EP1483610A1

EP1483610A1 - Fibre-optic plug-in connector system

Info

Publication number: EP1483610A1
Application number: EP03700033A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc-Andrew Züllig; Daniel Eigenmann
Original assignee: Huber and Suhner AG
Current assignee: Huber and Suhner AG
Priority date: 2002-03-14
Filing date: 2003-01-13
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Also published as: AU2003252823A1; US20050135753A1; WO2003076997A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fibre-optic plug-in connector system (10) comprising an adapter (11), in addition to individual optical plug-in connectors (13), in which a respective optical fibre terminates in a ferrule (23) and which can be respectively inserted into the adapter (11) from two opposing sides to produce an optical connection between the ends of two optical fibres. According to the invention, the adapter (11) has a plurality of parallel guide sheaths (45), which are located next to one another in an adapter housing (12) and into which the optical plug-in connectors (13) comprising their ferrules (23) can be inserted from both sides. To achieve an extremely simple, space-saving construction for a plug-in connector system of this type, the adapter housing (12) is composed of several separate, interconnectable parts (17, 18), between which the guide sheaths (45) are held with a degree of play.

Description

DESCRIPTION

FIBER OPTICAL CONNECTOR SYSTEM

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of fiber optic connection technology. It relates to a fiber optic connector system according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a system is e.g. known from EP-A2-0 430 107 (Fig. 27 and associated text) or EP-A2-1 168020.

STATE OF THE ART

In the technology of fiber optic signal transmission, cables have long been used, in which a plurality of, for example, 12 individual parallel fibers are combined in one cable (so-called “ribbon cable”). For such cables there are There are special connector systems in which all the fibers of the cable are connected to one another in a predetermined, unchangeable arrangement with one connector. Examples of such connector systems are disclosed in US-A-5,214,730 or in US-A-6,352,372. The last-mentioned publication in particular makes it clear that highly integrated connector systems with extremely high connection density can be realized in this way.

On the other hand, there is a desire to connect the individual fibers of such multi-fiber cables to one another or to other fiber-optic single or multi-fiber cables as required and in a largely arbitrary arrangement. Basically, this is possible using standardized connector systems with individual connectors, if the fibers of the multi-fiber cable are separated at the end of the cable and each one is provided with a separate connector. In the case of a "ribbon cable" with 12 individual fibers, there are then, for example, 12 individual connectors at the end of the cable, which must be connected in a connector system.

In the publication EP-A2-1 168 020 mentioned at the beginning, a plug connector system is already described in which several individual plug connections for multi-fiber cables can be produced independently of one another within a common adapter. The adapter comprises a frame into which a plurality of individual adapter housings of a multi-fiber connector system can be snapped next to one another. However, the combination of several individual standardized connector systems to form an overall system leads to an overall system with considerable dimensions, which runs counter to the effort to constantly downsize the information technology systems.

This also applies to the connector system shown in FIG. 27 of EP-A2-0 430 107, in which, in a one-piece adapter housing, a plurality of slots for the separate connection with standardized, with a relatively large housing equipped connectors are arranged. In the case of a connector system for the separate connection of the fibers of a multi-fiber cable comprising 12 fibers, this results in an arrangement which takes up a lot of space and is therefore practically unusable for this purpose. Another disadvantage is the locking system housed in the adapter housing, which leads to a significant increase in the overall height.

In a previous patent application by the applicant (WO-A1 -01/59499) multiple connector systems have already been proposed for use in backplane connections, in which very narrow single connector inserts are combined in a common housing to form a multiple connector. Any plug connection between individual connector inserts is not provided.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a fiber optic connector system which is characterized by an extremely compact arrangement and in particular a low overall height, and which allows the optional connection of a large number of individual fibers in the smallest space with good handling at the same time.

The object is achieved by the entirety of the features of claim 1. The essence of the invention is to achieve a low overall height and, at the same time, a high connector density by means of a multi-part adapter housing, in which the guide sleeves required for the plug connection are held directly between the housing parts.

The connector system is particularly simple and space-saving if, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adapter housing consists of one flat, plate-shaped upper part and a flat, plate-shaped lower part is composed.

The correct assembly of the multi-part adapter housing is facilitated by the fact that guide means for aligning the two parts with one another are provided on the upper and / or lower part, the guide means preferably comprising a plurality of distributed guide pins which are attached in one of the parts and in a corresponding bore immerse in the other part.

