Optical connector and method for assembling optical connector

Abstract

An optical connector (1) comprises an optical fiber (F), a ferrule (10), a housing (20) that holds the ferrule (10), a coupling (30) surrounding the housing (20), and a biasing member (50) that biases the coupling (30) in the direction of a connecting end face (11) of the ferrule (10), wherein when the coupling (30) is not mounted, the biasing member (50) is rotatable about an axis (O) extending in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the fiber holes (12) when the coupling (10) is unmounted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector and a method for assembling an optical connector. The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-106473 filed in Japan on June 28, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector including a ferrule, a housing, a coupling, and the like. The coupling is biased toward the front side (the connection end face side of the ferrule) by a biasing member. A coil spring is generally used as the biasing member. The coupling has a function of maintaining the state where the optical connector is connected to an adapter. When releasing the connection between the optical connector and the adapter, the coupling is pulled rearward (the side opposite to the connection end face). This allows the engagement between the adapter and the optical connector to be released. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-13309 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In a conventional optical connector, the coil spring that biases the coupling is disposed between the housing and the coupling. Here, in a state before the optical connector is connected to the adapter, the coupling may be detached for purposes such as reducing the bulk of the optical connector. In a conventional optical connector, when the coupling is detached, the biasing member easily falls off from the housing. As a result, there is a problem that the work of assembling the optical connector is difficult to perform.

[0005] This invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances and aims to provide an optical connector and a method for assembling an optical connector that can be easily assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, an optical connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises an optical fiber, a ferrule having a fiber hole through which the optical fiber is inserted and a connecting end face through which the fiber hole opens, a housing that holds the ferrule, a coupling that surrounds the housing, and a biasing member that biases the coupling toward the connecting end face, wherein, when the coupling is not attached, the biasing member is rotatable about an axis that extends in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1, wherein the biasing member may be a leaf spring.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a recess capable of housing the biasing member, and a support portion for rotatably supporting the biasing member is disposed inside the recess.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical connector according to any of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the biasing member may have a base end supported by the support portion, a contact portion in contact with the housing, and a biasing portion located between the base end and the contact portion and in contact with the coupling.

[0010] Aspect 5 of the present invention is an optical connector according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the recess has a rear storage portion located behind the support portion, and the length of the rear storage portion in the longitudinal direction may be greater than the length from the base end to the contact portion.

[0011] Aspect 6 of the present invention is a method for assembling an optical connector according to any of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the optical connector without the coupling is removed from inside the traction end, the biasing member is rotated about the axis, and the housing is inserted inside the coupling. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical connector and a method for assembling an optical connector that can be easily assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the optical connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the connector before the coupling is attached. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the rotation of the biasing member in the connector. [Figure 5] This figure follows Figure 4 and is a perspective view showing how the coupling is attached to the connector. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the biasing member in Figure 2. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the state in which multiple connectors are housed inside the towing end. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a modified optical connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The optical connector and assembly method of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connector 1 includes a plurality of optical fibers F, a ferrule 10, a housing 20, and a coupling 30. The optical connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 and other figures is a male type and includes two positioning pins 40. However, the optical connector 1 may be a female type. That is, the optical connector 1 does not necessarily need to include the positioning pins 40. The number of optical fibers F can be changed, and may be one.

[0015] The ferrule 10 has a connection end face 11, a plurality of fiber holes 12, and two positioning holes 13. The number of fiber holes 12 can be changed, and may be one. An optical fiber F is inserted through the fiber hole 12. However, some of the fiber holes 12 do not necessarily need to have an optical fiber F inserted therethrough. That is, the number of optical fibers F may be smaller than the number of fiber holes 12. The fiber holes 12 and the positioning holes 13 open to the connection end face 11. The end face of the optical fiber F is exposed on the connection end face 11.

