JPH0990168A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an external form, to prevent a ferrule flange from rotating even if the engagement slit of an engagement housing is rotated and to inhibit the occurrence of a scar on the end face of an optical fiber. SOLUTION: The optical connector which is provided with an adapter 17 to which the ferrule flange 13 and the engagement housing 16 having the slit A are assembled on both sides and which is used for optical communication is provided with the ferrule flange 13 where a projection part H engaged in the engagement housing 16 in an idle state and the adapter 17 which can received the ferrule flange 13, to which an engagement face G engaged with a face F formed on the ferrule flange 12 is formed and which has an engagement hook B engaged with the slit A of the engagement housing 16. Thus, the detection of the eccentric direction of the optical fiber 11 can be detected by adjusting the face F formed on the ferrule flange 13 and the engagement face G of the adapter 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector used for optical communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as optical connectors used for optical communication, there are generally FC type, SC type, D type, MU type and the like. These optical connectors have advanced in terms of handling, size and price. However, with the introduction of optical subscriber transmission in recent years, further miniaturization and cost reduction are required, and its realization is essential.

A conventional optical connector will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 is an optical fiber with a nylon coating, and 2 is a zirconia capillary, and the optical fiber 1 is accurately adhered and held to its outer shape. Further, the end surface E is mirror-polished such as a convex spherical surface. Reference numeral 3 is a ferrule flange, which is integrated with the capillary 2 by press fitting or the like (hereinafter referred to as a ferrule). By holding the nylon portion of the optical fiber 1 by adhesion, the ferrule flange is directly attached to the optical fiber bare wire held by the capillary portion 2. Protects against external force.

Reference numeral 4 is a split sleeve which guides the outer shape of the capillary 2 and has a function of aligning and aligning the optical fiber element wires as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 5 is a spring for generating a responsive pressure on the end face E, 6 is a ferrule holding the optical fiber 1 therein, and a retaining housing integrally holding the spring 5 and having a slit A shown in FIG. The integrated product is called an optical connector plug).

Reference numeral 7 contains the above-mentioned split sleeve 4,
Further, it is an adapter having a locking hook B, and hooks and holds the hook B in the slit A of the locking housing 6 as shown in FIG. In this way, the optical connector 1 is aligned by inserting and holding the optical connector plugs from both ends. Further, the holding can be released by rotating as shown by the arrow C in FIG. 5 and removing the locking hook B from the slit A.

[0006]

However, the conventional optical connector has the following problems. (1) Since the ferrule flange and the spring are built inside the optical connector, the outer shape becomes large. (2) When the locking slit of the locking housing is rotated, the ferrule also rotates at the same time, so that the end face E of the optical fiber is damaged.

According to the present invention, the above problems are eliminated, the outer shape is reduced, and even when the locking slit of the locking housing is rotated, the ferrule flange does not rotate, and the optical fiber end face E is scratched. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector that can prevent the above.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention [1] An adapter in which a ferrule flange (13) and a locking housing (16) having a slit (A) are assembled on both sides. In an optical connector for use in optical communication having (17), a ferrule flange (13) having a protrusion (H) engaged with the locking housing (16) in a loosely fit state, and the ferrule flange ( 13) is formed, a fitting surface (G) is formed which fits the surface (F) formed on the ferrule flange (13), and the slit (A) of the locking housing (16). An adapter (17) having a hook (B) for locking which can be locked to the ferrule flange (1).
By aligning the surface (F) formed in 3) with the fitting surface (G) of the adapter (17), the optical fiber (11)
It is possible to position the eccentric direction.

[2] In the optical connector used in the optical communication described in [1] above, when the locking of the ferrule flange (13) is released, the surface (F) of the ferrule flange (13) with respect to the adapter (17). , G) are fitted together to prevent rotation of the ferrule flange (13) due to rotation of the locking housing (16).

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a sectional view of an optical connector showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the optical connector, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ferrule of the optical connector. In FIG. 1, 11 is an optical fiber with a nylon coating, 12 is a zirconia capillary, and the optical fiber 11 is accurately adhered and held to its outer shape. The end surface E of the optical fiber 11 is mirror-polished with a convex spherical surface or the like. Reference numeral 13 is a ferrule flange, which is integrated with the capillary 12 by press fitting or the like, and the optical fiber nylon portion is adhered and held to protect the optical fiber element wire held by the capillary portion 12 from being directly applied with external force. are doing. A circular protrusion H is formed on the rear end of the ferrule flange 13.

