Optical connector housing

Abstract

A connector housing (1) for an optical connector, comprising a body (2) and a ferrule carrier (6) attached to the body (2), characterized in that at least a portion (3) of the connector housing (1) along the mating axis has an essentially circular outer circumference. Furthermore, a method for assembling the connector housing (1), comprising the following steps: assembling the ferrule carrier (6) with the end (11) of an optical cable (12); and inserting the assembly of the ferrule carrier (6) and the end (11) of the optical cable (12) into the body (2). Furthermore, a connector portion (28) comprising an outer housing (4) and a connector housing (1) held within the outer housing (4) as described in claim 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector housing for an optical connector. Further, the present invention relates to a method of assembling the connector housing. Also, the present invention relates to a connector portion including the connector housing.

Background Art

[0002] Background of the Invention According to U.S. Patent No. 8,961,033 B2, an optical contact is known that has a coupling unit extending along a longitudinal axis and a body in which the coupling unit is movably accommodated. This body surrounds its outside along the longitudinal axis of the coupling unit. The body is composed of two parts that are detachably assembled with each other. This is intended to enable the optical connector to be repaired or modified simply and at low cost without rewiring the coupling unit.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 11,662,528 B2 discloses an optical assembly including a coupling unit assembly and an amphoteric cassette having a hood and a mating hood. Each hood includes a narrower portion and a wider portion. The hoods are assembled to form a cassette. The coupling unit subassembly includes a coupling unit and a cable retainer. An insertion tool is provided to help accurately align and securely position the optical coupling unit subassembly within the cassette. Upon mating, the narrow and wide portions mate with each other to ensure proper alignment and protection.

[0004] The optical connector assembly known by U.S. Patent No. 11,662,528B2 includes a housing, an optical coupling unit, a nearly flat optical fiber array, and a retainer. The housing has mating ends and cable ends and includes front, middle, and rear supports that hold the coupling unit, fiber array, and retainer. The housing consists of a first and second part. The second part includes a middle support. The middle support assists in bending the optical fiber array, thereby allowing the coupling unit to rotate and achieve precise alignment. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Objective of the present invention The object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector housing for optical connectors. Furthermore, the object is to provide an improved method for assembling the connector housing. Another object is to provide an improved connector section comprising the connector housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Solution according to the present invention In the following, any reference to one (including the articles "a" and "the"), two, or another number of objects should be understood, unless otherwise explicitly stated, as not precluding that there may be more such objects in the present invention. Reference numerals in the claims are not limiting and are merely for the purpose of improving the readability of the claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the problem is solved by a connector housing for an optical connector having the features of claim 1. The connector housing comprises a body and a ferrule carrier attached to the body. At least a portion of the connector housing is a cylinder having an essentially circular outer circumference. An achievable advantage according to this aspect of the invention is that the connector housing can be fixedly held in an essentially circular hole in the outer housing.

[0008] In the present invention, "housing for optical connector" means a housing capable of accommodating the end of an optical cable (including a ferrule) and capable of being mated with another complementary ferrule, such as a complementary connector portion, to expose the ferrule in order to establish an optical connection between the ferrule and the other ferrule.

[0009] As used herein, “ferrule carrier” refers to a part of a connector housing that holds a ferrule (sometimes also called a coupling unit) of an optical cable. A preferred ferrule comprises a body that attaches to the terminal of the optical cable and an extension protruding from the body having one or more optical interface points. The preferred optical interface points are alignable with corresponding points on another ferrule when two ferrules are mated together. The optical interface points allow light to propagate seamlessly from one ferrule to the other, minimizing loss and maintaining signal integrity. Particularly preferred ferrules include one or more lenses to guide light from the cable to the optical interface points. Such ferrules are sometimes called lens connectors. A well-chosen ferrule is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 11977262B1. Appropriately selected ferrules are available from 3M Electronics Materials Solutions (6801 River Place Blvd Austin, TX 78726-9000, www.3M.com / interconnect) under the name "optical connect".

