Optical connector, and assembling method of optical connector

Abstract

An optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises (a) a ferrule incorporating a short fiber; (b) a mechanical splice having a holding part and a fixing part, and adapted so that the fixing part mechanically fixes the short fiber extending from the ferrule held by the holding part, and an optical fiber in an optical cable to butt the short fiber; (c) an outer housing having a housing part in which the mechanical splice is located, and a pair of flexible arms located on both sides of the housing part, the pair of arms each being provided with a locking claw at a tip; and (d) a jacket fixture for fixing a cable jacket, the jacket fixture being coupled to the mechanical splice so that the cable jacket is inserted therein.

1 . An optical connector to be connected to an optical fiber in an optical cable of a tight structure in which a coated fiber obtained by coating the optical fiber is attached tightly to a cable jacket covering the coated fiber, the optical connector comprising:
 a ferrule incorporating a short fiber extending in a predetermined axial direction;   a mechanical splice having a holding part and a fixing part in order from a one side to an other side in the predetermined axial direction, and adapted so that the fixing part mechanically fixes the short fiber extending from the ferrule held by the holding part, toward the other side, and the optical fiber in the optical cable introduced from the other side to butt the short fiber;   an outer housing having a cylindrical shape extending in the predetermined axial direction, and having a housing part in which the mechanical splice is located, and a pair of flexible arms located on both sides of the housing part, said pair of arms each extending from a base end supported on the housing part, toward said one side and provided with a locking claw at a tip opposite to the base end; and   a jacket fixture for fixing the cable jacket, said jacket fixture being located on the other side with respect to the mechanical splice so that the cable jacket is inserted therein, and said jacket fixture being coupled to the mechanical splice.   
     
     
         2 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An optical connector to be connected to an optical fiber in an optical cable of a tight structure in which a coated fiber obtained by coating the optical fiber is attached tightly to a cable jacket for covering the coated fiber,
 the optical connector comprising:   a ferrule incorporating a short fiber extending in a predetermined axial direction;   a mechanical splice having a holding part and a fixing part in order from a one side to an other side in the predetermined axial direction, and adapted so that the fixing part mechanically fixes the short fiber extending from the ferrule held by the holding part, toward the other side, and the optical fiber in the optical cable introduced from the one side to butt the short fiber;   a housing comprising a housing part having a cylindrical shape extending in the predetermined axial direction and internally housing the mechanical splice, an adapter continuing to an end on the one side of the housing part and adapted for optically coupling the ferrule to an other ferrule, a base part continuing to an end on the other side of the housing part, and a lid for opening and closing the base part; and   a holder placed at a predetermined position in the base part while holding the cable jacket, and fixed to the base part when the lid is closed.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An optical connector according to  claim 14 , comprising a configuration for temporarily fixing the holder at the predetermined position in the base part. 
     
     
         17 . An optical connector according to  claim 14 , said optical connector being an optical connector to be connected to an SC connector,
 said optical connector further comprising an attachment with a locking claw for attachment of the SC connector,   wherein the adapter houses the attachment.   
     
     
         18 . An optical connector according to  claim 14 , wherein the base part and the lid are bent to a predetermined direction intersecting at a predetermined angle with the predetermined axial direction. 
     
     
         19 . An optical connector according to  claim 18 , wherein a thickness of the cable jacket in one direction is smaller than a thickness in an other direction perpendicular to the one direction, and
 wherein the holder holds the cable jacket from both sides of the one direction and is placed in the base part so that the other direction of the cable jacket becomes approximately coincident with the predetermined axial direction inside the base part.   
     
     
         20 . An optical connector according to  claim 18 , wherein a thickness of the cable jacket in one direction is smaller than a thickness in an other direction perpendicular to the one direction, and
 wherein the holder holds the cable jacket from both sides of the one direction and is placed in the base part so that the other direction of the cable jacket is approximately perpendicular to the predetermined axial direction and to the predetermined direction inside the base part.   
     
     
         21 . An optical connector according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the base part has a base part body coupled to one end on the other side of the housing part, and a movable base portion having a guide part slidable in the predetermined axial direction relative to the base part body,   wherein the movable base portion is slid with the holder being mounted thereon so that the holder is located at a predetermined position in the base part body where the optical fiber led out from the cable jacket butts the short fiber, and   wherein when the lid is closed, the holder is fixed to the base part body.   
     
     
         22 . An optical connector according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing is comprised of any one of polyetherimide, PPS, PBT, polycarbonate, and PES. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An assembling method of assembling the optical connector as defined in  claim 14 , comprising:
 removing a tension member of the optical cable to expose the coated fiber;   putting the cable jacket into the holder to be held thereby;   removing a predetermined length of a coating of the coated fiber to expose the optical fiber, cutting a tip of the optical fiber, inserting the optical fiber from a rear side of the mechanical splice in an open state, and, after confirming butting of the optical fiber, bringing the mechanical splice into a closed state to mechanically fix a butting portion; and   temporarily fixing the holder at a predetermined position in the base part and thereafter closing the lid to fix the holder to the base part.   
     
     
         25 . An optical connector to be connected to an optical fiber in an optical cable of a tight structure in which a coated fiber obtained by coating the optical fiber is attached tightly to a cable jacket for covering the coated fiber, the optical connector comprising:
 a ferrule incorporating a short fiber extending in a predetermined axial direction;   a mechanical splice having a holding part and a fixing part in order from a one side to an other side in the predetermined axial direction, and adapted so that the fixing part mechanically fixes the short fiber extending from the ferrule held by the holding part, toward the other side, and the optical fiber in the optical cable introduced from the one side to butt the short fiber;   a housing comprising a housing part having a cylindrical shape extending in the predetermined axial direction and internally housing the mechanical splice, an adapter continuing to an end on the one side of the housing part and adapted for optically coupling the ferrule to an other ferrule, a base part continuing to an end on the other side of the housing part, and a lid for opening and closing the base part; and   a jacket holder placed at a predetermined position in the base part while holding the cable jacket, and fixed to the base part when the lid is closed, the jacket holder being stored by the lid, the lid including a hinge mechanism,   wherein the base part has a base part body coupled to one end on the other side of the housing part, and a movable base portion having a guide part slidable in the predetermined axial direction relative to the base part body,   wherein the movable base portion is slid with the jacket holder being mounted thereon so that the jacket holder is located at a predetermined position in the base part body where the optical fiber led out from the cable jacket butts the short fiber, and   wherein when the lid is closed, the jacket holder is fixed to the base part body.