Adaptor

Abstract

An adapter (2) comprises: an inner socket (30) that engages with a first optical connector (100); a housing (C) that houses the inner socket (30) and engages with a second optical connector (200); and a biasing part (40) that biases the inner socket (30) toward the second optical connector (200) by a third biasing force to the housing (C). The difference between a first biasing force of the first optical connector (100) and a second biasing force of the second optical connector (200) is larger than the difference between the third biasing force and the second biasing force.

Description

adapter

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-214402, filed on December 20, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an adapter for connecting two optical connectors. This adapter maintains a good connection by applying an appropriate biasing force to the connecting end faces of the ferrules of the optical connectors. The biasing force is generated by a biasing member biasing the ferrules within the housing of each optical connector.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-304655

[0004] The biasing force applied to the ferrules may differ depending on the type of optical connector. In other words, when connecting different types of optical connectors, the biasing force applied to each ferrule may differ. If the biasing force applied to each ferrule differs, the ferrules may be positioned in an inappropriate position (a position other than the predetermined mating surface). Specifically, a ferrule with a larger biasing force may be pushed into a ferrule with a smaller biasing force. As a result, a good connection state may not be maintained.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an adapter that can properly connect two types of optical connectors that have different biasing forces on the ferrules.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, aspect 1 of the present invention is an adapter that connects a first optical connector that urges a first ferrule having a first connecting end face toward the first connecting end face with a first urging force, and a second optical connector that urges a second ferrule having a second connecting end face toward the second connecting end face with a second urging force that is smaller than the first urging force, and includes an inner socket that engages with the first optical connector, a housing that accommodates the inner socket and engages with the second optical connector, and a urging portion that urges the inner socket toward the housing with a third urging force toward the second optical connector, wherein the difference between the third urging force and the second urging force is smaller than the difference between the first urging force and the second urging force.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the biasing portion includes a plurality of elastic members, and the plurality of elastic members may be arranged point-symmetrically around the central axis of the inner socket.

[0008] Aspect 3 of the present invention is an adapter according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a first member that supports the biasing portion and a second member that engages with the second optical connector, and the inner socket may be movable relative to the first member and the second member.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the adapter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the enclosure does not need to be engaged with a housing of the first optical connector.

[0010] According to the adapter of the above aspect of the present invention, two types of optical connectors that have different biasing forces on the ferrules can be properly connected to each other.

[0011] 4 is a perspective view of an optical connection structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first optical connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second optical connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inner socket, partly shown in cross section along line V-V of FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows VI-VI of FIG. 1.

[0012] The adapter and optical connection structure of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the optical connection structure 1 includes a first optical connector 100, a second optical connector 200, and an adapter 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the first optical connector 100 includes a first ferrule 110 having a first connection end face 111, and a first housing 120 that holds the first ferrule 110 therein. A plurality of optical fibers F1 (first optical fibers) are exposed at the first connection end face 111.

[0013] 3, the second optical connector 200 includes a second ferrule 210 having a second connecting end face 211 and a second housing 220 that holds the second ferrule 210 therein. A plurality of optical fibers F2 (second optical fibers) are exposed at the second connecting end face 211. The adapter 2 has a function of maintaining the first connecting end face 111 and the second connecting end face 211 in contact with each other at appropriate positions. This allows the optical connection structure 1 to optically connect a plurality of optical fibers F1 and a plurality of optical fibers F2.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, the second optical connector 200 has two positioning pins 260. As shown in Fig. 2, the first optical connector 100 has two first positioning holes 113. The relative positions of the first optical connector 100 and the second optical connector 200 are determined by inserting the positioning pins 260 into the first positioning holes 113. In this embodiment, the first optical connector 100 is described as the female side and the second optical connector 200 is described as the male side. However, the first optical connector 100 may be the male side and the second optical connector 200 may be the female side. In other words, the first optical connector 100 may be provided with positioning pins, and the second optical connector 200 may not be provided with positioning pins.

