Waterproof connector and waterproof device using the same

There is provided a waterproof connector. The waterproof connector comprises a connector member supporting a ferrule to be butted against a target ferrule disposed in a target connector, the connector member being adapted to be locked to an adapter member of the target connector by an action of a lock operation portion provided in the connector member; unlocking means being adapted to operate the lock operation portion to release the locked state; and a housing body allowing the unlocking means to be slidably moved. The waterproof connector is adapted to be released from the connection with the target connector in such a manner that the unlocking means is allowed to be moved away from the connector member, whereby the unlocking means is operable to operate the lock operation portion to release the locked state, and to move the connector member away from the adapter member to release the fitting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(i) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a waterproof connector, and a waterproof device using the waterproof connector.

(ii) Description of the Related Art

One example of a conventional waterproof device is disclosed in JP 2007-537462A (hereinafter referred to as “Patent Document 1”).FIGS. 21 and 22are perspective views showing a waterproof device disclosed in the Patent Document 1. This waterproof device comprises a combination of a waterproof (sealed) connector201and a target connector200.FIG. 21is a front perspective view of the waterproof connector201, andFIG. 22is a perspective view showing the waterproof connector201together with the target connector200detachably connectable with the waterproof connector201, in a state before connection therebetween.

As shown inFIGS. 21 and 22, the waterproof connector201primarily comprises an inner fiber connector assembly206, an inner connector housing280supporting the inner fiber connector assembly206, and a collar member210externally covering the inner connector housing280in a rotatable manner. In particular, the inner fiber connector assembly206includes a cantilever beam portion122, which has a latch provided on the side of an end thereof to be connected to the another connector200, and defined by a ramped surface124and a locking edge126, so as to establish a locked state with the target connector200.

The target connector200has an opening202adapted to receive an end region of the inner fiber connector assembly206of the waterproof connector201during connection with the waterproof connector201. The opening202has a complementary alignment structure adapted to receive and latch into engagement with the locking edge126of the inner fiber connector assembly206. This structure makes it possible to allow the target connector200and the waterproof connector201to be mutually locked during connection therebetween.

The locked state can be easily released by rotating the collar member210of the waterproof connector201with respect to the inner connector housing280in the arrowed direction “j” inFIG. 21. Specifically, along with the rotation of the collar member210, a cam member260is rotated, so that a cam face266of the cam member260is engaged with a top contact surface119of a lock mechanism (latch)114to deflect (bend) the lock mechanism114so as to release the locked state between the cantilever beam portion122of the waterproof connector201and the opening202of the target connector200, and the connection between the waterproof connector201and the target connector200.

The conventional waterproof connector disclosed in the Patent Document 1 is configured such that the collar member210is rotated with respect to the inner connector housing280to allow the cam face266to deflect the lock mechanism114so as to release the locked state. In this configuration, it is difficult to figure out whether the locked state between the cantilever beam portion122of the waterproof connector201and the opening202of the target connector200is actually released. Moreover, it is necessary to release the locked state through a relatively complicated operation, specifically, a two-step operation consisting of “an operation of rotating the collar member210” and “a pull-out operation”.

