JP4759338B2 - Optical fiber cord terminal structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal structure of an optical fiber cord formed by connecting an optical fiber cord used for optical communication or the like to an optical connector.

  In optical communication or the like, an optical fiber cord formed by providing a coating portion on the outer peripheral side of an optical fiber core (optical fiber) is widely used. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber cord 1 is inserted and fixed to the optical connector 10, and the optical connector 10 is detachably connected to the connection partner (adapter) side. Optical connection with an optical component on the connection partner side through a fiber core is also widely performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the optical connector 10 includes a plug frame 7 formed of a hard plastic such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), a boot 18 formed of a relatively soft polymer such as a polyester elastomer, and a stop ring. 8. The engaging claw 24 of the stop ring 8 engages with the engaging hole 22 formed in the plug frame 7, and the engaging convex portion 25 of the boot 18 engages with the engaging concave portion 23 of the stop ring 8, The boot 18 and the plug frame 7 are fixed via a stop ring 8. The boot 18 is provided on the optical fiber insertion end side of the optical connector 10.

  An optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 is formed in the boot 18, and the insertion port 20 forms an insertion port for the optical fiber cord 1. That is, the end portion side of the optical fiber cord 1 is inserted and fixed into the optical connector 10 through the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18.

  The boot 18 is formed with a plurality of recesses 26 and holes 27 in the longitudinal direction in the region close to the insertion opening 20 with a space therebetween, and the boot 18 is compared as described above. Because of the soft material, the boot 18 can be bent somewhat in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction together with the optical fiber cord 1 inserted into the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9.

  Then, by providing such a boot 18 on the optical fiber input end side of the optical connector 10 and fixing the optical fiber cord 1 to the optical connector 10, the optical fiber cord 1 is buckled at the insertion end of the optical connector 10. It is suppressed from being damaged by such as.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the optical fiber cord 1 has a reinforcing fiber 3 and a sheath material 4 as a covering portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber core wire 2. When fixing to the connector 10, the reinforcing fiber 3 and the sheath material 4 on the distal end side of the optical fiber cord 1 are peeled off to expose the bare optical fiber core 2. The sheath material 4 is made of a harder material than the boot 18.

  Then, the optical fiber core wire 2 is inserted into an optical fiber insertion hole (not shown) of the ferrule 5 and fixed to the ferrule 5 with an adhesive or the like. The optical fiber core wire 2 is fixed to the ferrule 5, As shown in FIG. 4, the optical connector 10 is fixed. In addition, the front end surface of the optical fiber core wire 2 is exposed to the connection end surface 6 of the ferrule 5 and is polished so that the front end surface of the optical fiber core wire 2 and the connection end surface 6 of the ferrule 5 are substantially aligned. It is formed.

  Further, in the optical connector 10, the stop ring 8 is formed with a locking step 16 on the inner wall at the front end side, and the ferrule 5 is interposed between the locking step 16 and the flange 15 of the ferrule 5. A spring 17 is interposed to urge the end toward the front side (connection end face 6 side). The spring 17 is provided to press the connection end face 6 of the ferrule 5 against the connection end face side on the adapter side (not shown) so that the connection is performed without a gap.

  A cylindrical caulking fitting (not shown) is fitted to the rear end side of the stop ring 8, and the reinforcing fiber 3 and the sheath material 4 of the optical fiber cord 1 are stopped by the caulking fitting.

  In addition, about the terminal structure of the said optical fiber cord, the present applicant is not recognizing prior art documents in a local point.

  By the way, in optical fiber communication or the like, it is desired to reduce the propagation loss of the optical fiber as much as possible. However, if bending force exceeding the allowable range is applied to the optical fiber core wire 2, a large loss due to bending occurs. Since this leads to an increase in the propagation loss of the optical fiber, it is not good to cause a situation where the bending radius of the optical fiber core wire 2 becomes small.

  However, in optical communication using the optical fiber cord 1, an operator selects the corresponding optical fiber cord 1 from among a large number of optical fiber cords 1 arranged in an unaligned state, and the optical fiber cord 1 There is a case where the terminal connection is switched. At this time, there is a possibility that the optical fiber cord 1 is bent at the insertion portion of the boot 18 due to a difference in strength between the optical fiber cord 1 and the boot 18. there were.