[0015] (Directional Definition) As shown in FIG. 1 , the direction in which the first connecting end face 111 of the first optical connector 100 and the second connecting end face 211 of the second optical connector 200 face each other is referred to as the axial direction Z. In the axial direction Z, the side from the second optical connector 200 toward the first optical connector 100 (the +Z side) is referred to as the "first optical connector side" or the "base end side of the first optical connector." The opposite side (the -Z side) is referred to as the "second optical connector side" or the "base end side of the second optical connector." A direction perpendicular to the axial direction Z is referred to as the first orthogonal direction X. The first orthogonal direction X is also the direction in which the optical fibers F1 and F2 are arranged on the connecting end faces 111 and 211 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ). A direction perpendicular to both the axial direction Z and the first orthogonal direction X is referred to as the second orthogonal direction Y. One side of the first orthogonal direction X is referred to as the +X side, and the other side is referred to as the -X side. One side in the second orthogonal direction Y is referred to as the +Y side, and the other side is referred to as the −Y side.

[0016] As shown in Figure 4, the adapter 2 of this embodiment includes a housing C, an inner socket 30, and a biasing portion 40. Each component of the adapter 2 has a shape based on a common central axis O. The central axis O is parallel to the axial direction Z. The housing C includes a first member 10 and a second member 20. The first member 10 is located on the +Z side, and the second member 20 is located on the -Z side. These two members 10, 20 are combined to form the housing C. However, the housing C may also be a single member.

[0017] The biasing portion 40 biases the inner socket 30 toward the -Z side inside the housing C. The biasing portion 40 has a plurality of elastic members 41. In this embodiment, the elastic members 41 are cylindrical compression springs. There are four elastic members 41. The four elastic members 41 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis O of the adapter 2 (i.e., the central axis O of the inner socket 30). However, the shape, number, and arrangement of the elastic members 41 may be changed as long as they are capable of biasing the inner socket 30 toward the -Z side.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4, the first member 10 has a first main body portion 11 and two first flange portions 12. The first main body portion 11 is cylindrical and extends about a central axis O. In this embodiment, the first housing 120 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and accordingly, the first main body portion 11 is also rectangular cylindrical (see Figs. 1 and 2). However, the shapes of the first main body portion 11 and the first housing 120 can be changed.

[0019] A first insertion opening 14 is provided inside the first main body 11. The first insertion opening 14 opens toward the +Z side. When connecting the optical connectors 100 and 200 using the adapter 2, the first optical connector 100 is inserted into the adapter 2 through the first insertion opening 14.

[0020] 4, the two first flange portions 12 protrude toward the +X side and the −X side from the first main body portion 11. The first flange portions 12 are used to fasten the first member 10 and the second member 20. A first fastening hole 13 is formed in each of the two first flange portions 12.

[0021] The second member 20 has a second main body 21 and two second flanges 22. The second main body 21 is cylindrical and extends about a central axis O. In this embodiment, the second housing 220 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape, and accordingly, the second main body 21 is rectangular cylindrical in shape. However, the shapes of the second main body 21 and the second housing 220 can be changed. A second insertion opening 23 is provided at the -Z side end of the second main body 21 (see FIG. 6). The second insertion opening 23 opens toward the -Z side. When connecting the optical connectors 100 and 200 using the adapter 2, the second optical connector 200 is inserted into the adapter 2 through the second insertion opening 23.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, a second fixing hole 22a is formed in each of the two second flange portions 22. An annular positioning protrusion that protrudes toward the +Z side is formed along the opening edge of the second fixing hole 22a. This positioning protrusion fits into the inside of the first fixing hole 13 in the first member 10. This determines the relative positions of the first member 10 and the second member 20.

[0023] The first member 10 and the second member 20 are fixed to each other by fixing members. In the example of Fig. 6, the fixing members are screws B and nuts N. More specifically, two screws B are inserted into the first fixing hole 13 and the second fixing hole 22a, and nuts N are threaded onto the ends of the screws B. However, the fixing members are not limited to screws and nuts, and may be, for example, an adhesive or the like.

[0024] 4 and 5, the inner socket 30 has a socket main body 31, two socket flanges 32, two engagement pieces 33, and a restriction portion 34. The socket main body 31 is a rectangular cylinder extending about a central axis O. The socket main body 31 has an opening 31a that opens to the +Z side. The first housing 120 of the first optical connector 100 enters the inside of the inner socket 30 through the opening 31a (see FIG. 6).