[0010] In this invention, the "outer circumference" of a section of the connector housing being circular means that the enclosing surface of that section has a circular cross-section, i.e., it is cylindrical. However, the term "circular outer circumference" does not necessarily mean that the cross-section of the connector housing section is circular, and there are many other cross-sectional shapes that have a circular outer circumference based on the above definition. For example, the six outermost vertices of the Star of David are all located on a single circle, and therefore, a columnar body with such a cross-section (a cylinder with such cross section) has a circular cross-section, and thus that columnar body has a circular outer circumference. Similarly, a circular cross-section interrupted by recesses and / or flat sections is also considered to have a circular outer circumference.

[0011] In this specification, the term “cylinder” refers to the portion of the connector housing having an outer cylindrical surface. In this context, a “cylindrical surface” is defined as having straight parallel sides; that is, the outer surface is composed of all parallel lines passing through a closed curve (commonly called a directrix). The directrix does not necessarily have to be circular.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by a method for assembling a connector housing for an optical connector, having the features of claim 14. This method includes at least the following steps: assembling a ferrule carrier with an end section of an optical cable having a ferrule; and inserting the assembly of the ferrule carrier and cable end into the main body of a connector housing.

[0013] An achievable advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the end of an optical cable can be quickly and easily positioned in a connector housing. In this invention, “end of an optical cable” means a cable end having at least one optical waveguide and having a ferrule at its end for connecting to another optical cable to establish an optical connection.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the problem is solved by a connector having the features of claim 15. This connector comprises an outer housing and a connector housing according to any of the above claims, the latter being held by the former.

[0015] An achievable advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the outer housing may include means for fitting the connector portion into a complementary connector portion, or means for securing the connector portion to a complementary connector portion. Another achievable advantage of this aspect of the invention is its versatility, in that the outer housing may, in place of or in addition to the connector housing according to the present invention, hold other connector components, such as electrical contacts, coaxial cable contacts, or the ends of fluid conduits.

[0016] The term "connector" as used herein refers to a device that can mate with another complementary connector to establish an optical connection, and in some embodiments, it mates in conjunction with an electrical connection and / or a fluid connection.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention Preferred features of the present invention, which can be applied individually or in combination, are described below and in the dependent claims.

[0018] A preferred connector housing comprises a body and a ferrule carrier attached to the body. The preferred ferrule carrier is mounted movably relative to the body in a direction parallel to the mating axis of the connector. This embodiment of the invention makes it possible to position the ferrule in a suitable position that ensures proper mating with another complementary ferrule, regardless of the exact position of the body.

[0019] In this specification, “mating axis” means the axis of a connector housing that extends along the direction in which the connector housing must approach a complementary connector housing or connector portion in order to establish an optical connection.

[0020] Preferably, the ferrule carrier is guided within the body so that it is movable relative to the body only in a direction essentially parallel to the mating axis of the connector. However, the invention also encompasses embodiments in which the ferrule carrier is guided to move in a direction that is angular with respect to the mating axis of the connector. Furthermore, the invention also encompasses embodiments in which the ferrule carrier is movable in a plurality of linearly independent directions.

[0021] A preferred ferrule carrier is elastically mounted within the main body. That is, the preferred ferrule carrier can be displaced relative to the main body when an external force is applied, and can elastically return to its position before the displacement.

[0022] This elasticity is preferably provided by an elastic member. That is, a preferred connector housing includes an elastic member for elastically supporting a ferrule carrier within the body. Preferably, the elastic member is positioned between the ferrule carrier and the body, more specifically between it and an elastic member holder, which will be described later. The elastic member is preferably a spring, such as a coil spring or a meander spring (for example, a U-shaped or V-shaped meander spring). However, the present invention also includes other elastic members, such as rubber pieces or elastic foam materials. A preferred elastic member is made of metal, particularly spring steel, for example, a spring made of spring steel. Another preferred spring is made of plastic material, for example, a plastic meander spring.

[0023] A preferred connector housing includes an elastic element holder for holding an elastic element. In this context, "holding an elastic element" means that the elastic element is placed within, rests on, or pressed against the elastic element holder. Preferably, the elastic element holder is fixedly attached to the main body. A preferred elastic element holder is a separate component from the main body, but is fixed to or can be fixed to the main body.

