Optical connector

Abstract

The optical connector of the present invention comprises: a ferrule having a connection end face having a plurality of fiber holes arranged along the Y-axis direction; a force-applying member applying force to the ferrule in the X-axis direction connected to the connection end face; a housing housing containing a portion of the ferrule and the force-applying member; a coupling member being mounted on the outside of the housing in a manner movable along the X-axis direction; and a sheath engaging with the coupling member and moving integrally with the coupling member, wherein, when viewed from the X-axis direction, the sheath is disposed within the outer contour of the coupling member.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-230261, filed on December 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to optical connectors. Background Technology

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 11,474,308 discloses a multi-core optical connector for connecting multiple optical fibers. This multi-core optical connector includes: a ferrule for fixing the end of the optical fiber, a spring for applying force forward to the ferrule, a housing for receiving a portion of the ferrule and the spring, a sleeve slidably mounted on the outside of the housing, and a flexible sheath disposed behind the sleeve.

[0005] The aforementioned flexible sheath has a pair of forward extensions that clamp the sleeve vertically. Therefore, the flexible sheath is configured to be larger than the sleeve in the vertical direction, making it difficult to install multiple optical connectors in a high-density arrangement in the vertical direction.

[0006] In addition, when optical connectors are installed at a high density like this, the spacing between the optical connectors becomes narrow, which makes it difficult to install and remove the optical connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an optical connector that can be installed at high density and is easy to install and disassemble.

[0008] The optical connector according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a ferrule having a connection end face having a plurality of optical fiber holes arranged along a first direction; a force-applying member applying force to the ferrule in a second direction connected to the connection end face; a housing housing a portion of the ferrule and the force-applying member; a coupling member mounted on the outside of the housing in a manner movable along the second direction; and a sheath engaging with the coupling member and moving integrally with the coupling member, wherein, when viewed from the second direction, the sheath is disposed within the outer contour of the coupling member.

[0009] The second aspect of the present invention can also be based on the optical connector of the first aspect, wherein the coupling member is provided with: a locking groove formed on the outer surface; and a post portion disposed in the locking groove and provided at a height below the height of the outer surface, and the sheath is provided with a locking portion, wherein the locking portion is formed with a locking hole that engages with the post portion and is received in the locking groove.

[0010] The third aspect of the present invention can also be based on the optical connector of the second aspect, wherein when viewed from a top view in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the column portion has a prism shape having a side portion extending along the first direction.

[0011] The fourth aspect of the present invention can also be based on any of the first to third aspects of the optical connector, with a tracer mark formed at the boundary line between the coupling member and the sheath.

[0012] The fifth aspect of the present invention can also be based on any of the first to fourth aspects of the optical connector, with a flat gripping portion extending along the first direction provided at the rear end of the sheath.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention described above, an optical connector that can be installed at high density and is easy to install and disassemble can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the installation state of an optical connector according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a front view of an optical connector involved in one implementation.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an optical connector according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an optical connector involved in one implementation method.

[0018] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of an optical connector according to one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a top view of an optical connector according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The optical connector of this embodiment will be described below based on the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the installation state of the optical connector 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a front view of an optical connector 1 according to an embodiment.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the optical connector 1 includes: a ferrule 10, a housing 20, a coupling element 30, and a sheath 40. (As shown...) Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of fiber optic holes 11 are formed in a row in the ferrule 10. In addition, the plurality of fiber optic holes 11 may also be arranged in two or more rows.

[0023] The ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a with a plurality of fiber optic holes 11. The connection end face 10a has fiber optic holes 11 and positioning pins 12. Fiber optic fibers F are respectively arranged in the plurality of fiber optic holes 11. Alternatively, some fiber optic holes 11 may not have fiber optic fibers F arranged therein. That is, the number of fiber optic fibers F may be less than the number of fiber optic holes 11. The fiber optic fibers F are exposed on the connection end face 10a. The optical connector 1 can be connected to other optical connectors by abutting the connection end face of another optical connector to be connected.

[0024] In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is established, and the positional relationships of various components are sometimes described with reference to this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. As shown in the figure, the X-axis direction is set as the connection direction of the optical connector 1 (the direction in which the connection end face 10a faces, the direction in which the fiber optic hole 11 extends, and the direction of the long side of the optical connector 1). There is a case where the side of the connection end face 10a (+X side) in the X-axis direction is called the front side, and its opposite side (-X side) is called the rear side.

