Optical connector device including first connector and second connector in pairs

Abstract

To provide an optical connector device with which the positional deviation of an optical fiber in at least a plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction can be tolerated.SOLUTION: Provided is an optical connector device including a pair of first and second connectors. The first connector includes an internal housing and an external housing. The internal housing holds a first optical fiber unit. The internal housing is held to the external housing so as be capable of moving freely in the axial direction and a plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The internal housing has a first contact part. A connector housing has a second contact part on the connecting side of the first and second connectors. When the first and second connectors are connected, the first contact part and the second contact part come into a surface contact and the first and second optical fibers are aligned along the connection direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Optical connector devices are widely used not only in the field of information and communication such as network devices, but also in various other fields such as the medical field, for example, endoscopes.

[0003] An optical connector device generally includes a pair of a first connector (e.g., a plug connector) and a second connector (e.g., a receptacle connector), and when these 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, but it is known that insertion loss occurs during this optical connection. The main causes of insertion loss include eccentricity of the cores in the optical fiber, misalignment in the axial direction between the cores of the optical fiber or in a planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and fluctuations in the gap between the optical fibers, and it is desirable to solve or reduce these problems as much as possible and make the value as small as possible.

[0004] The configuration of a conventional optical connector device will be described below as an example. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-184337 (Patent Document 1) is a document disclosing an optical connector plug, which is one of the connectors that make up an optical connector device, and which includes a ferrule having a flange on which multiple key grooves are formed to deal with eccentricity of the core, and a ferrule holder equipped with an optical adapter having a position fixing protrusion that can engage with the key groove provided on the ferrule, and which is fixed by the position fixing protrusion so that the key groove is oriented in a specified direction, thereby making it possible to reduce the core eccentricity angle.

[0005] JP 2014-174245 A (Patent Document 2) is a document disclosing one of the connectors that constitutes an optical connector device, and discloses that the connector includes an optical fiber insertion unit consisting of a lens sleeve having a lens at the tip and a ferrule attached to the rear end, a shell having a split sleeve for fixing the lens sleeve of the optical fiber insertion unit, and a connector sleeve for mating with the other connector that constitutes the optical connector device.

[0006] JP 2016-198468 A (Patent Document 3) is a document disclosing an optical connector device used in an endoscope equipped with a plug and a control device, in which the plug has a light guide portion provided with a ferrule which is one connector of the optical connector device, and a housing 35 of the control device has a socket 15 provided with a light emitting element 33 which is the other connector of the optical connector device. The light guide portion is provided in a state where it protrudes from the plug, and correspondingly, the socket 15 is provided in a recessed state. When the plug and socket are coupled, the light guide portion, and more specifically, the optical fiber provided in the light guide portion, is optically connected to the light emitting element in a state where it can move in the axial direction of the optical fiber.

[0007] As exemplified above, conventional optical connector devices do not allow misalignment of optical fibers at least in the planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction. For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, one of the connectors constituting the optical connector device is fixed, and in Patent Document 3, although it is movable in the axial direction, it is fixed in the planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-184337 A

[0009] [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2014-174245

[0010] [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2016-198468 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector device which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, an optical connector device according to one aspect of the present invention is an optical connector device including a pair of a first connector and a second connector, wherein 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 are butted against each other in a connecting direction of the first connector and the second connector to be optically connected, the first connector includes an inner housing and an outer housing, the inner housing is configured to hold a first optical fiber unit to which the first optical fiber is attached along an axial direction of the first optical fiber, and the inner housing is configured to hold a first optical fiber unit to which the first optical fiber is attached along an axial direction of the first optical fiber. the second connector includes a connector housing, the inner housing has a first abutment portion on a connection side of the first connector and the second connector in the axial direction of the first optical fiber, and the connector housing has a second abutment portion on a connection side of the first connector and the second connector in the axial direction of the second optical fiber, and when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion come into surface contact, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are aligned along the connection direction. According to this aspect of the optical connector device, when the connectors are connected, positional misalignment of the optical fibers can be tolerated at least in the planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and further, the optical fibers can be easily aligned through abutment between the connectors. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, an optical connector device is provided that can tolerate misalignment of optical fibers at least in a planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction when the connectors are connected, and can easily align the optical fibers through contact between the connectors, thereby reducing insertion loss. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of an optical connector device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the receptacle connector. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 6] 4. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle connector together with an optical fiber. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the plug connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the plug connector. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector together with an optical fiber. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a usage mode of an optical connector device. [Figure 13]1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a usage mode of an optical connector device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, only preferred embodiments are shown, and it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an optical connector device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the same device as seen from the rear, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. The optical connector device 1 includes a pair of a receptacle connector (first connector) 10 and a plug connector (second connector) 20. Although this embodiment shows an example in which only a pair is provided, multiple pairs may be provided. Figs. 1 to 3 show a state in which a pair of the receptacle connectors 10 and the plug connectors 20 are connected, in other words, a state in which 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 convenience, the optical fiber is not shown in these figures. Note that the optical fiber and the optical fiber unit that holds this optical fiber are not essential components of this device.