[0024] Preferably, the elastic member is formed integrally with the body, a part of the body, the ferrule carrier, and / or a part of the ferrule carrier. More preferably, the elastic member is integrally molded with them, for example, by injection molding. Thereby, there is an advantage that the manufacturing and / or assembly of the connector housing of the present invention can be simplified. Specifically, the elastic element is formed integrally with the elastic member holder, and more preferably, integrally with the elastic member holder and the ferrule carrier.

[0025] Alternatively, the ferrule carrier, the elastic element, and the elastic member holder can be assembled from separate parts. Preferably, the ferrule carrier and the elastic member holder are provided with complementary attachment means for movably attaching these two parts to each other.

[0026] Preferably, the ferrule carrier is biased toward the distal end of the body. In the present invention, the "distal end" of the connector housing refers to the end that must approach a complementary connector housing or connector part in order to establish an optical connection by fitting. The end of the connector housing opposite to the distal end is referred to as the "proximal end" in this specification. Correspondingly, the connector body and the ferrule carrier also have a distal end and a proximal end. The fitting axis extends through the distal end and the proximal end of the connector housing.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a part of the connector housing is a columnar body having an essentially circular outer periphery. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the connector housing can be fixedly held in an essentially circular hole of the outer housing. Preferably, the outer periphery of the said part is formed by the outer periphery of the part of the connector housing body. The preferred body is at least partially hollow. At least a part of the ferrule carrier and the cable end are accommodated inside the hollow body.

[0028] Preferably, the connector housing comprises several sections, more preferably two or more, for example, three sections, which are columnar bodies having essentially circular outer circumferences. Preferably, at least one section is longer than the radius of its outer circumference. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one, more preferably at least two, even more preferably at least three, and even more preferably all sections have essentially circular cross-sections. Preferably, the radii of the outer circumferences are the same for at least two, more preferably at least three, and even more preferably all sections. Preferably, the outer circumference diameter of the section with the largest circumference is 5 mm or more, more preferably 6 mm or more, and even more preferably 8 mm or more. Preferably, the outer circumference diameter of the section with the largest circumference is less than 20 mm, more preferably less than 16 mm, and even more preferably less than 12 mm.

[0029] A preferred body has the shape of a cylindrical sleeve with a notch at its distal end. Along the periphery of the body, the notch extends to less than half the circumference of the body. In embodiments of the present invention, the connector housings can be positioned relative to identical connector housings, which are rotated 180° relative to each other with respect to the mating axis, so that each body extends into the cavity of the other body.

[0030] When viewed along the periphery of the main body, the notch preferably extends for at least one-quarter, more preferably one-third, of the circumference of the main body. When viewed along the direction of the fitting axis, the notch preferably extends for at least 4 mm, more preferably 6 mm, and even more preferably 8 mm, from the distal end to the proximal end of the main body. When viewed along the direction of the fitting axis, the notch preferably extends for less than 14 mm, more preferably less than 12 mm, and even more preferably less than 10 mm, from the distal end to the proximal end of the main body.

[0031] The ferrule carrier preferably extends into the body and extends beyond the proximal end of the notch toward the distal end of the body. As a result, advantageously, the ferrule carrier can at least partially close the notch. When the ferrule carrier extends fully toward the distal end of the body, it preferably does not protrude beyond the distal end of the body. Preferably, even when the ferrule carrier is pushed as far as possible proximally, it still reaches into the notch.

[0032] When viewed along the periphery of the main body in the notch, the distal end of the ferrule carrier extends to less than half the circumference of the main body at its distal end. In this embodiment of the invention, the connector housings can be positioned relative to each other in a state where they are rotated 180° around the mating axis. As a result, these ferrule carriers extend into the body of the other connector housing and are positioned parallel and adjacent to each other. When viewed along the periphery of the main body in the notch, the ferrule carrier extends to more than one-quarter, preferably more than one-third, of the circumference of the main body.

[0033] A preferred connector housing is matable with a connector housing of the same type, preferably a housing rotated 180° with respect to the mating axis relative to the preferred connector housing. Preferably, in the mating process, the end of the body of the connector housing is inserted into the second notch of the body of the second connector housing, and conversely, the end of the body of the second connector housing is inserted into the notch of the body of the connector housing.

