U.S. patent application number 14/955145 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for tool for releasing engaged state of optical connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJIKURA LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJIKURA LTD.. Invention is credited to Akito NISHIMURA.
Application Number | 20160161682 14/955145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56094165 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160161682 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NISHIMURA; Akito |
June 9, 2016 |
TOOL FOR RELEASING ENGAGED STATE OF OPTICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
Disclosed is a tool for releasing an engaged state in which a
receptacle-side engagement section formed on a side surface of a
receptacle provided on a substrate is engaged with a connector-side
engagement section of an optical connector that is attachable to
and detachable from the receptacle. The tool includes: release
claws to be inserted into respective gaps, each gap being formed
between a member arranged between a pair of engagement side plate
parts each being provided with the connector-side engagement
section, and each engagement side plate part; and a guide part that
comes into opposition with a side surface of the optical connector
or the receptacle. By bringing the guide part into opposition with
the side surface and sliding the release claws toward the
substrate, the engagement side plate parts are spread outward by
the release claws and the engaged state is released.
Inventors: |
NISHIMURA; Akito;
(Sakura-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJIKURA LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJIKURA LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
56094165 |
Appl. No.: |
14/955145 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3893 20130101;
G02B 6/3821 20130101; G02B 6/42 20130101; G02B 6/3897 20130101;
G02B 6/3883 20130101; G02B 6/4292 20130101; G02B 6/36 20130101;
G02B 6/3898 20130101; B25B 27/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38; B25B 27/00 20060101 B25B027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2014 |
JP |
2014-246201 |
Claims
1. A tool for releasing an engaged state in which a receptacle-side
engagement section formed on a side surface of a receptacle
provided on a substrate is engaged with a connector-side engagement
section of an optical connector that is attachable to and
detachable from said receptacle, said tool comprising: release
claws to be inserted into respective gaps, each said gap being
formed between a member arranged between a pair of engagement side
plate parts each being provided with said connector-side engagement
section, and each said engagement side plate part; and a guide part
that comes into opposition with a side surface of said optical
connector or said receptacle, wherein, by bringing said guide part
into opposition with said side surface and sliding said release
claws toward said substrate, said engagement side plate parts are
spread outward by said release claws and said engaged state is
released.
2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein: said release claws
include a first release claw to be inserted between said member and
one of said pair of engagement side plate parts, and a second
release claw to be inserted between said member and the other of
said pair of engagement side plate parts; and said first release
claw and said second release claw are configured so as to be
relatively movable in a direction in which said pair of engagement
side plate parts is aligned.
3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein: said release claw is
formed in a U-shape, and a pair of said U-shaped release claws is
connected by a connecting part; and respective tip end sections of
said release claws can be inserted into said respective gaps while
said connecting part is brought into opposition with said
engagement side plate part from the outer side thereof.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for releasing an
engaged state of an optical connector.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A technique known in the art involves positioning a ferrule,
which holds an end section of an optical fiber, with respect to a
receptacle, which is provided on a substrate, by means of
positioning sections (a positioning pin and a positioning hole),
and thereby optically connecting the optical fiber and a
photoelectric conversion element provided on the substrate. For
example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a
ferrule (reference number 20 in Patent Literature 1) and a
receptacle (reference number 80 in Patent Literature 1) provided on
a substrate are positioned with respect to one another to optically
connect an optical fiber and a photoelectric conversion element
provided on the substrate.
[0003] In Patent Literature 1, the ferrule is fixed by fixing a
fixing member (reference number 60 in Patent Literature 1) which
houses the ferrule to the receptacle. Thus, to remove the ferrule
from the receptacle, it is necessary to disengage the fixing member
from the receptacle. If, however, there are other members (e.g.
elements mounted on the substrate) around the receptacle, it may be
difficult to release the engaged state by outwardly spreading the
fixing member's engagement section which is in engagement with the
receptacle. On the other hand, providing a space around the
receptacle to facilitate releasing the engaged state will prevent
elements from being laid out on the substrate at high
densities.
[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide a
removal tool that can easily release an engaged state of an optical
connector in a small space.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] Patent Literature 1: US 2010/0135618 A1
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] A primary aspect of the invention is a tool for releasing an
engaged state in which a receptacle-side engagement section formed
on a side surface of a receptacle provided on a substrate is
engaged with a connector-side engagement section of an optical
connector that is attachable to and detachable from the receptacle.
The tool includes: release claws to be inserted into respective
gaps, each gap being formed between a member arranged between a
pair of engagement side plate parts each being provided with the
connector-side engagement section, and each engagement side plate
part; and a guide part that comes into opposition with a side
surface of the optical connector or the receptacle. By bringing the
guide part into opposition with the side surface and sliding the
release claws toward the substrate, the engagement side plate parts
are spread outward by the release claws and the engaged state is
released.
[0007] Other features of the present invention are made clear by
the Specification and Drawings below.
[0008] With the present invention, an engaged state of an optical
connector can be released easily in a small space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an optical
connector device 1, wherein FIG. 1A is a perspective view before
connection of an optical connector 20, and FIG. 1B is a perspective
view when the optical connector 20 has been connected.
