JP4685701B2 - Optical connector - Google Patents

Optical connector Download PDF

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JP4685701B2
JP4685701B2 JP2006133043A JP2006133043A JP4685701B2 JP 4685701 B2 JP4685701 B2 JP 4685701B2 JP 2006133043 A JP2006133043 A JP 2006133043A JP 2006133043 A JP2006133043 A JP 2006133043A JP 4685701 B2 JP4685701 B2 JP 4685701B2
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light shielding
lever member
ferrule
pair
optical connector
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JP2007304354A (en
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勝 小林
亮 長瀬
雄二 品川
貴司 佐藤
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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
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Description

本発明は、遮光機構が組み込まれた光コネクタに関する。   The present invention relates to an optical connector incorporating a light shielding mechanism.

光通信装置に対して入出力端子となる光コネクタは、この光通信装置の故障時に故障箇所の交換のために作業員が抜き差しを行わなければならないことがしばしば起こる。この場合、通常は通信光を停止した状態で交換作業を行うが、通信光を停止せずに光コネクタを光通信装置から抜き外してしまう場合がある。光通信分野においては、光ファイバ線路の長延化および光波長多重数の増加に伴い、通信光のハイパワー化が進んでいるため、このような場合、光コネクタの端面から出射するハイパワーの通信光が誤って作業員の目や皮膚などに照射される可能性がある。   Often, an optical connector serving as an input / output terminal for an optical communication device often requires an operator to insert and remove the optical communication device in order to replace the failed part. In this case, the replacement work is normally performed with the communication light stopped, but the optical connector may be disconnected from the optical communication device without stopping the communication light. In the optical communication field, as the length of optical fiber lines is increased and the number of optical wavelength multiplexing is increased, the communication power is increasing in high power. In such a case, the high power communication emitted from the end face of the optical connector. There is a possibility that light may be accidentally applied to the eyes or skin of workers.

このような危険性を回避するため、遮光機構を組み込んだ光コネクタが特許文献１にて提案されている。この特許文献１に開示された光コネクタは、プラグ本体から突出するフェルールの先端をレバー状をなす板部材にて覆うようにしたものである。この板部材は、枢支部を介してプラグ本体に回動自在に連結され、板部材の後端部を操作することにより、板部材の前端部を開閉動作させることができるようになっている。板部材とプラグ本体との間には、板部材を遮光状態に付勢するためのばねが組み込まれており、この光コネクタを光アダプタに嵌合する場合には、板部材の後端部を操作してフェルールの先端から板部材の先端部を退避移動させるようになっている。   In order to avoid such a risk, Patent Document 1 proposes an optical connector incorporating a light shielding mechanism. The optical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is such that the tip of a ferrule protruding from a plug body is covered with a plate member having a lever shape. The plate member is rotatably connected to the plug body via a pivotal support portion, and the front end portion of the plate member can be opened and closed by operating the rear end portion of the plate member. A spring for urging the plate member in a light-shielding state is incorporated between the plate member and the plug body. When this optical connector is fitted to the optical adapter, the rear end portion of the plate member is The front end of the plate member is retracted from the front end of the ferrule by operation.

特開平５−２８１４３９公報JP-A-5-281439

特許文献１に開示された従来の光コネクタにおいて、遮光機構の一部を構成する板部材の先端部に２００ｍＷを超えるハイパワーの通信光が誤って照射され続けた場合、板部材が熱変形を起こしたり、溶融または発火する可能性もある。耐熱性に優れたステンレス鋼やチタンなどで板部材を構成することにより、このような問題を回避することは可能であるが、今度は板部材の温度が上昇し過ぎて接触による火傷を負う危険性が生ずる。   In the conventional optical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the high-power communication light exceeding 200 mW is mistakenly irradiated to the tip of the plate member constituting a part of the light shielding mechanism, the plate member is thermally deformed. There is also a possibility of causing, melting or ignition. It is possible to avoid such problems by configuring the plate member with stainless steel or titanium with excellent heat resistance, but this time the temperature of the plate member rises too much and there is a risk of burns due to contact. Sex occurs.

本発明の目的は、２００ｍＷを超えるハイパワーの通信光を用いるシステムであっても、熱変形や発火などのおそれがなく、火傷の危険が生ずるような温度上昇を招かない安全な遮光機構を組み込んだ光コネクタを提供することにある。   It is an object of the present invention to incorporate a safe light-shielding mechanism that does not cause a temperature rise so that there is no risk of thermal deformation or ignition, and there is a risk of burns, even in a system that uses high-power communication light exceeding 200 mW. Is to provide an optical connector.

