Optical connector and connection structure

Abstract

To provide an optical connector capable of reducing variations in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other, and to provide a connection structure provided with such an optical connector.SOLUTION: An optical connector comprises: a first ferrule that has a first front end face, a first rear end face, first guide holes extending in a first direction, a first main surface and a second main surface which are positioned so as to hold the first guide holes therebetween in a second direction crossing the first direction; and guide pins inserted into the first guide holes and each having a center axis in the first direction. The first guide holes are opened in the first front end face. The guide pins have end parts exposed to an outside of the first ferrule from the first front end face. The end parts each include, in the second direction, a first portion positioned near the first main surface relative to the center axis and a second portion positioned near the second main surface relative to the center axis. In a cross section orthogonal to the center axis, a width of the second portion in the second direction is smaller than a width of the first portion in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to optical connectors and connection structures. [Background technology]

[0002] An optical connector is known that includes a ferrule that holds an end of an optical fiber and a guide pin that is inserted into a guide hole formed in the ferrule (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an optical connector, when the guide pin is inserted into the guide hole, the end of the guide pin is exposed from the guide hole. When connecting an optical connector to a mating optical connector, the optical connectors are aligned by inserting the exposed end of the guide pin into the guide hole of the mating optical connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-212957 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the optical connector described above, when the end of the guide pin is inserted into the guide hole of the mating optical connector, the end of the guide pin may come into contact with the front end face of the ferrule, potentially damaging the front end face of the ferrule, which can cause variations in connection loss when the optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical connector that can reduce variations in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other, and a connection structure that includes such an optical connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An optical connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a first ferrule having a first front end face, a first rear end face located on the opposite side of the first front end face in a first direction from the first front end face, a first guide hole extending along the first direction, and first and second main faces located on either side of the first guide hole in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a guide pin inserted into the first guide hole and having a central axis along the first direction, wherein the first guide hole opens into the first front end face, and the guide pin has an end exposed from the first front end face to the outside of the first ferrule, the end including, in the second direction, a first portion located near the first main face with respect to the central axis and a second portion located near the second main face with respect to the central axis, and in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, the width of the second portion along the second direction is smaller than the width of the first portion along the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an optical connector capable of reducing variations in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other, and a connection structure including such an optical connector are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector taken along line II-II shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ferrule into which the guide pin shown in FIG. 1 is inserted. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical connector shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the guide pin shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide pin taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of the end portion of the guide pin shown in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the optical connector is connected to the counterpart optical connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical connector is connected to a counterpart optical connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining deformation of the ferrule when the guide pin comes into contact with the ferrule. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining deformation of the ferrule when the guide pin comes into contact with the ferrule. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a guide pin according to a first modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the appearance of the end portion of the guide pin shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a guide pin according to the second modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the appearance of the end portion of the guide pin shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) The optical connector of the present disclosure comprises a first ferrule having a first front end face, a first rear end face located on the opposite side of the first front end face in a first direction, a first guide hole extending along the first direction, and first and second main faces located on either side of the first guide hole in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a guide pin inserted into the first guide hole and having a central axis along the first direction, wherein the first guide hole opens into the first front end face, and the guide pin has an end exposed from the first front end face to the outside of the first ferrule, the end including, in the second direction, a first portion located near the first main face with respect to the central axis and a second portion located near the second main face with respect to the central axis, and in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, the width of the second portion along the second direction is smaller than the width of the first portion along the second direction.

[0010] In this optical connector, the end of the guide pin includes, in the second direction, a first portion located near the first main surface relative to the central axis and a second portion located near the second main surface relative to the central axis, and in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, the width of the second portion along the second direction is smaller than the width of the first portion along the second direction. This allows the width of the end of the guide pin in the second direction to be formed small. Therefore, the end of the guide pin can be easily inserted into the guide hole without contacting the front end face of the ferrule of the mating optical connector, preventing damage to the ferrule. Therefore, this optical connector reduces variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected.

[0011] (2) In the optical connector of (1) above, the first front end face may be inclined with respect to the second direction so as to approach the first rear end face as it approaches the second main face from the first main face. In this case, when the optical connector is connected to a mating optical connector having a ferrule with a similarly inclined front end face, it is possible to prevent the guide pin from contacting the portion where the inner surface of the guide hole in the mating ferrule and the front end face intersect at an obtuse angle. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0012] (3) In the optical connector of (1) or (2), the second portion may have a first surface that is inclined with respect to the central axis so as to approach the central axis from the first front end face toward the tip face of the end portion. In this case, the end of the guide pin can be more easily inserted into the guide hole without contacting the front end face of the ferrule of the mating optical connector, preventing damage to the ferrule. Therefore, the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected can be further reduced.

