United States Patent (19)
`Iwano et al.
`
`54) OPTICALJACK FOR PLUG-JACK OPTICAL
`CONNECTOR
`T5) Inventors: Shin'ichi Iwano; Ryo Nagase, both of
`Ibaraki-ken; Kazunori Kanayama,
`Tokyo; Etsuji Sugita, Tokyo; Yasuhiro
`Ando. Tokyo, all of Japan
`73) Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
`Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`
`USOO5673346A
`Patent Number:
`11
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`5,673,346
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`O156608 10/1985 European Pat. Off. .
`(List continued on next page.)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`CS85-128, Low Cost High Performance Push-On-Lock
`g & R onnectors, Sugita, et al. Dec. 20, 1985, pp
`tical Fiber C
`Sugita,
`w aw
`is
`a
`
`-
`
`-
`
`w
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner-Rodney B. Bovernick
`21 Appl. No.: 703,690
`Assistant Examiner-Hemang Sanghavi
`illed:
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wigman, Cohen, Leitner &
`22 File
`Aug. 27, 1996
`Myers, P.C.
`Related U.S. Application Data
`57
`ABSTRACT
`r
`63 Continuation of Ser. No. 360,356, Dec. 21, 1994, aban
`To realize an optical fiber connector coupled or decoupled
`". SEF, Ser, Asfire
`N
`212, 8. 9, i.
`E. by simple insertion and removal operation without applying
`division of senio. 66,981, Nov. 21.1950, Pat No.
`ferrule connecting force to other elements (package board or
`5,121,454.
`back panel), the optical connector comprises a first housing
`X
`8
`e
`(33); a second housing (34); a third housing (36) slidably
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`housed within the second housing; a first engage mechanism
`30
`Nov. 24, 1989
`JP
`Japan .................................... 1-303,185
`(37.38) provided between the second and third housings, for
`Dec. 1, 1989
`JP
`Japan ...
`. 1-310680
`engaging these two housings when the first and third hous
`Mar. 2, 1990
`JP
`Japan ...
`... 2-495.46
`ings are not coupled; a second engage mechanism (39, 40)
`Apr. 16, 1990
`JP
`Japan ...................................... 2-97.774
`provided between the first and third housings, for engaging
`Aug. 20, 1990 (JP)
`Japan ...
`21U these two housings when the first housing is coupled to
`Aug. 20, 1990
`JP
`Japan .................................... 2-2.17166
`second and third housings; a first release member (41)
`(51
`int. Cl. .......... G02B 638
`provided for the first housings, for releasing the first engage
`52 U.S. Cl. ................................. 38sso. 38572,385.78
`mechanism when the third housing is engaged to the first
`58 Field of Search
`385/60, 58.59
`housing; and a second release member (42) provided for the
`Field of Search ..............................385/71
`i8 84.
`second housing, for releasing the second engage mechanism
`a
`ws
`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
`References Cited
`preferably applicable to a plug-in connector with the small
`ATENT DOCUMENT
`est possible dimensions and with the highest possible pack
`U.S. P.
`DO
`S
`4,645296 2/1987 Cattinet al.
`...................... 38.5/55 X age density, a novel connector floating structure, a novel
`4,687.288 8/1987 Margolin et al. .
`... 38572X
`slidable ferrule supporting structure, a strong optical plug
`2: t El 4-4.
`pas E. : connecting mechanism, a reliable optical plug or jackinser
`9 F 1
`Kaki et al. ...
`4,747,658 5/1988 Borsuk et al.
`... 38.5/78
`Ea.able and replaceable connector jack,
`4,895,425
`l/1990 Iwano et al. .............................. 385,60
`s
`(List continued on next page.)
`6 Claims, 45 Drawing Sheets
`
`56
`
`(REAR
`OUSING) 50
`528 521
`
`522 (FRONT
`HOUSING
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O
`
`2%ags
`NaaSSS
`see Sn 504
`
`is ava was see se
`
`
`
`Senko EX1018
`PGR2024-00037
`U.S. Patent No. 5,673,346
`
`

`

`5,673,346
`Page 2
`
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`... 38.5/8
`4,911,518 3/1990 Miller .................
`385/88 X
`5,042,891
`8/1991 Mulholland et al.
`5,096,276 3/1992 Greace et al. ............................ 38.5/76
`5,134,677 7/1992 Leung et al. ...
