EP0430107A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical connector
Assignee: NTT Inc
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Filing: 1990-11-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-11-23
Abstract
Abstract To realize an optical fiber connector coupled or decoupled by simple insertion and removal operation without applying ferrule connecting force to other elements (package board or back panel), the optical connector comprises a first housing (33); a second housing (34); a third housing (36) slidably housed within the second housing; a first engage mechanism (37, 38) provided between the second and third housings, for engaging these two housings when the first and third housings are not coupled; a second engage mechanism (39, 40) provided between the first and third housings, for engaging these two housings when the first housing is coupled to second and third housings; a first release member (41) provided for the first housings, for releasing the first engage mechanism when the third housing is engaged to the first housing; and a second release member (42) provided for the second housing, for releasing the second engage mechanism when the second housing is coupled to the third housing or the first housing is decoupled from the second and third housings. Further, to allow the optical connector to be preferably applicable to a plug-in connector with the smallest possible dimensions and with the highest possible package density, a novel connector floating structure, a novel slidable ferrule supporting structure, a strong optical plug connecting mechanism, a reliable optical plug or jack insertion structure, a cleanable and replaceable connector jack, etc. are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Shin'ichi Iwano
- 👤 Ryo Nagase
- 👤 Kazunori Kanayama
- 👤 Etsuji Sugita
- 👤 Yasuhiro Ando
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/381; G02B6/3817; G02B6/3818; G02B6/3821; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3831; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/3849; G02B6/3869; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3875; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3879; G02B6/3897; G02B6/3822; G02B6/3877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An optical connector, comprising: (a) a first housing (33) for supporting at least one first optical plug or jack; (b) a second housing (34) coupled to said first housing; (c) a third housing (36) slidably coupled to and within said second housing (34) and also coupled to said first housing (33), for supporting at least one second optical ferrule connected to said first optical jack or plug; (d) first engage means (37, 38) provided between said second and third housings, for engaging said third housing with said second housing when said third housing is not coupled to said first housing; (e) second engage means (39, 40) provided between said first and third housings, for engaging said third housing with said first housing when said first housing is coupled to said second and third housings; (f) first release means (41) provided for said first housing, for releasing said first engage means when said third housing is being engaged to said first housing by means of said second engage means; and (g) second release means (42) provided for said second housing, for releasing said second engage means when said second housing is being coupled to said third housing and said first housing is being decoupled from said second and third housings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An optical connector, comprising: (a) a first housing (33) for supporting at least one first optical plug or jack; (b) a second housing (34) coupled to said first housing; (c) a third housing (36) slidably coupled to and within said second housing (34) and also coupled to said first housing (33), for supporting at least one second optical ferrule connected to said first optical jack or plug; (d) first engage means (37, 38) provided between said second and third housings, for engaging said third housing with said second housing when said third housing is not coupled to said first housing; (e) second engage means (39, 40) provided between said first and third housings, for engaging said third housing with said first housing when said first housing is coupled to said second and third housings; (f) first release means (41) provided for said first housing, for releasing said first engage means when said third housing is being engaged to said first housing by means of said second engage means; and (g) second release means (42) provided for said second housing, for releasing said second engage means when said second housing is being coupled to said third housing and said first housing is being decoupled from said second and third housings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The optical connector of claim 1, wherein said first engage means comprises a first projection (37) formed in said second housing and a first elastic lever (38) formed in said third housing; and said first release means comprises a release member (41) for deforming said first elastic lever in a direction perpendicular to on axial direction of the plug and jack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The optical connector of claim 1, wherein said second engage means comprises a second projection (39) formed in said third housing and a second elastic lever (40) formed in said first housing, and said second release means comprises a release member (42) for deforming said second elastic lever in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the plug and jack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
