WO2006001165A1

WO2006001165A1 - Multicore ferrule

Info

Publication number: WO2006001165A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/010241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masahiro Yamada; Kouichiro Yoshimura
Original assignee: Honda Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-06-25
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2006-01-05
Also published as: JPWO2006001165A1

Abstract

A multicore ferrule (1) for an optical connector, having single-core ferrules (2, 2, ...) arranged side by side, base sections (2c) for the single-core ferrules, and a connection section (3) for connecting the base sections together. In the multicore ferrule, there is provided a cushioning section (4) for absorbing displacement of the axes of a single ferrule (2) and a sleeve occurring when they are connected. The structure enables the ferrule and the sleeve to be connected without any problem, eliminates the need for the maintenance of positional accuracy at a high level of an optical fiber inserting hole, and reduces the number of parts to reduce costs.

Description

Specification

Multi-core rule

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-fiber ferrule for holding an optical fiber (core wire) in an optical connector, for example.

Background art

[0002] Conventionally, in a multi-core connector provided with a plurality of optical connector core wires, for example, a plurality of round holes are formed in a ferrule in which ceramic raw material powder such as zirconia powder is formed into a predetermined shape by a molding die. Is formed by inserting an optical fiber into the round hole and fixing with an adhesive (see, for example, JP-A-2003-202454). Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] However, with the conventional multi-core ferrule, it is difficult to mold a plurality of parallel holes with high accuracy. To mold a ferrule with a plurality of highly accurate holes, The equipment cost of the mold increases. In addition, it is difficult to obtain high positional accuracy between the optical fibers, such as polishing the inner diameter of the round hole of the molded ferrule by wire polishing or the like, resulting in poor yield and high cost.

[0004] When multiple single-core ferrules are used as independent ferrules, even if there is a misalignment of the shaft center, each independent single-core ferrule can be finely moved, so troubles when inserting into the sleeve are reduced. Force In this case, the single-core ferrule inserted into the sleeve does not release V, and an elastic member such as a coil spring is required for each single-core ferrule so that the number of parts increases and the cost is reduced. It will be bulky.

[0005] The present invention solves such a problem in the conventional ferrule, and can be manufactured with a small number of parts, and when the ferrule is connected to the sleeve, it is caused by misalignment of the axial center between the ferrule and the sleeve. It provides a multi-core ferrule that does not cause any problems.

Means for solving the problem [0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the multi-fiber ferrule according to the present invention includes a plurality of single-core ferrules, a base portion of the plurality of single-core ferrules, and a base portion. And a buffer portion for absorbing the misalignment of the shaft when the plurality of single-core ferrules are connected to the sleeve.

[0007] The buffer portion may be provided with flexibility by bending the connecting portion.

Further, the buffer portion is formed by forming a concave groove around the single-core ferrule of the base portion, and increasing the flexibility of the single-core ferrule by increasing the length of the single-core ferrule. Good.

The multi-core ferrule having the curved connecting portion may be integrally formed with a flexible member.

Furthermore, the single-core ferrule may be cylindrical, and the buffer portion may be a recess formed at a desired depth in the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical single-core ferrule.

The buffer portion may be a combination of a concave portion on the outer peripheral portion of the single-core ferrule and a concave groove provided around the single-core ferrule on the base portion.

On the bottom of a multi-core ferrule, the number of single-core ferrules is n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), the number of fan seats is S, and the number of panels within the range expressed by l≤S≤n— It is preferable that a seat is provided.

In addition, as a method for integrally connecting each base portion and the connecting portion, a method by integral molding, a method by adhesion, welding, and pressure bonding can be used, but the method is not limited thereto.

