Optical connector and optical connection structure

Abstract

This optical connector (1) comprises: an optical fiber (2) having a glass fiber (20) and a resin covering portion (21) covering the glass fiber (20); a ferrule (3) having a ferrule main body (32) which holds the glass fiber (20) exposed from the resin covering portion (21), and a flange part (31) fixed to the ferrule main body (32); a housing (4) which accommodates the ferrule (3) and has inner wall surfaces (142, 143) opposing the ferrule (3); and an elastic member (12) which applies an elastic force in the longitudinal direction of the housing (4) to the ferrule (3). The housing (4) has a cavity (C) between the inner wall surfaces (142, 143) and the flange part (31). The engaging of the housing (4) and an adapter (50) causes at least a portion of the housing (4) including the inner wall surfaces (142, 143) to deform. The inner wall surfaces (142, 143) inhibit the rotation of the flange part (31) with respect to the housing (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical connector and an optical connection structure. This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2020-210490, filed on December 18, 2020, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application. [Background technology]

[0002] An optical connector includes a ferrule that holds an optical fiber and a housing that accommodates the ferrule. Optical connectors are required to maintain the optical connection between two optical fibers even when an external force or other impact is applied to the housing. Furthermore, optical connectors that connect optical fibers having an asymmetric cross-sectional structure, such as multi-core optical fibers or polarization-maintaining optical fibers, require that the orientation of each optical fiber around its central axis be determined before the two optical fibers are optically connected to each other via a sleeve.

[0003] In this regard, Non-Patent Document 1 employs a so-called Oldham coupling mechanism as a structure that meets these requirements. In the Oldham coupling structure, a coupling part is provided between the ferrule and the flange portion. This allows the ferrule to move in one direction relative to the coupling part, and the coupling part to move in a direction perpendicular to the one direction relative to the housing, thereby realizing floating of the ferrule relative to the housing. Furthermore, the coupling part prevents the ferrule from rotating. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ryo Nagase et al. “MU-type multicore fiber connector” Proceedings of the 61st IWCS Conference(2012) 823-827 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The optical connector disclosed herein engages with an adapter to achieve an optical connection. The optical connector includes: an optical fiber having a glass fiber with a core and a cladding covering the core; a resin coating covering the glass fiber, with an end of the glass fiber exposed from the resin coating; a ferrule having a ferrule body holding the glass fiber exposed from the resin coating; and a flange fixed to the ferrule body; a housing that accommodates the ferrule and has an inner wall surface facing the ferrule; and an elastic member accommodated in the housing and applying an elastic force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The housing has a space between the inner wall surface and the flange. The housing is configured so that at least a portion of the housing, including the inner wall surface, deforms upon engagement with the adapter, and the inner wall surface prevents rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing.

[0006] The optical connection structure of the present disclosure comprises an optical connector of the present disclosure, an optical component that faces the optical connector and is optically connected to the optical connector, a sleeve that optically connects the optical fiber of the optical connector to the optical fiber of the optical component, and an adapter that engages with the optical connector and the optical component. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment). [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing a cross section of a glass fiber included in the optical connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an optical fiber is attached to a ferrule included in the optical connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a front housing and a latch included in the optical connector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front housing taken along line VV shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical connector of FIG. 1 in a state before being engaged with an adapter. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which two optical connectors that are optically connected to each other are engaged with an adapter. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector after the optical connector has been engaged with an adapter and before the optical connector has been optically connected to a mating optical connector. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the ferrule is in a floating state relative to the front housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Problem to be solved by this disclosure] The Oldham coupling structure disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is a relatively complicated structure. Furthermore, the Oldham coupling structure increases the number of parts in the optical connector. Therefore, there is room for consideration of optical connectors with new structures that can solve these problems.

[0009] [Description of Implementation] An outline of the embodiment will be described. (1) The optical connector of the present disclosure is an optical connector that engages with an adapter to achieve an optical connection, and includes: a ferrule having an optical fiber having a core and a cladding that covers the core, and a resin coating that covers the glass fiber, with an end of the glass fiber exposed from the resin coating, a ferrule body that holds the glass fiber exposed from the resin coating, and a flange portion fixed to the ferrule body; a housing that accommodates the ferrule and has an inner wall surface that faces the ferrule; and an elastic member that is accommodated in the housing and applies an elastic force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the housing having a space between the inner wall surface and the flange portion, and the housing is configured so that at least a portion of the housing, including the inner wall surface, is deformed by engagement between the housing and the adapter, and the inner wall surface prevents rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing.

[0010] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide an optical connector that can realize positioning of the ferrule relative to the housing in terms of its orientation around the central axis of the ferrule with a relatively simple structure without increasing the number of parts of the optical connector.

[0011] In addition, since there is no need to process the housing with strict precision, the manufacturing cost of the optical connector can be reduced.Furthermore, when the ferrule is inserted into the housing, the flange portion can be effectively prevented from damaging the inner wall surface of the housing.

[0012] (2) The optical connector of the present disclosure may further include a latch fixed to the housing, and the latch may be configured to deform in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction when the housing engages with the adapter, thereby deforming at least a portion of the housing.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize the positioning of the ferrule relative to the housing in terms of its orientation around the central axis thereof with a relatively simple structure without increasing the number of parts of the optical connector.

[0014] (3) In the optical connector of the present disclosure, the flange portion may have a flat surface facing the inner wall surface, and the flat surface may be configured to contact the inner wall surface to prevent rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably achieve positioning of the ferrule relative to the housing in terms of its orientation around the central axis through surface contact between the inner wall surface of the housing and the flat surface of the flange portion.

[0016] (4) In the optical connector of the present disclosure, the inner wall surface has a first inner wall surface and a second inner wall surface that face each other via the ferrule in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the flange portion has a first surface that faces the first inner wall surface and a second surface that is located on the opposite side of the first surface and faces the second inner wall surface, and the first inner wall surface, the second inner wall surface, the first surface, and the second surface may be configured to prevent rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing by contact between the first inner wall surface and the first surface and contact between the second inner wall surface and the second surface.

[0017] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably achieve positioning of the ferrule relative to the housing in terms of its orientation around the central axis through surface contact between the first inner wall surface of the housing and the first surface of the flange portion, and surface contact between the second inner wall surface of the housing and the second surface of the flange portion.

[0018] (5) In the optical connector of the present disclosure, when the optical fiber is optically connected to an optical component, the ferrule moves in the longitudinal direction against the elastic force from the elastic member, the inner wall surface releasing the flange portion from rotation prevention, and the ferrule may become floating relative to the housing.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the optical fiber is optically connected to an optical component (e.g., another optical connector housed in the adapter), the inner wall surface of the housing releases the flange from rotational prevention, and the ferrule floats relative to the housing. In this way, even if the housing receives an external impact, the optical connection between the optical fiber and the optical component can be effectively prevented from being adversely affected.

[0020] (6) In the optical connector of the present disclosure, the optical fiber may be a multicore fiber, a polarization-maintaining fiber, or a bundle fiber.

[0021] When the optical fiber is a multicore fiber, a polarization-maintaining fiber, or a bundle fiber, positioning of the optical fiber in relation to its orientation around its central axis is required when the optical fiber is optically connected to an optical component such as another optical connector. On the other hand, with this configuration, the inner wall surface of the housing prevents the flange portion from rotating relative to the housing, making it possible to achieve positioning of the optical fiber in relation to its orientation around its central axis with a relatively simple structure without increasing the number of components of the optical connector.

[0022] (7) In the optical connector of the present disclosure, the housing may be made of a resin material.

[0023] In this case, since the housing is made of a resin material, at least a portion of the housing is likely to deform when the housing is accommodated in the adapter.

[0024] (8) In the optical connector of the present disclosure, the flange portion may be made of a metal material.

[0025] In this case, since the flange portion is made of a metal material, the inner wall surface of the housing can reliably restrict rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing.

[0026] (9) Alternatively, the flange portion may be made of a resin material.

[0027] In this case, since the flange portion is made of a resin material, when the ferrule is inserted into the housing, the flange portion Of Damage to the wall surface can be preferably prevented.

[0028] (10) The optical connection structure of the present disclosure includes the optical connector described in any one of items (1) to (9), an optical component that faces the optical connector and is optically connected to the optical connector, a sleeve that optically connects the optical fiber of the optical connector to the optical fiber of the optical component, and an adapter that engages with the optical connector and the optical component.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the inner wall surface of the housing prevents the flange portion from rotating relative to the housing, thereby ensuring reliable optical connection between the optical fiber of the optical connector and the optical fiber of an optical component (e.g., another optical connector). In particular, the sleeve achieves triaxial positioning of the two optical fibers, and the inner wall surface of the housing achieves positioning in the orientation around the central axis of the optical fiber of the optical connector. In this way, it is possible to reliably reduce connection loss between the two optical fibers.

[0030] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an optical connector that can realize orientation positioning around the central axis of the ferrule relative to the housing with a relatively simple structure without increasing the number of parts of the optical connector, and further to provide an optical connection structure that includes the optical connector.

[0031] [Details of the embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the dimensional ratios of the components shown in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensional ratios of the components. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions set for the optical connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as appropriate. Each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions is perpendicular to the other two directions. The X-axis direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the front housing 4 of the optical connector 1.

[0032] 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical connector 1 includes an optical fiber 2, a ferrule 3, a front housing 4, a latch 6, a rear housing 5, a clip 7, and a boot 8.

[0033] 2 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a glass fiber 20 included in the optical connector 1. The optical fiber 2 has a glass fiber 20 and a resin coating 21 that covers the glass fiber 20. In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the glass fiber 20 has a structure that is not axially symmetric with respect to a central axis (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, a multi-core fiber is used as an example of the optical fiber 2 that has a structure that is not axially symmetric with respect to the central axis.

[0034] The glass fiber 20 has a plurality of cores 24 through which signal light propagates, markers 25, and a cladding 23 that covers the plurality of cores 24 and the markers 25. The refractive index of each core 24 is greater than the refractive index of the cladding 23. The refractive index of the markers 25 is different from the refractive index of the cladding 23. The markers 25 are used to distinguish each of the cores 24 when adjusting the orientation around the central axis of the optical fiber 2 (rotational alignment). In the optical fiber 2, the end of the glass fiber 20 is exposed from the resin coating 21.

[0035] 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical fiber 2 is attached to the ferrule 3 included in the optical connector 1. The ferrule 3 has a ferrule body 32 that houses and supports the glass fiber 20 exposed from the resin coating 21, and a flange portion 31 fixed to the ferrule body 32.

[0036] The ferrule body 32 may be made of a metal material such as zirconia. The ferrule body 32 has a cylindrical shape extending in the X-axis direction. The ferrule body 32 has a through hole 320 extending in the X-axis direction. The glass fiber 20 is inserted into the through hole 320. The ferrule body 32 has a front side portion 321 that protrudes forward in the X-axis direction from the flange portion 31, and a rear side portion 322 that protrudes rearward in the X-axis direction from the flange portion 31. The glass fiber 20 is inserted from the rear side portion 322 toward the front side portion 321. With the glass fiber 20 held in the through hole 320, an end face of the glass fiber 20 is exposed from the through hole 320.

[0037] Furthermore, with the glass fiber 20 housed in the ferrule body 32, the optical fiber 2 is fixed to the ferrule 3 and the orientation of the optical fiber 2 around the central axis thereof is adjusted. That is, after the glass fiber 20 is housed in the ferrule body 32, the position of the core 24 around the central axis of the optical fiber 2 is determined through a rotational alignment process of the optical fiber 2. In this way, the optical fiber 2 is positioned relative to the ferrule 3.

[0038] The flange portion 31 may be made of a resin material or a metal material. The cross section of the flange portion 31 perpendicular to the X-axis direction is substantially rectangular. The flange portion 31 has an upper surface 312 (an example of a first surface), a lower surface 313 (an example of a second surface), a first side surface 314, and a second side surface 315. The lower surface 313 is different from the upper surface 312 in the Z-axis direction. ferrule The first side surface 314 is located on the opposite side of the central axis of the main body 32. The first side surface 314 is located between the upper surface 312 and the lower surface 313 in the Z-axis direction. The second side surface 315 is located between the upper surface 312 and the lower surface 313 in the Z-axis direction and is opposite to the first side surface 314 in the Y-axis direction. ferrule They are located on opposite sides across the central axis of the main body 32. In this embodiment, the upper surface 312, the lower surface 313, the first side surface 314, and the second side surface 315 of the flange portion 31 are all flat surfaces.

[0039] 4 is a perspective view showing a front housing 4 and a latch 6 included in the optical connector. The front housing 4 (an example of a housing) extends in the X-axis direction and houses a ferrule 3 and a spring 12 (an example of an elastic member). The front housing 4 is formed of, for example, a resin material. The front housing 4 has a front opening 42 on a front surface 40 and a rear opening 43 on a rear surface 41.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front housing 4 taken along line VV shown in Fig. 4. The front housing 4 has a front accommodating portion 44 connected to the front opening 42 and defined by an upper inner wall surface 146 and a lower inner wall surface 147 that face each other in the Z-axis direction, a rear accommodating portion 46 connected to the rear opening 43 and defined by an upper inner wall surface 144 and a lower inner wall surface 145 that face each other in the Z-axis direction, and an intermediate accommodating portion 45 located between the front accommodating portion 44 and the rear accommodating portion 46 and defined by an upper inner wall surface 142 (an example of a first inner wall surface) and a lower inner wall surface 143 (an example of a second inner wall surface).

[0041] The upper inner wall surface 142 is located between the upper inner wall surface 146 and the upper inner wall surface 144 in the X-axis direction. The lower inner wall surface 143 is located between the lower inner wall surface 147 and the lower inner wall surface 145 in the X-axis direction. The distance between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the lower inner wall surface 143 in the Z-axis direction is longer than the distance between the upper inner wall surface 146 and the lower inner wall surface 147 in the Z-axis direction. small At the same time, the distance between the upper inner wall surface 144 and the lower inner wall surface 145 in the Z-axis direction is small The front storage section 44 and the intermediate storage section 45 are in communication with each other, and the intermediate storage section 45 and the rear storage section 46 are in communication with each other.

[0042] The front portion 321 of the ferrule body 32 is accommodated in the front accommodating portion 44. The rear portion 322 of the ferrule body 32 is accommodated in the rear accommodating portion 46. The flange portion 31 of the ferrule 3 is accommodated in the intermediate accommodating portion 45.

[0043] The upper inner wall surface 142 has an upper tapered inner wall surface 142a and an upper locking surface 142b. The lower inner wall surface 143 has a lower tapered inner wall surface 143a and a lower locking surface 143b. The distance between the upper tapered inner wall surface 142a and the lower tapered inner wall surface 143a in the Z-axis direction gradually increases toward the rear accommodating portion 46. In this way, the upper tapered inner wall surface 142a and the lower tapered inner wall surface 143a make it possible to smoothly guide the flange portion 31 into the intermediate accommodating portion 45.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the front housing 4 before the optical connector 1 is engaged with the adapter 50 (see FIG. 7). A spring 12 is housed in the front housing 4 as an example of an elastic member. The spring 12 applies elastic force to the ferrule 3 in the X-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the front housing 4. Specifically, the spring 12 applies elastic force to the flange portion 31 in the +X-axis direction. Meanwhile, the flange portion 31 is in contact with the upper locking surface 142b and the lower locking surface 143b, and therefore is stationary in the intermediate housing portion 45. In other words, the normal force of the upper locking surface 142b and the lower locking surface 143b is balanced with the elastic force of the spring 12, and therefore the flange portion 31 is stationary at a predetermined position while in contact with the upper locking surface 142b and the lower locking surface 143b.

[0045] The upper inner wall surface 142 and the lower inner wall surface 143 face each other in the Z-axis direction via the flange portion 31 of the ferrule 3. The upper inner wall surface 142 faces the upper surface 312 of the flange portion 31, while the lower inner wall surface 143 faces the lower surface 313 of the flange portion 31. Before the optical connector 1 is accommodated in the adapter 50 shown in FIG. 7, a space C (clearance) is provided between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312, while the lower inner wall surface 143 and the lower surface 313 are in contact with each other. The dimension of the space C in the Z-axis direction is, for example, 100 μm or less. In this embodiment, the upper inner wall surface 142 and the lower inner wall surface 143 are configured to regulate the rotation of the flange portion 31.

[0046] A latch 6 is provided on an upper surface 48 of the front housing 4. The latch 6 is fixed to the front housing 4. In this regard, the latch 6 may be formed integrally with the front housing 4. The rear housing 5 engages with the front housing 4 and is located between the front housing 4 and the boot 8 in the X-axis direction. The rear housing 5 is formed of, for example, a resin material.

[0047] The clip 7 is provided on the upper surface 51 of the rear housing 5. The clip 7 may be formed integrally with the rear housing 5. When the rear housing 5 is engaged with the front housing 4, the clip 7 engages with the latch 6.

[0048] (Regarding the optical connection structure 100) Next, the optical connection structure 100 will be described below with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which two optical connectors 1, 1a, which are optically connected to each other, are engaged with an adapter 50. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical connector 1 in a state after the optical connector 1 has engaged with the adapter 50 and before it has been optically connected to the optical connector 1a. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the ferrule 3 is in a floating state with respect to the front housing 4. It should be noted that the adapter 50 is not shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

[0049] In this embodiment, the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 1a (an example of an optical component) are optically connected to each other through the adapter 50. The optical connector 1a has the same configuration as the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment.

[0050] 7 and 9, the optical connection structure 100 includes an optical connector 1, an optical connector 1a, a sleeve 30, and an adapter 50. The optical connector 1a faces the optical connector 1 in the X-axis direction and is optically connected to the optical connector 1. The optical connector 1a includes an optical fiber (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction, a ferrule 3a, a front housing 4a, a latch 6a, a rear housing 5a, a clip 7a, and a boot 8a.

[0051] The sleeve 30 is a split sleeve with a slit formed therein extending in the X-axis direction. A front portion 321 of the ferrule 3 is inserted into the sleeve 30 from one end side of the sleeve 30, while a front portion of the ferrule 3a is inserted into the sleeve 30 from the other end side of the sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 is configured to optically connect the optical fiber 2 of the optical connector 1 and the optical fiber of the optical connector 1a.

[0052] The adapter 50 engages with the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 1a. As shown in FIG. 7 , the optical connector 1 is inserted into the adapter 50 from one end 53 of the adapter 50, while the optical connector 1a is inserted into the adapter 50 from the other end 54 of the adapter 50. With the optical connector 1 engaged with the adapter 50, the front housing 4 of the optical connector 1 is accommodated in the adapter 50. Similarly, with the optical connector 1a engaged with the adapter 50, the front housing 4a of the optical connector 1a is accommodated in the adapter 50.

[0053] When the optical connector 1 engages with the adapter 50, the latch 6 engages with a portion of the adapter 50. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 , the latch 6 deforms in the −Z-axis direction. In this case, at least a portion of the front housing 4 deforms in accordance with the deformation of the latch 6 in the −Z-axis direction. Specifically, the upper inner wall surface 142 connected to the base end 62 of the latch 6 in the Z-axis direction deforms in accordance with the deformation of the tip end 61 of the latch 6 in the −Z-axis direction. In particular, a force is applied to the upper inner wall surface 142 in accordance with the deformation of the latch 6 in the −Z-axis direction, so that the upper inner wall surface 142 moves slightly in the −Z-axis direction. As a result, the space C formed between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312 of the flange portion 31 disappears, and the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312 come into contact with each other.

[0054] In this way, through the surface contact between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312 of the flange portion 31 and the surface contact between the lower inner wall surface 143 and the lower surface 313 of the flange portion 31, rotation of the flange portion 31 relative to the front housing 4 is prevented. In particular, through these surface contacts, it is possible to prevent rotation of the flange portion 31 about the central axis Ax of the flange portion 31 relative to the front housing 4.

[0055] Because rotation of the flange portion 31 relative to the front housing 4 is prevented, the orientation of the optical fiber 2 fixed to the ferrule body 32 about its central axis is also fixed. This makes it possible to preferably prevent a situation in which the orientation of the optical fiber 2 about its central axis (the position of the core 24) changes as the ferrule 3 rotates when the front portion 321 of the ferrule body 32 is housed in the sleeve 30. In this way, it is possible to preferably prevent a situation in which the connection loss between the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 1a increases as the orientation of the optical fiber 2 about its central axis changes, making it possible to provide an optical connection structure 100 with improved optical characteristics.

[0056] 9, when the optical fiber 2 of the optical connector 1 is optically connected to the optical fiber of the optical connector 1a, the ferrule 3 moves in the -X-axis direction against the elastic force of the spring 12. As a result, the flange portion 31 located in the intermediate housing portion 45 moves to the rear housing portion 46, and the rotation prevention of the flange portion 31 by the upper inner wall surface 142 and the lower inner wall surface 143 is released. Furthermore, the ferrule 3 is brought into a floating state with respect to the front housing 4. In other words, the ferrule 3 is movable in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction with respect to the front housing 4.

[0057] In this way, when the optical fiber 2 of the optical connector 1 is optically connected to the optical fiber of the optical connector 1a, even if the front housing 4 receives an external impact, the optical connection between the optical fiber 2 and the optical fiber of the optical connector 1a can be preferably prevented from being adversely affected.

[0058] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an optical connector 1 that can achieve positioning of the ferrule 3 relative to the front housing 4 in terms of its orientation around the central axis with a relatively simple structure without increasing the number of parts of the optical connector 1. Furthermore, before the optical connector 1 is inserted into the adapter 50, a space C is formed between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the top surface 312 of the flange portion 31. This eliminates the need to process the front housing 4 with strict precision, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the optical connector 1. Furthermore, the space C can effectively prevent the upper inner wall surface 142 from being damaged by the flange portion 31 when the ferrule 3 is inserted into the front housing 4.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the upper surface 312 and the lower surface 313 of the flange portion 31 are formed as flat surfaces, and therefore, through the surface contact between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312 and the surface contact between the lower inner wall surface 143 and the lower surface 313, it is possible to reliably achieve positioning of the ferrule 3 with respect to the orientation around the central axis Ax of the ferrule 3 relative to the front housing 4.

[0060] When the flange portion 31 is made of a metal material, the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312 of the flange portion are in reliable surface contact, and the lower inner wall surface 143 and the lower surface 313 of the flange portion 31 are in reliable surface contact. In this way, through the surface contact between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the upper surface 312 and the surface contact between the lower inner wall surface 143 and the lower surface 313, it is possible to reliably achieve positioning of the ferrule 3 relative to the front housing 4 in terms of its orientation around the central axis.

[0061] On the other hand, if the flange portion 31 is made of a resin material, the upper inner wall surface 142 and the lower inner wall surface 143 are preferably prevented from being damaged by the flange portion 31 when the ferrule 3 is accommodated in the front housing 4.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, since the front housing 4 is made of a resin material, at least a portion of the front housing 4 (upper inner wall surface 142) is likely to deform as the latch 6 deforms in the −Z-axis direction.

[0063] Although the embodiments have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the description of the embodiments. The embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Thus, the technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0064] For example, in this embodiment, the optical fiber 2 may be a polarization-maintaining fiber or a bundle fiber. The polarization-maintaining fiber has a pair of stress-applying portions, a core disposed between the pair of stress-applying portions and through which signal light propagates, and a cladding covering the pair of stress-applying portions and the core. When a polarization-maintaining fiber is used as the optical fiber 2, it is possible to suitably suppress crosstalk between the optical connector 1 and the optical connector 1a. Furthermore, the bundle fiber includes a bundle of multiple single-core fibers.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the flange portion 31 perpendicular to the X-axis direction is not particularly limited. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the flange portion 31 may be triangular or D-shaped. Even if the cross-sectional shape of the flange portion 31 is triangular or D-shaped, it is possible to prevent rotation of the flange portion 31 through contact between the upper inner wall surface 142 and the flange portion 31.

[0066] Furthermore, the optical connector 1 does not necessarily need to be provided with the latch 6. For example, the front housing 4 and the adapter 50 may be designed so that the upper inner wall surface 142 is deformed when the front housing 4 is accommodated in the adapter 50. For example, by devising the dimensions of the accommodation portion of the adapter 50 in which the front housing 4 is accommodated, it is possible to deform the upper inner wall surface 142 when the front housing 4 is accommodated in the adapter 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1,1a: Optical connector 2: Optical fiber 3, 3a: Ferrule 4,4a: Front housing 5,5a: Rear housing 6,6a:Latch 7,7a:Clip 8,8a:Boots 12: Spring 20: Glass fiber 21: Resin coating 23: Clad 24: Core 25: Marker 30: Sleeve 31: Flange part 32: Ferrule body 44: Front storage compartment 45: Intermediate storage unit 46: Rear storage compartment 50: Adapter 61:Tip 62: Proximal end 100: Optical connection structure 142: Upper inner wall 142a: Upper tapered inner wall surface 142b: Upper locking surface 143: Lower inner wall surface 143a: Lower tapered inner wall surface 143b: Lower locking surface 144: Upper inner wall 145: Lower inner wall surface 146: Upper inner wall 147: Lower inner wall surface 312:Top surface 313: Bottom surface 314:First aspect 315:Second side 320:Through hole 321: Front side 322: Rear side

Claims

1. An optical connector that engages with an adapter to achieve an optical connection, an optical fiber having a glass fiber having a core and a clad covering the core, and a resin coating covering the glass fiber, with an end of the glass fiber exposed from the resin coating; a ferrule having a ferrule body that holds the glass fiber exposed from the resin coating and a flange portion fixed to the ferrule body; a housing that accommodates the ferrule and has an inner wall surface that faces the ferrule; an elastic member accommodated in the housing and applying an elastic force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction of the housing; Equipped with the housing has a space between the inner wall surface and the flange portion, The housing is configured such that, upon engagement between the housing and the adapter, at least a portion of the housing including the inner wall surface is deformed, the space is eliminated by the deformation, the inner wall surface and the flange portion come into surface contact with each other, and the inner wall surface prevents rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing. Optical connector.

2. a latch secured to the housing; The latch is configured to deform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction when the housing engages with the adapter, thereby deforming at least a portion of the housing.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1.

3. the flange portion has a flat surface facing the inner wall surface, The flat surface is configured to contact the inner wall surface to prevent rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the inner wall surface has a first inner wall surface and a second inner wall surface that face each other with the ferrule interposed therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, The flange portion is a first surface facing the first inner wall surface; a second surface located opposite the first surface and facing the second inner wall surface; the first inner wall surface, the second inner wall surface, the first surface, and the second surface are configured to prevent rotation of the flange portion relative to the housing by contact between the first inner wall surface and the first surface and contact between the second inner wall surface and the second surface.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When the optical fiber is optically connected to an optical component, the ferrule moves in the longitudinal direction against the elastic force from the elastic member; The inner wall surface is released from the rotation prevention of the flange portion, and the ferrule is brought into a floating state relative to the housing. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The optical fiber is a multicore fiber, a polarization-maintaining fiber, or a bundle fiber. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The housing is made of a resin material. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The flange portion is made of a metal material. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The flange portion is made of a resin material. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9; an optical component that faces the optical connector and is optically connected to the optical connector; a sleeve that optically connects the optical fiber of the optical connector and the optical fiber of the optical component; an adapter that engages with the optical connector and the optical component; An optical connection structure comprising:

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