CA1197718A - Optical waveguide connector assembly - Google Patents

Optical waveguide connector assembly

Info

Publication number
CA1197718A
CA1197718A CA000451396A CA451396A CA1197718A CA 1197718 A CA1197718 A CA 1197718A CA 000451396 A CA000451396 A CA 000451396A CA 451396 A CA451396 A CA 451396A CA 1197718 A CA1197718 A CA 1197718A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
ferrule
optical waveguide
section
contact body
optical fiber
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
Application number
CA000451396A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William L. Schumacher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/188,395 external-priority patent/US4440469A/en
Application filed by AMP Inc filed Critical AMP Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1197718A publication Critical patent/CA1197718A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An optical waveguide connector assembly comprises a tubular body, an alignment ferrule mounted on a forward end portion of the body, an internal ferrule assembled within the body, an optical cable having an optical waveguide projecting through a forward end of the internal ferrule. The internal ferrule and the waveguide are inserted into the body with the waveguide pro-jecting through the body and the alignment ferrule. The forward end of the inner ferrule is tapered and wedges sealably against internal tapered walls of the body and seals against migration of adhesive material along the length of the waveguide. The waveguide forward end is made flush with a forward end of the alignment ferrule.

Description

7~

This application is a divisional of copending Canadian application Serial No. 385,~5 filed September 16, 1981, by Amp Incorporated.
Thîs invention relates to an optical waveguide connector assembly providing for localization of adhesive material in a forward end of the assembly.
A typical optical waveguide connector assembly is disclosed in United States Patent ~,20~,306, comprising a terminal end, an optical waveguide within a bore of a resilient jig, and aligned concentric to the outer dimension of the terminal end, and the resilient jig uniformly compressed to contract about the optical waveguide. Resultingly, the waveguide is held concentric within the outer dimens;on of the terminal end and is bonded therein by a bonding agent, for example, an adhesive material.
While the above connector generally centers the waveguide, certain shortcomings are presen~. First, in positioning the waveguide concentric ~ith the ~erminal end o~ the connector, the effectiveness of an optical coupling is dependent upon insertion of the terminal end of the connector within an encircling splice bushing, preserving tight tolerances between the terminal end and the inner diameter of the splice bushing. Secondly, the above connector does not confine the bonding agent to the forward end of the waveguide. Conse-quently, the bonding agent tends to migrate down the cable, increasing rigidity along the length of the waveguide and the likelihood of its breakage.
Accordingly, the industry has been in need of an SMA-style optical wavegui~e connector that should function relatively independent of tolerance variations between interfitted parts; should provide improved centering of an optical waveguide in the connector, and should localize and prevent migration of adhesive material.

~ 1 77~

A connector assemhly according to the present invention provides an inner resilient ~errule assemhled over an optical waveguide. The ferrule and waveguide are ass~embled into a hollow body, with the forward end of the ferrule sealably wedged in the tubular body to seal against migration of adhesive material along the waveguide. Alignment of the waveguide along a major axis of the connector assembly is accomplished by holding the waveguide in an alignment ferrule mounted on the forward end of tubular body, and the waveguide trimmed flus;h with a forward end of the alignment ferrule.
In a specific embodiment of a connector assembly according to the invention, the optical waveguide is part of an optical waveguide cable having an innçr jacket, encircling the waveguide, strength fibers encircle the inner jacket and an outer jacket covers the fibers. The inner jacket enters the above described inner ferr~le together with the waveguide. The strength fibers overlie the hody in which the inner ferrule sealably registers, and a crimping ferrule encircles: the strength fibers trapplng the fibers against the body.
~u~ther, the crimping ferrule radially grips the outer jacket.
-~ore generall~, the present invention provides an optical waveguide connector for connecting to an optical fiber of an optical waveguide member and for connection within a coupling member, comprising: contact body means having a forward section and a rear section, said contact body means having profiled passageway means extending therethrough, said profiled passageway means having a smaller diameter in said forward section, said profiled passage-way means in said rear section adapted to receive an inner jacket surrounding the optical fiber and said smaller diameter profiled passageway means in said forward section receiving the optical fiber therein; said forward section having a forward end of smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of said forward
- 2 -77~

