Optical connector

Abstract

An optical connector that requires no complicated fabrication operation such as highly accurate optical axis alignment and that permits an efficient pick up of part of the communication signal light being on-propagation along an optical transmission line, is provided. The optical connector 1 for connecting optical transmission lines each other is comprised of at least a connector main body 16 and a joining element 5 provided inside the connector main body 16 being interposed between the optical transmission lines and coupled to each end face of the optical transmission lines, wherein the joining element 5 is comprised of a core 3 and a cladding 4 provided on the periphery of the core 3 that are optically coupled to the optical transmission line, and a light pick-up means for picking up part of communication signal light being on-propagation along the optical transmission line, and wherein the connector main body 16 has, in a position that faces the light pick-up means, an optical output port 26 for outputting part of the communication signal light picked up by the light pick-up means to a light detector 2.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector which includes a core portion and a cladding portion optically coupled to the optical transmission lines in a connector main body for optically connecting optical transmission lines, and which can check the communication status of the optical transmission lines. Background technique [0002] In optical communication-related equipment such as data centers and telecommunications offices, communication light transmitted through optical transmission lines is mostly invisible light that is not in the visible light region, so it cannot be confirmed visually. Therefore, there are problems that it is not easy to grasp the operating state such as whether the optical transmission line is used, and it is necessary to disconnect the optical connector after confirming that the optical transmission line in use is not used. [0003] Therefore, in order to improve the maintenance performance and operating efficienc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] However, in Patent Document 1, since the waveguide is provided in a very narrow gap, time and high-precision alignment of the optical axis are required for its assembly.

Moreover, since the photodetector is made of a phosphor, its light emission time is extremely short and it is difficult to confirm with the naked eye. Therefore, it is practically difficult to use it in optical communication-related equipment.

[0014] In addition, in Patent Document 1, since the ferrule containing the optical fiber is fixed by pressure welding or the like, the waveguide made of resin provided in the gap may be damaged due to the stress applied by inserting and extracting the ferrule (optical fiber). Body peeling or abrasion

Therefore, there is a problem that the communication light cannot be guided to the outside with high precision, and the communication light cannot be detected with high precision for a long period of time.

Furthermore, since the loss of communication light is monitored by a power monitor and the length of the gap is adjusted, there is also the problem that the control of the gap is difficult

[0015] In Patent Document 2, since it is necessary to connect the optical waveguide substrate with the ferrule and the communication optical output part, its assembly still requires time and high-precision alignment, and because the components such as the optical waveguide substrate are expensive, it is necessary to further It is difficult to achieve low cost in practical application

[0016] Also in Patent Document 3, there is a problem that the light emission time of the visible light conversion element is extremely short and it is difficult to confirm with the naked eye.

[0017] In addition, in existing optical connectors, a photodetector or a photodetection unit that detects a part of communication light such as a communication light output unit is integrally configured with the optical connector, resulting in an increase in the cost associated with the optical connector. upscaling

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