Connector auxiliary tool

Abstract

To provide a connector auxiliary tool capable of improving handleability and suppressing the manufacturing cost of the connector auxiliary tool low.SOLUTION: A connector aid 1 used for an optical connector having a connector body, a latch protruding from a side of the connector body, and a boot located on a rear side of the connector body includes a main body 2 having a first support part 4 and a second support part 5 extending in an extension direction LD1 and spaced apart from each other, and a block 3 protruding from a facing surface 4a of the first support part 4 facing the second support part 5. The second support part 5 and the block 3 constitute a grip part 11 for holding the boot between the second support part 5 and the block 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assist tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Some optical connectors attached to the end of optical fibers have a latch provided on the side of the housing that locks onto the adapter when inserted into the adapter's insertion hole. When this type of optical connector is inserted into the adapter's insertion hole, the latch locks onto the adapter. With the latch locked onto the adapter, the optical connector cannot be removed from the insertion hole. To remove the optical connector from the insertion hole, the latch must be pushed toward the housing to release the latch from its locking state with the adapter.

[0003] This type of optical connector is sometimes inserted into an adapter with a large number of insertion holes. In this case, it is difficult for a user to grasp each optical connector with their fingers and insert or remove them from the adapter's insertion holes. To address this problem, connector insertion and removal tools such as pliers, tweezers, or nail clippers, which are designed to grasp optical connectors, have traditionally been used.

[0004] When inserting an optical connector into an adapter insertion hole using a conventional connector insertion / extraction tool, the boot located at the rear of the housing of the optical connector is grasped with the connector insertion / extraction tool, and the optical connector is inserted into the adapter insertion hole. When extracting the optical connector from the adapter insertion hole, the connector insertion / extraction tool grasps the housing of the optical connector and simultaneously presses the latch, and the optical connector is extracted from the adapter insertion hole. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional connector insertion / extraction tools have a movable structure for gripping the optical connector, which makes them prone to breakdown due to dropping, etc., and makes them difficult to carry due to their heavy weight, resulting in issues with the ease of handling of the tools. Furthermore, because conventional connector insertion / extraction tools are designed to grip optical connectors, there is a risk that they may accidentally pinch an optical cord located around the optical connector to be inserted or extracted. This also poses a problem in the ease of use of the tools. Furthermore, conventional connector insertion / extraction tools have a complicated movable structure, which tends to increase the manufacturing costs.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector auxiliary tool that is easy to handle and can keep manufacturing costs low. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A connector auxiliary tool according to one aspect of the present invention is a connector auxiliary tool for use with an optical connector having a connector body, a latch protruding from the side of the connector body, and a boot located on the rear side of the connector body, and comprises a tool body having a first support portion and a second support portion extending in a predetermined linear direction and arranged at a distance from each other, and a block protruding from the opposing surface of the first support portion that faces the second support portion, and the second support portion and the block form a gripping portion that clamps the boot between the second support portion and the block. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the ease of handling of the connector auxiliary tool and to keep the manufacturing cost of the connector auxiliary tool low. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assisting tool according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the connector auxiliary tool of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first example of an optical connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second example of an optical connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of an adapter into which the optical connectors of FIGS. 3 and 4 are inserted. [Figure 6] 7 is a side view showing a state in which the optical connector of FIGS. 3 and 4 is inserted into the adapter of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing one step in a method for inserting an optical connector using the connector auxiliary tool of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a step following FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a step following FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 3 is a diagram showing one step in a method for extracting an optical connector using the connector auxiliary tool of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a step following FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a step following FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a connector auxiliary tool according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 is used to insert and remove an optical connector 30, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, into and from an adapter 50, illustrated in Figure 5. First, an example of the optical connector 30 and the adapter 50 will be described.

