Optical Connector

Abstract

To provide an optical connector capable of preventing damage to an optical fiber even when it is necessary to change a lead-out direction of the optical fiber and wire it.SOLUTION: An optical connector 1 is a connector for optical communication connected to a terminal of an optical fiber 100. The optical connector includes: a sleeve 5 supported by the terminal of the optical fiber 100; and a housing 3 that accommodates the sleeve 5 and is fitted into a mating housing 15. The sleeve 5 has a wiring path 500 through which the optical fiber 100 is inserted. The wiring path 500 includes a first path 501 extending in a first direction X in which the housing 3 is fitted into the mating housing 15, a second path 502 extending in a second direction Y intersecting the first path 501, and a curved path 503 located between the first path 501 and the second path 502.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, an optical connector has been disclosed that includes a ferrule fixed to the front end of a tape fiber (optical fiber tape core), a housing that accommodates the ferrule, a stopper that prevents the ferrule from coming loose, a pin base that is disposed at the rear of the ferrule, a coil spring that presses the ferrule forward via the pin base, and an elastic protective boot (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The protective boot is formed in a cylindrical shape with a thickness that decreases toward the rear. The protective boot is attached to the rear end of the stopper and surrounds the ribbon fiber while pulling the ribbon fiber toward the rear. The elasticity of the protective boot regulates the pulling direction of the ribbon fiber.

[0004] In such conventional optical connectors, when a bending force is applied to the ribbon fiber, the bending of the ribbon fiber is limited by the protective boot, so that the ribbon fiber (optical fiber) maintains a radius of curvature that takes into account breakage and optical loss due to bending. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-215401 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional optical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when it is necessary to change the direction in which the optical fiber is pulled out and routed within a specified space in a vehicle, local bending stress is applied to the optical fiber, which may damage the optical fiber and reduce the optical communication performance.

[0007] The present invention provides an optical connector that prevents damage to an optical fiber even when it is necessary to change the drawing direction of the optical fiber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the invention described in claim 1 is an optical connector for optical communication to be connected to a terminal of an optical fiber, comprising: a sleeve supported on the terminal of the optical fiber; and a housing that receives the sleeve and fits into a mating housing, the sleeve having an arrangement path through which the optical fiber is inserted, the arrangement path including a first path extending in a first direction in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted together, a second path extending in a second direction intersecting the first path, and a curved path located between the first path and the second path. a ferrule located on the terminal side of the optical fiber of the sleeve and fixed to an end of the optical fiber; and a coil spring having one end supported by the ferrule and the other end abutting the sleeve, and stretched between the sleeve and the ferrule, wherein the optical fiber is loosely inserted within the wiring path, and when the housing is fitted into the mating housing, the ferrule approaches the sleeve and the coil spring is compressed, causing the optical fiber to slide within the wiring path of the sleeve. The optical connector is characterized in that Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, even when it is necessary to change the drawing direction of the optical fiber when routing the optical fiber, damage to the optical fiber can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a camera unit via a mating connector. [Diagram 2] 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical connector is fitted into a mating connector. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber connected to the optical connector. [Diagram 5] 4 is a perspective view showing how an optical fiber terminal member is assembled to a housing constituting the optical connector. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is an exploded perspective view of an L-shaped sleeve that constitutes the optical connector. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing members constituting the L-shaped sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a camera unit C via a mating connector 11. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical connector 1 is fitted into the mating connector 11. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber 100 connected to the optical connector 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical fiber-attached terminal member 20 is assembled into a housing 3 constituting the optical connector 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an exploded view of an L-shaped sleeve 5 constituting the optical connector 1. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing members constituting the L-shaped sleeve 5.

[0012] 1 to 3, the optical connector 1 of this embodiment is intended to connect an optical fiber 100 (shown in FIG. 3) to a camera unit C (shown in FIG. 1) as an electronic device, and is connected to the camera unit C via a front connector (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a mating connector 11) described later. Image information from the camera unit C is converted into an optical signal and communicated through the optical fiber 100.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the optical connector 1 includes a terminal support member 2 (shown in Fig. 3) supported by a terminal of an optical fiber 100 (shown in Fig. 3), a housing 3 that accommodates the terminal support member 2, and a front holder 16. In this embodiment, the direction in which the optical connector 1 and the mating connector 11 are fitted together may be referred to as the "front-rear direction X", and two directions that are substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction X may be referred to as the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction Y. The front-rear direction X is the first direction in the claims, and the up-down direction Z is the second direction in the claims. In the front-rear direction X, the direction in which the optical connector 1 approaches the mating connector 11 may be referred to as the "front X1", and the opposite direction may be referred to as the "rear X2", and in the up-down direction Z, the "upper Z1" and the opposite direction may be referred to as the "lower Z2".

