JPH04323607A - Optical connector adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the rapid and easy cleaning of the ferrule end faces of optical connector plugs by moving locking levers along the circular orbit around the axis of turning as a fulcrum and removing a 1st shell member from a 2nd shell member. CONSTITUTION:The ferrules 10 are butted against each other within an aligning sleeve 11 and are optically connected when the 1st and 2nd optical connector plugs 6, 7 are fitted from the inside and outside of an appliance and the coupling nuts 6a, 7a thereof are screwed to the screw threads in the outer peripheral parts of the 1st shell member 1 and the 2nd shell member 2. The optical connector plug 6 is removed from this state by turning the coupling nut 6a of the optical connector plug 6 counterclockwise. Further, the 2nd shell member 2 is detached from the 1st shell member 1 when the paired locking levers 21 are unlocked by turning the levers counterclockwise. Since the end faces 13 of the ferrules 10 are exposed at this time, the easy cleaning of the end faces 13 is executed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector adapter for optically connecting a pair of optical connector plugs.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, an optical connector adapter includes a first shell member 31 and a second shell member 31 that is coupled to and detachable from the first shell member 31.
It has a shell member 32 of. The first and second shell members 31, 32 are attached to a panel 33 of the equipment. Optical connector plugs are connected to this optical connector adapter from inside and outside the device, respectively. In Fig. 12, one optical connector plug 3 installed inside the device is shown.
Only 6 is shown.

[0003] The first shell member 31 is formed into a cylindrical shape. A first flange 41 extending radially outward is formed at one end of the first shell member 31 . A second flange 42 is formed on the second shell member 32 and is disposed opposite to the first flange 41 . Further, the second shell member 32 is made in a cylindrical shape,
It is arranged coaxially with the first shell member 31 . An alignment sleeve 43 is provided inside the first shell member 31 and the second shell member 32 . The ferrules 37 are held in alignment inside the alignment sleeve 43. Further, the alignment sleeve 47 is held with its outer peripheral surface covered in the axial direction by a first holding member 48 and a second holding member 49. The first holding member 48 is attached to the first shell member 31 . The second holding member 49
It is attached to the shell member 32 of. Furthermore, the first
The second holding members 48 and 49 are held by a cylindrical third holding member 51 provided in the axial direction along the inner peripheral surfaces of the first and second flanges 41 and 42.

The ferrule 37 projects slightly from one end of the alignment sleeve 43 on the second shell member 32 side. This ferrule 37 is disposed up to an axially intermediate portion of the alignment sleeve 43. Inside the alignment sleeve 43, the end face 38 of the ferrule 37 is connected to the other optical connector plug (
(not shown) for optical connection by abutting against the end face of an optical fiber. The first and second shell members 31 and 32 are attached to the panel 33 by screws 57 inserted into holes provided at the four corners of the first and second flanges 41 and 42.
is tightened.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the first shell member 31 and the second shell member 32 are fixed to the panel 33 by a plurality of screws 57, the ferrule 37 is To clean the end face 38, it is necessary to remove a plurality of screws 57 or use a jig such as a cotton swab to clean the end face 38 of the ferrule 37, which makes cleaning quick and easy. The problem is that it cannot be done.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to clean the end face of the ferrule of an optical connector plug fitted with an optical connector adapter attached to a device in a short time without removing multiple screws and without using a jig. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical connector adapter that can be used for various purposes.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, an optical connector adapter including a first shell member and a second shell member that is fastened to the first shell member so as to be able to be coupled to and separated from the first shell member. a lever, and the lock lever is connected to the first lock lever.
and a rotation shaft attached to the first shell member so as to be rotatable along a circular orbit between the second shell members, and a rotation shaft provided on the second shell member and rotating on the circular orbit. An optical connector adapter characterized in that it has an engagement receiving portion that engages with the lock lever is obtained. According to the present invention, the lock lever has an elastic member, and the second shell member has an engaging protrusion that abuts against the elastic member when the lock lever is rotated along the circular orbit. and an optical connector adapter configured such that when the lock lever engages with the engagement receiving protrusion, the elastic member rides over the engagement protrusion and maintains the locked state of the lock lever. can get.

