U.S. patent application number 16/775421 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-29 for optical connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Steve Cheng, Japan Communication Accessories Manufacturing Co., Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Steve CHENG, Motoyoshi KIMURA, Masaki OMURA, Kenichiro OTSUKA.
Application Number | 20210231884 16/775421 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005705643 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210231884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OTSUKA; Kenichiro ; et
al. |
July 29, 2021 |
OPTICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
An optical connector is disclosed. The optical connector
includes a rear housing, an inner housing, and an outer housing.
The inner housing includes a retaining hole to accommodate a
ferrule. The outer housing is disposed on an outer periphery of the
inner housing to cover a front portion of the inner housing. The
outer housing rotates about the central axis with respect to the
inner housing by a rotation guiding mechanism cooperating with an
adapter for connecting the optical connector to another optical
connector. The outer housing includes a front wall covering the
distal end of the inner housing. The front wall includes at least
one opening region. The opening region corresponds to a fiber
exposed surface of the ferrule when the outer housing is rotated
with respect to the inner housing from an initial position to a
connected position by the rotation guiding mechanism.
Inventors: |
OTSUKA; Kenichiro; (Osaka,
JP) ; KIMURA; Motoyoshi; (Komaki-shi, JP) ;
OMURA; Masaki; (Osaka, JP) ; CHENG; Steve;
(Emerald Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cheng; Steve
SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Japan Communication Accessories Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
Emerald Hills
Osaka
Komaki-shi |
CA |
US
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES,
LTD.
Osaka
CA
Japan Communication Accessories Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Komaki-shi
Cheng; Steve
Emerald Hills
|
Family ID: |
1000005705643 |
Appl. No.: |
16/775421 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3866 20130101;
G02B 6/3887 20130101; G02B 6/3893 20130101; G02B 6/3871 20130101;
G02B 6/387 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38 |
Claims
1. An optical connector having a central axis extending between a
front end and a rear end, comprising: a rear housing located at the
rear end of the optical connector, the rear housing allowing an
optical fiber cable to be inserted therethrough; an inner housing
comprising at least one retaining hole configured to accommodate a
ferrule at a distal end thereof, a rear portion of the inner
housing being accommodated in the rear housing; and an outer
housing disposed on an outer periphery of the inner housing to
cover a front portion of the inner housing, the outer housing being
configured to rotate with respect to the inner housing about the
central axis by a rotation guiding mechanism cooperating with an
adapter for connecting the optical connector to another optical
connector, wherein the outer housing includes a front wall covering
the distal end of the inner housing, the front wall includes at
least one opening region, and the opening region is configured to
correspond to a fiber exposed surface of the ferrule when the outer
housing is rotated with respect to the inner housing from an
initial position to a connected position by the rotation guiding
mechanism.
2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotation
guiding mechanism includes a guide protrusion located on an outer
surface of the outer housing.
3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotation
guiding mechanism includes a pair of guide protrusions located on
an outer surface of the outer housing.
4. The optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the pair of
guide protrusions are located adjacent to a front end of the
optical connector.
5. The optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the pair of
guide protrusions are symmetrically located with respect to the
central axis.
6. The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a resilient member pressing the outer housing toward the front end
and pressing the rear housing toward the rear end.
7. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer
housing comprises a cleaner inside the front wall, the cleaner
cleaning a distal end of an optical fiber.
8. The optical connector according to claim 7, wherein the cleaner
is wound around the front wall through the opening region.
9. The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising:
a ferrule accommodating a distal end portion of at least one of
optical fibers accommodated in the optical fiber cable, the ferrule
being provided with a recess at a center of the front end of the
ferrule.
10. The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising:
an optical fiber cable including a plurality of optical fibers
accommodated therein, the optical fiber cable being inserted
through the rear housing; and a holding member holding the optical
fiber cable inside the rear housing.
11. An optical connecting structure comprising: the optical
connector according to claim 1, and the adapter configured to
connect the optical connector to the another optical connector.
12. The optical connecting structure according to claim 11, wherein
the rotation guiding mechanism comprises: a guide groove provided
on an inner peripheral surface of the adapter, the guide groove
comprising an inclined portion inclining with respect to the
central axis; and a guide protrusion located on an outer peripheral
surface of the outer housing, the guide protrusion protruding
toward the guide groove, wherein the outer housing rotates with
respect to the inner housing between the initial position and the
connected position due to a movement of the guide protrusion in the
guide groove.
13. The optical connecting structure according to claim 11, wherein
the rotation guiding mechanism comprises: a pair guide grooves
provided on an inner peripheral surface of the adapter, the pair of
guide grooves each comprising an inclined portion inclining with
respect to the central axis; and a pair of guide protrusions
located on an outer peripheral surface of the outer housing, the
pair of guide protrusions protruding respectively toward the
corresponding guide grooves, wherein the outer housing rotates with
respect to the inner housing between the initial position and the
connected position due to movements of the guide protrusions in the
corresponding guide grooves.
14. The optical connecting structure according to claim 13, wherein
each of the pair of guide grooves comprises a first straight
portion and a second straight portion extending respectively from
both ends of the inclined portion along the central axis.
15. The optical connecting structure according to claim 11, wherein
the adapter further comprises a latch to engage with the inner
housing of the optical connecter.
16. The optical connecting structure according to claim 15, wherein
the rear housing of the optical connector further comprises a
releasing portion having a slope to release the latch of the
adapter after the optical connector is inserted into the adapter
and locked to the adapter by the latch.
17. The optical connecting structure according to claim 16, wherein
the releasing portion has a protruding shape toward outside of the
optical connector, and the protruding shape includes the slope.
18. The optical connecting structure according to claim 16, wherein
the rear housing further comprises a cutout configured to expose a
protrusion of the inner housing, the protrusion being configured to
engage with the latch of the adapter, and wherein the releasing
portion is located adjacent to an edge of the cutout.
19. A method of connecting the optical connector according to claim
1 to another optical connector using the adapter, the method
comprising the steps of: (a) aligning a first structure of the
rotation guiding mechanism provided on the outer housing with a
second structure of the rotation guiding mechanism provided on the
adapter; (b) linearly moving the outer hosing toward the adapter
along the central axis after Step (a); and (c) converting the
linear movement of the outer housing into a rotational movement of
the outer housing by the rotational guiding mechanism provided on
the outer housing and the adapter to rotate the outer housing from
the initial position to the connected position, wherein the fiber
exposed surface of the ferrule is located in the opening region
provided in the front wall of the outer housing in Step (c), and
the fiber exposed surface of the ferrule is pushed out from the
front wall to an inside of the adapter.
20. A method of releasing the optical connector connected to the
another optical connector by the method according to claim 19 from
the adapter, the method comprising the step of: (d) pulling the
rear housing or the outer housing away from the adapter to rotate
the outer housing from the connected position to the initial
position by the rotation guiding mechanism.
Description
SUMMARY
[0001] This disclosure provides an optical connector which has a
central axis extending between a front end and a rear end. The
optical connector includes a rear housing, an inner housing, and an
outer housing. The rear housing is located at the rear end of the
optical connector. The rear housing allows an optical fiber cable
to be inserted therethrough. The inner housing has at least one
retaining hole configured to accommodate a ferrule at a distal end
thereof. A rear portion of the inner housing is accommodated in the
rear housing. The outer housing is disposed on an outer periphery
of the inner housing to cover a front portion of the inner housing.
The outer housing is configured to rotate with respect to the inner
housing about the central axis by a rotation guiding mechanism
cooperating with an adapter for connecting the optical connector to
another optical connector. The outer housing includes a front wall
which covers the distal end of the inner housing. At least one
opening region is provided in the front wall. The opening region is
configured to correspond to a fiber exposed surface of the ferrule
when the outer housing is rotated with respect to the inner housing
from an initial position to a connected position by the rotation
guiding mechanism.
