JP2008135408A - Power-light composite plug connector, optical network system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power-light composite plug connector which can be easily used by branching a composite cable integrated with a power supply code and an optical cable. <P>SOLUTION: The connector is provided with a plurality of plug acceptors for power lines, a plurality of plug acceptors for optical signal lines, a power-light composite plug, and a signal transmission part which outputs an optical signal input through the power-light composite plug to the plug acceptor for the optical signal lines, as well as outputs an optical signal input through the plurality of the plug acceptors for optical signal lines to the power-light composite plug. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power / optical composite plug-in connector and an optical network system using a power / optical composite connector that performs both power and optical fiber connection functions.

  Conventionally, commercial power has been provided with an insertion plug having two electrodes at one end of a power cord or three electrodes with a ground electrode added thereto, and this insertion plug is inserted into an outlet as an insertion connector from a switchboard. The power supply line and the power line of the power cord are connected. The other end of such a power cord is connected to, for example, a power supply unit of a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a personal computer) to constitute a power supply system to the personal computer.

Recently, there are many examples where a local area network (LAN) is formed by a plurality of personal computers and printers (hereinafter represented by personal computers for the sake of simplicity) to enable mutual data exchange. However, optical fibers are becoming widespread as LAN signal lines.
In this case, the personal computer as a terminal forming the LAN naturally requires power supply and optical fiber connection, so the personal computer connects the power supply unit and the outlet with the power cord described above, and the optical terminal and the LAN. The HUBs (hubs) are connected with an optical cable.

That is, at least the power cord and the optical cable extend from the personal computer, and the wiring is congested.
Thus, as a countermeasure against wiring congestion, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 propose a composite cable in which a power cord and an optical cable are integrated.
That is, in these composite cables, the power supply line and the optical fiber are embedded in a common sheath, and the whole is made into one cable.
According to the composite cable in which the power cord and the optical cable proposed in the above document are integrated, there is an advantage that the number of wires on the way is reduced and simplified.
JP 2001-266665 A JP 2001-318286 A

By the way, it is a kind of plug receptacle of a conventional plug connector, and it is composed of a plurality of blade receptacles, a cord connection portion, a power source insertion blade, etc., and a plurality of branch connections can be made from a single outlet or cord, and fixed. A multi-tap such as a table tap or a triangular tap is known as one that is not used.
On the other hand, the conventional composite cable is limited to connecting a single power line and optical fiber, and does not have a multi-tap function.
Therefore, for example, when a power cord and an optical cable are to be connected to a plurality of personal computers, the wiring is still congested.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to transmit power and an optical signal reliably and to use a power / light suitable for branching a composite cable in which a power cord and an optical cable are integrated. The object is to provide a composite plug receptacle and a power / optical composite plug connector.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a network system of the present invention includes an optical network using an optical fiber that transmits an optical signal, an electrode, and an optical fiber support structure that supports the optical fiber, and the power and the optical fiber. In an optical network system comprising: a power / optical composite connector that fulfills both connection functions; and a device connected to the optical network, the power / optical composite connector includes the following (1) to (3): Any one or more requirements were to be provided. (1) The power / optical composite connector on the female side provided with an energization part that contacts the electrode with the other electrode and the optical fiber support structure on the back side of the energization part coaxial with the electrode. (2) The female-side power / optical composite connector provided with an optical connector that opposes the end face of its own optical fiber and the end face of the counterpart optical fiber so that the optical connector is slidable in the axial direction. (3) The electrode has a cylindrical portion with a bottom wall provided on the distal end side, the optical fiber support structure is held by the cylindrical portion, and the optical fiber support structure protrudes outward from the bottom wall. The power / optical composite connector on the male side.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing any one or more requirements of following (4)-(8). (4) A ferrule is used for the optical fiber support structure. (5) The power is commercial power. (6) The device is connected to the optical fiber. (7) A composite cable in which an electric wire and the optical fiber are integrated is used. (8) The power / optical composite connector, the optical fiber, and an optical coupler for branching the optical fiber into a plurality of branches, and using the optical coupler to branch the optical fiber into a plurality of A power / optical composite plug connector in which the power / optical composite connector is connected to the optical fiber is used.

  The power / optical composite connector of the present invention includes an electrode and an optical fiber support structure that supports the optical fiber, and the power / optical composite connector that performs a function of connecting both the power and the optical fiber. The structure of the power / optical composite connector according to any one of (1) to (3) is provided.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing the requirements in any one of following (a)-(b). (A) The optical fiber support structure is held by a cylindrical portion, and is supported by the power / optical composite connector in a state where the cylindrical portion can swing. (B) The power is commercial power.

  A power / optical composite plug connector of the present invention comprises the above power / optical composite connector, an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal, and an optical coupler for branching the optical fiber into a plurality of optical couplers. The optical fiber is branched into a plurality of parts using a container, and the power / optical composite connector is connected to one of the optical fibers.

  The device of the present invention is a device connected to an optical network using an optical fiber that transmits an optical signal, and is connected to the optical network using the power / optical composite connector.

  Further, any of the following requirements (c) to (d) may be provided. (C) The power is commercial power. (D) having the wireless communication function for performing wireless communication with an external device having a wireless communication function, and connecting the external device to the optical network.