[0008]

[Operation] Using the rotation shaft provided on the first shell member as a fulcrum, the engagement portion of the lock lever is engaged with or disengaged from the engagement receiving portion provided on the second shell member in a short time, and the device The end face of the ferrule of the optical connector plug fitted with the second shell member attached to the panel surface can be cleaned in a short time.

[0009] Furthermore, the second shell member abuts against the elastic member when the lock lever is rotated along a circular orbit, and when the lock lever engages with the engagement receiving portion, the elastic member engages. Climb over the protrusion and keep the lock lever locked.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the optical connector adapter of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the optical connector adapter includes a first shell member 1 and a second shell member 2 that is coupled to and detachably connected to the first shell member 1. are doing. The second shell member 2 is attached to a panel 3 of the equipment. A first optical connector plug 6 is connected to the first shell member 1 on the outside of the panel 3 of the device, with the panel 3 as a reference. A second optical connector plug 7 is connected to the second shell member 2 inside the panel 3. The first shell member 1 is made in a cylindrical shape. 1st
A first flange 8 is formed radially outward at one end of the shell member 1 . The second shell member 2 is made in a cylindrical shape. A second flange 9 is formed on the second shell member 2 so as to face the first flange 8 of the first shell member 1 . Further, the cylindrical portion of the first shell member 1 is disposed coaxially with the first shell member 1. An alignment sleeve 11 is provided inside the second shell member 2 . A ferrule 10 is provided inside the alignment sleeve 11.
are kept in alignment. Further, when the first shell member 1 is fastened to the second shell member 2, the alignment sleeve 11 is held inside with its outer peripheral surface covered in the axial direction by the holding member 12. The holding member 12 is attached to the first shell member 1 . Furthermore, inside the first shell member 1, the alignment sleeve 11 is inserted into a cylindrical portion 14 extending in the axial direction on the side opposite to the holding member 12. The second shell member 2 is connected so as to cover the cylindrical portion 14 so that the end face of a second flange 9 orthogonal to the axial direction butts against the end face of the first flange 8 . The second flange 9 screws the second shell member 2 onto the panel 3 (not shown).
It is tightened and fixed.

By the way, in the optical connector adapter, one end surface 13 of the ferrule 10 is located inside the alignment sleeve 11.
is brought into contact with the end face of the ferrule 15 of the first optical connector plug 6 for optical connection.

Furthermore, the first shell member 1 is provided with a lock lever 21 . The lock lever 21 has a pair of lock lever plates 21a and 21b provided on each of a pair of side walls 8a of the first flange 8 that face each other. These lock levers 21a and 21b are rotatably supported by rotation shafts 22 provided on each of a pair of opposing side walls 8a of the first shell member 1. Therefore, the lock lever 21 is connected to the first and second shell members 1,
The shell member 1 is attached to the first shell member 1 so as to be rotatable along a circular orbit between the two shell members. Moreover, these lock levers 2 are provided between one ends of the lock lever plates 21a and 21b.
An operating member 24 is connected to each of 1a and 21b for rotating the rotating shaft 22 as a fulcrum. Lock lever plate 21a
, 21b is formed with a notch-shaped engagement portion 25 on the opposite side from the operating portion 24 when centered on the rotation axis. Further, the second shell member 2 has a lock lever plate 21 on each of a pair of opposing side walls 9a of the second flange 9.
A protruding engagement receiving part 2 that engages with the engagement part 25 of a, 21b
6 is provided.

Furthermore, the lock lever 21 is provided with an elastic member 2.
7 is provided. The elastic member 27 is located between the rotation shaft 22 and the operating member 24, and between the pair of lock lever plates 21a,
21b. The second flange 9 has
As shown in FIG. 7, the engaging protrusion 2 hits the elastic member 27 when the lock lever 21 is rotated along a circular orbit.
9a is provided. The lock lever 2 is attached to the engagement receiving part 26.
1 is engaged, the elastic member 27 rides over the engagement protrusion 29a to maintain the locked state of the lock lever 21. The elastic member 27 is, for example, shaped like a pipe or a round bar, and is made of an elastic member. Examples of the engaging protrusion 29a are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of engagement protrusions 29b are provided without being limited to one location on the second flange 9, or as shown in FIG. may be formed.