[0016] (Direction Definition) A direction in which the fiber holes 12 extend is referred to as a longitudinal direction Z. In the longitudinal direction Z, the connection end face 11 side (+Z side) is referred to as the front or the distal end side. The opposite side (-Z side) is referred to as the rear or the proximal end side. A direction in which the two positioning holes 13 are arranged is referred to as a parallel direction X. The plurality of fiber holes 12 are arranged in the parallel direction X. A direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction Z and the parallel direction X is referred to as an orthogonal direction Y.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector 1 includes two biasing members 50, a spring push 60, a ferrule spring 70, and a pin clamp 80. The biasing members 50 bias the coupling 30 forward. The ferrule spring 70 biases the ferrule 10 forward. The ferrule spring 70 is a coil spring. The plurality of optical fibers F are inserted through an inner side of the ferrule spring 70.

[0018] The pin clamp 80 is disposed rearward of the ferrule 10. The pin clamp 80 holds the positioning pins 40. The pin clamp 80 also has a function of transmitting the biasing force of the ferrule spring 70 to the ferrule 10. The ferrule spring 70 is compressed between the pin clamp 80 and the spring push 60. This generates the elastic force (biasing force) of the ferrule spring 70.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the housing 20 includes a front member 20a and a rear member 20b. The rear member 20b may function as a so-called boot. A boot is a portion provided at the rear end of the optical connector 1 to alleviate bending stress generated in the optical fiber. The boot is preferably formed of a soft material such as rubber. The front member 20a and the rear member 20b may be formed of different materials from each other. However, the housing 20 may also be configured as a single member.

[0020] Inside the housing 20, the ferrule 10, the spring push 60, the ferrule spring 70, the pin clamp 80, and the like are accommodated. The spring push 60 has a spring seat 61 and two locking portions 62. The spring seat 61 is in contact with the rear end of the ferrule spring 70. The two locking portions 62 extend forward from the spring seat 61. The two locking portions 62 are respectively locked into the two locking holes 23 of the housing 20.

[0021] The two biasing members 50 are disposed at both ends of the housing 20 in the parallel direction X. In other words, the two biasing members 50 sandwich the housing 20 therebetween in the parallel direction X. In the present embodiment, the biasing members 50 are leaf springs. Each biasing member 50 includes a base end portion 51, an abutting portion 52, and a biasing portion 53. The biasing member 50 is bent at the biasing portion 53. In other words, the straight line connecting the base end portion 51 and the biasing portion 53 is not parallel to the straight line connecting the abutting portion 52 and the biasing portion 53. The angle formed by these two straight lines is an obtuse angle.

[0022] One biasing member 50 is supported by two support parts 63 (see Figure 1) of a spring push 60 and one rotating shaft 64 (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the orthogonal direction Y, the base end 51 is C-shaped, and the rotating shaft 64 is inserted inside it. The rotating shaft 64 extends in the orthogonal direction Y. Both ends of the rotating shaft 64 in the orthogonal direction Y are supported by the two support parts 63. With this configuration, the biasing member 50 is rotatable about an axis O (see Figure 1) extending in the orthogonal direction Y. The rotating shaft 64 may be integrated with the support parts 63. Alternatively, the rotating shaft 64 may be separate from the support parts 63.

[0023] Hereinafter, as shown in Figure 2, the state in which the biasing portion 53 is positioned in front of the base end portion 51 will be referred to as the "assembled state." As shown in Figure 3, the state in which the biasing portion 53 is positioned behind the base end portion 51 will be referred to as the "pre-assembly state."

[0024] In this embodiment, two support parts 63 and one rotation axis 64 are used to rotatably support one biasing member 50. In other words, the optical connector 1 has a total of four support parts 63 and two rotation axes 64. However, the specific structure can be changed as long as the biasing member 50 can be rotatably supported.