section; resilient and radially compressible alignment ferrule means ha~ing a centrall~ di$posed aperture therethrough for closely receiving an end of the optical fiber therein wit~ a forward end surface of the optical fiber located co~lanar with a forward surface of said alignment ferrule means, said alignment fe.rrule means having a counter~ore rearward of said aperture engaging said forward end of said forward section, the outer diameter of said alignment ferrule means: being the same as the outer diameter of sai,d forward section so that said forward section with said alignment ferrule means thereon is posi-tionable within the coupling member with the alignment ferrule means resiliently engaging the soupling member thereby compressibly engaging the optical fiber end disposed in said aperture and align;ng the axis of the optical fiber with the axis of the coupling memb.er.
The present invention and that of above mentioned Canadian Patent applicati,on Serial Numb,er 385,995 will now be described in greater detail ~ith ~eference to the accompanyi:ng drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the subject optical waveguide connector;
Pigure 2 is a perspective view of the subject optical waveguide con-nector in a partially assembled condition;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the subject optical waveguide con-nector in a condition of partial assembl.y subsequent to that illustrated :in Fi~ure 2;
~igure 3A is a longitudinal section view through the par-tially assem-bled connectr illustrated in Figure 3, taken along the line 3A-3A;
Figure 4 is. a perspective view of the subject optical waveguide connector, with the centering alignment ferrule affixed to the forward end of the contact body, and the optical waveguide projecting therethrough;

~"3~

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section view through a fully assembled optical waveguide connector terminated. into a splice bushing of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective -view of the subject optical waveguide connector in the fully assembled conditi.on.
Referring first to Figure 1, the subject connector is an assembly 2 and comprises a crimping ferrule 4, a coupling nut 6~ a primary ferrule 8, a contact body 10, and an alignment ferrule 12. The subject invention terminates an optical waveguide cable of the general type comprising an outer jacket 14, a coaxial sleeve of strength fibers 16J an inner jacket 18, and an op-tical waveguide or fiber 20.
With continued reference to Figures 1 and 3A, the crimping ferrule 4 includes an axially forward disposed external annular flange 22. The coupling nut 6 is configured with an internal annular flange 24 at an axially rearward end thereof. The primary ferrule 8 likewise provides an annular shoulder 26 at an axially rearward end thereof, and an inwardly tapered axially forward end 28. An aperture 30 extends through the forward end 28 of the primary ferrule, and is dimensioned substantially to the outer diameter of the optical waveguide 20. An axial passageway 32, extending the length of the primary ferrule 8, is dimensioned closely to encircle and receive an end portion of the inner jacket 18 surrounding the waveguide 20.
The contact body 10 is configured with an axially rearward ~ubular sleeve porti.on 34, an external radially outward annular flange 36, an axially forwardly directed external annular should 37, a reduced diameter axially forward nose portion 38, having external, annular circumferential protrusi.ons 40 formed therearound. A profiled bore 42 extends the entire axial length of the contact body 10, and consists of axially rearward, generally larger diameter portion 45 and an axially forward smaller diameter bore chamber 46. Inward radially, tapered sidewalls 44 defi.ne that portion of the axial bore 42 extending between the portion 45 and the chamber 46.
As best shown by Figure 5, the allgnment ferrule 12 is of stepped cylindrical configuration, including a relatively larger diameter counterbore portion 47 communicating with a smaller diameter centering aperture 48. It will be appreciated that the centering aperture 48 is dimensioned to receive and encircle closely the optical waveguide 20, and the counter~bore inner dia-meter is dimensioned to enable mounting of the alignment ferrule 12 over the forward nose portion 38. The alig-nment ferrule 12 is formed from a resilient, radially compressible material, for example a thermosetting plastic. The contact body 10, coupling nut 6, and crimping ferrule 4 are formed from any one of a number of suitable metals. The primary ferrule 8 is formed of plastics or metallic material.
Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 3A, the subject optical wave-guide connector is assembled as follows. The optical waveguide cable is inserted first through the crimping ferrule 4 and the coupling nut 6. Thereaf-ter, the optical waveguide 2~ is inserted along and through the primary ferrule 8 to project forwardly therefrom. The inner jacket 18 of the waveguide cable is positioned within the axial passageway 32 of the primary :Eerrule 8 as shown.
Subsequently the primary ferrule 8 is inserted into the rearward larger dia-meter portion 45 of the contact body axial bore 42. The tapered forward end 28 of the primary ferrule 8 wedges into the inward taper of the contact body tapered walls 44. It will be appreciated from Figure 3A that the internal annular flange 2~ of the coupling nut 6 is intended for axial abutment against the external annular flange 36 of the contact body ]Ø It will further be noted that the external flange 22 of the crimping ferrule 4 abuts axially 77~

