AT512758A2 - Connector for mechanical butt joining of optical fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector for mechanical butt jointing of light guides (1, 2, 3, 4), comprising a support housing (5) with bottom wall, two side walls, two end walls and a cover surface, the end walls (9, 10) each having insertion openings ( 11 to 14) for optical fibers (1 to 4), which are directed coaxially to each other, and which are interconnected by a coaxial insertion path, in the carrier housing (5) parallel to the insertion path of the optical fibers (1 to 4) extending holding jaws (15,16,17,18) are formed, further consisting of a clamping body (6) with bottom (19), side surfaces (20,21), end faces (22,23) and open top surface into which the carrier housing (5 ) is inserted transversely to the insertion path, wherein in the clamping body (6) pressure parts (24) are formed, which rest in the inserted position on the holding jaws (15 to 18) and located between the holding jaws (15 to 18) ends of the light guide (1 b is 4) clamped fix.

Description

1

The invention relates to a connector for the mechanical abutment of plastic sheathed with an insulating sheath light guides. Such coated by an insulating plastic light guide are commonly referred to as POF. Here, a plastic fiber is provided as a light guide, which is enveloped by a light-tight insulation of, for example, elastomeric material. If such optical fibers are to be connected to each other at intersections or junctions, this must be provided on the one hand a fixed arrangement of the ends of the optical fibers to be joined together and on the other hand an exact coaxial alignment of the optical fiber ends to each other so that the corresponding signals can be properly transmitted and forwarded.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a connector of this type, which allows an exact coaxial connection of optical fibers with each other, wherein a shock connection is to be achieved, which comes close to a situation, as if the light guide of a single Light guide would exist.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a connector consisting of a preferably cuboidal support housing with preferably open bottom wall, two side walls, two end walls and an open, the bottom wall opposite top surface, wherein the end walls each have insertion openings for optical fibers, which are directed coaxially to each other , Which are in communication with each other by a coaxial insertion path, in the support housing extending parallel to the insertion path of the optical fiber preferably extending retaining jaws are formed, both sides of the insertion path, further consisting of a preferably cuboid clamping body with bottom, side surfaces, end faces and open top surface into which the carrier housing is inserted transversely to the insertion path, wherein in the clamping body dimensionally stable pressure parts are formed, which in the inserted position when the carrier housing inserted into the clamping body ckt, abut the holding jaws, move them in the direction of the insertion path 2, and fix the ends of the optical fibers located between the holding jaws by clamping.

According to this embodiment, a connector is provided which allows in a simple manner and extremely precise the connection of optical fibers with each other. Preferably, in this case, both the carrier housing and the clamping body made of plastic fmaterial. To connect a light guide, the end of an optical waveguide can be inserted into the carrier housing in each of the end faces or in the insertion openings located there until the two optical waveguides preferably meet abuttingly in the center of the carrier housing. A pre-positioning is thereby achieved because the insertion openings are aligned coaxially to each other and the coaxial insertion path is laterally limited by the resilient holding jaws, so that a proper pre-positioning of the light guide can be done. By means of the cuboid clamping body, this temporary connection can be finally secured by the carrier housing is inserted into the clamping body transversely to the course of the light guide. Here, the dimensionally stable pressure parts of the clamping body act on the holding jaws of the carrier housing and urge these holding jaws to each other, so that the located between the holding jaws ends of the light guide are finally positioned and fixed.

It goes without saying that instead of the simple arrangement of insertion, holding jaws, clamping bodies and the like, a multiple arrangement is made possible parallel to each other, so that not only the ends of two mutually coaxial optical fibers are connected to the connector, but also a plurality of optical fiber ends can be interconnected become. For this purpose, a corresponding multiplication of the required openings and clamping parts logical consequence.

It is also possible to connect optical fibers of the same diameter with each other or light guides of different diameters, at most an adaptation of the insertion 3 openings is required and optionally also an adjustment of the distance of the resilient holding jaws from each other.

In order to enable the carrier housing can be inserted almost completely into the clamp body, so in principle can be flush inserted into this, it is provided that the clamping body has open-edged recesses in its end faces, which engage over the light guide in the inserted position.

