Optical connector

Abstract

An optical connector comprises: a ferrule (10) having a plurality of fiber holes arranged in a first direction and a connection end surface in which the plurality of fiber holes open; a pin clamp (50) which is disposed on the opposite side of the ferrule from the connection end surface and supports the ferrule; a biasing member (60) which biases the pin clamp (50) toward the connection end surface side; a latch (40) which is locked to an adapter; and a housing (20) which houses a part of the ferrule, the pin clamp, the biasing member, and a part of the latch, the biasing member (60) having an elliptical shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the fiber holes, the latch (40) being disposed on a first side in a first direction, the pin clamp (50) having a first support part in contact with the distal end part of the biasing member (60), the housing (20) having a second support part in contact with the proximal end part of the biasing member (60), and the center part of the first support part in the first direction being positioned closer to the proximal end side than both end parts in the first direction.

Description

Optical Connector

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-108031, filed on July 4, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7107083

[0004] An adapter is used when connecting an optical connector to another optical connector. The optical connector has a latch that engages with the adapter. To reduce the size of the optical connector, the latch is provided on only one side of the optical connector. In such an optical connector, the pressing force between the ferrules during connection is received by the latch located on one side. In this case, the optical connector rotates around the latch as a fulcrum, and the pressing force on the side farther from the latch becomes weaker than the pressing force on the side closer to the latch. As a result, mechanical connection failure is likely to occur in the optical fiber located farther from the latch among the multiple optical fibers held in each ferrule.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to suppress mechanical connection failures of optical fibers arranged farther from the latch in a multi-fiber optical connector.

[0006] An optical connector according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a ferrule having a plurality of fiber holes aligned in a first direction and a connection end face into which the plurality of fiber holes open; a pin clamp arranged on the opposite side of the ferrule from the connection end face and supporting the ferrule; a biasing member that biases the pin clamp toward the connection end face; a latch that engages with an adapter; and a housing that accommodates a portion of the ferrule, the pin clamp, the biasing member, and a portion of the latch, wherein when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the fiber holes, the biasing member has an elliptical shape, the latch is arranged on a first side in the first direction, the pin clamp has a first support portion with which a tip end of the biasing member contacts, and the housing has a second support portion with which a base end of the biasing member contacts, and the central portion of the first support portion in the first direction is located closer to the base end than both end portions in the first direction.

[0007] In addition, in aspect 2 of the present invention, in the optical connector of aspect 1, when viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first direction, the first support portion has a V-shape that slopes toward the tip as it moves from the central portion to the both end portions.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is the optical connector of the first aspect, wherein the central portion of the first support portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the base end side.

[0009] Furthermore, in aspect 4 of the present invention, in the optical connector of any of aspects 1 to 3, the second support portion is a tapered surface that slopes toward the tip side as it moves from the first side toward the second side opposite the first side in the first direction.

[0010] According to the above-described aspects of the present invention, in a multi-fiber optical connector, it is possible to suppress mechanical connection failures of optical fibers arranged farther from the latch.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the optical connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a side view of the pin clamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure including the optical connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing a connection state of an optical connector according to a comparative example. FIG. 8 is a side view of the pin clamp according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector according to the second embodiment.

[0012] First Embodiment An optical connector according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector 1 includes a ferrule 10, a housing 20, a boot 30, and a latch 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector 1 further includes a pin clamp 50 and a biasing member 60. A plurality of fiber holes 11 are formed in the ferrule 10. Two rows in which a plurality of fiber holes 11 are arranged (hereinafter referred to as fiber rows) are arranged in the ferrule 10. The number of fiber rows formed in the ferrule 10 may be one, or three or more.

[0014] The ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a. Fiber holes 11 and positioning holes 12 are opened in the connection end face 10a. An optical fiber F is arranged in each of the multiple fiber holes 11. Note that an optical fiber F may not be arranged in some of the fiber holes 11. In other words, the number of optical fibers F may be less than the number of fiber holes 11. The optical fibers F are exposed at the connection end face 10a. The optical connector 1 can be optically connected to another optical connector by abutting the connection end face of the other optical connector to be connected against the connection end face 10a.

[0015] (Direction Definition) In this specification, the direction in which the plurality of fiber holes 11 extend is referred to as the longitudinal direction Z. The side of the splicing end face 10a in the longitudinal direction Z (+Z side) is referred to as the front or tip side. The opposite side (-Z side) is referred to as the rear or base side. The direction in which the fiber holes 11 are arranged in the fiber row is referred to as the first direction X. The first direction X is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z. One side in the first direction X is referred to as the +X side or first side, and the other side is referred to as the -X side or second side. The direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction Z and the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y. One side in the second direction Y is referred to as the +Y side, and the other side is referred to as the -Y side.