[0025] The housing 20 has two recesses 20c capable of housing two biasing members 50. The recesses 20c are formed spanning the front member 20a and the rear member 20b. Each of the two recesses 20c has a front storage section 21 formed in the front member 20a and a rear storage section 22 formed in the rear member 20b. The support section 63 is located inside the recesses 20c. The front storage section 21 is located in front of the support section 63, and the rear storage section 22 is located behind the support section 63. In the parallel direction X, the depth of the rear storage section 22 is greater than that of the front storage section 21. Preferably, the depth of the rear storage section 22 is set so that the entire biasing member 50 can be housed. However, when the biasing member 50 is housed in the rear storage section 22, a part of the biasing member 50 may protrude from the rear storage section 22.

[0026] Figures 3 to 5 show the assembly of the optical connector 1. Figure 3 shows the state before the coupling 30 is attached to the housing 20. In this state (pre-assembly state), the biasing member 50 is stored in the rear storage section 22. When assembling the optical connector 1, the two biasing members 50 are rotated forward (towards the +Z side) as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the two biasing members 50 are stored in the front storage section 21 as shown in Figure 5. In this state (assembled state), the coupling 30 is moved backward (towards the -Z side) relative to the housing 20 as shown by arrow A in Figure 5. This results in the state shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the assembly of the optical connector 1 is completed.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 20 has one inclined surface 24, two front restricting surfaces 25, and two rear restricting surfaces 26. The front restricting surface 25 and the rear restricting surfaces 26 face each other in the longitudinal direction Z. As shown in Figure 5, the coupling 30 has two restricting parts 32. When the coupling 30 is moved as indicated by arrow A in Figure 5, each restricting part 32 moves while in contact with the inclined surface 24 (see Figure 3).

[0028] When the restricting portion 32 crosses over the front restricting surface 25 to the rear, the restricting portion 32 is sandwiched between the front restricting surface 25 and the rear restricting surface 26. The coupling 30 can move rearward relative to the housing 20 until the restricting portion 32 contacts the rear restricting surface 26. Also, the coupling 30 can move forward relative to the housing 20 until the restricting portion 32 contacts the front restricting surface 25. In this way, the restricting portion 32, the front restricting surface 25, and the rear restricting surface 26 define the range of movement of the coupling 30 relative to the housing 20.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, when the biasing member 50 is stored in the front storage section 21, the contact portion 52 contacts the inner surface of the front storage section 21. The dashed line in Figure 6 shows the shape of the biasing member 50 before the coupling 30 is mounted on the housing 20. In other words, the dashed line shows the shape of the biasing member 50 before it undergoes elastic deformation. Before the coupling 30 is mounted, the biasing portion 53 of the biasing member 50 protrudes outward from the recess 20c (front storage section 21) in the parallel direction X.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, a contact surface 31 is formed on the inner wall of the coupling 30, which contacts the biasing portion 53. The contact surface 31 is inclined inward in the parallel direction X as it extends forward (towards the +Z side). When the coupling 30 is mounted on the housing 20, the contact surface 31 pushes the biasing portion 53 inward in the parallel direction X. As a result, the biasing member 50 undergoes elastic deformation. Because the contact surface 31 is inclined, a portion of the elastic force of the biasing member 50 acts as a component force that biases the coupling 30 forward (towards the +Z side). In this way, the biasing member 50 biases the coupling 30 forward.

[0031] Next, the operation of the optical connector 1 configured as described above will be explained. In the following explanation, the optical connector 1 in the state where the coupling 30 is not attached to the housing 20 will be referred to as "connector 1a".

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the connector 1a may be temporarily housed inside the traction end 100. The traction end 100 is used when laying the optical cable C in a building or the like. In particular, the traction end 100 is preferably used when laying the optical cable C in a narrow space such as a microduct. The optical cable C has multiple connectors 1a. The traction end 100 is temporarily attached to the end of the optical cable C. The traction end 100 has a tubular body 101, a head 102, and a pulling eye 103. Multiple connectors 1a are housed inside the tubular body 101. The head 102 is attached to the end of the tubular body 101. The pulling eye 103 is fixed to the head 102.

