(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0057826A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 8, 2012
`KATOH
`
`US 20120057826A1
`
`(54) OPTICAL CONNECTOR AND INSERTION
`AND REMOVAL METHOD OF OPTICAL
`CONNECTOR
`
`(75) Inventor:
`
`Seiji KATOH, Sakura-shi (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`FUJIKURA LTD., Tokyo (JP)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/950,484
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 19, 2010
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 6, 2010 (JP) ................................. 2010-198969
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`GO2B 6/36
`
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................................... 385/78
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Provided is an optical connector including: a ferrule housing:
`a coupling, wherein the housing is insertable into the cou
`pling; a coupling engagement member provided at a rear of
`the housing; and a boot formed to accommodate ant optical
`fibertherethrough and extending rearward from the coupling
`engagement member. The optical connector is moveable into
`a first position by pressing the boot in a forward direction,
`thus exerting a forward pressure on the coupling engagement
`member and into a second position by pulling the boot in a
`rearward direction, thus exerting a rearward pressure on the
`coupling engagement member. In the first position, the cou
`pling engagement member abuts the housing, Such that the
`forward pressure on the coupling engagement member is
`exerted on the housing. In the second position, the coupling
`engagement member engages the coupling Such that the rear
`ward pressure on the coupling engagement member is exerted
`on the coupling.
`
`Senko EX1005
`PGR2024-00037
`U.S. Publication No. 2012/0057826
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Mar. 8, 2012 Sheet 1 of 7
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2012/005782.6 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`OPTICAL CONNECTOR AND INSERTON
`AND REMOVAL METHOD OF OPTICAL
`CONNECTOR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`0001
`0002 The present invention relates to an optical connec
`tor, and a method of inserting and removing the optical con
`nector into/from a connector housing (optical connector
`adapter or the like).
`0003 Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application
`No. 2010-198969, filed Sep. 6, 2010, the contents of which
`are incorporated herein by reference.
`0004 2. Description of the Related Art
`0005 Conventionally, a multi-core optical connector (for
`example, an MPO type optical connector: F13 type optical
`connector established in JIS C5982) which engages a con
`nector housing (optical connector adapter or the like) by a
`push-on method is used (for example, refer to United States
`Patent Application Publication No. 2009/285534).
`0006 Since adjacent connector housings are close to each
`other in an optical wiring board or the like in which the
`connector housings are arranged with a high density, it
`becomes difficult to insert fingers between optical connec
`tors, and it becomes difficult to perform an insertion and
`removal operation of an optical connector (for example, the
`operation of gripping and moving rearward a coupling to
`remove an optical connector).
`0007 For this reason, an optical connector is proposed, in
`which an engagement member engageable with the coupling
`is provided and this engagement member is provided with an
`operating Stick which extends rearward.
`0008 FIG. 7 shows an example of the optical connector
`provided with the operating stick. The optical connector 110
`shown in the figure includes a connector main body 1 which
`has a ferrule 12 attached to a tip of the optical fiber 11, a
`coupling 2, an engagement member 103 engageable with the
`coupling 2, a boot 104, and an operating stick 105 which
`extends rearward from the engagement member 103.
`0009. An extending end of the operating stick 105 is
`formed with a head portion 105a for operation. The operating
`stick105 is formed at a position deviated from the central axis
`of the optical connector 110 in order to avoid interfering with
`an optical fiber 11. Reference numeral 7 designates an optical
`connector adapter into/from which the optical connector 110
`is inserted and removed.
`0010. In the optical connector 110, when the operating
`stick 105 is pulled rearward, the coupling 2 moves rearward
`along with the engagement member 103. Therefore, the
`latches 72 of the optical connector adapter 7 are released, and
`the optical connector 110 is removed from the optical con
`nector adapter 7.
`0011 When the operating stick105 is pushed forward, the
`engagement member 103 moves the connector main body 1
`forward to insert the connector main body 1 into the optical
`connector adapter 7, and the latches 72 engage engagement
`recesses 15b of the connector main body 1.
