Optical connector

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical connector that allows insertion into and removal from an adapter by gripping the same part. [Solution] The optical connector comprises a ferrule having a fiber hole into which an optical fiber is inserted, a housing that accommodates at least a portion of the ferrule, an outer coupling that surrounds the housing and is slidable relative to the housing, an inner coupling that is movable within a predetermined range relative to the outer coupling, and a biasing part that biases the inner coupling forward relative to the outer coupling, wherein the inner coupling moves backward relative to the outer coupling by contacting the adapter, and then returns to its original position forward due to the biasing force of the biasing part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a so-called MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) type optical connector as shown in Patent Document 1 has been known. This type of optical connector includes a housing, a coupling, a boot, etc. The coupling is biased forward by a spring and is slidable with respect to the housing. When inserting the optical connector into an adapter, generally, an operation of gripping and pushing the boot is performed. At this time, the coupling first moves backward and then is pushed by the spring and moves forward. Thereby, the coupling maintains a state in which the adapter and the optical connector are engaged. By pulling the coupling backward with respect to the housing, the state in which the engagement between the optical connector and the adapter can be released is achieved. When removing the optical connector from the adapter, an operation of gripping and pulling the coupling is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, in the conventional MPO connector, the parts gripped by the user were different during insertion and extraction. Therefore, the operation was difficult to understand, and for example, when pulling out, the boot might be accidentally pulled, which could cause problems such as damage to the optical connector.

[0005] This invention was made in consideration of these circumstances and aims to provide an optical connector that can be inserted into and removed from an adapter by gripping the same part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an optical connector connected to an adapter, comprising: a ferrule having a fiber hole into which an optical fiber is inserted; a housing that accommodates at least a part of the ferrule; an outer coupling surrounding the housing and slidable relative to the housing; an inner coupling movable within a predetermined range relative to the outer coupling; and a biasing part that biases the inner coupling forward relative to the outer coupling, wherein the inner coupling moves backward relative to the outer coupling by contacting the adapter, and then returns to its original position forward due to the biasing force of the biasing part.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1, wherein the inner coupling has a first rear locking portion, and the outer coupling has a second rear locking portion, and the first rear locking portion is locked to the second rear locking portion, thereby restricting the inner coupling from moving forward beyond a predetermined position relative to the outer coupling.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the inner coupling and the biasing portion are separate.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the inner coupling and the biasing portion are integrally formed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical connector that can grip the outer coupling and insert and withdraw it from the adapter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the optical connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II arrow in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of the inner coupling of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a partial cross-section of the optical connector. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the inner coupling. [Figure 6] This figure shows how the optical connector of the first embodiment is connected to the adapter. [Figure 7] This figure follows Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a diagram of the inner coupling of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the operation of the inner coupling in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] (First Embodiment) The optical connector of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the optical connector 1 comprises a ferrule 10, a ferrule spring 20, a spring push 30, a housing 40, two inner couplings 50, an outer coupling 60, a boot 70, and multiple optical fibers F. The ferrule 10 has multiple fiber holes 11 arranged in a row. In this embodiment, 16 fiber holes 11 are arranged in a row. The number of fiber holes 11 may be changed.

[0013] The ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a. A fiber hole 11 is open on the connection end face 10a. An optical fiber F is inserted into each fiber hole 11. The optical fiber F is exposed on the connection end face 10a. By abutting the connection end face of another optical connector against the connection end face 10a, the optical connector 1 can be optically connected to another optical connector. However, the optical fiber F may not be inserted into some of the fiber holes 11 provided in the ferrule 10. That is, the number of optical fibers F may be smaller than the number of fiber holes 11.

[0014] (Direction definition) The direction in which the plurality of fiber holes 11 extend is referred to as the longitudinal direction Z. The connection end face 10a side (+Z side) in the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the front. The opposite side (-Z side) is referred to as the rear. The direction in which the fiber holes 11 are arranged in a row is referred to as the first direction X. The first direction X is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z. The direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the second direction Y.

[0015] Two positioning holes 12 are formed in the ferrule 10. The two positioning holes 12 are arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of fiber holes 11 in the first direction X. The optical connector 1 of the present embodiment is a male side, and a positioning pin 13 is inserted into the positioning hole 12. However, the optical connector 1 may be a female side. That is, the optical connector 1 may not have the positioning pin 13.