[0014] As shown in Fig. 4, the optical fiber 100 is configured to have a light guide section 103 composed of a core 101 and a clad 102, and a covering section 104 covering the outer peripheral surface of the light guide section 103. As also shown in Fig. 3, the optical fiber 100 is a portion exposed at the end of the optical cable 100A after the exterior material 105 has been removed. That is, the optical fiber 100 is built into the optical cable 100A, and is a portion exposed at the end of the optical cable 100A after the exterior material 105 has been removed. The optical fiber 100 is provided so as to be movable inside the exterior material 105. The optical fiber 100 is also assembled at a predetermined position in a housing 3 (described later) via a terminal support member 2 (described later).

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the terminal support member 2 comprises a ferrule 4 attached by molding to the tip of the optical fiber 100, an L-shaped sleeve 5 provided at the rear X2 of the ferrule 4, a coil spring 6 serving as a biasing member in the claims and spanning between the ferrule 4 and the L-shaped sleeve 5, and a crimping member 7 that fixes the optical cable 100A to the L-shaped sleeve 5 by crimping.

[0016] 3 and 5, the ferrule 4 is for arranging the light guide portion 103 of the optical fiber 100 and a stub 14 (shown in FIG. 3) of a mating connector 11 (shown in FIG. 3) described later on substantially coaxially, and includes a cylindrical ferrule body 41 attached to the tip of the optical fiber 100, and a spring support portion 42 that is continuous with the rear X2 of the ferrule body 41 and supports a front end 6f of a coil spring 6. The spring support portion 42 has an outer diameter larger than that of the ferrule body 41 and allows the optical fiber 100 to pass therethrough. The front end 6f of the coil spring 6 described later is fitted onto the spring support portion 42, thereby supporting the front end 6f of the coil spring 6.

[0017] 6 and 7, the L-shaped sleeve 5 has a first extending portion 51 extending in the front-rear direction X and a second extending portion 52 extending in the up-down direction Z continuously from the first extending portion 51, and is formed into an L shape. A wiring path 500 for inserting the optical fiber 100 therein is formed in the L-shaped sleeve 5. The L-shaped sleeve 5 is made of a metal material such as rubber.

[0018] 6, the L-shaped sleeve 5 is composed of a pair of members 5A and 5B, and the member 5A is formed with positioning protrusions 50A, 50B, and 50C protruding toward the member 5B, and the member 5B is formed with a positioning recess (not shown) for receiving the positioning protrusion 50A. When assembling the L-shaped sleeve 5, the optical fiber 100 is positioned between the pair of members 5A and 5B, and the pair of members 5A and 5B are brought close to each other, so that the positioning protrusions 50A, 50B, and 50C fit into the positioning recesses, respectively, and the pair of members 5A and 5B are assembled to each other. As a result, the first extension portion 51, the second extension portion 52, and the wiring path 500 are formed, and the optical fiber 100 is wired along the wiring path 500.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first extension portion 51 includes a cylindrical first main body portion 50 extending in the front-to-rear direction X, a spring insertion portion 53 provided at the front end of the first main body portion 50 and inserted into a coil spring 6 described later, a spring abutment portion 54 provided at the rear X2 of the spring insertion portion 53 and abutting against a rear end 6b of the coil spring 6 described later, and a recessed groove 55 provided at the rear X2 of the spring abutment portion 54 and formed in a groove-like shape on the outer periphery of the first main body portion 50.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 7, the first main body 50 is provided with a first path 501 and a curved path 503 of a wiring path 500 described later. The spring abutting portion 54 is formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the first main body 50 in a brim-like shape, and a rear end 6b of the coil spring 6 abuts against a front end surface 54f of the spring abutting portion 54 when the spring insertion portion 53 is inserted into the coil spring 6. An engaging piece 38 of the housing 3 described later engages with the recessed groove 55 and the rear end surface 54b of the spring abutting portion 54. Hereinafter, the recessed groove 55 and the rear end surface 54b of the spring abutting portion 54 may be referred to as an "engaged portion 56". The engaged portion 56 is engaged by an engaging piece 38 of the housing 3 described later fitting into the recessed groove 55 and a tip end of the engaging piece 38 abutting against the rear end surface 54b of the spring abutting portion 54.