[0011] [Optical connector] 3 and 4, the optical connector 30 is provided at the end of an external optical fiber 60. The optical connector 30 includes a connector body 31, a latch 32, and a boot 33. The connector body 31 includes a housing 34 and a ferrule 35. The housing 34 has a cylindrical sleeve 36 and a stop ring 37. The sleeve 36 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The ferrule 35 is inserted inside the sleeve 36 and is exposed from a first end in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 36. The stop ring 37 is attached to a second end of the sleeve 36 located opposite the first end. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 36 is referred to as the front-rear direction LD2, and the side where the ferrule 35 is exposed from the sleeve 36 in the front-rear direction LD2 (the first end side of the sleeve 36) is referred to as the front side or front end side.

[0012] The boot 33 is located on the rear side (second end side) of the sleeve 36. The external optical fiber 60 extends from the rear side of the boot 33.

[0013] The latch 32 is provided to protrude from the side of the connector body 31. The latch 32 is elastically deformed when pressed toward the connector body 31 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction LD2. The latch 32 locks the connector body 31 to the adapter 50 when the connector body 31 is inserted into a connector insertion hole 52 (see FIG. 5 ) of the adapter 50, thereby preventing the connector body 31 from slipping out of the connector insertion hole 52. When the latch 32 is locked to the adapter 50, pressing the latch 32 toward the connector body 31 and elastically deforming it releases the latch 32 from locking with the adapter 50. In the following description, the direction in which the connector body 31 and the latch 32 are aligned is referred to as a height direction HD2, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction LD2 and the height direction HD2 is referred to as a width direction WD2.

[0014] The latch 32 of this embodiment includes a first elastic piece 38 and a second elastic piece 39. The first elastic piece 38 protrudes obliquely rearward from the side surface of the housing 34. The first elastic piece 38 is releasably engaged with a locked portion (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the connector insertion hole 52 of the adapter 50 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The second elastic piece 39 protrudes obliquely forward from a position on the side surface of the housing 34 rearward of the base end of the first elastic piece 38.

[0015] The tip of the second elastic piece 39 overlaps the tip of the first elastic piece 38. Therefore, when the second elastic piece 39 is elastically bent and deformed toward the connector main body 31, the first elastic piece 38 is pressed by the second elastic piece 39 and is elastically bent and deformed toward the connector main body 31.

[0016] The optical connectors 30 (30C, 30D) illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are both simplex LC optical fiber connectors (compliant with JIS C5964). The optical connector 30C (hereinafter referred to as the first optical connector 30C) illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a connector body 31, a latch 32, and a boot 33. The connector body 31 ...a.

[0017] 4 (hereinafter referred to as the second optical connector 30D) has two connector bodies 31, two latches 32, and two boots 33. In the second optical connector 30D, the stop rings 37 of the two connector bodies 31 are integrated, and the second elastic pieces 39 of the two latches 32 are integrated. The second optical connector 30D is a duplex LC optical fiber connector to which terminals of two external optical fibers 60 can be attached.

[0018] 〔adapter〕 5, the adapter 50 includes a housing 51 having a connector insertion hole 52, and a plurality of ferrules (not shown). The adapter 50 is an example of a receiving connector.

[0019] In this embodiment, a plurality of connector insertion holes 52 are formed in the housing 51. The plurality of connector insertion holes 52 open on the same surface of the housing 51 and face the same direction. In the illustrated example, the connector insertion holes 52 are aligned in a row, but this is not limiting.

[0020] Each connector insertion hole 52 has a main portion 53 and a latch insertion portion 54. The connector body 31 (particularly the sleeve 36) of the optical connector 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is inserted into the main portion 53. The main portion 53 has a rectangular opening.

[0021] The latch insertion portion 54 is formed in a recessed shape recessed from the inner surface of the main portion 53. The latch 32 (particularly the first elastic piece 38) (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the optical connector 30 is inserted into the latch insertion portion 54. When the first elastic piece 38 of the latch 32 is inserted into this latch insertion portion 54, the first elastic piece 38 is locked to a locked portion (not shown) of the adapter 50. Note that even when the latch 32 is inserted into the latch insertion portion 54, when the first elastic piece 38 is elastically bent and deformed toward the connector main body 31, the first elastic piece 38 is released from the locked portion of the adapter 50.

[0022] The ferrules (not shown) of the adapter 50 are provided inside the connector insertion holes 52. As shown in Fig. 6, when the optical connector 30 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 52, the ferrules 35 (see Figs. 3 and 4) of the optical connector 30 are butt-connected to the ferrules (not shown) of the adapter 50.