本発明による光コネクタは、光アダプタに対し抜き外し可能に嵌合されるフェルールと、このフェルールを突出状態で保持するプラグ本体と、これらフェルールおよびプラグ本体に挿通されて前記フェルールの先端面に端面が露出する光ファイバとを具えた光コネクタにおいて、前記プラグ本体を挟んで対向する一対の側壁部と、これら一対の側壁部をつなぐベース部と、このベース部から突設された一対のブラケット部と、０.２cal/cm・℃・秒以上の熱伝導率とを有し、前記プラグ本体に対して一体的に連結される金属製の連結部材と、この連結部材の前記一対のブラケット部に対しピンを介して回動自在に連結されて遮光位置と退避位置との間を変位し得ると共に０.２cal/cm・℃・秒以上の熱伝導率を有する金属製のレバー部材と、このレバー部材を前記遮光位置へと付勢する付勢手段とをさらに具え、前記レバー部材は、前記遮光位置にて前記フェルールの先端面と対向する遮光部と、当該レバー部材を退避位置に変位させるための操作部と、これら遮光部と操作部とをつなぐアーム部とを有し、前記退避位置にて前記レバー部材の遮光部およびアーム部が前記フェルールから離れた位置に退避し、前記遮光位置にて前記レバー部材のアーム部の一部が前記連結部材のベース部に当接して前記レバー部材の遮光部と前記フェルールの先端面との間に０.１mm以上の隙間が形成されることを特徴とするものである。 An optical connector according to the present invention includes a ferrule that is detachably fitted to an optical adapter, a plug main body that holds the ferrule in a protruding state, and an end surface that is inserted into the ferrule and the plug main body and is on the distal end surface of the ferrule. An optical fiber having an exposed optical fiber, a pair of side wall portions facing each other with the plug body interposed therebetween, a base portion connecting the pair of side wall portions, and a pair of bracket portions projecting from the base portion A metal connecting member integrally connected to the plug body, and a pair of bracket portions of the connecting member. a metal lever member having a 0.2cal / cm · ℃ · sec or more thermal conductivity with to be displaceable between an pivotally connected to light blocking position and a retracted position through against pin, this Les An urging means for urging the member to the light shielding position, wherein the lever member displaces the lever member to the retracted position, and a light shielding portion facing the tip surface of the ferrule at the light shielding position. And an arm portion connecting the light shielding portion and the operation portion, and the light shielding portion and the arm portion of the lever member are retracted to a position away from the ferrule at the retracted position, the Rukoto 0.1mm or more gap is formed between the distal end surface of the ferrule and the light shielding portion of contact with the lever member to the base portion of part of the connecting member of the arm portion of the lever member at It is a feature.

本発明においては、レバー部材が付勢手段によって常に遮光位置に付勢されており、作業者が付勢手段による付勢力に抗して操作部を操作しない限り、フェルールの先端から出射する通信光は、レバー部材によって遮断された状態となる。従って、光コネクタを光アダプタに装着する場合、レバー部材の操作部を操作してレバー部材の遮光部を退避位置に移動させることにより、フェルールを光アダプタに差し込むことが可能となる。金属製のレバー部材に通信光が照射された場合、レバー部材の温度が上昇するものの、これによる熱変形や発火などの不具合は起こらない。   In the present invention, the lever member is always urged to the light shielding position by the urging means, and the communication light emitted from the tip of the ferrule unless the operator operates the operation unit against the urging force by the urging means. Is cut off by the lever member. Therefore, when the optical connector is attached to the optical adapter, the ferrule can be inserted into the optical adapter by operating the operation portion of the lever member to move the light shielding portion of the lever member to the retracted position. When communication light is irradiated onto a metallic lever member, the temperature of the lever member rises, but problems such as thermal deformation and ignition do not occur.

本発明による光コネクタにおいて、レバー部材が遮光部の幅方向両側に形成された一対の側壁部をさらに有することが好ましい。 In the optical connector according to the present invention, and Turkey the lever member further having a pair of side wall portions formed on both sides in the width direction of the light shielding portion is preferred.

連結部材は、一対の側壁部にそれぞれ形成された係止穴をさらに有し、プラグ本体は、これら係止穴にそれぞれ係止してプラグ本体を連結部材に対して一体的に連結するための一対の突起部が突設されているものであってよい。 Coupling member further has a locking hole which is formed respectively in the side wall portions of a pair, the plug body, in order to integrally connected respectively to these locking holes and engaged with the plug body relative to the coupling member pair of projections may be a shall have been projected for.

