Abstract: A USB connector includes a receptacle which includes a receptacle shell and a receptacle terminal; a plug which includes a plug shell for fitting into the receptacle shell and a plug terminal; and an engagement release member which is provided on the plug shell so as to be movable between an engagement releasing position and an engagement position. When the plug is fitted into the receptacle, the plug terminal is electrically connected to the receptacle terminal. The plug shell has a retaining portion. The receptacle shell has an engagement portion which is engaged with the retaining portion when the plug is fitted into the receptacle. The engagement release member maintains an engagement of the retaining portion with the engagement portion at the engagement position. The engagement release member releases the engagement of the retaining portion with the engagement portion at the engagement releasing position.

Abstract: An optical ring network, an optical connector, and a hybrid connector is provided, wherein a leading-out direction of an optical fiber can be changed without bringing about bad influence on the light transmitted with the optical fiber. An optical plug 24 as an optical connector includes a pair of ferrules 31 to be attached to the respective ends of a pair of optical fibers 25 and an optical adapter 32 having accommodating chambers 101 to accommodate the respective end portions of the optical fibers 25 with the respective ferrules 31. And, directing members 26, 27 to direct the respective optical fibers 25 led out of the optical adapter 32 are secured to the respective ferrules 31, and the ferrules 31 with the directing members 26, 27 are pivotably accommodated in the respective accommodating chambers 101.

Abstract: The protection cap is removably attached to an optical connector or a hybrid connector each having a cable ferrule therein. The cable ferrule has an end face at which an optical core cable is exposed. The protection cap has a locked portion engaged with a lock portion of the optical connector or the hybrid connector and has a projection (23) on an innerwall of the protection cap for protectively covering the end face of the cable ferrule. The protection cap is defined in a box shape, which can be molded by one or more molding dies that can be removed parallel to an engagement direction of the protection cap with the connector.

Abstract: In a press-connecting connector (30), a receiving width (W2) between side walls (31b, 31b) of a connector housing (31) is larger than a width (W1) of the press-connecting portion, and a gap (g) is formed between each press-connecting blade (9) and the corresponding side wall (31b). In a wire press-fitting apparatus (40), a lower end surface (43a) of each of press-connecting blade pressing portions (43) is flat. The lower end surfaces (43a) of the press-connecting blade pressing portions (43) are brought into abutting engagement with upper end surfaces (9d) of the press-connecting blades (9), respectively, and a lower end surface (42a) of a press-fitting rod portion (42) forces an electric wire (7) into a gap (G) between downwardly-extending inner surfaces (9c, 9c). As a result, the pair of press-connecting blades (9) are displaced respectively toward the side walls (31b, 31b), so that the gap (G) between the downwardly-extending inner surfaces (9c, 9c) is expanded into a generally V-shape.

Abstract: A light emitting module and a light receiving module are indirectly received in respective module receiving sections of a shield casing so as to set the modules in position in the shield casing. The shield casing is then mounted in an optical housing to assemble an optical connector. Positioning of the light emitting module and the light receiving module and their leads is easily attained. The operation for assembling the optical connector is facilitated.

Abstract: A terminal has a base, a pair of caulking pieces integrally extending from the base, and a pair of bent pieces for regulating the movement of the electric wire. The caulking pieces are bent and retain the electric wire from over an insulating cladding thereof. The bent pieces integrally extend from the base and has an inclined surface contacting with the insulating cladding. The electric wire on the base is retained by the inclined surfaces and the caulking pieces at least from three directions. Accordingly, the lateral movement of the electric wire relative to the base when the terminal or the electric wire has been subjected to vibrations is regulated by bent pieces, whereby the impairment of the electric wire is prevented.

Abstract: A hybrid connector consists of an optical fiber cable having a ferrule attached at one end thereof, an optical adapter having a receiving cavity for the one end of the optical fiber cable, an electrical connector having terminal receiving cavities for receiving electrical terminals and an optical adapter mount section for receiving the optical adapter, a cover which receives the optical adapter, and an optical housing having a housing side receiving cavity for the one end of the optical fiber cable. The hybrid connector, depending on the constituent elements selected, can be provided as an optical/electrical connector, a first optical connector and a second optical connector, so as to match to the mating connector.

