Duplex optical connector plug

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a duplex optical connector plug capable of smoothly releasing linkage (optical connection) between an optical connector plug and an optical connector adapter. [Solution] In a duplex optical connector plug 10, first and second tip parts of first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b enter first and second recessed hole parts of first and second guide protrusions 36a, 36b formed at front ends of first and second plug frames 20a, 20b, and the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are elastically deformed such that when the first and second tip parts are lifted upward, upward inclined surfaces of the tip parts abut on downward inclined surfaces of the first and second recessed hole parts, and the upward lifting of the first and second tip parts is prevented by the recessed hole parts. The first and second elastic parts of the first and second engaging latches 77a and 77b are thereby elastically deformed downward such that the elastic parts can be sufficiently pushed downward.

Description

Duplex optical connector plug

[0001] The present invention relates to a duplex optical connector plug.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a duplex optical connector plug including: a first plug frame that houses a first ferrule that holds a first optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a first stop ring that engages with the first plug frame; and a first spring that is installed between the first ferrule and the first stop ring and urges the first ferrule axially forward; a second plug frame that houses a second ferrule that holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring that engages with the second plug frame; and a second spring that is installed between the second ferrule and the second stop ring and urges the second ferrule axially forward and is parallel to the first optical connector assembly; an inner housing that houses the rear end of the first stop ring and the rear end of the second stop ring; an outer housing that houses the inner housing; and a slider that is connected to the outer housing so as to be slidable in the axial direction (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The outer housing of the duplex optical connector plug has a front-end opening at its front end, a first elastically deformable engagement latch located on one side of a top wall of the outer housing and extending axially forward from the front-end opening, and a second elastically deformable engagement latch located on the other side of the top wall of the outer housing and extending axially forward from the front-end opening. The first and second engagement latches have abutting protrusions located at their front ends that abut the top wall of the front end of the plug frame, and an engagement portion located axially rearward of the abutting protrusions that engage with the optical connector adapter when the first and second connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter.

[0004] In this duplex optical connector plug, when the first and second connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter and pushed into the optical connector adapter, the elastic portions of the first and second engagement latches elastically deform downward, and the engagement portions of the first and second engagement latches engage with the engagement portions of the optical connector adapter, connecting the optical connector plug to the optical connector adapter and establishing an optical connection. Before the slider is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing, the elastic portions of the first and second engagement latches are not pressed downward, and the engagement state of the engagement portions of the first and second engagement latches with the optical connector adapter is maintained.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-144132

[0006] In the duplex optical connector plug disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the slider is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing, the elastic portions of the first and second engaging latches are pressed downward by the mutual pushing mechanism of the slider and the first and second engaging latches, thereby disengaging the engaging portions of the first and second engaging latches from the optical connector adapter, allowing the first and second connector assemblies to be pulled out of the optical connector adapter and releasing the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug and the optical connector adapter.

[0007] However, in this duplex optical connector plug, when the engaging latch elastically deforms and concaves downward and the front of the engaging latch bends upward, the tip of the engaging latch may rise above the top wall of the front end of the plug frame, and the engaging portion of the engaging latch may not be sufficiently pressed downward. If the engaging portion of the engaging latch cannot be sufficiently pressed downward, the engaging portion remains engaged with the optical connector adapter, and the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug and the optical connector adapter cannot be released.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a duplex optical connector plug that can smoothly release the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug and the optical connector adapter.

[0009] The premise of the present invention to solve the above problem is a duplex optical connector plug including a first plug frame that houses a first ferrule that holds a first optical fiber and extends in the axial direction, a first stop ring that engages with the first plug frame, and a first spring that is installed between the first ferrule and the first stop ring and urges the first ferrule axially forward; a second plug frame that houses a second ferrule that holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction, a second stop ring that engages with the second plug frame, and a second spring that is installed between the second ferrule and the second stop ring and urges the second ferrule axially forward, and is parallel to the first optical connector assembly; an inner housing that houses the rear ends of the first and second stop rings, and an outer housing that houses the inner housing.

[0010] The present invention is characterized in that the first and second plug frames have guide protrusions that protrude upward from the top walls of their front ends, and the guide protrusions have recessed hole portions that are recessed axially forward from their rear end faces facing the stop ring, the outer housing has a front end opening that opens to its front end, and an elastically deformable first engagement latch that extends axially from one side of the top wall of the outer housing and extends axially forward from the front end opening, and an elastically deformable second engagement latch that extends axially from the other side of the top wall of the outer housing and extends axially forward from the front end opening, the first and second engagement latches have tip portions that are located on the top walls of the front ends of the plug frames and enter the recessed hole portions, and engagement portions that are formed axially rearward of the tip portions and engage with the optical connector adapter when the first and second connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter, and the recessed hole portions prevent the tip portions from floating upward when the first and second engagement latches are elastically deformed.

