JP2006018004A - Adapter for optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which an L-shaped optical connector can be inserted from any direction, so that aesthetically superior wiring is possible according to the usage environment, and it can be conveniently used for wiring. And it is providing the adapter for optical connectors which can be used without being aware of the insertion direction of an optical connector.
According to the present invention, a ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of a cylindrical adapter body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both ends of the adapter body are ferrule aligning sleeves. In the optical connector adapter that is abutted in and connected to the connector, it is provided in the vicinity of the opening at both ends of the adapter body 31 so that the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left and right. It has the guides 341-344 for direction alignment provided in the four directions of right and left.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  In the present invention, a ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter body are abutted in the ferrule aligning sleeve. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical connector adapter in which an L-shaped optical connector can be effectively used without limiting the insertion direction of the optical connector.

  As conventional optical connector adapter technology, for example, there is an SC (Single Fiber Coupling) type optical connector adapter. This SC type optical connector adapter is provided with a ferrule aligning sleeve in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter main body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both ends of the adapter main body are used for the ferrule aligning. They are butted together in the sleeve and connected to the connector. Since an optical fiber is thin and easy to break, it is bonded and fixed to the center of a cylindrical rod part called a ferrule. The optical fibers are connected to each other by inserting the ferrules into a ferrule aligning sleeve having elasticity called a split sleeve from both sides and butting them together.

  FIG. 7 is a structural perspective view showing a conventional SC-type optical connector adapter. That is, a through hole 12 is provided in the central shaft portion of the adapter body 11 made of a cylindrical housing, and a ferrule alignment sleeve (not shown) is provided in the through hole 12 in the axial direction. Sleeve holders 13 are provided in the opening portions at both ends of the adapter body 11, and groove-shaped alignment guides 14 for aligning the mounting direction of the optical connector are provided in the vicinity of the opening portions at both ends of the adapter body 11.

  FIG. 8 is a structural perspective view showing a conventional optical connector connection state. That is, the SC-type optical connector adapter 22 as shown in FIG. 7 is attached to the switch box 21 attached to the wall of the building so that one of the opening portions at both ends is opened on the surface. An L-shaped optical connector 23 is inserted into and connected to the surface opening of the SC-type optical connector adapter 22. In this case, the SC-type optical connector adapter 22 is provided with a direction alignment guide 24 that projects the mounting direction of the optical connector, and the direction alignment guide 24 is inserted into the groove-shaped alignment guide 14. Thus, the mounting direction of the L-shaped optical connector 23 is matched.

  However, since the conventional SC-type optical connector adapter 22 has only one directional guide 14, the L-shaped optical connector 23 can be inserted only in one direction.

As a conventional publicly known document, there is an optical fiber connector having only one direction alignment guide in the JIS standard (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
Kimio Hirakawa, editor and publisher "JIS C5973 F04 type single fiber optic connector" Japan Standards Association June 30, 1998 p. 29

  Today, laying of home LAN that can be connected to the Internet freely in any room is becoming popular. Conventionally, in-home LANs using UTP (Unshielded Twisted-Pair) cables have been mainstream, but as services using optical fibers become popular, LANs using optical fiber cables will become widespread in the future.

  If an SC type optical connector adapter as in the prior art is installed in a switch box installed in the room, the optical connector protrudes from the wall and is not aesthetically pleasing. There was a problem.

  Therefore, a method has been adopted in which the protrusion of the optical connector from the wall is reduced by using an L-shaped optical connector, and the beauty and safety are improved.

  However, even if this method is used, if the L-shaped optical connector is inserted, the insertion direction is limited, and the structure of the L-shaped optical connector is not utilized. Also, there was an inconvenience in wiring, and it was necessary to take some measures.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. By adopting a structure in which the L-shaped optical connector can be inserted from any direction, it is possible to achieve an aesthetically pleasing wiring according to the use environment. An object of the present invention is to provide an adapter for an optical connector that can be used conveniently and can be used without being aware of the insertion direction of the optical connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ferrule aligning sleeve in the axial direction of a cylindrical adapter body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter body In an optical connector adapter that is abutted and connected within a sleeve for a core, the optical connector is provided in the vicinity of both ends of the adapter body so that the optical connector can be inserted in four directions (up, down, left, and right). Further, it has a direction alignment guide provided in four directions of up, down, left and right.

