Patent ID: 7234876

Claim:
A multi core optical connect or assembly, comprising: a plug side optical connector having a plug housing; and a receptacle side optical connector having a receptacle housing that engages with the plug housing; the plug housing having a plurality of first multi core ferrules and a forwardly facing guide post; the receptacle housing having a plurality of second multi core ferrules and a guide post hole for receiving the guide post; the first and second multi core ferrules holding the ends of optical fiber cables to be connected to each other; a first guiding mechanism being formed by the interior shape of an engagement portion of the plug housing and the exterior shape of an engagement portion of the receptacle housing, which is to be guided and inserted into the engagement portion of the plug housing; a second guiding mechanism being formed by the guide post and the guide hole; a third guiding mechanism being formed by the interior shape of the engagement portion of the receptacle housing and the exterior shapes of the first plug side multi core ferrules, which are to be inserted into the engagement portion of the receptacle housing; a fourth guiding mechanism being formed by guide pins of the first or second multi core ferrules and guide pin apertures, for receiving the guide pins, of the second or first multi core ferrules; and the first, second, third, and fourth guiding mechanisms operating sequentially in number order during engagement of the receptacle side optical connector and the plug side optical connector.