Optical connector, optical connector assembly, and optical connection structure

Abstract

An optical connector (1) comprising: a ferrule (10) which has a connecting end face (10a) having fiber holes (11) through which optical fibers (F) are inserted opened therein; a holding member (20) which holds the ferrule (10); a spring push (30); and an impelling member (40) impels the ferrule (10) as a result of one end thereof abutting the holding member (20) and the other end thereof abutting the spring push (30), wherein the holding member (20) has an engaging part (23) and the spring push (30) has an engageable part (35) which engages with the engaging part (23).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector, an optical connector assembly, and an optical connection structure. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-090844, filed on June 3, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical connectors for optical fibers have become widespread to facilitate the construction of optical networks. Furthermore, as optical networks become increasingly dense, there is a demand for increased optical fiber placement density. To increase the optical fiber placement density, optical connectors capable of connecting multiple optical fibers at once, such as MPO (Multi-Fiber Push On) connectors (see Patent Document 1), are used. Such optical connectors are connected by pressing the connection end faces of ferrules in the optical connectors together.

[0003] In order to maintain the connection between ferrules, optical connectors generally have a so-called floating structure. The floating structure of an optical connector includes, for example, a ferrule, a biasing member such as a spring, a spring push, and a housing that houses these three components. The biasing member is disposed between the ferrule and the spring push and biases the ferrule. The biasing force of the biasing member keeps the ferrule in a floating state that allows it to move back and forth in the connection direction. The housing maintains the positional relationship between the three components and maintains the biasing force of the biasing member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-132929 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in optical connectors having the above structure, because the housing accommodates the above three components, it is difficult to arrange the dimensions (length) of multiple optical connectors at intervals shorter than the dimensions of the housing. In other words, the presence of the housing places an upper limit on the arrangement density of optical fibers. Therefore, in order to further improve the arrangement density of optical fibers, an optical connector without a housing has been desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an optical connector, an optical connector assembly, and an optical connection structure that can maintain the positional relationship between the ferrule, the biasing member, and the spring push even without a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an optical connector comprising a ferrule having a connection end face with an open fiber hole through which an optical fiber is inserted, a holding member that holds the ferrule, a spring push, and a biasing member that biases the ferrule by having one end abutting against the holding member and the other end abutting against the spring push, wherein the holding member has an engaging portion and the spring push has an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion.

[0008] Furthermore, aspect 2 of the present invention is an optical connector in which, in the optical connector of aspect 1, the holding member has an extension portion that extends toward the spring push and penetrates the spring member, and the engagement portion is provided on the extension portion.

[0009] Furthermore, aspect 3 of the present invention is an optical connector in which, in the optical connector of aspect 1 or aspect 2, the engaged portion is a hole into which at least a part of the engaging portion is inserted, and the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other so as to prevent the holding member from falling off the spring push due to the biasing force of the biasing member and to allow the spring push and the holding member to approach each other.

[0010] Furthermore, aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical connector in which, in any one of aspects 1 to 3, a release member is further provided that covers at least a portion of the spring push from the radially outer side, the spring push has an engagement claw that engages with an adapter, and when the direction from the ferrule toward the spring push is referred to as the rearward direction, the release member bends the engagement claw radially inward when pulled rearward, thereby releasing the engagement between the engagement claw and the adapter.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the optical connector of the fourth aspect, wherein the release member has a first member and a second member connected to each other so as to sandwich at least a portion of the spring push in the radial direction.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the optical connector of the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the release member from falling off rearward from the spring push.

[0013] Furthermore, aspect 7 of the present invention is an optical connector assembly comprising a plurality of optical connectors according to any one of aspects 4 to 6, and the adapter into which the plurality of optical connectors are inserted, the adapter having a plurality of engagement holes that engage with a plurality of the engagement claws.

[0014] Furthermore, aspect 8 of the present invention is an optical connection structure comprising the optical connector assembly of aspect 7, a receptacle having a main body and a rotating part attached to the main body, wherein the rotating part is attached to the main body so as to be switchable by rotational movement between a fixed state in which the optical connector assembly is fixed to the main body and an unlocked state in which the optical connector assembly is allowed to be removed from the main body, the adapter has a protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the adapter, and the rotating part is provided with a convex curved surface that gradually presses the protrusion forward as the rotational movement from the unlocked state to the fixed state occurs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical connector, an optical connector assembly, and an optical connection structure that can maintain the positional relationship between the ferrule, the biasing member, and the spring push even without a housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ferrule according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holding member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spring push according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a release member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4 is an enlarged view of a release member according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 12 as seen from the arrow XIII direction. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a view showing the rotating part in a fixed state. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the rotating part in an unlocked state. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16A] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIA-XVIA shown in FIG. 12, illustrating the state in which the optical connector assembly is inserted into the receptacle. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a state following FIG. 16A. [Figure 16C] FIG. 16B shows a state following FIG. 16B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An optical connector 1, an optical connector assembly 2, and an optical connection structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the optical connection structure 100 according to this embodiment includes a receptacle 3 and a plurality of optical connectors 1. In this embodiment, the plurality of optical connectors 1 include a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) male connectors 1M and a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) female connectors 1F. The plurality of female connectors 1F are inserted into an adapter 70. In this embodiment, the plurality of female connectors 1F and the adapter 70 may be collectively referred to as an optical connector assembly 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the configuration of the male connector 1M and the configuration of the female connector 1F are basically the same except for the length of the guide pin 25 (details will be described later). Therefore, a description of the male connector 1M will be omitted, and only a description of the female connector 1F will be given. In the following, the female connector 1F will be simply referred to as the "optical connector 1," and unless otherwise specified, when the term "optical connector 1" is used it refers to the female connector 1F.