[0011] In one example of the present invention, the recessed hole portion has a downwardly sloping surface that slopes downward from the rear end surface of the guide protrusion toward the axial front, and the tip ends of the first and second engaging latches have upwardly sloping surfaces that slope upward from their front ends toward the axial rear, and abutment surfaces that abut the top wall of the front end of the plug frame, and when the first and second engaging latches elastically deform and the tip ends float upward, the upwardly sloping surfaces of the tip ends abut against the downwardly sloping surface of the recessed hole portion.

[0012] In another example of the present invention, the first and second engagement latches have a connecting portion connected to the top wall of the outer housing and an elastic portion extending axially forward from the connecting portion and extending axially forward from the front end opening of the outer housing, the elastic portion having a rear elastic portion located between the connecting portion and the engagement portion and extending axially forward, and a front elastic portion located between the engagement portion and the tip end and extending axially forward, and the vertical thickness dimension of the rear elastic portion gradually increases from the connecting portion to the engagement portion.

[0013] In another example of the present invention, the axial length dimension of the rear elastic portion of the elastic part is longer than the axial length dimension of the front elastic portion of the elastic part, the front elastic portion slopes downward from the front end of the rear elastic portion toward the axial front, and the vertical thickness dimension of the front elastic portion is smaller than that of the rear elastic portion.

[0014] In another example of the present invention, the rear elastic portion of the elastic part has a rear half portion that extends approximately horizontally from the connecting portion axially forward to a midpoint of the rear elastic portion, and a front half portion that extends axially forward from the midpoint of the rear elastic portion at a downward slope, and then extends approximately horizontally to the engagement portion, and the vertical thickness dimension of the front elastic portion is smaller than that of the rear half portion and the front half portion of the rear elastic portion.

[0015] In another example of the present invention, the vertical elastic force of the front elastic portion is smaller than that of the rear and front half portions of the rear elastic portion, and the front elastic portion elastically deforms more easily than the rear and front half portions.

[0016] As another example of the present invention, in a dual-type optical connector plug, when the first and second connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter and the optical connector plug is connected to the optical connector adapter, the optical connector plug is pulled in the direction of releasing the connection with the optical connector adapter, and an axial tensile load acts on the first and second engaging latches, and when the first and second engaging latches extend in the axial direction, the upwardly inclined surfaces of the tip portions of the first and second engaging latches abut against the downwardly inclined surfaces of the recessed hole portions, preventing the tip portions from floating upward.

[0017] In another example of the present invention, a duplex optical connector plug includes a slider that is slidably connected to the outer housing in the axial direction, and in the duplex optical connector plug, the first and second engagement latches are maintained in an engaged state with the optical connector adapter before the slider is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing, and when the slider is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing, a predetermined pushing mechanism causes the slider to press the first and second engagement latches downward, and when the tip ends of the first and second engagement latches enter the recessed hole portions of the guide protrusions, the first and second engagement latches are released from their engaged state with the optical connector adapter.

[0018] In another example of the present invention, the push-down mechanism is formed from an inclined upper surface of the front half of the rear elastic part, which extends from the intermediate position axially forward at a downward slope, and inclined lower surfaces formed on both sides of the slider, which slidably abut the inclined upper surfaces and extend axially rearward at an upward slope.

[0019] According to the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug and the optical connector adapter can be smoothly released.

[0020] 5 is a perspective view of a duplex optical connector plug shown as an example. A side view of the duplex optical connector plug. A cross-sectional view taken along the arrows X-X in FIG. 1. An exploded perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug. A perspective view of first and second plug frames. A cross-sectional view taken along the arrows Y-Y in FIG. 5. A perspective view of first and second stop rings. A perspective view of the inner housing shown in a state where it is separated into two. An outer surface view of the inner housing. A perspective view of the outer housing. A front view of the outer housing. A perspective view of the slider seen from above. A perspective view of the slider seen from below. A cross-sectional view taken along the arrows Z-Z in FIG.

[0021] The duplex optical connector plug according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example duplex optical connector plug 10, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the duplex optical connector plug 10. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug 10. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of first and second plug frames 20a, 20b, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of first and second stop rings 21a, 21b. In Figs. 1 and 2, the axial direction is indicated by arrow A, the radial direction (horizontal or vertical direction) is indicated by arrow B, and the circumferential direction is indicated by arrow C.

[0022] The duplex optical connector plug 10 is attached to the end of an optical fiber cord 102 and is used for optically connecting optical fibers by connecting it to an optical connector adapter (not shown). The optical connector plug 10 is formed of a first optical connector assembly 11a and a second optical connector assembly 11b, a first gear 12a and a second gear 12b, an intermediate gear 13, an inner housing 14 and an outer housing 15, a slider 16 and a crimping ring 17, a boot 18 and a pipe 28. As shown in the exploded perspective view of Figure 4, the optical connector plug 10 has the inner housing 14, the outer housing 15, the pipe 28 and the slider 16 lined up axially rearward of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11a and 11b, and the crimping ring 17 and the boot 18 lined up axially rearward of the slider 16.

