Optoelectronic composite connector

Abstract

To provide a fiber optical composite connector that can reduce a tensile load to an optical fiber.SOLUTION: A fiber optical composite connector 100 is the connector that connects to one end of a fiber optical composite cable having an optical fiber and a plurality electric lines housed. The fiber optical composite connector 100 comprises: a board 40a; a first terminal block 60a which is provided in the board 40a, and to which a first electric line of the plurality of electric lines 300 is connected; and a second terminal block 60b to which a second electric line of the plurality of electric lines 300 is connected. Further, the fiber optical composite connector 100 comprises a fiber optical transceiver module which is provided on the board 40a, flush with a plane of the board 40a, and located between the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b, and to which the optical fiber 200 is connected. Furthermore, the fiber optical composite connector 100 comprises a first housing part and second housing part that have a rugged-shaped protrusion part 81 for holding the first electric line and second electric line, giving the first electric line and second electric line an excess length part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an optical and electrical composite cable that combines an optical fiber for realizing optical signal transmission for transmitting a large amount of data and an electrical wire for electrical signal transmission for transmitting control and power supply signals. Further, an optical and electrical composite connector attached to an end portion of this optical and electrical composite cable has been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses an optical and electrical composite connector including an electrical connector portion and an optical connector portion in a housing. The optical and electrical composite connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 connects an electric wire and an optical fiber to the electrical connector portion and the optical connector portion, respectively, within the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, the electric wires and optical fibers used in an optical and electrical composite cable have different physical strengths. For example, an electric wire is formed by coating a core wire such as a copper wire with resin or the like and is durable against a tensile load in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, an optical fiber is formed of glass or plastic, and because of its small wire diameter, it is weak against elongation and contraction in the longitudinal direction and has low durability against a tensile load. Therefore, for example, in the optical and electrical composite connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a tensile load concentrates on the optical fiber that is weak against elongation and contraction, the optical fiber may break.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide an optical-electric composite connector that can reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An optical-electric composite connector according to an aspect of the present invention is an optical-electric composite connector for connecting to one end of an optical-electric composite cable containing an optical fiber and a plurality of electric wires, comprising: a substrate; a first terminal block provided on the substrate to which a first electric wire among the plurality of electric wires is connected; a second terminal block provided on the substrate to which a second electric wire among the plurality of electric wires is connected; a photoelectric conversion module provided on the substrate, located on the same plane on the substrate between the first terminal block and the second terminal block, to which an optical fiber is connected; a first housing portion connected to the first terminal block and housing a part of the first electric wire; and a second housing portion connected to the second terminal block and housing a part of the second electric wire, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion have protruding portions with an uneven shape for holding the first electric wire and the second electric wire with an excess length. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical-electric composite connector that can reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a camera system to which the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the transmitting unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 3A] This is a schematic diagram of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment, viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. [Figure 3B] This is a schematic diagram of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment, viewed from below in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. [Figure 4A]This is a schematic diagram illustrating tensile stress in the connector of an optical-electric composite cable. [Figure 4B] This is a schematic diagram illustrating tensile stress in the connector of an optical-electric composite cable. [Figure 5A] This is a schematic diagram illustrating tensile stress in the connector of an optical-electric composite cable. [Figure 5B] This is a schematic diagram illustrating tensile stress in the connector of an optical-electric composite cable. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 7A] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the housing portion of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 7B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the housing portion of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 8A] This is a schematic diagram of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment, viewed from a plan view perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. [Figure 8B] This is a schematic diagram of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment, viewed from a plan view perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic diagram of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment, viewed from a plan view perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. [Figure 9B] This is a schematic diagram of the optical-electric composite connector according to this embodiment, viewed from a plan view perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The optical-electric composite connector 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios. In addition, in the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera system to which the optoelectronic composite connector 100 according to the present embodiment is applied. For example, in order to realize the recent development of autonomous driving, it is necessary to install cameras and a large number of sensors on a vehicle and transmit a large amount of data acquired by the cameras and sensors. Further, with the increase in the data transfer speed accompanying the increase in the resolution of the camera, optical signal transmission capable of transmitting a large amount of data is required.