against the coupling nut 6, and further entraps radially the sleeve of : strength fibers 16 against the outer surface of the contact body portion 34.
Thereafter, the cylindrical body of ferrule 4 is crimped to securely clamp the strength fibers 16 against the contact body 10.
The f~rward length o~ the optical waveguide 20 protrudes axially forward through the forward bore chamber 46 and emerges from the axially forward . end of the contact body 10. By way of reference to Figure 5, quantity of adhesive material 50 i5 injected into the forward bore chamber 46 of the contact body 10, and encapsulates the length of the optical waveguide 20 extending therethrough. It will be readily appreciated that the wedging interference engagement between the tapered forward end 28 of the primary ferrule 8 and the tapered walls 44 of the contact hody 10~ sealably encircles the forward end 28 over the waveguide and against the body 10 and prevents any migration of the adhesive material axially rearward along the optical waveguide 20, and serves to localize the collection of adhesive material at the forward end of the assembly where needed. The adhes.ive materîal 50 may be selected from the group of commonly available epoxy materials, or the like.
Proceeding with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the resilient alignment ferrule 12 is then mounted over the Eorward nose portion 38 o:E the contact body 10, and es.tablishes an encircling interference Eit to seal the adhesive material 50. The interference protrusions 40 embed into the resilient ferrule 12 fur-ther to retain said alignment ferrule 12. The forward end of the optical wavé-guide 20 protrudes through the centering aperture 38 of the alignment ferrule 12, and is thereby held and positioned on the major axis of the assembly. Subse-~uently, the epoxy 50 is permitted to cure, and the Eorward end of waveguide 20 is ground and polished back coplanar with the :Eorward end o:E the alignment 7~

ferrule 12. Thus, the optical waveguide 20 is reference~ coaxially with the outer diameter of forward nose portion 38 of the contact hody 10, by operation of the alignment ferrule 12 through which the waveguide protrudes. Such an arrangement ensures that the optical waveguide is fixedly held on a major axis of the connector assembly.
With continued re:Eerence to Figures 5 and 6, a coupling bushing 52 is illustrated for use in the mating of a pai.r of cOnneCtOTs configured as described above. The coupling bushing 52 is generally cylindrical and provides a ccntering bore 5~ extending along the intermediate length thereof. The centering bore 54 has an interior dimension such that the alignment ferrule 12 may be inserted therein with interference engagement. An internal step 56 is further provided, to terminate the insertion of the contact body 10 into the centering bore 5~. It will be apparent that the coupling nut 6 engages exterior threads 58 of the coupling bushing 52 to influence the contact body 10 further into the coupling bushing bore 5~, until the external should er 37 of the contact body abuts against the internal step 56 of the bushing 52.
The internal dimension of the bore 5~ is such that radially compressive force is exerted upon the alignment ferrule 12 as the contact body 10 is inserted into the bushing. Resilient radial compression of the :Eerrule 12, which is caused by interference engagement with the bushing 52, serves to uni-formly relocate the forward nose portion 38 of the contact body 10 on the center axis of the coupling bushing. Thus, by operation of the resilient alignment ferrule 12, the forward nose portion 38 of the contact body 10 is positioned on the axis of the coupling bushing. Moreover, since the alignment ferrule 12 further serves to preserve the optical waveguide 20 in fixed coaxial -~eference with the outer surface diameter of the forward nose portion 38, the optical '7~

waveguide 20 is likewise therehy Eixedly located on the axis of the coupling bushing 52. A li~e configured optical waveguide connector, structured identi-cally as described above and illustrated in Figure 5, is intended to be matingly inserted into the opposite end of the coupling bushing 52. The opposite macing connector half undergoes similar alignment by operation of the similar resilient alignment ferrule 12 component thereof, and is thereby positioned on the axis of the coupling bushing 52. Accordingly, both mating connector halves (only one of which can be seen in Figure 5) are resiliently relocated to the axis of the coupling bushing) and the optical waveguides extending therethrough are thereby colinear]y and axially aligned.
From the foregoing some general observances will become apparent.
First the subject optical waveguide connector consists of relatively few com-ponent parts. A single splice bushing comprises the only component which is not identically incorporated into each connector half. Secondly, part-to-part tolerances between the component parts of each connector half and between the component parts of opposite connector halves, are not critical. This is due to the resilient operation of the alignment ferrules, which ensure coaxial location of the connector halves independently of the part-to-part specifications, and due to the controlled distance which each connector unit is inserted into a splice bushing. Also, it will be apparent that the subject invention may be economically produced due to the relatively small number of component parts which have non-critical dimensions, and can be readily assembled without the use of elaborate assembly tooling.
Finally, in viewing Figure 5, iE will be recognized that the waveguide is held on the major axis of the contact body 10 at two distinct and distant points; namely, at the forward end of the primary ferrule 8 where the waveguide 7 ~