[0019] 2 and 3, the optical connector 1 includes a ferrule 10, a holding member 20, a spring push 30, and a biasing member 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a with a plurality of fiber holes 11. An optical fiber F is inserted into each fiber hole 11. The optical connector 1 may also include a release member 50 and a restricting member (restricting portion) 60.

[0020] (direction definition) In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole 11 is simply referred to as the longitudinal direction Z. A direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the first direction X. A direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction Z and the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y. The direction from the spring push 30 toward the ferrule 10 along the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the +Z direction, forward, or tip side. The direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction, rear, or base side. One direction along the first direction X is referred to as the +X direction or front side. The direction opposite to the +X direction is referred to as the -X direction or rear side. One direction along the second direction Y is referred to as the +Y direction or upward. The direction opposite to the +Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction or downward. Furthermore, the direction intersecting the central axis O of the optical connector 1 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the radial direction. The direction along the radial direction toward the central axis O is referred to as the radially inner direction, and the direction away from the central axis O is referred to as the radially outer direction. The direction going around the central axis O as viewed from the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0021] (Optical connector 1) As shown in Fig. 4, the ferrule 10 according to this embodiment has a plurality of fiber holes 11 and a pair of guide holes 12 formed therein. As shown in Fig. 3, the fiber holes 11 and the guide holes 12 open to the connecting end face 10a, extend in a predetermined direction (rearward or -Z direction), and penetrate the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z. The pair of guide holes 12 are spaced apart in the second direction Y. The plurality of fiber holes 11 are positioned between the pair of guide holes 12 in the second direction Y, and are aligned in the second direction Y (see also Fig. 4).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, an optical fiber F is inserted into each of the plurality of fiber holes 11. In the illustrated example, the plurality of optical fibers F are collectively coated with a coating material such as resin to form a single cable C. The coating is removed from the tip of the cable C, exposing the optical fibers F. The exposed optical fibers F are inserted into the fiber holes 11. The tip of each optical fiber F is located at the connection end face 10a. The optical fibers F may be fixed to the fiber holes 11 with an adhesive or the like. The optical fibers F (cable C) extending rearward from the rear ends of the fiber holes 11 penetrate the holding member 20, the spring push 30, the biasing member 40, the release member 50, and the restricting portion 60 in the longitudinal direction Z. The number of fiber holes 11 and the number of optical fibers F can be changed as appropriate, provided that each is one or more.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, one guide pin 25 is inserted into each of the pair of guide holes 12. In the female connector 1F according to this embodiment, the tip of the guide pin 25 is located rearward of the connection end face 10a. Although not shown, in the male connector 1M, the tip of the guide pin 25 is located forward of the connection end face 10a. With this configuration, when the male connector 1M and the female connector 1F are connected, the guide pin 25 of the male connector 1M is inserted into the guide hole 12 formed in the female connector 1F.

[0024] 4, the ferrule 10 according to this embodiment is formed with a pair of fitting grooves 13. Each fitting groove 13 is recessed inward in the first direction X from the side surface of the ferrule 10. Each fitting groove 13 opens to the connection end face 10a.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 20 according to this embodiment is attached to the rear end of the ferrule 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 20 according to this embodiment has a holding base 21 and an extending portion 22 extending rearward from the holding base 21. In this embodiment, the holding base 21 and the extending portion 22 are substantially rectangular in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z. In this specification, the term "substantially rectangular" also includes cases where the shape can be considered rectangular after removing chamfering and manufacturing errors. The dimensions of the extending portion 22 in the first direction X and the second direction Y are smaller than the dimensions of the holding base 21 in the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively. The holding member 20 also has a through hole 27 that penetrates the holding base 21 and the extending portion 22 in the longitudinal direction Z. In other words, the holding member 20 has a cylindrical shape. An optical fiber F (cable C) is inserted through the through hole 27 (see also FIG. 3).

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, the holding base 21 has a pressing surface 21a facing forward and a biased surface 21b located on the opposite side of the pressing surface 21a in the longitudinal direction Z. The biased surface 21b faces rearward. As shown in Fig. 3, the pressing surface 21a abuts against the rear end of the ferrule 10. Furthermore, the biased surface 21b is located outside the extending portion 22 in the first direction X and the second direction Y as viewed from the longitudinal direction Z (see also Fig. 5).

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, a pair of guide pin holding holes 26 are opened in the pressing surface 21a. The through hole 27 is located between the pair of guide pin holding holes 26 in the second direction Y. The rear end of the guide pin 25 is inserted into the guide pin holding hole 26. This causes the guide pin 25 to be held in the holding member 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the guide pin 25 is inserted into the guide hole 12 of the ferrule 10 from behind, causing the holding member 20 (holding base 21) to hold the ferrule 10. In other words, the holding member 20 according to this embodiment functions as a pin clamp.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5 , two slits S1 are formed in each side wall of the extension portion 22 according to this embodiment, facing the first direction X, with a gap between them in the second direction Y. That is, a total of four slits S1 are formed in the extension portion 22 according to this embodiment. The slits S1 open at the rear end of the extension portion 22 and extend forward. By forming the four slits S1 as described above, a portion of the upper wall and a portion of the lower wall of the extension portion 22 are elastically bendable in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, each of these bendable portions is referred to as an engagement portion 23. More specifically, the two engagement portions 23 can bend elastically in the second direction Y with the front end of each engagement portion 23 as a base end.