This makes it possible to insert the carrier housing flush in the clamping body, in which case the coaxial with each other directed light guide can be removed through the open-edge recesses of the clamping body.

A particularly preferred embodiment is further seen in the fact that the clamping body has in pairs in the region between its end faces and the pressure parts zugentlastende clamping webs, between which the optical fibers are held by clamping at least in the inserted position zugendlastet.

This ensures that the light guide ends inserted into the connector are not only held between the resilient retaining jaws, but it is also achieved a strain relief, because when the carrier housing is inserted into the clamping body, the optical fibers are additionally clamped by the clamping bars and are thus relieved of strain.

Preferably, it is provided that first pairs of clamping webs are provided projecting from the bottom of the clamp body to the open top surface, between which the optical fibers are held in an intermediate position between the uninstalled position and the inserted position slightly clamped, and second pairs of clamping webs, the smaller Have distance from each other and compared to the top surface lie back further than the first pair of clamping bars, between which the optical fibers are clamped in the inserted position stronger than between the first pair of clamping bars. 4

This ensures that in a pre-assembly, when the carrier housing is not yet completely, but only partially inserted into the clamp body, already a slight strain relief of the light guide takes place, so that they are already held safe for the time being. As soon as the carrier housing is completely pressed into the clamping body, the second pairs of clamping bars are effective, which have even smaller distance from each other and thus can exert higher clamping forces on the light guide, so that an extremely secure strain relief is achieved.

In order to improve the strain relief effect, it can be provided that the pairs of clamping webs are formed with sharp edges on the mutually facing edges.

In order to improve the stability of the pressure parts of the clamping body and also to improve their effect, it is proposed that the pressure parts of the clamping body are formed as protruding from the bottom to near the open top surface walls whose length is slightly shorter than the length of the holding jaws of the carrier housing ,

In order to improve the stability of the carrier housing and yet to ensure sufficient elastic mobility of the holding jaws, it is provided that the carrier housing between its side walls has these connecting wall parts to which the holding jaws are formed and formed on the stiffening webs, each on an end wall are connected, wherein the end walls and the wall parts have perforations for the passage of the light guide.

In order to secure the end position of the carrier housing in the clamping body, it can be provided that the clamping body has latching lugs projecting towards one another on its side surfaces and the carrier housing has a first latching groove on its side walls, in which the latching lugs engage in the inserted position.

In addition, it can be provided that the carrier housing between the first locking groove and the top surface, a second. 5

Has latching groove, in which engage the locking lugs in an intermediate mounting position.

This makes it possible to first ensure a first latching of the parts together in a pre-assembly position before the parts are then brought into the end position by further manipulation and in turn a latching of this end position takes place.

In order to improve the centering of the light guide along the insertion path, it is provided that the resilient holding jaws have V-shaped longitudinal grooves on their sides facing each other, in which the optical fibers arranged along the insertion path are clamped and centered, so that a coaxial course of Light guide is effected.

The fact that the resilient holding jaws have on their sides facing V-shaped longitudinal grooves, it is achieved that the basically circular cross-section light guide is additionally centered and held when merging the parts and the compression of the holding jaws, so that a coaxial course of each other connecting optical fiber is perfectly feasible.

In order to increase the pressure forces acting on the holding jaws or the light guides performed by simple means, it is proposed that the holding jaws each have protruding, bulged or projecting walls or wall parts to the pressure parts of the clamping body.

In order to be able to detach the parts again from one another, it is provided that the carrier housing and / or the clamping body near the locking lugs has a recess in the region of the top surface on the side surfaces into which a tool for the purpose of Entrastens can be inserted.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below. It shows: 6

1 shows a connector according to the invention in an intermediate mounting position ·

Figure 2 also seen from below;

3 shows a carrier housing in an oblique view;

4 shows a clamping body in an oblique view;

Figure 5 seen the connector in an intermediate mounting position in section;

Figure 6 also seen in the final insertion position;

Figure 7 seen the connector in an intermediate position in a section;

Figure 8 shows the connector in an intermediate position in plan view, partially in section;

Figure 9 shows the detail IX of Figure 8 in an enlarged view;