A further simplification and improvement in assembly results from the fact that connecting means are provided for releasably connecting the upper and lower parts, which in particular comprise screw connections. As a result, the system can be easily dismantled for maintenance or repair purposes if required.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a central web extending transversely to the plug-in direction is provided in the upper and lower part, which has a plurality of semi-cylindrical depressions arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the central web for receiving the guide sleeves. Furthermore, in the upper and lower part in the plug-in direction in front of and behind the central web, guide rails extending in the plug-in direction between the guide sleeves are provided, which define an associated insertion channel for a plug connector for each of the guide sleeves.

Flexible uses of the connector system are achieved in that means for fastening and / or aligning the adapter housing are provided on the adapter housing.

An optimal combination of good usability and high connection density results in particular if the distance from the sleeve axis to the sleeve axis of the guide sleeves arranged directly next to one another is approximately twice as large as the inner diameter of the guide sleeves. In this i

connexion, it is also advantageous if the ferrules used in the connectors have an outside diameter of 1.25 mm.

The configuration of the individual connectors is also essential for the compact design of the connector system. A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the plug connectors each have a holder, preferably made of a plastic, in the form of a rectangular frame which is elongated in the plug-in direction and encloses an interior, an opening for the ferrule in the front and an opening in the rear Through hole for the passage of a fiber-optic cable are provided that a spring element, in particular in the form of a spiral spring, is mounted for the suspension of the ferrule in the interior of the holder, that the opening for the ferrule is designed to be open to the side to simplify assembly.

In order for the connector to be able to adjust the optical fiber, the ferrule is preferably inserted into an inner part, preferably made of a metal, arranged in the interior of the holder, the inner part has a guide sleeve for guiding the spring element, and are on the inner part Means are provided which enable the inner part to be adjusted by rotating it about its longitudinal axis into different angular positions, the adjusting means in particular comprising an adjusting section with a square cross section, which adjoins the guide sleeve in the front region of the inner part and has a receiving bore for receiving the ferrule, and on which the spring element is supported with its front end.

Securing the plug connections is preferably made possible in that each side wall has a resilient section with a latching element arranged thereon in the brackets, and in that latching openings are provided in the adapter housing, into which the plug connectors snap with their latching elements when inserted into the adapter housing. In order to facilitate the use of the connector system, it can be advantageous if the guide sleeves in the adapter are combined into several groups, each comprising several guide sleeves. With a total of twelve individual plug connections, it is advantageous to provide two groups of six guide sleeves in the adapter.

Further embodiments result from the dependent claims.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawing. Show it

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a fiber optic connector system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for the individual connection of a total of 12 fibers in two groups of 6 fibers each.

Fig. 2 shows the adapter of the connector system from Fig. 1 in one

Exploded view;

3 shows the adapter in the illustration according to FIG. 2 with the associated plug-in connectors in the partially inserted state;

Fig. 4 in an exploded view of a single connector

Fig. 3; and

5 shows the adapter from FIG. 1 in a view from the front and in a top view from above. WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1 is a perspective side view of a fiber optic connector system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The fiber optic connector system 10 comprises an adapter 11, which has a rectangular, flat adapter housing 12 consisting of an upper part 17 and a lower part 18. On the opposite long sides of the adapter 11, two rows of plug-in openings 16 lying directly next to one another are arranged (see also FIG. 5, upper part of the figure). In the example shown, there are 6 insertion openings 16 per row, that is, a total of 12 insertion openings 16. For better identification and differentiation of the individual insertion openings 16, numbers 1 ... 12 are applied to the top of the adapter housing 12. Each of the insertion openings 16 is assigned an insertion channel (47 in FIG. 2) which runs within the adapter housing 12. Two directly opposite insertion openings 16 and insertion channels 47 form a pair that can be used to connect two optical fibers. For this purpose, the optical fibers are each provided at their ends with a connector 13 matched to the adapter 11. A maximum of 12 pairs of optical fibers can optionally be connected to one another with the adapter shown in FIG. 1, for which a total of the 24 connectors 13 shown in FIG. 1 are required (23 connectors are shown in the inserted state in FIG. 1, 1 connector on) Position 1 is shown pulled out).

