阅读说明：本技术 光连接器 (Optical connector ) 是由 菅野修平 音光贵仁 藤原邦彦 于 2020-07-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及光连接器,其具备：多根光纤；插芯,形成有供多根光纤的剥离了包覆部的裸线部插入的多个插入孔；以及间距固定部件,插入于插芯的内部且形成有多个固定部,该多个固定部将多根光纤的包覆部的间距固定为多个插入孔的间距。(The present invention relates to an optical connector, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers; a ferrule having a plurality of insertion holes into which bare wires of a plurality of optical fibers from which coated portions are stripped are inserted; and a pitch fixing member inserted into the ferrule and having a plurality of fixing portions for fixing the pitch of the cladding portions of the plurality of optical fibers to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes.)

1. An optical connector, comprising:

a plurality of optical fibers;

a ferrule having a plurality of insertion holes into which the bare wires of the plurality of optical fibers from which the coating portions are stripped are inserted; and

and a pitch fixing member inserted into the ferrule and having a plurality of fixing portions formed thereon, the plurality of fixing portions fixing a pitch of the coating portions of the plurality of optical fibers to a pitch of the plurality of insertion holes.

2. The optical connector of claim 1,

the plurality of insertion holes are formed in a plurality of rows,

the plurality of fixing portions are formed corresponding to the plurality of insertion holes.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the optical connector includes a protective cover formed with an installation portion for installing the interval fixing member and assembled to the ferrule together with the interval fixing member.

4. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

a step is formed at the interval fixing member,

an inlet portion of the plurality of fixing portions is formed at the step.

5. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the plurality of fixing portions are formed by a plurality of hole portions.

6. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the plurality of fixing portions are formed of a plurality of groove portions and a top wall portion that restricts detachment of the covering portion from the plurality of groove portions.

7. The optical connector of claim 6,

the plurality of groove portions are formed by V-shaped grooves.

8. The optical connector of claim 7,

the top wall portion is formed of a plurality of V-shaped grooves.

9. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

the clad portion of the optical fiber is supported by the fixing portion at 4 points.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an optical connector.

The present application claims priority to patent application No. 2019-.

Background

Patent document 1 below discloses a method for manufacturing an optical fiber aggregate in which a plurality of optical fibers arranged at a predetermined pitch are integrated by curing an adhesive.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-113730

The optical fiber assembly is stripped of the coating portions of the plurality of optical fibers arranged through the cured portion of the adhesive, and the exposed bare portion is inserted into a ferrule of an MT (mechanical Transferable) connector. However, since the cured portion is disposed outside the ferrule, if the positional relationship between the ferrule and the cured portion varies, the optical fiber may be bent or flexed between the ferrule and the cured portion, and the bare wire portion may be bent.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector capable of suppressing the bending of a bare wire portion.

An optical connector according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of optical fibers; a ferrule having a plurality of insertion holes into which the bare wires of the plurality of optical fibers from which the coating portions are stripped are inserted; and a pitch fixing member inserted into the ferrule and having a plurality of fixing portions for fixing a pitch of the coating portions of the plurality of optical fibers to a pitch of the plurality of insertion holes.

According to this configuration, since the pitch fixing member that fixes the pitch of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule, the positional relationship between the ferrule and the pitch fixing member is kept constant, and the optical fiber can be prevented from being bent or flexed between the ferrule and the pitch fixing member. This can suppress the bending of the bare wire portion. Further, since the pitch fixing member fixes the pitch of the clad portion of the optical fiber, it is the clad portion that is bent with the fixing of the pitch. This can suppress the warpage at the bare wire portion.

In the optical connector, the plurality of insertion holes may be formed in a plurality of rows in the ferrule, and the plurality of fixing portions may be formed corresponding to the plurality of insertion holes.

The optical connector may further include a protective cover that is formed with a mounting portion to which the pitch fixing member is mounted and that is assembled to the ferrule together with the pitch fixing member.

In the optical connector, the pitch fixing member may have a step, and the step may have an entrance portion for the plurality of fixing portions.

In the optical connector, the plurality of fixing portions may be formed by a plurality of holes.

In the optical connector, the plurality of fixing portions may be formed of a plurality of grooves and a ceiling wall portion that restricts the separation of the covering portion from the plurality of grooves.

