Optical connector device comprising pair of connectors of first connector and second connector

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical connector device capable of allowing positional displacement of an optical fiber at least in a plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction. An optical connector device includes a pair of connectors including a first connector and a second connector. When the first connector and the second connector are connected, a first optical fiber provided in the first connector and a second optical fiber provided in the second connector abut against each other in the connection direction to perform optical connection. The first connector includes an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing is configured so as to hold the first optical fiber unit to which the first optical fiber is mounted in the axial direction of the first optical fiber. The inner housing is held by the outer housing so as to be capable of floating in the axial direction and in a plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector device including a pair of connectors, namely a first connector and a second connector. Background Art

[0002] Optical connector devices are widely used not only in information communication fields such as network equipment but also in various fields such as medical fields such as endoscopes.

[0003] An optical connector device generally includes a pair of connectors, namely, a first connector (e.g., a plug connector) and a second connector (e.g., a socket connector). When the pair of connectors are connected, a first optical fiber provided in the first connector and a second optical fiber provided in the second connector can be optically connected to each other. However, it is known that insertion loss occurs during the optical connection. Important factors of insertion loss include eccentricity of the core in the optical fiber, positional deviation between the cores of the optical fiber in the axial direction or in the plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and variation in the gap between the optical fibers. It is desirable to solve or alleviate these problems as much as possible to reduce the value as much as possible.

[0004] Hereinafter, a configuration example of a conventional optical connector device will be described by way of example.

[0005] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-184337 (Patent Document 1) is a document that discloses a connector constituting an optical connector device, namely, an optical connector plug. In order to cope with the eccentricity of the fiber core, a ferrule having a flange formed with a plurality of key slots, and a ferrule holder equipped with an optical adapter having a position fixing protrusion that can engage with the key slots provided in the ferrule are provided. The eccentricity angle of the fiber core can be reduced by fixing the key slots with the position fixing protrusions in a manner that changes the key slots into a specified direction.

[0006] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-174245 (Patent Document 2) is a document disclosing a connector constituting an optical connector device, disclosing that the connector includes: an optical fiber insertion unit, which is composed of a lens sleeve having a lens at the front end and a ferrule installed on the rear end side; a housing, which has a split sleeve for fixing the lens sleeve of the optical fiber insertion unit; and a connector sleeve for mating with another connector constituting the optical connector device.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-198468 (Patent Document 3) discloses an optical connector device for an endoscope having a plug and a control device, wherein the plug has a light guide having a ferrule as one connector of the optical connector device, and the housing 35 of the control device has a socket 15 having a light emitting element 33 as another connector of the optical connector device. The light guide is provided in a state protruding from the plug, and correspondingly, the socket 15 is provided in a recessed state. When the plug and the socket are combined, the light guide, more specifically, the optical fiber provided in the light guide, is optically connected to the light emitting element in a state movable along the axial direction of the optical fiber.

[0008] As exemplified above, in conventional optical connector devices, the positional displacement of the optical fiber is not allowed at least in the plane direction perpendicular to the axial direction. For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, one connector constituting the optical connector device is in a fixed state, and in Patent Document 3, although the optical connector device can be moved in the axial direction, it is in a fixed state in the plane direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0009] Prior art literature

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-184337

[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-174245

[0013] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-198468 Summary of the invention

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector device which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical connector device involved in one form of the present invention is an optical connector device comprising a pair of connectors including a first connector and a second connector, characterized in that when the above-mentioned first connector is connected to the above-mentioned second connector, a first optical fiber arranged in the above-mentioned first connector and a second optical fiber arranged in the above-mentioned second connector are optically connected to each other by docking in a connection direction between the above-mentioned first connector and the above-mentioned second connector, and the above-mentioned first connector comprises an internal shell and an external shell, and the above-mentioned internal shell is configured to hold a first optical fiber unit on which the above-mentioned first optical fiber is installed along an axial direction of the above-mentioned first optical fiber, and the above-mentioned internal shell is held on the above-mentioned external shell in a manner capable of floating in the above-mentioned axial direction and in a surface direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned axial direction.

[0016] According to the optical connector device of this aspect, when the connectors are connected, positional deviation of the optical fiber can be allowed at least in the plane direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0017] According to the present invention, an optical connector device is provided which can allow positional displacement of an optical fiber at least in a plane direction perpendicular to the axial direction when the connector is connected, thereby reducing insertion loss. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an optical connector device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front.

[0019] Figure 2 Observed from the rear Figure 1 A perspective view of the device shown.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the receptacle connector as viewed from the front.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the receptacle connector as viewed from the rear.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector, showing the optical fiber together.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the plug connector as viewed from the front.

[0026] Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of the plug connector as viewed from the rear.

[0027] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 XX line cross-sectional view.

[0028] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an exploded perspective view of the plug connector together with the optical fiber.

[0029] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing an example of the usage of the optical connector device.

[0030] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of the usage of the optical connector device.