[0033] When laying optical cable C, the work is carried out, for example, in the following steps. First, prepare the optical cable C (cable with traction end) with the traction end 100 attached. In the state of the cable with traction end, it is not attached to the coupling 30 in the housing 20. In the state of the cable with traction end, the biasing member 50 is stored in the rear storage section 22. Next, pull the pulling eye 103 and insert the optical cable C into a microduct or similar.

[0034] Next, remove the optical cable C from the traction end 100 to expose connector 1a. Next, the biasing member 50 is rotated forward around axis O and stored in the front storage section 21 (see Figure 4). Next, the coupling 30 is attached to the housing 20 (see Figure 5). This completes the assembly of the optical connector 1.

[0035] To streamline the process of constructing the optical fiber line, it is desirable to accommodate more connectors 1a inside the traction terminal 100. In this embodiment, the connectors 1a are housed inside the traction terminal 100 without the coupling 30 attached. When viewed from the longitudinal direction Z, the projected area of ​​the connector 1a is smaller than the projected area of ​​the optical connector 1. This is because the coupling 30 is not attached in the state of the connector 1a. In other words, more connectors 1a can be housed inside the traction terminal 100 because the coupling 30 is absent.

[0036] In this embodiment, the biasing member 50 is rotatable about an axis O that extends in a direction different from the longitudinal direction Z. This configuration allows the biasing member 50 to transition from the pre-assembly state (Figure 3) to the assembled state (Figure 2, etc.). In the assembled state, the biasing member 50 protrudes from the recess 20c. In the pre-assembly state, the amount of protrusion of the biasing member 50 is less than in the assembled state. In this embodiment, in the pre-assembly state, the entire biasing member 50 is stored in the recess 20c.

[0037] In this way, by housing multiple connectors 1a in their unassembled state inside the traction end 100, the projected area of ​​the connectors 1a as viewed from the longitudinal direction Z can be made smaller. Furthermore, by rotating the biasing member 50 around the axis O, the assembly can be easily transitioned from the unassembled state to the assembled state. Since the biasing member 50 is supported by the support part 63, the biasing member 50 is less likely to fall out of the housing 20 even without the coupling 30. As a result, the assembly of the optical connector 1 can be easily performed.

[0038] As described above, the optical connector 1 of this embodiment comprises an optical fiber F, a ferrule 10 having a fiber hole 12 through which the optical fiber F is inserted and a connecting end face 11 through which the fiber hole 12 opens, a housing 20 that holds the ferrule 10, a coupling 30 surrounding the housing 20, and a biasing member 50 disposed between the housing 20 and the coupling 30 and biasing the coupling 30 forward. The biasing member 50 is rotatable about an axis O extending in a direction different from the longitudinal direction Z of the fiber hole 12 (for example, the orthogonal direction Y) when the coupling 30 is not attached to the housing 20.

[0039] With this configuration of optical connector 1, the position of the biasing member 50 can be easily changed from the pre-assembly state to the assembled state. Therefore, the orientation of the biasing member 50 can be easily changed from the pre-assembly state with a small projected area to the assembled state in which the coupling 30 can be biased. This increases the number of connectors 1a that can be accommodated at the traction end 100 and simplifies the assembly of the optical connector 1.

[0040] Furthermore, the biasing member 50 may be a leaf spring. In this case, the projected area of ​​the connector 1a can be made smaller. In other words, more connectors 1a can be accommodated at the traction end 100.

[0041] Furthermore, a support portion 63 that rotatably supports the biasing member 50 may be arranged inside the recess 20c. In this case, the projected area of ​​the connector 1a can be reduced compared to the case where the support portion 63 is outside the recess 20c.

[0042] Furthermore, the biasing member 50 may have a base end portion 51 supported by the support portion 63, a contact portion 52 that contacts the housing 20, and a biasing portion 53 that is located between the base end portion 51 and the contact portion 52 and contacts the coupling 30. With this configuration, the coupling 30 can be biased forward (towards the connecting end face 11) using the biasing member 50.