In the optical connector, the plurality of grooves may be V-shaped grooves.

In the optical connector, the ceiling wall portion may be formed of a plurality of V-grooves.

In the optical connector, the covering portion of the optical fiber may be supported by the fixing portion at 4 points.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bending of the bare wire portion can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical connector according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pitch fixing member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view of the pitch fixing member according to the first embodiment taken along the step.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the pitch fixing member according to the first embodiment on the outlet side.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pitch fixing member according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view of the pitch fixing member according to the second embodiment taken along the step.

Fig. 9 is a front view of an outlet side of the pitch fixing member according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a pitch fixing member according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a plan sectional view of the pitch fixing member according to the third embodiment taken along the step.

Fig. 12 is a front view of an outlet side of a pitch fixing member according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of an optical connector according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a pitch fixing member according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a front view of an outlet side of a pitch fixing member according to a fourth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical connector 1 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, the optical connector 1 includes a plurality of optical fibers 2 and a ferrule 10 into which the plurality of optical fibers 2 are inserted.

As shown in fig. 2, the optical fiber 2 includes a coated portion 2a that covers the core wire and a bare portion 2b that is stripped of the coated portion 2a and the core wire is exposed. In the present embodiment, the coating portions 2a of the plurality of optical fibers 2 are collectively coated with a resin material (not shown) (jacket), thereby forming a ribbon-shaped multi-core optical cable. The multi-core optical cable can separate the optical fibers 2 one by tearing the sheath. The separated optical fiber 2 is inserted into the ferrule 10.

The ferrule 10 is an MT ferrule, and a plurality of insertion holes 11 are formed in a connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10. The plurality of insertion holes 11 are for inserting the bare wires 2b of the plurality of optical fibers 2. The connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the connection direction of the ferrule 10. The connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10 may be a right-angled surface perpendicular to the connection direction of the ferrule 10.

A pair of guide holes 12 for alignment are formed in the connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10. On the other hand, a pair of guide pins inserted into the guide holes 12 are provided on the connection end surface of the ferrule on the object side, not shown. Instead of the guide hole 12, a guide pin may be provided on the connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10. Further, the guide hole 12 and the guide pin may be provided on the connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10.

As shown in fig. 3, an opening 14 is formed in a surface of the ferrule 10 opposite to the connection end surface 10 a. The opening 14 is inserted with a protective cover 30 and a pitch fixing member 20 described later. The protective cover 30 is a flexible member formed of rubber, an elastic body, or the like. The protective cover 30 includes a cylindrical barrel portion 31 and a mounting portion 32.

The cylindrical barrel 31 protrudes rearward from the opening 14, and flexibly supports the optical fiber 2 outside the ferrule 10. As shown in fig. 2, the cylindrical barrel portion 31 is formed with elongated holes 31a through which a plurality of optical fibers 2 (ribbon-shaped cable portions) are inserted. The elongated hole 31a extends to the mounting portion 32. As shown in fig. 3, the attachment portion 32 is inserted into the ferrule 10 and is fitted to the inner wall surface of the opening 14 in a slightly compressed press-fit state.

The mounting portion 32 includes a pair of clamping portions 33 and a sealing portion 34. As shown in fig. 3, the pair of clamping portions 33 and the sealing portion 34 are connected in a C-shape in cross section. A space portion is formed inside the C-shape to which the pitch fixing member 20 is attached. As shown in fig. 2, the pair of clamping portions 33 are formed in a plate shape having substantially the same dimensions as the width and length of the pitch fixing member 20, and vertically clamp the pitch fixing member 20.

The sealing portion 34 is formed in a lid shape (plate shape) that contacts the rear of the pair of clamping portions 33 over the entire circumference of the inner wall surface of the opening portion 14 of the ferrule 10. A step 15 is formed in the internal space S of the ferrule 10 ahead of the protective cover 30. The step 15 is formed with a tapered hole 11a for guiding the bare wire portion 2b of the optical fiber 2 to the insertion hole 11.