[0023] The first and second optical connector assemblies 11a and 11b include first and second ferrules 19a and 19b extending in the axial direction, first and second plug frames 20a and 20b that house the first and second ferrules 19a and 19b, first and second stop rings 21a and 21b that engage with the first and second plug frames 20a and 20b, and first and second springs 22a and 22b (coil springs). The first and second ferrules 19a and 19b are formed of first and second capillaries 23a and 23b extending in the axial direction and first and second sleeves 24a and 24b that are cylindrically shaped and extend in the axial direction. The first and second capillaries 23a hold at least one first and second optical fiber 25a and 25b. The second optical connector assembly 11b is adjacent to the first optical connector assembly 11a and extends in the axial direction parallel to the first optical connector assembly 11a.

[0024] The outer diameters of the first and second capillaries 23a, 23b are 1.2485 mm to 1.2493 mm. An optical fiber insertion hole extending in the axial direction is formed inside the first and second capillaries 23a, 23b (ferrules). The first and second optical fibers 25a, 25b are inserted into the optical fiber insertion holes formed in the first and second capillaries 23a, 23b. The second capillary 23b is laterally adjacent to the first capillary 23a and extends in the axial direction parallel to the first capillary 23a. The first and second capillaries 23a, 23b are formed in a generally cylindrical shape that is long in the axial direction, and have a tip surface 26 at their axial ends where the end faces of the first and second optical fibers 25a, 25b are exposed, and a chamfered portion 27 in the outer diameter region of the tip surface 26. The rear ends of the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are inserted into the capillary insertion holes of the first and second sleeves 24 a, 24 b, and are fixedly held in the capillary insertion holes of the first and second sleeves 24 a, 24 b. One ends of the first and second optical fiber cores are inserted into the core insertion holes 32 of the first and second sleeves 24 a, 24 b, and are fixedly held in the core insertion holes of the first and second sleeves 24 a, 24 b.

[0025] The first and second sleeves 24a, 24b are connected axially rearward of the first and second capillaries 23a, 23b (first and second ferrules 19a, 19b). First and second core covers 29a, 29b (PTFE tubes) are connected axially rearward of the first and second sleeves 24a, 24b, covering the entire outer circumferences of the first and second optical fibers 25a, 25b and extending in the axial direction. First and second flanges 30a, 30b, each having a polygonal cylindrical shape and larger in diameter than the first and second capillaries 23a, 23b and the first and second core covers 29a, 29b, are integrally molded at the front ends of the first and second sleeves 24a, 24b. The second core cover 29b and the second flange 30b are laterally adjacent to the first core cover 29a and the first flange 30a and extend axially parallel to the first core cover 29a.

[0026] The first and second plug frames 20a, 20b are made of synthetic resin and are molded into hollow, generally rectangular tubular shapes. Each of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b has a generally rectangular top wall 31 and a bottom wall 32 that extend axially and are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and generally rectangular side walls 33, 34 that extend axially and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction. First and second guide projections 36a, 36b are formed axially forward of the top walls 31 of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b (top walls 31 at the front ends of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b), projecting upward from upper surfaces 35 of the top walls 31. The second plug frame 20b is laterally adjacent to the first plug frame 20a and extends axially parallel to the first plug frame 20a.

[0027] First and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b are formed in the first and second guide protrusions 36a, 36b of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b. The first and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b are recessed axially forward from rear end surfaces 45 of the first and second guide protrusions 36a, 36b that face the first and second stop rings 21a, 21b. The first and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b have downwardly inclined surfaces 46 that slope downwardly axially forward from above the rear end surfaces 45 of the first and second guide protrusions 36a, 36b.

[0028] The first and second stop rings 21 a, 21 b have a front end portion 47 (front tubular end portion) located axially forward, a rear end portion 49 (rear tubular end portion) located axially forward, and an intermediate portion 48 (intermediate tubular portion) extending between the front end portion 47 and the rear end portion 49. The second stop ring 21 b is laterally adjacent to the first stop ring 21 a and extends axially parallel to the first stop ring 21 a.

[0029] The first and second springs 22a, 22b are disposed between the first and second ferrules 19a, 19b and the first and second stop rings 21a, 21b, and extend axially through the first and second core wire covers 29a, 29b. The front ends of the first and second springs 22a, 22b abut against the first and second flanges 30a, 30b of the first and second sleeves 24a, 24b, and the rear ends abut against the front ends 47 of the first and second stop rings 21a, 21b. The first and second springs 22a, 22b urge the first and second ferrules 19a, 19b axially forward by their axial elastic force. The second spring 22b is laterally adjacent to the first spring 22a and extends axially parallel to the first spring 22a.

[0030] The first and second gears 12a, 12b are formed on rear end portions 49 of the first and second stop rings 21a, 21b and extend in the axial direction.

