JP2007513371A - Optical cable connector element comprising improved means for blocking end sections of connected cables - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to an optical cable connector element comprising improved means for blocking the end section of the cable to be connected. The connector element of the present invention comprises a casing-forming body portion (31) having at least one slot (33) for accommodating an optical cable (7), and means (40) for blocking the optical cable in the slot. It comprises. The blocking means (40) comprises at least one axial (X) elastic extension (50) which is rigidly connected to the inner wall of the slot (33) by a cantilevered rear section, 50) has a sharp edge (49), (i) so that the extension can be displaced radially when the cable (7) is inserted into the slot (33), and (ii) the withdrawal By operation, a sharp edge bites into the outer sheath (29) of the cable, thereby holding the cable in the main body.

Description

The present invention relates to an optical cable connector element, which
A casing-forming main body comprising at least one socket for receiving an end section of the optical cable, the socket extending along the axis and a rear end for inserting the optical cable along this axis And a casing-forming body having a front end for connection;
Means for locking the end section of the optical cable in place within the socket.

Conventionally, it is known to use a chip (which is generally called a “ferrule”) to fix one end of an optical cable within a connector casing. Generally, such a chip is generally cylindrical, and has a recess for caulking on the outer sheath of the optical cable inside, and a latching means in the connector casing on the outside. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a caulking process prior to inserting the cable end into the connector. This process involves crimping the tip onto the outer sheath of the cable, where the tip undergoes plastic deformation with respect to the section provided for this purpose. Currently, such chips are made of plastic material. Such a chip is known from US Pat.
German Patent Application Publication No. 101 31 273

  The main object of the present invention is to eliminate the caulking process that takes place prior to inserting one end of the optical cable into the connector casing, and means for locking the end of such optical cable in place within the connector casing (this). Is to work without prior caulking).

  This object is achieved by the present invention. According to the invention, for a connector element of the type described above, the locking means comprises at least one essentially axial, elastic extension, which is secured to the inner wall of the socket by the rear section of this extension. The extension is cantilevered and inclined toward the front, and the extension has a front latching section, which has a sharp edge that radiates inwardly. With respect to the end to be plugged in, when this end section of the optical cable is plugged into the socket, the latching section can be bent radially outwards, and by the reverse pulling behavior of the cable section The sharp edge bites into the outer sheath of the cable section, thereby holding the cable section within the body. .

  According to this structure, locking in place of the end section of the optical cable connected inside the body of the connector element causes the cable section to slide axially into the socket without requiring any further manipulation. Can be realized easily and quickly. In addition, the cable end section can be unfastened in place, and this release is performed without damaging the ferrule or connector casing.

Preferably, the connector element according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features:
The means for locking in place includes a collar fixed in place inside the main body, and the elastic extension is formed in the axial direction in the collar, and the collar includes a cable section. It has a rear end for insertion and a front latching section.
・ The collar is widened at the rear end.
• The collar has a generally frustoconical shape.
The collar includes means for securing it in place in the connecting casing, which is provided at the peripheral rim at the rear end.
The collar can be elastically deformed in the radial direction, and the fixing means in place is means for fixing in place by elastic coupling.
The collar generally has a rotating body shape, which essentially consists of an axial strip forming an elastic extension, the elastic extension being alternating at the plug end and the opposite end Two are connected to each other.
The collar is formed by essentially cutting and bending a part of the sheet metal material.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, the connector element consists of an optical cable connection chip comprising a cylindrical casing forming body part, which is provided for fitting an end section of the optical cable.

According to this first embodiment, the connector element can comprise one or more of the following features.
The main body comprises at least two cylindrical sections, the first of which has a large inner diameter is provided with complementary fixing means for receiving the collar and fixing the collar in place; Two are provided to accommodate the ends of the optical cables to be connected.
The first section is partially frustoconical with respect to the interior, the small diameter end of the first section being connected internally to the second section;

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the connector element comprises a connector portion provided for connection with the connector corresponding portion.