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the two socket flanges 32 protrude from the -Z side end of the socket body 31 toward both sides in the first orthogonal direction X. Two retaining protrusions 32a are formed on each socket flange 32. In other words, the inner socket 30 has a total of four retaining protrusions 32a. The retaining protrusions 32a protrude from the socket flange 32 toward the +Z side. The four retaining protrusions 32a retain the four elastic members 41 of the biasing portion 40 (see Figure 4).

[0026] The two engaging pieces 33 extend along the axial direction Z. The two engaging pieces 33 are arranged apart in the first orthogonal direction X, sandwiching the central axis O therebetween. Each engaging piece 33 has an engaging portion 33a that protrudes toward the internal space of the first main body 11. Each engaging piece 33 is elastically deformable in the first orthogonal direction X, starting from its base end (the end of the engaging piece 33 on the -Z side). The engaging pieces 33 and the engaging portion 33a function to engage the first optical connector 100 with the inner socket 30.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the restricting portion 34 is located at the end on the -Z side of the socket main body 31. The restricting portion 34 has a rectangular frame shape. As shown in Fig. 6, the first ferrule 110 is inserted inside the restricting portion 34. The first housing 120 abuts against the restricting portion 34. This restricts the first optical connector 100 from moving excessively toward the -Z side relative to the inner socket 30.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6 , the first optical connector 100 includes a first intermediate member 130, a movable member 140, a first boot 150 (see FIG. 1 ), a support member 160, a first biasing member 170, and two auxiliary biasing members 180 in addition to a first ferrule 110 and a first housing 120. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first ferrule 110 includes a plurality of first fiber holes 112 and the two first positioning holes 113 described above. The plurality of first fiber holes 112 and the two first positioning holes 113 open to the first connection end face 111. The two first positioning holes 113 are spaced apart in the first orthogonal direction X, sandwiching the plurality of first fiber holes 112 therebetween. A first optical fiber F1 is inserted through each of the first fiber holes 112.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6 , the first housing 120 has a storage portion 121. The storage portion 121 is a rectangular cylinder extending in the axial direction Z. A portion of the first ferrule 110, the first intermediate member 130, the first biasing member 170, and a portion of the support member 160 are stored inside the storage portion 121. The first housing 120 has two protrusions 123 that protrude from the storage portion 121 toward the +X side and the −X side. The engaging portion 33a of the engaging piece 33 engages with these two protrusions 123. This restricts movement of the first housing 120 toward the +Z side relative to the adapter 2.

[0030] The first intermediate member 130 contacts the end of the first ferrule 110 on the +Z side. The first intermediate member 130 transmits the biasing force of the first biasing member 170 to the first ferrule 110. However, in this embodiment, the biasing force of the first biasing member 170 is not substantially utilized. Details will be described later. The movable member 140 is a so-called push-pull member that is gripped by the user when attaching or detaching. The movable member 140 has a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction Z and surrounds the first housing 120 from the outside. The movable member 140 is formed with a spring seat 141 that protrudes inward. The movable member 140 is movable in the axial direction Z relative to the first housing 120. Two auxiliary biasing members 180 are arranged in the gap between the movable member 140 and the first housing 120.

[0031] The +Z side end of the auxiliary biasing member 180 contacts the wide portion 122 of the first housing 120, and the −Z side end of the auxiliary biasing member 180 contacts the spring seat 141 of the movable member 140. The auxiliary biasing member 180 is, for example, a coil spring and is compressed in the axial direction Z. Therefore, the movable member 140 receives a biasing force from the auxiliary biasing member 180 toward the −Z side. When no external force is acting on the movable member 140, the biasing force of the auxiliary biasing member 180 causes the −Z side end of the movable member 140 to enter between the first main body portion 11 and the engaging piece 33 of the adapter 2. This restricts the engaging piece 33 from elastically deforming outward. When the user moves the movable member 140 toward the +Z side against the biasing force, the movable member 140 disengages from the adapter 2, allowing the engaging piece 33 to elastically deform outward in the first orthogonal direction X.