Under the circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a waterproof connector capable of being connected to a target connector and released from the connection with the target connector, through a single-step operation, while facilitating checking of release of a locked state, and a waterproof device using the waterproof connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a waterproof connector, which comprises: a connector member supporting a ferrule to be butted against a target ferrule disposed in a target connector, wherein the connector member is adapted to be detachably fitted into an adapter member provided in the target connector to support the target ferrule, in such a manner as to allow the ferrule to be butted against the target ferrule, and then locked to the adapter member to maintain the butting between the ferrule and the target ferrule, by an action of a lock operation portion provided in the connector member; unlocking means supporting the connector member while allowing the connector member to be freely moved within a given distance along a butting direction of the target ferrule and the target ferrule, wherein the unlocking means is adapted, when it is moved toward a side opposite to the target connector along the butting direction, to operate the lock operation portion to release the locked state between the connector member and the adapter member; a generally cylindrical-shaped joining member protruding toward the target connector along the butting direction, wherein the joining member is adapted to be fixed to a cylindrical portion of the target connector protruding toward the connector member while surrounding a periphery of the adapter member along the butting direction, and, when it is fixed to the cylindrical portion, to form an overlapping region with the cylindrical portion along the butting direction; and a housing body supporting the joining member, and supporting the unlocking means while allowing the unlocking means to be slidably moved within a given distance along the butting direction, wherein: the waterproof connector is adapted to be connected to the target connector in such a manner that the housing body is moved toward the target connector along the butting direction to allow the unlocking means supported by the housing body to be moved closer to the connector member supported by the unlocking means and then allow the connector member supported by the unlocking means to be moved closer to the adapter member and fitted into the adapter member, while allowing the joining member supported by the housing body to be moved closer to the cylindrical portion, and then the joining member is fixed to the cylindrical portion while slidingly moving the housing body along the butting direction; and the waterproof connector is adapted to be released from the connection with the target connector in such a manner that the fixing between the joining member and the cylindrical portion is released while slidingly moving the housing body along the butting direction, and then the housing body is moved toward the side opposite to the target connector along the butting direction to allow the joining member supported by the housing body to be moved away from the cylindrical portion, and allow the unlocking means supported by the housing body to be moved away from the connector member supported by the unlocking means, whereby the unlocking means is operable to operate the lock operation portion provided in the connector member, to release the locked state between the adapter member and the connector member, and to move the connector member supported thereby away from the adapter member to release the fitting between the connector member and the adapter member.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof connector comprises an elastic member disposed between the unlocking means and the housing body, wherein the unlocking means is constantly biased by the elastic member, toward the target connector along the butting direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof connector comprises a coupling member disposed in a space defined by two concave portions formed in respective ones of an outer wall of the unlocking means and an inner wall of the housing body and communicated in a direction intersecting with the butting direction, wherein the housing body supports the unlocking means through the coupling member, to allow the unlocking means to be slidably moved within a given distance along the butting direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the above waterproof connector, the unlocking means supported by the housing body is adapted to be moved closer to the connector member through the coupling member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the above waterproof connector, the unlocking means supported by the housing body is adapted to be moved away from to the connector member through the coupling member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproof connector, the connector member is supported by the unlocking member in a freely movable manner along the butting direction, in such a manner as to penetrate through a through-hole formed in the unlocking means, wherein a movement of the connector member toward the target connector is restricted through a collision between a protrusion provided on an outer surface of the connector member and a front wall of the unlocking means defining a front opening of the through-hole, in the butting direction, and a movement of the connector member toward the side opposite to the target connector is restricted through a collision between a collision member provided at a rear end of the connector member and a rear wall of the unlocking means defining a rear opening of the through-hole, in the butting direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the above waterproof connector, the connector member supported by the unlocking means is adapted to be moved closer to the adapter member by means of the collision between the protrusion provided on the outer surface of the connector member and the front wall of the unlocking means defining the front opening of the through-hole, in the butting direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the above waterproof connector, the connector member supported by the unlocking means is adapted to be moved away from the adapter member by means of the collision between the collision member provided at the rear end of the connector member and the rear wall of the unlocking means defining the rear opening of the through-hole, in the butting direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproof connector, the lock operation portion has a tab formed to protrude in the butting direction and have a distal end region protruding toward the lock operation portion to wrap around a free end of the lock operation portion, wherein the unlocking means is adapted to operate the lock operation portion using the tab to release the locked state between the adapter member and the connector member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproof connector, the joining member is freely fitted onto the housing body.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproof connector, the housing body has a tubular portion protruding toward the target connector along the butting direction to form an overlapping region with an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion along the butting direction when the joining member is fixed to the cylindrical portion, wherein, when the waterproof connector is connected to the target connector, the joining member is disposed to cover an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the target connector, and the cylindrical portion of the target connector is inserted in a gap defined between the joining member and the tubular portion of waterproof connector.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof connector comprises a holding member disposed within the housing body and fixed to a rigid cord member extending inside the housing body together with an optical fiber connected to the ferrule, wherein the holding member is adapted, when the rigid cord member is pulled toward the side opposite to the target connector along the butting direction, to be brought into contact with an inner wall of the housing body to reduce a force to be applied to the optical fiber.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproof connector, the connector member has a structure of an LC connector.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a waterproof device, which comprises the above waterproof connector, and a target connector connectable with the waterproof connector.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a waterproof connector which comprises: a connector member supporting a ferrule to be butted against a target ferrule disposed in a target connector, wherein the connector member is adapted to be locked to an adapter member of the target connector to maintain the butting between the ferrule and the target ferrule, by an action of a lock operation portion provided in the connector member; unlocking means supporting the connector member while allowing the connector member to be freely moved along a butting direction of the ferrule and the target ferrule, wherein the unlocking means is adapted, when it is moved toward a side opposite to the target connector along the butting direction, to operate the lock operation portion to release the locked state between the connector member and the adapter member; and a housing body supporting the unlocking means while allowing the unlocking means to be slidably moved along the butting direction, wherein: the waterproof connector is adapted to be connected to the target connector in such a manner that the housing body is moved toward the target connector along the butting direction to allow the unlocking means supported by the housing body to be moved closer to the connector member and then allow the connector member supported by the unlocking means to be moved closer to the adapter member and fitted into the adapter member; and the waterproof connector is adapted to be released from the connection with the target connector in such a manner that the housing body is moved toward the side opposite to the target connector along the butting direction to allow the unlocking means supported by the housing body to be moved away from the connector member supported by the unlocking means, whereby the unlocking means is operable to operate the lock operation portion provided in the connector member, to release the locked state between the adapter member and the connector member, and to move the connector member supported thereby away from the adapter member to release the fitting between the connector member and the adapter member.