  Further, in the adapter for an optical connector according to the present invention, the sleeve holder that holds the ferrule aligning sleeve is opened at both ends of the adapter main body so that the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left, and right. It is provided at the top, bottom, left, and right in the unit.

  In the present invention, a ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter main body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter main body protrude in the ferrule aligning sleeve. In the optical connector adapter to be connected and connected to each other, provided in the vicinity of one end opening portion of the adapter body, the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left, right, up, down, left, right It has the guide for direction alignment provided in these four directions.

  In the optical connector adapter, the sleeve holder for holding the ferrule aligning sleeve is provided on one side of the adapter main body so that the optical connector can be inserted in four directions of up, down, left and right. It is provided on the top, bottom, left and right in the end opening.

  In the present invention, a ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter main body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter main body protrude in the ferrule aligning sleeve. In the optical connector adapter that is connected and connected to the connector, one optical connector insertion port of the adapter main body is connected to the other optical connector insertion port by using the ferrule alignment sleeve as an axis. It is provided so as to be rotatable in a non-contact state.

  In the optical connector adapter according to the present invention, the optical connectors to be connected to each other are SC-type optical connectors.

  In the optical connector adapter according to the present invention, the optical connectors to be connected to the optical connectors are optical connectors having different shapes.

  In the optical connector adapter according to the present invention, an L-shaped optical connector is used as the optical connector.

  The adapter for optical connectors of the present invention has a structure in which the L-shaped optical connector can be inserted from any direction, so that it can be aesthetically pleasing according to the usage environment and can be conveniently used for wiring. And, it can be used without being aware of the insertion direction of the optical connector, and the in-house optical wiring can be spread.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a structural perspective view showing an example of an adapter for an SC type optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, a through hole 32 is provided in the central shaft portion of the adapter main body 31 formed of a rectangular cylindrical housing, and a ferrule alignment sleeve (not shown) is provided in the through hole 32 in the axial direction. In the vicinity of the opening portions at both ends of the adapter main body 31, groove-shaped direction alignment guides 341 to 344 for aligning the mounting direction of the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector are provided correspondingly. The direction adjusting guides 341 to 344 are arranged in four directions in the upper, lower, left and right directions in the vicinity of the opening portions at both ends of the adapter main body 31 so that the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector can be inserted in the four directions. Is provided. Sleeve holders 33 for holding ferrule aligning sleeves are respectively provided in openings at both ends of the adapter body 31. The sleeve holder 33 is arranged so that an L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left and right so as to surround the ferrule aligning sleeve in the openings at both ends of the adapter body 31. Provided on the left and right. Ferrules of L-shaped SC-type optical connectors inserted respectively from the opening portions at both ends of the adapter main body 31 are butted together in the ferrule alignment sleeve and are connected by connectors.

  In the above embodiment, the L-shaped SC-type optical connector is provided with alignment guides that can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left, and right in the vicinity of both ends of the adapter body. Not limited to this, it may be provided only in the vicinity of one end opening of the adapter body. In addition, the sleeve holders for holding the ferrule aligning sleeves are provided on the top, bottom, left, and right in the opening portions at both ends of the adapter main body, but not limited to this.

