TW201807441A - Optical connector assembly for optically connecting an optical connector with an optical module by fitting a plug into a receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical connector assembly includes: a receptacle which is mounted on a wall portion of a housing; and a plug which is provided with an optical connector connected to a terminal of an optical cable, and fitted to the receptacle along the fitting direction. The receptacle is provided with a positioning guide portion which protrudes inside the housing to position the receptacle by means of an adapter inserted into the optical module. The optical connector is optically connected to the optical module by fitting the plug into the receptacle.

Description

Optical connector assembly

This invention relates to an optical connector assembly, and more particularly, to an optical connector assembly for connecting an optical module provided inside a casing and an optical cable arranged outside the casing.

For the optical module installed inside the casing of communication equipment, etc., to connect the optical cables arranged outside the casing, a receptacle installed on the wall portion of the casing and a front end of the optical cable can be used. Built-in optical connector plug. By inserting the plug into the receptacle, the optical connector contained in the plug is inserted into the adapter of the optical module, and the optical cable and the optical module are connected.

Here, the optical module is, for example, mounted on a circuit board, and is assembled together with the circuit board inside the housing. However, at this time, for convenience of assembly, most of the plugs installed at the front end of the optical cable are removed from The receptacle mounted on the wall of the casing is removed.

Therefore, the circuit board and the optical module must be set together in the housing in a state where the optical module cannot align the plug, and it is necessary to The position deviation generated between the optical connector contained in the plug and the adapter of the optical module is absorbed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35, the plug 1 with a built-in connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses an optical connector 4 mounted on the front end of the optical fiber 3 included in the optical cable 2 to the outer frame member 5 A floating structure that moves in three dimensions.

When the plug 1 with the built-in connector is fitted to the receptacle 7 mounted on the wall portion of the housing 6, the optical connector 4 is moved to the outer frame member 5 so that the optical connector 4 is disposed relative to the housing 6. The position deviation of the adapter 9 of the internal optical module 8 is absorbed, so that the optical fiber 3 of the optical cable 2 is connected to the optical module 8.

[Prior technical literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5804162

However, in the plug 1 with a built-in connector in Patent Document 1 having the above-mentioned floating structure, when the plug 1 with the built-in connector is fitted to the receptacle 7, it is necessary to absorb a positional deviation in the fitting direction of the optical connector 4. When the optical connector 4 is moved in the mating direction inside the plug 1 of the built-in connector, the connection will be made inside the plug 1 of the built-in connector according to the amount of movement. The optical fiber 3 applied to the optical connector 4 is bent. As a result, there is a problem that transmission loss is easily scattered.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector assembly in which an optical module is installed in a housing even when a plug is not fitted into a receptacle. It can also suppress the dispersion of transmission loss, and optically connect the optical connector and the optical module contained in the plug.

The optical connector assembly of the present invention is an optical connector assembly for connecting an optical module provided inside the casing and an optical cable arranged outside the casing, and includes: The receptacle on the wall, the plug having the optical connector connected to the end of the optical cable, and the receptacle fitted in the fitting direction along the fitting direction. The receptacle has a protrusion protruding from the inside of the housing and is inserted into the receptacle. The positioning guide of the optical module adapter for positioning the position of the optical module receiver, the optical connector is optically connected to the optical module by fitting the plug to the receiver.

The positioning guide may be formed by a protrusion formed integrally with the receptacle and extending toward the inside of the housing. When the plug is fitted into the receptacle, the front end portion of the optical connector is connected to the positioning guide. The lead parts are combined into a shape suitable for the adapter of the optical module, and are inserted into the adapter of the optical module together with the positioning guide.

In this case, it is preferable that a fitting part that can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction is fitted in the receptacle to be mounted on a wall portion of the housing.

Moreover, it is preferable to have an optical connector locking mechanism for fixing the state where the front end of the optical connector is inserted into the adapter of the optical module.

The receptacle may also be configured to have a relay connector for optically connecting the optical connector and the optical module when the plug is fitted into the receptacle, and an optical module for the relay connector. An end portion on the side is formed with a positioning guide portion suitable for the shape of the adapter of the optical module, and the relay connector has a first set of connectors arranged on the end portion of the optical module, and a plug The second set of connectors at the end of the side, and the optical fiber held at both ends by the first set of connectors and the second set of connectors, the first set of connectors are optically connected to the optical module, and the second set of connectors are optically connected to the optical connection. Device.

The first set of connectors is held in the relay connector so as to be movable in the fitting direction. The relay connector further includes a first spring that presses the first set of connectors in the fitting direction toward the inside of the housing. good.

In addition, the optical connector may be configured to include a plug-side sleeve connector held in the optical connector so as to be movable in the fitting direction, and a plug-side spring that presses the plug-side sleeve connector toward the receptacle in the fitting direction. The second set of connectors is held in the relay connector in a fixed position and is optically connected to the plug-side sleeve connector.

Alternatively, the optical connector may be configured to have a plug-side sleeve connector that is held in the optical connector in a fixed position, and a second sleeve that is held in the movable direction in the fitting direction. Inside the connector, the relay connector further includes a second spring that presses the second set of connectors along the fitting direction toward the outside of the housing, and the second set of connectors is optically connected to the plug-side set of connectors. In this case, the first spring and the second spring may be The first joint and the second joint are formed by a common spring.

It is preferable to have a plug locking mechanism for fixing the mating state of the plug and the receptacle.

In addition, it is preferable to have a waterproof structure that prevents water from intruding from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing in a state where the plug is fitted into the receptacle.

The positioning guide preferably has a shape corresponding to at least a part of an adapter according to a predetermined specification.

