JPH04174407A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To produce a densely packaged optical connector which can be fitted without needing the accuracy of attaching position by providing an automatically aligning mechanism for self-aligning in the central axis of the plug. CONSTITUTION:When a plug 2 is inserted into the hole of an adapter 26, the plug 2 is guided into the adapter by the tapered part of the plug 2 and the guide face 27a of the adapter 26. When the plug 2 is further inserted the hole of the adapter 26, the plug 2 is automatically aligned by plate springs 10a, 10b. When the plug 2 is pushed in this state, since a projection 9 pushes a plate 14 to bend a coil spring 12 as it is guided by the slits of the plate springs 10a, 10b, the force of the coil spring 12 acts onto the plug 2 in a pressing direction, and a ferrule 4 is thereby pushed so far as the end faces of the plugs abut mutually, and always given constant force for stabilized junction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an optical connector for connecting optical cables in optical communications, and particularly to an optical connector attached to a housing.

[Conventional technology]

FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are a cross-sectional view of an example of a conventional optical connector and a perspective view of a ferrule portion of the optical connector. Conventionally, this type of optical connector is shown in FIG. 6(a), for example.
As shown in (b), a rubber boot 31 that covers the core wire 22 that bundles a plurality of optical fibers 6 is connected to one end of the boot, and the optical fibers 6 are lined up in a row and buried to form a guide. A ferrule 32 having either a pin hole 5 or a guide pin, and these two ferrules 3
2 is combined with the guide pin hole and the guide pin, and a cylindrical housing 33 that covers these, and a push ring 36 that presses the two ferrules 32 via a pressure spring 34 and is screwed into the threaded portion 35 of the cylindrical housing 33. has been done.

When attaching these optical connectors to a housing, a plurality of optical connectors are attached to the panel surface at predetermined intervals. However, since the spacing between them needs to be wide, it is not suitable for high-density mounting such as for mounting on a housing. However, since this optical connector can be connected and disconnected only in the axial direction, it has been applied to in-plant wiring optical cables and cases where there are many switching operations.

7(a) and 7(b) are partially cutaway views showing an example of two connector parts in a conventional optical connector, and FIG. 8(a)
> and (b) are partially enlarged views of the two connector parts in FIGS. 7(a) and (b).

Apart from the above-mentioned optical connector, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63
- There is a plug-in type optical connector published in 44608. This optical connector is composed of a type 1 connector attached to the display case side as shown in FIG. 7(a) and a type 2 connector shown in FIG. 7(b). Type 1 connector is the 7th
As shown in Figure <a), a housing 39 is screwed to the housing 37 and has two guide holes 38 formed therein.
and insertion holes 4 provided in multiple rows in this housing 39.
a ferrule inserted into the coil spring 41 through the coil spring 41;
In order to lock this ferrule, a slide plate 44 is provided within the housing 31 that moves to a lever 43 extending perpendicularly to the insertion hole 40. Further, an optical fiber 6a protrudes from one end of the ferrule, and the other end has a connector portion 45 serving as a connection portion.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the type 2 connector includes a housing 47 that is attached to the backboard 46 and has two guide pins 19a attached thereto, and is attached to the housing 47 in correspondence with the insertion holes 40. adapter 48
and a ferrule inserted into the adapter 48 via a coil spring 42. Further, one end of this ferrule has a ferrule connecting portion 49 that connects to the ferrule of a type 1 connector, and the optical fiber 6b protrudes from the other end.

Next, the procedure for connecting this optical connector will be explained.

First, the guide pins 19a of the type 2 connector are aligned and pushed into the guide holes 38 of the type 1 connector.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), as the guide pin 19a is inserted into the guide hole 38, the tip of the guide pin 19a enters the through hole 50 of the slide plate 44. When the guide pin 19a is further inserted, it is pressed against the tapered part of the tip of the guide pin 19a, and the slide plate 4
4 moves downward with respect to the paper surface. As a result, the through hole 50 of the slide plate 44 and the slide hole 49 become aligned with each other, so that the stopper 52 is released from the locking mechanism, and the stopper 52 is moved back by the coil spring 41.

