Optical fiber connector with housing assembly for an assuring complete connection

• US 5,224,186 A
• Filed: 04/29/1992
• Issued: 06/29/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Kishimoto, Koji, Yonemura, Ryugen, Sawai, Takanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PALMER, PHAN T H
• Application Number:
  US07/875,328
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 385/78, 385/72, 385/88, 385/89, 385/90, 385/91, 385/92, 385/93, 385/94, 385/60
• US Class Current: 385/78
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• 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 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

An optical connector comprising a first housing for supporting a ferrule, a second housing having a ferrule holder into which the ferrule is inserted with a predetermined frictional resistance, a spring member for elastically pushing the ferrule into the ferrule holder against the frictional resistance at the time that load as the ferrule is brought into contact with the ferrule holder at a first predetermined stroke position has reached a first predetermined threshold value, and a pair of locking members contacting each other at a second predetermined stroke position, and when load of the contact at the second stroke position has reached a second predetermined threshold value, the contact at the second stroke position being released and then the first housing being further moved in the predetermined direction and the locking members being engaged with each other, wherein the second stroke position is set with respect to the first stroke position so that the locking members can contact each other prior to the contact of the ferrule with the ferrule holder; and the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value so that the ferrule can be inserted into the ferrule holder by a force of inertia resulting from the release of the contact at the second stroke position.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector comprising:

a first housing for supporting a ferrule into which the distal end of an optical fiber is inserted, in such a manner that said ferrule can be freely movable in a predetermined direction;

a second housing having a ferrule holder into which said ferrule is inserted with a predetermined frictional resistance, said first housing being inserted into said second housing;

a spring member provided in said first housing for urging said ferrule in said predetermined direction and for elastically pushing said ferrule into said ferrule holder against said frictional resistance at the time that load as said ferrule is brought into contact with said ferrule holder at a first predetermined stroke position has reached a first predetermined threshold value; and

a pair of locking members each provided in said first and second housings, said locking members contacting each other at a second predetermined stroke position with said first housing inserted into said second housing by a predetermined stroke, and when load of the contact at said second stroke position has reached a second predetermined threshold value, the contact at said second stroke position being released and then said first housing being further moved in said predetermined direction upon the release and said locking members being engaged with each other to lock said first and second housings together;

said ferrule of said first housing being automatically inserted into said ferrule holder of said second housing by said spring upon the further movement of said first housing caused by said release.

2. An optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second stroke position is set with respect to said first stroke position so that said locking members can contact each other prior to the contact of said ferrule with said ferrule holder, and wherein said second threshold value is higher than said first threshold value so that said ferrule can be inserted into said ferrule holder by a force of inertia resulting from the release of the contact at said second stroke position.