CA1321721C - Connecting device for optical fibers - Google Patents
Connecting device for optical fibersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1321721C CA1321721C CA000600765A CA600765A CA1321721C CA 1321721 C CA1321721 C CA 1321721C CA 000600765 A CA000600765 A CA 000600765A CA 600765 A CA600765 A CA 600765A CA 1321721 C CA1321721 C CA 1321721C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- optical fiber
- housing
- slide
- channel
- mount
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4292—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
- G02B6/3806—Semi-permanent connections, i.e. wherein the mechanical means keeping the fibres aligned allow for removal of the fibres
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
- G02B6/3838—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using grooves for light guides
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3648—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures
- G02B6/3652—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures the additional structures being prepositioning mounting areas, allowing only movement in one dimension, e.g. grooves, trenches or vias in the microbench surface, i.e. self aligning supporting carriers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
- G02B6/3684—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the manufacturing process of surface profiling of the supporting carrier
- G02B6/3696—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the manufacturing process of surface profiling of the supporting carrier by moulding, e.g. injection moulding, casting, embossing, stamping, stenciling, printing, or with metallic mould insert manufacturing using LIGA or MIGA techniques
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A known optical fiber connector include an elongated mount which is encompassed by a housing that releasably pinches a free end of an optical fiber against a groove in the surface of the mount, thus connecting that free end either coaxially to a free end of another optical fiber or to an opto-electronic element. That connection is made more secure by a block on which the mount can be precisely lodged. The block is formed with a channel extending substantially parallel to the mount and a slide that is slidable in the channel between advanced and retracted positions. When advanced, a protrusion on the slide causes the housing to be deformed, thus enabling a free end of an optical fiber to be positioned in the groove of the mount. When the slide is retracted, the housing returns to its undeformed state and pinches the optical fiber against the groove. Upon movement of the slide to its retracted position, the protrusion causes a post to grip an intermediate portion of the optical fiber, thus securing the fiber against accidental movement. By forming the block with a series of channels and slides, a number of pairs of optical fibers can be interconnected coaxially.
Description
CONNECTING DEVICE FOR OPTICAL FIBERS
Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The invention concern~ op~ical fiber connector6 such as can coaxially interconnect free ends of two optical fibers or can connect an optical fiber to an opto-electronic element. The invention is particularly concerned with multiple optical connectors.
Description of the Related Art Prior optical fiber connectors ~end to be expensive, often requiring mechanical element6 to ~e secured permanently to the free ends of the optical fiber~, followed by attaching each such element either to a complementary element or to a fixture. Doin~ so can require special tools. See, for example, Thomas & ~etts Corp. Cat. No. 93800SK.
A relatively inexpensive optical fiber connector can be constructed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,180 (~lomgren). A preferred Blomgren connec~or includes an elongated mount that is encompassed by a resiliently deformable housing which, in its relatively undeformed state, can pinch an optical fiber against a groove in the surface o~ the mount. When compressed, the housing is deformed to permit an optical fiber to be positioned on the mount or to be withdrawn. When the compression i6 released with a free end of an optical fiber positioned on the mount, the housing returns to its undeformed state to grip the free end as shown in Fig. 6B of the Blomgren patent.
In the same way, a second optical fiber can be coaxially interconnected with the first in abutting relation as shown in ~lomgren Fig. 6C.
.
' ~'~2~721 A mechanical splice now on ~he market ~"Dorran/3M" mechanical splice) which employs the Blomgren Optical fiber connector has a strain-relief chook that grips a protective covering or buffer of each connected optical fiber to ensure against accidental loosening.
Summary of the Invention The invention provides an optical fiber connector which, like that of the slomgren patent, is inexpensive, easy to use and does not require any auxiliary tool. The novel optical connector can be inexpensively constructed to form coaxial connections between a large number of pairs of optical ibers while virtually assuring that they will not become loosened accldentally.
Like the optical fiber connector o the Blomgren patent, that o the invention includes a mount and mean~
for releasably holding a free end of an optical fiber against the mount, thus connecting the free end of that optical fiber either to a free end of another optical iber or to an opto-electronic element. The optical fiber connector of the invention differs rom that of the Blomgren patent by having a block on which the mount can be precisely lodged, a device carried by the block and movable between an advanced position adjacent a lodged mount and a retracted position, and means ~a) actuated by movement of said device to its advanced position for releasing said holding means and ~b) actuated by movement of said device to its retracted position for reactivating said holding means and for gripping an intermediate port;on of the optical fiber when its free end is being held by said holding means.
