Sumitomo Electric Industries, Limited

Naoshi Hakamata

Toshiaki Kakii

Shuzo Suzuki

Yasuo Asano

Disclosed herein is an independent optical ferrule, an optical connector employing the independent ferrule, and replaceable plug unit employing the independent ferrule. Also disclosed is a method of using the replaceable plug unit employing the independent ferrule. The independent ferrule includes a stem portion having both ends each confronting ones of optical elements such as an end ferrule. The independent ferrule further includes at least one optical fiber held in a fixed position in the stem and having the both ends flush with the end faces of the stem. The independent ferrule also includes a collar adapted to serve as positioning member upon assembly of said independent ferrule into the optical connector or the replaceable plug unit.

Independent optical ferrule and optical fiber connector which uses the

An optical connector for joining ends of optical fibers, including an adapter formed with at least one claw and a plug coupled detachably with the adapter. The plug includes an insertion guide to be inserted into the adapter, an ejector and an urging member for urging the ejector in an axial insertion direction, while the insertion guide is formed, on its outer periphery, with a projection and a recess such that the claw is caused to ride over the projection into engagement with the recess at the time of coupling of the plug with the adapter.

Optical connector

An optical fiber cable plug manufacturing method providing easy connection between large numbers of optical fibers. The protective cover layer of an optical fiber cable is removed from its middle part to expose the coated optical fibers and the tensile strength member, and the tensile strength member is cut into two parts. Then, the coated optical fibers thus exposed are partially uncoated. Coupling members are disposed along the exposed parts of the optical fibers and molded together with the optical fibers with resin to provide a molding. The molding is cut perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis into two symmetrical parts, and the cut end faces are polished to provide two symmetrical optical fiber cable plugs.

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Kanagawa, Japan

Naoshi Hakamata