[0013] (4) In the optical connector of (3) above, the inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the central axis may be 30 degrees or less in a cross section passing through the central axis along the first and second directions. In this case, the end of the guide pin can be more easily inserted into the guide hole without contacting the front end face of the ferrule of the mating optical connector, preventing damage to the ferrule. Therefore, the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected can be further reduced.

[0014] (5) In any of the optical connectors described in (1) to (4), the second portion may have a second surface extending parallel to the central axis. In this case, the end of the guide pin can be more easily inserted into the guide hole without contacting the front end face of the ferrule of the mating optical connector, preventing damage to the ferrule. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected.

[0015] (6) In any of the optical connectors described in (1) to (5), the tip surface of the end portion may include a first region located near the first main surface relative to the central axis and a second region located near the second main surface relative to the central axis, and the width of the second region along the second direction may be smaller than the width of the first region along the second direction. In this case, the end of the guide pin can be more easily inserted into the guide hole without contacting the front end face of the ferrule of the mating optical connector, preventing damage to the ferrule. This further reduces variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected.

[0016] (7) The optical connector of any one of (1) to (6) above may include a pair of guide pins, each of which is the guide pin, and the first ferrule may have a pair of first guide holes, each of which is the first guide hole, the pair of first guide holes being aligned in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, and each of the pair of guide pins may be inserted into a corresponding one of the pair of first guide holes. In this case, the optical connectors can be aligned with high precision using the guide pins and the first guide holes.

[0017] (8) A connection structure of the present disclosure includes an optical connector according to any one of (1) to (7) above, and a mating optical connector connected to the optical connector, wherein the mating optical connector has a second ferrule including a second front end face, a second rear end face located on the opposite side of the second front end face in the first direction from the second front end face, a second guide hole extending along the first direction, and a third main surface and a fourth main surface located on either side of the second guide hole in the second direction, and the second front end face is inclined with respect to the second direction so as to approach the second rear end face as it approaches the fourth main surface from the third main surface.

[0018] For the reasons described above, in this connection structure, when connecting, for example, any of the optical connectors (1) to (7) above to a mating optical connector, it is possible to prevent the guide pin from coming into contact with the portion where the inner surface of the second guide hole in the mating second ferrule and the second front end face intersect at an obtuse angle, thereby reducing the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of optical connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical elements or elements having the same functions will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0020] [Optical connector configuration] The configuration of an optical connector 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the optical connector 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector taken along line II-II shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a ferrule into which a guide pin shown in Figure 1 has been inserted. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical connector shown in Figure 1.

[0021] The optical connector 1 is, for example, an MPO connector, and is connected to an external mating optical connector. The optical connector 1 includes a ferrule (first ferrule) 2, an inner housing 3 that covers the ferrule 2, an outer housing 4 that covers a portion of the inner housing 3, and a rear housing 5 that is connected to the inner housing 3. Inside the optical connector 1, a pin keeper 6 and an elastic member 10 that is a ferrule spring that biases the ferrule 2 are provided.

[0022] In the following, the connection direction of the optical connector 1 is referred to as the X-axis direction (first direction), the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is referred to as the Y-axis direction (third direction), and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis directions is referred to as the Z-axis direction (second direction). Directions may also be defined as "front" and "rear" in the following description. In the X-axis direction described above, the direction when viewing the ferrule 2 from the rear housing 5 is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear.

[0023] The ferrule 2 is, for example, an MT ferrule, and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The ferrule 2 holds the ends of multiple optical fibers. The ferrule 2 has a front end face (first front end face) 2a, a rear end face (first rear end face) 2b, a side face 2c, a side face 2d, a main face (first main face) 2e, and a main face (second main face) 2f. The rear end face 2b is located on the opposite side from the front end face 2a in the X-axis direction. The side face 2d is located on the opposite side from the side face 2c in the Y-axis direction. The main face 2f is located on the opposite side from the main face 2e in the Z-axis direction. The ferrule 2 has an extension portion 2g on the rear side. The front end face of the extension portion 2g abuts against the inner housing 3.

[0024] The front end face 2a is a surface that abuts against the ferrule of a mating optical connector to be connected to the optical connector 1 in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the front end face 2a is inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction so as to approach the rear end face 2b as it approaches the main face 2e toward the main face 2f. The inclination angle of the front end face 2a with respect to the Z-axis direction may be, for example, 8 degrees. The side faces 2c and 2d are positioned in the Y-axis direction so as to sandwich a plurality of fiber holes 21 and a pair of guide holes (first guide holes) 22, which will be described later. The main faces 2e and 2f are positioned in the Z-axis direction so as to sandwich the plurality of fiber holes 21 and the pair of guide holes 22.