[0016] The positioning holes 12 open to the connection end face 10a and penetrate the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z. The two positioning holes 12 are spaced apart in the first direction X. The two positioning holes 12 are arranged so as to sandwich a plurality of fiber holes 11 between them in the first direction X. A guide pin 52 of a pin clamp 50, which will be described later, is inserted into the positioning hole 12 from the base end side. The optical connector 1 of this embodiment is a female connector, and the relative positions of the optical connector 1 and the other optical connector are determined by inserting a positioning pin of another optical connector into the positioning hole 12. However, the optical connector 1 may also be a male connector. In other words, the optical connector 1 may have a positioning pin.

[0017] The optical fiber F is inserted through the fiber hole 11 and extends from the ferrule 10 toward the base end. Although not shown, the optical fibers F are inserted inside the pin clamp 50 and the biasing member 60. The optical fibers F are also inserted inside the boot 30.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a front view of the optical connector 1. As shown in Fig. 3, recesses 13 and 14 are formed on the side surface of the ferrule 10 facing the second direction Y. The recesses 13 and 14 are each recessed inward in the second direction Y from the side surface of the ferrule 10 facing the second direction Y. The housing 20 is formed with protrusions 21a and 21b that engage with the recesses 13 and 14, respectively. The position of the ferrule 10 relative to the housing 20 is determined by the protrusions 21a and 21b engaging with the recesses 13 and 14, respectively. The protrusions 21a and 21b function as so-called centering keys.

[0019] 1 and 2 , the housing 20 accommodates a portion of the ferrule 10, the pin clamp 50, the biasing member 60, and a portion of the latch 40. The tip portion (the end portion on the +Z side) of the ferrule 10 protrudes from the housing 20.

[0020] The housing 20 has a distal side member 21, a proximal side member 22, and a cover 23. The distal side member 21 is assembled to the distal end of the proximal side member 22. Specifically, a fitting hole 21c is formed in a side surface of the distal side member 21 facing the second direction Y. A fitting protrusion 22b that fits into the fitting hole 21c is formed in a side surface of the proximal side member 22 facing the second direction Y. The cover 23 is assembled to a first side (+X side) of the proximal side member 22 in the first direction X. The housing 20 may be a single member.

[0021] The cover 23 has an opening 23a in which the latch 40 is disposed. The latch 40 is provided only on the first side (+X side) of the housing 20 in the first direction X. The latch 40 engages with the adapter 2 (see FIG. 6 ) when connecting the optical connector 1 to another optical connector or the like. The latch 40 is provided only on one side of the optical connector 1 to reduce the size of the optical connector 1, among other reasons.

[0022] The latch 40 includes a fixed portion 41, a bent portion 42, and a curved portion 43. The latch 40 is disposed between the base-end member 22 and the cover 23.

[0023] The fixed portion 41 is sandwiched and fixed between the base-end member 22 and the cover 23. The bent portion 42 is connected to the base end of the fixed portion 41 and is bent in a V-shape. The apex of the bent portion 42 protrudes from the opening 23a of the cover 23 and is capable of engaging with the adapter 2. The curved portion 43 is connected to the base end of the bent portion 42 and is curved in a hook shape from rear to front. The tip of the curved portion 43 contacts the inner wall of the cover 23. When the curved portion 43 is pushed in so that the bent portion 42 is flattened, it has a spring force that pushes back the bent portion 42 so that it bends to its original state.

[0024] The pin clamp 50 is disposed between the biasing member 60 and the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z. The pin clamp 50 is disposed on the opposite side of the ferrule 10 from the connection end face 10a. The pin clamp 50 contacts the base end of the ferrule 10 and holds the ferrule 10. The pin clamp 50 serves to transmit the biasing force of the biasing member 60 to the ferrule 10.