`0012 However, in the optical connector 110, the head
`portion 105a of the operating stick 105 is formed at the
`position deviated from the central axis of the optical connec
`tor 110. Therefore, when the operating stick 105 is operated,
`there is a concern that a force in a direction which inclines
`with respect to the axial direction is applied to the optical
`connector 110.
`
`0013 Additionally, since the operating stick 105 is at the
`position deviated from the central axis of the optical connec
`tor 110, it is hard for an operator to recognize the tip position
`of the optical connector 110, and particularly, it is hard to
`perform the operation of inserting the optical connector 110
`into the optical connector adapter 7.
`0014. The invention has been made in consideration of the
`above circumstances, and the object thereof is to provide an
`optical connector and an insertion and removal method of the
`optical connector in which an excessive force is not applied to
`the optical connector, and the workability of an insertion and
`removal operation is improved when an optical connector is
`inserted into or removed from a connector housing.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0015. An optical connector according to an aspect of the
`present invention is insertable into and removable from a
`connector housing, the optical connector including: a housing
`which houses a ferrule; a coupling, wherein the housing is
`insertable into the coupling; a coupling engagement member
`provided at a rear of the housing, the coupling engagement
`member being movable with respect to the housing; and a
`boot formed to accommodate an optical fiber therethrough
`and extending rearward from the coupling engagement mem
`ber; wherein the optical connector is moveable into a first
`position by pressing the boot in a forward direction, thus
`exerting a forward pressure on the coupling engagement
`member and into a second position by pulling the boot in a
`rearward direction, thus exerting a rearward pressure on the
`coupling engagement member, wherein: in the first position,
`the coupling engagement member abuts the housing, such
`that the forward pressure on the coupling engagement mem
`ber is exerted on the housing, and in the second position, the
`coupling engagement member engages the coupling such that
`the rearward pressure on the coupling engagement member is
`exerted on the coupling.
`0016. It may be arranged Such that the coupling engage
`ment member includes a main body and a pair of extending
`portions extending forward from the main body, wherein the
`pair of extending portions connect the coupling engagement
`member with the coupling.
`0017. It may be arranged such that an engagement concave
`portion is provided on one of the coupling and the coupling
`engagement member, and an engagement convex portion is
`engageable with the engagement concave portion and is pro
`vided on the other of the coupling and the coupling engage
`ment member, and a length of the engagement concave por
`tion in a front-back direction is greater than a length of the
`engagement convex portion in a forward-backward direction,
`Such that the engagement convex portion is moveable within
`the engagement concave portion.
`0018. It may be arranged such that an operation portion is
`formed at a rear portion of the boot and extends outward from
`the rear portion of the boot.
`0019. It may be arranged such that the boot is attached to
`the coupling engagement member via a connection member
`formed in a tubular shape.
`0020. It may be arranged such that the connection member
`includes a semi-tubular first half body and a semi-tubular
`second half body which face each other.
`0021. It may be arranged such that the connection member
`includes a fitting convex portion, and the coupling engage
`ment member includes a fitting opening, and the connection
`
`

`

`US 2012/005782.6 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`member is attached to the coupling engagement member
`when the fitting convex portion fits into the fitting opening.
`0022. An insertion and removal method of inserting and
`removing an optical connector into/from a connector housing
`according to another aspect of the present invention is an
`insertion and removal method of an optical connector includ
`ing: a housing which houses a ferrule; a coupling which
`Surrounds the housing; a coupling engagement member pro
`vided at a rear of the housing; and a boot extending rearward
`from the coupling engagement member, the method includ
`ing: inserting the optical connector into the connector hous
`ing, the inserting including: pressing the coupling engage
`ment member forward by pressing the boot forward, such that
`the coupling engagement member is made to abut the housing
`at a first position, and inserting the coupling engagement
`member into the connector housing; and removing the optical
`connector from the connector housing, the removing includ
`ing: pulling the coupling engagement member rearward Such
`that the coupling engagement member engages with the cou
`pling at a second position behind the first position, and Such
`that the coupling is pulled rearward and the optical connector
`is removed from the connector housing.