[0025] The Y-axis direction is set to the width direction of optical connector 1 (the direction of the short side of optical connector 1 and the direction in which the fiber optic holes 11 are arranged in a row). There is a possibility that one side (+Y side) in the Y-axis direction is called the left side, and the other side (-Y side) is called the right side. The Z-axis direction is set to the height direction of optical connector 1. There is a possibility that one side (+Z side) in the Z-axis direction is called the top side, and the other side (-Z side) is called the bottom side.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, at least a portion of the ferrule 10 is received within the opening 20a of the housing 20. The ferrule 10 has two locating pins 12. The locating pins 12 protrude forward from the connection end face 10a. The two locating pins 12 are spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The two locating pins 12 are configured to clamp a plurality of fiber optic holes 11 therebetween in the Y-axis direction.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the optical connector 1 is connected to the connection adapter 200 and is installed in a high-density manner with a small gap in the Z-axis direction. The optical connector 1 is the male side, and the relative position of the optical connector 1 and other optical connectors is determined and interconnected by inserting the positioning pin 12 into the connection adapter 200 into other optical connectors (not shown) that have positioning holes.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an optical connector 1 according to an embodiment.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, the outer casing 20 has a front outer casing 21 and a rear outer casing 22. The front outer casing 21 and the rear outer casing 22 are each formed into a generally rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. A limiting groove 21a is formed on the inner wall surface of the front outer casing 21 to prevent the insert 10 from flying out of the opening 20a of the outer casing 20. A limiting piece 15 is formed on the outer wall surface of the insert 10, abutting against the limiting groove 21a from the rear.

[0030] A locking groove 21b is formed on the outer wall surface of the front housing 21 for the locking piece 201 of the adapter 200 to engage. A fitting hole 21c is formed at a position rear of the locking groove 21b, extending through the front housing 21 in the Z-axis direction. The front end of the rear housing 22 is inserted into the front housing 21 from the rear. A fitting protrusion 22a is formed at the front end of the rear housing 22, engaging with the fitting hole 21c from within the front housing 21.

[0031] A cable jack 22b is provided at the rear end of the rear housing 22. A cable connector 60 for the optical cable 100 is connected to the cable jack 22b. The housing 20 houses a pin clip 13 (intermediate component) and a first force-applying component 14 (force-applying component). An optical fiber F (not shown) extends from the end of the optical cable 100 along the X-axis, passes through the rear housing 22, the pin clip 13, and the inner side of the front housing 21, and is inserted into each optical fiber hole 11 of the ferrule 10.

[0032] The pin clip 13 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the insert 10. That is, the pin clip 13 is disposed on the side opposite to the connecting end face 10a relative to the insert 10. The pin clip 13 contacts the rear side of the insert 10 and holds the positioning pin 12. The pin clip 13 has the function of transmitting the force of the first force-applying member 14 to the insert 10. The front end of the first force-applying member 14 contacts the pin clip 13, and the rear end of the first force-applying member 14 contacts the spring receiving groove formed on the inner side of the rear housing 22.

[0033] The coupling member 30 includes an outer coupling member 31 and an inner coupling member 32. The outer coupling member 31 is formed into a generally rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. The outer coupling member 31 is mounted on the outside of the housing 20 in a manner that allows it to move along the X-axis direction. The inner coupling member 32 is disposed in the gap between the outer coupling member 31 and the housing 20, and is movable along the X-axis direction between a locked position opposite to the locking groove 21b and a locked-out position located behind the locking groove 21b.

[0034] A second force-applying member 23 is disposed in the gap between the outer coupling member 31 and the outer casing 20, applying force to the inner coupling member 32 from the unlocked position toward the locked position towards the forward side (+X side). The second force-applying member 23 is received in a spring receiving groove 21d formed on the outer wall surface of the front casing 21. Figure 1As shown by the dashed line, an L-shaped hook 32a is provided at the rear end of the inner coupling member 32. Its movement relative to the outer coupling member 31 towards the +X side is restricted within a certain range, while its movement relative to the outer coupling member 31 towards the -X side is allowed.

