Tool for releasing engaged state of optical connector

{
  "publication_number": "US9829658B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Tool for releasing engaged state of optical connector",
  "abstract": "Disclosed is a tool for releasing an engaged state in which a receptacle-side engagement section formed on a side surface of a receptacle provided on a substrate is engaged with a connector-side engagement section of an optical connector that is attachable to and detachable from the receptacle. The tool includes: release claws to be inserted into respective gaps, each gap being formed between a member arranged between a pair of engagement side plate parts each being provided with the connector-side engagement section, and each engagement side plate part; and a guide part that comes into opposition with a side surface of the optical connector or the receptacle. By bringing the guide part into opposition with the side surface and sliding the release claws toward the substrate, the engagement side plate parts are spread outward by the release claws and the engaged state is released.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for detaching an optical connector from a receptacle provided on a substrate, the method comprising: preparing a tool for releasing an engaged state in which a receptacle-side engagement section formed on a side surface of said receptacle is engaged with a connector-side engagement section of said optical connector, said tool having release claws and a guide part; inserting said release claws into respective gaps, each said gap being formed between a member arranged between a pair of engagement side plate parts each being provided with said connector-side engagement section, and each said engagement side plate part; bringing said guide part into contact with a side surface of said optical connector or said receptacle; and sliding said release claws toward said substrate, said engagement side plate parts are spread outward by said release claws and said engaged state is released.",
    "2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: said release claws further comprise a first release claw configured to be inserted between said member and one of said pair of engagement side plate parts, and a second release claw configured to be inserted between said member and the other of said pair of engagement side plate parts and the method further comprising: moving said first release claw and said second release claw relatively in a direction in which said pair of engagement side plate parts is aligned.",
    "3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: said release claws have a U-shape, and a pair of said U-shaped release claws is connected by a connecting part and the method further comprising: inserting respective tip end sections of said release claws into said respective gaps while said connecting part is brought into contact with said engagement side plate part from the outer side thereof."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a tool for releasing an engaged state of an optical connector.\n\nA technique known in the art involves positioning a ferrule, which holds an end section of an optical fiber, with respect to a receptacle, which is provided on a substrate, by means of positioning sections (a positioning pin and a positioning hole), and thereby optically connecting the optical fiber and a photoelectric conversion element provided on the substrate. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a ferrule (reference number 20 in Patent Literature 1) and a receptacle (reference number 80 in Patent Literature 1) provided on a substrate are positioned with respect to one another to optically connect an optical fiber and a photoelectric conversion element provided on the substrate. In Patent Literature 1, the ferrule is fixed by fixing a fixing member (reference number 60 in Patent Literature 1) which houses the ferrule to the receptacle. Thus, to remove the ferrule from the receptacle, it is necessary to disengage the fixing member from the receptacle. If, however, there are other members (e.g. elements mounted on the substrate) around the receptacle, it may be difficult to release the engaged state by outwardly spreading the fixing member's engagement section which is in engagement with the receptacle. On the other hand, providing a space around the receptacle to facilitate releasing the engaged state will prevent elements from being laid out on the substrate at high densities.",
  "cpc": [
    "G02B 6/3898",
    "B25B 27/00",
    "G02B 6/36",
    "G02B 6/3821",
    "G02B 6/3883",
    "G02B 6/3893",
    "G02B 6/3897",
    "G02B 6/42",
    "G02B 6/4292"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25B 27/00",
    "G02B 6/00",
    "G02B 6/36",
    "G02B 6/38",
    "G02B 6/42"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "FUJIKURA LTD"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "NISHIMURA AKITO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-04-17",
  "publication_date": "2017-11-28",
  "grant_date": "2017-11-28",
  "priority_date": "2014-12-04",
  "application_number": "US-201715489155-A",
  "family_id": "56094165",
  "citations": [
    "US6095695A",
    "US6572275B2",
    "US7020376B1",
    "US7194178B2",
    "US7534128B2",
    "US7901237B2",
    "US8855458B2"
  ]
}