Alignment component, assembly component, and method for manufacturing optical connector

Abstract

An alignment component (50) comprises: a rear housing engagement part (51); a sleeve holding part (52); and a guide part (53). The rear housing engagement part (51) is engaged with a rear housing (8) into which an optical cord (2) is inserted. The sleeve holding part (52) holds a sleeve (15). A portion of the optical cord (2) extending from the rear housing (8) is inserted into the sleeve (15). The guide part (53) is provided between the rear housing engagement part (51) and the sleeve holding part (52), and guides the optical cord (2) extending from the rear housing (8) into the sleeve (15). The guide part (53) has a tapered surface (53a) with which the optical cord (2) makes contact.

Description

Alignment parts, assembly parts, and optical connector manufacturing methods

[0001] This disclosure relates to an alignment component, an assembly component, and a manufacturing method for an optical connector. This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2024-009858, filed January 26, 2024, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application.

[0002] An optical connector is comprised of multiple components (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3). When assembling an optical connector, an optical cord is inserted into the multiple components that make up the optical connector. The components that make up the optical connector include, for example, a rear housing and a sleeve.

[0003] JP 2011-118348 A JP 2009-205100 A JP 2002-082257 A

[0004] An alignment component according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a rear housing engagement portion, a sleeve holding portion, and a guide portion. The rear housing engagement portion engages with the rear housing into which an optical cord is inserted. The sleeve holding portion holds a sleeve. A portion of the optical cord extending from the rear housing is inserted into the sleeve. The guide portion is provided between the rear housing engagement portion and the sleeve holding portion, and guides the optical cord extending from the rear housing into the sleeve. The guide portion has a tapered surface against which the optical cord abuts.

[0005] Fig. 1A is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to an embodiment. Fig. 1B is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly part used in assembling the optical connector. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly part. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the assembly part. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alignment part.

[0006] [Problem to be Solved by the Present Disclosure] When inserting an optical cord into each component in assembling an optical connector, the tip of the optical cord may get caught on the component, reducing workability. When the optical cord is stored, it may also develop a tendency to bend. In this case, inserting the optical cord into each component becomes even more difficult.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide an alignment component, an assembly component, and a method for manufacturing an optical connector that can improve the ease of assembling an optical connector.

[0008] Effect of the Present Disclosure According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an alignment component, an assembly component, and a method for manufacturing an optical connector that can improve the ease of assembling an optical connector.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] [1] An alignment component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a rear housing engagement portion, a sleeve holding portion, and a guide portion. The rear housing engagement portion engages with the rear housing into which an optical cord is inserted. The sleeve holding portion holds a sleeve. A portion of the optical cord extending from the rear housing is inserted into the sleeve. The guide portion is provided between the rear housing engagement portion and the sleeve holding portion, and guides the optical cord extending from the rear housing into the sleeve. The guide portion has a tapered surface against which the optical cord abuts.

[0011] This alignment component is configured to include a rear housing engaging portion, a sleeve holding portion, and a guide portion. In this case, the optical cord can be easily inserted into the rear housing and the sleeve with both the rear housing and the sleeve positioned. Furthermore, the guide portion provided between the rear housing engaging portion and the sleeve holding portion has a tapered surface. Therefore, when the optical cord inserted in the rear housing is inserted into the sleeve, the tip of the optical cord abuts against the tapered surface and can be guided into the sleeve. This can improve the ease of assembly of the optical connector.

[0012] [2] In the alignment component of [1] above, the guide portion may connect the rear housing engaging portion and the sleeve holding portion. The tapered surface may be inclined so that a normal to the tapered surface extends toward the rear housing engaging portion. This can further improve ease of insertion of the optical cord even when the maximum width inside the sleeve is smaller than the maximum width inside the rear housing.

[0013] [3] In the alignment component of [1] or [2] above, the guide portion may include a hollow portion. The hollow portion may extend through the alignment component in a first direction in which the rear housing engagement portion, the guide portion, and the sleeve holding portion are aligned. The tapered surface may define the hollow portion. In this case, ease of insertion of the optical cord may be further improved.

[0014] [4] In the alignment component of [3], the hollow portion may have an opening that opens in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and communicates with the rear housing engagement portion and the sleeve holding portion. In this case, the alignment component can be easily removed after the optical cord is inserted into the rear housing and the sleeve. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the optical connector can be further improved.