[0034] Preferably, when mating with a connector housing of the same type that is rotated 180° around the mating axis relative to the connector housing, the end of the ferrule carrier of the first connector housing is inserted into the second body of the second connector housing, and conversely, the second end of the second ferrule carrier of the second connector housing is inserted into the body of the first connector housing. As a result, the first and second ends are positioned parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0035] A preferred ferrule carrier is essentially semi-tubular, having a bottom and side walls. Preferably, at the distal end of the ferrule carrier, the side walls are lower than the rest of the ferrule carrier. This preferred embodiment of the ferrule carrier ensures that, as the ends of the ferrule carriers extend parallel and adjacent to each other, the distal end of each ferrule carrier end abuts against the distal end of the rest of the other ferrule carrier. Preferably, an elastic element biases the distal end of one ferrule carrier against the distal end of the rest of the other ferrule carrier. This advantageously ensures that the two ferrule carriers are in a clearly defined relative position along the mating axis, regardless of their exact relative position along the mating axis of the connector housing body. This allows the ferrules to be properly mated.

[0036] Preferably, the ferrule carrier can be inserted into the body from the end of the body along the mating axis of the body for assembly of the connector housing. An achievable advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that it enables an assembly process comprising the following steps: assembling the ferrule carrier with the end section of the optical cable; and inserting the assembly of the ferrule carrier and the end section of the optical cable into the body. This embodiment of the invention makes it possible to quickly and easily position the optical cable in the connector housing. Particularly preferably, the ferrule carrier can be inserted into the body from the proximal end of the body along the mating axis.

[0037] Preferably, the connector housing, as an assembly of the ferrule carrier, elastic member, and elastic member holder, can be inserted into the body from the end of the body. Thus, the assembly process of the connector housing may include the following steps: inserting the end section of the optical cable into the assembly of the ferrule carrier, bias element, and bias element holder; and inserting the assembly containing the end section of the optical cable into the body. Particularly preferably, the assembly of the ferrule carrier, elastic member, and elastic member holder can be inserted into the body from the proximal end of the body.

[0038] Preferably, the elastic member holder can be fixed to the main body by fixing means. The preferred fixing means includes a latching element that, once fully inserted into the main body of the connector housing, securely holds the elastic member holder in place by latching. The latching means of the main body preferably includes a latching hook and a stopper that engage with a component of the elastic member holder.

[0039] The optical cable is preferably a cable having multiple strands, such as a flat ribbon cable or a round cable having multiple strands. A preferred cable has multiple, preferably two or more, parallel strands, such as 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28 or more, with at least one strand, preferably each strand being an optical waveguide. In this specification, “optical waveguide” means an optical component that propagates signal light. An optical waveguide comprises at least one core and cladding, the core and cladding configured to propagate light within the core, for example, by total internal reflection. An optical waveguide can be, for example, a single-mode or multi-mode waveguide, a single-core fiber, a multi-core optical fiber, or a polymer waveguide. The ends of the optical cable are provided with ferrules, which can be connected to mating ferrules of another cable.

[0040] Preferably, the collet (sometimes called a retainer) is fixedly attached to the end of the cable at a distance from the ferrule. A preferred ferrule carrier includes a collet holder for securing the collet to the ferrule carrier. The collet holder preferably includes a collet seat and fastening means, for example, in the form of a pair of latching hooks, to ensure that the collet is securely and firmly held in the collet seat.

[0041] A preferred collet holder is positioned such that the collet at the cable end is secured to the collet holder so that the cable extends at an angle to the mating axis. This allows the cable end extending from the collet to the ferrule to be biased to one side inside the connector housing. In this context, "side" refers to the side perpendicular to the mating axis. That is, this angle means that the cable exits the collet at an angle relative to the mating axis, rather than parallel to it.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ferrule carrier includes a ferrule support. The preferred ferrule support is positioned such that the ferrule is supported by the ferrule support when the optical cable is placed on the ferrule carrier in the intended manner. Advantageously, the collet holder and the ferrule support cooperate to position and angle the ferrule to enable proper and secure mating with another ferrule (preferably a ferrule from another similar assembly consisting of a connector housing and an optical cable end).

