Optical connector, and method for manufacturing optical connector

Abstract

An optical connector according to the present invention comprises: a ferrule having a connection end face and a fiber hole which is opened in the connection end face; an optical fiber which is inserted into the fiber hole; a biasing member which biases the ferrule toward the connection end face side; and a flange member which has a flange portion disposed between the ferrule and the biasing member and is attached to the rear end of the ferrule, wherein a slit through which the optical fiber can be inserted is formed in the flange member.

Description

Optical Connector and Method for Manufacturing the Same

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical connector and a method for manufacturing the same. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-166234 filed in Japan on September 25, 2024, and incorporates the content herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector (optical fiber with ferrule) having a ferrule and an optical fiber inserted into a fiber hole of the ferrule. Generally, an urging member for urging the ferrule toward the tip side is provided in the optical connector. Further, a flange member is attached to the rear end portion of the ferrule, and the urging force of the urging member is transmitted to the ferrule via the flange member.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-138913

[0004] Since the outer diameter of the flange member is larger than the inner diameter of the urging member, the ferrule with the flange member attached cannot pass through the inside of the urging member. Therefore, when assembling the optical connector, first, the optical fiber is disposed inside the urging member, and then the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule to which the flange member is attached. In this case, in the state where the urging member is provided, steps of inserting the optical fiber into the ferrule and subsequent steps (steps of fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule, steps of polishing, cleaning, and inspecting the ferrule, etc.) are to be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to retract the urging member so that the urging member does not contact the ferrule or the flange member during the above steps. Thus, there is room for improvement in the assembly efficiency of the optical connector.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector and a method for manufacturing the same capable of improving the assembly efficiency of the optical connector.

[0006] An optical connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a ferrule having a connecting end face and a fiber hole opening to the connecting end face, an optical fiber inserted into the fiber hole, a biasing member that biases the ferrule toward the connecting end face, and a flange member having a flange portion disposed between the ferrule and the biasing member and attached to the rear end of the ferrule, wherein the flange member has a slit through which the optical fiber can be inserted.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1, wherein the inner diameter of the biasing member is such that the ferrule can pass inside the biasing member, but the flange member cannot pass inside the biasing member.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the flange member has a receiving space for accommodating the rear end of the ferrule.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an optical connector according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the flange member has a restricting portion that abuts the ferrule from the rear.

[0010] Aspect 5 of the present invention is an optical connector according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the flange member has a retaining projection that protrudes from the flange portion toward the rear end and is positioned inside the biasing member.

[0011] Aspect 6 of the present invention is an optical connector according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the ferrule has a first engaging portion, and the flange member has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion.

[0012] Aspect 7 of the present invention is an optical connector according to aspect 6, wherein the outer surface of the ferrule has a first planar portion, and the inner surface of the flange member has a second planar portion facing the first planar portion.

[0013] A method for manufacturing an optical connector according to aspect 8 of the present invention involves preparing a ferrule having a connecting end face and a fiber hole, and a flange member having a slit through which an optical fiber can be inserted; inserting the optical fiber into the fiber hole of the ferrule; inserting and passing the ferrule inside a biasing member to position the optical fiber inside the biasing member; inserting the optical fiber through the slit of the flange member to position the flange member between the ferrule and the biasing member; and attaching the flange member to the rear end of the ferrule.

[0014] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical connector capable of improving the assembly efficiency of the optical connector, and a method for manufacturing the optical connector.

[0015] This is a perspective view of the optical connector according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view of the main components of the optical connector according to the first embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 2. This is a perspective view of the ferrule according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view of the flange member according to the first embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 2. This is a diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical connector according to the first embodiment. This is a diagram following Figure 7A. This is a diagram following Figure 7B. This is a diagram following Figure 7C. This is a perspective view of the main components of the optical connector according to the second embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 8. This is a perspective view of the flange member according to the second embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical connector according to the second embodiment. This is a diagram following Figure 11A. This is a diagram following Figure 11B. This is a diagram following Figure 11C.