[0025] The ferrule 2 has a plurality of fiber holes 21 extending in the X-axis direction. A plurality of optical fibers 31 are lined up in the Y-axis direction. Each fiber hole 21 is formed inside the ferrule 2. Each fiber hole 21 is a hole into which an optical fiber 31 can be inserted. Each optical fiber 31 constituting the tape fiber 30 is inserted into each fiber hole 21. The tape fiber 30 is inserted from the rear housing 5 into the inner housing 3. In the tape fiber 30, an end of each optical fiber 31 is exposed from the coating. The exposed end of the optical fiber 31 is inserted into the corresponding fiber hole 21. The end of the fiber hole 21 is open at the front end face 2a. The end face of the optical fiber 31 inserted into the fiber hole 21 is exposed to the outside of the ferrule 2 at the front end face 2a.

[0026] The ferrule 2 has a pair of guide holes 22 extending in the X-axis direction. The pair of guide holes 22 are arranged in the Y-axis direction so as to sandwich the plurality of fiber holes 21. The guide holes 22 are formed inside the ferrule 2. Each guide hole 22 is a hole into which a guide pin 40 can be inserted. Each of the pair of guide pins 40 is inserted into the corresponding one of the pair of guide holes 22. The ends of the guide holes 22 open at the front end face 2a. The guide pin 40 is inserted into each guide hole 22 from the opening formed in the front end face 2a. The inner surface of each guide hole 22 has a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The guide holes 22 and the guide pins 40 function as positioning parts for positioning the optical connector 1 and the optical connector that will be connected to it. The detailed configuration of the guide pins 40 will be described later.

[0027] Between the ferrule 2 and the rear housing 5, there are provided an elastic member 10 that biases the ferrule 2 forward, and a pin keeper 6 that holds a guide pin 40 inserted from the front into a guide hole 22 of the ferrule 2. The pin keeper 6 is accommodated inside the inner housing 3 and is provided between the ferrule 2 and the elastic member 10. Each pin keeper 6 has a pair of holding holes 6a that hold the guide pin 40. The pair of holding holes 6a are provided so as to be aligned in the Y-axis direction.

[0028] The inner housing 3 is formed in a stepped rectangular tube shape with an expanded portion on the rear side. A pair of engagement holes 3a and a groove 3b are provided on the outer surface of the inner housing 3. Latches of an optical adapter external to the optical connector 1 engage with the pair of engagement holes 3a. The engagement holes 3a are provided on the surface of the inner housing 3. The engagement holes 3a are formed, for example, in a trapezoidal shape on the outer surface of the inner housing 3. By fitting the latches of the optical adapter into each engagement hole 3a, the optical connector 1 engages with the optical adapter in the X-axis direction, and the optical connector 1 is attached to the optical adapter. The groove 3b accommodates a coil spring 7 that biases the outer housing 4 forward. The groove 3b extends in the X-axis direction. The groove 3b accommodates a coil spring 7 that is expandable and contractible in the X-axis direction.

[0029] The ferrule 2 and part of the rear housing 5 are housed inside the inner housing 3. The inner surface of the inner housing 3 is stepped, and an abutment surface 3c against which the ferrule 2 abuts along the X-axis direction is provided inside the inner housing 3. The front end surface of the extension portion 2g of the ferrule 2, which is biased forward by the elastic member 10, abuts against the abutment surface 3c.

[0030] The outer housing 4 is attached to the outside of the inner housing 3 so as to be freely movable in the X-axis direction. The outer housing 4 has a cylindrical shape. In a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction, the outer housing 4 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with the short sides curved outward. The outer housing 4 accommodates a part of the inner housing 3 and a coil spring 7.

[0031] The rear housing 5 includes a cylindrical insertion portion 5a that is inserted into the inner housing 3, and a cylindrical exposed portion 5b that is provided on the rear side of the insertion portion 5a. The rear housing 5 is engaged with the inner housing 3 with the front end of the insertion portion 5a abutting against the inner housing 3 along the X-axis direction. A tape fiber 30 formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers 31 is inserted and held inside the insertion portion 5a and the exposed portion 5b.

[0032] [Guide pin configuration] 5, 6, and 7, the detailed configuration of the guide pin 40 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the guide pin 40. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide pin 40 taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of an end portion 41 of the guide pin 40. The guide pin 40 is inserted into the guide hole 22 so that most of it is positioned inside the guide hole 22. The portion of the guide pin 40 positioned inside the guide hole 22 has a cylindrical shape. The guide pin 40 has an end portion 41 that is exposed from the front end face 2a to the outside of the ferrule 2. The guide pin 40 has a central axis C. When the guide pin 40 is inserted into the guide hole 22, the central axis C is aligned with the X-axis direction.

