U.S. patent application number 09/456915 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-01 for receptacle of optical connector.
Invention is credited to SHIRAKAWA, TSUGUHITO.
Application Number | 20020102073 09/456915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 16171564 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020102073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIRAKAWA, TSUGUHITO |
August 1, 2002 |
RECEPTACLE OF OPTICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
A receptacle with high productivity is provided, wherein rear
openings 4 of a connector housing 2 of the receptacle 1 continue to
respective terminal led-out portions 22 so that terminals 34 and 35
of a light receiving element module 6 and a luminescence element
module 7, respectively, are easily fitted to the connector housing
2 and projecting portions 38, which project into the respective
terminal led-out portions 22 near to the respective terminals 34
and 35, are formed on a cap member 8.
Inventors: |
SHIRAKAWA, TSUGUHITO;
(SHIZUOKA, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG,WESTERMAN & HATTORI, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW.
SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
16171564 |
Appl. No.: |
09/456915 |
Filed: |
December 7, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4246 20130101;
G02B 6/421 20130101; G02B 6/3893 20130101; G02B 6/4292
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/92 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 1999 |
JP |
11-185483 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A receptacle of optical connector, comprising: a connector
housing having a front and rear openings; an optical element module
having an optical element and to be accommodated in the connector
housing; a sleeve member to be accommodated in the connector
housing for relaying light; and a cap member to be fitted to the
rear opening, wherein the connector housing is provided with a
coupling portion including the front opening for coupling with a
mating optical plug connected to an optical fiber cable having a
ferrule member, an accommodating chamber to accommodate the optical
element module and having a terminal led-out portion on a bottom
wall of the connector housing for leading a terminal of the optical
element module outward the connector housing, and a transferring
tube portion connecting the coupling portion with the accommodating
chamber and being fitted with the ferrule member on a coupling
portion side thereof and with the sleeve member on a accommodating
chamber side thereof, while aligning the sleeve member with the
optical element on a longitudinal axis of the transferring tube
portion, and further wherein the rear opening and the terminal
led-out portion are continuously formed.
2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein an engaging portion
is provided on side walls of the connector housing and a securing
projection to engage the engaging portion is provided on the cap
member for holding the cap member.
3. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the cap member is
provided with a projecting portion projecting inward the terminal
led-out portion and toward the terminal.
4. The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the cap member is
provided with a projecting portion projecting inward the terminal
led-out portion and toward the terminal.
5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the cap member is
provided with a pushing projection to push the optical element
module toward the sleeve member.
6. The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the cap member is
provided with a pushing projection to push the optical element
module toward the sleeve member.
7. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the cap member is
provided with a pushing projection to push the optical element
module toward the sleeve member.
8. The receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the cap member is
provided with a pushing projection to push the optical element
module toward the sleeve member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a receptacle of
an optical connector and more particularly, to a receptacle to be
coupled with an optical plug and having a light receiving element
module and a luminescence element module in a connector housing
thereof.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Referring to FIG. 14, a reference character 101 indicates an
optical connector which is applied to a multiplex transmission
circuit on, for example, a body of a motor vehicle, which optical
connector 101 consists of a receptacle 102 and an optical plug
103.
[0005] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the receptacle 102 has a
connector housing 104 which has front and rear openings. Through
the front opening of the connector housing 104 the optical plug 103
is coupled therewith (FIG. 14). And, as shown in FIG. 15, through
the rear opening of the connector housing 104, a sleeve member 105,
a light receiving element module 106 (an optical element module), a
luminescence element module 107 (an optical element module), and a
cap member 108 in a rectangular plate-like shape are fitted in
turn.
[0006] Inside the connector housing 104, a coupling portion 109 to
couple with the optical plug 103 (FIG. 14) through the front
opening, accommodating chambers 110 to accommodate the light
receiving element module 106 and the luminescence element module
107 from the rear opening, and transferring tube portions 111
connecting the coupling portion 109 (FIG. 14) and the accommodating
chambers 110 are formed. An optical plug locking portion 113 formed
on a top wall 112 of the connector housing 104 engages a locking
arm 141 (FIGS. 14 and 16) of the optical plug 103 (FIG. 14). The
locking arm 141 will be described later.
