Optical connection component and optical connection method

Abstract

An optical connection component (1) according to one embodiment comprises: an adapter (10) to which an optical connector (2) that has a ferrule (3) holding an optical fiber (F) is connected; and a lever member (20) which is attached to the adapter (10) rotatably about a central axis (L) that extends along a first direction (D1) intersecting with the optical axis direction (D3) of the optical fiber (F). The adapter (10) has a latch (11) with which the optical connector (2) that moves along the optical axis direction (D3) engages. The lever member (20) has a movement mechanism (23) which rotates about the central axis (L) toward the optical connector (2) so as to cause the optical connector (2) to move along the optical axis direction (D3).

Description

Optical connection component and optical connection method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical connecting component and an optical connecting method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an optical connecting component that optically connects a pair of optical connectors via an adapter. The optical connector includes an inner connector body that houses a first ferrule and a second ferrule, and a rear connector body connected to the inner connector body. The first ferrule and the second ferrule each hold an optical fiber. The rear connector body has a handle extending in the opposite direction from the inner connector body. The inner connector body has a latch arm that extends in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber. The adapter has a groove that engages with the latch arm.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an optical connector. The optical connector includes an optical receptacle and an optical plug inserted into the optical receptacle. The optical plug has an engaging portion that engages with the optical receptacle. The engaging portion includes an engaging piece that hooks onto the optical receptacle and a protrusion that fits into a hole formed in the optical receptacle.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes an adapter assembly. The adapter assembly includes an adapter, a plug to be inserted into the adapter, and a ferrule holder that functions as an optical connector to be inserted into the plug. The ferrule holder accommodates a plurality of ferrules that hold optical fibers. The ferrule holder has a latch that extends obliquely upward from the top surface. The ferrule holder is attached to the plug by engaging the latch with the plug.

[0005] Patent Document 4 describes a connector assembly. The connector assembly has a first connector portion and a second connector portion that connect to each other along a connection direction. The first connector portion has a base and a lever rotatably attached to the base. The lever rotates about a rotation axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction. By rotating the lever, the second connector portion is connected to the first connector portion.

[0006] Patent Document 5 describes an adapter holding mechanism. In the adapter holding mechanism, a first optical fiber group and a second optical fiber group are connected to each other via an adapter. The adapter holding structure further includes four closure members that cover the first optical fiber group and the second optical fiber group, respectively. Two of the four closure members hold the first optical fiber group, and the remaining two hold the second optical fiber group. Each closure member is attached to the adapter so as to be able to swing. By each closure member covering the first optical fiber group or the second optical fiber group, optical connection between the first optical fiber group and the second optical fiber group is achieved.

[0007] Patent Document 6 describes a connection structure for an optical connector. This connection structure includes a plug receptacle having a port and a plug connector to be inserted into the port. The connection structure further includes a release member that allows the plug connector to be removed from the port.

[0008] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0227720 US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0257064 US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0255403 US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0006893 US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0331862 International Publication No. 2022 / 036119

[0009] The optical connecting component according to the present disclosure includes an adapter to which an optical connector having a ferrule for holding an optical fiber is connected, and a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter about a central axis extending along a first direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the optical fiber. The adapter has a latch with which the optical connector, which moves along the optical axis direction, engages. The lever member has a movement mechanism that rotates toward the optical connector about the central axis to move the optical connector along the optical axis direction.

[0010] An optical connection method according to the present disclosure is an optical connection method for optically connecting an optical connector having an optical fiber to a mating connector via an adapter, the optical connection method including a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter about a central axis extending along a first direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the optical fiber, and includes a step of rotating the lever member toward the optical connector about the central axis to move the optical connector in the optical axis direction and engage the optical connector with a latch provided on the adapter.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connecting part according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical connecting part according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical connector of the optical connecting part according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the optical connector of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the optical connector of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an adapter of the optical connecting part according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the adapter of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lever member of the optical connecting part according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the lever member of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one step of an optical connecting method according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing one step of an optical connecting method according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one step of an optical connecting method according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one step of an optical connecting method according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing one step of an optical connecting method according to an embodiment.

[0012] In optical connection components and optical connection methods, it is sometimes necessary to perform physical contact (PC) connection of multiple optical fibers held by multiple ferrules. However, when an optical connector has a large number of optical fibers or a large number of ferrules, the increased mating load of the optical connector can make it difficult to perform physical contact (PC) connection of all optical fibers. When performing PC connection of an ultra-high-density optical fiber, it can be difficult to manually insert and connect the optical connector.

[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical connecting component and an optical connecting method that allow easy connection of optical connectors.

[0014] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. An optical connecting component according to one embodiment includes: (1) an adapter to which an optical connector having a ferrule for holding an optical fiber is connected; and a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter about a central axis extending along a first direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the optical fiber. The adapter has a latch with which the optical connector moving along the optical axis direction engages. The lever member has a movement mechanism that moves the optical connector along the optical axis direction by rotating about the central axis toward the optical connector.

[0015] In this optical connection part, the optical connector has a ferrule that holds an optical fiber, and the optical connector is connected to an adapter. The adapter has a movement mechanism that moves the optical connector along the optical axis direction. By having the movement mechanism in the adapter rather than the optical connector, the optical connector can be made smaller and the optical connector can be easily inserted into the adapter. The optical connection part includes a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter. The lever member has a movement mechanism that moves the optical connector along the optical axis direction by rotating toward the optical connector. Therefore, the rotation of the lever member moves the optical connector in the optical axis direction, allowing the optical connector to engage with the latch. This makes it easy to connect the optical connector.

[0016] (2) In the above (1), the lever member may have a latch presser that presses the latch engaged with the optical connector. In this case, the latch presser presses the latch of the adapter, thereby preventing the latch engaged with the optical connector from opening. This makes it possible to firmly engage the optical connector with the latch of the adapter.

[0017] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the movement mechanism may have a convex portion that moves the optical connector in the optical axis direction while in contact with the optical connector. In this case, the movement mechanism having the convex portion can simplify the configuration of the movement mechanism that moves the optical connector. The lever member rotates while the convex portion is in contact with the optical connector, thereby pushing the optical connector toward the adapter. Therefore, by rotating the lever member, the optical connector can be pushed toward the adapter by the convex portion, making it easy to connect the optical connector to the adapter.

