JP2006011102A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector of a configuration, in which the fitting and holding of the optical connector are surely performed by a lever arm having a latching projection at the tip and moreover, the space for pushing down the lever arm at the removing of the optical connector is not needed. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector has the latching projection 16 at the tip of the elastically deforming lever arm 15 of a cantilever form and the fitting thereof is locked, by locking the latching projection 16 to an engaging section of a fitting portion to be connected. The optical connector has a cover 13, slidable with respect to a connector main part 12, and the cover 13 moves slidingly, thereby pushing down the lever arm 15 and unlocking the latching projection 16 to release the fitting and locking. For pushing down the lever arm 15, an intermediate portion of the lever arm 15 is provided with a slope 17, and the slope 17 is pressed against by a pressure section 18 disposed on the cover side by the sliding movement of the cover 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector used for connecting an optical fiber cable to an optical module or connecting optical fiber cables to each other via a connection adapter.

  An optical fiber cable used for optical communication is connected to an optical module such as a photoelectric conversion device at its end, or is connected to each other by connecting optical fiber cables to each other using a connection adapter. For the connection of the optical fiber cable, an optical connector that is detachably fitted to a fitting portion of an optical module or a connection adapter and that locks the fitting to maintain a connected state is used. This optical connector is generally configured by attaching a ferrule to an end portion of an optical fiber and housing and holding the ferrule in a connector main body called a connector housing or a connector housing.

  The optical connector fitting lock includes, for example, a lever lock type optical connector shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B or a friction lock type optical connector shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. . In the figure, 1, 1 'is an optical connector, 2 is an optical module, 2a is a module inner wall, 3 is a connector body, 4 is a fitting portion, 4a is an upper wall portion, 4b is a slit, 5 is a lever arm, and 6 is a latch. A protrusion, 7 is a lock release button, 8 is an engaging portion, and 9 is a protrusion.

  A lever lock type optical connector 1 (see, for example, Patent Document 1) of FIG. 5A includes a fitting portion 4 in which a ferrule attached to an optical fiber is housed and fixed at a front portion of a connector main body 3. A cantilevered lever arm 5 that is elastically displaced to the side is provided. The lever arm 5 has a latch projection 6 at the tip, and a lock release button 7 for releasing the lock by the lever arm 5 is integrally provided on the rear side. The optical module 2 includes a fitting port (not shown) into which the fitting portion 4 of the optical connector 1 is fitted, and an engaging portion 8 such as a rectangular hole is formed on the upper wall side of the fitting port.

  In FIG. 5A, when the fitting portion 4 of the optical connector 1 is inserted into the fitting port of the optical module 2 for connection, the latch projection 6 slides against the module inner wall 2a and elastically pushes down the lever arm 5. . When the latch protrusion 6 enters the position of the engaging portion 8 in this state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the latch protrusion 6 falls into the engaging portion 8 and is locked, and the optical connector 1 is locked. Is done. In order to remove the optical connector 1, the lock release button 7 is pressed to elastically push down the lever arm 5, the latch projection 6 is released from the engaging portion 8 to release the locked state, and the optical module 1 is pulled out. ing.

  The friction lock type optical connector 1 ′ (see, for example, Patent Document 2) of FIG. 5C includes a fitting portion 4 in which a ferrule attached to an optical fiber is housed and fixed at the front portion of the connector body 3. The fitting portion 4 is provided with a protrusion 9. The protrusion 9 has, for example, a semicircular or chevron-shaped cross section, and is integrally formed with the upper wall 4a of the fitting portion 4. The upper wall 4a is provided with a slit 4b for elastically bending. .

In FIG. 5C, when the fitting part 4 is inserted into the fitting port of the optical module 2 for connection, the protrusion 9 slides on the module inner wall 2a and elastically flexes the upper wall 4a of the fitting part 6. I will. When the protrusion 9 enters the position of the engagement portion 8 such as a rectangular hole in this state, as shown in FIG. 5 (D), the protrusion 9 falls into the engagement portion 8 to be locked, and the optical connector 1 ′ is fitted. The lock is locked. In order to remove the optical connector 1 ′, the protrusion 9 is pulled out from the engaging portion 8 by pulling it strongly in the direction of separating the optical connector 1 ′ from the optical module 2.
JP 2000-275476 A JP-A-9-145959

  In order to remove the optical connector with the conventional lever lock type optical connector shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is necessary to push the lock release button and push down the lever arm. For this reason, a space for pressing the lock release button is required. In particular, when the optical connectors are arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction, it is necessary to provide an interval for operating the unlock button between the optical connectors, and high-density mounting is difficult.