[0029] A first engagement protrusion 24 is provided at the rear end of the engagement portion 23, protruding outward from the engagement portion 23 in the second direction Y. The first engagement protrusion 24 has a first engagement surface 24a facing forward and an inclined surface 24b located on the opposite side of the first engagement surface 24a in the longitudinal direction Z. The inclined surface 24b is inclined gradually inward in the second direction Y as it extends rearward.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the spring push 30 according to this embodiment is disposed so as to face the rear end of the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z. As shown in FIG. 6, the spring push 30 according to this embodiment has a large diameter portion 31 and a small diameter portion 32 extending rearward from the large diameter portion 31. In this embodiment, the large diameter portion 31 and the front end of the small diameter portion 32 are substantially rectangular in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z. The dimensions of the small diameter portion 32 in the first direction X and the second direction Y are smaller than the dimensions of the large diameter portion 31 in the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively. The spring push 30 also has a through hole 37 that penetrates the large diameter portion 31 and the small diameter portion 32 in the longitudinal direction Z. In other words, the spring push 30 has a cylindrical shape. An optical fiber F (cable C) is inserted through the through hole 37 (see also FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end of the extension portion 22 is inserted into the through hole 37.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the large diameter portion 31 has a biasing surface 31a facing forward, and a first engaged surface 31b facing rearward and located on the opposite side to the biasing surface 31a.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 , the biasing member 40 is disposed between the holding member 20 and the spring push 30 in the longitudinal direction Z. More specifically, the biasing member 40 according to this embodiment is sandwiched between the biased surface 21b of the holding member 20 and the biasing surface 31a of the spring push 30 in the longitudinal direction Z. The extension portion 22 of the holding member 20 penetrates the biasing member 40 in the longitudinal direction Z. The biasing member 40 is compressed between the biased surface 21b and the first engaged surface 31b and biases the ferrule 10 forward via the pressing surface 21a of the holding member 20. That is, one end of the biasing member 40 abuts against a part of the holding member 20, and the other end of the biasing member 40 abuts against a part of the spring push 30, thereby biasing the ferrule 10 held by the holding member 20 forward. The biasing member 40 can be, for example, a coil spring.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 6, a pair of engaged portions 35 are formed at the front end of the small diameter portion 32 according to this embodiment (see also Fig. 3). The engaged portions 35 according to this embodiment are holes that open to the upper or lower surface of the small diameter portion 32 and communicate with the through-hole 37. Hereinafter, the engaged portions 35 may be referred to as engaged holes 35. The shape of the engaged holes 35 according to this embodiment is substantially rectangular when viewed from the second direction Y.

[0034] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 23 and the engaged hole 35 engage with each other so as to prevent the holding member 20 from falling off the spring push 30 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 40, and to allow the spring push 30 to approach the holding member 20. The engagement between the engaging portion 23 and the engaged portion 35 in this embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0035] 3, in this embodiment, the first engaging protrusion 24 of the engaging portion 23 is inserted into the engaged hole 35. Furthermore, the first engaging surface 24a of the first engaging protrusion 24 is engaged with the first engaged surface 31b located at the front end of the engaged hole 35. This prevents the holding member 20 from falling off forward from the spring push 30 even when the holding member 20 is urged forward by the urging member 40. Note that, when the first engaging protrusion 24 is inserted into the engaged hole 35, the distance in the longitudinal direction Z between the urging surface 31a and the urging surface 21b is shorter than the natural length of the urging member 40.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the dimension of the engaged hole 35 in the longitudinal direction Z is set to be larger than the dimension of the first engaging protrusion 24 in the longitudinal direction Z. Therefore, the first engaging protrusion 24 is movable in the longitudinal direction Z inside the engaged hole 35. Therefore, for example, when the ferrule 10 is pushed rearward, the holding member 20 is movable rearward relative to the spring push 30 within a range in which the first engaging protrusion 24 is movable inside the engaged hole 35. In other words, the holding member 20 and the spring push 30 are configured to be able to approach each other in the longitudinal direction Z and to be able to compress the biasing member 40.

[0037] Note that when attaching the holding member 20 according to this embodiment to the spring push 30 (i.e., engaging the engaging portion 23 with the engaged hole 35), the extending portion 22 may be inserted into the through hole 37 from the front. When the extending portion 22 is inserted into the through hole 37, the inclined surface 24b abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 37, and the engaging portion 23 elastically deforms so as to bend inward in the second direction Y. When the extending portion 22 is further pushed into the through hole 37, the first engaging protrusion 24 reaches the engaged hole 35, the bending of the engaging portion 23 is released, and the first engaging surface 24a is engaged with the first engaged surface 31b. In this way, because the engaging portion 23 is elastically deformable and the first engaging protrusion 24 having the inclined surface 24b is provided on the engaging portion 23, the holding member 20 can be easily attached to the spring push 30. When the holding member 20 is attached to the spring push 30 , the biasing member 40 may be provided between the holding member 20 and the spring push 30 .

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the spring push 30 according to this embodiment has an engagement claw 33 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 32. The engagement claw 33 according to this embodiment includes a first portion 33A extending upward from the center of the small diameter portion 32 in the longitudinal direction Z, and a second portion 33B extending forward from the upper end of the first portion 33A. That is, the shape of the engagement claw 33 according to this embodiment is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the first direction X. Note that the term "substantially L-shaped" also includes cases where it can be considered L-shaped after removing chamfering and manufacturing errors. The engagement claw 33 according to this embodiment is elastically bendable in the second direction Y, with the lower end of the first portion 33A as the base end.

[0039] A second engagement protrusion 34 protruding upward from the engagement claw 33 is provided at the front end of the engagement claw 33 (second portion 33B). The second engagement protrusion 34 has a second engagement surface 34a facing rearward and an inclined surface 34b located on the opposite side of the second engagement surface 34a in the longitudinal direction Z. The inclined surface 34b is inclined so as to gradually slope downward as it extends forward.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, a threaded portion 36 having a spiral protrusion is provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 32 according to this embodiment. The threaded portion 36 is located rearward of the engaging claw 33. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, a tube T that protects the optical fiber F (cable C) is fixed to the rear end of the small diameter portion 32.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the restricting portion 60 according to this embodiment is a cylindrical member extending in the longitudinal direction Z (see also FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, a threaded portion 61 having a spiral protrusion that threadably engages with the threaded portion 36 is provided on a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the restricting portion 60. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 61 is located at the front end of the restricting portion 60. The restricting portion 60 is fixed to the spring push 30 by threading the threaded portion 61 into the threaded portion 36. The restricting portion 60 also has a restricting surface 60a that faces forward.