[0018] (4) In the above (3), the optical connector may have a protrusion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the movement mechanism moves the optical connector. The movement mechanism may move the optical connector by rotating the lever member with the protrusion abutting the protrusion. In this case, the optical connector can be moved by rotating the lever member with the protrusion abutting the protrusion of the optical connector.

[0019] (5) In any of the above (1) to (4), the optical connector may have a plurality of ferrules and a housing unit that accommodates the plurality of ferrules. In this case, the housing unit accommodates the plurality of ferrules, thereby enabling the plurality of ferrules of the optical connector to be optically connected together.

[0020] (6) In the above (5), the plurality of ferrules may be arranged in the housing unit along a first direction and along a second direction that intersects both the optical axis direction and the first direction. In this case, the plurality of ferrules arranged in the first direction and the second direction can be optically connected together.

[0021] (7) In the above (6), each of the multiple ferrules may have an end face facing a mating connector to which the optical connector is optically connected via an adapter. The multiple ferrules may be arranged such that, when viewed from the first direction, the multiple end faces are aligned on a virtual inclined plane that is inclined with respect to the second direction. In this case, since each of the multiple end faces is inclined with respect to the second direction, reflected back light from each end face can be suppressed. The multiple ferrules are arranged such that the multiple end faces are aligned along the virtual inclined plane that is inclined with respect to the second direction. Therefore, the multiple end faces can be cleaned by moving a cleaning tool along the multiple end faces, making it easy to clean the end faces of the ferrules.

[0022] (8) In any of the above (5) to (7), the housing unit may include a front housing having a recess formed therein for the latch to engage with. In this case, the latch of the adapter can be engaged with the recess formed in the front housing of the optical connector.

[0023] (9) In the above (8), the front housing may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this case, the front housing can be made into a simple shape, which contributes to further miniaturization of the optical connector.

[0024] (10) In the above (8) or (9), the ferrule may be housed in the front housing.

[0025] (11) In any of the above (5) to (10), the housing unit may include a middle housing having a space forming portion that forms a space through which the optical fiber held by the ferrule is passed. In this case, the optical fiber extending from the ferrule can be passed through the space formed by the space forming portion of the middle housing.

[0026] (12) In the above (11), the optical connector may have a spring member interposed between the ferrule and the middle housing. In this case, the ferrule can be biased by the spring member.

[0027] (13) In the above (11) or (12), the housing unit may include a rear housing that houses the middle housing.

[0028] (14) In any of the above (1) to (13), the lever member may have a plurality of moving mechanisms aligned along the first direction. In this case, the plurality of moving mechanisms move the optical connector along the optical axis direction. This allows for smoother movement of the optical connector, making it easier to connect the optical connector to the adapter.

[0029] (15) In the above (3) or (4), the optical connector may climb over the convex portion when engaging with the latch as the lever member rotates. The movement mechanism may have a retreat section into which the optical connector that has climbed over the convex portion enters. In this case, the optical connector that has climbed over the convex portion can be retreated into the retreat section.

[0030] (16) In any of (1) to (15) above, the adapter may have a protrusion that protrudes in the first direction or a hole that is recessed in the first direction, and the lever member may have a hole or a protrusion. The lever member may be rotatable relative to the adapter with the protrusion fitted in the hole. In this case, the attachment structure of the lever member to the adapter can be simplified.

[0031] (17) In any of (1) to (16) above, the adapter may have a pair of first walls aligned along the first direction. The lever member may have a pair of second walls aligned along the first direction. The lever member may be attached to the adapter with each second wall positioned closer to both ends in the first direction than the corresponding first wall. In this case, each second wall of the lever member is positioned closer to both ends in the first direction than the corresponding first wall of the adapter. Thus, the lever member is positioned to sandwich the adapter from the first direction, thereby stabilizing rotation of the lever member relative to the adapter. This makes it even easier to connect the optical connector to the adapter.

[0032] (18) In the above (17), the adapter may have protrusions protruding from each first wall portion toward both ends in the first direction, and the lever member may have holes into which the protrusions fit. The lever member may be rotatable relative to the adapter with the protrusions fitted in the holes. In this case, the lever member is rotatably attached to the adapter by fitting the protrusions in the holes, which further simplifies the attachment structure of the lever member to the adapter.

[0033] (19) In the above (18), the lever member may have a top surface portion connecting the pair of second walls to each other. In this case, by pressing the top surface portion, the lever member can be rotated toward the optical connector, making it easier to connect the optical connector to the adapter.

[0034] (20) In any of (1) to (19) above, the adapter may have a lever opening prevention portion located on each of both ends of the lever member in the first direction. In this case, the lever opening prevention portion can prevent the lever member from opening.

[0035] An optical connection method according to one embodiment (21) is a method for optically connecting an optical connector having an optical fiber to a mating connector via an adapter, the method including a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter about a central axis extending along a first direction intersecting the optical axis direction of the optical fiber, and includes a step of rotating the lever member about the central axis toward the optical connector to move the optical connector in the optical axis direction and engage the optical connector with a latch provided in the adapter.

[0036] In this optical connection method, an optical connector is connected to an adapter, and the adapter has a movement mechanism that moves the adapter along the optical axis direction. By having the movement mechanism in the adapter rather than the optical connector, the optical connector can be made smaller and the optical connector can be easily inserted into the adapter. In the optical connection method, the optical connector can be moved in the optical axis direction by rotating a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter. Therefore, the rotation of the lever member moves the optical connector in the optical axis direction, allowing the optical connector to engage with the latch, thereby facilitating connection of the optical connector.

[0037] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of optical connecting components and optical connecting methods according to the embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, but is intended to include all modifications set forth in the claims and within the scope equivalent to the claims. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. For ease of understanding, some parts of the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated, and dimensional proportions and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0038] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical connecting part 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical connecting part 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the optical connecting part 1 includes an adapter 10 to which an optical connector 2 is connected, and a lever member 20 rotatably attached to the adapter 10. An optical connector 2 and a mating connector 2A are connected to the adapter 10. The materials constituting each of the optical connecting part 1 and the optical connector 2 may be, for example, a resin material such as polycarbonate (PC), polyetherimide (PEI), polyamide (PA), polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyethersulfone (PES), or a composite material in which a resin material is filled with glass fibers or glass spheres.