[0033] The guide pin 40 has a tip surface 40a and a side surface 40b. The tip surface 40a is the tip surface of the end portion 41 in the X-axis direction (the front end surface of the guide pin 40) and extends perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The side surface 40b is a surface that extends to surround the central axis C. The corner of the guide pin 40 where the tip surface 40a and the side surface 40b intersect is chamfered, and in this example, a slope 40c inclined with respect to the central axis C is formed at the corner. The portion of the end portion 41 where the slope 40c is formed has a shape that tapers toward the tip surface 40a. In this example, in a cross section passing through the central axis C along the X-axis and Z-axis directions, the inclination angle of the slope 40c with respect to the central axis C is approximately 45 degrees.

[0034] A notch 42 is formed in the end 41 of the guide pin 40. The notch 42 is formed by cutting away a portion of the end 41. In this example, the notch 42 is formed by cutting away a portion of the end 41 that is located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C, from the tip surface 40a to the side surface 40b.

[0035] The end 41 of the guide pin 40 includes, in the Z-axis direction, a first portion 43 located closer to the main surface 2e of the ferrule 2 with respect to the central axis C, and a second portion 44 located closer to the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C. The second portion 44 is located closer to the main surface 2f (lower in FIG. 4 ) than the first portion 43 in the Z-axis direction. The guide pin 40 is integrally formed including the first portion 43 and the second portion 44. The guide pin 40 may be made of a metal such as SUS (Steel Use Stainless).

[0036] The second portion 44 has a surface (first surface) 44a. The surface 44a is a surface formed by forming the cutout portion 42 and corresponds to the position of the cutout portion 42 (facing the cutout portion). The surface 44a is inclined with respect to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction and extends flat along the Y-axis direction. The surface 44a is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to approach the central axis C as it approaches from the front end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 to the tip surface 40a of the guide pin 40 (end 41). The surface 44a has an end portion 44b and an end portion 44c in the X-axis direction. The end portion 44b is connected to the tip surface 40a, and the end portion 44c is connected to the side surface 40b. The surface 44a is inclined with respect to the central axis C so that the end portion 44b is located closer to the central axis C than the end portion 44c.

[0037] In a cross section passing through the central axis C along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, the inclination angle θ of the surface 44a with respect to the central axis C is smaller than the inclination angle of the slope 40c with respect to the central axis C. In this example, the inclination angle θ of the surface 44a with respect to the central axis C is 30 degrees or less. The inclination angle θ of the surface 44a with respect to the central axis C may be 40 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, 20 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

[0038] In this example, the first portion 43 is a portion of the end portion 41 located near the main surface 2e with respect to the central axis C, and is a portion located between the end portions 44b and 44c when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The first portion 43 is surrounded by the tip surface 40a, the slope 40c, and the side surface 40b. The second portion 44 is a portion of the end portion 41 located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C, and is a portion located between the end portions 44b and 44c when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The second portion 44 is surrounded by the tip surface 40a, the slope 40c, the side surface 40b, and the surface 44a.

[0039] The portion of the side surface 40b of the guide pin 40 where the notch 42 is not formed (the portion closer to the rear end surface 2b than the end 44c) is formed in an annular shape in the direction surrounding the central axis C and does not have any ends in the direction surrounding the central axis C. The diameter of the portion of the side surface 40b where the notch 42 is not formed (the annular portion) is the same as the inner diameter of the guide hole 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the portion of the side surface 40b where the notch 42 is formed (the portion closer to the front end surface 40a than the end 44c) is formed in an arc shape in the direction surrounding the central axis C and has a pair of ends 40e1 in the direction surrounding the central axis C. The surface 44a connects the pair of ends 40e1. As shown in FIG. 7, due to the formation of the notch 42, the inclined surface 40c is formed in an arc shape in the direction surrounding the central axis C. The inclined surface 40c has a pair of ends 40e2 in the direction surrounding the central axis C. The surface 44a connects a pair of ends 40e2 of the inclined surface 40c.

[0040] In a cross section perpendicular to the central axis C, the width W2 of the second portion 44 along the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 43 along the Z-axis direction. For example, in a cross section intersecting the side surface 40b and the surface 44a as shown in FIG. 6, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the side surface 40b corresponds to the width W1, and the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 44a corresponds to the width W2. As another example, when the first portion 43 and the second portion 44 are cut along a cross section intersecting the slope 40c and the surface 44a, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the slope 40c corresponds to the width W1, and the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 44a corresponds to the width W2. When the cutout portion 42 is formed, a portion of the guide pin 40 located near the main surface 2f relative to the central axis C is cut away. As a result, the width W2 of the second portion 44 is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 43.