According to the present invention, the receptacle mounted on the wall portion of the casing has a positioning protruding from the inside of the casing and positioning the receptacle of the optical module through the adapter inserted into the optical module. The guide part, so even if the optical module is installed inside the housing without the plug being fitted into the receptacle, the scattering of the transmission loss can be suppressed, and the optical connector of the plug and the optical module can be suppressed. The group is optically connected.

1‧‧‧ Plug with built-in connector

2‧‧‧ Optical Cable

3‧‧‧ fiber

4‧‧‧ optical connector

5‧‧‧ frame member

6‧‧‧Cage

7‧‧‧ receptacle

8‧‧‧Optical Module

9‧‧‧ adapter

11, 51, 71, 91‧‧‧ receptacles

12‧‧‧ Fixing screws

13, 52‧‧‧Fixed section

13A‧‧‧ Sheet

13B‧‧‧Riveted piece

13C, 52A‧‧‧Mounting holes

13D, 52D‧‧‧Opening

14, 53‧‧‧ tube

15‧‧‧ protrusion

17‧‧‧Waterproof member

21, 61, 81‧‧‧ plug

22, 63, 83‧‧‧ optical connectors

23, 62, 82‧‧‧ plug housing

24‧‧‧Plug side sleeve connector

25‧‧‧ sleeve

25A‧‧‧Concave

26‧‧‧ lock plate

27‧‧‧ wrist

28‧‧‧Pressing section

29, 60, 64‧‧‧ Waterproof members

31, 35‧‧‧ Casing

31A, 35A‧‧‧ opening

31B, 35B‧‧‧Screw holes

32‧‧‧circuit board

33‧‧‧Optical Module

34‧‧‧ adapter

34A‧‧‧Opening

34B‧‧‧ extension

41‧‧‧ Optical Cable

53A‧‧‧Locked receiving department

54, 74, 94‧‧‧‧ relay connector

55, 75, 95‧‧‧‧ Relay connector housing

56‧‧‧The first set of connectors

57‧‧‧The first spring

58‧‧‧The second set of connectors

59‧‧‧optical fiber

62A‧‧‧foot

62B‧‧‧ lever member

62C‧‧‧Lock

62D‧‧‧Relay connector housing

65‧‧‧Plug side sleeve connector

66‧‧‧Plug side spring

76‧‧‧ 2nd spring

96‧‧‧Common spring

C‧‧‧fit shaft

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector assembly according to the first embodiment before a plug is fitted into a receptacle.

2 is a view showing a receptacle used in the optical connector assembly of Embodiment 1. (A) is a perspective view viewed from diagonally forward, (B) is a perspective view viewed from diagonally rear, (C) is a front view, (D) is the rear view (E) is a side view, (F) is a top view.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2 (E).

4 is a view showing a plug used in the optical connector assembly of Embodiment 1. (A) is a perspective view viewed from diagonally forward, (B) is a perspective view viewed from diagonally rear, (C) is a side view, and (D) ) Is a top view.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 4 (C).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the receptacle of the optical connector assembly of the first embodiment is faced to the wall portion of the housing.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the receptacle of the optical connector assembly of the first embodiment is faced to the wall portion of the housing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an adapter of the optical module.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an adapter of the optical module.

10 is a plan view showing a state in which a positioning guide of a receptacle of the optical connector assembly according to the first embodiment is inserted.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in Fig. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the receptacle of the optical connector assembly of the first embodiment is mounted on a wall portion of a casing.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the optical connector assembly according to the first embodiment while the plug is being fitted into the receptacle.

FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged plan view of an important part of the optical connector assembly of the first embodiment, showing a state where the plug is fitted into the receptacle.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in Fig. 14.

16 is a perspective view of the optical connector assembly according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which a plug is fitted into a receptacle.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment before the plug is fitted into the receptacle.

18 is a view showing a receptacle used in an optical connector assembly according to Embodiment 2. (A) is a perspective view viewed obliquely from the front, (B) is a perspective view viewed obliquely from the rear, (C) is a front view, (D) is a rear view, (E) is a side view, and (F) is a top view.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in Fig. 18 (F).

FIG. 20 is a view showing a plug used in an optical connector assembly of Embodiment 2. (A) is a perspective view viewed obliquely from the front, (B) is a perspective view viewed obliquely from the rear, (C) is a side view, and (D) ) Is a top view, and (E) is a front view.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line F-F in Fig. 20 (E).

22 is a perspective view showing a state in which a receptacle of the optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment is mounted on a wall portion of a casing.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical module is installed in a housing in which a receptacle of the optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical module is installed in a housing in which a receptacle of the optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment is installed.

25 is a side view showing a light module provided inside a receptacle and a housing of the optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment, showing a state where the plug is fitted into the receptacle.

Fig. 27 is a view showing a state after the plug is fitted into the receptacle; A side cross-sectional view of an optical connector assembly of Embodiment 2.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing an optical connector assembly according to a third embodiment before a plug is fitted into a receptacle.

FIG. 29 is a side sectional view showing a receptacle used in the optical connector assembly of the third embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a side sectional view showing a plug used in an optical connector assembly according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a side cross-sectional view of the optical connector assembly according to the third embodiment, showing a state where the plug is fitted into the receptacle.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing an optical connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment before a plug is fitted into a receptacle.

Fig. 33 is a side sectional view showing a receptacle used in an optical connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment.

34 is a side cross-sectional view of the optical connector assembly according to the fourth embodiment, showing a state where the plug is fitted into the receptacle.