[0031] The intermediate gear 13 is interposed between the first gear 12a and the second gear 12b and extends in the axial direction. The intermediate gear 13 is externally circumscribed to the first and second gears 12a, 12b, and transmits the rotational force of one of the first and second gears 12a, 12b to the other gear, causing the other gear to rotate in the same direction as the first gear. The gear ratio between the first gear 12a, the second gear 12b, and the intermediate gear 13 is 1.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the inner housing 14 shown in a state where it is separated into two halves, and Fig. 9 is an exterior view of the inner housing 14. The inner housing 14 has a top wall 54 and a bottom wall 55 that extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and side walls 56, 57 that extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction and are also opposite to each other, and has a first opening 58a that opens at the front end thereof and through which the first stop ring 21a is inserted, and a second opening 58b that opens at the front end thereof and through which the second stop ring 21b is inserted.

[0033] The interior of the inner housing 14 is formed with a first gear accommodating portion 63a surrounded by the walls 54 to 57 and the partition wall 62, a second gear accommodating portion 63b surrounded by the walls 54 to 57 and the partition wall 62, and an intermediate gear accommodating portion 64 surrounded by the partition wall 62 and positioned between the first and second gear accommodating portions 63a, 63b. The first gear 12a formed on the rear end portion 49 of the first stop ring 21a is rotatably accommodated (disposed) in the first gear accommodating portion 63a, and the second gear 12b formed on the rear end portion 49 of the second stop ring 21b is rotatably accommodated (disposed) in the second gear accommodating portion 63b. The intermediate gear 13 is rotatably accommodated (disposed) in the intermediate gear accommodating portion 64.

[0034] In the inner housing 14, the first and second gears 12a, 12b and the intermediate gear 13 are accommodated in the first and second gear accommodating portions 63a, 63b and the intermediate gear accommodating portion 64, so that the gears 12a, 12b, 13 are aligned horizontally, the first gear 12a and the intermediate gear 13 are circumscribing each other, and the second gear 12b and the intermediate gear 13 are circumscribing each other.

[0035] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the outer housing 15, and Figure 11 is a front view of the outer housing 15. The outer housing 15 is made of a synthetic resin material and has a top wall 71 and a generally rectangular bottom wall 72 that extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and generally rectangular side walls 73, 74 that extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The outer housing 15 has a front-end opening 75 that opens at its front end, a rear-end opening 76 that opens at its rear end, and a pair of elastically deformable first and second engagement latches 77a and 77b that are connected to the top wall 71.

[0036] The first and second latches 77a, 77b are spaced apart in the width direction and extend parallel to each other in a straight line in the axial direction. The first and second latches 77a, 77b are located on one side of the top wall 71 of the outer housing 15 and extend axially forward from the front end opening 75 of the outer housing 15. The first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b are formed from first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b that are connected to the rear half of one side of the top wall 71 of the outer housing 15 and are integrated with the outer housing 15, and first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second elastic deformation portions) that are connected to the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b and extend axially forward from the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b, and have first and second tip portions 83a, 83b formed at the front ends of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b, and first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b that are formed axially rearward of the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b and protrude in the width direction.

[0037] The first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b are flexible and elastically deform in the up-down direction. The first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b include first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b connected to the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b and extending axially forward from the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b toward the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b, and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b located between the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b and the first and second tip ends 83a, 83b and extending axially forward from the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b toward the first and second tip ends 83a, 83b.

[0038] The axial length of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b is longer than the axial length of the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b of the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b. The vertical thickness of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b gradually increases from the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b toward the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b. Therefore, the vertical elastic force of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b extending toward the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b is smaller than the vertical elastic force of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b extending toward the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b, and the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b on the side of the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b elastically deform more easily than the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b on the side of the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b.

[0039] The first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b include first and second rear half portions 87a, 87b that extend axially forward from the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b to an intermediate position between the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b at an inclination of ±5 degrees, and first and second front half portions 88a, 88b that extend axially forward from the intermediate position between the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b at a downward inclination, and then extend at an inclination of ±5 degrees to the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b.

[0040] The first and second rear half portions 87a, 87b extend axially in parallel with the top wall 71 of the outer housing 15, spaced upward from the top wall 71 of the outer housing 15. The first and second front half portions 88a, 88b are located at approximately the same height as the top wall 71 of the outer housing 15, and extend axially forward from the front-end opening 75 of the outer housing 15. First and second inclined convex portions 92a, 92b (press-down mechanisms) are formed at intermediate positions of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b (between the first and second rear half portions 87a, 87b and the first and second front half portions 88a, 88b). The first and second inclined convex portions 92a, 92b have slopes 91 that slope upwardly toward the rear in the axial direction.

[0041] The first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b have a smaller thickness in the up-down direction than the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b (the first and second rear half portions 87a, 87b and the first and second front half portions 88a, 88b). Therefore, the elastic force in the up-down direction of the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b is smaller than that of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b, and the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b are more easily elastically deformed than the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b.