[0017] Figures 4 to 7 show the receptacle connector 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 by itself, and Figures 8 to 11 show the plug connector 20 shown in Figures 1 to 3 by itself in a manner similar to that of Figures 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of receptacle connector 10 as viewed from the front side, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of receptacle connector 10 as viewed from the rear side, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of receptacle connector 10. Figs. 4 to 6 show a state in which receptacle connector 10 is fixed to a predetermined member 35, and Fig. 7 also shows optical fiber (first optical fiber) 100. Similarly, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the plug connector 20 as seen from the front side, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the plug connector 20 as seen from the rear side, Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector 20. Figs. 8 to 10 show a state in which the plug connector 20 is fixed to a predetermined member 45, and Fig. 10 also shows the optical fiber (second optical fiber) 200.

[0018] The receptacle connector 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The receptacle connector 10 includes an internal housing 12 and an external housing 13. The internal housing 12 holds various components, and the external housing 13 holds various components and inserts the internal housing 12 with a portion of one end side taken out to the outside. The portion of the internal housing 12 taken out to the outside of the external housing 13 is held elastically movable in the "axial direction" (α) of the optical fiber 100 and in the "planar direction" (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the "axial direction" (α). Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to solve or reduce the problem of insertion loss caused by positional deviation in the axial direction between the cores of the optical fiber and in the planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Note that the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 100 does not necessarily have 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 along the "α" direction, similar to the "connection direction".

[0019] The receptacle connector 10 can also be used in a state where it is fixed to a predetermined member 35. In this embodiment, it is fixed to the member 35 by using holes 137a provided in a plate portion 137 of the outer housing 13 and screws 30. By fixing it to the member 35, the inner housing 12 is held elastically and freely movable not only with respect to the outer housing 13 but also with respect to the member 35 in the "axial direction" (α) of the optical fiber 100 and in the "planar direction" (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the "axial direction" (α).

[0020] The internal housing 12 is a cylindrical hollow body that penetrates along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. The internal housing 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 of the internal housing 12, the rear end portion 12C forms the other end of the internal housing 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 provided in a state exposed to the outside of the external housing 13 through a through hole 131 of the external housing 13 and in a state capable of elastic movement, whereas the middle portion 12B and the rear end portion 12C are provided in a state elastically accommodated inside the external housing 13.

[0021] The tip portion 12A is provided with an annular abutment portion 125a on 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 of the inner housing 12 in this embodiment. The abutment portion 125a can make annular abutment (surface contact) with a predetermined portion of the plug connector 20 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), which is perpendicular to the connection direction (α) in this embodiment, so that the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 abut in an appropriate posture.

[0022] The tip portion 12A is further provided with a conical concave surface 125b tapering toward the opposite side, on the opposite side to the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 from the abutting portion 125a. The concave surface 125b forms a space that contains 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.

[0023] A curved surface 125c is provided between the abutment portion 125a and the concave surface 125b. The curved surface 125c extends horizontally from the abutment portion 125a toward the opposite side to the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 along the connection direction (α), and is curved in a cross-sectional direction (β-γ) perpendicular to the connection direction (α). When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected, the curved surface 125c cooperates with a predetermined portion of the plug connector 20 to correct the posture of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20.

[0024] When the inner housing 12 is inserted into the outer housing 13, the tip portion 12A is loosely inserted into a through hole 131 of the outer housing 13. Therefore, the tip portion 12A has a smaller diameter than the middle portion 12B. By utilizing the difference in diameter between the tip portion 12A and the middle portion 12B, an annular flange 127 (second annular flange) is formed between the tip portion 12A and the middle portion 12B.

[0025] A radially recessed annular recess 128 is provided between the annular flange 127 and a predetermined position (m) on the connection side of 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 recess 128, the range over which the tip portion 12A can elastically move in the through hole 131 can be increased, and the degree of freedom of movement of the tip portion 12A, in particular the range over which it can elastically move in the "plane direction" (β-γ plane) perpendicular to the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, is increased.

[0026] The middle portion 12B has screw holes (mounting portions) 126 (126a to d) on its circumferential surface. Screws (regulating means) 6 can be attached to the screw holes 126 along the radial direction. By using these screws 6 and screw holes 126, the behavior of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13 can be regulated. This point will be described later.