The internal space S is filled with an adhesive agent not shown. The adhesive is filled into the internal space S from the window portion 13 formed in the ferrule 10. The sealing portion 34 prevents the adhesive filled in the internal space S from leaking from the opening 14. Further, since the pair of clamping portions 33 and the pitch fixing member 20 are designed according to the size of the opening 14, the gap between the pair of clamping portions 33 and the pitch fixing member 20 and the opening 14 is reduced. This can prevent the adhesive from leaking out of the portion.

As shown in fig. 2, the pitch fixing member 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. The pitch fixing member 20 is formed with a plurality of fixing portions 21 through which the plurality of optical fibers 2 are inserted. The fixing portions 21 fix the pitch of the coating portions 2a of the optical fibers 2 to be inserted at the pitch of the insertion holes 11. That is, the pitch of the plurality of fixing portions 21 is equal to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes 11. A step 22 is formed on the insertion side of the optical fiber 2 of the space fixing member 20.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a top cross-sectional view of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the first embodiment, taken along the step 22. Fig. 6 is a front view of the outlet portion 21b side of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, the plurality of fixing portions 21 of the present embodiment are formed by a plurality of holes.

The inner diameter of the fixing portion 21 (hole portion) is slightly larger than the coating diameter of the optical fiber 2. That is, the fixing portion 21 has an inner diameter through which the coating portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be inserted. As shown in fig. 6, a partition wall 23 is formed between adjacent fixing portions 21. As shown in fig. 4, the step 22 of the pitch fixing member 20 is formed with the inlet portions 21a of the plurality of fixing portions 21. The inlet portion 21a has a semicircular groove shape extending the lower half of the fixing portion 21 (hole) to the step 22.

As shown in fig. 5, the plurality of fixing portions 21 are formed at a certain pitch P1 from the inlet portion 21a to the outlet portion 21 b. The pitch P1 of the fixing portion 21 is equal to the pitch of the insertion holes 11 of the ferrule 10 and is greater than the pitch P2 of the optical fibers 2. Here, the pitch P2 of the optical fibers 2 is the pitch of the optical fibers 2 as a ribbon-shaped multicore cable. Typically, the pitch P2 of the optical fiber 2 is equal to the cladding diameter of the optical fiber 2.

For example, the pitch P2 (cladding diameter) of the optical fiber 2 is 160 μm or 200 μm, and the pitch P1 of the fixing section 21 is 250 μm. Therefore, by simply inserting the optical fiber 2 into the fixing portion 21, the optical fiber 2 can be converted into the pitch P1 without using a special jig or an adhesive. The pitch fixing member 20 may be made of a plastic material, and thus the fixing portion 21 (hole portion) with high dimensional accuracy can be formed.

The optical connector 1 configured as described above includes: a plurality of optical fibers 2; a ferrule 10 having a plurality of insertion holes 11 into which the bare wires 2b of the plurality of optical fibers 2 from which the coating portions 2a are peeled are inserted; and a pitch fixing member 20 inserted into the ferrule 10 and having a plurality of fixing portions 21 formed therein, the plurality of fixing portions 21 fixing the pitch of the coating portions 2a of the plurality of optical fibers 2 to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes 11, thereby suppressing bending of the bare portion 2b of the optical fiber 2.

That is, as shown in fig. 3, since the pitch fixing member 20 that fixes the pitch of the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the ferrule 10, the positional relationship between the ferrule 10 and the pitch fixing member 20 is kept constant, and the optical fiber 2 can be prevented from being bent or flexed between the two. This can suppress the bare wires 2b from being bent. Further, since the pitch fixing member 20 fixes the pitch in the clad portion 2a of the optical fiber 2, the clad portion 2a is bent with the fixation of the pitch (change from the pitch P2 to the pitch P1 shown in fig. 5), and the bending of the bare wire portion 2b can be suppressed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, since the protective cover 30 is provided, and the mounting portion 32 to which the pitch fixing member 20 is attached is formed in the protective cover 30 and is assembled to the ferrule 10 together with the pitch fixing member 20, the pitch fixing member 20 can be easily assembled to the inside of the ferrule 10 without performing additional processing on the ferrule 10 side. Further, by covering the pitch fixing member 20 with the protective cover 30, the adhesive filled in the internal space S of the ferrule 10 can be prevented from leaking from the opening 14.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the step 22 is formed in the pitch fixing member 20, and the entrance portions 21a of the plurality of fixing portions 21 are formed in the step 22, whereby the optical fiber 2 can be easily inserted into the fixing portions 21.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, since the plurality of fixing portions 21 are formed by the plurality of holes, the partition wall 23 is formed between the adjacent fixing portions 21. Thus, when the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the fixing portion 21, the left and right optical fibers 2 do not cross each other.