[0015] [5] In the alignment component of any one of [1] to [4] above, the sleeve holding portion may hold the sleeve via a spring disposed along the outer periphery of the sleeve. In this case, the ease of removal of the alignment component can be further improved.

[0016] [6] In the alignment component of any one of [1] to [5] above, the rear housing engagement portion may include a plug-in portion that is inserted into the rear housing. The plug-in portion may be inserted into a space in the rear housing into which the front housing is inserted when the rear housing and the front housing are coupled. In this case, the ease of installation and removal of the alignment component may be further improved. As a result, the ease of assembly of the optical connector may be further improved.

[0017] [7] An assembly component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sleeve and any one of the alignment components described above in [1] to [6]. The sleeve holding portion holds the sleeve with the tip of the sleeve protruding from the sleeve holding portion. In this case, the ease of removing the alignment component can be further improved. As a result, the ease of assembling the optical connector can be further improved.

[0018] [8] A manufacturing method of an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes arranging a rear housing and a sleeve on an alignment part so as to sandwich a guide portion, and inserting an optical cord extending from the rear housing into the sleeve by abutting the tapered surface of the guide portion. The alignment part holds the rear housing into which the optical cord is inserted and the sleeve into which the portion of the optical cord extending from the rear housing is inserted, and includes a guide portion that guides the optical cord.

[0019] [9] The method for manufacturing an optical connector according to [8] above may further include removing the alignment component from the sleeve and the rear housing after the optical cord is inserted into the sleeve.

[0020] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0021] First, the alignment components and assembly components of this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1A to 6. Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an optical connector according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector shown in Figure 1A. Figure 3 is a perspective view of assembly components used in assembling the optical connector.

[0022] The optical connector 1 of this embodiment is a fusion splice type LC connector to which an optical cord 2 is assembled. The optical cord 2 includes, for example, an optical fiber core, a jacket covering the optical fiber core, and a tensile strength fiber. The tensile strength fiber is interposed between the optical fiber core and the jacket. The tensile strength fiber has an extremely small diameter. The tensile strength fiber is contained in the optical cord in a bundled state.

[0023] The optical connector 1 includes a ferrule member 6, a front housing 7, a rear housing 8, a jacket holding member 9, a fixing member 10, a boot 11, and a fusion protection sleeve 15. The front housing 7 accommodates the ferrule member 6. The rear housing 8 is disposed behind the front housing 7 and is connected to the front housing 7. The jacket holding member 9 and the fixing member 10 are attached to the rear housing 8. The boot 11 is attached to the fixing member 10.

[0024] The ferrule member 6 has a ferrule body 13 and a flange portion 14. The ferrule body 13 holds the short-shaped embedded fiber 12. The flange portion 14 is fixed to the ferrule body 13. The tip surface (front end surface) of the ferrule body 13 is polished so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., 8 degrees) with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the embedded fiber 12 in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] The built-in fiber 12 extends rearward from the ferrule member 6 by a predetermined length. The tip of the optical fiber core exposed by removing the outer covering from the tip portion of the optical cord 2 is fusion-spliced ​​to one end of the built-in fiber 12. The fusion protection sleeve 15 houses and protects the fusion-spliced ​​portion between the built-in fiber 12 and the optical fiber core.

[0026] When the optical connector 1 is not connected to a mating optical connector, a dust cap 16 is placed over the ferrule body 13 to protect the ferrule body 13 from dust, dirt, etc. The dust cap 16 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0027] An insertion hole 17 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the front housing 7. The ferrule member 6 is housed inside the front housing 7 from the rear side of the front housing 7. A wall portion is provided on the inner wall surface of the front portion of the front housing 7 to receive the flange portion 14 of the ferrule member 6. The diameter of the insertion hole 17 in the front portion of the front housing 7 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dust cap 16.

[0028] The rear housing 8 is connected to the rear end of the front housing 7 via a locking means. An insertion hole extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the rear housing 8. The above-mentioned fusion protection sleeve 15 is housed inside the front housing 7 and rear housing 8. The fusion protection sleeve 15 houses the optical cord 2 and the built-in fiber 12.

[0029] A spring 18 that urges the ferrule member 6 forward abuts against the front end of the rear housing 8. The spring 18 is disposed in the ferrule accommodating space of the front housing 7. The spring 18 is formed in a spiral shape and is disposed along the outer periphery of the fusion protection sleeve 15. By providing such a spring 18, it becomes possible to perform a PC (Physical Contact) connection with the mating optical connector.