As above, the present invention can provide a waterproof connector capable of being connected to a target connector and released from the connection with the target connector, through a single-step operation, and a waterproof device using the waterproof connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is an external perspective view showing a waterproof device1according to one embodiment of the present invention. The waterproof device1comprises a combination of a plug connector (waterproof connector)10and a receptacle connector (target connector)80, which are adapted to be connected together.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view showing only the plug connector10.FIG. 3a horizontal sectional view showing the plug connector10and the receptacle connector80, taken along an axis of the waterproof device, andFIG. 4is a vertical sectional view taken along the line B-B inFIG. 3. For convenience of illustration,FIG. 1shows a state before connection between the plug connector10and the receptacle connector80, andFIGS. 3 and 4show a state after connection therebetween.

The receptacle connector80may be used, for example, under a condition that it is fixed to a wall (not shown) by a screw (not shown) provided to penetrate through a screw hole85formed therein. In this case, in order to prevent formation of a gap between the wall and the receptacle connector80, an O-ring83may be installed in an annular-shaped recess92formed in a R shell82thereof. The O-ring83makes it possible to close a gap between the wall and the receptacle connector80so as to more reliably keep out water.

The plug connector10and the receptacle connector80are fixed to each other by a bayonet connection, so as to maintain a connected state therebetween. In order to establish the fixing based on the bayonet connection, a pair of fixing grooves90are formed in an outer surface of a cylindrical portion86of the receptacle connector80to be located in opposed relation to each other. Correspondingly, a pair of protrusions36are formed on an inner peripheral surface of an end of a joining member18of the plug connector10to be located in opposed relation to each other. The cylindrical portion86is formed to protrude toward a connector member12while surrounding a periphery of an LC adapter (adapter member)81of the receptacle connector80. In an operation of fixing the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80by the bayonet connection, the protrusions36of the joining member18are pushed into and along the corresponding ones of the fixing grooves90of the cylindrical portion86in the arrowed direction “c1” inFIG. 1, and then the joining member18is rotated in the direction “d” inFIG. 1along an outer surface of the cylindrical portion86to allow the protrusions36of the joining member18to be put into respective recesses98of the cylindrical portion86.

The LC adapter81is provided with four fitting spaces84. Each of the fitting spaces84is adapted to allow the connector member12of the plug connector10and a connector member of the receptacle connector80formed in the same configuration as that of the connector member12to be fittingly inserted thereinto from opposite sides in such a manner that they are butted against each other. Specifically, a target ferrule (not shown) supported by a connector member (not shown) of the receptacle connector80is disposed in a region of the fitting space84on the side of the receptacle connector80, and then the connector member12of the plug connector10is fitted into a region of the fitting space84on the side of the plug connector10, so that a ferrule23supported by the connector member12of the plug connector10can be butted against the target ferrule through a connection sleeve91provided in the LC adapter81, to establish an optical connection. An optical fiber22is fixed to an end face of the ferrule23, while exposing a fiber core thereof. The optical fiber22is, for example, led out from a jacket29of a cable28covering it together with a tension member (rigid cord member)21, to extend inside the connector member12.