[0042] The first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b are formed between the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b, and releasably engage with the optical connector adapter when the first and second connector assemblies 11a, 11b are inserted into the optical connector adapter. The first and second tip portions 83a, 83b are located axially forward of the top walls 31 of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b (top walls 31 at the front ends of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b), and enter the first and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b of the first and second guide protrusions 36a, 36b.

[0043] The first and second tip portions 83a, 83b have upwardly inclined surfaces 89 that slope upward from their front ends toward the rear in the axial direction, and abutting surfaces 90 that abut against the axial front of the top walls 31 of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b (the top walls 31 at the front ends of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b). When the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b (the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b) elastically deform and the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b rise upward (when they move upward away from the top walls 31 at the front ends of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20a), the upwardly inclined surfaces 89 of the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b abut against the downwardly inclined surfaces 46 of the first and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b.

[0044] The outer housing 15 can accommodate the inner housing 14 with its top wall 71 facing the top wall 54 of the inner housing 14 and its bottom wall 72 facing the bottom wall 55 of the inner housing 14, and conversely, the outer housing 15 can accommodate the inner housing 14 with its top wall 71 facing the bottom wall 55 of the inner housing 14 and its bottom wall 72 facing the top wall 54 of the inner housing 14. In this way, the outer housing 15 can accommodate the inner housing 14 upside down.

[0045] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the slider 16 as viewed from above, and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the slider 16 as viewed from below. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Z-Z in Figure 12. The slider 16 is connected to the outer housing 15 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The slider 16 is formed of a frame 93 that is disposed behind the rear end opening 76 of the outer housing 15, and a sliding top wall 94 (sliding plate) that extends axially forward from the top of the frame 93.

[0046] The sliding top wall 94 is formed with a first outer guide wall 95a extending downward from one side edge and then extending axially, a first inner guide wall 96a located widthwise inward of the first outer guide wall 95a and extending axially while also extending downward at the widthwise center of the sliding top wall 94, a second outer guide wall 95b extending downward from the other side edge and then extending axially, and a second inner guide wall 96b located widthwise inward of the second outer guide wall 95b and extending axially while also extending downward at the widthwise center of the sliding top wall 94.

[0047] A first entrance path 97a is formed on one side of the sliding top wall 94, extending axially between the first outer guide wall 95a and the first inner guide wall 96a, and is adapted for receiving the first connecting portion 81a and the rear half of the first elastic portion 82a of the first engagement latch 77a. A second entrance path 97b is formed on the other side of the sliding top wall 94, extending axially between the second outer guide wall 95b and the second inner guide wall 96b, and is adapted for receiving the second connecting portion 81b and the rear half of the second elastic portion 82b of the second engagement latch 77b.

[0048] First and second through-holes 99a, 99b are formed in front of the first and second entrance paths 97a, 97b on one side of the slider 16. The first and second inclined recesses 98a, 98b (press-down mechanisms) are recessed toward the upper surface of the slider 16. The first and second inclined recesses 98a, 98b have slopes 100 that slope upwardly toward the rear in the axial direction. First and second inclined protrusions 92a, 92b (press-down mechanisms) formed at intermediate positions between the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b enter the first and second through-holes 99a, 99b, and the slopes 91 of the first and second inclined protrusions 92a, 92b slidably abut against the slopes 100 of the first and second inclined recesses 98a, 98b.

[0049] The slider 16 is coupled (connected) to the outer housing 15 by engaging the engagement key 78 of the outer housing 15 with the key engagement portion 101 of the slider 16. When the slider 16 is coupled to the outer housing 15, the frame 93 of the slider 16 is located axially rearward (immediately behind) the rear end opening 76 of the outer housing 15, and the first connecting portion 81 a and the rear half of the first elastic portion 82 a of the first engagement latch 77 a enter the first entrance path 97 a of the slider 16, while the second connecting portion 81 b and the rear half of the second elastic portion 82 b of the second engagement latch 77 b enter the second entrance path 97 b of the slider 16.

[0050] Furthermore, the first and second inclined convex portions 92a, 92b formed at intermediate positions between the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b enter the first and second through-holes 99a, 99b of the slider 16, and the inclined surfaces 91 of the first and second inclined convex portions 92a, 92b slidably abut on the inclined surfaces 100 of the first and second inclined recesses 98a, 98b of the first and second through-holes 99a, 99b. The slider 16 slides axially forward and backward on the upper surface of the top wall 71 of the outer housing 15 by the axial length of the first and second inclined recesses 98a, 98b.

[0051] The crimping ring 17 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape and extends in the axial direction. The pipe 28 is inserted into a tubular portion 59 located axially rearward of the inner housing 14. The boot 18 is made of a metal material or a synthetic resin material, formed into a substantially cylindrical shape and extending in the axial direction. A first optical fiber core containing a first optical fiber 25a and a second optical fiber core containing a second optical fiber 25b are bundled together in the inner housing 14 to form an optical fiber cord 102, and the optical fiber cord 102 is inserted through the crimping ring 17 and the boot 18 and extends axially rearward from the rear end of the boot 18.