`....... 385/84
`5,390,272 2/1995 Repta et al. .......................... 3.85/87 X
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/1984 European Pat. Off..
`O1903
`5/1987 European Pat. Off..
`O223.608
`7/1987 European Pat. Off..
`O2280.63
`3/1989 European Pat. Off..
`O307518
`
`0330231 8/1989 European Pat. Off. .
`0339876 11/1989 European Pat. Off. .
`61-109189 7/1986 Japan.
`63-2394.07 3/1987 Japan.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`-
`-
`-
`-
`C5970, FO1 Type Connectors for Optical Fiber Cords, 1987,
`pp. 889–904.
`Review of the Electrical Cummunications Laboratories, vol.
`35, No. 5, Sep. 1987. “High Performance Push-Pull Cou
`pling Singel Fiber Connectors and Plug-In Fiber-Optic
`Connectors", pp. 529-533, Sugita, Shintaku and Sasakura.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`
`
`FIG.1 (d)
`PRIOR ART
`
`4 (UNIT FRAME)
`
`3(CONNECTOR
`HOUSING)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 45
`Sheet 2 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
`
`
`
`
`
`12(PLUG)
`
`
`
`F1G.1(b)
`
`PRIORART
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.2
`
`
`
`(3rd HOUSING)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`
`
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 45
`Sheet 5 of 45
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`5,673,346
`5,673,346
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`Sep. 30, 1997
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`Sep. 30, 1997
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`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
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`Sheet 12 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`5,673,346
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
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`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
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`Sheet 14 of 45
`Sheet 14 of 45
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`U.S. Patent
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`5,673,346
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`Sep. 30, 1997
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG. 6
`PRIOR ART
`
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 45
`Sheet 17 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
`
`
`
`FIG.7
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG. 8(a)
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 20 of 45
`Sheet 20 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
`
`
`
`
`
`125
`125
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 21 of 45
`Sheet 21 of 45
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`5,673,346
`5,673,346
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 22 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG. 13(d)
`PRIOR ART
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 23 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.14(a)
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG.14(b)
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`221b
`
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`FIG.15(b)
`FIG.15(c)
`2O %6% %
`
`1b 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 24 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.16(C)
`253 252 201 2O5(SEEVE)
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 25 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.18
`PRIOR ART
`
`
`
`310(PLUG)
`
`306
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 26 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 27 of 45
`Sheet 27 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
`
`F1G.20
`FIG.20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 28 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.23
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
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`Sheet 29 of 45
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 30 of 45
`Sheet 30 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 31 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.26(a)
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG.26(b)
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`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
`
`Sheet 32 of 45
`Sheet 32 of 45
`
`425(CUTOUT)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 33 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 34 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 35 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.31(a)
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 36 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 37 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.33(d)
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 38 of 45
`
`5,673,346
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 39 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`U.S
`
`Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 40 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 41 of 45
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`5,673,346
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 42 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.40 (a)
`360(PROJECTION)
`30(1st CONNECTOR)
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 43 of 45
`
`5,673,346
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 44 of 45
`
`5,673,346
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`FIG.42(a)
`(1st ENGAGE
`LEVER)
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 45 of 45
`Sheet 45 of 45
`
`5,673,346
`5,673,346
`
`FIG.43
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`

`

`5,673,346
`
`1
`OPTICALJACK FOR PLUG-JACK OPTICAL
`CONNECTOR
`
`This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/360,356,
`filed on Dec. 21, 1994, now abandoned which is a continu
`ation in part of Ser. No. 08/022,391 filed on Feb. 24, 1993,
`U.S. Pat. No. 5404,416 which is a continuation of Ser. No.
`07/773.212 filed on Oct. 9, 1991, now abandoned, which is
`a divisional of Ser. No. 07/616,981 filed on Nov. 21, 1990
`U.S. Pat No. 5,121454.
`
`2
`easily fitted to the connector housing in a predetermined
`orientation to eliminate an axis alignment error between two
`mated optical ferrules in order to maintain high optical
`signal transmission characteristics.
`Further, when an optical jack comprising a ferrule which
`is connected to an end of an optical fiber and an alignment
`sleeve is fitted to the optical connector, it is preferable that
`the ferrule end can be easily cleaned and further the ferrule
`alignment sleeve can be easily replaced with a new one,
`because the wear chip is produced within the ferrule align
`ment sleeve whenever the optical jack is coupled to or
`decoupled from the connector housing.
