JPH0360089B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (1) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical multi-connector used in an optical communication device.

(2) Background of the technology In an optical multi-connector, a pair of plugs in which multiple optical fibers are buried with their end faces exposed are inserted from both ends of the adapter facing each other, and the optical fibers are aligned. It is used for optical coupling. In such optical multi-connectors, the plugs must be accurately positioned and held within the adapter so that the optical fibers of the facing plugs are perfectly aligned and optically coupled.

(3) Prior Art and Problems Cross-sectional views of different examples of conventional optical multi-connectors are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the example of FIG. 1, the sleeve-shaped adapter 1
A guide groove 3 precisely corresponding to the shape of the plug 2 is formed inside the adapter 1, and the plug 2 is inserted into the guide groove 3 of the adapter 1. Incidentally, reference numeral 10 denotes optical fibers embedded in the plug 2 at precise intervals.

In the example of FIG. 2, the reference plane 4 is perpendicular to the adapter 1.
is formed, and the plug 2 is pressed against this reference surface 4 by a spring 5 in the direction perpendicular to the arrow A to position it. However, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 1, strict dimensional accuracy is required in machining, which is also disadvantageous in terms of cost. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 2, the number of parts increases and the structure becomes complicated.

(4) Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical multi-connector that can be aligned and made to face each other.

(5) Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, the optical multi-connector according to the present invention has a semi-cylindrical shape in which a plurality of optical fibers are buried at predetermined intervals and both sides thereof protrude outward in the longitudinal direction. A plug having a reference surface extending to , and both side walls having plug guide grooves formed on the inner surface that contact the reference surface of the plug in the length direction at two points spaced apart from each other in the length direction are curved and protruded outward. It consists of an adapter connected by at least one leaf spring, and when a pair of plugs is attached to the adapter, the two side walls are pushed apart against the elastic force of the leaf spring and inserted facing each other, and the two are aligned and optically connected. It is configured to do so.

(6) Embodiments of the Invention Hereinafter, the optical multi-connector of the present invention will be specifically explained by embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the optical multi-connector according to the present invention. In the figure, a plurality of optical fibers 20 are embedded in a pair of plugs 12 to be coupled, with their end surfaces exposed and positioned at precise predetermined intervals. plug 12
A semi-cylindrical reference surface 19 is formed on both side surfaces of the holder, projecting outwardly and extending in the length direction.

The adapter 11 into which a pair of plugs 12 are inserted with their end faces facing each other is composed of both side walls 16 and a leaf spring (portion) 18 connecting these both side walls 16, and a reference surface of the plug 12 is provided on the inner surface of each side wall. A V-shaped guide groove 17 is formed to contact and guide the cylindrical shape of 19 in the length direction at two points separated by a distance.

Such an adapter 11 may be integrally formed by bending the leaf spring material as shown in FIG. 4, or it may be formed by forming both side walls 16 and the leaf spring 18 as separate parts as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, it may be formed by integral molding or cutting of a metal material or plastic, or by cutting an extruded material.

The leaf spring 18 of the adapter 11 has a shape that curves and protrudes outward when the plug 12 is not attached.
The actual width Wa of the adapter 11 (the distance between the contact points of the reference surface 19 of the plug 12 in both guide grooves 17 when the plug 12 is installed: see FIG. 4) is the width Wp of the plug 12 (see FIG. 3). ) is smaller than. Therefore, when the plug 12 is inserted into the adapter 11, the both side walls 16 are pushed outward by the plug 12 against the elastic force of the leaf spring 18. Therefore, the reference surface 19 of the plug 12 is held in a state where it is elastically pressed against the inner surface of the guide groove 17.

By placing the adapter 11 on a flat surface, pressing the both side walls 16 against the flat surface, and pressing the leaf spring 18 against the flat surface to make it flat, the distance between the both side walls 16 increases, and the plug 12 can be easily inserted and removed. . In addition, in order to prevent the abutting parts of the plug 12 from separating from each other in the coupled state or from coming off the adapter 11, a simple locking means (not shown) is provided for locking the two.
It is preferable to provide the adapter between the two or between the plug 12 and the adapter 11.

Even if the guide groove 17 is formed of two round rods 21 as shown in FIG. 7, the same operation and effect can be obtained. Further, the leaf spring 18 may connect the upper and lower ends of both side walls 16 to each other as shown in FIG. 8, but in this case, the thickness of each spring can be reduced.

(7) Effects of the Invention As explained above, in the optical multi-connector according to the present invention, the reference surfaces on both outer sides of the plug are connected to the inner surface of the adapter in the longitudinal direction by the action of the leaf spring at two contact points. With line contact, it is always pressed and held in a stable state. Therefore, both plugs can be precisely aligned and aligned along the guide surfaces with a simple structure and without requiring high precision in machining. Furthermore, in the optical multi-connector according to the present invention, by placing the adapter on a suitable base plate, such as a table, and pressing it, the distance between both guide grooves can be expanded, so that it is easy to attach and detach the plug, that is, to insert and remove it. In particular, when leaf springs are provided above and below as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, it is possible to widen the gap between both guide grooves by pressing both leaf springs from above and below with one hand. because there is,
Insertion and removal of the plug becomes easier.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of conventional optical multi-connectors, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the optical multi-connector according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views of conventional optical multi-connectors. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example of the adapter according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of still another example of the adapter according to the present invention. 11...Adapter, 12...Plug, 16...Side wall,
17... Guide groove, 18... Leaf spring, 19... Reference surface, 2
0...Optical fiber.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plug in which a plurality of optical fibers are embedded at predetermined intervals and has a semi-cylindrical reference surface extending in the length direction with both sides protruding outward, and 2. The adapter has plug guide grooves that contact each other in the length direction at each point.Both side walls are connected by at least one leaf spring that curves and protrudes outward.When a pair of plugs is attached to the adapter, An optical multi-connector characterized in that the above-mentioned side walls are pushed apart against the elastic force of a leaf spring and inserted facing each other, and the two are aligned and optically coupled.