付勢手段としてピンが挿通されるねじりコイルばねを用い、このねじりコイルばねの両端をレバー部材と連結部材とに当接させるようにしてもよい。 A torsion coil spring through which a pin is inserted may be used as the biasing means, and both ends of the torsion coil spring may be brought into contact with the lever member and the connecting member.

本発明の光コネクタによると、作業者が付勢手段によるばね力に抗してレバー部材の操作部を退避位置に移動させない限り、レバー部材の遮光部を常にフェルールの先端面と対向する位置に保持された状態となり、フェルールの先端面から出射する通信光を遮断することができる。また、レバー部材の遮光部に通信光が照射されたとしても、レバー部材の温度が上昇するだけであり、レバー部材全体に伝熱して熱の放散が促進され、熱変形や発火などの不具合を未然に防止することができる。しかも、遮光位置にてレバー部材のアーム部の一部を連結部材のベース部に当接させることにより、遮光部の遮光位置を確実に規定することができる。 According to the optical connector of the present invention, unless the movement of the operating portion of the lever member to the retracted position work artisan against the spring force by the urging means, in a position facing always tip surface of the ferrule and the light shielding portion of the lever member The communication light emitted from the front end surface of the ferrule can be blocked. Further, even if communication light is irradiated to the light shielding part of the lever member, the temperature of the lever member only rises, and heat is transferred to the entire lever member to promote heat dissipation, thereby causing problems such as thermal deformation and ignition. It can be prevented in advance. In addition, by blocking a part of the arm portion of the lever member against the base portion of the connecting member at the light shielding position, the light shielding position of the light shielding portion can be reliably defined.

また、連結部材およびレバー部材が銅合金などの如き０.２cal/cm・℃・秒以上の熱伝導率を有すると共にこれらの幅方向両側に一対の側壁部がそれぞれ形成されているので、通信光が遮光部に照射されて遮光部の温度が上昇したとしても、レバー部材全体に熱が迅速に伝搬すると共に大気中への放熱が促進される。この結果、例えばレバー部材の板厚が０.３mm程度であって、２００ｍＷの通信光がレバー部材に照射された場合でも、レバー部材の表面温度を４０℃程度に抑えることができ、接触による火傷を起こすようなレバー部材の温度上昇を未然に防止することができる。 Further, since the connecting member and the lever member have a thermal conductivity of 0.2 cal / cm · ° C. · second or more such as a copper alloy, and a pair of side wall portions are formed on both sides in the width direction , the communication light Even if the light shielding part is irradiated and the temperature of the light shielding part rises, heat is quickly propagated to the entire lever member and heat radiation to the atmosphere is promoted. As a result, for example, even when the lever member has a plate thickness of about 0.3 mm and the communication light of 200 mW is applied to the lever member, the surface temperature of the lever member can be suppressed to about 40 ° C. It is possible to prevent the temperature of the lever member from rising.

一対の側壁部に係止穴をそれぞれ形成し、これら係止穴に対してプラグ本体に突設された一対の突起部を係止させた場合、プラグ本体に対して連結部材をワンタッチで容易かつ確実に連結することが可能となる。 Each form a locking hole in the side wall portions of a pair, easily when is engaged a pair of projections projecting from the plug body with respect to these locking holes, a connecting member with respect to the plug body with one touch And it becomes possible to connect reliably.

本発明をＭＵ型光コネクタに応用した実施形態について、図１〜図８を参照しながら詳細に説明するが、本発明はこのような実施形態のみに限らず、特許請求の範囲に記載された本発明の概念に包含されるあらゆる変更や修正が可能であり、従って本発明の精神に帰属する他の任意の技術にも当然応用することができる。   Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an MU-type optical connector will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and is described in the claims. Any change or modification included in the concept of the present invention is possible, and thus can naturally be applied to any other technique belonging to the spirit of the present invention.

