CA1094210A - Optoelectronic connector assembly - Google Patents
Optoelectronic connector assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1094210A CA1094210A CA250,593A CA250593A CA1094210A CA 1094210 A CA1094210 A CA 1094210A CA 250593 A CA250593 A CA 250593A CA 1094210 A CA1094210 A CA 1094210A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- connector part
- light guide
- optical
- transducer
- housing
- 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
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
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2552—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding reshaping or reforming of light guides for coupling using thermal heating, e.g. tapering, forming of a lens on light guide ends
-
- 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
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3817—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres containing optical and electrical conductors
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Optical Communication System (AREA)
- Cable Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to electrical connector parts for housing optoelectronic transducers and to optical connector parts for housing terminal portions of a fiber optic light guide. The prior art provides connectors of this type but they are either permanently connected or they require critical alignment each time the connector parts are assembled. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing an optoelectronic connector assembly comprising an electrical connector part having a front end portion, an optical connector part having a front end portion adapted to engage with the front end portion of said electrical connector part, an optoelectronic transducer, device for firmly supporting said transducer within said electrical connector part so that said transducer faces the front end of said electrical connector part, an optical fiber having material of light transmitting characteristics, and device for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of said optical fiber within said optical connector part so that the end of said fiber faces the front end of said optical connector part, and wherein said latter device renders unnecessary any subsequent physical adjustment of said optical fiber with respect to said optical connector part.
This invention relates to electrical connector parts for housing optoelectronic transducers and to optical connector parts for housing terminal portions of a fiber optic light guide. The prior art provides connectors of this type but they are either permanently connected or they require critical alignment each time the connector parts are assembled. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing an optoelectronic connector assembly comprising an electrical connector part having a front end portion, an optical connector part having a front end portion adapted to engage with the front end portion of said electrical connector part, an optoelectronic transducer, device for firmly supporting said transducer within said electrical connector part so that said transducer faces the front end of said electrical connector part, an optical fiber having material of light transmitting characteristics, and device for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of said optical fiber within said optical connector part so that the end of said fiber faces the front end of said optical connector part, and wherein said latter device renders unnecessary any subsequent physical adjustment of said optical fiber with respect to said optical connector part.
Description
10~4Z~ 0 This invention relates to optoelectronic connector assembly systems and, in particular, to electrical connector parts for housing optoelectronic transducers and to optical connector parts for housing terminal portions of a fiber optic light guide. The invention also relates to a fiber optic light guide having an integral lens associated there-with. Accordingly, the general objects of this invention are to provide new and improved systems, parts, and combined guide-lens of such character.
For certain applications, it is desirable to trans-mit signals between two stations of a system over a closed, nonconductive, nonelectrical transmission path. Such a path can employ a flexible fiber optic light guide.
Electrical signals are converted to light signals at one end o~ the system, and the light signals are transmitted by way of the fiber optic light guide to the other end of the system where they are reconverted into electrical signals.
mus, the two ends of the system can be electrically iso-lated from each other; electrical interference does not 20 affect the signals conducted over the optical transmission path.
Various techniques have been employed in the past for such transmission. The following references may be helpful for a delineation of the scope of such prior art teahniques. They include the following United States Patents:
Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 3,517,981 Rueger et al June 30, 1970 3,637,284 Plyler June 25, 1972 3,789,485 Gudnestad Feb. 5, 1974 3,790,791 Anderson Feb. 5, 1974 3,790,923 Mathe Feb. 5, 1974 3~792,284 Kaelin Feb. 12, 1974 109~210 3,8097908 Clanton May 7, 1974 3,846,010 Love Nov. 5, 1974 Also of interest is a publication titled "De-signing with DuPont Crofon Fiber Optics" by the DuPont Company, including a designation A-76182.
Rueger et al, U.S. Pat. No 3,517,981, relates to termination members for fiber optic means. Fiber members of a fiber optic bundle are crimped by a termination member so that the fibers project forward into a lens which engages the termination member, the lens being designed to disburse the light transmitted from the fiber optic bundle in many directions for observation or display.
The patents to Plyler and Gudnestad, U.S. Pats.
No. 3,637,284 and 3,789,485 are of secondary interest.
Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,791, discloses a fiber optic connector assembly including a fiber optic bundle which is adapted to mate with a transducer element.
The bundle is disposed within a ferrule and a connector housing is provided with a tined release clip which is adapted to operatively mate with shoulder portions o~ the ferrule of the fiber bundle so as to retain same within the housing. The fiber optic bundle has a flush polished end with respect to the ferrule. In essence, the Anderson patent relates to a cable system wherein a connector as-sembly at one end of the system converts electrical energy to light energy. Light energy is transmitted through the cable system and converted to electrical energy at a second connector system located at the other end of the system. Anderson further utilizes a separate lens between his active device and the fiber optic termination. Dis-advantageously, however, Anderson's transducer is a quasi-permanent portion of his optoelectronic cable assembly ma~ing replacement thereof difficult to obtain.
~09 ~Z ~0 Mathe, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,923, relates to an electrical connector having improved panel mounting means and an improved releasable contact construction. Mathe is concerned, inter alia, with connecting one set of electrical wires to another set of electrical wires. No mention is made by Mathe, however, of electrical-optical transmission.
Kaelin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,284, discloses a fiber optic connector assembly wherein the forward end of a fiber optic bundle is disposed within a sleeve in such a manner that the forward end is recessed within the sleeve and a transducer is disposed within the forward end of the sleeve so as to abut and mate with the bundle. Kaelin de-scribes a unitary coupling device which provides structure which permanently positions and secures the light passing end of a fiber optic light guide and a photoelectric trans-ducing element inside a sealed enclosure with electrical connectors from the transducing element to the outside.
Once established, the interface between the light passing end o~ the light guide and the photoelectric transducing element remains undisturbed.
As further background of prior art believed to be pertinent, the following paragraphs are quoted verbatim ~rom column 1, lines 9 to 38, of Kaelin:
"For certain applications it is desirable to trans-mit signals between two units of a system over a closed nonconductive nonelectrical transmission path.
Such a path may be provided by a light pipe employing a flexible fiber optic light guide. Electrical signals are converted to light signals in one unit of the system and the light signals are transmitted by way of the fiber optic light guide to a second unit where they are reconverted to electrical signals. Thus, the 10~-~Z10 two units of the system can be completely electri-cally isolated from each other and no electrical inter-ference can affect the signals conducted over the optical transmission path.
In a system of the foregoing type the ends of the fiber optic light guide must be properly positioned with respect to photo~electric transducing elements, a light source in the first unit and a photo-sensitive element in the second unit. Heretofore the usual practice has been to assemble the photo-electric trans-ducing elements within the units between which the signals are to be sent, and then attach the fiber optic light guide to the units with the ends in light transmitting receiving relationship with the photo-electric transducing elements. m at is, optical connections were made between the fiber optic light guide and the units o~ the system. However, each reconnection of the fiber optic light guide to either of the units required careful physical adjustment in order to obtain proper coupling between the end of the light guide and the photo-electric transducing element, and care was necessary to avoid the presence of foreign matter between this interface."
To provide emphasis, as set forth above by Kaelin, a prior art problem of each reconnection of the fiber optic light guide to either of the photo-electric transducing elements required careful physical adjustment in order to obtain proper coupling between the end of the light guide and the photo-electric transducing element.
~0 Clanton, U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,908, relates to an electro-optical transmission line for use in an intercon-nection system wherein an electrical signal is converted to an optical output signal by a light emitting diode.
For certain applications, it is desirable to trans-mit signals between two stations of a system over a closed, nonconductive, nonelectrical transmission path. Such a path can employ a flexible fiber optic light guide.
Electrical signals are converted to light signals at one end o~ the system, and the light signals are transmitted by way of the fiber optic light guide to the other end of the system where they are reconverted into electrical signals.
mus, the two ends of the system can be electrically iso-lated from each other; electrical interference does not 20 affect the signals conducted over the optical transmission path.
Various techniques have been employed in the past for such transmission. The following references may be helpful for a delineation of the scope of such prior art teahniques. They include the following United States Patents:
Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 3,517,981 Rueger et al June 30, 1970 3,637,284 Plyler June 25, 1972 3,789,485 Gudnestad Feb. 5, 1974 3,790,791 Anderson Feb. 5, 1974 3,790,923 Mathe Feb. 5, 1974 3~792,284 Kaelin Feb. 12, 1974 109~210 3,8097908 Clanton May 7, 1974 3,846,010 Love Nov. 5, 1974 Also of interest is a publication titled "De-signing with DuPont Crofon Fiber Optics" by the DuPont Company, including a designation A-76182.
Rueger et al, U.S. Pat. No 3,517,981, relates to termination members for fiber optic means. Fiber members of a fiber optic bundle are crimped by a termination member so that the fibers project forward into a lens which engages the termination member, the lens being designed to disburse the light transmitted from the fiber optic bundle in many directions for observation or display.
The patents to Plyler and Gudnestad, U.S. Pats.
No. 3,637,284 and 3,789,485 are of secondary interest.
Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,791, discloses a fiber optic connector assembly including a fiber optic bundle which is adapted to mate with a transducer element.
The bundle is disposed within a ferrule and a connector housing is provided with a tined release clip which is adapted to operatively mate with shoulder portions o~ the ferrule of the fiber bundle so as to retain same within the housing. The fiber optic bundle has a flush polished end with respect to the ferrule. In essence, the Anderson patent relates to a cable system wherein a connector as-sembly at one end of the system converts electrical energy to light energy. Light energy is transmitted through the cable system and converted to electrical energy at a second connector system located at the other end of the system. Anderson further utilizes a separate lens between his active device and the fiber optic termination. Dis-advantageously, however, Anderson's transducer is a quasi-permanent portion of his optoelectronic cable assembly ma~ing replacement thereof difficult to obtain.
~09 ~Z ~0 Mathe, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,923, relates to an electrical connector having improved panel mounting means and an improved releasable contact construction. Mathe is concerned, inter alia, with connecting one set of electrical wires to another set of electrical wires. No mention is made by Mathe, however, of electrical-optical transmission.