`0023. An optical connector insertable into and removable
`from a connector housing according to another aspect of the
`present invention includes: a housing which houses a ferrule:
`a coupling, wherein the housing is insertable into the cou
`pling; a coupling engagement member provided at a rear of
`the housing, the coupling engagement member being mov
`able with respect to the housing; and a boot including an
`opening formed to accommodate an optical fiber there
`through and extending rearward from the coupling engage
`ment member; wherein the boot includes a body which is
`Substantially radially symmetric with respect to a central axis
`and an operation portion which extends outward from the rear
`of the body, and wherein the optical connector is moveable
`into a first position by pressing the boot in a forward direction,
`thus exerting a forward pressure on the coupling engagement
`member and into a second position by pulling the boot in a
`rearward direction, thus exerting a rearward pressure on the
`coupling engagement member.
`0024. An apical connector insertable into and removable
`from a connector housing according to another aspect of the
`present invention includes: a housing which houses a ferrule:
`a coupling, wherein the housing is insertable into the cou
`pling; and a coupling engagement member provided at a rear
`of the housing, wherein the coupling engagement member is
`engaged with the coupling via an engagement member, and
`wherein the coupling engagement member is moveable in
`forward and rearward directions with respect to the housing:
`wherein the optical connector is moveable into a first position
`by pressing the coupling engagement member in a forward
`direction and into a second position by pulling the coupling
`engagement member in a rearward direction, wherein: in the
`first position, the coupling engagement member abuts the
`housing, Such that the forward pressure on the coupling
`engagement member is exerted on the housing, and in the
`Second position, the coupling engagement member engages
`the coupling Such that the rearward pressure on the coupling
`engagement member is exerted on the coupling.
`0025. According to the above aspect of the present inven
`tion, the boot is attached to the coupling engagement member,
`the coupling engagement member is able to press the housing
`forward at the first position and is able to engage the coupling
`at the second position, thereby pulling the coupling rearward.
`
`Thus, the insertion and removal operation of the optical con
`nector is made possible by operating the boot.
`0026. Since the boot is a tubular member through which
`the optical fiber is inserted, the position where a force is
`applied to the connector main body and the coupling gets
`close to the central axis of the optical connector. For this
`reason, an excessive force (e.g., a force in a direction which
`inclines with respect to the central axis) is not applied to the
`optical connector.
`0027. Additionally, since the boot is a tubular member
`through which the optical fiber is inserted, the boot is at a
`position near the central axis of the optical connector. For this
`reason, an operator may easily recognize the tip position of
`the optical connector, for example, during the operation of
`inserting the optical connector into the connector housing.
`0028. Accordingly, the workability of an insertion and
`removal operation of the optical connector is improved even
`in an optical wiring board or the like where the connector
`housings are arranged with a high density.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`0029 FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an
`optical connector according to an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0030 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
`the configuration of the optical connector of FIG. 1.
`0031
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the optical connector of
`FIG.1.
`0032 FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating the opera
`tion of the optical connector of FIG 1.
`0033 FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating the opera
`tion of the optical connector of FIG. 1.
`0034 FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating the opera
`tion of the optical connector of FIG. 1.
`0035 FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view showing an
`example of a conventional optical connector.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`0036 An optical connector embodying the present inven
`tion will be described below with reference to the drawings.
`0037 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical
`corrector 10 according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the
`optical connector 10. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the optical
`connector 10.