The optical connector of claim 2, wherein said first projection (37) is formed with a first projection engage surface (37b) and a first projection inclined surface (37a), said first elastic lever (38) is formed with a first lever claw (38a) engageable with said first projection engage surface (37b) and a first lever side projection (38a), and said first release member (41) is formed with a first release member inclined surface (41a) engageable with the first lever side projection (38a); when said second housing is coupled to said first housing, said first release member inclined surface (41a) is brought into contact with said first lever side projection (38a) to deform said first elastic lever (38) so that said third housing is decoupled from said second housing to allow said third housing to be axially slidable within said second housing; and when said second housing is decoupled from said first housing, said first projection inclined surface (37a) is brought into contact with said first lever claw (38b) to deform said first elastic lever (38) so that said third housing is coupled with said second housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
The optical connector of claim 3, wherein said second elastic lever (40) is formed with a second lever claw (40a) engageable with said second projection (39) and a second lever side projection (40b), and said second release member (42) is formed with a second release member first inclined surface (42c) and a second release member second inclined surface (42a); when said second housing is coupled to said first housing, said second release member first inclined surface (42c) is brought into contact with said second lever side projection (40b) to deform said second elastic lever so that said second housing is coupled to said first housing; and when said second housing is decoupled from said first housing, said second release member second inclined surface (42a) is brought into contact with said second lever side projection (40b) to deform said second elastic lever so that said second housing is decoupled from said first housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The optical connector of claim 1, wherein at least two said first engage means (37, 38), at least two said second engage means (39, 40), at least two said first release means (41), and at least two said second release means (42) are arranged in symmetry with respect to outer side surfaces of a connector housing of a plug-in optical connector in which a number of optical plugs and jacks arranged in a line can be connected simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The optical connector of claim 1, which further comprises plug-in connector housing floating means provided on one side surface of the connector housing in contact with a back panel or a package board (125) on which various optical and electrical parts are mounted as a subassembly unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
The optical connector of claim 7, which further comprises plug-in connector housing floating means provided on said connector housing in contact with a back panel (5); wherein said floating means comprises, (a) a slot (691) formed with the back panel in such a way that the slot extends in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical plug (35); (b) axle members (55B) fixed to said connector housing and slidably fited into said slot; and (c) a reverse side housing (641) fixed to an end of said axle members so as to loosely sandwich the packpanel between said axle members and reverse side housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
The optical connector of claim 7, which said floating means comprises: (a) a slot member (130) formed with a slot (133) and fitted to the package board in such a way that the slot extends in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical jack (124); (b) an axle member (127) fixed to said connector housing and slidably fitted into the slot of said slot member; and (c) a nut member (128) fixed to an end of said axle member so as to loosely sandwich the package board between said axle and nut members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
The optical connector of claim 1, which further comprises an optical connector plug fitted to the optical connector, said connector plug comprises: (a) a plug housing (202) formed with a shoulder portion (253) between a large hollow portion (254) and a small hollow portion (252) and formed no projection between said two portions; (b) a plug ferrule (201) connected to an optical fiber (204) and formed with a flange portion (201b) slidably fitted into the large hollow portion of said plug housing and an end portion (201a) passed through the small hollow portion of said plug housing; and (c) a spring (203) housed within said plug housing to urge the flange portion of said plug ferrule against the shoulder portion (253) of said plug housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
The optical connector of claim 10, wherein a mated jack ferrule (201) is fitted to the small hollow portion (252) of said plug housing (202) via a sleeve holder (206) having a floating slit sleeve (205) therewithin so as to absorb an axial dimensional fitting error between the plug ferrule and the jack ferrule by axially urging the flange portion (201b) of said plug ferrule by an inner end of the sleeve holder (206) against said spring (203).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical connector of claim 10, wherein the large hollow portion (254) of said plug housing and the flange portion (201b) of said plug ferrule are both formed into polygonal shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical connector of claim 12, wherein the large hollow portion (254) of said plug housing and the flange portion (201b) of said plug ferrule are both formed into chamfered square shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