The invention's effect

[0008] The multi-fiber flute of the present invention has a force buffering portion in which the single-fiber flutes are integrally connected by the connecting portion, so that the deviation of the shaft center when connecting to the sleeve is absorbed. As the buffer part, the connecting part that connects each single-core ferrule has flexibility so that the buffer part is also used as a buffer part, and the connecting part is formed rigidly so that the buffer part is attached to the base part of the single-core ferrule. In either case, the displacement of the shaft center is finely adjusted and absorbed, so that each single-core ferrule and each sleeve can be connected without hindrance. [0009] Therefore, the mold for manufacturing the multi-fiber ferrule does not need to be a mold in which the positional accuracy of each manufactured single-core ferrule and its optical fiber insertion hole is high. The manufacturing cost of the mold can be reduced. In addition, each single-core ferrule can be handled in the same way as an independent ferrule, and the pressing elastic member necessary for it can be covered with a smaller number of parts than in the past, thereby reducing costs.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1A is a front view of a multi-core fleur 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the multi-core ferrule 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a plan view of the multi-core ferrule 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 1D is a bottom view of the multi-core ferrule 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the multi-core ferrule 1 of the first embodiment with the elastic member 6 attached to the panel seat.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the multi-core ferrule 1 of the first embodiment with the elastic member 6 attached to the panel seat.

FIG. 3A is a front view showing a cutaway part of a multi-core ferrule la according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the multi-core ferrule la according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a plan view of a multi-core ferrule la according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 3D is a bottom view of the multi-core ferrule la according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a front view showing a state in which the elastic member 6 is attached to the panel seat on the multi-core ferrule la shown by cutting away a part shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the multi-fiber ferrule la according to the second embodiment with the elastic member 6 attached to the panel seat.

FIG. 5A is a front view showing a cutaway part of a multi-core ferrule lb according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the multi-core ferrule lb according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5C is a plan view of the multi-core ferrule lb according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5D is a bottom view of the multi-core ferrule lb according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5A showing a multi-core ferrule lb.

FIG. 6A is a front view showing a cutaway part of a multi-core ferrule lc according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the multi-core ferrule lc according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a plan view of the multi-core ferrule lc according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6D is a bottom view of the multi-core ferrule lc according to the fourth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the multi-fiber ferrule 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of single-core ferrules 2 and 2 and a connecting portion in the ferrule for an optical connector. When the single-core ferrule 2 is connected to the sleeve of the connector to be connected, the connecting portion 3 functions as the buffer portion 4 that absorbs the shift of the shaft center.

[0012] The connecting portion 3 in the first embodiment has a wide band shape. This multi-core ferrule 1 is made of a synthetic resin suitable for precision processing using liquid crystal polymer (LCP) or the like, and the center of the single-core ferrule 2 is provided with round holes 2a and 2b for inserting optical fibers. It has been. One of the round holes 2a is formed to have a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the optical fiber to be inserted, and the other round hole 2b is formed to have a slightly larger diameter in consideration of positional accuracy with respect to the round hole 2a. The

[0013] The base portion 2c of the single-core ferrule 2 is formed in a rectangular shape, and the wall surface force coupling portion 3 that faces it is extended with an appropriate width, and its central portion is curved to be flexible. have. This makes it possible to adjust the displacement of the axis of the single-core ferrule 2 relatively finely. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the flexible connecting portion 3 is also used as the buffer portion 4. The degree of this curvature depends on the accuracy of the single-core ferrule 2 and the accuracy of the sleeve to be fitted, and is a design matter.

A panel seat 5 is provided on the bottom surface of the base portion 2c of the multi-core ferrule 1 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This is because when this multi-core ferrule 1 is connected, a coil spring, which is an elastic member 6 that presses the single-core ferrule 2 inserted into the sleeve so as not to be separated after contacting the other party, is required. is there. In order to reduce the number of parts including this elastic member 6, on the bottom of the multi-core ferrule, the number of single-core ferrules is n (n is a natural number, n≥ 2), the number of panel seats is S, and l≤ Is a natural number within the range expressed by S≤n—l A number of panel seats 5 are provided. For example, if the number of single fiber cores 2 to be connected is 3, panel seats 5 need only be provided at two locations of 3−1 = 2. If there are four single-core ferrules 2, the number of panel seats may be 3 at 4–1 = 3 or 2 at 4–2 = 2.