Figure 10 is a partial view of a connector in an intermediate position;

Figure 11 shows the connector in an end position, partially cut away;

Figure 12 shows detail XII of Figure 11 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 13 shows the connector cut in the end position in a partial view;

Figure 14 also seen in another section;

Figure 15 is also seen in a further section;

FIG. 16 shows a variant of a connector in the intermediate position, partially cut away;

Figure 17 shows detail XVII of Figure 16 on an enlarged scale; Figure 18 shows detail XVIII of Figure 16 on an enlarged scale; Figure 19 shows the connector in the end position, partially cut away;

Figure 20 seen the detail XX of Figure 19 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 21 seen the detail XXI of Figure 19 on an enlarged scale.

In the drawing, a connector for the mechanical butt joint of coated with an insulating plastic light guides is shown. The light guides are labeled 1,2,3,4. In each case, the light guides 1, 2 are connected to one another at a joint with one another by the connector and likewise the light conductors 3, 4 are connected to one another at a joint by the connector.

The connector consists of a cuboid carrier housing 5, which is shown for example in Figure 3 as a detail and a cuboid clamping body 6, which is shown in Figure 4 as a detail. The block-shaped carrier housing 5 has an open bottom wall, two side walls 7, 8, two end walls 9, 10 and an open top surface opposite the open bottom wall. In the end faces 9,10 each insertion openings 11,12; 13,14 provided for optical fibers 1,2 and 3,4. The insertion openings 11,12 and 13,14 are each coaxially aligned with each other and connect a coaxial insertion path for the optical fibers 1,2 and 3,4.

In the carrier housing 5 are parallel to the insertion paths of the optical fibers 1.2 and 3.4 extending resilient holding jaws 15,16 and 17,18 formed, which are provided on either side of each insertion path.

The clamping body 6 is also cuboid and has a bottom 19, side surfaces 20,21, end faces 22,23 and an open top surface, as shown in Figure 4 can be seen. In this clamp body 6, the support housing 5 can be inserted and inserted in the correct position from above. The clamping body 6 further comprises dimensionally stable pressure parts 24. These pressure parts 24 serve to ensure that, when the carrier housing 5 is inserted into the clamping body 6, the holding jaws 15, 16 or 17, 18 are moved toward one another elastically and thus the ends of the light guides 3, 4 or 1, 2 between the ends Holding jaws 15,16 and 17,18 are fixed by clamping.

The clamping body 6 has at its end faces 22,23 open-edged recesses 25 which engage over the light guide 1,3,2,4 in the inserted position. In addition, the clamping body 6 in the area between its end faces 22,23 and the pressure parts 24 in pairs zugentlastende clamping webs 26 and 27th

8, between which the optical fibers are 1,2,3,4 clamped at least in the inserted position zugentlastend. In particular, in this case first pairs of clamping webs 26 are provided, which project from the bottom 19 of the clamping body to the open top surface projecting. Between these, the light guides can be 1,2,3,4 already held slightly strain relieved in an intermediate position. Furthermore, second pairs of clamping webs 27 are provided, which each have a smaller distance from each other and thus form a narrower sized nip with each other and which are compared to the top surface further back than the first pair of clamping webs 26. Between these clamping webs 27, the light guides are 1,2 , 3.4 more clamped in the completed insertion position than between the first pair of clamping bars 26, so that an excellent strain relief is achieved.

In particular, the pairs of clamping webs 26 and 27 at the mutually facing, the nip forming edges are sharp-edged, as can be seen for example in Figure 4.

The pressure parts 24 of the clamping body 6 are formed as walls which extend from the bottom 19 to near the open top surface of the clamping body 6, wherein the length seen in the longitudinal direction of the light guides 1 to 4, is shorter than the length of the holding jaws 15, 16, 17th , 18 of the carrier housing 5.

The support housing 5 has, between its side walls 7,8, these connecting wall parts 28 to which the resilient holding jaws 15,16,17,18 are formed and formed on the stiffening webs 29, which are each connected to an end wall 9,10, wherein the end wall 9,10 and the wall parts 28 free spaces or holes for the passage of the optical fibers 1,2,3,4 have.