[0021] 7, the second extension portion 52 includes a cylindrical second main body portion 57 extending in the up-down direction Z, a recess 58 provided at an end portion of the second main body portion 57 on the upper side Z1 into which a protruding piece 39 of the housing 3 described later enters, and a cylindrical attachment portion 59 provided on the lower side Z2 of the recess 58 into which the crimping member 7 is attached. The protruding piece 39 of the housing 3 described later enters the recess 58, thereby positioning the L-shaped sleeve 5 in the up-down direction Z of the housing 3 described later. The second main body portion 57 is provided with a second path 502 of a wiring path 500 described later.

[0022] 7, the mounting portion 59 includes a first mounting portion 59A provided below the recess 58 at Z2, and a second mounting portion 59B continuing to the first mounting portion 59A at Z2. The second mounting portion 59B is configured to have an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the first mounting portion 59A. As shown in FIG. 3, the second mounting portion 59B is covered with a terminal portion 105e of the exterior material 105 of the optical cable 100A, and is crimped with a crimping member 7, thereby fixing the optical cable 100A to the mounting portion 59.

[0023] The wiring path 500 is formed with an inner diameter dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the optical fiber 100, and is configured to movably wire the optical fiber 100. That is, the optical fiber 100 is loosely inserted into the wiring path 500 and is slidable within the wiring path 500. As shown in Fig. 7, the wiring path 500 is configured to have a first path 501 extending in the front-rear direction X, a second path 502 extending in the up-down direction Z, and a curved path 503 located between the first path 501 and the second path 502 and continuing to the first path 501 and the second path 502. That is, the second path 502 is provided extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first path 501.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 7, the curved path 503 includes a first arc-shaped portion 504 continuing to the first path 501, a second arc-shaped portion 505 continuing to the second path 502, and a straight portion 506 located between the first arc-shaped portion 504 and the second arc-shaped portion 505. That is, the second arc-shaped portion 505 is provided continuing to the first arc-shaped portion 504 via the straight portion 506. As shown in Fig. 7, the first arc-shaped portion 504 is an arc-shaped portion formed with a first center of curvature P1 located on the upper Z1 side of the first path 501 (the opposite side of the second path 502 with respect to the first path 501), and the second arc-shaped portion 505 is an arc-shaped portion formed with a second center of curvature P2 located on the lower Z2 side of the first path 501 (the same side as the second path 502 with respect to the first path 501). By forming such first arcuate portion 504, it is possible to form second arcuate portion 505 into a gentle curve with a large radius of curvature.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the coil spring 6 is held in a state in which its front end 6f is supported by the spring support portion 42 of the ferrule 4 and its rear end 6b abuts against the spring abutment portion 54 with the spring insertion portion 53 of the L-shaped sleeve 5 inserted into the coil spring 6.

[0026] Next, the procedure for attaching the terminal support member 2 to the optical fiber 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The coil spring 6 is inserted into the tip of the optical fiber 100, and the ferrule body 41 and the spring support part 42 are attached to the tip of the optical fiber 100 by molding, and the front end 6f of the coil spring 6 is supported by the spring support part 42.

[0027] Thereafter, the base end side of the optical fiber 100 is positioned between the pair of members 5A and 5B constituting the L-shaped sleeve 5, and an appropriate force is applied to the optical fiber 100 to move it along the wiring path 500, and the pair of members 5A and 5B are brought close to each other and assembled. As a result, the wiring direction of the optical fiber 100 is changed from the first path 501 to the second path 502 via the curved path 503 in the wiring path 500 and the optical fiber 100 is drawn out, and the optical fiber 100 is movably arranged in the wiring path 500. Thereafter, while bringing the L-shaped sleeve 5 close to the ferrule 4, the optical fiber 100 is moved in the wiring path 500 of the L-shaped sleeve 5, and the spring insertion portion 53 of the L-shaped sleeve 5 is inserted into the coil spring 6, and the rear end 6b of the coil spring 6 is brought into contact with the spring abutment portion 54. Finally, the terminal portion 105e of the exterior material 105 of the optical cable 100A is covered over the second attachment portion 59B of the attachment portion 59 of the L-shaped sleeve 5, and then the terminal portion 105e is crimped with the crimping member 7, thereby maintaining the assembled state of the pair of members 5A and 5B and fixing the optical cable 100A to the attachment portion 59 of the L-shaped sleeve 5. In this manner, the ferrule 4, the L-shaped sleeve 5, the coil spring 6, and the crimping member 7 are attached to the optical fiber 100. Hereinafter, the form in which the ferrule 4, the L-shaped sleeve 5, the coil spring 6, and the crimping member 7 are attached to the optical fiber 100 as shown in FIG. 5 may be referred to as the "terminal member 20 with optical fiber."