[0031] Description of Reference Numerals

[0032] 1…optical connector device; 3…first device; 4…second device; 6…limiting mechanism; 10…receptacle connector (first connector); 12…inner housing; 13…outer housing; 14…second force-applying mechanism; 16…first force-applying mechanism; 20…plug connector (second connector); 22…connector housing; 33…stop portion; 43…corresponding stop portion; 100…optical fiber (first optical fiber); 200…optical fiber (second optical fiber); 121, 122…first accommodating hole; 123a…corresponding abutting surface; 125a…first abutting portion; 125b…concave surface; 125c…first curved surface; 126…installation portion; 1 27…second annular flange; 128…recessed portion; 129…third annular flange; 131…through hole (first through hole); 131a…first annular flange; 135…through hole (second through hole); 225a…second abutment portion; 225b…convex surface; 225c…second curved surface; 300…optical fiber unit (first optical fiber unit); 301…first ferrule; 302…first flange member; 302a…abutment surface; 305…first lens; 307…first lens sleeve; 400…optical fiber unit (first optical fiber unit); 401…second ferrule; 405…second lens; 407…second lens sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of convenience of description, only preferred embodiments are shown, but of course, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

[0034] exist Figure 1 2 shows a perspective view of an optical connector device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front. Figure 2 A perspective view of the same device from the rear is shown in FIG. Figure 3 Shown in Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0035] The optical connector device 1 includes a pair of connectors, namely, a receptacle connector (first connector) 10 and a plug connector (second connector) 20. Although the present embodiment shows an example in which only one pair is provided, a plurality of pairs may be provided. Figure 1 to Figure 3 The figure shows a state where a pair of receptacle connectors 10 and plug connectors 20 are connected, in other words, a state where an optical fiber (first optical fiber) provided in the receptacle connector 10 and an optical fiber (second optical fiber) provided in the plug connector 20 are optically connected by butting against each other in the "connection direction" (α) of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20. However, for the sake of convenience, optical fibers are not shown in these figures. In addition, optical fibers and an optical fiber unit holding the optical fibers are not essential components of the present device.

[0036] exist Figures 4 to 7Shown as a single body Figure 1 to Figure 3 The socket connector 10 shown, in addition, Figure 8 to Figure 11 In, use Figures 4 to 7 The same method is shown in a single form Figure 1 to Figure 3 The plug connector 20 is shown.

[0037] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the socket connector 10 as viewed from the front side, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector 10 as viewed from the rear side. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 IV-IV line cross-sectional view, Figure 7 It is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector 10 . Figures 4 to 6 The state where the socket connector 10 is fixed to the predetermined component 35 is shown. Figure 7 An optical fiber (first optical fiber) 100 is also shown.

[0038] same, Figure 8 is a perspective view of the plug connector 20 as viewed from the front side. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the connector 20 as viewed from the rear side. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 XX line cross-sectional view, Fig.11 It is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector 20 . Figure 8 to Figure 10 The plug connector 20 is shown as being fixed to a predetermined component 45. Fig.10 An optical fiber (second optical fiber) 200 is also shown.

[0039] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The receptacle connector 10 will be described below.

[0040] The receptacle connector 10 includes an inner housing 12 and an outer housing 13. The inner housing 12 holds various components, the outer housing 13 holds various components, and the inner housing 12 is inserted into the inner side in a state where a portion of one end side is led out to the outside. The portion of the inner housing 12 led out to the outside of the outer housing 13 is maintained to be able to elastically float in the "axial direction" (α) of the optical fiber 100 and the "surface direction" (β-γ plane) orthogonal to the "axial direction" (α). Therefore, according to this structure, the problem of insertion loss caused by the positional offset between the cores of the optical fiber in the axial direction and in the surface direction orthogonal to the axial direction can be solved or alleviated. In addition, the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 100 does not necessarily need to be always the same as the "connection direction" (α) of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20, but in this embodiment, the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 100 is the same as the "connection direction" and is along the "α" direction.

[0041] The receptacle connector 10 can also be used in a state of being fixed to a predetermined component 35. In the embodiment, the receptacle connector 10 is fixed to the component 35 using the hole 137a provided in the plate portion 137 of the outer housing 13 and the screw 30. By being fixed to the component 35, the inner housing 12 is held not only relative to the outer housing 13 but also relative to the component 35 so as to be able to elastically float in the "axial direction" (α) of the optical fiber 100 and in the "plane direction" (β-γ plane) orthogonal to the "axial direction" (α).

[0042] The inner shell 12 is a cylindrical hollow body that penetrates along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. The inner shell 12 includes a front end portion 12A, a middle portion 12B, and a rear end portion 12C along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. The front end portion 12A forms one end side of the inner shell 12, the rear end portion 12C forms the other end side of the inner shell 12, and the middle portion 12B is located between the front end portion 12A and the rear end portion 12C and has a larger diameter than the front end portion 12A and the rear end portion 12C. The front end portion 12A is exposed to the outside of the outer shell 13 through the through hole 131 of the outer shell 13 and is provided in a state of being able to float elastically, while the middle portion 12B and the rear end portion 12C are provided in a state of being elastically accommodated inside the outer shell 13.