[0002] This disclosure also provides an optical connecting
structure. The optical connecting structure includes the optical
connector and the adapter. The adapter is configured to connect the
optical connector to another optical connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages
will be better understood from the following detailed description
of embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the
drawings, in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connecting
structure according to a first embodiment;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical connector
included in the optical connecting structure illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0006] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical
connector illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0007] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a rear housing of
the optical connector illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0008] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of an inner housing of
the optical connector illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0009] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of an MT ferrule of
the optical connector illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0010] FIGS. 7A to 7C are perspective views of an outer housing of
the optical connector illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7D is a front
view of the outer housing when seen from the front;
[0011] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an adapter included in the
optical connecting structure illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 8B is a
real view of the adapter when seen from the rear (the connection
side with respect to the optical connector), FIGS. 8C and 8D are
perspective views of the adapter when seen from another angle, and
FIG. 8E is a longitudinal sectional view of the adapter;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an internal structure
of the adapter in the optical connecting structure illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between a
position of a guide protrusion of the outer housing in a guide
groove formed in the adapter and a rotational position of the outer
housing;
[0014] FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic views sequentially showing a
position of the ferrule when the optical connector is connected to
the adapter, FIG. 11A is a view showing a position of the ferrule
when the guide protrusion is in a first straight portion of the
guide groove, FIG. 11B is a view showing a position of the ferrule
when the guide protrusion is in an inclined portion of the guide
groove, and FIG. 11C is a view showing a position of the ferrule
when the guide protrusion is in a second straight portion of the
guide groove;
[0015] FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the optical connector
at an initial position, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing
an optical connector at a connected position;
[0016] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the optical connector seen
from the front side when the optical connector is in the initial
position, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the optical
connector seen from the front side when the optical connector is in
the connected position;
[0017] FIG. 14 is a view showing an engagement position
relationship between a latch member disposed in the adapter and the
rear housing of the optical connector;
[0018] FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view showing a region which is a
distal end of each of the outer housing and the inner housing and
in which the latch member is engaged;
[0019] FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a
state in which the latch member is engaged with the inner
housing;
[0020] FIG. 17 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a
state in which the engagement state between the inner housing and
the latch member is released by the rear housing;
[0021] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the optical connector
according to a second embodiment when the optical connector is in
the initial position, and FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the
optical connector when the optical connector is in the connected
position;
[0022] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the optical
connector illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B;
[0023] FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a rear housing of the
optical connector illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B;
[0024] FIG. 20B is a perspective view of an inner housing of the
optical connector illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B;
[0025] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an outer housing of the
optical connector illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B;
[0026] FIG. 22A is a perspective view of an adapter used for
connecting the optical connector according to the second embodiment
to another optical connector, and FIG. 22B is a perspective view
showing an internal structure of the adapter illustrated in FIG.
22A;
[0027] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing connection of the
optical connector illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B to the adapter
illustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B;
[0028] FIG. 24A is a perspective view of the optical connector seen
from the front side when the optical connector is in the initial
position, and
[0029] FIG. 24B is a perspective view of the optical connector seen
from the front side when the optical connector is in the connected
position;
[0030] FIG. 25A is a perspective view of a latch member disposed in
the adapter illustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B, and FIG. 25B is a
perspective view of the rear housing of the optical connector;
[0031] FIG. 26A is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a
state in which the latch member is engaged with the inner housing
of the optical connector illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B, and FIG.
26B is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which
the engagement state between the inner housing and the latch member
is released by the rear housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Description of Embodiment According to this Disclosure
[0032] Embodiments according to this disclosure will be listed and
described. An optical connector according to one embodiment of this
disclosure is an optical connector having a central axis which
extends between a front end and a rear end. The optical connector
includes a rear housing, an inner housing, and an outer housing.
The rear housing is located at the rear end of the optical
connector and allows the optical fiber cable to be inserted
therethrough. The inner housing has at least one retaining hole
configured to accommodate a ferrule at a distal end thereof, and a
rear portion of the inner housing is accommodated in the rear
housing. The outer housing is disposed on an outer periphery of the
inner housing to cover a front portion of the inner housing. The
outer housing is configured to rotate with respect to the inner
housing about the central axis by a rotation guiding mechanism
which cooperates with an adapter for connecting the optical
connector to another optical connector. The outer housing includes
a front wall which covers the distal end of the inner housing. At
least one opening region is provided in the front wall. The opening
region is configured to correspond to a fiber exposed surface of
the ferrule when the outer housing is rotated with respect to the
inner housing from an initial position to a connected position by
the rotation guiding mechanism.
[0033] In the optical connector, when the outer housing is rotated
from the initial position to the connected position (a rotated
position) with respect to the inner housing by the rotation guiding
mechanism, the opening region of the front wall of the outer
housing moves to a position corresponding to the fiber exposed
surface of the ferrule. Therefore, when the optical connector is
rotated from the initial position to the connected position to
connect the optical connector to another connector, since a distal
end of the ferrule, that is, a distal end of the optical fiber held
by the ferrule is exposed to the outside (since it is protected
until then), it is possible to curb adhesion of dust to an end
surface of the optical fiber. Further, since the outer housing is
rotated using the rotation guiding mechanism, an operation thereof
is easy.
[0034] In one embodiment, the rotation guiding mechanism may
include a guide protrusion located on an outer surface of the outer
housing. For example, the outer housing is rotated between the
initial position and the connected position with respect to the
inner housing by the guide protrusion moving in a guide groove in
the adapter. According to this embodiment, a rotation guiding
mechanism having a simple structure is provided.
[0035] In one embodiment, the rotation guiding mechanism may
include a pair of guide protrusions located on an outer surface of
the outer housing. For example, the outer housing may be rotated
between the initial position and the connected position with
respect to the inner housing by each of the guide protrusions
moving in a corresponding guide groove in the adapter. According to
this embodiment, a rotation guiding mechanism having a simple
structure is provided.
[0036] In one embodiment, the pair of guide protrusions may be
located adjacent to a front end of the optical connector. A
rotation angle of the outer housing can be increased by disposing
each of the guide protrusions adjacent to the front end of the
optical connector.
[0037] In one embodiment, the pair of guide protrusions may be
symmetrically located with respect to the central axis.
Accordingly, the outer housing can smoothly rotate due to the guide
protrusions.
[0038] In one embodiment, the optical connector may further include
a resilient member which presses the outer housing toward the front
end and presses the rear housing toward the rear end. According to
this embodiment, the resilient member may cause the outer housing
and the rear housing to be easily restored to the initial position
when an engagement of the adapter with respect to the inner housing
is released.
[0039] In one embodiment, the outer housing may include a cleaner
inside the front wall. The cleaner may clean a distal end of the
optical fiber. According to this embodiment, when the optical
connector is rotated from the initial position to the connected
position to connect the optical connector to other optical
connector, the distal end of the ferrule may be cleaned by the
cleaner. The cleaner may be wound around the front wall through the
opening region.
[0040] In one embodiment, the optical connector may further include
a ferrule which accommodates a distal end portion of at least one
of the optical fibers accommodated in the optical fiber cable. A
recess may be provided at a center of the front end of the ferrule.
For example, when the optical connector having the above-described
configuration is downsized, in the case of the ferrule of the
related art, the rotation of the outer housing may be hindered.
However, downsizing of the optical connector is easily achieved by
employing the configuration of the ferrule with a central portion
removed, which may otherwise hinder the rotation, as in the
embodiment.
[0041] In one embodiment, the optical connector may further include
an optical fiber cable in which a plurality of optical fibers are
accommodated, and a holding member which holds the optical fiber
cable inside the rear housing. The optical fiber cable may be
inserted through the rear housing.
[0042] A connecting structure according to one embodiment of this
disclosure includes any one of the above-described optical
connectors, and an adapter configured to connect the optical
connector to another optical connector.
[0043] In one embodiment, the rotation guiding mechanism may
include a guide groove provided in an inner peripheral surface of
the adapter, and a guide protrusion located on an outer peripheral
surface of the outer housing. The guide groove may include an
inclined portion which is inclined with respect to the central
axis. The guide protrusion may protrude toward the guide groove. In
the connecting structure, the outer housing may rotate with respect
to the inner housing between the initial position and the connected
position due to a movement of the guide protrusion in the guide
groove.
[0044] In one embodiment, the rotation guiding mechanism may
include a pair of guide grooves provided in an inner peripheral
surface of the adapter, and a pair of guide protrusions located on
an outer peripheral surface of the outer housing. The respective
guide grooves may comprise an inclined portion which is inclined
with respect to the central axis. The respective guide protrusions
may protrude toward the corresponding guide grooves. In the
connecting structure, the outer housing may rotate with respect to
the inner housing between the initial position and the connected
position due to movements of the guide protrusions in the
corresponding guide grooves.
[0045] In one embodiment, each of the pair of guide grooves may
include a first straight portion and a second straight portion
which extend respectively from both ends of the inclined portion
along the central axis.
[0046] In one embodiment, the adapter may further include a latch
member which is engaged with the inner housing of the optical
connecter. Accordingly, the optical connector is firmly attached to
the adapter.
[0047] In one embodiment, the rear housing of the optical connector
may further include a releasing portion having a slope which
releases the latch member of the adapter after the optical
connector is inserted into the adapter and locked to the adapter by
the latch member.
[0048] In one embodiment, the releasing portion may have a
protruding shape toward outside of the optical connector, and the
protruding shape may include the slope.
[0049] In one embodiment, the rear housing may further include a
cutout configured to expose a protrusion of the inner housing. The
protrusion may be configured to engage with the latch member of the
adapter. The releasing portion may be disposed adjacent to an edge
of the cutout.
[0050] A method of connecting the optical connector to another
optical connector using an adapter according to one embodiment of
this disclosure includes the following steps:
(a) aligning a first structure of the rotation guiding mechanism
provided on the outer housing with a second structure of the
rotation guiding mechanism provided on the adapter, (b) linearly
moving the outer hosing toward the adapter along the central axis
after Step (a), and (c) converting the linear movement of the outer
housing into a rotational movement of the outer housing by the
rotational guiding mechanisms provided on the outer housing and the
adapter and rotating the outer housing from the initial position to
the connected position, wherein the fiber exposed surface of the
ferrule is located in the opening region provided in the front wall
of the outer housing in Step (c), and the fiber exposed surface of
the ferrule protrudes from the front wall toward an inside of the
adapter.