[0025] The biasing member 60 biases the ferrule 10 toward the distal end. The biasing member 60 is, for example, a coil spring. The pin clamp 50 has a first support portion 51b facing rearward. The distal end of the biasing member 60 contacts the first support portion 51b of the pin clamp 50. The base-end member 22 of the housing 20 has a second support portion 20a facing forward. When viewed from the second direction Y, the second support portion 20a is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane P perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z. More specifically, the second support portion 20a has a tapered surface that is inclined toward the distal end (+Z side) as it moves from the first side (+X side) to the second side (-X side) in the first direction X. That is, the second side (-X side) of the second support portion 20a in the first direction X is located closer to the distal end than the first side (+X side). The base end of the biasing member 60 is in contact with the second support portion 20a. The biasing member 60 is compressed between the first support portion 51b and the second support portion 20a. The biasing member 60 biases the pin clamp 50 toward the connecting end face 10a (tip side). The biasing force of the biasing member 60 is transmitted to the ferrule 10 via the pin clamp 50. Therefore, the ferrule 10 held by the pin clamp 50 is also biased toward the tip side.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the urging member 60 is elliptical when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z. Specifically, when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z, the length L1 of the urging member 60 in the first direction X is longer than the length L2 of the urging member 60 in the second direction Y. The urging member 60 being elliptical includes a case where the urging member 60 is configured with a pair of straight portions and curved portions connecting the ends of the pair of straight portions, such as a track in a sports stadium.

[0027] 2 and 5, the pin clamp 50 has a main body 51 and two guide pins 52. The two guide pins 52 protrude from the main body 51 toward the connection end face 10a (+Z side). The two guide pins 52 are arranged spaced apart in the first direction X. The two guide pins 52 are inserted into the two positioning holes 12 of the ferrule 10, thereby allowing the pin clamp 50 to hold the ferrule 10.

[0028] The main body 51 has a pressing surface 51a facing forward and the above-mentioned first support portion 51b facing rearward. The pressing surface 51a contacts the base end of the ferrule 10. The first support portion 51b contacts the tip end of the biasing member 60. The first support portion 51b is formed with a holding protrusion 51c that holds a part of the tip end of the biasing member 60. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the main body 51 is formed with an insertion hole 51d through which an optical fiber F (not shown) is inserted in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5 , the first support portion 51b has a central portion 51b1 located in the center in the first direction X, a first end portion 51b2 located on a first side (+X side) in the first direction X, and a second end portion 51b3 located on a second side (-X side) in the first direction X. The central portion 51b1 of the first support portion 51b is located closer to the base end (-Z side) than the end portions 51b2 and 51b3. In this embodiment, when viewed from the second direction Y, the first support portion 51b has a V-shape that slopes toward the tip end (+Z side) from the central portion 51b1 toward the end portions 51b2 and 51b3 in the first direction X. Specifically, the first support portion 51b has a first inclined surface 53 and a second inclined surface 54. When viewed from the second direction Y, the first inclined surface 53 is inclined toward the tip side (+Z side) as it moves from the central portion 51b1 toward the first side (+X side) in the first direction X, and the second inclined surface 54 is inclined toward the tip side (+Z side) as it moves from the central portion 51b1 toward the second side (-X side) in the first direction X. The first support portion 51b has a symmetrical shape in the first direction X. In other words, when viewed from the second direction Y, the first support portion 51b has a symmetrical shape with respect to an imaginary line O that passes through the central portion 51b1 and extends in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0030] Because the central portion 51b1 of the first support portion 51b is located closer to the base end (-Z side) than the end portions 51b2 and 51b3, when the tip end of the biasing member 60 is in contact with the first support portion 51b, the tip end of the biasing member 60 can swing about the central portion 51b1 relative to the pin clamp 50. Here, the second support portion 20a has a tapered surface that slopes from the first side (+X side) to the second side (-X side) in the first direction X toward the tip end side (+Z side). Due to this slope of the second support portion 20a, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip end of the biasing member 60 swings about the central portion 51b1 so that the first side (+X side) in the first direction X moves toward the base end side (-Z side) and the second side (-X side) in the first direction X moves toward the tip end side (+Z side). That is, the tip of the urging member 60 swings around the central portion 51b1 so that the first side (+X side) in the first direction X moves away from the first end 51b2 and the second side (-X side) in the first direction X moves closer to the second end 51b3. As a result, a gap G is generated between the tip of the urging member 60 and the first support portion 51b on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure C including an optical connector 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the connection structure C includes two optical connectors 1 and an adapter 2. Of the two optical connectors 1, one is male and the other is female. Note that in FIG. 6, each direction is shown based on the female optical connector 1. As described above, the female optical connector 1 has a guide pin 52. The male optical connector 1 has two positioning pins 70 instead of the guide pins 52. Note that the positioning pins 70 may be formed separately from the main body 51. Each positioning pin 70 passes through two positioning holes 12 in the male ferrule 10 and protrudes from the male ferrule 10. The two optical connectors 1 are positioned by inserting the male positioning pins 70 into the positioning holes 12 in the female ferrule 10.