[0030] The rear housing 8 has a large cylindrical portion 20 and a small cylindrical portion 21 provided on the rear side of the large cylindrical portion 20. The diameter of the small cylindrical portion 21 is smaller than the diameter of the large cylindrical portion 20. A male thread 22 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the large cylindrical portion 20.

[0031] The above-described jacket holding member 9 and fixing member 10 are attached to the rear housing 8. The jacket holding member 9 has an annular portion 25 that fits into the small cylindrical portion 21, and a pair of holding arms 26 that are integrated with the annular portion 25 and extend in the axial direction of the annular portion 25.

[0032] The fixing member 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The fixing member 10 has a tensile strength fiber fixing portion 28 and an outer jacket fixing portion 29. The tensile strength fiber fixing portion 28 fixes the tensile strength fibers of the optical fiber cord 2 to the large cylindrical portion 20 of the rear housing 8. The outer jacket fixing portion 29 is provided on the rear side of the tensile strength fiber fixing portion 28 and fixes the outer jacket 4 of the optical fiber cord 2 to the small cylindrical portion 21 of the rear housing 8 via the pressing arms 26. The above-mentioned boot 11 is attached to the outer jacket fixing portion 29. The boot 11 protects the optical fiber cord 2 from being subjected to sudden bending behind the rear housing 8. A reinforcing tube 31 is attached to the boot 11 in advance.

[0033] Next, the assembly of the optical connector 1 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly part, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the assembly part. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the alignment part. In assembling this optical connector 1, the optical cord 2 is inserted into the rear housing 8, the boot 11, and the fusion protection sleeve 15. At this time, an assembly part 40 is used. The assembly part 40 includes an alignment part 50 in addition to the rear housing 8, the boot 11, and the fusion protection sleeve 15. Hereinafter, the "fusion protection sleeve" may also be simply referred to as a "sleeve."

[0034] The alignment component 50 extends in the Z-axis direction. The alignment component 50 aligns the rear housing 8 and the sleeve 15 in the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the first direction. The alignment component 50 is open in the Y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The alignment component 50 has a U-shape in cross section along the XY plane, and the U-shaped portion is continuous in the Z-axis direction.

[0035] The alignment component 50 includes a rear housing engaging portion 51, a sleeve holding portion 52, and a guide portion 53. For example, the rear housing engaging portion 51, the sleeve holding portion 52, and the guide portion 53 are integrally formed. The material of the alignment component 50 is, for example, plastic, including, for example, polycarbonate.

[0036] The rear housing engaging portion 51 engages with the rear housing 8. The optical fiber cord 2 is inserted into the rear housing 8. The rear housing engaging portion 51 includes a plug portion 61 that is inserted into the rear housing 8. The plug portion 61 is inserted into a space SP in the rear housing 8. The front housing 7 is inserted into the space SP when the rear housing 8 and the front housing 7 are coupled together.

[0037] The sleeve holding portion 52 holds the sleeve 15. A portion of the optical cord 2 extending from the rear housing 8 is inserted into the sleeve 15. The sleeve holding portion 52 holds the sleeve 15 via a spring 18. The spring 18 is formed in a spiral shape and is arranged along the outer periphery of the sleeve 15 when the sleeve 15 is held in the sleeve holding portion 52. The sleeve 15 is inserted into the spring 18.

[0038] In the example shown in this embodiment, when the sleeve 15 is held by the sleeve holding portion 52, a portion of the sleeve 15 is housed within the alignment component 50 in the Z-axis direction. The sleeve 15 is held by the sleeve holding portion 52 with the tip of the sleeve 15 protruding from the sleeve holding portion 52. For example, the sleeve 15 is held by the sleeve holding portion 52 with the tip of the sleeve 15 protruding from the alignment component 50. As a modification of this embodiment, the entire sleeve 15 may be housed within the alignment component 50. For example, the entire sleeve 15 may be held by the sleeve holding portion 52. In the direction along the XY plane, the maximum interior width of the sleeve 15 is smaller than the maximum width of the space SP.

[0039] The guide portion 53 is provided between the rear housing engagement portion 51 and the sleeve holding portion 52. The rear housing engagement portion 51, the guide portion 53, and the sleeve holding portion 52 are aligned in this order in the Z-axis direction. The guide portion 53 guides the optical cord 2 extending from the rear housing 8 into the sleeve 15.

