Patent ID: 7207726
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical connector comprising a first connector element holding a first optical fiber and a second connector element holding a second optical fiber, the first and the second connector elements cooperating with each other to obtain a connected state in which exposed longitudinal ends of the first and the second optical fibers are brought into contact with each other, wherein the first optical fiber comprising: a long fiber portion having longitudinal ends; a short fiber portion having a polymer layer on its outer peripheral surface to have a higher breakage resistance than the long fiber portion and having longitudinal ends; and a fusion connection portion where one of the longitudinal ends of the short fiber is fused to one of the longitudinal ends of the long fiber portion, another of the longitudinal ends of the short fiber portion being exposed to serve as the exposed longitudinal end of the first optical fiber; wherein the first connector element comprises: a main body; a clamp portion holding the first optical fiber; and a cover fixing the clamp portion to the main body, wherein the fusion connection portion between the long fiber portion and the short fiber portion is held within the clamp portion, and wherein the short fiber portion is bent by the second optical fiber in the connected state of the optical connector and is brought into contact with the second optical fiber by the resilient force of the short fiber portion.