[0041] The width W2 of the second portion 44 along the Z-axis direction decreases from the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 toward the tip face 40a of the guide pin 40 in the X-axis direction. The width W2 of the second portion 44 near the end 44b (tip face 40a) is smaller than the width W2 of the second portion 44 near the end 44c. At the tip face 40a, the width W2 of the second portion 44 is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 43. The tip face 40a includes a first region A1 (a region located near the main surface 2e with respect to the central axis C) corresponding to the first portion 43, and a second region A2 (a region located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C) corresponding to the second portion 44. The width of the second region A2 along the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width of the first region A1 along the Z-axis direction. At the tip surface 40a, the width W2 of the second portion 44 along the Z-axis direction (the width of the second region A2) may be 50% or less of the width W1 of the first portion 43 along the Z-axis direction (the width of the first region A1), or may be 25% or less.

[0042] [Connection structure] 8 and 9, a connection structure including an optical connector 1 and an optical connector 100, which is a counterpart of the connection, will be described. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a connection structure 200 including the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the optical connector 1 is connected to the counterpart of the connection, the optical connector 100. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the optical connector 1 is connected to the counterpart of the connection, the optical connector 100. The optical connector 100 has a similar configuration to the optical connector 1 except that it does not have a pair of guide pins 40. That is, the ferrule (second ferrule) 2 of the optical connector 100 has a front end face (second front end face) 2a, a rear end face (second rear end face) 2b located on the opposite side of the front end face 2a in the X-axis direction, a guide hole (second guide hole) 22 extending along the X-axis direction, and a main surface (third main surface) 2e and a main surface (fourth main surface) 2f located on either side of the guide hole 22 in the Z-axis direction. The front end face 2a of the optical connector 100 is inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction so as to approach the rear end face 2b of the optical connector 100 from the main face 2e toward the main face 2f.

[0043] First, the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100 are arranged so that their orientations in the Z-axis direction are reversed. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the optical connector 1 is arranged so that the main surface 2e of the ferrule 2 is located on the upper side of FIG. 8 and the main surface 2f is located on the lower side. The optical connector 100 is arranged so that the main surface 2e is located on the lower side of FIG. 8 and the main surface 2f is located on the upper side. The optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100 are arranged so that the front end surface 2a of the optical connector 1 and the front end surface 2a of the optical connector 100 are parallel to each other. Next, the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100 are aligned so that the pair of guide pins 40 of the optical connector 1 are inserted into the pair of guide holes 22 of the optical connector 100. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 100 are connected to each other so that the front end surface 2a of the optical connector 1 and the front end surface 2a of the optical connector 100 abut against each other in the X-axis direction.

[0044] As described above, in the optical connector 1, the end 41 of the guide pin 40 includes, in the Z-axis direction, a first portion 43 located near the main surface 2e with respect to the central axis C and a second portion 44 located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C. In a cross section perpendicular to the central axis C, the width W2 of the second portion 44 along the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 43 along the Z-axis direction. This allows the width of the end 41 of the guide pin 40 in the Z-axis direction to be formed small. Therefore, the end 41 of the guide pin 40 can be easily inserted into the guide hole 22 without contacting the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100, preventing damage to the ferrule 2. Therefore, this optical connector 1 reduces variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0045] The front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 is inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction so as to approach the rear end face 2b as it approaches the main face 2e toward the main face 2f. This makes it possible to prevent the guide pin 40 from coming into contact with the portion of the mating ferrule 2 where the inner surface of the guide hole 22 and the front end face 2a intersect at an obtuse angle when the optical connector 1 is connected to a mating optical connector 100 having a similarly inclined front end face 2a of the ferrule 2. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0046] This point will be described in detail with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Part (a) of Figure 10 shows ferrules and guide pins provided in optical connectors to be connected to each other. Components of the optical connector other than the ferrules and guide pins are not shown. Part (a) of Figure 10 shows a ferrule 110A and a ferrule 110B connected to the ferrule 110A. A guide hole 111 is formed in the ferrule 110A, and a guide pin 112 is inserted into the guide hole 111. A front end face 110a of the ferrule 110A is inclined with respect to the main surfaces 110e and 110f of the ferrule 110A, which are positioned on either side of the guide hole 111. The front end face 110a is inclined so as to approach the rear end face of the ferrule 110A as it approaches the main surface 110e and the main surface 110f.

[0047] Ferrule 110A has a portion P1 where inner surface 111a of guide hole 111 intersects with front end face 110a at an obtuse angle, and a portion P2 where they intersect at an acute angle. Portion P1 is a portion of the boundary between front end face 110a and inner surface 111a that is located closer to main surface 110e, and portion P2 is a portion of the boundary that is located closer to main surface 110f. Ferrule 110B has a similar configuration to ferrule 110A, except that guide pins 112 are not inserted into guide holes 111.