According to the second embodiment, the connector element can have one or more of the following characteristics.
The socket has at least two cylindrical parts, the first of which has a large inner diameter is provided with means for accommodating the collar and fixing the collar in place, and the second of which is connected Provided to accommodate the end of the optical cable.
-The 1st cylindrical part is substantially partially provided with the shape of a truncated cone regarding the inside, and the small diameter end part of the 1st cylindrical part is opened toward the 2nd cylindrical part.
The socket has a section for guiding the cable at its insertion port, a section for holding the cable, and a positioning and holding section provided with a latching shoulder (this functions in the direction of cable insertion) And have.

  As a variant, the connector element according to the second embodiment can comprise a chip as described above, which is fixed in place in the socket, preferably by elastic coupling.

  According to the invention described above, it is also possible to ensure a more accurate and more stable positioning of the connected optical cable end section within the body of the connector element.

  Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 show an optical connector, which has a male part 3 (hereinafter also referred to as “male connector”) and a female part 5 (hereinafter referred to as “female”). It may also be called a “connector”). In FIG. 1, the two parts 3 and 5 of the connector are shown in a separated state, whereas in FIG. 2, they are shown in a connected state.

  In the illustrated example, the female connector 5 comprises a seat for mounting on an optoelectronic circuit support such as a card.

  The illustrated connector 1 is a two-path connector for connecting two optical cables to an optoelectronic circuit. The end section of the optical cable to be connected is denoted by the reference numeral 7 in FIGS. Has been granted.

  It goes without saying that the invention applies equally well to connections between optical cables or even to connectors for connecting optical cables to other optical circuit components. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to any number of optical connectors.

  1 and 2 show the X-axis, which shows the direction of connection of the two parts 3 and 5 of the connector as well as the direction of insertion of the end of the cable 7 in the corresponding part of the connector 3. It is. This X axis is oriented from the male part 3 to the female part 5 of the connector.

  In the following, it should be understood that terms and directions terms, such as “front” and “rear”, relate to the axis.

  The female connector 5 essentially comprises a plastic casing 11 and an optical element 13 (which is fixed in place inside the casing) connected to the individual cables 7. This optical element 13 may be an optical transmitter, for example a diode, or a light receiver, for example an optoelectronic converter.

  The casing 11 essentially has a base 15 (to which the optical element 13 is fixed in place) and an outer peripheral skirt 17 (which has a generally parallelepiped profile and has a gap 19 for accommodating the male connector 3. Prepare for inside).

  Formed in the base 15 of the casing is an axial guide shaft 20 which opens into the gap 19 on one side and on the other side the active part (transmitter or light receiver) of the individual optical element 13. Facing the container).

  The casing 11 has a tab 21 for fixing it in place on the support (this tab projects laterally from the skirt 17) and at least one for fixing the casing 11 in place on such support. Note that a centering pin 23 is formed.

  The cable 7 shown in the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, is a cable called “monofiber”, each with an intermediate peripheral sheath 28 covering the fiber 27 and an outer sheath 29 covering this intermediate sheath 28. It comprises a single fiber 27 extending coaxially. The fiber 27 forms an optical waveguide and a core.

  Of course, other types of optical cables, particularly multi-fiber cables or cable groups having a different number of surrounding sheaths surrounding the fiber or fiber groups, are also suitable for the practice of the present invention.

  In the example shown, the end section of the cable 7 connected by this connector is “stripped” by a certain length starting from the front end. For this stripped section 30, the fiber 27 lacks sheaths 28 and 29. Thus, for this stripped portion at the end of the cable 7, it has an outer diameter that is smaller than the remaining outer diameter of the cable 7.

  Hereinafter, the female connector 3 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  The male connector 3 comprises a plastic casing 31, which is generally a parallelepiped and is complementary to the gap 19 in the casing 11 of the female connector 5. The casing 31 is formed with two sockets 33 for accommodating the end sections of the individual cables 7, and each socket 33 forms a through hole that passes between the rear surface and the front surface of the casing 31. Yes.

  Each socket 33 extends axially within the casing 31, and in an axial plane, such as the plane of FIG. 2, with respect to cross section, a socket outlet section 33A, a first frustoconical section 33B, a second cone. It comprises a platform section 33C and a cylindrical front section 33D.

