Connector component and connector assembly

• US 20060286856A1
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Sakamoto, Rikio
• Application Number:
  US11/508,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20060286856A1
• 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 plug adapted to be coupled with a receptacle, said receptacle having an opening for receiving said plug and a light emitting element, said plug comprising:

a housing having a first end connected to a cable and a second end to be received in said opening of said receptacle; and

an optical pipe forming a light path guiding light from said light emitting element of said receptacle;

wherein said plug emits said light guided by said optical pipe when said plug is coupled with said receptacle.

2. The plug as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a lock part selectively fastening said housing to said receptacle; and

said optical pipe provided in at least one of said housing and said lock part.

3. The plug as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lock part is formed in an elongated shape having first and second ends, and said optical pipe forms a light path between said first and second ends of said lock part.

4. The plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein said optical element of said receptacle is provided in said opening thereof.

5. The plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least a part of said hosing is made from a light emitting resin.

6. A plug adapted to be coupled with a receptacle, said receptacle having an opening for receiving said plug and a light emitting element, said plug comprising:

a housing having a first end connected to a cable and a second end to be received in said opening of said receptacle;

a lock part selectively fastening said housing to said receptacle;

wherein at least one of said lock part and an optical pipe emits said light guided by said optical pipe when said plug is coupled with said receptacle.

7. The connector component as claimed in claim 6, wherein a part of said lock part emits the light while said housing is inserted in said opening.

8. The connector component as claimed in claim 6, 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.

9. The connector component according to claim 8, 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.

10. The connector component as claimed in claim 8, 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.

11. The connector component as claimed in claim 10, wherein said lock part includes an optical pipe formed by transparent resin.

12. The plug as claimed in claim 6, wherein said optical pipe forms a light path between one end of said lock part and the other end of said lock part.

13. The plug as claimed in claim 6, wherein said optical pipe forms a light path between one end of said housing and the other end of said housing.

14. The plug as claimed in claim 6, wherein said optical element of said receptacle is provided in said opening thereof.

15. The plug as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least a part of said housing is made from a light emitting resin.

16. A plug adapted to be coupled with a receptacle, said receptacle having an opening for receiving said plug and a light emitting element, said plug comprising:

a housing having a first end connected to a cable, said housing adapted to be partially received in said opening of said receptacle;

a lock part removably connecting said housing to said receptacle; and

an optical pipe provided in at least one of said housing and said lock part, said optical pipe forming a light path guiding light from said light emitting element of said receptacle,

wherein at least one of said lock part and said optical pipe emits said light guided by said optical pipe when said plug is coupled with said receptacle.

17. The plug as claimed in claim 16, wherein said optical pipe forms a light path between one end of said lock part and the other end of said lock part.

18. The plug as claimed in claim 16, wherein said optical pipe forms a light path between one end of said housing and the other end of said housing.

19. The plug as claimed in claim 16, wherein said optical element of said receptacle is provided in said opening thereof.

20. The plug as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least a part of said housing is made from a light emitting resin.