[0048] The ferrules 110A and 110B are connected such that their front end faces 110a abut against each other. The ferrules 110A and 110B are connected in an inverted state so that the front end face 110a of the ferrule 110A is aligned with the front end face 110a of the ferrule 110B. At this time, when the guide pin 112 inserted into the ferrule 110A contacts (collides with) the portion P1 of the ferrule 110B, the portion P1 is deformed. Specifically, a tensile force acts on the portion P1 toward the inside of the guide hole 111. As a result, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 10 , the portion P1 is deformed so as to enter (protrude) into the guide hole 111. When guide pin 112 is inserted into guide hole 111 of ferrule 110B in this state, portion P1 interferes with guide pin 112, and ferrules 110A and 110B are not connected in the correct position, resulting in variations in connection loss.

[0049] In contrast, as shown in part (a) of Figure 11, when the guide pin 112 of the ferrule 110A contacts (collides with) the portion P2 of the ferrule 110B, a compressive force acts on the portion P2. As a result, as shown in part (b) of Figure 11, the portion P2 is deformed so as to be crushed toward the outside of the ferrule 110B (toward the main surface 110f). Therefore, the portion P2 does not interfere with the guide pin 112, and the ferrules 110A and 110B can be connected in an appropriate position. That is, in a ferrule having a tilted front end face, it is effective from the viewpoint of reducing variation in connection loss to prevent the guide pin from contacting the portion where the inner surface of the guide hole and the front end face intersect at an obtuse angle.

[0050] In the optical connector 1 according to the above embodiment, the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 is inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction so as to approach the rear end face 2b as it approaches the main face 2e toward the main face 2f. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8, when the optical connector 1 is connected to a mating optical connector 100, the second portion 44 (a portion having a smaller width along the Z-axis direction than the first portion 43) faces a portion P1 of the ferrule 2 of the optical connector 100 (a portion where the inner surface 22a of the guide hole 22 and the front end face 2a intersect at an obtuse angle). This makes it possible to prevent the guide pin 40 from coming into contact with the portion P1 of the ferrule 2 of the optical connector 100, thereby further reducing variations in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0051] The second portion 44 has a surface 44a that is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to approach the central axis C from the front end face 2a toward the tip face 40a of the end 41. This allows the end 41 of the guide pin 40 to be more easily inserted into the guide hole 22 without coming into contact with the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100, preventing damage to the ferrule 2. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0052] In a cross section passing through the central axis C along the X-axis and Z-axis directions, the inclination angle of the surface 44a with respect to the central axis C is 30 degrees or less. This allows the end 41 of the guide pin 40 to be more easily inserted into the guide hole 22 without coming into contact with the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100, preventing damage to the ferrule 2. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected.

[0053] The tip surface 40a of the end 41 includes a first region A1 located near the main surface 2e with respect to the central axis C, and a second region A2 located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C. The width of the second region A2 along the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width of the first region A1 along the Z-axis direction. This allows the end 41 of the guide pin 40 to be more easily inserted into the guide hole 22 without coming into contact with the front end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100, preventing damage to the ferrule 2. This further reduces variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected.

[0054] The optical connector 1 includes a pair of guide pins 40. The ferrule 2 has a pair of guide holes 22. The pair of guide holes 22 are aligned in a third direction that intersects with the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Each of the pair of guide pins 40 is inserted into the corresponding one of the pair of guide holes 22. This allows the optical connectors to be aligned with high precision using the guide pins 40 and the guide holes 22.

[0055] For the reasons described above, in the connection structure 200, when the optical connector 1 is connected to the mating optical connector 100, it is possible to prevent the guide pin 40 from coming into contact with the portion P1 where the inner surface 22a of the guide hole 22 in the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100 intersects at an obtuse angle with the front end face 2a. This makes it possible to reduce variations in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0056] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0057] For example, the shape of the second portion 44 included in the end portion 41 of the guide pin 40 is not limited to the example described above. FIGS. 12 and 13 show a guide pin 140 according to a first modified example. The optical connector 1 may be provided with a guide pin 140 instead of the guide pin 40. The guide pin 140 differs from the guide pin 40 in the shape of the second portion. The end portion 41 of the guide pin 140 includes a second portion 144. Like the second portion 44, the second portion 144 is a portion located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C. The guide pin 140 is integrally formed including the first portion 43 and the second portion 144.

[0058] The second portion 144 has a surface 144a. The surface 144a includes a surface (second surface) 145 and a surface 146. The surface 145 is located between the tip surface 40a and the surface 146 in the X-axis direction. The surface 145 is a surface that extends parallel to the central axis C, and in this example, extends along the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The surface 145 has an end 145a and an end 145b in the X-axis direction. The end 145a is connected to the tip surface 40a, and the end 145b is connected to an end 146a of the surface 146, which will be described later.