Fig. 35 is a side sectional view showing a conventional optical connector assembly.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows a structure of an optical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Optical connector assembly with receptacle 11 and plug 21, the receptacle 21 and the plug 21 are fitted by moving the plug 21 along the fitting axis C in the fitting direction. FIG. 1 shows a state before fitting in which the receptacle 11 and the plug 21 are arranged at intervals with respect to each other.

The receptacle 11 is mounted on a wall portion of a casing 31 of a communication device or the like using two fixing screws 12. An optical module 33 mounted on a circuit board 32 is provided inside the casing 31.

On the other hand, the plug 21 includes an optical connector 22 connected to the front end of an optical cable 41 disposed outside the casing 31.

For convenience, in FIG. 1, the direction from the plug 21 toward the receptacle 11 along the fitting axis C is referred to as a + Y direction, and a plane on which the circuit board 32 on which the optical module 33 is mounted is extended. This plane is referred to as an XY plane, and a plane extending from a wall portion of the housing 31 to which the receptacle 11 is mounted is referred to as an XZ plane.

The structure of the receptacle 11 is shown in FIGS. 2 (A) to (F). As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the receptacle 11 has a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 13 extending along the XZ plane, and projects from the -Y side surface of the fixing portion 13 in the -Y direction. The cylindrical portion 14 and two protruding portions 15 protruding from the + Y-direction side surface of the fixing portion 13 in parallel to each other in the + Y direction.

The fixing portion 13 is used for fixing the receptacle 11 to a wall portion of the casing 31. At the end portion in the + X direction and the end portion in the -X direction, a thin plate portion 13A that is thinner than the periphery is formed. A through hole (not shown) penetrating in the Y direction is formed in the thin plate portion 13A, and a riveting piece (installation part) 13B that can move in the XZ plane is loosely fitted in the through hole. Therefore, the fixing screw 12 is screwed to the wall portion of the casing 31 through the mounting hole 13C formed in the riveting piece 13B, so that the receptacle 11 can be mounted on the fitting side. Move in the orthogonal direction.

The cylindrical portion 14 is intended for a person who inserts the plug 21 at the time of fitting. The cylindrical portion 14 has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the outer peripheral portion of the plug 21 and is located inside the cylindrical portion 14 as shown in FIGS. 2 (C) and (D). The fixing portion 13 is formed with an opening portion 13D through which the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 passes.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two protruding portions 15 protrude from the edge portion of the two opening portions 13D in the + Y direction, and are configured to accommodate the optical module 33 provided inside the casing 31. A positioning guide for positioning the receiver 11.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2 (B) and (D) to (F), the + Y direction side surface of the fixing portion 13 protrudes to the + Y direction than the + Y direction side surface of the fixing portion 13. A rectangular frame-shaped waterproof member 17 surrounding the periphery of the opening 13D is attached.

The structure of the plug 21 is shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to (D). The plug 21 has a plug housing 23 which is slidably connected to the optical connector 22 in the -Y direction of the fitting direction.

The optical connector 22 includes a plug-side ferrule 24 that holds the tip of an optical fiber included in the optical cable 41 and a sleeve 25 that holds the plug-side ferrule 24 so as to be movable in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, two recessed portions 25A are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the sleeve 25 when viewed from the fitting direction, and two protruding portions 15 constituting the positioning guide of the receptacle 11 are fitted.

The plug 21 is a lock mechanism having a structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-185293 filed by the applicant.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to (D), the optical connector 22 On the side of the + Z direction of the sleeve 25, a cantilever-shaped lock piece 26 protruding toward the + Z direction toward the + Y direction is formed, and the wrist portion 27 is directed to + Y from the + Y direction end of the plug housing 23. A pressing portion 28 is formed at the front end of the wrist portion 27 so as to protrude in the direction, and the pressing portion 28 is located at a position where the −Y direction end portion of the lock piece 26 overlaps on the + Z direction side.

The plug housing 23 is in a state of being pressed in the + Y direction with respect to the optical connector 22 by a spring (not shown), and is configured to make the plug housing 23 against the optical connector 22 against the elastic force of the spring. When sliding toward the -Y direction side, the pressing portion 28 presses the lock piece 26 toward the -Z direction, thereby elastically displacing the -Y direction end portion of the lock piece 26 in the -Z direction.

Further, a waterproof member 29 surrounding the periphery of the plug case 23 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the plug case 23.

Next, a method of mounting the receptacle 11 of the optical connector assembly of the first embodiment on the wall portion of the casing 31 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the optical module 33 is provided inside the housing 31 in a state of being mounted on the circuit board 32. The optical module 33 is provided with an adapter 34 at an end portion, and the adapter 34 is disposed near the wall portion of the casing 31. In the wall portion of the housing 31 to which the adapter 34 of the optical module 33 is approached, an opening 31A is formed for the two protruding portions 15 of the receptacle 11 and the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 to pass through. Two screw holes 31B arranged on both sides of the opening 31A in the X direction. In addition, the opening portion 31A is formed so as to enter the inside of the frame-shaped waterproof member 17 of the receptacle 11 when the receptacle 11 is mounted on the wall portion of the housing 31, and is formed to be larger than Two protrusions 15 of the receptacle 11 and the plug 21 The size of the front end of the optical connector 22 is larger.

The adapter 34 of the optical module 33 is a standardized adapter such as IEC61754-20. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it has a shape that opens in the −Y direction and the + Z direction, and has: The opening portion 34A in the Z direction and a pair of protruding portions 34B arranged adjacent to each other on the −Y direction side of the opening portion 34A and facing each other in the X direction.