`0038 Hereinafter, the positional relationship of constitu
`ent members may be described with reference to the “front
`and the “rear in FIGS. 1 to 3. Additionally, the “axial direc
`tion' of a tubular member means the direction of the central
`axis of the member. In FIG. 2, C1 is the central axis of a
`housing 15, a coupling2, and a coupling engagement member
`3, and the direction of the central axis coincides with a front
`back direction.
`0039. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector 10
`includes a connector main body 1, a coupling 2 movable back
`and forth with respect to the connector main body 1, a cou
`pling engagement member 3 provided at the rear of the con
`nector main body 1, a boot 4 extending rearward from the
`coupling engagement member 3, and a connection member 5
`which connects the boot 4 to the coupling engagement mem
`ber 3.
`
`

`

`US 2012/005782.6 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`0040. In the optical connector 10, the structure of an MPO
`(Multi-fiber Push On) type optical connector can be adopted
`(F13 type optical connector established in JIS C5982).
`0041 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector main body
`1 includes a ferrule 12 (optical ferrule) attached to a tip of the
`optical fiber 11, a spring 13 (for example, coil spring; refer to
`FIG. 3) which elastically biases the ferrule 12 forward, an
`abutting member 14 (refer to PIG 3) which a rear end of the
`spring 13 abuts, and a tubular housing 15 which houses these
`members.
`0042. The ferrule 12 is, for example, a multi-core connec
`tor, such as an MT type optical connector, and a front face
`thereof is used as a joint end face 12a. A spring receptacle 16
`is provided on the rear side of the ferrule 12. The ferrule 12 is
`formed with a guide pinhole 12b into which a guide pin (not
`shown in the figures) is inserted.
`0043. A front end of the spring 13 abuts the spring recep
`tacle 16. The spring 13 can take the reaction force at a recep
`tacle portion 14a of the abutting member 14, and bias the
`ferrule 12 forward via the spring receptacle 16.
`0044) The abutting member 14 has a main body 14a which
`is fitted into the housing 15 from the rear end, and an extend
`ing portion 14b extending rearward from the main body 14a.
`Reference numeral 14c of FIG.3 designates a crimping ring
`which crimps and fixes a tensile strength fiber to the extend
`ing portion 14b, when the tensile strength fiber is used for the
`optical fiber 11.
`0045 An outside surface of the housing 15 is formed with
`engagement protrusions 15a, and an engagement recess 15b
`is provided to rearward of each engagement protrusion 15a,
`the engagement recess 15b engageable with a latch protrusion
`72a of a latch 72 of an optical connector adapter 7 which will
`be described later.
`0046. As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling 2 has a pair of flat
`plate portions 21 (Substrate portions) which is made into a
`tubular shape Surrounding the housing 15 and is parallel to
`each other, and lateral plate portions 22 which are provided at
`both lateral edges of the flat plate portions 21 thereof. The
`lateral plate portions 22 and 22 are formed so as to face each
`other.
`0047. Each lateral plate portion 22 is made into a shape
`which is curved substantially in the shape of a circular arc in
`cross-section, and an outer Surface thereof is formed with a
`grooved guide portion 23 along the front-back direction.
`0048. The guide portions 23 are formed at both of the side
`plate portions 22, and an engagement convex portion 24
`which constitutes an engagement structure 6, which will be
`described later, is formed at the bottom of each guide portion
`23. The engagement convex portion 24 is a protrusion having
`a rectangular shape in plan view.
`0049. The coupling 2 is slidingly movable back and forth
`with respect to the housing 15, and glidingly moves rearward
`with respect to the housing 15, thereby enabling the engage
`ment of the latch 72 (refer to FIGS. 4 to 6) of the optical
`connector adapter 7 with the housing 15 to be released.
`0050. A mechanism (so-called push-on mechanism)
`which Switches engagement retention and engagement
`release with respect to the optical connector adapter by the
`sliding movement of the coupling 2 will be described later.
`0051. The coupling 2 is biased forward with respect to the
`housing 15 by the spring 25.