  FIGS. 2A to 2D are configuration perspective views showing an example of an L-shaped SC-type optical connector connection state according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, an SC type optical connector adapter 42 as shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the switch box 41 attached to the wall of the building so that one of the opening portions at both ends is opened on the surface. An L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is inserted into and connected to the surface opening of the SC-shaped optical connector adapter 42. In this case, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is provided with a direction-aligning guide 44 that aligns the mounting direction of the optical connector, and the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 has the direction-aligning guide 44 as the SC-shaped optical connector 43. The insertion direction of the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is adjusted by being inserted into one of the groove-shaped direction alignment guides 341 to 344 of the optical connector adapter 42. That is, in FIG. 2A, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 direction-aligning guide 44 is inserted into the groove-shaped direction-aligning guide 341 of the SC-shaped optical connector adapter 42, and the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is inserted. This is a case where the optical connector 43 is connected downward. FIG. 2B shows an L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 in which an alignment guide 44 for the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is inserted into a groove-shaped alignment guide 342 of the SC-shaped optical connector adapter 42. This is a case where the connector 43 is connected in the left direction. FIG. 2C shows an L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 in which an alignment guide 44 for the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is inserted into a groove-shaped alignment guide 343 of the SC-shaped optical connector adapter 42. This is a case where the connector 43 is connected upward. FIG. 2D shows an L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 in which an alignment guide 44 for the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 43 is inserted into a groove-shaped alignment guide 344 of the SC-shaped optical connector adapter 42. This is a case where the connector 43 is connected in the lower right direction.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are configuration perspective views showing other examples of the SC type optical connector adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, the adapter main bodies 511 and 512 formed of a cylindrical housing are provided on the same axis so as to be rotatable without being engaged with each other. A through hole 52 is provided in the central shaft portion of the adapter main bodies 511 and 512, and a ferrule aligning sleeve (not shown) is provided in the through hole 52 in the axial direction. A sleeve holder 53 for holding a ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in each of the openings of the adapter bodies 511 and 512, respectively. The optical connector insertion port which is the opening of the adapter main body 511 is not in contact with the optical connector insertion port which is the opening of the adapter main body 512 with the ferrule alignment sleeve as an axis. It is provided rotatably in the state. Ferrules of L-shaped SC-shaped optical connectors respectively inserted from the optical connector insertion ports at both ends of the adapter main bodies 511 and 512 are butted together in the ferrule alignment sleeve and are connected by connectors.

  3A shows a state before the optical connector insertion port which is the opening of the adapter main body 511 is rotated, and FIG. 3B shows the state where the optical connector insertion port which is the opening of the adapter main body 511 is the adapter main body. A state in which the ferrules of the optical connector are rotated in a non-contact state with the ferrule alignment sleeve as an axis with respect to the optical connector insertion port, which is an opening of 512, is shown.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are configuration explanatory views showing a state before connection of connecting the L-shaped SC-type optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention to the SC-type optical connector adapter of FIG. . That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the optical connector insertion port, which is the opening of the adapter main body 511, is in a state before rotation, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 54 is aligned downward. Will be inserted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the optical connector insertion port, which is the opening of the adapter body 511, is rotated by 90 °, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 54 is aligned in the left direction. Will be inserted. Reference numerals 551 and 552 denote ferrule aligning sleeves.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are configuration explanatory views showing a state after connection of connecting the L-shaped SC-type optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention to the SC-type optical connector adapter of FIG. . That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the optical connector insertion port, which is the opening of the adapter body 511, is in a state before being rotated, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 54 is aligned downward. Plugged in and connected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 54 is aligned in the left direction when the optical connector insertion port which is the opening of the adapter main body 511 is rotated by 90 °. Then plugged in and connected.

  FIGS. 6A to 6D are configuration perspective views showing other examples of the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector connection state according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the switch box 61 attached to the wall of the building, an SC-type optical connector adapter 62 as shown in FIG. 3 has the adapter main body 512 fixed inside the switch box 61 and the light that is the opening of the adapter main body 511. A connector insertion port is rotatably attached. An L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 63 is inserted into and connected to the optical connector insertion port, which is an opening of the SC-shaped optical connector adapter 62. In this case, the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 63 is provided with a direction-aligning guide 64 for aligning the mounting direction of the optical connector, and the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 63 has a direction-aligning guide 64 as the SC. The insertion direction of the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector 63 is adjusted by being inserted into the groove-shaped direction adjusting guide 65 of the optical connector adapter 62. That is, FIG. 6A shows a case where the optical connector insertion port of the SC-type optical connector adapter 62 is not rotated, and the L-shaped SC-type optical connector 63 is connected in the downward direction. . FIG. 2B shows the case where the optical connector insertion port of the SC-type optical connector adapter 62 is rotated by 90 °, and the L-shaped SC-type optical connector 63 is connected with its direction aligned to the left. FIG. 2C shows a case where the optical connector insertion port of the SC-type optical connector adapter 62 is rotated by 180 °, and the L-shaped SC-type optical connector 63 is aligned and connected in the upward direction. FIG. 2 (d) shows a case where the optical connector insertion port of the SC-type optical connector adapter 62 is rotated by 270 °, and the L-shaped SC-type optical connector 63 is connected in the right direction.

