Optical connector, and method of assembling optical connector

An optical connector to be connected to an optical fiber in an optical cable of a tight structure in which a coated fiber obtained by coating the optical fiber is attached tightly to a cable jacket covering the coated fiber, the optical connector comprising:

• a ferrule incorporating a short fiber extending in a predetermined axial direction;
• a mechanical splice having a holding part and a fixing part in order from a one side to an other side in the predetermined axial direction, and adapted so that the fixing part mechanically fixes the short fiber extending from the ferrule held by the holding part, toward the other side, and the optical fiber in the optical cable introduced from the other side to butt the short fiber;
• an outer housing having a cylindrical shape extending in the predetermined axial direction, and having a housing part in which the mechanical splice is located;
• a jacket fixture for fixing the cable jacket, said jacket fixture being located on the other side with respect to the mechanical splice so that the cable jacket is inserted therein, and said jacket fixture being coupled to the mechanical splice;
• and
• a jacket holder for attachment of the optical cable, said jacket holder is housed and fixed by the jacket fixture, and said jacket holder includes in its inside a projection, which pinches and holds the cable jacket,
• wherein the mechanical splice is arranged to be movable in the predetermined axial direction inside the housing part, and
• the jacket fixture is coupled to the mechanical splice so that the jacket fixture can move integrally with the mechanical splice in the predetermined axial direction.