(second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the following description, the same or similar structures as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a top cross-sectional view of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the second embodiment taken along the step 22. Fig. 9 is a front view of the outlet portion 21b side of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9, the plurality of fixing portions 21 of the second embodiment are formed by the plurality of grooves 24 and the top wall portion 25 that regulates the separation of the optical fiber 2 (the covering portion 2a) from the plurality of grooves 24.

As shown in fig. 8, the plurality of groove portions 24 are formed at a constant pitch P1 from the inlet portion 21a to the outlet portion 21b of the fixing portion 21. As shown in fig. 9, the groove 24 is a semicircular groove surrounding the lower half of the optical fiber 2. The top wall 25 faces the grooves 24 with a gap therebetween for each of the grooves 24. The minimum gap between the top wall 25 and the groove 24 is set to be smaller than the diameter (coating diameter) of the optical fiber 2, preferably, half the radius of the optical fiber 2 or less so that the optical fiber 2 does not come off the groove 24.

According to the second embodiment having the above configuration, the plurality of fixing portions 21 are formed by the plurality of groove portions 24 and the top wall portion 25 that restricts the separation of the covering portion 2a from the plurality of groove portions 24. According to this configuration, as shown in fig. 9, adjacent fixing portions 21 can be made to communicate spatially, and the partition wall 23 (see fig. 6) of the first embodiment can be eliminated. Since the partition wall 23 is thin and easily becomes fragile when the pitch P1 of the fixing portion 21 is narrow, the second embodiment can provide a structure that is also suitable when the pitch P1 of the fixing portion 21 is narrow.

(third embodiment)

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the following description, the same or similar structures as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a pitch fixing member 20 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 11 is a top cross-sectional view of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the third embodiment, taken along the step 22. Fig. 12 is a front view of the outlet portion 21b side of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the third embodiment.

As shown in fig. 10 and 12, the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a plurality of fixing portions 21 include V-shaped groove portions 26.

As shown in fig. 11, the plurality of groove portions 26 are formed at a constant pitch P1 from the inlet portion 21a to the outlet portion 21b of the fixing portion 21. As shown in fig. 12, the groove 26 is a V-groove in which at least 2 points contact the lower half of the optical fiber 2. The top wall 25 faces the grooves 26 with a gap therebetween for each of the grooves 26. The minimum gap between the top wall 25 and the groove 26 is set to be smaller than the diameter (coating diameter) of the optical fiber 2, preferably, half the diameter or less of the optical fiber 2 so that the optical fiber 2 does not come off the groove 26.

According to the third embodiment of the above configuration, in addition to the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment, since the plurality of groove portions 26 are formed by V-shaped grooves, at least two contacts with respect to one optical fiber 2 are added, and the optical fiber 2 can be stably supported by the fixing portion 21. Therefore, the pitch of the optical fiber 2 can be accurately changed to the pitch of the insertion hole 11 of the ferrule 10, and the bending of the bare wire portion 2b can be more reliably suppressed.

(fourth embodiment)

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the following description, the same or similar structures as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the optical connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in fig. 13, the ferrule 10 of the fourth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that a plurality of insertion holes 11 into which optical fibers 2 are inserted are formed in a plurality of rows. That is, the insertion holes 11 arranged in 1 row in a predetermined direction are formed in a plurality (row) of the connection end surface 10a of the ferrule 10. In the ferrule 10 shown in fig. 13, the insertion holes 11 are formed in two rows, but the insertion holes 11 may be formed in two or more rows (for example, four rows, six rows, or the like).

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, the pitch fixing member 20 is inserted into the opening 14 of the ferrule 10 on the opposite side of the connection end face 10 a. In the pitch fixing member 20, a plurality of rows (two rows) of fixing portions 21 are formed corresponding to the plurality of rows (two rows) of insertion holes 11 of the ferrule 10. Further, since the plurality of rows of fixing portions 21 are formed, the thickness of the pitch fixing member 20 is increased, and the protective cover 30 of the above embodiment is not provided. Further, if the opening 14 is formed to be large, the pitch fixing member 20 may be attached to the protective cover 30 as in the above embodiment.