[0043] An annular abutment portion 125a is provided in the front end portion 12A at the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, which is the end portion of the inner housing 12 in this embodiment. The abutment portion 125a can abut (surface contact) with a predetermined portion of the plug connector 20 in an annular shape when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected. The abutment surface (β-γ surface) formed by the abutment portion 125a is formed at an appropriate angle with respect to the connection direction (α), and in this embodiment, is formed perpendicularly with respect to the connection direction (α) so that the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 abut in an appropriate posture.

[0044] The front end portion 12A is provided with a conical concave surface 125b which tapers toward the opposite end in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, on the opposite side of the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20, compared to the abutment portion 125a. The concave surface 125b forms a space for housing a predetermined portion of the plug connector 20 when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected, and has a function of guiding the predetermined portion.

[0045] A curved surface 125c is provided between the abutment portion 125a and the concave surface 125b. The curved surface 125c extends horizontally along the connection direction (α) toward the opposite side of the connection side between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 from the abutment portion 125a, and is curved in a cross-sectional direction (β-γ) orthogonal to the connection direction (α). When the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected, the curved surface 125c has a function of cooperating with a predetermined portion of the plug connector 20 to correct the posture of the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20.

[0046] When the inner housing 12 is inserted into the outer housing 13, the front end portion 12A is loosely inserted into the through hole 131 of the outer housing 13. Therefore, the front end portion 12A has a smaller diameter than the middle portion 12B. An annular flange 127 (second annular flange) is formed between the front end portion 12A and the middle portion 12B by utilizing the difference in diameter between the front end portion 12A and the middle portion 12B.

[0047] An annular recessed portion 128 recessed in the radial direction is provided between the annular flange 127 and a predetermined position (m) located on the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 relative to the annular flange 127. By providing the recessed portion 128, the range in which the front end portion 12A can elastically float in the through hole 131 can be increased, and the degree of freedom of movement of the front end portion 12A, in particular, the range in which the front end portion 12A can elastically float in the "plane direction" (β-γ plane) orthogonal to the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 can be increased.

[0048] The middle part 12B has screw holes (mounting parts) 126 (126a to d) on its circumferential surface. Screws (limiting mechanisms) 6 can be installed in the screw holes 126 along the radial direction. By using these screws 6 and screw holes 126, the movement of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13 can be limited. This point will be described later.

[0049] The components held by the internal housing 12 include, for example, an optical fiber unit 300 capable of mounting the optical fiber 100, and further, in order to protect the front end of the optical fiber unit 300 in association with the optical fiber unit 300, a transparent cover 120a disposed on the connection side between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 on the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and an annular buffer component 120b attached to the transparent cover 120a, and, in order to elastically support the optical fiber unit 300 to the internal housing 12, a force applying mechanism such as a coil spring 14 disposed on the opposite side of the connection side between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 on the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and an elastic limiter 15 for fixing the force applying mechanism relative to the internal housing 12.

[0050] The optical fiber unit 300 is arranged in the inner housing 12 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 in a state where the front end side portion 12A, the middle portion 12B, and the rear end side portion 12C of the inner housing 12 are all penetrated. On the other hand, the transparent cover 120a and the buffer member 120b are arranged only in the front end side portion 12A. In order to accommodate and fix these components, a small-diameter circular recess 120 is provided in the front end side portion 12A, which is recessed in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. In addition, the coil spring 14 and the elastic stopper 15 are mainly arranged in the rear end side portion 12C.

[0051] The optical fiber unit 300 includes a ferrule 301 to which the optical fiber 100 can be mounted, a cylindrical lens 305, and a lens sleeve 307 to accommodate a front end portion 301a of the ferrule 301 and the lens 305. The lens sleeve 307 has a ferrule insertion port 307a on the opposite side of the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. The front end portion 301a of the ferrule 301 and the lens 305 are inserted into the ferrule 301 through the ferrule insertion port 307a. First, the lens 305 is inserted, and then positioned on the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. Thereafter, a portion 301a of the front end side of the ferrule 301 is inserted and fixed in such a manner that the lens 305 inserted first is pressed on the connection side. It is worth noting that even when the ferrule 301 is fixed to the lens sleeve 307, the lens 305 is not necessarily fixed to the lens sleeve 307 simply by being pressed toward the connection side. Therefore, there may be a misalignment between the lens 305 and the ferrule 301, which may cause insertion loss when connecting optical fibers.

[0052] The optical fiber 100 includes a cable 102 covered by an outer sheath, a cable core 104 exposed from the outer sheath of the cable 102, and a cable 106 exposed from the outer sheath of the cable core 104. When the optical fiber 100 is mounted on the optical fiber unit 300, the cable 102 of the optical fiber 100 is inserted into the receiving hole 309 of the ferrule 301, and the cable core 104 of the optical fiber 100 is inserted into the core insertion hole 310 of the ferrule 301.

[0053] In order to accommodate and fix the front end side of the optical fiber unit 300, relatively small diameter cylindrical accommodation holes 121 and 122 are provided in the front end side portion 12A and the middle portion 12B along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. In addition, relatively large diameter cylindrical accommodation holes 123 and 124 are provided in the rear end side portion 12C along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 to accommodate the rear end side of the optical fiber unit 300 together with the coil spring 14 and the elastic stopper 15.