本実施形態の側面形状を図１に示し、その平面形状および正面形状を図２，図３に示し、遮光機構部分を取り外した状態の側面形状および平面形状を図４，図５に示し、遮光機構部分の外観を分解状態で図６に示し、光アダプタに対する装着状態の一例を図７に示す。すなわち、本実施形態におけるＭＵ型光コネクタ（以下、単に光コネクタと略称する）１０は、光アダプタ１１に対し抜き外し可能に嵌合される円柱状のフェルール１２と、このフェルール１２を突出状態で保持するプラグ本体１３と、これらフェルール１２およびプラグ本体１３に挿通されてフェルール１２の先端面に端面が露出する光ファイバ１４とを具えている。フェルール１２は、プラグ本体１３内に組み込まれた図示しないばねの付勢力に抗してプラグ本体１３内に押し戻されることが可能となっている。光ファイバ１４は、この光コネクタ１０に接続してその後端から引き出された光ケーブル１５内に導かれている。この光コネクタ１０におけるプラグ本体１３の内部の詳細構造に関しては、例えばＪＩＳ Ｃ ５９８３にて規定されたＦ１４形単心光ファイバコネクタなどですでに周知であり、しかも本発明には直接的な関係がないので、その説明を省略する。   The side surface shape of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, its planar shape and front shape are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the side surface shape and planar shape with the light shielding mechanism part removed are shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 shows an external appearance of the mechanism portion in an exploded state, and FIG. 7 shows an example of a mounting state with respect to the optical adapter. That is, the MU-type optical connector (hereinafter simply referred to as an optical connector) 10 in this embodiment includes a cylindrical ferrule 12 that is detachably fitted to the optical adapter 11, and the ferrule 12 in a protruding state. A plug main body 13 to be held, and an optical fiber 14 which is inserted through the ferrule 12 and the plug main body 13 and whose end surface is exposed at the distal end surface of the ferrule 12 are provided. The ferrule 12 can be pushed back into the plug body 13 against a biasing force of a spring (not shown) incorporated in the plug body 13. The optical fiber 14 is led into an optical cable 15 connected to the optical connector 10 and drawn from the rear end thereof. The detailed structure of the inside of the plug body 13 in the optical connector 10 is already well known, for example, for the F14 type single-core optical fiber connector defined in JIS C 5983, and the present invention has a direct relationship. Since there is no description, the description is omitted.

本実施形態における光コネクタ１０は、その非使用時にフェルール１２の先端側を覆う遮光機構をさらに具えている。この遮光機構は、プラグ本体１３と一体の連結部材１６と、この連結部材１６に対し回動自在に連結されて図１に示す遮光位置と図７に示す退避位置との間を変位し得る金属製のレバー部材１７と、このレバー部材１７を遮光位置へと付勢するねじりコイルばね１８とを少なくとも具えている。   The optical connector 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a light shielding mechanism that covers the distal end side of the ferrule 12 when not in use. The light shielding mechanism includes a connecting member 16 integral with the plug body 13 and a metal that is pivotably connected to the connecting member 16 and can be displaced between the light shielding position shown in FIG. 1 and the retracted position shown in FIG. And a torsion coil spring 18 for urging the lever member 17 to the light shielding position.

本実施形態における連結部材１６は、板厚が０．３ｍｍの真鍮板をプレス成形したものであり、表面に防錆用のニッケルめっきが施されている。この連結部材１６は、プラグ本体１３を挟んで対向する一対の側壁部１９と、これら一対の側壁部１９をつなぐベース部２０と、このベース部２０から突設されてレバー部材１７がピン２１を介して連結される一対のブラケット部２２とを有する。また、一対の側壁部１９には係止穴２３がそれぞれ形成され、これら係止穴２３にはプラグ本体１３に突設された一対の突起部２４が係止する。つまり、一対の側壁部１９の間隔が拡がるようにこれらを弾性変形させ、この状態にて一対の側壁部１９の係止穴２３をプラグ本体１３の突起部２４に対して位置合わせし、これらの弾性変形を解除することにより、一対の側壁部１９の係止穴２３にプラグ本体１３の突起部２４を嵌め込むことができる。   The connecting member 16 in the present embodiment is formed by press-molding a brass plate having a plate thickness of 0.3 mm, and the surface thereof is subjected to nickel plating for rust prevention. The connecting member 16 includes a pair of side wall portions 19 that are opposed to each other with the plug body 13 interposed therebetween, a base portion 20 that connects the pair of side wall portions 19, and a lever member 17 that projects the pin 21 from the base portion 20. And a pair of bracket portions 22 connected to each other. The pair of side wall portions 19 are respectively formed with locking holes 23, and the locking holes 23 are locked with a pair of projecting portions 24 projecting from the plug body 13. That is, these are elastically deformed so that the distance between the pair of side wall portions 19 is widened, and in this state, the locking holes 23 of the pair of side wall portions 19 are aligned with the protrusions 24 of the plug body 13, and these By releasing the elastic deformation, the protruding portion 24 of the plug body 13 can be fitted into the locking hole 23 of the pair of side wall portions 19.