[0039] The optical connector 2 is connected to a mating connector 2A by being connected to the adapter 10. The configuration of the mating connector 2A may be different from the configuration of the optical connector 2. However, the following describes an example in which the configuration of the mating connector 2A is the same as the configuration of the optical connector 2, and the description of the configuration of the mating connector 2A will be omitted as appropriate.

[0040] The optical connecting part 1 includes, for example, one adapter 10 and two lever members 20. The lever member 20 is attached to the adapter 10 so as to be rotatable about a central axis L extending along a first direction D1, which is the width direction of the adapter 10. The lever member 20 connects the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10 by moving in a second direction D2 that intersects with the first direction D1 relative to the optical connector 2. The second direction D2 is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0041] In the optical connecting part 1, two lever members 20 are aligned along direction D3. Direction D3 is a direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The optical connector 2 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The optical connectors 2 are connected to the adapter 10 so as to be aligned along direction D3. Direction D3 corresponds to the connection direction of the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10. The lever members 20 are provided to abut against the optical connector 2 and push the optical connector 2 toward the center of the adapter 10 in direction D3. Hereinafter, the direction in which the optical connector 2 is pushed may be referred to as "front," "front side," or "forward," and the direction opposite to the direction in which the optical connector 2 is pushed may be referred to as "rear," "rear side," or "rearward."

[0042] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the optical connector 2 has, for example, a ferrule 3 and a housing unit 4 that houses the ferrule 3. The housing unit 4 includes, for example, a front housing 5, a middle housing 6, and a rear housing 7. The optical connector 2 further includes a spring member 8 that biases the ferrule 3 and a pin keeper 9 that holds a guide pin P that is inserted into the ferrule 3.

[0043] The optical connector 2 has, for example, a plurality of ferrules 3 housed in a housing unit 4. In the housing unit 4, the plurality of ferrules 3 are lined up along a first direction D1 and also lined up along a second direction D2. As an example, two ferrules 3 are lined up along the first direction D1, and three ferrules 3 are lined up along the second direction D2.

[0044] 4 is a side view of the optical connector 2 viewed from the first direction D1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each ferrule 3 has an end face 3b facing the mating connector 2A. When viewed from the first direction D1, the multiple ferrules 3 are arranged so that the multiple end faces 3b are aligned on an imaginary inclined plane S. The inclined plane S extends in the first direction D1 and is inclined with respect to the second direction D2. As an example, the inclination angle of the inclined plane S with respect to the second direction D2 is 8°.

[0045] The ferrule 3 has guide holes 3c through which guide pins P are inserted. The guide holes 3c penetrate the ferrule 3 in the direction D3. Two guide holes 3c are aligned along the first direction D1. The guide pins P inserted into the guide holes 3c protrude from the end face 3b. The guide pins P are inserted into the guide holes 3c of the ferrule 3 of the mating connector 2A, for example.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a front view of the optical connector 2 viewed from a first direction D1. As shown in Fig. 5, the optical connector 2 has an optical fiber F held in a ferrule 3. The optical fiber F extends in a direction D3 from an end face 3b of the ferrule 3. The direction D3 corresponds to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber F. For simplicity of illustration, the optical fiber F is not shown in any figures other than Fig. 5.

[0047] The ferrule 3 has a plurality of optical fiber holding holes 3d for holding optical fibers F, and each optical fiber holding hole 3d penetrates the ferrule 3 in the direction D3. The plurality of optical fiber holding holes 3d are formed between a pair of guide holes 3c on the end face 3b. On the end face 3b, the plurality of optical fiber holding holes 3d are aligned along the first direction D1 and also along the second direction D2. As an example, the ferrule 3 has 32 optical fiber holding holes 3d. In this case, the number of cores (the number of optical fibers F) in the optical connector 2 is 192. For example, on the end face 3b, two optical fiber holding holes 3d are aligned along the second direction D2, and 16 optical fiber holding holes 3d are aligned along the first direction D1.

[0048] 3 and 4 , the front housing 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the length of the front housing 5 in direction D3 is longer than the length of the front housing 5 in the first direction D1, and the length of the front housing 5 in the first direction D1 is longer than the length of the front housing 5 in the second direction D2. The front housing 5 has, for example, a top surface 5b, a bottom surface 5c, and a pair of side surfaces 5d. The top surface 5b extends in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3, and the bottom surface 5c faces the opposite side from the top surface 5b. The pair of side surfaces 5d face in the first direction D1 and are aligned along the first direction D1.

[0049] The front housing 5 accommodates the ferrule 3. The front housing 5 has a first opening 5f through which the ferrule 3 is exposed and a second opening 5g through which the middle housing 6 and the rear housing 7 are inserted. The first opening 5f faces forward, and the second opening 5g faces rearward. The ferrule 3 protrudes from the first opening 5f. For example, multiple guide pins P protrude from the first opening 5f. Note that the guide pins P are not shown in FIG. 4 . The second opening 5g is defined by an end edge 5h extending along the first direction D1 at one end of the front housing 5 in the direction D3, and a protrusion 5j protruding rearward from the side surface 5d. For example, the front housing 5 has a pair of end edges 5h aligned along the second direction D2 and a pair of protrusions 5j aligned along the first direction D1. The protrusions 5j are curved, for example, so as to protrude rearward as they approach the center in the second direction D2. As an example, the protrusions 5j are arc-shaped. In this case, the radius of the protrusion 5j is smaller than the radius of rotation of the lever member 20, which will be described later.

[0050] 1, 3, and 4, the front housing 5 has recesses 5k with which latches 11 of the adapter 10, which will be described later, engage. The recesses 5k are formed on each of a pair of side surfaces 5d aligned along the first direction D1. For example, when viewed from the first direction D1, the recesses 5k have a rectangular shape. For example, when cut along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3, the cross-sectional shape of the recesses 5k has a trapezoidal shape. The latches 11 of the adapter 10 engage with the recesses 5k to connect the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10.

[0051] The front housing 5 has an engagement hole 5p with which the rear housing 7 engages. The front housing 5 has an engagement hole 5p on each of a pair of side surfaces 5d. The engagement hole 5p has, for example, an oval shape extending in the second direction D2. The rear housing 7 engages with the engagement hole 5p from the inside of the front housing 5. In this way, the rear housing 7 is attached to the front housing 5.