Next, the connection of the optical connector adapter will be explained below. Insert and fit one end of the second shell member 2 into the first shell member 1, and then tighten the lock lever 21.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the lock lever 21 is rotated clockwise on the paper, the engaging portion 25 of the lock lever 21 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIGS. to lock the fitted state between the first shell member 1 and the second shell member 2. At this time, the elastic member 27
a, and the locked state is maintained. In this way, the free movement of the lock lever 21 on the circular orbit is restricted by the elastic member 27 riding over the engagement protrusion 29a, so that the lock can be held in a stable state.

First and second optical connector plugs 6 and 7 are fitted into such an optical connector adapter from the inside and outside of the device, respectively, and the coupling nut 6 is fitted into the optical connector adapter.
a, 7a as the first shell member 1 and the second shell member 2
When the ferrule 10 is screwed into the screw on the outer periphery of the ferrule 10, the ferrule 10 is butted together within the alignment sleeve 11 to establish an optical connection. and,
From this state, rotate the coupling nut 6a of the optical connector plug 6 counterclockwise to remove the optical connector plug 6, and rotate the anti-lock lever 21 counterclockwise to release the lock. The second shell member 2 can be detached from the shell member 1. At this time, the end surface 13 of the ferrule 10 is exposed, so that the end surface 13 can be easily cleaned.

[0017]

As described above with reference to the embodiments, according to the optical connector adapter of the present invention, a lock lever, which is a fastening member between the first shell member and the second shell member, is attached, and this lock lever is attached. The first shell member can be removed from the second shell member in a short time by moving the lever along a circular path using the rotation axis as a fulcrum, so that the optical connector adapter attached to the device and the inside of the device can be removed. It is possible to easily clean the ferrule end face of the optical connector plug fitted with the ferrule in a short time.

Furthermore, since the elastic member rides over the engagement protrusion, free movement of the lock lever on the circular orbit is restricted, so that the lock can be held in a stable state.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the optical connector adapter of the present invention, showing an exploded state of the optical connector adapter to which an optical connector plug is connected.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical connector adapter of FIG. 1 in a fastened state.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 2 with the optical connector plug removed.

5 is a side view of the optical connector adapter of FIG. 4. FIG.

6 is a sectional view showing a state in which the lock lever of the optical connector adapter in FIG. 4 is released; FIG.

7 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the engagement protrusion shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. FIG.

8 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the engagement protrusion shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. FIG.

9 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the engagement protrusion shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional optical connector adapter.

11 is a side view of the optical connector adapter in FIG. 10. FIG.

12 is a sectional view showing a state in which an optical connector plug is connected to the optical connector adapter of FIG. 10. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 First shell member 2 Second shell member 3 Panel 6 First optical connector plug 7 Second optical connector plug 8 First flange 9 Second flange 10 Ferrule 11 Alignment sleeve 12 Holding member 21 Lock lever 22 Rotation axis 25 Engagement part 26 Engagement receiving part 27 Elastic member 29a Engagement protrusion

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector adapter comprising a first shell member and a second shell member that is coupled and separably fastened to the first shell member; and a rotation shaft attached to the first shell member so as to be rotatable along a circular orbit between the second shell members, and a rotation shaft provided on the second shell member and rotating on the circular orbit. An optical connector adapter comprising an engagement receiving portion that engages with the lock lever. 2. The lock lever includes an elastic member,
The second shell member has an engagement protrusion that abuts against the elastic member when the lock lever is rotated along the circular orbit, and when the lock lever engages with the engagement receiving portion. 2. The optical connector adapter according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is configured to ride over the engagement protrusion and maintain the locked state of the lock lever.