[0042] 7, the release member 50 according to this embodiment has a first member 50A and a second member 50B. The first member 50A has a first base portion 51A, a pair of first front connecting portions 52A, a pair of first rear connecting portions 53A, and a handle 57. The second member 50B has a second base portion 51B, a pair of second front connecting portions 52B, and a pair of second rear connecting portions 53B.

[0043] The bases 51A and 51B according to this embodiment have a flat plate shape extending in the first direction X and the second direction Y. The first base 51A and the second base 51B face each other in the second direction Y. The first base 51A has a window 56 penetrating the first base 51A in the second direction Y. The window 56 according to this embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the second direction Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the first base 51A according to this embodiment has a pressing surface 56a connecting the front end of the window 56 and the bottom surface of the first base 51A. The pressing surface 56a is gradually inclined downward as it extends forward. The handle 57 extends rearward from the rear end of the first base 51A.

[0044] 7, the pair of first front connecting portions 52A are located at the front end of the first base portion 51A and extend downward from both ends of the first base portion 51A in the first direction X. Each first front connecting portion 52A has a regulated surface 52a facing rearward. The pair of first rear connecting portions 53A are located at the rear end of the first base portion 51A and extend downward from both ends of the first base portion 51A in the first direction X. Each first connecting portion 52A, 53A has a connecting hole 54 that penetrates the first connecting portion 52A, 53A in the first direction X.

[0045] The pair of second front connecting portions 52B extend upward from both end portions of the second base portion 51B in the first direction X. The pair of second rear connecting portions 53B extend upward from both end portions of the second base portion 51B in the first direction X. Each of the second connecting portions 52B, 53B is provided with a connecting protrusion 55 that protrudes outward in the first direction X from the second connecting portion 52B, 53B. The connecting protrusion 55 has an inclined surface 55a that gradually inclines outward in the first direction X as it extends downward. The positions of the second connecting portions 52B, 53B in the longitudinal direction Z correspond to the positions of the first connecting portions 52A, 53A in the longitudinal direction Z. The pair of second front connecting portions 52B are located more inward than the pair of first front connecting portions 52A in the first direction X. Similarly, the pair of second rear connecting portions 53B are located more inward in the first direction X than the pair of first rear connecting portions 53A.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first member 50A and the second member 50B are connected to each other so as to sandwich at least a portion of the spring push 30 in the second direction Y. More specifically, the connecting protrusion 55 of the second front connecting portion 52B is inserted into the connecting hole 54 of the first front connecting portion 52A, and the connecting protrusion 55 of the second rear connecting portion 53B is inserted into the connecting hole 54 of the first rear connecting portion 53A, thereby connecting the first member 50A and the second member 50B. The connecting protrusion 55 has an inclined surface 55a, which facilitates connecting the first member 50A and the second member 50B. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 3, the members 50A and 50B are connected to each other so that the engagement claw 33 of the spring push 30 is positioned inside the window 56.

[0047] 8, the restricting portion 60 according to this embodiment is located between the first front connecting portion 52A and the first rear connecting portion 53A in the longitudinal direction Z when the members 50A and 50B are connected. The outer shape of the restricting portion 60 is designed to be larger than the distance between the pair of first front connecting portions 52A in the first direction X. As a result, when the first member 50A and the second member 50B are connected, the restricting surface 60a of the restricting portion 60 and the regulated surface 52a of the first front connecting portion 52A face each other in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0048] (Optical connector assembly 2) As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the adapter 70 according to this embodiment has a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) connector insertion holes 71 formed at the rear end of the adapter 70. An optical connector 1 (female connector 1F) is inserted into each of the plurality of connector insertion holes 71. In addition, a recess 75 recessed toward the rear is formed in the front surface of the adapter 70 according to this embodiment. Each connector insertion hole 71 opens into the recess 75. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector assembly 2 in a region including three optical connectors 1 arranged side by side in the first direction X. As shown in FIG. 10, in the optical connector assembly 2 according to this embodiment, the connection end surface 10a of the optical connector 1 inserted into the connector insertion hole 71 is located inside the recess 75.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9 , the adapter 70 according to this embodiment has a pair of protrusions 73. Each protrusion 73 protrudes outward in the second direction Y from the top or bottom surface of the adapter 70. Each protrusion 73 is located at the tip of the adapter 70 and at the center in the first direction X. The adapter 70 according to this embodiment also has a pair of guide grooves 74 formed in the side surface of the adapter 70, recessed inward in the first direction X. Each guide groove 74 extends in the longitudinal direction Z and is located at the center of the adapter 70 in the second direction Y.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 10 , the shape of the connector insertion holes 71 corresponds to the outer shape of the optical connector 1. At the front end of each connector insertion hole 71, a mating protrusion 71a is provided that protrudes inward in the first direction X from the inner circumferential surface of the connector insertion hole 71 (see also FIG. 9 ). In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10 , a pair of mating protrusions 71a is provided in one connector insertion hole 71. The mating protrusions 71a are fitted into mating grooves 13 formed in the ferrule 10. By fitting the mating protrusions 71a into the mating grooves 13, the position of the ferrule 10 in the adapter 70 can be stabilized, and the connection between the optical connectors 1 (the male connector 1M and the female connector 1F) can be stabilized. The configuration using the mating protrusions 71a and the mating grooves 13 has the effect of ensuring a stable connection even with a very small ferrule 10, for example, a few millimeters in size.