プラグ本体１３に形成される突起部２４は、図４，図５中の二点鎖線で示すように、従来からあるＭＵ型光コネクタのプラグ本体１３の一部を切り欠くことにより、容易に形成することができる。このため、既存のＭＵ型光コネクタに対して本発明における遮光機構を容易に追加することが可能である。また、この切欠き部分２５に連結部材１６の側壁部１９を位置させてプラグ本体１３に対する連結部材１６の位置ずれを規制することも可能であり、プラグ本体１３に対して連結部材１６を安定して取り付けることができる。   The protrusion 24 formed on the plug body 13 is easily formed by cutting out a part of the plug body 13 of the conventional MU type optical connector as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. can do. For this reason, it is possible to easily add the light shielding mechanism in the present invention to the existing MU type optical connector. Further, the side wall portion 19 of the connecting member 16 can be positioned in the notch 25 to restrict the displacement of the connecting member 16 with respect to the plug main body 13, and the connecting member 16 can be stabilized with respect to the plug main body 13. Can be attached.

本実施形態におけるレバー部材１７は、幅が３ｍｍで板厚が０．３ｍｍの真鍮板（熱伝導率：０．２５ｃａｌ／ｃｍ・℃・秒）をプレス成形したものであり、連結部材１６と同様に、表面に防錆用のニッケルめっきが施されている。このレバー部材１７は、遮光位置にてフェルール１２の先端面と対向する遮光部２６と、レバー部材１７を退避位置に変位させるための操作部２７と、これら遮光部２６と操作部２７とをつなぐアーム部２８とを有する。操作部２７に隣接するアーム部２８の基端部分には、上述したピン２１を通すための一対の連結用ブラケット２９が形成され、これら一対の連結用ブラケット２９は、連結部材１６のブラケット部２２に挟まれた状態となる。ピン２１は一対のブラケット部２２および連結用ブラケット２９を貫通し、これによってレバー部材１７がピン２１を中心に回動できるようになっている。遮光部２６は、アーム部２８に対してほぼ直角に折れ曲がっており、操作部２７はアーム部２８に対して約１１０度程度の傾斜角に設定されている。レバー部材１７は、退避位置にてこれら遮光部２６およびアーム部２８がフェルール１２から離れた位置に退避するが、アーム部２８に対する操作部２７のなす角は、図１に示す遮光位置と図７に示す退避位置との相対位置に応じて適宜変更可能である。遮光位置において、レバー部材１７のアーム部２８の一部が連結部材１６のベース部２０に当接するようにしてあり、これによってレバー部材１７の熱をベース部２０側へと伝達させることができ、しかも位置規定用の特別なストッパを形成する必要をなくすこともできる。   The lever member 17 in the present embodiment is formed by press-molding a brass plate (thermal conductivity: 0.25 cal / cm · ° C. · second) having a width of 3 mm and a plate thickness of 0.3 mm, and is the same as the connecting member 16. Moreover, nickel plating for rust prevention is given to the surface. The lever member 17 connects the light shielding portion 26 facing the tip surface of the ferrule 12 at the light shielding position, the operation portion 27 for displacing the lever member 17 to the retracted position, and the light shielding portion 26 and the operation portion 27. Arm portion 28. A pair of connecting brackets 29 for passing the pin 21 described above are formed at the proximal end portion of the arm portion 28 adjacent to the operation portion 27, and the pair of connecting brackets 29 are connected to the bracket portion 22 of the connecting member 16. It becomes a state sandwiched between. The pin 21 penetrates the pair of bracket portions 22 and the connecting bracket 29 so that the lever member 17 can rotate around the pin 21. The light shielding part 26 is bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the arm part 28, and the operation part 27 is set to an inclination angle of about 110 degrees with respect to the arm part 28. The lever member 17 is retracted to a position where the light shielding portion 26 and the arm portion 28 are separated from the ferrule 12 at the retracted position. The angle formed by the operation portion 27 with respect to the arm portion 28 is the same as that shown in FIG. Can be appropriately changed according to the relative position to the retracted position shown in FIG. In the light shielding position, a part of the arm portion 28 of the lever member 17 is in contact with the base portion 20 of the connecting member 16, whereby the heat of the lever member 17 can be transmitted to the base portion 20 side. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the need to form a special stopper for defining the position.