[0052] The middle housing 6 includes a space forming portion 6b that forms a space through which the optical fiber F held by the ferrule 3 is passed. For example, the middle housing 6 includes the space forming portion 6b and a spring arrangement portion 6c located in front of the space forming portion 6b. The space forming portion 6b has a plurality of plate-shaped portions 6d that extend in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3 and are aligned along the second direction D2. The optical fiber F is passed through a space formed between a pair of the plate-shaped portions 6d aligned along the second direction D2 so as to extend along the direction D3. For example, when the middle housing 6 is inserted into the rear housing 7, the end faces of the plate-shaped portions 6d facing the first direction D1 come into contact with the inner surface 7b of the rear housing 7.

[0053] The spring arrangement portion 6c is a portion where the spring member 8 is arranged. For example, the spring arrangement portion 6c protrudes forward from the center of the space forming portion 6b in the first direction D1. The spring arrangement portion 6c has a plate shape extending in both the second direction D2 and the direction D3. The spring arrangement portion 6c has multiple protrusions 6f protruding in the first direction D1 and aligned along the second direction D2. The spring members 8 are arranged on the end side of the spring arrangement portion 6c in the second direction D2 as viewed from the protrusions 6f and between the pair of protrusions 6f. The spring members 8 are interposed between the ferrule 3 and the middle housing 6. More specifically, one end of the spring member 8 abuts against the pin keeper 9, and the other end of the spring member 8 abuts against the front end surface of the plate-shaped portion 6d. The spring members 8 bias the pin keeper 9 and the ferrule 3 forward relative to the middle housing 6.

[0054] The middle housing 6 is accommodated in the rear housing 7. A portion of the rear housing 7 is accommodated in the front housing 5. For example, the length of the rear housing 7 in direction D3 is longer than the length of the rear housing 7 in the first direction D1, and the length of the rear housing 7 in the first direction D1 is longer than the length of the rear housing 7 in the second direction D2. The rear housing 7 has, for example, a top surface 7c, a bottom surface 7d, and a pair of side surfaces 7f. The top surface 7c extends in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3, and the bottom surface 7d faces the opposite side from the top surface 7c. The pair of side surfaces 7f face in the first direction D1 and are aligned along the first direction D1.

[0055] The side surface portion 7f has protrusions 7g that protrude forward relative to each of the top surface portion 7c and the bottom surface portion 7d. The side surface portion 7f has a pair of protrusions 7g aligned along the first direction D1. The middle housing 6 is housed between the pair of protrusions 7g. A spring housing portion 7h is provided on the inner surface 7b of the protrusion 7g. The spring housing portion 7h is concave. A spring member 8 is housed in the space formed between the spring housing portion 7h and the spring arrangement portion 6c of the middle housing 6.

[0056] The rear housing 7 has a protrusion 7j that engages with the front housing 5. The protrusion 7j is formed on each of a pair of side surfaces 7f aligned along the first direction D1. The side surfaces 7f are portions that fit into the engagement holes 5p of the front housing 5 from inside the front housing 5. For example, the shape of the protrusion 7j when cut along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3 is trapezoidal. The rear housing 7 is attached to the front housing 5 by the protrusion 7j engaging with the engagement holes 5p.

[0057] Next, the adapter 10 will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the adapter 10. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter 10 taken along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the length of the adapter 10 in the direction D3 is longer than the length of the adapter 10 in the first direction D1, and the length of the adapter 10 in the first direction D1 is longer than the length of the adapter 10 in the second direction D2.

[0058] The adapter 10 has, for example, a bottom plate portion 12, a lever opening prevention portion 14 protruding in the direction D3 from an end portion of the bottom plate portion 12 in the first direction D1, and a plate-shaped portion 15 protruding in the direction D3 from the center of the bottom plate portion 12 in the direction D3. The adapter 10 further has a top plate portion 16 facing the bottom plate portion 12 in the direction D3, a first wall portion 17 extending from the plate-shaped portion 15 in the direction D3, and a latch 11 protruding in the direction D3 from the first wall portion 17.

[0059] The bottom plate portion 12 extends in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3. The bottom plate portion 12 has a hole 12b that faces a lever member 20 (described later). As an example, the shape of the bottom plate portion 12 when viewed in the second direction D2 is rectangular. For example, the adapter 10 has a pair of lever-opening prevention portions 14 aligned along the first direction D1. The lever-opening prevention portions 14 are provided to prevent the lever member 20 (described later) from opening to both ends in the first direction D1. That is, the lever member 20 is positioned between the pair of lever-opening prevention portions 14, thereby preventing the lever member 20 from opening to both ends in the first direction D1. The lever-opening prevention portions 14 are plate-shaped and extend in both the second direction D2 and the direction D3. For example, the lever-opening prevention portion 14 has a curved plate portion 14b located centrally in the direction D3 and rectangular plate portions 14c extending along the direction D3 at both ends of the curved plate portion 14b in the direction D3. The height of the curved plate portion 14b relative to the bottom plate portion 12 increases toward both ends in the direction D3. The height of the rectangular plate portion 14c relative to the bottom plate portion 12 is constant.

[0060] The plate-shaped portion 15 includes, for example, a first plate portion 15b that protrudes outward in the first direction D1 from the first wall portion 17 and a second plate portion 15c that protrudes inward in the first direction D1 from the first wall portion 17. The plate-shaped portion 15 has a pair of first plate portions 15b aligned along the first direction D1. The first plate portion 15b has, for example, a rectangular shape when viewed along the direction D3. The second plate portion 15c has an opening 15d through which the ferrule 3 of the optical connector 2 and the ferrule of the mating connector 2A pass in the direction D3.

[0061] The top plate portion 16 is a portion that accommodates the optical connector 2 to be connected to the adapter 10. For example, when viewed along the second direction D2, the area of ​​the top plate portion 16 is smaller than the area of ​​the bottom plate portion 12. For example, the length of the top plate portion 16 in the first direction D1 is shorter than the length of the bottom plate portion 12 in the first direction D1. The top plate portion 16 has, for example, a top surface 16b that extends in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and curved surfaces 16c located at both ends of the top surface 16b in the first direction D1. As an example, the top surface 16b is a flat surface. The curved surfaces 16c are curved from the ends of the top surface 16b in the first direction D1 toward the bottom plate portion 12. As an example, the curved surfaces 16c are curved in an arc shape.

