Optical connector having a fitting protrusion or fitting recess used for positioning

• US 7,726,885 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2008
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Inventors: Sasaki, Kenji, Nishimura, Akito, Hayashi, Yukio, Fujiwara, Kunihiko, Ohta, Tatsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah; Akm E
• Application Number:
  US12/259,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20090116793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 385 78- 92, 385/15, 385/20
• US Class Current: 385/78
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• 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 of a fitting pin positioning type includes multiple optical fiber insertion holes arranged in one row and fitting holes or fitting pins. The fitting holes or the fitting pins for positioning are respectively disposed on mutually opposite sides of a straight line connecting centers of the optical fiber insertion holes and are located point-symmetrically with respect to a center of the row of the entire optical fiber insertion holes arranged on the straight line.

Claims

1. An optical connector comprising

a ferrule body including:

a connection end surface;

at least one row of optical fiber insertion holes provided on the connection end surface; and

positioning protrusions or positioning recesses provided on the connection end surface,

wherein the row of the optical fiber insertion holes extends parallel to a straight line passing through a center of the connection end surface,

the positioning protrusions or the positioning recesses are respectively located on mutually opposite sides of the straight line, and

the positioning protrusions or the positioning recesses are located point-symmetrically with respect to the center on the straight line.

7. The optical connector according to claim 1,

wherein the positioning protrusions are pins of a round bar shape, and

the positioning recesses are holes into which the pins are to be fitted.

8. The optical connector according to claim 7,

wherein the pins are formed of resin integrally with the ferrule body.

2. An optical connector comprising

a ferrule body including:

a connection end surface;

positioning protrusions or positioning recesses provided on the connection end surface; and

a reflector configured to modify a direction of light propagating through at least one row of fixed optical fibers so as to cause the light to pass through the connector end surface,

wherein the positioning protrusions or the positioning recesses are respectively located on mutually opposite sides of a straight line which is parallel to a row of optical paths of the light on the connection end surface and which passes through a center thereof, and

the positioning protrusions or the positioning recesses are located point-symmetrically with respect to the center.

3. The optical connector according to claim 2,

wherein the ferrule body includes an inclined surface serving as the reflector, and

the inclined surface is inclined relative to optical axes of the optical fibers.

4. The optical connector according to claim 3,

wherein the ferrule body includes a recess on the connection end surface, and

the inclined surface is included in surfaces defining the recess.

5. The optical connector according to claim 3,

wherein the inclined surface is provided as an outer side surface of the ferrule body, and

the inclined surface reflects the light inside the ferrule body.

6. The optical connector according to claim 2,

wherein the positioning protrusions or the positioning recesses are located on a straight line perpendicular to the straight line.

9. The optical connector according to claim 2,

wherein the positioning protrusions are pins of a round bar shape, and

the positioning recesses are holes into which the pins are to be fitted.

10. The optical connector according to claim 9,

wherein the pins are formed of resin integrally with the ferrule body.