When the receptacle 11 is mounted on the wall portion of the casing 31, first, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the two protruding portions 15 of the receptacle 11 are passed through the casing 31 from the outside of the casing 31. As shown in FIG. 10, two wall-like openings 31A are inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the two protrusions 15 of the receptacle 11 are embedded in the adapter 34 of the optical module 33. The receptacle 11 is positioned on the XZ plane relative to the optical module 33. Inside.

At this time, the opening portion 31A formed in the wall portion of the casing 31 is formed to have a size larger than that of combining the two protruding portions 15 of the receptacle 11 and the front end portion of the optical connector 22 of the plug 21. Since it is large, the receptacle 11 can be positioned while the receptacle 11 is moved in the XZ plane in a state where the two protrusions 15 pass through the opening 31A.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the mounting holes 13C of the two riveting pieces 13B in the receptacle 11 respectively pass through the fixing screws 12 and are screwed into the screw holes 31B formed in the wall portion of the casing 31. At this time, the riveting piece 13B is mounted so as to be movable in the XZ plane with respect to the thin plate portion 13A of the receptacle 11, so by appropriately moving the riveting piece 13B, the screws of the mounting hole 13C and the wall portion of the casing 31 The holes 31B are aligned with each other.

The two fixing screws 12 are locked into the corresponding screw holes 31B respectively, and the mounting of the receptacle 11 positioned in the XZ plane with respect to the optical module 33 on the wall portion of the casing 31 is completed. At this time, the frame-shaped waterproof member 17 mounted on the + Y-direction side surface of the fixing portion 13 of the receptacle 11 is elastically deformed by being sandwiched between the fixing portion 13 and the wall portion of the casing 31. Further, it is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the casing 31.

When the plug 21 is fitted into the receptacle 11, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the front end portion of the plug 21 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 14 of the receptacle 11 so that the plug 21 is along the fitting axis C. Move in + Y direction. Thereby, the front end portion of the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 passes through the opening portion 13D of the receptacle 11 and the opening portion 31A of the wall portion of the casing 31 toward the optical module 33 provided inside the casing 31. go ahead.

At this time, the two protruding portions 15 of the receptacle 11 are inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33 through the opening portion 31A of the wall portion of the casing 31, so the front end portion of the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 The two protrusions 15 of the receptacle 11 are guided and start to be inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33.

When the plug 21 is further moved in the + Y direction, the locking piece 26 of the plug 21 will advance through the protruding portion 34B of the adapter 34 of the optical module 33 while elastically deforming in the -Z direction, as shown in FIG. 14 Generally, when the -Y direction end portion of the locking piece 26 of the plug 21 is located in the opening portion 34A of the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, the elastic deformation of the locking piece 26 will be released and the locking piece 26 will be- The Y-direction end portion hooks the protruding portion 34B of the adapter 34 of the optical module 33. Thereby, although not shown, the plug-side sleeve connector 24 of the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 will abut against the optical reference plane in the optical module 33, The optical connector 22 is optically connected to the optical module 33. The optical reference plane in the optical module 33 may be the end surface of the side connector of the optical module, or the end surface of the lens.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, while the sleeve 25 of the optical connector 22 is inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, the receptacle is inserted into the two recessed portions 25A formed in the sleeve 25. Since the two protrusions 15 of 11 are formed, the sleeve 25 and the two protrusions 15 are combined with each other to form a shape suitable for the adapter 34 of the optical module 33.

In addition, the locking piece 26 of the plug 21 and the protrusion 34B of the adapter 34 of the optical module 33 form an optical connector locking mechanism for fixing the front end of the optical connector 22 into the rotation of the optical module 33. The state of the connector 34 causes the locking piece 26 of the plug 21 to catch the protruding portion 34B of the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, thereby allowing the receptacle 11 to act directly on the plug 21 even through the optical cable 41 The separated external force in the -Y direction can also prevent the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 from being pulled out of the optical module 33.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 16, the plug 21 is fitted into the receptacle 11 mounted on the wall portion of the housing 31, and the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 is optically connected to the light provided inside the housing 31. Module 33.

When the plug 21 is fitted into the receptacle 11, the waterproof member 29 attached to the outer peripheral portion of the plug housing 23 of the plug 21 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 14 of the receptacle 11, and is inserted into the cylindrical portion 14. The peripheral surface is pressed and elastically deformed, and is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 14. In addition, as described above, the frame-shaped waterproof member 17 surrounding the opening 13D of the receptacle 11 is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the casing 31. Therefore, the fitting of the plug 21 and the receptacle 11 In a state, a waterproof structure is formed to prevent water from entering the inside of the casing 31 through the opening 31A from the outside of the casing 31.

When the plug 21 is pulled out of the receptacle 11, the plug housing 23 of the plug 21 exposed from the cylindrical portion 14 of the receptacle 11 on the -Y side is slid in the -Y direction. By this, the locking piece 26 is pressed in the -Z direction through the pressing portion 28, and the -Y direction end of the locking piece 26 is elastically displaced in the -Z direction to release the extension of the adapter 34 of the optical module 33. Hook of the outlet 34B. Therefore, by further sliding the plug housing 23 in the -Y direction, the front end portion of the optical connector 22 is pulled out from the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, and the mating state of the plug 21 and the receptacle 11 can be released. .

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when the plug 21 is not fitted into the receptacle 11, the optical module 33 is provided inside the housing 31, and the plug 21 is fitted into the receptacle. At 11:00, there is no positional deviation between the optical connector 22 and the optical module 33, so the amount of deflection of the optical fiber arranged inside the plug 21 becomes constant, which can suppress the dispersion of the transmission loss and connect the optical connection of the plug 21 The device 22 is optically connected to the optical module 33.

