Optical cable connection structure and optical cable connection method

1. An optical cable connection structure in which an optical cable including a fiber optic core and tensile strength filaments covered with a covering is connected to a connecting element incorporated into a connector, wherein said structure comprises:

a clamping member that clamps the end portion of said covering along its outer peripheral surface in a state where the covering has been removed from the end portion of the optical cable such that the fiber optic core and the tensile strength filaments are not covered by the end portion of the covering;

a gripping member that grips the exposed tensile strength filaments not covered by the end portion of the covering in a state where the exposed fiber optic core not covered by the end portion of the covering passes therethrough; and

a protective member that covers a range extending from the clamping member to the gripping member in the axial direction of the fiber optic core in a state where the exposed fiber optic core is connected to a connecting element of the connector while the gripping member is attached to said connector.

2. The optical cable connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping member comprises an internal gripping member whose axis is the longitudinal direction of the fiber optic core and an external gripping member externally fitted over said internal gripping member, and said external gripping member is adapted to be crimped such that it grips the exposed tensile strength filaments in a state where the exposed tensile strength filaments are threaded from within the internal gripping member between said internal gripping member and external gripping member.

3. The optical cable connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the exposed fiber optic core and the exposed tensile strength filaments are covered by the protective member through the medium of an intermediate sleeve while being threaded into said intermediate sleeve.

4. The optical cable connection structure according to claim 3 , wherein the intermediate sleeve is a tube of heat-shrinkable resin.

5. The optical cable connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting element of the connector is a converter circuit module that converts optical signals obtained from the optical fiber to electrical signals.

6. An optical cable connection method for connecting an optical cable in which a fiber optic core and tensile strength filaments are covered with a covering to a connecting element incorporated into a connector, wherein the optical cable connection method comprises:

a preparatory step, which involves both removing the covering from the end portion of the optical cable such that the fiber optic core and the tensile strength filaments are not covered by the end portion of the covering and externally fitting over the optical fiber cable a protective member used to cover the exposed fiber optic core and the exposed tensile strength filaments not covered by the end portion of the covering and a gripping member used to grip said exposed tensile strength filaments;

a gripping member advancement step, which involves bringing the gripping member to a location adjacent the end portion of the exposed tensile strength filaments by moving it forwardly with respect to the exposed fiber optic core and the exposed tensile strength filaments;

a clamping step, which involves clamping the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the covering with the clamping member;

a gripping step, which involves gripping the end portion of the exposed tensile strength filaments with the gripping member;

a fiber optic core connection step, which involves pulling out the exposed fiber optic core by pulling the gripping member back rearwardly while slackening the exposed tensile strength filaments, and connecting it to the connecting element;

a gripping member attachment step, which involves moving the gripping member forwardly again and attaching it to the connector; and

a protective member attachment step, which involves moving the protective member forwardly and covering a range extending from the clamping member to the gripping member in the longitudinal direction of the fiber optic core.