[0016] (First Embodiment) The optical connector of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the optical connector 1 comprises a ferrule 10, a case 40, a boot 50, and an optical fiber F. As shown in Figure 2, the optical connector 1 further comprises a flange member 20 and a biasing member 30. The ferrule 10 is provided with a connection end face 10a. A fiber hole 11 is opened in the connection end face 10a. The optical fiber F is inserted into the fiber hole 11 such that its tip is exposed to the connection end face 10a.

[0018] (Definition of Direction) In this specification, the direction in which the fiber hole 11 extends is referred to as the longitudinal direction Z. The longitudinal direction Z is the direction parallel to the central axis O of the fiber hole 11. The longitudinal direction Z is the direction in which the optical fiber F extends. The side of the connection end face 10a (+Z side) in the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the front or tip side. The opposite side (-Z side) is referred to as the rear or base end side. A cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the cross section. The direction perpendicular to the central axis O of the fiber hole 11 is referred to as the radial direction. Along the radial direction, the direction approaching the central axis O is referred to as the radially inward direction, and the direction moving away from the central axis O is referred to as the radially outward direction. The direction that circles around the central axis O of the fiber hole 11 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the circumferential direction. In addition, one of the radial directions, that is, one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z, is referred to as the first direction X. In the first direction X, one side is referred to as the +X side, and the other side as the -X side. The radial direction perpendicular to the first direction X, that is, the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction Z and the first direction X, is referred to as the second direction Y. In the second direction Y, one side is referred to as the +Y side, and the other side as the -Y side.

[0019] The ferrule 10 is a cylindrical member extending in the longitudinal direction Z. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ferrule 10 has a front end face, which is a connecting end face 10a, and a rear end face 10b. The connecting end face 10a is the surface that abuts against the object to be connected when the optical connector 1 is connected to the object. The fiber hole 11 that opens in the connecting end face 10a penetrates the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0020] The rear end portion 12 of the ferrule 10 has a larger diameter than the front end portion of the ferrule 10. The rear end portion 12 is the part that is held by the flange member 20. A pair of first engaging portions 13 are formed on the rear end portion 12. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 13 is a hole that is recessed radially inward from the outer surface of the rear end portion 12. As shown in Figure 6, the pair of first engaging portions 13 are provided on both sides of the rear end portion 12 in the first direction X. The first engaging portion 13 has a first engaging surface 13a that faces forward. The outer surface of the rear end portion 12 also has a first planar portion 14. The first planar portion 14 is a plane that faces the +Y side.

[0021] The flange member 20 is attached to the rear end 12 of the ferrule 10. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the flange member 20 has a flange portion 21 positioned between the ferrule 10 and the biasing member 30 in the longitudinal direction Z, and a retaining projection 22 projecting from the flange portion 21 toward the rear end. The flange portion 21 and the retaining projection 22 are integrally formed. The outer diameter of the retaining projection 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 21 and also smaller than the inner diameter of the biasing member 30.

[0022] The flange portion 21 is a cylindrical member. The flange portion 21 has a receiving space 21a for accommodating the rear end portion 12 of the ferrule 10. The receiving space 21a opens to the front end side of the flange member 20. The receiving space 21a is partitioned by the inner surface of the flange portion 21 and the restricting portion 23, which will be described later. The flange portion 21 also has a biased surface 21b facing rearward.

[0023] The biasing member 30 has the function of biasing the ferrule 10 toward the tip. The biasing member 30 is, for example, a coil spring. The tip of the biasing member 30 is in contact with the biased surface 21b. The biased surface 21b is biased forward by the biasing member 30. Therefore, the ferrule 10 held by the flange member 20 also receives a biasing force directed forward.

[0024] The retaining projection 22 is a cylindrical member. The retaining projection 22 protrudes from the biased surface 21b toward the rear end. The retaining projection 22 is inserted into the tip of the biasing member 30 and supports the tip of the biasing member 30.

[0025] The flange member 20 has a communication hole 20a through which the optical fiber F is inserted. The communication hole 20a penetrates the flange member 20 in the longitudinal direction Z and communicates with the housing space 21a. In other words, the communication hole 20a is formed across both the flange portion 21 and the retaining projection 22.