The plug connector10primarily comprises a cord tube (housing body)14formed in a cylindrical-shaped body, a plurality of components arranged along the arrowed direction “f” inFIG. 2and attached to the cord tube14, such as a rubber hood11, the connector member12, an LC knob62, a scroll wave ring24and a holding member13, and a plurality of components arranged along the arrowed direction “g” inFIG. 2and attached to the cord tube14, such as the joining member18, a fastener17, a cord clamp16and a gasket15. Each of the rubber hood11, the gasket15, the cord clamp16and the fastener17is formed in a generally cylindrical shape in conformity to the cord tube14.

In this embodiment, the connector member12is shown as a type including two connector members12a,12beach having the same configuration, by way of example. Alternatively, the number of connector members may be only one, or may be three or more. Each of the connector members12a,12bhas the same configuration as that of a conventional commercially-available LC connector. This means that the present invention can be widely used in the conventional LC connector. The connector segment12(12a,12b) has a cantilever beam portion (lock operation portion)61(61a,61b) formed to extend rearwardly and obliquely upwardly. The cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) has a lock protrusion73(73a,73b) formed on a lateral surface thereof. The lock protrusion73(73a,73b) is adapted, when the connector member is fitted into the LC adapter81, to be latched by a complementary shaped portion of the LC adapter81(a corresponding one of two concave-shaped lock portions provided in the LC adapter81(indicated by the reference numeral87in FIG.11)), to allow the connector member12to be locked. This makes it possible to maintain butting between the ferrule23and the target ferrule.

As is well known, the lock by the cantilever beam portion61is automatically achieved by allowing the connector member12to be moved closer to the LC adapter81, without a particular operation. More specifically, along with an operation of inserting the cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) into the fitting or receiving space84(84a,84b) (seeFIG. 3) of the LC adapter81, The cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) is automatically displaced downwardly through a collision with the LC adapter81. Then, after the lock protrusion73(73a,73b) is received in the corresponding lock portion87, the cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) is automatically returned upwardly to automatically lock the connector member12. Differently, in an operation of pulling the connector member12away from the LC adapter81, it is necessary to pulling the connector member12out of the LC adapter81, while displacing the cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) downwardly by an external operation to release the locked state between the LC adapter12and the lock protrusion73(73a,73b) of the connector member12. Typically, the downward displacement of the cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) is performed through a manual operation by a user. In this embodiment, the LC knob (unlocking means)62is provided in such a manner as to be automatically operated in conjunction with movement of other members to perform the downward displacement, as described in detail later. Thus, the plug connector10in this embodiment can be connected to the receptacle connector80and released from the connection with the receptacle connector80, through a single-step operation.

The connector member12(12a,12b) is coupled to the LC knob62in such a manner as to be freely moved within a given distance along a butting direction of the ferrule and the target ferrule (a fitting direction of the connector member12and the LC adapter81). More specifically, in order to couple the connector member12to the LC knob62in a freely movable manner, a certain level of play is provided between the gasket15and the connector member12. The LC knob62generally comprises a flange65provided on a front side thereof, and a tubular portion75provided on a rear side thereof. A rear surface of the flange65is in contact with the scroll wave ring24as an elastic member disposed between the LC knob62and the cord tube14, so that the LC knob62is constantly biased frontwardly, i.e., in a direction causing the fitting between the connector member12and the LC adapter81.

The flange65of the LC knob62is formed with a through-hole69communicated with an inside of the tubular portion75. A rear end region68of the connector member12is inserted into and supported by the through-hole69and the tubular portion75. The connector member12can be freely moved with respect to the LC knob62along the fitting direction of the connector member12and the LC adapter81, while being inserted into and supported by the through-hole69and the tubular portion75. However, a frontward movement (i.e., a movement toward the receptacle connector80) of the connector member12is restricted through a collision between a plate-shaped collision spacer64provided at a rear end of the connector member12and a rear wall74of the LC knob62defining a rear opening of the through-hole69. Further, a rearward movement (i.e., a movement toward a side opposite to the receptacle connector80) of the connector member12is restricted through a collision between a protrusion66provided on a lower region of an outer surface of the connector member12and a front wall72of the LC knob62defining a front opening of the through-hole69. Thus, the connector member12is never pulled out of the LC knob62. The collision spacer64can be attached to the connector member12in the arrowed direction “e”, as shown inFIG. 2.