[0011] The camera system shown in FIG. 1 includes a video function, a communication function, and a photoelectric conversion function, and includes a transmission unit 10 that transmits the video acquired by the camera. The camera system also includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) function and includes a reception unit 20 that receives the image data and control signals transmitted from the transmission unit 10. The transmission unit 10 and the reception unit 20 are connected by an optical fiber 200 and a plurality of electric wires 300.

[0012] The optical fiber 200 enables high-speed communication at, for example, several Gbps and is used to transmit image data in the camera system. The optical fiber 200 is formed of glass or plastic. The electric wire 300 is used to transmit control signals and power supply signals and realizes low-speed communication at, for example, several Mbps. The electric wire 300 is formed, for example, by coating a core wire such as a copper wire with resin or the like.

[0013] The video function in the transmission unit 10 includes a lens unit 11, an image sensor 12, and an EEPROM 15 (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The video function acquires the video acquired via the lens unit 11 as video data in the image sensor 12 according to the parameters stored in the EEPROM.

[0014] In addition, as a communication function, the transmission unit 10 includes a serializer 13 and an OSC 16 (transmission circuit, oscillator). The serializer 13 serializes (converts to a serial format) the video data acquired by the image sensor 12 according to the frequency generated by the OSC 16.

[0015] Furthermore, as a photoelectric conversion function, the transmission unit 10 includes a FOT 14 (fiber optical transceiver), a power supply circuit 17, and an optical-electric composite connector 100. The FOT 14 converts the electrical signal, which is the video data serialized by the serializer 13, into an optical signal and sends it to the optical-electric composite connector 100. The optical-electric composite connector 100 is a connector for connecting to one end of the optical fiber 200 and the electric wire 300. Details of the optical-electric composite connector 100 will be described later.

[0016] The reception unit 20 includes an optical-electric composite connector 100, a FOT 21, a deserializer 22, a SOC 23, and an output circuit 24. The optical-electric composite connector 100 is a connector for connecting to one end of the optical fiber 200 and the electric wire 300, similar to the optical-electric composite connector of the above-described transmission unit 10. The FOT 21 is a photoelectric conversion module that converts the video data of the optical signal received by the optical-electric composite connector 100 of the reception unit 20 into an electrical signal. The deserializer 22 deserializes (converts to a parallel format) the video data converted into an electrical signal by the FOT 21 and sends it to the SOC 23. The SOC 23 (System On Chip) is a unit for controlling the functions of the transmission unit 10 and the reception unit 20 via control lines, and is configured to include, for example, a CPU and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0017] In other words, the camera system, based on a control signal from the SOC23, transmits the image acquired via the lens unit 11 as image data to the SOC23 via the optical fiber 200, where predetermined processing is performed. Alternatively, the SOC23 transmits the acquired image data to an external processing unit (not shown), where predetermined processing is performed. Here, predetermined processing is, for example, processing such as analysis of image data used for autonomous driving. In this embodiment, the optical-electrical composite connector 100 is a connector for the optical fiber 200 and electric wires 300 that connect the transmitting unit 10 and the receiving unit 20. The optical fiber 200 and the multiple electric wires 300 are housed in an optical-electrical composite cable.

[0018] In this embodiment, the optical-electric composite connector 100 in the transmitting unit 10 and the receiving unit 20 has the same configuration, and the optical-electric composite connector 100 of the transmitting unit 10 will be described below.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the transmitter unit 10. As shown in Figure 2, the transmitter unit 10 is constructed by stacking components inside the camera module housing 30. The transmitter unit 10 is also layered by boards 40a, 40b, and 40c. Boards 40a, 40b, and 40c are connected by BtoB connectors 50 (Board to Board Connectors). The topmost board 40a in the vertical direction in Figure 2 is equipped with an FOT 14 and a terminal block 60. Hereafter, unless it is necessary to distinguish between boards 40a, 40b, and 40c, they will simply be referred to as "board 40".