[0023] [Connector auxiliary tool] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector auxiliary tool 1 includes a tool body 2 and a block 3. The tool body 2 extends in a predetermined linear direction. In the following description, the direction in which the tool body 2 extends may be referred to as the extension direction LD1. The tool body 2 has a first support portion 4 and a second support portion 5 that extend in the extension direction LD1. The tool body 2 of this embodiment also has a connection portion 6 that extends in the extension direction LD1 and connects the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5. In the following description, a portion on one side of the tool body 2 in the extension direction LD1 (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be referred to as a first portion 2C, and a portion on the other side of the tool body 2 in the extension direction LD1 (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be referred to as a second portion 2D.

[0024] The first support portions 4 and the second support portions 5 are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction LD1. In the following description, the direction in which the first support portions 4 and the second support portions 5 are aligned may be referred to as the arrangement direction HD1. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the extension direction LD1 and the arrangement direction HD1 may be referred to as the width direction WD1. The length of the tool body 2 in the extension direction LD1 is sufficiently longer than the height of the tool body 2 in the arrangement direction HD1 and the width of the tool body 2 in the width direction WD1.

[0025] The first support portion 4 has a first opposing surface 4a (opposing surface) that faces the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1. The second support portion 5 has a second opposing surface 5a that faces the first opposing surface 4a of the first support portion 4.

[0026] In the tool body 2, a portion between the ends of the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 in the extension direction LD1 is defined as an insertion opening 10 for inserting the optical connector 30 (particularly the boot 33) between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5. In this embodiment, the insertion opening 10 is located in both the first portion 2C and the second portion 2D of the tool body 2. In the illustrated example, the end of the first support portion 4 in the extension direction LD1 is located outside the end of the second support portion 5 in the extension direction LD1. In other words, the end of the first support portion 4 in the extension direction LD1 protrudes outward from the end of the second support portion 5 in the extension direction LD1. Note that the ends of the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 in the extension direction LD1 may be located at the same position in the extension direction LD1, for example.

[0027] Except for both end portions of the first opposing surface 4a in the extension direction LD1, the first opposing surface 4a and the second opposing surface 5a are formed as flat surfaces extending in the extension direction LD1 and the width direction WD1. The first opposing surface 4a and the second opposing surface 5a are parallel to each other. The first opposing surface 4a of the first support portion 4 includes a supporting inclined surface 4a1. The supporting inclined surfaces 4a1 are located at both ends of the first opposing surface 4a in the extension direction LD1. Each supporting inclined surface 4a1 is inclined so as to approach the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1 as it moves away from the end of the first support portion 4 in the extension direction LD1. In other words, each supporting inclined surface 4a1 is inclined so as to move away from the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1 as it moves closer to the end of the first support portion 4 in the extension direction LD1.

[0028] In this embodiment, the supporting inclined surface 4a1 of the first opposing surface 4a extends in the extension direction LD1 to the outside of the end of the second support portion 5 that constitutes the insertion slot 10. Therefore, the supporting inclined surface 4a1 does not face the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1. Note that the supporting inclined surface 4a1 may face the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1, for example.

[0029] Except for the portion corresponding to the inclined support surface 4a1, the distance between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1 may be constant in the extension direction LD1, for example. In the illustrated tool body 2, the distance between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 in the first region 2C is smaller than the distance between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 in the second region 2D. In the illustrated example, the first support portion 4 is divided into a first region 2C side and a second region 2D side so that the position of the second support portion 5 relative to the first support portion 4 differs between the first region 2C and the second region 2D. That is, the first support portion 4 has two divided support portions 7C, 7D aligned in the extension direction LD1. The two divided support portions 7C, 7D are positioned at an interval in the extension direction LD1. The two divided support portions 7C, 7D are connected to each other by a connecting member 8.

[0030] The first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 have the same width in the width direction WD1. The first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 may be formed, for example, so that their width is constant in the extension direction LD1. In this embodiment, the width W1C of the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 at the first portion 2C of the tool body 2 is shorter than the width W1D of the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 at the second portion 2D.