[0051] A method of releasing the optical connector connected to
another optical connector from the adapter according to one
embodiment of this disclosure includes the following step:
(d) pulling the rear housing or the outer housing away from the
adapter and rotating the outer housing from the connected position
to the initial position by the rotation guiding mechanism.
Details of Embodiment of this Disclosure
[0052] Specific examples of the optical connector and the optical
connecting structure according to an embodiment of this disclosure
will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present
invention is not limited to these examples but is defined by the
scope of the claims and is intended to include all modifications
within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.
In the following description, the same reference numerals are given
to the same elements in the description of the drawings, and
overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
First Embodiment
[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connecting
structure according to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.
1, the optical connecting structure 1 includes an optical connector
10 and an adapter 100. In the optical connecting structure 1, when
the optical connector 10 is inserted into the adapter 100 and
locked at a predetermined position, the optical connector 10 can be
optically connected to another optical connector. The other optical
connector 40A is inserted into the adapter 100 from the side
opposite to the optical connector 10 along a central axis G (refer
to FIG. 11C).
[0054] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical connector
according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view
of the optical connector illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical connector 10 is a substantially
cylindrical member which extends along a central axis G extending
from a front end 10a toward a rear end 10b and includes a rear
housing 20, an inner housing 30, an MT ferrule 40, an outer housing
50, a caulking ring 60, an MT rear 70, and an MT spring 80. In the
optical connector 10, the inner housing 30, the MT ferrule 40, the
caulking ring 60, the MT rear 70, and the MT spring 80 are
accommodated inside the rear housing 20 and the outer housing 50.
Further, a pair of spacing springs 38 are disposed on a side
surface of the inner housing 30 (refer to FIG. 12B), and thus the
rear housing 20 and the outer housing 50 are biased in directions
away from (repelling) each other. In the optical connector 10, the
optical fiber cable C is inserted into the connector through the
rear housing 20 and is held in the optical connector 10 by the MT
rear 70 and the caulking ring 60. The optical fiber cable C
accommodates a large number (in one example, 8 cores) of optical
fibers therein. Distal end portions of the optical fibers exposed
from a distal end of the optical fiber cable C are held by the MT
ferrule 40, and fiber exposed ends are exposed from a front end
face of the MT ferrule 40.
[0055] In the optical connector 10, although details will be
described later, when the outer housing 50 rotates by a
predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) about the central
axis G with respect to the rear housing 20, the inner housing 30,
and the MT ferrule 40 in cooperation with the adapter 100, exposed
surfaces of the optical fibers held by the MT ferrule 40 protrude
from a distal end of the outer housing 50. The optical connector 10
can be connected to another optical connector in the adapter 100 by
such a rotation operation (refer to, for example, FIGS. 12B and
13B). At this time, the outer housing 50 moves rearward along the
central axis G with respect to the inner housing 30 and the like.
Although the MT ferrule accommodated in another optical connector
has the same configuration as the MT ferrule 40, the MT ferrule
does not have a guide pin but has a guide hole (corresponding to a
guide hole 48) in which the guide pin of the MT ferrule 40 is
inserted. Thus, both ferrules are aligned with each other. Further,
in the following description, the side to which the MT ferrule 40
protrudes may be referred to as "front (end)" or "forward," and the
side into which the optical fiber cable C is inserted may be
referred to as "rear (end)" or "rearward."
[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear housing 20 is a
member which is disposed adjacent to the rear end 10b of the
optical connector 10 and inserts the optical fiber cable C
therethrough. FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the rear
housing 20, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the rear housing 20
when seen from the rear, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the
rear housing when seen from the front. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to
4B, the rear housing 20 includes a boot portion 21 having an inner
hole into which the optical fiber cable C or the optical fiber is
inserted, and a housing portion 22 formed in communication with the
boot portion 21 and having an outer diameter larger than that of
the boot portion 21. An outer shape of the housing portion 22 is
substantially cylindrical and includes a first housing portion 22a
on the front side and a second housing portion 22b on the rear
side. Since the first housing portion 22a is accommodated in the
outer housing 50, an outer diameter thereof is smaller than that of
the second housing portion 22b. The optical fiber cable C is not
fixed to the rear housing 20, passes through the MT rear 70
accommodated in the rear housing 20 and is fixed into the MT rear
70 by the caulking ring 60 screwed into the MT rear 70. The MT rear
70 is fixed to the inner housing 30 by fitting a pair of
protrusions 71 into a pair of openings 34 on the rear end side of
the inner housing 30.
[0057] The rear housing 20 has a pair of openings 23 in a region
adjacent to the second housing portion 22b of the first housing
portion 22a. The pair of openings 23 are provided at
point-symmetric positions about the central axis G. When the inner
housing 30 is inserted and disposed in a through hole 24 passing
through the rear housing 20, a pair of protrusions 35 of the inner
housing 30 are engaged with the pair of openings 23, and thus the
inner housing 30 is positioned with respect to the rear housing 20.
Since each of the openings 23 has a predetermined length along the
central axis G, the inner housing 30 can move a predetermined
distance along the central axis G with respect to the rear housing
20.
[0058] The rear housing 20 further includes a pair of guide
openings 25 in the vicinity of a front end of the first housing
portion 22a. The pair of guide openings 25 have a point-symmetric
shape about the central axis G, and each of the guide openings 25
includes a substantially triangular portion 25a, and straight
portions 25b and 25c which extend from both ends thereof in
opposite directions along the central axis G. When a front portion
of the rear housing 20 is accommodated in the outer housing 50,
guide protrusions 56a and 56b provided point-symmetrically on an
inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 50 are located in
each of the guide openings 25. When the outer housing 50 rotates
with respect to the rear housing 20 and the inner housing 30,
movement of the outer housing 50 in a rotational direction and a
linear movement thereof in the direction along the central axis G
are guided by the guide protrusions 56a and 56b moving along an
edge in the guide openings 25.
[0059] In the rear housing 20, a pair of cutouts 26 are further
provided in front of the central axis G of the pair of openings 23
and between the pair of guide openings 25 in a circumferential
direction. Each of the cutouts 26 is provided point-symmetrically
with respect to the central axis G and is formed to extend along
the central axis G. A pair of projecting portions 27 which extend
along the central axis G are provided on both edges of each of the
cutouts 26. The pair of projecting portions 27 are thin
plate-shaped portions which extend along the central axis G and
have a trapezoidal shape in a side view. Each of the projecting
portions 27 has a first slope 27a on the rear end side, a flat
portion 27b on a center, and a second slope 27c on the front end
side (refer FIG. 15). When the optical connector 10 is inserted and
locked into the adapter 100, latches 112 and 113 of a latch member
110 are respectively located in the cutouts 26, and the latches 112
and 113 are engaged with latch steps 36 of the inner housing 30
corresponding to the cutouts 26. Thus, the optical connector 10 is
connected to the adapter 100. The pair of projecting portions 27
are used when the latch engagement is released. Details will be
described later.
[0060] The rear housing 20 having the above-described configuration
may be formed of a resin material such as polycarbonate (PC),
polyetherimide (PEI), polyamide (PA), polyacetal (POM),
polyphenylene ether (PPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or
polyethersulfone (PES) and has predetermined toughness and low
frictional sliding characteristics. The inner housing 30, the outer
housing 50, the adapter 100, or the like may also be formed of the
same material.
[0061] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 3 and FIGS. 5A to 5B, the inner
housing 30 has a substantially elliptic cylindrical shape and has a
pair of flat surfaces 31 on an outer surface thereof. Both flat
surfaces 31 are parallel to each other. FIGS. 5A and 5B are
perspective views of the inner housing 30, FIG. 5A is a perspective
view of the inner housing 30 when seen from the rear, and FIG. 5B
is a perspective view of the inner housing 30 when seen from the
front. A through hole 32 which extends from the front end toward
the rear end is provided in the inner housing 30. A step 33 is
provided in the vicinity of the front end of the through hole 32,
and an opening region of the through hole 32 in front of the step
33 is narrowed. With such a configuration, a front portion of the
MT ferrule 40 inserted from a rear end of the inner housing 30 can
protrude from a front end of the inner housing 30. The MT ferrule
40 is biased forward by the MT spring 80 disposed behind the MT
ferrule 40. The through hole 32 having the step 33 serves as a
holding hole for accommodating the ferrule 40. Further, the MT rear
70 for biasing the MT ferrule 40 forward by the MT spring 80 is
inserted from a rear end of the through hole 32.