In a preferred optical fiber connector of the invention:
1 32~721 the mount is elongated and has a longitudinal v-groove into which a free end of an optical fiber can be nested to position it with precision;
the holding means is a deformable housing that envelopes the mount and normally is substantially cylindrical and pinches said free end of an optical fiber against the v-groove and, when deformed to become elliptical, permits optical fibers to be inserted into and removed from the groove;
the block is formed with a channel adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the elongated direction of the mount;
the movable device is a slide that is positioned within the channel and is slidable in the channel between said advanced and retracted position6;
there are means for deforming the housing including a lug pro~ecting from the block ~etw~en the channel and the housing and a protrusion from the slide that presses the lug against the housing to deform the housing when the slide is in it~ advanced position; and said means for gripping an intermediate portion of the optical fiber includes a post projecting from the block adjacent said channel, and said protrusion presses the post against said intermediate portion when the slide is in its retracted position.
Typically, the buffer of an optical fiber is covered by a jacket~ Preferably at the aforementioned intermediate portion of the optical fiber, the jacket has been removed, but the buffer is in place and has been stripped from the free end of the optical fiber only where it is to be positioned with precision in the groove of the mount.
The slide preferably is formed so that it can be moved with one's finger between its advanced and retracted positions, thus making it unnecessary to employ a separate tool for connecting or disconnecting optical ibers.
7 ~ ~
To enable the novel optical fiber connector to connect two optical fibers coaxially, its housing should either be split or sufficiently resilient so that when ons end of the housing is deformed to release one of a pair o~
interconnected optical fibers, the other end of the housing can continue to pinch the other of the pair. The block of such a connector should include two movable devices as described, ~ach acting on one of the abutting optical fibers.
Preferably the housingl22 is sufficiently transparent to permit one to see that the end of an optical fiber extends approximately to the center of the mount when the other half of the connector is empty. When one of the optical fibers is in posi~ion, it acts as a stop for the coaxial optical fiber.
Detailed Disclosure Both the compressing of the hou6ing and the gripping o~ an intermediate portion of an optical f~ber can be accomplished by a single protrusion from the aforementioned slide. That protrusion can be a ball bearing held by a pocket of the slide. Instead of using a slide, the block can carry a lever that is centrally pivoted so that at the end of the lever can either compress the housing or can grip an intermediate poxtion of the optical fiber when the housing is not being compressed.
This intermediate gripping ~in combination with the pinching by the housing) ensures that the free end of the optical fiber is securely held in position, thus providing a reliable connection unt;l the slide or lever is cperated to release the optical fiber.
When the novel optical fiber connector is used to interconnect two optical fibers coaxially, the connector can incorporate means for slightly detuning the splice to attenuate transmitted signals. For example, the long~tud~nal groove in the ~ount can have a central discontinuity to position the abutting optical fibers to be ~32~ 72~
slightly out of per~ect coaxial alignment, thu~ slightly attenuating light transmitted through the connector. Doing so is desirable whenever there is a danger that the light signals being transmitted might be so intense as to cause a detector to go into saturation. When the transmitted light emanates from a semiconduc~or laser whose output gradually diminishes, the mount can be quickly and inexpensively changed from time to time to reduce the attenuation, thus keeping the transmitted signal levels substantially lo Constant~
The Draw The invention may be more easily understood in re~erence to the drawing, all figures of which are 15 schematic. In the drawing: -Fig. 1 is a plan view of a block holding an array of optical fiber connectors of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the optical fiber connectors of Fig. 1, one ælide of which ha6 been moved to its advanced position;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the optical flber connector of Fig. 2 with its slide in the same position;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section along line 4--4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a cross section as in Fig. 4 except with the slide in the retracted position;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section along line 6--6 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a cross section as in Fig. 6 except with the slide in the advanced position;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross section along line 8--8 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross section along line 9--9 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 10 is a cross section similar to that of Fig. 9 showing an optical connector of the invention that connects an optical fiber to an opto-electronic element.
~32~2~
In Fig. 1, a block 10 holds an array of optlcal fiber connectors 12, four of which are shown wholly or in part, each of identical construction. For each o~ the optical fiber connectors, the block 10 has a cavity 14 in which a mount 16 of elliptical cross section is lodged to position with precision a longi~udinal v-groove 18 in the mount at one end of its major axis. Free ends of a pair of optical fibers 20 and 21 are nested in each of the V-grooves in abutting coaxial relation. Around each mount 16 is a deformable housing 22 which, when substantially not deformed, is cylindrical and pinches both optical fibers 20 and 21 against the longitudinal v-groove 18.