[0027] The members held by the internal housing 12 include, for example, an optical fiber unit 300 to which the optical fiber 100 can be attached, a transparent cover 120a provided on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100 to protect the tip of the optical fiber unit 300, and an annular buffer member 120b associated therewith, and further include a biasing means such as a coil spring 14 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 to elastically support the optical fiber unit 300 in the internal housing 12, and an elastic stopper 15 for fixing this biasing means to the internal housing 12.

[0028] The optical fiber unit 300 is disposed in the inner housing 12 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, with the optical fiber unit 300 penetrating through all of the tip portion 12A, the middle portion 12B, and the rear portion 12C of the inner housing 12. Meanwhile, the transparent cover 120a and the buffer member 120b are disposed only in the tip portion 12A. In order to accommodate and fix these, the tip portion 12A is provided with a small-diameter circular recess 120 recessed in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. In addition, the coil spring 14 and the elastic stopper 15 are disposed mainly in the rear portion 12C.

[0029] The optical fiber unit 300 includes a ferrule 301 to which the optical fiber 100 can be attached, a cylindrical lens 305, and a lens sleeve 307 in which the tip portion 301a of the ferrule 301 and the lens 305 can be accommodated. The lens sleeve 307 has a ferrule insertion port 307a on the side opposite to the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. The tip portion 301a and the lens 305 of the ferrule 301 are inserted into the ferrule 301 through the ferrule insertion port 307a. First, the lens 305 is inserted, and then the lens 305 is positioned on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. Then, a part 301a on the tip side of the ferrule 301 is inserted so as to press the previously inserted lens 305 against the connection side, and is fixed. Please note that even when the ferrule 301 is fixed to the lens sleeve 307, the lens 305 is only pressed against the connection side and is not necessarily fixed to the lens sleeve 307. This can cause misalignment between the lens 305 and the ferrule 301, which can cause insertion loss when connecting optical fibers.

[0030] The optical fiber 100 includes a cable 102 covered with an outer sheath, a fiber core 104 exposed from the outer sheath of the cable 102, and a fiber 106 exposed from the outer sheath of the fiber core 104. When attaching the optical fiber 100 to the optical fiber unit 300, the cable 102 of the optical fiber 100 is inserted into a receiving hole 309 of a ferrule 301, and the fiber core 104 of the optical fiber 100 is inserted into a core insertion hole 310 of the ferrule 301.

[0031] In order to accommodate and fix the tip side of the optical fiber unit 300, cylindrical accommodation holes 121, 122 having a relatively small diameter are provided in the tip side portion 12A and the intermediate portion 12B along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. In addition, in order to accommodate the rear end side of the optical fiber unit 300 together with the coil spring 14, the elastic stopper 15, etc., cylindrical accommodation holes 123, 124 having a relatively large diameter are provided in the rear end portion 12C along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100.

[0032] The receiving holes 121, 122 provided in the tip portion 12A and the intermediate portion 12B form a stepped portion whose diameter decreases toward the connecting side of 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.

[0033] Similarly, the receiving holes 123 and 124 provided in the rear end portion 12C also form a step portion in which the diameter becomes smaller toward the connecting side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, thereby providing smooth insertion and installation. The rear end side of the optical fiber unit 300, the coil spring 14, and the elastic stopper 15 are inserted and installed in the receiving holes 123 and 124 in this order. The receiving hole 124 further 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 to sandwich the small-diameter annular portion 124b. The elastic stopper 15 is installed last to support and fix the optical fiber unit 300 and the coil spring 14 that are previously received in the receiving hole 124. The elastic stopper 15 is elastically locked by a plurality of arms 15a extending radially to an annular portion 124c located at the back of a step formed by the small-diameter annular portion 124b.

[0034] A flange member 302 protruding in the radial direction is provided on the peripheral surface of the ferrule 301 of the optical fiber unit 300. The flange member 302, in cooperation with the coil spring 14, biases the ferrule 301, which is 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 abutment surface 302a of the flange member 302 abuts against a corresponding abutment surface 123a formed inside the accommodation hole 121 while being biased by the coil spring 14 on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and biases the ferrule 301 toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20. In order to accurately align the optical fiber 100 along the connection direction (α), the abutment surface 302a of the flange member 302 and the corresponding abutment surface 123a formed inside the accommodating hole 121 are set at an appropriate angle with respect to the connection direction (α). For example, in this embodiment, like the abutment portion 125a provided on the tip side portion 12A of the inner housing 12, both are formed perpendicular to the connection direction (α), so that the angle is set to 90 degrees.