[0007] The accommodating chambers 110 are surrounded by a top wall
112, a bottom wall 114, right and left walls 115,116, and a
partition wall 117, which partition wall 117 stands in the middle
of the right and left walls 115,116 and forms the accommodating
chamber 110 for the light receiving element module 106 and the
chamber 110 the luminescence element module 107.
[0008] Engaging portions 119 to engage securing projections 118
(only two ones are shown) which are formed on top and bottom edge
portions of the cap member 108 are formed on the top wall 112 over
the accommodating chambers 110. And, terminal led-out portions 120
open on the bottom wall 114 under the accommodating chambers
110.
[0009] Terminals 121,122 of the light receiving element module 106
and of the luminescence element module 107, respectively, are put
through wide portions of the respective terminal led-out portions
120. And, a pair of securing projections 118 formed on the bottom
edge portion the cap member 108 engage narrow portions of the
respective terminal led-out portions 120.
[0010] The pair of securing projections 118 on each of the top and
bottom edge portions of the cap member 108 engage the engaging
portions 119 and the terminal led-out portions 120, respectively
thereby to prevent the cap member 108 from falling off the rear
opening.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 17, the transferring tube portion 111 is
formed with a step. And, a small-diameter portion 135 (FIG. 16) of
a ferrule member 133 (described later) is inserted in a front
small-diameter portion 123 of the transferring tube portion 111,
and the sleeve member 105 (FIG. 15) is inserted in a rear
large-diameter portion 124 of the transferring tube portion
111.
[0012] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, the sleeve member
105 is formed cylindrically and consists of an optical waveguide
portion 125 made of glass or synthetic resin and a holder portion
126. The light receiving element module 106 and the luminescence
element module 107 are formed by putting a light receiving element
(not shown) and a luminescence element (not shown) in respective
molded portions 127,128.
[0013] In the assembly of the receptacle 102, the light receiving
element and the corresponding sleeve member 105 and also the
luminescence element and the corresponding sleeve member 105 are
aligned on the respective longitudinal axes of the respective
transferring tube portions 111.
[0014] The above optical plug 103 includes, as shown in FIG. 16, a
pair of ferrule member assemblies 129, a plug housing 130 (FIGS. 14
and 16) to accommodate the ferrule assemblies 129, and a spring cap
131 (FIGS. 14 and 16) to engage a rear portion of the plug housing
130 and to hold the ferrule assemblies 129.
[0015] The ferrule assembly 129 consists of an optical fiber cable
132, a ferrule member 133 attached to the end of the optical fiber
cable 132, and a spring 134.
[0016] The ferrule member 133 is formed stepwise, a core portion
(not shown) of the optical fiber cable 132 is inserted in a
smaller-diameter portion 135 of the ferrule member 133, and a
primary sheathing (not shown) of the optical fiber cable 132 is
inserted in a large-diameter portion 137 of the ferrule member 133,
which large-diameter portion 137 is provided with flanges 136. A
reference character 138 indicates a secondary sheathing of the
optical fiber cable 132.
[0017] The spring 134 is arranged between the rear side flange 136
and the spring cap 131 and pushes the ferrule member 133
forward.
[0018] The plug housing 130 is formed substantially in a box and
has accommodating chambers 139 to accommodate the ferrule
assemblies 129. And, the plug housing 130 is provided with a
locking arm 141 on a top wall 140 thereof. The optical plug 103 is
uncoupled from the receptacle 102 by pushing an end portion of the
locking arm 141 (FIG. 14).
[0019] And, the plug housing 130 is, as shown in FIG. 14, provided
with slit covers 142 at the rear ends of both side walls, which
slit covers 142 project rearward from the respective rear ends.
[0020] The spring cap 131 is formed substantially in a cup and is
provided with plug guiding slits 143 on respective side walls. The
plug guiding slits 143 are closed with the respective slit covers
142 of the plug housing 130.
[0021] Against a rear inside plane of the spring cap 131 the
springs 134 (FIG. 16) abut, and inside and in the middle of the
spring cap 131 an engaging projection (not shown) to engage the
plug housing 130 is formed.