In addition, it is not necessary to adopt a floating structure that allows the optical connector 22 to be moved to the plug 21, and the miniaturization of the plug 21 can be achieved.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 17 shows a structure of an optical connector assembly according to the second embodiment. This optical connector assembly includes a receptacle 51 and a plug 61, and the plug 61 is moved by moving the plug 61 along the fitting axis C in the fitting direction. Fitting of the adapter 51 and the plug 61. FIG. 17 shows a state before fitting in which the receptacle 51 and the plug 61 are arranged at a distance from each other.

The receptacle 51 is mounted on a wall portion of the casing 35 using four fixing screws 12. An optical module 33 mounted on the circuit board 32 is provided inside the casing 35.

On the other hand, the plug 61 is connected to the front end of an optical cable 41 arranged outside the casing 35.

The structure of the receptacle 51 is shown in FIGS. 18 (A) to (F). As shown in FIGS. 18 (A) and 18 (B), the receptacle 51 has a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 52 extending along the XZ plane, and projects from the -Y side surface of the fixing portion 52 in the -Y direction. The cylindrical portion 53 further includes a relay connector 54 extending from the inside of the cylindrical portion 53 to the fixed portion 52 and extending to the + Y direction side of the fixed portion 52.

Four fixing holes 52A are formed in the fixing portion 52 so as to surround the cylindrical portion 53.

The cylindrical portion 53 is intended for a person who inserts the plug 61 at the time of fitting, and has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the outer peripheral portion of the plug 61, as shown in FIGS. 18 (C) and (D), and is located inside the cylindrical portion 53 The fixing portion 52 is formed with an opening portion 52D through which the relay connector 54 penetrates.

On the + Z direction side surface and the −Z direction side surface of the cylindrical portion 53, recessed lock receiving portions 53A are formed, respectively.

The relay connector 54 is used to optically connect the plug 61 and the optical module 33. As shown in FIG. 19, the relay connector 54 has a relay connector housing 55 extending along the fitting direction, that is, the Y direction.

The relay connector 54 further includes: a first set of joints 56 arranged at the + Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 55 and held in the relay connector housing 55 so as to be movable in the Y direction; The first spring 57 is held in the relay connector housing 55 and presses the first set of joints 56 in the + Y direction; the second set of connectors 58 is fixed in the -Y direction of the relay connector case 55 The end portion and the optical fiber 59 are arranged in the relay connector housing 55 and both ends are held by the first set of connectors 56 and the second set of connectors 58 respectively.

The + Y direction end portion of the relay connector housing 55 exposed on the + Y direction side of the fixing portion 52 has an XZ cross-sectional shape suitable for the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, and is configured to accommodate the optical module 33. Positioning guide for positioning of the receiver 51.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 18 (B) and (D) to (F), the + Y direction side surface of the fixed portion 52 protrudes to the + Y direction than the + Y direction side surface of the fixed portion 52. A ring-shaped waterproof member 60 surrounding the opening 52D is attached.

The structure of the plug 61 is shown in FIGS. 20 (A) to (E). The plug 61 is a plug housing 62 extending in the fitting direction, that is, the Y direction, and an optical connector 63 connected to the front end of the optical cable 41 is held inside the plug housing 62.

A lever member 62B is formed on the + Z direction side surface and the −Z direction side surface of the plug housing 62 through a leg portion 62A extending in the Z direction, respectively. The lever members 62B each have a flat plate shape extending in the Y direction, and a leg portion is connected to a middle portion of the lever member 62B in the Y direction. 62A, at the + Y direction end portion of the lever member 62B, a projection-shaped locking portion 62C protruding toward the + Z direction side surface and the −Z direction side surface corresponding to the plug housing 62 is formed. When the -Y direction end portion of the lever member 62B is moved in the Z direction, the leg portion 62A is elastically deformed, and the lock portion 62C is displaced in the Z direction.

Further, a waterproof member 64 surrounding the periphery of the plug case 62 is attached to an outer peripheral portion of the plug case 62.

As shown in FIG. 21, the optical connector 63 includes a plug-side sleeve joint 65 held in the plug housing 62 so as to be movable in the Y direction, and the plug-side sleeve joint 65 faces the + Y direction with respect to the plug housing 62. Pressed plug-side spring 66.

In addition, at the + Y-direction end portion of the plug housing 62, when the plug 61 is fitted into the receptacle 51, a concave shape for inserting the -Y-direction end portion of the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51 is formed. 62D of the relay connector housing.

Regarding the optical connector assembly of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, before the optical module 33 is installed inside the casing 35, a receptacle 51 is attached to a wall portion of the casing 35. On the wall portion of the casing 35, there are formed an opening portion 35A for passing the relay connector 54 of the fixing portion 52 of the receptacle 51 protruding from the + Y direction side, and four peripheries of the opening portion 35A. Screw hole 35B. From the outside of the casing 35, the relay connector 54 protruding from the fixing portion 52 of the receptacle 51 on the + Y direction side passes through the opening portion 35A of the wall portion of the casing 35, and is mounted on four of the receptacle 51 The holes 52A are screwed to the screw holes 35B formed in the wall portion of the casing 35 with the fixing screws 12, respectively, thereby mounting the receptacle 51 on A wall portion of the casing 35. At this time, the annular waterproof member 60 mounted on the + Y-direction side surface of the fixing portion 52 of the receptacle 51 is elastically deformed by being sandwiched between the fixing portion 52 and the wall portion of the casing 35. And it is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the casing 35.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51 passing through the opening 35A of the casing 35 and protruding inside the casing 35 is mounted on the circuit board 32 from the inside of the casing 35. The upper optical module 33 approaches, and the + Y-direction end of the relay connector 54 is inserted into the adapter 34 of the module 33. At this time, the + Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 55 of the relay connector 54 has an XZ cross-sectional shape suitable for the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, so the receptacle 51 and the optical module 33 It is positioned in the XZ plane.