[0054] The receiving holes 121 and 122 provided in the front end portion 12A and the middle portion 12B form stepped portions with a smaller diameter toward the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. Therefore, the optical fiber unit 300 can be smoothly inserted and installed in the inner housing 12.

[0055] The receiving holes 123 and 124 provided in the rear end side portion 12C are also similar, and a step portion with a small diameter toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 is formed in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, so as to provide smooth insertion and installation. In the receiving holes 123 and 124, the rear end side of the optical fiber unit 300, the coil spring 14, and the elastic stopper 15 are sequentially inserted and installed. The receiving hole 124 also includes a small diameter annular portion 124b having a relatively small diameter in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and two relatively large diameter annular portions 124a and 124c arranged in a manner of sandwiching the small diameter annular portion 124b. The elastic stopper 15 is finally installed in a manner of supporting and fixing the optical fiber unit 300 and the coil spring 14 first accommodated in the receiving hole 124. The elastic stopper 15 is elastically locked to the annular portion 124 c located at the bottom side of the step portion formed by the annular portion 124 b having a small diameter by a plurality of radially extending arms 15 a.

[0056] A flange member 302 protruding in the radial direction is provided on the circumferential surface of the ferrule 301 of the optical fiber unit 300. The flange member 302 cooperates with the coil spring 14 to apply force to the ferrule 301 accommodated and fixed in the accommodation holes 121 and 122 toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. More specifically, when the optical fiber unit 300 is accommodated and fixed in the accommodation holes 121 and 122, the abutting surface 302a of the flange member 302 abuts against the corresponding abutting surface 123a formed inside the accommodation hole 121 on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 while being urged by the coil spring 14, and applies force to the ferrule 301 toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20. The contact surface 302a of the flange member 302 and the corresponding contact surface 123a formed inside the accommodating hole 121 are set at an appropriate angle relative to the connection direction (α) so that the optical fiber 100 can be accurately arranged along the connection direction (α). For example, in this embodiment, both are formed perpendicularly to the connection direction (α) like the contact portion 125a provided at the front end side portion 12A of the internal housing 12, and are thus set to 90 degrees.

[0057] The outer housing 13 is the same as the inner housing 12, and is a cylindrical hollow body that penetrates along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. Among them, it has a larger diameter and length than the inner housing 12 so that the inner housing 12 can be inserted. On the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α), a through hole 131 is provided through which the front end side portion 12A of the inner housing 12 can be loosely penetrated. The size of the through hole 131 is set to a size that does not actually hinder the movement of the inner housing 12 that is loosely penetrated through the through hole 131 at least in the axial direction (α).

[0058] The outer housing 13 is provided with an annular flange 131a (first annular flange) having a larger diameter than the through hole 131 so as to surround the through hole 131 in the circumferential section of the outer housing 13. When the inner housing 12 is inserted into the outer housing 13 and the inner housing 12 is loosely inserted into the through hole 131 of the outer housing 13, the annular flange 127 of the inner housing 12 is arranged opposite to the annular flange 131a. The annular flange 127 has a larger diameter than the through hole 131 in the circumferential section of the inner housing 12, but since it has a smaller diameter than the annular flange 131a, it abuts against the annular flange 131a of the outer housing 13, so that the inner housing 12 does not fall off from the outer housing 13 through the through hole 131.

[0059] A through hole 135 is provided on the circumferential surface of the outer housing 13 corresponding to the screw hole 126 of the inner housing 12. By providing the through hole 135, the inner housing 12 inserted in the outer housing 13 can be accessed from the outside of the outer housing 13, so that the screw (limiting mechanism) 6 can be installed in the screw hole (installation portion) 126 provided on the circumferential surface of the inner housing from the outside of the outer housing 13. The screw 6 can use a commercially available screw. When the screw 6 is installed in the screw hole 126, the head 6a of the screw 6 protrudes radially from the inner housing 12. As a result, when the inner housing 12 floats inside the outer housing 13, the head 6a collides with the inner wall of the through hole 135 of the outer housing 13, thereby restricting the movement of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13. More specifically, by this collision, for example, the movement of the inner housing 12 in the circumferential direction (K) relative to the outer housing 13 can be restricted, and the movement of the optical fiber 100 in the axial direction (α) can be restricted. As described above, the lens 305 is not necessarily fixed relative to the lens sleeve 307, so there may be a misalignment between the lens 305 and the ferrule 301. In addition, for example, there may be a misalignment between the optical fiber unit 300 accommodated in the accommodation holes 121 and 122 and the inner housing 12. However, the position of the core in the optical fiber can be fixed in a manner that restricts the movement of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13, especially the movement in the circumferential direction (K), thereby solving or reducing the problem of insertion loss caused by the eccentricity of the core. When the screw 6 is installed in the screw hole 126, the angle of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13 is adjusted as follows: the inner housing 12 with the optical fiber 100 (optical fiber unit 300) installed is rotated relative to the outer housing 13, and the core is set in a posture with the lowest insertion loss. In other words, the inner housing 12 is positioned relative to the outer housing 13 in a posture with the lowest insertion loss, and the screw 6 is installed in the screw hole 126 in a manner that maintains the adjusted angle.