Each of the connectors 12 has a pair of elongated slides 24 and 25, each of which is slidable in an elongated channel 28 formed in the block 10. Each of the slides 24 and 25 is shown in its retracted position in Fig.
l, and a slide 25 is in its advanced position in Fig. 2.
Each of the slides 24 and 25 has a pocket containing a ball 30 and 31, respectively, that protrudes 20 from onc side of the slide to ride against a wall 32 of the channel 28. When a slide 25 is in its advanced position a~
shown in ~ig. 2, its ball 31 presses an upstanding lug 35 against the housing 22, deor~ing that portion of the housing as shown in Fig. 4, thus lifting the housing to free the optical fiber 21 to permit it either to be inserted into or removed from the v-groove 18 of the mount 16. When the slide 25 is retracted to its position in Fig.
1I the housing 22 is released to assume its normally substantially cylindrical shape and thus pinch the optical fiber 21 against the v-groove of the mount 16 as shown in Fig. 5. Such retraction causes one corner of the slide 25 and its ball 31 to press against a slanted surface 37 of a post 39. The post in turn is pressed against an intermediate portion of the optical fiber 21, thus locking the optical fiber securely in place until the slide is again moved to its advanced position.
13217~
The action of the posts 39 iB as illu6trated ln Figs. 6 and 7, with the slide 25 in its retraeted and advanced positions, respectively.
As seen in Fig. 3, each of slides 24 and 25 has an upstanding projection 40 and 41, respectively, to permit a user to slide them along the channel 28 with the fingertip Hence, no tool is required to connect optical fibers into the illustrated optical fiber connectors.
Movement of the slides is limited by the ends 42 and 43 of each of the channels 28, and each slide acts as a stop for the other, thus permitting only one of the two connected optical fibers to be manipulated at one time.
The manner in which each of the mounts 16 ls lodged in the block 10 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. As seen in Fig. 8, the ends of each housing 22 are cut away to permit a shoulder 46 and 47 at each end of the mount 16 to rest on a seat 48 and 49, respectively, formed in the block 10 .
A wall 53 at an end of each cavity 14 and the top surface 55 of the block lO of each connector are formed with furrows for guiding an optical fiber into each of the optical fiber connectors 12, and each mount 16 at an end o its groove 18 has a bell mouth 59 as seen in Figs. 2 and 9 to enhance threading optical fibers into the v-groove 18.
Each of the optical fibers 20 and 21 has a buffer 60 and 61, respectively, that is strlpped away from that portion of the optical fiber that extends into the V-groove 18 while protecting the portion of the optical fiber that is contacted by one of the posts 39.
Any of the mounts 16 of the illustrated optical fiber connectors can easily be replaced by a mount having a stepped groove so that connected pairs of optical fibers are slightly out of perfect coaxial alignment, thus passing attenuated signals for reasons discussed above.
As seen in Fig. 10, an optical fiber connector 64, whlch is identical in construction to half of one of the optical fiber connectors 12, permits an optical fiber 66 to be connected to an opto-electronic element 68.
11 32~72~
A prototype of the block 10 illustrated in Figs.
1-9 has been constructed to have six optical fiber connectors for six pairs of glass optical fibers, each having a diameter of 125 ~m without the buf~er 60 or 61.
sOth the block and the slides 24 and 25 were machined from acetal resin, even though they would in production be more economically molded of a high impact, low creep, engineering plastic such as polyetherimide resin (e.g., "Ultem" from G.E.~. The housings 22 were cut from extruded polysulfone tubing which has good transparency. A useful material for the hou~ings which is not transparent is beryllium copper. The balls 30 and 31 were standard steel ball bearings. Key dimensions of the prototype were:
Anqle of v-grooves 18 70 Depth of v-grooves 15 mm Length of housinqs 22 12.7 mm ~iameter of housings 3.9 mm Width of channels 28 2.9 mm Width of slides 24 and 25 2.8 mm Length of slides 12.3 mm Diameter of balls 30 and 31 3.2 mm Height of lugs 3S 5.4 mm Height of posts 39 5.4 mm Taper of surfaces 37 7 In order to connect plastic-clad glass optical ~ibers or plastic optical fibers that have much greater diameters than the optical fibers used with the prototype, the clements of the device would be proportionately larger.
Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The invention concern~ op~ical fiber connector6 such as can coaxially interconnect free ends of two optical fibers or can connect an optical fiber to an opto-electronic element. The invention is particularly concerned with multiple optical connectors.
Description of the Related Art Prior optical fiber connectors ~end to be expensive, often requiring mechanical element6 to ~e secured permanently to the free ends of the optical fiber~, followed by attaching each such element either to a complementary element or to a fixture. Doin~ so can require special tools. See, for example, Thomas & ~etts Corp. Cat. No. 93800SK.
A relatively inexpensive optical fiber connector can be constructed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,180 (~lomgren). A preferred Blomgren connec~or includes an elongated mount that is encompassed by a resiliently deformable housing which, in its relatively undeformed state, can pinch an optical fiber against a groove in the surface o~ the mount. When compressed, the housing is deformed to permit an optical fiber to be positioned on the mount or to be withdrawn. When the compression i6 released with a free end of an optical fiber positioned on the mount, the housing returns to its undeformed state to grip the free end as shown in Fig. 6B of the Blomgren patent.
In the same way, a second optical fiber can be coaxially interconnected with the first in abutting relation as shown in ~lomgren Fig. 6C.
.
' ~'~2~721 A mechanical splice now on ~he market ~"Dorran/3M" mechanical splice) which employs the Blomgren Optical fiber connector has a strain-relief chook that grips a protective covering or buffer of each connected optical fiber to ensure against accidental loosening.
Summary of the Invention The invention provides an optical fiber connector which, like that of the slomgren patent, is inexpensive, easy to use and does not require any auxiliary tool. The novel optical connector can be inexpensively constructed to form coaxial connections between a large number of pairs of optical ibers while virtually assuring that they will not become loosened accldentally.
Like the optical fiber connector o the Blomgren patent, that o the invention includes a mount and mean~
for releasably holding a free end of an optical fiber against the mount, thus connecting the free end of that optical fiber either to a free end of another optical iber or to an opto-electronic element. The optical fiber connector of the invention differs rom that of the Blomgren patent by having a block on which the mount can be precisely lodged, a device carried by the block and movable between an advanced position adjacent a lodged mount and a retracted position, and means ~a) actuated by movement of said device to its advanced position for releasing said holding means and ~b) actuated by movement of said device to its retracted position for reactivating said holding means and for gripping an intermediate port;on of the optical fiber when its free end is being held by said holding means.
In a preferred optical fiber connector of the invention:
1 32~721 the mount is elongated and has a longitudinal v-groove into which a free end of an optical fiber can be nested to position it with precision;
the holding means is a deformable housing that envelopes the mount and normally is substantially cylindrical and pinches said free end of an optical fiber against the v-groove and, when deformed to become elliptical, permits optical fibers to be inserted into and removed from the groove;
the block is formed with a channel adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the elongated direction of the mount;
the movable device is a slide that is positioned within the channel and is slidable in the channel between said advanced and retracted position6;
there are means for deforming the housing including a lug pro~ecting from the block ~etw~en the channel and the housing and a protrusion from the slide that presses the lug against the housing to deform the housing when the slide is in it~ advanced position; and said means for gripping an intermediate portion of the optical fiber includes a post projecting from the block adjacent said channel, and said protrusion presses the post against said intermediate portion when the slide is in its retracted position.
Typically, the buffer of an optical fiber is covered by a jacket~ Preferably at the aforementioned intermediate portion of the optical fiber, the jacket has been removed, but the buffer is in place and has been stripped from the free end of the optical fiber only where it is to be positioned with precision in the groove of the mount.
The slide preferably is formed so that it can be moved with one's finger between its advanced and retracted positions, thus making it unnecessary to employ a separate tool for connecting or disconnecting optical ibers.
7 ~ ~
To enable the novel optical fiber connector to connect two optical fibers coaxially, its housing should either be split or sufficiently resilient so that when ons end of the housing is deformed to release one of a pair o~
interconnected optical fibers, the other end of the housing can continue to pinch the other of the pair. The block of such a connector should include two movable devices as described, ~ach acting on one of the abutting optical fibers.
Preferably the housingl22 is sufficiently transparent to permit one to see that the end of an optical fiber extends approximately to the center of the mount when the other half of the connector is empty. When one of the optical fibers is in posi~ion, it acts as a stop for the coaxial optical fiber.