[0026] Furthermore, the flange member 20 has a slit 20b through which the optical fiber F can be inserted. The slit 20b communicates with the communication hole 20a. The slit 20b opens on the -Y side of the flange member 20. The slit 20b is formed over the entire longitudinal direction Z of the flange member 20. That is, the slit 20b is formed over both the flange portion 21 and the retaining projection 22.

[0027] The flange portion 21 has a restricting portion 23 that abuts the ferrule 10 from the rear. The restricting portion 23 is provided behind the housing space 21a and is a wall portion that extends radially inward from the inner surface of the flange portion 21. The rear end surface 10b of the ferrule 10 abuts against the restricting portion 23, thereby restricting the relative movement of the ferrule 10 toward the rear with respect to the flange member 20.

[0028] A pair of second engaging portions 24 are formed on the flange portion 21. The pair of second engaging portions 24 engage with a pair of first engaging portions 13 that are present on the rear end portion 12. In this embodiment, the second engaging portions 24 are projections that protrude radially inward from the inner surface of the flange portion 21 (i.e., toward the housing space 21a). As shown in Figure 6, the pair of second engaging portions 24 are arranged opposite each other in the first direction X. The second engaging portions 24 have a second engaging surface 24a that faces backward.

[0029] The second engaging portion 24, which is a projection, is positioned inside the first engaging portion 13, which is a hole, thereby engaging the first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 24. At this time, the first engaging surface 13a of the first engaging portion 13 comes into contact with the second engaging surface 24a. This restricts the relative movement of the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z with respect to the flange member 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the inner surface of the flange portion 21 has a second planar portion 25. The second planar portion 25 is a plane facing the -Y side. As shown in Figure 3, the second planar portion 25 faces the first planar portion 14 of the ferrule 10 in the second direction Y. The first planar portion 14 and the second planar portion 25 are used for positioning when engaging the first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 24.

[0031] The inner diameter of the biasing member 30 is set such that the ferrule 10 can pass inside the biasing member 30, but the flange member 20 cannot. Specifically, the inner diameter of the biasing member 30 is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the ferrule 10 (outer diameter of the rear end portion 12) and smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the flange member 20 (outer diameter of the flange portion 21). Therefore, the ferrule 10 can pass inside the biasing member 30, but the flange member 20 cannot.

[0032] The case 40 houses a portion of the ferrule 10, the flange member 20, and the biasing member 30. The boot 50 is fixed to the rear end of the case 40 and serves to protect the optical fiber F. Note that the optical connector 1 does not necessarily have to include the case 40 and the boot 50.

[0033] Next, the manufacturing method (assembly method) of the optical connector 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7A to 7D. The manufacturing method of the optical connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a preparation step, an optical fiber insertion step, a biasing member placement step, a flange member placement step, and a flange member mounting step.

[0034] In the preparation process, the ferrule 10, flange member 20, biasing member 30, and optical fiber F described above are prepared.

[0035] Next, in the optical fiber insertion process, the optical fiber F is inserted into the fiber hole 11 of the ferrule 10. Then, the optical fiber F is fixed to the ferrule 10 by, for example, injecting an adhesive into the optical fiber F and the fiber hole 11 and allowing it to solidify. In addition, the ferrule 10 is polished, cleaned, inspected, etc. as needed.

[0036] Next, in the biasing member placement step, as shown in Figure 7A, the ferrule 10 is inserted and passed through the inside of the biasing member 30 to position the optical fiber F inside the biasing member 30. Since the inner diameter of the biasing member 30 is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the ferrule 10, the biasing member 30 can be passed through the ferrule 10 through which the optical fiber F is inserted from the tip side (connecting end face 10a side).

[0037] Next, in the flange member placement process, as shown in Figure 7B, the optical fiber F is inserted through the slit 20b of the flange member 20, and the flange member 20 is placed between the ferrule 10 and the biasing member 30. The optical fiber F is placed in the communication hole 20a via the slit 20b.

[0038] Next, in the flange member mounting process, as shown in Figure 7C, the flange member 20 is attached to the rear end 12 of the ferrule 10. Specifically, the flange member 20 is moved toward the front end relative to the ferrule 10, and the rear end 12 of the ferrule 10 is housed in the housing space 21a. At this time, the ferrule 10 and the flange member 20 are positioned using the first flat portion 14 of the ferrule 10 and the second flat portion 25 of the flange member 20, and the first engaging portion 13 of the ferrule 10 and the second engaging portion 24 of the flange member 20 are engaged.