[0031] The connecting portion 6 connects the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 at the ends of the first and second support portions 4, 5 in the width direction WD1. The connecting portion 6 maintains the distance between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 6 is formed over the entire tool body 2 in the extension direction LD1. Moreover, the connecting portion 6 is located only at one end of the first and second support portions 4, 5 in the width direction WD1. Therefore, the tool body 2 is formed in a U-shape (or C-shape) when viewed from the extension direction LD1. The connecting portion 6 may be located at both ends of the first and second support portions 4, 5 in the width direction WD1. In this case, the tool body 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The connecting portion 6 may be formed, for example, only in a part of the tool body 2 in the extension direction LD1, or may be divided into multiple parts in the extension direction LD1.

[0032] The tool body 2 of this embodiment is formed by bending a plate material, excluding the connecting member 8. Therefore, the first support portion 4, the second support portion 5, and the connecting portion 6 are each formed in a strip shape with the extension direction LD1 as the longitudinal direction.

[0033] The block 3 protrudes from the first opposing surface 4a of the first support portion 4. The block 3 is positioned at a distance from the second support portion 5 (second opposing surface 5a) in the arrangement direction HD1. The block 3, together with the second support portion 5, constitutes a gripping portion 11 that sandwiches the boot 33 of the optical connector 30 between the second support portion 5 and the block 3. In this embodiment, the blocks 3 are provided at both the first region 2C and the second region 2D of the tool body 2. That is, the gripping portions 11 that hold the boot 33 of the optical connector 30 are located at both the first region 2C and the second region 2D of the tool body 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, each block 3 is located away from each insertion opening 10 in the first region 2C and the second region 2D in the extension direction LD1. Each block 3 has a block contact surface 3a that faces the second support portion 5 and comes into contact with the boot 33. The block contact surface 3a includes a block inclined surface 3a1. The block inclined surface 3a1 is inclined so as to approach the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1 as it moves away from the insertion opening 10 from the end of the block 3 located on the insertion opening 10 side in the extension direction LD1.

[0035] 10, the thickness dimension T1 of the block 3 in the arrangement direction HD1 is smaller than the height dimension H2 of the latch 32 protruding from the side of the connector body 31. In FIG. 10, the thickness dimension T1 of the block 3 indicates the maximum thickness dimension of the block 3, but it may also be, for example, the minimum thickness dimension of the block 3.

[0036] 9, in this embodiment, the length dimension L1 of the block 3 in the extension direction LD1 is longer than the length dimension L2 of the boot 33 in the front-rear direction LD2. Note that the length dimension L1 of the block 3 may be, for example, equal to or shorter than the length dimension L2 of the boot 33.

[0037] Although not shown, the width dimension of each block 3 in the width direction WD1 corresponds to the width dimension W1C of the first and second support portions 4, 5 in the first region 2C of the tool body 2 and the width dimension W1D of the first and second support portions 4, 5 in the second region 2D of the tool body 2 (see FIG. 1). That is, the width dimension of the block 3 in the first region 2C of the tool body 2 is shorter than the width dimension of the first and second support portions 4, 5 in the second region 2D.

[0038] The width dimension W1C of the first support portion 4, the second support portion 5, and the block 3 in the first region 2C of the tool body 2 corresponds to the width dimension W2C of the first optical connector 30C illustrated in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the width dimension W1D of the first support portion 4, the second support portion 5, and the block 3 in the second region 2D of the tool body 2 corresponds to the width dimension W2D of the second optical connector 30D illustrated in Fig. 4. Therefore, the gripping portion 11 of the tool body 2 located in the first region 2C can grip the first optical connector 30C, and the gripping portion 11 of the tool body 2 located in the second region 2D can grip the second optical connector 30D.

[0039] The block 3 of this embodiment is an elastic body that is formed separately from the first support part 4 and is fixed to the first opposing surface 4a of the first support part 4. The elastic body that constitutes the block 3 may be made of any material that is elastically deformable, such as rubber or resin.