Next, the adapter 48 of the type 2 connector is inserted into the insertion hole 40, and the connector portion 45 is inserted into the split sleeve 53 of the adapter 48.
inserted within. Furthermore, type 1 connector housing 3
9 and the housing 47 of the type 2 connector, the convex part 54 of the connector part 45 fits into the concave part 5 in the adapter 48.
5 and the two ferrules are kept connected.

In this way, the two ferrules are connected to the two coil springs 4
1 and 42, and were brought into contact and connected with --like pressure. Conversely, when removing the cover, the protrusion 54 and the recess 5 can be unlocked and removed by pulling them apart with a predetermined force.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in the conventional optical connector shown in FIG.
Since the connectors are connected by screws from both sides, fingers must be inserted during attachment and detachment, which requires a large space between the connectors, making it unsuitable for high-density mounting. Furthermore, although the conventional optical connector shown in FIG. 7 is of a plug-in type, it has the disadvantage of being large in size because it is a collection of single-fiber optical connectors. Furthermore, when installing the ferrules to the housing and backboard, unless the ferrules are installed with high precision, the guide pins may not fit into the guide holes, or even if they do fit into the guide holes, the individual ferrules may not fit together. On the other hand, even if the ferrules fit together, the insertion force may be so high that it bends the guide pin, or there may be problems with mounting.

There were various problems. In other words, the error when attaching the connector to the package and backboard is ±0 from the center position.
．． There is a drawback that the connector cannot be fitted unless the distance is within about 2 mm. Also, considering the warping and wobbling of the mounting part in this case, the mounting error is ±0.2mm due to mounting.
It was difficult to keep it within this range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve this problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector that does not require high mounting position accuracy and can be mounted in a high-density manner.

[Means to solve the problem]

A first optical connector of the present invention includes a first plug into which a first ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers are embedded and a first ferrule provided with a positioning pin and an insertion hole for the positioning pin is inserted via a spring. a type 1 connector portion having a type 1 connector portion, an adapter having a guide hole into which the plug of the type 1 connector portion is inserted; a second ferrule positioned in the first ferrule; a second plug that inserts and holds the ferrule through a spring; It includes a self-aligning mechanism whose peripheries are in contact and held by spring pressure, and a housing that encloses and holds this self-aligning mechanism.

Further, the second optical connector of the present invention includes, in addition to the first optical connector, a rotation prevention mechanism that prevents rotation of the second plug when the second plug is inserted into the adapter. We are prepared.

Furthermore, the rotation prevention mechanism in the second optical connector of the present invention includes a coil spring that applies a forward force to the second plug, and a guide means that restricts rotation of the second plug as it moves forward. .

On the other hand, the self-aligning mechanism in the first optical connector of the present invention has a curved portion that contacts the outer periphery of the second plug, and includes four leaf springs arranged in four directions.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a type 1 connector on the housing side in an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a type 2 connector connected to the type 1 connector in Fig. 1. Figure 3 shows type 1 connector in figure 1 and type 2 in figure 2.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a connected state of the type connector.

As shown in FIG. 1, the type 1 optical connector that is attached to the housing side of this optical connector has a mounting part 18 that is attached to the housing, and a housing 1 that has a space inside, and an inner space of this housing 1. four curved leaf springs 10a, 10b, and 10c arranged on the left, right, upper, and lower sides of the housing 1; , a plug 2 inserted from the opening of the housing 1 so as to be sandwiched between the leaf springs 10a, 10b, and 10c;
A ferrule 3 is located inside the plug 2 and is pressed in one direction by a coil spring 7, has an optical fiber 6 exposed on its end face, and has a guide pin hole 5 formed therein. It has a core wire 22 protruding from the rear end. Further, a protrusion 9 that abuts against the plate 14 is attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the plug 2 in the space of the housing 1, and a guide rod 3 that extends linearly within the space of the housing 1 is attached to the other surface of the plate 14. A coil spring 12 wound around the guide rod 13 is provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the type 2 connector that connects to the type 1 connector has an optical fiber 6 exposed at one end, a ferrule 4 in which a guide pin 19 is embedded, and this ferrule 4.
A plug 20. has an insertion hole for guiding the ferrule 4, has a built-in coil spring 7 that presses the ferrule 4 in one direction, and has a core wire protruding from the other end. It has a structure consisting of a connector part 21 and a grip 23, and protrusions 24 and 25 that cooperate with a locking part formed on one surface of the connector part 21.

