Optical connector

Abstract

This optical connector comprises: a ferrule having a plurality of fiber holes arranged in a first direction and a connection end surface on which the plurality of fiber holes are open; a support member disposed on the opposite side of the ferrule to the connection end surface; a spring that biases the support member to the connection end surface side; and a housing that accommodates a portion of the ferrule, the support member, and the spring. When viewed from the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole, the length of the spring in the first direction is greater than the length of the spring in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The support member has a ferrule support part that supports the ferrule, and an elastic part disposed on the base end side from the ferrule support part. The ferrule support part can swing in the second direction around the elastic part.

Description

Optical Connector

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-203709, filed December 1, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector that accommodates multiple optical fibers. Such an optical connector generally includes a ferrule having multiple fiber holes for inserting multiple optical fibers in the longitudinal direction thereof, a spring that biases the ferrule toward a connection target such as another connector, and a housing that accommodates part of the ferrule and the spring.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0161116

[0004] In order to reduce optical connection loss between an optical connector and a connection target, it is desirable to adjust the posture of the ferrule. For example, it is possible to adjust the posture of the ferrule by swinging the tip of a spring relative to the base of the spring. However, if a spring whose length in a first direction is longer than its length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole is used, it is easy to swing the tip of the spring in the first direction but difficult to swing in the second direction. Therefore, it may be difficult to properly adjust the posture of the ferrule.

[0005] The present invention has been made taking these circumstances into consideration, and aims to reduce optical connection loss in an optical connector having a spring whose length in a first direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction is longer than its length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0006] An optical connector according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises a ferrule having a plurality of fiber holes aligned in a first direction and a connection end face into which the plurality of fiber holes open, a support member arranged on the opposite side of the ferrule from the connection end face, a spring that biases the support member toward the connection end face, and a housing that accommodates a portion of the ferrule, the support member, and the spring, wherein, when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the fiber holes, the length of the spring in the first direction is longer than the length of the spring in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the support member has a ferrule support portion that supports the ferrule and an elastic portion that is arranged on the base end side of the ferrule support portion, and the ferrule support portion is capable of swinging in the second direction around the elastic portion.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is the optical connector of the first aspect, wherein the support member has two notches, and the portion located between the two notches is the elastic portion.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is the optical connector of the first aspect, wherein the support member has two slits, and the portion located between the two slits is the elastic portion.

[0009] Furthermore, in aspect 4 of the present invention, in the optical connectors of aspects 1 to 3, the support member has a main body portion having the elastic portion and a guide pin integrally molded with the main body portion, and the ferrule support portion includes the guide pin and a portion of the main body portion that is further tip-side than the elastic portion.

[0010] According to the above aspect of the present invention, in an optical connector having a spring whose length in a first direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction is longer than its length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, it is possible to reduce optical connection loss.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tip portion of an optical connector according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pin clamp according to a first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tip portion of an optical connector according to a second embodiment; FIG. 6 is a view of a pin clamp according to a first modified example of the first embodiment, viewed from a first direction; FIG. 7 is a view of a pin clamp according to a second modified example of the first embodiment, viewed from a first direction.

[0012] 1 and 2, the optical connector 1 includes a ferrule 10, a pin clamp 20 (support member), a spring 30, a housing 40, a boot 50, and a plurality of optical fibers F. The ferrule 10 has a plurality of fiber holes 11 formed in a row.

[0013] The ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a. Fiber holes 11 are opened in the connection end face 10a. An optical fiber F is inserted into each of the fiber holes 11. However, it is not necessary for an optical fiber F to be inserted into some of the fiber holes 11. In other words, the number of optical fibers F may be less than the number of fiber holes 11. The optical fibers F are exposed at the connection end face 10a. The connection end face of another connector to be connected can be abutted against the connection end face 10a, thereby optically connecting the optical connector 1 to the other connector.

[0014] (Direction Definition) In this specification, the direction in which the plurality of fiber holes 11 extend is referred to as the longitudinal direction Z. The side of the connection end face 10a in the longitudinal direction Z (+Z side) is referred to as the front or tip side. The opposite side (-Z side) is referred to as the rear or base side. The direction in which the fiber holes 11 are lined up in a row is referred to as the first direction X. The first direction X is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z. One side in the first direction X is referred to as the +X side, and the other side is referred to as the -X side. The direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the second direction Y. One side in the second direction Y is referred to as the +Y side, and the other side is referred to as the -Y side.