[0043] Furthermore, the recess 20c may have a rear storage portion 22 located behind the support portion 63. The length L1 of the rear storage portion 22 in the longitudinal direction Z may be greater than the length L2 from the base end portion 51 to the contact portion 52. With this configuration, the biasing member 50 can be stored in the rear storage portion 22 before the coupling 30 is attached. Therefore, the projected area of ​​the connector 1a in the pre-assembly state can be made smaller.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the assembly method for the optical connector 1 involves removing the connector 1a without the coupling 30 attached from inside the traction end 100, rotating the biasing member 50 around the axis O, and inserting the housing 20 inside the coupling 30. With this assembly method, more connectors 1a can be stored inside the traction end 100. Therefore, the efficiency of laying the optical cable C using the traction end 100 is improved.

[0045] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiment, the biasing member 50 and the recess 20c were arranged at both ends of the optical connector 1 in the parallel direction X. However, as shown in Figure 8, the biasing member 50 and the recess 20c may be arranged at both ends of the optical connector 1 in the orthogonal direction Y. Furthermore, the axis O that serves as the rotation center of the biasing member 50 may extend in the parallel direction X. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0047] Furthermore, axis O only needs to extend in a direction different from the longitudinal direction Z. The direction in which axis O extends does not need to coincide with the orthogonal direction Y or the parallel direction X. Furthermore, the support portion 63 that rotatably supports the biasing member 50 may be provided on the housing 20 instead of the spring push 60.

[0048] Furthermore, the recess 20c in the above embodiment had a front storage section 21 and a rear storage section 22. However, a structure in which the recess 20c does not have either the front storage section 21 or the rear storage section 22 is also possible. For example, even without the front storage section 21, the coupling 30 can be biased forward by the biasing member 50. Also, even without the rear storage section 22, if the projected area of ​​the connector 1a in the pre-assembly state is smaller than the projected area of ​​the connector 1a in the assembled state, the effect of "being able to accommodate more connectors 1a at the traction end 100" can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, the biasing member 50 does not have to be a leaf spring. If the biasing member 50 is rotatable about axis O and can easily transition from the pre-assembly state to the assembled state, the effect of improving ease of assembly can be obtained.

[0050] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1…Optical connector 10…Ferrule 11…Connecting end face 12…Fiber hole 20…Housing 20c…Recess 22…Rear storage section 30…Coupling 50…Biasing member 50…Biasing member 51…Base end 52…Contact section 53…Biasing section 63…Support section 100…Tension end F...Optical fiber O...Axis Z...Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. Optical fiber and A ferrule having a fiber hole through which the optical fiber is inserted and a connecting end face through which the fiber hole opens, A housing that holds the ferrule, A coupling surrounding the aforementioned housing, The coupling comprises a biasing member that biases the coupling in the direction of the connecting end face, The biasing member is rotatable about an axis extending in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole when the coupling is not attached, in an optical connector.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a leaf spring.

3. The housing has a recess capable of housing the biasing member, The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a support portion for rotatably supporting the biasing member is disposed inside the recess.

4. A ferrule spring that biases the ferrule in the direction of the connecting end face, The ferrule spring is compressed by a spring push, The spring push or the housing has a support portion that supports the biasing member, The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member has a base end supported by the support portion, a contact portion that contacts the housing, and a biasing portion located between the base end and the contact portion that contacts the coupling.

5. The housing has a recess capable of housing the biasing member, The recess has a rear storage portion located behind the support portion, The optical connector according to claim 4, wherein the length of the rear storage portion is greater than the length from the base end to the contact portion in the longitudinal direction.

6. A method for assembling an optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, From inside the towing end, remove the optical connector without the coupling attached, The biasing member is rotated about the axis, A method for assembling an optical connector, wherein the housing is inserted inside the coupling.

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