[0015] In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3D, the connecting portion 3a of the multi-core ferrule la is formed as a rigid connecting portion, and the positions of the two-core ferrules 2, 2 are defined. Position with high accuracy. And as the buffer part 4, the ditch | groove 2e is provided in the circumference | surroundings of the single core ferrule of the base 2c of the single core ferrule 2. As shown in FIG. Further, a hole 2d is provided inside the base 2c of the single-core ferrule 2 to prevent sink marks.

A panel seat 5 is provided on the bottom surface of the connecting portion 3a. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the elastic member 6 is attached to the panel seat 5 described above. Also in this second embodiment, since the single-core ferrule 2 is easily bent by providing the concave groove 2e as the buffer portion 4, even if the single-core ferrule has a shift in the axial center, the shift is absorbed by the buffer portion 4. The single-core ferrule 2 can be inserted into the sleeve without any trouble. Further, since the misalignment of the shaft center is absorbed by the multi-core ferrule itself, only one elastic member 6 is required.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the multi-fiber ferrule lb according to the third embodiment of the present invention is used as a buffer portion 4 in addition to the concave groove 2e in the base portion 2c similar to the second embodiment. Further, the cylindrical single-core ferrule 2 is composed of one or a plurality of (four in the example shown in FIG. 5E) recesses 2f perforated at a desired depth. The buffer portion may be only the concave portion 2f without the concave groove 2e. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment. The concave portion 2f is disposed in an arbitrary angular range in the circumferential direction on the surface of the single-core ferrule. In addition, the shape of the recess 2f is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies the function as a buffer portion. Thereby, flexibility is imparted to the single core ferrule by the concave groove 2e and the concave portion 2f or only by the concave portion 2f, and the deviation of the axial center when the single core ferrule 2 is inserted into the sleeve is flexibly adjusted, It can be inserted without any problem.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 6A to 6D, the multi-fiber fl lc according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is such that the connecting portion 3b is a strong rigid body. The connecting portion 3b is provided with a wall 3c extending further upward than the connecting portion 3a in the third embodiment. Single core ferrule 2, 2 The positioning of the shaft center is determined with high accuracy, and the misalignment of the shaft center is absorbed by the concave groove 2e acting as the buffer portion 4.

Industrial applicability

The multi-fiber ferrule according to the present invention is useful, for example, for holding an optical fiber (core wire) in a multi-fiber connector provided with a plurality of core wires of the optical connector.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A plurality of single-core ferrules provided side by side, a base portion of the plurality of single-core ferrules, and a connecting portion for integrally connecting the base portions, and the plurality of single-core ferrules are connected to a sleeve A multi-fiber ferrule for an optical connector, characterized in that a buffer portion is provided to absorb the misalignment of the shaft center when the optical connector is moved.

2. The multi-core ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the buffer portion is provided with flexibility by bending the connecting portion.

[3] The buffer portion is formed with a concave groove around the single-core ferrule of the base, and the single-core ferrule is made flexible by increasing the length of the single-core ferrule. The multi-core ferrule according to claim 1 as a feature.

[4] The multi-core phenolic monolayer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the multi-core phenolic monolayer is integrally formed of a flexible member.

[5] The single-core ferrule is cylindrical, and the buffer portion is a recess formed at a desired depth in an outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical single-core ferrule. Item 4. The multi-core phenolic structure according to item 1.

6. The multi-core according to claim 1, wherein the buffer portion is a combination of a concave portion of the outer peripheral portion of the single core ferrule and a concave groove provided around the single core ferrule of the base portion. Hueno Lenore.

[7] On the bottom of the multi-core rule, the number of single-core rules is n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), and the number of bunae is S. Within the range expressed by l≤S≤n—1 The multi-core ferrule according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a number of panel seats are provided.