[0035] If the optical connector 1 with the above structure is inserted into the connection adapter 200, then Figure 3 The locking piece 201 of the connector 200 shown presses the inner coupling member 32 toward the -X side. As a result, the inner coupling member 32 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position against the force applied by the second force-applying member 23. If the inner coupling member 32 moves to the unlocked position, the locking groove 21b opens, and the locking piece 201 engages with the locking groove 21b.

[0036] If the locking piece 201 is engaged with the locking groove 21b, the inner coupling member 32 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position by the force applied by the second force-applying member 23, thus restricting the locking piece 201 from disengaging from the locking groove 21b.

[0037] The above steps enable the optical connector 1 to be installed on the connection adapter 200.

[0038] When the optical connector 1 is detached from the connector adapter 200, the outer coupling member 31 is pulled toward the -X side by pinching the sheath 40 (described later). This causes the inner coupling member 32, hooked onto the outer coupling member 31 via the hook 32a, to move toward the -X side together with the outer coupling member 31. Consequently, the inner coupling member 32 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, opening the locking slot 21b and allowing the locking piece 201 to disengage.

[0039] The above steps allow for the detachment of the optical connector 1 from the connector adapter 200.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an optical connector 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of an optical connector 1 according to one embodiment.

[0041] As shown in the figure above, the optical connector 1 has a sheath 40 that engages with the external coupling member 31. The sheath 40 is configured to move along the X-axis direction integrally with the external coupling member 31.

[0042] The sheath 40 includes an engaging portion 41 that engages with the outer coupling member 31, and a tail portion 42 extending rearward from the engaging portion 41. The engaging portion 41 is located at the front end of the sheath 40. The engaging portion 41 is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape that opens towards the +X side. The outer surface of the engaging portion 41 is continuous with the outer surface of the outer coupling member 31. The rear portion of the engaging portion 41 is configured such that its shape tapers towards the -X side. The rear portion of the engaging portion 41 is connected to the front end of the tail portion 42.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, the outer coupling member 31 is provided with: an engagement groove 33 formed on the outer surface of the outer coupling member 31, and a post portion 34 disposed within the engagement groove 33 and disposed at a height below the height of the outer surface of the outer coupling member 31. The engagement groove 33 is formed around the entire rear circumference of the outer coupling member 31 and accommodates the engagement portion 41 of the sheath 40. The depth of the engagement groove 33 is preferably greater than or equal to the wall thickness of the engagement portion 41. Therefore, the engagement portion 41 does not protrude outward beyond the outer shape of the outer coupling member 31.

[0044] When viewed from above in the Z-axis direction (third direction), the column portion 34 has a prism shape with a side portion 34a extending along the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the column portion 34 has a rectangular prism shape that is longer in the Y-axis direction and shorter in the X-axis direction. A rectangular engaging hole 41a is formed in the engaging portion 41 that engages with the column portion 34 in a top view. Furthermore, the column portion 34 is respectively provided on the upper surface of the +Z side and the lower surface of the -Z side of the outer coupling member 31. Two engaging holes 41a are also formed in the engaging portion 41 corresponding to the column portion 34.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, a tracer mark 50 is formed at the boundary line between the outer coupling member 31 and the sheath 40. The tracer mark 50 is formed only on the +X side of the optical connector 1. This allows the left-right orientation of the optical connector 1 to be determined. Figure 5 As shown, the tracer mark 50 is formed into a generally U-shape by engaging the protrusion 50a provided on the outer coupling member 31 with the recess 50b provided on the sheath 40.

[0046] The tail 42 of the sheath 40 is cylindrical. The tail 42 has multiple arc-shaped slits, allowing for flexible and elastic deformation. A flat, gripping portion 42a extending along the Y-axis is provided at the rear end of the tail 42. The dimension of the gripping portion 42a in the Z-axis direction is set smaller than the dimension of the rear end of the tail 42 in the Z-axis direction. The gripping portion 42a extends from the rear end of the tail 42 to both sides in the Y-axis direction and has an approximately isosceles triangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a top view of an optical connector 1 according to one embodiment.