[0022] The optical plug 103 is assembled by engaging the spring cap
131 with the plug housing 130 after fitting the ferrule assemblies
129 (only one being shown in FIG. 16) to the optical plug 103
through the plug guiding slits 143 of the spring cap 131. The
ferrule assemblies 129 are accommodated in the accommodating
chambers 139 (FIG. 16) and are locked by engaging projections 144
(only one being shown in FIG. 16) of the plug housing 130, which
engaging projection 144 is positioned between the pair of flanges
136 of the ferrule members 133.
[0023] As described above, the ferrule assemblies 129 are pushed
forward by the springs 134 (one being shown) and the forward
movement of the ferrule assemblies 129 are limited by the stoppers
145 formed in the accommodating chambers 139.
[0024] In the above structure, on coupling of the optical plug 103
with the receptacle 102 the transferring tube portions 111 enter
the plug housing 130, and simultaneously the smaller-diameter
portions 135 of the ferrule assemblies 129 enter the transferring
tube portions 111. And, the large-diameter portions 137 of the
ferrule assemblies 129 abut against the ends of the transferring
tube portions 111, while keeping suitable pressure therebetween by
means of the springs 134.
[0025] With respect to the above conventional receptacle 102 of the
optical connector 101, however, since the light receiving element
module 106 and the luminescence element module 107 have to be
inclined as shown with the arrow R in FIG. 18 when the modules
106,107 are fitted into the receptacle 102, that is, the fitting
work of the modules 106,107 into the accommodating chambers 110 can
not be done smoothly.
[0026] And, the terminals 121,122 are likely to hit the terminal
led-out portions 120 during the above fitting work and the
terminals 121,122 would bend, which should disturb the assembly
process thereafter.
[0027] Further, as is shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, since reversing work
of the connector housing 104 would be required for easier fitting
of the modules 106,107, the productivity of the receptacle 102
would not be good.
[0028] Here, the assembly process of the receptacle 102, in turn,
is: the sleeve members 105 are fitted to the connector housing 104
in an arrow P direction after the longitudinal axis of the
connector housing 104 is arranged vertically as shown in FIG. 17;
the connector housing 104 is arranged horizontally by turning it in
an arrow Q direction; the light receiving element module 106 and
the luminescence element module 107 are accommodated in the
connector housing 104 as shown in FIG. 19 by shifting them in an
arrow R direction as shown in FIG. 18; the connector housing 104 is
again arranged vertically by turning it in an arrow S direction;
and the cap member 108 is fitted to the connector housing 104 in an
arrow T direction.
[0029] The terminal led-out portions 120 have respective rear
frames. And, the rear frames require such assembly process as the
above, which hinders automatic assembly of the receptacle 102 and,
therefore, improvement of the productivity of the receptacle 102
should be required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention
is to provide a receptacle with high productivity.
[0031] In order to achieve the above-described object, as a first
aspect of the present invention, a receptacle of optical connector
in accordance with the present invention includes: a connector
housing having a front and rear openings; an optical element module
having an optical element and to be accommodated in the connector
housing; a sleeve member to be accommodated in the connector
housing for relaying light; and a cap member to be fitted to the
rear opening, wherein the connector housing is provided with a
coupling portion including the front opening for coupling with a
mating optical plug connected to an optical fiber cable having a
ferrule member, an accommodating chamber to accommodate the optical
element module and having a terminal led-out portion on a bottom
wall of the connector housing for leading a terminal of the optical
element module outward the connector housing, and a transferring
tube portion connecting the coupling portion with the accommodating
chamber and being fitted with the ferrule member on a coupling
portion side thereof and with the sleeve member on a accommodating
chamber side thereof, while aligning the sleeve member with the
optical element on a longitudinal axis of the transferring tube
portion, and further wherein the rear opening and the terminal
led-out portion are continuously formed.
[0032] As a second aspect of the present invention, in the
structure with the above first aspect, an engaging portion is
provided on side walls of the connector housing and a securing
projection to engage the engaging portion is provided on the cap
member for holding the cap member.
[0033] As a third aspect of the present invention, in the structure
with either one of the above first and second aspects, the cap
member is provided with a projecting portion projecting inward the
terminal led-out portion and toward the terminal.