[0051] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector assembly 2 in a region including two optical connectors 1 arranged side by side in the second direction Y. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 11 shows the optical connector 1 located on the upper level (+Y side) of the two illustrated optical connectors 1 engaged with the adapter 70, while the optical connector 1 located on the lower level (-Y side) is shown immediately after disengagement from the adapter 70. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 , the adapter 70 according to this embodiment has multiple engagement holes 72 formed therein. The multiple connector insertion holes 71 correspond one-to-one to the multiple engagement holes 72. Each engagement hole 72 opens on the top or bottom surface of the adapter 70 and penetrates to the corresponding connector insertion hole 71. The connector insertion hole 71 located on the upper level (+Y side) of the adapter 70 communicates with the engagement hole 72 opening on the top surface of the adapter 70, and the connector insertion hole 71 located on the lower level (-Y side) of the adapter 70 communicates with the engagement hole 72 opening on the bottom surface of the adapter 70. Each of the engagement holes 72 has a second engagement surface 72a facing forward.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 11 , in the optical connector assembly 2 according to this embodiment, the optical connector 1 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 71 so that the engaging claw 33 engages with the engaging hole 72. A user can insert the optical connector 1 into the connector insertion hole 71 by grasping the handle 57 and pushing it forward. More specifically, when the handle 57 is pushed forward, the front end of the release member 50 presses the first engaged surface 31b of the spring push 30 forward. This transmits the pressing force applied by the user to the spring push 30, and the transmitted force is further transmitted to the holding member 20 and the ferrule 10 via the biasing member 40. Therefore, the entire optical connector 1 advances. Furthermore, when the optical connector 1 is brought close to the connector insertion hole 71 from behind, the inclined surface 34b of the engaging claw 33 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the connector insertion hole 71, and the engaging claw 33 bends inward in the second direction Y. When the optical connector 1 is further pushed forward, the second engaging protrusion 34 reaches the engaging hole 72, the engaging claw 33 is released from its bending, and the second engaging surface 34a is locked with the second engaged surface 72a. In other words, the optical connector 1 is fixed in the connector insertion hole 71. The above-described insertion method using the handle 57 is advantageous in that it does not impair the user's workability even when the optical connectors 1 are arranged at high density.

[0053] Furthermore, the user can remove the optical connector 1 from the connector insertion hole 71 by grasping the handle 57 and pulling it rearward (see the optical connector 1 located at the lower level (-Y side) in FIG. 11 ). More specifically, when the handle 57 is pulled rearward, the pushing surface 56a of the releasing member 50 comes into contact with the inclined surface 34b of the engaging claw 33, and the engaging claw 33 bends inward in the second direction Y. This causes the second engaging surface 34a and the second engaged surface 72a to move away from each other, and the engagement between the engaging claw 33 and the engaging hole 72 is released. When the handle 57 is further pulled rearward, the regulated surface 52a of the releasing member 50 comes into contact with the regulating surface 60a of the regulating portion 60 and presses the regulating surface 60a rearward. In other words, the restricting portion 60 restricts the releasing member 50 from falling off backward from the optical connector 1 (spring push 30) and reliably transmits the force of the user pulling on the handle 57 to the optical connector 1. The distance between the regulated surface 52a and the restricting surface 60a may be adjusted as appropriate so that the front end of the releasing member 50 does not move rearward beyond the second engaging protrusion 34 even when the user pulls on the releasing member 50. In this case, after the optical connector 1 is removed from the connector insertion hole 71, the optical connector 1 can be inserted again using the releasing member 50. For example, the distance between the regulated surface 52a and the restricting surface 60a may be adjusted as appropriate so that contact between the pressing surface 56a and the inclined surface 34b is maintained when the user pulls on the releasing member 50.

[0054] (Optical connection structure 100) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connection structure 100, showing a state in which two male connectors 1M arranged side by side in the second direction Y and two female connectors 1F arranged side by side in the second direction Y are connected. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the receptacle 3 according to this embodiment has a main body 80 and a rotating part 90 attached to the main body 80. The rotating part 90 according to this embodiment is attached to the main body 80 so that it can be switched between the state shown in FIG. 14A and the state shown in FIG. 14B by rotational movement. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 14A may be referred to as the "fixed state," and the state shown in FIG. 14B may be referred to as the "unfixed state." Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each component will be described assuming that the rotating part 90 is in the fixed state.

[0055] 12 and 13, the main body 80 according to this embodiment has one adapter insertion hole 81 that opens on the rear surface of the main body 80, and multiple (six in the illustrated example) connector insertion holes 82 that open on the front surface of the main body 80. An optical connector assembly 2 is inserted into the adapter insertion hole 81. Each connector insertion hole 82 communicates with the adapter insertion hole 81.