  The large base of each of the two truncated cone sections 33B and 33C is directed rearward, and the large diameter base of the second truncated cone section 33C is smaller than that of the small diameter base of the first truncated cone section 33B. Has a diameter. The smaller diameter of the second truncated cone section 33 </ b> C generally corresponds to the outer diameter of the sheath 29.

  On the front side, the casing comprises two cylindrical parts 35 projecting forward, which form the front sections 33D of the individual sockets therein. The cylindrical portion 35 is configured to engage with the shaft 20 when the male connector 3 and the female connector 5 are connected.

  On one of its faces, the casing 31 is further formed with a releasable locking system 37 in the connected state of the two parts 3 and 5 of the connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking system 37 is in the form of a flexible tab that can be deflected and includes a hook 38. The hook 38 protrudes outward and is provided to engage with a complementary catch formed inside the skirt 17. The locking system 37 therefore forms an elastic coupling locking system.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the male connector 3 on the other hand comprises a collar 40, which is arranged in each of the sockets 33, substantially in the first frustoconical section 33B, and In order to lock the end sections of the individual optical cables 7 in place, they are fixed in place in the casing. This collar 40 makes it possible to hold the corresponding cable end section in full engagement in the casing 31, as shown in FIG. In this complete engagement position, the distal end portion of the fiber 27 to be connected is arranged so as to be flush with the end portion of the cylindrical portion 35. In practice, the distal end of the fiber 27 protrudes slightly from the front surface of the tubular portion 35 upon its insertion into the casing, but is then flattened and surfaced by a process called a polishing or "hot plate" process. It is assumed to be one. Thus, the fiber ends are accurately and stably positioned and held.

  Now, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the collar 40 will be described in more detail on the assumption that in the engaged state in the socket 33, it is arranged along the X-axis.

  The lock collar 40 has a generally frustoconical shape with a base having a large diameter and facing backwards.

  Four tabs 43 are formed on the rear peripheral rim 41 (which forms a large-diameter base), and these tabs 43 protrude rearward and are curved so as to protrude radially outward uniformly. is doing. These tabs 43 are arranged at equal intervals on the periphery of the rim 41, so that each one is offset by 90 ° relative to the next.

  Between the two series of tabs 43, an axial slot 45 is formed over most of the length of the collar 40 starting from the rear rim 41. The four slots 45 formed in this way are arranged at equal intervals on the periphery of the collar 40 and alternately with the tabs 43.

  At the small diameter base formed by the front peripheral rim 47, the collar 40 is squeezed towards the axis. Thus, in the front section of the collar 40, the peripheral wall forming this collar has a greater inclination with respect to the X axis.

  In addition, four axial slots 48 are formed over the majority of the length of the collar 40 and open at the front rim 47. These slots 48 are spaced apart from the peripheral edge of the collar around the X axis at regular intervals, and are alternately provided with the slots 45. As a result, the slots 48 are aligned with the corresponding protruding tabs 43 in the axial direction. It has become.

  Due to the alternating arrangement of the axial slots 45, 48, the collar 40 can be elastically bent and deformed at the front side by expanding so that the rim 47 is separated with respect to the axis, or at the rear side by narrowing so that the rim 41 becomes one It has become.

  In practice, the collar 40 is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the strip 50 behaves like a flexible beam under the action of an applied force. This applied force occurs when the collar engages in the corresponding socket at the plug end or rear rim 41 of the cable, or when the cable is inserted into the collar, this applied force is In the region of the front rim 47, the outer rim 47 faces outward in the radial direction.

  The inner edge 49 causes the front rim 47 to converge in the radial direction toward the X axis when the front rim 47 is deformed radially outward when the cable 7 is introduced. A sharp edge is formed which bites into the outer sheath 29 of the cable 7 under the action of the elastic restoring force to be caused.

  As can be better seen from FIG. 5 (which shows the collar 40 deployed in a plane), the collar is essentially formed from an axial strip 50, which is present in eight, Then, the rear rim 41 and the front rim 47 are alternately connected to each other, that is, alternately at the introduction end and the opposite end of the optical cable 7.