In addition, the state of the Y-direction position of the optical module 33 is adjusted in a manner that the + Y-direction end of the relay connector 54 is fully inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 25, the circuit board 32 is fixed inside the casing 35 to complete the installation of the optical module 33, and the first set of connectors 56 of the relay connector 54 is abutted against the optical inside the optical module 33. Reference plane (the end face of the optical module side sleeve connector or the end face of the lens). In addition, due to the elastic force of the first spring 57 of the relay connector 54, the first set of connectors 56 contacts the optical reference plane in the optical module 33 with a predetermined contact pressure, so that the relay connector 54 and the optical module Group 33 optical connection.

When the plug 61 is fitted into the receptacle 51, as shown in FIG. 26, the front end portion of the plug 61 is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the receptacle 51 53, the plug 61 is moved in the + Y direction along the fitting axis C. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 27, the -Y direction end portion of the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51 is inserted into the relay connector accommodating portion 62D of the plug 61, and the plug side of the optical connector 63 of the plug 61 is inserted. The socket connector 65 abuts against the second socket connector 58 of the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51. In addition, due to the elastic force of the plug-side spring 66 of the optical connector 63, the plug-side sleeve connector 65 contacts the second set of connectors 58 of the relay connector 54 with a predetermined contact pressure, so that the optical connector 63 of the plug 61 The relay connector 54 is optically connected to the receptacle 51.

At this time, the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51 and the optical module 33 are optically connected to each other. Therefore, the optical connector 63 of the plug 61 is installed in the housing through the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51. The optical module 33 inside 35 is optically connected.

The locking portion 62C formed at the + Y-direction end of the lever member 62B of the plug 61 and the lock receiving portion 53A of the cylindrical portion 53 of the receptacle 51 form a plug locking mechanism for fixing the plug 61 Fitted to the receptacle 51. That is, the locking portion 62C is fitted into the locking receiving portion 53A, thereby preventing the plug 61 from being pulled out even if the external force directed in the -Y direction separated from the receptacle 51 is applied to the plug 61 directly through the optical cable 41. The receptacle 51 is exited to maintain the optical connection state of the optical connector 63 of the plug 61 and the relay connector 54 of the optical module 33 through the receptacle 51.

When the plug 61 is fitted into the receptacle 51, the waterproof member 64 attached to the outer peripheral portion of the plug housing 62 of the plug 61 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 53 of the receptacle 51 and is surrounded by the cylindrical portion 53. Inner peripheral surface In addition, it is elastically deformed and is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 53. In addition, as described above, the annular waterproof member 60 that surrounds the opening portion 52D of the receptacle 51 is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the casing 35. Therefore, in the fitted state of the plug 61 and the receptacle 51, a waterproof structure is formed to prevent water from entering the inside of the casing 35 through the opening portion 52D from the outside of the casing 35.

Moreover, when the plug 61 is pulled out of the receptacle 51, the -Y direction ends of the rod members 62B of both sides of the plug 61 are moved toward the surface of the plug housing 62 in the Z direction, thereby calming the locking portion 62C. The lock receiving portion 53A corresponding to the receiver 51 is disengaged, and in this state, the plug 61 may be moved to the receiver 51 in the -Y direction. Thereby, the mating state of the plug 61 and the receptacle 51 is released, and the optical connector 63 of the plug 61 is optically separated from the optical module 33.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the receptacle 51 has the relay connector 54 optically connected to the optical module 33, the receptacle 51 is located even when the plug 61 is not fitted into the receptacle 51. The optical module 33 is provided inside the casing 35. When the plug 61 is fitted into the receptacle 51, the amount of deflection of the optical fiber arranged inside the plug 61 becomes constant, which can suppress the dispersion of the transmission loss and can The optical connector 63 of the plug 61 and the optical module 33 are optically connected through the relay connector 54.

In addition, it is not necessary to adopt a floating structure that allows the optical connector 63 to be moved to the plug 61, and the size of the plug 61 can be reduced.

In addition, in Embodiment 2, the + Y-direction end of the relay connector 54 of the receptacle 51 mounted on the wall portion of the casing 35 is inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33, and the light of the plug 61 Connector 63 is connected to The -Y-direction end portion of the relay connector 54 is only required to have a plug lock mechanism with a simple structure for fixing the state in which the plug 61 is fitted into the receptacle 51, and it is not necessary to use the same as in the first embodiment. The optical connector locking mechanism is fixed in a state where the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 is inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33. Therefore, the structure of the optical connector assembly can be simplified.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 28 shows the structure of an optical connector assembly according to the third embodiment. This optical connector assembly includes a receptacle 71 and a plug 81, and the receptacle 71 and the plug 81 are fitted by moving the plug 81 along the fitting axis C in the fitting direction. FIG. 28 shows a state before the fitting in which the receptacle 71 and the plug 81 are arranged at a distance from each other.

The receptacle 71 is the receptacle 51 of the second embodiment, and has a relay connector 74 instead of the relay connector 54. The relay connector 74 penetrates the fixing portion 52 from the inside of the cylindrical portion 53. It extends to the + Y direction side of the fixed portion 52.

The relay connector 74 is used to optically connect the plug 81 and the optical module 33. As shown in FIG. 29, the relay connector 74 has a relay connector housing 75 extending along the fitting direction, that is, the Y direction.

