JP2011059138A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the regular order of assembly from being reversed with regard to a cap and a wedge. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector includes: a fiber connection part 12; the wedge 14 which is detachably mounted on the fiber connection part 12; a cable fixing member 16 which is composed separately from the fiber connection part 12 and fixed to an optical fiber cable having a coated optical fiber which is made to abut on a built-in optical fiber of the fiber connection part; a housing member 18 which is provided in the fiber connection part 12 as a unit and has a housing room 60 which houses the cable fixing member 16; the cap 20 which is turnable with respect to the housing member 18 so as to take an open position at which the housing room 60 is open for allowing the cable fixing member 16 to be inserted into the housing room 60 and a closed position at which the housing room 60 is closed; and a linked part 72 which releases the wedge 14 from the fiber connection part 12 when the cap 20 rotates from the open position to the closed position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector.

  In the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, a gripping member storage portion for storing a gripping member that grips the optical fiber cable is provided integrally with the plug frame, and the gripping member storage portion includes the gripping member storage portion. A lid for opening and closing the storage chamber of the unit is rotatably provided.

  The optical connector is fixed to the optical fiber cable in the following manner. That is, first, with the wedge inserted between the substrate and the lid member and the lid member separated from the substrate, the optical fiber core wire at the tip of the optical fiber cable is inserted into the groove formed in the substrate.

  Next, the holding member is brought closer to the plug frame until the optical fiber core wire and the built-in optical fiber inserted into the groove are abutted to form a deflection in a part of the optical fiber core wire. Then, when the optical fiber core wire and the built-in optical fiber are abutted and a deflection is formed in a part of the optical fiber core wire, the wedge is removed, whereby the optical fiber core wire is removed by the substrate and the cover member. Connect with the built-in optical fiber in contact.

  Thereafter, the storage chamber is closed by closing the lid, and the gripping member is retreated with the rotation of the lid, and the gripping member is fixed to the gripping member storage portion in a state where the deflection of the optical fiber is eliminated. In the above manner, the optical connector is fixed to the optical fiber cable.

  In addition, in the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, the wedge is a separate part. However, in order to improve the assembling workability of the optical connector in the field, an optical connector integrally provided with the wedge has also been devised. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-139981 A JP 2007-121794 A

  However, in the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, when the wedge is provided integrally, the lid is closed and the gripping member is fixed to the gripping member storage portion by the operator's mistake, contrary to the above assembly sequence. Then, it is assumed that the wedge is removed. However, in this case, since no deflection is formed in the optical fiber core wire, the abutting force between the optical fiber core wire and the built-in optical fiber is insufficient, the distance between the end faces of both fibers is increased, and the optical characteristics of the optical connector are reduced. There is a risk of getting worse.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector capable of preventing the assembly order of the lid and the wedge from being reversed from the normal order.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the optical connector according to claim 1, a substrate having a groove formed in a surface portion thereof, a lid member covering the surface portion of the substrate, and pressing the lid member toward the substrate side. A fiber connection portion configured to include a pressing member, and a ferrule having a built-in optical fiber partially inserted into the groove; and the lid member against the pressing force of the pressing member. An optical fiber core wire which is configured to be separated from the fiber connection portion and is separated from the fiber connection portion so as to be separated from the fiber connection portion, and is inserted into the groove and abutted against the built-in optical fiber. A cable fixing member to be fixed to the optical fiber cable, a storage unit that is provided integrally with the fiber connection unit and that has a storage chamber for storing the cable fixing member, and the cable fixing unit A lid that is displaceable with respect to the storage portion so as to be able to take an open position for opening the storage chamber so that the storage chamber can be inserted and a closed position for closing the storage chamber, and the lid includes the lid An interlocking part that causes the wedge to be detached from the fiber connection part as it is displaced from the open position toward the closed position and causes the lid member to approach the surface part of the substrate by the pressing force of the pressing member; It has.

