Optical connector employing an optical fiber connector plug

• US 6,247,851 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ichihara, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/433,472
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 385/56, 385/52, 385/60, 385/66, 385/70, 385/72, 385/77, 385/78, 385/92, 385/139
• US Class Current: 385/56
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• 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 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

An optical connector includes an elongate housing. A partition wall is formed integral with and within the housing. The partition wall is formed with a sleeve holder and an elongate hole. When an engagement member is inserted into the housing, its leg is inserted through the elongate hole. An optical module is accommodated in a case by a spring member, and the case is in turn inserted in the housing. A split sleeve of the optical module is inserted in the sleeve holder, and the engaging member is held by the partition wall and the case. When an optical fiber connector plug is inserted in the housing, a ferrule is inserted into the sleeve and coupled to a rod lens of the optical module.

Claims

1. An optical connector having an optical fiber connector plug, to be connected to an optical fiber cable or optical module, having an optical fiber surrounded by a ferrule and a frame encompassing said ferrule and having a fitting portion, comprising:

a housing having one end for receiving said optical fiber connector plug;

an engagement member movably held in said housing and engaging said fitting portion of said frame in said housing;

a split sleeve provided in said housing and receiving therein said ferrule within said housing; and

an optical part center-aligned together with said optical fiber in said split sleeve and coupled to said optical fiber.

2. An optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve holder formed integral with said housing in said housing and receiving said split sleeve therein.

3. An optical connector according to claim 2, further comprising a partition wall formed in and integral with said housing, and said sleeve holder being formed in said partition wall.

4. An optical connector according to claim 1, wherein said housing is formed of a plastic, and said engaging member being formed of a metal material.

5. An optical connector according to claim 4, wherein said engaging member includes a bottom plate, a hole formed in said bottom plate and inserted through by said split sleeve, a leg formed extended from said bottom plate, and a fitting portion formed in a tip of said leg to engage said fitting portion, and

said housing including a support portion to movably support said engagement member.

6. An optical connector according to claim 5, further comprising a partition wall formed in said housing, wherein said bottom plate is arranged on one surface side of said partition wall, and said leg extending toward one end of said housing through said partition wall.

7. An optical connector according to claim 6, wherein said support portion includes a step formed on one surface side of said partition wall.

8. An optical connector according to claim 5, further comprising a push member inserted in said housing at the other end thereof and pushing said engagement member against said partition wall.

9. An optical connector according to claim 8, wherein said push member includes a case to accommodate said optical part in a state of previously inserted in said split sleeve.

10. An optical connector according to claim 9, wherein said case includes side plates formed at respective ends of said bottom plate, and an accommodation space defined by said bottom plate and said side plates, and said optical part being accommodated in said accommodation space in a state of previously inserted in said split sleeve.

11. A optical connector according to claim 10, further comprising a support member for movably supporting said optical part, wherein said support member is mounted in said case.

12. An optical connector according to claim 11, wherein said support member includes a side plate to engage said side plate of said case and a support portion formed extending from said side plate and supporting said optical part swingable and axially displaceable, said side plate being engaged with said side plate of said case in a state of supporting said optical part by said support portion whereby said support member is mounted in said case.

13. An optical connector according to claim 9, wherein said optical part includes an electrooptic element and a lead wire connected to said electrooptic element, and said case including an extension portion for drawing said lead wire to an outside.

14. An optical connector according to claim 13, wherein said case has a rear plate to seal at an end of said rear side plate, and said extension portion including a lead wire extension hole formed in said bottom plate in a position close to said rear plate.

15. An optical connector according to claim 14, wherein said extension portion includes a groove triangular in section formed in an bottom surface of said bottom plate and having an open bottom side, said lead wire passed through said extension hole being drawn out of said groove.

16. An optical connector according to claim 6, further comprising a push member inserted in said housing at the other end thereof and pushing said engagement member against said partition wall.