[0015] The ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a, a base end face 10b (see FIG. 2), a plurality of fiber holes 11, and two positioning holes 12. The base end face 10b is located on the opposite side of the ferrule 10 from the connection end face 10a.

[0016] The positioning holes 12 open to the connection end face 10a and penetrate the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z. The two positioning holes 12 are spaced apart in the first direction X. The two positioning holes 12 are arranged so as to sandwich a plurality of fiber holes 11 between them in the first direction X. A guide pin 22 of a pin clamp 20 (described later) is inserted into the positioning hole 12 from the base end side. The optical connector 1 of this embodiment is a female connector, and the relative positions of the optical connector 1 and the other connector are determined by inserting a positioning pin of the other connector into the positioning hole 12. However, the optical connector 1 may also be a male connector. In other words, the optical connector 1 may have a positioning pin. Alternatively, the tip of the guide pin 22 of the pin clamp 20 may be used as the positioning pin. In this case, the guide pin 22 is inserted into the positioning hole 12 and is arranged to protrude from the connection end face 10a.

[0017] An imaginary plane P shown in FIG. 2 is a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z. The connection end face 10a is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane P when viewed from the first direction X. More specifically, the connection end face 10a is inclined toward the +Z side as it approaches the +Y side. The angle between the connection end face 10a and the imaginary plane P is, for example, 8°. However, this angle can be changed. The inclined connection end face 10a is formed, for example, by polishing the end face of the ferrule 10. However, the connection end face 10a does not have to be inclined.

[0018] The optical fibers F are inserted through the fiber holes 11 and extend from the ferrule 10 toward the base end. As shown in Fig. 2, the optical fibers F are inserted inside the spring 30. The optical fibers F are also inserted inside the boot 50.

[0019] The housing 40 has a distal member 40a and a proximal member 40b. These two members 40a and 40b are combined to form the housing 40. However, the housing 40 may be a single member. A portion of the ferrule 10, the pin clamp 20, and the spring 30 are housed inside the housing 40.

[0020] Pin clamp 20 is disposed between spring 30 and ferrule 10 in longitudinal direction Z. Pin clamp 20 is disposed on the opposite side of ferrule 10 from connection end face 10a. Pin clamp 20 contacts the base end of ferrule 10 and holds ferrule 10. Pin clamp 20 has the role of transmitting the biasing force of spring 30 to ferrule 10. Details of pin clamp 20 will be described later.

[0021] The spring 30 serves to bias the ferrule 10 toward the tip. The spring 30 is, for example, a coil spring. The base-side member 40b of the housing 40 has a support surface (not shown) facing forward. The base end of the spring 30 contacts this support surface. The tip end of the spring 30 contacts the pin clamp 20. The spring 30 is compressed between the pin clamp 20 and the support surface of the base-side member 40b. The spring 30 biases the pin clamp 20 toward the connecting end surface 10a (tip side). The biasing force of the spring 30 is transmitted to the ferrule 10 via the pin clamp 20. Therefore, the ferrule 10 held by the pin clamp 20 is also biased toward the tip side.

[0022] 3, the spring 30 of this embodiment is substantially elliptical when viewed in the longitudinal direction Z. Specifically, when viewed in the longitudinal direction Z, the length L1 of the spring 30 in the first direction X is longer than the length L2 of the spring 30 in the second direction Y. The term "substantially elliptical" does not necessarily mean that the shape of the spring 30 is elliptical, but also means that the spring 30 is configured with a pair of straight portions and curved portions connecting the ends of the pair of straight portions, such as a track in a sports stadium.

[0023] Pin clamp 20 is made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber). As shown in Figures 4 and 5, pin clamp 20 has a main body 21 and two guide pins 22. Main body 21 and two guide pins 22 are integrally molded.