[0035] The outer housing 13, like the inner housing 12, is a cylindrical hollow body that penetrates along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. However, the outer housing 13 has a larger diameter and length than the inner housing 12 so that the inner housing 12 can be inserted therein. A through hole 131 through which the tip portion 12A of the inner housing 12 passes loosely is provided on the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α). The size of the through hole 131 is set to a size that does not substantially impede the movement of the inner housing 12, which is loosely inserted through the through hole 131, at least in the axial direction (α).

[0036] The outer housing 13 is provided with an annular flange 131a (first annular flange) having a diameter larger than the through hole 131 so as to surround the through hole 131 in a circumferential cross section of the outer housing 13. When the inner housing 12 is inserted into the outer housing 13 and loosely inserted into the through hole 131 of the outer housing 13, the annular flange 127 of the inner housing 12 is disposed opposite the annular flange 131a. The annular flange 127 has a diameter larger than the through hole 131 in a circumferential cross section of the inner housing 12, but smaller than the annular flange 131a, so that it comes into contact with the annular flange 131a of the outer housing 13. Therefore, the inner housing 12 does not fall out of the outer housing 13 through the through hole 131.

[0037] A through hole 135 is provided in the circumferential surface of the outer housing 13 in correspondence with 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, and a screw (regulating means) 6 can be attached to the screw hole (attachment portion) 126 provided in the circumferential surface of the inner housing from the outside of the outer housing 13. A commercially available screw can be used for the screw 6. When the screw 6 is attached to 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 moves freely inside the outer housing 13, the head 6a collides with the inner wall of the through hole 135 of the outer housing 13, and the behavior of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13 is regulated. More specifically, through this collision, for example, the behavior of the inner housing 12 in the circumferential direction (K) relative to the outer housing 13 can be regulated, and the behavior of the optical fiber 100 in the axial direction (α) can be regulated. As described above, since the lens 305 is not necessarily fixed to the lens sleeve 307, there is a possibility that misalignment may occur between the lens 305 and the ferrule 301, and there is also a possibility that misalignment may occur between the optical fiber unit 300 housed in the housing holes 121 and 122 and the internal housing 12. However, the posture of the core in the optical fiber is fixed so as to regulate the behavior of the internal housing 12 relative to the external housing 13, particularly the behavior in the circumferential direction (K), thereby solving or reducing the problem of insertion loss caused by eccentricity of the core. When attaching the screw 6 to the screw hole 126, the internal housing 12 to which the optical fiber 100 (optical fiber unit 300) is attached is rotated relative to the external housing 13, and the angle of the internal housing 12 relative to the external housing 13 is adjusted so that the core is set in a posture that minimizes the insertion loss, in other words, so that the internal housing 12 is positioned relative to the external housing 13 in a posture that minimizes the insertion loss, and the screw 6 is attached to the screw hole 126 so that the adjusted angle is maintained.

[0038] It is preferable to provide a plurality of screw holes 126. This allows the angle adjustment of the inner housing 12 relative to the outer housing 13 to be performed more finely. Meanwhile, the through hole 135 may be only one as shown in this embodiment, but may be provided in a plurality of locations similar to the screw hole 126. By providing a plurality of through holes 135, the through holes 135 can collide with a plurality of screws attached to the screw holes 126 at a plurality of locations, thereby dispersing the force at the time of collision. These screw holes 126 and through holes 135 are preferably arranged in a state spaced apart at equal intervals from each other in the circumferential direction (K). Furthermore, it is preferable to arrange them in pairs at opposing positions in the circumferential cross section. This arrangement makes it easier to adjust the angle using the screw holes 126. In addition, it is also possible to more evenly distribute the force at the time of collision between the through holes 135 and the screws. In this embodiment, a total of four screw holes 126a to 126d are provided in opposing positions at equal intervals from each other in the circumferential direction (K).

[0039] In the outer housing 13, in order to insert the inner housing 12 into the outer housing 13 and further to hold other members, a cylindrical receiving hole 130 and a receiving hole 133 having a diameter larger than that of the receiving hole 130 are provided along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. The other members include, for example, a biasing means such as a coil spring 16 that biases the inserted inner housing 12, an elastic stopper 17 that fixes the biasing means to the outer housing 13, and a washer 17a that is provided in association with the elastic stopper 17.

[0040] The inner housing 12, the coil spring 16, the washer 17a, and the elastic stopper 17 are housed in the housing holes 130, 133 in this order. The elastic stopper 17 housed last is elastically locked to the step portion 133c of the housing hole 133 by utilizing the multiple arms 15a extending radially, and supports and fixes the inner housing 12 and the like that were housed in the housing hole 130 first.