  The optical connector is fixed to the optical fiber cable in the following manner, for example. That is, first, a cable fixing member is fixed to the optical fiber cable. Then, with the lid positioned at the open position, the distal end portion of the optical fiber core wire is inserted into the groove, and the cable fixing member is stored in the storage chamber.

  Next, the optical fiber core wire and the built-in optical fiber inserted into the groove are abutted to bring the cable fixing member closer to the fiber connection portion until a deflection is formed in a part of the optical fiber core wire. Then, when the optical fiber core wire and the built-in optical fiber are abutted to form a deflection in a part of the optical fiber core wire, the cable fixing member is stopped, and in this state, the lid is closed from the open position. Displace towards the position.

  As a result, the wedge is detached from the fiber connecting portion by the interlocking portion as the lid is displaced from the open position toward the closed position. In addition, since the wedge is removed from between the surface portion of the substrate and the lid member, the lid member is pressed toward the substrate side by the pressing member to approach the surface portion of the substrate, and the optical fiber core wire and the built-in optical fiber are pushed. Connected in the hit state.

  When the lid is positioned at the closed position, the cable fixing member is fixed to the fiber connection portion in a state of being stored in the storage chamber. In the above manner, the optical connector is fixed to the optical fiber cable.

  Here, in this optical connector, as described above, when the lid is displaced from the open position toward the closed position, the wedge is detached from the fiber connection portion by the interlocking portion. Therefore, in order to detach the wedge from the fiber connection portion, it is only necessary to operate the lid, and if the lid is operated, the cable fixing member is fixed to the fiber connection portion after the wedge is detached from the fiber connection portion. Therefore, contrary to the order described above, it is possible to prevent the wedge from being detached from the fiber connection portion after the cable fixing member is fixed to the fiber connection portion.

  Thus, according to this optical connector, it is possible to prevent the assembly order of the lid and the wedge from being reversed from the normal order.

  An optical connector according to a second aspect is the optical connector according to the first aspect, wherein the wedge is disposed on the same side as the lid with respect to the groove.

  According to this optical connector, since the wedge is disposed on the same side as the lid with respect to the groove, the structure of the interlocking portion for interlocking the lid and the wedge can be reduced in size and simplified.

  An optical connector according to a third aspect is the optical connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein the lid is rotatable with respect to the storage portion so as to be able to take the open position and the closed position. The interlocking portion is configured to disengage the wedge from the fiber connection portion while rotating the wedge relative to the fiber connection portion as the lid is rotated from the open position toward the closed position. Has been.

  According to this optical connector, by rotating the lid from the open position toward the closed position, the wedge can be detached from the fiber connection portion while rotating the wedge with respect to the fiber connection portion.

  The optical connector according to claim 4 is the optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid is positioned at the open position on at least one of the wedge and the lid. Sometimes, an interference avoiding unit for avoiding mutual interference is formed.

  According to this optical connector, when the lid is positioned at the open position, the interference avoiding portion formed on at least one of the wedge and the lid can avoid mutual interference between the wedge and the lid. The amount of displacement to the side can be expanded. Thereby, since the opening amount of a storage chamber can be expanded, it becomes possible to store the cable fixing member in the storage chamber easily.

  The optical connector according to claim 5 is the optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interlocking portion is formed on the engagement portion formed on the wedge and the lid. And an engaged portion that is detachably engaged with the engaging portion.

  According to this optical connector, after the wedge is detached from the fiber connecting portion, the engagement between the engaging portion formed on the wedge and the engaged portion formed on the lid is released, and the wedge is then covered. Can be removed from. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the wedge from remaining in the lid when the optical connector is used.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the assembly order of the lid and the wedge can be prevented from being reversed from the normal order.