  The collar 40 is preferably formed as a single piece from a metal sheet or piece of metal, such as spring steel, essentially and continuously by cutting and bending. The metal piece or metal sheet cut to form the collar 40 as described above is in the form shown in FIG. 5 until it is bent.

  1 and 2 again, it can be seen that the introduction section 33A of each socket 33 has four axial recesses 52A arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction for receiving the tabs 43. These axial recesses 52A face the peripheral cylinder 53 toward the front. The shoulder 53 forms an insertion port (or large-diameter base) of the first truncated cone section 33 </ b> B inside, and serves as a holding stopper for the tab 43 when the collar 40 is inserted into the socket 33.

  In the circumferential direction, an axially inclined surface 52B is formed alternately with the axial recess 52A, and is inclined from the rear to the front toward the X-axis. Slope 52B leads to an enlarged section (not visible in the figure) towards the front, which forms an elastic coupling catch for the rear rim 41 of the collar.

  This will be better understood by analogy by reading a portion of the description made in connection with FIG.

  However, now and thereafter, tabs 43 form a means for securing the collar 40 in place within the socket 33 of the casing 31, which is a socket formed by an enlarged section between the shoulder 53 and the inlet ramp 52. Obviously, it functions by elastically coupling to the catch of the insertion port 33A.

  6 and 7, a method for wiring the male connector 3 will be described. This is because the end section of the cable to be connected can be quickly connected to the male connector without the need for caulking to the tip. 3 illustrates that it can be fixed in place.

  Shown in FIG. 6 is a lock collar 40 which is pulled out of its respective socket 33 in a state where it can be installed immediately in the casing 31.

  The collar 40 is inserted into the casing 31 prior to connector wiring. They are inserted into their respective sockets 33 by engaging the tabs 43 in the recesses 52A of the socket outlets 33A, and the cable insertion ends (which are the open ends of the collar) are naturally While facing backwards.

  In the process of inserting the collar 40 into its socket 33, the rear end of the strip 50 is inserted until the rim 41 is immersed in the catch formed by the enlarged section and the tab 43 is seated against the shoulder 53. , Bend gradually inward in the radial direction along the slope 52B. The strip 50 is then suddenly returned to its released position by radial elastic recovery towards the outside of the rear rim 41.

  The collar 40 thus obtains its functional position which is fixed in place in the casing 31 inside the socket 33 and more precisely in the first frustoconical section 33B. At the front end of the collar 40, radial play is provided between the collar 40 and the inner wall of the socket 33, and radial deflection toward the outside of the front of the collar 40 is possible inside the socket 33. Please note that.

  Thus, when the cable section 7 (a portion 30 of which length has been stripped in advance) is inserted as shown in FIG. 7, the outer sheath 29 moves the front portion of the collar 40 radially outward. To be elastically deformed. For this reason, the minimum diameter of the collar defined by the edge 49 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath 29.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the insertion of the end section of the cable 7 into the casing 31 is such that the end of the sheath 29 is placed on the front shoulder 63 corresponding to the small diameter base of the second frustoconical section 33C of the socket 33. Limited by abutting. In this state in which the cable 7 is completely inserted, the stripped section 30 of the fiber 27 extends in the socket 33D, and the free end of the fiber is flush with the end of the tubular portion 35. On the other hand, the coated part of the cable extends over the remaining sections 33A, 33B, 33C of the socket and, of course, outside the casing.

  In this functional state, it can be seen that the four portions of the sharp edge 49 (separated by the slot 48) act like a serrated jaw on the outer sheath 29 of the cable 7. That is, due to the presence of the cable 7, the sharply bent toward the inner side in the radial direction (toward the X-axis) due to the elastic deformation of the collar 40 by spreading the jaws away from each other. The edge 49 bites into the outer sheath 29 of the cable.