  In particular, in recent years, the diameter of the optical fiber cord 1 has been reduced in order to arrange the optical fiber cord 1 with a high density. It has become important to suppress the possibility of 1 bending.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to end an optical fiber cord that can suppress bending and bending in the terminal region even if the optical fiber cord has a small diameter. To provide a structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an end portion of an optical fiber cord formed by providing a boot having an optical fiber cord insertion hole on the optical fiber insertion end side of the optical connector and providing a covering portion on the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber. An optical fiber cord terminal structure in which the side is inserted and fixed to the optical connector through the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot, and the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber cord inserted into the optical connector is on the outer peripheral side It is covered with a fitted linear reinforcing pipe, and one end side of the reinforcing pipe is pressed and fixed without using an adhesive to an intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot. the other end is to protect the optical fiber cord extends outwardly from the boot, the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot, from the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole Is tapered to diameter toward the connector side, reinforced pipe by the tapered surface is a means for solving the problems with the configuration that is pressed against and fixed.

  Further, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the second invention has a reinforcing pipe inserted into the optical fiber cord insertion hole on the outer peripheral side on the inner wall of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot. The protrusions that are pressed and fixed from the side are formed so as to protrude inward as means for solving the problem.

Furthermore, in the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, at least a surface of the tapered surface formed in the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot is in a region where the reinforcing pipe is pressed. As a means for solving the problem, the optical fiber cord insertion hole is formed to be rougher than the surface up to the tapered surface, and the reinforcement pipe is prevented from being pulled out by friction of the rough surface. Yes.

Furthermore, in a fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the reinforcing pipe has an identification color or an identification mark for identifying an individual optical fiber cord. As a means to solve the problem.

By the present invention lever, boot with an optical fiber cord insertion hole is provided in the optical fiber insertion end of the optical connector, the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber cord on the side to be inserted into the optical connector fitted to the outer peripheral side Since the end of the reinforcing pipe extends outward from the boot to protect the optical fiber cord, the optical fiber cord can be protected by the reinforcing pipe. It is possible to suppress a large bending force from being applied to the optical fiber cord.

Further, by the present invention lever, since one end of the reinforcing pipe is pressed against fixed without using an adhesive in the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot, for example, reinforcing the insertion hole side of the optical fiber cord By inserting the one end side of the pipe and fixing by pressure, unlike the fixing using an adhesive, the reinforcing pipe can be attached and fixed very easily and quickly with one touch. In addition, problems due to deterioration of the adhesive over time, and deterioration of the fixing part at one end of the reinforcing pipe due to differences in the thermal expansion coefficient between the adhesive and the reinforcing pipe, etc., while using the optical fiber cord for a long time The problem can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, the inner wall of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot is formed with a protruding portion that protrudes inward to fix the reinforcing pipe inserted into the optical fiber cord insertion hole by pressing from the outer peripheral side. According to the configuration, the one end side of the reinforcing pipe can be pressed and fixed appropriately by the protrusion formed on the inner wall of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter as it approaches the optical connector side from the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole, and the tapered surface since the reinforcing pipe is pressed against and fixed by a tapered surface formed on the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot, it can be properly secured pressed against the one end of the reinforcement pipe.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the optical fiber cord insertion hole has a tapered surface formed on the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole, and at least the surface of the area that presses the reinforcing pipe is formed in the tapered shape of the optical fiber cord insertion hole. According to the configuration in which the reinforcement pipe is pulled out by the friction of the rough surface, the normal use of the optical fiber cord by the rough surface is formed. In this state, the pull-out of the reinforcing pipe can be suppressed when the optical fiber cord is caught on the surrounding objects, and one end side of the reinforcing pipe can be more appropriately fixed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, according to the configuration in which the reinforcing pipe has an identification color or an identification mark for identifying an individual optical fiber cord, the individual optical fiber cord can be identified by the reinforcing pipe. This is very convenient when connecting the end of the optical fiber cord to the connection partner.

  In order to identify an individual optical fiber cord, combining the identification color or identification mark of the reinforcing pipe with the color or pattern of the area excluding the optical fiber cord, boots, or optical connector boots, etc. Can be subdivided to make it easier to handle the optical fiber cord.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same name portions as those in the conventional example, and the duplicate description is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an optical fiber cord terminal structure according to the present invention. Similarly to the conventional example, the present embodiment also has a boot 18 having an optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 on the optical fiber insertion end side of the optical connector 10, and the optical fiber cord 1 is connected to the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot 18. 9, the optical connector 10 is inserted and fixed. However, the present embodiment has the following characteristic configuration different from the conventional example. That is, this embodiment is characterized in that the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber cord 1 on the side inserted into the optical connector 10 is covered with a linear reinforcing pipe 11 fitted to the outer peripheral side.