The LC knob62has a tab67provided on a front side of an upper portion of the flange65. The tab67is formed to protrude frontwardly and have a front end region protruding downwardly, i.e., toward the cantilever beam portion61, so that the tab67generally has a shape capable of wrapping around a free end of the cantilever beam portion61. Thus, when the LC knob62is moved rearwardly with respect to the connector member12, the cantilever beam portion61(61a,61b) is pushed downwardly through a contact between the tab67and the free end76of the cantilever beam portion61, so that the locked state between the connector member12and the LC adapter81is released. This means that the locked state between the connector member12and the LC adapter81can be released by moving the LC knob62rearwardly with respect to the connector member12.

The cord tube14can be classified into a small-diameter portion50, an intermediate-diameter portion51, and a large-diameter portion52, for convenience of explanation. The small-diameter portion50has the gasket15, the cord clamp16and the fastener17which are attached thereto while allowing the cable28to penetrate therethrough. This makes it possible to achieve a more reliable waterproof structure. A rear end of the small-diameter portion50is formed to have an increased inner diameter. The gasket15is inserted into the increased-diameter portion, and the cord clamp16is attached to compress the gasket15having the cable28penetrating therethrough. Then, the fastener17is attached to compress an elastic portion58provided at a rear end of the cord clamp16, to reduce a diameter of the elastic portion58. Specifically, a rear end of the fastener17is formed as a tapered portion57having an inner diameter which gradually decreases toward a rear edge thereof, so that the elastic portion58is compressed by the tapered portion57, to allow the cable28to be fixed. In order to facilitate positioning of the cord clamp16relative to the small-diameter portion50, a positioning cutout (not shown) may be formed in an inner wall of the small radius portion50, and correspondingly a positioning protrusion56may be formed on the cord clamp16. In a state after all the above components are attached to the small-diameter portion50, an outer surface of the small-diameter portion50, and an outer surface of the elastic portion58provided at the rear end of the cord clamp16to protrude from the small-diameter portion50, are fully covered by the fastener17.

The intermediate-diameter portion51is formed and arranged to support the tubular portion75of the LC knob62. The tubular portion75has an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of the intermediate-diameter portion51. Thus, the cord tube14supports the LC knob62while allowing the LC knob62to be slidingly moved within a given distance along the butting direction of the ferrule23and the target ferrule (along the arrowed direction “c” inFIG. 2). Further, the plate-shaped holding member13is received in the intermediate-diameter portion51. The holding member13has an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the intermediate-diameter portion51, so that the holding member13is fully inserted into the intermediate-diameter portion51. The holding member13is provided with a slit63which allows an end of the tension member21to be inserted thereinto. The tension member21can be inserted into the slit63, and fixed to the holding member13using a screw (not shown) provided to penetrate through a screw hole26formed therein. The tension member21is fixed to the holding member13in the above manner. Thus, for example, even if the tension member21is pulled along the butting direction and toward the side opposite to the receptacle connector80, a rear surface45of the holding member13is brought into contact with an inner wall47of a rear end of the cord tube14, so that a pulling force can be transmitted to the cord tube14to reduce a force to be applied to the optical fiber22.

A rear plate35of the joining member18is positioned around a boundary between the intermediate-diameter portion51and the large-diameter portion52, and then a C-shaped retainer member (spring washer)19is attached to an outer peripheral surface of a front end of the intermediate-diameter portion51. The retainer member19is adapted to collide with the rear plate35of the joining member18supported by the intermediate-diameter portion51, to prevent pull-out of the joining member18from the intermediate-diameter portion51. The retaining member19is elastically fitted into a circular C-shaped concave portion32formed in the intermediate-diameter portion51.

A C-shaped spring washer (coupling member)20is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the front end of the intermediate-diameter portion51at a position adjacent to an inner surface the retainer member19. The spring washer20is elastically attached as with the retainer member19. Specifically, the spring washer20is disposed to extend over a space60defined by an annular-shaped outer concave portion30formed in an outer wall38of the tubular portion75of the LC knob62and an annular-shaped inner concave portion33formed in an inner wall39of the cord tube14, to couple the LC knob62and the cord tube14together. The annular-shaped outer concave portion30and the annular-shaped inner concave portion33define two recesses communicated in a direction intersecting with the butting direction (in the arrowed direction “h” inFIG. 4). In particular, the annular-shaped outer concave portion30defines a recess having a length greater than that of the spring washer20in the butting direction (the arrowed direction “c”). The recess of the annular-shaped outer concave portion30having such a length allows the LC knob62to be slidingly moved within a given distance with respect to the cord tube14. A part of a rear end of the intermediate-diameter portion51is formed as a pair of flat portions53located in opposed relation to each other to perform a tightening operation using a tool such as a spanner. The fastener17is also formed with a pair of flat portions.