`The structure and arrangement of the prior-art optical
`connector, plug, jack etc. will be described in more detail
`hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings under
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS.
`
`10
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to an optical connector for
`connecting optical fibers, and more specifically to an optical
`fiber connector preferably applicable to a plug-in optical
`connector for removably connecting a number of package
`boards (on each of which various optical and electrical
`components or parts are mounted as a completed part
`subassembly) to a back panel perpendicular to the package
`board in book-shelf fashion to construct a high-density
`assembly unit.
`2. Description of Prior Art
`With the progress of higher optical performance in optical
`communication systems, a higher density assembly unit
`composed of so-called plug-in connectors is required more
`and more.
`In the plug-in optical connector, it is required that a
`number of optical fibers must be simultaneously coupled to
`or decoupled from each other by a simple insertion and
`removal coupling operation. Further, since a number of
`optical fibers are coupled to each other under pressure within
`the connector housings, a certain connector housing locking
`mechanism is required to prevent the ferrule coupling pres
`sure from being directly applied to the package board and
`the back panel via the connector housings.
`Further, in an optical assembly unit, since a number of
`backage boards are connected to a back panel via plug-in
`connectors in book-self arrangement fashion, it is necessary
`to absorb an assembly error in the direction perpendicular to
`the axial direction of the optical connector element (plug and
`jack), without increasing the dimensions or the size of the
`optical connector.
`In addition, since a number of optical connector elements
`(plug and jack) are simultaneously fitted to the plug-in
`optical connector, it is also necessary to absorb each dimen
`sional and assembling error in the axial direction of the
`plug/jack. In absorption of the axial coupling error between
`the plug/jack and the connector, it is not preferable to
`increase the axial connector length; that is, it is necessary to
`stably support the plug/jack within the connector housing
`without increasing the axial length of the plug/jack.
`Further, when an optical plug comprising a ferrule which
`is connected to an end of an optical fiber is fitted to the
`optical connector, a optical plug locking mechanism includ
`ing elastic cantilever arm members with a claw at the free
`end thereof, are provided between the optical plug and the
`optical connector housing. However, since the locking
`mechanism is reduced in size more and more with increasing
`fiber arrangement density, it is necessary to more firmly lock
`the connector plug to the connector housing, even when a
`high tensile strength is applied to the optical fiber, in spite of
`a simple insertion and removal operation.
`Further, when the optical plug is inserted into the optical
`connector, it is particularly preferable that the optical plug is
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
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`35
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
`
`65
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`With these problems in mind, therefore, it is the primary
`object of the present invention to provide an optical con
`nector which can be locked and unlocked by simple inser
`tion and removal coupling operation to connect two mated
`optical fibers under pressure, without directly applying the
`ferrule coupling pressure to the package board and the back
`panel, while absorbing the optical connector element cou
`pling error along the axial direction thereof.
`It is the second object of the present invention to provide
`an optical connector which can absorb an assembly error in
`the direction perpendicular to the ferrule axial direction,
`without increasing the connector housing size.
`It is the third object of the present invention to provide an
`optical connector which can slidably and stably support the
`optical connector element (ferrule) within the connector
`housing without increasing the axial length of the ferrule.
`It is the fourth object of the present invention to provide
`an optical connector by which an optical plug can be firmly
`locked to the connector housing even when a high tensile
`force is applied to the optical fiber.
`It is the fifth object of the present invention to provide an
`optical connector by which the optical plug can be always
`fitted to the connector housing in a predetermined orienta
`tion to eliminate an axis alignment mismatching between
`two mated optical ferrules.
`It is the sixth object of the present invention to provide an
`optical connector having an optical jack whose ferrule can
`be easily cleaned and whose ferrule alignment sleeve can be
`easily replaced with a new one.
`To achieve the above-mentioned first object, the optical
`connector according to the present invention comprises: (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 first
`housing (33), for supporting at least one second optical
`ferrule connected to said first optical ferrule; (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
`
`

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`5,673,346
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`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 third
`housings. The 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 an axial
`direction of the plug and jack. The 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. The first projection (37) is formed with a first projec
`tion 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. The
`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. Further, it is preferable that 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.