The optical connector of claim 1, wherein each of said first and third housing (352) further comprises an elastic lever arm (357) axially extending forward and inwardly and having a claw (358) formed with an insertion inclined surface, an engage surface, and a side projection at a free end thereof; and which further comprises: (a) a plug housing (359) connected to an end of an optical fiber (361) and coupled to said housing, said plug housing having an outer engage projection (360); and (b) a knob block (362) slidably fitted between said housing and said plug housing, said knob block having an outer release projection (364) formed with an engage inclined surface and a release inclined surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
140 words
The optical connector of claim 14, wherein when said plug housing (359) is coupled to said housing (352), the engage inclined surface of the outer release projection (364) of said knob block (362) is brought into contact with said side projection of said inner elastic lever arm (357) of said first or third housing (352) to outwardly deform said inner lever arm so that said outer engage projection (360) is engaged with the engage surface of said inner elastic arm (357); when said plug housing (359) is decoupled from said first or third housing (352), the release inclined surface of the outer release projection (364) is brought into contact with the side projection of said inner elastic lever arm (357) to outwardly deform said inner lever arm so that said inner elastic arm is disengaged from said engage projection (360).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
The optical connector of claim 1, wherein said first or third housing (416) formed with at least one housing cutout (425) and at least two opposing housing projections (424); and which further comprises a square cross-section optical connector plug (411) formed with an axially extending plug projection (419) on one side surface thereof so as to be engaged with the housing cutout (425) and with two axially extending plug grooves (418) on two opposing side surfaces thereof so as to be engaged with the two opposing housing projections (424), an outside contour of said square optical connector plug being symmetrical with respect to a plane including an axial center of said connector plug and a middle portion of the plug projection but asymmetrical with respect to the axial center of said connector plug.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
The optical connector of claim 1, which further comprises an optical connector jack (501) fitted to said first or third connector housings, which comprises: (a) a rear housing (521) fitted to said connector housing; (b) a front housing (522) removably engaged with said rear housing; (c) an alignment sleeve (504) fixedly fitted into said front housing; (d) a ferrule (503) connected to an end of an optical fiber and fitted into said alignment sleeve so that a front end thereof extends frontward from the engagement position between said rear and front housings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical connector of claim 17, wherein said front and rear housings are removably engaged with each other via thread.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical connector of claim 17, wherein said front and rear housings are removably engaged with each other via friction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical connector of claim 17, wherein said front housing (522) is formed with a small-diameter portion (524) for fixedly locating said alignment sleeve therewithin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical connector plug, comprising: (a) a plug housing (202) formed with a shoulder portion (253) between a large hollow portion (254) and a small hollow portion (252) and formed with no projection between said two portions; (b) a plug ferrule (201) connected to an optical fiber (204) and formed with a flange portion (201b) slidably fitted into the large hollow portion of said plug housing and an end portion (201a) passed through the small hollow portion of said plug housing; and (c) a spring (203) housed within said plug housing to urge the flange portion of said plug ferrule against the shoulder portion (253) of said plug housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical connector plug, comprising: (a) a plug housing (202) formed with a shoulder portion (253) between a large hollow portion (254) and a small hollow portion (252) and formed with no projection between said two portions; (b) a plug ferrule (201) connected to an optical fiber (204) and formed with a flange portion (201b) slidably fitted into the large hollow portion of said plug housing and an end portion (201a) passed through the small hollow portion of said plug housing; and (c) a spring (203) housed within said plug housing to urge the flange portion of said plug ferrule against the shoulder portion (253) of said plug housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