[0016] The optical fiber F is inserted into the fiber hole 11 and extends rearward (in the direction opposite to the connection end face 10a) from the ferrule 10. The plurality of optical fibers F are inserted inside the ferrule spring 20. Also, the plurality of optical fibers F are inserted inside the spring push 30 and inside the boot 70. The ferrule spring 20 has a function of biasing the ferrule 10 forward. A pin clamp 15 is arranged between the ferrule 10 and the ferrule spring 20.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the spring pusher 30 has a support portion 31 and a pair of engaging claws 32. The pair of engaging claws 32 extend forward from the support portion 31. The pair of engaging claws 32 are arranged at intervals in the first direction X. At the tips of the pair of engaging claws 32, engaging protrusions 33 protruding outward in the first direction X are respectively formed. The support portion 31 is a portion that supports the ferrule spring 20 from behind. Also, the engaging protrusions 33 of the pair of engaging claws 32 are engaged with an engaging portion 41 (described later) of the housing 40. With this configuration, the spring pusher 30 receives the reaction force (-Z-side force) of the biasing force generated by the ferrule spring 20 and supports this reaction force.

[0018] The housing 40 houses a part of the ferrule 10 and the ferrule spring 20 inside. A part of the ferrule 10 protrudes forward from the housing 40. The ferrule 10 is movable backward against the biasing force of the ferrule spring 20. Specifically, when the optical connector 1 is connected to another connector, the ferrule 10 is pushed backward by the ferrule of the other connector. As a result, the ferrule 10 moves backward with respect to the housing 40.

[0019] The shape of the housing 40 is a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the housing 40 may be changed according to the shape of the ferrule 10 or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, engaging portions 41 are respectively formed at both ends of the housing 40 in the first direction X. The engaging portion 41 is a hole that penetrates the housing 40 in the first direction X. However, the shape of the engaging portion 41 may be changed as long as it can engage with the engaging claw 32. In the present embodiment, the engaging protrusion 33 of the spring pusher 30 enters the inside of the engaging portion 41. Thus, by engaging the engaging portion 41 and the engaging claw 32, the spring pusher 30 is restricted from falling off the housing 40.

[0020] The outer coupling 60 is positioned to surround the housing 40 from the outside. The outer coupling 60 is slidable within a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction Z relative to the housing 40. As shown in Figure 2, a pair of biasing parts 80 are positioned inside the outer coupling 60. The biasing parts 80 are, for example, compression coil springs. The biasing parts 80 are positioned in the space between the housing 40 and the outer coupling 60 and bias the inner coupling 50 forward (+Z). In this embodiment, the outer coupling 60 is the part that is operated when inserting and withdrawing the optical connector 1 from an adapter or the like.

[0021] The two inner couplings 50 are positioned at the front (+Z side) end of the outer coupling 60, spaced apart in the first direction X. Since the two inner couplings 50 have similar shapes and functions, only one inner coupling 50 will be described below. As shown in Figure 3, the inner coupling 50 has a main body 51, two locking pieces 52, two first rear locking parts 53, a first front locking part 54, and a contact part 55. The two locking pieces 52 extend rearward (-Z side) from the main body 51 and are spaced apart in the second direction Y. The two first rear locking parts 53 each protrude outward in the second direction Y from the two locking pieces 52. The two first rear locking parts 53 are locked into a second rear locking part 62 (see Figure 4) formed inside the outer coupling 60. The first front locking portion 54 protrudes outward from the main body portion 51 in the first direction X (see Figure 1).

[0022] The contact portion 55 is a surface of the main body portion 51 that faces rearward (-Z side). As shown in Figure 4, the biasing portion 80 contacts the contact portion 55. The biasing portion 80 is compressed between the contact portion 55 and the spring support portion 42 of the housing 40. As a result, the inner coupling 50 receives a forward biasing force from the biasing portion 80. Since the first rear locking portion 53 is locked to the second rear locking portion 62, the forward biasing force from the biasing portion 80 is also transmitted to the outer coupling 60 via the inner coupling 50. In other words, the outer coupling 60 is also biased forward by the biasing portion 80. Furthermore, the locking of the first rear locking portion 53 to the second rear locking portion 62 restricts the inner coupling 50 from moving forward beyond a predetermined position relative to the outer coupling 60. In other words, the biasing force of the biasing portion 80 prevents the inner coupling 50 from detaching from the outer coupling 60.

[0023] With the above configuration, the inner coupling 50 is slidable in the longitudinal direction Z within a predetermined range relative to the outer coupling 60. Figure 5(a) shows the inner coupling 50 in its foremost position relative to the outer coupling 60. Figure 5(b) shows the inner coupling 50 in its rearmost position relative to the outer coupling 60. When no external force is acting, the optical connector 1 is in the state shown in Figure 5(a). When an external force directed backward is applied to the inner coupling 50, the optical connector 1 is in the state shown in Figure 5(b).