[0060] It is preferred to provide a plurality of screw holes 126. Thus, the angle adjustment of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13 can be performed more finely. On the other hand, as shown in the present embodiment, the through hole 135 may be only one, but a plurality of through holes 135 may be provided in the same manner as the screw holes 126. By providing a plurality of through holes 135, it is possible to make these through holes 135 collide with a plurality of screws mounted on the screw holes 126 at a plurality of locations, thereby making it possible to disperse the force during the collision. It is preferred that these screw holes 126 and the through holes 135 are arranged in a state where they are separated from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (K). Furthermore, it is preferred that they are arranged in opposing positions in the circumferential section in a paired state. By being arranged in such a manner, it is easy to adjust the angle through the screw holes 126. In addition, it is also possible to disperse the force during the collision between the through holes 135 and the screws more evenly. In the present embodiment, a total of four screw holes 126a to d are provided in a state where they are separated from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (K) and in opposing positions.

[0061] In order to insert the inner housing 12 into the outer housing 13 and to hold other components, a cylindrical receiving hole 130 and a receiving hole 133 having a larger diameter than the receiving hole 130 are provided in the outer housing 13 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. Other components include, for example, a biasing mechanism such as a coil spring 16 for biasing the inserted inner housing 12, an elastic stopper 17 for fixing the biasing mechanism to the outer housing 13, and a gasket 17a provided in conjunction with the elastic stopper 17.

[0062] The inner housing 12, the coil spring 16, the washer 17a and the elastic stopper 17 are sequentially accommodated in the accommodation holes 130 and 133. The elastic stopper 17 accommodated last is elastically locked with the stepped portion 133c of the accommodation hole 133 by using the radially extending plurality of arm portions 15a, thereby supporting and fixing the inner housing 12 accommodated first in the accommodation hole 130 and the like.

[0063] The coil spring 16 accommodated in the inner housing 12 abuts against the middle portion 12B of the inner housing 12 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 to apply force to the inner housing 12 toward the connection side. The middle portion 12B is located at the opposite side of the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 relative to the annular flange 127 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and has an annular flange 129 (third annular flange) opposed to the annular flange 127. By making the annular flange 129 abut against the coil spring 16, the inner housing 12 can be applied toward the connection side. As a result, the annular flange 127 located on the opposite side of the annular flange 129 is always in elastic contact with the annular flange 131a of the outer housing 13, and through this abutment, the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 can be adjusted to an appropriate posture to accurately align the optical fiber 100 along the connection direction (α). The abutment surface 127a of the annular flange 127 and the abutment surface (β-γ surface) formed by the annular flange 131a are set at appropriate angles relative to the connection direction (α) so as to adjust the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 in an appropriate posture. For example, in the present embodiment, both are formed perpendicularly to the connection direction (α) like the abutment portion 125a provided at the front end side portion 12A of the inner housing 12, and are thus set to 90 degrees.

[0064] Thus, by setting the angles of the abutment portion 125a provided at the front end side portion 12A of the inner housing 12, the abutment surface 127a of the annular flange 127, and the annular flange 131a (abutment surface) to be the same, the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 can be adjusted to a proper posture by only making the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 abut in a proper posture by the abutment portion 125a, and as a result, the optical fiber 100 can be accurately arranged along the connection direction (α). Therefore, according to this structure, the problem of insertion loss caused by the positional deviation between the cores of the optical fibers in the axial direction can be solved or reduced. In addition, in this structure, a structure is adopted in which the inner housing 12 is always pressed against the outer housing 13 by the elastic action of the coil spring 16, so that the distance and posture between the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 can be always kept constant, and as a result, the problem of insertion loss caused by the change of the gap between the optical fibers can be reliably solved or reduced.

[0065] Reference Figure 8 to Figure 11 The plug connector 20 will be described below.

[0066] The plug connector 20 includes a connector housing 22. The connector housing 22 is different from the socket connector 10 and is composed of only one housing. The connector housing 22 may include an inner housing and an outer housing as in the socket connector 10, and may also have the same structure as in the socket connector 10.

[0067] The plug connector 20 can also be used in a state of being fixed to a predetermined component 45. In the embodiment, the component 45 is sandwiched between the annular locking portion 225e provided on the front side of the connector housing 22 and the nut 29 provided so as to surround the main body of the connector housing 22, and the nut 29 is tightened, thereby fixing the plug connector 20 to the component 45. For the purpose of waterproofing, dustproofing, etc., a gasket 227 may be provided in the gap between the connector housing 22 and the component 45.

[0068] The connector housing 22 is a cylindrical hollow body that penetrates along the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200. In addition, the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200 does not necessarily need to be the "connection direction" (α) of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20, or always the same as the "axial direction" (α) of the optical fiber 100, but in this embodiment, the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200 is the same as the "connection direction" and the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200, and is along the "α" direction.

[0069] An annular abutment portion 225a is provided on the front end side of the connector housing 22, in other words, on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200. The abutment portion 225a can abut (surface contact) with the abutment portion 125a of the receptacle connector 10 in an annular shape when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected. The abutment portion 225a is formed at a position slightly retracted to the opposite side of the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 compared to the front end portion (front end face 225d) of the connector housing 22. The abutment surface (β-γ surface) formed by the abutment portion 225a is formed at an appropriate angle with respect to the connection direction (α), and in the present embodiment, is formed perpendicularly with respect to the connection direction (α) so that the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 abut in an appropriate posture.