The two parts 17 and 18 of the adapter housing are detachably connected to one another by a plurality of screw connections 19. The screw connections 19 preferably each comprise a screw (19a in FIG. 2) and a nut (19b in FIG. 2). Screw heads and nuts are sunk on the adapter housing 12 in corresponding screw holes (22 in FIG. 2). So that the adapter 11 can be fastened to a base (rear wall, printed circuit board or the like), a fastening hole 20 is provided in the middle through the adapter housing 12. see. At the same time, the adapter housing 12 has semicircular cutouts on its transverse sides, which can be used for positioning and / or fastening.

The internal structure of the adapter 11 is shown in the exploded view in FIG. 2. Central elements of the adapter 11 are a plurality of cylindrical guide sleeves 45, of which there are one per connector, that is, a total of 12. The guide sleeves 45 take the ferrules (23 in FIGS. 3, 4) in a manner known per se ) of the connector 13 and guide them so that the ferrules of the two connectors involved in the connector and the fiber ends seated in the central bores of the ferrules abut one another with the end faces.

The ferrules 45 are mounted directly in the parts 17 and 18 of the adapter housing 12. For this purpose, a longitudinal web 44 is formed in the upper part 17 and lower part 18, in which two rows of rows extending in the direction of insertion are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. parallel, semi-cylindrical recesses 48 are formed. The guide sleeves 45 are supported and held with play in the trough-like depressions 48, which complement one another when the upper and lower parts 17 and 18 are screwed together. So that the two parts 17, 18 of the adapter housing 12 can be placed one on top of the other with the precision required for the storage of the guide sleeves 45, two widely spaced guide pins 42 are arranged on the upper side of the lower part 18, which plunge into corresponding bores on the underside of the upper part 17 and so align the two parts 17, 18 with each other.

Upper part 17 and lower part 18 are two flat plates of the same height, which are essentially mirror-symmetrical to a central plane. The total height of the adapter housing 12 is not more than about 5 mm. In the upper part 17 and in the lower part 18 are in the plug-in direction in front of and behind the central web 44 in a lower level between the guide sleeves 45 in each direction guide rails 46 provided. Two guide rails 46, each adjacent to a guide sleeve 45, define an insertion channel 47 associated with the guide sleeve for a plug connector 13.

The plug connectors - as shown in FIG. 3 - can be inserted into the insertion channels 47 thus formed, their ferrules 23 being received by the associated guide sleeves 45. Since each of the 12 plug connections has its own insertion channel on each side of the guide sleeve 45, the 12 plug connections can be inserted completely independently of one another, as is indicated by the plug connector 13 shown in FIG. 3. So that the plug connector 13 is securely held in the plugged-in state in the adapter 11, a latching device is provided per plug connector, which according to FIG. 1 comprises a resilient latching element 14 in the form of a latching step on the plug connector 13, with which the plug connector 13 in the plugged-in state a locking opening 15 snaps into the upper part 17 of the adapter housing 12. To release the latching, the latching element 14 can be pressed downward from above through the latching openings 15 using a suitable object or tool and the plug connector 13 can be pulled out of the insertion channel 47 at the same time.

The particularly compact and space-saving design of the connector system 10 and in particular the adapter 11 is only possible if the connector 13 itself is limited to a minimum in its outer dimensions. In the present case, a connector is preferably used as a connector 13, which the applicant has already used in another context (WO-A1-015 / 59499) in a different context, namely as an insert in a backplane connector is. The structure of the connector 13 is shown in Fig. 4 in an exploded view.

3, the ferrule 23 (material: eg zirconia; diameter: preferably 1.25 mm), an inner part 24 (made of metal), a spring element 28 in the form of a spiral spring, a frame-shaped holder 29 (Injection molded part made of plastic), a crimp neck 37 (made of metal) and a crimp sleeve 41 (also made of metal). It goes without saying that another spring element, for example a rubber hose, can be used instead of the spiral spring. The bracket 29 forms the basic component of the connector 13 and gives the connector 13 the necessary mechanical stability. The remaining components 23, 24, 28, 37 and 41 are accommodated in the holder 29 or attached to the holder 29. The holder 29 has the shape of a rectangular frame which is elongated in the direction of insertion and encloses an interior 33. An opening 30 for the ferrule 23 is provided in the front wall (front) of the frame. In the rear wall (rear side) there is a through hole 34 for the passage of the fiber optic cable 32, as well as a rectangular receiving space 35. A square recess (not visible in FIG. 3) is arranged on the outside of the rear wall.