Detailed Disclosure Both the compressing of the hou6ing and the gripping o~ an intermediate portion of an optical f~ber can be accomplished by a single protrusion from the aforementioned slide. That protrusion can be a ball bearing held by a pocket of the slide. Instead of using a slide, the block can carry a lever that is centrally pivoted so that at the end of the lever can either compress the housing or can grip an intermediate poxtion of the optical fiber when the housing is not being compressed.
This intermediate gripping ~in combination with the pinching by the housing) ensures that the free end of the optical fiber is securely held in position, thus providing a reliable connection unt;l the slide or lever is cperated to release the optical fiber.
When the novel optical fiber connector is used to interconnect two optical fibers coaxially, the connector can incorporate means for slightly detuning the splice to attenuate transmitted signals. For example, the long~tud~nal groove in the ~ount can have a central discontinuity to position the abutting optical fibers to be ~32~ 72~
slightly out of per~ect coaxial alignment, thu~ slightly attenuating light transmitted through the connector. Doing so is desirable whenever there is a danger that the light signals being transmitted might be so intense as to cause a detector to go into saturation. When the transmitted light emanates from a semiconduc~or laser whose output gradually diminishes, the mount can be quickly and inexpensively changed from time to time to reduce the attenuation, thus keeping the transmitted signal levels substantially lo Constant~
The Draw The invention may be more easily understood in re~erence to the drawing, all figures of which are 15 schematic. In the drawing: -Fig. 1 is a plan view of a block holding an array of optical fiber connectors of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the optical fiber connectors of Fig. 1, one ælide of which ha6 been moved to its advanced position;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the optical flber connector of Fig. 2 with its slide in the same position;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section along line 4--4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a cross section as in Fig. 4 except with the slide in the retracted position;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section along line 6--6 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a cross section as in Fig. 6 except with the slide in the advanced position;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross section along line 8--8 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross section along line 9--9 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 10 is a cross section similar to that of Fig. 9 showing an optical connector of the invention that connects an optical fiber to an opto-electronic element.
~32~2~
In Fig. 1, a block 10 holds an array of optlcal fiber connectors 12, four of which are shown wholly or in part, each of identical construction. For each o~ the optical fiber connectors, the block 10 has a cavity 14 in which a mount 16 of elliptical cross section is lodged to position with precision a longi~udinal v-groove 18 in the mount at one end of its major axis. Free ends of a pair of optical fibers 20 and 21 are nested in each of the V-grooves in abutting coaxial relation. Around each mount 16 is a deformable housing 22 which, when substantially not deformed, is cylindrical and pinches both optical fibers 20 and 21 against the longitudinal v-groove 18.
Each of the connectors 12 has a pair of elongated slides 24 and 25, each of which is slidable in an elongated channel 28 formed in the block 10. Each of the slides 24 and 25 is shown in its retracted position in Fig.
l, and a slide 25 is in its advanced position in Fig. 2.
Each of the slides 24 and 25 has a pocket containing a ball 30 and 31, respectively, that protrudes 20 from onc side of the slide to ride against a wall 32 of the channel 28. When a slide 25 is in its advanced position a~
shown in ~ig. 2, its ball 31 presses an upstanding lug 35 against the housing 22, deor~ing that portion of the housing as shown in Fig. 4, thus lifting the housing to free the optical fiber 21 to permit it either to be inserted into or removed from the v-groove 18 of the mount 16. When the slide 25 is retracted to its position in Fig.
1I the housing 22 is released to assume its normally substantially cylindrical shape and thus pinch the optical fiber 21 against the v-groove of the mount 16 as shown in Fig. 5. Such retraction causes one corner of the slide 25 and its ball 31 to press against a slanted surface 37 of a post 39. The post in turn is pressed against an intermediate portion of the optical fiber 21, thus locking the optical fiber securely in place until the slide is again moved to its advanced position.
13217~
The action of the posts 39 iB as illu6trated ln Figs. 6 and 7, with the slide 25 in its retraeted and advanced positions, respectively.
As seen in Fig. 3, each of slides 24 and 25 has an upstanding projection 40 and 41, respectively, to permit a user to slide them along the channel 28 with the fingertip Hence, no tool is required to connect optical fibers into the illustrated optical fiber connectors.