[0070] A conical convex surface 225b that tapers toward the end of the connection side is provided at the front end side and at a position on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 relative to the abutment portion 225a. When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected, the convex surface 225b is guided along the concave surface 125b to the space formed by the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10. Thus, the connection between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 can be made more stable.

[0071] A curved surface 225c is provided between the abutment portion 225a and the convex surface 225b. The curved surface 225c extends horizontally along the connection direction (α) toward the connection side of the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 from the abutment portion 125a as a starting point, and is curved in a cross-sectional direction (β-γ) orthogonal to the connection direction (α). When the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected, the curved surface 225c has a function of cooperating with the curved surface 125c of the socket connector 10 to correct the posture of the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20.

[0072] The middle part has a screw hole (mounting portion) 226 (226a to d) on its circumferential surface. In the screw hole 226, a screw (limiting mechanism) 7 can be installed in the radial direction. The screw 7 can use a commercially available screw. When the screw 7 is installed in the screw hole 226, the head 7a of the screw 7 protrudes radially from the connector housing 22, resulting in limiting the movement of the connector housing 22 relative to the component 45.

[0073] The components held by the connector housing 22 include, for example, an optical fiber unit 400 to which the optical fiber 100 can be mounted, and in order to protect the front end of the optical fiber unit 400, a transparent cover 220b provided on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, and an annular buffer component 220a attached to the transparent cover 220b, and a gasket 220c for the purpose of waterproofing and dustproofing. In addition, in order to elastically support the optical fiber unit 400 to the connector housing 22, a biasing mechanism such as a coil spring 24 provided on the opposite side of the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and an elastic stopper 25 for fixing the biasing mechanism relative to the connector housing 22 are provided.

[0074] The optical fiber unit 400 has the same structure as the optical fiber unit 300, and includes a ferrule 401, a cylindrical lens 405, and a lens sleeve 407 having a ferrule insertion port 407a capable of accommodating a front end portion 401a of the ferrule 401 and the lens 405. In addition, the optical fiber 200 has the same structure as the optical fiber 100, and includes an optical cable 202, a cable core wire 204, and a cable 206.

[0075] The transparent cover 220b, the buffer member 220a, and the gasket 220c are arranged on the front end side of the connector housing 22. On the front end side, a small-diameter circular recess 220 is provided that is recessed along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 in order to accommodate and fix these components. On the other hand, the optical fiber unit 400 is arranged on the connector housing 22 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 in a state that the front end side, the middle part, and the rear end side of the connector housing 22 are all penetrated. In order to accommodate and fix the front end side of the optical fiber unit 400, relatively small-diameter cylindrical accommodation holes 221 and 222 are provided in the connector housing 22 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, and relatively large-diameter cylindrical accommodation holes 223 and 224 are provided along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, respectively, in order to accommodate the rear end side of the optical fiber unit 400 together with the coil spring 24 and the elastic stopper 25.

[0076] The receiving holes 221 and 222 are formed with stepped portions whose diameters are reduced toward the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 , so that the optical fiber unit 400 can be smoothly inserted and installed in the connector housing 22 .

[0077] The receiving holes 223 and 224 are also similar. In the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, a step portion with a small diameter is formed toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20, so as to provide smooth insertion and installation. The rear end side of the optical fiber unit 400, the coil spring 24, and the elastic stopper 25 are sequentially inserted and installed in the connector housing 22. The receiving hole 224 also includes a small-diameter annular portion 224b with a relatively small diameter in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, and two relatively large-diameter annular portions 224a and 224c arranged in a manner of sandwiching the small-diameter annular portion 224b. The elastic stopper 25 is finally installed in a manner of supporting and fixing the optical fiber unit 400 and the coil spring 24 first accommodated in the receiving hole 224. The elastic stopper 25 is elastically locked with the annular portion 224c located at the deep part of the step portion formed by the small-diameter annular portion 224b by using a plurality of radially extending arm portions 25a.

[0078] A flange member 402 protruding in the radial direction is provided on the circumferential surface of the ferrule 401 of the optical fiber unit 400. The flange member 402 cooperates with the coil spring 24 to apply force to the ferrule 401 accommodated and fixed in the accommodation holes 221, 222 toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200. More specifically, when the optical fiber unit 400 is accommodated and fixed in the accommodation holes 221, 222, the abutting surface 402a of the flange member 402 abuts against the corresponding abutting surface 223a formed in the interior of the accommodation hole 221 on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 while being urged by the coil spring 24, thereby applying force to the ferrule 401 toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20. The abutment surface 402a of the flange member 402 and the corresponding abutment surface 223a formed inside the accommodating hole 221 are set at an appropriate angle relative to the connection direction (α) so that the optical fiber 200 can be accurately arranged along the connection direction (α). For example, in this embodiment, the abutment portion 225a provided at the front end side portion of the connector housing 22 is formed perpendicularly to the connection direction (α), thereby setting it to 90 degrees.