The crimp neck 37 comprises a square holding plate 39, to which a pipe socket 38 or 40 connects in the axial direction at the front and rear. The front pipe socket 38 also carries a concentric annular bead 43. When the crimp neck 37 is pressed into the through bore 34 of the holder 29, the tubular piece 38 engages with its annular bead 43 in the receiving space 35. At the same time, the holding plate 39 comes in the above. Recess of the rear wall to lie and thus secures the crimped neck 37 pressed into the holder 29 against rotation by a torsional force acting on the cable 32. The front pipe socket 38, which projects into the interior 33 when the crimped neck 37 is pressed in, serves to support the spiral spring 28 inserted into the interior 33. The rear pipe socket 40 protruding rearward from the holder 29 serves to fix the strain relief of the fiber-optic cable 32 by means of the slide and then crimp sleeve 41.

The ferrule 23, the inner part 24 and the spiral spring 28 are mounted in the interior 33 of the holder 29. The inner part 24 comprises a guide sleeve 27 for guiding the spiral spring 28 and an adjustment section 26 with a square cross section. The adjustment section 26 closes in the front area of the inner part 24 on the guide sleeve 27 and has a receiving bore 25 for receiving the ferrule 23. The coil spring 28 drawn over the guide sleeve 27 is supported with its front end on the back of the adjustment section 26. The ferrule 23 is pressed into the receiving bore 25 on the inner part 24 and, together with the inner part 24 and the pushed-on spiral spring 28, is inserted into the interior 33 from the open side of the holder. So that the ferrule 23 can take its place in the front opening 30 unhindered, this opening 30 is open to the side. The interaction between the square adjustment section 26 and the rectangular interior 33 enables the inner part 24 (or the fiber) to be adjusted by rotating about its longitudinal axis into different angular positions (in 4 steps of 90 ° each). The spiral spring 28 presses the inner part against the front of the holder 29, so that the adjusted position can be held. In order to give the spiral spring 28 an additional lateral hold in the interior 33, elongated limiting elements 36 can be formed on the inside of the longitudinal walls of the holder.

However, it is also conceivable to provide, for example, a hexagonal configuration with an adjustability in 60 ° steps instead of the rectangular or square configuration with its adjustability in 90 ° steps. So that

Plug connector 13 can be plugged into the adapter 11, the upper side wall of each holder 29 has a slightly V-shaped, protruding outwardly, resilient section 31 with a locking step (locking element 14) arranged thereon, which - as already described above - When inserting the connector 13 into the associated locking opening 15 on the adapter housing 12 releasably engages.

The high connector density that is possible with the solution according to the invention can be seen from the front view in the upper part of FIG. 5, where the height h and the width w of an individual insertion opening 16 and the distance d of two adjacent guide sleeves measured from sleeve axis to sleeve axis or Insertion openings 16 is located. If ferrules 23 with a Diameter of 1.25 mm are used, each connector 13 or each insertion opening 16 has dimensions (width x height) with a width w of approximately 2.4 mm and a height h of approximately 3.4 mm. The distance d is then approximately the same size as the width w.

For comparison, the corresponding dimensions of known connectors are listed below:

Connector type width x height (mm x mm) preliminary registration (1.25mm ferrule) 2.4 x 3.4

LC connector (1.25mm ferrule) 4.5 x 9.1

SC connector (2.5mm ferrule) 7.4 x 9.0

LSH connector (2.5mm ferrule) 6.7 x 12

From the comparison it can be seen immediately that the connector system according to the application provides a considerably more compact solution for complex and flexible connections of optical fibers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 fiber optic connector system

11 adapters

12 adapter housing

13 optical connectors

14 locking element (locking step)

15 locking opening

16 insertion opening

17 top

18 lower part

19 screw connection

19a screw

19b mother 0 mounting hole 1 recess

22 screw hole 3 ferrule 4 inner part 5 mounting hole 6 adjustment section 7 guide sleeve 8 spring element or spiral spring 9 holder (frame-shaped)

30 opening

31 resilient section

32 fiber optic cables

33 interior

34 through hole

35 recording space (rectangular)

36 delimiting element

37 Crimean Neck

38.40 pipe socket

39 holding plate

41 crimp sleeve

42 guide pin

43 ring bead

44 middle web

45 guide sleeve

46 guide rail

47 insertion channel

48 deepening (semi-cylindrical) d distance h height w width

Claims

1. Fiber optic connector system (10), comprising an adapter (11) and individual optical connectors (13), in each of which an optical fiber ends in a ferrule (23), and which each for establishing an optical connection between the ends of two optical fibers The adapter (11) can be inserted from two opposite sides, the adapter (11) in an adapter housing (12) having a plurality of parallel guide sleeves (45) into which the optical connectors (13) with their ferrules are inserted (23) can be inserted from both sides, characterized in that the adapter housing (12) is composed of several separate parts (17, 18) which can be connected to one another, between which the guide sleeves (45) are held with play.