Kaelin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,284, discloses a fiber optic connector assembly wherein the forward end of a fiber optic bundle is disposed within a sleeve in such a manner that the forward end is recessed within the sleeve and a transducer is disposed within the forward end of the sleeve so as to abut and mate with the bundle. Kaelin de-scribes a unitary coupling device which provides structure which permanently positions and secures the light passing end of a fiber optic light guide and a photoelectric trans-ducing element inside a sealed enclosure with electrical connectors from the transducing element to the outside.
Once established, the interface between the light passing end o~ the light guide and the photoelectric transducing element remains undisturbed.
As further background of prior art believed to be pertinent, the following paragraphs are quoted verbatim ~rom column 1, lines 9 to 38, of Kaelin:
"For certain applications it is desirable to trans-mit signals between two units of a system over a closed nonconductive nonelectrical transmission path.
Such a path may be provided by a light pipe employing a flexible fiber optic light guide. Electrical signals are converted to light signals in one unit of the system and the light signals are transmitted by way of the fiber optic light guide to a second unit where they are reconverted to electrical signals. Thus, the 10~-~Z10 two units of the system can be completely electri-cally isolated from each other and no electrical inter-ference can affect the signals conducted over the optical transmission path.
In a system of the foregoing type the ends of the fiber optic light guide must be properly positioned with respect to photo~electric transducing elements, a light source in the first unit and a photo-sensitive element in the second unit. Heretofore the usual practice has been to assemble the photo-electric trans-ducing elements within the units between which the signals are to be sent, and then attach the fiber optic light guide to the units with the ends in light transmitting receiving relationship with the photo-electric transducing elements. m at is, optical connections were made between the fiber optic light guide and the units o~ the system. However, each reconnection of the fiber optic light guide to either of the units required careful physical adjustment in order to obtain proper coupling between the end of the light guide and the photo-electric transducing element, and care was necessary to avoid the presence of foreign matter between this interface."
To provide emphasis, as set forth above by Kaelin, a prior art problem of each reconnection of the fiber optic light guide to either of the photo-electric transducing elements required careful physical adjustment in order to obtain proper coupling between the end of the light guide and the photo-electric transducing element.
~0 Clanton, U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,908, relates to an electro-optical transmission line for use in an intercon-nection system wherein an electrical signal is converted to an optical output signal by a light emitting diode.
2~(~
The optical light signal is transmitted by an optical fiber bundle to a light receiving diode which converts the optical signal back to an electrical signal. The optical bundle is terminated at its ends with coaxial electrical contact assemblies which mount the diodes. The contact assemblies may be mounted in standard electrical connector members. The electro-optical transmission line of Clanton has an electrical input and an electrical output, the conversion to and from light energy being performed within the connector members integrally associated with his trans-mission line.
Love, U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,010, describes an op-tical wave guide connector for joining two bundles of optical wave guides together so that corresponding fibers of the bundles mate with each other. Generally, fiber bundles are held by hexagonal or triangular shaped ferrules, the pro-truding fiber ends are cut off with a diamond saw and ground down with grinding paper. The ferrules are joined together with an alignment sleeve and index matching fluid is inserted between the ends of the fibers of the two bundles to eliminate insertion losses due to Fresnel re-flections. Due to its geometry, the hexagonal ferrule can house 7, 19, 37, 61, 91, 127, etc fibers; the triangular ferrule can house 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, etc. fibers.
The DuPont Company publication "Designing with DuPont Crofon Fiber Optics" suggests that Crofon light guides or optical fibers may be cut to length with a sharp razor blade, a guillotine type cutter, or a rotary knife.
The DuPont publication states that lenses can be used to ~0 collect more light at the input end of a light guide, and that lenses can be used at the output end of the light guide for increasing light intensity or to enlarge the light cone for broader visibility.
109 '~0 In the prior art, it is noted that the term "fiber optic wave guide" and the term "fiber optic light guide"
is used interchangeably. The term "fiber optic light guide"
is used throughout the specification merely as a preference of usage, and is not meant to exclude the application of such guides outside of the visible light spectrum.
As a practical matter, electrical optical con-nectors are normally used in clean environments, such as office buildings and the like, wherein dirt and other foreign matter is not a problem in the reconnection of such con-nector parts. ~ypically, such electrical and optical connections are not made out-of-doors, near mud, dirt, sand, and other similar environments where foreign matter is a concern.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved optoelectronic connector assembly having a photoelectric transducer element within one housing of the assembly and a fiber optic light guide coupled in another housing of the assembly, wherein each reconnection of the two housings does NOT require careful physical adjustment between the units in order to obtain proper coupling be-tween the end of the light guide and the photoelectric transducing element.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved optoelectronic connector assembly which does not require the use of a separate lens therein.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly wherein a terminal end portion of a fiber optic light guide is inte-grally formed with a convex or curved surface thereon,wherein such surface may include such configurations as mushroom-shaped, hemispherical-shaped, or meniscus shaped end portions, such shapes being determined by the surface ~(~9~2~0 tension effect caused by an application of heat applied to the end of the fiber optic light guide.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide a new and improved optoelectronic connector assembly wherein one part houses an optoelectronic transducer element and the other part houses a fiber optic light guide, and wherein the optoelectronic transducer element can be easily replaced.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly which does not require the addition of index fluid or sealing elements and the like.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly wherein the assembly can be easily disengaged or reconnected without the use of any unusual special tools.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly which does not require the use of a highly polished end of a fiber optic light guide.
Another object of the invention is to provide an integral fiber optic light guide and associated lens wherein the lens is formed integral with the light guide by melting an end of the fiber optic material by the application of heat thereto so that a meniscus like lens is formed due to a surface tension effect of the fiber optic material.
An object of this invention is to provide for means for terminating a plastic based fiber optic light guide to a connecting device so as to facilitate connection or disconnection of the light guide without the necessity of tools.
It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved photoelectronic connector assembly compatible 10~42~0 with available commercial connectors, such assembly being suitable for carrying information via a fiber optic light guide between computer modules, data processing units, similar assemblies, and for voice transmission.
~ s will become more apparent from a reading of this specification, various novel features of this invention include that the fiber optic light guide is retained in an electrical type holder, the inner conductor of the fiber optic light guide being protected by a mechanical sup-porting means The terminated fiber optic light guide ismounted in an individual cavity pocket in a connector housing. The terminated fiber optic light guide is seated and makes positive contact with an active transducer con~
tained in the mating portion of the connector housing parts. The connector housings provide for elimination of extraneous light. The connector housings can be connected and disconnected without tools or the need for adjustment.
The fiber optic light guide can be terminated, without special preparation, using available crimping machine tools.
The input and/or output ends of the light guide can be ~ormed with a meniscus shaped lens by the addition of heat to such ends.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an optoelectronic connector assembly includes electrical and optical connector parts. Each part includes a housing formed of resilient material. One housing is formed with a keyway therewithin and the other housing has a mating key for engaging the keyway. A first of the housings has an interlock recess therein, and a second of the housings has a protuberance means formed thereon for engagement with the recess, so that both of the housings can positively engage with each other and so that such engaged housings can be manually disengaged from each other. The electrical connector '10942~l0 part housing includes a first means for firmly positioning a photoelectric transducer element in a socket receiving cavity formed within the housing. The optical connector part housing is formed with a pin contact receiving cavity which is aligned with the socket receiving cavity of the electrical connector part housing when the housings are engaged with each other. The electrical connector part further includes second means for firmly positioning a termi-nal portion of a fiber optic light guide within the pin contact receiving cavity. Thus, both parts can be selec-tively engaged and disengaged and, when engaged, do thereby produce engagement of the transducer with the terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide without physical adjustment of either the transducer or the light guide portion, and wherein potential damage due to contact between the transducer and the terminal portion is significantly reduced due to the resiliency of the material of the hous-ings. In accordance with certain features of the invention, the electrical and optical connector part housings are formed with a plurality of socket receiving cavities and of pin contact receiving cavities, respectively, the cavities of one part being aligned with the corresponding cavities of the other part when the housings are engaged with each other. In accordance with still other features of the invention, the protuberance means includes an inclined projecting ramp surface for at least partial engagement with the interlock recess to provide for increased resili-ency between the housings when they are engaged. In accordance with other certain features, the combination includes a photoelectric transducer element positioned in the socket receiving cavity by the first firmly positioning means and a fiber optic light guide has a terminal portion positioned in the pin contact receiving cavity by the second _g_ ~09421.0 firmly positioning means. With still other certain features, the end of the terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is formed with a convex surface or, alternatively, a mushroom shaped surface, thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with the fiber optic light guide.
In accordance with another embodiment of the in-vention, a signal transmission system includes an electronic output station having a light emitting optoelectronic ele-ment associated therewith. A first electrical connector part, associated with the electronic output station, po-sitions the light emitting optoelectronic element there-within. A second electrical connector part, associated with an electronic input station, positions a light responsive optoelectronic element therewithin. A first optical con-nector part is adapted to be positively engaged with, and manually disengaged from, the first electrical connector part. A second optical connector part is adapted to be positively engaged with, and manually disengaged from, the second electrical connector part. A first means are pro-vided for firmly positioning a first terminal portion of afiber optic light guide within the first optical connector part so that, when the first connector parts are engaged, the first terminal portion is in intimate association with the light emitting optoelectronic element. Similarly, second means are provided for firmly positioning a second terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide within the second optical connector part so that, when the second connector parts are engaged the second terminal portion is in intimate association with the light responsive opto-electronic element. Thus, the fiber optic light guide andthe associated optical connector parts can be repeatedly disengaged from, and engaged with, the corresponding electri-cal connector parts without physical adjustment of either ~09~Z10 the optoelectronic elements or the light guide portions, and whereby signals can be transmitted from the electronic output station to the electronic input station via the fiber optic light guide. In accordance with certain features of the invention, the light emitting optoelectronic element can be a light emitting diode, while the light responsive optoelectronic element can be a photodiode.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention an optoelectronic connector assembly includes electrical and optical connector parts, each having front end portions adapted to engage with each other. Means are provided for firmly supporting an optoelectronic transducer within the electrical connector part so that the transducer faces the front end thereof. Means are provided for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of an optical fiber having material of light transmitting characteristics within the optical connector part so that the end of the fiber faces the front end thereof, thus rendering unnecessary any subsequent physical adjustment of the opti-cal fiber with respect to the optical connector part.Such a connector assembly can be characterized by an absence of a separate lens between the transducer and the optical fiber. In aocordance with certain features of the inven-tion, the connector assembly can have as its optoelectronic transducer a photodiode. Alternatively, the optoelectronic transducer can be a light emitting diode. With other features of the invention, the front end portion of the optical fiber can be formed with a convexed end surface, a mushroom-shaped surface, or a curved surface thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with the fiber. The curved surface can be determined by a surface tension effect of the optical fiber material after the end of the front end portion has been melted by an application of heat applied thereto.
