Hybrid connector and process for assembling the same

• US 20020004336A1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Noboru
• Granted Patent: US 6,500,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/577
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4201 Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/421 the intermediate optical component consisting of a short length of fibre, e.g. fibre stub
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/423 using guiding surfaces for the alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4277 Protection against electromagnetic interference [EMI], e.g. shielding means shielding of electric apparatus H05K9/00, of instruments G12B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4293 hybrid electrical and optical connections for transmitting electrical and optical signals

Abstract

A hybrid connector and a process for assembling the hybrid connector are provided, by which the assmbling operation can be simplified and optical element modules can be stably positioned so that the workability of the assembling operation is improved and the optical loss is reduced. The hybrid connector 1 is assembled by a process including first to third assembly steps. In the first assembly step, each sleeve 7 is provisionally inserted halfway through a receiving cylinder 19 of a housing 2. In the second assembly step, optical element modules 8 and 9 are pressed so that the sleeve 7 is further inserted into the receiving cylinder 19 to reach the completely inserted state. Each projection 35 of the optical element modules 8 and 9 engages with a hollow portion 23 of the receiving cylinder 19. In the third assembly step, a shielding case 10 holds the optical element modules 8 and 9 and engages with the receiving cylinder 19 so as to fix a position of the optical element modules 8 and 9.

Claims

1. A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and

a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of;

a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is halfway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder;

a second assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then engaging each second projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the receiving cylinder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder; and

a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinder, while the case holding the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element module.

4. The process as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein in the first assembly step the sleeve is inserted into the receiving cylinder until the sleeve comes into contact with first projections formed in the receiving cylinder for press-inserting the sleeve and in the second, second modified or second further modified assembly step the sleeve is press-inserted into the receiving cylinder crushing the first projections.

5. The process according to claim 4, wherein a moving length of the sleeve in the receiving cylinder in the second, second modified or second further modified assembly step is shorter than that in the first assembly step.

2. A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and

a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of;

a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is halfway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder;

a second modified assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a first wall formed in the housing or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and

a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinder, while the case holding the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element module.

3. A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and

a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of;

a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is halfway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder;

a second further modified assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, then engaging each second projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the receiving cylinder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a first wall formed in the housing or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and

a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinder, while the case holding the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element module.

6. A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein;

a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and

a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of;

a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder;

a second assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder and then engaging each second projection formed on the optical element module with corresponding hollow portions formed in the receiving cylinder and/or on the sleeve holder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder; and

a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinder, while the case holding the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element module.

7. A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein;

a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and

a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of;

a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder;

a second modified assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder and then placing the optical element module on a wall formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and

a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinder, while the case holding the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element module.

8. A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein;

a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and

a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of;

a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder;

a second further modified assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder, then engaging each second projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a wall formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and

a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinder, while the case holding the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element module.

9. A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector comprising:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and

a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing,

wherein a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

10. A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector comprising:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and

a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing,

wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical elemnet modules from rotating before the case covers the optical elemnet modules.

12. The male hybrid connector according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a second wall, which faces the first wall and holds the optical element modules between the first and second walls, is formed on the receiving cylinder.

11. A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector comprising:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and

a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing,

wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical elemnet modules from rotating before the case covers the optical elemnet modules,

a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted, and

each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

13. A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector comprising:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein;

a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and

a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing,

wherein a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder, and each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

14. A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector comprising:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein;

a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and

a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing,

wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical elemnet modules from rotating before the case covers the optical elemnet modules.

16. The male hybrid connector according to claim 14 or 15, wherein a second wall, which faces the first wall and holds the optical element modules between the first and second walls, is formed on the receiving cylinder and/or the sleeve holder.

15. A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector comprising:

at least one optical element module having an optical element;

sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;

a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein;

a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and

a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing,

wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical elemnet modules from rotating before the case covers the optical elemnet modules,

a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted, and

each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.