[0040] [How to use the connector auxiliary tool] (Plug in the optical connector) Next, an example of a method for inserting the optical connector 30 into the adapter 50 using the connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0041] To insert the optical connector 30 into the adapter 50, the optical connector 30 is first held by the connector auxiliary tool 1 as shown in FIG. 7 . When holding the optical connector 30, the connector auxiliary tool 1 is first oriented relative to the optical connector 30 so that the connector body 31 and the latch 32 are aligned in the same order as the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5, and so that the boot 33 and the connector body 31 of the optical connector 30 are aligned in the direction of extension LD1 of the tool body 2, away from the insertion opening 10. In this state, the boot 33 of the optical connector 30 is inserted between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 through the insertion opening 10 of the tool body 2 and sandwiched between the second support portion 5 and the block 3. That is, the boot 33 is held by the gripping portion 11 of the connector auxiliary tool 1. At this time, the boot 33 is guided between the second support portion 5 and the block 3 by the block inclined surface 3a1 formed on the end of the block 3 located on the insertion opening 10 side. As a result, the optical connector 30 is gripped by the connector auxiliary tool 1.

[0042] When the optical connector 30 is gripped by the connector auxiliary tool 1, the boot 33 and the connector body 31 are positioned closer to the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1. Therefore, the latch 32 protruding from the side of the connector body 31 is positioned outside the insertion opening 10 and adjacent to the second support portion 5 in the extension direction LD1 of the tool body 2. This prevents the latch 32 and the connector body 31 from entering between the first and second support portions 4, 5 from the insertion opening 10. Furthermore, the latch 32 is not pushed toward the connector body 31 by the second support portion 5.

[0043] Next, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connector auxiliary tool 1 is advanced toward the adapter 50 while holding the optical connector 30. This allows the connector body 31 of the optical connector 30 to be inserted into the adapter 50, as shown in Figure 8. Here, the latch 32 of the optical connector 30 held by the connector auxiliary tool 1 is not pressed toward the connector body 31 by the connector auxiliary tool 1. Therefore, by inserting the connector body 31 into the adapter 50, the latch 32 can be locked to the adapter 50. Specifically, the first elastic piece 38 of the latch 32 is inserted into the latch insertion portion 54 (see Figure 5) of the adapter 50 and locked to the locked portion (not shown) of the adapter 50.

[0044] Finally, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the connector auxiliary tool 1 is retracted relative to the adapter 50, thereby completing the insertion of the adapter 50 into the optical connector 30. When the connector auxiliary tool 1 is retracted, the latch 32 is engaged with the adapter 50 as described above. Therefore, when the connector auxiliary tool 1 is retracted, the gripping state of the boot 33 by the gripping portion 11 of the connector auxiliary tool 1 is released, as shown in Figure 9, and the connector auxiliary tool 1 can be separated from the optical connector 30.

[0045] (Removing the optical connector) Next, an example of a method for extracting the optical connector 30 from the adapter 50 using the connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] To remove the optical connector 30 from the adapter 50, first, as shown in Figure 10, the orientation of the connector auxiliary tool 1 relative to the optical connector 30 is determined so that the direction in which the connector body 31 and latch 32 of the optical connector 30 inserted into the adapter 50 are aligned in order is the same as the direction in which the second support portion 5 and first support portion 4 are aligned in order, and so that the boot 33 and connector body 31 of the optical connector 30 are aligned in order in a direction away from the insertion port 10 outward in the extension direction LD1 of the tool body 2.