1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state which rotated the cover toward the closed position from the open position in the optical connector shown by FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of the optical connector shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plug shown in FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4. It is a principal part enlarged view of the optical connector shown by FIG. 1, (A) is a bottom view, (B) is a side view, (C) is the state which rotated the cover toward the closed position from the open position. FIG. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. It is a figure explaining the order which fixes an optical fiber cable to the optical connector shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the optical connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fiber connection portion 12, a wedge 14, a cable fixing member 16, a storage member 18 as a storage portion, and a lid. 20. 1 and 2, the optical connector 10 is shown in a state where it is set on the assembly assisting tool 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fiber connection portion 12 includes a cylindrical frame 24 and a plug 26 accommodated in the frame 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the plug 26 includes a substrate 28, a pair of lid members 30, a pressing member 32, and a ferrule 34.

  A groove 36 is formed in the surface portion of the substrate 28 along the axial direction of the optical connector 10, and a rear end portion of the built-in optical fiber 38 built in the ferrule 34 is inserted into the groove 36. . The pair of lid members 30 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the groove 36, and are configured to have a size and shape that cover the surface portion of the substrate 28 on which the groove 36 is formed. It is provided facing. The pair of lid members 30 are pressed toward the substrate 28 by a pair of pressing pieces 32 </ b> A formed on the pressing member 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wedge 14 includes a pair of insertion blades 40, an insertion blade holding portion 42 that holds the pair of insertion blades 40, and an operation portion 44. The operating portion 44 is provided with a pair of elastic mounting arms 46, and the wedge 14 is detachably mounted on the frame 24 when the mounting arm 46 sandwiches the frame 24. In addition, the wedge 14 is attached to the frame 24 from the same side (upper side) as the side where the lid 20 described later is opened and closed with respect to the frame 24. The central axis A (groove 36 shown in FIG. 4) is arranged on the same side (upper side) as the lid 20.

  Further, when the wedge 14 is mounted integrally with the frame 24, the insertion blade 40 enters the inside of the frame 24 through a hole 48 formed in the frame 24, as shown in FIG. When the tip of the insertion blade 40 enters between the substrate 28 and the lid member 30, the lid member 30 is separated from the surface portion of the substrate 28 against the pressing force of the pressing member 32 ( (See FIG. 4).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the wedge 14 is configured to be detached from the frame 24 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 50 with respect to the frame 24. Yes.

  1 and 2, the cable fixing member 16 is configured separately from the fiber connection portion 12, and a grip portion 52 that grips a distal end portion of a sheath 82 of an optical fiber cable 80 to be described later. And an extension support portion 54. The extension support portion 54 is for supporting an optical fiber core wire 84 to be described later from the lower side, and extends from the lower side of the grip portion 52 toward the fiber connection portion 12 side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage member 18 has a fitting portion 56 formed on the frame 24 side, and the fitting portion 56 is fitted to the storage member 18 side of the frame 24 to store the storage member 18. The member 18 is assembled integrally with the frame 24. In addition, a guide hole 58 that communicates with the groove 36 is formed in the storage member 18, and the guide hole 58 is formed in a tapered shape that increases in diameter toward the side opposite to the fiber connection portion 12.

  Further, the side of the housing member 18 opposite to the fiber connection portion 12 is formed in a box shape having a concave cross section, and the inside thereof is a housing chamber 60 for housing the cable fixing member 16 described above.

  The lid 20 is rotatably connected to the storage member 18, and an open position for opening the storage chamber 60 so that the cable fixing member 16 can be inserted into the storage chamber 60 (see the upper diagram of FIG. 7), and the storage chamber 60. The closed position (see the lower figure of FIG. 7) can be taken. A retaining portion 62 for preventing the cable fixing member 16 from coming off is formed on the rear end side of the housing member 18 and the lid 20 portion. Further, the lid 20 is engaged with the regulation protrusion 64 for regulating the movement of the cable fixing member 16 toward the fiber connection portion 12 and the storage member 18 when the lid 20 is positioned at the closed position. An engagement arm 66 and the like for fixing the lid 20 to the storage member 18 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, an engagement portion 68 is formed on the rear end side of the wedge 14 described above, and the lid 20 is located at the open position on the lid 20. An engaged portion 70 that engages with the engaging portion 68 when being engaged is formed. The engaged portion 70 and the engaging portion 68 constitute an interlocking portion 72.