Reference numeral 14 is a split sleeve, which has a function of guiding the outer shape of the capillary 12 and aligning and aligning the optical fiber strands as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 15 is a spring for generating a responsive pressure on the end face E of the optical fiber, 16 is a protrusion H of the ferrule flange holding the optical fiber 11 therein, fitted into a stopper, and the spring 15 is interposed therebetween.
A locking housing having a slit A for integration (this integrated product is referred to as an optical connector plug). Here, a cylindrical space is formed inside the locking housing 16, and the ferrule flange 13 is placed in the cylindrical space.
The circular protrusion H at the rear end is loosely fitted to the rotation of the locking housing 16 in a loose fit state.

Numeral 17 has the above-mentioned split sleeve 14 built-in, and also has a hook B for locking and a ferrule rotation stopper G (fitting surface).
Is an adapter having, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
It has a positioning function by hooking and holding the locking hook B having a tapered surface in the slit A of the locking housing 16 and by fitting the F surface of the ferrule flange 13 and the fitting surface G of the adapter 17. are doing. In this way, the optical connector plug is inserted and held by the guides of the fitting surface G and the taper surface of the locking hook B from both ends, and the optical fiber 11 is aligned.

With the above construction, (1) By aligning the surface F formed on the ferrule flange 13 with the fitting surface G formed on the adapter 17, the optical fiber can be positioned in the eccentric direction. (2) The ferrule flange 1 in the locking housing 16
Since the whole 3 is not covered and only the protrusion H at the rear end is loosely engaged, the outer size can be reduced.

(3) When the locking housing 16 is unlocked, when the locking housing 16 is rotated, the projection H at the rear end of the ferrule flange 13 is in a loose engagement with the locking housing 16. The stopper housing 16 is the ferrule flange 13.
The slit A formed on the locking housing 16 can be rotated with respect to the ferrule flange 13 even if the locking housing 16 is rotated.
Since the surfaces (F, G) are fitted to the adapter 17, they do not rotate and the rotation of the optical fiber 11 can be prevented, so that the end surface E of the optical fiber is not scratched.

Further, the holding can be released by rotating as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 2 and removing the locking hook B from the slit A. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0016]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Positioning in the eccentric direction of the optical fiber can be performed by fitting the surface formed on the ferrule flange and the fitting surface formed on the adapter.

(2) Since the entire ferrule flange is not covered in the locking housing but only the protrusion at the rear end is loosely engaged, the outer size can be reduced. (3) When the locking housing is rotated when the locking housing is unlocked, the locking housing is in loose contact with the projection at the rear end of the ferrule flange. The slit can be rotated, but even if the locking housing is rotated, the ferrule flange does not rotate because the surfaces are fitted to the adapter, and the optical fiber rotates. Can be prevented, so that no scratch is generated on the end face of the optical fiber.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an optical connector showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of an optical connector showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ferrule of an optical connector showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional optical connector.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a conventional optical connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 optical fiber 12 capillary 13 ferrule flange 14 split sleeve 15 spring 16 locking housing 17 adapter A slit B locking hook E optical fiber end surface F flange surface G mating surface (ferrule rotation stop) H ferrule flange protrusion Department

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector for use in optical communication having an adapter to which a ferrule flange and a locking housing having a slit are assembled on both sides, wherein (a) a protrusion that engages loosely in the locking housing. A ferrule flange on which a portion is formed, and (b) a ferrule flange capable of receiving the ferrule flange, a mating surface that mates with a surface formed on the ferrule flange is formed, and the ferrule flange engages with the slit of the locking housing. An adapter having a locking hook that can be stopped is provided, and (c) the surface formed on the ferrule flange and the mating surface of the adapter are aligned with each other, so that the optical fiber can be positioned in the eccentric direction. Optical connector characterized by. 2. The optical connector used for optical communication according to claim 1, wherein when the ferrule flange is unlocked, the locking housing is rotated by fitting the surfaces of the ferrule flange to the adapter. The optical connector is characterized in that the rotation of the ferrule flange due to is prevented.