Next, the connection state between the type 1 connector and type 2 connector will be explained. First, as shown in FIG. 3, a type 2 connector is attached and fixed to a backboard via an adapter 26. To do this, the adapter 26 is screwed and fixed to the center of the backboard.Then, the plug 20 of the type 2 connector is inserted into the opening of the adapter 26, and the protrusion and the locking part 28 are fitted and fixed. Next, the plug 2 of the type 1 connector is inserted into the other opening of the adapter 26. As a result, the coil spring 12 is mounted in a bent state on the guide rod 13 fixed to the plate 14 shown in FIG.
4 will keep the coil spring 12 in a deflected state.

Further, when the plug 2 moves backward with respect to the 71 housing 1, the protrusion 9 of the plug 2 comes into contact with the plate 14,
If the coil spring 12 is stronger than the coil spring 7 of the ferrule 3, the ferrule 3 is pushed to the end face of the ferrule 4. Further, when pressed against the housing 33, the protrusion 9 of the plug □ pushes the plate 14 and further bends the coil springs 1 and 2.

On the other hand, the movement of the plug 2 in the joining direction is performed until the half plug 1 comes into contact with the adapter 26. However, since the ferrules 2 and 4 do not retract from the end face of the plug, the ferrules are always subjected to a constant pressing force.

FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) are cross-sectional views for explaining the connection procedure between the type 1 connector in FIG. 1 and the type 2 connector in FIG. 2. Next, the overall operation of the plug will be supplementarily explained with reference to FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the type 1 connector is opposed to the center axis B and is offset by the center axis C of the type 1 connector.

This deviation of the center axis is considered to be due to variations in the leaf springs 10a, 10b.

First, when the plug 2 is inserted into the hole of the adapter 26, the tapered part of the plug 2 and the guide surface 27a of the adapter 26
Plug 2 is guided into the adapter. Furthermore, plug 2
When the guide pin 19 is inserted, the guide pin 19 enters the guide pin hole 5, as shown in FIG. 4(b), and accurate positioning is performed. Furthermore, when the plug 2 is inserted, the plug 2 is forced into the guide hole of the adapter 26, and the plug 2 moves in the space within the housing 1, as shown in FIG. 4(c). That is, the plug 2 is self-aligned by the plate springs 10a and 10b. When the plug 2 is pushed in this state, the protrusion 9 pushes the plate 14 and bends the coil spring 12 while being guided by the slits 11 of the leaf springs 10a and 10b, so the force of the coil spring 12 presses against the plug 2. direction, the ferrule 4 is pushed until the end faces of the plug meet, and a constant force is always applied to the ferrule, resulting in a stable connection.

With the above structure, for example, the gap 11 in FIG.
= 1.5 mm, gap J12 in Fig. 4 (a>) = 1
．． By setting it to 5 mm, it was possible to widen the error within ±1.5 mm when attaching the connector to the top, bottom, left and right packages. As mentioned above, when mounting in the joining direction, it is difficult to absorb errors within ±2 mm.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway view showing a type 1 optical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this type 1 optical connector uses a sleeve 2 that encloses a coil spring 12 as a means for guiding the coil spring.
9. In place of the plate 14 shown in the previous embodiment, a joint 30 is provided inside the sleeve 26, and a slit 27 for guiding the protrusion 9 is provided.

Other structures and functions are the same as those of the previous embodiment. This embodiment has fewer parts than the previous embodiment, and is advantageous in terms of cost.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention provides a self-aligning mechanism using a leaf spring that contacts each surface of a square cross-section plug with a ferrule built into either of the two connector parts. Even if there is a misalignment in the mounting, it is absorbed within the elastic deformation range of the leaf spring, so each connector can be connected reliably. Although this embodiment uses a mechanism in which the leaf spring contacts all four sides, for example, an automatic adjustment mechanism may be used in which a pressing plate is provided that contacts each side of the plug, and a leaf spring or a coil spring is pressed against the opposite side of the pressing plate. A similar effect can be obtained using a cardiac mechanism.