[0047] In this state, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , by advancing the connector auxiliary tool 1 relative to the adapter 50, the boot 33 of the optical connector 30 is inserted between the first support portion 4 and the second support portion 5 from the insertion opening 10 and sandwiched between the second support portion 5 and the block 3. In other words, the boot 33 is gripped by the gripping portion 11 of the connector auxiliary tool 1. At this time, the boot 33 is guided between the second support portion 5 and the block 3 by the block inclined surface 3a1. In this way, the optical connector 30 is gripped by the connector auxiliary tool 1.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 11 , when the optical connector 30 is gripped by the connector auxiliary tool 1, the boot 33 and the connector main body 31 are positioned closer to the second support portion 5 in the arrangement direction HD1. Here, the thickness dimension T1 of the block 3 in the arrangement direction HD1 is smaller than the height dimension H2 of the latch 32 protruding from the side of the connector main body 31 (see FIG. 10 ). Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 11 , a gap is generated between the connector main body 31 and the boot 33 and the first support portion 4 in a portion of the tool body 2 closer to the insertion opening 10 than the block 3. The gap is smaller than the height dimension H2 of the latch 32. Therefore, when at least a portion of the latch 32 (particularly the second elastic piece 39) is inserted into the gap, the latch 32 (the second elastic piece 39) is pushed toward the connector main body 31 by the first opposing surface 4 a of the first support portion 4. This releases the latch 32 from its engagement with the adapter 50.

[0049] Here, in the connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment, a support inclined surface 4a1 is formed on the first opposing surface 4a of the first support part 4 located closer to the insertion opening 10 than the block 3. Therefore, when the optical connector 30 is gripped by the connector auxiliary tool 1, the support inclined surface 4a1 can reliably press the latch 32 (second elastic piece 39) toward the connector main body 31. In other words, the locked state of the latch 32 with respect to the adapter 50 can be reliably released.

[0050] Then, with the optical connector 30 held by the connector auxiliary tool 1 in this manner, the connector main body 31 of the optical connector 30 can be extracted from the adapter 50 by retracting the connector auxiliary tool 1 relative to the adapter 50, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. Finally, the optical connector 30 that has been extracted from the adapter 50 is removed from the connector auxiliary tool 1, thereby completing the extraction of the optical connector 30 from the adapter 50.

[0051] With the connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment, the above-described method for inserting and extracting the optical connector 30 can be carried out for either the first optical connector 30C or the second optical connector 30D.

[0052] As described above, according to the connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment, the optical connector 30 can be inserted into or removed from the adapter 50 without the user having to pinch the optical connector 30 with their fingers, i.e., the optical connector 30 can be inserted into or removed from the adapter 50. The connector auxiliary tool 1 of this embodiment has a simple structure that includes first and second support portions 4, 5 and a block 3, and does not include a movable structure. Therefore, it can be manufactured to be lighter than conventional connector insertion / extraction tools that have a movable structure. Furthermore, since the connector auxiliary tool 1 does not have a movable structure, it has the advantage of being less likely to break even if dropped, and the advantage of being able to suppress or prevent the optical cord from being accidentally pinched. Furthermore, since the operation of gripping the optical connector 30 as in conventional connector insertion / extraction tools is not required, the possibility of the optical connector 30 accidentally falling off the tool when inserting or extracting the optical connector 30 can be reduced. From the above, the handleability of the connector auxiliary tool 1 can be improved. Furthermore, since the connector auxiliary tool 1 has a simple structure, the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

[0053] Furthermore, in the connector auxiliary tool 1 according to this embodiment, the block 3 is an elastic body. Therefore, in the method of inserting and extracting the optical connector 30, when the boot 33 of the optical connector 30 is sandwiched between the block 3 and the second support portion 5, the block 3 is elastically deformed, and the elastic force of the block 3 allows the boot 33 to be securely sandwiched between the second support portion 5 and the block 3. Furthermore, even for various optical connectors 30 with different boot 33 sizes, the same connector auxiliary tool 1 can be used to insert and extract the optical connector 30 into and from the adapter 50. In other words, the versatility of the connector auxiliary tool 1 can be improved.

[0054] Furthermore, in the connector auxiliary tool 1 according to this embodiment, when the boot 33 is sandwiched between the block 3 and the second support portion 5, the block inclined surface 3a1 can guide the boot 33 between the block 3 and the second support portion 5. This allows the boot 33 of the optical connector 30 to be securely sandwiched between the second support portion 5 and the block 3. Furthermore, even for various optical connectors 30 with different boot 33 sizes, the same connector auxiliary tool 1 can be used to insert and remove the optical connector 30 into and from the adapter 50. In other words, the versatility of the connector auxiliary tool 1 can be improved.