[0024] In the state shown in Figure 5(a), the inner coupling 50 partially covers the protrusion 43 formed on the side surface of the housing 40. As shown in Figure 5(b), when the inner coupling 50 slides backward, the entire protrusion 43 is exposed.

[0025] Next, we will explain the operation of the optical connector 1 configured as described above.

[0026] The optical connector 1 is used in combination with an adapter 100, for example, as shown in Figure 6. Although not shown in the figure, another connector to which the optical connector 1 is to be connected is inserted into the adapter 100 from the +Z side. The adapter 100 has the function of maintaining the connection between the other connector and the optical connector 1. The adapter 100 has two locking claws 101 and a peripheral wall 102. The two locking claws 101 are formed on the inside of the peripheral wall 102. A gap is provided between the locking claws 101 and the peripheral wall 102. In addition, locking projections 101a are formed on the locking claws 101.

[0027] When inserting the optical connector 1 into the adapter 100, the user grasps the outer coupling 60 and pushes the optical connector 1 toward the adapter 100. At this time, as shown in Figure 6, the inner coupling 50 comes into contact with the tip (-Z side end) of the locking claw 101. The inner coupling 50 slides backward against the forward biasing force of the biasing part 80. At this time, elastic energy is stored in the biasing part 80. Simultaneously, the locking projection 101a comes into contact with the slope of the convex part 43, causing the locking claw 101 to elastically deform outward in the first direction X. As the optical connector 1 is pushed further in, the convex part 43 moves forward (+Z side) over the locking projection 101a, resulting in the state shown in Figure 7.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, when the elastic deformation of the locking claw 101 is released, a gap is created between the locking claw 101 and the peripheral wall 102. A portion of the inner coupling 50, which has advanced due to the release of the elastic energy of the biasing portion 80, enters this gap. By a portion of the inner coupling 50 entering between the locking claw 101 and the peripheral wall 102, the elastic deformation of the locking claw 101 due to external force is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the connected state between the adapter 100 and the optical connector 1.

[0029] To disconnect the adapter 100 from the optical connector 1, the user grasps the outer coupling 60 and pulls it towards the rear (-Z side). At this time, as shown in Figure 4, a rearward operating force is transmitted from the second rear locking portion 62 of the outer coupling 60 to the first rear locking portion 53 of the inner coupling 50. As a result, the outer coupling 60 and the inner coupling 50 slide together rearward relative to the housing 40.

[0030] As the inner coupling 50 moves backward, it disengages from the gap between the locking claw 101 and the peripheral wall 102. This allows the locking claw 101 to become elastically deformable again. When the outer coupling 60 moves backward by a predetermined amount relative to the housing 40, an operating force directed backward is transmitted to the housing 40. Due to this operating force, the locking projection 101a is pressed against the inclined surface of the protrusion 43, causing the locking claw 101 to elastically deform outward in the first direction X. Furthermore, when the user pulls the optical connector 1 backward, the protrusion 43 moves backward over the locking projection 101a, and the connection between the adapter 100 and the optical connector 1 is released.

[0031] As described above, the optical connector 1 of this embodiment is connected to the adapter 100. The optical connector 1 comprises a ferrule 10 having a fiber hole 11 into which an optical fiber F is inserted, a housing 40 that houses at least a part of the ferrule 10, an outer coupling 60 that surrounds the housing 40 and is slidable relative to the housing 40, an inner coupling 50 that is movable within a predetermined range relative to the outer coupling 60, and a biasing part 80 that biases the inner coupling 50 forward relative to the outer coupling 60. The inner coupling 50 moves backward relative to the outer coupling 60 by contacting the adapter 100, and then returns to its original position forward due to the biasing force of the biasing part 80.

[0032] According to the optical connector 1 of this embodiment, the outer coupling 60 can be gripped and inserted into and removed from the adapter 100. Since the same part is gripped for insertion and removal in this way, erroneous operation can be prevented.

[0033] Furthermore, the inner coupling 50 has a first rear locking portion 53, and the outer coupling 60 has a second rear locking portion 62. The first rear locking portion 53 is locked to the second rear locking portion 62, which restricts the inner coupling 50 from moving forward beyond a predetermined position relative to the outer coupling 60. With this configuration, the inner coupling 50, which is biased forward by the biasing portion 80, is prevented from falling off the outer coupling 60.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner coupling 50 and the biasing part 80 are separate components. The biasing part 80 is a compression coil spring, and the biasing part 80 is compressed between the inner coupling 50 and the housing 40.