  In the optical connector 10, when the lid 20 is rotated from the open position toward the closed position, the rotational force of the lid 20 is transmitted to the wedge 14 via the engaging portion 68 and the engaged portion 70. As a result, the wedge 14 is configured to be detached from the frame 24 by rotating about the rotation fulcrum 50 with respect to the frame 24 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6).

  Further, the engaging portion 68 and the engaged portion 70 are configured such that the engaged state can be released after the wedge 14 is detached from the frame 24. That is, when the wedge 14 is detached from the frame 24, the wedge 14 can be removed from the lid 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation portion 44 of the wedge 14 is formed with a notch-like interference avoiding portion 74 for avoiding interference with the lid 20 when the lid 20 is located at the open position. Has been.

  Next, the operation and effect will be described together with a method of fixing the optical connector 10 to the tip of the optical fiber.

  First, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7, the sheath 82 on the distal end side of the optical fiber cable 80 is removed, and the optical fiber core wire 84 is exposed. Subsequently, the distal end side of the sheath 82 of the optical fiber cable 80 is gripped by the grip portion 52, and the cable fixing member 16 is fixed to the optical fiber cable 80. Then, the coating on the distal end side of the optical fiber core 84 is removed to expose the bare fiber 86, and further, the distal end of the bare fiber 86 is cut.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1, with the assembly assisting tool 22 set in the optical connector 10, the tip end portion of the optical fiber core 84 is inserted into the groove 36, and the cable fixing member 16 is placed in the storage chamber 60. Store. In FIG. 7, the assembly assisting tool 22 is omitted.

  Next, as shown in the middle diagram of FIG. 7, the optical fiber core 84 (bare fiber 86) and the built-in optical fiber 38 inserted into the groove 36 are brought into contact with each other, so The cable fixing member 16 is brought close to the fiber connecting portion 12 until the deflection 88 is formed in the portion. Then, when the optical fiber core 84 and the built-in optical fiber 38 are abutted to form a deflection 88 in a part of the optical fiber core 84, the cable fixing member 16 is restrained. 20 is rotated from the open position toward the closed position.

  Accordingly, the wedge 14 is detached from the frame 24 by the interlocking portion 72 as the lid 20 is rotated from the open position toward the closed position (see FIG. 2). Further, since the insertion blade 40 is removed from between the surface portion of the substrate 28 and the lid member 30, the lid member 30 is pressed toward the substrate 28 side by the pressing member 32 and approaches the surface portion of the substrate 28, and the optical fiber core. The line 84 and the built-in optical fiber 38 are connected in a state of abutting (see FIG. 3).

  7, when the lid 20 is positioned at the closed position, the cable fixing member 16 is fixed to the fiber connection portion 12 in a state of being stored in the storage chamber 60. In the state where the lid 20 is located at the closed position, the cable fixing member 16 is retracted by the restricting protrusion 64, and thereby the deflection 88 is eliminated. Further, after the wedge 14 is detached from the fiber connection portion 12, the engagement state between the engagement portion 68 formed on the wedge 14 and the engaged portion 70 formed on the lid 20 is released, and the wedge is released. 14 is removed from the lid 20. In the above manner, the optical connector 10 is fixed to the optical fiber cable 80.

  Here, in the optical connector 10, as described above, when the lid 20 is rotated from the open position toward the closed position, the wedge 14 is detached from the frame 24 by the interlocking portion 72. That is, the wedge 14 is detached from the frame 24 before the lid 20 is positioned at the closed position). Therefore, in order to detach the wedge 14 from the frame 24, the lid 20 may be operated. When the lid 20 is operated, the cable fixing member 16 is moved to the fiber connecting portion 12 after the wedge 14 is detached from the frame 24. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wedge 14 from being detached from the fiber connection portion 12 after the cable fixing member 16 is fixed to the fiber connection portion 12, contrary to the above-described order. .

  Thus, according to the optical connector 10, the assembly order of the lid 20 and the wedge 14 can be prevented from being reversed from the normal order.

