Optical connector and housing for optical connector

A housing for an optical connector constructed so as to be able to accommodate a ferrule having an optical fiber secured thereinside and a flat tip end face capable of optical connection with another optical component,

• said housing comprises:
• thereinside an engagement protrusion for accommodation in a location groove formed in a ferrule holder fixed to said ferrule, and a ring portion accommodating socket for accommodating a ring portion protruding from said ferrule holder;
• and
• an inclined lip for engaging with a ring-shape protruding portion protruding from a stop ring for accommodating a connection mechanism assembled at a rear end side of said ferrule opposite to said tip end face;
• and
• said connection mechanism being constructed so as to positionally align and clamp said optical fiber protruding from a rear end portion of said ferrule and another optical fiber to thereby maintain an butt connected condition,
• wherein, when said stop ring accommodating said connection mechanism is inserted, assembly is effected by accommodating said engagement protrusion in said location groove of said ferrule, accommodating said ring portion in said ring portion accommodating socket, and engaging said ring-shape protruding portion with said inclined lip.

An optical connector comprising:

• a housing, a ferrule having an optical fiber secured thereinside and a flat tip end face capable of optical connection with another optical component, a connection mechanism located at a rear end side of said ferrule opposite to said tip end face, for positionally aligning and butt connecting and clamping a portion of said optical fiber protruding from a rear end of said ferrule and another optical fiber to thereby maintain a connected condition, a push-in control member which abuts with the ferrule when pushed rearwards in said housing to set a maximum push-in position, and biasing means for exerting an biasing force on said ferrule towards a tip end of said housing, with a reaction force being taken by said housing or said push-in control member, and
• said connection mechanism comprises:
• a bifurcated construction component section, an alignment device housed inside said component section for aligning and positioning the pair of optical fibers to be connected so as to be able to be butt connected, clamping force applying means for applying a clamping force to said component section for clamping optical fibers clamped in said component section, and an insertion opening for insertion of a release member for pressing and opening said component section against an biasing force of said clamping force applying means, and said insertion opening is opened to the side along an alignment axis direction of the optical fiber, and
• said biasing means is located at a rear end side of said connection mechanism opposite to said ferrule, and applies an biasing force on said ferrule via said connection mechanism, and
• said release member can be inserted into and removed from said component section while avoiding said biasing means.