[0010] FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the optical
connector device 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view
before connection of the optical connector 20, and FIG. 2B is a
cross-sectional view when the optical connector 20 has been
connected.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a removal tool
40.
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams of the respective
positions of release claws 41 of the removal tool 40 (tip end
sections of the release claws 41) as viewed from the front side,
wherein FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating how each
release claw 41 of the removal tool 40 is inserted into a gap on
the inner side of each first side plate part 32 of the optical
connector 20, and FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating how
the engaged state is released by spreading each first side plate
part 32 outward from the inner side of the first side plate part 32
by each release claw 41 of the removal tool 40.
[0013] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a fixing member 30 as
viewed from above, FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the positions
of the release claws 41 of the removal tool 40 with respect to the
fixing member 30 of FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating
a modified example of the removal tool 40.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] At least the following matters are made clear from the
following disclosure of the Specification and Drawings.
[0015] Disclosed is a tool for releasing an engaged state in which
a receptacle-side engagement section formed on a side surface of a
receptacle provided on a substrate is engaged with a connector-side
engagement section of an optical connector that is attachable to
and detachable from the receptacle, the tool including: release
claws to be inserted into respective gaps, each gap being formed
between a member arranged between a pair of engagement side plate
parts each being provided with the connector-side engagement
section, and each engagement side plate part; and a guide part that
comes into opposition with a side surface of the optical connector
or the receptacle. By bringing the guide part into opposition with
the side surface and sliding the release claws toward the
substrate, the engagement side plate parts are spread outward by
the release claws and the engaged state is released. With this
tool, it is possible to spread the engagement side plate parts
outward from the inner side of the engagement side plate parts, and
thus, the engaged state of the optical connector can be released
easily in a small space. Further, the tool can be positioned with
respect to the optical connector, thus facilitating the task of
inserting the release claws into the respective gaps.
[0016] Preferably, the release claws include a first release claw
to be inserted between the aforementioned member and one of the
pair of engagement side plate parts, and a second release claw to
be inserted between the aforementioned member and the other of the
pair of engagement side plate parts; and the first release claw and
the second release claw are configured so as to be relatively
movable in a direction in which the pair of engagement sideplate
parts is aligned. In this way, the pair of release claws can be
moved outward, and thus, the pair of engagement side plate parts
can be spread outward and the engaged state can be released.
[0017] Preferably, the release claw is formed in a U-shape, and a
pair of the U-shaped release claws is connected by a connecting
part; and respective tip end sections of the release claws can be
inserted into the respective gaps while the connecting part is
brought into opposition with the engagement side plate part from
the outer side thereof. In this way, the engagement side plate
parts can be spread outward from the inner side of the engagement
side plate parts, and also, because the pair of release claws
sandwiches and holds the engagement side plate part from the front
and rear thereof, the release claws are less prone to
disengage.
Embodiments
[0018] {Overall Configuration}
[0019] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an optical
connector device 1. FIG. 1A is a perspective view before connection
of an optical connector 20. FIG. 1B is a perspective view when the
optical connector 20 has been connected. FIGS. 2A and 2B are
cross-sectional views of the optical connector device 1. FIG. 2A is
a cross-sectional view before connection of the optical connector
20. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view when the optical connector 20
has been connected. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, guide parts 322 on the
lower side of the optical connector 20 are not illustrated for the
sake of simplifying the figures.
[0020] In the following description, the various directions are
defined as illustrated in FIG. 1A. That is, the direction
perpendicular to the substrate 3 is the "up/down direction"; the
side toward the receptacle 10 as viewed from the substrate is "up",
and the opposite side is "down". The width direction of the optical
fiber tape 7 (the direction in which the plurality of optical
fibers are aligned) is the "left/right direction". The direction
perpendicular to the up/down direction and the left/right direction
is the "front/rear direction", with one side considered the "front"
and the opposite side considered the "rear". Note that the up/down
direction is also the direction in which the optical connector 20
is attached/detached. In the present embodiment, the optical
connector device 1 is constructed to have left-right symmetry;
however, for the sake of brevity of explanation, one side in the
left/right direction is considered the "right", and the opposite
side is considered the "left", as illustrated in the figures.
Likewise, for the sake of brevity of explanation, one side in the
front/rear direction is considered the "front", and the opposite
side is considered the "rear", as illustrated in the figures.
[0021] The optical connector device 1 includes a receptacle 10 and
an optical connector 20. The receptacle 10 is attached on the upper
surface of a substrate 3. The optical connector 20 is attachable to
and detachable from the receptacle 10. By attaching the optical
connector 20 to the receptacle 10, a photoelectric conversion
element 5 (cf. FIGS. 2A and 2B) provided on the substrate 3 is
optically connected with optical fibers 8 (cf. FIGS. 2A and
2B).