[0032] To remove the first optical connector 100 from the adapter 2, the movable member 140 is moved to the +Z side, and the first optical connector 100 is then pulled toward the +Z side. When the engaging portion 33a comes into contact with the inclined surface of the protrusion 123, the engaging piece 33 elastically deforms outward in the first orthogonal direction X. As a result, the engaging portion 33a disengages from the protrusion 123, and the first optical connector 100 is detached from the adapter 2.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 6, the second optical connector 200 includes a second ferrule 210 and a second housing 220, as well as a second intermediate member 230, an elastic engagement piece 240, and a second boot 250. As shown in Fig. 3, the second ferrule 210 has a plurality of second fiber holes 212 and two second positioning holes 213. The plurality of second fiber holes 212 and the two second positioning holes 213 open to a second connection end face 211. The two second positioning holes 213 are spaced apart in the first orthogonal direction X, sandwiching the plurality of second fiber holes 212 therebetween. Positioning pins 260 are inserted through these second positioning holes 213. A second optical fiber F2 is inserted through each of the second fiber holes 212.

[0034] 6, the second housing 220 has a distal side member 220a and a proximal side member 220b. The second housing 220 is formed by combining these two members 220a, 220b. However, the second housing 220 may be a single member. A part of the second ferrule 210, the second intermediate member 230, and the second biasing member 270 are housed inside the second housing 220.

[0035] The second intermediate member 230 is in contact with the end of the second ferrule 210 on the -Z side. The second intermediate member 230 has the role of transmitting the biasing force of the second biasing member 270 to the second ferrule 210. The second intermediate member 230 also holds two positioning pins 260. For this reason, the second intermediate member 230 is also referred to as a pin clamp. The elastic engagement piece 240 is disposed on the -X side of the second housing 220. The elastic engagement piece 240 has an engagement protrusion 241 that protrudes toward the -X side. The second main body 21 also has an engagement hole 21a. The engagement protrusion 241 engages with this engagement hole 21a, thereby restricting movement of the second optical connector 200 toward the -Z side relative to the adapter 2. Although details are omitted, when the second optical connector 200 is removed from the adapter 2, the elastic engagement piece 240 is elastically deformed, causing the engagement protrusion 241 to move to the +X side and disengage from the engagement hole 21a.

[0036] The base-end member 220b of the second housing 220 has a second support surface 221 facing the +Z side. The -Z side end of the second biasing member 270 contacts the second support surface 221. The +Z side end of the second biasing member 270 contacts the second intermediate member 230. The second biasing member 270 is, for example, a coil spring, and is compressed between the second support surface 221 and the second intermediate member 230.

[0037] With the above configuration, a biasing force toward the -Z side generated by the first biasing member 170 acts on the first ferrule 110. Furthermore, a biasing force toward the +Z side generated by the second biasing member 270 acts on the second ferrule 210. In this embodiment, the first optical connector 100 and the second optical connector 200 are different types. The area of ​​the first connecting end face 111 is larger than the area of ​​the second connecting end face 211. Furthermore, the biasing force acting on the first ferrule 110 is larger than the biasing force acting on the second ferrule 210. Specifically, the biasing force acting on the first ferrule 110 (first biasing force) is within a range of 18 to 22 N, and the biasing force acting on the second ferrule 210 (second biasing force) is within a range of 7 to 13 N.

[0038] Next, the operation of the optical connection structure 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0039] 6, the inner socket 30 and the first housing 120 are engaged by the engaging portion 33a and the protrusion 123. The inner socket 30 is also biased toward the -Z side with respect to the first member 10 by the action of the biasing portion 40. Therefore, the first housing 120 is also biased toward the -Z side by the biasing portion 40. When the first ferrule 110 and the second ferrule 210 come into contact with each other, the biasing force of the second biasing member 270 causes the second ferrule 210 to press against the first ferrule 110.

[0040] Here, the first ferrule 110 is biased by the first biasing member 170. However, the reaction force of the first biasing member 170 is supported by the first housing 120 via the support member 160. The first housing 120 is biased against the first member 10 by the biasing portion 40. As a result, the first biasing member 170 and the biasing portion 40 mechanically have a structure in which springs are connected in series. Because the biasing force of the biasing portion 40 is smaller than the biasing force of the first biasing member 170, when the first ferrule 110 is pressed by the second ferrule 210, the biasing portion 40 is compressively deformed preferentially over the first biasing member 170.