[0034] As a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the
structure with any one of the above first to third aspects, the cap
member is provided with a pushing projection to push the optical
element module toward the sleeve member.
[0035] According to the above-described structure of the present
invention, the following advantages are provided.
[0036] (1) Since the optical element module can be fitted in the
accommodating chamber without inclining it as the same way as the
sleeve member and as the cap member in the same direction. And,
since the terminal led-out portion continues from the rear opening,
the optical element module can be smoothly fitted in the
accommodating chamber without any obstacle. Further, since assembly
work such as turning work of the connector housing in the assembly
process can be eliminated, automatic assembly work is easily
available. Thereby, a receptacle with high productivity can be
realized.
[0037] (2) Though the terminal led-out portion continues from the
rear opening, the cap member is secured to the connector housing
since the securing projection of the cap member engages the
engaging portion of the connector housing.
[0038] (3) Since the cap member is provided with the projecting
portion projecting inward the terminal led-out portion, the optical
element can fully perform.
[0039] (4) Since the cap member is provided with a pushing
projection to push the optical element module toward the sleeve
member, the optical element module can be put into close contact
with the sleeve member.
[0040] The above and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 is an exploded rear-perspective view showing an
embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 is an exploded front-perspective view showing the
receptacle of FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 3 is a front view of a connector housing;
[0044] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the connector housing;
[0045] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the connector housing;
[0046] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the connector housing;
[0047] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the connector housing;
[0048] FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along a line A-A in FIG.
3, showing the receptacle;
[0049] FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along a line B-B in FIG.
3, showing the receptacle;
[0050] FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along a line C-C in FIG.
3, showing the receptacle;
[0051] FIG. 11 is a front view of a cap member;
[0052] FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken along a line D-D in FIG.
11, showing the cap member;
[0053] FIG. 13 is a sectional view explaining the assembly process
of the receptacle;
[0054] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional
optical connector consisting of a receptacle and an optical
plug;
[0055] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional
receptacle;
[0056] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the conventional optical
plug;
[0057] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the conventional receptacle,
explaining an assembly process thereof wherein a sleeve member is
not yet fitted;
[0058] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the conventional receptacle,
explaining an assembly process thereof wherein a light receiving
element module and a luminescence element module both as optical
element modules are not yet fitted;
[0059] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the conventional receptacle,
explaining an assembly process thereof wherein the light receiving
element module and the luminescence element module both as optical
element modules have been fitted; and
[0060] FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the conventional receptacle,
explaining completion of the assembly process thereof wherein a cap
member has been fitted.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0061] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0062] FIG. 1 is an exploded rear-perspective view showing an
embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the present
invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded front-perspective view showing
the receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0063] And further, FIGS. 3-10 concern the connector housing, that
is, FIG. 3 is a front view, FIG. 4 is a plan view, FIG. 5 is a
bottom view, FIG. 6 is a right side view, FIG. 7 is a rear view,
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 3, FIG. 9
is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 3, and FIG. 10
is a sectional view taken along a line C-C in FIG. 3. And, FIG. 11
is a front view of a cap member, FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken
along a line D-D in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view
explaining the assembly process of the receptacle.
[0064] In FIG. 1, a reference character 1 indicates a receptacle of
the optical connector similar to a conventional one.
[0065] The receptacle 1 has a connector housing 2 which has front
and rear openings as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Through the front
opening 3 of the connector housing 2 an optical plug (not shown) is
coupled therewith, which optical plug should have basically the
same structure as the conventional optical plug 103 (FIG. 14).
[0066] And, through the rear opening 4 of the connector housing 2,
a sleeve member 5, a light receiving element module 6
(corresponding to an optical element module as claimed), a
luminescence element module 7 (corresponding to an optical element
module as claimed), and a cap member 8 in a rectangular plate-like
shape are fitted in turn.
[0067] And, the sleeve member 5, the light receiving element module
6, the luminescence element module 7, and the rectangular
plate-like cap member 8 are fitted into the receptacle 1 in the
same direction shown with the arrow X for raising the
productivity.
[0068] Hereinafter, specific structure is described. First, the
connector housing 2 is described in reference to any one of FIGS.