The optical connector plug of claim 21, wherein a mated jack ferrule (201) is fitted to the small hollow portion (252) of said plug housing (202) via a sleeve holder (206) having a floating slit sleeve (205) therewithin so as to absorb an axial dimensional fitting error between the plug ferrule and the jack ferrule by axially urging the flange portion (201b) of said plug ferrule by an inner end of the sleeve holder (206) against said spring (203).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical connector plug of claim 21, wherein the large hollow portion (254) of said plug housing and the flange portion (201b) of said plug ferrule are both formed into polygonal shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical connector plug 9f claim 23, wherein the large hollow portion (254) of said plug housing and the flange portion (20lb) of said plug ferrule are both formed into chamfered square shape.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical connector, comprising: (a) an adapter housing (311) provided with an inner elastic lever arm (324) axially extending inwardly and the direction from outside to inside and having a claw (325) formed with an insertion inclined surface (329), an engage surface (326), and a side projection portion (328) at a free end thereof; (b) a plug housing (315) connected to an end of an optical fiber (317) and coupled to said optical adapter, said plug housing having an outer engage projection (318); and (c) a knob block (316) slidably fitted between said optical adapter and said plug housing, said knob block having an outer release projection (321) formed with an engage inclined surface (319) and a release inclined surface (320).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical connector, comprising: (a) an adapter housing (311) provided with an inner elastic lever arm (324) axially extending inwardly and the direction from outside to inside and having a claw (325) formed with an insertion inclined surface (329), an engage surface (326), and a side projection portion (328) at a free end thereof; (b) a plug housing (315) connected to an end of an optical fiber (317) and coupled to said optical adapter, said plug housing having an outer engage projection (318); and (c) a knob block (316) slidably fitted between said optical adapter and said plug housing, said knob block having an outer release projection (321) formed with an engage inclined surface (319) and a release inclined surface (320).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
141 words
The optical connector of claim 25, wherein when said plug housing (315) is coupled to said optical adapter (311), the engage inclined surface (319) of the outer release projection (321) of said knob block (316) is brought into contact with the side projection portion (328) of said inner elastic lever arm (324) of said optical adapter (311) to outwardly deform said inner lever arm to engage said outer engage projection (318) with the engage surface (326) of said inner elastic arm (324); when said optical plug housing (315) is decoupled from said optical adapter, the release inclined surface (320) of the outer release projection (321) is brought into contact with the side projection portion (328) of said inner elastic lever arm (324) to outwardly deform said inner lever arm to disengage said inner elastic arm (324) from said engage projection (318).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical connector, comprising: (a) an adapter housing formed with a housing cutout (425) and two opposing housing projections (424); and (b) a square cross-section optical plug (411) formed with an axially extending plug projection (419) on one side surface thereof so as to be engaged with the housing cutout (425) and with two axially extending plug grooves (418) on two opposing side surfaces thereof so as to be engaged with the two opposing housing projections (424), an outside contour of said square optical connector plug being symmetrical with respect to a plane including an axial center of said connector plug and a middle portion of the plug projection but asymmetrical with respect to the axial center of said connector plug.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical connector, comprising: (a) an adapter housing formed with a housing cutout (425) and two opposing housing projections (424); and (b) a square cross-section optical plug (411) formed with an axially extending plug projection (419) on one side surface thereof so as to be engaged with the housing cutout (425) and with two axially extending plug grooves (418) on two opposing side surfaces thereof so as to be engaged with the two opposing housing projections (424), an outside contour of said square optical connector plug being symmetrical with respect to a plane including an axial center of said connector plug and a middle portion of the plug projection but asymmetrical with respect to the axial center of said connector plug.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
71 words
An optical jack, comprising: (a) a jack body (502); (b) a rear housing (521) fitted to said connector housing; (c) a front housing (522) removably engaged with said rear housing; (d) an alignment sleeve (504) fixedly fitted into said front housing; (e) a ferrule (503) connected to an end of an optical fiber and fitted into said alignment sleeve so that a front end thereof extends frontward from the engagement position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
An optical jack, comprising: (a) a jack body (502); (b) a rear housing (521) fitted to said connector housing; (c) a front housing (522) removably engaged with said rear housing; (d) an alignment sleeve (504) fixedly fitted into said front housing; (e) a ferrule (503) connected to an end of an optical fiber and fitted into said alignment sleeve so that a front end thereof extends frontward from the engagement position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical jack of claim 28, wherein said front and rear housings are removably engaged with each, other via thread.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical jack of claim 28, wherein said front and rear housings are removably engaged with each other via friction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical jack of claim 28, wherein said front housing (522) is formed with a small-diameter portion (524) for fixedly locating said alignment sleeve therewithin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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