Abstract: The protection cap is removably attached to an optical connector or a hybrid connector each having a cable ferrule therein. The cable ferrule has an end face at which an optical core cable is exposed. The protection cap has a locked portion engaged with a lock portion of the optical connector or the hybrid connector and has a projection 23 on an innerwall of the protection cap for protectively covering the end face of the cable ferrule. The protection cap is defined in a box shape, which can be molded by one or more molding dies that can be removed parallel to an engagement direction of the protection cap with the connector.

Abstract: A press-connecting terminal (1) includes a press-connecting portion (4) having press-connecting blades (9). The press-connecting blade (9) has a pair of opposed inner surfaces (9c) extending downwardly respectively from a pair of bladed, tapering guide surfaces (9a) which are slanting downwardly toward the axis of the electric wire (7), and a gap (G), formed between the pair of inner surfaces (9c), is smaller than the diameter (d) of a conductor (7b) of the electric wire (7). On the basis of at least one of the width (W) of each of the downwardly-extending inner surfaces (9c), the size of the gap (G), and the number (n) of the press-connecting blades (9), the total area (ST) of contact of the downwardly-extending inner surfaces (9c) with the conductor (7b) is set to a value greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area (&pgr;d2/4) of the conductor (7b). Therefore, an electrical resistance, developing between the conductor (7b) and each inner surface (9c), can be reduced.

Abstract: A hybrid connector consists of an electrical connector and an optical connector. The electrical connector includes a housing with a wall having a terminal mount section and an optical connector mount section and terminals bent L-shaped and inserted through the terminal mount section into the electrical housing. The optical connector includes an optical housing, and a light emitting element module and a light receiving element module, both accommodated in the optical housing. The optical housing, when assembled to the electrical housing, overlies the terminals with a spacing therebetween. A compact hybrid connector is obtained.

Abstract: An optical ring network, an optical connector, and a hybrid connector is provided, wherein a leading-out direction of an optical fiber can be changed without bringing about bad influence on the light transmitted with the optical fiber. An optical plug 24 as an optical connector includes a pair of ferrules 31 to be attached to the respective ends of a pair of optical fibers 25 and an optical adapter 32 having accommodating chambers 101 to accommodate the respective end portions of the optical fibers 25 with the respective ferrules 31. And, directing members 26, 27 to direct the respective optical fibers 25 led out of the optical adapter 32 are secured to the respective ferrules 31, and the ferrules 31 with the directing members 26, 27 are pivotably accommodated in the respective accommodating chambers 101.

Abstract: A press-connecting terminal (1) includes a plurality of press-connecting blades (9, 10). A gap between the pair of press-connecting blades (9) is smaller than the diameter of the electric wire (7), and a gap between the pair of press-connecting blades (10) is smaller than a diameter of a conductor (7b) of the electric wire (7). When the electric wire (7) is press-fitted relative to the press-connecting blades (9, 10), an end portion of the electric wire (7) is held by the pair of press-connecting blades (9) while the conductor (7b) is press-connected to the pairs of press-connecting blades (10) in electrically-contacted relation thereof. In so far as a variation in diameter of the electric wire (7) is within a predetermined range, the good press-connecting operation is effected, and the press-connecting terminal (1) has enhanced versatility.

Abstract: A connector coupling device comprises a first connector in which a slide plate having a cam groove is provided being capable of sliding so as to traverse the first connector, a second connector having a fitting projection which is engaged with the cam groove for coupling the second connector with the first connector when the slide plate is slid toward a first direction, and which is removed from the cam groove for removing the second connector from the first connector when the slide plate is slid toward a second direction opposed to the first direction, a coupling case having a first opening into which the first connector is inserted and a second opening into which the second connector is inserted and slidablly mounted therein, and a fitting support member urging one end portion of the slide plate toward the first direction while the first connector is pushed toward the second connector inside of the case in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions for coupling the first connector wi