  The reinforcing pipe 11 is made of, for example, PE (polyethylene), and one end side thereof is pressed and fixed without using an adhesive to an intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18. The other end extends outward from the boot 18 to protect the optical fiber cord 1. The extension length of the reinforcing pipe 11 from the boot 18 has a length (for example, about 10 cm here) that can suppress bending of the optical fiber cord at the entrance of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 in the boot 18. ing.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, in order to press and fix one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 to the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot, the insertion side of the optical fiber cord 1 in the boot 18 of the optical connector 10 Is a characteristic configuration as shown in FIGS.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the reinforcing pipe 11 inserted into the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner wall of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18. A protruding portion 12 is formed so as to protrude inward from and pressed against. In this embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 12 is the shape shown in FIG. 1B, but the shape of the protrusion 12 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate.

  In addition, the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18 is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter as it approaches the optical connector 10 side from the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9, and is reinforced by the tapered surface 13. The pipe 11 is fixed by pressure contact.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, at least the surface of the tapered surface 13 that is in pressure contact with the reinforcing pipe 11 (here, the entire region of the tapered surface 13 within the range indicated by A in FIG. 1A) is The optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 is formed to be rougher than the surface up to the tapered surface 13, and the pull-out of the reinforcing pipe 11 is suppressed by friction of the rough surface.

  In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the optical fiber cord 1 is about 1.1 mm, and the inner diameter of the reinforcing pipe 11 is slightly larger than about 1.1 mm (the reinforcing pipe 11 slides on the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber cord 1). The reinforcing pipe 11 has an outer diameter of about 1.7 mm. The reinforcing pipe 11 has an identification color for identifying the individual optical fiber cord 1. Here, the sheath material 4 of the optical fiber cord 1 is yellow, whereas the reinforcing pipe 11 is red. Presents.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above, and the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber cord 1 on the side inserted into the optical connector 10 is covered with a linear reinforcing pipe 11, and the reinforcing pipe 11 is the boot. Since the optical fiber cord 1 is protected by extending outward from 18, the optical fiber cord 1 can be protected by the reinforcing pipe 11.

  Since the extension length of the reinforcing pipe 11 from the boot 18 has a length that can suppress the bending of the optical fiber cord 1 at the entrance of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 in the boot 18, The bending of the optical fiber cord 1 at the entrance of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 can be suppressed by the reinforcing pipe.

  Further, according to the present embodiment example, the one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 is pressure-fixed without using an adhesive to the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18. By inserting the one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 from the side and pressing and fixing, the reinforcing pipe 11 can be attached and fixed very easily and quickly with a single touch unlike the fixing using the adhesive.

  Further, according to the present embodiment example, the protrusion 12 is formed inwardly on the inner wall of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18, so that the one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 is formed by the protrusion 12. Since the inner wall surface of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter as it approaches the optical connector 10 side from the middle portion thereof, this tapered surface 13 Thus, the one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 can be pressed and fixed appropriately.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the region within the range indicated by A of the tapered surface 13 of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 is formed to be rougher than the surface up to the tapered surface 13. Therefore, the pull-out of the reinforcing pipe 11 can be suppressed by the friction of the rough surface, and the one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 can be more appropriately fixed.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing pipe 11 has an identification color for identifying the individual optical fiber cord 1, and therefore the individual optical fiber cord 1 can be identified by the reinforcing pipe 11. It is very convenient when connecting the terminal portion of the optical fiber cord 1 to the connection partner side.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can take various aspects. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 12 is formed on the inner wall of the intermediate portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18, but the protruding portion 12 may be omitted. However, when the protruding portion 12 is formed and the reinforcing pipe 11 is press-contacted by the protruding portion 12, one end side of the reinforcing pipe 11 is easily pressed and fixed to the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the boot 18. It is preferable to form.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, at least the surface of the tapered surface 13 that presses the reinforcing pipe 11 is rougher than the surface up to the tapered surface 13 of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9. Although formed, the surface aspect of the tapered surface 13 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set.