[0024] The main body 21 has a pressing surface 21a facing forward and a pair of side surfaces 21b facing the second direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2 , the pressing surface 21a contacts the base end surface 10b of the ferrule 10. The two guide pins 22 protrude from the pressing surface 21a toward the connecting end surface 10a (tip side). The two guide pins 22 are arranged spaced apart in the first direction X. When viewed from the longitudinal direction Z, the positions of the two guide pins 22 and the two positioning holes 12 of the ferrule 10 are aligned. The two guide pins 22 are inserted into the two positioning holes 12 from the base end side, respectively. In this way, the pin clamp 20 holds the ferrule 10.

[0025] Furthermore, the main body 21 is formed with a fiber through hole 21c penetrating the main body 21 in the longitudinal direction Z. A plurality of optical fibers F are inserted through the fiber through hole 21c. In the illustrated example, the fiber through hole 21c opens to the side surface 21b. However, the fiber through hole 21c does not have to open to the side surface 21b.

[0026] An annular housing groove 21d is formed at the base end of the main body 21. A part of the tip end of the spring 30 is housed in the housing groove 21d. In this way, the pin clamp 20 holds the spring 30.

[0027] The main body 21 has an elastic portion 24 and two notches 25. The two notches 25 are provided on each of a pair of side surfaces 21b. The two notches 25 are formed so as to be recessed from the pair of side surfaces 21b toward the center of the main body 21 in the second direction Y. The notches 25 are formed over the entire main body 21 in the first direction X. The notches 25 communicate with the fiber through-holes 21c.

[0028] The elastic portion 24 is a portion located between the two notches 25. In this embodiment, the two notches 25 have the same shape when viewed from the first direction X. That is, the lengths of the two notches 25 in the second direction Y are equal. Therefore, the elastic portion 24 is located at the center of the main body portion 21 in the second direction Y.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, the portion of the pin clamp 20 that is distal from the elastic portion 24 is referred to as the ferrule support portion 20A. The portion of the pin clamp 20 that is proximal from the elastic portion 24 is referred to as the proximal end portion 20B. The ferrule support portion 20A is composed of the guide pin 22 and a portion of the main body portion 21 that is distal from the elastic portion 24. The ferrule support portion 20A supports the ferrule 10. The proximal end portion 20B is composed of a portion of the main body portion 21 that is proximal from the elastic portion 24. In other words, the pin clamp 20 has the ferrule support portion 20A, the elastic portion 24 that is disposed proximal from the ferrule support portion 20A, and the proximal end portion 20B that is disposed proximal from the elastic portion 24.

[0030] 5, the provision of the elastic portion 24 allows the ferrule support portion 20A to swing relative to the base end portion 20B in the second direction Y about a swing central axis C of the elastic portion 24. The swing central axis C extends in the first direction X.

[0031] Here, in order to reduce the optical connection loss in the connection between the optical connector 1 and the connection target, it is desirable to adjust the attitude of the ferrule 10 (i.e., the inclination of the connection end face 10a). For example, it is conceivable to adjust the attitude of the ferrule 10 by swinging the tip of the spring 30 relative to the base end of the spring 30. However, if the length L1 of the spring 30 in the first direction X is longer than the length L2 of the spring 30 in the second direction Y, it is easy to swing the tip of the spring 30 in the first direction X but difficult to swing it in the second direction Y. In other words, it is difficult to adjust the attitude of the ferrule 10 in the second direction Y by swinging the tip of the spring 30.

[0032] In this embodiment, the provision of the elastic portion 24 allows the ferrule support portion 20A to swing in the second direction Y around the elastic portion 24. As the ferrule support portion 20A swings, the ferrule 10 supported by the ferrule support portion 20A also swings in the second direction Y, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 2. By swinging the ferrule 10 in the second direction Y, the position of the ferrule 10 in the second direction Y can be adjusted. Therefore, the optical connection loss can be reduced.