[0059] The surface 146 is inclined with respect to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction and extends flatly along the Y-axis direction. The surface 146 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to approach the central axis C from the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 toward the tip face 40a of the guide pin 140 (end 41). The surface 146 has an end 146a and an end 146b in the X-axis direction. The end 146a is connected to the end 145b of the surface 145, and the end 146b is connected to the side surface 40b. The surface 146 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so that the end 146a is located closer to the central axis C than the end 146b.

[0060] The second portion 144 is a portion of the end portion 41 that is located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C, and is a portion that is located between the end portion 145a and the end portion 146b when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The second portion 144 is surrounded by the tip surface 40a, the inclined surface 40c, the side surface 40b, and the surface 144a (surfaces 145, 146).

[0061] In a cross section perpendicular to the central axis C, the width W2 of the second portion 144 along the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 43 along the Z-axis direction. For example, in a cross section intersecting with the surface 145, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 145 corresponds to the width W2. In a cross section intersecting with the surface 146, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 146 corresponds to the width W2.

[0062] The width W2 along the Z-axis direction of the portion of the second portion 44 that corresponds to the surface 145 (the portion that overlaps with the surface 145 when viewed from the Z-axis direction) is constant in the X-axis direction. The width W2 along the Z-axis direction of the portion of the second portion 44 that corresponds to the surface 146 (the portion that overlaps with the surface 146) decreases from the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 toward the tip face 40a of the guide pin 140 in the X-axis direction.

[0063] In the guide pin 140 according to the first modification, the second portion 144 has a surface 146 extending parallel to the central axis C. This allows the end portion 41 of the guide pin 140 to be more easily inserted into the guide hole 22 without coming into contact with the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100, preventing damage to the ferrule 2. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0064] 14 and 15 show a guide pin 240 according to a second modification. The optical connector 1 may be provided with the guide pin 240 instead of the guide pin 40. The guide pin 240 differs from the guide pin 40 in the shape of its second portion. The end 41 of the guide pin 240 includes a second portion 244. Like the second portion 44, the second portion 244 is a portion located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C. The guide pin 240 is integrally formed including the first portion 43 and the second portion 244.

[0065] The second portion 244 has a surface 244a. The surface 244a includes a surface (second surface) 245, a surface 246, a surface (second surface) 247, and a surface 248. The surfaces 245, 246, 247, and 248 are arranged in this order from the side closest to the tip surface 40a in the X-axis direction. The surfaces 245, 246, 247, and 248 form a step surface. The surface 245 is a surface that extends parallel to the central axis C, and in this example, extends along the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The surface 245 has an end 245a and an end 245b in the X-axis direction. The end 245a is connected to the tip surface 40a, and the end 245b is connected to an end 246a of the surface 246, which will be described later.

[0066] The surface 246 is inclined with respect to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction and extends flatly along the Y-axis direction. The surface 246 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to approach the central axis C from the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 toward the tip face 40a of the guide pin 240 (end 41). The surface 246 has an end 246a and an end 246b in the X-axis direction. The end 246a is connected to the end 245b of the surface 245, and the end 246b is connected to the end 247a of the surface 247 described below. The surface 246 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so that the end 246a is located closer to the central axis C than the end 246b.

[0067] Surface 247 is a surface that extends parallel to central axis C, and in this example, extends along the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Surface 247 is located farther from central axis C in the Z-axis direction than surface 245. Surface 247 has ends 247a and 247b in the X-axis direction. End 247a is connected to end 246b of surface 246, and end 247b is connected to end 248a of surface 248, which will be described later.

[0068] The surface 248 is inclined with respect to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction and extends flatly along the Y-axis direction. The surface 248 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to approach the central axis C from the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 toward the tip face 40a of the guide pin 240 (end 41). The surface 248 has an end 248a and an end 248b in the X-axis direction. The end 248a is connected to the end 247b of the surface 247, and the end 248b is connected to the side surface 40b. The surface 248 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so that the end 248a is located closer to the central axis C than the end 248b.

[0069] The second portion 244 is a portion of the end portion 41 that is located near the main surface 2f with respect to the central axis C, and is a portion that is located between the end portion 245a and the end portion 248b when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The second portion 244 is surrounded by the tip surface 40a, the inclined surface 40c, the side surface 40b, and the surface 244a (surfaces 245, 246, 247, 248).

[0070] In a cross section perpendicular to the central axis C, the width W2 of the second portion 244 along the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 43 along the Z-axis direction. For example, in a cross section intersecting with the surface 245, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 245 corresponds to the width W2. In a cross section intersecting with the surface 246, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 246 corresponds to the width W2. In a cross section intersecting with the surface 247, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 247 corresponds to the width W2. In a cross section intersecting with the surface 248, the distance along the Z-axis direction from the central axis C to the surface 248 corresponds to the width W2.