[0028] The housing 3 is made of, for example, insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the housing 3 integrally includes a housing main body 31 and a lock arm portion 32 for maintaining a mated state with a mating housing 15 of a mating connector 11 (shown in Figure 2) described later. As shown in Figure 3, a waterproof packing 33 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the housing main body 31 (specifically, the outer periphery of a terminal member accommodating portion 36 described later), and when mated with a mating housing 15 of a mating connector 11 described later, the waterproof packing 33 is interposed between the housing main body 31 and the mating housing 15 described later, thereby waterproofing the space between the optical connector 1 and the mating connector 11.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the housing main body 31 comprises a wall portion 34 having an opening 30 for inserting the terminal material 20 with optical fiber, a square cylindrical outer peripheral wall 35 extending forward X1 from the wall portion 34 and fitted into a hood portion 153 of the mating housing 15 of the mating connector 11 described later, and a terminal material accommodating portion 36 (shown in Figure 3) extending forward X1 from the periphery of the opening 30 for inserting and positioning the terminal material 20 with optical fiber.

[0030] 3, the terminal material accommodating portion 36 includes an insertion portion main body 37, an elastically deformable engagement piece 38 extending from the periphery of the opening 30 toward the front X1 and inward (downward Z2 in the drawing) and engaging with an engaged portion 56 of the L-shaped sleeve 5, and a protruding piece 39 extending from the periphery of the opening 30 toward the rear X2 and entering a recess 58 of the L-shaped sleeve 5 described below. As shown in FIG. 3, a ferrule insertion portion 3a through which the ferrule main body 41 is inserted is provided at the front end of the insertion portion main body 37. The L-shaped sleeve 5 is positioned in the up-down direction Z with respect to the housing main body 31 by the protruding piece 39 entering the recess 58 of the L-shaped sleeve 5.

[0031] Next, a procedure for assembling the terminal member 20 with optical fiber to the housing 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the ferrule 4 of the terminal member 20 with optical fiber is inserted close to the opening 30 of the housing 3. As the insertion proceeds, the ferrule body 41 of the ferrule 4 passes through the ferrule insertion portion 3a of the terminal member accommodating portion 36. As the insertion proceeds further, the engaging piece 38 of the housing 3 engages with the engaged portion 56 of the L-shaped sleeve 5. This prevents the L-shaped sleeve 5 from coming off the housing 3. In addition, the protruding piece 39 of the housing 3 enters the recess 58 of the L-shaped sleeve 5. As a result, the L-shaped sleeve 5 is positioned in the vertical direction Z of the housing 3, and the terminal member 20 with optical fiber is assembled to the housing 3. After this, the front holder 16 is assembled to the housing 31 as shown in FIG. 3. In detail, the front holder 16 is assembled so as to cover the terminal member accommodating portion 36, and has the function of preventing the waterproof packing 33 from slipping out and preventing inadvertent elastic deformation of the elastically deformable engagement piece 38. In this manner, the terminal member 20 with optical fiber is assembled to the housing 3, and the optical connector 1 is ready to be connected to the mating connector 11.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the mating connector 11 comprises a circuit board 12, an FOT 13 (Fiber Optical Transceiver) mounted on the circuit board 12 by soldering, a stub 14 provided at the front X1 of the FOT 13 for guiding an optical signal transmitted from the FOT 13 to the light-guiding portion 103 of the optical fiber 100, and a mating housing 15 for accommodating the circuit board 12, the FOT 13, and the stub 14.

[0033] 3, the FOT 13 is configured to have an FOT body 130 incorporating a light-emitting element (not shown), and a support part 131 formed to extend forward X1 from the FOT body 130 and to support the stub 14. The light-emitting element converts an electrical signal received from the camera unit C into an optical signal.