  Further, according to this optical connector 10, since the wedge 14 is disposed on the same side as the lid 20 with respect to the groove 36, the structure of the interlocking portion 72 for interlocking the lid 20 and the wedge 14 is reduced in size. It can be simplified.

  Furthermore, according to this optical connector 10, when the lid 20 is positioned at the open position, the interference avoiding portion 74 formed on the wedge 14 can avoid mutual interference between the wedge 14 and the lid 20. The amount of rotation of the cover 20 toward the open position can be increased (the lid 20 can be rotated 90 degrees or more). Thereby, since the opening amount of the storage chamber 60 can be expanded, the cable fixing member 16 can be easily stored in the storage chamber 60.

  Further, according to this optical connector 10, after the wedge 14 is detached from the fiber connection portion 12, the engagement between the engagement portion 68 formed on the wedge 14 and the engaged portion 70 formed on the lid 20. When the state is released, the wedge 14 can be removed from the lid 20. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the wedge 14 from remaining in the lid 20 when the optical connector 10 is used.

  Next, a modification of one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the storage member 18 is configured separately from the fiber connection unit 12, but may be configured integrally with the fiber connection unit 12.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the interference avoiding portion 74 is formed on the wedge 14, but may be formed on the lid 20, or may be formed on both the wedge 14 and the lid 20.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the engaging part 68 was engaged with the to-be-engaged part 70 inside the side wall part of the lid | cover 20, as FIG. 8 shows, the engaging part 68 is the outer side of a side wall part. May be engaged with the engaged portion 70.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the lid | cover 20 was provided in the storage member 18 so that rotation was possible, it may be provided in the storage member 18 so that sliding is possible, for example.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention and its modification were demonstrated, this invention is not limited above, In addition to the above, in a range which does not deviate from the main point, it can implement variously. Of course there is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical connector 12 Fiber connection part 14 Wedge 16 Cable fixing member 18 Storage member (storage part)
20 Lid 28 Substrate 30 Lid member 32 Press member 34 Ferrule 36 Groove 38 Built-in optical fiber 60 Storage chamber 68 Engagement part 70 Engagement part 72 Interlocking part 74 Interference avoidance part 80 Optical fiber cable 84 Optical fiber core wire 86 Bare fiber

Claims (5)

A substrate having a groove formed in the surface portion; a lid member covering the surface portion of the substrate; a pressing member pressing the lid member toward the substrate; and a built-in optical fiber partially inserted in the groove A fiber connection configured with a ferrule;
A wedge removably attached to the fiber connecting portion so as to separate the lid member from the surface portion of the substrate against the pressing force of the pressing member;
A cable fixing member configured separately from the fiber connection portion, and fixed to an optical fiber cable having an optical fiber core wire inserted into the groove and abutted against the built-in optical fiber;
A storage portion that is provided integrally with the fiber connection portion and includes a storage chamber for storing the cable fixing member; and
A lid that is displaceable with respect to the storage portion so as to be able to take an open position that opens the storage chamber so that the cable fixing member can be inserted into the storage chamber, and a closed position that closes the storage chamber;
As the lid is displaced from the open position toward the closed position, the wedge is detached from the fiber connection portion, and the lid member approaches the surface portion of the substrate by the pressing force of the pressing member. Interlocking part,
With optical connector. The wedge is disposed on the same side as the lid with respect to the groove,
The optical connector according to claim 1. The lid is rotatable with respect to the storage portion so as to be able to take the open position and the closed position,
The interlocking part is detached from the fiber connection part while rotating the wedge with respect to the fiber connection part as the lid is rotated from the open position toward the closed position.
The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2. At least one of the wedge and the lid is formed with an interference avoiding portion for avoiding mutual interference when the lid is located at the open position.
The optical connector as described in any one of Claims 1-3. The interlocking unit is
An engagement portion formed on the wedge;
An engaged portion formed on the lid and detachably engaged with the engaging portion;
Having
The optical connector as described in any one of Claims 1-4.

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