[0020] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the circuit board 40a as viewed from the top in the vertical direction in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3A, two wires 300 are connected to each of the terminal blocks 60 on both sides of the FOT14. In this embodiment, wires 300a and 300b are communication lines (control lines), wire 300c is the GND line, and wire 300d is the power line.

[0021] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of the circuit board 40a viewed from the bottom in the vertical direction in Figure 2. In Figure 3B, the BtoB connector 50 and the power supply circuit 17 are shown.

[0022] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating the tensile stress on the substrate 40a when an optical fiber 200 is connected to the FOT14 and an electric wire 300 is connected to the terminal block 60. In the example shown in Figure 4A, the FOT14 is fixed to the substrate 40a by a solder fillet 70.

[0023] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram showing the state when tensile stress is applied to the optical fiber 200 and the electric wire 300 from the upper part perpendicular to the substrate 40a, in the example shown in Figure 4A. As shown in Figure 4B, when a tensile load is applied to the optical fiber 200 and the electric wire 300, strain occurs in the substrate 40a. Furthermore, this strain on the substrate 40a results in a greater force being applied at the location of FOT14.

[0024] In response to this tensile load, tensile stress is generated in the direction opposite to the tensile direction. The tensile stress is given by the following equation (1): δ is the tensile strength (MPa), F is the maximum tensile load (N), and A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the test specimen (mm²). 2 ) indicates. δ = F / A ···(1)

[0025] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the tensile stress when the terminal blocks 60 are spaced close together. Figure 5A is the same as the example shown in Figure 4A, except that the terminal blocks 60 are spaced close together.

[0026] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing the state when a tensile load is applied to the optical fiber 200 and the electric wire 300 from the upper part perpendicular to the substrate 40a, in the example shown in Figure 5A. As shown in Figure 5B, when a tensile load is applied to the optical fiber 200 and the electric wire 300, strain occurs in the substrate 40a. Furthermore, this strain on the substrate 40a is greater at the location of FOT14. Here, based on the above equation (1), in Figure 5B, the cross-sectional area A is smaller than in the example shown in Figure 4B. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 5B, the value of the tensile stress shown in equation (1) is larger than in the example shown in Figure 4B, and the strain on the substrate 40a is smaller than in Figure 4B.

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the optical-electric composite connector 100 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a wire housing 80 and an optical fiber housing 90 are provided in contact with the terminal block 60 and FOT 14, respectively. In the example shown in Figure 6, wire 300a is the first communication line, and wire 300c is the GND line. Wire 300a, which is the first communication line, corresponds to the first wire. Wire 300c, which is the GND line, corresponds to the second wire.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the optical-electric composite connector 100 includes a first terminal block 60a provided on a substrate 40a to which a first communication line among the multiple wires 300 is connected, and a second terminal block 60b provided on the substrate 40a to which a GND line among the multiple wires 300 is connected. The optical-electric composite connector 100 also includes an FOT14 (photoelectric conversion module) provided on the substrate 40a, located on the same plane on the substrate 40a, between the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b, to which the optical fiber 200 is connected.

[0029] The optical fiber housing 90 is a housing (protective member) for supporting the optical fiber 200. The optical fiber 200 is supported in a substantially straight line by the irregularities inside the optical fiber housing 90. Note that the presence or absence of the optical fiber housing 90 does not limit the configuration of this embodiment.

[0030] The wire housing 80 is a housing that houses a portion of the electric wire 300. In the example shown in Figure 6, the wire housing 80 connected to the first terminal block 60a is referred to as wire housing 80a, and the wire housing 80 connected to the second terminal block 60b is referred to as wire housing 80c. Wire housing 80a corresponds to the first housing section, and wire housing 80c corresponds to the second housing section.