[0052] In the assembled duplex optical connector plug 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second front half portions 88a, 88b and the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b are spaced upward from the upper surfaces 35 of the top walls 31 of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b, and the first and second tip ends 83a, 83b of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b enter the first and second engaging recesses 38a, 38b formed in the first and second guide protrusions 36a, 36b. The abutment surfaces 90 of the first and second tip portions 83 a, 83 b abut against the axial front of the top walls 31 of the first and second plug frames 20 a, 20 b (the upper surfaces 35 of the top walls 31 at the front ends of the first and second plug frames 20 a, 20 b), and the upwardly inclined surfaces 89 of the first and second tip portions 83 a, 83 b are spaced axially rearward from the downwardly inclined surfaces 46 of the first and second recessed hole portions 44 a, 44 b.

[0053] In the duplex optical connector plug 10, when the first and second connector assemblies 11a, 11b are inserted into the optical connector adapter and the first and second connector assemblies 11a, 11b are pushed into the optical connector adapter, the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b elastically deform downward, and the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b engage with the engaging portions of the optical connector adapter, and the optical connector plug 10 is coupled to the optical connector adapter to establish an optical connection state. Before the slider 16 is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing 15, the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are not pushed downward, and the engagement state of the first and second connector assemblies 11a, 11b (first and second engagement portions 84a, 84b of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b) with the optical connector adapter is maintained.

[0054] The polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10 can be changed by rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11a and 11b.

[0055] An example of a disconnection procedure for disconnecting the optical connector plug 10 from the optical connector adapter is as follows: With the optical connector plug 10 engaged with the optical connector adapter, the slider 16 is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing 15. When the slider 16 is slid axially rearward, the slope 100 of the first inclined recess 98a (pressing-down mechanism) formed in the first through-hole 99a of the slider 16 presses downward against the slope 91 (pressing-down mechanism) of the first inclined protrusion 92a, causing the first inclined recess 98a to press downward the first inclined protrusion 92a, thereby elastically deforming the first elastic portion 82a (first rear elastic portion 85a and first front elastic portion 86a) of the first engagement latch 77a and pressing it downward. Furthermore, the slope 100 of the second inclined recess 98b (push-down mechanism) formed in the second through hole 99b of the slider 16 presses downward the slope 91 (push-down mechanism) of the second inclined convex portion 92b, causing the second inclined recess 98b to push the second inclined convex portion 92b downward, thereby elastically deforming the second elastic portion 82b (second rear elastic portion 85b and second front elastic portion 86b) of the second engagement latch 77b and pushing it downward.

[0056] When the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b are pushed downward, the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b are disengaged from the optical connector adapter, allowing the first and second connector assemblies 11a, 11b to be pulled out of the optical connector adapter, and the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug 10 and the optical connector adapter is released.

[0057] When the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are elastically deformed, for example, the first and second front half portions 88a, 88b (centers of the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b) of the first and second rear elastic portions 86a, 86b are depressed downward, and the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are depressed downward. When 3b (the front of the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b) bends upward, the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b rise upward from the upper surface 35 of the top wall 31 at the front end of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b (moves upward away from the upper surface 35 of the top wall 31), and the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) may not be sufficiently pressed downward.

[0058] If the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) cannot be sufficiently pressed downward when the slider 16 is slid axially rearward, the engagement of the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b with the optical connector adapter will be maintained, the first and second connector assemblies 11a, 11b cannot be pulled out from the optical connector adapter, and the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug 10 and the optical connector adapter cannot be released.

[0059] However, in the duplex optical connector plug 10, when the slider 16 is slid axially rearward, the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b are elastically deformed, the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b of the first and second engaging latches 77a, 77b are bent upward, and the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b are raised upward from the upper surface 35 of the top wall 31 of the front end portion of the first and second plug frames 20a, 20b, the upward inclined surface 89 of the first tip portion 83a abuts against the downward inclined surface 46 of the first recessed hole portion 44a, and the upward inclined surface 89 of the second tip portion 83b abuts against the downward inclined surface 46 of the second recessed hole portion 44b.

[0060] The upwardly inclined surfaces 89 of the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b abut against the downwardly inclined surfaces 46 of the first and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b, thereby preventing the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b from floating further upward by the first and second recessed hole portions 44a, 44b. By preventing the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b from floating upward, the first and second front half portions 88a, 88b (centers of the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b) of the first and second rear elastic portions 86a, 86b do not sink downward, and the pushing action of the first and second inclined convex portions 92a, 92b (push-down mechanism) and the first and second inclined concave portions 98a, 98b (push-down mechanism) of the slider 16 elastically deforms the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b (first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b and first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b) of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b downward, and the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b are pushed downward.

