Hybrid connector and process for assembling the same

Claim 2

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is partway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then engaging a projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the receiving cylinder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder; and a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 3

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is partway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second modified assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a first wall formed in the housing or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 4

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is partway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second modified assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a first wall formed in the housing or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 5

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is partway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second further modified assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, then engaging each second projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the receiving cylinder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a first wall formed in the housing or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 6

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step of reaching a provisionally inserted state, in which each sleeve is partway inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second further modified assembly step of reaching a completely inserted state, in which each optical element module is pressed against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder so as to further insert the sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder, then engaging each second projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the receiving cylinder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a first wall formed in the housing or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 7

The process as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 3 , wherein in the first assembly step the sleeve is inserted into the receiving cylinder until the sleeve comes into contact with first projections formed in the receiving cylinder for press-inserting the sleeve and in the second, second modified or second further modified assembly step the sleeve is press-inserted into the receiving cylinder crushing the first projections.

Claim 8

The process according to claim 4 , wherein a moving length of the sleeve in the receiving cylinder in the second, second modified or second further modified assembly step is shorter than that in the first assembly step.

Claim 9

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder and then engaging a projection formed on the optical element module with corresponding hollow portions formed in the receiving cylinder and/or on the sleeve holder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder; and a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 10

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder and then engaging a projection formed on the optical element module with corresponding hollow portions formed in the receiving cylinder and/or on the sleeve holder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder; and a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 11

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second modified assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder and then placing the optical element module on a wall formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 12

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second modified assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder and then placing the optical element module on a wall formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 13

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second further modified assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder, then engaging a projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the housing and or the sleeve holder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a wall formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 14

A process for assembling a male hybrid connector having electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, the optical connector including: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules, the process comprising the steps of: a first assembly step with a sleeve holder of setting the sleeves in the receiving cylinder, fitting the sleeve holder thereto and inserting each sleeve into the corresponding receiving cylinder by the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is provisionally inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder; a second further modified assembly step with a sleeve holder of pressing each optical element module against an end face of the corresponding sleeve exposed from the receiving cylinder and/or an end of the sleeve holder so that each sleeve is completely inserted into the corresponding receiving cylinder, then engaging a projection formed on the optical element module with a corresponding hollow portion formed in the housing and or the sleeve holder so as to align a position of the optical element with an axis of the corresponding receiving cylinder, and then placing the optical element module on a wall formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder or holding the optical element module between a pair of walls formed in the housing and/or the sleeve holder so as to prevent the optical element module from rotating; and a third assembly step with a sleeve holder of engaging the case with the receiving cylinders, while the case holds the optical element modules, so as to fix a position of the optical element modules with respect to the housing.

Claim 15

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector member, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 16

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector member, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 17

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules.

Claim 18

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules.

Claim 19

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules, a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted, and each optical element module is provided with a projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 20

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted so that the first wall places the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules, a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted, and each optical element module is provided with a projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 21

The male hybrid connector according to any one of claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein a second wall, which faces the first wall and cooperates with the first wall to hold the optical element modules therebetween, is formed on the receiving cylinder.

Claim 22

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector member, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder, and each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 23

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector member, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder, and each optical element module is provided with a second projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 24

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector member, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder so that the first wall receives the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules.

Claim 25

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector member, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder so that the first wall receives the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules.

Claim 26

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder so that the first wall receives the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules, a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted, and each optical element module is provided with a projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 27

A male hybrid connector including electric and optical connector members formed integrally with each other, the optical connector member comprising: at least one optical element module having an optical element; sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules; a housing shared with the electric connector, the housing having receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves therein; a sleeve holder to be inserted in the housing for holding the sleeves together with the receiving cylinders; and a case for holding the optical element modules and positioning the optical element modules with respect to the housing, wherein a first wall is formed in the housing at the side into which the sleeve is inserted and/or on an end of the sleeve holder so that the first wall receives the optical element modules thereon and prevents the optical element modules from rotating before the case covers the optical element modules, a hollow portion depressed along an axis of the receiving cylinder is formed in the receiving cylinder at the side into which the sleeve is inserted, and each optical element module is provided with a projection for engaging with the hollow portion and aligning the position of the optical element with the axis.

Claim 28

The male hybrid connector according to claim 14 or claim 15 , wherein a second wall, which faces the first wall, and cooperates with the first wall to hold the optical element modules therebetween, is formed on the receiving cylinder and/or the sleeve holder.