  In the composite cable of the present invention, in the composite cable in which the electric wire and the optical fiber are integrated, the above power / optical composite connector is provided at one end.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably transmit electric power and an optical signal, branch a composite cable in which a power cord and an optical cable are integrated, and simplify wiring around a connection portion.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[1] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a table tap as a power / optical composite plug-in connector according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the connection state of the table taps.
The table tap 100 includes a table tap main body 110 and a plug 60 when roughly classified. In this case, the table tap functions as a combined power / optical plug connector, and the optical signal input from the plug 60 side is a wavelength multiplexed signal.
In this embodiment, the wavelength multiplexed signal is used as the optical signal by one optical fiber, and the full-duplex communication uplink signal, downlink signal, and USB electrical signal used in the optical LAN are replaced with the optical signal. This is because a USB signal used as a light source and a television signal used as an optical signal are handled in parallel. That is, this is because optical communication is performed using different optical wavelengths (target single-wavelength signals) for LAN optical devices, USB optical devices, and television signal optical devices.

The table tap body 110 includes a power supply circuit 111 that supplies power to each part of the table tap body, a first plug receiver 112 that receives an external plug, a second plug receiver 113 that receives an external plug, When a USB signal (electrical signal), which will be described later, is replaced with an optical signal and used, an optical signal (target single wavelength signal) of a USB optical device 117, which will be described later, is blocked, and the table tap body 110 is regarded as a USB hub. If the USB device connected to the tap body 110 has an optical filter 114 for configuring a USB connection and an antenna 115, and the external wireless USB host device or the self functions as a wireless USB host, the external device Wireless USB circuit 116 for wireless USB connection with a wireless USB device, US Protocol conversion between the USB optical device 117, which is an optical element that performs mutual conversion between an optical signal and an electrical signal, and a LAN / USB protocol, and has a MAC address and cooperates with the wireless USB circuit 116. A LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 118 that executes a processing sequence at the time of initial connection, which will be described later, a LAN optical device 119 that is an optical element that performs mutual conversion between an optical signal and an electrical signal, and a first plug receiver 112. And optical plug 114 and optical filter 114, USB optical device 117, or LAN optical device 119 for combining optical signals (mixing single wavelength signals into optical wavelength multiplexed signals) and distributing (optical wavelength). And an optical combiner / distributor 120 that distributes all the optical fibers connected to the multiplexed signal. In this embodiment, the single wavelength signal is mixed using the optical combiner / distributor 120 to form an optical wavelength multiplexed signal, whereby one optical fiber supported by the ferrule can be obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary to control the attitude of the ferrule around the axis.
In this case, the first plug receiver 112 and the second plug receiver 113 physically have the same configuration. In order to prevent two or more LAN connection devices from communicating simultaneously, an access method for these LAN connection devices that can avoid collision of optical signals is adopted. For example, the CSMA / CD method is used as the access method.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plug 60 is connected to an outlet 30 that is a plug connector attached to a wall surface in the room.
The outlet 30 has a power supply line 18 and a ground line 19 extending from the switchboard 10. The switchboard 10 is connected to the commercial power line 12.
The switchboard 10 is provided with a hub (HUB) 14 for forming a LAN, and an optical fiber 20 extends from the hub 14 to an outlet 30.
Between the switchboard 10 and the outlet 30, a composite cable 16 in which an optical fiber is composited with a VVF (vinyl insulated vinyl sheath flat cable) is used.
The outlet 30 houses two power electrodes 40 and a ground electrode 45 in a casing 31 formed by a front plate 32 and a frame 36 coupled to the back side thereof. Here, the frame 36 is made of resin, and the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 are molded on the frame 36 and rise from the bottom wall of the frame toward the front plate 32.
Since the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 are provided with the power supply line 18 inserted from the outside of the frame 36 and the wire connection portions 41 and 46 engaged in a wedge shape with the ground wire 19 at the respective base portions, the power supply line 18 and the ground wire 19 are connected to each electrode simply by inserting the exposed core wire, and are difficult to be removed.

On the other hand, the front end sides of the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 respectively extend to the vicinity of the front plate 32 and become current-carrying portions 42 and 47 that can come into contact with the power electrode and the ground electrode of the plug 60 described later.
The energizing portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30 is formed with a bulging portion 43 that protrudes toward the contact surface with the power electrode of the plug 60.
The ground electrode 45 rises from the bottom wall of the frame 36 and is offset by a predetermined amount along the front plate 32 toward the power electrode 40. The tip of the ground electrode 45 is a current-carrying portion 47, which is L-shaped as a whole.
In the front plate 32, electrode insertion holes 33 and 34 for receiving the power electrode of the plug and electrode insertion for receiving the ground electrode are inserted into portions corresponding to the respective power electrodes 40 (the current supplying portion 42) and the ground electrode 45 (the current supplying portion 47). A hole 35 is provided.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the outlet.
As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode insertion holes 33 and 34 for the power electrodes are arranged in parallel to face each other at a predetermined interval, and the electrode insertion hole 35 for the ground electrode is located below the intermediate position of the electrode insertion holes 33 and 34. Has been placed. The arrangement of the three electrode insertion holes is, for example, the same standard as an outlet on the market (for example, an outlet with a JIS C8303 two-pole grounding electrode).
2 corresponds to a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and shows only one of the pair of power electrodes 40, and also shows only one side of the power supply line 18 and a power supply line 88 described later.
The frame 36 is further provided with an optical connector support portion 37 that reaches the front plate 32 from the bottom wall.
The optical connector support part 37 is provided with a slide hole 38 parallel to the plugging / unplugging direction of the ground electrode of the plug, and the slide hole 38 is aligned with the energization part 47 of the ground electrode 45. For this reason, a part of the side wall of the slide hole 38 is cut away so that the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 faces the slide hole 38. The slide hole 38 passes through the bottom wall of the frame 36.