1-10.
[0069] The connector housing 2 is made of synthetic resin including
carbon and formed substantially in a box with a step portion
substantially in the longitudinal middle thereof. A top wall 9 of
the connector housing 2 is provided with a guide portion 10, and
right and left walls 11,12 (in view from the front of the connector
housing 2) are provided with respective substantially cylindrical
securing portions 13. And, a bottom wall 14 is provided with fixing
pins 15 projecting therefrom for mounting the receptacle 1 on
anther object (not shown).
[0070] Inside the connector housing 2, a coupling portion 16,
having the front opening 3, to couple with an optical plug (not
shown), accommodating chambers 17 to accommodate the light
receiving element module 6 and the luminescence element module 7
from the rear opening 4, and transferring tube portions 18
connecting the coupling portion 16 and the accommodating chambers
17 are formed.
[0071] The guide portion 10 projects outward from a front side
portion of the top wall 9, and guide grooves 19 communicating with
the coupling portion 16 and an engaging groove 20 to engage the
optical plug (not shown) are formed inside the guide portion
10.
[0072] The coupling portion 16 is formed in a shape capable of
receiving a plug housing (not shown) of the optical plug and is
provided with standing walls 21 vertically standing on the bottom
wall 14 substantially in the cross-center of the coupling portion
16. And, front portions of the transferring tube portions 18
protrude into the coupling portion 16.
[0073] The accommodating chambers 17 are separated with a partition
wall 25, and terminal led-out portions 22 are formed on the
respective bottoms of the accommodating chambers 17. And, engaging
portions 23 for the cap member 8 are formed on the right and left
walls 11,12 of the accommodating chambers 17.
[0074] A plurality of pressing projections 24 for the light
receiving element module 6 and the luminescence element module 7
are formed. (In the present embodiment, a pair of pressing
projections 24 are provided on each side of the partition wall 25.)
And, a pair of pressing projections 24 are provided on each of the
right and left walls 11,12 on the same level as the partition wall
25. Here, a reference character 25a indicates a guiding portion for
the cap member 8.
[0075] The terminal led-out portions 22 are opened on the bottom
wall 14, while connecting to the rear openings 4. That is, The
terminal led-out portions 22 are formed such that the rear edges of
the conventional terminal led-out portions 120 (FIG. 15) are
removed.
[0076] The engaging portions 23 are formed stepwise on the right
and left walls 11,12 near the rear openings 4 and can be formed at
the molding of the connector housing 2. A pair of engaging portions
23 are provided on each of the right and left walls 11,12 for
securing the cap member 8. Number and position of the engaging
portion 23 may be changed due to arrangement of the securing
portions 13.
[0077] The above transferring tube portion 18 is cylindrically
formed with a step on each of the outer and inner surfaces, and a
ferrule member of an optical plug (not shown) is inserted in its
front small-diameter portion 26. And, the sleeve member 5 is
inserted in a rear large-diameter portion 27 of the transferring
tube portion 18, which rear large-diameter portion 27 is provided
with four pressing projections 28 at the same intervals for
pressing the sleeve member 5. The rear large-diameter portion 27 is
formed with a depth that a rear portion of a sleeve member 5
inserted therein is exposed in the accommodating chamber 17.
[0078] The transferring tube portion 18 is formed such that
longitudinal axis of the ferrule member and the sleeve member 5 are
substantially aligned on an longitudinal axis of the transferring
tube portion 18.
[0079] Next, the sleeve member 5 is described, referring to FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0080] The sleeve member 5 has the same structure as the
conventional sleeve member 105 (FIG. 15) and, that is, consists of
an optical waveguide portion 30 made of glass or synthetic resin
and consisting of both of a core and a clad portion and a
cylindrical holder portion 31 made of metal.
[0081] Since the sleeve member 5 has such a structure, for example,
an optical fiber with the same length as the sleeve member 5 is
capable of substituting for the sleeve member 5. In such a case,
the core portion, made of glass or synthetic resin, of the optical
fiber corresponds to the optical waveguide portion 30 and a sheath,
made of synthetic resin, of the optical fiber corresponds to the
holder portion 31.