[0039] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7D, the biasing member 30 is moved toward the tip side relative to the flange member 20, and the retaining projection 22 is positioned inside the biasing member 30. The manufacturing (assembly) of the optical connector 1 is then completed by attaching the case 40 and boot 50. Note that attaching the case 40 and boot 50 is optional.

[0040] Conventionally, when assembling an optical connector, the optical fiber was first placed inside the biasing member, and then the optical fiber was inserted into the ferrule to which the flange member was attached. In this case, the process of inserting the optical fiber into the ferrule and subsequent processes (such as fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule, polishing, cleaning, and inspecting the ferrule) were performed with the biasing member in place. Therefore, it was necessary to retract the biasing member so that it would not come into contact with the ferrule or flange member during the above processes. In this embodiment, since a slit 20b is formed in the flange member 20, the optical connector 1 can be assembled by the following procedure. That is, first, the optical fiber F is inserted into the ferrule 10, and if necessary, the process of fixing the optical fiber F to the ferrule 10, and the process of polishing, cleaning, and inspecting the ferrule 10 are performed. After that, the ferrule 10 is inserted and passed inside the biasing member 30, and the optical fiber F is placed inside the biasing member 30. Subsequently, the optical fiber F is inserted through the slit 20b of the flange member 20, the flange member 20 is positioned between the ferrule 10 and the biasing member 30, and the flange member 20 is attached to the rear end 12 of the ferrule 10. This procedure allows the process of inserting the optical fiber F into the ferrule 10 and subsequent processes to be performed without the biasing member 30 being present. Therefore, there is no need to consider how to handle the biasing member 30 in the above process, and the assembly efficiency of the optical connector 1 can be improved. In addition, the semi-finished product with the optical fiber F inserted into the ferrule 10 can be stored. In this case, there is no need to consider the biasing member 30 getting tangled during storage of the semi-finished product, making storage easier.

[0041] As described above, the optical connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a ferrule 10 having a connection end face 10a and a fiber hole 11 opening in the connection end face 10a, an optical fiber F inserted into the fiber hole 11, a biasing member 30 that biases the ferrule 10 toward the connection end face 10a side, and a flange member 20 having a flange portion 21 disposed between the ferrule 10 and the biasing member 30 and attached to the rear end portion 12 of the ferrule 10. A slit 20b through which the optical fiber F can be inserted is formed in the flange member 20. Further, the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes preparing a ferrule 10 having a connection end face 10a and a fiber hole 11, and a flange member 20 having a slit 20b through which the optical fiber F can be inserted, inserting the optical fiber F into the fiber hole 11 of the ferrule 10, inserting and passing the ferrule 10 inside the biasing member 30, disposing the optical fiber F inside the biasing member 30, inserting the optical fiber F through the slit 20b of the flange member 20, disposing the flange member 20 between the ferrule 10 and the biasing member 30, and attaching the flange member 20 to the rear end portion 12 of the ferrule 10. According to such an optical connector 1 and the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1, the assembly efficiency of the optical connector 1 can be improved.

[0042] Further, the inner diameter of the biasing member 30 is such that the ferrule 10 can pass inside the biasing member 30, but the flange member 20 cannot pass inside the biasing member 30. Even in the optical connector 1 having such a configuration, since the slit 20b is formed in the flange member 20, the assembly efficiency of the optical connector 1 can be improved.

[0043] Further, the flange member 具有 a housing space 21a for housing the rear end portion 12 of the ferrule 10. According to this configuration, the flange member 20 can be firmly attached to the rear end portion 12 of the ferrule 10.

[0044] Further, the flange member 20 has a regulating portion 23 that abuts against the ferrule 10 from the rear. According to this configuration, the relative movement of the ferrule 10 rearward with respect to the flange member 20 can be regulated.

[0045] Further, the flange member 20 has a holding protrusion 22 that protrudes from the flange portion 21 toward the rear end side and is disposed inside the biasing member 30. According to this configuration, the biasing member 30 can be supported by the flange member 20.