[0022] {Receptacle 10}
[0023] The receptacle 10 is a member attached to the substrate 3,
and is a member to/from which the optical connector 20 can be
attached/detached. A photoelectric conversion element 5 is mounted
on the substrate 3. The receptacle 10 is a member that positions
the optical connector 20 (particularly, a ferrule 21 of the optical
connector 20) with respect to the photoelectric conversion element
5. The receptacle 10 also functions as a connector holder that
holds the optical connector 20. The receptacle 10 includes a
connector housing part 11 that houses at least a portion (the lower
section of the ferrule 21) of the optical connector 20. The
receptacle 10 also includes a base body part 12 and a frame body
part 13. Herein, the base body part 12 is made of a resin, and the
frame body part 13 is made of a metal. Note, however, that the base
body part 12 and the frame body part 13 constituting the receptacle
10 may be integrally molded from a resin.
[0024] The base body part 12 includes an element housing part 12A,
and is a member that is attached to the substrate 3. The lower
surface of the base body part 12 serves as a fixing surface
(joining surface) to be fixed to the substrate 3. The upper surface
of the base body part 12 serves as a contact surface that comes
into contact with the ferrule 21. The base body part 12 includes
positioning pins 12B. The positioning pins 12B protrude upward from
the upper surface of the base body part 12.
[0025] The element housing part 12A is a section (space) for
housing the photoelectric conversion element 5 provided on the
substrate 3. The photoelectric conversion element 5 is an optical
element that performs mutual conversion between an electric signal
processed on the substrate 3 and an optical signal transmitted
through the optical fibers 8. Examples of the photoelectric
conversion element 5 include a light emission element that converts
an electric signal into an optical signal (e.g. a vertical cavity
surface emitting laser that emits light perpendicularly to the
substrate 3), and a light reception element that converts an
optical signal into an electric signal (e.g. a photodiode). The
photoelectric conversion element 5 is mounted on the substrate 3
according to mounting methods such as flip-chip mounting or wire
bonding.
[0026] A point on which an optical signal is incident or from which
an optical signal is emitted (a light emission point or a light
reception point) is arranged on the upper surface of the
photoelectric conversion element 5. The optical signal is incident
on the photoelectric conversion element 5, or emitted from the
photoelectric conversion element 5, along the up/down direction
perpendicular to the substrate 3.
[0027] The base body part 12 includes a receptacle-side lens array
6 in the element housing part 12A. The receptacle-side lens array 6
is arranged on the photoelectric conversion element 5 provided on
the substrate 3. When the optical connector 20 is connected to the
receptacle 10, the photoelectric conversion element 5 comes into
opposition with an optical signal surface 21F of the ferrule 21,
and arrays of lenses (the receptacle-side lens array 6 and a
ferrule-side lens array 22) are arranged between the photoelectric
conversion element 5 and the optical signal surface 21F of the
ferrule 21, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. It should be noted that the
receptacle-side lens array 6 does not have to be provided.
[0028] The positioning pins 12B are pins (positioning sections) to
be inserted into respective positioning holes (not illustrated) in
the ferrule 21 of the optical connector 20. By inserting the
positioning pins 12B into the positioning holes in the ferrule 21,
the optical connector 20 (particularly the ferrule 21) is
positioned with respect to the receptacle 10. It should be noted
that the base body part 12 is attached to the substrate 3 in a
state where the base body part 12 (as well as the positioning pins
12B) is positioned in advance with respect to the photoelectric
conversion element 5, and therefore, by inserting the positioning
pins 12B into the respective positioning holes in the ferrule 21,
the ferrule 21 is positioned with respect to the photoelectric
conversion element 5 and the ferrule 21 and the element 5 are
optically connected.
[0029] The frame body part 13 is a member that connects with the
optical connector 20 while housing at least a portion (the lower
section of the ferrule 21) of the optical connector 20. The frame
body part 13 is formed in a tubular form so as to surround the
outer periphery of the base body part 12, and the connector housing
part 11 is formed inside the frame body part. The frame body part
13 may be fixed directly to the substrate 3, or may be fixed
indirectly to the substrate 3 by being fixed to the base body part
12.
[0030] An engagement claw 131 is formed on each of the left and
right wall parts of the frame body part 13. The engagement claws
131 constitute engagement sections on the receptacle 10 side which
engage with respective engagement holes 321 (connector-side
engagement sections) in a fixing member 30 of the optical connector
20. The engagement claws 131 are integrally molded from a resin
together with the frame body part 13. The engagement claws 131 are
provided so as to protrude outward from the outer wall surface of
the frame body part 13. Each engagement claw 131 is formed such
that, the lower the position, the more outward it protrudes. Thus,
at the time of connecting the optical connector 20, the engagement
claw 131 can be easily engaged with the engagement hole 321 in the
optical connector 20, but once an engaged state is established, the
engagement claw 131 is difficult to remove from the engagement hole
321, and therefore, the optical connector 20 is less prone to be
disengaged from the receptacle 10. A method for releasing the
engaged state will be described further below.
[0031] {Optical Connector 20}
[0032] The optical connector 20 is an optical connection component
provided at an end section of the optical fibers 8, and is a member
that is optically connected to the photoelectric conversion element
5 provided on the substrate 3. The optical connector 20 includes a
ferrule 21, a spring part 24, and a fixing member 30.
[0033] The ferrule 21 is a member that holds an end section of an
optical fiber tape 7 (optical fibers 8) for transmitting an optical
signal. Herein, an MT ferrule is used for the ferrule 21. An
optical signal surface 21F on which an optical signal is incident,
or from which an optical signal is emitted, is formed on an end
surface on the lower side of the ferrule 21. When the optical
connector 20 is connected to the receptacle 10, the optical signal
surface 21F comes into opposition with the photoelectric conversion
element 5 on the substrate 3. On the optical signal surface 21F of
the ferrule 21, respective end surfaces of a plurality of optical
fibers 8 of the optical fiber tape 7 are arranged along the
left/right direction. The end surface of each optical fiber 8 may
or may not be exposed on the optical signal surface 21F. A lens
array 22 is attached to the optical signal surface 21F of the
ferrule 21. The lens array 22 includes a plurality of lenses (not
illustrated) aligned in the left/right direction, and each lens is
arranged on the optical axis of the optical signal. Note, however,
that the lens array 22 does not have to be provided on the optical
signal surface 21F of the ferrule 21, and, for example, the optical
signal may be directly incident on or emitted from the end surface
of each optical fiber 8.
[0034] The ferrule 21 includes two positioning holes (not
illustrated), a plurality of optical fiber holes 21B, an insertion
opening 21C, and a flange part 21D.
[0035] The positioning holes in the ferrule 21 are holes
(positioning sections) into which the respective positioning pins
12B of the receptacle 10 are inserted. By inserting the positioning
pins 12B into the respective positioning holes, the ferrule 21 is
positioned with respect to the receptacle 10. Each positioning hole
is a hole that is parallel to the up/down direction. The two
positioning holes are formed such that they are aligned in the
left/right direction so as to sandwich the optical signal surface
21F to/from which an optical signal is input/output.
[0036] The optical fiber holes 21B are holes into which the
respective end sections of the optical fibers 8 are inserted. The
optical fibers 8 constituting the optical fiber tape 7 are inserted
into the optical fiber holes 21B. The optical fibers 8 are bonded
and fixed to the optical fiber holes 21B by an adhesive that is
charged into the ferrule 21 from an adhesive charging window (not
illustrated).
[0037] The insertion opening 21C is an insertion opening 21C for
inserting the optical fibers 8 into the ferrule 21. The insertion
opening 21C is opened in the upper end surface of the ferrule 21.
An end section of a boot 23 for protecting the optical fiber tape 7
is also inserted into the insertion opening 21C.
[0038] The flange part 21D is a section protruding outward from the
outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 21's body. In a state
before connection as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the ferrule 21 is
pressed downward (toward the receptacle 10) by the repulsive force
of the spring part 24, and the flange part 21D of the ferrule 21 is
in contact with a regulating part 341 of the fixing member 30.
[0039] The aforementioned optical signal surface 21F is formed on
the lower end surface of the ferrule 21. Further, the ferrule 21's
lower end surface surrounding the optical signal surface 21F
constitutes a contact surface 21G that comes into contact with the
upper surface of the base body part 12 of the receptacle 10, and
the positioning holes (not illustrated) into which the positioning
pins 12B are fitted are opened in the contact surface 21G. It
should be noted that, instead of providing the optical signal
surface 21F and the contact surface 21G on the same plane, the
optical signal surface 21F may protrude downward from the contact
surface 21G.
[0040] The spring part 24 is a member that applies a repulsive
force between the ferrule 21 and the fixing member 30. The spring
part 24 is constituted by a spring (elastic member) that can expand
and contract in the up/down direction. The lower end of the spring
part 24 is in contact with the ferrule 21, and the upper end of the
spring part 24 is in contact with an upper plate part 31 of the
fixing member 30.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in a state where the flange part
21D of the ferrule 21 is engaged with the regulating part 341
(described later) of the fixing member 30, the ferrule 21 is
pressed downward (toward the receptacle 10) from the fixing member
30 by the repulsive force of the spring part 24. At the time of
contact of the optical connector 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the
contact surface 21G of the ferrule 21 contacts the receptacle 10
(more specifically, the upper surface of the base body part 12),
and the ferrule 21 receives an upward force from the receptacle 10;
this force causes the spring part 24 to contract and the ferrule 21
to relatively move upward with respect to the fixing member 30,
thus creating a non-contact state between the flange part 21D of
the ferrule 21 and the regulating part 341 of the fixing member 30.
Even in the state illustrated in FIG. 2B, the spring part 24
continues to press the ferrule 21 with a predetermined force. In
this way, the spring part 24 functions as a floating mechanism that
retractably holds the ferrule 21.
[0042] Next, the fixing member 30 is described with reference to
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 5A. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the
fixing member 30 as viewed from above. It should be noted that, in
FIG. 5A (and FIGS. 5B and 5C), the guide parts 322 are not
illustrated, as in FIG. 4.
[0043] The fixing member 30 is a member for fixing the optical
connector 20 to the receptacle 10. The fixing member 30 is a member
formed by bending an elastically-deformable plate-shaped member
made of a metal. The fixing member 30 includes an upper plate part
31, a pair of first side plate parts 32, and a pair of second side
plate parts 34. A first bent part 33 is formed between the upper
plate part 31 and each first side plate part 32, and a second bent
part 35 is formed between the upper plate part 31 and each second
side plate part 34.
[0044] The upper plate part 31 is a section that is substantially
parallel to the substrate 3, and is a section that is arranged
above the ferrule 21. The upper plate part 31 functions as a
section for pressing the ferrule 21 downward (toward the receptacle
10) by means of the spring part 24; the lower surface of the upper
plate part 31 is in contact with the upper end of the spring part
24. A through hole 31A is formed in the upper plate part 31. The
optical fiber tape 7 and the boot 23 are passed through this
through hole 31A. The upper plate part 31 has a rectangular shape
extending in the left/right direction. The front edge and the rear
edge, which constitute the long sides of the rectangular upper
plate part 31, are substantially parallel to the left/right
direction, and the front edge and the rear edge are arranged so as
to be aligned in the front/rear direction across the through hole
31A. The right edge and the left edge, which constitute the short
sides of the rectangular upper plate part 31, are substantially
parallel to the front/rear direction, and the right edge and the
left edge are arranged so as to be aligned in the left/right
direction across the through hole 31A.
[0045] The first side plate parts 32 are plate-shaped sections
formed so as to extend downward from the respective left edge and
right edge of the upper plate part 31 (i.e., from the respective
short sides of the rectangular upper plate part 31). Stated
differently, each first side plate part 32 is a cantilevered
section supported on its upper side (on the upper plate part 31
side). The pair of first side plate parts 32 opposes one another in
the left/right direction. The first side plate parts 32 are
constituted by the same metal plate as the upper plate part 31, and
the first side plate parts 32 (and the first bent parts 33) are
formed by being bent with respect to the upper plate part 31. Each
first side plate part 32 is arranged so as to leave a gap in the
left/right direction between it and a side surface of the ferrule
21. When the optical connector 20 is connected, the frame body part
13 of the receptacle 10 enters the gaps between the respective
first side plate parts 32 and the ferrule 21.
[0046] Each first sideplate part 32 has an engagement hole 321.
These engagement holes 321 are engagement sections on the optical
connector 20 side which engage with the respective engagement claws
131 (receptacle-side engagement sections) of the receptacle 10.
Therefore, each first side plate part functions as an engagement
side plate part having a connector-side engagement section that
engages with the engagement claw 131 formed on a side surface of
the receptacle 10. The engagement hole 321 is formed as a hole
penetrating the first side plate part 32, but the engagement hole
only needs to engage with the engagement claw 131 of the receptacle
10, and so, the engagement hole may be a non-through hole (a
recess) if the first side plate part 32 is thick.
[0047] The dimension (width) of the first side plate part 32 in the
front/rear direction is longer than the dimension (width) of the
first bent part 33 in the front/rear direction. Thus, the inner
surface of each of the front edge and the rear edge of the first
side plate part 32 opposes an edge (left edge or right edge) of the
second side plate part 34.
[0048] Guide parts 322 are formed on the lower side of each first
side plate part 32. The guide parts 322 are sections formed by
being bent from the first side plate part 32, and are sections to
be guided by respective side surfaces of the receptacle 10. By
arranging the guide parts 322 on the lower side (the receptacle 10
side) of the optical connector 20, the optical connector 20 can be
connected to the receptacle 10 while the guide parts 322 are guided
along the side surfaces of the receptacle 10, and thus, the optical
connector 20 can be easily positioned with respect to the
receptacle 10.
[0049] The first bent part 33 is a bent section that connects the
upper plate part 31 and the first sideplate part 32. The first bent
parts 33 are elastically deformable, and thus, the pair of first
side plate parts 32 can be displaced in respective directions in
which they are spread open (refer to the arrows in FIG. 4B). It
should be noted that the dimension (width) of each first bent part
33 in the front/rear direction may be further narrowed by making
cuts in the front edge and rear edge of the first bent part 33.
Narrowing the dimension (width) of the first bent part 33 in the
front/rear direction weakens the springiness of the first bent part
33, and this allows the pair of first side plate parts 32 to be
easily displaced in respective directions in which they are spread
open, thus making it easy to release the engaged state.
[0050] The second sideplate parts 34 are plate-shaped sections
formed so as to extend downward from the respective front edge and
rear edge of the upper plate part 31 (i.e., from the respective
long sides of the rectangular upper plate part 31). The pair of
second side plate parts 34 opposes one another in the front/rear
direction. The second side plate parts 34 are constituted by the
same metal plate as the upper plate part 31, and the second side
plate parts 34 (and the second bent parts 35) are formed by being
bent with respect to the upper plate part 31.
[0051] Each second side plate part 34 has a regulating part 341. As
illustrated in FIG. 2A, the regulating part 341 is a section formed
like a claw protruding inward from the second side plate part 34,
and restricts the lower limit position of the ferrule 21 by
contacting the flange part 21D of the ferrule 21.
[0052] The dimension (width) of the second side plate part 34 in
the left/right direction is narrower than the distance between the
pair of first side plate parts 32 in the left/right direction.
Thus, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the first
sideplate part 32 (more specifically, the inner surface of each of
the front edge and the rear edge of the first side plate part 32)
and each edge (left edge or right edge) of the second side plate
part 34.
[0053] On the upper side of the second side plate part 34, the
dimension (width) of the second side plate part 34 in the
left/right direction is constant. Stated differently, a
straight-line section 34A that is substantially parallel to the
up/down direction is formed along each edge (left edge or right
edge) on the upper side of the second side plate part 34. In the
straight-line section 34A formed on the edge of the second side
plate part 34, the gap between the inner surface of the first side
plate part 32 (more specifically, the inner surface of each of the
front edge and the rear edge of the first side plate part 32) and
the edge in the straight-line section 34A of the second side plate
part 34 has a constant distance.
[0054] On the lower side of the straight-line section 34A, the
dimension (width) of the second side plate part 34 in the
left/right direction becomes longer (wider) toward the lower side.
Stated differently, a sloped section 34B that is sloped with
respect to the up/down direction is formed on the lower side of the
straight-line section 34A of the second sideplate part 34. In the
sloped section 34B formed on the edge of the second side plate part
34, the gap between the inner surface of the first sideplate part
32 (more specifically, the inner surface of each of the front edge
and the rear edge of the first side plate part 32) and the edge in
the sloped section 34B of the second side plate part 34 becomes
narrower toward the lower side (cf. FIG. 4A). Thus, by inserting a
tip end section of a tool into the gap on the inner side of each
first side plate part 32, each of the pair of first side plate
parts 32 spreads outward, and the engaged state can be released
(described later; cf. FIG. 4B).
[0055] The second bent part 35 is a bent section that connects the
upper plate part 31 and the second side plate part 34. The
dimension (width) of the second bent part 35 in the left/right
direction is the same as the width of the upper section of the
second side plate part 34, but is narrower than the dimension of
the upper plate part 31 in the left/right direction, and is also
narrower than the distance in the left/right direction between the
pair of first side plate parts 32. Thus, the gap between the inner
surface of the first side plate part 32 and each edge (left edge or
right edge) of the second side plate part 34 is opened on the upper
side. In this way, the tip end section of a tool can be inserted
from the upper side of each gap.
[0056] {Removal Tool 40}
[0057] At the time of removing the optical connector 20 from the
state illustrated in FIG. 1B, it is necessary to release the
engaged state of the optical connector with the receptacle 10 by
spreading the pair of first side plate parts 32 of the fixing
member 30 outward. However, in cases where, for example, other
elements are mounted around the receptacle 10, it is difficult to
release the engaged state by spreading the first side plate parts
32 outward with the fingertips. Even with methods using tools to
release the engaged state, if the method involves hooking the lower
edge of the first side plate part 32 with the tip end section of a
tool from outside the first side plate part 32 and forcibly
spreading open the first side plate part 32 outward, the releasing
task will be difficult in cases where other elements are mounted
around the receptacle 10.
[0058] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a removal tool 40 is
configured so as to spread the first side plate parts 32 outward
from the "inner side", rather than from the "outer side" of the
first sideplate parts 32 of the optical connector 20.
[0059] FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a removal tool 40.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams of the respective positions
of release claws 41 of the removal tool 40 (tip end sections of the
release claws 41) as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4A is a
conceptual diagram illustrating how each release claw 41 of the
removal tool 40 is inserted into a gap on the inner side of each
first side plate part 32 of the optical connector 20. FIG. 4B is a
conceptual diagram illustrating how the engaged state is released
by spreading each first side plate part 32 outward from the inner
side of the first side plate part 32 by each release claw 41 of the
removal tool 40. It should be noted that, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
guide parts 322 (cf. FIGS. 1A and 1B) on the lower side of the
first side plate parts 32 are not illustrated in order to
illustrate the engaged state and the released state of the
engagement claws 131. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the
positions of the release claws 41 of the removal tool 40 with
respect to the fixing member 30 of FIG. 5A.
[0060] In the following description, the various directions are
defined as illustrated in FIG. 3. These directions correspond to
the orientation of the removal tool 40 when the removal tool 40 is
used with respect to the optical connector device 1 illustrated in
FIG. 1A.
[0061] The removal tool 40 is a tool for removing the optical
connector 20 from the receptacle 10. The removal tool 40 includes
release claws 41 and a guide part 42.
[0062] The release claw 41 is a section to be inserted into the gap
on the inner side of the first side plate part 32 of the fixing
member 30 of the optical connector 20 (herein, the gap between the
first side plate part 32 and the left edge or right edge of the
second side plate part 34). The thickness of the tip end section of
the release claw 41 (the thickness, in the left/right direction, of
the release claw 41 in FIG. 4A) is thinner than the gap between the
first side plate part 32 and the second side plate part 34 in the
straight-line section 34A, and is thicker than the narrowest gap
between the first side plate part 32 and the second side plate part
34 in the sloped section 34B.
[0063] As described above, each gap between the first side plate
part 32 and an edge (left edge or right edge) of the second side
plate part 34 is opened on the upper side, and thus, as illustrated
in FIG. 4A, the release claws 41 of the removal tool 40 can be
inserted from the upper side of the respective gaps. Thus, it is
easy to insert the release claws 41 into the gaps on the inner side
of the first side plate parts 32.
[0064] By further sliding the removal tool 40 downward (toward the
substrate 3) from the state illustrated in FIG. 4A, the release
claws 41 come into contact with the sloped sections 34B on the
edges (left edge and right edge) of the second side plate parts 34.
By further sliding the removal tool 40 downward (toward the
substrate 3), the first side plate parts 32 are spread outward by
means of the release claws 41 by the sloped sections 34B on the
edges (left edge and right edge) of the second side plate parts 34
as illustrated in FIG. 4B, and thus, the engagement holes 321 in
the first side plate parts 32 disengage from the respective
engagement claws 131 of the receptacle 10, and the engaged state is
released. When the engaged state is released, the optical connector
20 is pressed upward from the receptacle 10 by the repulsive force
of the spring part 24 of the optical connector 20, and thus, the
optical connector 20 can be easily removed from the receptacle
10.
[0065] The position (i.e., the position in the up/down direction)
where each release claw 41 contacts the sloped section 34B on the
edge (left edge or right edge) of the second side plate part 34 is
above the lower edge (the section that engages with the engagement
claw 131) of the engagement hole 321. Therefore, each first side
plate part 32 receives a force from the release claws 41 at a
position closer to the first bent part 33 than the engagement
position. Thus, the engaged state can be released even by slightly
displacing the first side plate part 32 with the release claws
41.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 3, each pair of release claws 41
aligned in the front/rear direction is connected integrally by a
connecting part 43. The removal tool 40 has four release claws 41;
therefore, the two pairs of release claws 41 are connected
integrally by respective connecting parts 43. Stated differently,
the removal tool 40 has two connecting parts 43. The two connecting
parts 43 can be opened and closed in the left/right direction
(i.e., are relatively movable in the left/right direction). Thus,
the two release claws 41 aligned in the left/right direction are
configured so as to be relatively movable in the left/right
direction; so, when the removal tool 40 is slid downward (toward
the substrate 3), each pair of release claws 41 can be moved
outward along the respective sloped sections 34B on the edges (left
edge and right edge) of each second side plate part 34. More
specifically, the left release claw 41 (first release claw) and the
right release claw 41 (second release claw) in FIG. 4B are
configured so as to be relatively movable in the left/right
direction (i.e., the direction in which the pair of first side
plate parts 32 is aligned).
[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5B, the release claws 41 are
formed in a U-shape on respective front and rear edges of the
connecting part 43. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, when using the
removal tool 40, an operator inserts the respective tip end
sections of the U-shaped release claws 41 into the respective gaps
on the inner side of each first side plate part 32 while bringing
the connecting parts 43 into opposition with the respective first
side plate parts 32 from the outer sides thereof. At this time, the
U-shaped release claws 41 surround the front and rear edges of each
first side plate part 32 from the outside, and the tip end section
of each release claw 41 is inserted into the gap on the inner side
of the first side plate part 32. Thus, it is possible to spread
each first side plate part 32 outward from the inner side of the
first side plate part 32 of the optical connector 20.
[0068] Because each pair of release claws 41 aligned in the
front/rear direction is connected by the connecting part 43, when
the release claws 41 are inserted into the gaps on the inner side
of each first side plate part 32, the pair of release claws 41
sandwiches and holds the first side plate part 32 from the front
and rear thereof. Thus, the release claws 41 are less prone to
disengage from the gaps on the inner side of each first side plate
part 32.
[0069] The guide part 42 is a section for guiding the removal tool
40. The guide part 42 has a surface parallel to the up/down
direction, and slidably guides the removal tool 40 in the up/down
direction. The guide part 42 is formed so as to extend more
downward than the release claws 41. Thus, the guide part 42 can be
brought into contact with the optical connector 20 before the
release claws 41 are inserted into the gaps on the inner side of
each first side plate part 32.
[0070] When using the removal tool 40, an operator first brings the
inner surface of the guide part 42 into contact with the first side
plate part 32 (in this example, the first sideplate part 32 on the
left), which is a side surface of the optical connector 20, to
position the removal tool 40 with respect to the optical connector
20 in the left/right direction. Next, the operator slides the
removal tool 40 downward while maintaining the contact between the
guide part 42 and the first side plate part 32, and, as illustrated
in FIG. 5B, inserts the four release claws 41 into the respective
gaps on the inner side of the respective first side plate parts 32.
At this time, because the removal tool 40 has been positioned in
advance with respect to the optical connector 20 in the left/right
direction by the guide part 42, it is easy to insert the release
claws 41 into the respective gaps on the inner side of the first
side plate parts 32.
[0071] Herein, the guide part 42 is configured so as to be parallel
to the first side plate part 32 so that it can be guided by the
first side plate part 32 of the optical connector 20. Note,
however, that the guide part 42 only needs to be configured so that
it can be guided by a side surface of the optical connector device
1 (the receptacle 10 and the optical connector 20), and is thus not
limited to the shape and function illustrated in FIG. 3. For
example, the guide part 42 may be configured so as to be guided by
another section of the fixing member 30 of the optical connector
20, or may be configured so as to be guided by another member (e.g.
the ferrule 21) of the optical connector 20. Alternatively, the
guide part 42 may be configured so as to be guided by a side
surface of the receptacle 10.
[0072] Further, herein, the guide part 42 is formed so as to extend
downward from the lower edge of the connecting part 43. Note,
however, that the guide part 42 only needs to be configured so that
it can be guided by a side surface of the optical connector device
1 (the receptacle 10 and the optical connector 20), and thus, the
position of the guide part 42 is not limited to the position
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0073] FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the
removal tool 40. FIG. 5C also illustrates the respective positions
of the release claws 41 of the removal tool 40 with respect to the
fixing member 30 of FIG. 5A. As illustrated in this figure, the two
release claws 41 aligned in the front/rear direction do not have to
be connected. It should be noted that, also in this modified
example, the two release claws 41 aligned in the left/right
direction are configured so as to be relatively movable in the
left/right direction. Thus, when the removal tool 40 is slid
downward (toward the substrate 3), each pair of release claws 41
can be moved outward along the respective sloped sections 34B on
the edges (left edge and right edge) of each second side plate part
34.
[0074] {Summary}
[0075] The aforementioned removal tool 40 isatool for releasing an
engaged state between an engagement claw 131 (receptacle-side
engagement section) formed on a side surface of a receptacle 10
provided on a substrate 3 and an engagement hole 321
(connector-side engagement section) of an optical connector 20. The
removal tool 40 includes release claws 41 to be inserted into
respective gaps, each gap being formed between: a second side plate
part 34 (member) arranged between a pair of first side plate parts
32 (engagement side plate parts) each being provided with the
engagement hole 321; and each first side plate part 32. As
illustrated in FIG. 4B, by sliding the release claws 41 downward
(toward the substrate 3), the first side plate parts 32 are spread
outward by the release claws 41 and the engaged state can be
released. In this way, the first side plate parts 32 can be spread
outward from the "inner side" rather than from the "outer side" of
the first side plate parts 32, and thus, the engaged state of the
optical connector can be released easily in a small space.
[0076] The removal tool 40 also includes a guide part 42 that comes
into opposition with a side surface of the optical connector 20 (or
the receptacle 10). By bringing the guide part 42 into contact with
the side surface of the optical connector 20, the removal tool 40
can be positioned with respect to the optical connector 20, and
thus, the task of inserting the release claws 41 into the
respective gaps on the inner side of each first side plate part 32
can be facilitated.
[0077] Further, the two release claws 41 aligned in the left/right
direction (the first release claw and the second release claw) are
configured so as to be relatively movable in the left/right
direction. Thus, when the removal tool 40 is slid downward (toward
the substrate 3), the pair of release claws 41 can be moved outward
along the respective sloped sections 34B on the edges (left edge
and right edge) of each second side plate part 34, and thus, the
pair of first side plate parts 32 can be spread outward and the
engaged state can be released.
[0078] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the pair of U-shaped
release claws 41 is connected by a connecting part 42, and as
illustrated in FIG. 5B, respective tip end sections of the release
claws can be inserted into the respective gaps on the inner side of
the first side plate part 32 while the connecting part 42 is
brought into connection with the first side plate part 32 from the
outer side thereof. In this way, the first side plate parts 32 can
be spread outward from the inner side of the first side plate parts
32, and also, because the pair of release claws 41 sandwiches and
holds the first sideplate part 32 from the front and rear thereof
(cf. FIG. 5B), the release claws 41 are less prone to disengage
from the gaps on the inner side of each first side plate part
32.
[0079] Others:
[0080] The foregoing embodiments are for facilitating the
understanding of the present invention, and should not be construed
as limiting the present invention. The present invention may be
modified and/or improved without departing from the gist thereof,
and it goes without saying that the present invention encompasses
any equivalents thereof.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0081] 1: Optical connector device; [0082] 3: Substrate; [0083] 5:
Photoelectric conversion element; [0084] 7: Optical fiber tape;
[0085] 10: Receptacle; [0086] 11: Connector housing part; [0087]
12: Base body part; [0088] 12A: Element housing part; 12B:
Positioning pin; [0089] 13: Frame body part; [0090] 131: Engagement
claw (receptacle-side engagement section); [0091] 20: Optical
connector; [0092] 21: Ferrule: [0093] 21B: Optical fiber hole; 21C:
Insertion opening; 21D: Flange part; 21F: Optical signal surface;
21G: Contact surface; [0094] 22: Lens array; [0095] 23: Boot;
[0096] 24: Spring part; [0097] 30: Fixing member; [0098] 31: Upper
plate part; 31A: Through hole; [0099] 32: First side plate part
(engagement side plate part); [0100] 321: Engagement hole
(connector-side engagement section); [0101] 322: Guide part; [0102]
33: First bent part; [0103] 34: Second side plate part; 341:
Regulating part; [0104] 34A: Straight-line section; 34B: Sloped
section; [0105] 35: Second bent part; [0106] 40: Removal tool;
[0107] 41: Release claw; [0108] 42: Guide part; [0109] 43:
Connecting part.
* * * * *