[0041] The helical spring 16 housed in the internal housing 12 abuts against the middle portion 12B of the internal housing 12 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100, and biases the internal housing 12 toward the connection side. The middle portion 12B has an annular flange 129 (third annular flange) facing the annular flange 127, on the opposite side of the annular flange 127 from the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. With the annular flange 129 in abutment with the helical spring 16, the internal housing 12 can be biased toward the connection side. As a result, the annular flange 127 located on the opposite side of the annular flange 129 is constantly in elastic contact with the annular flange 131a of the external housing 13, and through this abutment, the internal housing 12 and the external housing 13 can be adjusted to an appropriate posture, and the optical fiber 100 can be accurately aligned along the connection direction (α). In order to adjust the internal housing 12 and the external housing 13 in an appropriate position, the contact surfaces (β-γ surfaces) formed by the contact surface 127a of the annular flange 127 and the annular flange 131a are set at an appropriate angle relative to the connection direction (α). For example, in this embodiment, similar to the contact portion 125a provided on the tip portion 12A of the internal housing 12, both are formed perpendicular to the connection direction (α), and are set at 90 degrees.

[0042] In this way, by setting the angle of the abutment portion 125a provided on the tip side portion 12A of the inner housing 12 to the same angle as the angle of the abutment surface 127a of the annular flange 127 and the annular flange 131a (abutment surface), the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 can be adjusted to an appropriate posture simply by abutting the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in an appropriate posture through the abutment portion 125a, and as a result, the optical fiber 100 can be accurately aligned along the connection direction (α). Therefore, according to this configuration, in particular, the problem of insertion loss caused by axial positional deviation between the cores of the optical fiber can be solved or reduced. In addition, in this configuration, a structure is adopted in which the inner housing 12 is constantly pressed against the outer housing 13 by the elastic action of the coil spring 16, so that the distance and posture of the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 are always kept constant, and as a result, the problem of insertion loss caused by fluctuations in the gap between the optical fibers can be reliably solved or reduced.

[0043] The plug connector 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. The plug connector 20 includes a connector housing 22. Unlike the receptacle connector 10, the connector housing 22 is made up of only one housing. However, like the receptacle connector 10, the plug connector 20 may include an inner housing and an outer housing, or may have the same structure as the receptacle connector 10.

[0044] The plug connector 20 can also be used in a state where it is fixed to a predetermined member 45. In the embodiment, the member 45 is sandwiched between an annular locking portion 225e provided on the front side of the connector housing 22 and a nut 29 provided so as to surround the periphery of the main body of the connector housing 22, and the nut 29 is tightened to fix the plug connector 20 to the member 45. For waterproofing, dustproofing, etc., a packing 227 may be provided in the gap between the connector housing 22 and the member 45.

[0045] The connector housing 22 is a cylindrical hollow body that penetrates along the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200. Note that the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200 does not necessarily have to always be the same as the "connection direction" (α) of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20, or the "axial direction" (α) of the optical fiber 100. However, in this embodiment, the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200 is set to be along the "α" direction, similar to the "connection direction" and the "axial direction" of the optical fiber 200.

[0046] An annular abutment portion 225a is provided on the tip 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 be in annular abutment (surface contact) with the abutment portion 125a of the receptacle connector 10 when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected. The abutment portion 225a is formed at a position slightly recessed on the opposite side to the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 from the most distal end (tip surface 225d) of the connector housing 22. In order for the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 to abut in an appropriate posture, 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 this embodiment, perpendicular to the connection direction (α).

[0047] Furthermore, on the tip side, 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 abutting portion 225a, a conical convex surface 225b tapering toward the connection side is provided. When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are connected, the convex surface 225b is guided along the concave surface 125b into the space formed by the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10. This makes it possible to more stably connect the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20.

[0048] A curved surface 225c is provided between abutment portion 225a and convex surface 225b. Curved surface 225c extends horizontally from abutment portion 125a toward the connection side of receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 20 along the connection direction (α), and is curved in a cross-sectional direction (β-γ) perpendicular to the connection direction (α). When receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 20 are connected, curved surface 225c cooperates with curved surface 125c of receptacle connector 10 to correct the posture of receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 20.

[0049] The intermediate portion has screw holes (mounting portions) 226 (226a to d) on its circumferential surface. Screws (regulating means) 7 can be attached to the screw holes 226 in the radial direction. Commercially available screws can be used as the screws 7. When the screws 7 are attached to the screw holes 226, the heads 7a of the screws 7 protrude radially beyond the connector housing 22, and as a result, the behavior of the connector housing 22 relative to the member 45 is regulated.