[0062] The pair of openings 34 and the pair of protrusions 35 are
provided at a rear end of an outer peripheral surface of the inner
housing 30. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B disclose one opening 34 and
one protrusion 35, the other opening 34 and protrusion 35 disposed
in a point symmetry with respect to the central axis G or a
rotational symmetry with respect to the central axis G also have
the same configuration. A pair of protrusions 71 of the MT rear 70
are engaged with the pair of openings 34. Due to this engagement,
the MT ferrule is accommodated in the inner housing 30 in a state
in which the MT ferrule is biased forward. Further, the pair of
protrusions 35 are disposed in the pair of openings 23 of the rear
housing 20 in a slidable state. Accordingly, the inner housing 30
can move linearly along the central axis G at a certain distance
with respect to the rear housing 20.
[0063] A pair of latch steps 36 are provided at a front end of an
outer surface of the inner housing 30. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B
disclose one latch step 36, the other latch step 36 disposed in a
point symmetry with respect to the central axis G or a rotational
symmetry with respect to the central axis G also has the same
configuration. When the optical connector 10 is connected to the
adapter 100, the latches 112 and 113 of the latch member 110
disposed in the adapter 100 are engaged with the pair of latch
steps 36, respectively. Thus, the optical connector 10 including
the inner housing 30 is fixed to the adapter 100.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6A to 6B, the MT ferrule 40 is
a member which has through holes 41 for accommodating a plurality
of optical fibers and holds each of the optical fibers so that a
distal end of each of the optical fibers is exposed from the front
end thereof. The basic configuration of the MT ferrule 40 is the
same as that of the MT ferrule of the related art, but as
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a recess 42 is provided in the
vicinity of the central axis G at the front end. The MT ferrule 40
is divided into two exposed surfaces 43a and 43b by the recess 42.
The distal ends of the optical fibers are respectively exposed from
the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b. Each of the optical fibers is
inserted into each of the through holes 41 from openings 44a and
44b of the MT ferrule 40 on the rear end side and is held by the MT
ferrule 40 so that the distal end of each of the optical fibers is
exposed to openings 45a and 45b which are distal ends of the
through holes 41 (that is, the distal ends of the optical fibers
coincide with the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b).
[0065] The MT ferrule 40 has a flange 47 having a recess 46 on the
rear end side thereof. A distal end of the MT spring 80 is
accommodated in the recess 46 of the flange 47, and thus the MT
ferrule 40 is biased forward. At that time, since the flange 47 is
caught by the step 33 inside the inner housing 30, the MT ferrule
40 is held not to protrude further from the inner housing 30.
Further, the MT ferrule 40 has a pair of guide holes 48
(non-through holes) which extend from the front end toward the rear
end. The guide holes 48 are respectively located outside the
openings 45a and 45b through which the optical fiber is exposed. In
the MT ferrule 40 of the optical connector 10, for example, guide
pins 49 are inserted into the guide holes 48. In this case, there
are no guide pins in the guide holes of the ferrule of the
counterpart optical connector, and when the optical connector 10 is
connected to another optical connector via the adapter 100, the
guide pins 49 are inserted into the guide holes of the other
optical connector, and axes of both optical connectors are
aligned.
[0066] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 3 and FIGS. 7A to 7D, the outer
housing 50 is a member which is disposed to cover the outer
periphery of the front portion of the inner housing 30 and has a
front wall 51 which covers the fiber exposed surfaces 43a and 43b
of the MT ferrule 40. FIGS. 7A to 7C are perspective views of the
outer housing 50, and FIG. 7D is a front view of the outer housing
50 when seen from the front. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the
outer housing 50 includes the front wall 51, opening regions 52a
and 52b, a connecting portion 52c, a cleaner 53, a pair of guide
protrusions 54a and 54b, opening portions 55a and 55b, and a pair
of guide protrusions 56a and 56b.
[0067] The pair of guide protrusions 54a and 54b of the outer
housing 50 are inserted into guide grooves 104 and 105 provided in
an inner peripheral surface of the adapter 100. The outer housing
50 rotates about the central axis G with respect to the rear
housing 20 or the inner housing 30 by the pair of guide protrusions
54a and 54b moving forward along the central axis G in the guide
grooves 104 and 105 of the adapter 100. Further, at this time, the
outer housing 50 moves rearward along the central axis G with
respect to the rear housing 20 or the inner housing 30. The
rotation and the rearward linear movement are guided by the
movement of the pair of guide protrusions 56a and 56b inside the
outer housing 50 within the guide openings 25 of the rear housing
20.
[0068] The outer housing 50 has a pair of opening regions 52a and
52b in the front wall 51 at the front end. The connecting portion
52c is provided between the pair of opening regions 52a and 52b.
The connecting portion 52c is configured to move to a position
corresponding to the recess 42 of the MT ferrule 40 when the outer
housing 50 is rotated to this connected position. That is, the
connecting portion 52c is accommodated in the recess 42 when
rotated. On the other hand, a cleaner 53 for cleaning an end
surface of the optical fiber is provided on a back surface of the
connecting portion 52c (refer to FIG. 7C) and covers the exposed
surface of the optical fiber (the openings 45a and 45b at the front
end of the MT ferrule 40) in a normal state. Additionally, in the
case in which the optical connector 10 is connected to the adapter
100, when the outer housing 50 rotates with respect to the inner
housing 30 or the like, the outer housing 50 moves in a direction
(rearward) approaching the inner housing 30 or the like, and the
exposed surfaces of the optical fibers exposed from the openings
45a and 45b are cleaned using the rotation operation of the outer
housing 50.
[0069] The cleaner 53 is slightly separated from the exposed
surfaces 43a and 43b at the front end of the MT ferrule 40 in the
initial position. When the outer housing 50 rotates, the inner
housing 30 slightly advances with respect to the outer housing 50,
and a front end surface of the MT ferrule 40 is in close contact
with the cleaner 53 by this advance. After that, when the outer
housing 50 rotates continuously, the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b
of the MT ferrule 40 in which the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b are
in close contact with the cleaner 53 move toward the opening
regions 52a and 52b of the outer housing 50, and the front end
surface of the MT ferrule 40 is cleaned by the cleaner 53 by the
rotation operation at that time. With this cleaning, a decrease in
connection loss due to attached dust or the like is curbed when an
optical connection is performed using the optical connector 10. The
cleaner 53 is attached to an inner surface of the front wall 51 to
be parallel to the front end surface of the MT ferrule 40 with a
slight gap in the initial position, but when the front end surface
of the MT ferrule 40 is an inclined surface, the cleaner 53 may be
attached to the front wall 51 to be inclined with respect to a
surface orthogonal to the central axis G. Further, the outer
housing 50 may be formed of the same material as that of the rear
housing 20 as described above, but may be formed of a transparent
member (for example, a resin material of polycarbonate or
polyetherimide) to make the position of the MT ferrule 40 visible
from the outside.
[0070] Next, a configuration of the adapter 100 to which the
optical connector 10 having the above-described configuration is
connected will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and
8A to 8E. The adapter 100 is a member which optically couples the
optical connector 10 to another optical connector while adjusting
the connected position of each of the optical fibers of the optical
connector 10 (that is, to coincide with the connected position of
each of the optical fibers of the other optical connector). As
illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8E, the adapter 100 is a substantially
cylindrical member and has a through hole 103 so that the front
portion of each of the optical connectors can be accommodated from
both a front end 101 and a rear end 102 along the central axis G.
The latch member 110 is installed in the through hole 103 of the
adapter 100 and connects each of the optical connectors to the
adapter 100.
[0071] A pair of guide grooves 104 and 105 which rotates the outer
housing 50 of the optical connector 10 about a central axis G with
respect to the inner housing 30 or the like by a predetermined
angle (for example, 90 degrees) when the optical connector 10 is
inserted into the adapter 100 are provided in the adapter 100. The
pair of guide grooves 104 and 105 are configured to be
point-symmetric about the central axis G. As illustrated in FIGS.
8C and 8E, the guide groove 104 includes a first straight portion
104a at a rear end thereof which is an insertion side of the
optical connector 10, an inclined portion 104b which is connected
to the first straight portion 104a and inclined along an inner
peripheral surface thereof, and a second straight portion 104c
which is connected to the inclined portion 104b and extends into
the adapter 100 along the central axis G. The inclined portion 104b
is inclined with respect to the central axis G. The other guide
groove 105 also has a point-symmetric shape and includes a first
straight portion 105a, an inclined portion 105b, and a second
straight portion 105c, as illustrated in FIG. 8D. The guide
protrusions 54a and 54b of the outer housing are respectively
disposed in these guide grooves 104 and 105.