`0052. The spring 25 takes the reaction force at a stepped
`portion 15c formed at the outer surface of the housing 15, and
`
`biases an abutting protrusion 2a formed at the inner Surface of
`the coupling 2 (refer to FIG. 3).
`0053. The coupling engagement member 3 includes a
`tubular main body 31 and a pair of extending portions 32
`which extends forward. from the main body 31, and is mov
`able back and forth with respect to the connector main body1
`and the coupling 2.
`0054. It is preferable that the coupling engagement mem
`ber 3 have sufficient rigidity by being formed from hard resin,
`for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like.
`0055. The main body 31 has a pair of flat plate portions 33
`(Substrate portions) which are parallel to each other, and
`lateral plate portions 34 which are provided at both lateral
`edges of the flat plate portions 33.
`0056. The lateral plate portions 34 are curved substantially
`in the shape of a circular arc in crass-section, and are formed
`a little more thickly than the flat plate portions 33.
`0057 The lateral plate portions 34 and 34 are formed so as
`to face each other.
`0.058 As shown in FIG. 3, a front end (an abutting portion
`34b which is an inner circumferential portion of an end face of
`a front end 34a of each lateral plate portion 34 in the illus
`trated example) of the main body 31 is capable of abutting a
`rear end portion of the housing 15. In addition, in the main
`body 31, a front end of each flat plate portion 33 may be
`capable of abutting the rear end portion of the housing 15.
`0059 A rear portion of each lateral plate portion 34 is
`formed with a fitting opening 35 into which a fitting convex
`portion 54 of the connection member 5, which will be
`described later, fits.
`0060 Each extending portion 32 extends forward from
`front ends 34a of each of the pair of lateral plate portions 34,
`and is formed in the shape of a plate having Substantially a
`circular-arc cross-section. The extending portion32 is thinner
`than each lateral plate portion 34, and the outer surface
`thereof is formed along the outer surface of the lateral plate
`portion 34.
`0061 The extending portion 32 is arranged so as to be
`movable in the front-back direction within the guide portion
`23 of the coupling 2.
`0062. The extending portion 32 is movable in the front
`back direction in a state where the movement thereof in an
`up-and-down direction (width direction of the extending por
`tion 32) is restricted by the guide portion 23. The pair of
`extending portions 32 are formed with engagement openings
`36 (engagement concave portions).
`0063. The length of each engagement opening 36 in the
`front-back-direction is greater than the length of each engage
`ment convex portion 24 in the front-back direction, and
`thereby, the coupling engagement member 3 is movable back
`and forth relative to the coupling 2 in a state where the
`engagement convex portion 24 has entered the engagement
`opening 36.
`0064. The length of the engagement opening 36 in the
`up-and-down direction can be made almost equal to or a little
`greater than that of the engagement convex portion 24 of the
`coupling 2.
`0065. The engagement opening 36, and the engagement
`convex portion 24 of the coupling 2 constitute the engage
`ment structure 6 in which the portions are engageable with
`each other. The engagement structures 6 are respectively pro
`vided at both lateral portions of the coupling 2 and the cou
`pling engagement member 3.
`
`

`

`US 2012/005782.6 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`0066. In addition, the engagement structure between the
`coupling and the coupling engagement member is not limited
`to this, and may be a structure including an engagement
`concave portion formed at the coupling and an engagement
`convex portion formed at the coupling engagement member.
`Even in this case, the length of the engagement concave
`portion in the front-back direction is greater than the length of
`the engagement convex portion in the front-back direction,
`and the engagement convex portion is relatively movable in a
`state where the engagement convex portion has entered the
`engagement concave portion.
`0067. The boot 4 is a tubular member through which the
`optical fiber 11 connected to the ferrule 12 is inserted, and can
`be formed from, for example, rubber, polyethylene, or the
`like. It is preferable that the boot 4 has flexibility to such a
`degree that bending deformation is permitted.