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown, in the optical cable 100 with the above-described structure, the coupling member 30 can be operated from a position away from the outer casing 20 by pinching the pinching part 42a at the rear end of the sheath 40. Therefore, even as... Figure 1The high-density mounting of the optical connector 1, as shown, allows for easy attachment and detachment from the connector adapter 200. Furthermore, the gripping portion 42a has a flat shape extending along the Y-axis, ensuring a large gap in the Z-axis direction, allowing for attachment and detachment by gripping only the optical connector 1.

[0049] As described above, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment includes: a ferrule 10 having a connection end face 10a having a plurality of fiber optic holes 11 arranged along the Y-axis direction (first direction); a first force-applying member 14 (force-applying member) applying force to the ferrule 10 in the X-axis direction (second direction) connected to the connection end face 10a; a housing 20 housing a portion of the ferrule 10 and the first force-applying member 14; a coupling member 30 mounted on the outside of the housing 20 in a manner that allows it to move along the X-axis direction; and a sheath 40 engaging with the coupling member 30 and moving integrally with the coupling member 30.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from the X-axis direction, the sheath 40 is positioned within the outline of the coupling member 30 (outer coupling member 31). According to this structure, the outer shape of the sheath 40 is smaller than the outer shape of the coupling member 30; therefore, for example, as... Figure 1 As shown, multiple optical connectors 1 can be arranged in a high-density configuration along the Z-axis. Furthermore, the coupling member 30 can be operated by pinching the sheath 40, allowing for the installation and removal of the optical connectors 1. Therefore, even with a high-density installation of the optical connectors 1, installation and removal are easy.

[0051] In this embodiment, the coupling member 30 is provided with: a locking groove 33 formed on the outer surface of the outer coupling member 31; and a pillar 34 disposed within the locking groove 33 and set at a height below the height of the outer surface of the outer coupling member 31. The sheath 40 is provided with a locking portion 41, which has a locking hole 41a that engages with the pillar 34 and is received within the locking groove 33. With this structure, the coupling member 30 can be engaged with the sheath 40 without the sheath 40 protruding from the outer surface of the coupling member 30.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed from above in the Z-axis direction (third direction) orthogonal to the X-axis and Y-axis directions, the column portion 34 has a prism shape with a side portion 34a extending along the Y-axis direction. According to this structure, when the sheath 40 is pulled towards the X-axis side, the engaging hole 41a contacts the side portion 34a of the column portion 34 with a larger area, thus mitigating stress concentration relative to the engaging hole 41a.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a tracer mark 50 is formed at the boundary line between the coupling member 30 and the sheath 40. According to this structure, the left-right orientation of the optical connector 1 can be determined without marking the optical connector 1.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a flat, gripping portion 42a extending along the Y-axis is provided at the rear end of the sheath 40. According to this structure, even if... Figure 1 By installing the optical connector 1 in a high-density manner along the Z-axis as shown, the gap in the Z-axis direction can also be ensured, so that only the optical connector 1 of the object can be installed and removed.

[0055] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, but it should be understood that these are exemplary examples of the invention and should not be considered as limiting the invention. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is limited by the claims and should not be considered as limited by the foregoing description.

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, the structure of the coupling member 30 having an outer coupling member 31 and an inner coupling member 32 has been described, but it is not limited to this structure. The coupling member 30 may also be formed as a single component, such as the sleeve in the prior art documents.

[0057] In addition, the constituent elements in the above embodiments can be appropriately replaced with known constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments and variations can be appropriately combined.

Claims

1. An optical connector, characterized in that, have: The ferrule has a connecting end face with a plurality of fiber optic holes arranged along a first direction; The force-applying component applies force to the ferrule in a second direction connected to the connecting end face; The outer casing houses a portion of the insert and the force-applying component; A coupling element is mounted on the outside of the housing in a manner that allows it to move along the second direction; as well as The sheath engages with the coupling element and moves integrally with it. When viewed from the second direction, the sheath is positioned within the outline of the coupling member.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling member includes: an engagement groove formed on its outer surface; and a pillar disposed within the engagement groove and positioned at a height below the height of the outer surface. The sheath is provided with a locking part, which has a locking hole that engages with the post and is received in the locking groove.

3. The optical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, When viewed from above from a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, the column has a prism shape with a side portion extending along the first direction.

4. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A tracer mark is formed at the boundary line between the coupling element and the sheath.

5. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A flat, gripping portion extending along the first direction is provided at the rear end of the sheath.

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