[0071] The width W2 along the Z-axis direction of the portion of second portion 44 corresponding to surface 245 (the portion overlapping surface 245 when viewed from the Z-axis direction) and the portion of second portion 44 corresponding to surface 247 (the portion overlapping surface 247) is constant in the X-axis direction. The width W2 along the Z-axis direction of the portion of second portion 44 corresponding to surface 246 (the portion overlapping surface 246) and the portion of second portion 44 corresponding to surface 248 (the portion overlapping surface 248) decreases from the front end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 toward the tip surface 40a of the guide pin 240 in the X-axis direction.

[0072] In the guide pin 240 according to the second modification, the second portion 244 has surfaces 245, 247 extending parallel to the central axis C. This allows the end 41 of the guide pin 240 to be more easily inserted into the guide hole 22 without contacting the front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 of the mating optical connector 100, preventing damage to the ferrule 2. This further reduces the variation in connection loss when optical connectors are connected to each other.

[0073] The front end face 2a of the ferrule 2 does not have to be inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction. The front end face 2a may extend flat along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The corners of the guide pin 40 where the tip face 40a and the side face 40b intersect do not have to be chamfered. In other words, the inclined faces 40c do not have to be formed at the corners of the guide pin 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...Optical connector 2...Ferrule 2a...front end surface 2b…Rear end surface 2c, 2d...side 2e, 2f…main surface 2g…extension 3...Inner housing 3a…Engagement hole 3b…Groove 3c…Contact surface 4...Outer housing 5...Rear housing 5a...insertion part 5b...Exposed part 6. Pinkeeper 6a…Retaining hole 7...Coil spring 10...Elastic member 21...Fiber hole 22...Guide hole 30...Tape fiber 31...Optical fiber 40...Guide pin 40a...Tip surface 40b…side 40c...Slope 40e1, 40e2...end 41...End 42...Notch 43…Part 1 44…Second part 44a…Surface 44b, 44c...ends 100...Optical connector 110A, 110B...Ferrules 110a...front end surface 110e, 110f...main surface 111...Guide hole 111a...Inside 112...Guide pin 140, 240...Guide pin 144, 244…Second part 144a, 145, 146, 244a, 245, 246, 247, 248...Surface 145a, 145b, 146a, 146b, 245a, 245b, 246a, 246b, 247a, 247b, 248a, 248b...end 200...Connection structure A1…First area A2…Second area C…Central axis P1, P2...part W1, W2...Width θ…Inclination angle

Claims

1. a first ferrule having a first front end surface, a first rear end surface located on the opposite side of the first front end surface in a first direction, a first guide hole extending along the first direction, and a first main surface and a second main surface located on either side of the first guide hole in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a guide pin that is inserted into the first guide hole and has a central axis that extends along the first direction, the first guide hole opens to the first front end surface, the guide pin has an end portion exposed from the first front end surface to the outside of the first ferrule, the end portion includes a first portion located near the first main surface relative to the central axis in the second direction, and a second portion located near the second main surface relative to the central axis, In a cross section perpendicular to the central axis, the width of the second portion along the second direction is smaller than the width of the first portion along the second direction. Optical connector.

2. the first front end surface is inclined with respect to the second direction so as to approach the first rear end surface as it approaches the second main surface from the first main surface; 2. The optical connector according to claim 1.

3. the second portion has a first surface that is inclined with respect to the central axis so as to approach the central axis from the first front end surface toward the tip surface of the end portion; 3. The optical connector according to claim 1.

4. an inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the central axis in a cross section passing through the central axis along the first direction and the second direction is 30 degrees or less; 4. The optical connector according to claim 3.

5. The second portion has a second surface extending parallel to the central axis.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1.

6. a tip surface of the end portion includes a first region located near the first main surface with respect to the central axis and a second region located near the second main surface with respect to the central axis; a width of the second region along the second direction that is smaller than a width of the first region along the second direction; 3. The optical connector according to claim 1.

7. a pair of guide pins, each of which is the guide pin; the first ferrule has a pair of first guide holes, each of which is the first guide hole; the pair of first guide holes are aligned in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, Each of the pair of guide pins is inserted into a corresponding one of the pair of first guide holes.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1.

8. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2; a mating optical connector to be connected to the optical connector, the mating optical connector has a second ferrule including a second front end face, a second rear end face located on the opposite side to the second front end face in the first direction, a second guide hole extending along the first direction, and a third main surface and a fourth main surface located to sandwich the second guide hole in the second direction; the second front end surface is inclined with respect to the second direction so as to approach the second rear end surface as it approaches the fourth main surface from the third main surface; Connection structure.

Images