`0068. The boot 4 has a front end protrusion 41, a tapered
`tubular portion 42 of which the diameter becomes gradually
`smaller rearward from the front end protrusion 41, and an
`operation portion 43 which is formed at a rear end portion of
`the tapered tubular portion 42.
`0069. The front end protrusion 41 has a tubular smaller
`diameter portion 44 which protrudes from a front end of the
`tapered tubular portion 42, and a larger diameter portion 45
`which is provided at a front end of a neck 44. The smaller
`diameter portion 44 is made Smaller than a front end portion
`of the tapered tubular portion 42.
`0070 The operation portion 43 makes it easy to apply a
`pressing force to the boot 4 when an operator presses the boot
`4 in the front-back direction for insertion and removal opera
`tion of the optical connector 10, and is made into a shape
`which overhangs outward, i.e., of which the width or height is
`greater than that the tapered tubular portion 42. In the illus
`trated example, the operation portion 43 has an enlarged
`diameter portion 43a of which width and height become
`gradually larger rearward from the rear end of the tapered
`tubular portion 42, and a constant diameter portion 43b with
`a constant external diameter formed behind the enlarged
`diameter portion 43a.
`0071. The connection member 5 is a tubular member
`through which the optical fiber 11 is inserted and has a tubular
`main body 51, and an insertion tubular portion 52 which
`extends forward from a frontend51a of the tubular main body
`51. It is preferable that the connection member 5 have suffi
`cient rigidity by being formed from hard resin, for example,
`polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like.
`0072 An inner surface of a rear end portion of the main
`body 51 is formed with a locking protrusion 53 which pro
`trudes inward. The locking protrusion 53 is arranged at the
`rear of the larger diameter portion 45 of the boot 4, and is
`locked to the rear face of the larger diameter portion 45,
`thereby restricting rearward movement of the boot 4. The
`locking protrusion 53 also has the function of restricting
`forward movement of the boot 4 by abutting a front end face
`of the tapered tubular portion 42.
`0073. A fitting convex portion 54 capable of fitting into
`each fitting opening 35 of the coupling engagement member
`3 is formed on an outer surface of the insertion tubular portion
`52 so as to protrude outward.
`0074 The insertion tubular portion 52 is inserted into the
`main body 31 of the coupling engagement member 3 from the
`rear. The insertion tubular portion 52 is attached to the cou
`pling engagement member 3 by fitting the fitting convex
`portion 54 into the fitting opening 35.
`
`0075. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection member 5 can be
`configured such that substantially a semi-tubular first half
`body 55A and substantially a semi-tubular second half body
`55B obtained by splitting the connection member 5 into two
`along the axial direction are combined together so as to face
`each other.
`0076. By forming a fitting hole 56a and a fitting projection
`56b in the first half body 55A and by forming the second half
`body 55B with a fitting projection (not shown in the figures)
`to fit into the fitting hole 56a and a fitting hole (not shown in
`the figures) into which the fitting projection 56b fits, the
`positioning of the first half body 55A and the second half
`body 55B can be facilitated.
`0077 Although the optical fiber 11 is not particularly lim
`ited, multi-core optical fibers of optical fiber tape care wires,
`Such as four cores, eight cores, and twelve cores, can be
`employed. The optical fiber 11 in the illustrated example
`includes a plurality of stacked optical fiber tape core wires.
`0078 Next, the operation of inserting and removing the
`optical connector 10 into/from the optical connector adapter
`7 (connector housing) will be described referring to FIGS. 4
`to 6.
`0079. In the respective drawings, a pair of latches 72 is
`formed in the main body 71 of the optical connector adapter
`7, the main body 71 having an insertion opening 73.
`0080 First, the insertion operation of the optical connec
`tor 10 will be described.
`I0081. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector main body 1 is
`brought close to the optical connector adapter 7, and is
`inserted into the insertion opening 73.