  Further, in the case of the conventional friction lock type optical connector shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, there is no lock release button that pushes down the lever arm, so that a small space is required. However, since the optical connector is fitted and held by frictional engagement between the protrusion and the engaging portion that can be easily unlocked, the holding force is weak compared to the configuration shown in FIGS. For this reason, when continuous vibration is applied to the optical connector or unexpected primary tension is applied to the optical cable, there is a problem that the engagement between the protrusion and the engaging portion is easily released.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is designed to securely hold and hold the optical connector by a lever arm having a latch protrusion at the tip, and to push down the lever arm when removing the optical connector. It is an object to provide an optical connector having a configuration that does not require a space.

  The optical connector according to the present invention has a latch projection at the tip of a cantilevered lever arm that is elastically displaced, and locks the fitting by locking the latch projection to the engaging portion of the mating portion of the connection partner. It is a connector. The optical connector includes a cover that is slidable with respect to the connector main body, and when the cover slides, the lever arm is pushed down to release the latch protrusion, and the fitting lock is released. In order to push down the lever arm, an inclined portion is provided in an intermediate portion of the lever arm, and the inclined portion is pressed by a pressing portion provided on the cover side by sliding the cover. In addition, a convex part may be provided in the intermediate part of the lever arm, and the convex part may be pressed by an inclined part provided on the cover side when the cover is slid. The connector main body is provided with a locking projection for holding the cover in a predetermined range so as to be slidable, and the cover is provided with a long strip-shaped operation knob for sliding movement.

  According to the present invention, the optical arm is securely locked by the lever arm so that it cannot be easily detached by vibration or temporary pulling, and even if there is no space around the optical connector, the optical connector can be easily The fitting lock of the connector can be released.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the optical connector is fitted, and FIG. 4 is for removing the optical connector. It is a figure explaining operation | movement at the time. In the figure, 11 and 11 'are optical connectors, 12 is a connector body, 13 is a cover, 13a is a cover upper wall, 13b is a rear edge, 14 is a ferrule, 15 and 15' are lever arms, 16 is a latch protrusion, 17 is Inclined part, 18 and 18 'are pressing parts, 19 is an elastic arm, 19a is a locking protrusion, 20 is a stopping protrusion, 21 is a locking hole, 22 is an operation knob, 23 is a convex part, 24 is a notch part, 25 is An inclined part is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1A as an example, the optical connector 11 according to the present invention is configured by a cover 13 slidably arranged so as to cover the connector main body 12. The connector body 12 is
For example, a fitting portion such as a ferrule 14 that holds and fixes an optical fiber connection end is provided on the front end side, and a lever arm 15 is provided on the upper surface side. The lever arm 15 is a cantilevered arm that can be elastically displaced. The lever arm 15 is formed integrally with a wall portion on the upper surface side of the connector main body 12. is doing. Although details will be described later, the connector main body 12 can be provided with a locking means including a locking protrusion 19a and a stopping protrusion 20 for holding the cover 13 in a predetermined range so as to be slidable.

  The cover 13 is formed in a rectangular cylinder shape that covers the connector main body 12 by molding with a synthetic resin or punching and bending from a metal plate. The cover 13 has a pressing portion 18 that acts on the inclined portion 17 of the lever arm 15 on the inner surface of the cover upper wall 13a. The pressing portion 18 is formed of a protruding piece that protrudes into the cover 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B as a modified example, the pressing portion 18 ′ may be formed of a protruding piece having a taper or wedge-like surface that matches the inclined surface of the inclined portion 17.

  FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram for explaining the pressing operation of the pressing portion 18 and the lever arm 15 provided on the cover 13, and shows a state where the cover 13 is assembled to the connector main body 12. As can be seen from this figure, when the cover 13 is slid to the rear side (right arrow) of the connector main body 12, the pressing portion 18 hits the inclined portion 17 of the lever arm 15. Thereby, the lever arm 15 is elastically displaced from the dotted line to the position of the solid line, and the latch protrusion 16 at the tip is displaced. If the latch protrusion 16 engages with the engaging portion {see FIG. 5A) of the mating portion of the connection partner and is in the locked state, the lock can be released.

  Further, as will be described later in detail, a flat belt-like operation knob 22 for sliding the cover 13 with respect to the connector main body 12 can be integrally provided on the rear side of the cover 13. In addition, a locking hole 21 for locking a locking projection 19a of an elastic arm 19 provided on the connector main body 12 side that holds the cover 13 slidably within a predetermined range is provided at the rear of both side surfaces of the cover 13. .

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the second embodiment. As in the example of FIG. 1, the optical connector 11 ′ is configured with a cover 13 slidably arranged so as to cover the connector main body 12. The connector body 12 includes, for example, a fitting portion such as a ferrule 14 that holds and fixes the connection end of the optical fiber on the front end side, and a lever arm 15 ′ on the upper surface side. The lever arm 15 ′ is a cantilever arm that can be elastically displaced, and is formed integrally with the wall portion on the upper surface side of the connector main body 12. The lever arm 15 ′ has a latch protrusion 16 at its tip, and a convex portion 23 at an intermediate portion. Have. Further, the connector main body 12 can be provided with a locking means including a locking protrusion 19a and a stopping protrusion 20 that hold the cover 13 slidably within a predetermined range.

  The cover 13 is formed in a rectangular cylinder shape that covers the connector main body 12 by molding with a synthetic resin or punching and bending from a metal plate. The cover 13 is formed with a notch 24 through which a protrusion 23 provided at an intermediate portion of the latch arm 15 passes on the upper surface side of the cover upper wall 13 a, and the protrusion 23 of the lever arm 15 is formed at the front of the notch 24. An acting inclined portion 25 is provided.

  FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram for explaining the push-down operation of the inclined portion 25 and the lever arm 15 provided on the cover 13, and shows a state where the cover 13 is assembled to the connector main body 12. As can be seen from this figure, when the cover 13 is slid to the rear side (right arrow) of the connector main body 12, the inclined portion 25 hits the convex portion 23 of the lever arm 15. Thereby, the lever arm 15 is elastically displaced from the dotted line to the position of the solid line, and the latch protrusion 16 at the tip is displaced. If the latch protrusion 16 engages with the engaging portion {see FIG. 5A) of the mating portion of the connection partner and is in the locked state, the lock can be released.

  FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation when the optical connector 11 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the mating part of the connection partner in order to connect to the optical module or the like. As shown in FIG. 13 covers the connector main body 12 and is slidably held within a predetermined range. As a locking means for holding the cover 13 on the connector body 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, a stop protrusion 20 is integrally provided on the upper surface side of the rear end of the connector body 12. When the cover 13 is inserted and assembled from the front part of the connector main body 12, the rear edge 13b of the cover 13 hits the stop protrusion 20, and the further rearward sliding movement is stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, elastic arms 19 having locking projections 19a at the tip are integrally provided on both side walls of the rear portion of the connector body 12, and the locking projections 19a are formed on the cover 13 side. A rectangular locking hole 21 for locking is provided. When the cover 13 is inserted from the front portion of the connector body 12 and assembled, the elastic arm 19 is elastically displaced, and the locking projection 19a is dropped into the locking hole 21 and locked. By this locking, the forward movement of the cover 13 is locked, but by making the hole width in the moving direction of the locking hole 21 large, sliding is allowed by a margin with the locking protrusion 19a. .

  The cover 13 is slidably held within a predetermined range with respect to the connector main body 12 by the stop protrusion 20 and the locking protrusion 19a. Within the slidable range, the pressing portion 18 of the cover 13 is set so as to perform the pressing operation against the inclined portion 17 of the lever arm 15. As shown in FIG. 3 (B), when the operation knob 22 is pushed in the direction of the arrow (left direction) to enter, for example, the optical module (not shown) of the connection partner, first, the cover 13 slides in the direction of the arrow. It moves, the pressing part 18 leaves | separates from the inclination part 17 of the lever arm 15, and the lever arm 15 will be in a free state.