protrudes therefrom~ and at the alignment ferrule 12 where the forward end of the waveguide is held within the ferrule aperture 48. This distant two point alignment scheme achieves ~etter angular alignment of the waveguide axis than a system which holds the waveguide at one point, or at two relatively proximate points.

Claims (9)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An optical waveguide connector for connecting to an optical fiber of an optical waveguide member and for connection within a coupling member, comprising: contact body means having a forward section and a rear section, said contact body means having profiled passageway means extending therethrough, said profiled passageway means having a smaller diameter in said forward sec-tion, said profiled passageway means in said rear section adapted to receive an inner jacket surrounding the optical fiber and said smaller diameter pro-filed passageway means in said forward section receiving the optical fiber therein; said forward section having a forward end of smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of said forward section; resilient and radially com-pressible alignment ferrule means having a centrally disposed aperture there-through for closely receiving an end of the optical fiber therein with a for-ward end surface of the optical fiber located coplanar with a forward surface of said alignment ferrule means, said alignment ferrule means having a counter-bore rearward of said aperture engaging said forward end of said forward sec-tion, the outer diameter of said alignment ferrule means being the same as the outer diameter of said forward section so that said forward section with said alignment ferrule means thereon is positionable within the coupling member with the alignment ferrule means resiliently engaging the coupling member thereby compressibly engaging the optical fiber end disposed in said aperture and aligning the axis of the optical fiber with the axis of the coupling member.
2. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein protrusion means are located on an outer surface of said forward end which embed into a surface defining said counterbore of said alignment ferrule means thereby retaining said alignment ferrule means on said forward end.
3. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein primary ferrule means having profiled bore means extending therethrough is disposable within said rear section passageway means with the inner jacket being disposed along a major portion of said primary ferrule means and the optical fiber extending along the remaining portion of said primary ferrule means and into said smaller diameter profiled passageway means of said forward section.
4. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said profiled passageway means between said forward section and said rear section has a tapered section, said primary ferrule means has a tapered forward end matable with said tapered section, said tapered forward end includes a hole dimensioned closely to the diameter of the optical fiber enabling the optical fiber to pass therethrough.
5. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 4, wherein adhesive means is disposable within said profiled passageway means in said forward section, said tapered forward section of said primary ferrule means matably engaging said tapered section of said profiled passageway means pre-venting said adhesive means from migrating beyond the matable engagement between said tapered forward section and said tapered section.
6. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said primary ferrule means includes annular shoulder means to limit movement of said primary ferrule means into said profiled passageway means of said rear section.
7. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein strength fibers of the optical waveguide members are disposable along an outer surface of said rear section of said contact body means, and crimping ferrule means disposable onto said rear section and crimpable thereonto and onto an outer jacket of the optical waveguide member thereby securing the strength fibers between the rear section and said crimping ferrule means and providing a strain relief for the optical waveguide member.
8. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein said contact body means has an external annular flange, coupling means disposed on said contact body means and having an internal annular flange disposed adjacent said external annular flange, and said crimping ferrule means has annular flange means disposed adjacent said internal flange thereby securing said coupling means onto said contact body means between said external annular flange and said annular flange means with said coupling means being freely rotatable relative to said contact body means for coupling engagement with the coupling member.
9. An optical waveguide connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said contact body means has an annular shoulder for engagement with an internal step in the coupling member thereby limiting movement of said forward section within the coupling member.
CA000451396A 1980-09-18 1984-04-05 Optical waveguide connector assembly Expired CA1197718A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/188,395 US4440469A (en) 1980-09-18 1980-09-18 Optical waveguide connector
US188,395 1980-09-18
CA000385995A CA1187316A (en) 1980-09-18 1981-09-16 Optical waveguide connector assembly

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000385995A Division CA1187316A (en) 1980-09-18 1981-09-16 Optical waveguide connector assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1197718A true CA1197718A (en) 1985-12-10

Family

ID=25669437

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000451396A Expired CA1197718A (en) 1980-09-18 1984-04-05 Optical waveguide connector assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1197718A (en)

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