[0043] Preferably, the connector housing is held within the outer housing of the connector portion. The preferred connector portion is a male or female connector portion that can mate with a corresponding female or male connector portion. In some embodiments of the present invention, the connector portion holds only one connector housing. In other embodiments, it holds more than one connector housing, more preferably more than two, and even more preferably more than three, for example, four, five, six, seven, or eight connector housings. In some embodiments, the connector portion holds one or more electrical contacts or fluid conduit ends in addition to the housing according to the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] Further preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Each drawing is roughly shown below. [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector housing according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ferrule carrier of the connector housing. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a portion of the connector housing, including the ferrule carrier and part of the main body. [Figure 4] Another cross-sectional perspective view showing a portion of the connector housing in Figure 1. It shows the ferrule carrier and part of the main body. The cross-section is perpendicular to the cross-section in Figure 3. [Figure 5A] This is a non-perspective view of the same portion, having the same cross-sectional plane as the cross-sectional perspective view in Figure 4. [Figure 5B] This cross-sectional view shows the same area as the perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 4, but the cross-sectional plane is perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane in Figure 4. [Figure 6A] Figure 5A, a non-perspective cross-sectional view, additionally shows the cable end inserted into the ferrule carrier. [Figure 6B] This is another cross-sectional, non-perspective view of the same part as Figure 6A. [Figure 7]This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the same part as the non-perspective cross-section view in Figure 6, but viewed from the same direction as in Figure 4. [Figure 8] Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional perspective views of the same part, but are viewed from different directions due to combinations of parallel or perpendicular partial cross-sections. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector housing mated with the second connector housing. The cross-section and line of sight are the same as in Figures 4 and 7. [Figure 10] These are cross-sectional perspective views of the housing components with the housings shown in Figures 1 to 8 inserted into the outer housing. The cutting plane and line of sight are the same as in Figures 4, 7, and 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Detailed description of embodiments of the present invention In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numeral indicates the same or similar component.

[0046] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the connector housing 1 according to the present invention. The body 2 of the connector housing has an essentially cylindrical sleeve shape, and its columnar axis is parallel to the mating axis of the connector housing 1 and its body 2. Specifically, the body 2 comprises three sections 3, each having a circular outer circumference. This allows the connector housing 1 to be inserted into a circular through-hole in the outer housing 4. The latching fingers 29 play a role in fixing the connector housing within the outer housing 4 by latching. An example of the outer housing 4 is shown in Figure 10 and will be described later. Furthermore, the body 2 is provided with a notch 5 at its distal end. This notch 5 is formed along the periphery of the body 2 and extends to a range slightly shorter than half the circumference of the body 2.

[0047] The notch 5 is almost completely closed by a ferrule carrier 6, which is movably attached to the main body 2 and guided to move only in a direction parallel to the mating direction. The ferrule carrier 6 is biased toward the distal end of the connector housing 1 by a coil spring 7 (shown in Figures 2 and later). Figures 1, and 3-8 and 10 show the relative position of the ferrule carrier 6 to the main body 2 when it is fully extended toward the distal end of the connector housing 1.

[0048] The cable sheath 8 is attached to the proximal end of the main body via an adapter 9 having a hexagonal outer cross-section. The adapter 9 assists in inserting the connector housing 1 into the outer housing 4.

[0049] The ferrule carrier 6, elastic member holder 10, and coil spring 7 are shown in detail in Figure 2 as an assembly. The spring 7 is positioned between the ferrule carrier 6 and the elastic member holder 10. The ferrule carrier 6 is configured to accommodate the end 11 of a cable 12 having a ferrule 13 and a collet 14 at its end. This will be described in more detail later, referring to Figure 6 and beyond. The collet holder 15 comprises a collet seat 16 and a pair of latching hooks 17 for securely holding the collet 14 within the collet seat 16. To facilitate insertion of the collet 14 into the collet seat 16, when the collet 14 is inserted into the collet holder 15, the inclined edges of the latching hooks 17 act to make way for the collet 14. To release the collet 14 to replace the cable end section 11 as needed, the latching hooks 17 can be bent outward away from the collet 14.