  Thus, if a pulling force is applied to the cable 7, it will attempt to pull the end section of the cable out of the casing 31, but the axial strip 50 will converge and flex, and the front rim 47 will move toward the X axis. Moving in the radial direction, this further increases the resistance to cable withdrawal exerted by the front rim 47. That is, the pulling behavior of the cable 7 starts from the fully inserted state shown in FIG. 2, and the sharp edge 49 additionally bites into the outer sheath 29, thus further strengthening the holding state of the outer sheath 29 in the collar 40. It shall be

  Further, even when such a tensile force acts on the cable 7, it is obvious that the collar 40 is securely held in the socket 33 by the catches formed on the rim 41 and the socket insertion port 33 </ b> A.

  Thus, the collar 40 has an axial end (which is the widened end for inserting the cable 7), a section having means 43 for locking in the casing 31, and an opposite end. And a section 47 for hooking the cable.

  As is clear from the above description, each socket 33 has an insertion section 33A for guiding the cable, a section 33B for holding the cable, and a section 33C for positioning the cable and preventing it from shifting. Is provided with a latching shoulder 63) and a section 33D for guiding the fiber 27.

  Here, the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This indicates that a locking collar of the type described above can be used with a connection tip (commonly referred to as a “ferrule”), which itself can be fixed in place in the connector casing.

  Thus, the perspective view of FIG. 8 shows a chip 80, which consists of a collar 40 of the type described above and a chip body (ie, a ferrule) provided to accommodate such a lock collar 40.

  The chip body portion 81 has a generally cylindrical shape with an outer surface stepped, that is, three segments 81A, 81B, having a cylindrical appearance with a diameter decreasing from the rear portion toward the front portion. 81D exists.

  Preferably, the main body 81 is made of plastic.

  The first segment 81A has a socket insertion port 83A formed therein, which is the same as or substantially the same as the socket 33A of the casing 31.

  Similarly, the second segment 81B of the tip has a socket frustoconical segment 83B formed therein, which is the same as or substantially the same as the section 33B formed in the casing 31. It is.

  In yet another similar manner, the third segment 81D of the chip has a socket section 83D formed therein, which is cylindrical in cross section and is formed of a section 33D formed in the casing 31. Are the same.

  Therefore, the main body 81 includes a first cylindrical portion (which includes two first sections 81A and 81B for housing the collar 40) and a first section for housing the stripped section 30 of the optical cable 7. It can be described as having two cylindrical parts (which constitute the third segment 81D).

  When the socket outlet 83A is observed in detail, it is noticed that essentially slopes 92A and 92B (similar to the slopes 52A and 52B, respectively) are alternately formed around the socket outlet 83A. Will. The inclined surface 92 </ b> A has a function of guiding the tab 43 in the axial direction when the collar 40 is engaged in the chip body portion 81.

As can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 10, each bevel 92B is continuously from rear to front as follows: a section 93 that widens towards the rear at the outlet,
A generally cylindrical and axial intermediate section 94,
Has an enlarged section 95 (which forms a transition section to the frustoconical section 83B).

  The change from section 94 to section 95 forms a catch or shoulder 97, and as is further evident from FIG. 10, the rear rim 41 has the collar 40 fully engaged within the tip body 81. The shoulder 40 is used to cooperate with the collar 40.

  In this state, the shoulder 97 (which is formed as a tooth inclined toward the front) stops the collar 40 in the retracting direction (towards the rear), while the tab 43 moves into the chip body 81. This resists further movement of the collar 40 toward the front. This tab sits on a latching surface 98 formed at the end of the bevel 92A (particularly as can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 11).

  In this way, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the collar 40 can be fixed in place by elastic coupling within the chip body 81, essentially within the socket section 83B. ing.

  In practice, the collar 80 is elastically deformed by the bending of the rear arm 41 as it passes through the beveled section 94 and is elastically bounced when the rear rim 41 engages the catch 97 within the section 95. To return to the reference shape.

  The chip 80 (with its collar 40 attached) is attached and secured in place in the end section of the optical cable in the same manner as described above with respect to the male connector 3 and shown in FIG. It is also intended that is possible.

  The chip 80 may be designed as part of a monolithic or “monopath” optical connector and may be directly connected to the connector counterpart.