遮光部２６がフェルール１２の先端面に接触すると、−１０ｄＢ以上の大きな戻り光が発生してしまうため、遮光位置における遮光部２６とフェルール１２の先端面とが接触しないように設定することが好ましい。より具体的には、光コネクタ１０の空気開放端の界面反射による戻り光は、−１４．７ｄＢ程度であるので、約０．１ｍｍ以上の隙間がフェルール１２の先端面との間に形成されるように、遮光部２６の遮光位置を設定し、これによって戻り光を−２０ｄＢ強程度に微弱化させることが有効である。   When the light shielding portion 26 comes into contact with the front end surface of the ferrule 12, a large return light of −10 dB or more is generated. Therefore, it is preferable to set the light shielding portion 26 and the front end surface of the ferrule 12 at the light shielding position so as not to contact each other. . More specifically, the return light due to the interface reflection at the air open end of the optical connector 10 is about −14.7 dB, so a gap of about 0.1 mm or more is formed between the front end surface of the ferrule 12. Thus, it is effective to set the light shielding position of the light shielding part 26 and thereby weaken the return light to about −20 dB.

本実施形態においては、付勢手段としてピン２１が挿通されるねじりコイルばね１８を用いており、このねじりコイルばね１８の両端をレバー部材１７と連結部材１６とに当接させるようにしている。このため、アーム部２８に隣接する操作部２７の基端部分には、ねじりコイルばね１８の一端を挿通するための開口部３０が形成されており、この開口部３０をねじりコイルばね１８の一端が貫通して連結部材１６のベース部２０に押し当たるようになっている。   In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring 18 through which a pin 21 is inserted is used as the biasing means, and both ends of the torsion coil spring 18 are brought into contact with the lever member 17 and the connecting member 16. Therefore, an opening 30 for inserting one end of the torsion coil spring 18 is formed at the proximal end portion of the operation unit 27 adjacent to the arm portion 28, and this opening 30 is connected to one end of the torsion coil spring 18. Penetrates and presses against the base portion 20 of the connecting member 16.

従って、光コネクタ１０を光アダプタ１１に装着する場合、レバー部材１７の操作部２７を操作してレバー部材１７の遮光部２６を図７に示すように退避位置に移動させることにより、フェルール１２を光アダプタ１１に差し込むことが可能となる。なお、本実施形態では光アダプタ１１が光通信装置３１に組み込まれており、退避位置においてレバー部材１７の遮光部２６は光通信装置３１に干渉して遮光位置への回動が阻止された状態となる。また、この状態から光コネクタ１０を光アダプタ１１から抜去すると、ねじりコイルばね１８のばね力によってレバー部材１７が自動的に遮光位置に戻り、その遮光部２６がフェルール１２の先端面に近接状態で対向することとなる。   Therefore, when the optical connector 10 is attached to the optical adapter 11, the ferrule 12 is moved by operating the operating portion 27 of the lever member 17 to move the light shielding portion 26 of the lever member 17 to the retracted position as shown in FIG. It can be inserted into the optical adapter 11. In this embodiment, the optical adapter 11 is incorporated in the optical communication device 31, and the light shielding portion 26 of the lever member 17 interferes with the optical communication device 31 in the retracted position and is prevented from rotating to the light shielding position. It becomes. Further, when the optical connector 10 is removed from the optical adapter 11 from this state, the lever member 17 automatically returns to the light shielding position by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 18, and the light shielding portion 26 is in a state close to the tip surface of the ferrule 12. It will be opposite.

このように、レバー部材１７がねじりコイルばね１８のばね力によって常に遮光位置に付勢されており、作業者がねじりコイルばね１８による付勢力に抗して操作部２７を操作しない限り、フェルール１２の先端から出射する通信光がレバー部材１７によって遮断された状態となる。ハイパワーの通信光がレバー部材１７の遮光部２６に照射された場合、遮光部２６が加熱されるものの、その熱がアーム部２８側およびこれに当接する連結部材１６のベース部２０側へと伝わって大気中に放熱されるため、その表面温度を４５℃程度に抑えることができる。   Thus, unless the lever member 17 is always urged to the light shielding position by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 18 and the operator does not operate the operating portion 27 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 18, the ferrule 12. The communication light emitted from the tip of the lens is blocked by the lever member 17. When high-power communication light is applied to the light-shielding portion 26 of the lever member 17, the light-shielding portion 26 is heated, but the heat is directed to the arm portion 28 side and the base portion 20 side of the connecting member 16 in contact with the arm portion 28 side. Since it is transmitted and radiated to the atmosphere, the surface temperature can be suppressed to about 45 ° C.