[0050] The members held by the connector housing 22 include, for example, an optical fiber unit 400 to which the optical fiber 100 can be attached, a transparent cover 220b provided on the connecting side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 in order to protect the tip of the optical fiber unit 400, an annular buffer member 220a accompanying the transparent cover, and further, a packing 220c for the purpose of waterproofing, dustproofing, etc. Furthermore, in order to elastically support the optical fiber unit 400 in the connector housing 22, a biasing means such as a coil spring 24 provided on the opposite side to the connecting 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 means to the connector housing 22 are also included.

[0051] 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 opening 407a capable of accommodating the tip portion 401a of the ferrule 401 and the lens 405. The optical fiber 200 has the same structure as the optical fiber 100, and includes an optical cable 202, a fiber core 204, and a fiber 206.

[0052] The transparent cover 220b, the buffer member 220a, and the packing 220c are disposed on the front end side of the connector housing 22. A small-diameter circular recess 220 recessed along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 is provided on the front end side to accommodate and fix them. On the other hand, the optical fiber unit 400 is disposed in the connector housing 22 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 in a state in which 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, cylindrical accommodation holes 221 and 222 having relatively small diameters are provided in the connector housing 22 along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, and cylindrical accommodation holes 223 and 224 having relatively large diameters are provided along the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 to accommodate the rear end side of the optical fiber unit 400 together with the coil spring 24, the elastic stopper 25, and the like.

[0053] The accommodating holes 221, 222 form a step in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, which reduces in diameter toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20. As a result, the optical fiber unit 400 can be smoothly inserted and installed in the connector housing 22.

[0054] Similarly, the receiving holes 223 and 224 form a step portion with a smaller diameter toward the connecting side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200, thereby providing smooth insertion and installation. The rear end side of the optical fiber unit 400, the coil spring 24, and the elastic stopper 25 are inserted and installed in the connector housing 22 in this order. The receiving hole 224 further includes a small-diameter annular portion 224b having 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 to sandwich the small-diameter annular portion 224b. The elastic stopper 25 is installed last so as to support and fix the optical fiber unit 400 and the coil spring 24 that are previously received in the receiving hole 224. The elastic stopper 25 is elastically locked by a plurality of arms 25a extending radially to the annular portion 224c located at the back of the step portion formed by using the small-diameter annular portion 224b.

[0055] A flange member 402 protruding in the radial direction is provided on the peripheral surface of the ferrule 401 of the optical fiber unit 400. The flange member 402 urges the ferrule 401, which is accommodated and fixed in the accommodating holes 221 and 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, in cooperation with the coil spring 24. More specifically, when the optical fiber unit 400 is accommodated and fixed in the accommodating holes 221 and 222, the abutment surface 402a of the flange member 402 abuts against a corresponding abutment surface 223a formed inside the accommodating hole 221 while being urged by the coil spring 24, 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 urges the ferrule 401 toward the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20. In order to accurately align the optical fiber 200 along the connection direction (α), 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 with respect to the connection direction (α). For example, in this embodiment, like the abutment portion 225a provided at the tip side portion of the connector housing 22, they are formed perpendicular to the connection direction (α) and are set at 90 degrees.

[0056] A recess 41 for receiving a head 7a of a screw 7 is provided on one wall surface of the member 45, more specifically, on the wall surface opposite to the connection side of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 in the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 100. When the screw (regulating means) 7 is attached to the screw hole 2 (attachment 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 member 45, and the behavior of the connector housing 22 relative to the member 45 is regulated. More specifically, through this collision, for example, the behavior of the connector housing 22 in the circumferential direction (K) relative to the member 45 can be regulated, and the behavior of the optical fiber 200 in the axial direction (α) can also be regulated. As with the lens 305, the lens 405 is not necessarily fixed to the lens sleeve 407, so that misalignment may occur between the lens 405 and the ferrule 401, and there is also a risk of misalignment occurring between, for example, the optical fiber unit 400 housed in the housing holes 221, 222 and the connector housing 22. However, the posture of the core in the optical fiber is fixed so as to regulate the behavior of the connector housing 22 relative to the member 45, particularly the behavior in the circumferential direction (K), thereby solving or reducing the problem of insertion loss caused by eccentricity of the core. When attaching the screw 7 to the screw hole 226, the connector housing 22 to which the optical fiber 200 (optical fiber unit 400) is attached is rotated relative to the member 45, and the angle of the connector housing 22 relative to the member 45 is adjusted so that the core is set in a posture that minimizes the insertion loss, in other words, so that the connector housing 22 is positioned relative to the member 45 in a posture that minimizes the insertion loss, and the screw 7 is attached to the screw hole 226 so that the adjusted angle is maintained.