[0035] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment. For this reason, the same reference numerals are used for similar components, and their descriptions are omitted; only the differences will be described. In the first embodiment, the inner coupling 50 was separate from the biasing portion 80. In this embodiment, the optical connector 1 has an inner coupling 50A as shown in Figure 8, instead of the inner coupling 50 and biasing portion 80 of the first embodiment. The inner coupling 50A has a biasing portion 56 in addition to the main body portion 51 similar to that of the first embodiment. In other words, the inner coupling 50A and the biasing portion 56 are molded together. The biasing portion 56 has a J-shaped hook shape. The biasing portion 56 is made of an elastic resin.

[0036] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) illustrate the operation of the inner coupling 50A in the second embodiment and correspond to Figures 5(a) and 5(b) in the first embodiment. Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are cross-sectional views showing a portion of the outer coupling 60 with a section of the outer coupling 60 broken, partially revealing the space inside the outer coupling 60. As shown in Figure 9(a), in this embodiment, a spring receiving portion 63 and a spring hanging portion 64 are formed inside the outer coupling 60.

[0037] The spring receiving portion 63 and the spring hanging portion 64 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction Z. The spring receiving portion 63 is located behind (-Z side) the biasing portion 56, and the spring hanging portion 64 is located in front (+Z side) the biasing portion 56. Although not shown in the figure, the spring receiving portion 63 and the spring hanging portion 64 protrude inward in the second direction Y from the inner surface (the surface facing the second direction Y) of the outer coupling 60. The spring hanging portion 64 is located inside the hook-shaped biasing portion 56. Figure 9(a) shows the inner coupling 50A in a state where no external force is acting on it.

[0038] In this embodiment as well, the inner coupling 50A operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, when the optical connector 1 is inserted into the adapter 100, the inner coupling 50A is pushed backward by the adapter 100 (see Figures 6 and 9(b)). When an external force is applied to the inner coupling 50A in a backward direction, the biasing portion 56 is pressed against the spring receiving portion 63 and undergoes elastic deformation, as shown in Figure 9(b). At this time, elastic energy is stored in the biasing portion 56. When the elastic deformation of the locking claw 101 (see Figure 7) is released, a gap is created between the locking claw 101 and the peripheral wall 102. A portion of the inner coupling 50A, which has advanced due to the release of the elastic energy of the biasing portion 56, enters this gap. By a portion of the inner coupling 50A entering between the locking claw 101 and the peripheral wall 102, the elastic deformation of the locking claw 101 by the external force is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the connected state between the adapter 100 and the optical connector 1.

[0039] As described above, in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the optical connector 1 includes a ferrule 10 having a fiber hole 11 into which an optical fiber F is inserted, a housing 40 that houses at least a part of the ferrule 10, an outer coupling 60 that surrounds the housing 40 and is slidable relative to the housing 40, an inner coupling 50A that is movable within a predetermined range relative to the outer coupling 60, and a biasing part 56 that biases the inner coupling 50A forward relative to the outer coupling 60. The inner coupling 50A moves backward relative to the outer coupling 60 by contacting the adapter 100, and then returns to its original position forward due to the biasing force of the biasing part 56.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner coupling 50A and the biasing portion 56 are integrally formed. This reduces the number of parts. In addition, it prevents the biasing portion from separating from the inner coupling and being lost when assembling the optical connector 1.

[0041] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0042] For example, the shape of the biasing portion 56 in the second embodiment may be changed, and may be U-shaped or the like.

[0043] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1…Optical connector 10…Ferrule 11…Fiber hole 12…Hole 40…Housing 50…Inner coupling 53…First rear locking part 56…Biasing part (second embodiment) 60…Outer coupling 62…Second rear locking part 80…Biasing part (first embodiment) 100…Adapter F…Optical fiber

Claims

1. An optical connector connected to an adapter, A ferrule having a fiber hole into which an optical fiber is inserted, A housing that accommodates at least a portion of the ferrule, An outer coupling encloses the housing and is slidable relative to the housing, An inner coupling that is movable within a predetermined range relative to the outer coupling, The inner coupling is provided with a biasing part that biases the inner coupling forward relative to the outer coupling, The optical connector wherein the inner coupling moves backward relative to the outer coupling by contacting the adapter, and then returns to its original position forward due to the biasing force of the biasing part.

2. The inner coupling has a first rear locking portion, The outer coupling has a second rear locking portion, The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first rear locking portion is locked to the second rear locking portion, thereby restricting the inner coupling from moving forward beyond a predetermined position relative to the outer coupling.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner coupling and the biasing portion are separate components.

4. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner coupling and the biasing portion are integrally formed.

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