Movement of the slides is limited by the ends 42 and 43 of each of the channels 28, and each slide acts as a stop for the other, thus permitting only one of the two connected optical fibers to be manipulated at one time.
The manner in which each of the mounts 16 ls lodged in the block 10 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. As seen in Fig. 8, the ends of each housing 22 are cut away to permit a shoulder 46 and 47 at each end of the mount 16 to rest on a seat 48 and 49, respectively, formed in the block 10 .
A wall 53 at an end of each cavity 14 and the top surface 55 of the block lO of each connector are formed with furrows for guiding an optical fiber into each of the optical fiber connectors 12, and each mount 16 at an end o its groove 18 has a bell mouth 59 as seen in Figs. 2 and 9 to enhance threading optical fibers into the v-groove 18.
Each of the optical fibers 20 and 21 has a buffer 60 and 61, respectively, that is strlpped away from that portion of the optical fiber that extends into the V-groove 18 while protecting the portion of the optical fiber that is contacted by one of the posts 39.
Any of the mounts 16 of the illustrated optical fiber connectors can easily be replaced by a mount having a stepped groove so that connected pairs of optical fibers are slightly out of perfect coaxial alignment, thus passing attenuated signals for reasons discussed above.
As seen in Fig. 10, an optical fiber connector 64, whlch is identical in construction to half of one of the optical fiber connectors 12, permits an optical fiber 66 to be connected to an opto-electronic element 68.
11 32~72~
A prototype of the block 10 illustrated in Figs.
1-9 has been constructed to have six optical fiber connectors for six pairs of glass optical fibers, each having a diameter of 125 ~m without the buf~er 60 or 61.
sOth the block and the slides 24 and 25 were machined from acetal resin, even though they would in production be more economically molded of a high impact, low creep, engineering plastic such as polyetherimide resin (e.g., "Ultem" from G.E.~. The housings 22 were cut from extruded polysulfone tubing which has good transparency. A useful material for the hou~ings which is not transparent is beryllium copper. The balls 30 and 31 were standard steel ball bearings. Key dimensions of the prototype were:
Anqle of v-grooves 18 70 Depth of v-grooves 15 mm Length of housinqs 22 12.7 mm ~iameter of housings 3.9 mm Width of channels 28 2.9 mm Width of slides 24 and 25 2.8 mm Length of slides 12.3 mm Diameter of balls 30 and 31 3.2 mm Height of lugs 3S 5.4 mm Height of posts 39 5.4 mm Taper of surfaces 37 7 In order to connect plastic-clad glass optical ~ibers or plastic optical fibers that have much greater diameters than the optical fibers used with the prototype, the clements of the device would be proportionately larger.
Claims (10)
1. An optical fiber connector including a mount having a groove and encompassed by a substantially cylindrical, resiliently deformable housing that, when substantially undeformed, can pinch the free end of an optical fiber against the groove or, when deformed, can release the free end, wherein the improvement comprises a block formed with a channel extending substantially parallel to the groove, a slide positioned within said channel and movable between an advanced position adjacent said housing and a retracted position, means actuated by movement of the slide to its advanced position for deforming said housing, and means actuated by movement of the slide to its retracted position for gripping an intermediate portion of an optical fiber, the free end of which is being pinched by the housing.
2. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 1 wherein the slide includes means for moving it with ones finger between the advanced and retracted positions.
3. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 1 wherein the mount and housing include means for independently pinching free ends of two optical fibers against the groove in abutting coaxial relation, said optical fiber connector further comprising a second slide positioned within said channel and movable between an advanced position adjacent the housing and a retracted position, means actuated by movement of the second slide to its advanced position for deforming the housing adjacent the free end of a second optical fiber, and means actuated by movement of the second slide to its retracted position for gripping an intermediate portion of said second optical fiber.
4. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 1 wherein said means for deforming the housing further comprises a lug projecting from the block between said housing and said channel and also comprises means protruding from the slide for pressing said lug against said housing when the slide is in its advanced position.
5. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 4 wherein said means protruding from the slide comprises a ball bearing held by a pocket of the slide.
6. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 5 wherein the face of the post that is contacted by the ball bearing is tapered.
7. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 1 wherein said means for gripping an intermediate portion of an optical fiber further comprises a post projecting from the block adjacent said channel and also comprises means protruding from the slide for pressing said post against an intermediate portion of an optical fiber, the free end of which is being pinched by the housing.
8. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 3 wherein said block is formed with a plurality of said housings and an equal number of said channels, and a first and second slide is movably positioned within each channel.
9. An optical fiber connector as defined in Claim 8 wherein each housing is sufficiently resilient so that when one end of the housing is deformed to release one of a pair of interconnected optical fibers, the other end of the housing can continue to pinch the other of the pair, there are two slides in each channel, and said block includes means actuated by movement of each slide for deforming the adjacent end of the housing and for gripping an intermediate portion of an optical fiber, the free end of which is being pinched by one of the sections of the housing.
10. A block containing a plurality of optical fiber connectors, each of which includes an elongated mount, wherein:
each mount is elongated and has a longitudinal v-groove into which a free end of an optical fiber can be nested to position it with precision;
a deformable housing envelops the mount and normally is substantially cylindrical and pinches a free end of an optical fiber against the v-groove and, when deformed to become elliptical, permits an optical fiber to be inserted into and removed from the groove;
the block is formed with a channel adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the elongated direction of each mount;
a slide is positioned within each channel and is slidable in the channel between advanced and retracted positions;
a lug projects from the block between each channel and the adjacent housing;
a post projects from the block adjacent said channel at a position remote from said housing; and each slide has a protrusion which, when the slide is in its advanced position, presses said lug to deform the housing and thus permit an optical fiber to be inserted or released and, when the slide is in its retracted position, presses said post against an intermediate portion of the optical fiber when its free end is being pinched by the housing.
each mount is elongated and has a longitudinal v-groove into which a free end of an optical fiber can be nested to position it with precision;
a deformable housing envelops the mount and normally is substantially cylindrical and pinches a free end of an optical fiber against the v-groove and, when deformed to become elliptical, permits an optical fiber to be inserted into and removed from the groove;
the block is formed with a channel adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the elongated direction of each mount;
a slide is positioned within each channel and is slidable in the channel between advanced and retracted positions;
a lug projects from the block between each channel and the adjacent housing;
a post projects from the block adjacent said channel at a position remote from said housing; and each slide has a protrusion which, when the slide is in its advanced position, presses said lug to deform the housing and thus permit an optical fiber to be inserted or released and, when the slide is in its retracted position, presses said post against an intermediate portion of the optical fiber when its free end is being pinched by the housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US198,872 | 1988-05-26 | ||
| US07/198,872 US4890896A (en) | 1988-05-26 | 1988-05-26 | Connecting device for optical fibers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1321721C true CA1321721C (en) | 1993-08-31 |
Family
ID=22735207
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000600765A Expired - Fee Related CA1321721C (en) | 1988-05-26 | 1989-05-26 | Connecting device for optical fibers |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4890896A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0343964B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0224608A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU620616B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8902413A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1321721C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68910185T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2045430T3 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA893985B (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5138681A (en) * | 1988-04-18 | 1992-08-11 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Optical fiber splice |
| US4948224A (en) * | 1989-02-21 | 1990-08-14 | Modrey Henry J | Connector for optical fibers and the like |
| HU213333B (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1997-05-28 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Optical fibre-connector |
| US5392373A (en) * | 1993-11-29 | 1995-02-21 | The Whitaker Corporation | Apparatus for optically coupling an optical fiber to an electro-optic device |
| JP3232845B2 (en) * | 1994-01-24 | 2001-11-26 | 株式会社村田製作所 | Dielectric resonator device |
| US5734775A (en) * | 1996-02-06 | 1998-03-31 | Vidacovich; Kenneth John | Method and system for fiber optic splice activation and deactivation within an optical fiber distribution frame |