[0082] And, the light receiving element module 6 and the
luminescence element module 7 are described, also referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0083] The light receiving element module 6 and the luminescence
element module 7 are formed by putting a light receiving element
(not shown) and a luminescence element (not shown) (both
corresponding to the optical element portion as claimed) in
respective molded portions 32,33 which are molded out of a
synthetic resin exhibiting almost the same transmittance as, for
example, the optical waveguide portion 30 of the sleeve member 5.
The molded portions 32,33 each have four terminals 34,35.
[0084] The molded portions 32,33 are provided with respective
circular holes 36,37 corresponding to respective front portions of
the light receiving element and the luminescence element for
accommodating the sleeve members 5 projecting from the respective
transferring tube portions 18 into the accommodating chambers 17.
By forming the holes 36,37, when the light receiving element module
6 and the luminescence element module 7 are accommodated in the
accommodating chambers 17, rear portions of the sleeve members 5
are received in the holes 36,37, the sleeve members 5 come closer
to the light receiving element and the luminescence element.
[0085] Here, a photodiode (PD) and a light emitting diode (LED) may
be used as the light receiving element and the luminescence
element, respectively.
[0086] Further, the cap member 8 is described.
[0087] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cap member 8 is formed in a
rectangular plate-like shape and is provided with a pair of
projecting portions 38, four securing projections 39, eight pushing
projections 40, being in vertically two lines, and a frame portion
41 all on the front side surface from which the cap member 8 is
fitted to the connector housing 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Also, the cap
member 8 is provided with a recess 42 between the pair of
projecting portions 38,38.
[0088] The projecting portions 38 are formed at a bottom edge
portion of the cap member 8, project inward the terminal led-out
portions 22, and come close to the terminals 34,35 at an attaching
process of the cap member 8 . And, the securing projections 39 each
substantially in a shape of claw and a pair of securing projections
39 project from each of right and left end portions of the cap
member 8. The securing projections 39 engage the engaging portions
23 and prevent the cap member 8 from falling off.
[0089] The pushing projections 40 project so as to push the light
receiving element module 6 and the luminescence element module 7
toward the transferring tube portion 18 in the longitudinal
direction thereof at the attaching process of the cap member 8.
And, the guiding portion 25a of the partition wall 25 enters the
recess 42 at the attaching process of the cap member 8.
[0090] The cap member 8 is made of the same material as the
connector housing 2 in the present embodiment.
[0091] Next, the assembly process of the receptacle 1 is described,
referring to FIG. 13. For example, after vertically arranging the
connector housing 2, that is, the longitudinal axis of the
transferring tube portion 18 becomes vertical, the sleeve members
5, the light receiving element module 6, the luminescence element
module 7, and the cap member 8 are fitted in turn to the connector
housing 2 in the arrow X direction, improving the productivity
compared with the conventional process.
[0092] That is, since the light receiving element module 6 and the
luminescence element module 7 can be fitted in the accommodating
chambers 17 without inclining them as the same way as the sleeve
members 5 and as the cap member 8 in the same direction (i.e. in
the arrow X direction), the productivity can be raised.
[0093] And, since the terminal led-out portions 22 continues from
the rear opening 4, the light receiving element module 6 and the
luminescence element module 7 can be smoothly fitted in the
accommodating chambers 17 without any obstacle, thereby raising the
productivity.
[0094] Further, since assembly work such as the above turning work
in the assembly process can be eliminated, automatic assembly work
is easily available, thereby raising the productivity.
[0095] Though the terminal led-out portions 22 continue from the
rear opening 4, the cap member 8 is secured to the connector
housing 2, since the securing projections 39 of the cap member 8
engage the engaging portions 23.
[0096] Besides, since the cap member 8 is provided with the
projecting portions 38 projecting inward the respective terminal
led-out portions 22, the light receiving element and the
luminescence element of the light receiving element module 6 and
the luminescence element module 7, respectively, can fully
perform.
[0097] The present invention can be variously changed and modified
by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present
invention, which should be construed as being included therein.
[0098] For example, though a receptacle for a two-core optical
connector has been described hereinabove, the present invention can
be applied to a receptacle for a one-core two-way optical
connector.
* * * * *