[0062] The first wall portion 17 has, for example, an extending portion 17b extending from the top plate portion 16 to the bottom plate portion 12, and a lever mounting portion 17c to which the lever member 20 is attached. The extending portion 17b has, for example, a flat shape extending in both the second direction D2 and the direction D3. The lever mounting portion 17c protrudes toward both ends in the first direction D1 beyond the extending portion 17b. The lever mounting portion 17c has a plate-shaped portion 17d having a rectangular shape when viewed along the first direction D1, a hole 17f formed at the end of the plate-shaped portion 17d opposite the top plate portion 16, and a protrusion 17g protruding in the first direction D1 from the plate-shaped portion 17d.

[0063] For example, the end of plate-shaped portion 17d on the top plate portion 16 side and the end in direction D3 are rounded. Lever member 20 is rotatably attached to protrusion 17g. As an example, protrusion 17g has a cylindrical shape. Lever member 20 attached to protrusion 17g faces hole 17f. Protrusion 17g and hole 12b prevent lever member 20 from getting caught when lever member 20 rotates relative to adapter 10. This allows lever member 20 to rotate smoothly.

[0064] The latch 11 has an elongated shape extending in the direction D3, for example. The latch 11 extends from the extension portion 17b toward the end of the adapter 10 in the direction D3. For example, the latch 11 has an arm portion 11b that extends from the extension portion 17b and passes through the center of the lever attachment portion 17c in the first direction D1, and a protrusion 11c that engages with the optical connector 2. The protrusion 11c protrudes toward the center in the first direction D1 at the end of the arm portion 11b in the direction D3. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 11c taken along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3 is trapezoidal.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1 , the protrusion 11c of the latch 11 engages with the recess 5k of the front housing 5. As described above, the cross-sectional shape of the recess 5k taken along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3 is trapezoidal. For example, the length of the recess 5k in the direction D3 is longer than the length of the protrusion 11c in the direction D3. This allows the front housing 5 to be slightly pushed in the direction D3 relative to the latch 11 even when the protrusion 11c is engaged with the recess 5k.

[0066] Next, the lever member 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 8, and 9. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the lever member 20. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lever member 20 cut along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the direction D3. As described above, the lever member 20 is attached to the adapter 10 so as to be rotatable around the central axis L extending along the first direction D1. The lever member 20 includes an attachment portion 21 rotatably attached to the adapter 10, and a covering portion 22 that rotates to cover a portion of the optical connector 2.

[0067] The mounting portion 21 has a plate-shaped portion 21b that protrudes from the covering portion 22 and extends in both the second direction D2 and the direction D3. For example, the mounting portion 21 has a hole 21c that penetrates the plate-shaped portion 21b in the first direction D1. As an example, the shape of the hole 21c when viewed along the first direction D1 is circular, and the diameter (inner diameter) of the hole 21c is slightly larger than the diameter (outer diameter) of the protrusion 17g of the adapter 10. The protrusion 17g fits into the hole 21c, thereby rotatably mounting the lever member 20 to the adapter 10. Note that, unlike the above example, the adapter 10 may have a hole, and the lever member 20 may have a protrusion that fits into the hole.

[0068] For example, the shape of the covering portion 22 when viewed in direction D3 from the opposite side to the mounting portion 21 is an inverted U-shape. The covering portion 22 has a recess 22p recessed in direction D3 from an end face 22k facing the opposite side to the mounting portion 21. The shape of the recess 22p when viewed in direction D3 is, for example, an inverted U-shape. The covering portion 22 has a pair of second wall portions 22b extending in both the second direction D2 and the direction D3 and aligned along the first direction D1, and a top surface portion 22c connecting the pair of second wall portions 22b to each other.

[0069] The lever member 20 is attached to the adapter 10 with each second wall portion 22b positioned closer to both ends in the first direction D1 than each first wall portion 17 of the adapter 10. The second wall portion 22b includes, for example, a first plate portion 22d continuous with the mounting portion 21 and a second plate portion 22f extending from the first plate portion 22d to the side opposite the mounting portion 21. For example, the length of the first plate portion 22d in the second direction D2 is longer than the length of the mounting portion 21 in the second direction D2, and the length of the second plate portion 22f in the second direction D2 is longer than the length of the first plate portion 22d in the second direction D2. For example, the top surface portion 22c is a portion that is pressed downward by a finger or the like. Pressing the top surface portion 22c with a finger or the like causes the lever member 20 to swing downward, thereby connecting the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10.

[0070] The lever member 20 has a latch presser 22g that presses down on the latch 11 of the adapter 10 from both ends in the first direction D1. As shown in Figures 1, 8, and 9, the latch presser 22g is, for example, the inner part of the second wall portion 22b. By the latch presser 22g pressing down on the latch 11 from both ends in the first direction D1, it is possible to prevent the latch 11 from opening to both ends in the first direction D1.

[0071] The lever member 20 has a movement mechanism 23 that moves the optical connector 2 along direction D3 by rotating about the central axis L toward the optical connector 2. As shown in Figures 2, 8, and 9, the lever member 20 has a plurality of (for example, two) movement mechanisms 23 lined up along the first direction D1. The movement mechanisms 23 are provided, for example, on the inside of the second wall portion 22b in the first direction D1. The movement mechanisms 23 have a protrusion 23b that abuts against the optical connector 2 and a retraction portion 23c into which the optical connector 2 enters.

[0072] The convex portion 23b abuts against the protruding portion 5j of the front housing 5. For example, a first step portion 22h is formed on the inner side of the second wall portion 22b in the first direction D1, and the convex portion 23b is formed on the end of the first step portion 22h opposite the top surface portion 22c. The first step portion 22h extends along the second direction D2. The thickness of the second wall portion 22b on the mounting portion 21 side of the first step portion 22h is thinner than the thickness of the second wall portion 22b on the opposite side of the first step portion 22h from the mounting portion 21. The convex portion 23b corresponds to the portion of the first step portion 22h that protrudes toward the mounting portion 21. For example, the convex portion 23b has a curved surface 23d that protrudes toward the mounting portion 21 as it approaches the center of the convex portion 23b in the second direction D2. The curved surface 23d is a curved surface that abuts against the protruding portion 5j of the front housing 5. As an example, the curved surface 23d has an arc shape.