[0031] The wire housings 80a and 80c have protrusions 81 with an uneven shape for holding the first communication line and the GND line with excess length. The wire 300 is supported by the uneven protrusions 81 inside the wire housing 80, causing it to bend in a meandering manner and flex within the wire housing 80. In this embodiment, the state in which the wire 300 is held with excess length inside the wire housing 80 is such that the excess length is fixed so that it does not come undone when the wire 300 is pulled from the outside.

[0032] In other words, the electric wire 300 is supported so as to bend inside the electric wire housing 80, and a tensile load is applied to it outside the electric wire housing 80. Furthermore, the electric wire housing 80 is located on both sides of the FOT 14 to which the optical fiber 200 is connected. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the electric wire 300 will be pulled first. In other words, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the tensile load on the optical fiber 200 can be reduced.

[0033] Figure 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the electric wire 300 in the electric wire housing 80 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7A, the electric wire 300 is held in a meandering manner by the unevenly shaped protrusions 81 inside the electric wire housing 80. As a result, the unevenly shaped protrusions 81 inside the electric wire housing 80 cause the electric wire 300 to bend, and an excess length is created in the electric wire 300 while it is held inside the electric wire housing 80. Consequently, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, the electric wire 300 is pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0034] The internal structure of the wire housing 80 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 7A, as long as it holds the wire 300 with an excess length. For example, as shown in Figure 7B, the internal structure of the wire housing 80 may be configured such that the wire 300 is spirally bent. By holding the wire 300 spirally inside the wire housing 80 in this way, it becomes possible to hold the wire with a larger excess length inside the wire housing 80, and the wire 300 will be under stress outside the wire housing 80. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, the wire 300 will be pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200 more significantly.

[0035] Furthermore, at least one wire housing 80 is provided on top of the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b. Figures 8A and 8B are plan views showing an example where one wire housing 80 is provided on top of the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b. That is, Figures 8A and 8B are plan views of the substrate 40a from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 8A, wire housings 80a and 80c are provided for the first communication wire 300a and the GND wire 300c. The wires 300a and 300c are held within the housings 80a and 80c with excess length. In other words, the wires 300a and 300c are under tension in the wiring portion outside the housing compared to when there is no housing.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8A, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 (the position of the optical fiber 200 in Figure 8A) lies on a straight line connecting the outlet of the electric wire 300a in the electric wire housing 80a and the outlet of the electric wire 300c in the electric wire housing 80c. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the electric wires 300a and 300c are pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200. Note that in Figures 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 corresponds to the position indicated by the optical fiber 200 in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40a. Similarly, the outlet of the electric wire 300 in the electric wire housing 80 corresponds to the position indicated by the electric wire 300 in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40a.

[0038] Similarly, in the example shown in Figure 8B, wire housings 80 are provided for the first communication wire 300a and the power supply wire 300d. The wire housing 80 corresponding to wire 300a is designated as wire housing 80a, and the wire housing 80 corresponding to wire 300d is designated as wire housing 80d. Wires 300a and 300d are held within the housings 80a and 80d with excess length. In other words, the wires 300a and 300d are under tension in the wiring portion outside the housing compared to the case without a housing.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8B, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 lies on a straight line connecting the outlet of wire 300a in wire housing 80a and the outlet of wire 300d in wire housing 80d. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, wires 300a and 300d are pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0040] Figure 9A is a plan view showing an example in which two wire housings 80 are provided on the upper part of the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b, respectively. That is, Figures 9A and 9B are plan views taken from above, perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40a.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 9A, wire housings 80 are provided for the communication wires 300a and 300b, the GND wire 300c, and the power supply wire 300d. Wire 300b corresponds to the third wire, and wire 300d corresponds to the fourth wire.