[0046] Further, the ferrule 10 has a first engaging portion 13, and the flange member 20 has a second engaging portion 24 that engages with the first engaging portion 13. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the ferrule 10 from falling off the flange member 20.

[0047] Further, the outer surface of the ferrule 10 has a first flat portion 14, and the inner surface of the flange member 20 has a second flat portion 25 that faces the first flat portion 14. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily position the ferrule 10 and the flange member 20 when engaging the first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 24.

[0048] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the optical connector 101 according to the present embodiment is a multi-core optical connector. The optical connector 101 includes a ferrule 110, a flange member 120, a biasing member 30, and a plurality of optical fibers F.

[0050] The ferrule 110 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The ferrule 110 is provided with a connection end face 110a. The ferrule 110 is formed with a plurality of fiber holes 111 that open to the connection end face 110a. The plurality of fiber holes 111 are arranged in the first direction X. A plurality of optical fibers F are respectively inserted into the plurality of fiber holes 111. Note that the plurality of fiber holes 111 may be arranged in a direction other than the first direction X.

[0051] The flange member 120 is attached to the rear end of the ferrule 110. The flange member 120 has a flange portion 121 positioned between the ferrule 110 and the biasing member 30 in the longitudinal direction Z, and a retaining projection 122 projecting from the flange portion 121 toward the rear end. The flange portion 121 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member. The flange portion 121 has a receiving space 121a that accommodates the rear end of the ferrule 110. The flange portion 121 has a biased surface 121b facing rearward. The tip of the biasing member 30 is in contact with the biased surface 121b. The retaining projection 122 is a cylindrical member. The retaining projection 122 projects toward the rear end from the biased surface 121b. The retaining projection 122 is inserted into the tip of the biasing member 30 and supports the tip of the biasing member 30.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, the flange member 120 has a communication hole 120a through which the optical fiber F is inserted. The communication hole 120a penetrates the flange member 120 in the longitudinal direction Z and communicates with the housing space 121a. The flange member 120 also has a slit 120b through which the optical fiber F can be inserted. The slit 120b communicates with the communication hole 120a. The slit 120b opens on the -Y side of the flange member 120. The slit 120b is formed over the entire longitudinal direction Z of the flange member 120.

[0053] The flange portion 121 has a restricting portion 123 that abuts the ferrule 110 from the rear. The rear end surface 110b of the ferrule 110 abuts against the restricting portion 123, thereby restricting the relative movement of the ferrule 110 toward the rear with respect to the flange member 120. In addition, as shown in Figure 10, the -Y end of the flange portion 121 is provided with a retaining portion 124 to prevent the ferrule 110 from falling off the flange member 120.

[0054] In this embodiment as well, the inner diameter of the biasing member 30 is set such that the ferrule 110 can pass through the biasing member 30, but the flange member 120 cannot. Specifically, the inner diameter of the biasing member 30 is larger than the maximum length of the ferrule 110 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z, and smaller than the maximum length of the flange member 120 when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z. The maximum length of the ferrule 110 is the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the ferrule 110's contour when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z. The maximum length of the flange member 120 is the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the flange member 120's contour when viewed from the longitudinal direction Z.

[0055] Next, the manufacturing method (assembly method) of the optical connector 101 will be described with reference to Figures 11A to 11D. The manufacturing method of the optical connector 101 according to this embodiment includes a preparation step, an optical fiber insertion step, a biasing member placement step, a flange member placement step, and a flange member mounting step.

[0056] In the preparation process, the ferrule 110, flange member 120, biasing member 30, and optical fiber F are prepared.

[0057] Next, in the optical fiber insertion process, the optical fiber F is inserted into the fiber hole 111 of the ferrule 110. Then, the optical fiber F is fixed to the ferrule 110 by, for example, injecting an adhesive into the optical fiber F and the fiber hole 111 and allowing it to solidify. In addition, the ferrule 110 is polished, cleaned, inspected, etc., as needed.

[0058] Next, in the biasing member placement step, as shown in Figure 11A, the ferrule 110 is inserted and passed through the inside of the biasing member 30, and the optical fiber F is placed inside the biasing member 30.