[0079] A recess 41 for receiving the head 7a of the screw 7 is provided on one wall surface of the component 45, more specifically, on the wall surface on the opposite side of the connection side between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. When the screw (limiting mechanism) 7 is mounted in the screw hole 2 (mounting portion) 26, the head 7a protrudes radially beyond the connector housing 22. As a result, even if the connector housing 22 moves inside the recess 41, the head 7a collides with the inner wall of the recess 41 of the component 45, thereby restricting the movement of the connector housing 22 relative to the component 45. More specifically, by this collision, for example, the movement of the connector housing 22 in the circumferential direction (K) relative to the component 45 can be restricted, and the movement of the optical fiber 200 in the axial direction (α) can be restricted. Similar to the lens 305, the lens 405 is not necessarily fixed relative to the lens sleeve 407, so there may be a misalignment between the lens 405 and the ferrule 401. In addition, for example, there may be a misalignment between the optical fiber unit 400 accommodated in the accommodation holes 221 and 222 and the connector housing 22. However, the problem of insertion loss caused by the eccentricity of the core can be solved or reduced by fixing the posture of the core in the optical fiber in a manner that restricts the movement of the connector housing 22 relative to the component 45, especially the movement in the circumferential direction (K). When the screw 7 is installed in the screw hole 226, the angle of the connector housing 22 relative to the component 45 is adjusted as follows: the connector housing 22 with the optical fiber 200 (optical fiber unit 400) installed is rotated relative to the component 45, and the core is set in a posture with the lowest insertion loss. In other words, the connector housing 22 is positioned relative to the component 45 in a posture with the lowest insertion loss, and the screw 7 is installed in the screw hole 226 in a manner that maintains the adjusted angle.

[0080] It is preferred to provide a plurality of screw holes 226. Thus, the angle adjustment of the connector housing 22 relative to the component 45 can be performed more finely. On the other hand, as shown in the present embodiment, there is only one recess 41, but a plurality of recesses 41 may be provided in the same manner as the screw hole 226. By providing a plurality of recesses 41, it is possible to make these recesses 41 collide with a plurality of screws mounted on the screw hole 226 at a plurality of locations, thereby making it possible to disperse the force during the collision. It is preferred that these screw holes 226 and recesses 41 are arranged in a state where they are separated from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (K). Furthermore, they are preferably arranged in pairs at opposing positions in the circumferential section. By being arranged in this way, it is easy to adjust the angle through the screw hole 226. In addition, it is also possible to disperse the force when the recess 41 collides with the screw more evenly. In the present embodiment, a total of four screw holes 226a to d are provided in a state where they are separated from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (K) and at opposing positions.

[0081] Refer again Figure 3 , the connection process between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 is described.

[0082] When connected, the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are brought close to each other along the connection direction (α) with their respective connection sides (front ends) butted against each other. At this time, the front end face 225d and the convex surface 225b of the connector housing 22 of the plug connector 20 are guided by the concave surface 125b and inserted into the space formed by the concave surface 125b of the inner housing 12 of the receptacle connector 10, and as a result, the postures of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are relatively corrected.

[0083] Before the abutment portion 125a of the internal shell 12 is about to abut against the abutment portion 225a of the connector shell 22, the postures of the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are corrected to be along the connection direction (α) by the action of the curved surface 125c of the internal shell 12 extending horizontally along the connection direction (α) and the curved surface 225c of the connector shell 22.

[0084] When the abutment portion 125a of the inner housing 12 is in surface contact with the abutment portion 225a of the connector housing 22, that is, in the state of Figure 3 In the state shown, the convex surface 225b and the curved surface 225c of the plug connector 20 are completely embedded in the space formed by the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10. In addition, at this time, the front end surface 225d of the plug connector 20 faces the bottom of the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10, that is, the optical connection portion. In addition, the inclination angle (θ2) of the inclined surface of the convex surface 225b with respect to the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 is set larger than the inclination angle (θ1) of the inclined surface of the concave surface 125b with respect to the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, so that the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10 and the convex surface 225b of the plug connector 20 do not collide.

[0085] At this time, the optical fiber 100 of the optical fiber unit 300 provided in the receptacle connector 10 and the optical fiber 200 of the optical fiber unit 400 provided in the plug connector 20 are accurately butted against each other in the connection direction (α). As described above, the contact surface formed by the contact portion 125a of the inner housing 12 and the contact surface (β-γ surface) formed by the contact portion 225a of the connector housing 22, and the contact surface 127a of the annular flange 127 in the receptacle connector 10 and the contact surface (β-γ surface) formed by the annular flange 131a are formed at appropriate angles with respect to the connection direction (α). In addition, the annular flange 127 and the annular flange 131a in the receptacle connector 10 are always in elastic contact, so that the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 can be adjusted to an appropriate posture, and as a result, the optical fiber 100 and the optical fiber 200 can be accurately arranged along the connection direction (α).

[0086] exist Fig.12 and Fig.13 2 shows an example of the use of the optical connector device 1. Here, the receptacle connector 10 of the optical connector device 1 is provided in the first device 3, and the plug connector 20 is provided in the second device 4. These first device 3 and second device 4 are used in pairs.