[0034] 3, the stub 14 has a light guide path 140 extending in the front-rear direction X, and guides the optical signal converted by the FOT 13 to the light guide section 103 of the optical fiber 100 through the light guide path 140. The stub 14 has a rear end supported by the support section 131 of the FOT 13 with the light guide path 140 oriented so as to extend in the front-rear direction X.

[0035] 3, the mating housing 15 includes a mating housing main body 151, a cylindrical stub accommodating portion 152 extending from the mating housing main body 151 toward the rear X2 and accommodating the stub 14, a hood portion 153 extending from the periphery of the mating housing main body 151 toward the rear X2 and fitting into the outer peripheral wall 35 of the housing 3, and a board accommodating portion 154 extending from the periphery of the mating housing main body 151 toward the front X1 and accommodating the circuit board 12 therein.

[0036] The mating housing main body 151 is provided with an FOT accommodating portion 155 that accommodates the FOT 13. The FOT accommodating portion 155 is provided on the front X1 side of the stub accommodating portion 152 and is provided in communication with the stub accommodating portion 152. The FOT accommodating portion 155 also has an FOT opening 150 on the front X1 side, and the FOT 13 is inserted through the FOT opening 150.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the hood portion 153 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to fit into the outer peripheral wall 35 of the housing 3, and is provided with a lockable portion 156 which engages with the lock arm portion 32 of the housing 3.

[0038] The front end of the stub accommodating portion 152 is provided with a ferrule insertion hole 15a through which the ferrule body 41 is inserted.

[0039] When assembling such a mating connector 11, the FOT 13 is mounted on the circuit board 12 by soldering, and the stub 14 is supported by the support portion 131 of the FOT 13. Next, the stub 14 is brought close to and inserted into the FOT opening 150 of the mating housing 15. As the insertion progresses, the stub 14 is accommodated in the stub accommodating portion 152, the FOT 13 is accommodated in the FOT accommodating portion 155, and the circuit board 12 is accommodated in the board accommodating portion 154. Thereafter, the circuit board 12 is fixed to the board accommodating portion 154 with bolts. In this manner, the mating connector 11 is assembled.

[0040] Next, when connecting the optical connector 1 and the mating connector 11, as shown in Fig. 2, with the optical fiber-attached terminal member 20 assembled in the housing 3, the hood portion 153 of the mating connector 11 is brought close to and inserted into the outer peripheral wall 35 of the housing main body 31. As the insertion progresses, the ferrule body 41 passes through the ferrule insertion hole 15a of the stub accommodating portion 152 and abuts against the stub 14. Then, due to the abutment between the ferrule body 41 and the stub 14, the ferrule body 41 is pushed backward X2, and the coil spring 6 is compressed. In this way, the outer peripheral wall 35 of the housing main body 31 fits into the hood portion 153 of the mating connector 11.

[0041] Here, even if bending stress is applied to the optical fiber 100 when the ferrule body 41 abuts against the stub 14, the ferrule 4 approaches the L-shaped sleeve 5 and the coil spring 6 is compressed, so that the optical fiber 100 slides in the wiring path 500 of the L-shaped sleeve 5. According to this, the force applied to the optical fiber 100 by the abutment is absorbed by the sliding of the optical fiber 100, so that the application of excessive bending stress to the optical fiber 100 is suppressed. In this way, the ferrule body 41 is disposed approximately coaxially with the light guide path 140 of the stub 14. As a result, the optical fiber 100 and the FOT 13 are in a state in which optical communication is possible through the stub 14. In addition, the lock arm portion 32 of the optical connector 1 locks the locked portion 156 of the mating connector 11. As a result, the connection state of the optical connector 1 and the mating connector 11 is maintained. In this way, the connection between the optical connector 1 and the mating connector 11 is completed.

[0042] According to the above-described embodiment, the terminal of the optical fiber 100 is pulled out with its wiring direction changed in advance from the front-rear direction X (first direction) to the up-down direction Z (second direction) via the curved path 503 by the L-shaped sleeve 5 (sleeve). Therefore, even if it is necessary to change the drawing direction of the optical fiber 100 within a specified space in a vehicle, there is no need to locally bend the optical fiber 100, and excessive bending stress is not applied to the optical fiber 100, so that damage to the optical fiber 100 can be suppressed.