In accordance with another embodiment of the in-vention, a fiber optic light guide has a lens integrally associated therewith, whereby the fiber optic conductor is constructed of light transmitting material having one of its ends formed with a curved surface to provide a lens effect integrally associated with the conductor. Such curved surface can be a convex, a mushroom-shape~, or a curved ~-surface determined by the surface tension effect of the conductor material after its end had been melted by the application of heat applied thereto.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a novel method is provided for interconnect-ing an optical fiber to an electronic circuit by first and second engageable connector parts. The novel method includes the location of an optoelectronic element in the first connector part, electrically connecting the transducer to the circuit, rigidly and firmly locating the optical fiber in the second connector part with an end of the fiber in alignment with and in juxtaposition to the transducer when the parts are aligned, and engaging the connector parts.
In accordance with another embodiment of the in-vention, means are provided for interconnecting an optical fiber of light transmitting material to an electronic circuit. Such means includes optical and electrical con-nector parts engageable with each other. An optoelectronic transducer is housed within the electrical connector part by suitable positioning means. The transducer is electrically connected to the circuit. Also, means are provided for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of the optical fiber within the optical connector part so that an end of the fiber is in alignment, and in juxtaposition, with the transducer when the parts are engaged. Means are .
~O~ z~O
associated with the parts for positive but resilient engagement thereof, thus providing for manual disengagement thereof. In accordance with certain features of the in-vention, the end of the fiber can be formed with a curved surface, which surface can be determined by a surface tension effect of the optical fiber material after its end has been melted by an application of heat applied thereto, thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with the fiber.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a combination is provided including an electrical connector part and an optical connector part engageable therewith and manually disengageable there~rom. The electri-cal connector part has a socket receiving cavity therein, including a recessed bore which faces in the direction of the optical connector part when the parts are engaged.
An optoelectronic transducer, including a main body and a lead attached thereto, has its main body seated in the bore with the lead extending through at least a portion of the cavity. Opaque conductive coupling means has a first portion located in the cavity and a second portion extend-ing outwardly away from the electrical connector part.
The first portion of the opaque conductive means provides an electrical connection to the transducer lead, heat dissi-pation away from the transducer body, general alignment of the transducer, and isolation of light to and from the cavity in a direction perpendicular to a main axis of the cavity. The second portion is adapted to be soldered to an electronic circuit. In accordance with certain features, the electrical connector part is mounted to a printed circuit board having an electronic circuit thereon.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention~ the connector assembly includes two connector parts, each including a housing formed of resilient material, ~o~az.to one housing having a mating key for engaging with a keyway formed in the other housing. A first of the housings has a protuberance means formed thereon for engagement with an interlock recess in a second of the housings so that both housings can be positively engagecl with each other and so that such engaged housings can be manually disengaged from each other. The first connector part housing is formed with a socket receiving cavity. The second connector part housing is formed with a pin contact receiving cavity which is aligned with the socket receiving cavity of the first con-nector part housing when the housings are engaged with each other. The second connector part housing has a reduced bore within the pin contact receiving cavity, one side of the reduced bore forming an annular shoulder with the pin contact receiving cavity and an opposite side of the bore forming a common annular retention shoulder with the pin contact receiving cavity. An optical fiber light guide has an inner fiber of light transmitting material and an outer jacket. The light guide has a terminal end portion with the jacket removed. Pin contact means are adapted to be received within the pin contact receiving cavity.
The pin contact means includes, from rear to front, a first crimpable section adapted to be crimped about the outer jacket of the light guide, a second crimpable section adapted to be crimped about the inner fiber of the light guide, a resilient collar adapted to have a slight pressed fit with respect to the pin contact receiving cavity so as to permit it serving as a stabilizer to maintain the pin contact means securely aligned after insertion, keylike embossments for contact in the first named annular shoulder for providing a positive multi-point stop for an inserted pin contact means and thus serving to prealign such inserted pin contact means in proper position, and releasable reten-lO9~Z~O
tion means for cooperating with the common annular retention shoulder.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a lens can be formed on an end of a fiber optic conductor of a fiber optic light guide by a method including the heating of the end of the conductor so that the end forms a meniscus shaped surface determined by a surface tension effect of the conductor material.
In accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention, an optical connector part housing having a fiber optic light guide as its terminal portion can be formed by a method including firmly and rigidly positioning a terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide within a cavity of the optical connector part housing. In accord-ance with certain features, the terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is positioned in the optical connector part housing by a method including, first, crimp-ing a first section of a rigid member about an outer jacket of a fiber optic light guide, then, crimping a second section f the rigid member about an inner conductor of said fiber optic light guide and, last, firmly engaging the rigid member within the cavity of the optical connector part housing.
Another embodiment of this invention includes a method of interconnecting an optical fiber to an electronic circuit at a station by locating an optoelectronic trans-ducer in a first connector part, affixing the first part to the station, electrically connecting the transducer to a circuit, firmly and rigidly locating the optical fiber in a second connector part which is engageable with the first connector part with an end of the fiber in alignment with and in juxtaposition with the transducer when the parts are engaged, and then engaging the connector parts.
~0Y!~2~0 In another embodiment of the invention, a method of signal transmission includes positioning a first electri-cal connector part housing a light emitting optoelectronic element at an electronic output station. A second electrical connector part housing a light responsive optoelectronic element is positioned at an electronic input station. A
first terminal portion of a fiber optic light guide is firmly positioned within a first optical connector part. The first optical connector part with the first electrical connector part is engaged so that the first terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is rigidly held in inti-mate association with the light emitting optoelectronic element. In similar fashion, a second terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is firmly positioned within a second optical connector part, and the second optical con-nector part is engaged with the second electrical connector part, so that the second terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is rigidly held in intimate association with the light responsive optoelectronic element. Thus, the optical connector parts and the electrical parts can be repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from each other without physical adjustment of either the optoelectronic elements or the light guide portions so that signals can be transmitted from the electronic output station to the electronic input station via the fiber optic light guide.
Other objects and advantages of this invention, together with its construction and mode of operation, will become more apparent from the following specification, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in ~o which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section~
of an optoelectric connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;
z~o FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side longitudinal cross-sectional views, taken along the lines 2-2 and ~-3, respectively, of FIG. 1, illustrating the construction and mating of engaged optical connector components with electrical connector components, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c are diagrams indicating the path of light ray entering a planar end surface of a light guide in accordance with prior art techniques, and illus-trating the path of light rays entering and leaving, respec-tively, a light guide having a convex or mushroom-shaped end in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the end of a plastic fiber being heated so as to provide a meniscus formed end thereon, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention;
FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c are an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly including an electrical con-nector and an optical connector, a perspective exploded sectional view of the electrical connector, and a perspective exploded sectional view of the optical connector, respec-tively, of an embodiment of this invention;
FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c are sectional views illus-trating the connection of various types of transducers with a metallic socket for use with an electrical connector part in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a signal trans-mission system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c are a side view, a top view, and a cross sectional view, respectively, of another embodiment of the invention.
In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to ~09~Z~O
corresponding similar elements. Referring to FIG. 1, an optoelectronic connector assembly 10 includes an optical connector 11 and an electrical connector 12, the housings of which are adapted to resiliently but firmly engage with each other. The electrical connec~or 12 contains a key 13 which is adapted to fit within a keyway lL~ of the optical connector 11 so as to provide for desired orientation of the two connectors 11, 12.
It is noted that the present invention is primarily directed to an optoelectronic connector assembly and methods relating to improvements therein. Hence, various connector portions may be conventional. Accordingly, such conven-tional portions are referred to only briefly and generally in the description, since they may readily be provided by those skilled in the art.
The optical connector housing 11 includes pin contact recei~ing cavities 15 extending axially therethrough.
Similarly, the mating electrical connector housing 12 has socket receiving cavities 16 suitably formed therein.
In order to provide for the interconnection and locking together of the two housings 11 and 12, an interlock slot or recess 17 is provided on one side of the housing 11 for cooperative locking engagement with a protuberance 18 on the corresponding side of the electrical connector housing 12. The protuberance 18 includes an inclined ramp surface 19 which engages with the interlock recess 17 to urge the two connector housings 11, 12 together in a resilient manner.
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical connector housing 11 is adapted to hold a terminal end portion of a fiber optic light guide 21 having an outer jacket 22 and an inner fiber light conducting core 2~.
The fiber optic light guide 21 can be either constructed ~0~4Zl~
of glass or suitable plastic material. One such suitable light guide can include that sold lmder the trade name Crofon by the ~uPont Company. An inner plastic fiber 23 of a Crofon fiber optic light guide 21 is made of material of polymethyl methacrylate which is sheathed with a trans-`~ parent polymer o~ lower refractive index. The outer jacket 22 can be constructed of ~uPont Alathon brand of polyethylene resin.
The terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide 21 can be held firmly and rigidly in place within thepin contact receiving cavity 15 by suitable firmly position-ing means such as a terminating device 24, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As a rigid member, the termination device 24 operates, in effect, as a pin contact means.
The terminating device 24 is hollow to receive and accommodate the outer diameter of a selected fiber optic light guide 21. The light guide 21 is held in the terminat-ing device 24 by one or more crimped bands. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer jacket 22 of the fiber light guide is crimped by a first crimpable section 26 of the terminating device 24 while the inner conductor 23 is crimped by a second crimpable section 27, the crimpable sections 26, 27 being integral portions of the contact member 24. The end of the fiber optic light guide projects through the hollow section of the terminating device 24 and is installed or cut so that the terminal end of the light guide fiber 23 is substantially flush with the open of the termination. A
lens of meniscus can be created at the end of the light guide fiber 23 by an application of heat. The pin contact means 24 is insertable into the pin contact receiving cavity 15 of the optical connector housing 11. The pin contact means 24 includes, forward of the second crimpable section, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a resilient collar 28 having a 10~34Z~0 slight pressed fit with respect to the cavit~ 15 so as to permit it serving as a stabilizer to maintain the contact securely aligned after insertion. Immediately ahead of the collar 28 are keylike embossments 29 which contact an annular shoulder 31 in the cavity 15 and provide a positive multi-point stop for an inserted contact 24. This multi-point stop additionally serves to prealign the contact 24 in proper position.
Further forward of the embossments 29~ the contact means 24 is provided with releasable retention means such as flares 32 cooperating with a common annular retention shoulder 33. The retention means can comprise a deflectable retention tine (not shown) provided on one side of the contact means 24 and two outwardly projecting retention flanges or flares 32 (see FIG. 2) provided on the opposite side of the contact means and on opposite sides of a suit-able slot 34, so that the deflecting tine is deflectable into an appropriate opening~ provided therein, such as set forth for example in the connector described in Mathe Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,923.
As stated above, the inner conductor 23 of the fiber optic light guide 21 can have its end formed either flat or formed with a meniscus. As shown, FIG. 4a dia-grammatically represents the typical acceptance angle ~
of an impinging light ray entering the core 40 of a fiber optic light guide. The light ray enters the core 40 at its end surface and is refracted to an angle ~ with respect to the main axis of the conductor 40 so that the light, upon striking the sides of the core 40, is directed along the axis of the core. A 69 angle, shown in FIG. 4a, is the critical angle of a Crofon light guide~ as described by the ~uPont Company.
Referring to FIG. 4b, there is depicted a similar ~09~Z10 path of light entering a Crofon light guide, wherein the end, in lieu of being formed with a flat surface or planar surface, is mushroom shape, preferabl~ obtained by heating the end so as to form a meniscus determined by a surface tension effect of the plastic material of the core 40.
Again, assuming the critical angle 59, it is noted that acceptable light enters from a direction more acute with the axis of the core 40 than in the corresponding case of FIG. 4a. In FIG. 4c, however, it is more apparent that axial light along the arrows A-A is refracted by the meniscus 41 so that the light rays converge as shown by the arrows B-B. The convergence of light can be dîrected upon a suitable light responsive device and, due to the conver-gence, increased efficiency can be obtained.
FIG. 5 illustrates that an inner core 40 of suit-able plastic material, such as a Crofon polymethyl methacrylate can be heated by a suitable means such as a cigarette lighter, a matoh 42, or other form of heat applicator to obtain a meniscus shape at the end of the core 40.
Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the terminating device 24, maintains a terminal end portion of the fiber optic light guide 21 in a centered and fixed or semifixed position. ~hen in position, the light guide 21 is termi-nated and installed in the body cavity 15 of the housing 11 and the conducting core 23 is centered in relationship to the corresponding cavity 16 in the electrical connector housing 12. The inner conductor 23 of the light guide 21 in the housing 11 is o~ such length so as to touch an active optoelectronic transducer element 51 mounted in electrical connector housing 12 of the connector assembly 10.
The optoelectronic transducer 51 can take the form of either a light responsive device or a light emitting device. A suitable light responsive device can be a photo-4Z~O
diode, while a light emitting device can be a light emitting diode or LED. Suitable light emitting devices can be such as L209 sold by the Texas Instrument Corporation.
The optoelectronic transducer element 51 can be inserted into the corresponding socket receiving cavity 16 of the electrical connector housing 12. The transducer element 51 can include a plurality of leads 52-52 in one form, as depicted in FIGS. 6a and 6b Alternatively, the element 51 can have a central conductor 53 (as shown in 10 FIGS. 2 and 3) and have an outer base conductive ring which can be coupled to a metal contact within the housing 12 (not shown). The transducer element 51 is mounted in a socket 54 (FIGS . 2 and 3) by suitable mounting material 55 .
The transducer 51 can be mounted in a recessed socket 56 as shown in FIG. 6b.
The optoelectronic transducer 51 can take various forms. It can be a top hat type shape as depicted in FIG.
7a, or can have a domed shape as shown in FIG. 7b. The inner conduetor 23 can have a flat faee as shown in FIG.
7a or ean have a lens like shape as shown in FIG. 7c.
In the versions shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, the inner eonduetor 23 fits within a hollow metallic member 57 so as to provide for firm and rigid support of the eonductor 23 and to provide for heat dissipation from the end of the transducer 51. The member 57 can be the terminal portion of the eontaet means 24.
The electrical eonnector part 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6a, can have a panel mounting means integrally provided thereon so that the connector housing 12 can be coupled to a printed circuit board or the like or other type of panelling. For example, the housing 12 can have a pair of opposing resilient wings 61-62 formed of preset, semirigid thermoplastic material provided on opposite side ~O~flZ~O
walls of the housing 12. The wings 61-62 project angu-larly from the housing 12 toward one another with the snap-in wing 62 projecting through a centrally located aperture 63 provided in the stop wing 61. Each of the stop wings 61 is provided with a bearing surface 64 ~or resili-ently bearing against the entry side of a panel when the connector part 12 is mounted therein. The stop wing bearing surface 6~ is provided on a lateral bar portion of the stop wing 61, extending parallel to and spaced ~rom the side wall of the housing 12. A bearing surface 66 is provided on the snap-in wing for resiliently bearing against the outward side of a panel after insertion. The construc-tion, arrangement and operation of the stop and snap-in wings 61 and 62 are such that, during insertion of the connector part 12 in a panel, the snap-in wings 62 first encounter the panel which causes them to deflect inwardly so as to permit passage of the locking lips of the snap-in wings 62 through the panel opening. After passing through the panel opening, the snap-in wings 62 swing back to cause the locking lips to resiliently lock tl~e connector part in the panel between the stop wing and the snap-in wing bear-ing surfaces.
A signal transmission system can be provided to transmit signals from one unit to another, such as an electrical output station 70 which can include a printed circuit unit or a printed circuit board, to an electrical input station 71 which, again, can include a printed circuit board. This can be achieved by coupling a first electrical connector part 72, which houses a transducer 73, to the printed circuit board 70. Similarly, a second electrical connector part 74, which houses a transducer 75, can be directly coupled to the printed circuit board 71. Leads from the transducers 73, 75 can be connected to the re-109 ~
spective stations 70, 71 with known techniques. Hence, theinput station printed circuit board 70 has, as an affixed part of the unit, the electrical connector part 72 housing the transducer 7~, while the input station 71 has, as an affixed portion thereof, the electrical connector part 74 which houses the transducer 75. Signals between the two stations 70 and 71 can be coupled via a fiber optic light guide 76 which is joined at one end to an optical connector 77 and at its other end to an optical connector 78. The optical connector 77, which is terminated by an end of the optical light guide 76, can be resiliently and firmly and rigidly coupled to the first electrical connector 72. Similarly, the optical connector 78 can be resiliently and firmly and rigidly connected to the electrical connector 74. If desired, an optical connector 77, 78 can be dis-engaged from its corresponding electrical connector 72, 74 manually and can be simply re-engaged thereafter.
The signal transmission system shown in FIG 8 depicts two transducers at each station, coupled together 20 with two fiber optic light guides. Such description and illustration is not meant to limit the scope of this inven-tion in that one or more than two transducers at each station can be coupled to its corresponding member at the other station. Also, a single light guide having a plur-ality of fiber conductors therein can be used in lieu of multiple light guides, if desired.
Another form for connecting an optoelectronic connector assembly together in which its electrical housing 12 can be coupled to a printed circuit board or other mount-~0 ing is shown in FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c. The optical connec-tor housing 11 positions one or more fiber optic light guides 21 therein, shown at the right hand side of the drawings, in a fashion similar to that described hereinabove.
l0~4z~n On the left hand side of the drawings, however, the elec-trical connector housing 12 includes an L shaped extension arm 81 which is aclapted to fit into a recess 82 of a printed circuit board 83 or other mounting. The connector housing 12 can be physically attached to the board or mounting 83 by suitable means 3~!, such as a screw, rivet, bolt and nut, and the like. The atkaching means 84 can also act as a means for dissipating heat which may be present in the connector part 12. The transducer 51 can be physically held in place by an opaque conductive contact means 85, a forward portion o~ which is coupled within the recess or socket of the housing 12 so that one end of the contact means 85 physically contacts the lead of the trans-ducer 51, the other end of the contact means 85 coming out through an opening 86 in the board 83 so as to be soldered or connected to a circuit on the board, as desired. The contact 85 acts to aid in alignment of the transducer 51, provide physical contact thereto for the purpose of electrical connection, and also for the purpose of heat dissipation therefrom. The contact 85 can also act to inhibit the passage of light from one socket cavity to another socket cavity in the same connector housing 12.
Typical dimensions for a light emitting diode, such as the L-209 type include leads which have a minimum length of 0.5 inch with such leads having a cross-section of approximately 0.20 inch. The diameter of the transducer can have an inner diameter of approximately 0.12 inch and an outer diameter of approximately 0.15 inch. The length of the main body of a transducer can be approximately 0.20 inch.
Though the end face of a plastic optical fiber can be flat, hemispherical, or meniscus shape, the end of a glass fiber is usually ground flat.
~O~ZJ.O
Although, generally, a conneetor assembly has been described utilizing one optical fiber light guide and one transducer per connector assembly, more than one such fiber and transducer per connector assembly can be accommo-dated, as illustrated in the drawings. However, there is no limitation as to the number that may be used. For example, 1, 2, 3, L~, or any integral number can be joined together by an appropriate optical connector housing to a eorresponding eleetrical connector housing to complete sueh assembly. Furthermore, though a fiber optic light guide has been deseribed throughout the speeifieation as having a single conductor, it is well known however, that various light guides may have more than one conductor and such multi-eonductor ~iber optic light guide can be used in a multi-eonduetor eonneetor assembly, as will be well reeog-nized by those skilled in the art. Various other modifiea-tions and variations will suggest themselves without de-parting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
-26_
The optical light signal is transmitted by an optical fiber bundle to a light receiving diode which converts the optical signal back to an electrical signal. The optical bundle is terminated at its ends with coaxial electrical contact assemblies which mount the diodes. The contact assemblies may be mounted in standard electrical connector members. The electro-optical transmission line of Clanton has an electrical input and an electrical output, the conversion to and from light energy being performed within the connector members integrally associated with his trans-mission line.
Love, U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,010, describes an op-tical wave guide connector for joining two bundles of optical wave guides together so that corresponding fibers of the bundles mate with each other. Generally, fiber bundles are held by hexagonal or triangular shaped ferrules, the pro-truding fiber ends are cut off with a diamond saw and ground down with grinding paper. The ferrules are joined together with an alignment sleeve and index matching fluid is inserted between the ends of the fibers of the two bundles to eliminate insertion losses due to Fresnel re-flections. Due to its geometry, the hexagonal ferrule can house 7, 19, 37, 61, 91, 127, etc fibers; the triangular ferrule can house 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, etc. fibers.
The DuPont Company publication "Designing with DuPont Crofon Fiber Optics" suggests that Crofon light guides or optical fibers may be cut to length with a sharp razor blade, a guillotine type cutter, or a rotary knife.
The DuPont publication states that lenses can be used to ~0 collect more light at the input end of a light guide, and that lenses can be used at the output end of the light guide for increasing light intensity or to enlarge the light cone for broader visibility.
109 '~0 In the prior art, it is noted that the term "fiber optic wave guide" and the term "fiber optic light guide"
is used interchangeably. The term "fiber optic light guide"
is used throughout the specification merely as a preference of usage, and is not meant to exclude the application of such guides outside of the visible light spectrum.
As a practical matter, electrical optical con-nectors are normally used in clean environments, such as office buildings and the like, wherein dirt and other foreign matter is not a problem in the reconnection of such con-nector parts. ~ypically, such electrical and optical connections are not made out-of-doors, near mud, dirt, sand, and other similar environments where foreign matter is a concern.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved optoelectronic connector assembly having a photoelectric transducer element within one housing of the assembly and a fiber optic light guide coupled in another housing of the assembly, wherein each reconnection of the two housings does NOT require careful physical adjustment between the units in order to obtain proper coupling be-tween the end of the light guide and the photoelectric transducing element.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved optoelectronic connector assembly which does not require the use of a separate lens therein.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly wherein a terminal end portion of a fiber optic light guide is inte-grally formed with a convex or curved surface thereon,wherein such surface may include such configurations as mushroom-shaped, hemispherical-shaped, or meniscus shaped end portions, such shapes being determined by the surface ~(~9~2~0 tension effect caused by an application of heat applied to the end of the fiber optic light guide.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide a new and improved optoelectronic connector assembly wherein one part houses an optoelectronic transducer element and the other part houses a fiber optic light guide, and wherein the optoelectronic transducer element can be easily replaced.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly which does not require the addition of index fluid or sealing elements and the like.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly wherein the assembly can be easily disengaged or reconnected without the use of any unusual special tools.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel optoelectronic connector assembly which does not require the use of a highly polished end of a fiber optic light guide.
Another object of the invention is to provide an integral fiber optic light guide and associated lens wherein the lens is formed integral with the light guide by melting an end of the fiber optic material by the application of heat thereto so that a meniscus like lens is formed due to a surface tension effect of the fiber optic material.
An object of this invention is to provide for means for terminating a plastic based fiber optic light guide to a connecting device so as to facilitate connection or disconnection of the light guide without the necessity of tools.
It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved photoelectronic connector assembly compatible 10~42~0 with available commercial connectors, such assembly being suitable for carrying information via a fiber optic light guide between computer modules, data processing units, similar assemblies, and for voice transmission.
~ s will become more apparent from a reading of this specification, various novel features of this invention include that the fiber optic light guide is retained in an electrical type holder, the inner conductor of the fiber optic light guide being protected by a mechanical sup-porting means The terminated fiber optic light guide ismounted in an individual cavity pocket in a connector housing. The terminated fiber optic light guide is seated and makes positive contact with an active transducer con~
tained in the mating portion of the connector housing parts. The connector housings provide for elimination of extraneous light. The connector housings can be connected and disconnected without tools or the need for adjustment.
The fiber optic light guide can be terminated, without special preparation, using available crimping machine tools.
The input and/or output ends of the light guide can be ~ormed with a meniscus shaped lens by the addition of heat to such ends.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an optoelectronic connector assembly includes electrical and optical connector parts. Each part includes a housing formed of resilient material. One housing is formed with a keyway therewithin and the other housing has a mating key for engaging the keyway. A first of the housings has an interlock recess therein, and a second of the housings has a protuberance means formed thereon for engagement with the recess, so that both of the housings can positively engage with each other and so that such engaged housings can be manually disengaged from each other. The electrical connector '10942~l0 part housing includes a first means for firmly positioning a photoelectric transducer element in a socket receiving cavity formed within the housing. The optical connector part housing is formed with a pin contact receiving cavity which is aligned with the socket receiving cavity of the electrical connector part housing when the housings are engaged with each other. The electrical connector part further includes second means for firmly positioning a termi-nal portion of a fiber optic light guide within the pin contact receiving cavity. Thus, both parts can be selec-tively engaged and disengaged and, when engaged, do thereby produce engagement of the transducer with the terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide without physical adjustment of either the transducer or the light guide portion, and wherein potential damage due to contact between the transducer and the terminal portion is significantly reduced due to the resiliency of the material of the hous-ings. In accordance with certain features of the invention, the electrical and optical connector part housings are formed with a plurality of socket receiving cavities and of pin contact receiving cavities, respectively, the cavities of one part being aligned with the corresponding cavities of the other part when the housings are engaged with each other. In accordance with still other features of the invention, the protuberance means includes an inclined projecting ramp surface for at least partial engagement with the interlock recess to provide for increased resili-ency between the housings when they are engaged. In accordance with other certain features, the combination includes a photoelectric transducer element positioned in the socket receiving cavity by the first firmly positioning means and a fiber optic light guide has a terminal portion positioned in the pin contact receiving cavity by the second _g_ ~09421.0 firmly positioning means. With still other certain features, the end of the terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is formed with a convex surface or, alternatively, a mushroom shaped surface, thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with the fiber optic light guide.
In accordance with another embodiment of the in-vention, a signal transmission system includes an electronic output station having a light emitting optoelectronic ele-ment associated therewith. A first electrical connector part, associated with the electronic output station, po-sitions the light emitting optoelectronic element there-within. A second electrical connector part, associated with an electronic input station, positions a light responsive optoelectronic element therewithin. A first optical con-nector part is adapted to be positively engaged with, and manually disengaged from, the first electrical connector part. A second optical connector part is adapted to be positively engaged with, and manually disengaged from, the second electrical connector part. A first means are pro-vided for firmly positioning a first terminal portion of afiber optic light guide within the first optical connector part so that, when the first connector parts are engaged, the first terminal portion is in intimate association with the light emitting optoelectronic element. Similarly, second means are provided for firmly positioning a second terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide within the second optical connector part so that, when the second connector parts are engaged the second terminal portion is in intimate association with the light responsive opto-electronic element. Thus, the fiber optic light guide andthe associated optical connector parts can be repeatedly disengaged from, and engaged with, the corresponding electri-cal connector parts without physical adjustment of either ~09~Z10 the optoelectronic elements or the light guide portions, and whereby signals can be transmitted from the electronic output station to the electronic input station via the fiber optic light guide. In accordance with certain features of the invention, the light emitting optoelectronic element can be a light emitting diode, while the light responsive optoelectronic element can be a photodiode.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention an optoelectronic connector assembly includes electrical and optical connector parts, each having front end portions adapted to engage with each other. Means are provided for firmly supporting an optoelectronic transducer within the electrical connector part so that the transducer faces the front end thereof. Means are provided for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of an optical fiber having material of light transmitting characteristics within the optical connector part so that the end of the fiber faces the front end thereof, thus rendering unnecessary any subsequent physical adjustment of the opti-cal fiber with respect to the optical connector part.Such a connector assembly can be characterized by an absence of a separate lens between the transducer and the optical fiber. In aocordance with certain features of the inven-tion, the connector assembly can have as its optoelectronic transducer a photodiode. Alternatively, the optoelectronic transducer can be a light emitting diode. With other features of the invention, the front end portion of the optical fiber can be formed with a convexed end surface, a mushroom-shaped surface, or a curved surface thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with the fiber. The curved surface can be determined by a surface tension effect of the optical fiber material after the end of the front end portion has been melted by an application of heat applied thereto.
In accordance with another embodiment of the in-vention, a fiber optic light guide has a lens integrally associated therewith, whereby the fiber optic conductor is constructed of light transmitting material having one of its ends formed with a curved surface to provide a lens effect integrally associated with the conductor. Such curved surface can be a convex, a mushroom-shape~, or a curved ~-surface determined by the surface tension effect of the conductor material after its end had been melted by the application of heat applied thereto.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a novel method is provided for interconnect-ing an optical fiber to an electronic circuit by first and second engageable connector parts. The novel method includes the location of an optoelectronic element in the first connector part, electrically connecting the transducer to the circuit, rigidly and firmly locating the optical fiber in the second connector part with an end of the fiber in alignment with and in juxtaposition to the transducer when the parts are aligned, and engaging the connector parts.
In accordance with another embodiment of the in-vention, means are provided for interconnecting an optical fiber of light transmitting material to an electronic circuit. Such means includes optical and electrical con-nector parts engageable with each other. An optoelectronic transducer is housed within the electrical connector part by suitable positioning means. The transducer is electrically connected to the circuit. Also, means are provided for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of the optical fiber within the optical connector part so that an end of the fiber is in alignment, and in juxtaposition, with the transducer when the parts are engaged. Means are .
~O~ z~O
associated with the parts for positive but resilient engagement thereof, thus providing for manual disengagement thereof. In accordance with certain features of the in-vention, the end of the fiber can be formed with a curved surface, which surface can be determined by a surface tension effect of the optical fiber material after its end has been melted by an application of heat applied thereto, thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with the fiber.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a combination is provided including an electrical connector part and an optical connector part engageable therewith and manually disengageable there~rom. The electri-cal connector part has a socket receiving cavity therein, including a recessed bore which faces in the direction of the optical connector part when the parts are engaged.
An optoelectronic transducer, including a main body and a lead attached thereto, has its main body seated in the bore with the lead extending through at least a portion of the cavity. Opaque conductive coupling means has a first portion located in the cavity and a second portion extend-ing outwardly away from the electrical connector part.
The first portion of the opaque conductive means provides an electrical connection to the transducer lead, heat dissi-pation away from the transducer body, general alignment of the transducer, and isolation of light to and from the cavity in a direction perpendicular to a main axis of the cavity. The second portion is adapted to be soldered to an electronic circuit. In accordance with certain features, the electrical connector part is mounted to a printed circuit board having an electronic circuit thereon.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention~ the connector assembly includes two connector parts, each including a housing formed of resilient material, ~o~az.to one housing having a mating key for engaging with a keyway formed in the other housing. A first of the housings has a protuberance means formed thereon for engagement with an interlock recess in a second of the housings so that both housings can be positively engagecl with each other and so that such engaged housings can be manually disengaged from each other. The first connector part housing is formed with a socket receiving cavity. The second connector part housing is formed with a pin contact receiving cavity which is aligned with the socket receiving cavity of the first con-nector part housing when the housings are engaged with each other. The second connector part housing has a reduced bore within the pin contact receiving cavity, one side of the reduced bore forming an annular shoulder with the pin contact receiving cavity and an opposite side of the bore forming a common annular retention shoulder with the pin contact receiving cavity. An optical fiber light guide has an inner fiber of light transmitting material and an outer jacket. The light guide has a terminal end portion with the jacket removed. Pin contact means are adapted to be received within the pin contact receiving cavity.
The pin contact means includes, from rear to front, a first crimpable section adapted to be crimped about the outer jacket of the light guide, a second crimpable section adapted to be crimped about the inner fiber of the light guide, a resilient collar adapted to have a slight pressed fit with respect to the pin contact receiving cavity so as to permit it serving as a stabilizer to maintain the pin contact means securely aligned after insertion, keylike embossments for contact in the first named annular shoulder for providing a positive multi-point stop for an inserted pin contact means and thus serving to prealign such inserted pin contact means in proper position, and releasable reten-lO9~Z~O
tion means for cooperating with the common annular retention shoulder.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a lens can be formed on an end of a fiber optic conductor of a fiber optic light guide by a method including the heating of the end of the conductor so that the end forms a meniscus shaped surface determined by a surface tension effect of the conductor material.
In accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention, an optical connector part housing having a fiber optic light guide as its terminal portion can be formed by a method including firmly and rigidly positioning a terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide within a cavity of the optical connector part housing. In accord-ance with certain features, the terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is positioned in the optical connector part housing by a method including, first, crimp-ing a first section of a rigid member about an outer jacket of a fiber optic light guide, then, crimping a second section f the rigid member about an inner conductor of said fiber optic light guide and, last, firmly engaging the rigid member within the cavity of the optical connector part housing.
Another embodiment of this invention includes a method of interconnecting an optical fiber to an electronic circuit at a station by locating an optoelectronic trans-ducer in a first connector part, affixing the first part to the station, electrically connecting the transducer to a circuit, firmly and rigidly locating the optical fiber in a second connector part which is engageable with the first connector part with an end of the fiber in alignment with and in juxtaposition with the transducer when the parts are engaged, and then engaging the connector parts.
~0Y!~2~0 In another embodiment of the invention, a method of signal transmission includes positioning a first electri-cal connector part housing a light emitting optoelectronic element at an electronic output station. A second electrical connector part housing a light responsive optoelectronic element is positioned at an electronic input station. A
first terminal portion of a fiber optic light guide is firmly positioned within a first optical connector part. The first optical connector part with the first electrical connector part is engaged so that the first terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is rigidly held in inti-mate association with the light emitting optoelectronic element. In similar fashion, a second terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is firmly positioned within a second optical connector part, and the second optical con-nector part is engaged with the second electrical connector part, so that the second terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide is rigidly held in intimate association with the light responsive optoelectronic element. Thus, the optical connector parts and the electrical parts can be repeatedly engaged with and disengaged from each other without physical adjustment of either the optoelectronic elements or the light guide portions so that signals can be transmitted from the electronic output station to the electronic input station via the fiber optic light guide.
Other objects and advantages of this invention, together with its construction and mode of operation, will become more apparent from the following specification, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in ~o which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section~
of an optoelectric connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;
z~o FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side longitudinal cross-sectional views, taken along the lines 2-2 and ~-3, respectively, of FIG. 1, illustrating the construction and mating of engaged optical connector components with electrical connector components, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c are diagrams indicating the path of light ray entering a planar end surface of a light guide in accordance with prior art techniques, and illus-trating the path of light rays entering and leaving, respec-tively, a light guide having a convex or mushroom-shaped end in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the end of a plastic fiber being heated so as to provide a meniscus formed end thereon, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention;
FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c are an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly including an electrical con-nector and an optical connector, a perspective exploded sectional view of the electrical connector, and a perspective exploded sectional view of the optical connector, respec-tively, of an embodiment of this invention;
FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c are sectional views illus-trating the connection of various types of transducers with a metallic socket for use with an electrical connector part in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a signal trans-mission system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c are a side view, a top view, and a cross sectional view, respectively, of another embodiment of the invention.
In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to ~09~Z~O
corresponding similar elements. Referring to FIG. 1, an optoelectronic connector assembly 10 includes an optical connector 11 and an electrical connector 12, the housings of which are adapted to resiliently but firmly engage with each other. The electrical connec~or 12 contains a key 13 which is adapted to fit within a keyway lL~ of the optical connector 11 so as to provide for desired orientation of the two connectors 11, 12.
It is noted that the present invention is primarily directed to an optoelectronic connector assembly and methods relating to improvements therein. Hence, various connector portions may be conventional. Accordingly, such conven-tional portions are referred to only briefly and generally in the description, since they may readily be provided by those skilled in the art.
The optical connector housing 11 includes pin contact recei~ing cavities 15 extending axially therethrough.
Similarly, the mating electrical connector housing 12 has socket receiving cavities 16 suitably formed therein.
In order to provide for the interconnection and locking together of the two housings 11 and 12, an interlock slot or recess 17 is provided on one side of the housing 11 for cooperative locking engagement with a protuberance 18 on the corresponding side of the electrical connector housing 12. The protuberance 18 includes an inclined ramp surface 19 which engages with the interlock recess 17 to urge the two connector housings 11, 12 together in a resilient manner.
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical connector housing 11 is adapted to hold a terminal end portion of a fiber optic light guide 21 having an outer jacket 22 and an inner fiber light conducting core 2~.
The fiber optic light guide 21 can be either constructed ~0~4Zl~
of glass or suitable plastic material. One such suitable light guide can include that sold lmder the trade name Crofon by the ~uPont Company. An inner plastic fiber 23 of a Crofon fiber optic light guide 21 is made of material of polymethyl methacrylate which is sheathed with a trans-`~ parent polymer o~ lower refractive index. The outer jacket 22 can be constructed of ~uPont Alathon brand of polyethylene resin.
The terminal portion of the fiber optic light guide 21 can be held firmly and rigidly in place within thepin contact receiving cavity 15 by suitable firmly position-ing means such as a terminating device 24, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As a rigid member, the termination device 24 operates, in effect, as a pin contact means.
The terminating device 24 is hollow to receive and accommodate the outer diameter of a selected fiber optic light guide 21. The light guide 21 is held in the terminat-ing device 24 by one or more crimped bands. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer jacket 22 of the fiber light guide is crimped by a first crimpable section 26 of the terminating device 24 while the inner conductor 23 is crimped by a second crimpable section 27, the crimpable sections 26, 27 being integral portions of the contact member 24. The end of the fiber optic light guide projects through the hollow section of the terminating device 24 and is installed or cut so that the terminal end of the light guide fiber 23 is substantially flush with the open of the termination. A
lens of meniscus can be created at the end of the light guide fiber 23 by an application of heat. The pin contact means 24 is insertable into the pin contact receiving cavity 15 of the optical connector housing 11. The pin contact means 24 includes, forward of the second crimpable section, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a resilient collar 28 having a 10~34Z~0 slight pressed fit with respect to the cavit~ 15 so as to permit it serving as a stabilizer to maintain the contact securely aligned after insertion. Immediately ahead of the collar 28 are keylike embossments 29 which contact an annular shoulder 31 in the cavity 15 and provide a positive multi-point stop for an inserted contact 24. This multi-point stop additionally serves to prealign the contact 24 in proper position.
Further forward of the embossments 29~ the contact means 24 is provided with releasable retention means such as flares 32 cooperating with a common annular retention shoulder 33. The retention means can comprise a deflectable retention tine (not shown) provided on one side of the contact means 24 and two outwardly projecting retention flanges or flares 32 (see FIG. 2) provided on the opposite side of the contact means and on opposite sides of a suit-able slot 34, so that the deflecting tine is deflectable into an appropriate opening~ provided therein, such as set forth for example in the connector described in Mathe Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,923.
As stated above, the inner conductor 23 of the fiber optic light guide 21 can have its end formed either flat or formed with a meniscus. As shown, FIG. 4a dia-grammatically represents the typical acceptance angle ~
of an impinging light ray entering the core 40 of a fiber optic light guide. The light ray enters the core 40 at its end surface and is refracted to an angle ~ with respect to the main axis of the conductor 40 so that the light, upon striking the sides of the core 40, is directed along the axis of the core. A 69 angle, shown in FIG. 4a, is the critical angle of a Crofon light guide~ as described by the ~uPont Company.
Referring to FIG. 4b, there is depicted a similar ~09~Z10 path of light entering a Crofon light guide, wherein the end, in lieu of being formed with a flat surface or planar surface, is mushroom shape, preferabl~ obtained by heating the end so as to form a meniscus determined by a surface tension effect of the plastic material of the core 40.
Again, assuming the critical angle 59, it is noted that acceptable light enters from a direction more acute with the axis of the core 40 than in the corresponding case of FIG. 4a. In FIG. 4c, however, it is more apparent that axial light along the arrows A-A is refracted by the meniscus 41 so that the light rays converge as shown by the arrows B-B. The convergence of light can be dîrected upon a suitable light responsive device and, due to the conver-gence, increased efficiency can be obtained.
FIG. 5 illustrates that an inner core 40 of suit-able plastic material, such as a Crofon polymethyl methacrylate can be heated by a suitable means such as a cigarette lighter, a matoh 42, or other form of heat applicator to obtain a meniscus shape at the end of the core 40.
Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the terminating device 24, maintains a terminal end portion of the fiber optic light guide 21 in a centered and fixed or semifixed position. ~hen in position, the light guide 21 is termi-nated and installed in the body cavity 15 of the housing 11 and the conducting core 23 is centered in relationship to the corresponding cavity 16 in the electrical connector housing 12. The inner conductor 23 of the light guide 21 in the housing 11 is o~ such length so as to touch an active optoelectronic transducer element 51 mounted in electrical connector housing 12 of the connector assembly 10.
The optoelectronic transducer 51 can take the form of either a light responsive device or a light emitting device. A suitable light responsive device can be a photo-4Z~O
diode, while a light emitting device can be a light emitting diode or LED. Suitable light emitting devices can be such as L209 sold by the Texas Instrument Corporation.
The optoelectronic transducer element 51 can be inserted into the corresponding socket receiving cavity 16 of the electrical connector housing 12. The transducer element 51 can include a plurality of leads 52-52 in one form, as depicted in FIGS. 6a and 6b Alternatively, the element 51 can have a central conductor 53 (as shown in 10 FIGS. 2 and 3) and have an outer base conductive ring which can be coupled to a metal contact within the housing 12 (not shown). The transducer element 51 is mounted in a socket 54 (FIGS . 2 and 3) by suitable mounting material 55 .
The transducer 51 can be mounted in a recessed socket 56 as shown in FIG. 6b.
The optoelectronic transducer 51 can take various forms. It can be a top hat type shape as depicted in FIG.
7a, or can have a domed shape as shown in FIG. 7b. The inner conduetor 23 can have a flat faee as shown in FIG.
7a or ean have a lens like shape as shown in FIG. 7c.
In the versions shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, the inner eonduetor 23 fits within a hollow metallic member 57 so as to provide for firm and rigid support of the eonductor 23 and to provide for heat dissipation from the end of the transducer 51. The member 57 can be the terminal portion of the eontaet means 24.
The electrical eonnector part 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6a, can have a panel mounting means integrally provided thereon so that the connector housing 12 can be coupled to a printed circuit board or the like or other type of panelling. For example, the housing 12 can have a pair of opposing resilient wings 61-62 formed of preset, semirigid thermoplastic material provided on opposite side ~O~flZ~O
walls of the housing 12. The wings 61-62 project angu-larly from the housing 12 toward one another with the snap-in wing 62 projecting through a centrally located aperture 63 provided in the stop wing 61. Each of the stop wings 61 is provided with a bearing surface 64 ~or resili-ently bearing against the entry side of a panel when the connector part 12 is mounted therein. The stop wing bearing surface 6~ is provided on a lateral bar portion of the stop wing 61, extending parallel to and spaced ~rom the side wall of the housing 12. A bearing surface 66 is provided on the snap-in wing for resiliently bearing against the outward side of a panel after insertion. The construc-tion, arrangement and operation of the stop and snap-in wings 61 and 62 are such that, during insertion of the connector part 12 in a panel, the snap-in wings 62 first encounter the panel which causes them to deflect inwardly so as to permit passage of the locking lips of the snap-in wings 62 through the panel opening. After passing through the panel opening, the snap-in wings 62 swing back to cause the locking lips to resiliently lock tl~e connector part in the panel between the stop wing and the snap-in wing bear-ing surfaces.
A signal transmission system can be provided to transmit signals from one unit to another, such as an electrical output station 70 which can include a printed circuit unit or a printed circuit board, to an electrical input station 71 which, again, can include a printed circuit board. This can be achieved by coupling a first electrical connector part 72, which houses a transducer 73, to the printed circuit board 70. Similarly, a second electrical connector part 74, which houses a transducer 75, can be directly coupled to the printed circuit board 71. Leads from the transducers 73, 75 can be connected to the re-109 ~
spective stations 70, 71 with known techniques. Hence, theinput station printed circuit board 70 has, as an affixed part of the unit, the electrical connector part 72 housing the transducer 7~, while the input station 71 has, as an affixed portion thereof, the electrical connector part 74 which houses the transducer 75. Signals between the two stations 70 and 71 can be coupled via a fiber optic light guide 76 which is joined at one end to an optical connector 77 and at its other end to an optical connector 78. The optical connector 77, which is terminated by an end of the optical light guide 76, can be resiliently and firmly and rigidly coupled to the first electrical connector 72. Similarly, the optical connector 78 can be resiliently and firmly and rigidly connected to the electrical connector 74. If desired, an optical connector 77, 78 can be dis-engaged from its corresponding electrical connector 72, 74 manually and can be simply re-engaged thereafter.
The signal transmission system shown in FIG 8 depicts two transducers at each station, coupled together 20 with two fiber optic light guides. Such description and illustration is not meant to limit the scope of this inven-tion in that one or more than two transducers at each station can be coupled to its corresponding member at the other station. Also, a single light guide having a plur-ality of fiber conductors therein can be used in lieu of multiple light guides, if desired.
Another form for connecting an optoelectronic connector assembly together in which its electrical housing 12 can be coupled to a printed circuit board or other mount-~0 ing is shown in FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c. The optical connec-tor housing 11 positions one or more fiber optic light guides 21 therein, shown at the right hand side of the drawings, in a fashion similar to that described hereinabove.
l0~4z~n On the left hand side of the drawings, however, the elec-trical connector housing 12 includes an L shaped extension arm 81 which is aclapted to fit into a recess 82 of a printed circuit board 83 or other mounting. The connector housing 12 can be physically attached to the board or mounting 83 by suitable means 3~!, such as a screw, rivet, bolt and nut, and the like. The atkaching means 84 can also act as a means for dissipating heat which may be present in the connector part 12. The transducer 51 can be physically held in place by an opaque conductive contact means 85, a forward portion o~ which is coupled within the recess or socket of the housing 12 so that one end of the contact means 85 physically contacts the lead of the trans-ducer 51, the other end of the contact means 85 coming out through an opening 86 in the board 83 so as to be soldered or connected to a circuit on the board, as desired. The contact 85 acts to aid in alignment of the transducer 51, provide physical contact thereto for the purpose of electrical connection, and also for the purpose of heat dissipation therefrom. The contact 85 can also act to inhibit the passage of light from one socket cavity to another socket cavity in the same connector housing 12.
Typical dimensions for a light emitting diode, such as the L-209 type include leads which have a minimum length of 0.5 inch with such leads having a cross-section of approximately 0.20 inch. The diameter of the transducer can have an inner diameter of approximately 0.12 inch and an outer diameter of approximately 0.15 inch. The length of the main body of a transducer can be approximately 0.20 inch.
Though the end face of a plastic optical fiber can be flat, hemispherical, or meniscus shape, the end of a glass fiber is usually ground flat.
~O~ZJ.O
Although, generally, a conneetor assembly has been described utilizing one optical fiber light guide and one transducer per connector assembly, more than one such fiber and transducer per connector assembly can be accommo-dated, as illustrated in the drawings. However, there is no limitation as to the number that may be used. For example, 1, 2, 3, L~, or any integral number can be joined together by an appropriate optical connector housing to a eorresponding eleetrical connector housing to complete sueh assembly. Furthermore, though a fiber optic light guide has been deseribed throughout the speeifieation as having a single conductor, it is well known however, that various light guides may have more than one conductor and such multi-eonductor ~iber optic light guide can be used in a multi-eonduetor eonneetor assembly, as will be well reeog-nized by those skilled in the art. Various other modifiea-tions and variations will suggest themselves without de-parting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
-26_
Claims (16)
1. An optoelectronic connector assembly comprising an electrical connector part having a front end portion, an optical connector part having a front end portion adapted to engage with the front end portion of said electrical connector part, an opto-electronic transducer, means for firmly supporting said transducer within said electrical connector part so that said transducer fa-ces the front end of said electrical connector part, an optical fiber having material of light transmitting characteristics, and means, including a separate rigid member clamped about said optical fiber, for rigidly and firmly positioning a terminal end portion of said optical fiber within said optical connector part so that the end of said fiber faces the front end of said optical connec-tor part and is immediately adjacent said transducer and wherein said latter means renders unnecessary any subsequent physical ad-justment of said optical fiber with respect to said optical connec-tor part, said rigid member being releasably engageable within said optical connector part.
2. The connector assembly as recited in Claim 1 charac-terized by an absence of a separate lens between said transducer and said optical fiber.
3. The connector assembly as recited in Claim 1 wherein said optoelectronic transducer is a photodiode.
4. The connector assembly as recited in Claim 1 wherein said optoelectronic transducer is a light emitting diode.
5. The connector assembly as recited in Claim 1 wherein said connector parts each includes a housing formed of resilient material, one housing being formed with a keyway therewithin and the other housing having a mating key for engaging with said key-way, a first of said housings having an interlock recess therein and a second of said housings having protuberance means formed thereon for engagement with said recess so that both of said hou-sings can positively engage with each other and so that such enga-ged housings can be manually disengaged from each other, said elec-trical connector part housing being formed with a socket receiving cavity, and said optical connector part housing being formed with a pin contact receiving cavity, said pin contact receiving cavity being aligned with the socket receiving cavity of said electrical connector part housing when said housings are engaged with each other, whereby said parts can be selectively engaged and disenga-ged, and, when engaged, to thereby produce engagement of said trans-ducer element with said terminal portion of said fiber optic light guide without physical adjustment of either said transducer element or said light guide portion, and wherein potential damage due to contact between said transducer element and said terminal portion is significantly reduced due to the resiliency of the material of said housings.
6. The assembly as recited in Claim 5 wherein said elec-trical connector part housing is formed with a plurality of socket receiving cavities, and wherein said optical connector part housing is formed with a like plurality of pin contact receiving cavities, the cavities of one part being aligned with the corresponding ca-vities of the other part when said housings are engaged with each other.
7. The assembly as recited in Claim 5 wherein said pro-tuberance means includes an inclined projecting ramp surface for at least partial engagement with said interlock recess to provide for increased resiliency between said housings when engaged.
8. The combination as recited in Claim 5 further com-prising a photo-electric transducer element positioned in said socket receiving cavity by said first firmly positioning means; and a fiber optic light guide having a terminal portion positioned in said pin contact receiving cavity by said second firmly position-ing means.
9. The combination as recited in Claim 8 wherein the end of said terminal portion is formed with a convex surface, thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with said fiber optic light guide.
10. The combination as recited in Claim 8 wherein the end of said terminal portion is formed with a mushroom-shaped sur-face, thereby providing a lens effect integrally associated with said fiber optic light guide.
11. The connector assembly as recited in Claim 1, wherein said electrical connector part has a socket receiving ca-vity therein, including a recessed bore in said cavity facing in the direction of said optical connector part when said parts are engaged, said optoelectronic transducer included a main body and a lead attached thereto, said main body being seated in said bore with said lead extending through at least a portion of said cavity, and further comprising opaque conductive coupling means having a first portion located in said cavity and a second portion extend-ing outwardly away from said electrical connector part, said first portion of said opaque conductive means providing (1) an electri-cal connection to said transducer lead, (2) heat dissipation away from said transducer body, (3) general alignment of said transdu-cer, and (4) isolation of light to and from said cavity in a direc-tion perpendicular to a main axis of said cavity, said second por-tion being adapted to be soldered to an electronic circuit.
12. The combination as recited in Claim 11 further com-prising means for mounting said electrical connector part to a printed circuit board having an electronic circuit thereon.
13. In combination, a connector assembly comprising a first connector part and a second connector part, said parts each including a housing formed of resilient material, one housing being formed with a keyway therewithin and the other housing having a mating key for engaging with said keyway, a first of said hou-sing having an interlock recess therein and a second of said hou-sings having protuberance means formed thereon for engagement with said recess so that both said housings can positively engage with each other and so that such engaged housings can be manually di-sengaged from each other, said first connector part housing being formed with a socket receiving cavity, said second connector part housing being formed with a pin contact receiving cavity, said pin contact receiving cavity being aligned with the socket recei-ving cavity of said first connector part housing when said housings are engaged with each other, said second connector part housing having a reduced bore within said pin contact receiving cavity, one side of said reduced bore forming an annular shoulder with said pin contact receiving cavity and an opposite side of said bore forming a common annular retention shoulder with said pin contact receiving cavity, an optical fiber light guide having an inner fiber of light transmitting material, and an outer jacket, said light guide having a terminal end portion with said jacket removed, and pin contact means adapted to be received within said pin contact receiving cavity, said pin contact means having, from rear to front, (1) a first crimpable section, adapted to be crim-ped about said outer jacket of said light guide, (2) a second crimpable section, adapted to be crimped about said inner fiber of said light guide, (3) a resilient collar adapted to have a slight press fit with respect to said pin contact receiving collar so as to permit its serving as a stabilizer to maintain said pin contact means securely aligned after insertion, (4) keylike em-bossments for contacting said first named annular shoulder for providing a positive multi-point stop for an inserted pin contact means and thus serving to pre-align such inserted pin contact means in proper position, and (5) releasable retention means for cooper-ating with said common annular retention shoulder.
14. The connector assembly as recited in claim 1 where-in said rigid member includes an elongate distal portion disposed about the terminal end portion of said optical fiber, and another portion which is constructed to be cooperable with and removably engageable with said optical connector part.
15. The connector assembly as recited in claim 14 where-in the optical connector part comprises a forwardly facing shoul-der and a rearwardly facing shoulder, and said rigid member com-prises first resilient tines for engaging said forward facing shoulder and second resilient tines for engaging said rearwardly facing shoulder.
16. The connector assembly as recited in claim 14, where-in said rigid member comprises a first section crimpable against said optical fiber, and a second section crimpable against an outer jacket of said optical fiber.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US56957875A | 1975-04-18 | 1975-04-18 | |
| US569,578 | 1975-04-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1094210A true CA1094210A (en) | 1981-01-20 |
Family
ID=24276003
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA250,593A Expired CA1094210A (en) | 1975-04-18 | 1976-04-15 | Optoelectronic connector assembly |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5936724B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1094210A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2615389A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2308115A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1551273A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7604009A (en) |
Families Citing this family (25)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1091831B (en) * | 1977-01-10 | 1985-07-06 | Du Pont | OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR |
| NL7706379A (en) * | 1977-06-10 | 1978-12-12 | Philips Nv | METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A COUPLING ELEMENT. |
| US4193663A (en) * | 1977-07-18 | 1980-03-18 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Coupling-equipped light guide |
| CA1097964A (en) * | 1977-08-05 | 1981-03-24 | Thomas M. Cherney | Connector for flat ribbon optical fiber cables |
| US4149072A (en) * | 1977-08-05 | 1979-04-10 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | System for flat ribbon optical fiber data communications link |
| US4191447A (en) * | 1978-04-27 | 1980-03-04 | International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation | Fiber optic termination and method of making same |
| JPS54168856U (en) * | 1978-05-18 | 1979-11-28 | ||
| JPS5754357Y2 (en) * | 1978-06-14 | 1982-11-25 | ||
| GB2049220B (en) * | 1979-05-09 | 1983-06-15 | Bunker Ramo | Optical fibre terminator and means and method for centering optical fibre |
| US4645295A (en) * | 1980-02-04 | 1987-02-24 | Allied Corporation | Fiber optic connector |
| DE3005652C2 (en) * | 1980-02-15 | 1982-03-04 | H. Kuhnke Gmbh Kg, 2427 Malente | Multipole electrical connector device |
| JPS5932980Y2 (en) * | 1980-04-21 | 1984-09-14 | マツダ株式会社 | fiber optic connector |
| JPS57171342U (en) * | 1981-04-20 | 1982-10-28 | ||
| US4547039A (en) * | 1982-04-16 | 1985-10-15 | Amp Incorporated | Housing mountable on printed circuit board to interconnect fiber optic connectors |
| JPS5977402A (en) * | 1982-10-26 | 1984-05-02 | Toshiba Corp | Optical link |
| US4798440A (en) * | 1983-01-24 | 1989-01-17 | Amp Incorporated | Fiber optic connector assembly |
| US4553813A (en) * | 1983-05-16 | 1985-11-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Fiber optic connector system for integrated circuit modules |
| GB2199156B (en) * | 1986-12-16 | 1991-04-24 | Emi Plc Thorn | Lens manufacture |
| JPS62229884A (en) * | 1987-03-23 | 1987-10-08 | Toshiba Corp | Photoelectric apparatus |
| JPH0675142A (en) * | 1992-08-25 | 1994-03-18 | Yamaichi Electron Co Ltd | Optical connector |
| JP6278627B2 (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2018-02-14 | 富士通コンポーネント株式会社 | Optical module |
| JP2015153609A (en) * | 2014-02-14 | 2015-08-24 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | photoelectric composite connector and portable electronic equipment |
| JP2015053210A (en) * | 2013-09-09 | 2015-03-19 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | Photoelectric composite connector |
| JP6215022B2 (en) * | 2013-11-28 | 2017-10-18 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | Photoelectric composite connector |
| US9684135B2 (en) * | 2013-09-09 | 2017-06-20 | Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited | Optoelectrical connector and portable electronic device |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3517981A (en) * | 1966-06-15 | 1970-06-30 | Amp Inc | Termination members for fiber optic means |
| US3637284A (en) * | 1969-12-22 | 1972-01-25 | Gen Motors Corp | Male connector terminal for fiberloptic bundles |
| NL7017510A (en) * | 1969-12-29 | 1971-07-01 | ||
| DE2207900B1 (en) * | 1972-02-19 | 1972-10-12 | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München | Coupling element for fiber optic cables |
| FR2175547B1 (en) * | 1972-03-13 | 1978-12-08 | Fort Francois | |
| US3790923A (en) * | 1972-04-04 | 1974-02-05 | Bunker Ramo | Electrical connector having improved panel mounting means and an improved releasable contact construction |
| US3790791A (en) * | 1972-07-20 | 1974-02-05 | Bunker Ramo | Optoelectronic cable assembly |
| US3792284A (en) * | 1972-10-13 | 1974-02-12 | Gte Sylvania Inc | Electro-optic transmission link |
| US3789485A (en) * | 1973-01-24 | 1974-02-05 | Artos Engineering Co | Method and apparatus for producing flexible fiber optical light conductors |
| GB1444064A (en) * | 1973-06-29 | 1976-07-28 | Itt | Electro-optical transmission line |
| US3809908A (en) * | 1973-06-29 | 1974-05-07 | Itt | Electro-optical transmission line |
| US3846010A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1974-11-05 | Corning Glass Works | Optical waveguide connector |
-
1976
- 1976-04-08 DE DE19762615389 patent/DE2615389A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1976-04-15 NL NL7604009A patent/NL7604009A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-04-15 GB GB15707/76A patent/GB1551273A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-04-15 CA CA250,593A patent/CA1094210A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-04-15 FR FR7611181A patent/FR2308115A1/en active Granted
- 1976-04-19 JP JP51044339A patent/JPS5936724B2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2615389A1 (en) | 1976-10-21 |
| NL7604009A (en) | 1976-10-20 |
| FR2308115A1 (en) | 1976-11-12 |
| FR2308115B1 (en) | 1981-09-25 |
| JPS51129244A (en) | 1976-11-10 |
| JPS5936724B2 (en) | 1984-09-05 |
| GB1551273A (en) | 1979-08-30 |
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