| US6404955B1 (en) * | 2001-07-03 | 2002-06-11 | Corning, Incorporated | System and method for fabricating arrayed optical fiber collimators |
| JP2005070507A (en) * | 2003-08-26 | 2005-03-17 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Optical module and optical coupling alignment method |
| KR100797652B1 (en) | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-24 | 주식회사 옵텔콤 | Optical connector and method for assembling optical fiber cable |
| EP2324383B1 (en) * | 2008-08-19 | 2015-05-27 | Belden CDT Canada Inc. | Slide actuated field installable fiber optic connector |
| US7957623B2 (en) * | 2008-09-19 | 2011-06-07 | Pyrophotonics Lasers Inc. | Deformable thermal pads for optical fibers |
| WO2013106820A1 (en) * | 2012-01-13 | 2013-07-18 | Wilfred Courchaine | Optical fiber event sensor |
| FR2998662B1 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2019-10-25 | Airbus Operations | DEVICE FOR DEFORMATION MEASUREMENT AND IMPLANTATION OF SUCH A DEVICE IN AN ELEMENT |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2104693B1 (en) * | 1970-07-30 | 1974-11-08 | Jeumont Schneider | |
| FR2382017A1 (en) * | 1977-02-23 | 1978-09-22 | Socapex | CONNECTOR FOR OPTICAL MONOFIBER |
| FR2420777A1 (en) * | 1978-03-24 | 1979-10-19 | Lignes Telegraph Telephon | Splicing lay=up bench for fibre=optic cables - employs Peltier cells to immobilise individual optical lines |
| AU510179B2 (en) * | 1978-06-12 | 1980-06-12 | Thomas & Betts Corporation | Fiber optic splice |
| US4470180A (en) * | 1981-05-26 | 1984-09-11 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Device for restraining an object or objects therein |
| FR2560392B1 (en) * | 1984-02-23 | 1986-06-06 | Mars Alcatel | OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTION DEVICE AND METHOD OF PERFORMING A JUNCTION |
| FR2593294B1 (en) * | 1986-01-23 | 1990-01-05 | Alsthom Cgee | CONNECTOR FOR FIBER OPTICS |
| JPS6344605A (en) * | 1986-08-12 | 1988-02-25 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Optical fiber gripper |
| US4778243A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-10-18 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Connector element for a light waveguide |
-
1988
- 1988-05-26 US US07/198,872 patent/US4890896A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1989
- 1989-05-24 EP EP89305262A patent/EP0343964B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-05-24 DE DE89305262T patent/DE68910185T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-05-24 ES ES89305262T patent/ES2045430T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-05-25 JP JP1132527A patent/JPH0224608A/en active Pending
- 1989-05-25 ZA ZA893985A patent/ZA893985B/en unknown
- 1989-05-25 AU AU35198/89A patent/AU620616B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1989-05-26 BR BR898902413A patent/BR8902413A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-05-26 CA CA000600765A patent/CA1321721C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0343964A3 (en) | 1990-08-01 |
| DE68910185D1 (en) | 1993-12-02 |
| JPH0224608A (en) | 1990-01-26 |
| ZA893985B (en) | 1991-01-30 |
| AU620616B2 (en) | 1992-02-20 |
| ES2045430T3 (en) | 1994-01-16 |
| US4890896A (en) | 1990-01-02 |
| EP0343964A2 (en) | 1989-11-29 |
| BR8902413A (en) | 1990-01-16 |
| AU3519889A (en) | 1989-11-30 |
| DE68910185T2 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
| EP0343964B1 (en) | 1993-10-27 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1321721C (en) | Connecting device for optical fibers | |
| CA2254709C (en) | Connector for plastic optical fiber | |
| US4291943A (en) | Connector for optical fiber cables | |
| US4225214A (en) | Connector construction | |
| US7905665B2 (en) | Optical connector | |
| US8244084B2 (en) | Expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector | |
| US5920670A (en) | Multiple alignment connector ferrule | |
| TW369614B (en) | Pull-push fiber optical array connector | |
| CA2115058A1 (en) | Multiple optical fiber splice | |
| EP0324492A3 (en) | Optical fiber connector assemblies and methods of making the assemblies | |
| GB1565038A (en) | Single optical fibre connector | |
| CA2068453A1 (en) | Multifiber optical connector plug with low reflection and low insertion loss | |
| US4836637A (en) | Expanded-beam fiber-optic connector | |
| US5179607A (en) | Fluted, high efficiency fiber optic adapter | |
| KR900013327A (en) | Fiber optic splicer | |
| US4668045A (en) | Optical fiber centering device | |
| US4798428A (en) | Fiber optic coupling system | |
| US5113462A (en) | High energy fiber optica coupler | |
| GB2313922A (en) | Massive Parallel Optical Interconnect System | |
| US5239602A (en) | Fiber optic connector | |
| WO1992010771A1 (en) | Optical fiber connector apparatus and method | |
| EP0438898B1 (en) | Reusable mechanical connector for optical fibers | |
| KR101512689B1 (en) | Adapter of beam connecter | |
| CA1172079A (en) | Fiber optic connector having a self-centering, floating insert | |
| CZ12248U1 (en) | Assembly of optical connector with fixedly mounted ferrule and spring-loaded adapter |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |