JP2000066060A - Optical fiber splicer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to assure the clamping state of optical fibers even if deformation arises in elements of a two-split structure by a temp. change, moisture absorption, etc., of an optical fiber connector of a structure to maintain a connecting state by clamping and holding the optical fibers butt connected between these elements. SOLUTION: This structure holds and clamps the bare fibers 7a at the front ends of the optical fibers 7 between a retaining part 17b and a base by the retaining part 17b formed at a central cap 17 at the canter of the cap body constituting the elements 1A. In such a case, even if the deformation arises in the etching elements 1A, the state that the clamping force is concentrated near the retaining part 17b may be maintained and the clamping state and connecting state of the bare fibers 7a may be maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an optical fiber connector for butt-connecting optical fibers, optical fibers inserted from opposite sides between elements having a split structure have been recently arranged by a centering mechanism provided in the element. There is provided a configuration in which the alignment is aligned and butt-connected, and the optical fiber is clamped and clamped in the element by a clamping force of a clamp spring mounted outside the element to maintain a connected state. In this type of optical fiber connector, by inserting a wedge into the element and opening the element against the clamping force of the clamp spring, it is possible to pull out the optical fiber from the element and release the connection state. There is an advantage that work such as connection switching can be easily performed.

[0003]

By the way, in the case of the above-mentioned optical fiber connector, due to temperature change and moisture absorption,
When the element is slightly deformed, the clamping force acting on the optical fiber changes, and there has been a problem that the optical fiber is likely to be displaced. In particular, if the clamping force near the tip of the butt-connected optical fiber is reduced and the optical fiber is displaced, the connection loss between the connected optical fibers may fluctuate, and the desired low connection loss may occur. It is feared that it will not be available. In a multi-fiber optical fiber connector, it is necessary to clamp all of the plurality of optical fibers with an equal clamping force, and the above problem becomes more remarkable. As a countermeasure against the above problem, it is conceivable to stably maintain the clamped state of the optical fiber by strongly clamping the element using a clamp spring having a strong clamping force. However, according to this countermeasure, the outer diameter of the optical fiber connector becomes large due to the increase in the plate thickness of the clamp spring, and it becomes difficult to open the element by press-fitting of a wedge. That is, when the outer shape of the optical fiber connector becomes large, it is necessary to change the fixing portion of the tool used for opening and closing the element to fix the optical fiber connector in a desired direction, the wedge holding position in the wedge press-fitting mechanism, and the like. In addition, it is troublesome and causes an increase in cost. In addition, when a clamp spring having a strong clamping force is used, it takes time to press the wedge into the element, and in some cases, the element may be damaged when the wedge is pressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and does not increase the clamping force of the clamp spring and does not increase the clamping force of the optical fiber even if the element is deformed due to environmental changes such as temperature changes. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber connector that can stably maintain the optical fiber and can stably maintain the butt connection state of the optical fibers.

[0005]

An optical fiber connector according to the present invention is an optical fiber connector for butt-connecting optical fibers to each other. The optical fiber connector has a split structure comprising a base and a lid for holding the optical fiber when integrated. Of the element,
A clamp spring for maintaining the integrated state of the element by sandwiching the element inside, provided between the base and the lid, and inserted between the base and the lid from opposite sides of the element. An optical fiber inserted between the base and the lid from opposite sides of the element, and a centering mechanism for positioning and aligning the ends of the optical fibers with each other at the center of the element so that they can be butt-connected. An optical fiber guide groove for guiding to an alignment mechanism, wherein the lid body has a central lid that sandwiches the optical fiber inserted in or near the alignment mechanism with the base, and both sides of the central lid. And an end cover that sandwiches the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber guide groove between the base cover and the base, respectively, and is superimposed on the base of the central cover. A groove is formed in the contact surface extending from both sides along the centering axis of the centering mechanism to the center of the contact surface, and the central lid is formed between the grooves on both sides. An optical fiber is sandwiched between the holding member and the base by the holding portion. According to this optical fiber connector, the optical fiber butt-connected at the center of the element is sandwiched between the base and the base by the pressing portion at the center of the contact surface of the center lid. Therefore, the clamping force of the clamp spring acting on the center lid and the base is concentrated between the holding portion and the base, and the clamping force per unit area applied to the optical fiber increases, so that a strong clamping state is obtained. In addition, the element may be slightly deformed due to temperature change or moisture absorption.However, the clamping force is concentrated near the holding part by the grooves on both sides of the holding part. Is reliably maintained. Therefore, when clamping the butt-connected optical fibers, the butted state of the optical fibers can be reliably maintained. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber connector according to the first aspect, a plurality of the aligning mechanisms are arranged between the base and the lid with their aligning axes aligned in parallel with each other. A plurality of optical fibers, each of which is positioned and aligned by a plurality of alignment mechanisms, is configured to be sandwiched between the holding portion of the central lid and the base, and the holding portions are each adjusted by the alignment mechanism. It is characterized in that it comes into contact with all of the plurality of optical fibers which are positioned and aligned. The present invention relates to a multi-core optical fiber connector.
The plurality of optical fibers positioned and aligned by the alignment mechanism are sandwiched between the same pressing portion and the base, and are clamped by the clamp force of the clamp spring. The clamping force of the clamp spring acts intensively on a narrow area near the holding part, and each optical fiber is firmly clamped. Further, since all the optical fibers are clamped between the optical fiber and the base by the same pressing portion, uneven distribution of the clamping force between the optical fibers hardly occurs, and all the optical fibers can be clamped with an equal clamping force.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 in the figure denotes an optical fiber connector according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical fiber connector 1 has an element 1A including a base 2 and a lid 3 constituting a split structure having a rod shape having a substantially rectangular cross section when integrated, and an element 1A of the element 1A. It has an elongated U-shaped clamp spring 4 that can be almost entirely stored.

The base 2 and the lid 3 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, both are rod-shaped members having a rectangular cross section, and are integrated by overlapping the contact surfaces 5 and 6 with each other. The base 2 and the lid 3 of the present embodiment are both formed of a material having an appropriate hardness such as plastic.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the contact surface 5 of the base 2, a bare fiber 7 at the end of a single-core optical fiber core 7, which is an optical fiber according to claim 1, is provided.
A V-groove 8 is formed as an aligning mechanism for aligning and aligning abuttable and connectable optical fibers, and optical fiber core wires 7 inserted from outside the base 2 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the contact surface 5.
Is formed in the vicinity of the V groove 8. The V groove 8 and the optical fiber guide groove 9 are arranged on the same straight line along the longitudinal direction of the base 2. The alignment accuracy of the optical fiber guide groove 9 is lower than that of the V groove 8 as a whole.
Only the end near the V-groove 8 is an introduction portion 10 whose alignment accuracy is enhanced by guide walls 11 projecting from both sides thereof. The centering accuracy of the introduction section 10 on the V groove 8 side is substantially equal to that of the V groove 8, and the end of the introduction section 10 on the opposite side to the V groove 8 is further larger than the optical fiber guide groove 9. Bare fiber 7a which has an extended groove and is exposed by removing the coating on the tip of optical fiber core wire 7
Can be easily introduced from the optical fiber guide groove 9.