[0072] Here, the rotation operation of the outer housing 50 when
the optical connector 10 is connected to the adapter 100 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11A to 11C. FIG. 9 is a
perspective view showing an internal structure of the adapter 100
in the optical connecting structure 1. FIG. 10 is a view showing a
relationship between a position of the guide protrusion 54a of the
outer housing 50 in the guide groove 105 of the adapter 100 and a
rotational position of the outer housing 50. FIGS. 11A to 11C are
schematic views sequentially showing a position of the MT ferrule
40 when the optical connector 10 is connected to the adapter 100,
FIG. 11A is a view showing the position of the MT ferrule 40 when
the guide protrusions 54b and 54a are in the first straight
portions 104a and 105a of the guide grooves 104 and 105, FIG. 11B
is a view showing the position of the MT ferrule 40 when the guide
protrusions 54b and 54a are in the inclined portions 104b and 105b
of the guide grooves 104 and 105, and FIG. 11C is a view showing
the position of the MT ferrule 40 when the guide protrusions 54b
and 54a are in the second straight portions 104c and 105c of the
guide grooves 104 and 105.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the optical connector 10
moves forward along the central axis G to connect the optical
connector 10 to the adapter 100, the guide protrusions 54b and 54a
of the outer housing 50 are respectively inserted into the first
straight portions 104a and 105a of the corresponding guide grooves
104 and 105 (refer to (a) portion of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11A).
[0074] Subsequently, when the optical connector 10 is further
pushed forward in this state, the guide protrusions 54b and 54a
move in the inclined portions 104b and 105b of the guide grooves
104 and 105 in an inner circumferential direction, and the outer
housing 50 rotates about the central axis G with respect to the
inner housing 30 or the like according to this movement in the
inclined direction (movement in a spiral) (refer to (b) portion of
FIG. 10 and FIG. 11B). During this rotation operation, the distal
ends of the optical fibers held by the MT ferrule 40 is cleaned by
the cleaner 53 disposed on the back surface of the connecting
portion 52c of the outer housing 50.
[0075] Subsequently, when the guide protrusions 54b and 54a move to
distal ends of the inclined portions 104b and 105b in the adapter
100, the guide protrusions 54b and 54a move to distal ends of the
second straight portions 104c and 105c (refer to (c) portion of
FIG. 10 and FIG. 11C). With this movement, the rear housing 20 or
the inner housing 30 moves linearly further forward along the
central axis G with respect to the outer housing 50, thus the front
portion of the MT ferrule 40 protrudes from the opening regions 52a
and 52b of the outer housing 50, and the MT ferrule 40 is in a
state in which it can be connected to the MT ferrule of the other
optical connector 40A. At this time, the inner housing 30 of the
optical connector 10 is engaged and locked by the latches 112 and
113 of the latch member 110 installed in the adapter 100.
[0076] With such an operation, the optical connector 10 is rotated
from the initial position (refer to FIG. 12A and FIG. 13A) in which
the fiber exposed surface (the openings 45a and 45b) of the MT
ferrule 40 is covered by the connecting portion 52c and the cleaner
53, to the connected position (refer to FIG. 12B and FIG. 13B)
which the fiber exposed surface of the MT ferrule 40 has been
cleaned by the cleaner 53 and protrudes from the opening regions
52a and 52b of the outer housing 50 to be in a connectable state.
FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the optical connector in the
initial position, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing the
optical connector in the connected position after rotation. FIG.
13A is a perspective view of the optical connector seen from the
front when the optical connector is in the initial position, and
FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the optical connector seen from
the front when the optical connector is in the connected position
after rotation. With such a rotation operation, the opening regions
52a and 52b of the outer housing 50 are aligned with the exposed
surface of the optical fiber of the MT ferrule 40, and the
connecting portion 52c is accommodated in the recess 42 of the MT
ferrule 40. When the optical connector 10 is removed from the
adapter 100, the respective members are returned to the initial
position by the MT spring 80 of the optical connector 10.
[0077] The optical connector 10 (the rear housing 20, the inner
housing 30, and the outer housing 50) may be provided with a pair
of arrows 29, a pair of arrows 39, and a pair of arrows 49, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9, and the adapter 100 may be provided
with a pairs of arrows 108 and a pair of arrows 109, as illustrated
in FIGS. 8A, 8C and 8D and FIG. 9. The pair of arrows 109
corresponds to the arrows 29, the arrows 39 and the arrows 59.
Thereby, a positioning of the optical connector 10 can be achieved
by appearance when connecting the optical connector 10 to the
adapter 100. The pair of arrows 29 are provided on an outer surface
of the rear housing 20 at positions of point symmetry with respect
to the center axis G or rotational symmetry about the center axis
G, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The pair of arrows 39 are
provided on the outer surface of the inner housing 30 at positions
of point symmetry with respect to the center axis G or rotational
symmetry about the center axis G, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and
5B. The pair of arrows 59 are provided on the outer surface of the
outer housing 50 at positions of point symmetry with respect to the
center axis G or rotational symmetry about the center axis G, as
illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C. The pair of arrows 108 are provided
on the outer surface of the adapter 100 at positions of point
symmetry with respect to the center axis G or rotational symmetry
about the center axis G, and the pair of arrows 109 are provided on
the outer surface of the adapter 100 at positions of point symmetry
with respect to the center axis G or rotational symmetry about the
center axis G. This positioning provides a secure positioning in
the rotating direction of the optical connector 10 with respect to
the adapter 100 or other optical connector to be connected. The
pair of arrows 108 are used for positioning the other optical
connector with respect to the adapter 100. FIG. 9 shows one example
where the optical connector 10 is attached to the adapter 100 for
connecting the optical connector 10 to the other optical connector.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the optical connector 10 is
connected to the adapter 100, the arrows 29 and 59 are aligned with
the arrows 109 so that the protrusions 54b and 54a are easily
inserted into the guide groves 104 and 105, respectively.
[0078] The pair of arrows 29, the pair of arrows 39, and the pair
of arrows 59, and the two pair of arrows 108 and 109 may be
colored-coded each other. For example, one of the pair of arrows
29, one of the pair of arrows 39, one of the pair of arrows 59, and
one of the pair arrows 109 may be orange color, and the other of
the pair of arrows 29, the other of the pair of arrows 39, the
other of the pair of arrows 59, and the other of the pair of arrows
109 may be blue color. Thereby, an user can confirm a connecting
direction of the optical connector 10 with respect to the adapter
100, which is a rotational angle of zero (0) degree or 180 degrees,
after connecting the optical connector 10 to the adapter 100. The
pair of arrows 108 of the adapter 100 may be colored-coded. When
the above arrows are colored-coded each other, these arrows can be
used to flip fiber polarity of two adjoining connectors simply by
turning the connector upside down in alignment of the arrows. The
arrows 29, 39, 59, 108, and 109 on the connector and the adapter
may be replaced to shapes of squares, lines, circles, or the like,
as indicators.
[0079] Next, as described above, a mechanism in which the optical
connector 10 is engaged and released by the latch member 110 in the
adapter 100 when the optical connector 10 is inserted into the
adapter 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
FIG. 14 is a view showing an engagement position relationship
between the latch member 110 disposed in the adapter 100 and the
rear housing 20 of the optical connector 10. FIG. 15 is an enlarged
top view showing a region which is the distal end of each of the
rear housing 20 and the inner housing 30 and in which the latch
member 110 is engaged.
[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the latch member 110 includes a
disk portion 111, latches 112 and 113 which extend rearward from
both edges of the disk portion 111, latches 114 and 115 which
extend forward from both edges of the disk portion 111. The disk
portion 111 has the same outer diameter as an inner diameter of the
through hole 103 of the adapter 100 and is fixed at a predetermined
position inside the adapter 100 (refer to FIG. 8B and FIG. 9). The
latches 112 and 113 are members for fixing the optical connector 10
to the adapter 100, and the latches 114 and 115 are members for
fixing another optical connector to the adapter 100. The latches
112 and 113 and the latches 114 and 115 have the same shape, and
the configuration of the latches 112 and 113 will be described
below, but the configuration of the latches 114 and 115 is also the
same.
[0081] Hook portions 112a and 113a are provided at rear distal ends
of the latches 112 and 113, and release portions 112b and 113b are
provided on both edges of each of the hook portions 112a and 113a.
The hook portions 112a and 113a are configurations which are
engaged with the latch step 36 (refer to FIG. 15) of the inner
housing 30 located in an opening 26 of the rear housing 20 and fix
the optical connector 10 to the adapter 100 when the optical
connector 10 is inserted into the adapter 100. FIG. 16 shows a
state in which the hook portions 112a and 113a of the latches 112
and 113 of the latch member 110 are engaged with the latch steps 36
of the inner housing 30 in this way. When the optical connector 10
is engaged with the latch member 110, the exposed surfaces 43a and
43b of the MT ferrule 40 are located in an opening portion 111a of
the disk portion 111 of the latch member 110. Thus, the optical
connector can be optically coupled to the counterpart optical
connector.
[0082] On the other hand, when the optical connector 10 is removed
from the adapter 100 after the latch member 110 is engaged with the
inner housing 30, an operation in which the optical connector 10 is
pulled out from the adapter 100 rearward is performed. That is, an
operation in which the rear housing 20 is linearly moved rearward
with respect to the latch member 110 is performed. At this time, as
illustrated in FIG. 17, the release portions 112b and 113b provided
on both edges of the hook portions 112a and 113a climb the first
slope 27a of each of the protruding portions 27 located at both
edges of the opening 26 of the rear housing 20 to reach the flat
portion 27b and then come down along the second slope 27c.