[0055] Furthermore, in the connector auxiliary tool 1 according to this embodiment, the gripping portion 11 and the insertion opening 10 are located in both the first portion 2C and the second portion 2D of the tool body 2. This allows both the first portion 2C and the second portion 2D of the tool body 2 to be used for inserting and removing the optical connector 30 into and from the adapter 50.

[0056] Furthermore, in the connector auxiliary tool 1 according to this embodiment, the width dimension W1C of the first support portion 4, the second support portion 5, and the block 3 at the first portion 2C of the tool body 2 is different from the width dimension W1D of the first support portion 4, the second support portion 5, and the block 3 at the second portion 2D of the tool body 2. This allows the same connector auxiliary tool 1 to be used to insert and remove two types of optical connectors 30 having different width dimensions (for example, the first optical connector 30C and the second optical connector 30D) into and from the adapter 50. In other words, the versatility of the connector auxiliary tool 1 can be improved.

[0057] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0058] In the present invention, the block 3 may be a rigid body that does not deform (or is less likely to deform) when an external force is applied, compared to, for example, an elastic body. When the block 3 is a rigid body, the block 3 may be formed separately from the first support part 4 and fixed to the first support part 4, or may be formed integrally with the first support part 4.

[0059] In the present invention, the block 3 may be positioned, for example, so as to contact the end of the first support portion 4 in the extension direction LD1, i.e., so as not to be separated from the insertion opening 10. Even with this configuration, the optical connector 30 can be inserted into the adapter 50 using a connector auxiliary tool.

[0060] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1...connector auxiliary tool, 2...tool body, 2C...first part, 2D...second part, 3...block, 3a...block contact surface, 3a1...block inclined surface, 4...first support part, 4a...first opposing surface (opposing surface), 4a1...support inclined surface, 5...second support part, 10...insertion port, 11...gripping part, 30...optical connector, 30C...first optical connector, 30D...second optical connector, 31...connector body, 32...latch, 33...boot, H2...height dimension of latch 2, HD1...arrangement direction, LD1...extension direction, T1...thickness dimension, W1C...width dimension, W1D...width dimension, WD1...width direction

Claims

1. A connector auxiliary tool for use with an optical connector having a connector body, a latch provided to protrude from a side of the connector body, and a boot located on the rear side of the connector body, a tool body extending in a predetermined linear direction and having a first support portion and a second support portion arranged at a distance from each other; a block protruding from an opposing surface of the first support portion that faces the second support portion, the second support portion and the block constitute a gripping portion that sandwiches the boot between the second support portion and the block. Connector auxiliary tool.

2. a space between ends of the first support portion and the second support portion in an extension direction of the tool body is an insertion port for inserting the optical connector between the first support portion and the second support portion, the block is located away from the insertion opening in the extension direction, a thickness dimension of the block in an arrangement direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are aligned is smaller than a height dimension of a latch protruding from a side portion of the connector body; The connector assist tool according to claim 1 .

3. the opposing surface of the first support portion includes a support inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the second support portion in the arrangement direction as it moves away from the end of the first support portion that configures the insertion opening in the extension direction, The connector auxiliary tool according to claim 2 .

4. the block is an elastic body fixed to the opposing surface of the first support portion; The connector auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a space between ends of the first support portion and the second support portion in an extension direction of the tool body is an insertion port for inserting the optical connector between the first support portion and the second support portion, a contact surface of the block facing the second support portion and contacting the boot includes a block inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the second support portion in an arrangement direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are aligned as the contact surface moves away from the insertion opening from an end of the block located on the insertion opening side in the extension direction. The connector auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. a space between ends of the first support portion and the second support portion in an extension direction of the tool body is an insertion port for inserting the optical connector between the first support portion and the second support portion, the grip portion and the insertion opening are located at both a first portion of the tool body located on one side in the extension direction and a second portion of the tool body located on the other side in the extension direction; The connector auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. a width dimension is a dimension of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the block in a width direction perpendicular to the extension direction and an arrangement direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged; a width dimension of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the block in the first region of the tool body is shorter than a width dimension of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the block in the second region of the tool body; 7. The connector auxiliary tool according to claim 6.

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