The relay connector 74 further includes: a first set of joints 56 arranged at the + Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 75 and held in the relay connector housing 75 so as to be movable in the Y direction; The first spring 57 is held in the relay connector housing 75 and presses the first set of connectors 56 in the + Y direction; the second set of connectors 58 is disposed in the relay connector. The -Y direction end portion of the connector housing 75 is held in the relay connector housing 75 so as to be movable in the Y direction; a second spring 76 is held in the relay connector housing 75 and connects the second set of joints. 58 is pressed in the -Y direction; the optical fiber 59 is arranged in the relay connector housing 75 and both ends are held by the first set of connectors 56 and the second set of connectors 58 respectively.

That is, the relay connector 74 of the receptacle 71 is arranged at the first set of joints 56 at the + Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 75 and at the −Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 75. Both sides of the second set of joints 58 are held so as to be movable in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 28, the receptacle 71 is attached to the wall portion of the casing 35 using four fixing screws 12.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 30, the plug 81 has a plug housing 82 extending in the fitting direction, that is, the Y direction, and an optical connector connected to the front end of the optical cable 41 is held inside the plug housing 82. 83. The optical connector 83 includes a plug-side ferrule 65 fixed near the + Y-direction end of the plug housing 82.

The plug 81 has the same structure as the plug 61 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 21 except that the plug-side socket connector 65 is fixed in the plug housing 82. However, since the position of the plug-side socket connector 65 is fixed, the plug-side spring 66 included in the plug 61 of the second embodiment is not used for the plug 81 of the third embodiment.

When the plug 81 is mated with the receptacle 71, as shown in FIG. 31, the plug-side sleeve joint 65 of the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 will abut against the second set of the relay connector 74 of the receptacle 71接 58。 Connector 58. In addition, borrow Due to the elastic force of the second spring 76 of the receptacle 71, the second set of joints 58 of the relay connector 74 contacts the plug-side sleeve joint 65 with a predetermined contact pressure, so that the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 and the receptacle The relay connector 74 of the connector 71 is optically connected.

In addition, as in the second embodiment, the relay connector 74 of the receptacle 71 and the optical module 33 are optically connected to each other. Therefore, the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 is the relay connector 74 passing through the receptacle 71. It is optically connected to the light module 33 provided inside the casing 35.

In this way, also in the third embodiment, since the receptacle 71 has the relay connector 74 optically connected to the optical module 33, it is present even when the plug 81 is not fitted into the receptacle 71. The optical module 33 is provided inside the casing 35. When the plug 81 is fitted into the receptacle 71, the amount of deflection of the optical fiber disposed inside the plug 81 becomes constant, which can suppress the dispersion of the transmission loss and can The optical connector 83 of the plug 81 and the optical module 33 are optically connected through the relay connector 74.

In addition, it is not necessary to adopt a floating structure capable of moving the optical connector 83 for the plug 81, and it is possible to reduce the size of the plug 81. In addition, since the position of the plug-side sleeve joint 65 of the plug 81 is fixed, the plug-side spring 66 used for the plug 61 in Embodiment 2 is not required, and the plug 81 can be further miniaturized.

In addition, in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the + Y-direction end portion of the relay connector 74 of the receptacle 71 mounted on the wall portion of the casing 35 is inserted into the adapter of the optical module 33. Connector 34, and the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 is connected to the -Y direction end of the relay connector 74 Therefore, as long as it has a simple structure of a plug lock mechanism for fixing the state where the plug 81 is fitted into the receptacle 71, it is not necessary to use an optical connector lock mechanism to fix the plug 21 as in the first embodiment. The optical connector 22 is inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33. Therefore, the structure of the optical connector assembly can be simplified.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 32 shows the structure of an optical connector assembly according to the fourth embodiment. This optical connector assembly includes a receptacle 91 and a plug 81, and the receptacle 81 and the plug 81 are fitted by moving the plug 81 along the fitting axis C in the fitting direction. FIG. 32 shows a state before fitting in which the receptacle 91 and the plug 81 are arranged at intervals with respect to each other.

The receptacle 91 is the receptacle 51 of the second embodiment, and has a relay connector 94 instead of the relay connector 54. The relay connector 94 penetrates the fixing portion 52 from the inside of the cylindrical portion 53. It extends to the + Y direction side of the fixed portion 52.

The relay connector 94 is used to optically connect the plug 81 and the optical module 33. As shown in FIG. 33, the relay connector 94 has a relay connector housing 95 extending along the fitting direction, that is, the Y direction.

The relay connector 94 further includes: a first set of joints 56 arranged at the + Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 95 and held in the relay connector housing 95 so as to be movable in the Y direction; The second set of joints 58 is arranged in the -Y direction end portion of the relay connector housing 95 and is held in the relay connector housing 95 so as to be movable in the Y direction; a common spring The spring 96 is held in the relay connector housing 95 and presses the first set of connectors 56 and the second set of connectors 58 in a direction separated from each other; the optical fiber 59 is arranged in the relay connector housing 95 and two The ends are held by the first set of joints 56 and the second set of joints 58, respectively.

That is, the relay connector 94 of the receptacle 91 is arranged at the first set of joints 56 at the + Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 95 and at the −Y-direction end of the relay connector housing 95. The second set of joints 58 in the section are held so as to be movable in the Y direction, and are pressed in directions separated from each other by the common spring 96.

As shown in FIG. 32, the receptacle 91 is attached to the wall portion of the casing 35 using four fixing screws 12.

On the other hand, the plug 81 is the same as the user of the third embodiment.