[0050] The ferrule carrier 6 is essentially semi-tubular, having a bottom and side walls 18. At the distal end 19 of the ferrule carrier 6, the side walls 18 are lower than the rest of the ferrule carrier 6. A ferrule support 20 is provided at the distal end 19 of the ferrule carrier 6. The ferrule support 20 positions and orients the ferrule 13 so that it has a position and angle that allows it to mate with a second ferrule 13 of the same type held in a connector housing of the same type. The ferrule support 20 comprises a pair of protrusions projecting from the opposing side walls 18 of the ferrule carrier 6.

[0051] The cross-sectional views in Figures 3 to 10 show how the ferrule carrier 6 is slidably positioned within the main body 2. In contrast, the elastic member holder 10 is fixed within the main body 2 by a pair of latching hooks 21 provided on opposing side walls of the main body 2. These hooks engage with the distal side wall of a first notch 22 provided on the outside of the elastic member holder 10. This is best illustrated in Figures 5B and 8. Furthermore, as best illustrated in Figures 5A and 6A, the proximal end of the elastic member holder 10 abuts against a stopper 23 provided at the bottom of the main body 2.

[0052] The elastic member holder 10 has a circular blind hole 24 in which the proximal end of the coil spring 7 is positioned. The distal end of the coil spring rests on a nose 25 located at the proximal end of the ferrule carrier 6. As is best shown in Figures 5B and 8, the ferrule carrier 6 and the elastic member holder 10 are held together by a latching hook 26 of the ferrule carrier that engages with a wide second notch 27 of the elastic member holder 10. In its resting position, the coil spring 7 biases the latching hook 26 of the ferrule carrier 6 against the distal wall of the second notch 27. Thus, the distal wall of the notch 27 acts as a distal stopper, determining how far the ferrule carrier 6 can extend distally to a maximum extent.

[0053] Figures 6A to 68 show how the cable end 11 is positioned on the ferrule carrier 6. The cable 12 is a flat optical ribbon cable, and each of the cable's strands is an optical waveguide. The collet 14 is positioned on the collet seat 16, and the ferrule 13 is positioned on the ferrule support 20. The angle of the collet 14, determined by the orientation of the collet seat 16, utilizes the elastic properties of the cable's expansion and contraction between the collet 14 and the ferrule 13, acting to bias the ferrule 13 relative to the ferrule support 20. The positions of the collet holder 15 and the ferrule support 20, as well as the length of the cable's expansion between the collet 14 and the ferrule 13, determine the position and angle of the ferrule 13.

[0054] To assemble the connector housing 1, first combine the ferrule carrier 6 with the elastic member holder 10 so that the second latching hook 26 of the ferrule carrier 6 engages with the second notch 27 of the elastic member holder 10. At this time, the coil spring 7 is positioned in the blind hole 24 and the nose 25. Next, the end of the cable 12 is inserted into the ferrule carrier 6 and attached to the ferrule carrier 6 by fixing the collet 14 with the latching hook 17 of the collet holder 15. The ferrule carrier 6, combined with the cable end 11, coil spring 7 and elastic member holder 10, is inserted into the proximal end of the main body 2. With this insertion, the combined part comes into contact with the stopper 23 at the bottom of the main body 2, and the latching member 21 of the main body 2 engages with the notch 22 on the outside of the elastic member holder 10, thereby permanently attaching the elastic member holder 10 to the main body 2.

[0055] Figure 9 shows how connector housing 1 is fitted to a similar connector housing 1 rotated 180° around the mating axis. The end of the body 2 of connector housing 1 is inserted into the notch 5 of the second body 2 of the second connector housing 1, and conversely, the end of the second body 2 of the second connector housing 1 is inserted into the notch 5 of the body 2 of connector housing 1. As a result, the ends 19 of the ferrule carrier 6 overlap and slide past each other, and the distal ends of each end 19 abut against the distal ends of the raised walls 18 at the distal ends of the remaining part of the ferrule carrier 6. At this point, the ferrule carrier 6 and the second ferrule carrier 6 are pressed against each other by the coil spring 7. When the ferrule carriers 6 abut each other, the ferrule 13 and the second ferrule 13 are positioned and oriented within the ferrule carrier 6 and similarly mate.