[0032] The adapter 2 has the function of keeping the connection end faces 10a of the two optical connectors 1 in contact with each other at appropriate positions. The adapter 2 has through holes 2a that penetrate the adapter 2 in the longitudinal direction Z. The two optical connectors 1 are inserted into the through holes 2a. A locking hole 2b is formed on a first side (+X side) of the adapter 2 in the first direction X. The position of the optical connector 1 relative to the adapter 2 is determined by inserting a latch 40 into the locking hole 2b.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a side view showing the connection state of an optical connector 100 according to a comparative example. The optical connector 100 shown in Fig. 7 includes a ferrule 110 having a connection end face 110a and a housing 120 that accommodates a portion of the ferrule 110. Inside the housing 120, a biasing member (not shown) that biases the ferrule 110 in the longitudinal direction Z and a pin clamp (not shown) that transmits the biasing force of the biasing member to the ferrule 110 are housed.

[0034] One side (+X side) of the optical connector 100 is provided with a latch 140 that engages with the adapter 2 when the optical connector 100 is connected. The optical connector 100 receives the pressing force between the ferrules 110 when connected by the latch 140 arranged on one side. In this case, the optical connector 100 rotates around the latch 140 as a fulcrum, and the pressing force f1 on the second side (-X side) in the first direction X, which is the side farther from the latch 140, becomes weaker than the pressing force f2 on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X, which is the side closer to the latch 140. For this reason, mechanical connection failures are likely to occur in the optical fiber arranged on the side farther from the latch 140.

[0035] In this embodiment, as described above, the tip of the biasing member 60 swings around the central portion 51b1 such that the first side (+X side) in the first direction X moves away from the first end portion 51b2, and a gap G is generated between the tip of the biasing member 60 and the first support portion 51b on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member 60 transmitted to the ferrule 10 via the pin clamp 50 is weaker on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X than on the second side (-X side) in the first direction X. With this configuration, it is possible to cancel out the imbalance between the pressing force f1 on the second side (-X side) in the first direction X and the pressing force f2 on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X, and to suppress mechanical connection failure of the optical fiber F arranged farther from the latch 40.

[0036] Note that the gap G may not be generated between the tip of the biasing member 60 and the first end 51b2 of the first support portion 51b, and the tip of the biasing member 60 may be in contact with the first end 51b2. Even in this case, the tip of the biasing member 60 swings around the central portion 51b1 so that the first side (+X side) in the first direction X moves away from the first end 51b2. As a result, the biasing force of the biasing member 60 transmitted to the ferrule 10 via the pin clamp 50 is weaker on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X than on the second side (-X side) in the first direction X. This makes it possible to suppress mechanical connection failure of the optical fiber F arranged farther from the latch 40.

[0037] Furthermore, to eliminate the imbalance in the pressing forces f1 and f2 in the optical connector 100 according to the comparative example described above, it is possible to adjust the biasing force of the biasing member by, for example, positioning the end of the first support portion of the pin clamp on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X closer to the tip than the end of the second side (-X side). However, in this case, the first support portion has an asymmetrical shape in the first direction X, and if the pin clamp is installed in the wrong direction relative to the housing, the imbalance in the pressing force increases. Therefore, it is necessary to check the installation direction of the pin clamp when assembling the optical connector. In this embodiment, the first support portion 51b has a symmetrical shape in the first direction X. Therefore, there is no need to check the installation direction of the pin clamp 50 when assembling the optical connector 1, improving the ease of assembly of the optical connector 1.

[0038] As described above, the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a ferrule 10 having a plurality of fiber holes 11 aligned in the first direction X and a connecting end face 10a through which the plurality of fiber holes 11 open; a pin clamp 50 disposed on the opposite side of the ferrule 10 from the connecting end face 10a and supporting the ferrule 10; a biasing member 60 biasing the pin clamp 50 toward the connecting end face 10a; a latch 40 engaged with the adapter 2; and a housing 20 accommodating a portion of the ferrule 10, the pin clamp 50, the biasing member 60, and a portion of the latch 40. When viewed from the longitudinal direction Z, the biasing member 60 has an elliptical shape. The latch 40 is disposed on the first side in the first direction X. The pin clamp 50 has a first support portion 51b with which the tip end of the biasing member 60 contacts. The housing 20 has a second support portion 20a with which the base end of the biasing member 60 contacts. A central portion 51b1 of the first support portion 51b in the first direction X is located closer to the base end than both end portions 51b2, 51b3 in the first direction X. With this configuration, the tip end of the biasing member 60 swings around the central portion 51b1 relative to the pin clamp 50, and the biasing force of the biasing member 60 transmitted to the ferrule 10 via the pin clamp 50 is weaker on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X than on the second side (-X side) in the first direction X. In other words, the biasing force of the biasing member 60 on the second side in the first direction X can be made greater than the biasing force of the biasing member 60 on the first side in the first direction X. This makes it possible to suppress mechanical connection failure of the optical fiber F arranged on the second side in the first direction X, which is farther from the latch 40.