Accordingly, the hook portions 112a and 113a are lifted up outward,
and the engagement with the latch step 36 is released.
[0083] Next, a method of connecting the optical connector 10 having
the above-described configuration to another optical connector
using the adapter 100 will be described. In this connecting method,
as described above, first, the guide protrusions 54a and 54b which
are one configuration of the rotation guiding mechanism provided on
the outer housing 50 are aligned with entrances of the guide
grooves 104 and 105 which are the other configuration of the
rotation guiding mechanism provided on the adapter 100.
Subsequently, the outer housing 50 is linearly moved toward the
adapter 100 along the central axis G, and the linear movement of
the outer housing 50 is converted into the rotational movement of
the outer housing 50 by the guide protrusions 54a and 54b and the
guide grooves 104 and 105 which are rotation guiding mechanisms
provided in the outer housing 50 and the adapter 100. Thus, the
outer housing 50 is rotated from the initial position to the
connected position by a predetermined angle (for example, 90
degrees) about the central axis G. In the connecting method, when
the rotation operation of the outer housing 50 is performed, the
fiber exposed surface of the MT ferrule 40 is located in the
opening regions 52a and 52b provided in the front wall 51 of the
outer housing 50, and the fiber exposed surface of the MT ferrule
40 protrudes from the front wall 51 toward the inside of the
adapter 100.
[0084] On the other hand, as a method of releasing the coupling of
the optical connector 10 coupled to another optical connector via
the adapter 100, the rear housing 20 or the outer housing 50 is
pulled out from the adapter 100 rearward. Additionally, the outer
housing 50 is rotated from the connected position to the initial
position by operating the above-described rotation guiding
mechanisms in a reverse direction. Thus, the MT ferrule 40 returns
to the initial position.
[0085] As described above, in the optical connector 10 according to
the embodiment, when the outer housing 50 is rotated from the
initial position to the connected position (the rotated position)
with respect to the inner housing 30 by the rotation guiding
mechanisms including the guide protrusions 54a and 54b and the
guide grooves 104 and 105, the opening regions 52a and 52b of the
front wall 51 of the outer housing 50 move to positions
corresponding to the fiber exposed surfaces of the MT ferrule 40.
Since the distal end of the MT ferrule 40, that is, the distal ends
of the optical fibers held by the MT ferrule 40 is exposed to the
outside (since it is protected until then) when the optical
connector 10 is rotated from the initial position to the connected
position to connect the optical connector 10 to another connector,
according to the optical connector 10, it is possible to curb the
adhesion of dust to the end surfaces of the optical fibers.
Further, since the outer housing 50 is rotated using the
above-described rotation guiding mechanisms, an operation thereof
is easy.
[0086] The optical connector 10 has guide protrusions 54a and 54b
located on the outer surface of the outer housing 50 as the
rotation guiding mechanism. Additionally, the outer housing 50
rotates between the initial position and the connected position
with respect to the inner housing 30 by the guide protrusions 54a
and 54b moving in the guide grooves 104 and 105 provided in the
inner peripheral wall of the adapter 100. Therefore, according to
such an optical connector 10, the rotation guiding mechanism having
a simple structure can be provided. Further, the guide protrusions
54a and 54b are disposed adjacent to the front end 10a of the
optical connector 10. Since the guide protrusions 54a and 54b are
disposed adjacent to the front end 10a of the optical connector 10,
the rotation angle of the outer housing 50 can be increased even
when the optical connector 10 is a small connector.
[0087] The pair of guide protrusions 54a and 54b and the guide
grooves 104 and 105 are formed to be point-symmetric with respect
to the central axis G. Thus, the outer housing 50 can be smoothly
rotated by the guide protrusions 54a and 54b and the guide grooves
104 and 105.
[0088] In the optical connector 10, the outer housing 50 includes
the cleaner 53 for cleaning the distal ends of the optical fibers
inside the front wall 51. In the case in which the optical
connector 10 is rotated from the initial position to the connected
position when the optical connector 10 is connected to another
connector, the distal end of the MT ferrule 40 can be cleaned by
the cleaner 53. The cleaner 53 may be wound around the front wall
51 through the opening regions 52a and 52b.
[0089] The optical connector 10 includes the MT ferrule 40 which
accommodates the distal end portions of the optical fibers
accommodated in the optical fiber cable C, and the MT ferrule 40
has the recess 42 at the center of the front end thereof. For
example, when the optical connector is downsized, in the case of
the ferrule of the related art, the rotation of the outer housing
may be hindered. However, downsizing of the optical connector 10 is
easily achieved by employing the configuration of the ferrule with
a central portion removed, which may otherwise hinder the rotation,
as in the embodiment.
Second Embodiment
[0090] Referring now to FIGS. 18A and 18B and FIG. 19, an optical
connector 210 according to a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the optical connector according
to a second embodiment when the optical connector is in the initial
position, and FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the optical
connector when the optical connector is in the connected position.
FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the optical connector
illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B. As illustrated in FIGS. 18A and
18B, the optical connector 210 is a connector to modify part of the
configuration of the optical connector 10 according to the first
embodiment, and is a substantially cylindrical member which extends
along a central axis G extending from a front end 210a toward a
rear end 210b. In the optical connector 210, a rear portion of the
outer housing 250 is accommodated inside the rear housing 220. In
the following description, different points from the optical
connector 10 will be mainly described and description of the
similar portions may be omitted.
[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the optical connector 210
includes a rear housing 220, an inner housing 230, an MT ferrule
40, an outer housing 250, a caulking ring 60, an MT rear 70, and an
MT spring 80. In the optical connector 210, the inner housing 230,
the MT ferrule 40, the caulking ring 60, the MT rear 70, and the MT
spring 80 are accommodated inside the rear housing 220 and the
outer housing 250. The basic configurations and functions of the
rear housing 220, the inner housing 230, and the outer housing 250
are the same as the configurations and the functions of the rear
housing 20, the inner housing 30, and the outer housing 50 of the
optical connector 10, respectively. The optical connector 210
further includes a spring 280 located between the inner housing 230
and the outer housing 250, instead of the pair of spacing springs
38 according to the first embodiment (refer to FIG. 12B). The
spring 280 is configured to press the outer housing 250 toward the
front end 210a so as to smoothly return the optical connector 210
from the connected position (refer to FIG. 18B) to the initial
position (refer to FIG. 18A). When the spring 280 presses the outer
housing 250, the outer housing 250 rotates about the central axis G
with respect to the rear housing 220.
[0092] The rear housing 220 is disposed adjacent to the rear end
210b of the optical connector 210 and inserts the optical fiber
cable therethrough. FIG. 20A is a perspective view of the rear
housing 220. As illustrated in FIG. 20A, the rear housing 220
includes a boot portion 221 having an inner hole into which the
optical fiber cable or the optical fiber(s) is inserted, and a
housing portion 222 formed in communication with the boot portion
221. The housing portion 222 may have a D-shaped cut so as to
prevent the optical connector 210 from unintentionally rotating
when inserting the optical connector 210 into the adapter 300
(refer to FIG. 23). Since the outer housing 250 is located inside
the rear housing 220, the rear housing 220 does not have a smaller
portion corresponding to the first portion 22a according to the
first embodiment and an outer shape of the housing portion 222 is
substantially cylindrical.
[0093] The rear housing 220 has a pair of openings 223, which are
provided at point-symmetric positions about the central axis G, as
same as the first embodiment. However, the pair of openings 223 are
located closer to the boot portion 221 than the openings 23 of the
first embodiment. When the inner housing 230 is inserted and
disposed in a through hole 224 of the rear housing 220, a pair of
protrusions 235 of the inner housing 230 are respectively engaged
with the pair of openings 223, and thus the inner housing 230 is
positioned with respect to the rear housing 220. Since each of the
openings 223 has a predetermined length along the central axis G,
the inner housing 230 can move a predetermined distance along the
central axis G with respect to the rear housing 220.
[0094] The rear housing 220 does not include portions corresponding
to a pair of guide openings 25 according to the first embodiment. A
function of the pair of guide openings 25 is provided with an inner
surface of the outer housing 250, which will be described later. On
the other hand, the rear housing 220 includes a pair of cutouts 226
provided in front of the central axis G of the pair of openings
223. Each of the cutouts 226 is provided point-symmetrically with
respect to the central axis G and is formed to extend along the
central axis G. A pair of projecting portions 227 which extend
along the central axis G are provided on both edges of each of the
cutouts 226, same as the first embodiment. The pair of projecting
portions 227 are thin plate-shaped portions which extend along the
central axis G and have a trapezoidal shape in a side view. Each of
the projecting portions 227 has a first slope 227a, a flat portion
227b, and a second slope 227c (refer FIG. 25B). When the optical
connector 210 is inserted and locked into the adapter 300, latches
312 and 313 of a latch member 310 are respectively located in the
cutouts 226, and the latches 312 and 313 are engaged with latch
steps 336 of the inner housing 330 corresponding to the cutouts
226. Thus, the optical connector 210 is connected to the adapter
300. The pair of projecting portions 227 are used when the latch
engagement is released. Details will be described later. A pair of
arrows 229 may be provided with the rear housing 220 for aligning
the optical connector 210 with the adapter 300 when connecting the
optical connector 210 to the adapter 300. The pair of arrows 229
are provided on the outer surface of the rear housing 220 at
positions of point symmetry with respect to the center axis G or
rotational symmetry about the center axis G. The pair of arrows 229
may be colored-coded each other.