[0056] A male connector 1M is inserted into each of the multiple connector insertion holes 82. As shown in FIG. 12, an engagement hole 82a is opened in the inner circumferential surface of each connector insertion hole 82, penetrating to the upper or lower surface of the main body 80. In the optical connection structure 100 according to this embodiment, the male connector 1M is inserted into the connector insertion hole 82 so that the engagement claw 33 engages with the engagement hole 82a. A user can insert or remove the male connector 1M into or from the connector insertion hole 82 by grasping the handle 57 and pushing or pulling the male connector 1M relative to the connector insertion hole 82. The principle by which the male connector 1M can be inserted or removed from the connector insertion hole 82 is the same as the aforementioned principle by which the optical connector 1 (female connector 1F) can be inserted or removed from the connector insertion hole 71. Therefore, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0057] 13, a guide protrusion 85 that protrudes inward in the first direction X is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the adapter insertion hole 81 according to this embodiment. The shape of the guide protrusion 85 corresponds to the shape of the guide groove 74 formed in the adapter 70 (see also FIG. 9). The adapter 70 according to this embodiment is inserted into the adapter insertion hole 81 so that the guide protrusion 85 fits into the guide groove 74.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 13, a pair of slits S2 are formed in the side surface on the front side (+X side) of the adapter insertion hole 81, penetrating all the way to the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 80. The pair of slits S2 are spaced apart in the second direction Y and are located at both ends of the main body portion 80 in the second direction Y. Each slit S2 opens at the rear end of the main body portion 80 and extends in the longitudinal direction Z (see also Fig. 14B). As shown in Fig. 12, a pair of support shaft holes 83 are formed in the rear end of the main body portion 80, opening at the top and bottom surfaces of the adapter insertion hole 81 and penetrating all the way to the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 80.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 13 , the rotating unit 90 according to this embodiment includes a pair of rotating bases 91, a connecting portion 94, and a pair of handles 95. Each rotating base 91 is a plate-like member extending in the first direction X and the longitudinal direction Z (see also FIGS. 14A and 14B ). Each rotating base 91 has an opposing surface 91a facing inward in the second direction Y. In the fixed state, the rotating base 91 passes through the slit S2 and extends along the upper or lower surface of the connector insertion hole 82. The connecting portion 94 is a plate-like member connecting the ends of the rotating bases 91 on the near side (+X side) (see also FIGS. 14A and 14B ). The connecting portion 94 is located outside the main body 80. The pair of handles 95 are provided on both ends of the connecting portion 94 in the second direction Y.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12 , the rotating unit 90 according to this embodiment has a pair of support shaft protrusions 92 that protrude outward in the second direction Y from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating unit 90 (rotating base 91). The support shaft protrusions 92 are inserted into support shaft holes 83 of the main body 80. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , with the support shaft protrusions 92 inserted into the support shaft holes 83, the rotating unit 90 is configured to be rotatable around the support shaft protrusions 92 as support shafts. A user can insert or remove the rotation base 91 into or from the adapter insertion hole 81 through the slit S2 by gripping the handle 95 and rotating the rotating unit 90. In other words, the rotating unit 90 can be switched between a fixed state and an unlocked state.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 15 , the pivot base 91 according to this embodiment has recesses 93 formed from each of the opposing surfaces 91 a toward the outside in the second direction Y. In the fixed state, the protrusions 73 of the adapter 70 are fitted into the recesses 93 (see also FIGS. 12 and 16C ). In this embodiment, at least a portion of the inner surface of the recess 93 forms a convex curved surface 93 a as shown in FIG. 15 . The shape of the curved surface 93 a may be, for example, a circular arc or an elliptical arc when viewed from the second direction Y. The curved surface 93 a is located at the front end of the pivot base 91. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16C , in the fixed state, the curved surface 93 a abuts against the protrusions 73 from behind. This fixes the adapter 70 (optical connector assembly 2) to the adapter insertion hole 81 (main body 80).

[0062] Next, a method for connecting the female connector 1F and the male connector 1M using the receptacle 3 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0063] First, male connectors 1M are inserted one by one into a plurality of connector insertion holes 82 formed in receptacle 3, and engaging claws 33 are engaged with engaging holes 82a (see FIG. 12). Receptacle 3 may be fixed to a panel or the like provided in a data center. Next, the female connectors 1F (optical connectors 1) are inserted one by one into the multiple connector insertion holes 71 formed in the adapter 70, and the engaging claws 33 are engaged with the engaging holes 72 (see FIG. 11). In other words, the optical connector assembly 2 is assembled using the adapter 70 and the multiple female connectors 1F.

[0064] Next, the optical connector assembly 2 is inserted into the adapter insertion hole 81 of the receptacle 3. As shown in Fig. 16A, when the optical connector assembly 2 is inserted, the rotating portion 90 is in an unfixed state.

[0065] 16B, the rotating part 90 is rotated from the non-fixed state to the fixed state, whereby the curved surface 93a of the rotating part 90 comes into contact with the protrusion 73 of the adapter 70.

[0066] Here, the curved surface 93a according to this embodiment is configured to gradually press the protrusion 73 forward as the rotating portion 90 rotates from the non-fixed state to the fixed state. In other words, the engagement between the curved surface 93a and the protrusion 73 converts the rotational movement of the rotating portion 90 into linear movement of the adapter 70 (optical connector assembly 2) in the longitudinal direction Z. The convex shape of the curved surface 93a may be adjusted as appropriate so that the direction of movement can be smoothly changed by the curved surface 93a and the protrusion 73.

[0067] 16C, when the rotating portion 90 is rotated from the unlocked state to the locked state, the adapter 70 moves forward. This allows each female connector 1F to be pressed toward the male connector 1M against the biasing force of the biasing member 40. In other words, the biasing members 40 of the connectors 1F, 1M are contracted in the longitudinal direction Z, and the ferrules 10 can be connected to each other by the biasing force of the biasing members 40.

[0068] As described above, by using the rotational movement of the rotating portion 90 to connect the connectors 1F, 1M, this principle can be utilized in connecting the connectors 1F, 1M. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the user connects the connectors 1F, 1M by directly pressing the female connector 1F against the male connector 1M, for example, the force that the user must apply when connecting the connectors 1F, 1M can be reduced.

[0069] As described above, when the rotating portion 90 is rotated to the fixed state, the curved surface 93a and the protrusion 73 engage with each other, and the adapter 70 (optical connector assembly 2) is fixed to the adapter insertion hole 81 (main body 80). To remove the optical connector assembly 2 from the receptacle 3, the user rotates the rotating portion 90 from the fixed state to the unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the curved surface 93a and the protrusion 73 move away from each other, allowing the optical connector assembly 2 to be removed from the adapter insertion hole 81 (main body 80). The user can remove the optical connector assembly 2 from the receptacle 3 by pulling the optical connector assembly 2 after the rotating portion 90 is in the unlocked state.