Since the guide wall 11 projects from the contact surface 5 of the base 2 by collective molding, it can be formed easily. The V-groove 8 accommodates the bare fiber 7a that is exposed by removing the coating on the tip of the optical fiber core wire 7. The coated portion of the optical fiber core wire 7 is housed in the optical fiber guide groove 9. The coated portion of the optical fiber core 7 is
The insertion unit 10 can be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 2, three recesses in the longitudinal direction of the base contact surface 5 are engaged with engagement recesses 14 formed on a surface of the lid 3 which is overlapped with the base contact surface 5. And an engaging concave portion 14 which is engaged with the engaging convex portion 15 protrudingly provided on the lid 3 side. Engaging projection 15
A curved surface 16 that enables relative rotation with respect to the engaging concave portion 14 is formed at the tip of the engaging concave portion 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engaging concave portion 14 and the engaging convex portion 15 are engaged with each other. Then, the hinge for opening and closing the element 1A is connected to the base 2 and the lid 3 so as to be relatively rotatable about the same straight line along one side in the width direction of the element 1A (FIGS. 4, 5). Perform the function.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lid 3 is
A central lid 17 corresponding to the V groove 8 of the base 2 and an end lid 18 corresponding to the optical fiber guide groove 9 are arranged in series. Between the center cover 17 and the end cover 18, a connection recess 19 a formed on the end cover 18 side is superimposed on the outside of the connection end 19 protruding from the center cover 17 toward the end cover 18. They are connected in series so as to match. In addition, the center cover 17 and the end cover 18 are connected to each connection end 1.
The guide portions 10 are stored in the guide wall storage holes 13 opening to the opening 9 so that the guide portions 10 are positioned with respect to the base 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber housing groove 2 for housing the upper part (upper side in FIG. 3) of the optical fiber core wire 7 housed in the optical fiber guide groove 9 is provided on both end lids 18, as shown in FIG.
0 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The contact surface 6 is formed with a groove 17a extending from both sides along the centering axis of the V groove 8 to the center of the contact surface 6. The central lid 17 is held between the base 2 and the bare fiber 7a by a holding portion 17b formed as a portion left between the grooves 17a on both sides.
Is to be sandwiched. Of the holding portion 17b,
The dimension of the V groove 8 in the direction along the center axis is, for example,
It is about 4.0 mm with respect to the total length of the contact surface 6 of 18 mm. The contact surface 6 other than the groove 17a is flush.
Tapered portion 1 formed in groove 17a near holding portion 17b
7c guides the bare fiber 7a inserted from the optical fiber guide groove 20 side toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the V groove 8 between the holding portion 17b and the base 2. Note that the pressing portion 17b can be formed in a shape protruding from the contact surface 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, a funnel-shaped insertion recess 21 for inserting the optical fiber core 7 into the optical fiber guide groove 9 is formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element 1A. Further, the clamp springs 4 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element 1A are provided.
Since the exposed portion 22 which is always exposed to the outside of the frame is rectangular, it is easy to fix it with a tool or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the element 1A
A wedge 24 for opening the space between the base 2 and the lid 3 is provided on a side opposite to the engagement concave portion 14 and the engagement convex portion 15.
Is inserted into a wedge insertion groove 25 into which the hole is inserted. The wedge insertion groove 25 is provided at the four positions in the longitudinal direction of the element 1A with the base 2 and the lid 3.
Are formed around the respective contact surfaces 5, 6 of the
By pressing the wedge 24 against the clamping force of the clamp spring 4, the space between the base 2 and the lid 3 is pushed open. The element 1 </ b> A is inserted into the clamp spring 4 in a direction in which the wedge insertion groove 25 is exposed at the opening 23 of the clamp spring 4. When the wedge 24 is pressed into the wedge insertion groove 25,
The base 2 and the lid 3 rotate relative to each other about the hinge formed by the engaged engaging concave portion 14 and the engaging convex portion 15 in a direction away from each other, and the element 1A is opened. Wedge 24
Is press-fitted such that the flat end surface 24a abuts on the innermost part of the wedge insertion groove 25. Further, since the wedge 24 has a thickness t ₁ corresponding to the target opening width of the wedge insertion groove 25, the wedge insertion groove is always stably provided with a constant opening amount only by press-fitting into the wedge insertion groove 25. 25
Can be opened.

The clamp spring 4 is an elongated member slightly shorter than the element 1A, and is formed of a material such as stainless steel or beryllium copper. In the case of beryllium copper, those obtained by subjecting them to age hardening after molding into a target shape, those coated with a fluorine resin or the like after heat treatment, and the like are more preferable. The element 1 </ b> A is pressed into the inside of the clamp spring 4 from the opening 23 so as to push the pair of flanges 26 apart. In the center of each flange 26, a positioning projection 27 formed by bending the flange 26 is formed.
Are protruded toward the inside of the clamp spring 4, and when the element 1A is inserted inside the clamp spring 4, the element 1
The positioning projections 27 are engaged with the positioning recesses 28 and 29 formed on the outer surfaces of the base 2 and the lid 3 of A, so that the element 1A is stably clamped at a fixed position of the clamp spring 4. Has become.

Each positioning projection 27 is provided with two flanges 26.
The positioning recesses 28 and 29 are located at an equal distance from the connecting portion 4a connecting the spaces, and the positioning recesses 28 and 29 are located at the center of the base 2 and the lid 3 in the width direction (left and right in FIG. When 1 A is clamped by the clamp spring 4, the positioning protrusions 27, the positioning recesses 28 and 29, and the V-groove 8 are arranged on the same straight line, and are clamped in the diameter direction of the optical fiber 7 inserted into the V-groove 8. The force works stably. When the element 1A is clamped, the outer surface 30 of the base 2 is in surface contact with one of the flanges 26, while the other flange 26 is in contact with the positioning recess 29 of the lid 3.
Since only the positioning protrusion 27 engaged with the cover 3 comes into contact with the lid 3 to apply a clamping force, the element 1A is always clamped in a stable direction in the clamp spring 4, and the element 1A is Clamping force can be reliably applied to the sandwiched optical fiber 7. Since a gap is formed between the other flange portion 26 and the lid 3, a direction in which the other flange portion 26 is separated from the flange portion 26 on the base 2 side by using this gap. In this case, the positioning projection 27 can be easily separated from the positioning recess 29 of the lid 3, and the element 1 </ b> A can be easily taken out from the clamp spring 4.

The two flange portions 26 are divided into three by slits 12 formed in two places in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction of the clamp spring 4). Each flange 26
Position of the slit 12 in the central lid 1 of the lid 3
7 and the end cover 18, the element 1A
Each part of the clamp spring 4 corresponding to the center lid 17 and the end lid 18 functions as an individual clamp spring.
The clamp spring 4 having a U-shaped cross section is easy to process, and is particularly advantageous when the slit 12 is formed.

In the optical fiber connector 1 of the present embodiment, the element 1A is slightly opened by inserting the wedge 24 into the wedge insertion groove 25 (see FIG. 5), and the two insertion concave portions 21 of the element 1A (see FIG. 3). ), The optical fiber cores 7 are inserted and butted on the V-groove 8 so that the optical fiber cores 7 can be easily butt-connected. When the optical fiber core 7 is pushed into the V groove 8 from the insertion recesses 21 at both ends of the element 1A, the bare fiber 7a previously exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 7 is guided by the optical fiber guide groove 9. It reaches the introduction portion 10, and is gradually and precisely aligned as it is pushed into the inside of the introduction portion 10, and is introduced into the V-groove 8. Therefore, the optical fiber 7 can be pushed into the V-groove 8 smoothly without being caught on the way. At this time, the bare fiber 7a bends more easily than the core coated portion, and a small gap is formed between the base 51 and the lid 52 by the insertion of the wedge 24, so that the bare fiber 7a is detached from the introduction portion 10. However, since the bare fiber 7a is guided by the guide walls 11 on both sides of the introduction part 10, the V-groove 8 does not separate from the introduction part 10.
Pushed up to. Even if the gap formed between the base 51 and the lid 52 becomes somewhat large, the entire guide wall 11 does not fall out from the guide wall storage hole 13 of the lid 3, so that the diameter of the optical fiber core wire 7 is reduced. Even if the gap to be formed between the base 51 and the lid 52 is large, the workability of inserting the bare fiber 7a into the V-groove 8 can be maintained, and the optical fiber It can respond to a wide range of diameters.

Since the introduction portion 10 has such an opening amount that the covering portion of the optical fiber core 7 cannot pass through, if the length of the bare fiber 7a is adjusted, the optical fiber core 7 can be adjusted.
Can be adjusted. When the element 1A is made of a transparent resin, the insertion state of the optical fiber 7 can be visually checked from the outside. In this case, the opening 23 of the clamp spring 4
Since the exposure amount of the element 1A can be sufficiently ensured, it is easy to check the insertion state, and the operation can be efficiently performed.

After the optical fibers 7 have been butted together, the wedge 24 is pulled out of the wedge insertion groove 25, and the optical fibers 7 are sandwiched between the base 2 and the lid 3 by the clamping force of the clamp spring 4. The connection state between the optical fiber cores 7 is maintained. At this time, since each part of the clamp spring 4 corresponding to the central lid 17 and the end lid 18 of the element 1A functions as an individual clamp spring, the central lid 17
Of the bare fiber 7a between the base and the base 2,
Optical fiber core 7 between end cover 18 and base 2
Are individually performed, and even if the difference in diameter between the coated portion of the optical fiber 7 and the bare fiber 7a is somewhat large, the optical fiber 7 can be reliably clamped. it can. Further, the tensile force acting on the optical fiber core 7 is held down by the clamping force of the coating portion of the optical fiber core 7 between the end cover 18 and the base 2, and the bare fiber 7 a inserted into the V-groove 8 is held. Does not act on the bare fibers 7a, so that the butt-connected state of the bare fibers 7a is stably maintained. If the wedge 24 is pressed into the wedge insertion groove 25 again, the clamp of the optical fiber core 7 between the base 2 and the lid 3 can be released, and the connection of the optical fiber core 7 can be easily switched. it can. Further, if the wedge insertion groove 25 into which the wedge 24 is inserted is selected, it is possible to release the clamp only on the optical fiber core 7 on one side, and the workability of connection switching can be improved.

By the way, when the element 1A is closed and the optical fiber core 7 in the butt connection state is sandwiched, as shown in FIG.
7b, the clamping force is concentrated near the bare fiber 7a,
7a is strongly sandwiched, and the butted connection state is maintained. That is, since the contact surface 6 other than the groove 17a is flat, when the element 1A is closed, only the pressing portion 17b
The bare fiber 7a slightly protrudes from the V-groove 8 and abuts on the bare fiber 7a. The other abutment surface 6 is prevented from contacting the bare fiber 7a by the groove 17a or the like. Surface 6 does not contact bare fiber 7a at all. For this reason, the clamping force acting between the central lid 17 and the base 2 acts intensively in a narrow area near the holding portion 17b, and the bare fibers 7a, 7a are strongly pinched,
The butt connection state is maintained. Moreover, even if the element 1A or the like is slightly deformed due to temperature change or moisture absorption, the contact portion of the central lid 17 with the bare fiber 7a is limited to the pressing portion 17b, so that the central lid 17 is clamped near the pressing portion 17b. The state in which the force is concentrated is maintained, and the state in which the bare fiber 7a is firmly clamped is ensured, whereby the connection state between the optical fibers 7 and the low connection loss are stably maintained. If a central lid having a pressing portion having a shape protruding from the contact surface 6 is employed, the element 1A may be changed due to temperature change or moisture absorption.
Even if deformation occurs, only the holding portion is bare fiber 7
In this state, a state in which the clamping force acts intensively in the vicinity of the holding portion by contacting the holding member a is secured, and the clamped state can be more reliably maintained.

In the optical fiber connector 1, the bare fiber 7a can be clamped with a maximum force as large as possible without affecting the optical characteristics due to the compressive stress, and the plate thickness of the clamp spring 4 is increased. Since sufficient clamping force can be obtained without taking the above measures, there is almost no change in the outer size of the optical fiber connector 1, and fine adjustment or the like when positioning with high accuracy to a tool or the like can be eliminated. There is an advantage that the operability of opening and closing can be maintained. In addition, since high corrosion resistance is obtained with stainless steel, there is no fear that the clamping force fluctuates due to the generation of rust, and the desired clamping force can be stably obtained over a long period of time. Further, the bare fiber 7a is connected to the base 2 by the pressing portion 17b whose dimension in the direction along the alignment axis of the V groove 8 is short with respect to the entire length of the contact surface 6.
The central lid 17 which is configured to be clamped between the contact surface and the bare fiber 7a has a small contact area with the bare fiber 7a.
Is easy to form. That is, in this central lid 17,
Only the abutment surface 6 near the holding portion 17b requires high forming accuracy, and the other portions may have low forming accuracy. Therefore, there is an advantage that resin molding becomes easy and cost can be reduced.

In the optical fiber connector 1, the wedge insertion groove 2
5 is exposed in the opening 23 of the clamp spring 4,
The operation of inserting and removing the wedge 24 into and from the wedge insertion groove 25 can be performed efficiently while visually observing. Further, according to the optical fiber connector 1 of the present embodiment, since the element 1A can be assembled simply by press-fitting the element 1A into the clamp spring 4 from the opening 23, the assembly can be extremely easily performed, and the flange 2
6 can be elastically deformed to cause the clamp spring 4 to move from the element 1A.
Can be easily taken out. In addition, since it has a rectangular external appearance, it does not easily roll on a worktable, and can be easily fixed with a tool or the like. In addition, the clamp spring 4 has a simple shape and is easy to manufacture, and the flange 26 on the lid 3 only needs to be large enough to contact the central portion of the lid 3. It can be formed, and cost reduction is easy.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show an optical fiber connector 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 50A denotes an element inserted into the clamp spring 4, 51 denotes a base, and 52 denotes a lid. The element 50A is in the shape of a two-piece rod having a rectangular cross section, and includes a base 51 and a lid 52 each having a rectangular cross section formed of resin or the like. At the center in the longitudinal direction of the contact surface 53 on which the lid 52 of the base 51 is superimposed, the contact is exposed to the tip of an optical fiber ribbon (hereinafter referred to as “tape ribbon”) 54 as the optical fiber according to claim 1. A plurality of V-grooves 55 as alignment mechanisms for positioning and aligning the plurality of bare fibers 54a so that they can be butt-connected to each other are formed in parallel.
1 has a V groove 55 from outside the element 50A.
Is formed with an optical fiber guide groove 56 for guiding the bare fiber 54a.

A pair of guide walls 57 integrally formed on a resin base 51 are provided on both sides of an end portion of the optical fiber guide groove 56 on the V groove 55 side. These guide walls 5
7 has a tapered shape in which the distance from each other gradually decreases toward the V-groove 55 side. These guide walls 57 have a function of positioning the lid 52 with respect to the base 51 by being accommodated in guide wall storage holes (not shown) formed on the side of the lid 52 when the lid 52 is overlaid on the base 51. Is to be fulfilled. The portion of the optical fiber guide groove 56 sandwiched between the guide walls 57 has higher alignment accuracy than other portions of the optical fiber guide groove 56.

An element 50 is provided between the base 51 and the lid 52.
The opening and closing are performed such that the engaging concave portion 59 and the engaging convex portion 60 engaged at one side in the width direction of A (direction of arrow C in FIG. 7) relatively rotate as a hinge. When the wedge 24 is inserted into the wedge insertion groove 61 on the other side in the width direction of the element 50A, the element 50A is opened against the clamping force of the clamp spring 4, and when the wedge 24 is pulled out from the wedge insertion groove 61, the clamp spring The element 50A is closed by the clamping force of No. 4. An introduction end 62 of the optical fiber guide groove 56 which opens at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base 51 is inclined so that the depth from the contact surface 53 increases toward the outside of the base 51, and Even when the 50A is integrated, the tape core 54
Can be easily inserted.

The cover 52 is provided with a slit 1 of the clamp spring 4.
2 corresponding to two end lids 52a and one central lid 5
This is a three-piece body composed of 2b, and in the element 50A, the clamping force of each part divided by the slit 12 of the clamp spring 4 acts individually. A groove 58a is formed in a contact surface (not shown) of the central lid 52b which is superimposed on the base 51 and reaches the vicinity of the center from both sides along the V-groove 55, and is formed in the center of the contact surface. A pressing portion 58b which is a portion left between the grooves 58a on both sides is formed.

In order to butt-connect the tape cores 54 using the optical fiber connector 50, the bare fiber 54 a having a length to be accommodated in the V-groove 55 is exposed at the tip of the tape core 54 in advance. Each of the bare fibers 54a inserted from the introduction end 62 of the element 50A, which has been opened by inserting the wedge 24 into the wedge insertion groove 61, is fitted to the corresponding optical fiber guide groove 56 so that the V-groove is formed. 55, and at the center of the V groove 55 in the longitudinal direction, the element 50A
The bare fibers 54a at the tips of the tape core wires 54 inserted from both sides are butt-connected. The covering 54b of the tape core wire 54 is formed by inserting the bare fiber 54a into a V-groove 55 of a predetermined length.
, It rides on the optical fiber guide groove 56.

Then, the element 50A is closed by pulling out the wedge 24 from the wedge insertion groove 61, and the butted tape core wire 54 is clamped and held in the element 50A to maintain the butted connection state. At this time, since the clamping force acting between the central lid 52b and the base 51 acts intensively in a narrow range near the holding portion 58b, all the butted and connected pairs of bare fibers 54a are firmly sandwiched. The connection between the tape cores 54 is stably maintained. Further, even if the element 50A is slightly deformed due to a temperature change, moisture absorption, or the like, the state where the clamping force is concentrated near the holding portion 58b is maintained, and the connection state between the tape cores 54 is stably maintained. Low connection loss is stably ensured. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, all the bare fibers 54a positioned and aligned by the V-grooves 55 are clamped between the base 51 by the same pressing portion 58b. An even clamping force can be applied to 54a. Therefore, the element 5
Due to the deformation of 0A, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as floating of a part of the bare fibers 54a (for example, the bare fiber 54a closest to the wedge insertion groove 61) due to insufficient clamping force, and butting of all the bare fibers 54a. The connection state can be stably maintained. For this reason, in the optical fiber connector 50, as in the optical fiber connector 1 according to the first embodiment, a sufficient clamping force can be obtained without taking measures such as increasing the thickness of the clamp spring 4. Therefore, there is an advantage that there is almost no change in the outer size, fine adjustment or the like when positioning with high precision to a tool or the like is unnecessary, and the opening and closing workability of the element 1A can be maintained. Also, the center cover 52b of the optical fiber connector 50 is the same as the center cover 1b of the optical fiber connector 1 described in the first embodiment.
Similarly to 7, only in the vicinity of the holding portion 58b, it is sufficient to secure the formation accuracy of the contact surface, and the resin molding is facilitated.
There is an advantage that the cost can be reduced. In addition, the center lid 5
The pressing portion 2b may have a shape slightly (about several μm) protruding from the contact surface.

As the alignment mechanism of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention, a positioning groove other than the V-groove, a positioning groove provided with a microcapillary, a precision rod, and a precision ball can be applied. Alignment mechanisms other than positioning grooves
Optical fibers to be butt-connected are provided individually, for example, a configuration is adopted in which optical fibers are butt-connected between two alignment mechanisms, and the optical fiber between the two alignment mechanisms is connected to the center lid. The holding portion is firmly sandwiched between the base and the base.

[0031]

As described above, according to the optical fiber connector of the present invention, the optical fiber which is butt-connected at the center of the two-part structure element consisting of the base and the lid is connected to the center of the lid. It is a structure that is sandwiched between the base and the holding part provided in the center part of the center lid contact surface that constitutes the part, and the clamping force is concentrated near the holding part. The connection state can be stably maintained by being firmly sandwiched, and even if the element is slightly deformed due to a temperature change, moisture absorption, or the like, a state in which the clamping force is concentrated near the holding portion can be maintained. Therefore, without increasing the clamping force of the clamp spring,
The optical fibers can be securely clamped, the butt connection state between the optical fibers can be stably secured, and the low connection loss between the butt-connected optical fibers can be reduced.
It has an excellent effect that it can be stably maintained for a long time.

According to the optical fiber connector of the second aspect, the plurality of optical fibers, each of which is positioned and aligned by the alignment mechanism provided between the base and the lid constituting the element, is connected to the center. It is sandwiched between the holding part formed in the center part of the lid and the base, and the clamping force of the clamp spring acts intensively on a narrow area near the holding part, so that each optical fiber is firmly clamped. As a result, even if the element is slightly deformed due to temperature change or moisture absorption, the clamped state of all optical fibers can be maintained stably, and the butt connection state of all optical fibers can also be stably maintained. can do. In addition, since all the optical fibers are clamped between the base and the same pressing portion, uneven distribution of the clamping force between the optical fibers is unlikely to occur, and all the optical fibers can be clamped with an equal clamping force. An excellent effect is obtained in that the butt connection state can be reliably maintained for all the optical fibers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a first embodiment of an optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the optical fiber connector of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1 taken along line AA.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1 taken along line BB.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a wedge is inserted into the element of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1 to release the clamping force of the optical fiber core;
It is sectional drawing near a groove.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the central lid constituting the lid of the element of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 2 as viewed from the contact surface side.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

8 is a sectional view of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 7 in the vicinity of a V groove.

9 is a view showing a state in which a wedge is inserted into the element of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 7 to release the clamping force of the optical fiber core;
It is sectional drawing near a groove.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber connector, 2 ... Base, 3 ... Lid, 4 ... Clamp spring, 5 ... Contact surface, 6 ... Contact surface, 7 ... Optical fiber (optical fiber core), 7a ... Optical fiber tip ( Bare fiber), 8: Centering mechanism (V groove), 9: Optical fiber guide groove, 17: Central lid, 17a: Groove, 17b: Holder, 1
8: end cover, 50: optical fiber connector, 50A: element,
51 ... base, 52 ... lid, 52a ... end cover, 52b ...
Central lid, 53 contact surface, 54 optical fiber (tape ribbon), 54a optical fiber tip (bare fiber), 55
Alignment mechanism (V groove), 56 ... optical fiber guide groove, 57 ...
Guide wall, 58a ... groove, 58b ... holding part.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tamaki 1440 Mutsuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Tanaka 1440 Mutsuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant ( 72) Inventor Yasuaki Fujiwara 1440, Musaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant (72) Inventor Masaaki Takaya Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation 3-2-1, Nishishinjuku 3-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Toshiaki Katagiri 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation 2H036 AA02 CA03 CA08 EA01 GA03

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber connector for butt-connecting optical fibers (7, 54), comprising a base (2, 51) and a lid (3, 52) for sandwiching the optical fibers during integration. Element with split structure (1
A, 50A), a clamp spring (4) for maintaining the integrated state of the element by sandwiching the element inside, and the base provided between the base and the lid, from both sides facing the element. And a centering mechanism (8, 55) for positioning and aligning the optical fiber tips (7a, 54a) inserted between the lids so that they can be butt-connected at the center of the element and connected to the element. And an optical fiber guide groove (9, 56) for guiding the optical fiber inserted between the base and the lid from both sides to the alignment mechanism. A central lid (1) for sandwiching the optical fiber inserted in the vicinity between the base and the base.
7, 52b), and end covers (18, 52a) provided on both sides of the center cover, each holding the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber guide groove between the base cover and the base. Abutment surface (6) superimposed on said base of the central lid
A groove (17a, 58a) extending from both sides along the centering axis of the centering mechanism to the center of the contact surface is formed, and the center lid is provided between the grooves on both sides. An optical fiber connector (1, 50) characterized in that an optical fiber is sandwiched between said base and said holding portion (17b, 58b). 2. The base (51) and the lid (5)
Between 2), a plurality of the aligning mechanisms (55) are arranged with their aligning axes aligned in parallel with each other, and a plurality of optical fibers (54a) positioned and aligned by the plurality of aligning mechanisms, respectively. Is configured to be sandwiched between a holding portion (58b) of the center lid (52b) and the base, and the holding portion is formed of a plurality of optical fibers positioned and aligned by the alignment mechanism. The fiber optic connector (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is adapted to abut all.