[0061] In the duplex optical connector plug 10, when the first engaging latch 77a is elastically deformed and the first tip portion 83a is raised upward, the upward inclined surface 89 of the first tip portion 83a abuts against the downward inclined surface 46 of the first recessed hole portion 44a, and when the second engaging latch 77b is elastically deformed and the second tip portion 83b is raised upward, the upward inclined surface 89 of the second tip portion 83b abuts against the downward inclined surface 46 of the second recessed hole portion 44b. This prevents the first and second tip portions 83a, 83b (front of the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b) from bending upward when the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are pushed downward, and the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b can be elastically deformed downward to sufficiently push the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b downward, thereby smoothly releasing the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug 10 and the optical connector adapter.

[0062] In the duplex optical connector plug 10, the thickness dimension in the vertical direction of the first rear elastic portion 85a of the first elastic portion 82a of the first engaging latch 77a gradually increases from the first connecting portion 81a toward the first engaging portion 84a, and the thickness dimension in the vertical direction of the second rear elastic portion 85b of the second elastic portion 82b of the second engaging latch 77b gradually increases from the second connecting portion 81b toward the second engaging portion 84b. Therefore, the rigidity of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b extending toward the first and second engaging portions 84a, 84b is increased by the rigidity of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b extending toward the first and second connecting portions 81a, 81b. The elastic deformation of the second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b is larger than that of the second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b, making it difficult for the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b on the side of the first and second engagement portions 84a, 84b to elastically deform. As a result, when the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are pressed downward, the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b extending on the side of the first and second engagement portions 84a, 84b do not bend upward, and the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b can be elastically deformed downward to sufficiently press the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b downward.

[0063] In the duplex optical connector plug 10, the thickness dimension in the vertical direction of the first and second front elastic parts 86a, 86b of the first and second elastic parts 82a, 82b is smaller than that of the first and second rear elastic parts 85a, 85b, the rigidity of the first and second rear elastic parts 85a, 85b is greater than that of the first and second front elastic parts 86a, 86b, and the elastic force in the vertical direction of the first and second front elastic parts 86a, 86b is smaller than that of the first and second rear elastic parts 85a, 85b. While the first and second front elastic portions 86a, 86b are less likely to elastically deform than the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b, when the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b of the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b are pushed downward, the fronts of the first and second rear elastic portions 85a, 85b do not bend upward, and the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b can be elastically deformed downward to sufficiently push the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b downward.

[0064] The duplex optical connector plug 10 has a first inclined convex portion 91a formed on the first rear elastic portion 85a of the first engaging latch 77a and inclined upward in the axial rear direction, a second inclined convex portion 91b formed on the second rear elastic portion 85b of the second engaging latch 77b and inclined upward in the axial rear direction, a first inclined recessed portion 98a formed on one side of the slider 16 and in slidable contact with the first inclined convex portion 92a and inclined upward in the axial rear direction, and a first inclined recessed portion 98a located on the other side of the slider 16 and in slidable contact with the second inclined convex portion 92b and inclined upward in the axial rear direction. Since a push-down mechanism is formed from the second inclined recess 98b which is inclined upward as it approaches, when the slider 16 is slid axially rearward relative to the outer housing 15, the push-down mechanism acts reliably, causing the slider 16 to push the first and second engagement latches 77a, 77b downward, and the slider 16 is used to elastically deform the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b downward, thereby sufficiently pushing the first and second elastic portions 82a, 82b downward, and the connection (optical connection) between the optical connector plug 10 and the optical connector adapter can be reliably released.

[0065] The dual-type optical connector plug 10 can be pulled out of the optical connector adapter by simply sliding the slider 16 axially rearward relative to the outer housing 15, thereby smoothly releasing the connection between the optical connector plug 10 and the optical connector adapter.

[0066] 10 Duplex optical connector plug 11a First optical connector assembly 11b Second optical connector assembly 12a First gear 12b Second gear 13 Intermediate gear 14 Inner housing 15 Outer housing 16 Slider 17 Crimping ring 18 Boot 19a First ferrule 19b Second ferrule 20a First plug frame 20b Second plug frame 21a First stop ring 21b Second stop ring 22a First spring 22b Second spring 23a First capillary 23b Second capillary 24a First sleeve 24b Second sleeve 25a First optical fiber 25b Second optical fiber 26 Tip surface 27 Chamfered portion 28 Pipe 29a First core wire cover 29b Second core wire cover 30a First flange 30b Second flange 31 Top wall 32 Bottom wall 33 Side wall 34 Side wall 35 Upper surface 36a First guide protrusion 36b Second guide protrusion 38a First engagement recess 38b Second engagement recess 44a First recessed hole portion 44b Second recessed hole portion 45 Rear end surface 46 Downwardly inclined surface 47 Front end portion 48 Middle portion 49 Rear end portion 54 Top wall 55 Bottom wall 56 Side wall 57 Side wall 58a First opening 58b Second opening 59 Cylinder portion 62 Partition wall 63a First gear accommodating portion 63b Second gear accommodating portion 64 Intermediate gear accommodating portion 71 Top wall 72 Bottom wall 73 Side wall 74 Side wall 75 Front end opening 76 Rear end opening 77a First engagement latch 77b Second engagement latch 78 Engagement key 81a First connecting portion 81b Second connecting portion 82a First elastic portion 82b Second elastic portion 83a First tip portion 83b Second tip portion 84a First engaging portion 84b Second engaging portion 85a First rear elastic portion 85b Second rear elastic portion 86a First front elastic portion 86b Second front elastic portion 87a First rear half portion 87b Second rear half portion 88a First front half portion 88b Second front half portion 89 Upward inclined surface 90 Contact surface 91 Slope92a First inclined convex portion (pressing down mechanism) 92b Second inclined convex portion (pressing down mechanism) 93 Frame 94 Sliding top wall 95a First outer guide wall 95b Second outer guide wall 96a First inner guide wall 96b Second inner guide wall 97a First entrance path 97b Second entrance path 98a First inclined recess (pressing down mechanism) 98b Second inclined recess (pressing down mechanism) 100 Slope 101 Key engagement portion 102 Optical fiber cord

Claims

1. A duplex optical connector plug comprising: a first plug frame accommodating a first ferrule extending in the axial direction and holding a first optical fiber; a first stop ring engaged with the first plug frame; and a first spring disposed between the first ferrule and the first stop ring and biasing the first ferrule axially forward; a second plug frame accommodating a second ferrule extending in the axial direction and holding a second optical fiber; a second stop ring engaged with the second plug frame; and a second optical connector assembly parallel to the first optical connector assembly and having a second spring disposed between the second ferrule and the second stop ring and biasing the second ferrule axially forward; an inner housing accommodating rear ends of the first and second stop rings; and an outer housing accommodating the inner housing, wherein the first and second plug frames have guide protrusions that protrude upward from the top walls of their front ends, and the guide protrusions have recessed hole portions that recess axially forward from the rear end faces facing the stop rings; a first engaging latch extending axially from one side of the top wall of the outer housing and extending axially forward from the front end opening; and a second engaging latch extending axially from the other side of the top wall of the outer housing and extending axially forward from the front end opening; wherein the first and second engaging latches have tip portions located on the top wall of the front end of the plug frame and entering the recessed hole portion, and engaging portions formed axially rearward of the tip portions and engaging with the optical connector adapter when the first and second connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter; and wherein the recessed hole portion prevents the tip portions from floating upward when the first and second engaging latches are elastically deformed.

2. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 1, wherein the recessed hole portion has a downwardly inclined surface that slopes downward from the rear end surface of the guide protrusion toward the front in the axial direction, and the tip ends of the first and second engaging latches have upwardly inclined surfaces that slope upward from the front ends of the tip ends toward the rear in the axial direction and abutment surfaces that abut against the top wall of the front end of the plug frame, and when the first and second engaging latches elastically deform and the tip ends float upward, the upwardly inclined surfaces of the tip ends abut against the downwardly inclined surface of the recessed hole portion.

3. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second engaging latches have a connecting portion connected to the top wall of the outer housing and an elastic portion extending axially forward from the connecting portion and from the front end opening of the outer housing, the elastic portion having a rear elastic portion located between the connecting portion and the engaging portion and extending axially, and a front elastic portion located between the engaging portion and the tip end and extending axially, and the thickness dimension in the vertical direction of the rear elastic portion gradually increases from the connecting portion toward the engaging portion.

4. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 3, wherein the axial length dimension of the rear elastic portion of the elastic part is longer than the axial length dimension of the front elastic portion of the elastic part, the front elastic portion slopes downward from the front end of the rear elastic portion toward the front of the axial direction, and the vertical thickness dimension of the front elastic portion is smaller than that of the rear elastic portion.

5. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 4, wherein the rear elastic portion of the elastic part has a rear half portion that extends axially forward from the connecting portion to a midpoint of the rear elastic portion, and a front half portion that extends axially forward from the midpoint of the rear elastic portion at a downward gradient and then extends to the engaging portion, and the thickness dimension in the vertical direction of the front elastic portion is smaller than that of the rear half portion and the front half portion of the rear elastic portion.

6. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 5, wherein the vertical elastic force of the front elastic portion is smaller than that of the rear and front half portions of the rear elastic portion, and the front elastic portion elastically deforms more easily than the rear and front half portions.

7. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 1, wherein when the duplex optical connector plug and the optical connector adapter are disconnected, the upwardly inclined surfaces at the tip ends of the first and second engaging latches abut against the downwardly inclined surfaces of the recessed hole portion.

8. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 1, wherein the duplex optical connector plug has a slider connected to it so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and when the slider is slid axially rearward, the tip ends of the first and second engagement latches enter the recessed hole portions of the guide convex portions, and the engagement state of the first and second engagement latches with the optical connector adapter is released.

9. A duplex optical connector plug as described in claim 8, wherein the first and second engagement latches have inclined upper surfaces at the front half of the rear elastic portion that extend axially forward from the intermediate position at a downward inclination, and the slider has inclined lower surfaces formed on both sides of the slider that slidably abut the inclined upper surfaces and extend axially rearward at an upward inclination.

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