The clamping body 6 has on its side surfaces 20,21 to each other projecting in pairs provided latching lugs 30, while the support housing 5 has outside on its side walls 7,8 a first latching groove 31 and a second latching groove 32. When assembling 9 of the parts engage in the full insertion position, the locking lugs 30 in the first locking groove 31, while in a Vormontagelage or intermediate mounting position, the locking lugs 30 engage in the second locking groove 32 and thus cause a provisional assurance of Zwischenmontagelage.

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the resilient holding jaws 15, 16 and 17, 18 have V-shaped longitudinal grooves 33 on their mutually facing surfaces, in which the light conductors 1, 2 and 3, 4 arranged along the insertion path are clamped and are centered. Due to the V-shaped design of the longitudinal grooves 33 four clamping points are effected at each circular cross-section light guide, but not only lead to a clamping of the light guide, but also to their centering in each of a pair of V-shaped longitudinal grooves 33 enclosed space ,

As can also be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 or else from the representation according to FIG. 7 or FIG. 14, the retaining jaws 15, 16, 17, 18 each have protruding, bulging or projecting walls or wall parts facing the corresponding pressure parts 24 on the one hand to facilitate the threading at the beginning plugging operation and on the other hand to be able to build high clamping forces in the final plug-in position.

Finally, the carrier housing 5 and the clamping body 6 near the locking lugs 30 in the region of the respective top surface on the side surfaces 20, 21 and 7.8 recesses 34, 35 which serve to introduce a tool, such as the blade of a screwdriver to the Releasing latching and disassemble the parts from each other.

In the drawing figures, an intermediate mounting position is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, wherein Figure 1 shows a plan view and Figure 2 shows a bottom view. Figures 3 and 4 show the corresponding items. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view, in which the intermediate assembly position is shown in FIG. 5 and the final clamping position has not yet been reached, while FIG. 6 shows the final assembly situation, in which the final clamping position is reached. FIG. 7 shows a sectional view in an intermediate mounting position. Likewise, Figures 8 and 9 show this intermediate mounting position in which the Kleraiastege 26, the optical fiber 1 only slightly clamp, but already reach a certain strain relief. FIG. 10 shows the same position in another section.

In Figure 11, the end position is shown and also in Figure 12, in which case in particular the clamping webs 27 on the jacket of the light guide 1 fitting and this zugentlasten with high force.

In Figure 13, the same position is shown in a different cutting position. The same situation is shown in Figure 14 in another sectional drawing. A substantially similar view is shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the light guides 1, 3 have a larger diameter than the light guides 2, 4. This embodiment makes it clear that the butt joint of optical fibers of different diameters by means of the connector according to the invention is possible. For example, the optical fibers 1.3 can have a diameter of 2.2 mm and the optical fibers 2.4 have a diameter of 1.5 mm. Accordingly, the clamping webs forming the strain relief elements may be formed. In Figures 17 and 18, in turn, the situation is shown, in which the clamping webs 26 abut the jacket of the respective light guide clamping and zugentlastend. In Figures 19 to 21, the situation is shown in the rest in the final position, the clamping webs 27 rest firmly and zugentlastend on the jacket of the respective light guide.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment, but in the context of the disclosure often variable.

All disclosed in the description and / or drawing single and combination features are considered essential to the invention.

Reference number: 1-4 light guide 5 carrier housing 6 clamping body 7 side wall v. 5 8 ft 9 front wall v. 5 10 "v. 5 11 insertion opening v. 12 ft 13 ft 14 ft 15 holding jaws v. 5 16 ff 17 ff 18 ff 19 Ground v. 6 20 side surfaces v. 6 21 ft 22 end faces v. 6 23 ff 24 Printing parts v. 6 25 recess 26 Kleirimstege 1. 27 clamping webs 2. 28 wall parts 29 stiffening webs 30 locking lugs 31 first locking groove 32 second locking groove 33 longitudinal grooves 34 recess at 6 35 recess at 5

Vienna, 22.11.20X2

Claims (11)