  Finally, FIGS. 12 and 13 show that the chip 80 can be used in a connector of a similar type to the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1, in particular a multipath optical connector.

  Shown in these figures is a chip 80 as part of the male connector 103, which has an outline similar to the connector 3 described above. The connector 103 is essentially different from the connector 3 in that the collar 40 is fixed at a proper position in the socket 133 of the casing 131 by the chip body portion 81.

  In this regard, the casing 131 includes a system 141 for securing the chip 80 in place, which is provided with a resilient tab 141 provided with a hook 143 that cooperates with the rear surface of the first segment 81A of the main body by elastic coupling. Function as.

  The segment 81D of the chip body 81 has the same front part as the cylindrical part 35 of the connector 3, and can cooperate in the same manner as the shaft 20 of the same male connector 5 as shown in FIGS. Please note that.

  This situation is as shown in FIG. 13, which shows the male connector 103 of FIG. 12 joined to a female connector (or chip) 5 of the type shown in FIGS.

  Although the end section of the optical cable 7 is not shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, as previously mentioned before or after the chip 80 is secured in place within the casing 131, the chip 80 may be a part of the optical cable. It can be seen that it can be attached to the end portion that is peeled off.

  Therefore, the lock collar 40 as proposed by the present invention does not require prior caulking work, and the optical connector can be quickly wired simply by inserting the cable end into a casing socket having this collar. It has been explained.

  It has also been described that such collars can be used in many applications, regardless of whether they are equipped with plastic ferrules, and are extremely versatile.

  Furthermore, the high level of mechanical retention of the cable in the socket, guaranteed by such a locking collar 40, results in excellent reliability of the connecting device thus mounted.

  Finally, it should be noted that the lock collar according to the present invention is very inexpensive to manufacture. This is because the base metal used is relatively low cost and the processing tool employed is simple.

1 is a rear perspective view of an optical connector (two parts of which are shown in a separated state) comprising a locking collar according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 along direction 2-2 in the axial plane of the socket, the connector being shown assembled. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking collar according to the present invention as seen in the connector of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along direction 4-4 in the axial plane of the collar of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a development view in one plane of the collar of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of only the male part of the connector of FIG. 1, with the locking collar shown in an unplugged position, ready for insertion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the male portion of the connector of FIG. 6, with the locking collar disposed in its respective socket and the end section of the cable to be connected is ready for insertion. It is shown in a state extracted from the connector casing. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a connecting chip according to the present invention, which is provided with a locking collar as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which is shown in a state where it can be plugged in and pulled out of the chip. Has been. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the chip of FIG. 8 in an axial plane along direction 9-9, with the collar disposed in the socket. FIG. 10 is a similar view in the axial plane along direction 10-10, shifted by 45 ° about the X axis with respect to the plane of FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 in which the end section of the optical cable to be connected is inserted into the chip and is in its connection position. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the male portion of the connector, which includes a chip as shown in FIGS. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the male part of the connector of FIG. 12 in the same plane, joined to the connector counterpart.

Explanation of symbols

1 Connector 3 Male connector (male part)
5 Female connector (female part)
7 Optical Cable 11 Casing 13 Optical Element 15 Base 17 Peripheral Skirt 19 Gap 20 Axial Guide Shaft 21 Tab 23 Centering Pin 27 Fiber 28 Middle Peripheral Sheath 29 Peripheral Sheath 30 Stripped Section 31 Casing 33 Socket 35 Cylindrical Section 37 Locking System 38 Hook 40 Lock collar 41 Rear peripheral rim 43 Tab 45 Axial slot 47 Front peripheral rim 48 Axial slot 49 Inner edge 50 Axial strip 52 Slot bevel 53 Peripheral cylinder 63 Front shoulder 80 Tip 81 Tip body 83 Socket socket 93 section 94 middle section 95 enlarged section 97 catch (shoulder)
98 Suspension surface 103 Male connector 131 Casing 133 Socket 141 System (elastic tab)
143 hook

Claims (17)