An optical connector 50 is slidably inserted into the slide hole 38 of the optical connector support portion 37. A guide pin 54 is provided on the side wall of the optical connector 50, and the guide pin 54 is guided in a long hole-shaped guide hole 39 formed in the side wall of the slide hole 38, so that the slide range of the optical connector 50 is limited to a predetermined range. It has come to be. Further, when the guide pin 54 engages with the guide hole 39, the rotation of the optical connector 50 around the axis is restricted.
The guide pin 54 passes through the guide hole 39 and protrudes to the outside of the side wall, and a tension spring 55 is provided between the tip of the guide pin 54 and the end of the optical connector support portion 37 on the front plate 32 side. Thereby, the optical connector 50 is always urged in the direction of the front plate 32, and in a free state, one end is in a position close to the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of the optical connector.
The optical connector 50 includes a main body 51 (= functions as a receptacle) provided with a ferrule hole 56 (= functions as a sleeve) that penetrates the axis thereof, and a cap 52 provided with a spring accommodating chamber 53. It extends from the main body 51.
A ferrule 90 supported by the connecting block 92 is inserted into the ferrule hole 56 from the cap 52 side.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view for explaining a connection structure between an optical fiber and a ferrule.
Fig.5 (a) shows a longitudinal cross section, FIG.5 (b) shows the BB part cross section in Fig.5 (a).
In the present embodiment, a two-core ferrule is used as the ferrule. The optical fiber core wire 20a (which covers two optical fiber strands) extending from the switchboard 10 is stripped and the optical fiber strand 20b is inserted into a connecting block 92 coupled to the ferrule 90, and further the optical fiber strand The optical fiber 20c from which the protective member 20b has been peeled extends to the tip of the ferrule 90 and is embedded.
The ferrule 90 is made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS) or zirconia ceramic, and the tip thereof is polished so as to be a surface perpendicular to the axial direction together with the end surface of the optical fiber 20c.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 5B, the cross section of the ferrule 90 has a semicircular shape with a part cut.
In the present application, the optical fiber core wire 20a, the optical fiber strand 20b, and the optical fiber 20c in the optical fiber strand are collectively described as the “optical fiber” 20 unless it is necessary to distinguish them.

As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 57 for slidably receiving the connecting block 92 is formed at the end of the main body 51 on the cap 52 side.
The cap 52 is fixed to a side of the main body 51 far from the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 by screwing or bonding, and a spring 58 disposed in the spring accommodating chamber 53 urges the connecting block 92 to energize the ferrule hole 56. It is pressed against the opening end face on the side far from 47.

The optical fiber 20 is connected to the connecting block 92 and the ferrule 90 through a hole provided in the bottom wall of the cap 52.
The ferrule hole 56 of the main body 51 of the optical connector 50 has a semicircular cross section that matches the shape of the cross section of the ferrule 90. Thereby, the attitude | position of the periphery of the axis of the ferrule 90 with respect to the main body 51 of the optical connector 50 is prescribed | regulated. A slit 59 for receiving a protector section to be described later is formed on the end surface of the optical connector 50 facing the front plate 32 of the main body 51.

Next, the male plug 60 that is provided at the end of the composite cable 86 extending from the table tap body 110 and is inserted into the outlet 30 will be described.
The plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30 to connect the power line 88 and the optical fiber 20 ′ of the composite cable 86 to the power supply line 18 and the optical fiber 20 on the switchboard 10 side, respectively. Wire 89 is connected to ground wire 19.
The plug 60 includes a cap plate 61 that fixes and supports the power electrode 65 and the ground electrode 70 by a resin mold, and a case 62 whose opening is sealed by the cap plate 61. The surface of the cap plate 61 is a surface facing the front plate 32 of the outlet 30.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the plug.
As shown in FIG. 6, the arrangement of the electrodes 65, 65, 70 is the same standard as that distributed in the market corresponding to the electrode insertion holes 33, 34, 35 of the outlet 30. The ground electrode 70 has a cross section that can be inserted into the ground electrode of an existing commercial power outlet installed on the wall surface of a house, for example.
2 and 6, the thickness of the ground electrode 70 is drawn larger than the actual thickness for easy understanding.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the power electrode 65 extends perpendicularly outward from the wall surface of the cap plate 61 and serves as a contact portion with the energization portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30. The other end of the power electrode 65 is a connection portion with the power supply line 88 in the case 62.
Near the tip of the contact portion of the power electrode 65, a round hole 66 that engages with the bulging portion 43 formed in the energization portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30 is provided. The engagement relationship between the bulging portion 43 and the round hole 66 is a known structure, thereby enhancing the function of preventing the plug 60 from coming off.
One end of the ground electrode 70 also extends perpendicularly outward from the wall surface of the cap plate 61 and serves as a contact portion with the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 of the outlet. The other end of the ground electrode 70 is a connection portion with the ground wire 89 in the case 62. In this case, if the current-carrying portion 47 is made of an elastic conductive member having elasticity, electrical contact can be further ensured.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the ground electrode.
The ground electrode 70 includes a cylindrical portion 71 having a bottom wall 72 at an outer distal end portion, and a protector portion 78 extending outward from the distal end (bottom wall 72) of the cylindrical portion 71.
The protruding length of the cylindrical portion 71 from the cap plate 61 is set to be shorter than the power electrode 65.
A connecting block 92 ′ supporting a ferrule 90 ′ is slidably accommodated at the distal end side in the cylindrical portion 71, and an inner cylinder 73 is inserted and fixed on the root side so that the distal end of the inner cylinder 73 and the connecting block 92 ′ are connected. A spring 58 'is arranged between them. The connecting block 92 ′ is urged by the spring 58 ′ and is pressed against the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71. A ferrule 90 ′ extending from the connecting block 92 ′ extends outward through a hole 75 provided in the bottom wall 72.

Although not shown in particular, the hole 75 in the bottom wall 72 has a shape that matches the cross section of the ferrule 90 ', thereby defining the attitude of the ferrule 90' in the direction around the axis. The orientation of the ferrule 90 ′ is set so as to coincide with the orientation of the ferrule 90 in the optical connector 50 of the outlet when the plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30.
The shapes and sizes of the ferrule 90 ′ and the connecting block 92 ′ are the same as those of the ferrule 90 and the connecting block 92 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the protector portion 78 surrounds the ferrule 90 ′ protruding from the bottom wall 72 with a predetermined gap, and its outer peripheral surface extends a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 71 as it is in the axial direction. Is.
The range in which the protector portion 78 surrounds the ferrule 90 'is preferably set to be a semicircle or more in the cross section. Further, the length of the protector portion 78 is preferably the same as or slightly shorter than the maximum protruding length of the ferrule 90 ′ when the connecting block 92 ′ is pressed against the bottom wall 72.

  The length of the cylindrical portion 71 protruding from the wall surface of the cap plate 61 is such that when the plug plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30 and the cap plate 61 and the front plate 32 come into contact with each other, the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71 and the optical connector. However, even if the bottom wall 72 and the end face of the optical connector 50 come into contact with each other due to an error or the like, the optical connector 50 can slide. The error is absorbed. Further, the depth of the slit 59 of the optical connector 50 is set to such an extent that the protector portion 78 does not bottom out, but even if there is an error, it is similarly absorbed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the composite cable 86 is drawn into the case 62 through a hole provided at the top thereof, and the power line 88 and the ground line 89 are connected to the power electrode 65 and the base of the ground electrode 70 (the connecting portion) as described above. ) Is connected by caulking or the like. The optical fiber 20 ′ is connected to the connecting block 92 ′ (and the ferrule 90 ′) through the inner tube 73 of the ground electrode.
The connection structure between the optical fiber 20 ′, the connecting block 92 ′, and the ferrule 90 ′ is the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state in which the plug of the table tap is inserted into the outlet.
As shown in FIG. 8, the power electrode 65 of the plug plug 60 comes into contact with the energizing portion 42 of the power electrode 40 of the outlet 30 to be in a power energized state, and the power supply line 18 and the power supply line 88 are connected.
The ground electrode 70 of the plug 60 is in contact with the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 of the outlet 30 so that the ground wire 19 and the ground wire 89 are connected.
Then, the ferrule 90 ′ protruding from the tip of the cylindrical portion 71 enters the ferrule hole 56 of the optical connector 50 of the outlet, and the tip is abutted against and abutted against the tip of the ferrule 90 accommodated in the ferrule hole.

At this time, since the orientations of the ferrules 90 and 90 ′ in the direction around the axis are set to coincide with each other, the two-core optical fibers at the end surfaces of the ferrules face each other with high accuracy. Thereby, the optical fiber 20 and the optical fiber 20 ′ are connected.
During this time, the protector portion 78 that protects the ferrule 90 ′ protruding from the cylindrical portion 71 is received by the slit 59 of the optical connector 50, so that it does not interfere with the optical connector 50.

This embodiment is configured as described above, and the paired outlet 30 and the plug 60 are connected to the power electrodes 40 and 65, the ground electrodes 45 and 70, and the optical fibers 20 and 20 ', respectively, and grounded. The ferrules 90 and 90 'are arranged coaxially with the electrodes 45 and 70. When the power electrode and the ground electrode are connected to the other power electrode and the ground electrode, respectively, the end surfaces of the ferrules 90 and 90' are the other party. Therefore, the connection of the power supply system and the connection of the optical fiber are simultaneously performed by a simple operation of inserting the plug 60 into the outlet 30. Similarly, the connection of the power supply system and the connection of the optical fiber are simultaneously performed by a simple operation of inserting the plug of the device into the first plug receiver 112 or the second plug receiver 113 of the table tap 100.
Therefore, the wiring around the connection portion is simplified by combining the power cable 88 and the like with the composite cable 86 in which the optical fiber 20 ′ is integrated.
Furthermore, the power line and the optical fiber can be extended by a simple operation of inserting the plug 60 of another table tap 100 into the first plug receptacle 112 or the second plug receptacle 113 of the table tap 100. The user's system can be expanded without performing the above.

  In these cases, the ferrule 90 ′ of the plug 60 is urged outwardly by the spring 58 ′, and the connecting block 92 ′ is pressed against the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71. Although positioned, it is slidable with respect to the cylindrical portion 71 of the ground electrode. Therefore, when the ferrule 90 ′ receives an external force such as abutting against the ferrule 90 of the outlet when the plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30, the ferrule 90 ′ moves backward in the axial direction against the spring 58 ′ and absorbs the external force. The surface pressure on the end face of the ferrule 90 ′ is set to an appropriate level.

  On the other hand, the ferrule 90 of the outlet 30 or the ferrule of the first plug receiver 112 or the second plug receiver 113 is also biased in the direction of the energization portion 47 of the ground electrode by the spring 58, and the connecting block 92 is connected to the ferrule of the optical connector 50 Although it is positioned at a position pressed against the opening end surface of the hole 56 far from the energizing portion 47, it can slide with respect to the ferrule hole 56, so that it enters the ferrule hole 56 from the opening on the energizing portion 47 side. When it comes into contact with the ferrule 90 'of the plug 60, the surface pressure between the ferrule end faces is reduced at the position where the urging forces applied to the ferrules 90, 90' are balanced against the spring 58 in the axial direction. It will be a moderate level.

  Since the ground electrode 70 of the plug 60 includes a protector portion 78 extending outward from the bottom wall 72 of the cylindrical portion 71, even if the ferrule 90 ′ protrudes from the cylindrical portion 71, this is covered and other objects are covered. Damage to the ferrule 90 'is prevented even if it collides. And since the external shape of the protector part 78 is in the external cross section of the cylinder part 71, the function as a ground electrode is not impaired.

  Further, the optical connector 50 of the outlet 30 is urged by the tension spring 55 and one end is set at a position close to the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45, but is slidable in the axial direction. Even if the length of the ground electrode of the plug inserted into the connector interferes with the optical connector at the set position, the interference is prevented by the backward movement of the optical connector 50 by sliding. Thereby, even if the length of the ground electrode of a normal male plug varies, compatibility can still be maintained.

The optical fibers 20 and 20 ′ are aligned by aligning the cross-sectional shape of the ferrule hole 56 with the cross-sectional shape of the ferrules 90 and 90 ′. The cross-section of the connecting blocks 92 and 92 ′ supporting the ferrule is a quadrangle other than a circle, for example, and the cross-section of the sliding area of the connecting block is matched with the cross-sectional shape of the connecting block. Highly accurate centering can be achieved by regulating the posture.
In addition, although the example using the two-core optical fibers 20 and 20 ′ is shown, the number of cores of the optical fiber may be set as necessary, and a ferrule corresponding to the number of cores may be used.
In particular, in the case of a single core, by setting an optical fiber at the axis of the ferrule, the ferrule can have a circular cross section without the need to regulate its posture.

The connection structure between each electrode and the power supply line, the power supply line, and the ground line is not limited to the illustrated structure, and a known structure can be arbitrarily adopted.
In addition, the arrangement and size of each power electrode and ground electrode on the male side and female side are the same as the standard for plugs and outlets for commercial power, but if the standard is revised or the standard differs from country to country, What is necessary is just to set suitably so that the specification in each area may be satisfied.
The protector portion 78 covers a part of the periphery of the ferrule 90 ′ protruding from the cylindrical portion 71 of the ground electrode 70, but may also surround the entire circumference.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the ferrule connected to the optical fiber on the plug side is supported by the ground electrode. However, the power electrode may have a cylindrical cross section regardless of the presence or absence of the ground electrode. For example, the ferrule may be supported by the power electrode instead of the ground electrode.
It is also possible to assign a single core ferrule to each power electrode. In this case, the outlet-side optical connector 50 is also arranged on the back side in the axial direction of the corresponding power electrode. In any case, the optical fiber is arranged on the central axis by adopting the cross-sectional structure of the composite cable 86, so that it can be easily routed.

Moreover, by forming the ferrule on the plug side with a highly conductive metal material, the ferrule itself can be used also as a power electrode or a ground electrode.
In this case, the ferrule hole 56 of the optical connector 50 also has a large diameter corresponding to the ferrule on the plug side.
Furthermore, the optical connector 50 can also be used as a power electrode or a ground electrode.

In the above description, the case where the power line and the optical fiber provided in the outlet 30 are simply extended by the table tap 100 has been described. However, the power line and the optical fiber are not necessarily drawn into all the outlets in each household. .
Therefore, in such a case, the wireless USB circuit 116 built in the table tap 100 (hereinafter referred to as the parent table tap 100P) connected to the outlet 30 into which the power line and the optical fiber are drawn is operated to operate the power line. The wireless USB circuit 116 built in the table tap 100 (hereinafter referred to as a child table tap 100C) connected to another outlet into which the optical fiber is not drawn functions as a USB device (or USB host), A device connected to the child table tap 100C through the wireless USB connection can also use the optical communication network via the optical fiber connected to the parent table tap 100P.

Here, the procedure up to the actual connection will be described.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure at the time of initial connection.
FIG. 10 is a processing sequence at the time of initial connection.
First, the user inserts the plug 60 of the child table tap 100C, which is the table tap 100 scheduled to be connected to another outlet into which the optical fiber is not drawn, by using only the power line. The plug is inserted into the two plug receiver 113 (step S1).
As a result, power is supplied from the power line to the child table tap 100C, and power is supplied from the power supply circuit 111 to the wireless USB circuit 116 and the LAN / USB protocol converter 118.
As a result, the wireless USB circuit 116 of the child table tap 100C functioning as a wireless USB device requests a connection key and broadcasts its own device ID (step S11).

As a result, the wireless USB circuit 116 of the parent table tap 100P functioning as a wireless USB host creates a connection key, and stores the device ID of the wireless USB circuit 116 of the child table tap 100C transmitted in step S11 and the created connection key. (Step S12).
Subsequently, the wireless USB circuit 116 of the parent table tap 100P notifies its own host ID and connection key (step S13).
Thereby, the wireless USB circuit 116 of the child table tap 100C determines whether or not the connection key has been notified within a predetermined time from the connection key request timing in step S11 (step S14).

If it is determined in step S14 that the connection key is notified within a predetermined time from the connection key request timing (step S14; Yes), the host ID and the connection key are stored (step S15).
Then, the child table tap 100C causes the wireless USB circuit 116 to function as a wireless USB host thereafter (step S16).
If the connection key is not notified within the predetermined time from the connection key request timing in the determination in step S14 (step S14; No), the child table tap 100C causes the wireless USB circuit 116 to function as a wireless USB device. (Step S17), a wireless connection is attempted to one of the wireless USB hosts (Step S18).

Then, the child table tap 100C determines whether or not the wireless USB circuit 116 has been connected to any wireless USB host (step S19).
In the determination in step S19, if the wireless USB circuit 116 can be connected to any of the wireless USB hosts (step S19; Yes), the child table tap 100C may function as a wireless USB device. The state of is maintained.
In the determination of step S19, the child table tap 100C needs to function as a wireless USB host when the wireless USB circuit 116 cannot be connected to any wireless USB host (step S19; No). Thereafter, the wireless USB circuit 116 is caused to function as a wireless USB host.
As a result, the wireless USB circuit 116 built in the child table tap 100C connected to the other outlet without the optical fiber only by the power line functions as a USB device or a USB host. The device connected to the table tap 100C can also use the optical communication network via the optical fiber connected to the parent table tap 100P.

In this case, each wireless USB circuit 116 is peer-to-peer connected as a wireless USB device to an external wireless USB host, or peer-to-peer connected as a wireless USB host to an external wireless USB device. The wireless frame data including LAN frame data (= LAN data) or non-LAN frame data (= USB data) is received. As a result, the wireless USB circuit 116 analyzes the wireless frame data, extracts the LAN frame data, and outputs the LAN frame data to the LAN optical device 119 via the LAN / USB protocol converter 118. The LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 118 has a MAC address, and outputs the LAN frame data extracted by the wireless USB circuit 116 to the LAN optical device 119. Here, the LAN / USB protocol conversion unit 118 may include a bridge function that relays LAN frame data by referring to the destination MAC address of the LAN frame data.
Each wireless USB circuit 116 extracts USB data that is non-LAN frame data and outputs the extracted USB data to the USB optical device 117.
As a result, the LAN optical device 119 functions as a LAN frame data processing unit and processes LAN frame data. The USB optical device 117 functions as a non-LAN frame data processing unit, and processes USB data as non-LAN frame data.

11 to 13 are modified examples of the embodiment.
The above description is a case where the power / optical composite plug connector is configured as a single unit as a table tap. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the power / optical composite plug connector is connected to the plug 60 and the power supply unit. 130, and an optical device and a signal processing circuit corresponding to the device are provided on the mother boards 140A to 140C corresponding to the function of the desired device, thereby integrating the power / optical composite plug connector with various devices. Can be configured.
Specifically, FIG. 11 is a configuration example in the case where a LAN device is integrated with a power / optical composite connector, and the motherboard 140A includes a LAN optical device 119 functioning as a LAN frame data processing unit, a LAN A LAN protocol processing unit 121 that performs protocol processing is provided.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration example when the USB device is integrated with the composite power / optical connector, and the motherboard 140B includes a USB optical device 117 that functions as a non-LAN frame data processing unit, and USB protocol processing. A USB protocol processing unit 123 is provided.
FIG. 13 shows a configuration example when the television is integrated with the power / optical composite plug connector, and the motherboard 140C includes a television signal light device 124 that functions as a non-LAN frame data processing unit, and a television image. And a television receiver circuit 125 that performs display. The television signal light device 124 shown in FIG. 13 uses an optical communication network via an optical fiber as a television antenna wiring.
The integration of the above-described devices with the power / optical composite plug connector is an example, and can be applied to various devices.

  In the above description, the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber is an optical wavelength multiplex signal, and the power / optical composite plug connector receives each optical signal input via the power / optical composite plug. The optical signal line plug receptacle is distributed in correspondence with the optical signal line plug receptacle and output to the optical signal line receptacle, and the optical signal input through the plurality of optical signal line receptacles is combined to produce a power / optical composite difference. However, a plurality of optical signals are input via the power / optical composite plug, and a plurality of optical signals are input to each optical signal line plug receiver. The signal is output through a predetermined optical transmission line among the transmission lines. In addition, a plurality of optical signals input through a plurality of optical signal line plug receptacles are output to a power / optical composite plug through a predetermined optical transmission path among the plurality of optical transmission paths. It is also possible to do. That is, each optical transmission path of a power / optical composite plug having a plurality of optical transmission paths can be configured to be separately connected to a plurality of plug receptacles. More specifically, in the case of a power / optical composite plug having six systems of optical transmission paths, the optical transmission paths are individually connected to six plug receptacles.

[2] Second Embodiment FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment.
In the second embodiment described below, portions that are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
The outlet 30A as the power / optical composite plug receptacle of the second embodiment is similar to the outlet 30 of the first embodiment in the casing 31 formed by the front plate 32 and the frame 36 coupled to the back side thereof. In addition, two power electrodes 40 and a ground electrode 45 are accommodated. The frame 36 is made of resin, and the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 are molded on the frame 36 and rise from the bottom wall of the frame toward the front plate 32. Moreover, since the power electrode 40 and the ground electrode 45 are provided with electric wire connection portions 41 and 46 engaged in a wedge shape with the power supply line 18 and the ground wire 19 inserted from the outside of the frame 36 at the respective base portions. The supply line 18 and the ground line 19 are connected to the respective electrodes simply by inserting the bare core wire, and are difficult to disconnect.