A step-like step 22 corresponding to the insertion holes 11 of the plurality of rows (two rows) is provided on the side of the pitch fixing member 20 into which the optical fibers 2 are inserted, and at least a part of the step 22 protrudes from the opening 14 of the ferrule 10 to the outside of the ferrule 10 as shown in fig. 15. Instead of having the protective cover 30, the adhesive 40 may be applied to the steps 22 of the plurality of stages protruding from the ferrule 10. The adhesive 40 is preferably a silicone adhesive having flexibility capable of absorbing impact as in the case of the protective cover 30, and thus can mold the optical fiber 2 extending from the pitch fixing member 20 at the step 22 and absorb the bending load of the optical fiber 2.

As shown in fig. 15, the pitch fixing member 20 is inserted into the ferrule 10 and fitted to the inner wall surface of the opening 14. A plurality of steps (two steps) 15 are formed in the internal space S of the ferrule 10 located forward in the direction of inserting the optical fiber 2 from the pitch fixing member 20, so as to correspond to the plurality of rows of the insertion holes 11 of the optical fiber 2. Tapered holes 11a for guiding the bare wires 2b of the optical fibers 2 to the insertion holes 11 are formed in each of the steps 15. According to this configuration, the optical fiber 2 can be smoothly inserted from the pitch fixing member 20 toward the ferrule 10. The internal space S is filled with an adhesive agent not shown. The adhesive is filled into the internal space S from the window portion 13 formed in the ferrule 10. The space fixing member 20 prevents the adhesive filled in the internal space S from leaking from the opening 14.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a pitch fixing member 20 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 17 is a front view of the outlet portion 21b side of the pitch fixing member 20 according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in fig. 16 and 17, in the fourth embodiment, not only the plurality of fixing portions 21 but also the top wall portion 25 are formed by the plurality of V-grooves 25 a.

As shown in fig. 16, an inlet portion 21a of the plurality of fixing portions 21 is formed at each of the steps 22 of the pitch fixing member 20. The inlet 21a is a V-shaped groove extending the lower half (groove portion 26) of the fixing portion 21 to the step 22. As shown in fig. 17, the V-shaped groove 25a of the top wall portion 25 has a shape in which the groove portion 26 is turned upside down. The V-shaped grooves 25a of the top wall 25 are formed in the same number and at the same pitch as the grooves 26.

According to the fourth embodiment having the above configuration, in addition to the same operational effects as those of the third embodiment, since not only the groove portion 26 but also the top wall portion 25 is formed by the plurality of V-grooves 25a, the covering portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 is supported at 4 points by the fixing portion 21. That is, the number of contacts of the fixing portion 21 with respect to one optical fiber 2 (the covering portion 2a) is increased to two in the upper half portion (the top wall portion 25), and the optical fiber 2 can be stably supported at 4 points in total at the fixing portion 21. Therefore, the pitch of the optical fiber 2 can be accurately changed to the pitch of the insertion hole 11 of the ferrule 10, and the bending of the bare wire portion 2b can be more reliably suppressed.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, these are illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

For example, in the first to third embodiments, the pitch fixing member 20 is attached to the boot 30 and inserted into the ferrule 10, but as in the fourth embodiment, the pitch fixing member 20 may be inserted and attached into the ferrule 10 as a single body.

For example, in the fourth embodiment, the configuration in which the V-shaped groove 25a is formed in the ceiling wall portion 25 and the covering portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 is supported at 4 points by the fixing portion 21 has been described, but for example, if the shape of the fixing portion 21 (hole portion) of the first embodiment (see fig. 6) is a diamond shape, the covering portion 2a of the optical fiber 2 can be supported at 4 points by the fixing portion 21 (diamond-shaped hole portion) as in the fourth embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … optical connector; 2 … optical fiber; 2a … cladding; 2b … bare wire; 10 … core insert; 11 … is inserted into the hole; 20 … spacing fixing parts; 21 … a fixed part; 21a … inlet portion; 22 … step; 24 … groove portions; 25 … top wall portion; 25a … V-shaped groove; 26 … groove portions; 30 … protective cover; 32 ….