Connector component and connector assembly

• US 20050032415A1
• Filed: 08/05/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Sakamoto, Rikio
• Application Number:
  US10/911,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20050032415A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Abstract

A connector component of the present invention includes a first connector part which includes a housing having a first end from which a cable is protruded and a second end which is connectable to a second connector part. At least a part of the first connector part emits light or shines while the first connector part is connected to the second connector part. A connector assembly of the present invention includes a first connector part which has a first end from which a cable is protruded and a second end. The connector assembly also has a second connector part which is connected to the second end of the first connector part. When the first and second connector parts are correctly connected, at least a part of first connector part emits the light.

Claims

1. A connector component comprising:

a housing which has a first end from which a cable is protruded and a second end which is connectable to an opening; and

a lock part which is arranged on said housing to fix said housing to said opening while said housing is connected to said opening;

wherein at least a part of said connector component emits light while said housing is inserted in said opening.

2. The connector component as claimed in claim 1, wherein a part of said lock part emits the light while said housing is inserted in said opening.

3. The connector component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opening has a light emitting element, and

said lock part emits the light by means of light emitted by said light emitting element.

4. The connector component according to claim 3, wherein the light from said light emitting element enters one end of said lock part, passes through said lock part, and exits from the other end of said lock part.

5. The connector component as claimed in claim 3, wherein one end of said lock part is connected to said housing and the other end of said lock part is free end, and

wherein a light path is formed between one end of said lock part and the other end of said lock part.

6. The connector component as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lock part includes an optical pipe formed by transparent resin.

7. The connector component as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of said housing emits the light when it is connected to said opening.

8. The connector component as claimed in claim 7, wherein a light path is formed between one end of said housing and the other end of said housing.

9. The connector component as claimed in claim 7, wherein said opening has a light emitting element and

wherein said housing emits the light by means of light emitted by said light emitting element at said opening.

10. The connector component as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least a part of said housing is made from a light emitting resin.

11. A connector component comprising:

a first connector part which includes a housing having a first end holding a cable and a second end connectable to a second connector part;

wherein at least a part of said first connector part emits light while said first connector part is connected to said second connector part.

12. The connector component as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second connector part has an opening for receiving said first connector part and wherein at least a part of said housing emits the light when it is connected to said opening.

13. The connector component as claimed in claim 12, wherein a light path is formed between one end of said housing and the other end of said housing.

14. The connector component as claimed in claim 12, wherein said housing includes an optical pipe formed by transparent resin.

15. The connector component as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second connector part has a light emitting element, and

wherein said housing emits the light by means of the light emitted by said light emitting element.

16. A connector assembly comprising:

a first connector part which has a first end from which a cable is protruded and a second end located at the other end of said first end; and

a second connector part which is connected to said second end,

wherein said at least a part of first connector part emits light.

17. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second connector part has a light emitting element, and

said first connector part emits the light in response to the light emitted by said light emitting element at said second connector part.

18. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first connector part has a lock part, a part of said lock part emits the light.

19. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first connector part has a housing having said first and second ends, at least a part of said housing emits the light.