[0070] According to the optical connection structure 100 of this embodiment, after inserting the optical connector assembly 2 into the adapter insertion hole 81, it is also possible to remove the female connectors 1F one by one from the receptacle 3. That is, the user can remove each female connector 1F individually from the adapter 70 by pulling the handle 57 of the female connector 1F that the user wants to remove.

[0071] Next, the operations of the optical connector 1, the optical connector assembly 2, and the optical connection structure 100 configured as above will be described.

[0072] Conventionally, optical connectors with a floating structure have been known. An optical connector with a floating structure includes, for example, a ferrule, a biasing member, a spring push, and a housing in which these three components are accommodated. To mechanically connect the ferrule of one optical connector to the ferrule of another optical connector, a floating mechanism is required for the ferrule. To apply the floating mechanism while maintaining the positional relationship of these three components, a housing that is one size larger than the housing is used to accommodate these three components. However, when an optical connector has a housing, it is naturally difficult to arrange multiple optical connectors at intervals shorter than the dimensions of the housing. In other words, the presence of the housing places an upper limit on the arrangement density of optical fibers. Therefore, an optical connector without a housing has been desired to further improve the arrangement density of optical fibers.

[0073] To address the above-described problem, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment has a holding member 20 that holds the ferrule 10, which has an engaging portion 23, and a spring push 30 that has an engaged portion 35 that engages with the engaging portion 23. With this configuration, by engaging the engaging portion 23 with the engaged portion 35, the positional relationship between the ferrule 10 held by the holding member 20, the spring push 30, and the biasing member 40, which biases the ferrule 10 forward by abutting one end against the holding member 20 and the other end against the spring push 30, can be maintained. In other words, the floating mechanism can be maintained without a housing. Therefore, the biasing member 40 is maintained in a state in which it exerts a biasing force on the ferrule 10, and the ferrule 10 is maintained in a floating state in which it can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction Z. Furthermore, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment does not have a housing that individually accommodates the optical connectors 1. This allows for increased arrangement density of the optical connectors 1 and the optical fibers F accommodated in the optical connectors 1. Furthermore, by using the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize an optical connector assembly 2 and an optical connection structure 100 in which the arrangement density of the optical fibers F is increased.

[0074] As described above, the optical connector 1 of this embodiment comprises a ferrule 10 having a connection end face 10a with an open fiber hole 11 through which an optical fiber F is inserted, a holding member 20 that holds the ferrule 10, a spring push 30, and a biasing member 40 that biases the ferrule 10 by having one end abut against the holding member 20 and the other end abut against the spring push 30, wherein the holding member 20 has an engaging portion 23, and the spring push 30 has an engaged portion 35 that engages with the engaging portion 23.

[0075] This configuration makes it possible to maintain the positional relationship between the ferrule 10, the biasing member 40, and the spring push 30, even without a housing. Furthermore, because the optical connector 1 does not have a housing, the arrangement density of the optical connector 1 and the optical fibers F housed in the optical connector 1 can be increased.

[0076] Furthermore, the holding member 20 has an extending portion 22 that extends toward the spring push 30 and penetrates the biasing member 40, and the engaging portion 23 is provided on the extending portion 22. With this configuration, the extending portion 22 that engages with the engaged portion 35 can be easily realized.

[0077] The engaged portion 35 is a hole (engaged hole 35) into which at least a part of the engaging portion 23 (first engaging protrusion 24) is inserted, and the engaging portion 23 and the engaged hole 35 engage with each other so as to prevent the holding member 20 from falling off the spring push 30 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 40 and to allow the spring push 30 and the holding member 20 to approach each other. With this configuration, it is possible to easily realize the engaged portion 35 that engages with the engaging portion 23 so as to maintain the ferrule 10 in a floating state.

[0078] Moreover, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment further includes a release member 50 that covers at least a portion of the spring push 30 from the outside in the radial direction (second direction Y), the spring push 30 has an engagement claw 33 that engages with the adapter 70, and when the release member 50 is pulled rearward, the release member 50 bends the engagement claw 33 in the radial direction (second direction Y), thereby releasing the engagement between the engagement claw 33 and the adapter 70. With this configuration, the optical connector 1 can be easily removed from the adapter 70 using the release member 50.

[0079] The release member 50 also has a first member 50A and a second member 50B that are connected to each other so as to sandwich at least a portion of the spring push 30 in the radial direction (second direction Y). This configuration improves the workability when attaching the release member 50 to the spring push 30. More specifically, even after the optical fiber F has been inserted into the spring push 30, the release member 50 can be easily attached to the spring push 30.

[0080] Moreover, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment further includes a restricting portion 60 that restricts the release member 50 from falling off backward from the spring push 30. This configuration can improve the workability of inserting and removing the optical connector 1 into and from the adapter 70 using the release member 50.

[0081] Moreover, the optical connector assembly 2 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of the optical connectors 1 described above and an adapter 70 into which the plurality of optical connectors 1 are inserted, and the adapter 70 has a plurality of engagement holes 72 that engage with the plurality of engagement claws 33. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an optical connector assembly 2 that increases the arrangement density of the optical fibers F. Furthermore, because the optical connector 1 does not have a housing, it is possible to make the optical connector assembly 2 more compact than a configuration in which an optical connector with a housing is inserted into an adapter.

[0082] Moreover, the optical connection structure 100 according to this embodiment includes the above-described optical connector assembly 2, a main body 80, and a receptacle 3 having a rotating portion 90 attached to the main body 80. The rotating portion 90 is attached to the main body 80 so as to be switchable by rotation between a fixed state in which the optical connector assembly 2 is fixed to the main body 80 and an unlocked state in which the optical connector assembly 2 can be removed from the main body 80. The adapter 70 has a protrusion 73 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the adapter 70, and the rotating portion 90 is provided with a convex curved surface 93a that gradually presses the protrusion 73 forward as the adapter 70 rotates from the unlocked state to the locked state. This configuration makes it possible to realize an optical connection structure 100 in which the arrangement density of the optical fibers F is increased. Furthermore, the force that a user must apply when connecting optical connectors 1 (female connector 1F and male connector 1M) to each other can be reduced by the principle of leverage.

