An optical connector and a method of assembling an optical connector that
is capable of avoiding generation of unnecessary tension in the optical
fiber cable in which plain fiber portions are optically connected to each
other using a splice assembly. The optical connector comprises a
connector housing having splice means configured to abut a stripped and
cleaved end surface of a plain fiber of an optical fiber cable (2) onto
an end of a fiber stub predisposed in the splice means to form an optical
connection; and a cable fixing assembly (26, 40), that includes a cable
fixing member (26) and a cable holder (40), for fixing an outer covering
(2c) of the optical fiber cable (2) introduced into said connector
housing (10). The cable fixing member (26), which includes an opposing
piece (26b) for slidably engaging with a guide section (24) formed on the
wall of an end cap (21) of the connector housing (10), is pressed in from
the direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber cable (2)
and is mounted on the wall of the end cap (21). A step section is formed
on the sliding surface of the opposing piece (26b) to be in sliding
contact with the sliding surface of the guide section (24), for moving
the cable fixing member (26) together with the optical fiber cable (2) so
as to reduce a distance between the splice means (3) and the cable holder
(40).