  The ground electrode 45 rises from the bottom wall of the frame 36 and is offset by a predetermined amount along the front plate 32 toward the power electrode 40. The tip of the ground electrode 45 is a current-carrying portion 47, which is L-shaped as a whole. The front plate 32 has electrode insertion holes 33 and 34 for receiving the power electrodes of the plugs and electrode insertion holes for receiving the ground electrodes at portions corresponding to the respective power electrodes (current supply portions 42) and the ground electrodes 45 (current supply portions 47). 35 is provided.

Further, the optical connector body 51A is slidably supported on the frame 36. The optical connector main body 51 </ b> A is accommodated in the slide hole 38. The slide hole 38 is parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the ground electrode 70 of the insertion plug 60, and is aligned with the energization portion 47 of the ground electrode 45. For this reason, a part of the side wall of the slide hole 38 is cut away so that the energizing portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 faces the slide hole 38.
The slide hole 38 passes through the bottom wall of the frame 36, and a spring support 52B is fitted into the end of the slide hole 38, and a spring 132 is disposed between the spring support 52B and the optical connector main body 51A. Yes. The optical connector main body 51 </ b> A is slidably disposed inside the slide hole 38 and is biased toward the front plate 32 by a spring 132.

  The optical connector main body 51A (= functions as a receptacle) is provided with a ferrule hole 56A (= functions as a sleeve) penetrating the axis. The ferrule hole 56A communicates with a through hole formed in the spring support 52B, and the end of the through hole is closed with a cap 52A. And the ferrule 90 supported by the connecting block similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above in the ferrule hole 56A is inserted from the cap 52A side. A spring is disposed between the connecting block of the ferrule 90 and the cap 52A, and the ferrule 90 is urged toward the front plate 32 by the spring. In addition, a hole for passing the optical fiber 20 connected to the ferrule 90 passes through the cap 52A. This hole communicates with a through hole formed in the frame rear end portion 133 fixed to the rear end of the cap 52A, and the optical fiber 20 passes through the frame rear end portion 133 from the cap 52A. The frame rear end portion 133 is a member that fixes the cap 52A to the frame 36, and is formed integrally with the frame 36, or formed as a separate body and fixed to the frame 36. By this frame rear end portion 133, the cap 52A and the spring support body 52B are supported and fixed without falling off against the biasing force of the spring 132.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which the plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30A.
As shown in FIG. 15, when the plug 60 is inserted into the outlet 30A, the ground electrode 70 constituting the plug 60 is brought into contact with the current-carrying portion 47 of the ground electrode 45, and the optical connector main body. 51A is pushed against the biasing force of the spring 132.
Here, the protector portion 78 of the ground electrode 70 pushes in the optical connector main body 51A while engaging with the optical connector main body 51A of the outlet 30A. Since the optical connector main body 51A is provided with a hole 51B that functions as a receptacle for positioning the ferrule 90 ', the optical connector main body 51A is inserted into the plug by connecting the protector 78 and the hole 51B. The ferrule 90 'constituting the insertion plug 60 is guided to a predetermined position while sliding backward in the biased state according to the insertion of the 60, so that the ferrule 90 of the outlet 30A is stored in a protected state. Nevertheless, it is abutted against the ferrule 90 and can be reliably optically coupled.

  As a result, the ferrule 90 of the outlet 30A can reduce the depth because the optical connector main body 51A absorbs excessive movement during the optical connection, so that it hardly needs to be moved in the outlet 30A. The storage space of the outlet can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the ground electrode 70 and the ferrule 90 ′ constituting the insertion plug 60 are fixed to the cap plate 61 (see FIG. 2). However, in the second embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the ground electrode 70 and the ferrule 90 ′ constituting the plug 60 are connected to the cap plate 61 (= the power / light composite plug plug main body through a buffer material 135 formed of an elastic member such as rubber. Is supported to be swingable. For this reason, when pulling out the plug 60, the ground plug 70 and the ferrule 90 'constituting the plug 60 are fixed to the cap plate 61 by pulling out the plug while shaking up and down. Therefore, it can be pulled out more easily.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram when a normal grounding plug without an optical fiber connected to the outlet according to the second embodiment is inserted.
As shown in FIG. 16, when a normal grounding plug 60N is inserted into the outlet 30A, the ground electrode 71N of the grounded plug 60N comes into contact with the optical connector body 51A and pushes in the optical connector body 51A. . At this time, the ground electrode 71N is in contact with the current-carrying portion 47 of the ground electrode 45 of the outlet 30A and is electrically connected, and the power electrode 65 of the grounded plug 60N is electrically connected to the power electrode 40. As described above, even when the ordinary grounding plug 60N is inserted into the outlet 30A, the electrical connection is surely made and the ferrule 90 is not damaged.

[3] Modification of Embodiment In the above description, the ferrule connected to the optical fiber on the plug side is supported by the ground electrode. However, the power electrode crossing regardless of the presence or absence of the ground electrode. If the surface is cylindrical (or U-shaped), the ferrule may be supported by the power electrode instead of the ground electrode. It is also possible to assign a single core ferrule to each power electrode. In this case, the optical connector on the outlet side is also arranged on the back side in the axial direction of the corresponding power electrode. In any case, the optical fiber is arranged on the central axis by adopting the cross-sectional structure of the composite cable 86, so that it can be easily routed.

In the above description, the case where various control programs including the communication control program are stored in the ROM in advance has been described. However, the control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. With this configuration, when the program is read from the storage medium by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as the wireless USB host and wireless USB of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage medium, and any storage medium can be used as long as it can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, etc. .
It is also possible to download, install, and execute a control program via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN.