[0059] Next, in the flange member placement process, as shown in Figure 11B, the optical fiber F is inserted through the slit 120b of the flange member 120, and the flange member 120 is positioned between the ferrule 110 and the biasing member 30. The optical fiber F is positioned in the communication hole 120a via the slit 120b.

[0060] Next, in the flange member attachment process, as shown in Figure 11C, the flange member 120 is attached to the rear end of the ferrule 110. Specifically, the flange member 120 is moved toward the front end of the ferrule 110, and the rear end of the ferrule 110 is housed in the housing space 121a.

[0061] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 11D, the biasing member 30 is moved toward the tip side relative to the flange member 120, and the retaining projection 122 is positioned on the inside of the biasing member 30.

[0062] As described above, the optical connector 101 according to this embodiment comprises a ferrule 110 having a connecting end face 110a and a fiber hole 111 opening to the connecting end face 110a, an optical fiber F inserted into the fiber hole 111, a biasing member 30 that biases the ferrule 110 toward the connecting end face 110a, and a flange member 120 disposed between the ferrule 110 and the biasing member 30 and attached to the rear end of the ferrule 110. The flange member 120 has a slit 120b through which the optical fiber F can be inserted. Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the optical connector 101 according to this embodiment involves preparing a ferrule 110 having a connecting end face 110a and a fiber hole 111, and a flange member 120 having a slit 120b through which an optical fiber F can be inserted. The optical fiber F is inserted into the fiber hole 111 of the ferrule 110, the ferrule 110 is inserted and passed through the biasing member 30 to position the optical fiber F inside the biasing member 30, the optical fiber F is inserted through the slit 120b of the flange member 120 to position the flange member 120 between the ferrule 110 and the biasing member 30, and the flange member 120 is attached to the rear end of the ferrule 110. According to such an optical connector 101 and manufacturing method for the optical connector 101, the assembly efficiency of the optical connector 101 can be improved.

[0063] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0064] For example, in the first embodiment, the structure of the first engaging portion 13 of the ferrule 10 and the second engaging portion 24 of the flange member 20 can be appropriately modified as long as the relative movement of the ferrule 10 in the longitudinal direction Z with respect to the flange member 20 can be restricted. For example, the first engaging portion 13 may be a projection that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the rear end portion 12, and the second engaging portion 24 may be a hole that is recessed radially outward from the inner surface of the flange portion 21.

[0065] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0066] 1, 101... Optical connector 10, 110... Ferrule 10a, 110a... Connection end face 11, 111... Fiber hole 13... First engagement part 14... First planar part 20, 120... Flange member 20b, 120b... Slit 21, 121... Flange part 21a, 121a... Housing space 22, 122... Retaining projection 23, 123... Restricting part 24... Second engagement part 25... Second planar part 30... Biasing member F... Optical fiber

Claims

1. An optical connector comprising: a ferrule having a connecting end face and a fiber hole opening to the connecting end face; an optical fiber inserted into the fiber hole; a biasing member that biases the ferrule toward the connecting end face; and a flange member having a flange portion disposed between the ferrule and the biasing member, and attached to the rear end of the ferrule, wherein the flange member has a slit through which the optical fiber can be inserted.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the biasing member is such that the ferrule can pass inside the biasing member, but the flange member cannot pass inside the biasing member.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange member has a receiving space for accommodating the rear end of the ferrule.

4. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flange member has a restricting portion that abuts the ferrule from the rear.

5. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flange member has a retaining projection that protrudes from the flange portion toward the rear end and is positioned inside the biasing member.

6. The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ferrule has a first engaging portion, and the flange member has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion.

7. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the ferrule has a first planar portion, and the inner surface of the flange member has a second planar portion facing the first planar portion.

8. A method for manufacturing an optical connector, comprising: preparing a ferrule having a connecting end face and a fiber hole, and a flange member having a slit through which an optical fiber can be inserted; inserting the optical fiber into the fiber hole of the ferrule; inserting and passing the ferrule inside a biasing member to position the optical fiber inside the biasing member; inserting the optical fiber through the slit of the flange member to position the flange member between the ferrule and the biasing member; and attaching the flange member to the rear end of the ferrule.

Images