[0083] 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.

[0084] For example, in the above embodiment, the holding member 20 is described as functioning as a pin clamp, but the configuration of the holding member 20 is not limited to this. That is, the holding member 20 does not have to have the guide pins 25 and the guide pin holding holes 26. In this case, the ferrule 10 does not have to have the guide holes 12. The holding member 20 may hold the ferrule 10 by a mechanism other than the guide pins 25.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the engaged portion 35 is described as a hole (engaged hole 35) that opens on the upper or lower surface of the small diameter portion 32 and communicates with the through hole 37, but the configuration of the engaged portion 35 is not limited to this. The engaged hole 35 does not have to penetrate all the way to the outer surface of the small diameter portion 32 as long as it opens on the inner surface (through hole 37) of the small diameter portion 32. Alternatively, the engaged portion 35 does not have to be a hole. As long as the engaging portion 23 and the engaged portion 35 are engageable as in the above embodiment, the configuration of the engaged portion 35 (and the engaging portion 23) can be changed as appropriate.

[0086] Furthermore, the engagement hole 72 formed in the adapter 70 does not have to penetrate all the way to the outer circumferential surface of the adapter 70 as long as it opens to the inner circumferential surface of the connector insertion hole 71 .

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the configuration of male connector 1M and the configuration of female connector 1F are the same, but the configuration of male connector 1M may be different from the configuration of female connector 1F as long as male connector 1M can be fixed to connector insertion hole 82 of receptacle 3. The configuration of connector insertion hole 82 of receptacle 3 may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of male connector 1M.

[0088] Furthermore, the direction in which the release member 50 is divided is not limited to the second direction Y. The release member 50 may be divided in the first direction X or in a direction perpendicular to the central axis O of the optical connector 1 other than the first direction X and the second direction Y (i.e., a radial direction). Furthermore, the release member 50 does not have to be separable into the first member 50A and the second member 50B. The release member 50 may be a cylindrical member formed as an integral unit.

[0089] Furthermore, the optical connector 1 does not necessarily have to have the release member 50 or the restricting portion 60.

[0090] The positions at which the engaging claws 33 are provided and the bending direction of the engaging claws 33 can be changed as needed. In this case, the positions of the engaging holes 72 in the adapter 70 can be changed as needed depending on the positions and bending direction of the engaging claws 33.

[0091] Furthermore, the direction of rotation of the rotating portion 90 relative to the main body portion 80 can be changed as appropriate.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rotating portion 90, which is a mechanism for generating a force to press the connectors 1F, 1M together (hereinafter referred to as the connecting mechanism), is provided in the receptacle 3, but the connecting mechanism may also be provided in the optical connector assembly 2 (adapter 70). However, if the connecting mechanism is provided in the optical connector assembly 2, the size of the optical connector assembly 2 increases, making it difficult to accommodate the optical connector assembly 2 in, for example, the towing end. A configuration in which the connecting mechanism (rotating portion 90) is provided in the receptacle 3, as in the above embodiment, is also preferable in that it makes it easier to miniaturize the optical connector assembly 2.

[0093] 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]

[0094] 100...Optical connection structure 1...Optical connector 2...Optical connector assembly 3...Receptacle 10...ferrule 10a...connection end face 11...fiber hole 20...holding member 23...engaging portion 30...spring push 33...engaging claw 35...engaged portion (engaged hole) 40...urging member 50...releasing member 50A...first member 50B...second member 60...regulating portion 70...adapter 72...engaging hole 73...projection portion 80...main body portion 90...rotating portion 93a...curved surface

Claims

1. a ferrule having a connection end surface with a fiber hole through which the optical fiber is inserted; a holding member for holding the ferrule; Spring push and a biasing member having one end abutting against the holding member and the other end abutting against the spring push, thereby biasing the ferrule; the holding member has an extension portion that extends toward the spring push and penetrates the biasing member, and an engagement portion; the spring push has an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion, The optical connector, wherein the engagement portion is provided on the extension portion.

2. the engaged portion is a hole into which at least a part of the engaging portion is inserted, 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other so as to prevent the holding member from falling off the spring push due to the biasing force of the biasing member and to allow the spring push and the holding member to approach each other.

3. Further provided is a release member that covers at least a portion of the spring push from the radially outer side, The spring push has an engagement claw that engages with the adapter, 3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the direction from the ferrule toward the spring push is referred to as the rearward direction, and when the release member is pulled rearward, the release member bends the engagement claw radially inward, thereby releasing the engagement between the engagement claw and the adapter.

4. 4. The optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the release member has a first member and a second member connected to each other so as to sandwich at least a portion of the spring push in a radial direction.

5. The optical connector according to claim 3 , further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the release member from falling rearward from the spring push.

6. a plurality of optical connectors according to claim 3; the adapter into which the plurality of optical connectors are inserted, The adapter has a plurality of engagement holes that engage with the plurality of engagement claws.

7. The optical connector assembly according to claim 6; a receptacle having a main body and a pivoting portion attached to the main body; the rotating portion is attached to the main body portion so as to be switchable by rotation between a fixed state in which the optical connector assembly is fixed to the main body portion and an unlocked state in which the optical connector assembly is allowed to be removed from the main body portion; The adapter has a protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the adapter, The optical connection structure, wherein the rotating portion is provided with a convex curved surface that gradually presses the protrusion forward as the rotating portion rotates from the unlocked state to the locked state.

Images