レバー部材１７の放熱効果を高めるため、図８に示すようにアーム部２８および操作部２７の幅方向両側に一対の側壁部３２を形成することも有効である。この実施形態では、遮光部２６を拡幅してその両側に側壁部３３を形成しており、このような側壁部３２，３３を形成することにより、遮光部２６を拡幅したことと相俟ってその表面温度を３５℃程度まで下げることができる。遮光部２６に側壁部３３を形成する場合、図示のようにフェルール１２を囲むように形成することが安全性の点で有効である。また、アーム部２８から操作部２７に亙って形成される側壁部３３は、先の連結用ブラケット２９としてそのまま利用することができる。本実施形態では、操作部２７とアーム部２８とを不連続とし、一対の側壁部３２の基端部に突合せ状態の操作部２７を形成している。つまり、操作部２７とアーム部２８とは一対の側壁部３２を介してつながった状態となっている。このように、放熱用の側壁部３２をレバー部材１７に形成した場合、レバー部材１７自体の強度を大幅に向上させることができるという利点も生ずる。   In order to enhance the heat dissipation effect of the lever member 17, it is also effective to form a pair of side wall portions 32 on both sides in the width direction of the arm portion 28 and the operation portion 27 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the light shielding part 26 is widened to form the side wall parts 33 on both sides thereof, and in combination with the widening of the light shielding part 26 by forming such side wall parts 32, 33. The surface temperature can be lowered to about 35 ° C. When forming the side wall 33 in the light shielding part 26, it is effective in terms of safety to surround the ferrule 12 as shown in the drawing. Further, the side wall portion 33 formed from the arm portion 28 to the operation portion 27 can be used as the connecting bracket 29 as it is. In the present embodiment, the operation portion 27 and the arm portion 28 are discontinuous, and the operation portion 27 in a butted state is formed at the base end portions of the pair of side wall portions 32. That is, the operation part 27 and the arm part 28 are connected via the pair of side wall parts 32. Thus, when the side wall part 32 for heat radiation is formed in the lever member 17, the advantage that the intensity | strength of lever member 17 itself can be improved significantly also arises.

なお、本実施形態では金属製のレバー部材１７に要求される機械的強度を勘案して真鍮を採用したが、この真鍮よりも熱伝導率のさらに高いアルミニウム（０．５ｃａｌ／ｃｍ・℃・秒）や銅（０．９ｃａｌ／ｃｍ・℃・秒）を使用した場合には、さらにその表面温度を低下させることが可能であることは言うまでもない。   In the present embodiment, brass is adopted in consideration of the mechanical strength required for the metal lever member 17, but aluminum (0.5 cal / cm · ° C. · second) having higher thermal conductivity than this brass is used. ) And copper (0.9 cal / cm · ° C. · second), it goes without saying that the surface temperature can be further lowered.

本発明をＭＵ型光コネクタに適用した一実施形態の外観を表す側面図である。It is a side view showing the appearance of one embodiment which applied the present invention to a MU type optical connector. 図１に示したＭＵ型光コネクタの平面図である。It is a top view of the MU type optical connector shown in FIG. 図１に示したＭＵ型光コネクタの正面図である。It is a front view of the MU type optical connector shown in FIG. 図１に示したＭＵ型光コネクタから遮光機構を取り外した状態の外観を表す側面図である。It is a side view showing the external appearance of the state which removed the light shielding mechanism from the MU type | mold optical connector shown in FIG. 図４に対応する平面図である。FIG. 5 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 4. 遮光機構の部分の外観を分解状態で表す立体投影図である。It is a three-dimensional projection figure showing the external appearance of the part of a light-shielding mechanism in an exploded state. 図１に示したＭＵ型光コネクタを光アダプタに装着した状態を表す概念図である。It is a conceptual diagram showing the state which mounted | wore the optical adapter with the MU type optical connector shown in FIG. 本発明の他の実施形態におけるレバー部材の外観を表す立体投影図である。It is a three-dimensional projection figure showing the external appearance of the lever member in other embodiment of this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０ ＭＵ型光コネクタ（光コネクタ）
１１ 光アダプタ
１２ フェルール
１３ プラグ本体
１４ 光ファイバ
１５ 光ケーブル
１６ 連結部材
１７ レバー部材
１８ ねじりコイルばね
１９ 側壁部
２０ ベース部
２１ ピン
２２ ブラケット部
２３ 係止穴
２４ 突起部
２５ 切欠き部分
２６ 遮光部
２７ 操作部
２８ アーム部
２９ 連結用ブラケット
３０ 開口部
３１ 光通信装置
３２，３３ 側壁部
３４ 板部材 10 MU optical connector (optical connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Optical adapter 12 Ferrule 13 Plug main body 14 Optical fiber 15 Optical cable 16 Connecting member 17 Lever member 18 Torsion coil spring 19 Side wall part 20 Base part 21 Pin 22 Bracket part 23 Locking hole 24 Projection part 25 Notch part 26 Light-shielding part 27 Operation Section 28 Arm section 29 Connecting bracket 30 Opening section 31 Optical communication device 32, 33 Side wall section 34 Plate member

Claims (5)

光アダプタに対し抜き外し可能に嵌合されるフェルールと、このフェルールを突出状態で保持するプラグ本体と、これらフェルールおよびプラグ本体に挿通されて前記フェルールの先端面に端面が露出する光ファイバとを具えた光コネクタにおいて、
前記プラグ本体を挟んで対向する一対の側壁部と、これら一対の側壁部をつなぐベース部と、このベース部から突設された一対のブラケット部と、０.２cal/cm・℃・秒以上の熱伝導率とを有し、前記プラグ本体に対して一体的に連結される金属製の連結部材と、
この連結部材の前記一対のブラケット部に対しピンを介して回動自在に連結されて遮光位置と退避位置との間を変位し得ると共に０.２cal/cm・℃・秒以上の熱伝導率を有する金属製のレバー部材と、
このレバー部材を前記遮光位置へと付勢する付勢手段と
をさらに具え、前記レバー部材は、前記遮光位置にて前記フェルールの先端面と対向する遮光部と、当該レバー部材を退避位置に変位させるための操作部と、これら遮光部と操作部とをつなぐアーム部と、これら操作部およびアーム部の幅方向両側に形成された一対の側壁部とを有し、
前記退避位置にて前記レバー部材の遮光部およびアーム部が前記フェルールから離れた位置に退避し、
前記遮光位置にて前記レバー部材のアーム部の一部が前記連結部材のベース部に当接して前記レバー部材の遮光部と前記フェルールの先端面との間に０.１mm以上の隙間が形成されることを特徴とする光コネクタ。 A ferrule that is removably fitted to the optical adapter, a plug main body that holds the ferrule in a protruding state, and an optical fiber that is inserted through the ferrule and the plug main body and has an end surface exposed at the tip end surface of the ferrule. In the prepared optical connector,
A pair of side wall portions facing each other with the plug body interposed therebetween, a base portion connecting the pair of side wall portions, a pair of bracket portions projecting from the base portion, and at least 0.2 cal / cm · ° C. · second A metal connecting member having thermal conductivity and integrally connected to the plug body ;
The connecting member is pivotally connected to the pair of bracket portions via a pin so as to be able to displace between a light shielding position and a retracted position and has a thermal conductivity of 0.2 cal / cm · ° C. · second or more. A metal lever member having,
The lever member further includes an urging unit that urges the lever member to the light shielding position, and the lever member displaces the lever member to the retracted position, and a light shielding portion that faces the tip surface of the ferrule at the light shielding position. An operating part for causing the light shielding part and the operating part to connect, and a pair of side wall parts formed on both sides in the width direction of the operating part and the arm part ,
The light shielding portion and arm portion of the lever member are retracted to a position away from the ferrule at the retracted position ,
A part of the arm portion of the lever member abuts on the base portion of the connecting member at the light shielding position, and a gap of 0.1 mm or more is formed between the light shielding portion of the lever member and the tip surface of the ferrule. An optical connector characterized by that. 前記連結部材が銅合金にて形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の光コネクタ。 The optical connector of claim 1, wherein said connecting member is characterized that you have been formed of copper alloy. 前記レバー部材が銅合金か、アルミニウムか、または銅にて形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の光コネクタ。 2. The optical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the lever member is made of copper alloy , aluminum, or copper . 前記連結部材は、前記一対の側壁部にそれぞれ形成された係止穴をさらに有し、前記プラグ本体は、これら係止穴にそれぞれ係止して当該プラグ本体を前記連結部材に対して一体的に連結するための一対の突起部が突設されていることを特徴とする請求項１から３の何れかに記載の光コネクタ。 The connecting member, the further comprises a pair of locking holes respectively formed on the side wall, the plug body is integrally with these engaging holes, respectively and engaged the plug body the connecting member the optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a pair of protrusions characterized that you have been projected for coupling to. 前記レバー部材は、前記遮光部の幅方向両側に形成された一対の側壁部をさらに有することを特徴とする請求項１から請求項４の何れかに記載の光コネクタ。 The lever member, the optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in Rukoto that Yusuke further pair of side wall portions formed on both sides in the width direction of the light shielding portion.
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JPH05281439A (en) * 1992-04-06 1993-10-29 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd Optical connector
JP2002243978A (en) * 2001-02-19 2002-08-28 Honda Tsushin Kogyo Co Ltd Optical connector connecting adapter and shielding member used for the same
JP2005189839A (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-07-14 Seiko Instruments Inc Optical connector plug and optical connector

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