  When the cover 13 is continuously moved, the locking projection 19a hits the rear edge of the locking hole 21, and the connector main body 12 is moved while being pulled by the cover 13 and enters the optical module. The lever arm 15 is elastically deformed in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 5, and when the portion of the ferrule 14 is advanced to a predetermined fitting position in the optical module, a latch protrusion 19a is provided on the optical module side. The optical connector is locked by dropping into the engaging portion and locking.

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the operation when the optical connector 11 shown in FIG. 1 is removed from the state connected to the optical module or the like. As shown in FIG. It covers and is slidable within a predetermined range. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the cover 13 is slidably held within a predetermined range with respect to the connector main body 12 by the stop protrusion 20 and the locking protrusion 19 a. Now, it is assumed that the optical connector 11 is connected to, for example, an optical module and the fitting thereof is locked. From this state, the operation knob 22 is pulled in the arrow direction as shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 4B, first, the cover 13 slides in the arrow direction (right direction), and the pressing portion 18 hits the inclined portion 17 of the lever arm 15 to elastically push down the lever arm 15. As a result, the latch protrusion 16 is released from the engaging portion of the optical module, and the lock of the fitting is released. When the operation knob 22 is continuously pulled, the rear edge 13b of the cover 13 hits the stop protrusion 20, and the relative movement of the cover 13 with respect to the connector body 12 is stopped. Subsequently, when the cover 13 is moved, the cover 13 is integrated so as to pull the connector main body 12 and is pulled out in the direction of the arrow, so that the optical connector 11 can be disconnected.

  Moreover, in this invention, as shown to FIG.3, 4, the cover 13 can be set as the structure provided with the operation knob 22 for slidingly moving the cover 13. As shown in FIG. The operation knob 22 is formed of a synthetic resin or metal, and may be formed integrally with the rear portion of the lower wall of the cover 13 or may be formed by combining those formed separately. The operation knob 22 is preferably a thin and thin strip-like piece that does not hinder wiring, and is formed in a shape extending long behind the optical connector 11. Further, it is desirable that the cover 13 has such rigidity that it cannot be bent easily by sliding the cover 13.

  By providing this operation knob 22, it is possible to perform the detaching operation from the rear of the optical connector even if there is no space for inserting a hand around the optical connector. Further, since the operation knob 22 can be provided so as to extend in parallel with the optical fiber cable drawn out to the rear of the optical connector, the optical connector is laminated in the vertical direction without interfering with the optical wiring and other components. Realization of high-density mounting is possible.

It is a figure explaining 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a figure explaining 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when fitting the optical connector by this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when removing the optical connector by this invention. It is a figure explaining the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 11 '... Optical connector, 12 ... Connector main body, 13 ... Cover, 13a ... Cover upper wall, 13b ... Rear edge, 14 ... Ferrule, 15, 15' ... Lever arm, 16 ... Latch projection, 17 ... Inclination part, Reference numerals 18, 18 ′, a pressing part, 19, an elastic arm, 19 a, a locking protrusion, 20, a stop protrusion, 21, a locking hole, 22, an operation knob, 23, a convex part, 24, a notch part, 25, an inclined part.

Claims (7)

An optical connector that has a latch protrusion at the tip of a cantilever lever arm that is elastically displaced, and locks the engagement by engaging the latch protrusion with an engagement portion of a mating portion of a connection partner,
An optical connector comprising a cover slidable with respect to a connector body, wherein the cover is slid to push down the lever arm to release the latch projection and unlock the fitting.   The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein an inclined portion is provided in an intermediate portion of the lever arm, and the inclined portion is pressed by a pressing portion provided on the cover side when the cover is slid.   The optical connector according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion provided on the cover side is formed of a protruding piece.   The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion is provided at an intermediate portion of the lever arm, and the convex portion is pressed by an inclined portion provided on the cover side when the cover is slid.   The optical connector according to claim 4, wherein a notch portion through which a convex portion provided in an intermediate portion of the lever arm passes is formed on the cover side.   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein locking means for holding the cover slidably within a predetermined range is provided on the connector main body side.   The optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover is provided with a long strip-shaped operation knob for sliding movement.

Images