Further, according to the optical connector of the present invention, by utilizing the ferrule for embedding a plurality of optical fiber lines shown in the conventional example, and further providing means for solving the problems shown in the other conventional example, - Since a large number of optical connectors can be attached within a plane with narrower spacing, there is an advantage that higher density can be achieved.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the optical connector according to the present invention includes an adapter in which a plug containing a built-in ferrule for embedding a multi-core optical fiber line is inserted into one end and fixed in position, and an adapter which is inserted into the other end of the adapter and has a built-in ferrule. By providing a self-aligning mechanism that self-aligns another plug with a built-in ferrule corresponding to the central axis of the plug, even if the structures holding the two plugs are misaligned, the two plugs can be reliably fitted. This has the effect of providing an optical connector that can be integrated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a type 1 connector on the housing side in an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a type 2 connector connected to the type 1 connector in Fig. 1. Figure 3 shows type 1 connector in figure 1 and type 2 in figure 2.
A plan view showing the connection state of the type connector, Fig. 4(a) to (
c) is a cross-sectional view for explaining the connection procedure between the type 1 connector in FIG. 1 and the type 2 connector in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a portion showing the type 1 connector of the optical connector in another embodiment of the present invention. 6(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing an example of a conventional optical connector and perspective views of the ferrule portion of the optical connector, and FIG. 7(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing an example of a conventional optical connector. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway view showing an example of two connector parts (
a) and (b) are partially enlarged views of the two connector parts of FIGS. 7(a) and (b); FIG. 1.39.47... Housing, 2,20... Plug, 3.4.32... Ferrule, 5... Guide pin hole, 6, 6a, 6b - Optical fiber, 7, 12゜41 ．．
42...Coil spring, 9...Protrusion, 10a. 10b, 10c, 10e, 10g, 10h...plate spring, 11...slit, 13...guide rod, 14...
・Plate, 15...Step part, 16...Stopper, 1
7...Fixing member, 18...Mounting part, 19.19a.
...Guide pin, 21...Connector part, 22...Core wire, 23...Grip, 24.25...Protrusion part, 2
6...Adapter, 27...Slit, 27a...
Guide surface, 28...Locking portion, 29...Sleeve, 30
...Knot, 31...Boot, 33...Cylindrical housing, 34...Pressure spring, 35...Threaded portion, 36...
... Push ring, 37 ... Housing, 38 ... Guide hole, 40 ... Insertion hole, 43 ... Clear, 44 ... Slide plate, 45 ... Connector part, 46 ... backboard, 48... adapter, 49... ferrule connection part,
50...Through hole, 51...Slide hole, 52...Stopper, 53...Split sleeve, 54...Protrusion, 55
...concavity.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first plug into which a first ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers are embedded and which is provided with either a positioning pin or an insertion hole for the positioning pin on the end face is inserted via a spring. a type 1 connector portion; an adapter formed with a guide hole into which the plug of the type 1 connector portion is inserted;
A second ferrule is inserted into the guide hole of this adapter opposite to the first ferrule and positioned on the first ferrule, and a second ferrule is inserted and held by the second ferrule via a spring. plug and this second
A self-aligning mechanism that always contacts the outer periphery of the second plug and holds it with spring pressure even when the second plug is inserted into the adapter, and a housing that encloses and holds the self-aligning mechanism. optical connector. 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation prevention mechanism that prevents rotation of the second plug when the second plug is inserted into the adapter. 3. Claim 2, wherein the rotation prevention mechanism includes a coil spring that applies a forward force to the second plug, and a guide means that restricts rotation of the second plug as it moves forward. optical connector. 4. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the self-aligning mechanism includes four leaf springs arranged in four directions and having a curved portion that contacts the outer periphery of the second plug.