[0039] When viewed from the second direction Y, the first support portion 51b has a V-shape that slopes toward the tip from the central portion 51b1 toward both end portions 51b2, 51b3. With this configuration, the V-shape of the first support portion 51b makes it easier to swing the tip of the biasing member 60 around the central portion 51b1.

[0040] Additionally, the second support portion 20 a has a tapered surface that slopes toward the tip side as it moves from the first side to the second side in the first direction X. According to this configuration, by making the second support portion 20 a a tapered surface, it becomes easier to swing the tip end of the biasing member 60 around the central portion 51 b 1 so that the first side in the first direction X moves toward the base end side.

[0041] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8 , in the pin clamp 50A of this embodiment, a central portion 51b1 of the first support portion 51b is provided with a protrusion 55 that protrudes toward the base end (−Z side). That is, the central portion 51b1 (protrusion 55) of the first support portion 51b is located closer to the base end than both end portions 51b2 and 51b3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 , the tip end of the biasing member 60 swings around the central portion 51b1 so that the first side (+X side) in the first direction X moves away from the first end portion 51b2, and a gap G is generated between the tip end of the biasing member 60 and the first support portion 51b on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member 60 transmitted to the ferrule 10 via the pin clamp 50 is weaker on the first side (+X side) in the first direction X than on the second side (−X side) in the first direction X, thereby suppressing mechanical connection failure of the optical fiber F arranged farther from the latch 40.

[0043] As described above, in the present embodiment, the central portion 51b1 of the first support portion 51b is provided with the protrusion 55 that protrudes toward the base end. According to this configuration, by providing the protrusion 55 on the central portion 51b1, it becomes easier to swing the tip end of the biasing member 60 around the central portion 51b1.

[0044] 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.

[0045] For example, when viewed from the second direction Y, the first support portion 51b may have a curved surface that is convex toward the tip side (+Z side) from the central portion 51b1 toward both end portions 51b2.

[0046] Furthermore, the second support portion 20 a does not have to have a tapered surface as long as the second side in the first direction X is located closer to the tip than the first side. For example, the second support portion 20 a may have a first base-end support surface located on the first side in the first direction X and a second base-end support surface located on the second side in the first direction X and closer to the tip than the first base-end support surface, with a step between the first base-end support surface and the second base-end support surface.

[0047] 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.

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...optical connector 2...adapter 10...ferrule 10a...connection end face 11...fiber hole 20...housing 20a...second support portion 21...tip side member 22...base side member 40...latch 50, 50A...pin clamp 51b...first support portion 51b1...central portion 51b2...first end portion 51b3...second end portion 60...urging member X...first direction Y...second direction Z...longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An optical connector comprising: a ferrule having a plurality of fiber holes aligned in a first direction and a connection end face into which the plurality of fiber holes open; a pin clamp arranged on the opposite side of the ferrule from the connection end face and supporting the ferrule; a biasing member that biases the pin clamp toward the connection end face; a latch that engages with an adapter; and a housing that contains a portion of the ferrule, the pin clamp, the biasing member, and a portion of the latch, wherein the biasing member has an elliptical shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the fiber holes, the latch is arranged on a first side in the first direction, the pin clamp has a first support portion with which a tip end of the biasing member contacts, the housing has a second support portion with which a base end of the biasing member contacts, and the center of the first support portion in the first direction is located closer to the base end than both end portions in the first direction.

2. An optical connector as described in claim 1, wherein, when viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first direction, the first support portion has a V-shape that slopes toward the tip as it moves from the center portion to both end portions.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the central portion of the first support portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the base end.

4. An optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support portion has a tapered surface that slopes toward the tip side as it moves from the first side toward a second side opposite the first side in the first direction.

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