Abstract: A connector coupling device comprises a first connector in which a slide plate having a cam groove is provided being capable of sliding so as to traverse the first connector, a second connector having a fitting projection which is engaged with the cam groove for coupling the second connector with the first connector when the slide plate is slid toward a first direction, and which is removed from the cam groove for removing the second connector from the first connector when the slide plate is slid toward a second direction opposed to the first direction, a coupling case having a first opening into which the first connector is inserted and a second opening into which the second connector is inserted and slidablly mounted therein, and a fitting support member urging one end portion of the slide plate toward the first direction while the first connector is pushed toward the second connector inside of the case in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions for coupling the first connector wi

Abstract: A low inserting force connector comprising a male and female connectors to be smoothly engaged and disengaged with a low force is provided. A pair of sliders are point-symmetrically formed along the upper and lower walls of a female connector housing. The sliders are provided with cam portions, and a male connector housing is provided with stopper protrusions to be engaged with the cam portions. The sliders are accommodated in the female connector housing, so that the inlets of the cam portions are situated in the center of the housing in the transverse direction. Follower protrusions are formed on the sliders, and guide slits are point-symmetrically formed through the female connector housing. The female and male connector housings can be inserted into a connector casing, and the connector casing is point-symmetrically provided with cam portions for receiving the follower protrusions.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission connector for interconnecting circuits provided inside and outside an automatic transmission, there are provided a plurality of terminals, a housing for receiving the terminals, and a rear holder engageable with the housing. The housing has a plurality of cavities for receiving the terminals, respectively, and the cavities are separated from one another in such a manner that the cavities communicate with one another through partially-notched wall portions. The housing has terminal passage holes into which the terminals are press-fitted, respectively. The rear holder has wall piece portions, and when the rear holder is engaged with the housing, the wall piece portions cooperate with notches, formed in the wall portions of the cavities, to separate the cavities from one another, and also retain the terminals within the respective cavities.

Abstract: A low insertion force connector in which the operability of a slider is enhanced so that a force, required for connecting terminals of one connector respectively to terminals of the other connector, will not affect the operability of the slider. Specifically, the low insertion force connector includes a first connector having follower projections, a second connector having a slider insertion hole, and a slider having cam grooves for respectively guiding the follower projections. The slider has at least one inertia insertion abutment projection for the follower projection, and the cam groove is formed in continuous relation to the abutment projection, and when the follower projection passes the abutment projection, terminals in the first connector are initially fitted respectively into terminals in the second connector.

Abstract: A lever engagement type connector comprises a first connector (1) having a connector housing (4), the first connector (1) having a through portion (10) formed in the connector housing (4) for being inserted with a front end of a lever (3), the first connector (1) further having a bearing portion (12) for supporting the rotation of the lever (3); and a second connector (2) for being connected to the first connector (1) by the rotation of the lever (3), the second connector (2) having a connector housing (13), the second connector (2) further having an engaging protrusion (16) formed in the connector housing (12) for being engaged with the front end of the lever (3).

Abstract: A low insertion force connector in which a slider can be firmly provisionally retained on a connector housing. In the low insertion force connector, a slider insertion hole is formed through an outer wall of one connector housing, and a slider has a provisionally-retaining arm and cam grooves, and the other connector housing has follower projections for movement along the cam grooves. A reception surface for the provisionally-retaining arm is formed on the outer wall of the connector housing. A recessed portion is formed at the outer wall, and the slider insertion hole is formed at the recessed portion, and an edge portion of the slider insertion hole, provided in the recessed portion, serves as the reception surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a pair of opposing connector housings (A) (B) mateable to one another, in which terminals accommodated therein are electrically coupled. Furthermore, the connector has a sliding member, (C) and a sliding member insertion slit (6) (12) is provided in each of the connector housings (A) (B) so as to extend as crossing with the mating direction of the connector housings (A) (B). From an inner surface of the sliding member insertion slit (12) of one of the connector housings (A) (B) is protruding a cam pin (13). Meanwhile, the sliding member (C) has a cam groove (15) which engages with the cam pin (13) so as to guide the pair of connector housings (A) (B) up to the full mated state. The sliding member (C) has a provisional lock (19) for provisionally locking the sliding member, (C) which protrudes from a sliding face of the sliding member (C) and is resiliently supported on the sliding member (C).