[0040] The guide portion 53 has a tapered surface 53a. The guide portion 53 connects the rear housing engaging portion 51 and the sleeve holding portion 52. The optical fiber cord 2 abuts against the tapered surface 53a. The tapered surface 53a is inclined so that a normal to the tapered surface 53a extends toward the rear housing engaging portion 51. In the example shown in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the tapered surface 53a is formed to surround the optical fiber cord 2 inserted into the hollow portion R when viewed along the Z-axis direction. For example, when viewed along the Z-axis direction, i.e., when projected onto a plane along the XY plane, the tapered surface 53a is formed to occupy a sector portion with a central angle of 180° or more, with the optical fiber cord 2 inserted into the hollow portion R as the center.

[0041] In the example shown in this embodiment, the tapered surface 53 a is configured with a plurality of flat surfaces arranged around the Z-axis direction. As a modification of this embodiment, the tapered surface 53 a may be configured with at least one curved surface that curves around the Z-axis direction.

[0042] For example, the optical fiber cord 2 is inserted into the rear housing 8 through the inside of the boot 11 and protrudes from the end side of the rear housing 8 where the space SP is located. The optical fiber cord 2 protruding from the rear housing 8 abuts against the tapered surface 53 a, is inserted into the hollow portion R along the tapered surface 53 a, and is then inserted into the inside of the sleeve 15. In other words, the optical fiber cord 2 slides along the tapered surface 53 a and is guided into the inside of the sleeve 15.

[0043] For example, the guide portion 53 has a hollow portion R that penetrates the guide portion 53 in the Z-axis direction. The tapered surface 53a forms a part of the surface that defines the hollow portion R. The hollow portion R has an opening α. The opening α is open in the Y-axis direction and communicates between the rear housing engaging portion 51 and the sleeve holding portion 52.

[0044] After a portion of the optical cord 2 is housed in the sleeve 15, the alignment part 50 is removed from the sleeve 15 and the rear housing 8. At this time, the alignment part 50 is removed, for example, by applying a force in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the optical cord 2, sleeve 15, spring 18, and rear housing 8 are released from the alignment part 50. At this time, the portion of the optical cord 2 located between the sleeve 15 and the rear housing 8 passes through the opening α and is released from the alignment part 50.

[0045] Next, the effects obtained from the alignment component 50, the assembly component 40, and the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1 in the embodiment will be described.

[0046] The alignment component 50 includes a rear housing engaging portion 51, a sleeve holding portion 52, and a guide portion 53. In this case, with both the rear housing 8 and the sleeve 15 positioned, the optical cord 2 can be easily inserted into the rear housing 8 and the sleeve 15. Furthermore, the guide portion provided between the rear housing engaging portion 51 and the sleeve holding portion 52 has a tapered surface 53a. Therefore, when the optical cord 2 inserted in the rear housing 8 is inserted into the sleeve 15, the tip of the optical cord 2 abuts against the tapered surface 53a and can be guided into the sleeve 15. This can improve the ease of assembly of the optical connector 1.

[0047] In the example shown in this embodiment, the guide portion 53 connects the rear housing engaging portion 51 and the sleeve holding portion 52. The tapered surface 53a is inclined so that the normal to the tapered surface 53a extends toward the rear housing engaging portion 51. This can further improve ease of insertion of the optical cord 2 even when the maximum interior width of the sleeve 15 is smaller than the maximum interior width of the rear housing 8.

[0048] In the example shown in this embodiment, the guide portion 53 includes a hollow portion R. The hollow portion R penetrates in the Z-axis direction in which the rear housing engagement portion 51, the guide portion 53, and the sleeve holding portion 52 are aligned. The tapered surface 53a forms a part of the surface that defines the hollow portion R. In this case, the ease of insertion of the optical cord 2 can be further improved.

[0049] In the example shown in this embodiment, the hollow portion R has an opening α that is open in the Y-axis direction and communicates with the rear housing engagement portion 51 and the sleeve holding portion 52. In this case, the alignment part 50 can be easily removed after the optical cord 2 is inserted into the rear housing 8 and the sleeve 15. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the optical connector 1 can be further improved.

[0050] In the example shown in this embodiment, the sleeve holding portion 52 holds the sleeve 15 via a spirally formed spring 18 arranged along the outer periphery of the sleeve 15. In this case, the ease of removal of the alignment component 50 can be further improved.