`I0082. This insertion operation can be performed by grip
`ping the boot 4. The grip position can be the operation portion
`43 of the rear end of the boot 4.
`I0083. When the boot 4 is pressed forward, the pressing
`force is transmitted to the coupling engagement member 3,
`and the front end (abutting portions 34b of the lateral plate
`portions 34 in the illustrated example) of the main body 31
`applies a forward force to a rear end 15d of the housing 15.
`whereby the connector main body 1 moves forward.
`I0084. Hereinafter, the position (position where the abut
`ting portions 34b of the lateral plate portions 34 abut the
`housing 15) of the coupling engagement member 3 shown in
`FIG. 4 is referred to as a first position P1.
`I0085. In the state shown in FIG.4, the engagement convex
`portions 24 of the coupling 2 are at a position separated from
`front edges 36a (that is, the coupling engagement member 3
`and coupling 2 are in a non-engagement state) within the
`engagement openings 36. In this state, the coupling 2 and the
`coupling engagement member 3 are freely movable back and
`forth relative to each other within a range where the engage
`ment convex portions 24 can move in the engagement open
`ings 36.
`I0086. By the forward movement of the connector main
`body 1, the engagement protrusions 15a of the housing 15
`displace the latches 72 outward (a direction in which the
`distance between the latches 72 increases). The displaced
`latches 72 restrict the advance of the coupling 2.
`0087. As shown in FIG. 5, while the advance of the cou
`pling 2 is restricted, the housing 15 moves forward. There
`fore, the engagement recesses 15b are exposed, the latches 72
`are displaced inward, and the latch protrusions 72a engage
`the engagement recesses 15b.
`
`

`

`US 2012/005782.6 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`0088 Since the advance restriction of the coupling 2 is
`released by the inward displacement of the latches 72, the
`coupling 2 is moved forward by the elastic forces of the
`springs 25.
`0089 FIG. 5 shows a state where the insertion of the
`optical connector 10 into the optical connector adapter 7 is
`completed.
`0090 Next, the removal operation of the optical connector
`10 will be described.
`0091. As shown in FIG. 6, the removal operation can be
`performed by gripping the boot 4. The grip position can be the
`operation portion 43 of the rear end of the boot 4.
`0092. When the boot 4 is pulled rearward, the pulling force
`is transmitted to the coupling engagement member 3, and the
`front edges 36a of the engagement openings 36 formed at the
`extending portions 32 apply a rearward force to the engage
`ment convex portions 24 of coupling 2, whereby the coupling
`2 moves rearward.
`0093. By the rearward movement of the coupling 2, the
`engagement recesses 15b of housing 15 are exposed, and the
`latches 72 are brought into a state where the latches are
`capable of being displaced outward.
`0094. When the coupling 2 is further moved rearward, a
`rearward force is applied to the connector main body1 by the
`springs 25, the connector main body 1 also begins to move
`rearward, the engagement protrusions 15a displace the
`latches 72 outward, and the engagement of the latch protru
`sions 72a with the engagement recesses 15b is released.
`0095. When the boot 4 is further pulled rearward, the
`coupling engagement member 3 is separated from the optical
`connector adapter 7, and the whole optical connector 10 is
`removed from the optical connector adapter 7.
`0096. The position (the position of the coupling engage
`ment member 3 relative to the connector main body 1) of the
`coupling engagement member 3 shown in FIG. 6 is referred to
`as a second position P2.
`0097. The second position P2 is behind the first position
`P1. At this second position, the front edges 36a of the engage
`ment openings 36 abut the engagement convex portions 24 of
`the coupling 2 (that is, the coupling engagement member 3
`engages the coupling2 by the engagement structure 6). Thus,
`the rearward force can be applied to the engagement convex
`portions 24.
`0098. In the optical connector 10, the boot 4 is attached to
`the coupling engagement member 3, the coupling engage
`ment member 3 is able to press the