However, by forming the surface of the area that presses at least the reinforcing pipe 11 Te over path shaped surface 13 roughened, since the pull from the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 of the reinforcing pipe 11 can be suppressed preferred.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the sheath material 4 of the optical fiber cord 1 is yellow, whereas the reinforcing pipe 11 is red. However, the color of the reinforcing pipe 11 is not particularly limited and is appropriately set. The color of the optical fiber cord 1 may be the same or different. If the reinforcing pipe 11 has an identification color for identifying the individual optical fiber cord 1, the workability of connecting the optical fiber cord 1 to the connection partner side can be improved, which is convenient.

  Further, the reinforcing pipe 11 may have an identification mark for identifying the individual of the optical fiber cord 1 instead of having an identification color for identifying the individual of the optical fiber cord 1. For example, the entire pattern of the reinforcing pipe 11 may be a striped pattern, a lattice pattern, or a polka dot pattern, or may be another pattern, or a part of the reinforcing pipe 11 may be used as an identification mark. It is good also as a structure which provides this pattern. Further, the identification mark may be formed by forming irregularities on the surface of the reinforcing pipe 11.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the optical fiber cord 1 is about 1.1 mm, and the outer diameter of the reinforcing pipe 11 is about 1.7 mm. However, the present invention has various thicknesses (for example, currently used). Corresponding to the thickness of the optical fiber cord 1 to be applied, for example, the outer diameter is about 1.3 mm to about 5.0 mm. A reinforcing pipe 11 can be provided.

  Further, the length of the reinforcing pipe 11 is not particularly limited, and is set as appropriate. The extension length from the boot 18 is an optical fiber at the entrance of the optical fiber cord insertion hole 9 in the boot 18. What is necessary is just to make it become the length which can suppress the bending | flexion bending | flexion of the code | cord | chord 1.

  Further, the detailed configuration of the optical connector 10 is not limited to the configuration having the plug frame 7 and the like shown in FIG. 4 and is appropriately set, and the reinforcing pipe 11 is the same as in the above embodiment. More preferably, by making the configuration of the boot 18 as a characteristic configuration as described above, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment example can be obtained.

The configuration (a) of the boot in the embodiment of the terminal structure of the optical fiber cord according to the present invention, the planar configuration (b) of the protrusion, and the state (c) in which the optical fiber cord and the reinforcing pipe are inserted into the boot It is explanatory drawing shown, respectively. It is explanatory drawing which shows the terminal structure of the optical fiber cord of the said embodiment example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the terminal structure example of the conventional optical fiber cord. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the conventional optical connector by a partial cross section figure. It is explanatory drawing which shows the insertion structure to the ferrule of an optical fiber cord.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber cord 2 Optical fiber core wire 4 Sheath material 7 Plug frame 8 Stop ring 9 Optical fiber cord insertion hole 10 Optical connector 11 Reinforcement pipe 12 Protrusion part 13 Tapered surface

Claims (4)

A boot having an optical fiber cord insertion hole is provided on the optical fiber insertion end side of the optical connector, and an end portion side of the optical fiber cord formed by providing a coating portion on the outer peripheral side of the optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber cord of the boot. An optical fiber cord terminal structure that is inserted into and fixed to the optical connector through an insertion hole, and an outer peripheral side of the optical fiber cord that is inserted into the optical connector is a linear reinforcement that is fitted to the outer peripheral side. It is covered with a pipe, and one end side of the reinforcing pipe is pressed and fixed to the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot without using an adhesive, and the other end side of the reinforcing pipe is outside the boot are extended to protect the optical fiber cord, the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot, it approaches the optical connector side from the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole Nitsu Diameter is formed in a tapered shape, the terminal structure of the optical fiber cord reinforced pipe by the tapered surface is characterized in that it is pressed against and fixed Te.   The inner wall of the middle portion of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot is formed with a protrusion protruding inwardly to fix the reinforcing pipe inserted into the optical fiber cord insertion hole by pressing from the outer peripheral side. The terminal structure of the optical fiber cord according to claim 1. The surface of the tapered surface formed on the inner wall of the optical fiber cord insertion hole of the boot is at least rougher than the surface up to the tapered surface of the optical fiber cord insertion hole. 3. The terminal structure of an optical fiber cord according to claim 1, wherein the end structure of the optical fiber cord is formed and the pull-out of the reinforcing pipe is suppressed by friction of the rough surface. The terminal structure of an optical fiber cord according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the reinforcing pipe has an identification color or an identification mark for identifying an individual optical fiber cord.

Images