An optical cable connector element,
A casing-forming main body (31; 81; 131) comprising at least one socket (33; 83, 133) for accommodating an end section of the optical cable (7), said socket being on the axis (X) A casing-forming main body (31;) extending along the axis and having a rear end (33A; 83A) for inserting the optical cable and a front end (33D; 83D) for connection along the axis. 81; 131),
Means (40) for locking the end section of the optical cable in place within the socket;
The locking means (40) comprises at least one essentially axial (X) elastic extension (50), cantilevered and inclined forward (50). A rear section is firmly connected to the inner wall of the socket (33; 83; 133), and the extension (50) has a front latching section (47), which has a front latching section ( 47) has a sharp edge (49) and is bent radially inwardly so that the end section of the optical cable (7) is inserted into the socket (33; 83; 133). When inserted in the cable section, the latching section (47) can bend radially outwards and the reverse withdrawal behavior of the cable section (7) causes the sharp edge (49) to be connected to the cable. Bite into the outer sheath (29) of the section; Accordingly, the optical cable connector element is adapted to hold the cable section in the main body.   The locking means is composed of a collar (40), which is fixed at an appropriate position inside the main body (31; 81; 131), and the collar (40) has the elastic protrusion ( 50) is axially formed, said collar (40) having a rear end and a front latching section (47) for inserting said cable section (7). Connector element as described in.   3. A connector element according to claim 2, wherein the collar (40) is widened at the rear end.   4. A connector element according to claim 3, wherein the collar (40) has a generally frustoconical shape.   The collar (40) comprises means (41) for fixing in place in the connecting casing (31; 81; 131), this means being provided on the peripheral rim (41) at the rear end. The connector element according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the connector element is provided.   6. A connector element according to claim 5, wherein the collar (40) is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the fixing means (41) is a fixing means in place by elastic coupling.   Said collar (40) generally has a rotating body shape, which consists essentially of an axial strip (50) forming an elastic extension and alternately connected to each other at the rear end and the front end. The connector element according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the connector element is provided.   8. A connector element according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the collar (40) is essentially formed by cutting and bending a part of a sheet metal material.   The chip comprises a chip for connecting the optical cable, and this chip comprises a cylindrical main body (81) provided for forming a casing and for fitting an end section of the optical cable (7). The connector element according to claim 8.   The main body (81) is composed of at least two cylindrical sections (81A, 81B, 81D), and the first one (81A, 81B) having a large inner diameter accommodates the collar (40) and the collar. Complementary means for fixing the optical cable in place are provided, and the second one (81D) is provided for accommodating the end of the optical cable (7) to be connected. 10. A connector element according to claim 9, characterized in that claim 2 is cited.   The first section (81A, 81B) is substantially partially frustoconical (83B) with respect to its interior, and the small diameter end of the first section is internal to the second section (81D). 11. The connector element according to claim 10, when claim 4 is cited, characterized in that they are connected with each other.   9. A connector element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a connector part (3; 103) provided for connection with a connector corresponding part (5).   The socket (33; 83) includes at least two cylindrical portions (33A to D; 83A to D), and the first one (33A, 33B; 83A, 83B) having a large inner diameter is the collar ( 40) and a fixing means for fixing the collar in place, and the second one (33D; 83D) is provided for receiving the end of the optical cable (7) to be connected. 13. A connector element according to claim 12, when claim 2 is cited.   The first cylindrical portion (33A, 33B; 83A, 83B) is substantially partially frustoconical with respect to the inside thereof, and the small-diameter end of the first cylindrical portion is the second cylindrical shape. 14. The connector element according to claim 13, wherein the connector element opens toward the portion (33D; 83D).   The socket includes an insertion section (33A) for guiding the cable, a section (33B) for holding the cable, and a section (33C) for positioning and holding, 15. A holding shoulder (63) is provided in the section (33C), and the holding shoulder (63) functions in the insertion direction of the cable. A connector element according to claim 1.   A connector element (80) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the collar is fixed in place in the socket (133) so that the collar is fixed in place in the socket (133). The connector element according to claim 12, further comprising:   17. A connector element according to claim 16, characterized in that a fixing means (141, 143) in place by elastic coupling of the tip (80) is provided in the socket (133).

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