[0056] The biasing force of the coil spring 7 ensures that the ferrule carriers 6 come into contact with each other, regardless of the exact amount that the distal portions of the main body 2 and the second main body 2 penetrate each other's notches 5. As a result, positioning tolerances of both main bodies 2 can be compensated, and proper mating of the ferrules 13 is ensured.

[0057] Figure 10 shows the connector housing 1 inserted into an essentially circular through-hole in the outer housing 4. This outer housing 4 is the housing for the screw-type connector portion 28. To secure the connector housing 1 to the outer housing 4, latching fingers 29 engage with a third notch on the inside of the outer housing 4. The adapter 9 closes the proximal side of the outer housing 4. The cable 12 extends proximal through the adapter 9 into the cable sheath 8.

[0058] The features described above in the description, claims, and figures may be related individually or in any combination to realize various embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] reference numbers 1 Connector Housing 2 Main unit 3. Each part of the main body with a circular outer circumference 4. Outer housing 5. Notch on the main body 6 Ferrule Carrier 7 springs 8 Cable sheath 9 Adapters 10 Elastic member holder 11 Cable ends 12 Cables 13 ferrules 14 Colette 15 Collet Holder 16 Colette Theatre 17. Collet holder latching hook 18. Ferrule carrier wall 19 Distal end of ferrule carrier 20 Ferrule support section 21. Latching hook on the main body 22 First notch of elastic member holder 23 Stopper at the bottom of the main unit 24 Blind holes in elastic carriers 25 Ferrule carrier tip 26. Latching hooks for ferrule carriers 27. The second notch 28 Thread lock connector section 29 Latching Finger

Claims

1. A connector housing (1) for an optical connector comprising a main body (2) and a ferrule carrier (6) attached to the main body (2), At least a portion (3) of the connector housing (1) along the mating axis has an essentially circular outer circumference. Connector housing (1).

2. The ferrule carrier (6) is characterized in that it is movably mounted relative to the main body (2) in a direction essentially parallel to the mating axis of the connector housing (1). The connector housing (1) according to claim 1.

3. The ferrule carrier (6) is elastically attached within the main body (2). The connector housing (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The connector housing (1) is characterized by comprising a spring (7) for elastically supporting the ferrule carrier (6) within the main body (2). The connector housing (1) according to claim 3.

5. The ferrule carrier (6) is characterized by being elastically biased toward the distal end of the main body (2). The connector housing (1) according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The connector housing (1) is characterized in that at least a part (3) of it is a hollow columnar body. A connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The main body (2) is characterized in that it essentially has the shape of a columnar sleeve with a notch (5) at its distal end. A connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The ferrule carrier (6) extends into the body (2), extends beyond the proximal end of the notch (5) toward the distal end of the body (2), and is characterized in that it at least partially closes the notch (5). The connector housing (1) according to claim 7.

9. The connector housing (1) is characterized by being able to be mated with a similar connector housing (1) that has been rotated 180° with respect to the mating axis. A connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The ferrule carrier (6) is characterized in that it can be inserted into the main body (2) from one end of the main body (2) for the purpose of assembling the connector housing (1). A connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. It is equipped with an elastic member holder, The assembly of the ferrule carrier (6), elastic member, and elastic member holder is characterized in that it can be inserted into the main body (2) from the proximal end of the main body (2) for the assembly of the connector housing (1). The connector housing (1) according to claim 10.

12. The ferrule carrier (6) is characterized by comprising a collet holder (15) for fixing the collet (14) of the cable end (11) of the optical cable (12) to the ferrule carrier (6). A connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The ferrule carrier (6) is characterized by comprising a ferrule support portion (20). A connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A method for assembling a connector housing (1) for an optical connector, The steps include assembling the ferrule carrier (6) with the end (11) of the optical cable (12), The steps include inserting the assembly of the ferrule carrier (6) and the end (11) of the optical cable (12) into the main body (2), A method characterized by including the following.

15. A connector portion (28) comprising an external housing (4) and a connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is held in the external housing (4).

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