When the plug 81 is mated with the receptacle 91, as shown in FIG. 34, the plug-side sleeve joint 65 of the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 will abut against the second set of the relay connector 94 of the receptacle 91接 58。 Connector 58. In addition, due to the elastic force of the common spring 96 of the relay connector 94, the first connector 56 contacts the optical reference surface (the end face of the optical module side sleeve connector or the optical module side sleeve connector with a predetermined contact pressure). (The end face of the lens) to optically connect the relay connector 94 to the optical module 33, and the second set of connectors 58 contact the plug-side sleeve connector 65 with a predetermined contact pressure to make the optical connector of the plug 81 83 is optically connected to the relay connector 94 of the receptacle 91.

Therefore, the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 is transmitted through the relay connector 94 of the receptacle 91 to the optical module 33 provided inside the housing 35. Learn to connect.

In this way, also in the fourth embodiment, the receptacle 91 has the relay connector 94 optically connected to the optical module 33, so even in a state where the plug 81 is not fitted into the receptacle 91, The optical module 33 is provided inside the casing 35. When the plug 81 is fitted into the receptacle 91, the amount of deflection of the optical fiber arranged inside the plug 81 becomes constant, which can suppress the dispersion of the transmission loss and can The optical connector 83 of the plug 81 and the optical module 33 are optically connected through the relay connector 94.

In addition, it is not necessary to adopt a floating structure that can move the optical connector 83 for the plug 81, and because the position of the plug-side sleeve joint 65 of the plug 81 is fixed, the size of the plug 81 can be reduced as in the third embodiment. . In addition, since the first set of joints 56 and the second set of joints 58 of the relay connector 94 do not use two springs, they are pressed by a common spring 96 in a direction separated from each other. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and The manufacturing cost of the optical connector assembly is reduced and the manufacturing steps are simplified.

In the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the + Y-direction end portion of the relay connector 94 of the receptacle 91 mounted on the wall portion of the casing 35 is inserted into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33 And the optical connector 83 of the plug 81 is connected to the -Y direction end of the relay connector 94, so as long as it has a simple structure of a plug lock mechanism for fixing the state where the plug 81 is fitted in the receptacle 91, that is, However, it is not necessary to adopt an optical connector locking mechanism to fix the optical connector 22 of the plug 21 into the adapter 34 of the optical module 33 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the structure of the optical connector assembly can be simplified.

11‧‧‧ receptacle

14‧‧‧ tube

15‧‧‧ protrusion

21‧‧‧Plug

22‧‧‧optical connector

29‧‧‧Waterproof member

31‧‧‧Chassis

32‧‧‧circuit board

33‧‧‧Optical Module

34‧‧‧ adapter

41‧‧‧ Optical Cable

C‧‧‧fit shaft

Claims (12)

An optical connector assembly is used to connect an optical module provided inside a casing and an optical cable arranged outside the casing, and is characterized in that the optical module has a receiving portion installed on a wall portion of the casing. And a plug having an optical connector connected to an end portion of the optical cable and mating with the receptacle along a fitting direction, the receptacle having a protrusion protruding from the inside of the housing and being inserted into the receptacle An optical module adapter, a positioning guide for positioning the optical module of the receptacle, and fitting the plug to the receptacle to make the optical connector and the optical module optical connection. The optical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the positioning guide is formed by a protrusion formed integrally with the receptacle and extending toward the inside of the housing, and the plug is inserted into the connector. When combined with the receptacle, the front end of the optical connector is combined with the positioning guide to form a shape suitable for the adapter of the optical module, and is inserted into the light together with the positioning guide. The aforementioned adapter of the module. The optical connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle is embedded in a portion of the receptacle to be mounted on a wall portion of the housing, and is mounted for movement in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction. Components. The optical connector assembly according to claim 2 or 3, comprising: an optical connector locking mechanism for fixing the front of the optical connector A state where the end is inserted into the aforementioned adapter of the aforementioned optical module. The optical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes: when the plug is fitted into the receptacle, the optical connector is optically connected between the optical connector and the optical module. The relay connector for connection is formed at the end of the optical module side of the relay connector with the positioning guide portion suitable for the shape of the adapter of the optical module, and the relay connection The device includes a first set of connectors arranged at an end portion of the optical module side, a second set of connectors arranged at an end portion of the plug side, and both ends are held by the first set of connectors and the second set of connectors, respectively. The first set of connectors are optically connected to the optical module, and the second set of connectors are optically connected to the optical connector. The optical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first set of connectors is held in the relay connector so as to be movable in the fitting direction, and the relay connector further includes a connector. The first spring that the first set of joints is pressed toward the inside of the housing along the fitting direction. The optical connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the optical connector includes a plug-side sleeve connector movably held in the optical connector in the fitting direction, and the plug-side sleeve The connector is a plug-side spring that is pressed toward the receptacle along the fitting direction. The second set of connectors is held in the relay connector in a fixed position and is optically connected to the plug-side sleeve connector. . The optical connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the optical connector has a plug-side sleeve connector held in the optical connector in a fixed position, and the second set of connectors is The relay connector is movably held in the fitting direction. The relay connector further includes a second spring that presses the second set of joints along the fitting direction toward the outside of the housing. The second set of connectors is optically connected to the plug-side sleeve connector. The optical connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first spring and the second spring are made of a common spring common to the first set of connectors and the second set of connectors. The optical connector assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9, which has a plug locking mechanism for fixing the mating state of the plug and the receptacle. The optical connector assembly according to any one of claims 2, 3, 5 to 9, further comprising: preventing the water from passing from the outside of the casing to the foregoing in a state where the plug is fitted into the receptacle. Waterproof structure for intrusion inside the cabinet. The optical connector assembly according to any one of claims 2, 3, 5 to 9, wherein the positioning guide has a shape corresponding to at least a part of an adapter according to a predetermined specification .