2. Connector system according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter housing (12) is composed of a flat, plate-shaped upper part (17) and a flat, plate-shaped lower part (18).

3. Connector system according to claim 2, characterized in that on the upper and / or lower part (17 or 18) guide means (42) for aligning the two parts (17, 18) are provided.

4. Connector system according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide means comprise a plurality of distributed guide pins (42) which are mounted in one of the parts (17, 18) and immerse in a corresponding hole in the other part.

5. Connector system according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that connecting means (19; 19a, b; 22) are provided for releasably connecting the upper and lower part (17, 18).

6. Connector system according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting means comprise screw connections (19).

7. Connector system according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in the upper and lower part (17, 18) a transverse to the plug-in central web (44) is provided, which a plurality of in the longitudinal direction of the central web (44) one behind the other arranged, semi-cylindrical recesses (48) for receiving the guide sleeves (45).

8. Connector system according to claim 7, characterized in that in the upper and lower part (17, 18) in the plug-in direction in front of and behind the central web (44) between the guide sleeves (45) in the plug-in direction extending guide rails (46) are provided, which to each of the guide sleeves (45) define an associated insertion channel (47) for a plug connector (13).

9. Connector system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that on the adapter housing (11) means (20, 21) for fastening and / or aligning the adapter housing (11) are provided.

10. Connector system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measured from sleeve axis to sleeve axis distance (d) of the directly adjacent guide sleeves (45) is approximately twice as large as the inner diameter of the guide sleeves (45).

11. Connector system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ferrules (23) have an outer diameter of 1.25 mm.

12. Connector system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the connectors (13) each have a, preferably made of a plastic, holder (29) in the form of an elongated in the plugging direction, rectangular, an interior (33) enclosing frame . in the front there is an opening (30) for the ferrule (23) and in the rear there is a through hole (34) for the passage of a fiber optic cable (32), and for the suspension of the ferrule (23) in the interior (33) of the holder a spring element (28), in particular in the form of a spiral spring, is mounted.

13. Connector system according to claim 12, characterized in that to simplify the assembly, the opening (30) for the ferrule (23) is open to the side.

14. Connector system according to claim 12, characterized in that the ferrule (23) in an interior (33) of the holder (29) arranged, preferably made of a metal, inner part (24) is inserted, that the inner part (24) Guide sleeve (27) for guiding the spring element (28), and that means (26) are provided on the inner part, which allow adjustment of the inner part (24) by rotation about its longitudinal axis in different angular positions.

15. Connector system according to claim 14, characterized in that the adjusting means comprise an adjusting section (26) with a square cross section, which adjoins the guide sleeve (27) in the front region of the inner part (24) and a receiving bore (25) for receiving the ferrule (23), and on which the spring element (28) is supported with its front end.

16. Connector system according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that in the brackets (29) in each case a side wall has a resilient section (31) with a locking element (14) arranged thereon, and that in the adapter housing (12) locking openings ( 15) are provided, into which the plug connectors (13) snap when they are plugged into the adapter housing (12) with their latching elements (14).

17. Connector system according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that for fastening the fiber optic cable (32) to the holder (29), preferably a metal crimp neck (37) is provided, which in the through hole (34 ) of the holder (29) can be snapped in, and has a pipe socket (40) protruding from the holder (29) towards the rear for fastening a crimp sleeve (41).

18. Connector system according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the guide sleeves (45) in the adapter (11) are combined to form a plurality of groups, each comprising a plurality of guide sleeves.

19. Connector system according to claim 18, characterized in that two groups of six guide sleeves (45) are provided in the adapter (11).

20. Connector system according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that each connector (13) in the adapter (11) in a rectangular insertion opening (16) with a width (w) of about 2.4 mm and a height (h) of about 3.4 mm can be inserted.