[0041] In other words, the positions of the first ferrule 110 and the second ferrule 210 in the axial direction Z when they come into contact with each other are determined primarily by the balance of the biasing forces of the biasing portion 40 and the second biasing member 270. In this embodiment, the third biasing force of the biasing portion 40 and the second biasing force of the second biasing member 270 are approximately equal. As a specific example, the second biasing force of the second biasing member 270 is 10 N. The biasing portion 40 has four elastic members 41, and the biasing force of each elastic member 41 is 2.5 N. In other words, the third biasing force of the biasing portion 40 is 4 × 2.5 = 10 N, which is equal to the second biasing force of the second biasing member 270.

[0042] From the above, even if the biasing force of the first biasing member 170 is greater than the biasing force of the second biasing member 270, the first ferrule 110 is prevented from excessively advancing toward the second ferrule 210. Therefore, it is possible to position the first connecting end face 111 and the second connecting end face 211 at predetermined positions in the axial direction Z.

[0043] In the above, a case has been described in which the second biasing force by the second biasing member 270 and the third biasing force by the biasing portion 40 are substantially equal to each other. However, if the difference between the third biasing force and the second biasing force is smaller than the difference between the first biasing force and the second biasing force, the effect can be obtained.

[0044] As described above, the adapter 2 of this embodiment connects a first optical connector 100 that urges a first ferrule 110 having a first connecting end face 111 toward the first connecting end face 111 with a first urging force, and a second optical connector 200 that urges a second ferrule 210 having a second connecting end face 211 toward the second connecting end face 211 with a second urging force that is smaller than the first urging force. The adapter 2 includes an inner socket 30 that engages with the first optical connector 100, a housing C that houses the inner socket 30 and engages with the second optical connector 200, and a urging unit 40 that urges the inner socket 30 toward the second optical connector 200 against the housing C with a third urging force, wherein the difference between the third urging force and the second urging force is smaller than the difference between the first urging force and the second urging force. According to this adapter 2, two types of optical connectors 100 and 200 that have different biasing forces on the ferrules 110 and 210 can be properly connected to each other.

[0045] Moreover, the biasing portion 40 includes a plurality of elastic members 41, which are arranged point-symmetrically about the central axis O of the inner socket 30. With this configuration, the inner socket 30 can be biased in a balanced manner by the plurality of elastic members 41. Therefore, tilting of the first optical connector 100 engaged with the inner socket 30 can be suppressed.

[0046] The housing C also has a first member 10 that supports the biasing portion 40 and a second member 20 that engages with the second optical connector 200. The inner socket 30 is movable in the axial direction Z relative to the first member 10 and the second member 20. This configuration makes it possible to realize a structure in which the inner socket 30 floats inside the housing C.

[0047] Furthermore, the housing C of this embodiment does not engage with the first housing 120 of the first optical connector 100. With this configuration, the biasing force of the biasing portion 40 can be applied substantially to the first ferrule 110, instead of the first biasing member 170.

[0048] 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.

[0049] For example, the structures of the optical connectors 100 and 200 described above are merely examples, and the disclosure of the above embodiments can be suitably used for two types of optical connectors with different ferrule biasing forces.

[0050] 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.

[0051] According to the adapter of the above aspect of the present invention, two types of optical connectors that have different biasing forces on the ferrules can be properly connected to each other.

[0052] 2...Adapter 10...First member 20...Second member 30...Inner socket 40...Pressing portion 41...Elastic member 100...First optical connector 110...First ferrule 111...First connecting end surface 200...Second optical connector 210...Second ferrule 211...Second connecting end surface C...Housing O...Central axis

Claims

1. An adapter for connecting a first optical connector which urges a first ferrule having a first connecting end face toward the first connecting end face with a first biasing force, and a second optical connector which urges a second ferrule having a second connecting end face toward the second connecting end face with a second biasing force smaller than the first biasing force, the adapter comprising: an inner socket which engages with the first optical connector; a housing which houses the inner socket and engages with the second optical connector; and a biasing section which biases the inner socket against the housing with a third biasing force toward the second optical connector, wherein a difference between the third biasing force and the second biasing force is smaller than a difference between the first biasing force and the second biasing force.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the biasing portion includes a plurality of elastic members, the plurality of elastic members being arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the inner socket.

3. An adapter as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a first member that supports the biasing portion and a second member that engages with the second optical connector, and the inner socket is movable relative to the first member and the second member.

4. An adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing does not engage with a housing of the first optical connector.

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