[0057] It is preferable to provide a plurality of screw holes 226. This allows the angle adjustment of the connector housing 22 relative to the member 45 to be performed more finely. On the other hand, the recess 41 may be only one as shown in this embodiment, but a plurality of recesses 41 may be provided similarly to the screw holes 226. By providing a plurality of recesses 41, the recesses 41 can collide with a plurality of screws attached to the screw holes 226 at a plurality of points, thereby dispersing the force at the time of collision. It is preferable that the screw holes 226 and the recesses 41 are arranged in a state where they are equally spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction (K). Furthermore, it is preferable that they are arranged in pairs at opposing positions in the circumferential cross section. This arrangement makes it easier to adjust the angle by the screw holes 226. In addition, it is also possible to more evenly distribute the force at the time of collision between the recesses 41 and the screws. In this embodiment, a total of four screw holes 226a to d are arranged in opposing positions at equal intervals from each other in the circumferential direction (K).

[0058] Referring again to FIG. 3, the process of connecting the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 will be described. When connecting, the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 approach each other along the connection direction (α) so that their respective connection sides (tip sides) are butted against each other. At this time, the tip surface 225d and the convex surface 225b of the connector housing 22 of the plug connector 20 are inserted into the space formed by the concave surface 125b of the inner housing 12 of the receptacle connector 10 while being guided by the concave surface 125b, and as a result, the postures of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are relatively corrected.

[0059] Just before and just before the abutment portion 125a of the inner housing 12 abuts against the abutment portion 225a of the connector housing 22, the posture of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20 is corrected to align with the connection direction (α) by the action of the curved surface 125c of the inner housing 12 and the curved surface 225c of the connector housing 22, which extend horizontally along the connection direction (α).

[0060] When the abutting portion 125a of the inner housing 12 is in surface contact with the abutting portion 225a of the connector housing 22, that is, in the state shown in Fig. 3, the convex surface 225b and the curved surface 225c of the plug connector 20 are completely contained in the space formed by the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10. At this time, the tip surface 225d of the plug connector 20 faces the innermost part of the concave surface 125b of the receptacle connector 10, that is, the optical connection portion, in a close state. Note that the inclination angle (θ2) of the taper of the convex surface 225b with respect to the axial direction (α) of the optical fiber 200 is set to be larger than the inclination angle (θ1) of the taper 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 with each other.

[0061] Furthermore, 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 abutment surface (β-γ surface) formed by the abutment portion 125a of the inner housing 12 and the abutment surface (β-γ surface) formed by the abutment portion 225a of the connector housing 22, and the abutment surface (β-γ surface) formed by the abutment surface 127a of the annular flange 127 and the annular flange 131a in the receptacle connector 10 are each formed at an appropriate angle with respect to the connection direction (α), and the annular flange 127 and the annular flange 131a in the receptacle connector 10 are always in elastic contact with each other, so that the inner housing 12 and the outer housing 13 are adjusted to an appropriate posture, and as a result, the optical fiber 100 and the optical fiber 200 can be accurately aligned along the connection direction (α).

[0062] 12 and 13 show an example of a usage mode of the optical connector device 1. Here, the receptacle connector 10 of the optical connector device 1 is provided in a first device 3, and the plug connector 20 is provided in a second device 4. The first device 3 and the second device 4 are used as a pair.

[0063] The first device 3 is an installed member whose outer periphery is formed by a relatively large rectangular housing 35, and has a recess 31 (first recess) for receiving the second device 4 on one surface of the housing 35. Abutment portion 125a of inner housing 12 of receptacle connector 10 is provided on a back surface 31a of recess 31 in the connection direction (α) between the first device 3 and the second device 4 in a state in which connection with the second device 4 inserted into recess 31 is possible.

[0064] On the other hand, the second device 4 is formed as a relatively small member attached to the tip of the optical cable 202 and is freely portable, 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 is fitted into the recess 31 provided in the first device 3. The abutting 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 fitted into the recess 31, the abutting portion 125a provided on the first device 3 and the abutting portion 225a provided on the second device 4 can be accurately connected inside the recess 31, i.e., in a place not visible to the user, by the method described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. This allows the optical fiber 100 of the optical fiber unit 300 provided in the first device 3 and the optical fiber 200 of the optical fiber unit 400 provided in the second device 4 to be accurately butted against each other in the connection direction (α). Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a locking portion 33 on the first device 3 and a corresponding locking portion 43 on the second device 4 in order to maintain the connection between the first device 3 and the second device 4.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various other modifications are possible. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 12 and 13, 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. Also, the size and shape of the first device 3 and the size and shape of the second device 4 may be reversed.