It is a general | schematic block diagram of the table tap as an electric power and optical composite plug-in connector of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the connection state of a table tap. It is a front view of an outlet socket. It is expansion explanatory drawing of an optical connector. It is an enlarged view for demonstrating the connection structure of an optical fiber and a ferrule. It is a front view of an insertion plug. It is an enlarged view of a ground electrode. It is explanatory drawing of the connection state which inserted the plug of the table tap into the outlet. It is procedure explanatory drawing at the time of initial connection. It is a processing sequence at the time of initial connection. It is a modification (the 1) of an embodiment. It is a modification (2) of embodiment. It is the modification (the 3) of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the insertion state of the outlet socket of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing at the time of inserting the normal plug with a grounding which the optical fiber is not connected to the outlet socket of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Distribution board, 12 ... Commercial power line, 14 ... Hub, 16, 86 ... Composite cable, 18 ... Power supply line, 19 ... Ground wire, 20, 20 ', 20c ... Optical fiber, 20 ... Optical cable, 20a ... Optical fiber core 20 ... optical fiber, 30 ... outlet, 31 ... casing, 32 ... front plate, 33 ... electrode insertion hole, 35 ... electrode insertion hole, 36 ... frame, 37 ... optical connector support, 38 ... slide hole, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 ... Guide hole, 40 ... Power electrode, 41 ... Electric wire connection part, 42 ... Current supply part, 43 ... Swelling part, 45 ... Ground electrode, 47 ... Current supply part, 50 ... Optical connector, 51 ... Main body, 51A ... Optical connector Main body, 52, 52A ... cap, 52B ... spring support, 53 ... spring accommodating chamber, 54 ... guide pin, 55 ... spring, 56, 56A ... ferrule hole, 57 ... recess, 58, 8 '... Spring, 59 ... Slit, 60 ... Plug, 61 ... Cap plate, 62 ... Case, 65 ... Power electrode, 65 ... Electrode, 66 ... Round hole, 70 ... Earth electrode, 71 ... Tube part, 72 ... Bottom wall 73 ... Inner cylinder 75 ... Hole 78 ... Protector part 88 ... Power supply line 89 ... Ground wire 90, 90 'Ferrule 92, 92' ... Connecting block 100 ... Table tap 100C ... Child Table tap, 100P ... Parent table tap, 110 ... Table tap body, 111 ... Power supply circuit, 112 ... First plug receptacle, 113 ... Second plug receptacle, 114 ... Optical filter, 115 ... Antenna, 116 ... Wireless USB circuit, 117 ... USB optical device, 118 ... LAN / USB protocol conversion unit, 119 ... LAN optical device, 120 ... optical combiner / distributor, 121 LAN protocol processing unit, 124 ... TV signal optical device, 125 ... television circuit, 130 ... power supply unit, 132 ... spring 133 ... frame rear section, 135 ... cushioning material, 140A to 140C ... Motherboard

Claims (8)

An optical network using optical fibers for transmitting optical signals;
A power / optical composite connector having an electrode and an optical fiber support structure for supporting the optical fiber, and performing a connection function of both power and the optical fiber;
In an optical network system comprising a device connected to the optical network,
The optical network system, wherein the power / optical composite connector has at least one of the following requirements (1) to (3).
(1) The power / optical composite connector on the female side provided with an energization part that contacts the electrode with the other electrode and the optical fiber support structure on the back side of the energization part coaxial with the electrode.
(2) The female-side power / optical composite connector provided with an optical connector that opposes the end face of its own optical fiber and the end face of the counterpart optical fiber so that the optical connector is slidable in the axial direction.
(3) The electrode has a cylindrical portion with a bottom wall provided on the distal end side, the optical fiber support structure is held by the cylindrical portion, and the optical fiber support structure protrudes outward from the bottom wall. The power / optical composite connector on the male side. The optical network system according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following requirements (4) to (8).
(4) A ferrule is used for the optical fiber support structure.
(5) The power is commercial power.
(6) The device is connected to the optical fiber.
(7) A composite cable in which an electric wire and the optical fiber are integrated is used.
(8) The power / optical composite connector, the optical fiber, and an optical coupler for branching the optical fiber into a plurality of branches, and using the optical coupler to branch the optical fiber into a plurality of A power / optical composite plug connector in which the power / optical composite connector is connected to the optical fiber is used. In the power / optical composite connector having an optical fiber support structure for supporting the electrode and the optical fiber, and performing the connection function of both the power and the optical fiber,
A power / optical composite connector comprising the structure of the power / optical composite connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The power / optical composite connector according to claim 3, comprising any of the following requirements (a) to (b):
(A) An optical fiber support structure of the male-side power / optical composite connector is held by a cylindrical portion, and is supported by the male-side power / optical composite connector in a state where the cylindrical portion can swing.
(B) The power is commercial power. In equipment connected to an optical network using optical fibers that transmit optical signals,
A device connected to the optical network using the composite power / optical connector according to claim 3. The apparatus according to claim 6, comprising any of the following requirements (c) to (d):
(C) The power is commercial power.
(D) having the wireless communication function for performing wireless communication with an external device having a wireless communication function, and connecting the external device to the optical network. In composite cables that integrate electric wires and optical fibers,
A composite cable comprising the power / optical composite connector according to claim 3 at one terminal. The power / optical composite connector according to claim 3,
An optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal;
An optical coupler for branching the optical fiber into a plurality,
A power / optical composite connector, wherein the optical fiber is branched into a plurality of optical couplers, and the power / optical composite connector is connected to any one of the optical fibers.