[0073] The retracted portion 23c extends from the protrusion 23b toward the top surface 22c. The retracted portion 23c is a portion into which the protrusion 5j of the front housing 5 enters after climbing over the protrusion 23b toward the top surface 22c. The retracted portion 23c is a portion formed on the top surface 22c side of the protrusion 23b, and corresponds to a recessed portion of the protrusion 23b on the opposite side from the mounting portion 21. For example, the retracted portion 23c has a side surface 23f extending in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As an example, the side surface 23f is flat.

[0074] For example, a second step 22j is formed between the first step 22h and the mounting portion 21. The thickness of the second wall 22b on the mounting portion 21 side of the second step 22j is thinner than the thickness of the second wall 22b on the opposite side of the second step 22j from the mounting portion 21. In this way, in the lever member 20, the thickness of the second wall 22b becomes thinner the closer it is to the mounting portion 21. Therefore, the lever member 20 can be rotated more smoothly relative to the adapter 10 to which the mounting portion 21 is attached.

[0075] Next, an example of steps of the optical connection method according to the embodiment will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 2, the optical connector 2 is placed so that the ferrule 3 faces the lever member 20 attached to the adapter 10 (a step of placing the optical connector). Then, the lever member 20 is rotated upward about the central axis L (a step of rotating the lever member upward).

[0076] Next, the optical connector 2 is placed on the bottom plate 12 of the adapter 10, and the protrusion 5j of the front housing 5 is brought into opposition to the convex portion 23b of the movement mechanism 23, as shown in Fig. 10 (the step of bringing the protrusion into opposition to the convex portion). At this time, the optical connector 2 is positioned so that the convex portion 23b is positioned diagonally above the protrusion 5j. In the state shown in Fig. 10, the inclination angle of the lever member 20 with respect to direction D3 is, for example, 36.74°.

[0077] 10, by rotating the lever member 20 toward the optical connector 2 around the central axis L, the lever member 20 is lowered and the convex portion 23b is brought into contact with the protrusion 5j (the step of bringing the convex portions into contact). As shown in Fig. 11, when the lever member 20 is further lowered, the protrusion 5j is pushed forward, and the optical connector 2 moves forward.

[0078] 1 and 11, when the optical connector 2 moves forward, the front housing 5 pushes the latch 11 apart toward both ends in the first direction D1, and then the latch 11 engages with the recess 5k (the step of engaging the optical connector). At this time, the latch presser 22g reaches the latch 11. Then, the lever member 20 enters between the pair of lever opening prevention portions 14 of the adapter 10. At this time, the inclination angle of the lever member 20 with respect to the direction D3 is, for example, 24.6°.

[0079] When the lever member 20 is lowered from the above state, the optical connector 2 is pushed further forward as shown in Figure 12 (step of further pushing the optical connector). At this time, the pushing length of the optical connector 2 in direction D3 is, for example, 0.3 mm. As shown in Figure 13, when the lever member 20 is further lowered, the protrusion 5j climbs over the convex portion 23b and enters the retracted portion 23c (step of the convex portion entering the retracted portion). Through the above steps, the connection of the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10 is completed. Note that in this state, the retracted portion 23c and the protrusion 5j are not in contact with each other, and there is a gap between the retracted portion 23c and the protrusion 5j.

[0080] 14, for example, the mating connector 2A is connected to the adapter 10 through the same process as above. At this time, each guide pin P is inserted into each guide hole 3c, and optical connection of the optical connector 2 to the mating connector 2A is achieved. For example, the optical fiber F held in the ferrule 3 of the optical connector 2 is PC-connected to the optical fiber held in the ferrule of the mating connector 2A. Then, the spring back action of the spring member 8 of the optical connector 2 determines the positional relationship between the recess 5k of the optical connector 2 and the latch 11 of the adapter 10.

[0081] Next, a method for disconnecting the optical connector 2 from the adapter 10 will be described. First, the lever member 20 is rotated upward about the central axis L to retract the latch presser 22g from the latch 11 (the latch presser retracting step). At this time, if the mating connector 2A is connected to the adapter 10, the repulsive force of the spring member 8 moves the recess 5k of the optical connector 2 backward from the latch 11, allowing the optical connector 2 to be removed from the adapter 10 (the optical connector removing step). In this state, the guide pin P is inserted into the guide hole 3c, and the frictional force of the guide pin P prevents the optical connector 2 from falling off the adapter 10. Furthermore, if the mating connector 2A is not connected to the adapter 10, the repulsive force of the spring member 8 is not generated, but the engagement of the latch 11 with the recess 5k can be released by pinching the optical connector 2 with fingers and pulling the optical connector 2 in direction D3.

[0082] Next, the effects obtained from the optical connecting component 1 and optical connecting method according to the embodiment will be described. In the optical connecting component 1 and optical connecting method according to the embodiment, the optical connector 2 has a ferrule 3 that holds an optical fiber F, and the optical connector 2 is connected to an adapter 10. The adapter 10 has a lever member 20 equipped with a movement mechanism 23 that moves the optical connector 2 along direction D3, which is the optical axis direction. By having the lever member 20 in the adapter 10 rather than the optical connector 2, the optical connector 2 can be made smaller, and the insertion resistance of the optical connector 2 into the adapter 10 can be reduced, making insertion easier. As a result, the operating force required to connect the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10 can be reduced.

[0083] As a specific example, if the load applied to push the optical connector 2 into the adapter 10 is P (N), the pushing amount is d (mm), the rotation angle of the lever member 20 when pushing the optical connector 2 1 mm is Δθ (rad), and the length of the lever member 20 from the central axis L is L, the operating force F (N) of the lever member 20 can be expressed using the work volume relationship by the following equation (1): F = P × d / (L × Δθ) (1) In the above equation (1), if P = 60, d = 1, Δθ = 8, and L = 24, the value of F is 18. Therefore, by operating the lever member 20 to push the optical connector 2, the operating force can be reduced. Furthermore, by increasing the length (L) of the lever member 20 from the central axis L, the operating force can be further reduced.

[0084] The optical connecting part 1 includes a lever member 20 rotatably attached to the adapter 10. The lever member 20 has a movement mechanism 23 that moves the optical connector 2 along direction D3 by rotating toward the optical connector 2. Therefore, by rotating the lever member 20, the optical connector 2 can be moved in direction D3 and engaged with the latch 11. This makes it easy to connect the optical connector 2. In other words, it is not necessary to push the optical connector 2 into the adapter 10 with a finger, and the optical connector 2 can be pushed in by rotating the lever member 20, making it easy to connect the optical connector 2.

[0085] The lever member 20 may have a latch presser 22g that presses down the latch 11 engaged with the optical connector 2. In this case, the latch presser 22g presses down the latch 11 of the adapter 10, thereby preventing the latch 11 engaged with the optical connector 2 from opening. This strengthens the engagement of the optical connector 2 with the latch 11 of the adapter 10. Since the latch 11 can be prevented from opening, it is possible to prevent the optical connector 2 from shifting in position relative to the adapter 10.

[0086] The moving mechanism 23 may have a convex portion 23b that moves the optical connector 2 in the direction D3 while in contact with the optical connector 2. In this case, having the convex portion 23b in the moving mechanism 23 can simplify the configuration of the moving mechanism 23 that moves the optical connector 2. By rotating the lever member 20 while the convex portion 23b is in contact with the optical connector 2, the optical connector 2 can be pushed out toward the adapter 10. Therefore, by rotating the lever member 20, the optical connector 2 can be pushed out toward the adapter 10 by the convex portion 23b, and therefore the optical connector 2 can be easily connected to the adapter 10.

[0087] The optical connector 2 may have a protrusion 5j that protrudes in the direction opposite to the direction in which the movement mechanism 23 moves the optical connector 2. The movement mechanism 23 may move the optical connector 2 by rotating the lever member 20 with the convex portion 23b abutting against the protrusion 5j. In this case, the optical connector 2 can be moved by rotating the lever member 20 with the convex portion 23b abutting against the protrusion 5j of the optical connector 2.

[0088] The optical connector 2 may have a plurality of ferrules 3 and a housing unit 4 that houses the plurality of ferrules 3. In this case, the housing unit 4 houses the plurality of ferrules 3, so that the plurality of ferrules 3 of the optical connector 2 can be optically connected together.

[0089] In the housing unit 4, the plurality of ferrules 3 may be arranged along the first direction D1 and also along the second direction D2. In this case, the plurality of ferrules 3 arranged in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 can be optically connected together.

[0090] Each of the multiple ferrules 3 may have an end face 3b facing the mating connector 2A to which the optical connector 2 is optically connected via the adapter 10. The multiple ferrules 3 may be arranged such that, when viewed from the first direction D1, the multiple end faces 3b are aligned on a virtual inclined plane S that is inclined with respect to the second direction D2. In this case, since each of the multiple end faces 3b is inclined with respect to the second direction D2, reflected back light from each end face 3b can be suppressed. The multiple ferrules 3 are arranged such that the multiple end faces 3b are aligned along the virtual inclined plane S that is inclined with respect to the second direction D2. Therefore, a cleaning tool can be moved along the multiple end faces 3b to clean the multiple end faces 3b, making it easy to clean the end faces 3b of the ferrules 3.

[0091] The housing unit 4 may include a front housing 5 having a recess 5k formed therein for engaging with the latch 11. In this case, the latch 11 of the adapter 10 can be engaged with the recess 5k formed in the front housing 5 of the optical connector 2. The front housing 5 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this case, the front housing 5 can be made into a simple shape, which contributes to further miniaturization of the optical connector 2. Furthermore, the ferrule 3 may be housed in the front housing 5.

[0092] The housing unit 4 may include a middle housing 6 having a space forming portion 6b that forms a space through which the optical fiber F held by the ferrule 3 is passed. In this case, the optical fiber F extending from the ferrule 3 can be passed through the space formed by the space forming portion 6b of the middle housing 6. The optical connector 2 may have a spring member 8 interposed between the ferrule 3 and the middle housing 6. In this case, the ferrule 3 can be biased by the spring member 8. The housing unit 4 may include a rear housing 7 that accommodates the middle housing 6.

[0093] The lever member 20 may have a plurality of movement mechanisms 23 arranged along the first direction D1. In this case, the plurality of movement mechanisms 23 move the optical connector 2 along the direction D3. This allows the optical connector 2 to move more smoothly, making it even easier to connect the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10.

[0094] The optical connector 2 may climb over the protrusion 23b when engaging with the latch 11 as the lever member 20 rotates. The moving mechanism 23 may have a retraction section 23c into which the optical connector 2 that has climbed over the protrusion 23b enters. In this case, the optical connector 2 that has climbed over the protrusion 23b can be retracted into the retraction section 23c. This prevents the positioning of the optical connector 2 by the latch 11 from being hindered.

[0095] The adapter 10 may have a protrusion 17g protruding in the first direction D1, and the lever member 20 may have a hole 21c. The lever member 20 may be rotatable relative to the adapter 10 with the protrusion 17g fitted into the hole 21c. In this case, the attachment structure of the lever member 20 to the adapter 10 can be simplified. Note that the same effect as above can be obtained even if the adapter 10 has a hole and the first wall portion 17 has a protrusion that fits into the hole.

[0096] The adapter 10 may have a pair of first wall portions 17 aligned along the first direction D1. The lever member 20 may have a pair of second wall portions 22b aligned along the first direction D1. The lever member 20 may be attached to the adapter 10 with each second wall portion 22b positioned closer to both ends of the first direction D1 than each first wall portion 17. In this case, each second wall portion 22b of the lever member 20 is positioned closer to both ends of the first direction D1 than each first wall portion 17 of the adapter 10. Thus, the lever member 20 is positioned so as to sandwich the adapter 10 in the first direction D1, thereby stabilizing the rotation of the lever member 20 relative to the adapter 10. This makes it even easier to connect the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10.

[0097] The lever member 20 may have a top surface portion 22c that connects the pair of second wall portions 22b to each other. In this case, by pressing the top surface portion 22c, the lever member 20 can be pushed down toward the optical connector 2 and rotated, making it even easier to connect the optical connector 2 to the adapter 10. The adapter 10 may have lever opening prevention portions 14 located on both ends of the lever member 20 in the first direction D1. In this case, the lever opening prevention portions 14 can prevent the lever member 20 from opening.

[0098] The above describes embodiments of the optical connecting component and optical connecting method according to the present disclosure. However, the optical connecting component and optical connecting method according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist described in the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the protrusion 5j of the optical connector 2, which abuts the convex portion 23b of the movement mechanism 23, is arc-shaped. However, the shape of the protrusion does not have to be arc-shaped. The protrusion may be, for example, triangular, or any other shape that protrudes rearward relative to the rotation trajectory of the lever member 20.

[0099] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Optical connecting part 2...Optical connector 2A...Mating connector 3...Ferrule 3b...End face 3c...Guide hole 3d...Optical fiber holding hole 4...Housing unit 5...Front housing 5b...Top surface portion 5c...Bottom surface portion 5d...Side surface portion 5f...First opening 5g...Second opening 5h...End edge 5j...Protrusion portion 5k...Concave portion 5p...Engagement hole 6...Middle housing 6b...Space forming portion 6c...Spring arrangement portion 6d...Plate-shaped portion 6f...Protrusion portion 7...Rear housing 7b...Inner surface 7c...Top surface portion 7d...Bottom surface portion 7f...Side surface portion 7g...Protrusion portion 7h...Spring accommodating portion 7j...Protrusion portion 8...Spring member 9...Pin keeper 10...Adapter 11...Latch 11b...Arm portion 11c...Protrusion portion 12...Bottom plate portion 12b...Hole DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14... Lever opening prevention portion 14b... Curved plate portion 14c... Rectangular plate portion 15... Plate-shaped portion 15b... First plate portion 15c... Second plate portion 15d... Opening 16... Top plate portion 16b... Top surface 16c... Curved surface 17... First wall portion 17b... Extension portion 17c... Lever mounting portion 17d... Plate-shaped portion 17f... Hole 17g... Protrusion 20... Lever member 21... Mounting portion 21b... Plate-shaped portion 21c... Hole 22... Covering portion 22b... Second wall portion 22c... Top surface portion 22d... First plate portion 22f... Second plate portion 22g... Latch retainer 22h... First step portion 22j... Second step portion 22k... End surface 22p... Recess 23... Moving mechanism 23b... Convex portion 23c... Retraction portion 23d...curved surface 23f...side surface D1...first direction D2...second direction D3...direction F...optical fiber L...central axis P...guide pin S...inclined surface

Claims

1. an adapter to which an optical connector having a ferrule for holding an optical fiber is connected; a lever member attached to the adapter so as to be rotatable about a central axis extending along a first direction intersecting an optical axis direction of the optical fiber; Equipped with the adapter has a latch with which the optical connector that moves along the optical axis direction engages, the lever member has a moving mechanism that moves the optical connector along the optical axis direction by rotating about the central axis toward the optical connector, Optical connection parts.

2. the lever member has a latch presser that presses the latch with which the optical connector is engaged; The optical connecting part according to claim 1 .

3. the moving mechanism has a convex portion that moves the optical connector in the optical axis direction while in contact with the optical connector, The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the optical connector has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction opposite to a direction in which the moving mechanism moves the optical connector, the lever member rotates in a state in which the convex portion is in contact with the protruding portion, whereby the moving mechanism moves the optical connector. The optical connecting part according to claim 3 .

5. The optical connector includes a plurality of the ferrules and a housing unit that accommodates the plurality of the ferrules. The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

6. In the housing unit, the plurality of ferrules are arranged along the first direction and along a second direction intersecting both the optical axis direction and the first direction. The optical connecting part according to claim 5 .

7. Each of the plurality of ferrules has an end face facing a mating connector to which the optical connector is optically connected via the adapter, The plurality of ferrules are arranged such that, when viewed from the first direction, the plurality of end faces are aligned on a virtual inclined plane that is inclined with respect to the second direction. The optical connecting part according to claim 6 .

8. The housing unit includes a front housing having a recess formed therein with which the latch engages. The optical connecting part according to claim 5 .

9. The front housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The optical connecting part according to claim 8 .

10. The ferrule is housed in the front housing. The optical connecting part according to claim 8 .

11. The housing unit includes a middle housing having a space forming portion that forms a space through which the optical fiber held by the ferrule is passed. The optical connecting part according to claim 5 .

12. The optical connector has a spring member interposed between the ferrule and the middle housing. The optical connecting part according to claim 11.

13. The housing unit includes a rear housing that houses the middle housing. The optical connecting part according to claim 11.

14. The lever member has a plurality of the moving mechanisms arranged along the first direction. The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

15. the optical connector rides over the protrusion when engaging with the latch as the lever member rotates, the moving mechanism has a retraction portion into which the optical connector that has climbed over the protrusion enters; The optical connecting part according to claim 3 .

16. The adapter has a protrusion that protrudes in the first direction, the lever member has a hole recessed in the first direction, The lever member is rotatable relative to the adapter with the projection fitted in the hole. The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

17. The lever member has a protrusion protruding in the first direction, The adapter has a hole recessed in the first direction, The lever member is rotatable relative to the adapter with the projection fitted in the hole. The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

18. The adapter has a pair of first walls aligned along the first direction, The lever member has a pair of second walls aligned along the first direction, The lever member is attached to the adapter in a state in which the second wall portions are located on both ends of the first direction relative to the first wall portions. The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

19. The adapter has projections protruding from each of the first walls toward both ends in the first direction, The lever member has a hole into which each of the projections fits, The lever member is rotatable relative to the adapter with the projection fitted in the hole. The optical connecting part according to claim 18.

20. The lever member has a top surface portion that connects the pair of second wall portions to each other. The optical connecting part according to claim 18.

21. The adapter has a lever opening prevention portion located on each of both ends of the lever member in the first direction. The optical connecting part according to claim 1 or 2.

22. An optical connection method for optically connecting an optical connector having an optical fiber to a mating connector via an adapter, comprising: a lever member rotatably attached to the adapter about a central axis extending along a first direction intersecting an optical axis direction of the optical fiber; a step of rotating the lever member around the central axis toward the optical connector to move the optical connector in the optical axis direction and engage the optical connector with a latch of the adapter. Optical connection method.