[0066] It should be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments and is merely representative of the article and the method of manufacturing the same. It can be appreciated that variations and modifications of the different embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Thus, the exemplary embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, can be made without departing from the spirit of the article as set forth in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Optical connector device 3. First Device 4. Second Device 6. Regulatory measures 10 Receptacle connector (first connector) 12 Inner housing 13 External housing 14 Second biasing means 16 First biasing means 20 Plug connector (second connector) 22 Connector housing 33 Locking part 43 Corresponding locking part 100 Optical fiber (first optical fiber) 200 Optical fiber (second optical fiber) 121, 122 First receiving hole 123a Corresponding contact surface 125a first contact portion 125b concave 125c First curved surface 126 Mounting part 127 Second annular flange 128 Depression 129 Third annular flange 131 Through hole (first through hole) 131a first annular flange 135 Through hole (second through hole) 225a Second abutment 225b Convex 225c Second curved surface 300 Optical fiber unit (first optical fiber unit) 301 First Ferrule 302 First flange member 302a Contact 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

Claims

1. An optical connector device including a pair of a first connector and a second connector, wherein 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 are butted against each other in a connecting direction of the first connector and the second connector, and are optically connected; the first connector includes an inner housing and an outer housing; the internal housing is configured to hold a first optical fiber unit to which the first optical fiber is attached along an axial direction of the first optical fiber; The inner housing is held by the outer housing so as to be movable in the axial direction and in a plane direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the second connector includes a connector housing; the inner housing has a first abutment portion on a connecting side of the first connector and the second connector in an axial direction of the first optical fiber, the connector housing has a second abutment portion on a connection side between the first connector and the second connector in an axial direction of the second optical fiber, an optical connector device characterized in that, when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion come into surface contact, and the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are aligned along the connection direction.

2. The optical connector device of claim 1, wherein the outer housing has a first through hole through which one end side of the inner housing inserted into the outer housing is loosely inserted, and at least a portion of the one end side of the inner housing is extended to the outside of the outer housing through the first through hole.

3. The optical connector device according to claim 1 , wherein the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion each form an annular abutment surface.

4. 2. The optical connector device according to claim 1, wherein an abutment surface formed by said first abutment portion and an abutment surface formed by said second abutment portion are each perpendicular to said connection direction.

5. the inner housing has a conical concave surface tapered toward a connecting side of the first connector and the second connector in an axial direction of the first optical fiber, the conical concave surface being located on a side opposite to the connecting side of the first connector and the second connector relative to the first abutment portion; the connector housing has a cone-shaped convex surface tapered toward the connection side, the convex surface being located on a connection side between the first connector and the second connector in an axial direction of the second optical fiber relative to the second abutment portion, 5. The optical connector device according to claim 4, wherein when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the first connector and the second connector are connected while the convex surface is guided by the concave surface.

6. 6. The optical connector device according to claim 5, wherein an inclination angle of the taper of said convex surface relative to the axial direction of said second optical fiber is larger than an inclination angle of the taper of said concave surface relative to the axial direction of said first optical fiber.

7. the inner housing has a first curved surface that extends horizontally along the connection direction from the first abutment portion toward a side opposite to the connection side of the first connector and the second connector and is curved in a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the connection direction, the connector housing has a second curved surface that extends horizontally along the connection direction from the second abutment portion toward a connection side of the first connector and the second connector and is curved in a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the connection direction, The optical connector device of claim 5, wherein the first curved surface and the second curved surface cooperate to correct the posture of the first connector and the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are connected.

8. the first optical fiber unit includes a first ferrule to which the first optical fiber can be attached, a first lens on a connection side between the first connector and the second connector in an axial direction of the first optical fiber, and a first lens sleeve having a first ferrule insertion port for inserting the first ferrule on an opposite side to the connection side; 2. The optical connector device as described in claim 1, wherein the second optical fiber unit has a second ferrule to which the second optical fiber can be attached, a second lens on the connection side of the first connector and the second connector in the axial direction of the second optical fiber, and further includes a second lens sleeve having a second ferrule insertion port for inserting the second ferrule on the side opposite the connection side.

9. a first flange member protruding in a radial direction is provided on a peripheral surface of the first ferrule, 5. The optical connector device as described in claim 4, wherein when the first optical fiber unit is accommodated in the first accommodating hole of the inner housing, the abutment surface of the first flange member abuts against a corresponding abutment surface formed inside the first accommodating hole on the connection side of the first connector and the second connector in the axial direction of the first optical fiber while being biased by a second biasing means, thereby aligning the first optical fiber in the connection direction.

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