Patent ID: 6154592
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical connector comprising:an optical element, which is formed in a cylindrical figure, said optical element having a light-capturing/emitting surface on an axially frontal face and an element lead, which extends axially rearward from a rear face of said optical element;a housing having a base portion and an optical fiber receptacle, said base portion including an element receptor portion formed on an upper side thereof to accommodate and retain said optical element, said optical fiber receptacle being fromed in front of said element receptor portion to accept and retain a ferule attached to an end of an optical fiber;a contact which is made of an electrically conductive material and is provided in said housing, said contact passing vertically through said base portion in rear of said element receptor portion, said contact including at an upper end thereof a lead connector portion, to which said element lead is connected, and at a lower end thereof a contact lead portion, which is used for connection to a circuit board, etc.; anda cover which includes an element holder portion to accommodate and retain said optical element, said cover being mountable on said housing, covering said base portion;wherein:when said optical element, while being oriented such that said light-capturing/emitting surface faces said optical fiber receptacle and said element lead extends straight rearward, is mounted into said element receptor potion, said element lead is brought into contact with said lead connector portion of said contact;said lead connector portion is formed in a ""U"" figure with a slit which opens upward; and said element lead is lowered and press-fit into said slit of the lead connector portion of said contact to mount said element lead into said element receptor portion.