[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20B, the inner housing
230 has a substantially elliptic cylindrical shape and has a pair
of flat surfaces 231, as same as the first embodiment. FIG. 20B is
a perspective view of the inner housing 230 of the optical
connector 210. A through hole 232 which extends from a front end
toward a rear end is provided in the inner housing 230. A step is
provided in the vicinity of the front end of the through hole 232,
and an opening region of the through hole 232 in front of the step
is narrowed. With such a configuration, a front portion of the MT
ferrule 40 inserted from the rear end of the inner housing 230 can
protrude from the front end of the inner housing 230. The MT
ferrule 240 is biased forward by the MT spring 80 disposed behind
the MT ferrule 40. Further, the MT rear 70 for biasing the MT
ferrule 40 forward by the MT spring 80 is inserted from a rear end
of the through hole 232.
[0096] The pair of openings 234 and the pair of protrusions 235 are
provided near the rear end of the inner housing 230. Although FIG.
20B disclose one opening 234 and one protrusion 235, another
opening 234 and protrusion 235 disposed in a point symmetry with
respect to the central axis G with respect to the central axis G
also have the same configuration. Unlike the first embodiment, the
openings 234 are located closer to the front end and the
protrusions 235 are located closer to the rear end. A pair of
protrusions 71 of the MT rear 70 are engaged with the pair of
openings 234, respectively. Due to this engagement, the MT ferrule
is accommodated in the inner housing 230. The pair of protrusions
235 are disposed in the pair of openings 223 of the rear housing
220 in a slidable state. A pair of latch steps 236 are provided
near the front end of the inner housing 230. The latch steps 236
are disposed in a point symmetry with respect to the central axis G
and have the same configuration. When the optical connector 210 is
connected to the adapter 300, the latches 312 and 313 of the latch
member 310 disposed in the adapter 300 are engaged with the pair of
latch steps 236, respectively. Thus, the optical connector 210
including the inner housing 230 is fixed to the adapter 300.
[0097] The inner housing 230 further includes a pair of protrusions
237 disposed near the front end of the inner housing 230, and a
flange portion 238 disposed in middle of the inner housing 230. The
pair of protrusion 237 are disposed in a point symmetry with
respect to the central axis G or a rotational symmetry with respect
to the central axis G. The flange portion 238 supports a back end
of the spring 280, and provides a biasing force against the outer
housing 250 using the spring 280. The pair of protrusion 237 are
respectively located a pair of grooves 256 provided on the inner
surface of the outer housing 250 (refer to FIG. 21), which will be
described later. When the outer housing 250 rotates with respect to
the inner housing 230, the pair of protrusions 237 move within the
grooves 256 so as to guide the rotation of the outer housing 250. A
pair of arrows 239 may be provided with the inner housing 220 for
aligning the optical connector 210 with the adapter 300 when
connecting the optical connector 210 to the adapter 300. The pair
of arrows 239 are provided on the outer surface of the inner
housing 220 at positions of point symmetry with respect to the
center axis G or rotational symmetry about the center axis G. The
pair of arrows 239 may be colored-coded each other.
[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 19 and FIG. 21, the outer housing 250
is disposed to cover the outer periphery of the front portion of
the inner housing 230 and has a front wall 51 which covers the
fiber exposed surfaces 43a and 43b of the MT ferrule 40 (refer to
FIG. 6A). FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the outer housing 250.
As illustrated in FIG. 21, the outer housing 250 includes the front
wall 51, opening regions 52a and 52b, a connecting portion 52c, a
cleaner 53, a pair of guide protrusions 54a and 54b, opening
portions 55a and 55b, and a pair of guide recesses 256a and
256b.
[0099] The pair of guide protrusions 54a and 54b of the outer
housing 250 are inserted into guide grooves 304 and 305 provided in
an inner peripheral surface of the adapter 300. The outer housing
250 rotates about the central axis G with respect to the rear
housing 220 or the inner housing 230 by the pair of guide
protrusions 54a and 54b moving forward along the central axis G in
the guide grooves 304 and 305 of the adapter 300. Further, at this
time, the outer housing 250 moves rearward along the central axis G
with respect to the rear housing 220 or the inner housing 230. The
rotation and the rearward linear movement are guided by the
movement the protrusions 236 of the inner housing 230 inside the
pair of guide recessed 256 of the outer housing 250.
[0100] The outer housing 250 has a pair of opening regions 52a and
52b in the front wall 51 at the front end, as same as the first
embodiment. The connecting portion 52c is provided between the pair
of opening regions 52a and 52b. The connecting portion 52c is
configured to move to a position corresponding to the recess 42 of
the MT ferrule 40 when the outer housing 250 is rotated to the
connected position. On the other hand, a cleaner 53 for cleaning an
end surface of the optical fiber is provided on a back surface of
the connecting portion 52c (refer to FIG. 21) and covers the
exposed surface of the optical fiber in a normal state.
Additionally, in the case in which the optical connector 210 is
connected to the adapter 300, when the outer housing 250 rotates
with respect to the inner housing 230 or the like, the outer
housing 250 moves in a direction (rearward) approaching the inner
housing 230 or the like, and the exposed surfaces of the optical
fibers exposed from the openings 45a and 45b are cleaned using the
rotation operation of the outer housing 250.
[0101] The cleaner 53 is slightly separated from the exposed
surfaces 43a and 43b at the front end of the MT ferrule 40 in the
initial position. When the outer housing 250 rotates, the inner
housing 30 slightly advances with respect to the outer housing 250,
and a front end surface of the MT ferrule 40 is in close contact
with the cleaner 53 by this advance. After that, when the outer
housing 250 rotates continuously, the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b
of the MT ferrule 40 in which the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b are
in close contact with the cleaner 53 move toward the opening
regions 52a and 52b of the outer housing 250, and the front end
surface of the MT ferrule 40 is cleaned by the cleaner 53 by the
rotation operation at that time. With this cleaning, a decrease in
connection loss due to attached dust or the like is curbed when an
optical connection is performed using the optical connector
210.
[0102] Next, a configuration of the adapter 300 to which the
optical connector 210 is connected will be described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. The adapter 300 has a similar
configuration to the adapter 100 of the first embodiment, and
optically couples the optical connector 210 to another optical
connector while adjusting the connected position of each of the
optical fibers of the optical connector 210. As illustrated in
FIGS. 22A and 22B, the adapter 300 is a substantially cylindrical
member and has a through hole 303. The latch member 310 is
installed in the through hole 303 and connects each of the optical
connectors to the adapter 300. Two pair of arrows 308 and 309 may
be provided with the adapter 300 for aligning the optical connector
210 with the adapter 300 when connecting the optical connector 210
to the adapter 300. The pair of arrows 308 are provided at the
front side on the outer surface of the adapter 300 at positions of
point symmetry with respect to the center axis G or rotational
symmetry about the center axis G. The pair of arrows 309 are
provided at the rear side on the outer surface of the adapter 300
at positions of point symmetry with respect to the center axis G or
rotational symmetry about the center axis G. The pair of arrows 308
may be colored-coded each other, and the pair of arrows 309 may be
colored-coded each other.
[0103] A pair of guide grooves 304 and 305 which rotates the outer
housing 250 about a central axis G with respect to the inner
housing 230 or the like by a predetermined angle (for example, 90
degrees) when the optical connector 210 is inserted into the
adapter 300, are provided in the adapter 300. The pair of guide
grooves 304 and 305 are configured to be point-symmetric about the
central axis G. As illustrated in FIG. 22B, the guide groove 304
includes a first straight portion 304a, an inclined portion 304b,
and a second straight portion 304c. The inclined portion 304b is
inclined with respect to the central axis G. The other guide groove
305 also has a point-symmetric shape and includes a first straight
portion 305a, an inclined portion 305b, and a second straight
portion 305c. The guide protrusions 54a and 54b of the outer
housing 250 are respectively disposed in these guide grooves 304
and 305.
[0104] Here, the rotation operation of the outer housing 250 when
the optical connector 210 is connected to the adapter 300 will be
described with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23 is a perspective view
showing connection of the optical connector illustrated in FIGS.
18A and 18B to the adapter illustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B.
[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 23, when the optical connector 210
moves forward along the central axis G to connect the optical
connector 210 to the adapter 300, the guide protrusions 54a and 54b
of the outer housing 250 are respectively inserted into the first
straight portions 304a and 305a of the corresponding guide grooves
304 and 305.
[0106] Subsequently, when the optical connector 210 is further
pushed forward in this state, the guide protrusions 54a and 54b
move in the inclined portions 304b and 305b in an inner
circumferential direction, and the outer housing 250 rotates about
the central axis G with respect to the inner housing 230 or the
like according to this movement in the inclined direction (movement
in a spiral). During this rotation operation, the distal ends of
the optical fibers held by the MT ferrule 40 is cleaned by the
cleaner 53 of the outer housing 250.
[0107] Subsequently, when the guide protrusions 54a and 54b move to
distal ends of the inclined portions 304b and 305b in the adapter
300, the guide protrusions 54a and 54b move to distal ends of the
second straight portions 304c and 305c. With this movement, the
rear housing 220 or the inner housing 230 moves linearly further
forward along the central axis G with respect to the outer housing
250, thus the front portion of the MT ferrule 40 protrudes from the
opening regions 52a and 52b of the outer housing 250, and the MT
ferrule 40 is in a state in which it can be connected to the MT
ferrule of the other optical connector. At this time, the inner
housing 230 of the optical connector 210 is engaged and locked by
the latches 312 and 313.
[0108] With such an operation, the optical connector 210 is rotated
from the initial position (refer to FIG. 18A and FIG. 24A) in which
the fiber exposed surface (the openings 45a and 45b) of the MT
ferrule 40 is covered by the connecting portion 52c and the cleaner
53, to the connected position (refer to FIG. 18B and FIG. 24B)
which the fiber exposed surface of the MT ferrule 40 has been
cleaned by the cleaner 53 and protrudes from the opening regions
52a and 52b of the outer housing 250 to be in a connectable state.
FIG. 24A is a perspective view of the optical connector when the
optical connector is in the initial position, and FIG. 24B is a
perspective view of the optical connector when the optical
connector is in the connected position. With such a rotation
operation, the opening regions 52a and 52b of the outer housing 250
are aligned with the exposed surfaces of the optical fibers of the
MT ferrule 40, and the connecting portion 52c is accommodated in
the recess 42 of the MT ferrule 40. When the optical connector 210
is removed from the adapter 300, the respective members are
returned to the initial position by the MT spring 80 and the spring
280 of the optical connector 210.
[0109] Next, as described above, a mechanism in which the optical
connector 210 is engaged and released by the latch member 310 in
the adapter 300 when the optical connector 210 is inserted into the
adapter 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25A and 25B,
and FIGS. 26A and 26B. FIG. 25A is a perspective view of a latch
member disposed in the adapter, and FIG. 25B is a perspective view
of the rear housing of the optical connector. FIG. 26A is a
perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the latch
member is engaged with the inner housing, and FIG. 26B is a
perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the
engagement state between the inner housing and the latch member is
released by the rear housing.
[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 25A, the latch member 310 includes a
disk portion 311, a pair of latches 312 and 313, a pair of latches
314 and 315. The disk portion 311 has the same outer diameter as an
inner diameter of the through hole 303 of the adapter 300 and is
fixed at a predetermined position inside the adapter 300 (refer to
FIG. 23). The latches 312 and 313 are members for fixing the
optical connector 210 to the adapter 300, and the latches 314 and
315 are members for fixing another optical connector to the adapter
300. The latches 312 and 313 and the latches 314 and 315 have the
same shape, and the configuration of the latches 312 and 313 will
be described below, but the configuration of the latches 314 and
315 is also the same.
[0111] Hook portions 312a and 313a each have a same configuration
as the first embodiment, and are provided at rear distal ends of
the latches 312 and 313. Release portions 312b and 313b each have
L-shape structure, and are provided on both edges of each of the
hook portions 312a and 313a. The hook portions 312a and 313a are
engaged with the latch step 236 (refer to FIG. 20B) of the inner
housing 230 located in the opening 226 of the rear housing 220, and
fix the optical connector 210 to the adapter 300 when the optical
connector 210 is inserted into the adapter 300. FIG. 26A shows a
state in which the hook portions 312a and 313a of the latches 312
and 313 are engaged with the latch steps 236 of the inner housing
230 in this way. When the optical connector 210 is engaged with the
latch member 310, the exposed surfaces 43a and 43b of the MT
ferrule 40 are located in an opening portion 311a of the disk
portion 311 of the latch member 310. Thus, the optical connector
can be optically coupled to the counterpart optical connector.
[0112] When the optical connector 210 is removed from the adapter
300 after the latch member 310 is engaged with the inner housing
230, an operation in which the optical connector 210 is pulled out
from the adapter 300 rearward is performed. That is, an operation
in which the rear housing 220 is linearly moved rearward with
respect to the latch member 310 is performed. At this time, as
illustrated in FIG. 26B, the release portions 312b and 313b
provided on both edges of the hook portions 312a and 313a climb the
first slope 227a of each of the protruding portions 227 to reach
the flat portion 227b, and then come down along the second slope
227c. Accordingly, the hook portions 312a and 313a are lifted up
outward, and the engagement with the latch step 236 is
released.
[0113] Please be noted that a method of connecting the optical
connector 210 having the above-described configuration to another
optical connector using the adapter 300 is same as the method of
connecting the optical connector 10 according to the first
embodiment to another optical connector using the adapter 100, and
then overlapped description is omitted.
[0114] As described above, in the optical connector 210 according
to the second embodiment, when the outer housing 250 is rotated
from the initial position to the connected position (the rotated
position) with respect to the inner housing 230 by the rotation
guiding mechanisms including the guide protrusions 54a and 54b and
the guide grooves 304 and 305, the opening regions 52a and 52b of
the front wall 51 of the outer housing 250 move to positions
corresponding to the fiber exposed surfaces of the MT ferrule 40.
Since the distal end of the MT ferrule 40, that is, the distal ends
of the optical fibers held by the MT ferrule 40 is exposed to the
outside (since it is protected until then) when the optical
connector 210 is rotated from the initial position to the connected
position to connect the optical connector 210 to another connector,
according to the optical connector 210, it is possible to curb the
adhesion of dust to the end surfaces of the optical fibers.
Further, since the outer housing 250 is rotated using the
above-described rotation guiding mechanisms, an operation thereof
is easy.
[0115] The optical connector 210 has guide protrusions 54a and 54b
located on the outer surface of the outer housing 250 as the
rotation guiding mechanism. Additionally, the outer housing 250
rotates between the initial position and the connected position
with respect to the inner housing 230 by the guide protrusions 54a
and 54b moving in the guide grooves 304 and 305 provided in the
inner peripheral wall of the adapter 300. Therefore, according to
such an optical connector 210, the rotation guiding mechanism
having a simple structure can be provided. Further, the guide
protrusions 54a and 54b are disposed adjacent to the front end 210a
of the optical connector 210. Since the guide protrusions 54a and
54b are disposed adjacent to the front end 210a of the optical
connector 210, the rotation angle of the outer housing 250 can be
increased even when the optical connector 210 is a small
connector.
[0116] The pair of guide protrusions 54a and 54b and the guide
grooves 304 and 305 are formed to be point-symmetric with respect
to the central axis G. Thus, the outer housing 250 can be smoothly
rotated by the guide protrusions 54a and 54b and the guide grooves
304 and 305.
[0117] In the optical connector 210, the outer housing 250 includes
the cleaner 53 for cleaning the distal ends of the optical fibers
inside the front wall 51. In the case in which the optical
connector 210 is rotated from the initial position to the connected
position when the optical connector 210 is connected to another
connector, the distal end of the MT ferrule 40 can be cleaned by
the cleaner 53. The cleaner 53 may be wound around the front wall
51 through the opening regions 52a and 52b.
[0118] The optical connector 210 includes the MT ferrule 40 which
accommodates the distal end portions of the optical fibers
accommodated in the optical fiber cable, and the MT ferrule 40 has
the recess 42 at the center of the front end thereof. For example,
when the optical connector is downsized, in the case of the ferrule
of the related art, the rotation of the outer housing may be
hindered. However, downsizing of the optical connector 210 is
easily achieved by employing the configuration of the ferrule with
a central portion removed, which may otherwise hinder the rotation,
as in the embodiment.
[0119] As described above, although the optical connectors, the
adapters, and the like according to the embodiments have been
described, the present invention is not limited thereto, various
modifications are applicable. For example, in the optical
connectors 10 and 210, the guide protrusions which constitute one
configuration of the rotation guide mechanisms are provided on the
outer periphery of the outer housing, and the guide grooves which
constitute the other configuration of the rotation guide mechanisms
are provided on the inner periphery of the adapter 100 and 300.
However, conversely, the guide protrusions which constitute one
configuration of the rotation guide mechanisms may be provided on
the inner periphery of the adapter 100 and/or 300, and the guide
grooves which constitute the other of the rotation guide mechanisms
may be provided on the outer periphery of the outer housing.
Further, although the example in which one MT ferrule is mounted in
the optical connector 10 and/or 210 has been described, a structure
in which a plurality of ferrules are mounted in the optical
connector may be applicable. Moreover, it should be considered that
the embodiments and examples disclosed in the specification are
illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the
present invention is defined by the claims rather than the meanings
described above and is intended to include any modifications within
the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims
* * * * *