JPS6239364Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] (a) Technical field of invention The present invention relates to improvements in optical connectors.

(b) Background of the Technology As optical fiber transmission lines become widely used, optical connectors for optically coupling these optical fibers are required to be low cost and have reproducible coupling characteristics.

(c) Prior Art and Problems A and B in FIG. 1 are side sectional views of a conventional optical connector, respectively.

In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 denotes an adapter into which a ferrule is inserted into the shaft hole 2 from both ends. Threaded portions 3 are threaded on the outer peripheral surface of both ends of the adapter 1.

The coating at the tip is peeled off and the optical fiber core 5a is removed.
The exposed end of the optical fiber 5 is inserted into the axis of the substantially cylindrical ferrule 4, and is finished smooth together with the end surface 4a of the ferrule 4. The outer periphery of the end surface 4a of the ferrule 4 is finished so that it can be inserted into and removed from the shaft hole 2 and is inserted closely. A ring-shaped collar 4b is formed on the ferrule 4 at a desired position.

Insert the ferrules 4 from both ends of such an adapter 1 so that the respective end surfaces 4a are in contact with each other,
A bag nut 6 is screwed onto each threaded portion 3 to press the end face of the collar 4b, thereby bringing the end face 4a into pressure contact.

In B, a pair of recesses 12 are provided in the center of the outer surface of the adapter 10 having the axial hole 11 so as to face each other with the axial center as the symmetrical axis.

A ferrule 7 inserted into the axial hole 11 is attached to the end of the optical fiber 5. Ferrule 7
The end face 7a of the ferrule 7 is precisely finished so as to be in close contact with the end face 7a of another ferrule 7 inserted into the shaft hole 11 oppositely. Further, each ferrule 7 is provided with a ring-shaped collar 7b at a desired position.

The head 9a of the approximately U-shaped holder 9 has a hole in the center that is fitted into the flange 7b on the outer periphery of the ferrule 7 opposite to the end surface 7a via the compression coil spring 8. . A claw 9c is provided opposite the tip,
The leg portion 9b has elasticity in a direction perpendicular to the axis,
It is formed so as to be sandwiched on the outer surface of the adapter 10.

When the ferrules 7 are inserted into both ends of the adapter 10 such that the respective end surfaces 7a are in contact with each other, and the holders 9 are attached to both ends of the adapter 11, and the claws 9c are locked in the recesses 12, compression is achieved. The coil spring 8 presses the collar 7b, and the end surface 7a is brought into pressure contact.

However, the former has the trouble of operating by screwing together the bag nuts one by one, and the latter requires a compression coil spring, which requires a large number of parts and may increase costs.

(d) Purpose of the invention The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical connector that eliminates the above-mentioned conventional problems.

(e) Structure of the invention In order to achieve this objective, the invention includes an adapter in which a ferrule attached to the end of each optical fiber is inserted facing the axial hole, and a recess is provided on the outer periphery; The end face of the head, which is approximately U-shaped and has elasticity in the axial direction, presses against the end face of the collar of the ferrule, and the leg part has a claw provided opposite the tip and has elasticity in the direction perpendicular to the axis, a pair of holders that are clamped to the outer circumference of the adapter, the holders are mounted facing each other on both ends of the adapter so that the claws are engaged with the recesses of the adapter, and the ferrule is The end faces of the two are in pressure contact with each other.

(f) Embodiments of the invention The invention will be described in detail below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view.

In the figure, a plate-shaped flange 14 is formed at a desired position on the opposite side of the end surface 13a of the ferrule 13, into which the optical fiber 5 is inserted as desired into the shaft hole. The holder 15 is made of an elastic plate and is approximately U-shaped. A hole 16a is bored in the center of the strip-shaped head 16 of the holder 15, and the hole 16a fits into the outer periphery of the ferrule 13 on the opposite side from the end surface 13a, so that the end surface of the head 16 and the flange are connected. It is formed so as to be in contact with the end surface 14a of 14. The leg portion 17 has a claw 19 facing the tip and has elasticity in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and the holder 15 has a ferrule 13.
It is formed so that it is parallel to the axis when it is installed on the machine. Both ends of the head 16 are provided with leg portions 15, respectively.
The head 16 has elasticity in the axial direction because it is connected to the root portion of the head 16 by a connecting portion 19 formed in an S shape when viewed in the axial direction.

The adapter 20, in which the end surfaces 13a of the ferrules 13 inserted oppositely are in contact with each other at the center of the axial hole 21, has a rectangular outer shape in cross-sectional view, and the center of the outer surface has an axial center that is opposed to the end surface 13a of the ferrule 13. and a pair of recesses 2
2 is provided.

The ferrules 13 are arranged such that the respective end surfaces 13a are in contact with each other from both ends of the adapter 20.
When the holder 15 is attached to both ends of the adapter 20 and each claw 18 is locked in the recess 22, the elasticity of the connecting part 19 causes the head 1 to be
6 presses the collar 14 in the axial direction. Therefore, the mutually opposing end surfaces 13a are brought into pressure contact within the axial hole 21 and optically coupled. To attach or remove the Naho holder 15, grasp the base of the leg with your fingers, and the tip of the leg opens using the point where it touches the collar 14 as a fulcrum, allowing you to easily lock or release the claw. You can.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and may be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the utility model registration claims, such as making the holder made of plastic or making the recess a square hole. It is.

(g) Effects of the invention As explained above, the invention has a simple structure in which a pair of holders that are elastic in the axial direction and the direction perpendicular to the axial center are attached to the adapter, and is easy to operate. , and low cost.
It is an optical connector that has excellent practical effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1A and B are side sectional views of a conventional optical connector, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, and B is a side sectional view. In the figure, 1, 10, 20 are adapters, 2, 1
1, 21 are shaft holes, 4, 7, 13 are ferrules,
5 is an optical fiber, 4a, 7a, 13a are end faces,
4b, 7b, 14 are collars, 6 are bag nuts, 8 are compression coil springs, 9, 15 are holders, 9a, 16
is the head, 9b, 17 are the legs, 9c, 18 are the claws, 1
2 and 22 indicate recesses.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The ferrule attached to the end of each optical fiber is inserted facing the axial hole, and the adapter has a recess on the outer periphery, and the end surface of the head, which is approximately U-shaped and elastic in the axial direction, is inserted into the axial hole. A pair of holders are provided, the legs being pressed against the end face of the flange of the ferrule, having claws facing the tip and having elasticity in a direction perpendicular to the axis, are clamped to the outer periphery of the adapter, The holders are attached to opposite ends of the adapter so that the claws are engaged with the recesses of the adapter, and the end surfaces of the ferrule are elastically pressed against each other. optical connector.