Dr. Müllner Dipl.-Ing. Katschinka OEG, Patent Attorney Office Weihburggasse 9, Postfach 159, A-1014 WIEN, Austria Phone: (+43 (1) 512 24 81 / Fax: + 43 (1) 513 76 81 / E-Mail: 0 repatent@aon.at Account (PSK): 1480 708 BLZ 60000 B! C: OPSKATWW IBAN: AT19 6000 0000 0148 07081 480 708 16/45727 Wilhelm Rutenbeck GmbH & Co. KG 58579 Schalksmühle (DE) Claims: 1. Connector for mechanical butt joint of with a Insulating sheath coated optical fibers ¢ 1,2,3,4} made of plastic, consisting of a cuboid support housing (5) with an open bottom wall, two side walls, two end walls and an open, the bottom wall opposite deck surface, wherein the end walls (9,10 ) each have insertion openings (11 to 14) for optical fibers (1 to 4), which are directed coaxially to each other, and which are interconnected by a coaxial insertion path, in the carrier housing (5) parallel to the insertion path of the optical fibers (1 to 4) extending Fed holding jaws (15,16,17,18) are formed, on both sides of the insertion path, further consisting of a cuboid clamping body (6) with bottom (19), side surfaces (20,21), end faces (22,23) and open top surface, in which the carrier housing (5) is inserted transversely to the insertion path, wherein in the clamping body (6) dimensionally stable pressure parts (24) are formed, which in the inserted position when the carrier housing (5) is inserted into the clamping body (6), abut against the holding jaws (15 to 18), move them in the direction of the insertion path, and fix the between the holding jaws (15 to 18) located ends of the light guide (1 to 4) by clamping. 2. A connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping body (6) in its end faces (22,23) open-edged recesses (25) which engage over the light guide (1 to 4) in the inserted position. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping body (6) in the area between its end faces 3 2 (22,23) and the pressure parts (24) in pairs zugentlastende clamping webs (26,27), between which the Light guide (1 to 4) are held by clamping at least in the inserted position strain-relieved. 4. A connector according to claim 3, characterized in that first pairs of clamping webs (26) from the bottom (19) of the clamping body (6) are provided projecting towards the open top surface, between which the optical fibers (1 to 4) in an intermediate position between the not inserted position and the insertion position are held slightly clamped, as well as second pairs of clamping webs (27), which have smaller distance from each other and lying back compared to the top surface further than the first pair of clamping bars (26), between which the optical fibers (1 to 4 ) are clamped in the inserted position stronger than between the first pairs of clamping webs (26). 5. A connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the pairs of clamping webs (26,27) are formed with sharp edges on the mutually facing edges. 6. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pressure parts (24) of the clamping body (6) are formed as from the bottom (19) to near the open top surface projecting walls whose length is slightly shorter than the length the holding jaws (15 to 18) of the carrier housing (5). 7. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the carrier housing (5) between its side walls (7,8) has these connecting wall parts (28) to which the holding jaws (15-18) are integrally formed and to the Stiffening webs (29) are integrally formed, which are each connected to an end wall (9,10), wherein the end walls (9,10) and the wall parts (28) have holes for the passage of the optical fibers (1 to 4). 3 8. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the clamping body (6) on its side surfaces (20,21) to each other projecting locking lugs (30) and the support housing (5) on the outside at its side walls (7,8) a first latching groove (31), in which engage the latching lugs (30) in the inserted position. 9. A connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the carrier housing (5) between the first latching groove (31) and the top surface has a second latching groove (32), in which engage the latching lugs (30) in an intermediate mounting position. 10. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the resilient holding jaws (15 to 18) on their sides facing V-shaped longitudinal grooves (33), in which the along the insertion path arranged light guide (1 to 4) held clamped and centered, so that a coaxial course of the light guide (1 to 4) is effected. 11. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holding jaws (15 to 18) each to the pressure parts (24) of the clamping body (6) projecting, bulging or projecting walls or wall parts. 12. The connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the carrier housing (5) and / or the clamping body (6) near the latching noses (30) has a recess (34, 35) in the region of the top surface on the side surfaces (7 , 8,20,21) into which a tool for the purpose of Entrastens can be inserted. Vienna, 22.11.2012