The large-diameter portion52has a tubular portion25formed to protrude toward the cylindrical portion86of the receptacle connector80along the butting direction. The connector member12, and the flange65of the LC knob62coupled to the connector member12, can be slidingly moved inside the tubular portion25within a given distance along the butting direction. In an operation of fixing the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80, the tubular portion25can be brought into contact with an inner peripheral surface97of the cylindrical portion86to form an overlapping region88with the cylindrical portion86along the butting direction. The formation of the overlapping region88makes it possible to more effectively keep out water. Further, the generally cylindrical-shaped joining member18after penetrating the intermediate-diameter portion51is freely fitted onto the large-diameter portion52. The joining member18is a generally cylindrical-shaped member which protrudes toward the receptacle connector80along the butting direction of the ferrule23and the target ferrule and covers an outer periphery of the large-diameter portion52. In the operation of fixing the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80, the joining member18is connected to the cylindrical portion86of the receptacle connector80by the bayonet connection, in the aforementioned manner. In the operation of fixing the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80, the cylindrical portion86of the receptacle connector80is disposed while being inserted into a gap99defined between the joining member18and the tubular portion25of the plug connector10. The joining member18can cover an outer peripheral surface96of the cylindrical portion86and form an overlapping region87with the cylindrical portion86along the butting direction, as with the tubular portion25. This makes it possible to reliably keep out water. The rubber hood11provided in the gap99defined between the joining member and the large-diameter portion52can also enhance the waterproof effect. The rubber hood11is positioned in such a manner that it is received in an annular-shaped positioning recess54formed in the tubular portion25, and a rear surface thereof is butted against a flange27of the tubular portion25constituting a part of the large-diameter portion52. In an operation of connecting the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80, a raised portion41formed at a front end of the rubber hood11is brought into close contact with a thin-walled region89of the cylindrical portion86, so that the gap can be more reliably closed.

With reference toFIGS. 5(a) to20, a function of the waterproof device1will be described.FIGS. 5(a) to12show a sequence of operation for connecting the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80, i.e., a sequence of operation for fitting the connector member12into the LC adapter81.FIGS. 13(a) to20show a sequence of operation for releasing the connection between the plug connector10and the receptacle connector80, i.e., a sequence of operation for pulling the connector member12away from the LC adapter81.

InFIGS. 5(a) and5(b) toFIGS. 19(a) to19(b), the figure suffixed with (a) indicates a section line in the vertical sectional view of the figure suffixed with (b), and shows a state during the operation of connecting the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80(fitting the connector member12into the LC adapter81, for convenience of illustration. In the vertical sectional views taken along the section line located at the same position in the figure suffixed with (a), each component is defined by a common reference numeral or code. For example, a position of the line A-A indicated inFIG. 5(a) is the same as that of the line A-A indicated inFIG. 7(a), but it is different from that of the line D-D indicated inFIG. 9(a).FIGS. 6,8,10,12,14,16,18and20are fragmentary enlarged views of respective regions shown inFIGS. 5(b),7(b),9(b),11(b),13(b)15(b),17(b) and19(b). More specifically,FIG. 6is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region B inFIG. 5(b), andFIG. 8is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region C inFIG. 7(b).FIG. 10is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region E inFIG. 9(b), andFIG. 12is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region G inFIG. 11(b).FIG. 14is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region H inFIG. 13(b), andFIG. 16is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region I inFIG. 15(b), andFIG. 18is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region J inFIG. 17(b).FIG. 20is a fragmentary enlarged view of a region K inFIG. 19(b)

With reference toFIGS. 5(a) to12, a movement during operation of connecting the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80will be described below.

1) As shown inFIGS. 5(a),5(b) and6, the cord tube14is moved toward the receptacle connector80(the arrowed direction “c1”) along the fitting direction of the connector member12and the LC adapter81, to allow the joining member18supported by the cord tube14to be moved closer to the cylindrical portion86, and allow a rear surface77of an inner wall of the concave portion33of the cord tube14to be brought into contact with a rear surface of the spring washer20, so that the spring washer20is integrally moved together with the cord tube14.