[0087] The first device 3 is a component of a setting type whose outer contour is formed by a relatively large rectangular housing 35, and has a recess 31 (first recess) on one surface of the housing 35 for accommodating the second device 4. The bottom surface 31a of the recess 31 in the connection direction (α) between the first device 3 and the second device 4 is provided with an abutment portion 125a of the inner housing 12 of the socket connector 10, and the abutment portion 125a is provided in a state where it can be connected to the second device 4 inserted into the recess 31.

[0088] On the other hand, the second device 4 is formed as a relatively small component that can be freely carried and is installed at the front end of the optical cable 202, and has a housing 45 that is flat and cylindrical as a whole. The second device 4 itself forms a convex portion (second convex portion) that fits into the recess 31 provided in the first device 3. A contact portion 225a of the connector housing 22 of the plug connector 20 is provided on one surface (top surface) 41a of the second device 4. When the second device 4 is embedded in the recess 31, it can be used to refer to the inside of the recess 31, that is, in a place that cannot be observed by the user. Figures 1 to 11 The method described accurately connects the abutment portion 125a provided in the first device 3 and the abutment portion 225a provided in the second device 4. As a result, the optical fiber 100 provided in the optical fiber unit 300 of the first device 3 and the optical fiber 200 provided in the optical fiber unit 400 of the second device 4 can be accurately connected to each other in the connection direction (α). In addition, it is also possible to configure that: a stopper portion 33 is provided in the first device 3, and a corresponding stopper portion 43 is provided in the second device 4 correspondingly, so as to maintain the connection state between the first device 3 and the second device 4.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various other modifications are possible. Fig.12 , Fig.13 In the embodiment shown, the receptacle connector 10 of the optical connector device 1 may be provided in the second device 4, and the plug connector 20 may be provided in the first device 3. In addition, the size and shape of the first device 3 and the size and shape of the second device 4 may be opposite.

[0090] It should be understood that the above description relates to preferred embodiments and only represents articles and methods of making the articles. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make variations and modifications to different embodiments under the above enlightenment. Therefore, the illustrated embodiments and alternative embodiments can be carried out without departing from the spirit of the articles described in the attached claims.

Claims

1. An optical connector device, comprising a pair of connectors, a first connector and a second connector, characterized in that: When the first connector is connected to the second connector, the first optical fiber provided in the first connector and the second optical fiber provided in the second connector are butted against each other in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector to perform optical connection. The first connector includes an inner housing and an outer housing, The internal housing is configured to hold the first optical fiber unit on which the first optical fiber is mounted along the axial direction of the first optical fiber. The inner housing is held by the outer housing so as to be able to float in the axial direction and in a plane direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

2. The optical connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shell has a first through hole, and one end of the inner shell inserted into the outer shell loosely passes through the first through hole, and at least a portion of the one end of the inner shell is led out to the outside of the outer shell through the first through hole.

3. The optical connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connector comprises a connector housing, The connector housing is configured to hold the second optical fiber unit to which the second optical fiber is mounted along the axial direction of the second optical fiber.

4. The optical connector device according to claim 1, wherein: A second through hole is provided on the peripheral surface of the outer shell, and the second through hole enables access to the inner shell inserted into the outer shell from the outside of the outer shell. A mounting portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the inner shell, and a limiting mechanism can be mounted on the mounting portion from the outside of the outer shell through the second through hole. The restriction mechanism mounted on the mounting portion collides with an inner wall of the second through hole of the outer housing to restrict movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.

5. The optical connector device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting mechanism and the second through hole are used to limit the circumferential movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing and / or the axial movement of the first optical fiber of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.

6. The optical connector device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second through holes are arranged on the circumferential surface of the outer shell in a state of being separated from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer shell, and / or the mounting portions are arranged on the circumferential surface of the inner shell in a state of being separated from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the inner shell.

7. The optical connector device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second through holes are arranged in pairs on the circumferential surface of the outer shell at opposite positions in the circumferential section of the outer shell, and / or the mounting portions are arranged in pairs on the circumferential surface of the inner shell at opposite positions in the circumferential section of the inner shell.

8. The optical connector device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer shell has a first annular flange, which is formed in a circumferential section of the outer shell so as to surround the first through hole and has a larger diameter than the first through hole. The inner housing has a second annular flange on the connection side of the first connector and the second connector in the axial direction of the first optical fiber, and the second annular flange has a larger diameter than the first through hole and a smaller diameter than the first annular flange in a circumferential section of the inner housing. When one end side of the inner housing is loosely inserted into the first through hole of the outer housing, the first annular flange abuts against the second annular flange.

9. The optical connector device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner housing has an annular recessed portion recessed in the radial direction between the second annular flange and a predetermined position on the connection side between the first connector and the second connector relative to the second annular flange in the axial direction of the first optical fiber.

10. The optical connector device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The inner housing has a third annular flange disposed opposite to the second annular flange at a position on the opposite side of the connection side between the first connector and the second connector compared to the second annular flange in the axial direction of the first optical fiber. The optical connector device further includes a first urging mechanism, which abuts against the third annular flange to urge the inner housing toward the connection side when one end side of the inner housing loosely penetrates the outer housing.

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