[0042] The wire housings 80 corresponding to wires 300a to 300d are designated as wire housings 80a to 80d, respectively. Wire housing 80b corresponds to the third housing section, and wire housing 80d corresponds to the fourth housing section.

[0043] The electric wires 300a to 300d are held within the electric wire housings 80a to 80d, with excess length remaining within the housing. In other words, the electric wires 300a to 300d are under more tension in the wiring portion outside the housing compared to when there is no housing.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9A, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 is located within a rectangular region formed by connecting the outlets of the electric wires 300 in the electric wire housings 80a to 80d. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the electric wires 300a to 300d are pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0045] Figure 9B is a plan view showing an example where two wire housings 80 are provided on top of the first terminal block 60a and one is provided on top of the second terminal block 60b.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 9B, wire housings 80 are provided for the communication wires 300a and 300b, and the GND wire 300c. The wire housings 80 corresponding to wires 300a, 300b, and 300c are designated as wire housings 80a, 80b, and 80c, respectively. The wires 300a, 300b, and 300c are held within the housings 80a, 80b, and 80c with excess length. In other words, the wires 300a, 300b, and 300c are under tension in the wiring portions outside the housings compared to the case without housings.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9B, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 is located inside the region formed by connecting the outlets of the electric wires 300 in the electric wire housings 80a, 80b, and 80c. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the electric wires 300a, 300b, and 300c are pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0048] As described above, the optical-electric composite connector 100 according to this embodiment is a connector for connecting to one end of an optical-electric composite cable that houses an optical fiber and a plurality of electric wires. The optical-electric composite connector 100 comprises a substrate 40a, a first terminal block 60a provided on the substrate 40a to which a first electric wire among the plurality of electric wires 300 is connected, and a second terminal block 60b to which a second electric wire among the plurality of electric wires 300 is connected. The optical-electric composite connector 100 also comprises a photoelectric conversion module provided on the substrate 40a, located on the same plane on the substrate 40a between the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b, to which the optical fiber 200 is connected. The optical-electric composite connector 100 also comprises an electric wire housing 80a and an electric wire housing 80c having protruding parts 81 with an uneven shape for holding the first electric wire and the second electric wire with excess length portions.

[0049] As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the electric wire 300 will be pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200. The electric wire housing 80a corresponds to the first housing section, and the electric wire housing 80c corresponds to the second housing section.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7A, the wire housings 80a and 80c may hold the first and second wires in a meandering manner with excess length portions provided by the protrusions 81. In this way, the optical-electric composite connector 100 holds the wires 300 in a meandering manner due to the protrusions 81 with an uneven shape inside the wire housing 80. As a result, the protrusions 81 with an uneven shape inside the wire housing 80 cause the wires 300 to bend, and excess length portions are created while the wires 300 are held inside the wire housing 80. Consequently, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the wires 300a and 300c are pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7B, the wire housings 80a and 80c may hold the first and second wires in a spiral shape with excess length by the protruding portion 81. By holding the wire 300 in a spiral shape inside the wire housing 80 in this way, it becomes possible to hold a larger excess length inside the wire housing 80, and the wire 300 will be under stress outside the wire housing 80. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, the wire 300 will be pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200 more significantly.

[0052] Furthermore, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in the FOT14 (photoelectric conversion module) may be located on a straight line connecting the outlet of the first wire in the wire housing 80a and the outlet of the second wire in the wire housing 80c. This ensures that when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the wires 300a and 300d are pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0053] Furthermore, the FOT 14 may also be further provided with a wire housing 80b connected to the first terminal block 60a and having a protruding portion 81 with an uneven shape for holding a portion of the third wire among the multiple wires 300 with an excess length. Also, the fiber connection point in the FOT 14 may be located inside the region formed by connecting the outlet of the first wire in the wire housing 80a, the outlet of the second wire in the wire housing 80c, and the outlet of the third wire in the wire housing 80b. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, the wires 300a, 300b, and 300d will be pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0054] Furthermore, the FOT14 may also include a wire housing 80d connected to the second terminal block 60b, which has a protruding portion 81 with an uneven shape for holding a portion of the fourth wire among the multiple wires 300 with an excess length. The connection point of the optical fiber 200 in the FOT14 may be located inside a rectangular area formed by connecting the outlets of the first to fourth wires in the wire housings 80a to 80d. As a result, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, the wires 300a to 300d will be pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0055] (Other embodiments) While embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, these embodiments are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the components described above include those easily conceivable by those skilled in the art, and those that are substantially the same. Moreover, the configurations described above can be combined as appropriate. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 81 provided inside the wire housing 80 was shown to have a triangular cross-sectional shape, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B. However, the structure of this protrusion 81 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. For example, the protrusion 81 may have a rectangular or semicircular cross-sectional shape. In other words, as long as the protrusion 81 has an uneven shape that allows it to hold a portion of the electric wire 300 with an excess length inside the wire housing 80, this embodiment does not limit its shape.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, Figure 9A shows the case where the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 is located within a rectangular region formed by connecting the outlets of the first to fourth wires in the wire housings 80a to 80d. Figure 9B also shows the case where the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 is located within a region (triangle) formed by connecting the outlets of the first to third wires in the wire housings 80a to 80c. These regions formed by connecting the outlets of the wires 300 are not limited to triangles and quadrilaterals. For example, when there are more than four wires 300, the connection point of the optical fiber 200 in FOT14 may be located within a region of five sides or more.

[0058] The features of the optical-electric composite connector 100 are described below.

[0059] The first embodiment of the optical-electric composite connector 100 is an optical-electric composite connector for connecting to one end of an optical-electric composite cable containing an optical fiber and a plurality of electric wires. The optical-electric composite connector 100 comprises a substrate 40a, a first terminal block 60a provided on the substrate 40a to which a first electric wire among the plurality of electric wires 300 is connected, and a second terminal block 60b provided on the substrate 40a to which a second electric wire among the plurality of electric wires 300 is connected. The optical-electric composite connector 100 also comprises a photoelectric conversion module provided on the substrate 40a, located on the same plane on the substrate 40a between the first terminal block 60a and the second terminal block 60b, to which the optical fiber 200 is connected. The optical-electric composite connector 100 also comprises a first housing portion connected to the first terminal block 60a and housing a portion of the first electric wire, and a second housing portion connected to the second terminal block 60b and housing a portion of the second electric wire. Furthermore, the first and second housing portions of the optical-electric composite connector 100 have protruding portions 81 with an uneven shape for holding the first and second wires with excess length.

[0060] According to the above configuration, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the first and second wires will be pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the first and second housing portions of the optical-electric composite connector 100 may hold the first and second electric wires with a meandering excess length provided by the protruding portion 81.

[0062] According to the above configuration, the first and second wires of the optical-electric composite connector 100 are held in a meandering manner by the protruding portions 81 with an uneven shape inside the first and second housing portions. As a result, the protruding portions 81 with an uneven shape inside the first and second housing portions cause the first and second wires to bend, and excess length is created in the first and second wires while they are held inside the wire housing 80. Consequently, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the first and second wires are pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0063] In the third embodiment, the first and second housing portions of the optical-electric composite connector 100 may hold the first and second wires with a spiral excess length provided by the protruding portion 81.

[0064] According to the above configuration, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electrical composite connector 100, the first and second wires will be pulled first, making it possible to reduce the tensile load on the optical fiber 200 to a greater extent.

[0065] In the photoelectric conversion module according to the fourth embodiment, the connection point of the optical fiber may be on a straight line connecting the outlet of the first wire in the first housing and the outlet of the second wire in the second housing, when viewed from above in a plan view perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40a.

[0066] According to the above configuration, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the first and second wires will be pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0067] The optical-electric composite connector 100 according to the fifth embodiment may further include a third housing portion connected to a first terminal block 60a and having a protruding portion 81 with an uneven shape for holding a portion of the third wire among the plurality of wires 300 with an excess length. The connection point of the optical fiber 200 in the photoelectric conversion module may be located inside a region formed by connecting the respective outlets of the first wire to the third wire in the first housing portion to the third housing portion, in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40a.

[0068] According to the above configuration, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the first wire, the second wire, and the third wire will be pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200.

[0069] The optical-electric composite connector 100 according to the sixth embodiment may further include a fourth housing portion connected to a second terminal block 60b and having a protruding portion 81 with an uneven shape for holding a portion of the fourth wire among the plurality of wires 300 with an excess length. The connection point of the optical fiber 200 in the photoelectric conversion module may be located inside a rectangular region formed by connecting the exit points of the first wire to the fourth wire in the first housing portion to the fourth housing portion, in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40a.

[0070] According to the above configuration, when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector 100, the wires 300a to 300d will be pulled first, thereby reducing the tensile load on the optical fiber 200. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 14, 21 FOT 40, 40a~40c substrate 60 terminal block 60a Terminal Block 1 60b 2nd terminal block 80, 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d Electrical wire housing 90 Fiber Optic Housing 100 Optical-electric composite connectors 200 optical fibers 300, 300a~300d electric wire

Claims

1. An optical-electric composite connector for connecting to one end of an optical-electric composite cable containing optical fibers and multiple electric wires, circuit board and A first terminal block is provided on the substrate, to which the first wire among the plurality of wires is connected, A second terminal block is provided on the aforementioned substrate, to which the second wire among the plurality of wires is connected, A photoelectric conversion module provided on the substrate, located on the same plane on the substrate, between the first terminal block and the second terminal block, to which the optical fiber is connected, A first housing portion connected to the first terminal block and housing a portion of the first electric wire, It comprises a second housing section connected to the second terminal block and housing a portion of the second electric wire, The first housing portion and the second housing portion support the first electric wire and the second electric wire so that they bend inside the first housing portion and the second housing portion, respectively, and have protruding portions with an uneven shape for holding the first electric wire and the second electric wire with excess length. The first and second electric wires are supported so as to bend inside the first and second housing portions, respectively, so that a tensile load is applied to the outside of the first and second housing portions, and when a tensile load is applied to the optical-electric composite connector, they are pulled before the optical fibers. Optical-electric composite connector.

2. The first housing portion and the second housing portion hold the first electric wire and the second electric wire in a meandering manner with the excess length portion provided by the protruding portion. The optical-electric composite connector according to claim 1.

3. The first housing portion and the second housing portion hold the first electric wire and the second electric wire in a spiral shape with the protruding portion. The optical-electric composite connector according to claim 1.

4. The connection point of the optical fiber in the photoelectric conversion module lies on a straight line connecting the outlet of the first wire in the first housing and the outlet of the second wire in the second housing, in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The optical-electric composite connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The third housing portion is connected to the first terminal block and has a protruding portion with an uneven shape for holding a portion of the third wire among the plurality of wires with an excess length, The connection point of the optical fiber in the photoelectric conversion module is located within the region formed by connecting the outlet of the first wire in the first housing portion, the outlet of the second wire in the second housing portion, and the outlet of the third wire in the third housing portion, in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The optical-electric composite connector according to claim 1.

6. The fourth housing portion is connected to the second terminal block and has a protruding portion with an uneven shape for holding a portion of the fourth wire among the plurality of wires with an excess length, The connection point of the optical fiber in the photoelectric conversion module is located within a rectangular region formed by connecting the outlet of the first wire in the first housing, the outlet of the second wire in the second housing, the outlet of the third wire in the third housing, and the outlet of the fourth wire in the fourth housing, in a plan view from above in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The optical-electric composite connector according to claim 5.

Images