a shutter 1a of the second embodiment is inserted into the receptacle connector 10 at the time of fitting, the switch 11 moves in the left-right direction and is located at the release position, and the protrusion 11d Coincides with the position of the notch 2c in the left-right direction. Therefore, the shutter 2a can be expanded, and the switch 11, the shutter 2, and the front housing 3 can be moved backward together. Thereby, the shutters 2a and 2b are expanded, and the light shielding action is released.

  Further, when not fitting to the receptacle connector 10, the lower surface 11e of the projection 11d collides with the upper surface of the shutter 2a to be expanded, thereby preventing the expansion action. Therefore, the shutter 2a cannot collide with the front end portion 5a of the plug frame 5 and move backward. In this way, the light shielding action of the shutter 2 is maintained, and safety is ensured without directly looking at the light.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view (A) of the optical connector plug with shutter 1 according to the present invention, and a perspective view (B) in a state in which a part of the front housing 3 is broken. It is a perspective view (A) which shows the structure of a switch mechanism in optical connector plug 1 with a shutter of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view (A), a rear view (B), a front view (C), side views (D), (E), and a perspective view (F) of the switch 9 in the optical connector plug 1 with the shutter. It is the front view (A) of the optical connector plug 1 with a shutter, a top view (B), and a side view (C). FIG. 2 is a plan view (A) and a front view (B) showing a part of the front housing 3 of the optical connector plug with shutter 1 in a cutaway manner. The perspective view (A) in the middle of fitting of optical connector plug 1 with a shutter, the perspective view (B) which cuts and shows a part of front housing 3, and the top view (C). The perspective view (A) of the fitting completion state of the optical connector plug 1 with the shutter is a perspective view (B) showing the front housing 3 in a cutaway state. Plan view (A), side view (B), (C), rear view (D), front view (E), perspective view (F) of switch 11 in optical plug connector with shutter 1a according to the second embodiment. It is. They are the perspective views (A) and (B) which show the outline | summary of the switch mechanism in the 2nd Example, and the perspective view (C) of the optical connector plug 1a with a shutter.

Explanation of symbols

1 Optical connector plug with shutter,
1a Optical plug connector with shutter according to the second embodiment,
2 shutter, 2a Upper shutter,
2b Lower shutter, 2c Notch,
3 Front housing,
4 Torsion spring,
5 Plug frame, 5a Tip,
5b groove for retraction,
6 Knob,
7 Optical cable,
8 Ferrule,
9 switch, 9a body,
9b taper part, 9c through-hole,
9d locking projection,
10 receptacle connector, 10a slit for fitting,
11 Switch in 2nd Example, 11a Main-body part,
11b taper part, 11c through-hole,
11d Projection, 11e Lower surface.

Claims (5)

A shutter provided on a fitting-side portion of the optical connector plug and provided on a cylindrical front housing that moves in the front-rear direction parallel to the fitting direction is a front housing that rotatably supports the shutter. At the same time, it is retracted backward when fitted, and in the middle of the retraction, the inner surface of the shutter comes into contact with the tip of the plug frame contained in the front housing, and the shutter is expanded to release the light shielding effect. In the optical connector plug with a shutter configured to be cut off when the light from the optical fiber is not fitted,
The front housing is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and prevents the front housing from retracting in the front-rear direction when not mated, and for mating with a mating receptacle connector when mated. A switch that is moved along the left-right direction and moved to the release position by engaging the slit;
Elastic means for urging the switch to the retraction prevention position;
Retreat allowing means for engaging so as to prevent movement in the front-rear direction when the switch is in the retreat prevention position, and engaging so as to allow retreat when in the release position;
A switch mechanism that releases the light-shielding action of the shutter only when fitted,
An optical connector plug with shutter. The switch is supported in common with a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the shutter, and is urged to the retraction preventing position by a torsion spring wound around the rotating shaft and constantly urging the shutter in the closing direction. The rotational force that is the urging force of the torsion spring and the pressing force are combined,
The optical connector plug with a shutter according to claim 1. The retreat allowing means is a concave retreat groove formed in a substantially L shape on the surface of the plug frame, and a part of the switch is extended to protrude toward the bottom surface of the retreat groove, The tip part is loosely fitted in the recessing groove part,
An optical connector plug with a shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 2. A part of the switch protrudes and extends toward the shutter, and when it is not fitted, it becomes a projection that prevents the shutter from expanding, and the body is moved to the left and right when the shutter is fitted and released. A notch that allows the protrusion to pass through without colliding only when moved to a position;
An optical connector plug with a shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 2. The front end portion of the switch is formed with a tapered portion that has a steeple shape toward the front, and moves the switch from the retraction prevention position to the release position when fitted.
The optical connector plug with a shutter according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector plug has a shutter.

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