[0051] In the example shown in this embodiment, the rear housing engagement portion 51 includes a plug portion 61 that is inserted into the rear housing 8. The plug portion 61 is inserted into a space SP in the rear housing 8 into which the front housing 7 is inserted when the rear housing 8 and the front housing 7 are coupled. In this case, the ease of attachment and removal of the alignment component 50 can be further improved. As a result, the ease of assembly of the optical connector 1 can be further improved.

[0052] In the example shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly component 40 includes the sleeve 15 and the above-described alignment component 50. The sleeve holding portion 52 holds the sleeve 15 in a state in which the tip of the sleeve 15 protrudes from the sleeve holding portion 52. In this case, the ease of removing the alignment component 50 can be further improved. As a result, the ease of assembling the optical connector 1 can be further improved.

[0053] A manufacturing method of an optical connector includes arranging the rear housing 8 and the sleeve 15 on the alignment part 50 so that the guide part 53 is sandwiched between them, and inserting the optical cord extending from the rear housing 8 into the sleeve 15 by abutting the optical cord extending from the rear housing 8 against the tapered surface 53a of the guide part 53. The alignment part 50 holds the rear housing 8 into which the optical cord 2 is inserted and the sleeve 15 into which the portion of the optical cord 2 extending from the rear housing 8 is inserted, and includes the guide part 53 that guides the optical cord 2. The manufacturing method may further include removing the alignment part 50 from the sleeve 15 and the rear housing 8 after the optical cord 2 is inserted into the sleeve 15. In this case, the optical cord 2 can be easily inserted into the sleeve 15 and the rear housing 8, and a compact configuration can be achieved for the entire optical connector.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be applied to various embodiments. In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the alignment component 50 is fixed to the rear housing 8 by inserting the insertion portion 61 into the space SP. However, this configuration is not limited thereto, and the alignment component 50 may be joined to the rear housing 8.

[0055] 1...optical connector 2...optical cord 4...outer jacket 6...ferrule member 7...front housing 8...rear housing 9...outer jacket holding member 10...fixing member 11...boot 12...built-in fiber 13...ferrule body 14...flange portion 15...fusion protection sleeve 16...dust cap 17...insertion hole 18...spring 20...large cylindrical portion 21...small cylindrical portion 22...male thread 25...annular portion 26...holding arm 28...tensile strength fiber fixing portion 29...outer jacket fixing portion 31...reinforcing tube 40...assembly part 50...alignment part 51...rear housing engaging portion 52...sleeve holding portion 53...guiding portion 53a...tapered surface 61...insertion portion R...hollow portion SP...space α...opening.

Claims

1. An alignment component comprising: a rear housing engaging portion that engages with a rear housing into which an optical code is inserted; a sleeve holding portion that holds a sleeve into which a portion of the optical code extending from the rear housing is inserted; and a guiding portion provided between the rear housing engaging portion and the sleeve holding portion for guiding the optical code extending from the rear housing into the sleeve, wherein the guiding portion has a tapered surface with which the optical code abuts.

2. The alignment component according to claim 1, wherein the guiding portion connects the rear housing engaging portion and the sleeve holding portion, and the tapered surface is inclined such that a normal line of the tapered surface extends toward the rear housing engaging portion.

3. The alignment component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guiding portion includes a hollow portion that penetrates in a first direction in which the rear housing engaging portion, the guiding portion, and the sleeve holding portion are arranged, and the tapered surface forms a surface that defines the hollow portion.

4. The alignment component according to claim 3, wherein the hollow portion has an opening that opens in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and communicates the rear housing engaging portion and the sleeve holding portion.

5. The alignment component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sleeve holding portion holds the sleeve via a spring disposed along an outer circumference of the sleeve.

6. The alignment component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rear housing engaging portion includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the rear housing, and the insertion portion is inserted into a space in the rear housing into which the front housing is inserted when the rear housing and the front housing are coupled.

7. An assembly component comprising: the sleeve; and the alignment component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sleeve holding portion holds the sleeve in a state where a tip end of the sleeve protrudes from the sleeve holding portion.

8. An alignment component that holds a rear housing into which an optical code is inserted and a sleeve that houses a portion of the optical code extending from the rear housing and includes a guiding portion for guiding the optical code, wherein the rear housing and the sleeve are arranged so as to sandwich the guiding portion, and the optical code extending from the rear housing is brought into contact with a tapered surface of the guiding portion and inserted into the sleeve. A method for manufacturing an optical connector.

9. The method for manufacturing an optical connector according to claim 8, further comprising removing the alignment component from the sleeve and the rear housing after a part of the optical code is housed in the sleeve.

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