[0043] Also, the optical fiber 100 includes a ferrule 4 located on the terminal side of the L-shaped sleeve 5 (sleeve) and provided at the end of the optical fiber 100, and a coil spring 6 (urging member) bridged between the L-shaped sleeve 5 and the ferrule 4, and the optical fiber 100 is loosely inserted in the wiring path 500, and when the housing 3 is fitted into the mating housing 15, the ferrule 4 approaches the L-shaped sleeve 5 and the coil spring 6 is compressed, causing the optical fiber 100 to slide in the wiring path 500 of the L-shaped sleeve 5. According to this, the force applied to the optical fiber 100 by the abutment is absorbed by the sliding of the optical fiber 100, thereby suppressing the application of excessive bending stress to the optical fiber 100.

[0044] Moreover, the curved path 503 has a first arc-shaped portion 504 and a second arc-shaped portion 505 continuous with the first arc-shaped portion 504, the first arc-shaped portion 504 being formed with a first center of curvature P1 located on the opposite side of the first path 501 to the second path 502, and the second arc-shaped portion 505 being formed with a second center of curvature P2 located on the same side of the first path 501 as the second path 502. In such a curved path 503, the first arc-shaped portion 504 is formed, so that the second arc-shaped portion 505 can be made to have a gentle curve with a large radius of curvature. With this, even when it is necessary to change the drawing direction of the optical fiber 100 for routing, it is not necessary to locally bend the optical fiber 100, and excessive bending stress is not applied to the optical fiber 100, so that damage to the optical fiber 100 can be further suppressed.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0046] In the embodiment, the wiring path 500 of the L-shaped sleeve 5 (sleeve) is formed in an L shape having a first path 501 extending in the front-rear direction X (first direction), a second path 502 extending in the up-down direction Z (second direction) substantially perpendicular to the first path 501, and a curved path 503, but the present invention is not limited to this. The sleeve is not limited to an L shape, and the second path may be configured to extend in any intersecting direction with respect to the first path.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the curved path 503 is configured to include a first arc-shaped portion 504 continuing to the first path 501, a second arc-shaped portion 505 continuing to the second path 502, and a straight portion 506 located between the first arc-shaped portion 504 and the second arc-shaped portion 505, but the present invention is not limited to this. The curved path may be configured to include the first arc-shaped portion 504 continuing to the first path 501, and the second arc-shaped portion 505 continuing to the second path 502. That is, the straight portion 506 may be omitted, or an arc-shaped portion formed with a center of curvature located above the first path 501 at Z1 may be provided between the first arc-shaped portion 504 and the second arc-shaped portion 505 instead of the straight portion 506. This allows the second arc-shaped portion 505 to be a gentle curve with a large radius of curvature.

[0048] In addition, the best configurations and methods for implementing the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention has been mainly illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments, but those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions limiting the shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative descriptions for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention, and therefore descriptions of the names of components that are free of some or all of the limitations on the shapes, materials, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Optical Connector 15 Mating housing 100 Optical Fiber 3. Housing 4 Ferrules 5 L-shaped sleeve (sleeve) 6 Coil spring (biasing member) 500 Route 501 Route 1 502 Route 2 503 Curved Path 504 1st arc part 505 2nd arc part X Anteroposterior direction (first direction) Z Vertical direction (second direction) P1 First center of curvature of the first arc-shaped portion (center of curvature of the first arc-shaped portion) P2 Second center of curvature of second arc-shaped portion (center of curvature of second arc-shaped portion)

Claims

1. An optical connector for optical communication connected to a terminal of an optical fiber, a sleeve supported on an end of the optical fiber; a housing that receives the sleeve and fits into a mating housing, The sleeve has a wiring path through which the optical fiber is inserted, The wiring path includes a first path extending in a first direction in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted together, a second path extending in a second direction intersecting the first path, and a curved path located between the first path and the second path. a ferrule located on the sleeve at a terminal side of the optical fiber and fixed to an end of the optical fiber; a coil spring having one end supported by the ferrule and the other end in contact with the sleeve, the coil spring spanning between the sleeve and the ferrule, The optical fiber is loosely inserted in the wiring path, An optical connector characterized in that when the housing is mated with the mating housing, the ferrule approaches the sleeve and the coil spring is compressed, causing the optical fiber to slide within the routing path of the sleeve.

2. The curved path has a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion continuous with the first arcuate portion, The first arcuate portion is formed with a center of curvature located on an opposite side of the first path to the second path, 2 . The optical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second arc-shaped portion is formed with a center of curvature located on the same side of the first path as the second path.

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