JPH0442809Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a mounting structure for an optical to electrical or electrical to optical conversion element in a light emitting/receiving connector.

(Prior art and its problems) When transmitting information using an optical fiber line, on the transmitting side the emitted light from a light emitting element that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal is coupled to the optical fiber line, and on the receiving side the light is coupled to the optical fiber line. An optical signal generated by a light emitting device is coupled to a light-receiving element and converted into an electric signal. In this case, a light emitting/receiving connector shown in FIG. 1, for example, is generally used.

This connector includes a ferrule 2 with a support flange that holds an optical fiber 1 in the center, a coil spring 4 that supports the ferrule in a body 3, and a spring support sleeve 5.
A light emitting/receiving section A consisting of a
It is formed by a conversion section B consisting of a conversion element 7 for emitting or receiving light, which is fixed within the conversion element housing body 6 so that the light emitting surface or light receiving surface 7a is exposed. Then, by inserting the tip of the ferrule 2 into the sleeve 6b of the body 6 as shown in the figure, the exposed end surface of the optical fiber 1 and the exposed end surface of the conversion element 7 are made to face each other while maintaining a uniform close distance. It is something that connects.

By the way, when attaching the conversion element 7 in the housing body 6 in the conversion part B, conventionally, the end surface 7a of the conversion element 7 on the emitting or light receiving surface side is attached with adhesive.
A method of adhering it to the body 6 is used. Therefore, due to differences in the thickness of the adhesive layer 7b, the optical fiber 1 of the ferrule 2 inserted into the sleeve 6b
Not only does the distance between the exposed end surface 1a of the conversion element 7 and the light emitting or light receiving surface 7a of the conversion element 7 change, but the distance also becomes uneven over all opposing surfaces, making it difficult to produce a product with constant conversion efficiency. Furthermore, since it takes time for the adhesive to harden, the time required for manufacturing increases accordingly, and there is a risk that the conversion element 7 will move during the time it hardens, making it impossible to produce a product with consistent characteristics. Furthermore, the conversion element cannot be easily replaced. In addition, since adhesives generally have insulation properties against electricity and heat, the metal case 7c of the conversion element 7
and the metal body 6 are electrically and thermally isolated. As a result, even if the body 6 is grounded, the conversion element 7 is not shielded, so in a connector that handles electrical signals on the order of microamperes, noise disturbances may occur due to external electromagnetic wave components. Moreover, since the heat generated in the conversion element 7 is prevented from being conducted and diffused through the body 6, there is a great possibility that the life of the conversion element 7 will be shortened.

The present invention has been made for the purpose of providing a mounting structure for a conversion element that does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks, and the details thereof will be explained next with reference to the drawings.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means and effects for solving the problem) Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing an embodiment of the present invention (same symbols as in Fig. 1 indicate equivalent parts), and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a leaf spring.
In short, the feature of the present invention is that when pushed into the body 6, as shown in FIG. provided, thereby converting element 7
The key point is that the parts are held in pressure contact. That is, since the conversion element 7 is generally extremely lightweight, the body 6
Even if vibrations or shocks are applied to the optical fiber 1, the holding force of the holding plate 8 based on the spring force reliably prevents the vibration or movement of the conversion element 7, and the exposed end face 1a of the optical fiber 1 and the conversion element 7 always emit light. Alternatively, the distance between the light receiving surfaces 7b can be kept constant, and the retaining plate 8 can ensure a good thermal connection between the body 6 and the conversion element 7, allowing efficient heat dissipation of the conversion element. It was conceived and done. Next, the present invention will be further explained with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, a disc 8 has a pull-out hole 8a for the connection terminal 7d of the conversion element 7 (see FIG. 2) in the center.
An obtuse angle θ is placed at equal intervals around the periphery of b (see Figure 2).
A plurality of (four in the figure) holding spring force generating tongues 8c are formed by bending them diagonally in the same direction while keeping the angle θ appropriately selected, and a circumference passing through the lower end of each of the tongues 8c is provided. The holding plate 8 is formed so that the diameter R thereof is selected to be larger than the inner diameter of the body 6 so as to generate the best spring force during holding.

As shown in FIG.
Insert until the end. Next, the holding plate 8 is attached to the end surface 7 of the conversion element 7.
By pushing the tip a until it comes into contact with the inner surface 6d of the tip end of the body 6, the holding plate 8 is well supported by the large spring force generated in the spring force generating tongue piece 8c in the direction of the inner circumferential surface of the body 6, and the conversion element 7 This feature is characterized in that the information is maintained.

(Effects of the invention) As described above, in the present invention, since no adhesive is used to house and fix the conversion element 7, the distance between the light emitting/receiving surface 7b of the conversion element 7 and the optical fiber end face 1a is determined by the thickness of the adhesive layer. The conversion element 7 can be accommodated and fixed without changing. Furthermore, there is no fear that the position of the conversion element 7 will change due to vibrations applied before the adhesive hardens, and no time is required for the adhesive to harden. Therefore, a light emitting/receiving connector with constant conversion efficiency can be easily manufactured, and costs can be reduced. Also, the retaining plate 8
It is possible to easily convert and repair a malfunctioning conversion element 7 and replace the electrical to optical conversion element and the optical to electrical conversion element by simply pulling out the converter. Furthermore, the metal case 7c (see FIG. 2) of the conversion element 7 is electrically and thermally connected to the body 6 via a holding plate 8 or the like. As a result, a good shielding effect can be obtained, and at the same time, good heat dissipation of the conversion element 7 can be performed, contributing to the extension of the service life.According to the present invention, the light emitting/receiving connector has good performance and eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional one. can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional connector, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of the present invention, and a perspective view of a retaining plate thereof. 1... Optical fiber, 2... Ferrule, 3...
Body, 4... Coil spring, 5... Spring support sleeve, A... Light emitting/receiving section, B... Conversion section, 6... Conversion element housing body, 6a... Window, 6b... Sleeve, 6c... Position Regulation step portion, 7... Conversion element, 7
a... End surface, 7b... Light emitting or light receiving surface, 7c...
...Metal case, 7d... Connection terminal, 8... Holding plate, 8a... Connection terminal extraction hole, 8b... Disc, 8
c... Spring force generating tongue piece, 9... Positioning plate.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A disc 8b is provided with a connecting terminal pull-out hole 8a for the conversion element 7, and a plurality of spring force generating tongues are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the disc 8b by bending the disc 8b diagonally outward. A holding plate 8 made of metal is formed, and the diameter of the circumference passing through the tip of the spring force generating tongue piece 8c is larger than the inner diameter of the conversion element housing body 6 made of metal. The conversion element 7 is pushed by the surface of the disk 8b, and with the disk 8b of the holding plate 8 in contact with the metal case 7c surface of the connection terminal extraction surface of the conversion element 7, the light emitting and receiving surface of the conversion element 7 is A conversion element mounting structure for a light emitting/receiving connector, characterized in that the conversion element 7 is held by being pushed into the conversion element accommodation body 6 until it is pressed against the installation surface of the window 6a of the accommodation body 6.