2) As shown inFIGS. 7(a),7(b) and8, the cord tube14is further moved toward the receptacle connector80, to allow a front surface49of the spring washer20to be brought into contact with a front surface70of an inner wall of the concave portion30of the LC knob62, so that the LC knob62supported by the cord tube14is moved toward the connector member12through the spring washer20.

3) As shown inFIGS. 9(a),9(b) and10, the cord tube14is further moved toward the receptacle connector80, to allow the protrusion66provided on the outer surface of the connector member12to be brought into collision with the front wall72of the LC knob62defining the front opening of the through-hole69, so that the connector member12supported by the LC knob62is moved closer to the LC adapter81through the collision.

4) As shown inFIGS. 11(a),11(b) and12, the cord tube14is further moved toward the receptacle connector80, to allow the cantilever beam portion61of the connector member12to be engaged with the corresponding lock portion87of the LC adapter81through elastic displacement thereof, so that the connector member12is fitted into the LC adapter81and locked thereto.

5) Finally, the joining member18is rotated in a clockwise direction (the arrowed direction “d”) and fixed to the cylindrical portion86in a bayonet manner.

With reference toFIGS. 13(a) to20, a movement during the operation of releasing the connection between the plug connector10and the receptacle connector80will be described below.

1) The joining member18is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (the arrowed direction “d”) to release the fixing of the cylindrical portion86.

2) Then, as shown inFIGS. 13(a),13(b) and14, the cord tube14is moved toward the side opposite to the receptacle connector80(the arrowed direction “c2”) along the fitting direction of the connector member12and the LC adapter81, to allow the joining member18supported by the cord tube14to be moved away from the cylindrical portion86, and allow the a front surface78of the inner wall of the concave portion33of the cord tube14to be brought into contact with the front surface49of the spring washer20, so that the spring washer20is integrally moved together with the cord tube14.

3) As shown inFIGS. 15(a),15(b) and16, the cord tube14is further moved toward the side opposite to the receptacle connector80, to allow a rear surface48of the spring washer20to be brought into contact with a rear surface71of the inner wall of the concave portion30of the LC knob62, so that the LC knob62supported by the cord tube14is moved away from the connector member12.

4) Thus, as shown inFIGS. 17(a),17(b) and18, the tab67of the LC knob62is brought into contact with the free end76of the cantilever beam portion61, so that the cantilever beam portion61is pushed downwardly (in the arrowed direction “h”) through the contact, and the locked state between the LC adapter81and the connector member12is released.

5) As shown inFIGS. 19(a),19(b) and20, the cord tube14is further moved toward the side opposite to the receptacle connector80, to allow the collision member64provided at the rear end of the connector member12to be brought into collision with the rear wall of the LC knob62defining the rear opening of the through-hole69, so that the connector member12supported by the LC knob62is moved away from the LC adapter81through the collision, and the fitting between the connector member12and the LC adapter81is released.

In the waterproof device according to this embodiment, in the operation of connecting the plug connector10to the receptacle connector80, the connector member12can be fitted into the LC adapter81, and the joining member18can be connected to the cylindrical portion87(or fixed to the cylindrical portion87by a bayonet connection), through a single-step operation of moving the cord tube14with respect to the connector member12. Further, in the operation of releasing the connection between the plug connector10and the receptacle connector80, the bayonet connection between the joining member18and the cylindrical portion86can be released, and the fitting between the connector member12and the LC adapter18can be released, through a single-step operation of moving the cord tube14with respect to the connector member12. As above, in the above embodiment, although it is necessary to rotate the joining member in order to release the bayonet lock, the plug connector10can be connected to the receptacle connector80, and the connection therebetween can be released, through a single-step operation. Particularly, the unlocking of the connector member12provided in the plug connector10can be achieved only by a “pull-out operation”. Thus, it can be said that the waterproof device according to the above embodiment has excellent operating efficiency. In addition, the fitting between the connector member12and the LC adapter81can be released in a usual manner, although it is performed using the LC knob62. This also provides an advantage of being able to facilitate checking the release of the locked state.

The present invention can be applied to not only a waterproof connector but also various other types of connectors.