  In the optical connector adapter according to the present invention, the optical connectors connected to each other may be SC-type optical connectors, or different from each other, such as an SC-type optical connector and an FC (Fiber Connector) -type optical connector. Optical connectors having shapes may be used. Further, the optical connector is not limited to the L-shaped optical connector, and a linear optical connector may be used.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiment examples may be appropriately combined.

It is a composition perspective view showing an example of the adapter for SC type optical connectors concerning the example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a structure perspective view which shows an example of the L-shaped SC type optical connector connection state which concerns on the example of embodiment of this invention. It is a structure perspective view which shows the other example of the adapter for SC type optical connectors which concerns on the example of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view showing a state before connection of connecting the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention to the SC-shaped optical connector adapter of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view showing a state after connection of connecting the L-shaped SC-shaped optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention to the SC-shaped optical connector adapter of FIG. 3. It is a structure perspective view which shows the other example of the L-shaped SC type optical connector connection state which concerns on the example of embodiment of this invention. It is a structure perspective view which shows the conventional adapter for SC type optical connectors. It is a structure perspective view which shows the conventional optical connector connection state.

Explanation of symbols

31 Adapter body 32 Through-hole 33 Sleeve holders 341 to 344 Direction alignment guide

Claims (11)

A ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter main body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter main body are butted together in the ferrule aligning sleeve and are connected to the connector. In the optical connector adapter
Provided in the vicinity of both end openings of the adapter main body, and has direction alignment guides provided in the four directions of up, down, left and right so that the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left and right. An optical connector adapter.   A sleeve holder for holding a ferrule alignment sleeve is provided on each of the upper, lower, left and right sides of the opening of the adapter body so that the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left and right. The adapter for optical connectors according to claim 1. A ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter main body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter main body are butted together in the ferrule aligning sleeve and are connected to the connector. In the optical connector adapter
Orientation guides provided in the vicinity of one end opening of the adapter main body and provided in four directions of up, down, left, and right so that the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of up, down, left and right. An optical connector adapter, comprising:   The sleeve holder for holding the ferrule aligning sleeve should be provided on the top, bottom, left and right inside the one end opening of the adapter body so that the optical connector can be inserted in the four directions of top, bottom, left and right. The optical connector adapter according to claim 3, wherein the adapter is an optical connector adapter.   The optical connector adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical connectors to be connected are SC type optical connectors.   The optical connector adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical connectors to be connected are optical connectors having different shapes.   The optical connector adapter according to claim 1, wherein an L-shaped optical connector is used as the optical connector. A ferrule aligning sleeve is provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical adapter main body, and the ferrules of the optical connectors respectively inserted from both end openings of the adapter main body are butted together in the ferrule aligning sleeve and are connected to the connector. In the optical connector adapter
One optical connector insertion port of the adapter body is provided rotatably with respect to the other optical connector insertion port with the ferrule alignment sleeve as an axis in a non-contact state. Features an adapter for optical connectors.   The optical connector adapter according to claim 8, wherein the optical connectors to be connected are SC-type optical connectors.   The optical connector adapter according to claim 8, wherein the optical connectors to be connected to the connectors are optical connectors having different shapes.   11. The optical connector adapter according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein an L-shaped optical connector is used as the optical connector.

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