`In the optical connector according to the present
`invention, the optical connector housing mounted on pack
`age can be engaged with and disengaged from the optical
`connector housing mounted on back panel of unit frame by
`only inserting and removing the elements into and from the
`unit frame; the connector itself is provided with a lock
`mechanism; and no specific precision is required with
`respect to the engagement position along the axial direction
`of the optical connector elements. Therefore, since the
`optical elements on the package side housing can be con
`
`4
`nected to the optical elements on the backpanel side housing
`located deep into the unit frame by only inserting and
`removing the package board into and from the back panel,
`after the optical connector has been connected, no resiliency
`of the optical connector elements will be directly applied to
`the back panel in the case of the plug-in optical connector
`according to the present invention.
`The functions of the optical connector according to the
`present invention will be summarized as follows:
`In engagement, when the second connector comprising
`the second and third housings is coupled to the first con
`nector comprising the first housing.
`(1) the second connector is coupled to the first connector
`in condition that the second housing and the third housing
`are kept engaged,
`(2) the first optical connector elements are connected to
`the second optical connector elements,
`(3) the first housing of the first connector is engaged with
`the third housing of the second connector,
`(4) the third housing is disengaged from the second
`housing, and
`(5) further the dimensional error in the insertion direction
`can be absorbed by inserting the second housing.
`In disengagement, when the second connector is removed
`from the first connector,
`(1) the third housing is moved with the first housing,
`(2) the second housing is engaged with the third housing,
`(3) the third housing is disengaged from the first housing,
`(4) the first optical connector elements are disconnected
`from the second optical connector elements, and
`(5) the second connector is removed from the first con
`lector.
`To achieve the above-mentioned second object, the opti
`cal connector 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. The floating means com
`prises: (a) a slot (133) formed with the back panel or
`package board in such a way that the slot extends in the
`direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical
`plug (35) or jack (124); (b) an axle member (127) fixed to
`said connector housing and slidably fitted into the said slot;
`and (c) a reverse side housing or a nut member (128) fixed
`to an end of said axle member so as to loosely sandwich the
`backpanel or package board between said axle and a reverse
`side housing or nut members.
`According to the present invention, it is possible to realize
`a simple and precious floating structure such that slot
`members formed with a float slot are fitted to through-holes
`formed in the package board; the float axle members of the
`housing are inserted into the float slots; and the nut members
`are fixed to the end of the float axle members. In this case,
`the floating condition can be controlled by a clearance
`between the float axle members and the slots of the slot
`members.
`To achieve the above-mentioned third object, the optical
`connector further comprises an optical connector plug
`including: (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) con
`nected to an optical fiber (204) and formed with a flange
`portion (201b) slidably fitted into the large hollow portion of
`
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`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. A mated jack ferrule
`(201) is fitted to the smallhollow 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 jackferrule by
`axially urging the flange portion (201b) of said plug ferrule
`by an inner end of the sleeve holder (206) against said spring
`(203).
`According to the present invention, the ferrule is sup
`ported within the plug housing, and urged in the axial
`direction by the spring. When the sleeve holder is inserted
`from the ferrule support side into the plug housing, the
`sleeve holder is brought into contact with the flange portion
`of the ferrule passing through the shoulder portion against
`the urging force of the spring, so that the ferrule can be
`inserted deep further from the initial position to absorb the
`axial positional error.
`To achieve the above-mentioned fourth object, each of
`said first and thirdhousing (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 the optical connector 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 knobblock (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. 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).
`In the optical connector according to the present
`invention, when the optical plug is inserted into the connec
`tor housing, since the engage projections of the optical plug
`are brought into contact with the claws of the elastic arms
`provided for the connector housing to deform the elastic
`arms, the engage surfaces of the engage projections are
`engaged with the engage surfaces of the claws.
`Under these conditions if the optical cord of the optical
`plug is pulled, although the force is transmitted to the claws
`via the engage projections, since the point of force applica
`tion is offset from the base portion of the elastic arm relative
`to the connector housing, a moment is generated around the
`elastic arm in such a direction that the elastic arm end goes
`toward the optical plug side about the fixed end of the elastic
`arm. As a result, when atensile force is applied to the optical
`cord in the direction that the optical plug is separated from
`the plug adapter, since the elastic arm end moves toward the
`optical plug side, the engage surface of the claw is further
`urged toward the engage surface of the engage projection,
`thus resulting in secure engagement conditions. On the other
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`6
`hand, when the optical plug is removed from the connector
`housing: that is when the knob block is gr