[0033] As described above, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a ferrule 10 having a plurality of fiber holes 11 aligned in a first direction X and a connecting end face 10a through which the plurality of fiber holes 11 open, a pin clamp 20 arranged on the side of the ferrule 10 opposite the connecting end face 10a, a spring 30 that biases the pin clamp 20 toward the connecting end face 10a, and a housing 40 that accommodates a portion of the ferrule 10, the pin clamp 20, and the spring 30. When viewed from the longitudinal direction Z, the length L1 of the spring 30 in the first direction X is longer than the length L2 of the spring 30 in the second direction Y. The pin clamp 20 includes a ferrule support portion 20A that supports the ferrule 10 and an elastic portion 24 that is arranged on the proximal side of the ferrule support portion 20A, and the ferrule support portion 20A is capable of swinging in the second direction Y around the elastic portion 24. According to the optical connector 1 having the above-described configuration, the optical connection loss can be reduced in the optical connector 1 having the spring 30 whose length L1 in the first direction X is longer than the length L2 in the second direction Y when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z.

[0034] The pin clamp 20 also has two notches 25, and the portion located between the two notches 25 is the elastic portion 24. In this case, the ferrule support portion 20A can be easily swung in the second direction Y around the elastic portion 24.

[0035] Furthermore, the pin clamp 20 has a main body 21 having an elastic portion 24 and a guide pin 22 integrally molded with the main body 21, and the ferrule support 20A includes the guide pin 22 and a portion of the main body 21 that is further toward the tip side than the elastic portion 24. In this case, the swinging of the ferrule support 20A makes it easier to swing the ferrule 10 in the second direction Y, and the posture of the ferrule 10 in the second direction Y can be adjusted with greater precision.

[0036] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0037] 6, in this embodiment, the position of the elastic portion 24 in the second direction Y is offset from the center of the main body portion 21 toward the +Y side. Specifically, of the two cutouts 25, the length in the second direction Y of the cutout 25a located on the +Y side is shorter than the length in the second direction Y of the cutout 25b located on the -Y side. Therefore, the elastic portion 24 is located on the +Y side of the center of the main body portion 21 in the second direction Y. This makes it easier for the ferrule support portion 20A to swing toward the -Y side in the second direction Y around the elastic portion 24.

[0038] Here, the connection end face 10a is inclined toward the +Z side as it approaches the +Y side. In this case, it is preferable that the posture of the ferrule 10 can be more easily adjusted toward the -Y side in the second direction Y when connecting the optical connector 1 to a connection target. In this embodiment, the elastic portion 24 is located on the +Y side of the main body portion 21 in the second direction Y, which makes it easier for the ferrule support portion 20A to swing toward the -Y side in the second direction Y around the elastic portion 24. This makes it easier to adjust the posture of the ferrule 10 toward the -Y side.

[0039] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0040] For example, in the above embodiment, one notch 25 is formed on one side surface 21b of the main body 21. However, a plurality of notches 25 may be formed on one side surface 21b at intervals in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0041] 7, the main body 21 may have two slits 26 instead of the two notches 25. In this case, the portion located between the two slits 26 becomes the elastic portion 24.

[0042] 8, the plurality of slits 26 may be formed in the main body 21 so as to form an accordion-like shape as a whole. In this case, the ferrule support part 20A is more likely to swing in the second direction Y around the elastic part 24.

[0043] In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0044] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...optical connector 10...ferrule 10a...connection end face 11...fiber hole 20...pin clamp (support member) 20A...ferrule support portion 21...main body portion 22...guide pin 24...elastic portion 25...notch 26...slit 30...spring 40...housing F...optical fiber X...first direction Y...second direction Z...longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An optical connector comprising: a ferrule having a plurality of fiber holes aligned in a first direction and a connection end face into which the plurality of fiber holes open; a support member arranged on the side of the ferrule opposite the connection end face; a spring for biasing the support member toward the connection end face; and a housing for accommodating a part of the ferrule, the support member, and the spring, wherein, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the fiber holes, the length of the spring in the first direction is longer than the length of the spring in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the support member has a ferrule support portion for supporting the ferrule and an elastic portion arranged on the base end side of the ferrule support portion, and the ferrule support portion is capable of swinging in the second direction around the elastic portion.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the support member has two cutouts, and the portion located between the two cutouts is the elastic portion.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the support member has two slits, and the portion located between the two slits is the elastic portion.

4. An optical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support member has a main body portion having the elastic portion and a guide pin integrally molded with the main body portion, and the ferrule support portion includes the guide pin and a portion of the main body portion that is further towards the tip side than the elastic portion.

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